Three-hundred-sixty-five days ago I promised a song-a-day for a year. With a few exceptions, I’ve more or less delivered, and had a great time. Such a great time, in fact, that I don’t see why we have to stop at 365.

Let’s go for 500, shall we?

Merle, get us started…

The Oak Ridge boys had me at “Giddy up oom poppa omm poppa mow mow“

Gretchen Wilson was not quite a one-hit wonder, but came pretty close. But the thing about one-hit wonders is that one hit is usually pretty damn good.

Ladies and gentleman, the original American Idol.

Some people dream about streets paved in gold

Only to find a yellow brick road

A song about the simple pleasure of life in the slow lane.

Mary Chapin Carpenter on the cold comforts of ambition.

How did I miss this one on duets week? Stevie Nicks and Don Henley just kill it. I love how the lyrics of this song seem to say one thing, but their voices and the music seem to say another. While she claims that he’ll “never be walking out the door”, you know that’s just what he’ll do.

Matt Nathanon beautifully laments lost love.

I won’t knock on your door

I won’t call to see if you’re home

But I won’t close my eyes

Martina gives her man one chance–and one chance only.