1. Jackson 5 - "ABC"
There is no other place to start than with the Jackson 5. Jermaine, Jackie, Michael, Marlon and of course Tito Jackson were the initial brothers that made up the legendary Motown group. Though this song doesn't get past the letter C or number 3, it exemplifies the simple things in life. Song writing can be easy too...keep it simple and stick to rhymes you learned in the 1st grade!
B. Alkaline Trio - "This Could Be Love"
The counting done here is more like a checklist and just like almost every other Alkaline Trio song, there is a violent or dark twist on the ordinary.
"Step One: Slit my throat Step Two: Play in my blood Step Three: Cover me in dirty sheets and run laughing out of the house Step Four: Stop off at Edgebrook Creek and rinse your crimson hands."
3. Aesop Rock - "Coffee"
No I don't mean A$AP Rocky...Aesop Rock is an American rapper and producer out of San Diego. He's been at the forefront of the underground and alternative rap movement since the 90's and 00's and though has a huge cult following, has avoided mainstream attention. "Coffee" is off his sensational 2007 album None Shall Pass and listen for the term "Take No Prisoners" spelt out near the end of the song. Video's pretty sweet too.
D. The Shoes - "Time To Dance"
Admittedly I don't know much about The Shoes and have only heard this song by them. The video rocks though, with Jake Gylenhaal laying waste to hipsters hahah! "Time To Dance" gets spelt out in the chorus.
5. Thursday - "Jet Black New Years"
This one could also work on a list about New Years Eve...hmmmm. Thursday are a hardcore group from New Jersey. They've been rocking and rolling about since 1997 and have become staples on the punk/meta;/hardcore festival circuit. Great show if you ever get a chance to see them. Before the last chorus here there is a cool countdown to midnight verse.
F. Feist - "1234"
I try to veer away from the obvious on this list...but as I mentioned it was a last minute throw together and I also like to include some Canadian content on every list I do. What what? Better go back and check past lists suckahs! See what your bitch-asses missed! Sorry about that.
7. Coheed & Cambria - "Number City"
Always will I mention how much I love this group whenever one of their songs is included. Let their praises be sung! "Number City" is off of their latest release The Afterman: Decension, part 2 of the two disc opus. Never has been counting to nine been so infectious.
H. Blackalicious - "Alphabet Aerobics"
Although it's not really spelling I had to include this one. Blackalicious are Xcel and Gift of Gab, the duo hail from Sacramento, California. "Alpahbet Aerobics" comes off the A2G ep released in 1999. Gift of Gab starts off rhyming words that start with A....can you predict what happens next?
9. Peter Schilling - "Major Tom (Coming Home)"
No I don't mean "Space Oddity" by David Bowie, though German's native son Peter Schilling did base the eponymous character after Bowie's 1969 release. The song was originally released in German and was a smash. The english version faired well in Canada and the US. The pre-chorus is your typical launch style countdown. Another awesome video.
J. Hall & Oates - "Method Of Modern Love"
Perhaps one of Rock's greatest duos and two of the best songwriters to ever come together are Darryl Hall and John motherfuckin' Oates. They pretty much owned the Eighties and only stepped out of the spotlight to give other acts a chance. Check out Darryl Hall's Youtube channel for his amazing collaborations with modern artists. Speaking of modern "Method of Modern Love" is a spelling lesson in awesomeness.
T-H-A-N-K-S for reading!
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JZ
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