I wish I could cite some great intellectual tome that has crumbled beneath my fingertips as I’ve perused its weighty ruminations on the meaning of life (as opposed to the fulminations I mentioned in the original version of this post).

Alas, the one book I own that has fallen apart because of frequent use is Dave Marsh’s classic, The Heart of Rock and Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. (I’ve linked to the 1999 edition, but my copy dates from the early 1990s.) It’s so worn that I know which pages are likely to fall out of the book each time I reach for it.

Marsh’s political views are awful, and he has some interesting omissions (One Eagles tune? Not one Billy Joel track?), but he’s funny and has a great ear for rock & roll.

Among his classic assessments: Fontella Bass’ “Rescue Me” is the best non-Aretha Aretha record ever.