The 30 Best Songs of All Time
When it comes to music, most of us have a specific genre we like to stick to.
However, when you really, truly think about your favorite songs, we're willing to bet they're all over the board. Whether it's country, pop, rock, rap or something else, there are so many incredible songs out there to choose from. In the last few generations, we've been blessed with an insane amount of hits.
We put together a list of the 30 best songs of all time. Scroll though to see if your fave made the list!
30. 'Thriller' by Michael Jackson
When a song wins a Grammy, you know it's good. "Thriller" is a groundbreaking song, which became more of a story that discussed the supernatural world. Fans became obsessed not only with the lyrics themselves, but with the unparalleled and now legendary choreography.
29. 'Break On Through' by The Doors
Front man of The Doors, Jim Morrison, has a truly captivating voice in this song. "Break On Through" was the first single the band ever released, and it was widely recognized and appreciated by fans and critics alike. It's certainly a classic and continues to show up on the charts, even all these years later.
28. 'Good Vibrations' by The Beach Boys
It should come as no surprise that The Beach Boys, a band that's been inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, ended up on the greatest songs list. "Good Vibrations" was arguably one of their most popular and beloved songs. In addition to that, pop and rock critics widely agree that this song shaped the future of the music industry. The way they recorded it was unlike any other before its time.
27. 'What a Wonderful World' by Louis Armstrong
If you're a fan of feel-good movies or television shows, we pretty much guarantee you've heard this song. "What a Wonderful World," sung by Louis Armstrong, is such a tender, beautiful piece of art that has truly stood out in the years. Sung with a gut-wrenching sort of pain and awe, this song will tear at your heartstrings and perhaps even make you shed a few joyful tears.
26. 'Single Ladies' by Beyonce
We all remember the MTV Awards drama that ensued the year Beyonce's "Single Ladies" was dubbed to win the best music video of the year (ahem, Kanye West). While she did not take home the win, the song itself has proven to be incredibly popular and loved. Sung by women and men, both young and old, "Single Ladies" has become a mantra for all the single women of the world.
25. 'Wannabe' by Spice Girls
"Wannabe," arguably the best song by the popular UK girl band, Spice Girls, is all about female empowerment and girl power. The lyrics they sing show us just how important it is for women and girls to have a close group of girlfriends they can rely on. The group is the true embodiment of brave, talented women who we can all strive to emulate.
24. 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' by Nirvana
The late and great Kurt Cobain, aka, the frontman of Nirvana, was the genius behind the classic song, "Smells Like Teen Spirit." The song heavily influenced teens at the time and they loved what it stood for. Non-conformity and individualism are what this song encapsulates, which we think it genius when paired with the beats themselves. The way the song goes from loud, to soft, to intense, to dreamy, is unlike anything else.
23. 'Where Is the Love?' by Black Eyed Peas
Do you remember where you were the first time you heard "Where Is the Love?" by the Black Eyed Peas? Even if you don't, we're willing to bet you know the lyrics to this mesmerizing and haunting song. The Black Eyed Peas are so versatile in their music styles, but this song has to take the cake. The mixture of rap, singing and instrumentals made one brilliant track.
22. 'Tiny Dancer' by Elton John
Elton John has too many great songs to list, so we decided to include his well-known "Tiny Dancer." It's pretty much guaranteed to be heard at every wedding or party since everyone can sing along. We love this song because not only does it have a fun beat, but it truly shows off Elton John's music capabilities, which are superb.
21. 'Ice Ice Baby' by Vanilla Ice
If you're a big fan of the song "Ice Ice Baby," you probably know that Vanilla Ice received a lot of backlash when he initially released it. He used the same bassline as Queen's, "Under Pressure," yet he gave it no credit. However, we sincerely love this "version" of the song. Perhaps Vanilla Ice's one hit wonder will go down as both loved and hated in history.
20. 'Gimme Shelter' by The Rolling Stones
Released in the year 1969, The Rolling Stones' hit song, "Gimme Shelter" took center stage. This song certainly resonates with people even to this day, as it's primarily about seeking shelter and getting out of harm's way. Mick Jagger, the band's front-runner, stole the show with his incredible vocals, leaving fans and critics in complete awe.
19. 'Jolene' by Dolly Parton
Dolly Parton's "Jolene" is a country and folk genre classic. The stunning lyrics she came up with herself are not only relatable, but sung beautifully. The dark melody behind the lyrics allows listeners to truly take in Parton's pain and angst. On top of that, this song has been recorded by a large number of other popular artists, including Miley Cyrus and the Pentatonix.
18. 'Purple Rain' by Prince
No list is complete without a bit of Prince swagger to add to the mix. His song "Purple Rain" has such a stunning and beautiful meaning to it. Prince said the song is about being with the one you love when the end of the world comes, or with your god or gods. This psychedelic track has been No. 1 on Billboard and won multiple Grammys for the song and album, meaning it's pretty good.
17. 'Mr. Brightside' by The Killers
Enter any house party and you're sure to hear "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers blaring from the speakers. The lyrics are about a guy who's convinced his significant other is cheating on him, so you can only imagine the heartache and pain this song delivers. People listening to this track belt it out, cry, laugh and more because of the influx of emotions it tends to evoke.
16. 'You Belong With Me' by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift's "You Belong With Me" is what beat No. 26 on this list, ("Single Ladies") for the music video of the year MTV VMA. Taylor Swift wrote this dreamy song and it instantly garnered love and attention from fans. Swift has way too many hit songs to count, but we think this one is a classic that people will always relate to, sing along to and appreciate.
15. 'All the Small Things' by blink-182
blink-182 loves talking smack in their songs, and "All the Small Things" is no different. The song is said to be about boy bands and pop artists from the early 2000s, essentially making fun of them. While the song is certainly not "nice" in its nature, it sure does have an awesome beat. We're willing to bet anyone who has heard this can't help but dance, nod their head or sing along to this classic punk-rock jam.
14. 'Piano Man' by Billy Joel
You'd think a song about a piano player at a bar wouldn't resonate with anyone, but boy was that proven wrong with Billy Joel's famous "Piano Man." The lyrics and the way he belts them out are striking and sound incredible with, you guessed it, a piano playing in the background. Released in 1973, all these years later, it still holds cultural importance and is played every day around the world.
13. 'Respect' by Aretha Franklin
Rolling Stone named Aretha Franklin's "Respect" the No. 5 song of the best 500 songs ever produced. The tune, originally sung by Otis Redding, was repurposed into the version we all know and love today. The way Franklin belts out its lyrics make people want to get up and dance. This track won her numerous Grammys and other awards.
12. 'Here Comes the Sun' by The Beatles
The Beatles make every notable "best song" list, and for good reason. Their timeless tunes are loved by everyone. We decided to put "Here Comes the Sun" at No. 12 on our list because it's one of their most popular and well-loved songs ever. Getting out of a dark and depressing place and into the "sun" is what this song is all about.
11. 'I Will Always Love You' by Whitney Houston
"I Will Always Love You" is a song many of us know and love by Whitney Houston, but it was actually first sung by Dolly Parton years earlier. Houston's interpretation had more of an R&B edge to it, which people all over flocked to. The tune is truly beautiful and heartbreaking, as it's about saying goodbye to a past lover, letting them know that you will always love them.
10. 'Live Like You Were Dying' by Tim McGraw
The feel-good song, "Live Like You Were Dying" by Tim McGraw might be a shocker to some of you, but we think it deserved its spot on this list. Winning the Grammy for the best country song of the year, this track resonated with many listeners. The song's about loved ones finding out they have terminal illnesses, and deciding to live it up and become better people. It's a great reminder that life's short and not to be taken for granted.
9. 'Baby One More Time' by Britney Spears
Britney Spears, queen of pop (in our opinion), is a true artist. When she first came on the scene, we were blessed with a ton of incredible songs, but the one we think deserves a place on the best song list is "Baby One More Time." Since a lot of girls can relate breaking up with a boyfriend, this song has remained a classic since its debut in 1998.
8. 'The Way You Look Tonight' by Frank Sinatra
Originally sung by Fred Astaire, Frank Sinatra's version of "The Way You Look Tonight" garnered even more popularity and attention. Sinatra is loved by many due to his incredible, melodic vocals, and it's clear he has the talent while listening to this song. We think his version of the track deserves to go down in history as one of the best remakes of all time.
7. 'Pursuit of Happiness' by Kid Cudi
While Kid Cudi's "Pursuit of Happiness" never gained any noteworthy awards or accolades, we think it deserves the spot of number seven on this list. It's become the party anthem for people all over the world and even reached platinum five times in the United States. We think this is such a feel-good song.
6. 'The Chain' by Fleetwood Mac
You didn't think we'd go through this list and not include some Stevie Nicks, did you? Fleetwood Mac's "The Chain" is one of the bands most popular songs and was nominated for a Grammy the year of its release. The song is widely loved and emotes feelings we can all relate to. This song rightfully deserves its place of number six on our list.
5. 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey
We know, including a Christmas song might seem weird, but hear us out. Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas Is You" is one of the best-selling singles of all time by a female vocalist. Every year Christmas rolls around, this song finds its way back to the top of the charts. It's a classic holiday song that we're sure is here to stay for years and years ahead.
4. 'Like a Rolling Stone' by Bob Dylan
Coming in at number four and released back in 1965, Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" remains to be one of his most popular songs ever recorded. It became a post-war song that people loved listening to as they felt they could relate to it. It reached the top of the Billboard charts and is to this day one of the best songs we think has ever been released.
3. 'Can't Help Falling in Love' by Elvis Presley
The king of Rock 'n' Roll, Elvis Presley, took music to where it is today. Without him, the industry would be vastly different. His song, "Can't Help Falling In Love," was one of his slower melodies, but just as stunning and beautiful. We think this is one of the most sincere pieces of art ever released by an artist, thus deserving its spot at No. 3.
2. 'Sweet Caroline' by Neil Diamond
Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" is the one song we're certain has been played in houses and parties all across the world. This soft rock genre of a song is loved by old and young, male and female, and so on. Due to its sweet nature and fun melody, it's a song we're sure will continue to be streamed and played for the years to come, therefore earning its rightful spot at number two.
1. 'Bohemian Rhapsody' by Queen
Drum roll please! Coming in at No. 1 on the list of the best songs ever is Queen's "Bohemian Rhapsody. This song is more like a story and is quite frankly all over the place, which is why people are completely obsessed with it. When Freddie Mercury wrote the lyrics and brought it to his label, everyone thought he had gone completely mad. But once it reached the radio stations, everyone's jaws dropped to the floor.
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