CAFFE` LATTE` 
TOP 1200 CHOICE TRACKS

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#509 TIME IN A BOTTLE Jim Croce
Jim Croce had been a struggling singer / songwriter and, in 1973, was finally enjoying success. In late July, "Bad, Bad Leroy Brown" spent 2 weeks atop the US chart. "Time in a Bottle" was then selected for use in a telemovie. Scheduled for September 12, the film dealt with a dying cancer patient. The song's poignant lyrics matched the sad storyline so well that the ABC network was swamped with callers asking where the track could be purchased. That same evening, Croce finished recording his 3rd album. 
On September 20, the musician had wrapped up 1 concert at a university. He boarded a plane which was to take him to a later show that same night. Croce planned to take some time off to spend time with his wife and young son after his scheduled shows. Tragically, his chartered plane crashed into a tree. Croce, along with 5 others, was killed instantly. The acoustic guitar on "Time in a Bottle" was performed by Maury Muehleisen, who was also among the deceased.  
The single became a posthumous #1 for Croce in late December in America. Its lyrics gained an even more heart-rending effect. The track was produced by Terry Cashman and Tommy West for Croce's 'You Don't Mess Around With Jim'. Croce was inspired to write the ballad after the birth of his son.

This is a list made up of the songs I enjoy the most, ranked in order of preference: the higher we go, the more I cherish them. Some were released as singles, others as album tracks. Some are obscure; others were worldwide hits or have universal appeal. They aren't always the most famous or popular, but simply a personal choice. I have excluded songs from the last few years in order to get a better idea of a song's lasting impression. I hope you find some new tracks to love, or re-discover some past favourites.