So, how about looking at a method for ranking musical artists by looking at the best of their records? I would probably prefer a focus on albums, but let’s try it just this time with singles, specifically with regard to the bands mentioned in the title of this post. So I combed through their singles, and for each band I picked 10 that I like. Then I took those 40 songs, and ranked them from top to bottom. After ranking them, I awarded points to each group as follows; I gave 40 points for the overall number 1, 39 for number 2, and so on down to 1 point for number 40. So, just for curiosity, and not at all because I am trying to gig a blowhard on a Facebook list trying to make a claim for TOTO as the musical masters of the universe, here’s what it looks like.

Finally, awarding points for each song as described, I get this ranking of these four bands/artists.

Of course, it’s hard to have an argument with some of these super young dudes; this kid claimed Africa was the first ever World Music hit, then admitted he never even heard of Desmond Dekker (not to mention The Banana Boat Song,) and then he called me a dickhead. I feel like we are going to be great friends!!!