“Peaches” by The Presidents of the United States of America — “Peaches” from the album The Presidents of the United States of America, released in 1995 Okay, two things: 1) this song has one of the greatest music videos ever made. 2) this song is prophetic. I did not know it when I first heard “Peaches” but it speaks to me on a cosmic level. I don’t know, maybe king-fu fighting ninjas in your peach orchard on a pleasant afternoon?

“Fool in the Rain” by Led Zeppelin — “Fool in the Rain” from the album In Through the Out Door, released in 1979 This is my favorite Led Zeppelin song. I think I like it because at its core it’s actually just one big joke. Also, you know, it has a weird mix of sounds. Somewhat bluesy, somewhat rocky, “Fool in the Rain” gives its listeners a little big of both. Sure, there are no orcs or hobbits or whatever, but it’s always nice to hear a song about a famous rock star making a foolish mistake and having to stand in the rain because of it.

“The Joker” by Steve Miller Band — “The Joker” from the album The Joker, released in 1973 Some people also call me a space cowboy, so, you know, this song had to find a spot on this list. That’s not true. I don’t think I’ve ever been called a space cowboy. However, I’d like to be. So that’s worth something. I said in my earlier post about Steve Miller Band’s “Swingtown” that I would probably end up including every song from their seminal Greatest Hits 1974–1978 album and that might still be true.

“Godzilla” by Blue Öyster Cult — “Godzilla” from the album Spectres, released in 1977 Did you really think the greatest kaiju’s theme song wouldn’t make it on this list? See what else I’ve placed on Project 365 here.

“Werewolves of London” by Warren Zevon — “Werewolves of London” from the album Excitable Boy, released in 1978 Now that we are entering spooky season, it is important to note that spooky songs can be amazing. Case in point, Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London,” a weird song that tells the story of a “wolf” preying on the vulnerable with little to no concern about their social status. Also, he looks good while he’s doing it. I know I too would like to meet his tailor.

“Gossip Folks” by Missy Elliott — “Gossip Folks” from the album Under Construction, released in 2002 A solid album, through and through, Under Constructions gives us several bangers. “Gossip Folks” is, obviously, one of them. Everything I say about “Work It” can really be applied to “Gossip Folks” too. Additionally, it has Ludacris. So, you know, we got that going for us. See what else I’ve placed on Project 365 here.

“Work It” by Missy Elliott — “Work It” from the album Under Construction, released in 2002 I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, Missy Elliott is a mad genius. “Work It” is one of her most successful and popular songs because, like her first big hit (“No Rain”) it showcases not only her lyricism, but her unique spin on all things hip hop. In fact, I argue that Elliott is a pioneer of female hip hop artists and a pioneer of what I like to call weird hip hop artists. I know that term hasn’t really caught fire the way I would like it to, but I stand by it.

“Ray of Light” by Madonna — “Ray of Light” from the album Ray of Light, released in 1998 This might not be a popular opinion but “Ray of Light” is my favorite Madonna song. She has quite a few bangers. She is one of the greats. She embraces the time she’s in. This means, naturally, in the late 1990s, she played with techno sounds while being sure to include her very Madonna lyricism and voice prevelant to the overall feel of the song.

“Like a Prayer” by Madonna — “Like a Prayer” from the album Like a Prayer, released in 1989 I don’t know if everyone out there on the Internets knows this, but life is a mystery and everyone must stand alone. At least that’s what Madonna, circa 1989, says. And I am here for it forever. Even in 2023 See what else I’ve placed on Project 365 here.