Allman heard his first blues - by Howlin' Wolf - as a teen. "Though it's pretty basic in structure, it carries a lot of emotion," he says. "It can bring your spirits up, or if you're in a hole, it can get you deeper. It's amazing what they do with those three chords."

1. "The Danger Zone" | Ray Charles, 1961
I think it's the first political song he ever did, about the apocalypse. I thought it was very strange that he'd do something like that, but it has always appealed to me. It stops and starts, and it's very soulful.
2. "Grits Ain't Groceries" | Little Milton, 1969
Oh, God, that intro - "If I don't love you, baby!" It sends chills up my spine. It sounds like he's singing that song on one knee, with a ring in his hand.
3. "What's Going On" | Marvin Gaye, 1971
If anyone could sing the blues, it was Marvin. He made some of the most soulful sounds I've ever heard from anybody.
4. "Born In Chicago" | The Paul Butterfield Blues Band, 1965
His signature tune. He brought that killer harp to the blues. The whole band, with Mike Bloomfield on guitar, is killer.
5. "Driftin' Blues" | Bobby "Blue" Bland, 1967
It kinda just floats, and Bland sings like he's got his feet up on a footstool, kicking back with a drink.
6. "Losing Faith in You" | B.B. King, 1968
It sounds like he borrowed Ray Charles' band. They're on fire.
7. "Nine Below Zero" | Sonny Boy Williamson, 1961
What he does with that fucking harmonica is amazing, and the low notes can shake the house, man.
8. "You Don't Miss Your Water ('Til Your Well Runs Dry)" | Taj Mahal, 1968
Taj's singing goes over the top. It's about a guy who screwed up. One time in my life, I could relate to that!
9. "Born Under A Bad Sign" | Albert King, 1967
My brother Duane and I really dug him. I don't know a guitar player alive who didn't cut their teeth on Albert.
10. "Gypsy Woman" | Muddy Waters, 1947
I love that lyric "You your mama's bad-luck child!" That just kills me.

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Perhaps the "coolest" song ever
(And Cher was never hot)