Top 12 Favorite Songs

I was thinking about this on a bike ride a few weeks ago, and ever since I've really wanted to write down my top favorite songs of all time. Music is one of my favorite things, and I rarely go on a drive without some tunes. And I NEVER listen to the radio. I was brought up listening to music with my Dad and my brothers, and my tastes definitely intersect with theirs (with my Dad being the most influential). I couldn't narrow it down to 10, so you get the top 12 songs:

1. Cortez the Killer by Neil Young - The first couple minutes or so is instrumental, which normally makes a song drag, but not here. It tells of the Spanish Conquest from the viewpoint of the Aztecs, and it is interesting to note that the song was banned in Spain for a time.
2. Suite: Judy Blue Eyes by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young - CSNY is a favorite sound of mine.
3. Arcade Fire - Rebellion (Lies) - We'll throw in a modern song by my favorite modern group, Arcade Fire. I love the opening lyric: "Sleeping in is giving in, no matter what the time is." (Mollie hates that) I love how Arcade Fire is like an orchestra of different sounds that works on a lot of different levels.
4. Layla by Eric Clapton (the Unplugged version) - Classic song wonderfully done in acoustic fashion.
5. Old Man by Neil Young - I think I like this one so much because it reminds me of my Old Man. Neil Young reminds me of driving to do something outdoors with my Dad, whether it was camping or rock climbing or something else.
6. Say It Ain't So by Weezer - Weezer's first album was (is) amazing. It steadily went downhill after that until a pretty steep drop-off. The blue album was classic alternative rock, where garage band genius was made. This is the anthem/ballad off the album.
7. Maggie's Farm by Bob Dylan - Bob Dylan is combined musicality, nostalgia, and humor for me. I remember my Dad singing the line to another Bob Dylan song, "Stuck inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues again," and then just laughing afterwards. Maggie's Farm has that same effect with me.
8. The Last Polka by Ben Folds Five - Ben Folds had his best stuff with Ben Folds Five. This song showcases some of the piano rock that he started with.
9. Slip Slidin' Away by Paul Simon - I love the lyrics and feeling of this song.
10. A Poem on the Underground Wall by Simon and Garfunkel - I love the lyrics of this song. It's cool poem about an underground graffiti artist. I think Paul Simon is the best lyricist in my book.
11. Bridge Over Troubled Water by Simon and Garfunkel - This song is on the same level as most hymns for me. If I made a hymnbook, this would be included.
12. Green River by Creedence Clearwater Revival - CCR is a classic example of classic rock. And this is classic CCR.

Other notables include songs from Jim Croce, The Decemberists, M.Ward and The Beautiful South.