Over my dead body

These are the 10 songs Jeff Rosanswank of Cape Girardeau wouldn't want to live without:

1. "Born To Run" -- Bruce Springsteen

The all-time classic teen-age male anthem. It's got it all: Passionate young lovers, fast cars, the city streets and screaming guitars. In my opinion, this is the ultimate rock 'n' roll song of all time.

2. "As Far As You Can See (As Much As You Can Feel)" -- Gypsy

The greatest '70s rock band you've never heard of. Gripping lyrics, outstanding vocals, stellar guitar work and a blistering Hammond B-3 organ make this essential. Trust me, you need to find this and share it with your closest friends.

3. "Wasted Time" -- The Eagles

This one rips your heart out, wrings it dry and puts it back in. "Oh my God, you can't believe it's happening again ..." From an album that defined the last half of the '70s, Don Henley is at his emotional best.

4. "Mad Man Moon" -- Genesis

This is the most gorgeous song from my favorite old Genesis album, "A Trick of the Tail." This was their first album with drummer Phil Collins as lead singer after Peter Gabriel left the group to go solo. At my first-ever concert in 1976, Genesis absolutely blew me away with their striking musicianship and their mesmerizing laser light show. My disappointment over Genesis' later reincarnation as a Top 40 band aside, early Genesis was one of the most progressive and exciting bands ever.

5. "Home Again" -- Batdorf & Rodney

A relatively obscure KSHE-FM (St. Louis) classic featuring truly blissful lyrics and virtuoso acoustic guitar work. "All my life I've waited for this day, I am home again." I've never played this album for a friend who didn't demand a copy of it.

6. "Babe I'm Gonna Leave You" -- Led Zeppelin

The ultimate fusion of blues and rock, Led Zep's entire first album leaves you beaten up and bloody. It almost seemed that Jimmy Page and Robert Plant were plugged directly into the amps and into your soul. I've always said that if I could somehow go back in time to see one concert, it would be Led Zep circa 1969.

7. "Loan Me a Dime" -- Boz Scaggs

Secretly one of the best white blues singers and guitarists alive, Boz Scaggs desperately reaches out for his "old-time used-to-be" in this late-'60s 13-minute classic.

8. "Could" -- Brian McKnight

A sense of hopelessness and cynicism turns to sheer elation as a man begins to realize that he has finally found his one true love. This is the song my wife and I fell in love to, and it was the first dance at our wedding.

9. "Green-Eyed Lady" -- (LP version)

Awesome rhythm section, searing vocals and the best Hammond B-3 organ solo ever to crack the Top 10. Forget the edited radio version. It pales in comparison with the original 6:48 album cut.

10. "Good Morning Schoolgirl" -- Junior Wells

Gritty, raw and raunchy, Chicago blues harmonica legend Junior Wells is at his steaming, snarling best with a young Buddy Guy cooking on the electric guitar.

SEND US YOUR LIST

The Southeast Missourian wants to publish your list of the 10 songs you could not live without.

Please include a short explanation of each title's importance.

Write to: A&Leditor Sam Blackwell, Southeast Missourian, P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, Mo., 63702.

E-mail: sblackwell@ semissourian.com.

Fax:334-7288.

Include your name, mailing address and phone number (for verification).