Our prize winner, Lisa Ferensak, was chosen at random, but she had such a great comment about her nomination for the top tune, that we want to share it with you: John Henry, by The Mammals: There are so many versions of this song. And the Mammals do a great one (I am not sure that it could be considered famous...but it should be.) It's great for trail work because it tells the story of a great American myth about hard, physical labor. It’s about a man who's strength and skill were better than any machine. It reminds me of the amazing things a crew could do with a few rock bars! And you have to love bluegrassy-folk tunes!
Congratulations Lisa – we’ll be contacting you about your prize. And now, here they are:
SCA's Top Ten Trail Tunes (in alphabetical order)
Bohemian Rhapsody [1] – Queen
Country Roads [2] – John Denver
Don’t Stop Believing [3] – Journey
Everything I Need [4] – Melissa Ferrick
John Henry [5] – The Mammals
On the Western Skyline [6] – Bruce Hornsby and The Range
Send Me on My Way [7] – Rusted Root
This Land is Your Land [8] – Woody Guthrie
Three Little Birds [9] – Bob Marley
Wagon Wheel [10] – Old Crow Medicine Show
Here are a couple more comments we thought you might enjoy.
Everything I Need, by Melissa Ferrick
I altered the lyrics as I smashed granite for gravel - “Well, I've got
money in the bank and I've got a car to drive and I've got a working
set of hands that my GUITAR seems to like. ‘Cause I got love that won't
quit and I've got time to rest, and I've got a clear and stable mind to
see my life and it's going just fine because everything I need is right
here in my hands.” I changed “guitar” to “sledgehammer” and often
sang this so loudly, hikers walked up to me without my hearing them
until they remarked, “Sounds like you're having fun.”
On the Western Skyline, by Bruce Hornsby and The Range
This song is essential for backpackers and trail workers alike simply because it sets the perfect mood for an outdoor adventure. Sometimes I'll set off on a trail and have trouble clearing my mind of the situations I left back in the city. Hornsby's song always manages to put me into the right frame of mind, though. As soon as the tune hits your eardrums, your steps fall into place, you recognize the transcendental nature of your surroundings, and you remember the real reason you're on the trail: the cleansing of the body and soul rendered only by a first-person glimpse of “the western skyline.”