Songs with Line in Their Titles

Americans once again overlooked one of the most important anniversaries in its history. Among the noteworthy events on May 24 were the birthdays of Bob Dylan and Tommy Chong, who were both celebrated through airplay on various radio stations throughout the U.S.

While I did enjoy hearing Dylan's music and contemplating his impact on popular music, I could not help but wonder at the failure to mention the anniversary of an event that had much more far-reaching impact across the U.S.

Nearly one hundred years before Robert was born to Abraham Zimmerman in Hibbing, Minnesota, Samuel Morse opened America's first telegraph line. He transmitted the phrase, "What hath God wrought," from Washington to Baltimore, and it's amazing to see how far we have advanced because of Morse's transmission.

Since the occasion was ignored by other media, I will honor Morse's 165the anniversary with a list of songs that include the word "line" in their titles. In spite of his shared birthday, no songs by Bob Dylan appear on the list.

10. "Hold the Line" by Toto: This was my favorite song by the 70s band until I bought the self-titled debut album and realized many of the songs were better than this hit. It is a rocker that opens the record with a lot of vocal and electric guitar energy, but I still prefer the group's mellower offerings such as "Georgy Porgy" and "Takin' It Back."

9. "Lifeline" by 10cc: Bloody Tourists was probably the band's last good album, and it saw several changes in cast. Still, Eric Stewart and Graham Gouldman managed to bring out quality harmonized pop tunes like this one.

8. "One Toke Over the Line" by Brewer and Shipley: The duo's most famous song is miraculous in that in spite of its title it still received constant airplay. Had the 70s classic been released twenty years later, when stations had to delete the word "joint" from Tom Petty's "You Don't Know How It Feels," I doubt if the song would have been heard on the airwaves, even though it does mention "Sweet Jesus" in the chorus.

7. "Don't Let Me Cross Over (Love's Cheating Line)" by Jim Reeves: Numerous country artists have recorded this classic, but I prefer hearing Jim Reeves' deep clear voice crooning it.

6. "The End of the Line" by The Traveling Wilburys: The song opens with a fun guitar riff, and the fun doesn't stop once the vocals begin. Somehow the song squeezes in four verses and three choruses in under four minutes. I guess you can expect miracles wheh you put five music legends in one band.

5. "Right Down the Line" by Gerry Rafferty: I still think this song is better, even though "Baker Street" was the bigger hit from City to City. The latter depresses the listener with overdone brass and lyrics about broken dreams. "Right Down the Line" smiles with the joy of contentment.

4. "Waitin' in Your Welfare Line" by Buck Owens: As usual Buck Owens sings about love gone wrong. This time he is begging her to love him, thus the "Welfare Line" in the title.

3. "Telephone Line" by The Electric Light Orchestra: Jeff Lynne's composition from A New World Record seems to be the most appropriate song for this list. It has all the band's most distinguishing allures, such as the cellos, Lynne's rhythmical melody, and bassist Kelly Groucett's soprano providing catchy backing vocals.

2. "I Walk the Line" by Johnny Cash: One of the catchiest songs in the history of country music, this one showcases Cash's deep rough voice backed by an unusual chord sequence.

1. "Wichita Lineman" by Glen Campbell: This is another Jimmy Webb composition that Campbell spun into gold. The lonely working man sings of the misery of being away from his loved one, and Campbell's voice is just perfect for the role.