My Desert Island Top Five
J. Kevin Tumlinson

Recently I came across a book by Nick Hornby, “Song Book.” You may have heard of Nick Hornby. He's a British writer, responsible for bestsellers like “High Fidelity” and “About a Boy.” He's a talented and powerful writer. He views the world through cross-generational eyes, and tells the story of individuals that would have been overlooked if you'd met them on the street. In “Song Book,” though, he's written essays on the music that means something to him. I thought it was such a great idea that in honor of this book, and in the tradition of Hornby's “High Fidelity,” I am going to offer my list of top five, desert island songs. In no particular order.

Number one, “Stuck in the Middle With You,” by Steelers Wheel. I always thought this would make a great title song for one of those “odd couple” detective shows from the ‘80's. You know the type – two guys are kind of thrown together, forced to solve crimes every week despite the fact that they outwardly don't like each other much. But I also think it would work for a romantic comedy where two people are thrust together by circumstances, and despite their differences they come to care for each other. If I were stuck alone on a desert island with nothing but my magic MP3 player that never ran out of batteries, I'd build some kind of coconut and palm-leaf buddy and play this song over and over again.

Number two, “Natural Woman,” by Aretha Franklin. Actually, pretty much anything by Aretha Franklin would be fine with me. But this song is one of those gender-specific songs that has me making a fool of myself in the shower or in traffic (especially when I get mixed up about which of those I'm in at the moment). Who can resist singing along to something as sultry and sexy as this? This is the Queen of Soul! And I, her loyal subject, humbly humiliate myself before her. Besides, it's a deserted island, who's going to see me?

Number three, “When I Get Paid,” by Keb' Mo'. Maybe it's because I've had money problems in my life, but this song has always spoken to me. I, too, wish to delay paying for things. It's an American tradition, and by golly I mean to uphold it! Visa, IRS, Mr. Bartender, to quote the man, “You'll get yours when I get mine.”

Number four, “Why Don't You and I?” by Santana, featuring vocals by Chad Kroeger of Nickleback. You don't often hear a song that sums up “love sickness” so well. Butterflies in your stomach, fever, following someone around like a puppy – if it weren't for the guitar and the absence of “doo wap,” this might be a song from the ‘50's. I can never help singing along with this one.

Number five, “Let's Get it On,” by Marvin Gaye. I don't think I've ever had a top five song list that didn't include this one. Long before it started showing up in pudding commercials and spy-spoof movies, this song was one that spoke to me. I mean, the first time I ever heard it I was too young to know what he was talking about, and I STILL thought it would make a good soundtrack for a first dance with a girl.

So that's my top five, at least for this year. These are some of the songs that have become part of the soundtrack of my life. They have a rhythm, a sound that resonates with me – feels familiar to me.

For kicks, why don't you make up your own desert island, top five list of songs? You could e-mail them to me. I'd be happy to take a look at them. And who knows, maybe by this time next year they'll be on MY top five list.