The J-List:

Joe Jackson, Stepping Out;

Michael Jackson, Thriller;

Rick James, Superfreak;

Sonny James, Running Bear (they'll always be together in that happy hunting ground);

Tommy James, Dragging the Line;

Jay & The Americans, This Magic Moment;

Jefferson Airplane, White Rabbit (chess song);

Jefferson Starship, Jane (you play for fun, but I play for keeps);

Jethro Tull, Living in the Past (what I am doing with these songs!);

Jewel, Hands;

Jig Saw, Sky High;

Jimmy Eat World, The Middle (don't write yourself off yet);

Jimmy's Chicken Shack, Dropping Anchor (kick myself, but I won't regret it);

Billy Joel, Sleeping with the Television On (all night long, as in our chess habbits);

David Johansen, Animals Medley (my favorite);

Elton John, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road;

Johnny Hates Jazz, Shattered Dreams;

Michael Johnson, This Night Won't Last Forever;

Howard Jones, Life in One Day;

Jesus Jones, Real;

Journey, Wheel in the Sky;

Judas Priest, Riding on the Wind (cruise the speed of light).

Favorites?

Journey and Jethro Tull for me.......Glenn

Good choices!

You got Jane in there!  Amazing.  It's like Bruce Cockburn.  Thought no one else remembered.

Did I miss the i list?  Gotta see if you put in Donnie Iris.  lol

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SyTu_ZdcBCo&feature=related  :)

I did -- Ah Leah!

You did?  Where is it?

Out of general principal, I'll retroactively toss a chip in for Donnie.

You heard of him, too!!?

I will try to find the URL.

Here you go:

http://www.chess.com/forum/view/off-topic/music-the-i-list

I think that for Jimmy Eat World one must listen to "Lucky Denver Mint"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-7ixuMI21E

and "Your New Aesthetic"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sSBNh8l3pmA

But if we face facts (this is obviously just my opinion) Elton John is the KING of beautiful songwriting and performance.  I love "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road" in fact I can play and sing it on piano and often do.  Having said that I think "Levon" is the best Elton John song.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5lXOuZgm_eY

The recording is impecable and the lyrics are truly beautiful.

With you permission, Vance, I would add a few ones just in case someone likes them:

Robert Jhonson

JPT Scare Band

Jamiroquai

Janis Joplin

Esta bien conmigo!

Gracias

Anyone heard of Judy and Mary?  Kujira #12?

J-pop.  2 for 1 in the J category.  :)

Superfreek...Duh....

Ah yes how could we overlook the legendary Rick James and Superfreak?!? 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=75qXUfp4wtw

I'm sticking with Elton but I also forgot about Jamiroquai.  The thing I love about Jamiroquai is that he makes that music.  I realize that alot of it is electronic but it isn't manufactured for him.  (ala Britney Spears and the like.)  It's truly wonderful dance music and it's a shame that there aren't more pop stars who make their own music. He clearly studies the great Stevie Wonder!

Here's Canned Heat (featured in Napoleon Dynamite)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGjC0wbUXzk

Here's Virtual Insanity (Cool lyrics and awesome video!)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YMMQqE9x6i4

I'm groovin' to it right now!

I heard of Canned Heat, but I cannot now recall which of their songs I know.

Virtual insanity was on MTV every day in 1998....   I think you'd have to have been born in a cave to have missed it.  You should check it out on the You Tube the video is one of the absolute best!  He's the freakin' Cat in the Hat (not like the Dr. Seuss character but like a cool cat)

Anthony

Now there is a blast from the past, Jesus Jones.......................

My favorite of his songs is "Trust Me", but I could not find that on You Tube of Google Video.  Oh well.  Nor could I find "Welcome Back Victoria".

Some J more:

Joan Baez,James,Joan Jett,Jeff Beck,Joe Cocker,James Brown,Jan Garbarek.

I chose Jefferson Airplane