The 11 Songs That Maynard James Keenan Named His Favorites

Maynard James Keenan picks his favorite songs of all time. TOOL‘s Maynard frontman is one of the creative artists and he likes to add sounds to his music for his music bands Tool, Puscifer, and A Perfect Circle. His vision is unique and respectful to the other music bands.

Maynard James Keenan is a multi-talented musician, who is also a singer, songwriter, and actor best known as the lead singer of Tool, A Perfect Circle, and Puscifer. Keenan, who was born in Ravenna, Ohio in 1964, entered the United States Army after high school and served as a forward observer before pursuing a music career.

Tool band was founded in 1990 by Maynard, guitarist Adam Jones, bassist Paul D’Amour, and drummer Danny Carey. Tool’s music also paired with Keenan’s impressive voice and mesmerizing lyrics, immediately drew a loyal fan base.

The band has had critical and commercial success with five studio albums, including the Grammy-winning album “10,000 Days” in 2006.

Maynard also founded A Perfect Circle in 1999, teaming with guitarist Billy Howerdel to create a more lyrical and experimental sound. The band has released four studio albums and has been recognized for its creative approach to alternative rock.

He also founded Puscifer, this band is from Los Angeles-based American rock band. Maynard James Keenan was the only permanent member at first, and he saw the project as his “creative subconscious.” Mat Mitchell and Carina Round, who were frequent collaborators, later became permanent members.

In addition to his music career, he is a successful winemaker, owning and operating Caduceus Cellars in Arizona. He has also appeared in various films and television shows.

Keenan’s artistic output displays his love of exploration and his willingness to push himself and his audience. He is still one of the most prominent and respected characters in alternative music today. And, Tool touring in 2023 check out the concert dates here.

You can also check Maynard James Keenan‘s net worth here.

Maynard James Keenan listed an exclusive Apple Music playlist of songs that keep him inspired on the job, including songs like Autolux, Gillian Welch, Ahmad Jamal, and Blonde Redhead, whose music he always listens to throughout wine harvest season:

“Whatever you’re doing, you can do it better if you just pay more attention. Help your friends, help your neighbors, help your family to just be present through all of this. Don’t check out through all this – be present in it.

Their music goes around almost like an uncontrollable emotional spiral, but it lands where it’s supposed to land and punches where it’s supposed to punch to keep you grounded. There is an anchor in it.”

During the episode with Apple Music, Maynard James Keenan shares his favorite songs of all time:

In addition to his own successful music career, Maynard has also been known to share his admiration for other talented musicians. He has a passion for metal and rock albums and has even listed his favorite and best 5 metal and hard rock albums of all time.

‘Sugarless’ – Autolux
‘Crossroads (Live)’ – Ahmad Jamal
‘Close (To The Edit)’ – Art of Noise
‘Falling Man’ – Blonde Redhead
‘Sweat Loaf’ – B*tth*le Surfers
‘At Night’ – The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers
‘Musique Non-Stop’ – Kraftwerk
‘The New World’ – X
‘Don’t Sh*t Where You Eat’ – Ween
‘Tear My Stillhouse Down’ – Gillian Welch
‘More Bounce to the Ounce (Radio Version)’ – Zapp

Tool‘s frontman Maynard James Keenan revealed this in an Apple Music’s The Playlist episode. Here are the Maynard picks as follows:

Contents

1. ‘Sugarless’ – Autolux

‘Sugarless‘ belongs to Autolux‘s debut studio album, “Future Perfect”. And Maynard adds this song at the beginning of his favorite song playlist. DMZ and RED Ink Records released it on October 26, 2004. T Bone Burnett, a musician, and DMZ co-founder, produced the album, which was mostly recorded at Sunset Sound Recorders in Los Angeles.

Future Perfect was published on vinyl as a two-LP set by DMZ, which later went out of print. Following the demise of the label, Autolux reissued the album on one 180-gram LP in 2009 (on their own label Autolux Music Entertainment), and again in 2015 as a two-LP set.

2. ‘Crossroads (Live)’ – Ahmad Jamal

‘Crossroads (Live)‘ belongs to Ahmad Jamal’s “Live at the Montreal Jazz Festival” which is a live album released on the Atlantic label in 1985 and features performances recorded at the Montreal International Jazz Festival. And Maynard adds this song in the second place of his favorite song playlist.

Ahmad Jamal collaborated on this album alongside James Cammack on bass, Herlin Riley on drums, and Selden Newton on percussion.

3. ‘Close (To The Edit)’ – Art of Noise

‘Close (To The Edit)‘ song belongs to the Art of Noise‘s “Daft” album. “Daft” is a collection album that includes the Art of Noise LP album “Who’s Afraid of the Art of Noise?”, as well as excerpts from the Into Battle with the Art of Noise EP and the “Moments in Love” remix single.

It provides a pretty comprehensive account of the group’s Trevor Horn era, prior to their divorce from the ZTT label. The compilation is especially notable for its liner notes by Paul Morley, which criticize the group’s current configuration. The album was reissued on Super Audio CD in 2003. And Maynard adds this song in the third place of his favorite song playlist.

4. ‘Falling Man’ – Blonde Redhead

‘Falling Man‘ song belongs to the Blonde Redhead’s sixth studio album “Misery Is a Butterfly.” It was released by 4AD on March 15, 2004. And Maynard adds this song in the fourth place of his favorite song playlist.

The album showcases the band’s creative approach to indie rock with a blend of dreamy, ethereal sounds and sophisticated melodies. It was well welcomed by critics and is regarded as one of Blonde Redhead’s most important compositions.

5. ‘Sweat Loaf’ – Btthle Surfers

‘Sweat Loaf‘ song belongs to the B*tth*le Surfers band’s third full-length studio album “Locust Abortion Technician” from the American rock band. And Maynard adds this song in the fifth place of his favorite song playlist.

It was released in 1987 and features a mix of punk, psychedelic, and experimental sounds that are characteristic of the band’s style. The album is considered one of their most influential works and helped establish the band’s cult following. It features songs such as “Sweat Loaf” and “22 Going on 23”.

6. ‘At Night’ – The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers

The Eagle Rock Gospel Singers began in the summer of 2010 as a group of friends coming together. A choir of up to 15 people restored the traditional Gospel atmosphere with songs like “I Shall Not Be Moved”, “12 Gates”, and “In My Time of Dying”. They gradually grew into a six-piece ensemble dedicated to appreciating the depth inherent in early twentieth-century recordings.

The band draws influences from historical Gospel musicians such as The Dixie Hummingbirds, Washington Phillips, and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, as well as current bands such as The Black Keys, Wilco, and Calexico, to develop a distinct style that draws from rhythm & blues, alt-country, indie rock, and folk. Maynard chooses ‘At Night’ as one of his favorite songs of all time.

7. ‘Musique Non-Stop’ – Kraftwerk

‘Musique Non-Stop‘ is a song and album released in 1986 by Kraftwerk, a famous German electronic music band. The song has a pulsing pace and a catchy synth melody, as well as lyrics that extol music’s unifying effect.

The band’s characteristic sound of robotic vocals, precise rhythms, and futuristic instrumentation is showcased on the album of the same name, which comprises a mix of new tracks and remixes. The album and song were well-received by fans and critics alike, establishing Kraftwerk’s standing as an electronic music pioneer and inspiring so many artists in the years thereafter. Maynard adds ‘Musique Non-Stop’ seventh and as one of his favorite songs of all time.

8. ‘The New World’ – X

“More Fun in the New World” is the fourth studio album by the American rock band X, released by Elektra Records in September 1983. Rhino Records released it in 2002 with four bonus tracks. Ray Manzarek produced the final X album.

Also, this song ‘The New World‘ including in the soundtrack of the 1986 film Something Wild. Maynard adds ‘The New World‘ as one of his favorite songs of all time.

9. ‘Don’t Sh*t Where You Eat’ – Ween

“Chocolate and Cheese” is the fourth studio album by the American rock band Ween, released in 1994. The album showcases the band’s eclectic style, blending elements of rock, funk, soul, country, and experimental music.

The songs range from catchy and accessible, such as “Voodoo Lady” and “Buenas Tardes Amigo,” to more experimental and bizarre tracks like “Spinal Meningitis (Got Me Down)” and “Candi.” The album also features guest appearances from musician and producer Andrew Weiss, as well as saxophonist Glenn McClelland. “Chocolate and Cheese” received critical acclaim and is considered one of Ween’s best and most influential albums, showcasing the band’s versatility and willingness to push musical boundaries. Maynard adds ‘Don’t Sh*t Where You Eat‘ as one of his favorite songs of all time.

10. ‘Tear My Stillhouse Down’ – Gillian Welch

“Revival” is Gillian Welch’s debut album, also released in 1996. Welch’s distinct blend of traditional folk and country music with modern features, such as haunting lyrics and minimalist, acoustic accompaniment, is showcased on the album.

Welch and her musical partner, David Rawlings, wrote the songs on the album, which has their signature harmonies and exquisite guitar work. The album got positive reviews and helped cement Welch’s place as a prominent player in the contemporary folk and Americana music industries. Highlights include “Orphan Girl,” “Tear My Stillhouse Down,” and “Barroom Girls.” “Revival” is a beloved classic among aficionados of traditional American music and is regarded as a watershed moment in Gillian Welch’s career. Maynard adds ‘Tear My Stillhouse Down‘ as one of his favorite songs of all time.

11. ‘More Bounce to the Ounce (Radio Version)’ – Zapp

“More Bounce to the Ounce” is the first song released by the American funk band Zapp in 1980.

The song’s impact may be heard in innumerable subsequent funk and hip-hop compositions, and it remains a revered classic among genre lovers. Zapp’s debut single helped establish the band as a prominent developer of funk music in the 1980s, and it laid the groundwork for their future success in the genre. Maynard adds ‘More Bounce to the Ounce‘ as one of his favorite songs of all time.