Tuesday Top Ten: Songs Produced by Phil Spector

I was going to do this Top Ten today anyway, since I started reading a Phil Spector biography last week. Of course, it's even more timely now that Spector was convicted yesterday of second-degree murder in his seemingly never-ending murder trial. Before Spector was shooting B-movie actresses that he had just met, he was arguably the greatest producer in rock and roll history. His trademark was, of course, the "Wall of Sound" -- a grandiose stampede of instruments and voices effectively designed to blow the listener away.

These are the ten songs that I think are the best songs produced or co-produced by Phil Spector.

10. "Baby, I Love You" by The Ronettes.
From the moment the song kicks in with the Wall of Sound, this is a masterpiece. And when Ronnie Bennett's introductory wail concludes and she starts into the first verse ("Have I ever told you . . ."), it's one of those perfect moments in a rock and roll that just cuts right through you.

9. "Do You Remember Rock 'n' Roll Radio?" by The Ramones.
While this isn't by any means the greatest Ramones song, it has an undeniably catchy (and kitschy) quality to it, harkening back to the fifties with backing "oooohhhs," saxophones, and the like.

8. "Across the Universe" by The Beatles.
Many purists discredit the Spector-produced version of the Let It Be album, calling it over-produced. I'm not pure. I love Spector's version (the most famous version, with choral and orchestral overdubs and slowed down a little) just as much as any other version. All in all, this is a great song by a great band and a great producer. (As this is a Beatles song, it is not on Playlist.com.)

7. "River Deep - Mountain High" by Ike and Tina Turner.
Just a great song. Unfortunately, this is not on Playlist.com either.

6. "Instant Karma!" by John Lennon.
This is my favorite John Lennon song, and it just kicks you in the ass. Spector keeps it simple when it needs to be simple and loud and complicated when it needs to be loud and complicated.

5. "What Is Life" by George Harrison.
This is my favorite George Harrison song. It starts with a great guitar intro, followed by a blasting horn section and a driving beat throughout.

4. "There's No Other (Like My Baby)" by The Crystals.
After an a cappella intro, the refrain kicks in and smack you in the mouth because, well, you aren't her baby. This is an achingly good song.

3. "Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)" by Darlene Love.
I have touted the Phil Spector Christmas album ad nauseum, and this song is the crowning jewel of that album. Like a thundering herd of elephants, this songs tramples you with soaring vocals, what sounds like a full orchestra, several different types of drums, and possibly a triangle. Forget Christmas songs, this song is one of the best songs in rock and roll history, period.

2. "Be My Baby" by The Ronettes.
The distinctive drum beat that introduces (and permeates) the song has become one of the most recognizable in rock history. And, as in "Baby, I Love You," Ronnie Bennett's vocals carry the day, piercing you. You will be her baby. As I've previously mentioned, this is one of my top five favorite songs from the sixties.

1. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" by The Righteous Brothers.
This song was the most-played song on the radio in the 20th Century, and with good reason. Good God, what a song. Spector brings out Bill Medley's bottom and Bobby Hatfield's wail to perfection, complemented by strings and percussion that don't overshadow the vocals. This song never gets old and never sounds dated.

Just missing the cut: "He's a Rebel" by The Crystals; "Then He Kissed Me" by The Crystals; "My Sweet Lord" by George Harrison; "Imagine" by John Lennon