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Top 30+ runners up (I think), not in order (and maybe some of them should be in the top 400??) :

More comments on the list:

With this list, as with the others, I would say that, however different this music may appear from that on my other lists, if you look a bit deeper, you'll find that many of these pieces share a lot in common with my classical and new age favorites. It certainly helps a song's position on my list if there's a good part in it for organ, harpsichord, synthesizer, electronics, sitar; or other interesting sounds; a strong underlying drone sound; or if it has well-done harmonies and good orchestral arrangements, etc. and of course, a warm, infectious, grand, swingin' melody means a lot!

Most critics would generally agree with the artists who predominate my list for the period covered. British rock (Beatles, The Who, Rolling Stones from 1967-69, etc.,), the Motown sound, California surf sound, folk-rock, and quite a bit of psychedelia (as you might expect of "Eric Mystic."), and related FM classic rock and progressive styles of the late 60s and early 70s. Some popular artists are not represented at all whom lots of other people like (Van Morrison for example, or James Brown); not to mention disco, bubblegum and other trifles. Others might include more from the 1950s or 1970s. My preference for the period of "the 60s" (1963-1973) is clear. I like early rock'n'roll (rockabilly, etc.), but it's not my favorite, nor does it compare musically with the peak of pop around 1966. A lot of crooners are missing too. But there are quite a few classics included from the earlier years on my list, as well as some later ones. The list rocks hard in places, and mellows out a lot in others, with many combining both. It is a fairly broad-ranging and comprehensive list.

Why 400+? It just seemed like that was the cut off from records that I might like, but were not quite as noteworthy or special to me. There is a finite number of songs and pieces available to me from those years, so there's a finite number of favorites. A longer list would be needed for a longer period, but, maybe not MUCH longer. I genuinely feel that these years were the best. At the same time, I recognize that there are a whole lot of other good songs from later years that I do not know (and some that I DO know)! On the other hand, much of heavy metal, punk rock, new wave, commercial pop, and rap leaves me cold as ice.

I had a brief list somewhere of post-1977 songs that might have made my list, so I'll look for that. I know I liked "Love Hangover" by Diana Ross, "What I Like About You" by the Romantics, "Owner of a Lonely Heart" by Yes, and some U2 and Police songs. The Doobie Bros. big hit "What a Fool Believes" was released in 1978. Of course there were a few later Who and Pete Townshend songs too. Many now (June 2009) are paying tribute to the late great King of Pop, Michael Jackson. I do like some of his songs, including Don't Stop Till You Get Enough (1979) and The Way You Make Me Feel (1987).

The earlier years, extending back to Tin Pan Alley, Broadway, Hollywood's Golden Age, big band/jazz, and the blues, is another vast field in itself. The instrumental arrangement (and in some cases, topical relevance) of these earlier songs are sometimes not as good, but vocals, melodies and lyrics are sometimes superior. Somewhere Over the Rainbow is my favorite old song. I'm often "In the Mood" for Glenn Miller and for "Sing Sing Sing" by Benny Goodman. I also didn't include later examples of this genre, of which My Fair Lady is outstanding.

You Tube is a new and wonderful thing. As of early 2009 I have been able to find links for most of the songs there, or elsewhere on the web. I prefer the original recordings, where they are allowed to be posted. Only a few live versions or covers are anywhere near adequate to convey the musicianship, sounds and feelings of the original. Some songs can be found on other sites like listen.grooveshark, last.fm, dizzler, deezer, metacafe, and rhapsody (which is only available for limited plays). Dizzler may take a couple of tries to get the right track; and 5 clicks to get back here.