what are your five essential songs

As will apply to many posters, there could be others on the list if you'd ask me tomorrow (or in an hour for that matter)

Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
Every Colour You Are - Rain, Tree, Crow
Musical Box (live) - Genesis
Ne Me Quite Pas - Jacques Brel
Folk Song - Jack Bruce

Three of those are forbidden land since Rosemarie's death, in particular Brel; I admit that merely mentioning the title of this song is an effort that leaves me mentally wrecked

1) tom waits: 16 shells for 30/06
2) dead: sugaree (off dix pix 3)
3) stones: cant you hear me knocking
4) who: sea & sand
5) band of bees: sky holds the sun

at this very moment....the eagle rock/daddy cool....hot love/t. rex....please remember me/cliff richard....absolutely brilliant/sandi shaw...may you never/john martyn....subject to change any minute.

Five essential songs off the top of my head:

Louis Armstrong-Potato Head Blues
Van Morrison- Into The Mystic
Thelonious Monk- Round Midnight
Dion-Ruby Baby
Greatful Dead-Box of Rain

Since classical wasn't excluded, and in fact the op's post included a classical selection:

"Nessun Dorma" -- Puccini's "Turandot"
"O Mio Babbino Caro" -- Puccini's "Gianni Schicchi"
"Alto Rhapsody" -- Brahms
"Un Bel Di Vedremo" -- Puccini's "Madama Butterfly"
"Quando M'en Vo' Soletta" -- Puccini's "La Boheme"

And a separate list for popular:

"My Cup Runneth Over" -- Ed Ames
"Both Sides Now" -- Judy Collins (original release only)
"Today" -- The New Christy Minstrels
"Tammy" -- Debbie Reynolds (laugh if you want to)
"Steve's Song" -- The Blues Project

Regards,
-- Al