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Madonna got in the hall of Fame this week, and now this list.

I quit. No more rock for me, I'm going to the Blues!

Joe --

a) I'm still formulating a counter-response to your comments on pop weirdness of the 1990s. I find deep thinking difficult in late December.

b) Since I began working in newspapers, I came to realize something about year-end best-of lists: They're a reliable way to assure you have copy that people will be interested in reading (because readers love lists of things) during a time of year when everyone's busy and deadlines are often too short to get into the in-depth stuff you really WANT to write about.

c) The national magazines have super-early deadlines, so the time-crunch excuse may or may not apply. That said, readers love lists of things.

d) For most music publications, the year-end best-of list belongs on the short list of Least Authoritative Pieces of the Year. How do you quantify, say, dance-pop vs art-metal? (There is no answer to that question.)

e) You've said yourself that Rolling Stone's very real merits lie in everything BUT its music coverage. (I think you're right.)

f) That said, my absolute number one favorite killer jam of the year was "Kid on My Shoulders" by White Rabbits. Dunno if it was the "best" anything. But it does everything I ever want a pop song with guitars and drums and stuff to do, and proceeds to knock my socks off in a very special way. There. Since you asked.