So what kind of freak ranks every Cheap Trick song? I guess that is me. I am all too aware that once this list is published, I will get my balls "Busted" mercilessly. I realize that some of you may think that you are a bigger Cheap Trick fan than I because you dress up like Rick or have slept with Robin more times than I have seen the band (34 times), but you would be mistaken. Joe and I were so determined to be like CT that we started a band in 8th grade and eventually got signed to Epic Records. (And dropped I might add.) Can you top that?

The List is for the enjoyment of all Cheap Trick fans, and to get everyone primed for the release of their new CD, "Special One," in July. I based my rankings on my personal opinion. I include some b-sides, but by and large I concentrate on full-length studio recordings.

Please don't bother sending hostile e-mails wondering where "Loser" or "You Want It" is. The beer is half full, not empty, my friends.

This list is done out of love. Cheap Trick is my favorite band not only because they look and sound great, but because they are survivors. My favorite band was playing then and they are playing now. I have never known a world without Cheap Trick. They could have stopped, but they didn't. They have been a gift to me and to music fans worldwide. Like anything you truly love, it is hard not to take them for granted. Let the others have the Beatles, Stones, U2 or whoever, they are all worthy bands, I will take Cheap Trick, they have heart, and in the end, that is what makes them my heroes.

Enough of my yappin'. Let's Boogie!

1.  I Want You To Want Me  [In Color]
Arguably, the definitive pop song of all time. If Hemingway could write one song, this would have been it. The perfect sentence set to music.

Isn't it odd that the highly paid executives at Epic Records couldn't identify this as a hit song? It was dumb luck that "I Want U" even found its way back across the Pacific Ocean to the American charts. This song was demo'd for the debut Cheap Trick album, but didn't make the cut. After lackluster sales, Epic complained that the band didn't have a single. This would be similar to a baseball manager complaining that his team had no pitching while using Roger Clemens as a bullpen catcher.

2.   Downed  [In Color]

3.   If You Want My Love  [One On One]
Live under the stars at the old Ohio State Fair grandstand, with the sweet smell of Tom Thumb donuts in the air, and the glitter of the midway rides in the distance.

4.   Surrender  [Heaven Tonight]
duh.

5.   He's A Whore  [self-titled - 1977]
Aggressive, melodic. Don't give me any of the Big Black crap either.

6.   Way Of The World  [Dream Police]
"Didn't think I existed, but were comin' together right now."

7.   Tonight It's You  [Standing On The Edge]
So catchy. It's almost: verse / chorus #1 / chorus #2 / repeat.

8.   Speak Now Or Forever Hold Your Peace  [self-titled - 1977]
Was Terry Reid the first choice to sing in Led Zep? What is considered the chorus in this song anyway?

9.   California Man  [Heaven Tonight]
We can't play this song NOW, and yet we put it on our first cassette oh, so many years ago when we were in high school. A truly horrific cover. So bad, it's pretty sweet.

10.  Lookout  [Budokan / bonus track on 1977 self-titled reissue]
Can a song ranked #10 still be considered a sleeper? I believe this is Happy Chichester's favorite CT song.

11.   Dream Police  [Dream Police]
Don't let your band try this. It won't work.

12.   World's Greatest Lover  [All Shook Up]
Ballsy arrangement. Great solo. A gut feeling on this one.

13.   Auf Wiedersehen  [Heaven Tonight]
Yikes! Caution: not to be played after being dumped by boy/girlfriend.

14.   High Roller  [Heaven Tonight]
Scrawl does great cover on Bloodsucker.

15.   Mandocello  [self-titled - 1977]
Count em, two separate bridges. Hey Billy, this song appears on Cheap Trick's self titled debut. Quit looking for it on Lap of Luxury.

16.   I Can't Take It  [Next Position Please]
Zander strikes!

17.   Come On, Come On  [In Color]
CT 101: Drummers - remember to ride the snare if you really want to sound like Bun E.

18.   Stop This Game  [All Shook Up]
A great song, something about the production doesn't let it shift from 4th to 5th gear.

19.   You're All I Wanna Do  [Woke Up With A Monster]
I don't want to fall victim to the nostalgia trap of overrating the "good old days." The early albums are dominant on this list so far, but it is my contention that if this song were on Dream Police or Heaven Tonight, we would be stroking it hard.

20.   I'll Be With You Tonight  [Dream Police]
Cruising back to DC after an Orioles game with the windows down and Lou Brutus blasting the stereo. God Bless the USA.

21.   House Is Rockin' (With Domestic Problems)  [Dream Police]
She's so Heavy, Think About It.

22.   Hello There  [In Color]
How about the kids shooting out the cop's windshield with a BB gun during the opening scene of "Over the Edge"? Who directed that? Great soundtrack.
First Van Halen appearance.

23.   Clock Strikes Ten  [In Color]
I used to try to fall asleep to Budokan every night, but the volume of the Japanese fans screaming at the end of this song would wake me up. Only a jackass, like myself, would try to put himself to sleep with Side 2 of Budokon anyway. That's why God gave us Radiohead and Coldplay. To put us to sleep.

24.   Gonna Raise Hell  [Dream Police]
If you are one of my friends, chances are that I have ruined a good night of drinking by making you sit through the live video of CT playing the Navy Pier from Chicago. This song is the highlight of that show. I would mention Pete Comita now, but I am saving that for later.

Shouldn't somebody at Epic have edited a version of this down to 4 minutes so it could have been a MASSIVE rock radio hit instead of just a pretty big one?

25.   She's Tight  [One On One]
Love the version on Silver.

1-25  26-50  51-75  76-100  101-125  126-157

visit the official CHEAP TRICK website: www.cheaptrick.com