1. Stan Getz, “Bim Bom”

2. They Might Be Giants, “Particle Man”

Long before John Flansburgh and John Linnell reinvented themselves as troubadours for children, their stream-of-consciousness wordplay had something that spoke to kids — hence this take from Tiny Toons.

3. The Squirrel Nut Zippers, “Prince Nez”

4. The Velvet Underground, “New Age”

Among VU’s many masterpieces is this strange but poignant May-December tryst described by the inimitable Lou Reed.

5. Esther Phillips, “Home Is Where the Hatred Is”

6. Billie Holiday, “Good Morning Heartache”

7. The Beatles, “I Will”

8. The Breeders, “Divine Hammer”

I don’t get it: How could such a dynamic and exciting band go from the cusp of greatness to obscurity so quickly? Kim Deal and company’s 1993 album, “Last Splash” foretold incredible things to come — things that never materialized. But this song, the follow-up to their college-radio hit, “Cannonball,” was all nervy energy.

9. Lee Dorsey, “Gotta Find a Job”

10. Lily Allen, “Freind of Mine”