Sufjan Stevens

The editors of Paste magazine wondered: who are the best living songwriters around. They gathered a team of 50 musicians and writers and put together a list of the top 100. On this edition of All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen talks with Paste magazine editor Josh Jackson, the arts editor for NPR News, Bill Wyman and songwriter Mary Gauthier. They discuss great songwriters, life-changing songs and the art and craft of songwriting.

Surprising new music from Paul Simon; A preview of outtakes by Sufjan Stevens; Remembering the music of Harry Nilsson; New York rock revivalists The Walkmen; "Incidental Heroin Pop" from Candy Bars; The return of classical guitarist Christopher Parkening; Creative magic from Britain's Gomez; Remembering the legendary reggae artist Bob Marley.

All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen talks with NPR music reviewers Tom Moon, Will Hermes and Meredith Ochs about this year's Grammy Awards nominees. They offer their predictions for who will win, who should win and offer a lively debate on the value of the Grammys.

All Songs Considered host Bob Boilen counts down listener picks for the 10 best CDs of 2005, with NPR music reviewers Will Hermes, Tom Moon and Meredith Ochs. They also share some of their own favorites from the year and take calls from listeners. This program originally webcast live on NPR.org Dec. 16, 2005.

Halfway through the year and the songs are strong. Newer artists like Bright Eyes and Flotation Toy Warning are pushing the boundaries of new-folk or acoustic art rock, while veterans like Bruce Springsteen return to their roots. Before the summer slips by and fall accelerates into winter, we offer this show as a chance to catch up on the great sounds of 2005 (so far).

Download an exclusive by Sufjan Stevens; Nashville singer/songwriter Doug Hoekstra; Québécois singer and cellist Jorane; A medley from The Celtic Fiddle Festival; Classical for the banjo: Tim Wiedenkeller; New and different music from Philip Glass; Malian musicians Amadou & Mariam; Music for yoga and exercise: TJ Rehmi

New music from The White Stripes; Sultry singer Leslie Feist; Brazilian musician Celso Fonseca; A sneak preview of new Sufjan Stevens; Live in concert with The Magnetic Fields; Thumb piano amped up by Konono No.1; Zimbabwean singer Oliver Mtukudzi; British digi-pop from Electrelane; South London punk rockers Bloc Party; A new EP from Secret Machines.

2004 was a year when a handful of artists with their best days long behind them surprised us with their strongest music; Loretta Lynn and Brian Wilson come to mind. It was also a year when a lot of new musicians recorded some of the most personal and fragile songs you'll hear — Iron and Wine, Bright Eyes, Joanna Newsom and Sufjan Stevens to name a few.

New musical meditations from Sigur Ros; The delicate melodies of Sufjan Stevens; Blues harp master Charlie Musselwhite; A one-man roots rock band: Charlemagne; Jangly pyschedelic folk from Sam Phillips. Featured Artist: Jonny Greenwood.

It certainly is the age of the song. The days of the MP3 aren't so different from the days of the 45 rpm. You pay a buck; the quality is good, but not as good as its more expensive counterpart. Back in the days of the 45, you'd stack your faves on a round 45 adapter, best side up, and one by one they would play, the tone arm lifting off the record long enough for the next 45 to magically fall onto the platter and play. You'd hope it wouldn't skip. The days of the 45 or even mix tapes seem antiquated in the age of the iPod and homemade CD's. We've "streamed" our picks for 2003's best songs, so click to listen and hope it doesn't skip!