Beagle Man’s 100 Favorite Songs Of All Time (Part Two)

“Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” the Beach Boys great 1966 hit, came on first.  I experienced a moment of trepidation, but the song drew a rousing ovation.  Numero 100 was a hit with the crowd!  Phew!  I felt gratified — and relieved.  If #100 got this kind of reaction, imagine what it would be like when we reached the Top Ten!

I noticed, though, that when we got to #97, a Dave Clark Five favorite of mine from my teen years, the response was a little more . . . subdued.  Apparently 90% of the beach crowd had never heard of the DC-5 or their music — and would have been perfectly happy  to leave things that way.  The reception for the next tune, a country number, was equally underwhelming.  Greg whispered something to Carol.  I couldn’t quite make it out, but I thought I could hear, “Dad’s losing his audience.”  When we reached “White Rabbit” at #93, Robby and his friends bailed entirely and went inside to watch the Mets play the Padres.  A few songs later, everyone started drifting back to the beach.

It was, I’ll confess, a little disheartening.  But Beagle Man wasn’t going down without a fight.

I began grilling around 8 PM — chicken, burgers, sausages, veggies.  Incredible pink sunset.  Waves crashing.  Great vibes.  Someone called out, “Top 100!”  Someone else seconded it.  I figured they were just kissing up to the BBQ head chef, but

what the heck.  I picked up at #88 — “Somebody To Love.”  Since this was Jefferson Airplane again — remember the reaction to “White Rabbit”? — I braced myself.  But the crowd went wild.  They totally flipped out on the follow-up, Blondie’s “Heart Of Glass.”  And when we hit “California Gurls” (Katy Perry) at #78, it was bedlam.  Ditto for “Livin’ On A Prayer (Bon Jovi).  And  “I Love Rock ‘N Roll (Joan Jett).  And “Love Story” (Taylor Swift).  And “We Didn’t Start The Fire” (Billy Joel), “Bad Romance” (Lady Gaga), and “Brown Sugar” (Rolling Stones).  “Someone Like You” by Adele brought the house down.  And we hadn’t even hit the top 30 yet!

What could explain this night-and-day difference between . . . night and day?  Some suggested my afternoon choices had been a little too arcane.  Others pointed out that the music was bound to

get better as you moved up the List from #100 toward #1.

I think there’s a far simpler explanation.

Between the lunch session and the evening countdown, a barbecue shopping platoon was deployed.  It returned with four 30-packs of Bud Light, which was liberally consumed throughout the grilling, the dining, and especially during a rollicking, no-holds barred, 7-on-7 game of flip-cup.  After a certain point in that contest, every tune played was proclaimed “the best song in the history of the world” by at least three high-five-slapping participants.

And the deeper we went into the evening, the better, it seemed, my judgment got . . .

TO BE CONTINUED:  The third and final installment of “Beagle Man’s 100 Favorite Songs” — including the complete Top 100 List — will be posted on Monday.

THIS JUST IN!  Last night, we’re on the

way out to MTK, and we go to a concert at Jones Beach.  Wicked downpour early on, but we tough it out, and the skies clear.

The Band Perry — esp. Kimberly Perry — is awesome.  Brad Paisley is even awesom-er.  Might have to re-configure my Top 100 — every Paisley and Perry number should make it!  And as the show winds down, and Brad begins singing “Remind Me,” who appears magically out of the mist, joining Brad for a duet? You got it — none other than CARRIE UNDERWOOD!!!  To top off the evening, Johan throws a no-no!  And the Celts beat the Heat!  Can it get any better than this?!