The countdown! NUMBER 1!!!

"Respect", by Aretha Franklin, from USA, in 1967

Kate and Aretha battled it out for the #1 position. Aretha held it from a few days into voting, then Kate surged ahead to keep it for about 9 days in the middle. In the last 3 days though, Aretha came back and held her ground. With 7% more votes than "Wuthering Heights", "Respect" - a song written about how men deserved more respect from women - came to win the poll for the best female-performed song of all time.

Not bad.

This version is from a while back, and is faster than the version from the Blues Brothers you (like myself) may be familiar with. I quite like this, as it's nice and boppy and keeps moving along.

The countdown! Number 2!!!

"Wuthering Heights", by Kate Bush, from England, in 1978

Poor Kate - she nearly took out the number 1 position, but it was not meant to be. She had the most votes out of any artist or band voted for, a full 50% more than the artist/band who/which took out the number 1 position - but her votes were spread across an amazing 36 songs. This video clip is a wonderful late-night Rage occurrence - I remember watching dumbly as the red dress just kept swirling and swirling ...

The countdown! Number 3!!!

"Cornflake Girl", by Tori Amos, from USA, in 1994

Tori put in a very good showing. She had the second highest number of votes overall, and, along with Madonna, has the most songs voted for overall - a mindblowing 40! Four of her songs were in the top 40 - the same as PJ Harvey and Kate Bush. Tori was also the most fun to find good video clips for on YouTube, as her live performances are just wonderful. So, settle back and enjoy.

The countdown! Number 4!!!

Position 4:

"Glory Box", by Portishead, from England, in 1994

The countdown! Numbers 5-6!!!

Positions 5-6, tied:

"Cannonball", by Breeders, from USA, in 1995
"Piece Of My Heart", by Janis Joplin, from USA, in 1968



Incidental fact: I kept calling her "Jamie Jimplin" after watching 30 Rock.

The countdown! Number 7!!!

Position 7:

"Nothing Compares 2 U", by Sinead O'Connor, from Ireland, in 1990

The countdown! Number 8!!!

Position 8:

"Son Of A Preacher Man", by Dusty Springfield, from England, in 1968



Incidental fact: This is a fracking sexy song.

The countdown! Number 9!!!

Position 9:

"Seether", by Veruca Salt, from USA, in 1994



Incidental fact: I really REALLY loved Seether growing up, but I never saw the video clip, or even a photo of the band. I now almost cry thinking I never got to see them live.

The countdown! Numbers 10-11

The top 10! Very, VERY exciting. Well, really, the top 11, because two songs tied in positions 10-11. Anyway, let's get this underway.

Positions 10-11, tied:

"Fade Into You", by Mazzy Star, from USA, in 1994
"Hyperballad", by Bjork, from Iceland, in 1995

The countdown! Positions 12-20

This post is a bit different. Work with me here ...

Position 20:

"I Touch Myself", by Divinyls, from Australia, in 1991



Incidental fact: This is a fracking sexy video clip. Holy crap. I got steamed up watching it.

Positions 16-19, tied:

"Gorecki", by Lamb, from England, in
"Heart Of Glass", by Blondie, from USA, in 1979
"Jolene", by Dolly Parton, from USA, in 1974
"Violet", by Hole, from USA, in 1995



Incidental fact: Jolene is such a beautiful song! And Dolly Parton is drop-dead gorgeous. And I LOVE her voice. I must listen to more country music.

Position 15:

"Good Fortune", by PJ Harvey, from England, in 2000



Position 14:

"Running Up That Hill", by Kate Bush, from England, in 1985



Positions 12-13, tied:

"Fast Car", by Tracy Chapman, from USA, in 1988
"Maps", by Yeah Yeah Yeahs, from USA, in 2003



Incidental fact: "Maps" is the highest ranking song from the 2000s. Also, I didn't realise so many people loved "Fast Car". I think it's a wonderful song. Plus, how amazing is she live!

The countdown! Positions 21-22

Here are the songs which tied at positions 21 through to 22, in alphabetical order.

• "Dirty Jeans", by Magic Dirt, from Australia, in 2000
• "I Love Rock And Roll", by Joan Jett and The Blackhearts, from USA, in 1981

The countdown! Positions 23-24

Here are the songs which tied at positions 23 through to 24, in alphabetical order.



"Brass In Pocket", by Pretenders, from England, in 1979
"Time After Time", by Cyndi Lauper, from USA, in 1984

Incidental fact: I really wanted to include a clip from Strictly Ballroom for Time After Time.

The countdown! Positions 25-27

Here are the songs which tied at positions 25 through to 27, in alphabetical order.

• "Constant Craving", by k.d. lang, from Canada, in 1992
• "Paper Planes", by M.I.A., from England, in 2007
• "Strange Fruit", by Billie Holiday, from USA, in 1939

Incidental fact: The lyrics for Strange Fruit were written by a Jewish poet after seeing this photo:

The countdown! Positions 28-30

Here are the songs which tied at positions 28 through to 30, in alphabetical order.

• "Big Yellow Taxi", by Joni Mitchell, from Canada, in 1970
• "Like A Prayer", by Madonna, from USA, in 1989
• "Sheela Na Gig", by PJ Harvey, from England, in 1992

Incidental fact: Sheela Na Gig is a type of fertility goddess statue from Ireland. Also, without being able to show the actual video clip for Like A Prayer, you're stuck with live versions - and she doesn't sound as hot in them. Sorry Madonna!

The countdown! Positions 31-35

Here are the songs which tied at positions 31 through to 35, in alphabetical order.

• "Army Of Me", by Bjork, from Iceland, in 1995
• "Call Me", by Blondie, from USA, in 1980
• "Human Behaviour", by Bjork, from Iceland, in 1993
• "You Ought To Know", by Alanis Morissette, from Canada, in 1995
• "Zombie", by Cranberries, from Ireland, in 1994

Incidental fact: This is a very I set of songs. Go Bjork go! Also, Alanis does a wonderful cover of "My Humps". Go watch it.

The countdown! Positions 36-40

Here are the songs which tied at positions 36 through to 40, in alphabetical order.

• "A Case Of You", by Joni Mitchell, from Canada, in 1971
• "At Last", by Etta James, from USA, in 1960
• "Babooshka", by Kate Bush, from England, in 1980
• "Breathe Me", by Sia, from Australia, in 2004
• "Celebrity Skin", by Hole, from USA, in 1998

Incidental fact: Babooshka tells a really nifty story. Pay attention to the words.

The countdown! Positions 41-45

Here are the songs which tied at positions 41 through to 45, in alphabetical order.

• "Boys In Town", by Divinyls, from Australia, in 1981
• "Kool Thing", by Sonic Youth, from USA, in 1990
• "Linger", by Cranberries, from Ireland, in 1993
• "Push It", by Salt N Pepa, from USA, in 1987
• "You're So Vain", by Carly Simon, from USA, in 1972

Incidental fact: What great dancers are Salt and Pepa! Or am I just tremendously dated in my music taste?

The countdown! Positions 46-51

Here are the songs which tied at positions 46 through to 51, in alphabetical order.


Indigo Girls - Closer To Fine (Official Music Video) - More bloopers are a click away

• "Closer To Fine", by Indigo Girls, from USA, in 1989
• "Go your own way", by Fleetwood Mac, from England, in 1977
• "Just A Girl", by No Doubt, from USA, in 1995
• "Man Overboard", by Do Re Mi, from Australia, in 1985
• "Rehab", by Amy Winehouse, from England, in 2006
• "Standing In The Way Of Control", by Gossip, from USA, in 1993

Incidental fact: Robin Z, my roommate in Jerusalem in 1997, introduced me to the Indigo Girls. Robin, I owe you. They are still wonderful. Incidentally, how insanely hot is Beth Ditto? Work that stage!

The countdown! Positions 52-54

Here are the songs which tied at positions 52 through to 54, in alphabetical order.

• "Crucify", by Tori Amos, from USA, in 1992
• "Girls Just Wanna Have Fun", by Cyndi Lauper, from USA, in 1983
• "These Boots Are Made For Walking", by Nancy Sinatra, from USA, in 1966

Incidental fact: Words cannot express how thrilled I am that a childhood favourite of mine - Girls Just Wanna ... - made it into the top 100. And Nancy Sinatra may not have been such an amazing singer, but how cute is her clip?

The countdown! Positions 55-59

Here are the songs which tied at positions 55 through to 59, in alphabetical order.

• "Atomic", by Blondie, from USA, in 1979
• "Bloody Mother Fucking Assholes", by Martha Wainwright, from Canada, in 2004
• "Central Reservation", by Beth Orton, from England, in 1999
• "It's Oh So Quiet", by Bjork, from Iceland, in 1995
• "Untouchable Face", by Ani DiFranco, from USA, in 1996

Incidental fact: Go watch the actual video clip for It's Oh So Quiet - it's a hoot.