In no particular order, here are 50 of my favorite songs. (Not to be confused with my Fifty Favorite Songs.) For purposes of clarity: I’m going to list the song and the artist whose version I prefer. In the case of compilations, I’ll list the source.

1. Wait For Me, Susan Tedeschi.
2. Brand New Day, Sting.
3. Rehab, Amy Winehouse.
4. Take Five, Dave Brubeck Quartet.
5. Try a Little Tenderness, Otis Redding.
6. Testify to Love, Avalon.
7. More than Wonderful, Larnelle Harris and Sandy Patti.
8. The Way You Make Me Feel, Michael Jackson.
9. The Heart of the Matter, india.arie.
10. Missing You, John Waite.
11. Overjoyed, Stevie Wonder.
12. Knocks Me Off My Feet, Stevie Wonder.
13. Kiss, Prince.
14. Shameless, Billy Joel.
15. Stand By Me, Ben E. King.
16. Uninvited, Alanis Morrissette.
17. The Fine Line, Wayne Watson.
18. I’m Lonely (But I Ain’t That Lonely Yet), The White Stripes.
19. Don’t Save It All For Christmas Day, Avalon.
20. All For You, Sister Hazel.
21. Hook, Blues Traveler.
22. Good News, Avalon.
23. Let It Be, Across the Universe Soundtrack.
24. Brown-Eyed Girl, Van Morrison.
25. Some Kind of Wonderful, Joss Stone.
26. Can’t Take My Eyes Off of You, Lauryn Hill.
27. You’re All I Need to Get By, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell.
28. Bittersweet, Kairos.
29. Do You Love Me, The Contours.
30. Finale, Les Miserables Soundtrack.
31. Get On Your Boots, U2.
32. Forgiven and Loved, Jimmy Needham.
33. Merry Christmas, Baby, Christina Aguilera.
34. Unfailing Love, Jimmy Needham.
35. Sunday Morning, Maroon 5.
36. Do-Re-Mi, Harry Connick, Jr.
37. All The King’s Horses, Joss Stone.
38. That Thing You Do!, The Wonders
39. Where The Streets Have No Name, U2.
40. Sweetest Goodbye, Maroon 5.
41. Shout to the Lord, Darlene Zschech.
42. The Blood Will Never Lose Its Power, Selah.
43. I’ll Cover You (Reprise), RENT Soundtrack.
44. Revelation Song, Kari Jobe.
45. You’re the First, the Last, My Everything, Barry White.
46. Nothing Compares 2 U, Prince.
47. All I Want for Christmas Is You, Mariah Carey.
48. Drops of Jupiter, Train.
49. Days of Elijah, Judy Jacobs.
50. Come Together, Across the Universe Soundtrack.

This list was compiled in about thirty minutes, mostly from memory. I’m sure I’ll look at this list in ten minutes or ten days and wonder “what on earth was I thinking?” but for now, these are all songs I’d take with me to a desert island.

11.09.2009
EDIT: As I suspected I would, I feel bad for the songs I left off of this list. I get attached to songs, like they’re friends. They are personal companions that accompany me through my life. If I could stash some additional songs in a super secret pocket, these are some other ones I’d want with me on my desert island….

1. While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Across the Universe Soundtrack.
2. Easy, The Commodores.
3. I Bowed On My Knees and Cried Holy, Michael English/Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir.
4. Nothing Compares, Unknown.
5. Don’t Let The Sun Go Down on Me, George Michael and Elton John.
6. Every Season, Nichole Nordeman.
7. Between Love & Hate, The Strokes.
8. September, Earth Wind & Fire.
9. Fantasy, Earth Wind & Fire.
10. Agnus Dei/O Come Let Us Adore Him, Champion Forest Celebration Choir.

Still not a complete list.