UltimaXemnas
03-18-2011, 12:32 AM
Every person on this planet has their own musical preference, but no one cannot deny the importance, innovation and greatness of all these songs. These songs set the bar for what everyone knows as "Music". These songs were genre-defining songs, cultural landmarks and complex pieces music. Each person has their own definition of "greatness" and anyone can give their own opinion on greatest music, but these songs are the ones people have to respect no matter who they are. You are allowed to not like them, but you can separate "taste" from objective points of view...
I will be giving you people my list of greatest songs ever made from my critical point of view. Some of these songs are not really my kind of music, and some of them I don't like at all, but that's what objective critisizing is: you have to separate taste from actual facts. You may agree or disagree with me, but let me remind you right now before I start: The purpose of this topic is for people to come by and express their own opinions and thoughts, not to bash, flame and create discussions which only come from personal tastes or personal hate. Please keep that to yourself!
Now that I got that cleared out, let's start! I will start with n� 50 and end the topic with n�1, so that you can scroll down the list in order and not get spoiled at the start of the list. I will also put covers of the album/single of each song on the list. Here it is, and I hope you like it:
50 Greatest Songs of All Time
50. "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen (1975)
Ok, maybe I pissed a few people off with this one. Lots of people think this IS the greatest song ever made, because of it's downright perfect mix between 4 completely different genres (Opera, Soft Rock, Hard Rock and Ballad), great instrumentals put into it and, quite possibly, the greatest vocal performance ever in a song. Freddie Mercury was, without a doubt, one of the greatest singers of all time. Brian May was also a great guitarist, and he shows it with the brilliant guitar work in the song. It definitely deserves to be on the list, but I still think there were much better songs. But nonetheless, this is definitely one of the greatest achievements in music!
49. "All Along The Watchtower", Jimi Hendrix (1968)
Want some of the greatest guitar songs of all time? You got it! Jimi Hendrix's version is WAAAY better than the original Bob Dylan classic. It was like the song "transformed" into this weird, psychedelic world that Jimi Hendrix has given us. The song's solos are beyond this world, defining the eletric guitar of the 70's. I personally think that this guy was the god of the guitar, and no one in the world ever got close to match his amazing skill, brilliant musical creativity and downright crazy live performances. One of those songs that changed what people think of "music", especially the guitar...
48. "Help!", The Beatles (1965)
Here is a song that's just fun to listen to! The title track of the album was one of The Beatles' greatest songs. It was number 1 on both US and UK. It was one of those songs that wasn't really written by both Lennon/McCartney, it was just John Lennon but it was still credited to both of them. The song today may seem simple and sound like nothing special, but this was the bomb for it's time. "Help!" had really great lyrics in it, and it has that unique Beatles sound that everyone loved, which is why they were so great.
47. "One", U2 (1991)
...I hate U2. I hate everything about them...but this song, I have to say, is really REALLY damn good. But really, I can't stand these guys! But even though I DESPISE U2, this song is a landmark when it comes to music. Bono has made a really great job with this song, judging by the singing and lyrics. The instrumentals are typical U2 stuff, but it gives such a great atmosphere to the song and it just enhances Bono's extreme feeling he put into his singing. This is great, I like this!...I like this?...Oh well, might as well face it, U2 made an amazing job here!
46. "Maybellene", Chuck Berry (1955)
Ah Chuck Berry, one of the greatest legends of music! Man, this guy was so cool! This song was one of his greatest works, it is one of the pioneers of Rock & Roll. Berry's guitar work defined the whole genre, giving the song a great sense of exitement and originality. It was only released as a single, and it already became a smash hit in the 50's, and it was Berry's first single. Even though it's not considered the "definitive" rock song, this song still has great importance to not only Rock & Roll, but also influenced folk and even country. From this point on, you could see alot of Chuck Berry in every single rock song...
45. "Tutti-Frutti", Little Richard (1955)
Another masterpiece from the 50's, and now coming from the one and only Little Richie! This song is another one of those genre-defining songs. It was the prototype of a simple, clean but also fun song. No one can listen to this without moving a single inch of their body! The song has such a catchy beat to it, it's almost impossible not to dance to it. This song has definitely influenced alot of artists, such has James Brown and even Michael Jackson. It was another smash hit from 1955, appearing in every pub and disco of the time. Anyone who lived in that time remembers what it was like to dance to Little Richard.
44. "The Times They Are-A Changin'", Bob Dylan (1964)
Here is one of the first protest songs written by the greatest mind in the history of music. These lyrics were written by god itself, and when I say god I obviously say Bob Dylan! His lyrics were the greatest for it's time, and his songs had such a powerfull message behind them. "The Times They Are-A Changin'" is the perfect example of how a song can change society, and it was one of his signature works that made him the greatest pop icon of the 60's. This artist has influenced almost every protest singer in history! All hail Bob Dylan.
43. "Anarchy In The U.K.", The Sex Pistols (1976)
Not being a hardcore fan of Punk Rock, that genre was pretty much perfected when this song came out. The Ramones were the ones who brought the genre to mainstream success, but "Anarchy In The U.K." was one of the greatest Punk Songs ever conceived. It all boils down to the lyrics and the singing, which in my opinion, combine perfectly. The lyrics have one and only goal: to cause chaos and, well, anarchy! And it's just great, because it affects people who listen to it. Great song, and it will be remembered as the song of anarchy and chaos!
42. "The Message", Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five (1982)
Ok, this is probably the song that people will start thinking: what the hell is this doing here? The fact is that this song, this ONLY song was more original than any song ever made in the 80's. The fact that is a Rap song doesn't mean it should be excluded. No matter what alot of people say, Rap is officially a musical genre. "The Message" basically gave birth to the genre, with it's innovative lyrics that speak of how it is living on the streets. The singing also defined the signature attitude of Rap artists. No matter how much I love and prefer Eminem's "Lose Yourself", this song is way better and it was a genre-defining song, making it one of the greatest songs ever made. Bring on the hate comments!
41. "Heartbreak Hotel", Elvis Presley (1956)
And finally I give to you a song from the King of Rock & Roll himself. "Heartbreak Hotel" is one of his greatest hits, it introduced him to the American audience. The singing was just out of this world, and no one has ever seen anything like it. This song pretty much defined Elvis, from his signature singing and dance moves. His first appearence in national television was supposed to have him sing "Heartbreak Hotel", but the network didn't let him. Another one of those songs that helped define the essence of Rock & Roll, and no one has contributed more to the genre than the king himself...
40. "Heroes", David Bowie (1977)
I really don't like David Bowie, and I don't like this song either. I just can't find anything in his songs that appeal to me, but I know what makes him an artist. One of the artists that helped define Alternative Rock, and this song shows it. David Bowie is just a really weird artist, and that's why people love him. His music was unique, and no one at the time even came close to sounding like him. One of his signature songs, "Heroes" is highly acclaimed as one of the greatest songs ever made. I understand why, I really do, but I just don't like this. Sorry Bowie, but I prefer Radiohead and Pink floyd anyday...but even though I said this, I respect you David Bowie, and I have to admit that you are very original!
39. "Strawberry Fields Forever", The Beatles (1968)
This is a fan favorite, and The Beatles' hardcore fans consider it their best work. In fact, it is the highest rated song in AcclaimedMusic. Ok, in my opinion this is NOT their greatest work...not even close. But it is, in it's own right, an amazing song. This was supposed to be in The Beatles' masterpiece album "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", but it was instead released in february as a double-A-single. It was then released in their abum "Magical Mystery Tour". As any other Beatles album, it was a smash hit and "Strawberry Fields Forever" is probably it's best song.
38. "I Walk The Line", Johnny Cash (1956)
Not being a harcore fan of the genre or the artist, this is definitely one of the greatest country songs ever written. Johnny Cash defined modern Country music with this great piece of music. This man was so cool, he had a cult following just like Elvis. Lots of people respected this guy, not only for giving us great music, but also a great genre. My personal favorite Cash song is, actually, the last song he ever made. But "I Walk The Line" is Johnny's greatest contribution to music, and it will be remembered forever as one of the greatest country songs, and also one of the greatest ever!
37. "People Get Ready", The Impressions (1965)
Rolling Stone magazine actually rated this song as the 24th greatest song of all time. I really didn't know this song before I saw that list, but after that I gave the song a shot...it's really good. I didn't really fall in love with it, but it sounded like nothing i've ever listened to. Even though this song qualifies as Soul, we can definitely notice some influence of gospel put into it. It had a big impact in it's time, and it spread The Impressions' name throughout the world. The song reached number-three on the Billboard R&B Chart, and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart as well. One of those songs which people misunderstand it's brilliance...
36. "Billie Jean", Michael Jackson (1982)
This is it. The ultimate song of the 80's. Michael Jackson's catchy as hell masterpiece was the song that changed R&B forever, redefining it in the King of Pop's own words, style and beats. The song was released in the album "Thriller" which was not only one of the best albums of the 80's, it was also the best selling album in history, selling over 100 million units around the globe. Michael completely dominated the 80's, and he was so popular that people were considering him as the new Elvis Presley, and they were probably right. Rest in peace, Michael Jackson...
35. "Layla", Derek & The Dominos (1970)
It's really hard to find a guitar riff that sounds cooler than this. In fact, it's hard to find a better guitarist than Eric Clapton. He really is a genius on six strings, and "Layla" is where he shows some amazing skill. One of the most recognized riffs of the 70's, and even though Clapton is the one playing he once said in an interview that was actually Duane Allman who came up with it, another widely acclaimed guitarist. The song divides into 2 parts, one being the guitar/singing part, and the the other part is only instrumental with a piano entering the song. Even though the song is known for it's riff, the second part is often considered the best.
34. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", Hank Williams (1949)
This is where Country music began, with Hank Williams and his awesome vocals and simplistic guitar. Not only the greatest song of the 40's, in my opinion even better than Cash's "I Walk The Line". That song may have been the definitive Country song, but Hank's classic is the song that brought so many great concepts and ideas for future artists. The instrumentals were quite innovative for 1949, and his singing was simply unique in comparison to other 40's artists. Thanks to him Johnny Cash was born, but to decide which one of them is better is up to any persons tastes I believe...
33. "Be My Baby", The Ronettes (1963)
The Ronettes' signature song was one of the most popular songs of it's era. It reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer. "Be My Baby" also peaked at number four on the R&B chart. You know a song is great when the brilliant mind that is Brian Wilson says that it is the greatest pop record ever made. The song was featured in the movies "Mean Streets" and "Dirty Dancing" and it was also covered by numerous artists, like Andy Kim, Bay City Rollers and John Lennon. A really amazing track indeed, which helped to bring more of the female demographic into music.
32. "Whole Lotta Love", Led Zeppelin (1969)
And Heavy Metal was born...Led Zeppelin really had a great career ahead of them. After they released their self-titled debut album, which is quite possibly the greatest hard rock album ever made, they released "Led Zeppelin II", an album that was even heavier than the first one. "Whole Lotta Love" was actually based on a Muddy Waters hit called "You Need Love" written by Willie Dixon, leading to a lawsuit in favor of Dixon. Even with that, it is still acclaimed by it's downright perfect singing, otherworldly instrumentals and incredible creativity. Hands down the greatest Heavy Metal song ever created!
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31. The Tracks of My Tears", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1965)
This is proof of how great Smokey Robinson was as a songwritter and as a singer. Smokey once explained the origin of The Miracles' greatest hit: "Tracks of My Tears" was actually started by Marv Tarplin, who is a young cat who plays guitar for our act. So he had this musical thing you know, and we worked around with it, and worked around, and it became "Tracks of My Tears." But the truth is that it would become one of the greatest songs ever written. I have seen alot of covers of this song, but the original is and always will be the one true version that will bring you to tears...
30. "Lei it Be", The Beatles (1970)
Before The Beatles disbanded, they gave us this album and it's album-titled track. "Let it Be" is another Beatles masterpiece, a song which is beautiful in every single way. One of those songs that it is credited to Lennon/McCartney but only one of them wrote it, in this case Paul. McCartney said he had the idea of "Let It Be" after a dream he had about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (The "White Album"), which is considered one of their best works. A beautiful ballad, and one of very few songs that can really touch any person who listens to it.
29. "No Woman, No Cry", Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974)
A genre-defining artist, who brought us a kind of music called Reggae, but in this song you can actually notice a little influence of R&B. This eternal genius of music known as Bob Marley will always be remembered by his wonderful contributions to not only music, but society itself. Marley really caused a huge impact on culture, alot of people loved him so much that a huge number of his fans converted to Marley's religion "Rastafari". But out of all his songs, "No Woman, No Cry" is definitely the greatest, and it is widely considered the best Reggae song ever created!
28. "Hound Dog", Elvis Presley (1956)
And Elvis oficially got on the top of the world with this song. Every music critic and historian will say that "Hound Dog" was the definitive Elvis song, and they're probably right. Rolling Stone rated this song at number 19 of the greatest songs ever made. Unfortunately it didn't got much far as 28 on my list, but this is definitely one of his greatest hits. The song had that unique Elvis touch which distinguished it from every rock record of the time. A song you could sing and dance to, even if you don't know the lyrics...or the dance moves.
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27. "A Day In The Life", The Beatles (1967)
A song that was written by both John and Paul instead of only one of them, this one is also a fan favorite of The Beatles like "Strawberry Fields Forever". Lots of Beatles fans also consider this their greatest work. I really admire the combination of Psychedelic and Symphonic Rock, resulting in a song that sounded like absolutely nothing that was made in it's time. The phrase "I'd love to turn you on" was considered by many people a drug reference, and that was reason enough for radio stations banning the song. But it still lives as a masterpiece of music!
26. "Sympathy For The Devil", The Rolling Stones (1968)
The working title of the song was "The Devil Is My Name", and it is sung by Jagger as a first-person narrative from the point of view of Lucifer. It's a concept for a song that is usually avoided by many artists, but they grabbed it and made a really unique rock song. A song with over 6 minutes in length of unique singing and back vocals, creative instrumentals to give it a kind of jungle atmosphere and lyrics that were written by satan himself. Widely acclaimed as one of The Rolling Stones' greatest songs, and i'm one of them. I just love it when he says "Hope you guess my name!".
25. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay", Otis Redding (1968)
After listening to this brilliant piece of music, I thought to myself: Man, this guy can sing! Otis really set the bar high when it comes to singing. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 8 in ther list of greatest singers. Even if you don't find the song that complex, or that impressive, or if it's not your kind of music, I guarantee you that you will love this man's unique way of singing. Never getting out of tune, and while singing in a very low tone. Only the greats can do that, and there is no doubt that Redding will be remembered as an amazing singer...did I mention he sings good too?
24. "That'll Be The Day", Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)
Buddy Holly had such a great career ahead of him...but then there was the plain crash in 1959, widely considered as "The Day The Music Died" thanks to Don McLean's song "American Pie". Let me tell you, I kind of understand why some people consider it. This guy was every bit as influential as Elvis was. In fact, Holly was one of the artists that inspired The Beatles! Holly had this unique way of singing, that when you listen to one of his songs you instantly recognize him by his signature hic-ups. This guy is in my personal top 10 greatest artists of all time! ALL HAIL BUDDY HOLLY!!!
23. "In My Life", The Beatles (1965)
One of my personal favorites, "In My Life" speaks of memories that lived on and memories that dissapeared forever. Speaks of friendships created and torn apart, and relationships and break-ups. The fact is that it's simply a beautiful song, and it's brilliance relies in it's simplicity. In fact, that's why The Beatles are so great! They didn't gave us the most complex pieces of music, they gave us music that everyone can love. This is definitely one of their greatest songs, and also one of my personal favorite ballads!
22. "Born To Run", Bruce Springsteen (1975)
God, is this song f****** awesome! Bruce Springsteen has never made another song with such a big impact on the youth, talking about what it is like to be a teenager. Amazing lyrics is the real brilliant part of "Born To Run", but the great singing and instrumentals really complement as well to create one masterpiece of the 70's. When this song was performed live, Bruce was accompanied by the E Street Band, and when they really got to play the song live, it was one of the greatest live experiences in all of history. Queen were great live, but Bruce was amazing...beyond amazing!
21. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
Man let me tell you, stop reading this topic! Go to youtube and listen to this song if you never did in your life! This is the perfect example that songs can really touch people in their hearts. This is the perfect definition of the word "beautiful". This is the grand champion when it comes to ballads. If it wasn't for my mother, I would have never heard this song. And I have to thank her, because this is now one of my favorite songs ever. This one really touched me, and that never happened to me before. I almost cried listening to this wonderfull work of art crafted by god himself...call me whatever you want.
20. "My Generation", The Who (1965)
And Punk music was born...ok, this wasn't really punk, but the song had every aspect to be considered a perfect prototype of what Punk is. Lyrics about saying what you want, that's great living young and it sucks to be old, and that people are trying to stop you for doing what you want. This song was responsible for the classic act of breaking instruments in live concerts, It was The Who that popularized it. And then it was passed on to The Ramones, The Clash and Nirvana. Those bands really owe alot to The Who, and their ultimate song.
19. "Jailhouse Rock", Elvis Presley (1957)
To me, this is and always will be the definitive Elvis Presley song! It has everything that's great about Elvis in it. The singing, the dancing, the instrumentals, the lyrics, everything. I really love listening to this tune when i'm in the mood to dance, even though I suck at it. We all first heard the song in Elvis' motion picture, also titled "Jailhouse Rock", and when I saw that scene I never forgot about it. I knew I was listening to something great, something groundbreaking. This one proves that Elvis is really the King of Rock & Roll, and that he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Elvis Presley...
18. "A Change Is Gonna Come", Sam Cooke (1964)
Another protest song on my list, but this song is just pure brilliance. Sam Cooke was so moved and impressed after hearing Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" that he thought about writing his own song about racism in America. The end result is the most highly acclaimed protest song in history by critics and historians. Rolling Stone ranked it number 12 in their 500 greatest songs of all time, above "Blowin' In The Wind". If it ended up being better or not, the song is brilliant in it's own right, and it really made it's mark in american soil and not only. Another one of those songs in which the singing is what atracts you to it.
17. "What's Going On", Marvin Gaye (1971)
If we're going to pick one song that came from Motown's greatest artist, we have to pick "What's Going On". It's not only considered his best, it's also his only song that I can stand. The first time I listened to it, I was actually quite impressed with how Gaye told the problems and troubles of this world, and that the only we can think of is, well, "What's Going On?". I really love the lyrics in this song, it's just that it's so true, so straight to the point that you can perfectly understand what Marvin's trying to tell us. Gaye, your an amazing singer and songwriter and there isn't anyone on this planet who can prove otherwise.
16. "I Want To Hold Your Hand", The Beatles (1963)
Damn, I love this song! I love everything about it. I love the singing, the dancing, the writing, the instrumentals, EVERYTHING! It all combines into one song that's just a joy to listen to. The Beatles really out-did themselves with this one. It was the greatest song they ever made for the time. Everytime they went on stage and played this song, every one in the audience just went nutts. That's just for you to know how The Beatles were popular in the early 60's. Hey, I don't know if you noticed it, but did you know that there is alot of sexual innuendo behind the lyrics? I love it!
15. "Purple Haze", Jimi Hendrix (1967)
Jimi Hendrix, you are god! This song is not only his greatest musical achievement, it is also the greatest thing ever to come out of a six string electric guitar. I mean it, the riff is, quite possibly, the greatest ever made. It may not be the most recognizable riff in history, but it surely is the one that sounds the coolest. Man, the guitar work in this song is so powerful, you feel like your listening to something that you will never listen to again. And you won't, because this amazing artist, unfourtunately, died in 1970, choking on his own vomit. Damn, that's the reason why I hate alcohol! Rest in peace, Jimi Hendrix...
14. "Crossroad Blues", Robert Johnson (1937)
This guy is, in my honest opinion, the second greatest guitarist of all time. I had to put some material from the 30's, and Robert Johnson's Blues classic is definitely that decade's greatest hit. Eric Clapton has stated once about Robert Johnson, that he was the most important blues singer that ever lived. And Clapton's right. Johnson's guitar skills, vocal phrasing and impressive songwritting defined the genre called Blues. An historic piece of music, and definitely one song that should be a reference to every single guitarist on the planet. One of the most important songs ever created! Rest in peace, Robert Johnson...
13. "What'd I Say", Ray Charles (1959)
Ray Charles' first gold record was, undoubtably, the most innovative and influential R&B song ever written. Lots of sexual innuendo, however, created alot of controversy between black and white people. But these are the songs that are really great. They change society, they actually mark the world we live in. This song shows the amazing singing skill from Charles. The song not only brought Ray Charles to mainstream success, but also brought a sub-genre of R&B called Soul into the mainstream music. To some people, it's hard to explain why we love "What'd I Say"...it's just a phenomenal song.
12. "Blowin' In The Wind", Bob Dylan (1963)
I don't care what people say, to me, this is the ultimate protest song. Bob Dylan has never been so straight to the point when he wrote "Blowin' In The Wind". The lyrics are beyond brilliant. He can really tell you a story about how bad this world works, with very subtle phrasing. Dylan's hurt about this subject is also shown in his singing, like someone who witnessed alot of pain and suffering in this cruel world. This is one of those songs that will change your way of thinking about the planet we live in. That's one of the many powers Bob Dylan has...
11. "Hey Jude", The Beatles (1968)
The longest Beatles track is often cited by critics and historians as ther greatest contribution to music. "Hey Jude" is a really great song, that extends itself over 7 minutes. The first 3 minutes are the lyrics written by Paul, and they are as good as a Beatles song can be. It's not really the lyrics that will call your attention, it's the singing. Paul really is an amazing singer, and that's what made the song so fun and catchy. The song really shows some brilliant production too, mainly because of the fact that the last 4 minutes are completely improvised. Instrumentals, lyrics, singing, everything thought at the moment. Genius.
10. "Good Vibrations", The Beach Boys (1966)
This is what happens when you let Brian Wilson's genius come out: a psychedelic pop song, with extremely unusual instrumentals, unique singing and really creepy lyrics. The result was one of the greatest pop songs ever written. Wilson's publicist Derek Taylor described "Good Vibrations" as a "pocket symphony". If you never heard this song, trust me, you don't know what "weird" is. The first time I heard it I was so freaked out, I didn't want to listen to it again. But I kept listening, and moments after I was already singing it. It's one of those songs where you're not sure why you love it.
9. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", Pink Floyd (1975)
You guys were already scared that I would exclude Pink Floyd, didn't you? Well not being a hardcore fan of Pink Floyd, this song is a monumental achievement. This is hands down, the most underatted song of all time! I can't believe that this song escapes every single critic I know. Out of all their songs, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is really the band's ultimate piece of music. The song is 26 minutes long...not kidding. The song is actually divided in IX parts, scatered in the album "Wish You Were Here". The song is like a huge symphony of perfectly coordenated instruments, that sound really great. When you get to the singing, you see some more brilliant lyrics by Roger Waters and a really great chorus, with David Gilmour and back vocalists shouting the title of the song.
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8. "Respect", Aretha Franklin (1965)
Here is the greatest female artist in the history of music. I'm serious! Madonna can go f*** herself, she's got nothing to the queen of singing. "Respect" was not really written by Aretha, the original song was written by Otis Redding. The problem is that Otis' version was completely overshadowed by the greatest Soul song ever made (or covered). Aretha payed real attention to the lyrics, and thought that they would fit perfectly to a woman's situation. The song became an anthem for women all over the world, and not just because of the perfect fit that the lyrics give to Aretha's point, but also the otherworldly singing. Aretha is, considered by many, as the greatest singer to ever live, and after listening to this song and watching Aretha sing it live, it's really hard to deny it.
7. "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nirvana (1991)
Let me tell you a funny story: When I was a kid, I hated Nirvana. I just couldn't stand it! I knew the band because of the songs "Come As You Are", "In Bloom" and "Heart-Shaped Box". Believe it or not, I have never heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" until I got to high school. When a friend of mine showed it to me after I told him I hated Nirvana, I turned to him and said "Dude, this is good. I like this!". I couldn't believe what I just said. So I kept listening to it, and it grew on me. This song is pure greatness. Kurt Cobain said he wanted to write the ultimate pop song, and he really did. Not only the greatest song of the 90's by far, but also one of the greatest songs ever made. Too bad Kurt took his own life in 1994. Rest in peace, Kurt Cobain...
6. "Johnny B. Goode", Chuck Berry (1958)
The greatest Chuck Berry song is also the greatest song of the 50's, no question about it. To me, this is where Rock & Roll really started: Cool sounding guitar riffs, plain simple lyrics and pure fun instrumentals. "Johnny B. Goode" should be a reference to any guitarist on the planet. Berry's innovative guitar skills really helped define completely a the genre itself. This is a song that when you listen to it years after you heard it for the first time in your life, you just think to yourself: That is one of the simplest songs i've ever heard. Well, that's what's so great about it. It proves that music doesn't have to be complex or over-thought, the important thing is thatyou have fun with it. One of the most important songs ever created!
5. "Yesterday", The Beatles (1965)
After hearing pratically every single Beatles song, I still think that their ultimate achievement was "Yesterday". A song that even though is credited to The Beatles, the song was entirely written by Paul. Not only their most successful song, but also the most covered song in history. Over 1000 artists have made their own version of the song, according to Guinness World Records. The song is about a break up, and how he wishes that all of his problems would go away, and that's why he longs for yesterday. McCartney's melancholic singing is so different from everything The Beatles have ever done before, it sounded like something completely different. One of those masterpieces that will live on forever, as a ballad that made thousands of people all over the world cry...
4. "Imagine", John Lennon (1971)
After The Beatles broke up, each one of them followed his own path, and the one who standed out the most was definitely John Lennon. The brilliant mind behind the group released a song called "Imagine", in it's also titled album "Imagine", and it turned out to be even better than anything The Beatles have ever done. It's not exactly a protest song, more like a "Peace" song. John tries to change society by convincing everyone that we should all live together, free of religion racism and discrimination. The fact is that this song became an anthem for peace, and changed alot of people. Unfortunately, John Lennon was shot in 1980 before he could give us anymore contributions. Rest in peace, John Lennon...
3. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", The Rolling Stones (1965)
The most recognized guitar riff in rock history, this smash hit was voted number 1 by VH1 as the greatest rock song of all time. Many people think it is, and I can understand why. The impact and influence it had was huge, and it went on for generations to come. The song still sounds as amazing as it sounded 45 years ago. The lyrics, written by lead singer Mick Jagger and lead guitarist Keith Richards, include references to sexual intercourse and a theme of anti-commercialism. Radio stations at the time had a problem with broadcasting "Satisfaction", but the huge impact and commercial success practically forced them to do it. The song brought so much to the genre, giving enormous possibilities to future artists. It also brought The Rolling Stones instant success. One of the greatest songs of all time, period.
2. "Like a Rolling Stone", Bob Dylan (1965)
If critics are reading this now, chances are that they're really pissed off at me! This is the ultimate song, there never was and there never will be an equal to it. This only song broke so many barriers that other musicians wouldn't even try to cross through. "Like a Rolling Stone" broke rules such as the unlimited time length for a song, excessive lyrics and free will to write whatever the artist feels like. This is the grand champion when it comes to songs that changed everything. Bob Dylan out-did himself with this song. You thought "Blowin' In The Wind" had the greatest lyrics ever written? Think again! Dylan's greatest hit became widely acclaimed by many as the greatest song ever written. Even Dylan himself stated "I wrote it. I did it. I didn't fail.", and he was right.
1. "Stairway to Heaven", Led Zeppelin (1971)
From my point of view, "Stairway to Heaven" is the definitive masterpice of all the songs on this planet. The 8 minute ballad is, undoubtably, the most epic piece of music in history. Robert Plant, lead singer, put a lot of work on his lyrics, and the result is like something of a speech that god himself would give to humanity. It just sounded completely different from anything released at the time. Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones created some of the greatest instrumentals ever put into a song, it has this unique sound which gives us the impression that we're listening to something that came from heaven itself. The song really built perfectly to a guitar solo that storms heaven's gates, becoming widely acclaimed as one of the most complex solos ever created. The song ends perfectly, with the words we all sing to while listening to the greatest song of all time: "And she's buying, a Stairway to Heaven...".
List created June 25th, 2010.
I will be giving you people my list of greatest songs ever made from my critical point of view. Some of these songs are not really my kind of music, and some of them I don't like at all, but that's what objective critisizing is: you have to separate taste from actual facts. You may agree or disagree with me, but let me remind you right now before I start: The purpose of this topic is for people to come by and express their own opinions and thoughts, not to bash, flame and create discussions which only come from personal tastes or personal hate. Please keep that to yourself!
Now that I got that cleared out, let's start! I will start with n� 50 and end the topic with n�1, so that you can scroll down the list in order and not get spoiled at the start of the list. I will also put covers of the album/single of each song on the list. Here it is, and I hope you like it:
50 Greatest Songs of All Time
50. "Bohemian Rhapsody", Queen (1975)
Ok, maybe I pissed a few people off with this one. Lots of people think this IS the greatest song ever made, because of it's downright perfect mix between 4 completely different genres (Opera, Soft Rock, Hard Rock and Ballad), great instrumentals put into it and, quite possibly, the greatest vocal performance ever in a song. Freddie Mercury was, without a doubt, one of the greatest singers of all time. Brian May was also a great guitarist, and he shows it with the brilliant guitar work in the song. It definitely deserves to be on the list, but I still think there were much better songs. But nonetheless, this is definitely one of the greatest achievements in music!
49. "All Along The Watchtower", Jimi Hendrix (1968)
Want some of the greatest guitar songs of all time? You got it! Jimi Hendrix's version is WAAAY better than the original Bob Dylan classic. It was like the song "transformed" into this weird, psychedelic world that Jimi Hendrix has given us. The song's solos are beyond this world, defining the eletric guitar of the 70's. I personally think that this guy was the god of the guitar, and no one in the world ever got close to match his amazing skill, brilliant musical creativity and downright crazy live performances. One of those songs that changed what people think of "music", especially the guitar...
48. "Help!", The Beatles (1965)
Here is a song that's just fun to listen to! The title track of the album was one of The Beatles' greatest songs. It was number 1 on both US and UK. It was one of those songs that wasn't really written by both Lennon/McCartney, it was just John Lennon but it was still credited to both of them. The song today may seem simple and sound like nothing special, but this was the bomb for it's time. "Help!" had really great lyrics in it, and it has that unique Beatles sound that everyone loved, which is why they were so great.
47. "One", U2 (1991)
...I hate U2. I hate everything about them...but this song, I have to say, is really REALLY damn good. But really, I can't stand these guys! But even though I DESPISE U2, this song is a landmark when it comes to music. Bono has made a really great job with this song, judging by the singing and lyrics. The instrumentals are typical U2 stuff, but it gives such a great atmosphere to the song and it just enhances Bono's extreme feeling he put into his singing. This is great, I like this!...I like this?...Oh well, might as well face it, U2 made an amazing job here!
46. "Maybellene", Chuck Berry (1955)
Ah Chuck Berry, one of the greatest legends of music! Man, this guy was so cool! This song was one of his greatest works, it is one of the pioneers of Rock & Roll. Berry's guitar work defined the whole genre, giving the song a great sense of exitement and originality. It was only released as a single, and it already became a smash hit in the 50's, and it was Berry's first single. Even though it's not considered the "definitive" rock song, this song still has great importance to not only Rock & Roll, but also influenced folk and even country. From this point on, you could see alot of Chuck Berry in every single rock song...
45. "Tutti-Frutti", Little Richard (1955)
Another masterpiece from the 50's, and now coming from the one and only Little Richie! This song is another one of those genre-defining songs. It was the prototype of a simple, clean but also fun song. No one can listen to this without moving a single inch of their body! The song has such a catchy beat to it, it's almost impossible not to dance to it. This song has definitely influenced alot of artists, such has James Brown and even Michael Jackson. It was another smash hit from 1955, appearing in every pub and disco of the time. Anyone who lived in that time remembers what it was like to dance to Little Richard.
44. "The Times They Are-A Changin'", Bob Dylan (1964)
Here is one of the first protest songs written by the greatest mind in the history of music. These lyrics were written by god itself, and when I say god I obviously say Bob Dylan! His lyrics were the greatest for it's time, and his songs had such a powerfull message behind them. "The Times They Are-A Changin'" is the perfect example of how a song can change society, and it was one of his signature works that made him the greatest pop icon of the 60's. This artist has influenced almost every protest singer in history! All hail Bob Dylan.
43. "Anarchy In The U.K.", The Sex Pistols (1976)
Not being a hardcore fan of Punk Rock, that genre was pretty much perfected when this song came out. The Ramones were the ones who brought the genre to mainstream success, but "Anarchy In The U.K." was one of the greatest Punk Songs ever conceived. It all boils down to the lyrics and the singing, which in my opinion, combine perfectly. The lyrics have one and only goal: to cause chaos and, well, anarchy! And it's just great, because it affects people who listen to it. Great song, and it will be remembered as the song of anarchy and chaos!
42. "The Message", Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five (1982)
Ok, this is probably the song that people will start thinking: what the hell is this doing here? The fact is that this song, this ONLY song was more original than any song ever made in the 80's. The fact that is a Rap song doesn't mean it should be excluded. No matter what alot of people say, Rap is officially a musical genre. "The Message" basically gave birth to the genre, with it's innovative lyrics that speak of how it is living on the streets. The singing also defined the signature attitude of Rap artists. No matter how much I love and prefer Eminem's "Lose Yourself", this song is way better and it was a genre-defining song, making it one of the greatest songs ever made. Bring on the hate comments!
41. "Heartbreak Hotel", Elvis Presley (1956)
And finally I give to you a song from the King of Rock & Roll himself. "Heartbreak Hotel" is one of his greatest hits, it introduced him to the American audience. The singing was just out of this world, and no one has ever seen anything like it. This song pretty much defined Elvis, from his signature singing and dance moves. His first appearence in national television was supposed to have him sing "Heartbreak Hotel", but the network didn't let him. Another one of those songs that helped define the essence of Rock & Roll, and no one has contributed more to the genre than the king himself...
40. "Heroes", David Bowie (1977)
I really don't like David Bowie, and I don't like this song either. I just can't find anything in his songs that appeal to me, but I know what makes him an artist. One of the artists that helped define Alternative Rock, and this song shows it. David Bowie is just a really weird artist, and that's why people love him. His music was unique, and no one at the time even came close to sounding like him. One of his signature songs, "Heroes" is highly acclaimed as one of the greatest songs ever made. I understand why, I really do, but I just don't like this. Sorry Bowie, but I prefer Radiohead and Pink floyd anyday...but even though I said this, I respect you David Bowie, and I have to admit that you are very original!
39. "Strawberry Fields Forever", The Beatles (1968)
This is a fan favorite, and The Beatles' hardcore fans consider it their best work. In fact, it is the highest rated song in AcclaimedMusic. Ok, in my opinion this is NOT their greatest work...not even close. But it is, in it's own right, an amazing song. This was supposed to be in The Beatles' masterpiece album "Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band", but it was instead released in february as a double-A-single. It was then released in their abum "Magical Mystery Tour". As any other Beatles album, it was a smash hit and "Strawberry Fields Forever" is probably it's best song.
38. "I Walk The Line", Johnny Cash (1956)
Not being a harcore fan of the genre or the artist, this is definitely one of the greatest country songs ever written. Johnny Cash defined modern Country music with this great piece of music. This man was so cool, he had a cult following just like Elvis. Lots of people respected this guy, not only for giving us great music, but also a great genre. My personal favorite Cash song is, actually, the last song he ever made. But "I Walk The Line" is Johnny's greatest contribution to music, and it will be remembered forever as one of the greatest country songs, and also one of the greatest ever!
37. "People Get Ready", The Impressions (1965)
Rolling Stone magazine actually rated this song as the 24th greatest song of all time. I really didn't know this song before I saw that list, but after that I gave the song a shot...it's really good. I didn't really fall in love with it, but it sounded like nothing i've ever listened to. Even though this song qualifies as Soul, we can definitely notice some influence of gospel put into it. It had a big impact in it's time, and it spread The Impressions' name throughout the world. The song reached number-three on the Billboard R&B Chart, and number 14 on the Billboard Pop Chart as well. One of those songs which people misunderstand it's brilliance...
36. "Billie Jean", Michael Jackson (1982)
This is it. The ultimate song of the 80's. Michael Jackson's catchy as hell masterpiece was the song that changed R&B forever, redefining it in the King of Pop's own words, style and beats. The song was released in the album "Thriller" which was not only one of the best albums of the 80's, it was also the best selling album in history, selling over 100 million units around the globe. Michael completely dominated the 80's, and he was so popular that people were considering him as the new Elvis Presley, and they were probably right. Rest in peace, Michael Jackson...
35. "Layla", Derek & The Dominos (1970)
It's really hard to find a guitar riff that sounds cooler than this. In fact, it's hard to find a better guitarist than Eric Clapton. He really is a genius on six strings, and "Layla" is where he shows some amazing skill. One of the most recognized riffs of the 70's, and even though Clapton is the one playing he once said in an interview that was actually Duane Allman who came up with it, another widely acclaimed guitarist. The song divides into 2 parts, one being the guitar/singing part, and the the other part is only instrumental with a piano entering the song. Even though the song is known for it's riff, the second part is often considered the best.
34. "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry", Hank Williams (1949)
This is where Country music began, with Hank Williams and his awesome vocals and simplistic guitar. Not only the greatest song of the 40's, in my opinion even better than Cash's "I Walk The Line". That song may have been the definitive Country song, but Hank's classic is the song that brought so many great concepts and ideas for future artists. The instrumentals were quite innovative for 1949, and his singing was simply unique in comparison to other 40's artists. Thanks to him Johnny Cash was born, but to decide which one of them is better is up to any persons tastes I believe...
33. "Be My Baby", The Ronettes (1963)
The Ronettes' signature song was one of the most popular songs of it's era. It reached #2 on the U.S. Billboard Pop Singles Chart and #4 on the UK's Record Retailer. "Be My Baby" also peaked at number four on the R&B chart. You know a song is great when the brilliant mind that is Brian Wilson says that it is the greatest pop record ever made. The song was featured in the movies "Mean Streets" and "Dirty Dancing" and it was also covered by numerous artists, like Andy Kim, Bay City Rollers and John Lennon. A really amazing track indeed, which helped to bring more of the female demographic into music.
32. "Whole Lotta Love", Led Zeppelin (1969)
And Heavy Metal was born...Led Zeppelin really had a great career ahead of them. After they released their self-titled debut album, which is quite possibly the greatest hard rock album ever made, they released "Led Zeppelin II", an album that was even heavier than the first one. "Whole Lotta Love" was actually based on a Muddy Waters hit called "You Need Love" written by Willie Dixon, leading to a lawsuit in favor of Dixon. Even with that, it is still acclaimed by it's downright perfect singing, otherworldly instrumentals and incredible creativity. Hands down the greatest Heavy Metal song ever created!
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_tRg73iZIquM/Sna5kBsFfjI/AAAAAAAAczA/weoJ7CRsVEM/s320/smokey%20robinson%20and%20miracles%20going%20to%20 a%20go%20go.jpg
31. The Tracks of My Tears", Smokey Robinson & The Miracles (1965)
This is proof of how great Smokey Robinson was as a songwritter and as a singer. Smokey once explained the origin of The Miracles' greatest hit: "Tracks of My Tears" was actually started by Marv Tarplin, who is a young cat who plays guitar for our act. So he had this musical thing you know, and we worked around with it, and worked around, and it became "Tracks of My Tears." But the truth is that it would become one of the greatest songs ever written. I have seen alot of covers of this song, but the original is and always will be the one true version that will bring you to tears...
30. "Lei it Be", The Beatles (1970)
Before The Beatles disbanded, they gave us this album and it's album-titled track. "Let it Be" is another Beatles masterpiece, a song which is beautiful in every single way. One of those songs that it is credited to Lennon/McCartney but only one of them wrote it, in this case Paul. McCartney said he had the idea of "Let It Be" after a dream he had about his mother during the tense period surrounding the sessions for The Beatles (The "White Album"), which is considered one of their best works. A beautiful ballad, and one of very few songs that can really touch any person who listens to it.
29. "No Woman, No Cry", Bob Marley & The Wailers (1974)
A genre-defining artist, who brought us a kind of music called Reggae, but in this song you can actually notice a little influence of R&B. This eternal genius of music known as Bob Marley will always be remembered by his wonderful contributions to not only music, but society itself. Marley really caused a huge impact on culture, alot of people loved him so much that a huge number of his fans converted to Marley's religion "Rastafari". But out of all his songs, "No Woman, No Cry" is definitely the greatest, and it is widely considered the best Reggae song ever created!
28. "Hound Dog", Elvis Presley (1956)
And Elvis oficially got on the top of the world with this song. Every music critic and historian will say that "Hound Dog" was the definitive Elvis song, and they're probably right. Rolling Stone rated this song at number 19 of the greatest songs ever made. Unfortunately it didn't got much far as 28 on my list, but this is definitely one of his greatest hits. The song had that unique Elvis touch which distinguished it from every rock record of the time. A song you could sing and dance to, even if you don't know the lyrics...or the dance moves.
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27. "A Day In The Life", The Beatles (1967)
A song that was written by both John and Paul instead of only one of them, this one is also a fan favorite of The Beatles like "Strawberry Fields Forever". Lots of Beatles fans also consider this their greatest work. I really admire the combination of Psychedelic and Symphonic Rock, resulting in a song that sounded like absolutely nothing that was made in it's time. The phrase "I'd love to turn you on" was considered by many people a drug reference, and that was reason enough for radio stations banning the song. But it still lives as a masterpiece of music!
26. "Sympathy For The Devil", The Rolling Stones (1968)
The working title of the song was "The Devil Is My Name", and it is sung by Jagger as a first-person narrative from the point of view of Lucifer. It's a concept for a song that is usually avoided by many artists, but they grabbed it and made a really unique rock song. A song with over 6 minutes in length of unique singing and back vocals, creative instrumentals to give it a kind of jungle atmosphere and lyrics that were written by satan himself. Widely acclaimed as one of The Rolling Stones' greatest songs, and i'm one of them. I just love it when he says "Hope you guess my name!".
25. "(Sittin' On) The Dock of The Bay", Otis Redding (1968)
After listening to this brilliant piece of music, I thought to myself: Man, this guy can sing! Otis really set the bar high when it comes to singing. In fact, Rolling Stone magazine ranked him number 8 in ther list of greatest singers. Even if you don't find the song that complex, or that impressive, or if it's not your kind of music, I guarantee you that you will love this man's unique way of singing. Never getting out of tune, and while singing in a very low tone. Only the greats can do that, and there is no doubt that Redding will be remembered as an amazing singer...did I mention he sings good too?
24. "That'll Be The Day", Buddy Holly & The Crickets (1957)
Buddy Holly had such a great career ahead of him...but then there was the plain crash in 1959, widely considered as "The Day The Music Died" thanks to Don McLean's song "American Pie". Let me tell you, I kind of understand why some people consider it. This guy was every bit as influential as Elvis was. In fact, Holly was one of the artists that inspired The Beatles! Holly had this unique way of singing, that when you listen to one of his songs you instantly recognize him by his signature hic-ups. This guy is in my personal top 10 greatest artists of all time! ALL HAIL BUDDY HOLLY!!!
23. "In My Life", The Beatles (1965)
One of my personal favorites, "In My Life" speaks of memories that lived on and memories that dissapeared forever. Speaks of friendships created and torn apart, and relationships and break-ups. The fact is that it's simply a beautiful song, and it's brilliance relies in it's simplicity. In fact, that's why The Beatles are so great! They didn't gave us the most complex pieces of music, they gave us music that everyone can love. This is definitely one of their greatest songs, and also one of my personal favorite ballads!
22. "Born To Run", Bruce Springsteen (1975)
God, is this song f****** awesome! Bruce Springsteen has never made another song with such a big impact on the youth, talking about what it is like to be a teenager. Amazing lyrics is the real brilliant part of "Born To Run", but the great singing and instrumentals really complement as well to create one masterpiece of the 70's. When this song was performed live, Bruce was accompanied by the E Street Band, and when they really got to play the song live, it was one of the greatest live experiences in all of history. Queen were great live, but Bruce was amazing...beyond amazing!
21. "Bridge Over Troubled Water", Simon & Garfunkel (1970)
Man let me tell you, stop reading this topic! Go to youtube and listen to this song if you never did in your life! This is the perfect example that songs can really touch people in their hearts. This is the perfect definition of the word "beautiful". This is the grand champion when it comes to ballads. If it wasn't for my mother, I would have never heard this song. And I have to thank her, because this is now one of my favorite songs ever. This one really touched me, and that never happened to me before. I almost cried listening to this wonderfull work of art crafted by god himself...call me whatever you want.
20. "My Generation", The Who (1965)
And Punk music was born...ok, this wasn't really punk, but the song had every aspect to be considered a perfect prototype of what Punk is. Lyrics about saying what you want, that's great living young and it sucks to be old, and that people are trying to stop you for doing what you want. This song was responsible for the classic act of breaking instruments in live concerts, It was The Who that popularized it. And then it was passed on to The Ramones, The Clash and Nirvana. Those bands really owe alot to The Who, and their ultimate song.
19. "Jailhouse Rock", Elvis Presley (1957)
To me, this is and always will be the definitive Elvis Presley song! It has everything that's great about Elvis in it. The singing, the dancing, the instrumentals, the lyrics, everything. I really love listening to this tune when i'm in the mood to dance, even though I suck at it. We all first heard the song in Elvis' motion picture, also titled "Jailhouse Rock", and when I saw that scene I never forgot about it. I knew I was listening to something great, something groundbreaking. This one proves that Elvis is really the King of Rock & Roll, and that he will never be forgotten. Rest in peace, Elvis Presley...
18. "A Change Is Gonna Come", Sam Cooke (1964)
Another protest song on my list, but this song is just pure brilliance. Sam Cooke was so moved and impressed after hearing Bob Dylan's "Blowin' In The Wind" that he thought about writing his own song about racism in America. The end result is the most highly acclaimed protest song in history by critics and historians. Rolling Stone ranked it number 12 in their 500 greatest songs of all time, above "Blowin' In The Wind". If it ended up being better or not, the song is brilliant in it's own right, and it really made it's mark in american soil and not only. Another one of those songs in which the singing is what atracts you to it.
17. "What's Going On", Marvin Gaye (1971)
If we're going to pick one song that came from Motown's greatest artist, we have to pick "What's Going On". It's not only considered his best, it's also his only song that I can stand. The first time I listened to it, I was actually quite impressed with how Gaye told the problems and troubles of this world, and that the only we can think of is, well, "What's Going On?". I really love the lyrics in this song, it's just that it's so true, so straight to the point that you can perfectly understand what Marvin's trying to tell us. Gaye, your an amazing singer and songwriter and there isn't anyone on this planet who can prove otherwise.
16. "I Want To Hold Your Hand", The Beatles (1963)
Damn, I love this song! I love everything about it. I love the singing, the dancing, the writing, the instrumentals, EVERYTHING! It all combines into one song that's just a joy to listen to. The Beatles really out-did themselves with this one. It was the greatest song they ever made for the time. Everytime they went on stage and played this song, every one in the audience just went nutts. That's just for you to know how The Beatles were popular in the early 60's. Hey, I don't know if you noticed it, but did you know that there is alot of sexual innuendo behind the lyrics? I love it!
15. "Purple Haze", Jimi Hendrix (1967)
Jimi Hendrix, you are god! This song is not only his greatest musical achievement, it is also the greatest thing ever to come out of a six string electric guitar. I mean it, the riff is, quite possibly, the greatest ever made. It may not be the most recognizable riff in history, but it surely is the one that sounds the coolest. Man, the guitar work in this song is so powerful, you feel like your listening to something that you will never listen to again. And you won't, because this amazing artist, unfourtunately, died in 1970, choking on his own vomit. Damn, that's the reason why I hate alcohol! Rest in peace, Jimi Hendrix...
14. "Crossroad Blues", Robert Johnson (1937)
This guy is, in my honest opinion, the second greatest guitarist of all time. I had to put some material from the 30's, and Robert Johnson's Blues classic is definitely that decade's greatest hit. Eric Clapton has stated once about Robert Johnson, that he was the most important blues singer that ever lived. And Clapton's right. Johnson's guitar skills, vocal phrasing and impressive songwritting defined the genre called Blues. An historic piece of music, and definitely one song that should be a reference to every single guitarist on the planet. One of the most important songs ever created! Rest in peace, Robert Johnson...
13. "What'd I Say", Ray Charles (1959)
Ray Charles' first gold record was, undoubtably, the most innovative and influential R&B song ever written. Lots of sexual innuendo, however, created alot of controversy between black and white people. But these are the songs that are really great. They change society, they actually mark the world we live in. This song shows the amazing singing skill from Charles. The song not only brought Ray Charles to mainstream success, but also brought a sub-genre of R&B called Soul into the mainstream music. To some people, it's hard to explain why we love "What'd I Say"...it's just a phenomenal song.
12. "Blowin' In The Wind", Bob Dylan (1963)
I don't care what people say, to me, this is the ultimate protest song. Bob Dylan has never been so straight to the point when he wrote "Blowin' In The Wind". The lyrics are beyond brilliant. He can really tell you a story about how bad this world works, with very subtle phrasing. Dylan's hurt about this subject is also shown in his singing, like someone who witnessed alot of pain and suffering in this cruel world. This is one of those songs that will change your way of thinking about the planet we live in. That's one of the many powers Bob Dylan has...
11. "Hey Jude", The Beatles (1968)
The longest Beatles track is often cited by critics and historians as ther greatest contribution to music. "Hey Jude" is a really great song, that extends itself over 7 minutes. The first 3 minutes are the lyrics written by Paul, and they are as good as a Beatles song can be. It's not really the lyrics that will call your attention, it's the singing. Paul really is an amazing singer, and that's what made the song so fun and catchy. The song really shows some brilliant production too, mainly because of the fact that the last 4 minutes are completely improvised. Instrumentals, lyrics, singing, everything thought at the moment. Genius.
10. "Good Vibrations", The Beach Boys (1966)
This is what happens when you let Brian Wilson's genius come out: a psychedelic pop song, with extremely unusual instrumentals, unique singing and really creepy lyrics. The result was one of the greatest pop songs ever written. Wilson's publicist Derek Taylor described "Good Vibrations" as a "pocket symphony". If you never heard this song, trust me, you don't know what "weird" is. The first time I heard it I was so freaked out, I didn't want to listen to it again. But I kept listening, and moments after I was already singing it. It's one of those songs where you're not sure why you love it.
9. "Shine On You Crazy Diamond", Pink Floyd (1975)
You guys were already scared that I would exclude Pink Floyd, didn't you? Well not being a hardcore fan of Pink Floyd, this song is a monumental achievement. This is hands down, the most underatted song of all time! I can't believe that this song escapes every single critic I know. Out of all their songs, "Shine On You Crazy Diamond" is really the band's ultimate piece of music. The song is 26 minutes long...not kidding. The song is actually divided in IX parts, scatered in the album "Wish You Were Here". The song is like a huge symphony of perfectly coordenated instruments, that sound really great. When you get to the singing, you see some more brilliant lyrics by Roger Waters and a really great chorus, with David Gilmour and back vocalists shouting the title of the song.
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8. "Respect", Aretha Franklin (1965)
Here is the greatest female artist in the history of music. I'm serious! Madonna can go f*** herself, she's got nothing to the queen of singing. "Respect" was not really written by Aretha, the original song was written by Otis Redding. The problem is that Otis' version was completely overshadowed by the greatest Soul song ever made (or covered). Aretha payed real attention to the lyrics, and thought that they would fit perfectly to a woman's situation. The song became an anthem for women all over the world, and not just because of the perfect fit that the lyrics give to Aretha's point, but also the otherworldly singing. Aretha is, considered by many, as the greatest singer to ever live, and after listening to this song and watching Aretha sing it live, it's really hard to deny it.
7. "Smells Like Teen Spirit", Nirvana (1991)
Let me tell you a funny story: When I was a kid, I hated Nirvana. I just couldn't stand it! I knew the band because of the songs "Come As You Are", "In Bloom" and "Heart-Shaped Box". Believe it or not, I have never heard "Smells Like Teen Spirit" until I got to high school. When a friend of mine showed it to me after I told him I hated Nirvana, I turned to him and said "Dude, this is good. I like this!". I couldn't believe what I just said. So I kept listening to it, and it grew on me. This song is pure greatness. Kurt Cobain said he wanted to write the ultimate pop song, and he really did. Not only the greatest song of the 90's by far, but also one of the greatest songs ever made. Too bad Kurt took his own life in 1994. Rest in peace, Kurt Cobain...
6. "Johnny B. Goode", Chuck Berry (1958)
The greatest Chuck Berry song is also the greatest song of the 50's, no question about it. To me, this is where Rock & Roll really started: Cool sounding guitar riffs, plain simple lyrics and pure fun instrumentals. "Johnny B. Goode" should be a reference to any guitarist on the planet. Berry's innovative guitar skills really helped define completely a the genre itself. This is a song that when you listen to it years after you heard it for the first time in your life, you just think to yourself: That is one of the simplest songs i've ever heard. Well, that's what's so great about it. It proves that music doesn't have to be complex or over-thought, the important thing is thatyou have fun with it. One of the most important songs ever created!
5. "Yesterday", The Beatles (1965)
After hearing pratically every single Beatles song, I still think that their ultimate achievement was "Yesterday". A song that even though is credited to The Beatles, the song was entirely written by Paul. Not only their most successful song, but also the most covered song in history. Over 1000 artists have made their own version of the song, according to Guinness World Records. The song is about a break up, and how he wishes that all of his problems would go away, and that's why he longs for yesterday. McCartney's melancholic singing is so different from everything The Beatles have ever done before, it sounded like something completely different. One of those masterpieces that will live on forever, as a ballad that made thousands of people all over the world cry...
4. "Imagine", John Lennon (1971)
After The Beatles broke up, each one of them followed his own path, and the one who standed out the most was definitely John Lennon. The brilliant mind behind the group released a song called "Imagine", in it's also titled album "Imagine", and it turned out to be even better than anything The Beatles have ever done. It's not exactly a protest song, more like a "Peace" song. John tries to change society by convincing everyone that we should all live together, free of religion racism and discrimination. The fact is that this song became an anthem for peace, and changed alot of people. Unfortunately, John Lennon was shot in 1980 before he could give us anymore contributions. Rest in peace, John Lennon...
3. "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction", The Rolling Stones (1965)
The most recognized guitar riff in rock history, this smash hit was voted number 1 by VH1 as the greatest rock song of all time. Many people think it is, and I can understand why. The impact and influence it had was huge, and it went on for generations to come. The song still sounds as amazing as it sounded 45 years ago. The lyrics, written by lead singer Mick Jagger and lead guitarist Keith Richards, include references to sexual intercourse and a theme of anti-commercialism. Radio stations at the time had a problem with broadcasting "Satisfaction", but the huge impact and commercial success practically forced them to do it. The song brought so much to the genre, giving enormous possibilities to future artists. It also brought The Rolling Stones instant success. One of the greatest songs of all time, period.
2. "Like a Rolling Stone", Bob Dylan (1965)
If critics are reading this now, chances are that they're really pissed off at me! This is the ultimate song, there never was and there never will be an equal to it. This only song broke so many barriers that other musicians wouldn't even try to cross through. "Like a Rolling Stone" broke rules such as the unlimited time length for a song, excessive lyrics and free will to write whatever the artist feels like. This is the grand champion when it comes to songs that changed everything. Bob Dylan out-did himself with this song. You thought "Blowin' In The Wind" had the greatest lyrics ever written? Think again! Dylan's greatest hit became widely acclaimed by many as the greatest song ever written. Even Dylan himself stated "I wrote it. I did it. I didn't fail.", and he was right.
1. "Stairway to Heaven", Led Zeppelin (1971)
From my point of view, "Stairway to Heaven" is the definitive masterpice of all the songs on this planet. The 8 minute ballad is, undoubtably, the most epic piece of music in history. Robert Plant, lead singer, put a lot of work on his lyrics, and the result is like something of a speech that god himself would give to humanity. It just sounded completely different from anything released at the time. Jimmy Page, John Bonham and John Paul Jones created some of the greatest instrumentals ever put into a song, it has this unique sound which gives us the impression that we're listening to something that came from heaven itself. The song really built perfectly to a guitar solo that storms heaven's gates, becoming widely acclaimed as one of the most complex solos ever created. The song ends perfectly, with the words we all sing to while listening to the greatest song of all time: "And she's buying, a Stairway to Heaven...".
List created June 25th, 2010.