Rolling Stone(d): The 500 Greatest Songs CORRECTED

Someone had to do it, so I have corrected the Rolling Stone(d) 500 Greatest Songs.

Rolling Stone(d): The 500 Greatest Songs CORRECTED
by Michael R. Burch

How big a mess in the Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs?

Then snubbed some of the greatest musical artists on record, please pardon the antiquated pun.

Consider the artists who didn’t have a single song in the ranking: Boyz II Men, Jackson Browne, Eric Carmen, Chicago, Evanescence, Cream, Ronnie James Dio, Celine Dion, ELO, Enya, Genesis, Vince Gill, Heart, the Hollies, Sir Tom Jones, Janis Joplin, Patti LaBelle, Meatloaf, the Moody Blues, Nazareth, Aaron Neville and the Neville Brothers, Judas Priest, Simply Red, Roxette, Barbra Streisand, Supertramp, Styx, Jethro Tull, Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, and Yes.

Then consider the superstars with just one song apiece: AC/DC, Bee Gees, Mariah Carey, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, CSN&Y, Doobie Brothers, Journey, George Michael, Stevie Nicks, Roy Orbison, Steely Dan and Cat Stevens, just to name a few off the top of my head.

Thus I decided to restore sanity to this addled, incomprehensible ranking.

I have decided to use the same cutoff date as the most current Rolling Stone(d) ranking, 2020.

Contemporary artists who appear in my ranking include Avicii, Bad Bunny, Beyonce (top 100 for “Halo”), BTS, Camila Cabello (top 100 for “Havana”), Cardi B, Dido, Dimash Kudaibergen (Top 100 for “S.O.S.”), Drake, Billie Eilish, Missy Elliott, Eminem, Gotye, Ariana Grande, Hozier (top 125 for “Take Me to Church”), Lil Nas X, Lorde (top 200 for “Royals”), Bruno Mars, Megan Thee Stallion, Outkast (top 20 for “Hey Ya”), P!nk, Portugal the Man (top 100 for “Feel It Still”), Rihanna, Sam Smith, Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, the Weeknd (top 100 for “Blinding Lights”), Kanye West, and the White Stripes.

I have noted where Rolling Stone(d) ranked songs in its Top 500 like this: (RS#).

I have consulted the top 100 poems of three independent public polls taken by Ranker, Louisville Public Media, and Gold Radio (UK). The notation (H9) means a song’s highest ranking in a public poll was #9. Since this number appears beside the Rolling Stone ranking, when both apply, it’s easy to see how much the “experts” and ordinary music lovers agree or disagree. Sometimes the divergences are astonishing. And the “experts” usually make the least sense.

The notation (H9x2) means the song’s highest ranking was #9 and that it appeared in two of the three public polls. If there is no “x” that means the song appeared in just one of the three public polls.

In this ranking, I am considering the overall excellence of the song, public opinion, my own opinion, and my dislike for terrible lyrics, which ruin songs for me.

You are welcome to nominate other songs in the comments. Or to tell me where I erred. I do consider reader suggestions carefully.

And now, without further ado, let the countdown begin…

1. Stairway to Heaven (RS#61, Ranker#1, H1x3) by Led Zeppelin. Rolling Stone(d) has lost its collective mind and this is proof positive!
   
   “Stairway to Heaven” features music composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and lyrics written by lead singer Robert Plant. It became the most-requested song on FM radio stations in the United States despite never having been commercially released as a single there. When I was in high school in the mid 1970s, this was the most played, most discussed and most revered song.

2. Bohemian Rhapsody (RS#17, Ranker#5, H1x3) by Queen. I have a major beef with Rolling Stone(d) here. Are Get Ur Freak On, I Want to Hold Your Hand and Waterloo Sunset better than this masterpiece, really? In what dimension?
   
   Also, Garth and Wayne cannot be wrong!

3. A Whiter Shade of Pale (RS#57, H6) by Procol Harum. Another absurdly low ranking by Rolling Stone(d). After all, "A Whiter Shade of Pale" has been the most-played song at venues in the United Kingdom over the last 75 years, and justly so. It's a freakin’ masterpiece! How great is this song? There are more than 1,000 known cover versions! And it’s one of the most commercially successful singles of all time, with over 10 million copies sold.

4. Love Reign O'er Me (RS-) by the Who. As far as I can tell, this song is unranked by Rolling Stone(d). I’m not usually a Who fan, but "Love Reign O’er Me" is undeniable. It was written by Pete Townshend and became the ultimate all-out rock anthem, belted out to rock god perfection by Roger Daltrey. The song was covered by Pearl Jam and furnished the title of the movie Reign O'er Me. For the definitive cover, check out Bettye LaVette's version on YouTube. Still, I imagine the young, brash Roger Daltrey owns this one for all time.

5. Piece of My Heart (RS-, H74) by Janis Joplin and Big Brother and the Holding Company.
   
   Didn't I make you feel
   like you were the only man?
   An' didn't I give you nearly everything
   that a woman possibly can?
   
   Rolling Stone nominated "Piece of My Heart" as just the 344th greatest song of the modern era, then left it out of their top 500 entirely, which only illustrates the dark, murky depths to which music "experts" are capable of sinking. This may be the greatest all-out rock/blues performance by a female singer, or by any rock/blues singer, male or female.

6. Like a Rolling Stone (RS#4, Ranker#15, H9) by Bob Dylan was voted the number one song of all time by Rolling Stone, an interesting synchronicity, although they later dropped their namesake to #4, in favor of "Respect" by Aretha Franklin. This is as close as I and Rolling Stone came to agreeing. Dylan was the first songwriter to win the Nobel Prize in Literature, a decision I agree with, as a poet, editor and publisher of poetry.

7. A Change Is Gonna Come (RS#3) by Sam Cooke. This is the second time that I and Rolling Stone(d) agreed on top ten picks.
   
   It's been too hard living
   but I'm afraid to die
   'Cause I don't know what's up there
   beyond the sky ...
   
   "A Change Is Gonna Come" was written after Sam Cooke heard and was moved by Bob Dylan's "Blowin' in the Wind." Cooke's song became an anthem for the American Civil Rights Movement.

8. Bridge Over Troubled Water (RS#66, Ranker#9, H4x3) written by Paul Simon; performed by Simon & Garfunkel with lead vocals by Art Garfunkel. Once again Rolling Stone(d) has lost its collective mind, if it ever had one to begin with.
   
   When you're down and out
   When you're on the street
   When evening falls so hard
   I will comfort you ...
   
   "Bridge Over Troubled Water" is an enduring classic. Paul Simon wrote the song specifically for Art Garfunkel, shortly before the breakup of Simon & Garfunkel. Garfunkel's vocals make the original recording one of the best of all time; the song has been performed by many other singers, including Elvis Presley, Aretha Franklin, Roy Orbison, Johnny Cash, Josh Groban and Charlotte Church. But no one to date has matched Garfunkel's angelic vocals.

9. What’s Going On (RS#6, H11) by the late, great Marvin Gaye, who has six songs in my ranking.
   
   In a tragic irony, Gaye penned and sang, “Father, Father, there’s no need to escalate” only to be shot to death by his father.

10. Loves Lies Bleeding/Funeral for a Friend (RS-) by Sir Elton John with lyrics by Bernie Taupin.
    
    This eleven-minute track was too long to be released as a single but it received quite a bit of radio air play (one critic suggested that it allowed DJs time for extended "potty breaks"). Elton John wrote the music while thinking furiously about what he wanted played at his own funeral. The song is full of furious, bombastic chords, but they all seem to work remarkably well with the angry lyrics.

11. Fever (RS-) and Blue Moon (RS-) were early Sun/RCA recordings by Elvis Presley.
    
    Also the marvelous version of Fever by Peggy Lee.
    
    Elvis Presley was like the little girl with the little curl: sometimes he was very, very good, and sometimes he was horrid (i.e., the ultimate cheesy/bombastic Vegas lounge singer, although his voice was always pure gold). If you haven't heard the young Elvis Presley sing Fever and Blue Moon, check out the links below to hear the really, really good, hip, cool Elvis.

12. Layla (RS#224) by Eric Clapton; as performed by Derek and the Dominoes.
    
    The Rolling Stone(d) ranking is absurdly low.
    
    Layla, you got me on my knees;
    Layla, you got me singing darlin' please ...
    
    "Layla" was written by Eric Clapton as a song of unrequited love for his friend George Harrison's wife, Pattie Boyd ... talk about a lovers' triangle! At least this one was immortalized, as Pattie Boyd has been called the inspiration for "Layla," "Something," "Wonderful Tonight" and other songs by Harrison and Clapton. Both the original and the unplugged versions of "Layla" are utterly stellar.

13. Without You (RS#497) written by Pete Ham and Tom Evans of Badfinger; as performed by Harry Nilsson. How can anyone with ears rank this masterpiece 497th?
    
    "Without You" is a wonderfully touching song performed magically by a great singer with an ethereal voice, Harry Nilsson. Paul McCartney, who knows a thing or two about songwriting, called it the greatest rock song ever written. When John Lennon and McCartney held a press conference in 1968 to announce the formation of the Apple label, John was asked to name his favorite American artist. He replied, "Nilsson." Paul was then asked to name his favorite American group. He also replied, "Nilsson."

14. Gimme Shelter (RS#13, H18x2) by the Rolling Stones.

15. A Day in the Life (RS#24, H3x3) by the Beatles, written primarily by John Lennon.

16. Hey Ya! (RS#10) by OutKast, my favorite rap group. Rolling Stone(d) and I are not too far apart here. OutKast has five songs in my ranking.

17. Hallelujah (RS#74, H33x2) written by Leonard Cohen; as performed by Cohen and many other artists (my favorite performers of the song include Jeff Buckley, Alexandra Burke, John Cale, K. D. Lang, Regina Spektor, Lucy Thomas, and Rufus Wainwright for the Shrek soundtrack).
    
    Now I've heard there was a secret chord
    That David played, and it pleased the Lord
    But you don't really care for music, do ya?
    It goes like this: the fourth, the fifth
    The minor fall, the major lift,
    The baffled king composing Hallelujah
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah
    Hallelujah, Hallelujah

18. Unchained Melody (RS#269, H20) as performed by the Righteous Brothers with vocals by Bobby Hatfield. Rolling Stone(d) has obviously lost its collective mind and soul.
    
    Oh, my love, my darling
    I've hungered for your touch
    a long lonely time …
    
    "Unchained Melody" is one of the most popular songs of all time, having been recorded by many different artists in various languages. If you haven't heard the version recorded by the Righteous Brothers, please be sure to browse over to YouTube and check out Bobby Hatfield's stunning, soaring vocals. His version remains the all-time best.

19. Imagine (RS#19, H3x3) by John Lennon.
    
    Imagine there's no Heaven
    It's easy if you try
    No hell below us
    Above us only sky ...
    
    While I'm not a hard-core Beatles fan (preferring the Stones, Led Zeppelin, Queen and several other groups), I have long admired John Lennon's "Imagine" and its vision of a world where there is finally a true "brotherhood of man." His dreamy vision of a Utopian world has inspired the anti-war, pro-peace movement for decades and is one of the most influential pieces of anti-religion writing on record, perhaps making Lennon the English equivalent of Mark Twain (a fierce American critic of Christianity with its ludicrous hell, bloody atonement and judgmental God).

20. One (RS#62, H6) by U2. Another fumble by Rolling Stone(d).
    
    Have you come here for forgiveness?
    Have you come to raise the dead?
    Have you come here to play Jesus
    To the lepers in your head?
    
    "One" was written and recorded in Berlin, on the eve of the reunification of Germany. At the time U2 was experiencing internal disharmony: the song has been credited with helping keep the band together. The Edge came up with the music first; Bono said his lyrics "just fell out of the sky, a gift." The entire song was composed in about 15 minutes. and were nominated by Otto in previous comments. Other noteworthy U2 songs not ranked here include Sunday Bloody Sunday, Where the Streets Have No Name, New Year’s Day and Beautiful Day.

    
    I’m not the only person who loves "One":
    
    "One" was ranked fourth on Blender's "The 500 Greatest Songs Since You Were Born" in 2005. Q Magazine readers voted "One" the fifth-greatest song in history in 2006. "One" is sixth in Ranker's public poll of the best rock songs. So the public loves "One." VH1 ranked "One" second on its list of "Greatest Songs of the 90s." The readers of Rolling Stone voted it the #1 song by U2. And so on.

21. All Along the Watchtower (RS#40, Ranker#17, H17) written by Bob Dylan, as performed by Jimi Hendrix and the Experience. I have a major beef with Rolling Stone here, because #40 is way too low for arguably the greatest collaboration of dissimilar geniuses in music history. Robert Berend observed that “Bob Dylan preferred the Jimi Hendrix version of his song to the Dylan original version.” Jimi Hendrix has been widely acclaimed as rock’s greatest guitarist, and I agree.

22. River Deep, Mountain High (RS#221) by Ike & Tina Turner. Another rank ranking by Rolling Stone(d).

23. At Last (RS#115, H51x2) by Etta James, nicknamed "The Matriarch of R&B" and an obvious influence on many modern divas. Rolling Stone(d) ranked her #22 on its list of the Greatest Singers of All Time, but then dropped the ball with this vocal masterclass.

24. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (RS#165) by Hank Williams Sr., the father of country music.

25. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (H29) by Judy Garland. Also, the amazing covers by Patti LaBelle, Eva Cassidy, Ariana Grande, Sam Harris, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole and Sam Smith.

26. Paint It Black (RS#213, Ranker#11, H11x2) by the Rolling Stones.

27. Eleanor Rigby (RS#243, Ranker#16, H16x2) by the Beatles, written primarily by Paul McCartney and his best song in my opinion.
    
    Eleanor Rigby
    Died in the church and was buried along with her name
    Nobody came
    Father McKenzie
    Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave
    No one was saved

28. When Doves Cry (RS#37, H81) by Prince and the Revolution.

29. Spanish Harlem (RS-) by Ben E. King and Aretha Franklin, with the edge to Aretha.
    
    There is a rose in Spanish Harlem.
    It is the special one.
    It never sees the sun.
    It only comes out when the moon is on the run…
    
    The original version of Spanish Harlem had a lovely, poetic, but fairly simple lyric about a man who had discovered a beguiling female rose he intended to pluck for his "garden" (however one interprets that). However, when Aretha Franklin recorded the song she made it more current and "blacker" with lyric changes. For instance, she changed the chorus to: “There is a rose in Black and Spanish Harlem.” And because the song was about a man who desired a young girl, she changed the third stanza to be in the third person, with her explaining the man’s intentions.

30. What'd I Say (RS#80) by the marvelous Ray Charles.

31. God Only Knows (RS#11, H6x3) by the Beach Boys.

32. Superstition (RS#12, H57) by Stevie Wonder, who lived up to his last name on this song and so many others.

33. White Room (RS-, H167) and Sunshine of Your Love (RS-) by Cream, in a tie because I can’t pick one over the other.

34. Dream On (RS#199, H31x2) by Aerosmith.

35. Landslide (RS#163, H46) by Fleetwood Mac., written by Stevie Nicks.

36. California Dreamin’ (RS#420, Ranker#18, H18x2) by The Mamas & The Papas. This is one of the most-streamed songs of the 1960s.

37. House of the Rising Sun (RS#471, H18) by the Animals. This is another insanely low ranking by Rolling Stone(d).
    
    There is a house in New Orleans
    They call the Rising Sun
    And it's been the ruin of many a poor boy
    And God I know I'm one ...
    
    "House of the Rising Sun" is an American folk ballad whose authorship remains unknown. The best-known version of the song was performed by a British "invasion" group, the Animals. (Hey, what were they doing, stealing our best songs?) Like many other songs on this page, it tells a haunting, compelling story. And it gets my vote as the first hard rock song, with those dark chords and that attitude.

38. Wicked Game (RS-, H310) by Chris Isaak. Leaving this masterpiece out of a top 500 is the unforgivable sin!

39. Strange Fruit (RS#21) by Billie Holiday.

40. It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World (RS-) by James Brown, who was nicknamed the "Godfather of Soul," the "Godfather of Funk," "Mr. Dynamite," and the "Hardest-Working Man in Show Business."

41. Nights in White Satin (RS-, H37) by the Moody Blues, who have no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).
    
    Nights in white satin, never reaching the end.
    Letters I've written, never meaning to send.
    Beauty I'd always missed, with these eyes before.
    Just what the truth is, I can't say anymore…

42. Stand! (RS-) by Sly and the Family Stone. Sly Stone was a musical genius and this is my favorite song of his.

43. Human Nature (RS-) by Michael Jackson is his best song, in my opinion.

44. Comfortably Numb (RS#179, H72) by Pink Floyd. This absurdly low ranking by Rolling Stone proves they are actually Rolling Stoned.
    
    When I was a child I had a fever;
    my hand felt just like two balloons ....
    I have become
    comfortably numb.
    
    This was the last song written by Roger Waters and David Gilmour, and perhaps remains their greatest, but they had so many wonderful collaborations that it's hard to say.

45. Respect (RS#1, Ranker#32, H17x2) by Aretha Franklin. A great song, but I have “Spanish Harlem” ranked higher.

46. Satisfaction (RS#31, H10) by the Rolling Stones. Also the cover by Devo.

47. Johnny B. Goode (RS#33, H46x2) by Chuck Berry. Also the covers by the Rolling Stones and Judas Priest.

48. The Weight (RS#58, H24) by The Band.

49. Blowin' in the Wind (RS#100, H48) by Bob Dylan. This is a ridiculously low ranking by Rolling Stone(d), especially considering the inferior songs ranked well above it.

50. Smells Like Teen Spirit (RS#5, H8) by Nirvana. I like the song, but think it’s been a bit overrated.

51. Immigrant Song (RS-, H26) by Led Zeppelin.

52. Space Oddity (RS#189, H21) by David Bowie.

53. Who Wants to Live Forever (RS-) and The Show Must Go On (RS-) by Queen.
    
    There's no time for us
    There's no place for us ...
    Who wants to live forever?
    
    Ponce de Leon sought the legendary of fountain of youth; Brian May, Freddie Mercury and Queen turned the tables on would-be traffickers in immortality by asking in one of rock's grandest anthems: "Who Wants to Live Forever"?

54. Mercy Mercy Me (RS-) by Marvin Gaye. Another incomprehensible blank by Rolling Stone(d).

55. My Immortal (RS-) and Bring Me to Life (RS-) by Evanescence, who had no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d)!

56. I Put a Spell on You (RS-) by Nina Simone, who had just one Rolling Stone top 500 song with Mississippi Goddam (RS#172).

57. Redemption Song (RS#42) by Bob Marley and the Wailers. So good!

58. Tiny Dancer (RS#47) by Sir Elton John. A rare moment of sanity for Rolling Stone(d).

59. I Drove All Night (RS-, H73) written by Roy Orbison, as performed by Orbison, Celine Dion and Cyndi Lauper. As great as Orbison was, and as fantastically as Lauper sang this song, I have to give the gold star to Dion for what may have been the greatest powerhouse female vocal performance of all time. It’s hard to imagine anything better.

60. Taxi (RS-) by Harry Chapin.
    
    Oh, I've got something inside me
    To drive a princess blind ...
    There's a wild-man wizard
    He's hiding in me, illuminating my mind
    
    Harry Chapin's "Taxi" is a ghost story in which both ghosts are still partially alive. I saw Chapin in concert, and he was a wonderful storyteller: both in his songs and in his interactions with the audience.

61. Angie (RS-) by the Rolling Stones.
    
    The Rolling Stones have many great songs but "Angie" is my favorite song of theirs, a haunting song of love and loss.

62. Wild Horses (RS#193) by the Rolling Stones.

63. Black Dog (RS-) by Led Zeppelin.

64. The Sound of Silence (RS#182, H8x3) by Simon & Garfunkel. Also, the marvelous covers by Disturbed and Pentatonix.

65. Tutti Frutti (RS#35) by Little Richard.
    
    Little Richard called himself the “Architect” of rock’n’roll, and he wasn’t exaggerating. Without Little Richard there would be no James Brown, Michael Jackson or Prince, and the Beatles wouldn’t have all those primal screams, growls and yips in their songs.

66. I’d Rather Go Blind (RS-) by Etta James.

67. Crying (RS#461, H149) by Roy Orbison. Another insane Rolling Stone(d) ranking. "Crying" is an absolute masterpiece―covered ably by K. D. Lang and Don McLean, among others―but no one can duplicate Orbison's unique voice and delivery.

68. Here Comes the Sun (RS-, H7x2) by the Beatles, written by George Harrison.

69. Hey Jude (RS#89, H6x3) by the Beatles.

70. Havana (RS-) by Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug. So rhythmic, so good!

71. I Walk the Line (RS#76, H16) and Ring of Fire (RS#201, H17) by Johnny Cash, in a tie.
    
    I find it very, very easy to be true
    I find myself alone when each day is through
    Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
    Because you're mine, I walk the line.
    
    Johnny Cash wrote "I Walk the Line" in 1956, when he was newly married, and presumably faithful. Years later he recorded Ring of Fire (RS#201, H17), a song about the torrid love affair that caused him to leave his wife for June Carter.
    
    June Carter, his mistress at the time, wrote "Ring of Fire" with Merle Kilgore. Johnny Cash had a dream in which he was singing the song with mariachi horns in the background, which was how it was recorded.

72. (Flying in Winchester) Cathedral (RS-) by Crosby, Stills, Nash and (sometimes) Young.

73. Fortunate Son (RS#227, H38) by Creedence Clearwater Revival, a great Vietnam War protest song written by John Fogerty.

74. Love Hurts (RS-) by Nazareth is one of the all-time great covers, of a song first recorded by the Everly Brothers. Talk about a contrast in styles, and decibels! It was written by Boudleaux Bryant. The great Roy Orbison covered the song before Nazareth.

75. Little Red Corvette (RS#360) by Prince and the Revolution.

76. Born to Run (RS#27, H74) by Bruce Springsteen.
    
    Every day we sweat it out in the streets of a runaway American dream
    At night we ride through mansions of glory in suicide machines
    Sprung from cages out on highway 9
    Chrome wheeled, fuel injected and steppin' out over the line
    Baby this town rips the bones from your back
    It's a death trap, it's a suicide rap
    We gotta get out while we're young
    `Cause tramps like us, baby we were born to run.
    
    "Born to Run" is a rip-roaring anthem perhaps inspired to some degree by badass actors like James Dean, Marlon Brando and Dennis Hopper. What happens when machismo-dripping young men straddle Harleys? A song like "Born to Run" seems inevitable. A fundamental line may be: "And the boys try to look so hard." There's quite a discrepancy between the lyrics of songwriters like John Lennon and Paul Simon, and those of "the Boss" above.

77. Time of the Season (RS#349, H35x2) by the Zombies is yet another insanely low ranking by Rolling Stone(d).

78. Piano Man (RS-, H66) by Billy Joel is not a top 500 song according to Rolling Stone(d).

79. Wishing Well (RS-) by the marvelously talented Terence Trent D'Arby.

80. Halo (RS-) by Beyonce is my favorite song of hers.

81. What a Wonderful World (RS#171, H4x3) by Louis Armstrong, written by the great Sam Cooke.

82. The Times They Are A-Changin' (RS#59) by Bob Dylan.

83. That's Alright Mama (RS-) by Elvis Presley.

84. Sweet Child o' Mine (RS#88) by Guns n’ Roses.

85. Feel It Still (RS-) by Portugal the Man. So good!

86. Sympathy for the Devil (RS#106, H41x2) by the Rolling Stones.
    
    "Sympathy for the Devil," according to Mick Jagger, was inspired by the work of a French symbolist poet, Charles Baudelaire.

87. Lola (RS#386, H54) by the Kinks.

88. Man in the Mirror (RS-) by Michael Jackson.

89. Blinding Lights (RS-) by The Weeknd is the best-performing song of the 21st century, per Billboard. "Blinding Lights" is also the most-streamed song on Spotify and has gone platinum seven times.

90. American Pie (RS-) by Don McLean. How could Rolling Stone(d) leave this classic song out of its top 500?

91. Mr. Blue Sky (RS-, H7) by Electric Light Orchestra, aka ELO, headed by the great Jeff Lynne. ELO has no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

92. Dog and Butterfly (RS-) by Heart, who have no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

93. Lady Marmalade (RS-) by Patti Labelle, who has no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

94. Dreams (RS#9) by Fleetwood Mac., written by Stevie Nicks.

95. Rave On (RS-) and Not Fade Away (RS-) in a tie for my favorite song by Buddy Holly and the Crickets.

96. The Logical Song (RS-) by Supertramp, who illogically have no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

97. Un-Break My Heart (RS-) by Toni Braxton is a masterpiece and the #12 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard.

98. Nothing Compares 2 U (RS#184) was written by Prince and performed marvelously by Sinead O'Connor. The Rolling Stone(d) ranking is absurdly low.
    
    "Nothing Compares 2 U" is a wonderfully tender, poignant song, sung exquisitely by Sinead O'Connor. The tear she shed in her video was real, and unscripted. She had shaved her head when she started singing because she wanted to be known for her music, not her looks (but she looked better without hair than most women with flowing manes). When the head of her record label heard the song the first time, he cried. When O'Connor heard that he had cried, she asked: "Was it that bad?" No, silly, it was that magnificent!

99. Shout (RS#268) and Twist and Shout by the Isley Brothers. Also, the latter as covered by the Beatles.

100. S.O.S. as performed by Dimash Kudaibergen, the Six-Octave Man, in arguably the greatest male vocal performance of all time.

101. O Come O Come Emmanuel by Enya may be the most beautiful, haunting vocal performance by a female singer. Also be sure to check out Only Time, Orinoco Flow and Sail Away.

102. War (What is it good for?) by Edwin Starr. Such a great song, but not top 500 according to Rolling Stone(d).

103. Israelites (RS-) by Desmond Dekker & the Aces. So good! I put everything on hold whenever I hear this masterpiece playing.

104. Be My Baby (RS#22) by Ronnie Spector and the Ronettes. Great song, but a bit overrated in my opinion.

105. Running Up That Hill (RS#60) and Wuthering Heights by Kate Bush.

106. The Thunder Rolls, Shameless (written by Billy Joel), Friends in Low Places and The Dance by Garth Brooks.

107. I'm Not in Love (RS-) by 10CC.

108. Tainted Love (RS-) by Soft Cell.

109. Come on Eileen (RS-, H58) by Dexy's Midnight Runners.

110. Roxanne (RS-) by the Police.

111. Fight the Power (RS#2) and Bring the Noise (RS#397) by Public Enemy. “Fight the Power” is commendable, but a real streeetch at #2 in my opinion.

112. Candle in the Wind (RS#347) with music by Elton John and lyrics by Bernie Taupin is the the #2 best-selling song of all time.

113. Uptown Funk (RS#417) by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars is the #5 best-selling song of all time, according to Billboard.

114. Rocket Man (RS#149, H30x2) by Sir Elton John.

115. Purple Rain (RS#18, H45) by Prince and the Revolution. A great song, but my reservation here is that I think When Doves Cry and Little Red Corvette are even better than Rolling Stone’s highest-rated Prince song.

116. Crossroads aka Cross Road Blues (RS#481) by the great blues guitarist Robert Johnson is my choice as the first rock song. Eric Clapton might agree, since he covered it with Cream. The song was originally recorded in 1936 but dates back to the 1920s. It’s the first blues song, for me, that has a rock edge and vibe. And then there’s the infamous “deal with the Devil”… rock was later called “the Devil’s music” by alarmed moralists.

117. People Get Ready (RS#122) by the Impressions.

118. I Will Always Love You (RS#94), written by Dolly Parton and sung by Whitney Houston, spent 14 weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts and is the #6 best-selling song of all time.

119. I Have Nothing (RS-) by Whitney Houston is even better, in my opinion, but I will let the public overrule me here.

120. Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End medley (RS-) by the Beatles.

121. Rolling in the Deep (RS#82) by Adele is my favorite song of hers.

122. The Message (RS#59) by Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five.

123. As (RS-, H40), Lately, Overjoyed, Higher Ground (RS#113), Living for the City, You Are the Sunshine of My Life (RS#183) and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (RS#203) by Stevie Wonder.

124. Big Yellow Taxi (RS-) by Joni Mitchell, A Case of You (RS#26), River (RS#247), Help Me (RS#464), California, Free Man in Paris, Carey and Woodstock by Joni Mitchell. Also, Both Sides Now (RS#225, H114) by Joni Mitchell and as covered by Judy Collins.

125. Hurt (RS-) by Johnny Cash.

126. I Heard It Through the Grapevine (RS#119) by Marvin Gaye, also notably covered by Gladys Knight and the Pips (RS#470).

127. Blitzkrieg Bop (RS#64), Needles and Pins, Sheena is a Punk Rocker and I Wanna Be Sedated by the Ramones.

128. I Want To Know What Love Is (RS-) by Foreigner.

129. Losing My Religion (RS#112) by R.E.M.

130. Knockin' on Heaven's Door (RS-) was written by Bob Dylan and performed most notably by Guns 'n' Roses.
     
     A great song became even greater when Guns n' Roses covered it in 1987. The song was originally written by Dylan for the movie Pat Garrett & Billy the Kid. It was later covered in reggae versions by Eric Clapton and Bob Marley. It must surely be the only song to have been recorded by the Boss, Boy George, The Grateful Dead, The Sisters of Mercy, Warren Zevon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo and Dolly Parton!

131. Kashmir (RS#148, H61) by Led Zeppelin.

132. Good Golly Miss Molly (RS#92) by Little Richard.

133. Enter Sandman (RS#390, H106) and Master of Puppets (RS#256) by Metallica.

134. Crazy (RS#195) by Patsy Cline.

135. Somebody that I Used to Know (RS-) by Gotye ft. Kimbra is the #29 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard.

136. September (RS#65), That’s the Way of the World (RS-) and After the Love has Gone by Earth, Wind & Fire.

137. Take on Me (RS-) by A-ha.

138. Good Vibrations (RS#53, H27x2) by the Beach Boys. A great song, but a bit overrated in my opinion.

139. Pretty Woman (RS-, H25x2) by Roy Orbison. My only reservation here is that Orbison, known as The Voice, had songs I consider better, such as Crying, I Drove All Night, In Dreams, Leah and Only the Lonely. How good was Orbison? So good that Elvis Presley refused to go on stage with him or to cover any of his songs!

140. Yesterday (RS#72, H3) by the Beatles seems a bit overrated to me, but its enduring popularity cannot be denied.

141. Riders on the Storm (RS-, H55) by Jim Morrison and the Doors.
     
     There's a killer on the road
     His brain is squirmin' like a toad
     ... Riders on the storm
     
     "Riders on the Storm" is one of the darkest songs ever. It was the last song recorded by the Doors before Jim Morrison died. The band took its name from William Blake's phrase "Doors of Perception."

142. Holy Diver (RS-) and Rainbow in the Dark (RS-) by Ronnie James Dio.

143. Don’t Stop Believin’ (RS#133) by Journey is their only top 500 song, according to Rolling Stone(d). On what planet? In which dimension?

144. Billie Jean (RS#44, H13x2) by Michael Jackson.

145. Rock Me Amadeus (RS-) by Falco. So good! I drop everything when this song starts playing.

146. Solsbury Hill (RS#472, H163), In Your Eyes (RS-) and Sledgehammer (RS-) by Peter Gabriel.

147. Oh Very Young (RS-) by Cat Stevens is a lovely, tender, touching song by a master songwriter.
     
     And though you want to last forever
     You know you never will
     You know you never will
     And the good-bye makes the journey harder still…

148. Take Me to Church (RS-) by Hozier.

149. Like a Prayer (RS#55) and Papa Don't Preach (RS-) by Madonna.

150. Sultans of Swing (H57) and Brothers in Arms by Dire Straits.

151. Let it Be (RS#121, H2x3) by the Beatles.

152. Tears of a Clown (RS#313, H135) and Tracks of My Tears (RS#54, H170) by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles.

153. Purple Haze (RS#250) by Jimi Hendrix and the Experience.

154. Proud Mary (H75) by Creedence Clearwater Revival, written by John Fogerty. I also love and admire the Ike & Tina Turner version.

155. Jailhouse Rock (RS#216) by Elvis Presley. This song had the first great music video.

156. Once in a Lifetime (RS#28) by the Talking Heads is another Rolling Stone streeetch at #28. Also, This Must Be the Place (RS#123).

157. Suzanne (RS#284) written by Leonard Cohen, as performed by Judy Collins.

158. The Edge of Seventeen (RS#217) by Stevie Nicks, one of the all-time great songwriters in my opinion.

159. Jolene (RS#63, H30x3) and Eagle When She Flies (RS-) by Dolly Parton.

160. Heart of Gold (RS#259, H152) and After the Gold Rush (RS#323) by Neil Young.

161. Dear Mama (so good!) and Changes by 2Pac aka Tupac Shakur. Also, California Love (RS#321) with Dr. Dre.

162. He Stopped Loving Her Today (RS#142) by George Jones.

163. Lose Yourself (RS#167) by Eminem.

164. Just Give Me A Reason, What About Us and Try by P!nk.

165. Back to Black (RS#79) and Rehab by Amy Winehouse.

166. Mississippi Goddam (RS#172), Sinnerman, Feeling Good and Please Don’t Let Me Be Understood (RS-) by Nina Simone.

167. While My Guitar Gently Weeps (RS-, H11x2) by the Beatles, written by George Harrison.

168. Strawberry Fields Forever (RS#7, H32) by the Beatles. I’m not as “high” on this song as Rolling Stone(d), pardon the puns.

169. That's the Way I've Always Heard It Should Be (RS-) by Carly Simon is a masterpiece of songwriting superbly arranged and performed.

170. Life on Mars (RS#105), Starman (H140) and Ziggy Stardust and Young Americans (RS#204) by David Bowie.

171. Creep (RS#118), Idioteque (RS#48) and Karma Police (RS#279) by Radiohead.

172. Skyfall (RS-) by Adele.

173. Because The Night (RS#358) was written by Bruce Springsteen and Patti Smith, and performed by the Patti Smith Group.
     
     "Because the Night" is one of the songs (if not the song) that made Patti Smith the "godmother of punk." The song was originally written by Bruce Springsteen, but wasn't recorded because he wasn't happy with it. Patti Smith altered the song, which became her biggest hit and has been called one of the best songs of all time by some critics. Springsteen continued to perform the song with his original lyrics, but it is Patti Smith's version that became one of the iconic songs of the punk era.

174. The Freshmen (RS-) written by Brian Vander Ark; performed by The Verve Pipe.
     
     I can't be held responsible
     'cause she was touching her face
     I won't be held responsible
     she fell in love in the first place ...
     For the life of me, I cannot remember
     what made us think that we were wise and we'd never compromise
     for the life of me, I cannot believe we'd ever die for these sins
     we were merely freshmen …
     
     When the Verve Pipe released "The Freshmen" there were debates on the Internet about what they meant by lines like "stop a baby's breath and a shoe full of rice." While "stop a baby's breath" might refer to an abortion, "shoe full of rice" might refer to a wedding, in which case "baby's breath" might be a sprig of flowers. Song lyrics, like all forms of poetry, are open to interpretation. What is certain about this song is that it will rip your heart out, if you have one.

175. Vincent (RS-) by Don McLean.
     
     Starry, starry night
     Paint your palette blue and gray
     Look out on a summer's day
     With eyes that know the darkness in my soul …
     
     Don McLean's "Vincent" gets my vote as the best rock poem of all time, based strictly on lyrics, because it tells a moving story and also carries us somewhere "beyond" by making us feel a strong kinship with the troubled Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh. The best poems and songs create a sort of spiritual "communion" between writer, subject and audience ...

176. Diamonds and Rust by Joan Baez, a song she wrote about her relationship with Bob Dylan
     
     Your eyes were bluer than robin's eggs.
     My poetry was lousy, you said.
     Where are you calling from?
     A booth in the Midwest…

177. You're the Voice (RS-) by John Farnham, an outstanding Australian vocalist who flew under the rock world’s radar for decades. This may be the most inspirational song of all time, when Farnham performs it live. And it’s not a bit sappy.

178. Dust in the Wind (H94) by Kansas.

179. More Than a Feeling (RS#212) by Boston.

180. Wichita Lineman (RS#206, H64) by Glen Campbell; written by Jimmy Webb.

181. Me and Bobby McGee (RS#148, H35x2) by Janis Joplin, written by Kris Kristofferson.

182. Crazy Train (RS-, H154) by Ozzy Osbourne.

183. Hotel California (RS#311, H19) by the Eagles.

184. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ (RS-, H75) by the Righteous Brothers was the most-played song of the 20th century according to BMI.

185. I’ll Take You There (RS#186) by the Staple Singers.

186. Tennessee (RS-) by Arrested Development has long been one of my favorite rap songs. So good!

187. I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You (RS-, H28x2) by Elvis Presley is one of the most-streamed songs of the 1960s. And it made two out of three top 100s.

188. One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men was #1 for 16 weeks in 1995.

189. All By Myself (RS-) written by Eric Carmen, as performed by Eric Carmen, Celine Dion and Mariah Carey. I like Eric Carmen’s original the best, despite the stratospheric vocals of the great divas.

190. The Duke of Earl (RS-) by Gene Chandler.

191. (Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay (RS#38, H29x2) and Try a Little Tenderness (RS#136) by Otis Redding.
     
     I left my home in Georgia
     Headed for the 'Frisco bay
     'Cause I've had nothing to live for
     And look like nothin's gonna come my way ...
     
     "(Sittin' on) The Dock of the Bay" was recorded by Otis Redding on December 7, 1967, just three days before he died in a plane crash outside Madison, Wisconsin. I think it’s a great song but tends to be overrated a bit due to Redding’s death. Redding also wrote "Respect," which was immortalized by Aretha Franklin.

192. Holding Back the Years (RS-) and If You Don’t Know Me By Now (RS-) by Simply Red.

193. No Woman No Cry (RS#140, H138) and Get Up Stand Up (RS#260) by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

194. Blackbird (RS-, H62) by the Beatles.

195. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (RS#325) by Billy Joel is his only top 500 song according to Rolling Stone(d).

196. You Shook Me All Night Long (RS#287) by AC/DC.

197. Jeremy (RS-, H182), Alive (RS#416) and Black by Pearl Jam.

198. Family Affair (RS#57) and Dance to the Music (RS-) by Sly and the Family Stone.

199. B.O.B. (RS#39) by OutKast.

200. Shallow by Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper.

201. Son of a Preacher Man (RS#168, H89) by Dusty Springfield.

202. Somebody to Love (H82) and White Rabbit (RS#455) by Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane.

203. Walk on By (RS#51, H183) by Dionne Warwick.

204. I Can't Stand the Rain (RS#197) by Ann Peebles. So good!

205. With a Little Help from My Friends (H114) by the Beatles and the even better Joe Cocker cover.

206. Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (RS#78, H96), Standing in the Shadows of Love, Bernadette, Baby I Need Your Lovin’ and I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (RS#483) by the Four Tops.

207. Baba O'Reilly (RS#159, H28x2) by the Who. I find it amusing that grown men kept writing and singing about teenage angst: this “Teenage Wasteland” song, “My Generation,” etc.

208. Blueberry Hill (RS#147, H134) and Ain’t That A Shame (RS-, H147) by Fats Domino.

209. Super Freak (RS#153, H197) by Rick James.

210. Fast Car (RS#71, H158) by Tracy Chapman.

211. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart (RS-) by the Bee Gees.

212. Heroes (RS#23, H57) by David Bowie.

213. Sexual Healing (RS#198) and Let’s Get It On (RS#264) by Marvin Gaye.

214. Heart of Glass (RS#138, H69) and Call Me by Blondie.

215. Zombie (RS-, H87) and Linger (RS-) by the Cranberries.

216. Stayin’ Alive (RS#99) by the Bee Gees.

217. Stan (RS#223) by Eminem ft. Dido.

218. The Load Out/Stay (RS-) and Rock Me on the Water (RS-) by Jackson Browne, who has no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

219. Seven Nation Army (RS#36) by the White Stripes.

220. London Calling (RS#143) and Rock the Casbah (H178) by The Clash.

221. Papa's Got a Brand New Bag (RS#34, Say It Loud (I'm Black and I'm Proud) (RS#393) and I Got You (I Feel Good), Sex Machine (RS#196) by James Brown.

222. Straight Outta Compton (RS#248) and Fuck Tha Police (RS#190) by N.W.A.

223. Doo Wop (That Thing) (RS#49) by Lauryn Hill.

224. Start Me Up (RS-, H171), You Can't Always Get What You Want (H14x2), Jumpin’ Jack Flash (RS#144) and Tumbling Dice (RS#86) by the Rolling Stones. Also, As Tears Go By (H300) by the Rolling Stones and as covered by Marianne Faithfull.

225. Africa (RS#452, H41x2) by Toto. A wonderfully catchy song. Vastly under-ranked by Rolling Stone(d). Also, Rosanna (RS-) by Toto.

226. Stand By Me (RS#131) by Ben E. King.

227. The Boxer (RS-, H115) by Simon & Garfunkel.

228. Mad World (RS-) as performed by Adam Lambert (originally performed by Tears for Fears).
     
     If any contemporary male singer can rival the young Elvis Presley, it may be Adam Lambert. His cover of "Mad World" by Tears for Fears is scary-good. Brian May of Queen said that Lambert is the only male singer who can hit those crazy high notes that Freddie Mercury was famous for. But "Mad World" is more of a sad lament, beautifully and tenderly sung by an amazing vocalist.

229. Chain of Fools (RS#306, H199) by Aretha Franklin.

230. Maybellene (RS#102) by Chuck Berry.

231. Changes (RS#200, H119) and Suffragette City (RS-) by David Bowie.

232. Revolution (RS-) by the Beatles.

233. I Am I Said, Solitary Man, Cracklin’ Rosie, Brother Love’s Traveling Salvation Show and Sweet Caroline (H9) by Neil Diamond. Also Red Red Wine in a marvelous reggae version by UB40, and I’m a Believer (RS#342) by the Monkees, both written by Neil Diamond.

234. My Girl (RS#43) by the Temptations.

235. Maggie May (RS#141, H52x2) by Rod Stewart.

236. Crazy In Love (RS#16) by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z and Formation (RS#73) by Beyonce.

237. Black Magic Woman (RS-, H176) and Oye Como Va (RS#479) by Santana. Also, Smooth by Carlos Santana ft. Rob Thomas is the #3 song of all time according to Billboard. It’s not a personal favorite of mine, but together with Santana’s other songs, it puts him in exclusive territory among Latino musicians.

238. Great Balls of Fire (RS#242), Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and All Shook Up by Jerry Lee Lewis.

239. Been to Canaan (RS-), Nightingale and I Feel the Earth Move (Under My Feet) by Carole King.

240. Fire and Rain (RS#146) and You’ve Got a Friend by James Taylor, the latter written by Carole King.

241. Peace Train (RS-) and Moonshadow (RS-) by Cat Stevens.

242. Paranoid (RS#339, H139), Iron Man (RS#345) and War Pigs (RS-) by Black Sabbath.

243. Sherry (RS-) by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, who have no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

244. Stony End (RS-) by Barbra Streisand.

245. Lovesick Blues (RS-) by Hank Williams Sr.

246. Go Your Own Way (RS#401, H43) and The Chain (H63) by Fleetwood Mac.

247. Diamonds (RS-) and Love on the Brain by Rihanna. Also Umbrella (RS#332) ft. Jay-Z.

248. For Your Love (H243) by the Yardbirds.

249. Runaround Sue (H99) by Dion and the Belmonts.

250. (My Little) Runaway by Del Shannon.

251. I’ll Stand by You (RS-) and Brass in Pocket (RS#389) by the Pretenders.

252. Sign of the Times (RS#428) by Harry Styles.

253. Scarborough Fair/Canticle (H199) and Homeward Bound (RS-, H110) by Simon and Garfunkel.

254. Whole Lotta Love (RS#128) by Led Zeppelin.

255. Wheel in the Sky (RS-), Faithfully (RS-), Only The Young (RS-), Separate Ways (RS-), Send Her My Love (RS-), Lights (RS-) and Open Arms (RS-) by Journey, who have only one top 500 song according to Rolling Stone(d).

256. Time After Time (RS#495) and Girls Just Want to Have Fun (RS-) by Cyndi Lauper, who is vastly underrated by Rolling Stone(d) with just one top 500 song that barely made the cut.

257. Gloria (RS#97) by Patti Smith.

258. Tangled Up in Blue (RS#67), Desolation Row (RS#83) and Subterranean Homesick Blues (RS#187) by Bob Dylan.

259. Gold Dust Woman (RS-) and Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac, written by Stevie Nicks.

260. Natural Woman (RS#90) by Aretha Franklin, written by Carole King.

261. Georgia on My Mind (RS#283) by Ray Charles, also his duet with Willie Nelson.

262. Your Song (RS#202, H85), Bennie and the Jets (RS#371, H204) and Goodbye Yellow Brick Road (RS#380) by Sir Elton John.

263. Go Rest High on that Mountain (RS-) by Vince Gill, a song he wrote for the brother he lost. I’m not normally a country music fan, but this song, a modern hymn, is wonderfully moving and exquisitely sung by Vince Gill, a former lead singer of Pure Prairie League. Gill wrote the song originally for Keith Whitley, a fellow country music singer who died in 1989, but didn't finish it until after the death of his brother Bob in 1993. Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless sang the background vocals on a song that is sure to be an enduring classic.

264. On My Own (RS-) by Patti Labelle and Michael McDonald in a marvelous, soulful duet. Also, Oh People (RS-) by Patti Labelle.

265. Leah (RS-), In Dreams (RS-) and Only the Lonely (RS-) by Roy Orbison.

266. What’s Love Got to Do with It? (RS#134), Private Dancer (RS-) and We Don’t Need Another Hero (RS-) by Tina Turner.

267. Roll Over Beethoven (RS-) by Chuck Berry, the Shakespeare of early rock ’n’ roll, and the splendid covers by the Beatles and ELO.

268. Who’ll Stop the Rain (RS-, H85), Have You Ever Seen the Rain (RS-) and Bad Moon Rising (RS-, H45) by Creedence Clearwater Revival, all written by John Fogerty.

269. Lay Down (Candles in the Rain) and Brand New Key by Melanie.

270. Take Care (RS#267) by Drake ft. Rihanna. Also, God’s Plan, Hotline Bling (RS#373) and One Dance by Drake.

271. Royals (RS#30) by Lorde. I love the song, but #30 seems like another Rolling Stone(d) streeetch.

272. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (RS#449, H36) by Blue Oyster Cult.

273. Stop! In the Name of Love (RS#254, H102) by Diana Ross and the Supremes.

274. 25 or 6 to 4 (RS-, H130) by Chicago.

275. Bad Guy (RS#178) and Lovely by Billie Eilish.

276. Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You) (RS#91) by UGK ft. Outkast.

277. Thank U, Next (RS#137) and 7 Rings by Ariana Grande.

278. Words (RS-) by the Bee Gees.

279. Walk Like a Man (RS-), Rag Doll (RS-) and Big Girls Don’t Cry (RS-, H198) by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

280. I Want You Back (RS#104) by the Jackson 5.

281. Heartbreak Hotel (RS#348, H2), Blue Suede Shoes (RS-) American Trilogy (RS-) and Love Me Tender (RS-, H112) by Elvis Presley.

282. Never Tear Us Apart (RS#282) by INXS.

283. Louie, Louie (RS#156) by the Kingsmen was musical contraband. The FBI investigated this song for sub-verse-ive lyrics, pardon the pun, but had to close the case “unsolved” because no one could make out the words!

284. Folsom Prison Blues (RS-, H125) by Johnny Cash.

285. Thunder Road (RS#111, H22), Jungleland (RS#298), Atlantic City (RS#289) and Rosalita (RS#446) by Bruce Springsteen.

286. Smoke on the Water (H173) and Child in Time by Deep Purple.

287. Welcome to the Jungle (RS#491) and Paradise City (RS-) by Guns n’ Roses.

288. (Four Dead in) Ohio (RS-) and Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (RS#222) by Crosby, Stills, Nash and (sometimes) Young.

289. Pride (In the Name of Love) (RS-) and With or Without You (RS#211) by U2.

290. Raspberry Beret (RS-), 1999 (RS#340) and Kiss (RS#85) by Prince and the Revolution.

291. Ms. Jackson (RS#145) by OutKast.

292. Everyday People (RS#109) by Sly and the Family Stone.

293. Turn the Page and Night Moves (RS#301) by Bob Seger.

294. Get Ur Freak On (RS#8, H25) by Missy Elliott ft. Timbaland. While I like the song, I’m not nearly as enamored with it as Rolling Stone(d).

295. All I Have to Do is Dream (RS#324), Bye Bye Love (H177), Cathy’s Clown and Wake Up Little Susie by the Everly Brothers.

296. Spoonful (RS#154) by Howlin’ Wolf.

297. Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang (RS#29) by Dr. Dre and Snoop Dogg.

298. She’s Not There (RS-) and Tell Her No (RS-) by the Zombies.

299. Under Pressure (RS#429, H31) by Queen with David Bowie.

300. We Found Love (RS-) by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris is the #24 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard.

301. Leather and Lace by Stevie Nicks with Don Henley.

302. Long Tall Sally (RS-) and Lucille (H151) by Little Richard.

303. Little Wing (RS#188) by Jimi Hendrix and the Experience.

304. Everybody Hurts (RS-) by R.E.M.

305. Night Fever (RS-) and Tragedy (RS-) by the Bee Gees.

306. Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye with Tammi Terrell.

307. Rosa Parks by OutKast.

308. We Are The World by USA for Africa is the #8 best-selling song of all time.

309. You’re So Vain (RS#496) by Carly Simon.

310. What a Fool Believes (RS#343) by the Doobie Brothers.

311. Nightbird by Stevie Nicks.

312. I Fall to Pieces (H88) by Patsy Cline.

313. Light My Fire (RS#310, H73) and The End by Jim Morrison and the Doors.

314. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (RS#319, H148) by Tears for Fears.

315. Hey Bo Diddley (RS#277) by Bo Diddley. Also the cover by Ronny Hawkins and the Hawks.

316. Vienna, Goodnight Saigon, Captain Jack, The Ballad of Billy the Kid and Shameless by Billy Joel.

317. Mama Tried (RS#376) by Merle Haggard.

318. For What It's Worth written by Stephen Stills and performed by Buffalo Springfield.

319. Sweet Dreams Are Made of This (RS#354, H81) by the Eurythmics and Walking on Broken Glass by Annie Lennox.

320. Mr. Tambourine Man (RS#230) by the Byrds, written by Bob Dylan.

321. True Love Ways (RS-, H91) by Buddy Holly.

322. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (H132) and We've Got to Get Out of this Place by the Animals. Later, lead singer Eric Burdon and War had eclectic hits like Spill the Wine, a personal favorite.

323. Crazy on You (RS-) and Magic Man (RS-) by Heart.

324. Ferry 'Cross the Mersey (RS-) and You’ll Never Walk Alone (RS-) by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

325. You Really Got Me (RS#176, H123) by the Kinks was nominated Tom Brown, then by Greg Scotland with these observations: “There’s no Gimme Shelter, Satisfaction, Revolution, I Can’t Explain, Whole Lotta Love, Comfortably Numb, Purple Haze, Eruption, Paranoid, American Woman, Enter Sandman, Smoke on the Water, etc. without Dave Davies slashing his speaker cone with a razor blade and popularizing rock and roll distortion/fuzz in the Kinks’ “You Really Got Me” (August 1964). That song is partially responsible for more than ten rock and roll genres.”

326. I Am a Rock written by Paul Simon; performed by Simon & Garfunkel.
     
     A winter's day
     In a deep and dark December;
     I am alone,
     Gazing from my window to the streets below
     On a freshly fallen silent shroud of snow.
     I am a rock,
     I am an island.
     
     "I Am a Rock" seems to be the refutation of a sermon preached by John Donne, who happened to be one of England's greatest poets. In his sermon Donne proclaimed that "no man is an island." The young, introspective singer/songwriter Paul Simon begged to differ.

327. Desperado (RS-) and Best of My Love (RS-) by the Eagles..

328. Vogue (RS#139), Like a Virgin (RS-, H256) and Into the Groove (RS#161) by Madonna.

329. Every Breath You Take (RS#305) by the Police is a stalker song that has incomprehensibly become a popular wedding song.
     
     Every breath you take,
     Every move you make,
     I’ll be watching you…

330. Work It (RS#56) by Missy Elliott with Timbaland.

331. Islands in the Stream (RS-) by Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, written by the Bee Gees.

332. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (RS#322) by U2.

333. Come As You Are (RS#467, H92) by Nirvana.

334. American Tune (RS#262) by Simon & Garfunkel.

335. Won't Get Fooled Again (RS#295) by the Who.

336. I Say a Little Prayer for You (RS#117) by Aretha Franklin.

337. Hit the Road Jack and Unchain My Heart by Ray Charles.

338. Your Cheatin’ Heart (RS#237) by Hank Williams Sr.

339. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) by Sly and the Family Stone.

340. Smokestack Lightning by Howlin’ Wolf.

341. Simple Kind of Man, Tuesday’s Gone (with the Wind) and Sweet Home Alabama by Lynyrd Skynyrd.

342. Free Bird (RS#407, H65) and Whipping Post (RS#410) by the Allman Brothers Band.

343. Little Darlin’ by the Diamonds. So good!

344. Roundabout (RS-) and Owner of a Lonely Heart (RS-) by Yes.

345. Total Eclipse of the Heart (H370) by Bonnie Tyler.

346. How Deep Is Your Love (RS-) by the Bee Gees is the #22 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard.

347. It’s Too Late (RS#346) by Carole King.

348. I Put a Spell on You (RS#299) by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

349. Mannish Boy (RS#425) and Got My Mojo Workin’ (RS-) by Muddy Waters.

350. Lithium, In Bloom, Breed and Heart-Shaped Box (H162) by Nirvana.

351. Alison (RS#396), Veronica, Radio Radio and Watching the Detectives by Elvis Costello.

352. Waterloo Sunset (RS#14) by the Kinks. Sorry, Rolling Stone(d), but “Waterloo Sunset” is not better than “Stairway to Heaven” or “Bohemian Rhapsody” or many other songs ranked well below it!

353. Angel of the Morning by Merilee Rush and the country-flavored cover by Juice Newton.

354. Single Ladies: Put a Ring On It (RS#228) by Beyonce.

355. Back in Black (RS-) and Highway to Hell (RS-) by AC/DC.

356. Rapper’s Delight (RS#427) by the Sugarhill Gang.

357. Morning Has Broken (RS-) has a Gaelic folk tune with lyrics by Eleanor Farjeon and was performed by Cat Stevens.
     
     Morning has broken,
     like the first morning
     Blackbird has spoken,
     like the first bird …
     
     "Morning Has Broken" has a most interesting genesis. It was originally a Gaelic folk tune. The lyrics of a Christian children's hymn were penned for it in 1931, by Eleanor Farjeon. The Christian hymn then became a hit for Cat Stevens, the West’s most famous Muslim singer/songwriter!

358. Woman in Love (RS-) by Barbra Streisand, written by the Bee Gees. Also, Guilty (RS-) performed in a duet Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb, written by the Bee Gees.

359. Foolish Heart and Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry.

360. Father and Son (RS#408, H93) by Cat Stevens was called “incredibly beautiful and emotional” by Robert Berend. I agree.

361. So Far Away (RS-) by Carole King.

362. Hound Dog (RS#318) by Big Mama Thornton.

363. A World Without Love by Peter and Gordon.

364. Green Onions (RS#418) by Booker T. and the MGs.

365. Never My Love, Cherish and Windy by the Association were three of the hundred most-played songs of the 20th century, according to BMI.

366. Wild Thing (RS-, H114) by the Troggs.

367. Sloop John B (RS-, H168) and Wouldn’t It Be Nice (RS#297) by the Beach Boys.

368. Boom Boom (RS#463) by John Lee Hooker.

369. Dancing On My Own (RS#20) by Robyn is a Rolling Stone(d) streeetch.

370. Runaway (RS#25) by Kanye West ft. Pusha T is another RS streeetch.

371. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around by Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers with Stevie Nicks.

372. In My Life (RS#98, H24), She Loves You (RS#135) and Help! (RS#447, H24x3) by the Beatles are not particular favorites of mine, but they remain popular with the public.

373. When I Was Your Man, Just the Way You Are, Locked Out of Heaven, That’s What I Like, Grenade and 24K Magic by Bruno Mars.

374. Free Fallin’ (RS#219, H55) and American Girl (RS#169) by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

375. End of the Road by Boyz II Men was #1 for 13 weeks in 1992.

376. Gloria (RS#413) and Here Comes the Night by the Them ft. Van Morrison. Also,

     Into the Mystic (RS#462) and Brown-Eyed Girl (RS-, H63) by Van Morrison.

377. Born to be Wild (H73) and Magic Carpet Ride (H223) by Steppenwolf.

378. Snowbird (H343), Danny’s Song and Could I Have This Dance by Anne Murray.

379. Peggy Sue (RS#370) and That'll Be the Day (RS#124) by Buddy Holly.

380. Summertime Blues (RS#432), Twenty Flight Rock and C’Mon Everybody by Eddie Cochran.

381. Crystal Blue Persuasion, Crimson and Clover and I Think We’re Alone Now by Tommy James and the Shondells.

382. I Wanna Dance with Somebody (RS#231), How Will I Know, One Moment in Time, Didn’t We Almost Have It All and The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston.

383. All I Want for Christmas Is You, Vision of Love, Emotions, Dreamlover and Fantasy (RS#419) by Mariah Carey.

384. Lose Yourself (RS#167), Mockingbird, Without Me, The Real Slim Shady, My Name Is and Till I Collapse by Eminem. Also Stan (RS#223) ft. Dido.

385. Tired of Being Alone, I’m Still in Love with You, Love and Happiness (RS#274), Let's Stay Together (RS#84) and Call Me by the great Al Green.

386. Devil Inside, Suicide Blonde, New Sensation, Need You Tonight and Disappear by INXS.

387. Poker Face, Born This Way, Paparazzi, Bad Romance (RS#482) and Abracadabra by Lady Gaga.

388. Hello, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain and Easy on Me by Adele.

389. Stay with Me, Lay Me Down, Latch and I’m Not the Only One by Sam Smith, the most evocative younger male singer in my opinion.

390. Livin’ on a Prayer (RS#457), Wanted Dead or Alive, Bed of Roses, Always and Runaway by Bon Jovi.

391. Deacon Blues (RS#214), Peg, Aja, Hey Nineteen, Do It Again and Reelin’ in the Years by Steely Dan.

392. The Great Pretender, Smoke Gets in Your Eyes and My Prayer by the Platters.

393. Dirty Laundry, The End of the Innocence, Boys of Summer (RS#209) and All She Wants to Do Is Dance by Don Henley. Also, Leather and Lace with Stevie Nicks.

394. Smuggler's Blues, The Heat Is On and You Belong to the City by Glenn Frey.

395. Wake Me Up by Avicii. So good!

396. No One, If I Ain’t Got You (RS#440) and Fallin’ by Alicia Keys.

397. Personal Jesus and Enjoy the Silence (RS#415) by Depeche Mode.

398. Gangsta’s Paradise by L.V. and Coolio.

399. Faith, Careless Whisper, One More Try, A Different Corner (H67), Freedom ’90 (RS#126) and Father Figure by George Michael.

400. Back to December, Blank Space (RS#320), All Too Well (RS#69), Cruel Summer (RS#400) and Anti-Hero by Taylor Swift.

401. All I Know, My Little Town, Scissors Cut, Break Away, So Much in Love, I Only Have Eyes for You, I Believe (When I Fall in Love it Will Be Forever), Since I Don’t Have You, Disney Girls and Bright Eyes by Art Garfunkel, one of the greatest male vocalists and a personal favorite of mine.

402. Bat out of Hell, Heaven Can Wait, Paradise by the Dashboard Lights, Objects in the Rear View Mirror May Appear Closer They Are, All Revved Up with No Place to Go, I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) and You Took the Words Right Out of My Mouth by Meatloaf. Also, Dead Ringer for Love with Cher.

403. Waterloo, I Do I Do I Do I Do, Dancing Queen (RS#286), Chiquitita (a song recorded in English and Spanish that raised $5 million for children’s aid), SOS, Knowing Me Knowing You, Take a Chance on Me, The Winner Takes It All, The Name of the Game and Fernando by ABBA.

404. Only the Heart May Know by Dan Fogelberg and Emmylou Harris, so beautiful!

405. Seven Year Ache by Rosanne Cash, the daughter of Johnny Cash.

406. I Never Promised You a Rose Garden, written by Joe South and performed by Lynn Anderson.

407. Hallowed Be Thy Name and The Number of the Beast by Iron Maiden.

408. I Can’t Make You Love Me (RS#372), Love Has No Pride, Angel of Montgomery (written by John Prine), Nick of Time and Have a Heart by the great Bonnie Raitt, who was suggested by James Don BlueWolf.

409. Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down (RS#476), For the Good Times, Help Me Make It Through the Night, Loving Her Was Easier, Why Me and Me and Bobby McGee by Kris Kristofferson.

410. Sundown, If You Could Read My Mind, The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, Rainy Day People, Carefree Highway and Early Morning Rain by Gordon Lightfoot, the great Canadian singer-songwriter and storyteller.

411. Never Been to Spain, One (Is the Loneliest Number), Joy to the World, Easy to Be Hard, Eli’s Coming and Mama Told Me Not to Come by Three Dog Night.

412. Helpless, Constant Craving, Hallelujah and Crying by K. D. Lang. So good! One of the great vocalists and interpreters.

413. White Flag, Thank You and Here with Me by Dido, one of my favorite younger singer-songwriters.

414. She's Gone (RS#337), Maneater and Rich Girl by Hall and Oates.

415. Ironic, Uninvited and You Ought to Know (RS#103) by Alanis Morissette.

416. Believe(RS#338), If I Could Turn Back Time, Bang Bang, Dark Lady, Gypsies Tramps & Thieves and Half-Breed by Cher.

417. C.R.E.A.M. (RS#107) by Wu-Tang Clan.

418. When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge.

419. Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes.

420. Lady, Babe, Renegade, Mr. Roboto and Come Sail Away by Styx.

421. Breaking the Law, You’ve Got Another Thing Coming, Living After Midnight, Painkiller, Delivering the Goods and Diamonds and Rust by Judas Priest, who had no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d).

422. What’s Up (What’s Going On) by 4 Non Blondes.

423. Yellow, Clocks, Fix You (RS#392), Viva la Vida and The Scientist by Coldplay.

424. Low Spark of High-Heeled Boys by Traffic.

425. All the Young Dudes (RS#166) by Mott the Hoople.

426. Common People (RS#75) by Pulp.

427. Loser (RS#458) and Where It’s At by Beck.

428. Just Like Heaven (RS#108) and Pictures of You by the Cure.

429. Never Too Much (RS#466) and Dance with My Father by Luther Vandross.

430. Yeah! (RS#290) by Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris.

431. Criminal (RS#423) and Paper Bag (RS#382) by Fiona Apple.

432. Lean on Me (RS#236) and Ain’t No Sunshine (RS#309) by Bill Withers.

433. Walk on By (RS#312) and Shaft by Isaac Hayes.

434. Miss Independent and Since U Been Gone (RS#93) by Kelly Clarkson.

435. West End Girls (RS#433) by the Pet Shop Boys.

436. Crazy (RS#307) by Gnarls Barkley.

437. Juicy (RS#32) by the Notorious B.I.G.

438. Walk on the Wild Side (RS#180) by Lou Reed.

439. The Look, Joyride and It Must Have Been Love by Roxette.

440. Chandelier, Cheap Thrills and Unstoppable by Sia. Also, The Greatest ft. Kendrick Lamar and Titanium by David Guetta ft. Sia.

441. Smooth Operator and No Ordinary Love (RS#459) by Sade.

442. Anyone Who Had a Heart, Magic, Physical and Xanadu by Olivia Newton-John. Also Summer Nights and You’re the One that I Want with John Travolta.

443. It Was a Good Day (RS#353) by Ice Cube.

444. In the Still of the Night (RS#170) by the Five Satins.

445. The Lion Sleeps Tonight by the Tokens.

446. The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face (RS#273) by Roberta Flack and the marvelous covers by Josh Krajcik and the Fugees (RS#359).

447. Back for Good by Gary Barlow and Take That. I’m not usually a fan of boy bands, including most of the early Beatles’ first 66 singles (A&B sides), but I will make an exception for this fantastic song. Gary Barlow has a lilting flip into falsetto that is wonderfully tender, expressive and touching.

448. Aqualung, Locomotive Breath, Living in the Past, Teacher and Thick as a Brick by Jethro Tull.

449. Land of Confusion, Invisible Touch and That’s All by Genesis. Also, In the Air Tonight (RS#291), Against All Odds and Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins.

450. Live and Let Die (RS-, H150) and Band on the Run (RS-) by Paul McCartney and Wings.

451. As It Was (RS#500) and Adore (RS#431) by Harry Styles.

452. She Talks to Angels by the Black Crowes.

453. Centerfold by the J. Geils Band.

454. Beds Are Burning by Midnight Oil.

455. Jack & Diane and Pink Houses by John Mellencamp.

456. Lightning Strikes (RS-) and Two Faces Have I (RS-) by Lou Christie, the owner of the most powerful, laser-like falsetto after Frankie Valli.

457. Love and Affection by Joan Armatrading.

458. Bittersweet Symphony by the Verve.

459. Bad to the Bone by George Thorogood and the Destroyers.

460. Don’t Speak and Just a Girl (H293) by Gwen Stefani and No Doubt.

461. Summer Breeze by the Isley Brothers and as covered by Seals & Crofts.

462. Chapel of Love by the Dixie Cups and Elvis Presley.

463. The Letter and Cry Like a Baby by the Box Tops.

464. La Bamba (H87) by Ritchie Valens and Los Lobos.

465. The Cover of the Rolling Stone and Sylvia’s Mother by Dr. Hook and the Medicine Show.

466. I Love Rock 'n' Roll (H158) and (I Don’t Give a Damn about My) Bad Reputation by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

467. Rock Around the Clock and Shake Rattle and Roll by Bill Haley and his Comets.

468. If I Were a Carpenter and Jackson by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.

469. Coat of Many Colors (RS#263) by Dolly Parton.

470. Mack the Knife (RS-), Beyond the Sea (H223), Splish Splash and Dream Lover by Bobby Darin.

471. La Grange, Legs, Tush, Sharp Dressed Man and Gimme Some Lovin’ by ZZ Top.

472. Surrender (RS#357) and The Flame by Cheap Trick.

473. You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet (H133) and Takin’ Care of Business by Bachman Turner Overdrive.

474. The Entertainer by Marvin Hamlisch, written by Scott Joplin.

475. Walking in Memphis by Marc Cohn.

476. Baker Street by Gene Rafferty.

477. Why Do Fools Fall in Love (H156) by Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers.

478. All of Me by John Legend.

479. Last Christmas by George Michael and Wham!

480. Stay by Maurice Williams & the Zodiacs, and as covered admirably by Jackson Browne as Stay/The Load Out.

481. Angel from Montgomery (RS#351) by John Prine.

482. Radio Free Europe (RS#174) and Nightswimming (RS#160) by R.E.M.

483. The Air that I Breathe and Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) by the Hollies.

484. Expressway (To Your Heart) by the Soul Survivors. So good!

485. A Pirate Looks at Forty by Jimmy Buffet is an underrated great song.

486. Shameless as performed by Garth Brooks, written by Billy Joel.

487. I Can’t Drive 55 by Sammy Hagar.

488. Bang a Gong (Get It On) and Cosmic Dancer (RS#445) by T. Rex.

489. My Sharona by the Knack.

490. One Tin Soldier by Coven.

491. Kiss Me by Sixpence None the Richer.

492. In Da Club (RS#444) by 50 Cent.

493. I Like It by Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin.

494. Eve of Destruction by Barry McGuire.

495. The Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band.

496. Take Me Home Country Roads (H49) by John Denver.

497. Tequila by the Champs.

498. Dynamite (RS#346) by BTS.

499. Savage (RS#438) by Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce.

500. Mr. Sandman (H137) and Lollipop by the Chordettes.

501. It’s My Party (H178) by Lesley Gore.

502. To Sir with Love by Lulu.

503. Let Her Go by Passenger.

504. Brandy by Looking Glass.

505. I Can See Clearly Now (H157) by Johnny Nash.

506. Electric Avenue by Eddy Grant.

507. Spirit in the Sky (H155) by Norman Greenbaum.

508. These Boots Are Made for Walkin’ by Nancy Sinatra.

509. Our Lips Are Sealed (RS#477) by the Go-Gos.

510. Incense and Peppermints by the Strawberry Alarm Clock.

511. Chantilly Lace by the Big Bopper.

512. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (H176) by the Andrews Sisters.

513. In a Gadda Da Vida by Iron Butterfly.

514. Good Lovin’ by the Rascals.

515. In the Summertime (H161) by Mungo Jerry is the #3 best-selling song of all time according to Far Out Magazine (UK).

516. Rock Lobster (RS#300) and Love Shack (H182) by the B-52’s.

517. On the Road Again (H190) and Going Up the Country by Canned Heat.

518. Season of the Witch, Mellow Yellow and Sunshine Superman by Donovan.

519. Stray Cat Strut and Rock This Town by the Stray Cats.

520. Indian Reservation by Paul Revere and the Riders.

521. I Fought the Law by the Bobby Fuller Four.

522. Mrs. Brown You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter by Herman’s Hermits.

523. King of the Road by Roger Miller.

524. Just What I Needed (RS#369) and Shake It Up by the Cars.

525. Stuck in the Middle with You (H200) by Stealers Wheel.

526. Walk Like an Egyptian (H170) by the Bangles.

527. Please Mr. Postman (H118) by the Marvelettes.

528. Earth Angel (H166) by the Penguins.

529. In the Year 2525 by Zager and Evans.

530. Whip It (Good) by Devo.

531. Wipe Out (H129) by the Surfaris.

532. San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Some Flowers in Your Hair) by Scott Mckenzie.

533. Do You Believe in Magic (H224) by the Lovin’ Spoonful.

534. Happy Together (H142) by the Turtles.

535. I Only Have Eyes for You (H235) by the Flamingos.

536. My Generation (RS#232) by the Who, grown men who continue to express extreme teenage angst.

537. My Sweet Lord (H65) by George Harrison, with a melody plagiarized from “He’s So Fine” by the Chiffons!

538. Scarborough Fair, You Raise Me Up and Danny Boy by Celtic Woman.

539. 99 Problems (RS#96) by Jay-Z.

540. Eres Tu by Mocedades.

541. Ho Hey by the Lumineers.

542. Revolution Blues by Neil Young was nominated by Robert Berend.

543. Cinnamon Girl and Down by the River by Neil Young were nominated by Terry McManus.

544. One Kiss by Calvin Harris ft. Dua Lipa.

545. (I Would Walk) 500 Miles by the Proclaimers.

546. Blinded by the Light by Bruce Springsteen and Manfred Mann & the Earth Band.

547. People Get Ready (with the Impressions), Pusherman (RS#261), Freddie’s Dead, SuperFly and Move On Up (RS#474) by Curtis Mayfield.

548. This Land Is Your Land (RS#229) and Deportee by Woody Guthrie.

549. Boulevard of Broken Dreams and Basket Case (RS#150) by Green Day.

550. Iris by the Goo Goo Dolls.

551. Dancing in the Street (RS#130) and Heat Wave (RS#257) by Martha and the Vandellas.

552. Levitating and Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa; also Cold Heart with Elton John.

553. Harder to Breathe, Maps, Payphone, Animals, Memories and She Will Be Loved by Maroon 5.

554. Apologize and Counting Stars by OneRepublic.

555. Karma Chameleon by Boy George and Culture Club.

556. In the Midnight Hour (RS#218) by Wilson Pickett.

557. Stay With Me and Ooh La La (RS#246) by the Faces with Rod Stewart.

558. I'd Rather Go Blind by Rod Stewart, nominated by Rigsby

559. Apologize by Timbaland.

560. Someone You Loved and Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi.

561. Angels by Robbie Williams.

562. How to Save a Life by the Fray.

563. There She Goes by the La’s.

564. Believer, Thunder, Demons and Radioactive by Imagine Dragons.

565. Walk this Way by Run-DMC and Aerosmith.

566. I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing by Aerosmith.

567. Down Under by Men at Work.

568. Steel Guitar Rag by Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys.

569. A Thousand Miles by Vanessa Carlton.

570. Wind of Change by the Scorpions.

571. Don’t You Want Me by Human League.

572. Numb and In the End by Linkin Park.

573. N.Y. State of Mind by Nas.

574. Up on the Roof (RS#375) by the Drifters, written by Carole King

575. She Drives Me Crazy by the Fine Young Cannibals.

576. I Ran So Far Away and Space Age Love Song by Flock of Seagulls.

577. Doll Parts (RS#208) by Courtney Love and Hole.

578. Toxic (RS#114) and Baby One More Time (RS#205) by Britney Spears.

579. Waterfalls (RS#127) by TLC.

580. I Want It That Way (RS#240) by the Backstreet Boys.

581. Closer by the Chainsmokers.

582. Killing in the Name (RS#207) by Rage Against the Machine.

583. Leader Of The Pack (RS#316) by the Shangri-Las.

584. Will You Love Me Tomorrow (RS#151) by the Shirelles.

585. Da Doo Ron Ron (RS#366) and Then He Kissed Me by the Crystals.

586. Good Times (RS#68) by Chic.

587. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People.

588. Get Lucky (RS#465) by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams.

589. Everlong (RS#409) by the Foo Fighters.

590. Sunflower, Circles and Rockstar by Post Malone.

591. I Feel Love (RS#52) by Donna Summer.

592. I Will Survive (RS#251) by Gloria Gaynor.

593. Rhythm Nation (RS#475) by Janet Jackson.

594. Grace (RS#394) by Jeff Buckley.

595. A&W (RS#456) by Lana Del Rey.

596. Bang Your Head (Metal Health) by Quiet Riot.

597. Black Hole Sun (RS#368) by Soundgarden.

598. Ace of Spades (RS#442) by Motörhead.

599. Die with a Smile by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga.

600. How You Remind Me and Rockstar by Nickelback.

601. Under the Bridge (RS#329) and Californication by the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

602. Jessie’s Girl by Rick Springfield.

603. Poor Little Fool, Travelin’ Man and Garden Party by Ricky Nelson.

604. Mandy by Barry Manilow is a reasonably good song, but please give us a break because Manilow did not write his biggest hit, the cheesy I Write the Songs!

605. Hey Lord, Don't Ask Me Questions by Graham Parker and the Rumor.

606. Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber.

607. Sorry by Justin Bieber.

608. Say, Say, Say by Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson.

609. True by Spandau Ballet.

610. Right Here Waiting by Richard Marx.

611. We Don’t Talk Anymore by Charlie Puth ft. Selena Gomez.

612. See You Again by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth.

613. Stitches, Mercy and Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes.

614. Easy, Still, Sail On and Three Times a Lady by the Commodores.

615. Hello, Say You Say Me and All Night Long by Lionel Ritchie.

616. Without You by Halsey.

617. Dilemma by Nelly and Kelly Rowland.

618. In a Big Country by Big Country.

619. Eye of the Tiger by Survivor.

620. Tom Sawyer and Limelight (RS#435) by Rush.

621. Hungry Like the Wolf (RS#398) and View to a Kill by Duran Duran.

622. Sabotage (RS#245) and Paul Revere by the Beastie Boys.

623. 505 and I Wanna be Yours by Arctic Monkeys.

624. Mr. Brightside (RS#378) by the Killers.

625. Sweater Weather by the Neighborhood.

626. Hips Don’t Lie and Waka Waka by Shakira.

627. Amor Prohibido (RS#405) by Selena Quintanilla.

628. Caribbean Queen by Billy Ocean.

629. Heat Waves by Glass Animals.

630. I Gotta Feeling by the Black Eyed Peas.

631. Wannabe by the Spice Girls.

632. Never Gonna Give You Up and Together Forever by Rick Astley.

633. Photograph and Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard.

634. Good for U and Drivers License (RS#377) by Olivia Rodrigo.

635. Self Control by Laura Brannigan.

636. She Blinded Me with Science by Thomas Dolby.

637. Straight Up by Paula Abdul.

638. School’s Out (RS#293) by Alice Cooper.

639. I’m Waiting for the Man (RS#81) and Sweet Jane (RS#294) by the Velvet Underground.

640. How Soon Is Now? (RS#421) and There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (RS#226) by the Smiths.

641. Old Town Road (RS#490) by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus.

642. A Boy Named Sue by Johnny Cash.

643. Perfect, Photograph, Shape of You (#2 on Spotify) and Thinking Out Loud by Ed Sheeran. But I am not a fan of Sheeran’s lyrics or whiny-ness.

644. Heart and Soul, Stuck with You and Power of Love by Huey Lewis & the News.

645. Shake Your Booty and I'm Your Boogie Man by KC and the Sunshine Band.

646. Y.M.C.A. by the Village People.

647. Livin’ the Viva Loca by Ricky Martin.

648. Anarchy in the U.K. (RS#125) and God Save the Queen (RS#365) by the Sex Pistols.

649. I Wanna Be Your Dog (RS#314) by Iggy and the Stooges.

650. Lust for Life (RS#326) by Iggy Pop.

651. Wrecking Ball and Flowers by Miley Cyrus.

652. Achy Breaky Heart by Billy Ray Cyrus.

653. Don’t Worry Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin. Or “Don’t Worry, Be Sappy.”

654. The Joker and Abracadabra by the Steve Miller Band. The Joke’s on us.

655. Ripple (RS#335), Box of Rain (RS#364), Truckin’ and Touch of Grey by the atonal

     Grateful Dead. The melody of "Ripple" was obviously — to my ear at least — plagiarized from "Any Dream Will Do" from Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.

656. Jump (RS#177), Panama and Running with the Devil by Van Halen.

657. All My Friends (RS#87) by LCD Soundsystem.

658. Buddy Holly (RS#484) by Weezer.

659. MacArthur Park by Richard Harris.

660. Wonderwall (RS#95) by Oasis might be better titled “Caterwaul.”

SELECTED ARTISTS IN ALPHABETIC ORDER

A

1. You Shook Me All Night Long (RS#287), T.N.T., Thunderstruck, Back in Black and Highway to Hell by AC/DC.

2. Hello, Skyfall, Someone Like You, Set Fire to the Rain, When We Were Young, Send My Love, Easy on Me and Rolling in the Deep (RS#82) by Adele.

3. Dream On (RS#199, H31x2) by Aerosmith.

4. Free Bird (RS#407, H65), Whipping Post (RS#410) and Ramblin' Man by the Allman Brothers Band.

5. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy (H176) The Andrews Sisters.

6. Notable songs by the Animals include House of the Rising Sun, Please Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood, We Gotta Get Out of this Place, To Love Somebody, It's My Life, Don't Bring Me Down, When I Was Young, I Put a Spell on You and Boom Boom.

7. Notable songs by the marvelously talented Terence Trent D'Arby include Wishing Well, Sign Your Name, Dance Little Sister, If You Let Me Stay and Who’s Lovin’ You.

8. Never My Love, Cherish and Windy by the Association were three of the hundred most-played songs of the 20th century, according to BMI.
   
   B

9. The Weight (RS#58, H24) and The Night They Drove Ole Dixie Down by The Band.

10. God Only Knows (RS#11, H6x3), Good Vibrations (RS#53, H27x2), Sloop John B, California Girls, Little Deuce Coupe, Help Me Rhonda (H152), Barbara Ann, Surfer Girl, Surfin’ USA, Don’t Worry Baby, In My Room, When I Grow Up and Wouldn’t It Be Nice (RS#297) by the Beach Boys.

11. Other notable Beatles songs include Across the Universe, A Hard Day’s Night, All My Loving, And I Love Her, The Ballad of John and Yoko, Come Together (H33), Because, Dear Prudence, Do You Want to Know a Secret, Don’t Let Me Down, Fool on the Hill, Get Back, Hello Goodbye, Help! (RS#447, H24x3), Here There and Everywhere (H246), Helter Skelter, I Am the Walrus, I Saw Her Standing There, I Want to Hold Your Hand (RS#15, H35), If I Fell, In My Life (RS#98, H24), Kansas City (Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey), Lady Madonna, Love Me Do (H179), Lovely Rita (Meter Maid), Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (H138), Michelle, Nowhere Man (H127), Paperback Writer (H175), Penny Lane (RS#280, H34), Please Mr. Postman, Please Please Me, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Revolution, Something (RS#110), Ticket to Ride, Till There Was You, Two of Us, We Can Work It Out, When I’m 64, Yellow Submarine, You Really Got a Hold on Me, You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away (H187).

12. How Can You Mend a Broken Heart, Words, Stayin’ Alive (RS#99), Tragedy and Night Fever by the Bee Gees, who also wrote “Islands in the Stream” for Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers, “Woman in Love” and “Guilty” (the latter performed in a duet by Barbra Streisand and Barry Gibb). How Deep Is Your Love by the Bee Gees is the #22 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard.

13. Roll Over Beethoven by Chuck Berry, the Shakespeare of early rock ’n’ roll. His other hits include Johnny B. Goode (RS#33, H46x2), Maybellene (RS#102), Promised Land (RS#343), Memphis Tennessee, My Ding-a-Ling and No Particular Place to Go.

14. Halo (RS-), Formation (RS#73), Single Ladies: Put a Ring On It (RS#228) and Break My Soul (RS#428) by Beyonce. Also, Crazy In Love (RS#16) by Beyonce ft. Jay-Z.

15. (Don’t Fear) The Reaper (RS#449, H36) by Blue Oyster Cult.

16. More Than a Feeling (RS#212) by Boston.

17. Space Oddity (RS#189, Ranker#14, H21), Heroes (RS#23, H57), Suffragette City, Golden Years, China Girl, Changes (RS#200), Fame, Fashion, Let’s Dance, Modern Love, The Man Who Sold the World, Rebel Rebel, Young Americans (RS#204), Starman (H132), Life on Mars (RS#105) and Ziggy Stardust by David Bowie. Also, Peace On Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Bing Crosby and Under Pressure with Queen.

18. Stay/The Load Out, Rock Me on the Water, Doctor My Eyes and The Pretender by Jackson Browne.

19. Dynamite (RS#346) by BTS.

20. Eight Miles High (RS#181), Turn Turn Turn, Jesus is Just Alright with Me, I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better, So You Want to Be a Rock ‘n’ Roll Star, Chimes of Freedom and Mr. Tambourine Man (RS#230) by the Byrds.
    
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21. Havana (RS-) by Camila Cabello.

22. I Like It by Cardi B ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin.

23. Just What I Needed (RS#369), Shake It Up, Drive and Magic by the Cars.

24. Other notable songs by Harry Chapin include Cat's in the Cradle, The Dance Band on the Titanic, The Mayor of Candor Lied and W.O.L.D.

25. Fast Car (RS#71, H140) by Tracy Chapman.

26. Believe(RS#338), If I Could Turn Back Time, Bang Bang, Dark Lady, Gypsies Tramps & Thieves and Half-Breed by Cher.

27. Make Me Smile, 25 or 6 to 4 (H130) and Beginnings by Chicago.

28. Other notable Eric Clapton songs include his hits with Cream, such as "White Room," "Sunshine of Your Love" and "Strange Brew" and his solo work such as "Cocaine," "Change the World," "Wonderful Tonight," "I Shot the Sheriff" and the song he wrote for the son he lost, "Tears in Heaven."

29. London Calling (RS#143), Rock the Casbah (H178) and Should I Stay or Should I Go (H65) by The Clash.

30. Crazy (RS#195) by Patsy Cline; also I Fall to Pieces (Ranker#88), Walkin’ After Midnight, Sweet Dreams, She’s Got You, The Wayward Wind, So Wrong, That’s My Desire and Tennessee Waltz.

31. Leonard Cohen is a poet's poet, and a songwriter's songwriter. Shannon Winestone nominated First We Take Manhattan as covered by R.E.M. Other tour de force songs by Cohen include "Tower of Song," "I'm Your Man" and "Everybody Knows."

32. In the Air Tonight (RS#291), Against All Odds and Another Day in Paradise by Phil Collins.

33. Other notable songs by Sam Cooke include "Chain Gang," "Cupid," "You Send Me," "Wonderful World" and "Bring it on Home."

34. Zombie (RS-, H87) and Linger (RS-) by the Cranberries.

35. Who’ll Stop the Rain (H85), Have You Ever Seen the Rain and Fortunate Son (RS#227, H39) by Creedence Clearwater Revival were great Vietnam War protest songs written by John Fogerty. Also Proud Mary (H75), Bad Moon Rising (H45), Someday Never Comes, Green River, Run Through the Jungle, Up Around the Bend, Born on the Bayou, I Put a Spell on You and Lodi.

36. Find the Cost of Freedom, Helplessly Hoping, Delta, Wooden Ships and Woodstock by Crosby, Stills, Nash and (sometimes) Young.
    
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37. Child in Time and Smoke on the Water by Deep Purple.

38. Take Me Home Country Roads (H49), Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Sunshine on My Shoulder and Annie’s Song by John Denver.

39. I Am I Said, Sweet Caroline (H9), Red Red Wine, Holly Holy, Cracklin' Rosie, Solitary Man and I'm a Believer by Neil Diamond.

40. Hey Bo Diddley (RS#277) by Bo Diddley. Also the cover by Ronny Hawkins and the Hawks.

41. Runaround Sue (H99) and The Wanderer by Dion and the Belmonts.

42. Holy Diver and Rainbow in the Dark by Ronnie James Dio.

43. Blueberry Hill (RS#147, H134), I’m Walkin’, I Hear You Knockin’ and Ain’t That A Shame (RS-, H147) by Fats Domino.

44. Black Water, China Grove, Takin’ It to the Streets, Long Train Runnin’, Jesus Is Just Alright with Me and What a Fool Believes (RS#343) by the Doobie Brothers.

45. Riders on the Storm (H55), The End, Break on Through (To the Other Side), People Are Strange, Roadhouse Blues, Love Me Two Times, Love Her Madly, LA Woman (H160) and Light My Fire (RS#310, H73) by Jim Morrison and the Doors.

46. Take Care (RS#267) by Drake ft. Rihanna.

47. Other notable Bob Dylan songs include Don't Think Twice (It's All Right), A Hard Rain's A-Gonna Fall, It Ain't Me Babe, Lay Lady Lay, All Along the Watchtower (H22x2), Highway 61 Revisited, Ballad of a Thin Man, Visions of Johanna (RS#317), Just Like a Woman, Mr. Tambourine Man (RS#164) and Knockin' on Heaven's Door.
    
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48. Hotel California (RS#311, Ranker#19), Desperado and Best of My Love by the Eagles.

49. Lovely, Bad Guy (RS#178), Wildflower and Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish.

50. Telephone Line, Evil Woman, Strange Magic, Turn to Stone, Livin’ Thing, Roll Over Beethoven and Don’t Bring Me Down by Electric Light Orchestra aka ELO, headed by the great Jeff Lynne.

51. Get Ur Freak On (RS#8, H25) by Missy Elliott and Work It (RS#56) with Timbaland. While I like the songs okay, I am not nearly as enamored with them as Rolling Stone.

52. My Immortal and Bring Me to Life by Evanescence, who had no top 500 songs according to Rolling Stone(d)!

53. All I Have to Do is Dream (RS#324), Bye Bye Love (H177), Cathy’s Clown, Wake Up Little Susie, Until I Kissed You and Love Hurts by the Everly Brothers.
    
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54. Landslide (RS#163, H46), Dreams (RS#9), Go Your Own Way (RS#401, H43), The Chain (H63), Don’t Stop (H122), Gold Dust Woman and Gypsy by Fleetwood Mac.

55. Ghosts, The Reach, The Sand and the Foam and The Lion’s Share are great neglected masterpieces of songwriting by Dan Fogelberg.

56. Reach Out (I’ll Be There) (RS#78, H96), Standing in the Shadows of Love, Bernadette, Baby I Need Your Lovin’ and I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) (RS#483) by the Four Tops.
    
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57. In Your Eyes (RS-), Solsbury Hill (RS#472, H163), Sledgehammer, Shock the Monkey, Big Time and Red Rain by Peter Gabriel.

58. Land of Confusion, Invisible Touch and That’s All by Genesis.

59. Ferry 'Cross the Mersey and You’ll Never Walk Alone by Gerry and the Pacemakers.

60. Other notable songs by Vince Gill include When I Call Your Name, I Still Believe, Pocket Full of Gold, Never Knew Lonely and Whenever You Come Around.

61. Midnight Train to Georgia (RS#470) and I Heard It Through the Grapevine (H66) by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

62. Thank U, Next (RS#137) and 7 Rings by Ariana Grande.

63. Tired of Being Alone, I’m Still in Love with You, Love and Happiness (RS#274), Let's Stay Together (RS#84), Call Me, You Ought to Be with Me, Look What You Done for Me and I Can’t Get Next to You by the great Al Green. Also, Put a Little Love in Your Heart with Annie Lennox.

64. Spirit in the Sky (H155) by Norman Greenbaum.

65. Sweet Child o' Mine (RS#88), Welcome to the Jungle, November Rain, Paradise City and Patience by Guns n’ Roses.

    
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66. I Put a Spell on You (RS#299) by Screamin’ Jay Hawkins.

67. Dog and Butterfly, Never, These Dreams, Crazy on You, Magic Man and Barracuda by Heart. Also, Alone if you’re into stalker songs.

68. Other notable Jimi Hendrix songs include Voodoo Chile, Are You Experienced, The Star-Spangled Banner (written by Francis Scott Key), Foxy Lady, Fire, Crosstown Traffic, Freedom, Manic Depression and Hey Joe.

69. The Air that I Breathe and Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress) by the Hollies.

70. Rave On, Not Fade Away, Everyday, It’s So Easy, True Love Ways (H91), Peggy Sue (RS#370) and That'll Be the Day (RS#124) by Buddy Holly.

71. I Have Nothing, I Will Always Love You (RS#94), I Wanna Dance with Somebody (RS#231), How Will I Know, One Moment in Time, Didn’t We Almost Have It All and The Greatest Love of All by Whitney Houston.

72. Take Me to Church by Hozier.
    
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73. Shout (RS#268), Twist and Shout and Summer Breeze by the Isley Brothers. So good! Did the Isley Brothers teach the Beatles how to roll as well as rock? Seals and Crofts covered “Summer Breeze” but no one does any of these songs better than the Isleys. Not even close. Also, (Who’s) That Lady, It’s Your Thing (Do What You Wanna Do), Hello It’s Me and Fight the Power.

74. Wicked Game (RS-) by Chris Isaak.
    
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75. Man in the Mirror and Human Nature by Michael Jackson are his two best songs in my opinion. Other megahits by the moonwalking King of Pop include Billie Jean (RS#44, H13x2), Bad, Beat It (RS#185), Dirty Diana, Earth Song, Thriller, You Are Not Alone, Heal the World, Remember the Time, The Way You Make Me Feel, Rock with You (RS#355) and Smooth Criminal. And with the Jackson 5/Jacksons also I Want You Back (RS#104), Who’s Lovin’ You, The Love You Save, Never Can Say Goodbye, ABC, I’ll Be There, Thriller and State of Shock (with Mick Jagger).

76. Super Freak (RS#153, H197) by Rick James.

77. White Rabbit (RS#455), Somebody to Love (H82) and Volunteers by Grace Slick and Jefferson Airplane.

78. Miracles and Runaway by Marty Balin and Jefferson Starship.

79. I Love Rock 'n' Roll (H158) and Bad Reputation (RS#249) by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts.

80. Captain Jack, Piano Man (RS-, H66), Vienna, Goodnight Saigon, Scenes from an Italian Restaurant (RS#325), New York State of Mind, Uptown Girl, The Longest Time, We Didn’t Start the Fire, Only the Good Die Young, My Life, Just the Way You Are, The Ballad of Billy the Kid, Shameless and Until the Night by Billy Joel. The latter is one of the most underrated great songs of all time, in my opinion.

81. Other notable songs by Sir Elton John include Daniel, Levon, Island Girl, Border Song, Sacrifice, Don't Let the Sun Go Down on Me, Crocodile Rock and Honky Cat.

82. Other notable Janis Joplin songs include "Summertime," "Mercedes Benz," "Maybe," "Kozmic Blues," "Ball and Chain" and "Cry Baby."

83. Don’t Stop Believin’ (RS#133), Wheel In The Sky, Open Arms, Lights, Send Her My Love, Separate Ways, Escape, Stone In Love, Still They Ride, Just The Same Way, Faithfully and Only The Young by Journey.
    
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84. Dust in the Wind (H94) by Kansas.

85. Been to Canaan, It’s Too Late (RS#346) and So Far Away by Carole King.

86. Stand By Me (RS#131) by Ben E. King.

87. Notable songs by the Kinks include You Really Got Me (RS#176), Lola (RS#386, H54), Sunny Afternoon, Celluloid Heroes and Waterloo Sunset (RS#14). Sorry, Rolling Stone, but “Waterloo Sunset” is not better than “Stairway to Heaven” or “Bohemian Rhapsody” or many other songs ranked well below it!
    
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88. Poker Face, Born This Way, Paparazzi, Bad Romance (RS#482) and Abracadabra by Lady Gaga. Also, Die with a Smile with Bruno Mars and Shallow with Bradley Cooper.

89. Lady Marmalade by Patti Labelle; also Oh People, If Only You Knew, New Attitude, and On My Own with Michael McDonald of the Doobie Brothers.

90. Time After Time (RS#495) by Cyndi Lauper is vastly underrated by Rolling Stone(d). And that’s her only top 500 song? Where are Girls Just Want to Have Fun, (Waiting for Your) Change of Heart, Hatful of Stars, Who Let in the Rain?, Money Changes Everything, All Through the Night and I Drove All Night?

91. Other notable songs by John Lennon include "Give Peace a Chance," "Happy Xmas (War is Over)," "Woman," "Mother," "Instant Karma," "Watching the Wheels," "Jealous Guy," and all his hits with the Beatles.

92. Great Balls of Fire (RS#242), Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On and All Shook Up by Jerry Lee Lewis.

93. Old Town Road (RS#490) by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus.

94. House at Pooh Corner, Danny’s Song, Vahevala, Watching the River Run and Your Mama Don’t Dance by Loggins and Messina.
    
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95. Like a Virgin (H256), Material Girl, Vogue (RS#139), Papa Don't Preach, Live to Tell, Ray of Light, Holiday, La Isla Bonita, This Used to Be My Playground, Borderline, Express Yourself, Justify My Love, Open Your Heart, Erotica, Take a Bow, Frozen, Music, Don’t Cry for Me Argentina, Into the Groove (RS#161) and Like a Prayer (RS#55) by Madonna.

96. California Dreamin’ (RS#420, Ranker#18, H18x2) by The Mamas & The Papas is one of the most-streamed songs of the 1960s. Also Monday Monday and (This is) Dedicated to the One I Love.

97. I Shot the Sherriff, Could You Be Loved (RS#363), Stir It Up and One Love by Bob Marley and the Wailers.

98. When I Was Your Man, Just the Way You Are, Locked Out of Heaven, That’s What I Like, Grenade and 24K Magic by Bruno Mars.

99. American Pie and Vincent by Don McLean.

100. What a Fool Believes, I Keep Forgetting and I’m Gonna Make You Love Me by Michael McDonald; also This Is It with Kenny Loggins and Yah Mo B There with James Ingram and On My Own with Patti LaBelle.

101. Savage (RS#438) by Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyonce.

102. Enter Sandman (RS#390, H106), Master of Puppets (RS#256), Nothing Else Matters, One and For Whom The Bell Tolls by Metallica.

103. Tracks of My Tears (RS#54), Tears of a Clown (RS#313, H135), Shop Around, I Second That Emotion, Ooh Baby Baby, Being with You, You Really Got a Hold on Me, Get Ready and Just to See Her by Smokey Robinson and the Miracles. Also, Missing You with Diana Ross.

104. Big Yellow Taxi (RS-) by Joni Mitchell, A Case of You (RS#26), River (RS#247), Help Me (RS#464), California, Free Man in Paris, Carey and Woodstock by Joni Mitchell. Also, Both Sides Now (RS#225, H114) by Joni Mitchell and as covered by Judy Collins.

105. Mannish Boy (RS#425) and Got My Mojo Workin’ by Muddy Waters.
     
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106. Anyone Who Had a Heart, Magic, Physical, Banks of the Ohio, and Xanadu by Olivia Newton-John. Also Summer Nights and You’re the One that I Want with John Travolta.

107. Stevie Nicks is one of the all-time great songwriters in my opinion. On her own, The Edge of Seventeen (RS#217), Nightbird, If Anyone Falls, Stand Back, Talk to Me, I Can’t Wait, Rooms on Fire, Leather and Lace with Don Henley, and Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around with Tom Petty & the Heartbreakers.

108. Without You (RS#497) and Everybody’s Talkin’ (H127) by Harry Nilsson.
     
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109. Other noteworthy songs by Roy Orbison include "It's Over," "Running Scared," "Blue Bayou," "You Got It," "Sweet Dreams Baby" and "I Drove All Night."
     
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110. Jolene (RS#63, H30x3), Eagle When She Flies, I Will Always Love You, 9 to 5 and Coat of Many Colors (RS#263) by Dolly Parton.

111. Jeremy (RS-, H182), Alive (RS#416) and Black by Pearl Jam.

112. Foolish Heart and Oh Sherrie by Steve Perry.

113. Refuge, I Won’t Back Down, Learning to Fly, American Girl (RS#169), Free Fallin’ (RS#219) and Mary Jane's Last Dance by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers.

114. Notable songs by Pink Floyd include Comfortably Numb (RS#179, H72), Wish You Were Here (RS#302, H27), Shine On You Crazy Diamond and The Great Gig in the Sky. Other notable Pink Floyd songs include "Time," "Echoes," "Hey You," "Learning to Fly," "Another Brick in the Wall, Part Two" "Brain Damage," "Money" and "Dark Side of the Moon."

115. Every Breath You Take (RS#305) by the Police is a stalker song that has incomprehensibly become a popular wedding song. Also Roxanne, Message in a Bottle and Don’t Stand So Close to Me.
     
     Every breath you take,
     Every move you make,
     I’ll be watching you…

116. Feel It Still (RS-) by Portugal the Man. So good!

117. Other notable songs by Elvis Presley: It’s Now or Never is the #7 best-selling song of all time. I Can’t Help Falling in Love with You (RS-, H28x2) is is one of the most-streamed songs of the 1960s. Suspicious Minds (RS#70) continues to stream. If I Can Dream (H8) is a top ten song according to one public poll. Other Elvis songs of note include "Hound Dog," "Mystery Train," "Don’t Be Cruel," "All Shook Up," "Return to Sender,” "Are You Lonesome Tonight," "Peace in the Valley," "Burning Love," "Chapel of Love” and "In the Ghetto."

118. I’ll Stand by You (RS-) and Brass in Pocket (RS#389) by the Pretenders.
     
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119. Other notable Queen songs include Killer Queen, We Are the Champions, We Will Rock You, Don’t Stop Me Now, Somebody to Love, Bicycle, Fat Bottomed Girls and Crazy Little Thing Called Love.
     
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120. (Sittin’ on the) Dock of the Bay (RS#38, H30x2) and Try a Little Tenderness (RS#136) by Otis Redding.

121. Everybody Hurts (RS-), Losing My Religion (RS#112), Radio Free Europe (RS#174), Nightswimming (RS#160), Man on the Moon, Shiny Happy People and The Flowers of Guatemala by R.E.M. Also, Shannon Winestone nominated First We Take Manhattan which was written by Leonard Cohen and covered by R.E.M. I like R.E.M., especially the first two songs, but I think Rolling Stone(d) has overrated their other songs, compared to lower-rated and unrated songs.

122. Other notable songs by Little Richard include I Keep A-Knockin’, Jenny Jenny, Rip It Up, Ready Teddy and Slippin’ and Slidin’.

123. Diamonds (RS-) and Love on the Brain by Rihanna. We Found Love (RS-) by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris is the #24 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard. Umbrella (RS#332) by Rihanna, the latter ft. Jay-Z.

124. Other notable songs by the Rolling Stones include “Beast of Burden," "Miss You," "Fool to Cry," "It’s Only Rock and Roll," "Brown Sugar," "Get Off My Cloud," "The Last Time," "Stray Cat Blues," "Time is on My Side" and "I'm Just Waiting on a Friend."

125. I’m Coming Out (RS#385), Upside Down, Love Hangover, Ain’t No Mountain High Enough and Theme From Mahogany (Do You Know Where You're Going To) by Diana Ross. Also, Endless Love with Lionel Ritchie.
     
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126. War Pigs (RS-), Paranoid (RS#339, H122) and Iron Man (RS#345) by Black Sabbath.

127. Black Magic Woman (RS-, H712), Maria Maria and Oye Como Va (RS#479) by Santana.

128. Turn the Page and Night Moves (RS#301) by Bob Seger.

129. Anticipation by Carly Simon and Mockingbird with James Taylor.

130. Other notable Simon and Garfunkel songs include Homeward Bound (Ranker#110), I Am a Rock, America, Cecelia, April Come She Will, Hazy Shade of Winter, For Emily Wherever I May Find Her, Kathy’s Song, Mrs. Robinson, Scarborough Fair/Canticle (H199) and El Condor Pasa.

131. Paul Simon’s solo hits include Kodachrome, Me and Julio Down by the Schoolyard, Mother and Child Reunion, 50 Ways to Leave Your Lover, Graceland and You Can Call Me Al.

132. I Loves You Porgy, Four Women and Mr. Bojangles by Nina Simone.

133. Holding Back the Years and If You Don’t Know Me By Now by Simply Red.

134. Notable Patti Smith songs include Because The Night (RS#358), Gloria (RS#97), Hey Joe, Horses and People Have the Power.

135. Notable songs by Bruce Springsteen include Born to Run (RS#27, H74), Born in the USA, 10th Avenue Freeze Out, Jungleland (RS#298), The River, Rosalita (RS#446), Badlands, Sandy, Fire, Atlantic City (RS#289), Born in the USA, Glory Days and Dancing in the Dark.

136. Oh Very Young, Moonshadow, Peace Train, Father and Son (RS#408, H93) and Morning Has Broken by Cat Stevens.

137. Maggie May (RS#141, H52x2) by Rod Stewart.

138. Stony End, Woman in Love, Guilty, People, Evergreen, Memories and The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand.

139. Sign of the Times (RS#428), Adore (RS#431), Watermelon Sugar and As It Was (RS#500) by Harry Styles.

140. The Logical Song, Dreamer, Take The Long Way Home, It’s Raining Again, Breakfast in America, Bloody Well Right, Even in the Quietest Moments, Hide In Your Shell and Give A Little Bit by Supertramp.

141. Come See About Me, The Happening, Where Did Our Love Go, My World Is Empty Without You, Stop! In the Name of Love (RS#254, H102), You Can’t Hurry Love, Someday We’ll Be Together, Baby Love, You Keep Me Hangin’ On (RS#234) and Love Child by the Supremes.
     
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142. Fire and Rain (RS#146) by James Taylor. Also, You’ve Got a Friend, written by Carole King.

143. Everybody Wants to Rule the World (RS#319, H148) by Tears for Fears.

144. My Girl (RS#43), I Can’t Get Next to You and Papa Was a Rolling Stone (RS#334) by the Temptations.

145. Hound Dog (RS#318) by Big Mama Thornton.

146. Crystal Blue Persuasion by Tommy James and the Shondells was one of the earliest and best examples of “blue-eyed soul” perhaps because it was so unaffected. Also Crimson and Clover, I Think We’re Alone Now, Mony Mony, Sweet Cherry Wine and Draggin’ the Line.

147. Africa (RS#452, Ranker#111, H41x2), Rosanna and Hold the Line by Toto.

148. Bang a Gong (Get It On) and Cosmic Dancer (RS#445) by T. Rex.

149. Wild Thing (RS-, Ranker#114) and Love Is All Around by the Troggs.

150. Private Dancer, We Don’t Need Another Hero and What’s Love Got to Do with It? (RS#134) by Tina Turner.
     
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151. Notable songs by U2 include One, Where the Streets Have No Name, Sunday Bloody Sunday, With or Without You, I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For, New Year's Day, Pride (In the Name of Love), Beautiful Day, Bad, I Will Follow and Night and Day (written by the great Cole Porter).

     
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152. Sherry, Rag Doll, Walk Like a Man and Big Girls Don’t Cry by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

153. Brown-Eyed Girl (H63), Moondance, Domino, Tupelo Honey and Into the Mystic (RS#462) by Van Morrison. Also Gloria (RS#413) by the Them ft. Van Morrison.
     
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154. Eric Burdon and War had eclectic hits like Spill the Wine, Low Rider, The Cisco Kid, Why Can’t We Be Friends and The World is a Ghetto.

155. Blinding Lights by The Weeknd is the #1 best-selling song of all time, according to Billboard, and the #1 streaming song on Spotify. Also Cry for Me, I Can’t Feel My Face, House of Balloons (RS#488), Call Out My Name, The Hills, Save Your Tears, Die for You and Starboy (#4 on Spotify).

156. I Can’t Stop Loving You, Lost Highway, I Saw the Light, Jambalaya, Hey Good Lookin’ and Kaw Liga by Hank Williams Sr.

157. Other notable songs by the Who include "Who Are You," "Eminence Front," "Pinball Wizard" "Behind Blue Eyes," "See Me Feel Me," "Summertime Blues," "Magic Bus," "The Seeker" and "You Better You Bet."

158. Live and Let Die (RS-, H150), Maybe I’m Amazed (H126) and Band on the Run (RS-) by Paul McCartney and Wings.

159. Spoonful (RS#154) and Smokestack Lightning by Howlin’ Wolf.

160. Superstition (RS#12, H57), Higher Ground (RS#113), Lately, As (H40), Overjoyed, You Are the Sunshine of My Life (RS#183), Living for the City and Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours (RS#203) by Stevie Wonder.
     
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161. For Your Love (H243) by the Yardbirds.

162. Roundabout, Owner of a Lonely Heart, Awaken, I’ve Seen All Good People and Starship Trooper by Yes.

163. The Needle and the Damage Done, Heart of Gold (RS#259, H152), Old Man, Southern Man, Powderfinger (RS#450) and After the Gold Rush (RS#323) by Neil Young.
     
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164. Other notable Led Zeppelin songs include Ramble On (H195), D’yer Mak’er, Going to California, Heartbreaker, When the Levee Breaks, Dazed and Confused, Living Loving Maid, Trampled Underfoot, Rock and Roll, Good Times Bad Times, The Song Remains the Same and Since I've Been Loving You.

165. Time of the Season (RS#350, H54), Tell Her No and She’s Not There by the Zombies.

MY BIGGEST DISAGREEMENTS WITH ROLLING STONE

Are these songs top 50, really? Really? I mean, REALLY?

Get Ur Freak On (RS#8) by Missy Elliott is commendable song, but not better than all the songs in my list below.

Waterloo Sunset (RS#14) by the Kinks is a good song, but not the 14th greatest song of all time, not even close.

Crazy In Love (RS#16) by Beyoncé ft. JAY Z is not the 16th greatest song of all time, sorry.

Dancing On My Own (RS#20) by Robyn is a nice enough song, but consider the masterpieces far below it!

Love Will Tear Us Apart (RS#41) by Joy Division. Really?

Alright (RS#45) by Kendrick Lamar.

Paper Planes (RS#46) by M.I.A.

Idioteque (RS#48) by Radiohead is a painful song to listen to, much less top 50. Is this music? Is this singing?

Gasolina (RS#50) by Daddy Yankee.

Roadrunner (RS#77) by the Modern Lovers.

All My Friends (RS#87) by LCD Soundsystem. Is this singing?

Wonderwall (RS#95) by Oasis might better be titled “Caterwaul.”

Sorry, Rolling Stone, but I can think of many better songs, including Stairway to Heaven (#61), Bridge Over Troubled Water (#66), Hallelujah (#74), Hey Jude (#89), Good Golly Miss Molly (#92), Blowin’ in the Wind (#100), Maybellene (#102), Sympathy for the Devil (#106), Thunder Road (#111), Losing My Religion (#112), I Heard It Through the Grapevine (#119), Let it Be (#121), Whole Lotta Love (#128), Stand By Me (#133), Kashmir (#148), Rocket Man (#149), Comfortably Numb (#179), Little Red Corvette (#360), Lola (#386), California Dreamin’ (#420), Mannish Boy (#425), Summertime Blues (#432), House of the Rising Sun (#471), Solsbury Hill (#472), Time After Time (#495), You’re So Vain (#496) and Without You (#497). Need I go on to the great songs you left out completely? No, I can see that you’re already hanging your head in shame. As well you should!

THE BEST-SELLING SONGS OF ALL TIME

All positions are per Wikipedia unless otherwise noted.

1. White Christmas (1942) by Bing Crosby is the best-selling song of all time, with over 50 million copies sold.

2. Candle in the Wind (1977) by Sir Elton John.

3. Silent Night (1935) by Bing Crosby.

4. Petit Papa Noël by Tino Rossi.

5. Rock Around the Clock (1954) by Bill Haley and his Comets.

6. I Will Always Love You (1992) by Whitney Houston, written by Dolly Parton.

7. It’s Now or Never (1960) by Elvis Presley.

8. We Are The World (1985) by USA for Africa.

9. If I Didn’t Care (1939) by the Ink Spots.

10. My Heart Will Go On (1997) by Celine Dion.

OTHER NOTABLE CHART-TOPPERS

• In the Summertime by Mungo Jerry is the #3 best-selling song of all time according to Far Out Magazine (UK), including both physical and digital copies.

• You’re the One that I Want by John Travolta and Oliva Newton-John, from the movie Grease, is the #14 best-selling song of all time.

• I Want to Hold Your Hand is the best-selling song by the Beatles, the #19 best-selling song of all time according to Far Out Magazine (UK).

• Popera makes the top 20, with the lovely and evocative Time to Say Goodbye by Andrea Bocelli and Sarah Brightman, according to Far Out Magazine (UK).

• Shadow Dancing by the fourth Gibb brother, Andy Gibb, was #1 for seven weeks.

• I Just Want to be Your Everything by Andy Gibb is the #24 best-selling song of all time according to Billboard.

BILLBOARD BEST-SELLERS, BY YEAR

These are the best-selling songs per Billboard with the weeks at number one in parens.

• 2024: Teddy Swims, “Lose Control” (1)

• 2023: Morgan Wallen, “Last Night” (16)

• 2022: Glass Animals, “Heat Waves” (5)

• 2021: Dua Lipa, “Levitating” (-)

• 2020: The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights” (4)

• 2019: Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” (a record 19 weeks at #1)

• 2018: Drake, “God’s Plan” (11)

• 2017: Ed Sheeran, “Shape of You” (12)

• 2016: Justin Bieber, “Love Yourself” (2) and Bieber was also second with “Sorry.”

• 2015: Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!” (14)

• 2014: Pharrell Williams, “Happy” (10)

• 2013: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Wanz, “Thrift Shop” (6)

• 2012: Gotye feat. Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used to Know” (8)

• 2011: Adele, “Rolling in the Deep” (7)

• 2010: Kesha, “Tik Tok” (9)

• 2009: The Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow” (12)

• 2008: Flo Rida feat. T-Pain, “Low” (10)

• 2007: Beyoncé, “Irreplaceable” (10)

• 2006: Daniel Powter, “Bad Day” (6)

• 2005: Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together” (14)

• 2004: Usher feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris, “Yeah!” (12)

• 2003: 50 Cent, “In Da Club” (9)

• 2002: Nickelback, “How You Remind Me” (4)

• 2001: Lifehouse, “Hanging by a Moment” (-)

• 2000: Faith Hill, “Breathe” (-)

• 1999: Cher, “Believe” (4) the first major hit with autotune!

• 1997: Elton John, “Candle in the Wind 1997″ / “Something About the Way You Look Tonight” (14)

• 1996: Los Del Río, “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (14)

• 1995: Coolio feat. L.V., “Gangsta’s Paradise” (4)

• 1993: Whitney Houston, “I Will Always Love You” (14)

• 1992: Boyz II Men, “End of the Road” (13)

• 1991: Bryan Adams, “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (7)

• 1988: George Michael, “Faith” (4)

• 1986: Dionne & Friends (Dionne Warwick, Gladys Knight, Elton John & Stevie Wonder), “That’s What Friends Are For” (4)

• 1985: Wham!, “Careless Whisper” (3)

• 1984: Prince, “When Doves Cry” (5)

• 1983: The Police, “Every Breath You Take” (8) the ultimate stalker wedding song!

• 1982: Olivia Newton-John, “Physical” (10)

• 1981: Kim Carnes, “Bette Davis Eyes” (9)

• 1980: Blondie, “Call Me” (6)

• 1979: The Knack, “My Sharona” (6)

• 1978: Andy Gibb, “Shadow Dancing” (7)

• 1977: Rod Stewart, “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (8)

• 1976: Wings, “Silly Love Songs” (5)

• 1974: Barbra Streisand, “The Way We Were” (3)

• 1971: Three Dog Night, “Joy to the World” (6) the first #1 song I recorded, although not a particular favorite of mine.

• 1970: Simon & Garfunkel, “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (6)

• 1968: The Beatles, “Hey Jude” (9)

• 1966: The Mamas & The Papas, “California Dreamin’” (-)

• 1964: The Beatles, “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (7) and they were also second with “She Loves You” at the height of Beatlemania.

• 1963: The Beach Boys, “Surfin’ U.S.A.” (-)

• 1958: Domenico Modugno, “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu)” the year I was born. God, am I really that old?

• 1957: Elvis Presley, “All Shook Up”

• 1956: Elvis Presley, “Heartbreak Hotel”

MORE NOMINATIONS

• Rock Around The Clock by Bill Haley and the Comets, the #5 best-selling song of all time, was nominated by Paul Hippensteel.

• Strange Things Happening Every Day by Sister Rosetta Tharpe was nominated by WrightsCreekWolf.

• Dear God by XTC was nominated by George Anderson.

• Senses Working Overtime and The Disappointed by XTC were nominated by Otto.

• Working Class Hero by John Lennon was nominated by JohnH.

• Make Me Smile and Beginnings by Chicago were nominated by Otto.

• Fall On Me and Try Not To Breathe by REM were nominated by Otto.

• Radio Free Europe by REM was nominated by Terry McManus.

• Hey Jealousy and Found Out About You by the Gin Blossoms were nominated by Otto.

• Search and Destroy by Iggy and the Stooges was nominated by Jon Ringo.

• Aqualung by Jethro Tull was nominated by Michael Sidky PhD.

• Girlfriend by Matthew Sweet was nominated by Terry Smith.

• Rockin’ in the Free World by Neil Young was nominated Carmela Rose Rosse.

• Wonder Why We Ever Go Home by Jimmy Buffett was nominated by someone whose name I misplaced.

• Jimmy Webb was nominated for MacArthur Park; Up, Up and Away; By the Time I Get to Phoenix; Galveston; and Wichita Lineman by Erik Peter Axelson.

• July Morning by Uriah Heep, Temple of the King by Ritchie Blackmore (Rainbow), Delta by CSNY, and Even in the Quietest Moments by Supertramp were nominated by What Me Worry.

• Senses Working Overtime by XTC, Once in a Lifetime by Talking Heads, Awaken by Yes, Rock and Roll by Velvet Underground, Down by the River by Neil Young,

  and Brass in Pocket by The Pretenders were nominated by Smatchum Climpklot.

• Robert Lubowitz nominated Jailhouse Rock, Whole Lotta Shakin’ Going On, Ready Teddy, The Great Pretender, Blueberry Hill, Blue Suede Shoes, Mean Woman Blues, In the Still of the Night, Twist and Shout and I’m Down.

ROCK’N’ROLL GENRES REPRESENTED

The Blues, Jazz, Soul and R&B roots of rock’n’roll are represented by Chuck Berry, James Brown, Bo Diddley, Sam Cooke, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Robert Johnson, Ben E. King, Little Richard and Sister Rosetta Tharpe, among many others.

The British Invasion is represented by the Animals, the Beatles, the Kinks, the Rolling Stones, the Who, and the Zombies.

Celtic music is represented by Celtic Woman and Enya.

Country is represented by Johnny Cash, his daughter Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill, Dolly Parton, Elvis, and Hank Williams Sr., among others.

Disco is represented by the Bee Gees.

Doo-Wop is represented by Gene Chandler, Desmond Dekker & the Aces, the Platters, and Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.

Electronic/Electropop is represented by Dido, Lady Gaga and Sia.

Folk is represented by Joan Baez, The Band, CCR, Bob Dylan and Bruce Springsteen, among others.

Funk is represented by James Brown, Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson, Prince, and Sly and the Family Stone.

Glam Rock is represented by David Bowie

Grunge is represented by the godfather of grunge, Neil Young, as well as Nirvana and Pearl Jam.

Hard Rock is represented by AC/DC, Aerosmith, Black Sabbath, Cream, Jimi Hendrix and the Experience, Judas Priest and Led Zeppelin, among others.

Heavy Metal, Thrash Metal and Headbangers are represented by Black Sabbath, Iron Maiden, Metallica and Quiet Riot.

Latino music is represented by Camila Cabello, Luis Fonsi, Los Lobos, Mocedades, Ritchie Valens and Carlos Santana.

New Wave is represented by a-ha and Blondie.

Operatic Rock is represented by Boston, Celine Dion, Meatloaf, the Moody Blues, Queen, and Yes.

Poets are represented by Joan Baez, Leonard Cohen, Bob Dylan, John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Jim Morrison and Paul Simon.

Pop is represented by Michael Jackson, Madonna and Prince, among others.

Progressive Rock is represented by 10cc, Pink Floyd, Procol Harum and the Zombies.

Punk is represented by the godmother, Patti Smith, as well as Iggy and the Stooges and The Clash. Sorry, but I am not a Sex Pistols fan.

Rap is represented by Outkast, Tupac Shakur, Eminem and Arrested Development.

Reggae is represented by Bob Marley and the Wailers and UB40.

Rockabilly with hints of Country and Western Swing is represented by Eddie Cochran, Buddy Holly, Elvis and Bob Wills’ Texas Playboys.

Singer-Songwriters are represented by Adele, Jackson Browne, Sam Cooke, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Dan Fogelberg, Carole King and Hank Williams Sr., among many others.

Soul is represented by James Brown, Aretha Franklin, Al Green and the Soul Survivors.

Southern Rock is represented by the Allman Brothers Band and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

Storytellers are represented by Harry Chapin, Bob Dylan, Stevie Nicks and Paul Simon.

Synth-Pop is represented by a-ha, Eurythmics and Soft Cell.

Troubadours are represented by Bob Dylan, Billy Joel and Paul Simon.

CONTENDERS FOR THE WORST HIT SONGS OF ALL TIME

• Having My Baby by Paul Anka is the all-time worst song, at least in terms of morality. Should eggs be gratuitously fertilized in order to inspire insipid songwriters?

• MacArthur Park as performed bombastically by Richard Harris.

• You're Beautiful by James Blunt is, bluntly, terrible.

• Sometimes When We Touch by Dan Hill was over the hill the day it was written.

• All I Wanna Do Is Make Love to You by Heart. All I wanna do is not hear another freakin’ cliche!

• I Don’t Want to Wait by Paula Cole has the single worst line in a hit song — “Say a little prayer for I.” — and she repeats it over and over again, like a broken record. WHICH. IT. IS.

• Honey by Bobby Goldsboro actually reached #1, OMG!

• Who Let the Dogs Out? by Baha Man should have been titled “Who Let These Dogs Into the Studio?”

• We Built This City by Starship: bombast meets hyperbole, screws around, then lays an egg.

• Dancing on the Ceiling by Lionel Richie also reached #1. How?

• Nookie by Limp Bizkit. The penner of this lemon should never get any.

• Thong Song by Sisqo also incomprehensibly reached #1.

• Sussudio by Phil Collins, who was not a favorite of mine before I heard this ghastly alleged “song.”

• Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da by the Beatles highlighted the “mania” in Beatlemania.

• Kokomo by the Beach Boys.

• Don’t Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin, a song that can only make us happy if we are able to find the OFF switch quickly.

• Ebony and Ivory by Sir Paul McCartney with Stevie Wonder, two seasoned pros who should have known better.

• Silly Love Songs gives McCartney three songs on this list.

• Anaconda and Stupid Hoe by Nicki Minaj.

• My Humps by the Black Eyed Peas.

• Barbie Girl by Aqua has the slightly redeeming quality of being only mildly annoying, compared to its predecessors.

• Friday by Rebecca Black tops many “worst song” lists, but is partially saved here by the disasters above.

OVERPLAYED AND/OR OVERRATED SONGS

Some of these songs are great songs, but they get overplayed, so I will start with the best songs and work my way down to the least worthy, in my opinion. I don’t include songs like “Stairway to Heaven,” “Bohemian Rhapsody” and “Whiter Shade of Pale” because I never get tired of listening to them.

(A+) Layla by Derek & The Dominoes (*)
(A) Satisfaction by the Rolling Stones (*)
(A) Dream On by Aerosmith (*)
(A-) Free Bird by Lynyrd Skynyrd
(A-) Turn The Page by Bob Seger
(B+) Hotel California by The Eagles (*)
(B+) Money by Pink Floyd (*)
(B+) Smoke On The Water by Deep Purple
(B+) You Really Got Me by the Kinks (*)
(B+) Foxy Lady by Jimi Hendrix
(B) We Are the Champions by Queen (**)
(B) We Will Rock You by Queen (**)
(B-) Rock and Roll by Led Zeppelin
(B-) Come Sail Away by Styx
(B-) I Love Rock 'n' Roll by Joan Jett & the Blackhearts
(B-) Keep On Lovin’ You by REO Speedwagon
(B-) Light My Fire by the Doors
(C) Every Rose Has Its Thorn by Poison
(C) The Final Countdown by Europe
(C) LA Woman by the Doors
(C-) Eye of the Tiger by Survivor
(C-) Heat of the Moment by Asia
(C-) Summer of '69 by Bryan Adams
(C-) Everything I Do (I Do It for You) by Bryan Adams
(C-) Tom Sawyer by Rush
(C-) Running with the Devil by Van Halen
(D) Follow You, Follow Me by Genesis
(D) Here I Go Again by Whitesnake
(D-) The Joker by the Steve Miller Band
(F) We’re Not Gonna Take It by Twisted Sister
(F) Rock and Roll All Night (RS#404) and I Was Made For Lovin’ You by KISS
(F) Pour Some Sugar on Me by Def Leppard
(F) Touch of Grey by Grateful Dead
(F-) Jump by Van Halen

(*) Great songs, but overplayed.
(**) I’m a Queen fan and these are good songs, but by no means the band’s best.

THE BEST OSCAR-WINNING SONGS

1. Somewhere Over the Rainbow (H29) by Judy Garland.

2. Loose Yourself by Eminem (an incredible 23 weeks at #1).

3. Skyfall by Adele.

4. I Just Called to Say I Love You by Stevie Wonder.

5. Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker and Jennifer Warnes (who has another song in this list).

6. Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper.

7. Beauty and the Beast by Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson.

8. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion.

9. Can You Feel the Love Tonight by Sir Elton John.

10. Last Dance by Donna Summer.

11. White Christmas by Bing Crosby.

12. (I’ve Had) The Time of My Life by Bill Medley and Jennifer Warnes.

13. Flashdance (What a Feeling) by Irene Cara.

14. The Way We Were and Evergreen by Barbra Streisand.

15. Take My Breath Away by Berlin.

16. When You Wish Upon a Star by Cliff Edwards.

17. Moon River by Audrey Hepburn.

18. The Streets of Philadelphia by Bruce Springsteen.

19. Say You Say Me by Lionel Ritchie.

20. Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head by B.J. Thomas.

ACTORS AND ACTRESSES WHO CAN ACTUALLY SING

I am not including actors and actresses who are known primarily as singers, such as Elvis Presley and Barbra Streisand.

1. Jamie Foxx singing Unpredictable ft. Ludacris, Just Like Me ft. T.I., and Blame It ft. T-Pain.

2. Patrick Swayze singing She's Like The Wind, Raising Heaven (in Hell Tonight) and Love Hurts with Larry Gatlin.

3. John Travolta with Olivia Newton John singing You're The One That I Want and Summer Nights. Also, solo singing Sandy, Greased Lightnin’, Never Gonna Fall in Love Again, Can’t Let You Go, Razzamatazz and Let Her In.

4. Queen Latifah has been called hip-hop's first lady.

5. Val Kilmer singing Light My Fire and 14 other Doors songs in The Doors. When the members of the Doors heard Kilmer singing they couldn’t tell whether the voice was Kilmer's or Jim Morrison's.

6. Mandy Patinkin singing Brother Can You Spare a Dime and Somewhere Over the Rainbow so expressively and so well.

7. Emmy Rossum in The Phantom of the Opera.

8. Zooey Deschanel singing Hello in Trolls and Baby It's Cold Outside with Will Ferrell in Elf.

9. Jim Nabors, the star of Gomer Pyle and a regular on the Andy Griffith Show.

10. Anna Kendrick singing True Colors in Trolls. Her lower register is especially impressive.

11. Bradley Cooper singing Shallow with Lady Gaga in A Star is Born.

12. Hugh Jackman in Les Misérables.

13. Anne Hathaway singing I Dreamed A Dream in Les Misérables.

14. Dan Akroyd and John Belushi singing Soul Man in The Blues Brothers.

15. Neil Patrick Harris

16. Amber Riley

17. Evan Rachel Wood singing All Is Found and Show Yourself in Frozen 2.

18. Eddie Murphy

19. Nicole Kidman in Moulin Rouge.

20. Ewan McGregor in Moulin Rouge.

21. Kristen Bell in Frozen and Frozen 2.

22. Meryl Streep

23. Chris Pine

24. Scarlett Johansson

25. Sandra Bullock

26. Ralph Fiennes

27. Joaquin Phoenix

28. Reese Witherspoon

29. Jared Leto

30. Alec Baldwin

THE BEST COUNTRY SONGS

1. I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry (RS#165), Lovesick Blues, Your Cheatin’ Heart, I Can’t Stop Loving You, Lost Highway, I Saw the Light, Jambalaya, Hey Good Lookin’ and Kaw Liga by Hank Williams Sr.

2. He Stopped Loving Her Today (RS#142) by George Jones. Also, She Thinks I Still Care, Tennessee Whiskey, White Lightning, The Grand Tour and The Race Is On.

3. I Walk the Line (RS#76) and Ring of Fire (RS#201) by Johnny Cash.
   
   I find it very, very easy to be true
   I find myself alone when each day is through
   Yes, I'll admit that I'm a fool for you
   Because you're mine, I walk the line.
   
   Johnny Cash wrote "I Walk the Line" in 1956, when he was newly married, and presumably faithful. Years later he recorded Ring of Fire, a song about the torrid love affair that caused him to leave his wife for June Carter of the singing Carter Family, also represented in this list. June Carter wrote "Ring of Fire" with Merle Kilgore. Johnny Cash had a dream in which he was singing the song with mariachi horns in the background, which was how it was recorded. Other notable Johnny Cash songs include Hurt, Folsom Prison Blues, Wildwood Flower and A Boy Named Sue.

4. Crazy (RS#195) by Patsy Cline; also I Fall to Pieces (Ranker#88), Walkin’ After Midnight, Sweet Dreams, She’s Got You, The Wayward Wind, So Wrong, That’s My Desire and Tennessee Waltz.

5. Jolene, Eagle When She Flies, Coat of Many Colors (RS#263) and I Will Always Love You by Dolly Parton, who has had 25 #1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.

6. Go Rest High on that Mountain by Vince Gill, a song he wrote for the brother he lost. I’m not normally a country music fan, but this song, a modern hymn, is wonderfully moving and exquisitely sung by Vince Gill, a former lead singer of Pure Prairie League. Gill wrote the song originally for Keith Whitley, a fellow country music singer who died in 1989, but didn't finish it until after the death of his brother Bob in 1993. Ricky Skaggs and Patty Loveless sang the background vocals on a song that is sure to be an enduring classic. Other songs by Vince Gill include When I Call Your Name, I Still Believe, Pocket Full of Gold, Never Knew Lonely and Whenever You Come Around.

7. Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground, Always on My Mind, Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (RS#253), Crazy, Hello Walls and On the Road Again by Willie Nelson; also Seven Spanish Angels with Ray Charles.

8. Coal Miner’s Daughter (RS#255), You Ain’t Woman Enough and The Pill by Loretta Lynn.

9. I’ll Fly Away, Down to the River to Pray, When You Say Nothing at All and Baby Now That I’ve Found You by Alison Krauss. Also Whiskey Lullaby with Brad Paisley.

10. It’s Only Make Believe and Hello Darlin’ by Conway Twitty the most operatic of country singers. Twitty had an amazing 55 singles reach #1 on the various charts.

11. Stand By Your Man (RS#473), D-I-V-O-R-C-E, I Don’t Want to Play House and Your Good Girl’s Gonna Go Bad by Tammy Wynette, the first lady of country. Also, Golden Ring and Two Story House with George Jones.

12. The Gambler, Lady, Crazy, Lucille and Coward of the County by Kenny Rogers. Also, Islands in the Stream with Dolly Parton, Every Time Two Fools Collide with Dottie West, Make No Mistake She’s Mine with Ronnie Milsap, Buy Me a Rose with Alison Krauss and Billy Dean, Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer with Kim Carnes, and We’ve Got Tonight with Sheena Easton. All these songs reached #1 on the Billboard Country charts.

13. Independence Day, Broken Wing, Concrete Angel and O Holy Night by Martina McBride.

14. Blue Yodel No. 1 (T for Texas) by Jimmie Rodgers, the father of country music, published in 1927. This was country’s first big hit, and Rodgers taught everyone the advantages of falsetto, from Howlin’ Wolf to Elvis Presley.

15. El Paso and Devil Woman by Marty Robbins. In the latter, Robbins sings the chorus with a little falsetto flip that he probably learned from Jimmie Rodgers.

16. The Highwaymen by the Highwaymen (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Kris Kristofferson and Willie Nelson); the song was written by Jimmy Webb. Also, City of New Orleans, Deportee and (Ghost) Riders In the Sky.

17. Man of Constant Sorrow as performed by the Soggy Bottom Boys, Home Free and Sawyer Fredericks.

18. Mama Tried (RS#376), Workin’ Man Blues, I Think I'll Just Stay Here and Drink and Today I Started Loving You Again by Merle Haggard.

19. Can the Circle Be Unbroken and Wildwood Flower by the Carter Family.

20. Amarillo By Morning, The Chair and All My Exes Live in Texas by George Strait.

21. The Thunder Rolls, Shameless, Friends in Low Places and The Dance by Garth Brooks.

22. Kiss an Angel Good Morning and Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone by Charlie Pride.

23. Wichita Lineman (RS#206, H64) as performed by Glen Campbell; written by Jimmy Webb. Also, Gentle on My Mind, Galveston, By the Time I Get to Phoenix and Rhinestone Cowboy. Betcha didn’t know Glen Campbell once played with the Beach Boys!

24. Are You Sure Hank Done It This Way, If We Make It Through December, Good-Hearted Woman, Rainy Day Women, Luckenbach Texas and Honky Tonk Heroes by Waylon Jennings; also Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys with Willie Nelson.

25. Rose Garden by Lynn Anderson; written by Joe South.

26. Sunday Morning Coming Down, Help Me Make It Through the Night, For the Good Times and Me and Bobby McGee by Kris Kristofferson.

27. Delta Dawn, What’s Your Mama’s Name, Two Sparrows in a Hurricane, Blood Red and Goin’ Down and Would You Lay with Me in a Field of Stone by Tanya Tucker.

28. Any Man of Mine, You’re Still the One, That Don’t Impress Me Much, Come On Over and Man! I Feel Like a Woman! by Shania Twain, the best-selling female country artist of all time.

29. Breathe, This Kiss and Where Are You Christmas by Faith Hill. Also, It’s Your Love with Tim McGraw.

30. The Devil Went Down to Georgia by the Charlie Daniels Band.

31. Long Black Veil by Lefty Frizzell.

32. Wabash Cannonball, Tennessee Waltz, Blue Moon of Kentucky and Great Speckled Bird by Roy Acuff.

33. Blue Moon of Kentucky, Kentucky Rain, I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry, Your Cheatin’ Heart, Help Me Make It Through the Night, Green Green Grass of Home, Gentle on My Mind, Snowbird and She Thinks I Still Care by Elvis Presley. Amusingly, when the young Elvis appeared on the Grand Ole Opry, he was advised not to quit his day job as a truck driver!

34. Seven Year Ache and Tennessee Flat Top Box by Roseanne Cash, the daughter of Johnny and June Carter Cash.

35. My Maria, Neon Moon, You’re Gonna Miss Me When I’m Gone and Boot Scootin’ Boogie by Brooks and Dunn.

36. Strawberry Wine as performed by Deana Carter; written by Matraca Berg and Gary Harrison.

37. Fancy and Rumor Has It by Reba McEntire.

38. You Don’t Know Me by Ray Charles; written by Eddy Arnold and Cindy Walker. Also, Georgia on My Mind and Seven Spanish Angels with Willie Nelson.

39. Take Me Home Country Roads (H49), Thank God I'm A Country Boy, Sunshine on My Shoulder and Annie’s Song by John Denver.

40. Bless the Broken Road and What Hurts the Most by Rascal Flatts.

41. Angel from Montgomery (RS#351) by John Prine.

42. Ode to Billie Joe (RS#191) by Bobbie Gentry.

43. Forever And Ever, Amen by Randy Travis.

44. Harper Valley PTA by Jeanie C. Riley.

45. Angel Of The Morning by Juice Newton.

46. Before He Cheats and Jesus Take the Wheel by Carrie Underwood.

47. King of the Road by Roger Miller.

48. I'm No Stranger to the Rain and Don’t Close Your Eyes by Keith Whitley.

49. Tennessee Whiskey by Chris Stapleton.

50. Why Not Me, Grandpa, Mama He’s Crazy, Love is Alive and Love Can Build a Bridge by the Judds, the mother-daughter duo of Naomi and Wynonna Judd.

51. No Gettin’ Over Me, In the Still of the Night, Smoky Mountain Rain and A Stranger in My House by Ronnie Milsap.

52. Foggy Mountain Breakdown, Dueling Banjos and Orange Blossom Special by Lester Flatt and Earl Scruggs

53. It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels by Kitty Wells.

54. Jackson, Will the Circle be Unbroken and If I Were a Carpenter by Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash.

55. Islands in the Stream by Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton; written by the Bee Gees.

56. He'll Have To Go by Jim Reeves.

57. Don't It Make My Brown Eyes Blue and (You’ve Been) Talkin’ in Your Sleep by Crystal Gayle.

58. Flowers on the Wall and Bed of Roses by the Statler Brothers.

59. Broken Lady, All The Gold In California and Midnight Choir (Mogen David) by Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers.

60. Heaven's Just A Sin Away by the Kendalls.

61. Tulsa Queen, Making Believe, Beneath Still Waters, Two More Bottles of Wine, Pancho and Lefty and The Boxer by Emmylou Harris. Also, Love Hurts with Gram Parsons and Only the Heart May Know with Dan Fogelberg, so beautiful!

62. Walking the Floor Over You by Ernest Tubb has been called the first honky tonk song.

63. Behind Closed Doors and The Most Beautiful Girl by Charlie Rich.

64. Make the World Go Away and For the Good Times by Ray Price.

65. Blue by LeAnn Rimes.

66. Landslide, Wide Open Spaces and Goodbye Earl (RS#469) by the Dixie Chicks.

67. I Will Remember You, Breath of Heaven and El Shaddai by Amy Grant.

68. I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack.

69. Before the Next Teardrop Falls by Freddy Fender.

70. Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford.

71. Blue Moon of Kentucky by Bill Monroe and the Bluegrass Boys.

72. Chattahoochee, Here in the Real World, Where Were You (When the World Stopped Turning) and Remember When by Alan Jackson.

73. Need You Now and I Run to You by Lady Antebellum.

74. Feels So Right and Song of the South by Alabama.

75. The House that Built Me (RS#441) by Miranda Lambert.

76. Somebody Like You and The Fighter by Keith Urban ft. Carrie Underwood.

77. Don’t Take the Girl and Live Like You Were Dying by Tim McGraw.

78. Tulsa Time and Amanda by Don Williams.

79. Merry Go 'Round (RS#362) by Kacey Musgraves.

80. Act Naturally by Buck Owens.

81. Guitars, Cadillacs (Hillbilly Music) by Dwight Yoakam.

82. Girl Crush by Little Big Town.

83. The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton.

84. Banks of the Ohio by Olivia-Newton John.

85. Kiss an Angel Good Morning by Sir Tom Jones.

86. Oh, Lonesome Me by Don Gibson.

87. Take This Job and Shove It by Johnny Paycheck.

88. Meet in the Middle by Diamond Rio.

89. Drivin’ My Life Away by Eddie Rabbitt.

90. God’s Country by Blake Shelton.

91. You Never Even Called Me By My Name by David Allan Coe.

92. Springsteen (RS#391) by Eric Church.

93. Pancho and Lefty (RS#499) by Townes Van Zandt.

94. Beer Never Broke My Heart by Luke Combs.

95. Try That in a Small Town by Jason Aldean.

96. Put Some Drive in Your Country by Travis Tritt.

97. She's Everything by Brad Paisley.

98. I Swear by John Michael Montgomery.

99. Seminole Wind by John Anderson.

100. Killin' Time and You’re My World (H68) by Clint Black.

101. East Bound and Down by Jerry Reed.

102. Old Town Road (RS#490) by Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus.

103. Elvira by the Oak Ridge Boys.

104. Red Solo Cup by Toby Keith.

105. Last Night by Morgan Wallen.

106. All My Rowdy Friends Are Comin’ Over Tonight, Whiskey Bent and Hell Bound and A Country Boy Can Survive by Hank Williams Jr.

HONORABLE MENTION: Trace Adkins, Chet Atkins, Gene Autry, The Bellamy Brothers, Kenny Chesney, Mark Chesnutt, Roy Clark, Joe Diffie, Eagles, Tom T. Hall, Tracy Lawrence, Chris LeDoux, Lonestar, Patty Loveless, Barbara Mandrel, Louise Mandrel, Roy Orbison, Minnie Pearl, Darius Rucker of Hootie & the Blowfish, Ricky Skaggs, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Josh Turner, Porter Waggoner, Trisha Yearwood

THE BEST GOSPEL SONGS

1. O Come O Come Emmanuel by Enya.

2. Sweet Little Jesus Boy, Amazing Grace and Trouble of the World by Mahalia Jackson.

3. Amazing Grace, Mary Don’t You Weep, Wholly Holy and Precious Lord Take My Hand by Aretha Franklin. BTW, Amazing Grace remains the best-selling Gospel album of all time!

4. O Holy Night by Patti Labelle.

5. Peace in the Valley by Elvis Presley.

6. I’ll Fly Away and Down to the River to Pray by Alison Krauss.

7. Gethsemane by Ted Neely from Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) and Ian Gillan.

8. El Shaddai by Amy Grant.

9. Everything’s Alright by John Legend, Sara Bareilles and Brandon Victor Dixon from Jesus Christ Superstar (2018).

10. It Is Well with My Soul by the Tabernacle Choir and BYU Vocal Point.

11. I Don’t Know How to Love Him by Yvonne Elliman from Jesus Christ Superstar (1973).

12. Heaven on Their Minds by Carl Anderson from Jesus Christ Superstar (1973).

13. King Herod’s Song by Joshua Mostel from Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) and Alice Cooper.

14. Prepare Ye (the Way of the Lord) by David Haskell from Godspell (1973).

15. Save the People by Robin Lamont from Godspell (1973).

16. Day by Day by Robin Lamont from Godspell (1973).

#ROCK #BEST #RANKING #MRBROCK #MRBBEST #MRBRANKING zzz