This NOT rocket science, and I know full well I’ve left out forty or fifty. But here, in no particular order, are ten.

1. Petula Clark on The Ed Sullivan Show, 1965. My Mom adored these three without reservation: Petula, Diana Ross, and Ringo.

2. Maybe a one-hit wonder, but Duffy’s performance of this song is gritty. Not “more cowbell,” but more cigarette smoke? And I love the dancers.

3. This is not a “music video,” because it was filmed, not videotaped, and thankfully preserved for us nearly sixty years later. Shirley Bassey has pipes. I think she did two more Bond themes, as well. Check them out.

4. I had to post Emelie Sands’ photo above–she’s Scots–because she doesn’t appear in this video. Somehow, even though this is Britain’ Got Talent, I saw this performance. The song is incredibly moving. The shadow dancers are divine

5. Given the setting, I would have spent several thousand dollars I don’t have to see Adele that day, and at that place, two years ago.

6. Des’Ree’s song is, to me, a threat to the antidepressant industry. Just the song will do, thank you.

7. Marianne Faithfull, 1965. Her much-later album, Broken English, was bitter, raunchy and glorious–pre Amy Winehouse. But this Stones song stands on its own when her voice was still very young and very sweet.

8. Cilla Black, 1965. She masters this Bacharach song–they’re notoriously difficult to sing, hence Dionne Warwick and Aretha Franklin and Cilla Black They mastered the Master.

9. Florence Welch fourteen years ago, This is a bewitching performance, if you’ll forgive me, because at one point, she does a little hip movement that comes straight from Diana Ross and “Stop! In the Name of Love.” Watch for it.

10. There’s not much I can add about my admiration for Amy Winehouse, and how much I miss her. Let her do the talking instead.