You’ll probably receive twenty different answers if you ask twenty individuals what the best music ever made is. The truth is that this is what makes music so lovely. The capacity of a fantastic song to affect people on a personal level is more essential than what others have to say. This is a compilation of songs that music critics and fans feel are the best of all time. Ranker’s The Best Songs of All Time and Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Songs of All Time were utilized to build this ranking. Let’s get started!
Do You Agree That These Are The Greatest Songs In Music History?
‘Gimme Shelter’ — The Rolling Stones
The fact that Keith Richards wrote this song in just 20 minutes is incredible, isn’t it? Those who heard the song “Gimme Shelter” were left with a lasting impression of the music. “Let It Bleed,” was published in 1969 as the first track of the album of the same name. However, it was never released as a single. Although this is the case, it has appeared on various compilation albums and has been performed live on a number of occasions throughout the years. When the Rolling Stones celebrated their 50th anniversary tour in 2012, they performed the song with Florence Welch, Mary J. Blige, and Lady Gaga.
‘Gimme Shelter’ — The Rolling Stones
‘One’ — U2
This is the third track from U2’s 1991 album “Achtung Baby.” which was released in 1991. It was a spin-off of the second song, “Mysterious Ways.” which was released the same year. According to Rolling Stone, The Edge came up with two different bridge concepts. Because Bono was so captivated with the other one, he decided to write a fresh set of lyrics to accompany it. They were not anticipating “One” to be such a big hit during the wedding, despite the fact that it was. “I’ve heard from people who say they’re having it played at their wedding,” the Edge added. “And I think to myself, ‘Have you taken the time to listen to the lyrics?'” This is not the type of tune you’re looking for.'”
‘One’ — U2
‘No Woman, No Cry’ — Bob Marley
Our choice for the best version of “No Woman, No Cry,” however, is not the one from the 1974 album “Natty Dread,” but rather the one from the live album “Live!” It was played at the Lyceum Theatre on July 17, 1975, as part of Bob Marley’s Natty Dread Tour, which took on the next day. Not only did it impact his life, but he also attributed the songwriting to Vincent “Tata” Ford, a childhood pal who he had never met before. Because of the success of his soup kitchen in Kingston, Ford was able to keep his business solvent.
‘No Woman, No Cry’ — Bob Marley
‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ — The Righteous Brothers.
It was 1964 when the Righteous Brothers released their first single, “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling” The song went on to become a hit worldwide, topping charts in the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as charts in other countries. The next year, it went on to become the sixth best-selling song in the United States of America. It has been covered by a number of musicians, including Hall and Oates and Dionne Warwick, among others. No other version, on the other hand, has come close to Bill Medley’s masterpiece. “You never close your eyes anymore when I kiss your lips,” began the song’s opener, which was performed sans instruments.
‘You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feeling’ — The Righteous Brothers
‘Sympathy For The Devil’ — The Rolling Stones
Whenever it comes to controversy, The Rolling Stones have experienced their fair share. They released “Sympathy for the Devil” from the film “Beggars Banquet” in 1968, which was not an exception and caused a commotion among religious organizations who claimed they were worshipping the devil, among other things. In 1995, Rolling Stone had an interview with them. After some confusion, Mick Jagger explained the matter by explaining that the phrase was coined as a result of French literature. His explanation was simple: “I just took a couple of lines and expanded on it.” “I wrote it in the style of a Bob Dylan song,” says the author.
‘Sympathy For The Devil’ — The Rolling Stones
‘I Walk The Line’ — Johnny Cash
When Johnny Cash began working on “I Walk the Line,” he was stationed in Germany as a member of the United States Air Force. He didn’t get around to recording it until many years later, when he realized that the original cassette had been damaged and had to be replaced. This turned out to be a positive development because he chose to embrace the distinctive sound that evolved as a result. He also wrapped a piece of wax paper around the guitar strings to give even more spice to the mix. This is how he scored his first No. 1 single on the Billboard list. In an interview with Rolling Stone, he explained that the song was unlike anything else he’d ever heard. With the addition of Bob Dylan’s words, “A voice from the middle of the Earth.”
‘I Walk The Line’ — Johnny Cash
‘River Deep – Mountain High’ — Ike and Tina Turner
Phil Spector considers the 1966 Ike and Tina Turner album “River Deep – Mountain High” to be his best effort as a producer. The record in question is titled “River Deep – Mountain High,” and it was produced by Spector. A substantial proportion of people agree with this sentiment. It even made it onto Rolling Stone’s list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time, where it was ranked No. 33 on the list. In 1999, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. As Turner put it, the experience of putting it together was “unforgettable.” Spector forced her to sing it for hours on end in order to make it “perfect.” “I must have sung that song 500,000 times,” she said to Rolling Stone in an interview. “I was completely drenched in sweat,” she continued. For singing, I was forced to take my shirt off and stand there in my bra.”
‘River Deep – Mountain High’ — Ike and Tina Turner
‘Help!’ — The Beatles
When John Lennon told Playboy that he needed “help!” in 1980, he was not aware of the depths to which he was sinking. The song was released as a single in July 1965, at the height of Beatlemania, and quickly became a hit. According to him, “most people think it’s just a fast rock n’ roll song,” but he explained that “subconsciously, I was pleading for help.” I had no idea what I was getting myself into at the time; I simply created the song since I had been commissioned to write it for the film.” He later admitted to Rolling Stone that he didn’t care for the album, saying, “We did it too quickly, in an attempt to be commercial.”
‘Help!’ — The Beatles
‘People Get Ready’ — The Impressions
Most people are familiar with the Impressions’ most famous song, “People Get Ready,” which was penned by Curtis Mayfield and peaked at No. 3 on the Billboard R&B chart. The song was adopted as the unofficial anthem of the Civil Rights Movement. Mojo Magazine called it one of the top ten songs of all time, and it is still in the top ten today. The information in that statement was taken from my church or from the church’s upbringing of messages.” Images such as “there’s no hiding place” and “get on board” come to mind, among other things. “I must have been in a particularly intense mood of religious inspiration at the time I wrote that song,” Mayfield himself admitted in an interview.
‘People Get Ready’ — The Impressions
‘In My Life’ — The Beatles
The Beatles’ 1965 single from the album “Rubber Soul” would be on every list of the greatest songs ever composed if you asked John Lennon. In fact, John Lennon went so far as to remark that it was “my first real, major piece of work,” according to Rolling Stone. He also remarked that “up until that point, everything had been glib and tossed aside.” As reported by his friend and later biographer, Peter Shotton, the line “Some [friends] are dead and some are living / In my life I’ve loved them all” was written in commemoration of Shotton’s own friend and fellow musician Stuart Sutcliffe, who passed away in 1962.
‘In My Life’ — The Beatles
‘Layla’ — Derek And The Dominos
“The Story of Layla and Majnun,” a book penned by Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi in the 12th century, was the inspiration for Eric Clapton’s song “Layla,” which many consider to be one of the finest rock songs ever composed. His own life, particularly his unrequited love for Pattie Boyd, served as a source of inspiration for Clapton as well. She was the wife of his friend and fellow musician George Harrison, but it all worked out in the end, and they were married for over a decade after their marriage ended in divorce. “It was the most serious thing that was going on at the time,” he told the Rolling Stone magazine in 1974. The author went on to say, “That’s what I wanted to write about the most.”
‘Layla’ — Derek And The Dominos
‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay’ — Otis Redding
This is probably the most well-known of Otis Redding’s songs. He created the lyrics for the song while sitting on the dock of the bay! The Monterrey Pop Festival had just concluded, and he had been staying on a rented houseboat near Sausalito, California. The distinction is the same in both cases. Wow, isn’t it incredible that they used the real sound of waves as the background music track? He created the song, and a few months later, he recorded it with guitarist Steve Cropper for the album. This occurred only a few days before he was killed in a plane disaster in which he was traveling. His personal automobile went into Lake Monona in Wisconsin, killing him. The song became the first posthumous single to hit number one in the United States with the release of the album.
‘(Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay’ — Otis Redding
‘Let It Be’ — The Beatles
It has been claimed that difficult circumstances bring out amazing inventiveness in people. This was the situation in the instance of Paul McCartney and this particular song. He was depressed because the Beatles were breaking up, so he sought solace in a dream he had in which his late mother offered him counsel. It served as the inspiration for the opening few words of the song, which read: “When I find myself in times of trouble / Mother Mary comes to me.” This song served as the title track for the band’s final studio album, which was released in 1997. In more ways than one, it was a watershed moment in history. The Beatles’ final single, “Let it Be,” was released in March 1970, just a few months before they announced their breakup.
‘Let It Be’ — The Beatles
‘The Times They Are A-Changin” — Bob Dylan
The title track of Bob Dylan’s 1964 album, “The Times They Are a-Changin,” became an instant hit as an anthem for the times in which we are living. This song debuted at No. 9 on the United Kingdom’s singles chart when it was published for the first time in 1965. On the other hand, it failed to chart at all on the opposite side of the Atlantic. No matter how you look at it, it is one of his most well-known and significant songs. Many artists have performed cover versions of the song. The Beach Boys, Bruce Springsteen, Nina Simone, and Simon & Garfunkel are among the artists who have contributed to this collection. His relationship with this song looks to be a difficult one. After including it in his setlists since 1965, he decided to retire it in 2009 after more than four decades.
‘The Times They Are A Changin” — Bob Dylan
‘Baba O’Riley’ — The Who
An Indian spiritual leader named Meher Baba influenced the Who’s Pete Townshend, who became known as “Pete.” Terry Riley is credited with being the first composer to utilize a minimalist composing technique with this piece, which was composed in the 1960s. Eventually, he merged the two styles to create “Baba O’Riley,” which was released as a single in 1971 and became a hit for him. Originally, the song was composed for the band Lifehouse. As a follow-up to Tommy, which was released two years previously, the rock opera was conceived and written. The sequel, on the other hand, was finally shelved. Children who overused social media in 2018 received a warning from Roger Daltrey, according to his description of the song.
‘Baba O’Riley’ — The Who
‘Be My Baby’ — The Ronettes
This song is on the best-of lists of the NME, Pitchfork, Time, and Rolling Stone magazines. Phil Spector was in charge of the production. Cher’s backup vocals were included on the song, which featured a full orchestra. In the words of engineer Larr Levine, “Phil was doing things that were insane and exhausting.” “However, that does not indicate the presence of a nut. “Wow, that’s brilliant.”
‘Be My Baby’ — The Ronettes
‘Born To Run’ — Bruce Springsteen
In 1975, Bruce Springsteen released the album “Born to Run,” which contained the title track, which was the most ambitious song he had ever written. “I wanted to make the greatest rock record I’d ever heard,” he said in an interview with Rolling Stone. This was his debut international song, however it only reached the top 20 of the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States. According to The Atlantic, it became a cult classic. There were multiple times a day on a top-40 morning radio station in Philadelphia since it was so well-liked by the public.
‘Born To Run’ — Bruce Springsteen
‘Behind Blue Eyes’ — The Who
The Who’s “Behind Blue Eyes” was released in 1971, and it was reported to have been inspired by an incident that occurred during a concert. Apparently, Pete Townshend had been enticed by one of the groupies the year before that! Instead of yielding to the temptation, he returned to his hotel room and wrote a prayer for himself. “When my fist clenches, crack it open,” was the phrase that started it all. That particular lyric can be found in the song. “Who’s Next” was the band’s fifth studio album, which included this song. Over the years, the song has been covered by a variety of performers.
‘Behind Blue Eyes’ — The Who
‘La Bamba’ — Ritchie Valens
‘La Bamba’ is a Mexican traditional song that was also the title track of a 1987 film starring Lou Diamond Phillips as Ritchie Valens, which the Los Lobos recorded in their performance. That has got to be the most well-known version of the song, right? However, Valens’ 1958 adaptation is included in both the Rolling Stone Top 500 and the Ranker ranking, indicating that the song is still relevant today. This is the only song on the list that is not in English and is sung in a different language. “La Bamba” is one of the most well-known songs from the heyday of rock ‘n’ roll, dating back to the 1950s.
‘La Bamba’ — Ritchie Valens
‘Hound Dog’ — Elvis Presley
The original version of this song was a hit for Willie Mae’s “Big Mama” Thornton years before Elvis Presley recorded a cover version. However, the King of Rock and Roll version made it to number 19 on the Rolling Stone 500 list. After hearing it performed by Freddie Bell and the Bellboys in Las Vegas, Elvis decided to include it in his 1956 repertoire. On the Steve Allen Show later that year, Presley made a memorable appearance, serenading a dog dressed in a top hat. “It was the most ridiculous appearance I’d ever done, and I regret ever having done it,” he admitted. In any case, “Hound Dog” went on to become his most successful single. It has now become one of the best-selling singles in the history of the world.
‘Hound Dog’ — Elvis Presley
‘Rock Around The Clock’ — Bill Haley And The Comets
Despite the fact that this is a rock ‘n’ roll classic, Bill Haley’s version and the Comets are the most popular and well-known versions. In 1954, the album was released to critical acclaim by the band. It topped the charts in both the United Kingdom and the United States, as well as the charts in the United States. One reason for this is that it was featured in the opening credits of the film The Blackboard Jungle, which was released in 2008. A review in The Guardian described the song as “the world’s first rock anthem” and it triggered riots in cinemas and classrooms around the world. It could even be argued to have set the way for the development of pop music in its current form.
‘Rock Around The Clock’ — Bill Haley And The Comets
‘Break On Through (To The Other Side)’ — The Doors
This was the first tune on The Doors’ self-titled first album, which was released in 1962. It was called “Break on Through (To the Other Side).” and it was the band’s debut single. When it was first released, it did not do well, reaching only No. 126 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in the United States. The fact remains that the song is among the band’s most popular tracks. When asked about the inspiration for the song, Jim Morrison told Hit Parader that he created it while meandering around Venice’s canals. “I was walking across a bridge,” he explained later. “I guess it’s just one girl, a girl I knew at the time,” says the author. Elektra Records, the band’s record label, omitted the word “high” from the phrase “she gets high” because they were concerned that it might negatively impact the song’s radio airplay. The reality is that, until the 1990s, every re-release of the song did not include the word “love” in the title.
‘Break On Through (To The Other Side)’ — The Doors
‘Here Comes The Sun’ — The Beatles
The Beatles included “Here Comes the Sun” on their album “Abbey Road,” which was released in 1969. Despite the fact that the majority of their songs were written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney, George Harrison deserves to be credited with this huge single. Furthermore, it was immediately apparent that the lead guitarist had been influenced by Indian classical music at the time. A meeting at the band’s Apple Corps organization is claimed to have forced him to write the song at Eric Clapton’s residence in order to avoid attending the meeting. For many of the band’s fans, this is one of their most well-liked and well-known songs. By January 2020, it had surpassed all other Beatles songs as the most streamed in the United Kingdom.
‘Here Comes The Sun’ — The Beatles
‘Rebel Rebel’ — David Bowie
David Bowie is often regarded as a founding member of the glam rock movement. According to legend, “Rebel Rebel” was his farewell to it. The song was first heard in 1974 and was released as a single. It tells the story of a young boy who defies his parents’ desires by dressing in female clothing and wearing makeup. When it came to the Billboard Hot 100, it reached at number 16 in the United States. When it was released in the United Kingdom, it peaked at No. 5, and it is still considered a “glam anthem” today. This is one of his most well-known albums’ covers. It has been covered by artists such as the Smashing Pumpkins, Bryan Adams, and many more.
‘Rebel Rebel’ — David Bowie
‘You Really Got Me’ — The Kinks
Ray Davies wrote this song for the Kinks’ third single, which was released in 1965. It peaked at No. 1 on the singles chart in the United Kingdom with the song “You Really Got Me.” It reached its highest position in the United Kingdom in the year 1964, at No. 7. According to Rolling Stone, Dave Davies’ guitarist put a razor blade on the speaker cone of his amplifier to generate the fantastic sound on the riff in question. “The song was inspired by my upbringing in a working-class environment,” he said. “There are people who are fighting for something.”
‘You Really Got Me’ — The Kinks
‘Purple Haze’ — The Jimi Hendrix Experience
“Purple Haze” is voted No. 17 on Rolling Stone’s list of the greatest songs ever written. It was written by Jimi Hendrix and released as the second single from his album The Jimi Hendrix Experience in 1967, marking the artist’s debut as a songwriter. This is one of his most well-known songs, and it is widely recognized with introducing many people to his distinctive psychedelic rock sound, which he developed throughout the course of his career. On lists of the greatest guitar songs, it is frequently included, including the top spot on Q magazine’s and the second spot on Rolling Stone’s lists. In 2013, readers of Rolling Stone magazine voted it as the fifth best Jimi Hendrix song of all time. In case you weren’t aware, the song’s lyrics are as follows: “Excuse me while I kiss the sky.” He did not say, “Excuse me while I kiss this guy,” as some might expect. The more you know, the better!
‘Purple Haze’ — The Jimi Hendrix Experience
‘London Calling’ — The Clash
They were going through personal troubles at the time, and they were also concerned about global happenings, which inspired one of their most iconic songs. They had no management at the moment, but they had a significant amount of debt. “We had the impression that we were on the verge of slipping down a slope or something,” lead vocalist Joe Strummer explained. “We were grasping with our fingernails.” “And there was no one there to assist us,” says the author. This was the sole single to be released in the United Kingdom from the eponymous album. It peaked at No. 11 on the charts in 1980 and remained the highest-charting single band for the next decade, until they recorded “Should I Stay or Should I Go” in 2001, which reached No. 1.
‘London Calling’ — The Clash
‘What A Wonderful World’ — Louis Armstrong
“What a Wonderful World” was ranked No. 15 on the Ranker list of best-selling books. George David Weiss and Bob Thiele collaborated on this piece, which was written under the supervision of George Douglas. Louis Armstrong’s recording of the song, which peaked at number one in the United Kingdom, was much acclaimed. In 1967, there existed a pop chart to keep track of what was popular. However, in the United Kingdom, it was only ranked as high as No. 32. In any case, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999, and it continues to be played today. Over the years, a slew of performers have recorded covers of the song. Only a handful of the many musicians who have recorded this timeless song include Tony Bennett, Katie Melua, The Flaming Lips, Joey Ramone, Nick Cave, Shane MacGowan, Katie Melua, and Eva Cassidy, to name a few.
‘What A Wonderful World’ — Louis Armstrong
‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ — Sam Cooke
In 1964, “A Change is Gonna Come” was released as the B-side of his posthumous single “Shake,” which was a hit for him. The song was released in December 1964, just a few days after he was put to rest in Arlington National Cemetery. Sam Cooke was tragically killed in a Los Angeles motel by a lady who was a guest. Despite its mediocre chart performance, it became an anthem for the civil rights movement and is still used today. In 2007, the National Recording Registry selected it for preservation as a national treasure. It was chosen because it is “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant,” according to the selection committee.
‘A Change Is Gonna Come’ — Sam Cooke
‘The Sound Of Silence’ — Simon & Garfunkel
We’re willing to wager you’re familiar with this tune. The film “The Sound of Silence” received the 10th highest rating from the Ranker community. In 1964, Simon and Garfunkel released their debut album, “Wednesday Morning, 3 A.M.”, which included this song as a bonus track. It reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100 in January 1966 and entered the top ten in other countries such as Austria, Australia, the Netherlands, West Germany, and Japan, where it remained for many weeks. Although it was featured in The Graduate, the duo wrote the song “Mrs. Robinson” just for it. According to Paul Simon, who spoke with NPR, the song’s “simplicity of melody and words, which are about youthful alienation,” was the key to its success.
‘The Sound Of Silence’ — Simon & Garfunkel
‘A Day In The Life’ — The Beatles
This song is often regarded as one of the final true collaborations between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. This song was written by The Beatles for their 1967 album, “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band,” and it was covered by a number of artists, including Bary Gibb, Jeff Beck, The Fall, and Phish. “A Day in the Life.” has been covered by a number of artists, including Bary Gibb, Jeff Beck, The Fall, and Phish. Since 2008, Paul McCartney has been bringing the song to life on stage. Three years later, Rolling Stone proclaimed it to be the finest song ever written by the Beatles. In the history of popular music, according to Acclaimed Music, it ranks as the third most popular song of all time. It’s not difficult to comprehend why this is the case.
‘A Day In The Life’ — The Beatles
‘My Generation’ — The Who
When it comes to greatest songs of all time, Rolling Stone has selected The Who’s “My Generation” as the eleventh best. It is one of the most well-known songs from the band. Furthermore, it was named thirteenth on VH1’s list of the 100 greatest rock and roll songs of all time, and thirty-seventh on their list of the greatest hard rock songs. “Taking in a timeless sense of youthful dissatisfaction through a countercultural, Mod lens, Pete Townshend’s age-defying ditty distilled what it feels like to be young, energized, and in the prime of life into 3:18 minutes of bristling hedonism,” according to NME’s list of the 100 best songs from the 1960s.
‘My Generation’ — The Who
‘Light My Fire’ — The Doors
The Doors’ “Light My Fire” was ranked 16th on Ranker’s list of top songs. It was included on the band’s self-titled debut album, which was released in 1967. For three weeks, the trimmed version of the song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It should be credited with propelling the band to even higher heights in the process. As a result of the song, they were were invited to appear on The Ed Sullivan Show, albeit Jim Morrison was asked not to sing a particular line. It was the point where it said, “Girl, we weren’t going to be able to go any higher.” Despite this, he continued to perform the song. The fact that this was both their first and last appearance on the show could be attributed to this.
‘Light My Fire’ — The Doors
‘What’d I Say’ — Ray Charles
Rolling Stone magazine has ranked Ray Charles’ “What’d I Say” as the tenth finest song ever written. He penned it while the band was on tour in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in 1958. They had some free time, so he decided to write one of the greatest songs of all time. On “Late Show with David Letterman,” he explained how he told his friends “Hey, whatever I do, just follow me.” Then he continued, “I said the same thing to the girls, telling them that whatever I say, they should just repeat it, no matter what it is.” The audience clapped their hands in unison. The song went on to become his first top ten pop success, debuting at number nine. When he performed, this song was always played at the conclusion of his shows. aA recording of the song was included in the National Recording Registry, which was established in 2002 to preserve songs that are “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant, and/or inform or reflect life in the United States,” among other things.
‘What’d I Say’ — Ray Charles
‘Paint It Black’ — The Rolling Stones
According to Ranker, the Rolling Stones’ “Paint It Black” is presently the sixth most popular song. The single, which was released in 1966, was a big success. It peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and at No. 1 in the United Kingdom, respectively. Singles chart (in alphabetical order) In the United States, it was the band’s third No. 1 hit single, while it was their sixth in the United Kingdom. Readers of Rolling Stone named it the band’s third-best single, behind only “Sympathy for the Devil” and “Gimme Shelter.” according to the magazine. The success of the song, according to Keith Richards, was aided by the organ of Bill Wyman, who died in 2004. “It didn’t sound anything like the finished record until Bill said, ‘You go like thisa,'” he explained.
‘Paint It Black’ — The Rolling Stones
‘Respect’ — Aretha Franklin
This song was written and sung by Otis Redding in 1965. Aretha Franklin, on the other hand, should be credited with making “Respect” into the hit song that it is today. The song became a female empowerment anthem two years after it was first released, thanks to her efforts. She changed things up a bit by including the letters “R-E-S-P-E-C-T” in the chorus as well as the phrase “Sock it to me, sock it to me, socks it to me…” in the chorus. It’s one of her most well-known songs, and it’s a classic. In 1968, she was awarded two Grammys for her performance. Best Rhythm & Blues Recording received the first award; Best Rhythm & Blues Solo Vocal Performance, Female received the second. In 1987, the album was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
‘Respect’ — Aretha Franklin
‘All Along The Watchtower’ — The Jimi Hendrix Experience
“All Along the Watchtower” was written by Bob Dylan, but the Jimi Hendrix Experience’s version of the song was rated the fourth best song in history by the Ranker voters. The song initially appeared on Bob Dylan’s 1967 album “John Wesley Harding,” which was released in the United States of America. Six months later, Hendrix recorded a cover version for “Electric Ladyland,” which peaked at number 20 in the charts in 1968. Rolling Stone magazine named his rendition of the song the 47th best song of all time. Former U2 members Eddie Vedder and Neil Young have all recorded cover versions of the song in question.
‘All Along The Watchtower’ — The Jimi Hendrix Experience
‘What’s Going On’ — Marvin Gaye
The song “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye was inspired by all of the police brutality instances that were reported in California throughout the year 1971. At initially, it didn’t do well on the commercial front. It did, however, go on to reach the second position on the Billboard Hot 100. Among the star’s most successful Motown records, it is “I Got You Babe.” “It’s an exquisite plea for peace on Earth,” Rolling Stone magazine said. It comes in at number four on their list of the greatest songs of all time.
‘What’s Going On’ — Marvin Gaye
‘Stairway To Heaven’ — Led Zeppelin
The album “Stairway to Heaven.” was published by Led Zeppelin in 1971. It has a large following among the members of the Ranker network. They ranked it as the sixth best song in the history of the world. It was voted the best song of all time by readers of Planet Rock. They awarded it twice as many votes as the next closest rival, which was impressive. In spite of the fact that the song was never published as a commercial single in the United Kingdom, it was voted as the country’s favorite rock anthem. When it came out in the 1970s, it was the most often requested song on radio. What a complete 180-degree turn of events!
‘Stairway To Heaven’ — Led Zeppelin
‘Like A Rolling Stone’ — Bob Dylan
According to Rolling Stone, Bob Dylan’s song “Like a Rolling Stone” was the greatest song ever written. In the words of the article, “No other pop song has challenged and transformed the commercial laws and artistic conventions of its time as thoroughly and permanently as this one.” The course was six minutes and thirteen seconds longer than usual, with a total running time of six minutes and thirteen seconds. This was one of the reasons why radio stations were first hesitant to broadcast the music. However, it became an international hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart at the time of its release. Several artists, including Green Day and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, have covered the song. It has been dubbed “the most acclaimed song in history” by Acclaimed Music, based on statistical evidence. Dylan’s handwritten lyrics were auctioned off for $2 million dollars in 2014, and the proceeds went to charity.
‘Like A Rolling Stone’ — Bob Dylan
‘God Only Knows’ — The Beach Boys
Ranker members selected “God Only Knows” the 19th greatest song ever written, and Rolling Stone magazine ranked it 25th all-time. Aside from being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, this song is also included on Pitchfork Media’s list of the top 1960s songs. Despite the fact that it was included as a B-side on the Beach Boys’ album “Wouldn’t It Be Nice,” “God Only Knows” was not the band’s most successful single, but it remains a fan favorite. In fact, it was chosen the best song of the year by readers of Rolling Stone magazine. Paul McCartney’s favorite song was this one!
‘God Only Knows’ — The Beach Boys
‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ — Bob Dylan
Although this song was previously referred to as “Dylan’s first important composition,” many consider it to be the most well-known protest song ever written. For most people, Bob Dylan is best known for his song “Blowin’ in the Wind,” which was adopted as a civil rights anthem by the civil rights movement. The placement of this song on our list comes as no surprise! It was also a great song for Peter, Paul, and Mary, a popular folk band from the 1960s and 1970s, who performed it in 1963. In 1994, the song was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, where it remains today. According to Rolling Stone, it was named No. 14 on their list of the 500 best songs of all time.
‘Blowin’ In The Wind’ — Bob Dylan
‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ — The Beatles
This is one of many excellent songs written by the Beatles, and it is one of their best. “I Wanted to Hold Your Hand.” a song by the Beatles, was released in 1963. Even though this was their first No. 1 hit in the United States of America, it failed to chart in the United Kingdom. I’ve been in the top 50 for the past 21 weeks, which is a personal best. Paul McCartney and John Lennon worked together on the song “eyeball to eyeball.” according to John Lennon’s explanation. “I remember when we finally got the chord that turned the song into a song,” he recalled. “We were in Jane Asher’s house, downstairs in the cellar, and we were both playing the piano at the same time. ” “Oh you-u-u/ got that something…,” we said to each other. Paul strikes this chord, and I turn to face him and say, ‘There you have it!’ ‘Do that again!’ I exclaimed. That was how we used to write back then, and it was simply hilarious – we were both laughing at each other’s expense.”
‘I Want To Hold Your Hand’ — The Beatles
‘Johnny B. Goode’ — Chuck Berry
Chuck Berry’s song “Johnny B. Goode” was published in 1958. Several publications, including Rolling Stone, hailed it as “the first pop-rock hit about rock-and-roll stardom,” as well as “the greatest rock-and-roll song about the democracy of fame in pop music.” With the song “Country Boy,” a semi-autobiographical ballad about a New Orleans “country boy” who can play the guitar “like ringing a bell,” it reached No. 8 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart. It was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 1999 as a result of the impact it had on the industry. Among the 100 greatest guitar songs of all time, the rock n’ roll classic is ranked first on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest guitar songs of all time. Ranker, on the other hand, ranked it as the No. 11 best seller.
‘Johnny B. Goode’ — Chuck Berry
‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ — Nirvana
Our is the only song on this list that was first released during the 1990s. A generation later, the song “Smells Like Teen Spirit” became an anthem for the disillusioned generation. It was given the brand name of a deodorant product to promote it. The song went on to become a worldwide hit in a number of different nations. The Recording Industry Association of America has even given it the designation of platinum certification. In addition, the song helped to drive the “Nevermind” album to the top of the charts at the beginning of the year 1992. Sadly, it put a significant amount of strain on Nirvana. ‘There are many other songs that I’ve written that are as excellent, if not better, than this one,’ Kurt Cobain stated. When it came to the Rolling Stone top 100, the song came in at number 9.
‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’ — Nirvana
‘Good Vibrations’ — The Beach Boys
Good Vibrations” by the Beach Boys was a tremendous hit in 1966, peaking at No. 1 on both the United Kingdom and the United States charts at the same time. together with the United States of America At the time of its release, it was the most costly single ever recorded. It cost the studio $50,000 to produce! The song was written and produced by Brian Wilson, who was inspired by his curiosity with cosmic vibrations to create it. When he was a child, his mother attempted to explain to him why certain dogs growled at him while others did not at him. His explanation was as follows: “A dog would pick up vibrations from these people that you couldn’t see, but could feel.” Likewise, the same thing occurred with regard to humans.” One of his objectives was to write a song that was superior to “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’.” He went ahead and did it. On Rolling Stone’s list of the best albums, it is ranked sixth, while Ranker ranks it eighth.
‘Good Vibrations’ — The Beach Boys
‘Yesterday’ — The Beatles
This has to be the most well-known of the Beatles’ ballads. The readers of Ranker chose it as the third best song, and Rolling Stone placed it as the thirteenth best song. The song was voted third on the BMI’s list of the Top 100 Songs of the Century, which was released in 1999. It was declared the greatest song of the twentieth century by BBC Radio 2 in 1999, following a poll of music experts and radio listeners. A string quartet accompanied Paul McCartney on his vocals, which were the sole instruments on the album. His statement that it was “one of the most instinctive songs I’ve ever written” was backed up by a video. He claimed that the music for the song came to him in a dream while he was staying with Jane Asher, who was at the time his lover. For a while, the members of the band were “a little embarrassed” about the song because it was so different from their usual material.
‘Yesterday’ — The Beatles
‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction — The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones ranked their song “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” as the second best song in history, according to Rolling Stones’ own ranking. Despite the fact that it was initially only available on pirate radio stations across the pond owing to its suggestive content, this music assisted the band in achieving their first No. 1 in the United States. However, it went on to become the most popular song in the world despite this setback. Keith Richards had a dream in which he received the riff for the song. He was sleeping in a motel in Clearwater, Florida, as the band was on its third North American tour. “He awoke and immediately went to get a guitar and a cassette player. Richards woke up and played the line of notes once again before falling back to sleep. According to Rolling Stone, “on the tape,” he later said, “you can hear me drop the pick, and the rest of the band is snoring.”
‘(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction — The Rolling Stones
‘Hey Jude’ — The Beatles
It is none other than the Beatles’ “Hey Jude.” that, according to thousands of voters on Ranker, is the greatest song ever written. Instead, Rolling Stone placed it at No. 8 on their list. This was the band’s first single to be published on the Apple label, and it was also their first single overall. There were several other countries where it was ranked first. When it came out in 1968, it was the best-selling single in every country except the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It communicates a strong and personal statement. John Lennon’s former wife Cynthia and their son Julian were in town when Paul McCartney penned the song, according to rumors. The first sentence was intended to be “a hopeful message for Julian: ‘Come on, man, your parents got divorced,'” he explained. ‘I realize you’re not happy right now, but everything will be fine.'” In the end, he decided to change the name “Jules” to “Jude.”
‘Hey Jude’ — The Beatles
‘Imagine’ — John Lennon
We’ve finally reached the conclusion of the list, which is great news. “Imagine” received a second-place vote from the Ranker community, and it received a third-place vote from Rolling Stone Magazine. The album “Imagination” by John Lennon was first released in the United States in October 1971, and it was only in October 1975 that it was released in Europe. This is the best-selling solo single of his whole personal music career to this point. Furthermore, it is considered to be one of the most popular songs of the twentieth century. The song has been covered by artists such as Stevie Wonder, Elton John, Madonna, Lady Gaga, and others. Every year since 2005, it has always been played right before the Times Square ball drop to ring in the New Year. According to the Recording Industry Association of America, it comes in at number 30 on the list of the top 365 songs of the century. He stated shortly before his killing that Yoko Ono had a significant influence on his content and songs. In 2017, she was finally given the distinction of being credited as a co-author for the first time.
‘Imagine’ — John Lennon
‘Shop Around’ – Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
However, Smokey was persuaded by Gordy that he was the most qualified candidate for the job, and Barrett Strong ended up recording “Wandering Around” Gordy heard this on the radio shortly after the album’s debut and thought it was a little too slowly. He wakes Robinson up at three o’clock in the morning and summons him back to the studio to edit it again—this time more quickly and with greater focus placed on Robinson’s vocals. That particular piece was favorably received.
Smokey Robinson And The Miracles
‘Miss You’ – The Rolling Stones
It was while Jagger was jamming with R&B artist Billy Preston in Toronto that he came up with the song “Miss You” The Stones were all in town, preparing for their famed shows at the El Mocambo Club. It was the band’s first No. 1 success in five years, with a disco beat and a touch of the blues provided by a harmonica musician they encountered in a Paris subway station, and it was their first Number One smash in five years. “It’s not about a girl,” Jagger clarified. “The song is about a feeling of longing.”
‘Miss You’ The Rolling Stones
‘The Rising’ – Bruce Springsteen
“Can’t see nothing in front of me…” begins the song about the September 11 attacks, which portrays a firefighter attempting to enter one of the Twin Towers (“Can’t see nothing in front of me…”) before erupting into a gospel-tinged chorus. This song was the title track from an album that was created to comfort his admirers in their grief after his death. During an interview with Rolling Stone in 2002, he stated that “The fundamental thing I hear from fans is, ‘Man, you got me through — whatever it is.”
‘The Rising’ Bruce Springsteen
‘Running On Empty’ – Jackson Browne
Running on Empty, Browne’s major experiment, is a fresh collection of songs that were recorded on stage, in hotels, and on tour busses. Browne came up with the title tune while driving to the studio to work on The Pretender on a regular basis. In his own words, he said, “I always drive when the car has no gas in it.” In addition, “I was constantly driving around with no gas in the car.” Because, after all, it wasn’t that far, it was simply not worth the effort to fill up the tank. “It’s only a few blocks away,” says the author.
‘Running On Empty’ Jackson Browne
‘Brown Sugar’ – The Rolling Stones
Slavery, sadomasochism, and interracial sex are just a few of the major issues that the Rolling Stones have tackled in their music, and they are well-known for it. They also manage to do so in a catchy manner. Mick Jagger scribbled some verses on a piece of paper at Muscle Shoals Studios, with Keith Richards adding a filthy riff to the mix. With the addition of some upbeat punctuation, you have a classic Stones concert.
‘Brown Sugar’ The Rolling Stones
‘Ignition (Remix)’ – R. Kelly
When R. Kelly sings “Ignition” he uses an industrial metaphor to describe ‘booty-knocking,’ which is more complicated than he meant. The words were simplified at the request of the radio station Radio Chicago. Following the initial release of the song, a popular remix of the song was released on the Chocolate Factory label.
‘Ignition (Remix)’ R. Kelly
‘Time to Pretend’ – MGMT
The crawling movements of the praying mantis, which Van Wyngarden and Goldwasser had grown at the university, contributed to the stimulation of the rhythmic pattern. Van Wyngarden made the decision to write songs about his rock star fantasies (“I will move to Paris and shoot some heroin”), however it’s impossible to tell how humorously he meant them to be taken. “Some people think we’re drug addicts, and they’re right. “Some people see sarcasm, while others see irony,” he explained, “and that’s exactly what I hope for as a lyricist: confusion!”
‘Time To Pretend’ MGMT
‘I Will Survive’ – Gloria Gaynor
The year 1979 marked the beginning of Gaynor’s professional career’s downhill spiral in terms of financial success. After being surpassed as the best disco diver by Donna Summer, the 32-year-old Gaynor was grieving the loss of her mother, who had died not long before, and she had recently undergone spine surgery. We are confident that it was these circumstances that resulted in the extra attitude seen in “I Will Survive” Originally intended as a B side, it quickly became a major hit after being played at discos and by DJs.
‘I Will Survive’ Gloria Gaynor
‘I Love Rock ‘N Roll’ – Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
Jett submitted her demo for “I Love Rock ‘N Roll” to 23 different record labels, all of which rejected it. Following her time with the Runaways, this was her first effort at beginning a solo career after her time with the Runaways. Tiny Boardwalk Records eventually signed on to release the song, however she had to pay $2500 to secure the radio rights to the song in the process. In today’s market, the song is worth $20 million, which is money well spent.
‘I Love Rock ‘N Roll’ Joan Jett And The Blackhearts
‘Clocks’ – Coldplay
It was Coldplay’s desire to finish the second album that caused them to want to save “Clocks” which contains the tossing piano improvisation that was inspired by Muse, for a later release. Fortunately, a friend came up with an idea that turned out to be the saving grace in the situation. The singer-songwriter claimed that the producer told him, “He said, ‘You’re talking about the urgency in the lyrics, and you’re talking about holding this song back,'” ” ‘That’s beyond comprehension.’
‘Clocks’ Coldplay
‘Under the Boardwalk’ – The Drifters
Ever since its release, “Under the Boardwalk” has served as the summer theme tune for jukeboxes in beach towns throughout. It represents the carefree sounds of the seashore in its composition. The recording, on the other hand, did not come from a day at the beach. After original lead singer Rudy Lewis passed away from a drug overdose in his hotel room the night before the conference, Johnny Moore was chosen to take his place as the lead vocalist.
‘Under The Boardwalk’ The Drifters
‘I’m Eighteen’ – Alice Cooper
Cooper was formerly known as another furry rock and roll fool before the release of “I’m eighteen” In contrast, as Cooper put it, this proto-punk smash puts you in the category of being “old enough to be drafted but not old enough to vote” Johnny Rotten, during his sex pistol audition a few years later, began performing the song in its entirety. When Cooper appeared on The Muppet Show, he was a guest of Jim Henson.
‘I’m Eighteen’ Alice Cooper
‘Young Americans’ – David Bowie
In 1975, David Bowie abandoned his glittering Ziggy Stardust persona and embarked on a journey he described as a “plastic soul” But this R&B tribute, which was recorded in Philadelphia and features the obscure Luther Van der Ross on background vocals and David Sanborn grooving on saxophone, is one of his sweetest and strangest stories to date. A married couple who aren’t sure if they love one other, according to Bowie, is the subject of the storyline.
‘Young Americans’ David Bowie
‘Lady Marmalade’ – LaBelle
Street walkers in New Orleans continue to flock to the number one spot 35 years after it first opened its doors. The band is from Philadelphia, but because producer Allen Toussaint and his family band The Meters are iconic R&B superstars, this awful beat sounds like it came straight out of New Orleans’ Bourbon Street. Thank you, LaBelle ladies: “Voulez-vous coucher avec moi?” For the time being, every disco enthusiast can recite at least one French sentence.
‘Lady Marmalade’ LaBelle
‘Cry Me a River’ – Justin Timberlake
The most notable topic of Timberlake-Timbaland was the breakup aria, which marked what appeared to be a great match between the two singers. Pop fans would have been overjoyed to witness a mashup of the two, and Timberlake seemed to be pleased with the result, telling Rolling Stone, “It’s a badass video.” When people left, I didn’t want them to smell like roses, so I made them wear perfume. Justin is shown chasing after an actress who is disguised as his ex-girlfriend, Britney Spears, in the video. We would never have discovered the genuine motivation for the song if it hadn’t been for the music video.
‘Cry Me A River’ Justin Timberlake
‘Crazy’- Gnarles Barkley
The decade of the 2000s offered even more iconic classics, several of which are still in heavy rotation today. The passage of time brings about shifts in musical genres and the segmentation of top tracks into increasingly narrow market categories. However, when Gnarles Barkley created this successful song, it seemed to appeal to everyone, reinforcing the notion that something can be relevant to everybody at any time.
‘Crazy’- Gnarles Barkley
’99 Problems’- Jay-Z
In spite of the fact that the song “99 Problems” is still extremely famous today, there is little doubt that it will continue to be included in musical rotation for some time to come. The music was heavily influenced by Rick Rubin, and it was one of the most successful things Rubin had worked on since the 1980s. For a period of time, the song was also at the top of the charts.
’99 Problems’- Jay-Z
‘Crazy In Love’- Beyoncé
In the years following the disbanding of Destiny’s Child, it’s likely that the first song that comes to mind when you think of Beyonce is a rendition of the song ‘Crazy In Love.’ In the process of defining herself as a unique individual, Beyonce adopted a new name and identity, which she did admirably. Everything she did was on a grander scale, with more sass, and she did it exceptionally well. A total of 27 weeks passed between when the song first appeared on the charts and when it was finally removed off the top ten list.
‘Crazy In Love’- Beyoncé
‘Hey Ya!’- OutKast
The song, which is considered a timeless classic, is just as lively and infectious today as it was at the beginning of the twenty-first century. Possibly, within another 50 years, the children of that generation will be questioning what on earth is the point of taking a polaroid image. It was a terrific experience, filled with excellent acoustics, guitars, and other noises.
‘Hey Ya!’- OutKast
‘Paper Planes’- M.I.A
The album ‘Paper Planes’ by M.I.A. was published in 2008 and became a worldwide hit. The song, which was written and co-produced by Diplo, was arguably M.I.A’s most successful single throughout her whole career. It received widespread acclaim around the world, earning multi-platinum status in Canada and the United States. It was also awarded platinum in the United Kingdom and gold in New Zealand. It lasted on the Billboard charts in the United States for ten weeks, reaching as high as third place.
‘Paper Planes’- M.I.A
‘Seven Nation Army’- The White Stripes
The song, which contains bass effects performed by Jack White’s guitar, is often regarded as having the best riff of the decade. In many ways, the inaccurate lyrics and the general regular song contributed to a modest resurrection of rock, or at the very least, it aided the cause. The song was nominated for a Grammy Award for ‘Best Rock Song,’ and it went on to win the award for best editing as well.
‘Seven Nation Army’- The White Stripes
‘Rehab’- Amy Winehouse
This timeless classic can be played at any time of day or night and is appropriate for any occasion or mood. An exceptional talent, she is unquestionably one of the most tragic losses of our generation, having passed away far too soon. The song was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best Record of the Year in 2008, and it reached number one in both the United Kingdom and the United States. It was her only song to reach the top ten in either country.
‘Rehab’- Amy Winehouse
‘Beautiful Day’- U2
With ‘Beautiful Day,’ U2 seemed to gain success fairly effortlessly; success seemed to happen to anything they touched, and this was certainly true of the song. The song was the first track to be released on their tenth studio album, and it was an immediate hit. The Grammy Award-winning song, which also won for Best Record and Best Rock Song, came up just short of reaching the top of the UK singles chart, debuting at number two.
‘Beautiful Day’- U2
‘Lose Yourself’- Eminem
Eminem will always be recognized as one of the most prominent rappers of his generation, but he will also be remembered for the truth and honesty that can be found in his rap style and overall musical approach. The song was used as the main music for the critically acclaimed film 8 mile, which received widespread acclaim. “Lose Yourself” was in the Hot 100 for 12 weeks and reached the top of charts in over 19 other countries around the world.
‘Lose Yourself’- Eminem
‘In Da Club’- 50 Cent
Honestly, we have all found ourselves either breaking it down or supporting it at some time, making it an essential addition to any party soundtrack! Among countless other countries, “In Da Club” has remained at the top of the rankings for nine straight weeks and has been ranked among the top five in the world in countries such as New Zealand, Ireland, Switzerland, Canada, Australia and even Denmark, among many others. This is the first single by 50 Cent to reach the top of the charts.
‘In Da Club’- 50 Cent
‘Get Ur Freak On’- Missy Elliott
Having seen a resurgence on TikTok in the form of a popular remix, this provides as further proof that this is an iconic song. It did, however, reach the top of the Billboard Hot 100, where it peaked at number 7, and it will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the greatest songs in the history of R&BB music. Adidas sportswear will always be a mainstay in Missy Elliot’s wardrobe, even though she has been living a bit more low-key existence than the majority of the population.
‘Get Ur Freak On’- Missy Elliott
‘Last Nite’- The Strokes
Although it is undoubtedly not the band’s best song, it is unquestionably one of their most memorable. With the release of ‘Last Nite’ in 2001, the band gained a great deal of attention. The song is a parody of the song ‘American Girl.’ The band acknowledged this, and it even saw a resurgence to the point that it reached the top of the UK charts. The guitarist’s riffs, which were inspired by Freddie King, are absolutely adequate in terms of quality.
‘Last Nite’- The Strokes
‘Hurt’- Johnny Cash
Nine Inch Nails reworked this song in his latter years, and it is now considered their best work. He also had success, as he was nominated for a total of six trophies! Johnny Cash, on the other hand, garnered five Video Music Awards nominations for this song, and he was the winner of two of them. This song was nominated for the Country Music Association’s Annual Single Award and was selected as one of the top 100 country music songs of all time. It’s unlikely that anything else will elevate this song to legendary status. When it comes to the music industry, Johnny Cash is just a legend.
‘Hurt’- Johnny Cash