I have, for about a week now, been bouncing around ideas for a way to write a post with that title.  I can’t do it.  So I’m just going to link to a bunch of YouTube videos for songs that, in my opinion, are perfect.  The reasons may not be clear; for some of them I’m not even sure there is a reason.  There are lots of perfect songs; this is not going to be remotely an exhaustive list, and it might even be something I return to from time to time.  Feel free to argue and/or suggest other songs in comments.

Also, don’t get too het up about the order.  I happen to be listening to #1 right now, which is why it’s first.  (Actually, as I’m putting this together?  Go ahead and pay attention to the order, because I’m fascinating myself with how my own brain works as I choose these songs.  This… means something.)

Harvey Danger, “Flagpole Sitta”

Bob Marley, “No Woman No Cry”

Bob Dylan, “Tangled Up in Blue”

The Dave Matthews Band, “Ants Marching”

The Presidents of the United States of America, “Peaches”

Pearl Jam, “Black”

Pink Floyd, “Comfortably Numb”

David Bowie, “Space Oddity”

Ol’ Dirty Bastard, “Shimmy Shimmy Ya”

K’naan, “Fatima”