I don't know if I could come up with a list of the very best ten songs (I love too many of them), but what follows are ten of my favorites, listed in the order in which they came to mind:
Only the Young by Journey. My favorite Journey song (an unfairly underrated band, in my opinion, from a critical viewpoint), this beautiful song captures feelings of adolescent longing and aspiration so poignantly.
Someone Saved My Life Tonight by Elton John. Probably my favorite of the many Elton John songs I love. A song about suicidal ideation, and the little miracles that can compel us to hang on for a while longer, with gratitude and hope.
Mainstreet by Bob Seger. I love Bob Seger, love the gritty melancholy of his soul-stirring music, and this is probably the most melancholy of them all. One of the handful of songs that has brought me to tears.
Melissa by the Allman Brothers Band. Sweet, classic Southern rock at its best. Beautiful and gently sad, I was thrilled when I heard this song come up the first time I saw Brokeback Mountain.
Landslide by Fleetwood Mac. Hauntingly lyrical and deeply personal reflections from the one and only Stevie Nicks.
Going to California by Led Zeppelin. A blissfully mellow, soft offering from the classic granddaddy of heavy metal bands. Would make anyone want to go to California.
Shiver Me Timbers by Tom Waits, covered by Bette Midler. I've only ever heard Miss Bette's version, and I love it. Another sad one, gentle and wistful (are you seeing a pattern here?).
We Live for Love by Pat Benatar. My favorite Benatar song, ecstatic and yearning in flavor. The kind of music that makes you glad to be alive, to have a heart.
Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush, covered by Hayley Westenra. Whoa, this is one great song! I admit (with some embarrassment) that I've only heard Westenra's version, but she sounds so much like Kate, and the song is thrilling to hear.
Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen. My favorite Springsteen number, has some of the same gritty, soul-stirring quality of Seger at his best.