This latest addition to the best-selling 1001 series offers more than ever— the world’s biggest and best playlist, referencing over 10,000 must-download songs. This book offers more than any previous book in the series. While each main entry profiles and illustrates 1,001 primary songs, it places that song into a contextual web of music history with references to other songs that are musically related. Thus, each entry points to alternate versions, covers, riffs, and influences effectively expanding the total number to 10,000. From the Beatles to Beyoncé, from Elvis to Elvis Costello, from Frank Sinatra to Rufus Wainwright, the full spectrum is covered chronologically and includes additional ancillary lists of "must-hear" songs grouped by subgenre and other special categories. Each song is analyzed by an international team of critics who explain why you must hear it. Included are key details such as lyricist, composer, producer, and label, making this a music treasure trove perfect for anyone into music, addicted to downloading, or those just getting started.
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About the Author
Robert Dimery is the author of 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
57 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Hi Oxwood. Thank you for taking the time to comment on the book. As one of its co-editors, I'll try to address your points.
- Instrumentals were omitted to narrow the millions of choices. It's not a decision I necessarily support, but there was a rationale behind it.
- The index - while unconventional - is perfectly comprehensible, and the arranging of artists by first initials will be instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with iTunes.
- While I wouldn't dispute the worth of The Allman Brothers, they weren't a big deal in Britain (where the book was produced), so I'm afraid they didn't make the shortlist. (However, our US publishers didn't suggest them either.)
- The ten artists that you've highlighted are all represented in the book; some with, in our view, more interesting choices from the same album (e.g. "War Pigs," from Paranoid, "When the Levee Breaks," from Led Zeppelin IV, and "Bring the Noise" from It Takes A Nation of Millions...).
- I take full responsibility for including "Amazing" and not campaigning for "Dream On." As a long-time Aerosmith fan, I think "Amazing" is a much better song!
- Inevitably, given the millions of available choices, we were never going to satisfy every reader. However, as the book ranges from commercial smashes to cult hits, and from Mississippi to Mali, there's plenty to discover. I would urge you to listen to Elvis Presley's "Tomorrow is a Long Time" and Oumou Sangare's "Diaraby Nene" - both featured in the book, and both songs that I'm very happy to have heard before I die!
As I said, thank you for taking the time to comment, and I hope you find something of value in the book.
best wishes,
Bruno MacDonald
- Instrumentals were omitted to narrow the millions of choices. It's not a decision I necessarily support, but there was a rationale behind it.
- The index - while unconventional - is perfectly comprehensible, and the arranging of artists by first initials will be instantly recognizable to anyone familiar with iTunes.
- While I wouldn't dispute the worth of The Allman Brothers, they weren't a big deal in Britain (where the book was produced), so I'm afraid they didn't make the shortlist. (However, our US publishers didn't suggest them either.)
- The ten artists that you've highlighted are all represented in the book; some with, in our view, more interesting choices from the same album (e.g. "War Pigs," from Paranoid, "When the Levee Breaks," from Led Zeppelin IV, and "Bring the Noise" from It Takes A Nation of Millions...).
- I take full responsibility for including "Amazing" and not campaigning for "Dream On." As a long-time Aerosmith fan, I think "Amazing" is a much better song!
- Inevitably, given the millions of available choices, we were never going to satisfy every reader. However, as the book ranges from commercial smashes to cult hits, and from Mississippi to Mali, there's plenty to discover. I would urge you to listen to Elvis Presley's "Tomorrow is a Long Time" and Oumou Sangare's "Diaraby Nene" - both featured in the book, and both songs that I'm very happy to have heard before I die!
As I said, thank you for taking the time to comment, and I hope you find something of value in the book.
best wishes,
Bruno MacDonald
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful
By Nathan
Format:Hardcover
This book has a similar look and feel for those familiar with 1001 Albums with great pictures, nice format and layout, and interesting song and artist background. I found this to be a great resource for (re-)exploring both well known songs and lesser known nuggets. The selections cover a broad range of periods and styles. Many are obvious choices such as Chuck Berry's Johnny B. Goode, Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody, Nirvana's Smells Like Teen Spirit.
I'd caution against expecting either the 1001 or "10,001 to Download" to be a definitive "best" song list. The variety of editors bring some great choices together, however such a task is just not possible, nor the intent, but this does mean that you will find some expected songs missing. Not making either list includes some of my personal favorites from Michael Jackson (Billie Jean), the Rolling Stones (Gimme Shelter), though about 30 Stones' songs make the 10,001, or Allman Brothers (Midnight Rider), or Joy Division (New Dawn Fades), while room for five Spice Girls songs on the 10,001 seemed generous in this context.
All in all, this doesn't knock it down from 5-stars for me, I know and listen to the songs I like without this book, but it gives me plenty to explore and enjoy, which is just what I had hoped for.
I'd caution against expecting either the 1001 or "10,001 to Download" to be a definitive "best" song list. The variety of editors bring some great choices together, however such a task is just not possible, nor the intent, but this does mean that you will find some expected songs missing. Not making either list includes some of my personal favorites from Michael Jackson (Billie Jean), the Rolling Stones (Gimme Shelter), though about 30 Stones' songs make the 10,001, or Allman Brothers (Midnight Rider), or Joy Division (New Dawn Fades), while room for five Spice Girls songs on the 10,001 seemed generous in this context.
All in all, this doesn't knock it down from 5-stars for me, I know and listen to the songs I like without this book, but it gives me plenty to explore and enjoy, which is just what I had hoped for.
13 of 14 people found the following review helpful
4.0 out of 5 stars
Browse > Home November 4, 2010 Photography Roundup here. Filed Under All · Leave a Comment Google Announces e-Book Store
December 7, 2010
By BlogOnBooks
Format:Hardcover
All the Young Dudes," "Rock Lobster," "Smells Like Teen Spirit" and about 998 more. It's been five years since Robert Dimery compiled the collection "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" and now with the music world returning to its roots as a singles based medium, it's a perfect time for this series to surface the best songs of all time.
This completely subjective report (as Dimery gladly admits) is a veritable jukebox in book form. Spanning the decades from the pre-50's to the 00's, Dimery and his contributors have compiled a list ranging from the obvious (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.) to the obscure (Captain Beefheart's "Big Eyed Beans from Venus") to hundreds of musical slices in between.
Each of the selections are accompanied by a story of the history, the behind the scenes and/or the influence the song had on others. In addition to full credits, there are boxes on certain entries that indicate cover versions and which songs influenced which others. In all cases, the original releases provide the template, with later credits (samples, etc) added where appropriate. There is also an intro by famed Bowie producer, Tony Visconti.
The book concludes with a list of 10,000 songs (listings only) that you must download before you die. Though the book has a bit of an international lean in places (many songs from the UK, France, Africa, etc. are simply unknown in the states) it serves as both a treasure trove of great songs you may have forgotten from the past, as well as a jumping off point for a wide berth of new musical territory to explore for quite a while. Pure fun.
This completely subjective report (as Dimery gladly admits) is a veritable jukebox in book form. Spanning the decades from the pre-50's to the 00's, Dimery and his contributors have compiled a list ranging from the obvious (R.E.S.P.E.C.T.) to the obscure (Captain Beefheart's "Big Eyed Beans from Venus") to hundreds of musical slices in between.
Each of the selections are accompanied by a story of the history, the behind the scenes and/or the influence the song had on others. In addition to full credits, there are boxes on certain entries that indicate cover versions and which songs influenced which others. In all cases, the original releases provide the template, with later credits (samples, etc) added where appropriate. There is also an intro by famed Bowie producer, Tony Visconti.
The book concludes with a list of 10,000 songs (listings only) that you must download before you die. Though the book has a bit of an international lean in places (many songs from the UK, France, Africa, etc. are simply unknown in the states) it serves as both a treasure trove of great songs you may have forgotten from the past, as well as a jumping off point for a wide berth of new musical territory to explore for quite a while. Pure fun.
Most Recent Customer Reviews
4.0 out of 5 stars
Morbidly titled but I'll live. I hope.
I was gifted this tome for Christmas a few years back and hadn't cracked it until a month ago. It's now found a permanent residence on my desk by the computer, (it's to my left... Read more
Published 4 months ago by T. Hunt
5.0 out of 5 stars
Playlist
This book is helping me create a playlist of the finest songs ever created. Though this list is subjective, it does help me understand why each song was a game-changer.
Published 5 months ago by Paul
5.0 out of 5 stars
This isn't easy to do, people!
I am currently making a list of the greatest "rock and roll" related songs. My own list has 5540 songs on it right now (if you care you can find it rateyourmusic,com - user name... Read more
Published 16 months ago by mattymath
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Book!
This book is all I've been searching for. It is well structured, the songs are separated by decades and the reviews of each songs are both interesting and comprehensive. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Nelson
1.0 out of 5 stars
Ouch
This collection is ridiculous for two reasons. If you going to take on all the genres of world music like this book does, you better bring some expertise. Read more
Published 16 months ago by sftony
3.0 out of 5 stars
Really? "Epic"?
Okay, I checked out a list online of the songs that appear in this book. Good song choices. Metallica's "One", Slayer's "Raining Blood". Great, great. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Devin Esparza
5.0 out of 5 stars
My Husband Loves This Book!
My husband bought this book today and he absolutely loves it! He is a huge music fan and this book is perfect for him.
Published 21 months ago by M.L.A.Ramsey
2.0 out of 5 stars
Not For My Generation
As someone who was born in 1960 I found the preponderance of post 1980 music off putting. As for the songs I did know: far too much 'world' music & obscure punk stuff. Read more
Published 23 months ago by Blue Eagle
4.0 out of 5 stars
Looking for more best-of song lists?
For those interested in best-of song lists, also check out the following:
Dave's Music Database presents: The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era 1954-1999
Dave's Music Database presents: The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era 1954-1999
Published on April 3, 2011 by David L. Whitaker
5.0 out of 5 stars
It's a hit!
I bought this book for my son because he's a music lover and I thought he'd enjoy it. He thought it was such a great gift idea, he bought one as a gift also. Read more
Published on February 17, 2011 by Janicelknight
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