"The song was about how when my grandma was standing over my grandfather while he was dying. There was this moment where I felt like he had sort of looked at her and reckoned that he had won in life. Like, ‘I’m a champion. We won. Our love made us a winner.’ They were married 60 years. I thought about that idea, that the glorious moment of your life is when you decide that it’s okay to go, you don’t have any more words to say, more business, more mountains to climb. You’re on the cliff, you tip your hat to yourself and you go. That’s what it was for me in that moment when I witnessed it."
—Gaga talking to Jon Pareles of The New York Times about the song.
If that doesn't make you want to die, I don't know what will.
I learned many valuable lessons in 2011, but one of the biggest lessons learned was that there is no need for me to be ashmaed that I enjoy some of Lady Gaga's tunes. "The Edge of Glory" is an epic, 80's style rock, dance track masterpiece and I, Ryan Jacobson, love it!
I am pretty sure I watched this American Idol performance about 12 times in a row.
The official video for the track. I have said the joke before, and I will say it again. If she is not careful she might find herself falling off that "edge of glory all the way to the cement below."
39. Let's All Go to the Bar by Deer Tick - I loved this song before I ever even heard it. It could have been 3 minutes of static and I would probably still place it in my top 50 songs of the year simply for its title. I know Deer Tick has been around for a while, but I just started loving them with their new album, Divine Providence. "Let's All Go to the Bar" is an instant classic drinking song and will be played on bar jukeboxes for decades to come (more than likely by me.)
38. Lonely Boy by Black Keys - "Lonely Boy" may be my favorite Black Keys song of all time. I just got their new album for Christmas, but have not had a chance to listen to it yet. As far as "Lonely Boy" goes I enjoy it much more than their big hit from last year, "Tighten Up" because for some reason I never seem to get tired of hearing "Lonely Boy" while "Tighten Up" started to drive me crazy by October of last year. Either way, Black Keys are two very talented guys and I can't wait to hear what other gems await on "El Camino" when I start listening to it tomorrow.
This may be the cheapest video in the history of music videos to produce. How much does a bottle of Jack Daniels go for these days?
37. People Say by Portugal. The Man - This may be the biggest error in the history of Ryan's Countdowns. I have to admit, however, that this error is not my fault. Apparently "People Say" was officially released a long time ago. YEARS. Here is a little breakdown of "People Say."
* June 1st, 2009 - Portugal. The Man released the song as an official single. It was available as a free download on the bands official site.Yes. 2009!
* July 21, 2009 - The band releases the album The Satanic Satanist (which includes "People Say") and the band also releases the album The Majestic Majesty which has an acoustic version of "People Say."
* October 1, 2010 - Portugal. The Man released the video for the song. Well over a year after it was originally released. Very Bizarre.
* Winter/Spring/Summer of 2011 - "People Say" is in heavy rotation on 95.5 WBRU as well as Sirius Radio.
* December 21, 2011 - "People Say" is included on WBRU's list of options to vote for as song of the year for 2011.
* January 4, 2012 - In its biggest achievement to date, "People Say" lands at number 37 on Ryan's Countdowns.
I am so confused about "People Say" but regardless of its release and relevance in 2011 I love the song, and feel as though placing it in this years countdown is acceptable, although there will forever be a little doubt in the back of my mind as to its qualifications on this years list.
36. Going Out in Style by Dropkick Murphys - I am starting to get to the point in the countdown that I can't believe that the songs are this low, but I loved so much music this year that I suppose #36 is not too bad of a placement. I am really beginning to question weather Dropkick Murphys will ever release a track that does not make me run to my computer or CD insert and learn every single word of the song. There are not many bands that I can think of that puts out more songs that are as fun to sing along with as Dropkick Murphys. I have seen these guys live many times and just when I think I have seen all they can do they drop a song on me like "Going Out in Style" and make me need to see them all over again.
I think I just decided on my New Years resolution. I will be going to Boston every single weekend until I somehow make my way into their circle of friends. Also, if Kevin Youkilis is in one more Dropkick video that may be all it will take for him to move up into my top ten favorite athletes of all time.
35. Up All Night by Blink 182 - "Up All Night" is Blink 182's answer to critics asking the question, "Can they still be as good as they once were?" The answer is a resounding, "Yes." I stated earlier, the world has seen Blink 182 grow up from crazy, naked, party animal teenagers, to crazy, semi-naked, fathers and husbands. "Up All Night" is their best song in years and I think it is safe to say that if Mark, Tom, and Travis can get along with each other, Blink 182 will still be rocking hard as old, (hopefully fully-dressed) grandfathers.
34. The Pole Song by Chase Rice - I know many of you are probably sick and tired of me ranting and raving about Chase Rice, but I can't help but love everything this guy does. "The Pole Song" was released as part of the "Bring on Summer" EP (along with "Comin' Home with Me, #43 on the countdown.) Every song that Chase Rice releases makes me want to be friends with him even more, and "The Pole Song" shows just how hilarious he can be. The song is about how a man holds his pole while fishing, and all the ways you can handle it, and reel it. After making the countdown more than any other artist this year, it is clear that I would let Chase Rice hold my [fishing] pole any time (mostly because all I do when fishing is pound beers anyway.) He can have the damn thing.
33. Sunset in July by 311 - My favorite type of songs are songs written about the joys of summer. Working as a bartender on a beach during the summer, I see many sunsets in July, and they are all pretty breathtaking. 311, to me, is a summertime band, but as much as I love "Sunset in July" it is quite difficult to fully enjoy when it is 9 degrees outside and about 49 degrees in my house. The song does, however, help me to have hope that July will soon be here and the dog days of summer are just around the corner. I think if I could be in any band it would be 311 because they seem to be quite carefree, as if there don't have a worry in the world. Listen to the song and tell me that these guys have any stress in their lives whatsoever.
32. This is Why We Fight by The Decemberists - This song is dedicated to all my Windjammer co-workers down here at the beach. This summer we must have heard this song over 200 times, and to be honest, I am still not tired of it. As anyone who has worked in a bar/restaurant knows, tensions can be high at times between staff members. After a long day of work "This is Why we Fight" would always bring us back together as one big, happy, loving family. (The 15 beers each probably didn't hurt either.)
31. Many of Horror by Biffy Clyro - I get so upset that Biffy Clyro is not more popular than they are. In my opinion, they may be the most underrated band of the past ten years. The are so unique from any other band out there and people should be counting down the days until their next album is released. Unfortunately, however, many people still have not discovered Biffy Clyro and it's an absolute shame. "Many of Horror" was released just over a year ago, but did get some play on WBRU at the beginning of 2011. While "Many of Horror" is not as good as "Living is a Problem Because Everything Dies" from their previous album, it is still a very solid track and deserves to be shared with the world. Drop whatever you are doing, and listen to Biffy Clyro, you will thank me later.
Just about every Biffy Clyro song is an experience in itself. "Many of Horror" is no exception. They are brilliant.
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