Ahh. My apologies, I didn't realize this list was compiled by people who actually read the forum.
I think most of the inclusions are good inclusions, but I would ease up on the 'Popular' requirement. There are bands like Velvet Underground and REM which are legends though they started out with niche appeal and they belong on a list like this every bit as much as the Beatles and Elvis Presleys. Then there's bands that didn't achieve mainstream popularity but were every bit as iconic and meaningful to their audience as bands that did, like Pixies and Sonic Youth.
A list of great songs shouldn't be limited to those which also contain the qualities that make a song popular.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
86. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
97. Twist And Shout - Beatles / Isley Brothers
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
140. I Only Have Eyes For You - Flamingos 4
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
160. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
178. Eight Miles High - Byrds
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
183. Lose Yourself - Eminem
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
140. I Only Have Eyes For You - Flamingos 4 even though I enjoy this song, in my view it is not quite as special as the other songs on the list in view of the criteria described by Savoy.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
86. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
97. Twist And Shout - Beatles / Isley Brothers
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
160. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
178. Eight Miles High - Byrds
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
183. Lose Yourself - Eminem
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
86. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
97. Twist And Shout - Beatles / Isley Brothers
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
160. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
183. Lose Yourself - Eminem
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Jirin wrote:Ahh. My apologies, I didn't realize this list was compiled by people who actually read the forum.
I think most of the inclusions are good inclusions, but I would ease up on the 'Popular' requirement. There are bands like Velvet Underground and REM which are legends though they started out with niche appeal and they belong on a list like this every bit as much as the Beatles and Elvis Presleys. Then there's bands that didn't achieve mainstream popularity but were every bit as iconic and meaningful to their audience as bands that did, like Pixies and Sonic Youth.
A list of great songs shouldn't be limited to those which also contain the qualities that make a song popular.
REM and Sonci Youth both have a song in the top 500. REM had plentry of hits.
I totally disagree with you about the Velvet underground. Everybody hated them when they were current and their music is totally unlistenable IMO.
I like some Eminem songs, but this is pretty bad. The lyrics are straight out of a high school poetry class and the message is awful- It's either food stamps which according to him is being a bad father, or becoming a superstar. I guess he hasn't heard of the middle class or working up to get somewhere. Nope, it's one opportunity to become a star or his life's blown. I can't believe that this song is considered inspirational.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
86. Jeremy - Pearl Jam
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
97. Twist And Shout - Beatles / Isley Brothers
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
160. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
SavoyBG wrote:
I totally disagree with you about the Velvet underground. Everybody hated them when they were current and their music is totally unlistenable IMO.
There are not a lot of old-timers on this forum (like yourself and me) that were listening to music when the Velvet Underground were current. It seems to me sometimes as if the hipsters have picked up on performers like VU and taken their acclaim far out of proportion.
But, to the extent that VU's acclaim has been sustained for more than a few decades, folks who share our view could just be old fuddy-duddies.
My least favorite song left is "Jeremy" (#86), so I shall ax it.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
97. Twist And Shout - Beatles / Isley Brothers
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
160. Nothing Compares 2 U - Sinéad O'Connor
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
The Velvet Underground were a lot more popular than people like to believe. VU + Nico came out in 1967 and sold 250,000 copies by the end of the decade. They've been glamorized as a band that didn't sell well but influenced hundreds of bands. The influence is true, but they didn't have problems reaching a large audience. The quote attributed to Brian Eno about VU+ Nico only selling 1000 records but everybody who bought it formed a band is not only a myth in that he said that, it's a myth in the regard that the quote itself is completely untrue.
Are there any Wilco or Flaming Lips songs in the top 500? Pavement? XTC?
Quality and quantity of appeal are two separate, unrelated measures, and when discussing all time greatness quantity should only be a tiebreaker.
Having the quality that happens to strike the right chords with a mainstream audience in the particular year it was released is a marketing accomplishment, not a musical one.
SavoyBG wrote:
I totally disagree with you about the Velvet underground. Everybody hated them when they were current and their music is totally unlistenable IMO.
There are not a lot of old-timers on this forum (like yourself and me) that were listening to music when the Velvet Underground were current. It seems to me sometimes as if the hipsters have picked up on performers like VU and taken their acclaim far out of proportion.
But, to the extent that VU's acclaim has been sustained for more than a few decades, folks who share our view could just be old fuddy-duddies.
Most rock and roll fans can not even name one song by the VU.
John wrote:The Velvet Underground were a lot more popular than people like to believe. VU + Nico came out in 1967 and sold 250,000 copies by the end of the decade. They've been glamorized as a band that didn't sell well but influenced hundreds of bands. The influence is true, but they didn't have problems reaching a large audience. The quote attributed to Brian Eno about VU+ Nico only selling 1000 records but everybody who bought it formed a band is not only a myth in that he said that, it's a myth in the regard that the quote itself is completely untrue.
Were you around back then? Because I was, and I never heard any of their songs until the late 1970s. They were playing live shows with like 30 people in the place in 1967. I know a few people who saw them in little ratholes in the village with small crowds like that.
Jirin wrote:Are there any Wilco or Flaming Lips songs in the top 500? Pavement? XTC?
Quality and quantity of appeal are two separate, unrelated measures, and when discussing all time greatness quantity should only be a tiebreaker.
Having the quality that happens to strike the right chords with a mainstream audience in the particular year it was released is a marketing accomplishment, not a musical one.
Who is to say what is quality and what is not quality?
For every artist trhat you think is quality, I can find many knowledgable music people who would think that that artist is shit.
What you call "quality" is 100% subjective opinion. Lots of stuff that I think is of the utmost quality, you would likely hate (or not even know).
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
97. Twist And Shout - Beatles / Isley Brothers
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Only 2 tracks I rate 0/10 are left. Goodbye "Twist and Shout".
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
110. Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Moonbeam wrote:Only 2 tracks I rate 0/10 are left. Goodbye "Twist and Shout".
I can uderstand it not being a favorite, but a ZERO?
That rating is reserved for things like "Dis-Gorilla" by Rick Dees.
Yeah, I haven't heard a single Beatles song I'd give more than a 4/10. The vocals on "Twist and Shout" drive me nuts.
A perfect example of what I mean about "quality" being an entirely subjective thing that is just one person's opinion. According to you the Beatles never even had one song that was above average.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
190. Blowin' In The Wind - Bob Dylan
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones[/quote]
While Savoy is way too dismissive of music made since the 1960s, in this particular debate, I must side with him. Influence (both on music and the broader culture) and popularity, properly understood, are the best indicators of artistic merit.
After all, as Savoy points out, "quality" is purely subjective. The Beatles are widely considered the greatest band in pop music history. However, Moonbeam, a knowledgeable musical fan whose opinion I respect, does not believe they produced one song of even average quality. He dismisses the Fabs' cover of "Twist and Shout" on the basis of the vocal.
Others, including myself, would cite Lennon's lead vocal as one of the best, most intense vocals of the 1960s (and let's give some props to the incredible scream McCartney unleashes at a key juncture). Moonbeam thinks the Beatles are substandard. I think they set the standard for pop music. And we both love Prince. Others cannot stand him. It’s all just a matter of taste.
Now, discussions of influence are also somewhat subjective, but here we are not just talking about opinions, we are talking about interpretations, interpretations that require evidence, interpretations that must persuade others. I may believe Leo Sayer was the most influential singer-songwriter of the 1970s. Someone else may argue for Paul Simon or Neil Young or whomever. But in the end, each has to make a case for his/her pick. And the case for Leo Sayer is a slim one that is not going to convince anyone, not even Mr. Sayer himself.
Lastly, in terms of popularity, popularity matters greatly, but not short-term popularity. Debby Boone spent ten weeks (!) at number one with "You Light Up My Life" in 1977. Unless they are being ironic, I imagine no one plays that song anymore (and probably few have since the late-70s). It became kitsch almost instantly. However, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, also released in 1977, would remain a touchstone of AOR radio for over thirty years. That matters. Just as it matters that the Beatles, to cite another example, sold the second most albums in the United States from 2000-2009, behind only Eminem.
In the end, I think virtually all of the truly great artists (Beatles, Elvis, Dylan, Stones, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana, James Brown, Cooke, Redding, Madonna, Aretha, Public Enemy, etc.), reached people and sold a considerable amount of records. They may not have sold the most records, but they were popular and, more importantly, they managed to remain relevant after their commercial peak passed.
stone37 wrote:While Savoy is way too dismissive of music made since the 1960s, in this particular debate, I must side with him. Influence (both on music and the broader culture) and popularity, properly understood, are the best indicators of artistic merit.
After all, as Savoy points out, "quality" is purely subjective. The Beatles are widely considered the greatest band in pop music history. However, Mindrocker, a knowledgeable musical fan whose opinion I respect, does not believe they produced one song of even average quality. He dismisses the Fabs' cover of "Twist and Shout" on the basis of the vocal.
Others, including myself, would cite Lennon's lead vocal as one of the best, most intense vocals of the 1960s (and let's give some props to the incredible scream McCartney unleashes at a key juncture). Mindrocker thinks the Beatles are substandard. I think they set the standard for pop music. And we both love Prince. Others cannot stand him. It’s all just a matter of taste.
Now, discussions of influence are also somewhat subjective, but here we are not just talking about opinions, we are talking about interpretations, interpretations that require evidence, interpretations that must persuade others. I may believe Leo Sayer was the most influential singer-songwriter of the 1970s. Someone else may argue for Paul Simon or Neil Young or whomever. But in the end, each has to make a case for his/her pick. And the case for Leo Sayer is a slim one that is not going to convince anyone, not even Mr. Sayer himself.
Lastly, in terms of popularity, popularity matters greatly, but not short-term popularity. Debby Boone spent ten weeks (!) at number one with "You Light Up My Life" in 1977. Unless they are being ironic, I imagine no one plays that song anymore (and probably few have since the late-70s). It became kitsch almost instantly. However, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, also released in 1977, would remain a touchstone of AOR radio for over thirty years. That matters. Just as it matters that the Beatles, to cite another example, sold the second most albums in the United States from 2000-2009, behind only Eminem.
In the end, I think virtually all of the truly great artists (Beatles, Elvis, Dylan, Stones, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana, James Brown, Cooke, Redding, Madonna, Aretha, Public Enemy, etc.), reached people and sold a considerable amount of records. They may not have sold the most records, but they were popular and, more importantly, they managed to remain relevant after their commercial peak passed.
Great post, except including Nirvana on a list of "truly great artists" like that is insane IMO. Thery stick out like a sore thumb among those names. Take them out and insert Ray Charles or Michael Jackson or the Beach Boys or someone else of that status.
Last edited by SavoyBG on Sat Jun 01, 2013 5:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
stone37 wrote:While Savoy is way too dismissive of music made since the 1960s, in this particular debate, I must side with him. Influence (both on music and the broader culture) and popularity, properly understood, are the best indicators of artistic merit.
After all, as Savoy points out, "quality" is purely subjective. The Beatles are widely considered the greatest band in pop music history. However, Mindrocker, a knowledgeable musical fan whose opinion I respect, does not believe they produced one song of even average quality. He dismisses the Fabs' cover of "Twist and Shout" on the basis of the vocal.
Others, including myself, would cite Lennon's lead vocal as one of the best, most intense vocals of the 1960s (and let's give some props to the incredible scream McCartney unleashes at a key juncture). Mindrocker thinks the Beatles are substandard. I think they set the standard for pop music. And we both love Prince. Others cannot stand him. It’s all just a matter of taste.
Now, discussions of influence are also somewhat subjective, but here we are not just talking about opinions, we are talking about interpretations, interpretations that require evidence, interpretations that must persuade others. I may believe Leo Sayer was the most influential singer-songwriter of the 1970s. Someone else may argue for Paul Simon or Neil Young or whomever. But in the end, each has to make a case for his/her pick. And the case for Leo Sayer is a slim one that is not going to convince anyone, not even Mr. Sayer himself.
Lastly, in terms of popularity, popularity matters greatly, but not short-term popularity. Debby Boone spent ten weeks (!) at number one with "You Light Up My Life" in 1977. Unless they are being ironic, I imagine no one plays that song anymore (and probably few have since the late-70s). It became kitsch almost instantly. However, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, also released in 1977, would remain a touchstone of AOR radio for over thirty years. That matters. Just as it matters that the Beatles, to cite another example, sold the second most albums in the United States from 2000-2009, behind only Eminem.
In the end, I think virtually all of the truly great artists (Beatles, Elvis, Dylan, Stones, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana, James Brown, Cooke, Redding, Madonna, Aretha, Public Enemy, etc.), reached people and sold a considerable amount of records. They may not have sold the most records, but they were popular and, more importantly, they managed to remain relevant after their commercial peak passed.
I agree with this, for the most part. While I really dislike The Beatles, I'd be foolish to dismiss them as "crap" or unimportant - I just don't like them. The only subject on which I can speak with authority is my own taste. Did they influence a lot of people? Did (do) they matter to a lot of people? Of course! So good for The Beatles, and good for those whose lives they've touched. Just keep them away from me, please.
The point about momentary and lasting popularity is a good and important one as well. The artists that Jirin laments not being on the list are artists who did not necessarily achieve widespread popularity at the time, but their music has continued to matter to a relatively small but seemingly increasing audience of music lovers. Paula Abdul surely sold a lot more than Sonic Youth in the late 80s, but I'd bet that Sonic Youth is selling a fair bit more now.
SavoyBG wrote:
Great post, except including Nirvana on a list of "truly great artists" like that is insane IMO. Thery stick out like a sore thumb among those names. Take them out and insert Ray Charles or Michael Jackson or the Beach Boys or someone else of that status.
I think Nirvana certainly belongs in that pantheon. They are still quite popular among kids today, more than 20 years after Nevermind blew the doors off of rock music. I can think of a lot of 90s artists I like better (Björk for one!) who have not had nearly the same impact.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
142. Dancing Queen - ABBA
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones[/quote]
I still don't know how I feel about this one. Is it a guilty pleasure? I really do like that drumbeat...but I think I'll succumb to the part of me that utterly hates it and delete 142. Dancing Queen - ABBA.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
192. Georgia On My Mind - Ray Charles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Hound Dog will soon be my pick unless credit is added to Big Mama Thornton.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
152. Lean on Me - Bill Withers
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Everyone you meet fights a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.
I like this one, but I always wished it would’ve been delivered with a little more energy. (The vocals sound so listless and despondent that I always thought he was the one who needed somebody to lean on.) I would have far preferred to see “Ain’t No Sunshine” on the list instead. Also, I agree with Henrik about the lack of Big Mama Thornton’s attachment to “Hound Dog.” I’m probably one of the biggest Elvis fans on the forum, but I still always preferred Thornton’s grittier version. If Van Halen can be connected to “You Really Got Me,” then Big Mama should definitely be given credit for her terrific performance of “Hound Dog.”
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Also, I agree with Henrik about the lack of Big Mama Thornton’s attachment to “Hound Dog.” I’m probably one of the biggest Elvis fans on the forum, but I still always preferred Thornton’s grittier version. If Van Halen can be connected to “You Really Got Me,” then Big Mama should definitely be given credit for her terrific performance of “Hound Dog.”
We only listed second versions if they were fairly close to the top version in significance based on our criteria. That's why there's no "Respect" by Otis Redding, for instance. Being that Elvis' "Hound Dog" may possibly be THE most significant rock record of the 1950s, we didn't think that Big Mama's version was close enough to it in significance to be listed.
You can make a good case for "Hound Dog" by Elvis being the most significant rock record of the decade because of all the controversy it caused when he performed it on TV and everything. While I think that Thornton's version is also great, there's lots of people who think it blows, so you can't go by the "quality" factor. We also tried not to list more tha n one version of the songs up near the top of the list, so as not to diminish their lofty positions on the list.
Did you also want the Sex Pistols to be listed as the second version of "Rock Around The Clock?"
123. Gimme Some Lovin' - Spencer Davis Group is gone, although I like.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
96. Soul Man - Sam & Dave
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Check out my music review blog! Matt and Music! mattandmusic.blogspot.com
stone37 wrote:While Savoy is way too dismissive of music made since the 1960s, in this particular debate, I must side with him. Influence (both on music and the broader culture) and popularity, properly understood, are the best indicators of artistic merit.
After all, as Savoy points out, "quality" is purely subjective. The Beatles are widely considered the greatest band in pop music history. However, Moonbeam, a knowledgeable musical fan whose opinion I respect, does not believe they produced one song of even average quality. He dismisses the Fabs' cover of "Twist and Shout" on the basis of the vocal.
Others, including myself, would cite Lennon's lead vocal as one of the best, most intense vocals of the 1960s (and let's give some props to the incredible scream McCartney unleashes at a key juncture). Moonbeam thinks the Beatles are substandard. I think they set the standard for pop music. And we both love Prince. Others cannot stand him. It’s all just a matter of taste.
Now, discussions of influence are also somewhat subjective, but here we are not just talking about opinions, we are talking about interpretations, interpretations that require evidence, interpretations that must persuade others. I may believe Leo Sayer was the most influential singer-songwriter of the 1970s. Someone else may argue for Paul Simon or Neil Young or whomever. But in the end, each has to make a case for his/her pick. And the case for Leo Sayer is a slim one that is not going to convince anyone, not even Mr. Sayer himself.
Lastly, in terms of popularity, popularity matters greatly, but not short-term popularity. Debby Boone spent ten weeks (!) at number one with "You Light Up My Life" in 1977. Unless they are being ironic, I imagine no one plays that song anymore (and probably few have since the late-70s). It became kitsch almost instantly. However, Rumours by Fleetwood Mac, also released in 1977, would remain a touchstone of AOR radio for over thirty years. That matters. Just as it matters that the Beatles, to cite another example, sold the second most albums in the United States from 2000-2009, behind only Eminem.
In the end, I think virtually all of the truly great artists (Beatles, Elvis, Dylan, Stones, Prince, Stevie Wonder, Nirvana, James Brown, Cooke, Redding, Madonna, Aretha, Public Enemy, etc.), reached people and sold a considerable amount of records. They may not have sold the most records, but they were popular and, more importantly, they managed to remain relevant after their commercial peak passed.
The problem is even measuring popularity is fairly subjective; I know a lot of people that absolutely love VU and very few that feel the same way about Jerry Lee Lewis or Bill Haley. I'm not saying the latter two artists don't deserve a place in rock and roll history, but in my admittedly limited view, the Velvet Underground are still impacting people today with greater force than Bill Haley.
I like this song, but does it really deserve to be on the same list as Gimme Shelter?
137. Jumpin' Jack Flash - Rolling Stones
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Chris K. wrote:
The problem is even measuring popularity is fairly subjective; I know a lot of people that absolutely love VU and very few that feel the same way about Jerry Lee Lewis or Bill Haley. I'm not saying the latter two artists don't deserve a place in rock and roll history, but in my admittedly limited view, the Velvet Underground are still impacting people today with greater force than Bill Haley.
Yes, it's very subjective. Each time I play VU for someone, they listen to it and remark that they would rather not listen to it any more.
Chris K said: "The problem is even measuring popularity is fairly subjective; I know a lot of people that absolutely love VU and very few that feel the same way about Jerry Lee Lewis or Bill Haley. I'm not saying the latter two artists don't deserve a place in rock and roll history, but in my admittedly limited view, the Velvet Underground are still impacting people today with greater force than Bill Haley."
To wit, I reply: popularity is entirely subjective if you measure it by just referencing your social circle. I would be willing to bet that only a handful of my 130+ students would recognize a single VU song. The vast majority of them would know "Great Balls of Fire." Many would recognize "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On." I imagine most would also know "Rock Around the Clock."
stone37 wrote:Chris K said: "The problem is even measuring popularity is fairly subjective; I know a lot of people that absolutely love VU and very few that feel the same way about Jerry Lee Lewis or Bill Haley. I'm not saying the latter two artists don't deserve a place in rock and roll history, but in my admittedly limited view, the Velvet Underground are still impacting people today with greater force than Bill Haley."
To wit, I reply: popularity is entirely subjective if you measure it by just referencing your social circle. I would be willing to bet that only a handful of my 130+ students would recognize a single VU song. The vast majority of them would know "Great Balls of Fire." Many would recognize "Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On." I imagine most would also know "Rock Around the Clock."
They might recognize it, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's at all relevant to them; I know plenty of music that I would never listen to on my own simply because at one point it was force fed to me through parents, etc. My point is this, it's awfully hard to measure a song's significance through popularity. Just because a song was once popular doesn't mean it is forever relevant and just because an artist didn't connect with a large audience during their existence doesn't mean they never will. Just look at how successful the Pixies reunion tour was and compare it to their original run (I saw them a few years ago at a sold out show in a venue that holds 17,000, that would have been unheard of in 1991). Popularity does matter to a degree, but popularity is also fickle and does not necessarily denote greatness. Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Garth Brooks are three of the biggest selling artists of the last 25 years and yet they barely register on AM (and they are consistent, commercially speaking). Who then makes the call that they should be relegated to kitsch? I don't think they really deserve acclaim, but then again I only see popularity as one of many possible measurements of greatness.
Quality may not be objective but popularity is even more subjective, and it's ridiculous to base a list of 'Greatness' on the taste of the majority.
The way the music industry works, it's impossible to even get your record heard if you don't do it through the big labels. Yeah, a lot of people can't name a Velvet Underground song. That might be because no big label once paid the media outlets they control to repeat it ad nauseum. Nobody ever made a movie called Femme Fatale with Lou Reed and John Cale running between limos. Musical taste of the majority is defined more by the way the singers are dressed than by the way their music sounds. Any reasonable list has to account for that exposure bias, and has to factor out all the superficial qualities that also contribute to popularity.
Elvis Presley sung a lot of great songs, but he wasn't popular because he wrote great songs, he was popular because he gyrated his ass. If his music sounded exactly the same, but instead of a good looking guy who shook his ass around he was a nerdy looking guy with zits, he would have never been popular, and you'd be saying the exact same songs didn't belong on the list because 'Most people can't name an Elvis Presley song'.
To me a list is more meaningful if it's based on the taste of people with a variety of tastes. That way you get the songs that are popular and you also get the songs that not a lot of people heard but were extremely important to the niche they belong in. That's what I like so much about the acclaimedmusic list. The niche oriented greats like VU get their deserved standing alongside the iconic greats.
If we're going strictly by a popularity argument, I want to know why "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys is absent from the list.
122. Peggy Sue - Buddy Holly is out.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Last edited by Jirin on Sat Jun 01, 2013 7:52 pm, edited 1 time in total.
A fun song, but not one I would really call "great". The next song to go is...
109. Celebration - Kool & The Gang
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
13. Tutti-Frutti - Little Richard
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
Chris K. wrote:
The problem is even measuring popularity is fairly subjective; I know a lot of people that absolutely love VU and very few that feel the same way about Jerry Lee Lewis or Bill Haley. I'm not saying the latter two artists don't deserve a place in rock and roll history, but in my admittedly limited view, the Velvet Underground are still impacting people today with greater force than Bill Haley.
Yes, it's very subjective. Each time I play VU for someone, they listen to it and remark that they would rather not listen to it any more.
Chris K. wrote:Mariah Carey, Celine Dion and Garth Brooks are three of the biggest selling artists of the last 25 years and yet they barely register on AM (and they are consistent, commercially speaking). Who then makes the call that they should be relegated to kitsch? I don't think they really deserve acclaim, but then again I only see popularity as one of many possible measurements of greatness.
They have plenty of acclaim. Acclaim is not just limited to critical acclaim. Things like Grammy Awards are also measures of acclaim.
Jirin wrote:Quality may not be objective but popularity is even more subjective, and it's ridiculous to base a list of 'Greatness' on the taste of the majority.
What should we base it on, the taste of Jirin?
Jirin wrote:
The way the music industry works, it's impossible to even get your record heard if you don't do it through the big labels. Yeah, a lot of people can't name a Velvet Underground song. That might be because no big label once paid the media outlets they control to repeat it ad nauseum. Nobody ever made a movie called Femme Fatale with Lou Reed and John Cale running between limos. Musical taste of the majority is defined more by the way the singers are dressed than by the way their music sounds. Any reasonable list has to account for that exposure bias, and has to factor out all the superficial qualities that also contribute to popularity.
Most people can't name a song by the VU because their music only appeals to a very limited audience. That's why whenever Henry plays their music for somebody they tell him that they don't want to hear any more.
Jirin wrote:
Elvis Presley sung a lot of great songs, but he wasn't popular because he wrote great songs, he was popular because he gyrated his ass. If his music sounded exactly the same, but instead of a good looking guy who shook his ass around he was a nerdy looking guy with zits, he would have never been popular, and you'd be saying the exact same songs didn't belong on the list because 'Most people can't name an Elvis Presley song'.
You're insane. Elvis Presley was popular for many reasons, and he certainly was not popular with guys because he gyrated his ass.
Jirin wrote:
To me a list is more meaningful if it's based on the taste of people with a variety of tastes. That way you get the songs that are popular and you also get the songs that not a lot of people heard but were extremely important to the niche they belong in. That's what I like so much about the acclaimedmusic list. The niche oriented greats like VU get their deserved standing alongside the iconic greats.
The problem with the AM lists is that they are wat too biased towards modern acts and albums instead of songs. How the fuck can Riadiohead be more acclaimed than Elvis Presley and Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder? That's utterly absurd.
Jirin wrote:
If we're going strictly by a popularity argument, I want to know why "I Want It That Way" by the Backstreet Boys is absent from the list.
Nobody ever said the list was going "strictly" by popularity. It's about 16% initial popularity and 24% lasting popularity. The other 60% is influence, impact and acclaim, about 20% apiece.
291. Shapes Of Things - Yardbirds
292. I Like It Like That - Chris Kenner
293. The Lion Sleeps Tonight - Tokens 294. Heroin - Velvet Underground
295. Games People Play - Joe South 296. I'm Waiting For The Man - Velvet Underground
297. Friday On My Mind - Easybeats
298. I'm Sorry - Brenda Lee
299. Baby Workout - Jackie Wilson
300. Crossroads - Cream
SavoyBG wrote:The problem with the AM lists is that they are wat too biased towards modern acts and albums instead of songs. How the fuck can Riadiohead be more acclaimed than Elvis Presley and Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder? That's utterly absurd.
That's entirely your opinion though. I would argue that Radiohead is one of the most important artists of all time and they deserve their spot above the other artists (that, of course, is my opinion but it should be noted that OK Computer regularly tops the AM albums poll).
SavoyBG wrote:The problem with the AM lists is that they are wat too biased towards modern acts and albums instead of songs. How the fuck can Riadiohead be more acclaimed than Elvis Presley and Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder? That's utterly absurd.
That's entirely your opinion though. I would argue that Radiohead is one of the most important artists of all time and they deserve their spot above the other artists (that, of course, is my opinion but it should be noted that OK Computer regularly tops the AM albums poll).
That's not just my opinion, that's the concensus opinion of the rest of the world.
I've never heard one song by Radiohead in my life. Hard to believe thay could be one of the most important artists of all time, more important then Stevie Wonder or Ray Charles.
Radiohead have sold more than 30 million albums worldwide, with the band's work being placed highly in both listener polls and critics' lists; they have the distinction of doing so in both the 1990s and 2000s. In 2005, Radiohead were ranked number 73 in Rolling Stone's list of "The Greatest Artists of All Time",
A prominent figure in popular music during the latter half of the 20th century, Wonder has recorded more than thirty U.S. top ten hits and won twenty-two Grammy Awards (the most ever won by a solo artist) as well as a Lifetime Achievement Award. He has also won an Academy Award for Best Song, and been inducted into both the Rock and Roll and Songwriters halls of fame. He has also been awarded the Polar Music Prize. American music magazine Rolling Stone named him the ninth greatest singer of all time. In June 2009 he became the fourth artist to receive the Montreal Jazz Festival Spirit Award. He has ten U.S. number-one hits on the pop charts as well as 20 R&B number one hits, and album sales totaling more than 100 million units.
Rolling Stone ranked Charles number ten on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time" in 2004, and number two on their November 2008 list of "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". In honoring Charles, Billy Joel noted: "This may sound like sacrilege, but I think Ray Charles was more important than Elvis Presley. In 1979, Charles was one of the first of the Georgia State Music Hall of Fame to be recognized as a musician born in the state. Ray's version of "Georgia On My Mind" was made the official state song for Georgia. In 1981, he was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was one of the first inductees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame at its inaugural ceremony in 1986. He received the Kennedy Center Honors in 1986.
In 1987, he was awarded the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. In 1991, he was inducted to the Rhythm & Blues Foundation. In 1993, he was awarded the National Medal of Arts. In 1998 he was awarded the Polar Music Prize together with Ravi Shankar in Stockholm, Sweden. In 2004 he was inducted to the Jazz Hall of Fame,[disambiguation needed] and inducted to the National Black Sports & Entertainment Hall of Fame. The Grammy Awards of 2005 were dedicated to Charles.
If someone knew nothing about these three artists and did some research on their careers there's no way they would think that Radiohead is even in the same galaxy as Ray Charles or Stevie Wonder as all time greats.
Guys, if this game will reach the end it's time to stop arguing. While discussing the merit of different artists can be fun, we all seem to agree that this is a subjective matter. You get different answers if you look at AM, RYM, Grammy awards, sales charts or read quotes from musicians. DDD mashes it all together using the formula they find best, but in the end there is no right or wrong. It's when we try to convince others that they are wrong that the discussions have gone astray, and I'm afraid we have reached that point again. I won't let this continue as long as I did in the other threads so now is the time to lay down the axe.
Everyone you meet fights a battle you know nothing about. Be kind. Always.
1. Johnny B. Goode - Chuck Berry
3. Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
5. I Heard It Through The Grapevine - Marvin Gaye
6. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones
7. Jailhouse Rock - Elvis Presley
8. Rock Around The Clock - Bill Haley & His Comets
9. Billie Jean - Michael Jackson
10. Like A Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan
12. Good Vibrations - Beach Boys
14. What'd I Say - Ray Charles
16. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' - Righteous Brothers
19. What's Going On - Marvin Gaye
20. Whole Lot of Shakin' Going On - Jerry Lee Lewis
21. Hound Dog - Elvis Presley
22. Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen
23. Light My Fire - Doors
24. Superstition - Stevie Wonder
25. Layla - Derek and the Dominos
28. Summertime Blues - Eddie Cochran / Blue Cheer / The Who
29. You Really Got Me - Kinks / Van Halen
30. Bridge Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel
31. Let's Stay Together - Al Green
32. Long Tall Sally - Little Richard
33. Purple Haze - Jimi Hendrix Experience
34. A Day In The Life - Beatles
39. Maybellene - Chuck Berry
40. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
41. Papa's Got A Brand New Bag - James Brown
42. When Doves Cry - Prince
44. Losing My Religion - R.E.M.
46. Whole Lotta Love - Led Zeppelin
48. A Change Is Gonna Come - Sam Cooke
49. All Along The Watchtower - Jimi Hendrix Experience
51. Great Balls Of Fire - Jerry Lee Lewis
52. Hey Ya - OutKast
53. Mr. Tambourine Man - Byrds / Bob Dylan
60. (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay - Otis Redding
62. Don't Be Cruel - Elvis Presley
63. Won't Get Fooled Again - The Who
64. Stayin' Alive - Bee Gees
68. Let's Get It On - Marvin Gaye
71. Good Rockin' Tonight - Wynonie Harris / Elvis Presley
72. Stand By Me - Ben E. King
73. I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor
75. A Whiter Shade Of Pale - Procol Harum
76. Be My Baby - Ronettes
77. Go Your Own Way - Fleetwood Mac
78. Papa Was a Rollin' Stone - Temptations
79. House Of The Rising Sun - Animals
80. Yesterday - Beatles
81. Where Did Our Love Go - Supremes
83. I Want You Back - Jackson 5
85. Don't You Want Me? - Human League
89. Beat It - Michael Jackson
94. Somebody To Love - Jefferson Airplane
95. Green Onions - Booker T. & the MGs
100. Crazy - Gnarls Barkley
102. Midnight Train to Georgia - Gladys Knight and the Pips
103. Why Do Fools Fall In Love - Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers
104. Good Golly Miss Molly - Little Richard
106. Just My Imagination - Temptations
107. Sweet Dreams - Eurythmics
108. Call Me - Blondie
112. Tainted Love - Soft Cell
116. Another Brick in the Wall Part II - Pink Floyd
121. Reach Out, I'll Be There - Four Tops
125. London Calling - The Clash
134. Dancing In The Street - Martha & the Vandellas
143. Get Up (I Feel Like Being a) Sex Machine - James Brown
147. Living for the City - Stevie Wonder
150. For What It's Worth - Buffalo Springfield
151. Sultans of Swing - Dire Straits
162. Blueberry Hill - Fats Domino
164. The Tracks Of My Tears - Miracles
165. California Dreamin' - Mamas & the Papas
166. Who'll Stop the Rain - Creedence Clearwater Revival
167. Kashmir - Led Zeppelin
171. Baba O'Riley - The Who
174. Heart of Gold - Neil Young
181. Little Red Corvette - Prince
182. Please, Please, Please - James Brown & the Famous Flames
191. Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles
194. Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones
SavoyBG wrote:
The problem with the AM lists is that they are wat too biased towards modern acts and albums instead of songs. How the fuck can Riadiohead be more acclaimed than Elvis Presley and Ray Charles and Stevie Wonder? That's utterly absurd.
....Seriously? In the top 20 songs on this site only 2 are from 1990 or later. If you take a look at the top 50 songs on this site, only a grand total of 5 are from 1990 or later. The highest ranking album of the entire 2000's decade is sitting at 34, and there are only 5 albums from 1990 or later in the top 50 albums. Furthermore, the only artists who've received the majority of their acclaim in the past 20 years in the top 20 are Radiohead and Nirvana. At this point I honestly have no idea how you cannot be trolling.
Also, you NEED to understand, that from a STRICTLY critical perspective, which this site is all about, an artist's popularity has NOTHING to do with their level of acclaim. Radiohead are more acclaimed than Elvis Presley because the critic's enjoy the music of Radiohead more than Presley's. Sales, influences, popularity, whatever have ZERO input in the ranking. This site is called ACCLAIMED music after all, not POPULAR music.
