Not too long ago, I got asked one of those inevitable questions. When faced with the “what is your favorite song” question most people can readily spit out an answer. I listen to a lot of different music and pretty well decorate my life with a soundtrack. So it was an incredibly difficult question for me to answer.

I made some criteria in figuring this riddle out. Firstly it couldn’t be something I choose because it would be “cool” or even better ubber-obscure and ahead of the trends. It also had to be something I would never skip when my I-Pod was on random. It also needed to be something that stood the test of time.

I suppose I’m making a bigger deal out of this than anyone else would, but I really believe committing to a favorite song might be the hardest thing I have ever pinned down. Sometimes I really love that new song I discovered a week ago and other times I just want to sing “Sweet Caroline” at the top of my lungs in some Irish bar.

My favorite song had to be the tune I would imagine ushers you into the afterlife. As if your final second on earth would be summed up, reflected upon and saluted in a singular pop tune. It reminds you of the good times and gives you hope for the future. Can 1 song sing directly to your soul? For me the choice would be “Pure" by the Lightning Seeds. I love it just as much when I randomly come across it on my I-Pod at 30 as I did when I was wearing out the cassette single cruising around in my first car.