Lists

Young Man, Older Woman: Top Ten Cougar Anthems

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5. Neil Diamond, "Desiree"

Oh yes. Feel the Neil. Desiree, who ushered a young Diamond into manhood on the third of June, sure did. Although it was only for one night, the memory lingered - on the fourth of June, Diamond sings, "I tossed and I turned while the thought of her burned up and down my mind." Great line.

4. Stevie Nicks, "Edge of Seventeen"

You've heard this song a million times, both the original and Destiny's Child's quasi-remake "Bootylicious," but have you ever wondered why it's called "Edge of Seventeen"? In between all of Nicks' talk about nightbirds, white-winged doves, clouds and the sea changing color, this might offer a clue: "He was no more than a baby then/ He seemed broken-hearted." Not for long, we're guessing.

3. Mary J. Blige, "Grown Woman"

"Tell your mama you in love with a grown woman." Yes, Miss Mary. What time shall we pick you up? Thanks, Ludacris, but we'll take it from here.

2. Millie Jackson, "Young Man, Older Woman"

Rocks Off will always love Georgia-born soul singer Jackson for giving us one of the best album covers of all time. On this 1991 slow jam, she doesn't need any of Nicks' frilly language to tell us what's going on: "You gotta be crazy, you're much too young/ Haven't you noticed that you could be my son?" The heart wants what it wants, though, and Jackson - who now does the afternoon-drive shift on Dallas soul station KKDA - later turned this song into a play about a woman who "lost the weight, lost her husband and lost her mind." You can buy the DVD here.

1. Simon & Garfunkel, "Mrs. Robinson"

Still on top. Sorry, couldn't resist. Although if not for its use in The Graduate, "Mrs. Robinson" wouldn't be anywhere near this list. What exactly does Joe DiMaggio have to do with having an affair with your fiancee's mother again? Does Paul Simon even know? Does Evan Dando?

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Chris Gray has been Music Editor for the Houston Press since 2008. He is the proud father of a Beatles-loving toddler named Oliver.
Contact: Chris Gray