# 1. Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynard
Nothing tops this workingman's ballad. "Free Bird" fit my life for the first twenty years on the road - not really getting too attached to stuff, living life for the moment and moving on.

# 2. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
When I first got a guitar, I figured out the first couple of fingerings to this, and I ran around the house saying "Check it out - I can play this!" My family was like, "Where's the rest of the song?"

# 3. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
I remember seeing that video of him jumping around behind bars with all his buddies. It encapsulates rebellion, which is really just misguided creativity.

# 4. Behind Blue Eyes - The Who
This song had all that teen angst bubbling under it. It's about asking for help but not really wanting it. Reminds me a lot of me.

# 5. Candle in the Wind - Elton John
"Saturday Night's All Right for Fighting" was more my style, but few songs can top this melody.

# 6. God Only Knows - Beach Boys
I got on a Beach Boys kick again about six months ago. I grew up in Southern California; to me, this song speaks to a higher power.

# 7. Yesterday - The Beatles
It instantly connected with me. It makes you think, but not too hard.

# 8. Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath
This song scared the shit out of me. It's beyond heavy.

# 9. Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana
When all the Eighties hair metal was getting overproduced, Nirvana came along with his thrashy garage sound and a huge hook. It was what music needed.

# 10. The Boys are Badk in Town - Thin Lizzy
Phil Lynott was never afraid to write from the heart, even if it was a little corny. Thin Lizzy inspired alot of Metallica's guitar harmonies.

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