The Flop of ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ 2021 List by Rolling Stone Magazine

The Rolling Stone magazine is one of the most reputed and pioneering music journalists in the world. So, when they create a list titled ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time,’ it carries some weight and music fans do turn their heads to it.

According to Rolling Stone, their ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ lists have attracted hundreds of millions of visitors to their website. This makes sense. It is an amazing list of some of the best musical works of all time. Or at least it was!

Rolling Stone magazine created its first ‘500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list in 2004. They amended the list in 2010. In 2021, they decided to flush this old list entirely and recreate it for good. Their motivation to recreate the list is justifiable.

But a lot has changed since 2004; back then the iPod was relatively new, and Billie Eilish was three years old. So we’ve decided to give the list a total reboot.

Today, streaming has become the main mode of music consumption. Many new artists pop up every day thanks to the power of social media. But what does make a song ‘great’?

We, at Justrandomthins Music Community, believe a song earns the title ‘great’ when it stands the test of time and wins. Can a song transcend generations? Can a song move generations of people? This tells how much influence a song can have over a large majority of people, and not just one group of people.

The 2021 list of ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list fails several times in this regard. There are several songs released in the last 10 years, and even worse so, songs released in 2020!

Granted, there can be a handful of songs that can be labeled ‘great’ right off the oven. Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” is such a song, which also made the list. “Sign of the Times” by Harry Styles is yet another song that is amazing and one that we believe will have a similar level of mass appeal for generations to come. This song made it into the list as well.

But “bad guy” by Billie Eilish at #90 on the list makes less sense. It is a good song. It is a popular song with over 1.8 billion streams on Spotify and 1.1 billion views on YouTube. Maybe streaming stats is what pushed this song into this list. But just as Rolling Stone said even iPod was relatively new in 2004 and Spotify was created in 2006. The songs released before the ’80s would have no edge on streaming compared to new releases.

Rolling Stone ranks Ariana Grande’s 2019 hit “thank u, next” at #69 on the list. Again, a good song with a massive mass appeal in 2019, 2020, and maybe in 2021. In another 20 years, will this song have the same appeal and influence as it does today?

Cardi B’s “I Like It” makes it into the list at #193. This was another massive song and a great dance-BOP. We do believe this song will weather the test of time better than the two songs we mentioned above.

Another interesting addition to the 2021 list of ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ list is KPOP giants BTS’ 2020 hit “Dynamite.” BTS has made a massive impact on music recently. But can this song stand the test of time? We have doubts since we believe BTS will have at least ten more songs that sound just like “Dynamite” in the next years to come. What unique features of this song make it a contender on this ‘greatest of all time’ list?

The list also inducts Lil Nas X’s breakout hit “Old Town Road” from 2019 on the ‘greatest of all time’ list. This song was absolutely massive during 2019-2020 and saved Lil Nas X’s career and possibly his life, too. This is a great song to head bump, but this song fails in substance. Lil Nas X himself called this song a “gimmick” on his follow-up single “Holiday.” Does a gimmick belong in the ‘greatest of all time’ songs list? Rolling Stone gave up songs like “We Will Rock You” by Queen and “Ziggy Stardust” by David Bowie to include songs like above.

Lizzo’s 2017 breakthrough hit “Truth Hurts” is another track that confuses us. This is a great song and Lizzo is a very talented artist. But it cannot compare against “Save the Last Dance for Me” by The Drifters or “Rehab” by Amy Winehouse, both of which were removed in the 2021 edition of the list.

Don’t get us wrong, all of the above songs are amazing songs on their own. But doubts arise when these songs are compared with the greats like “Yellow” or “Paradise” by Coldplay. These two are absolutely massive songs and have a long-lasting appeal, but did not make the cut into this list.

Removals from ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time List’ from 2010 to 2021

The below songs which made the cut in the 2004 list and its update in 2010, did not make the cut in 2021.

1. What’d I Say – Ray Charles
2. Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan
3. You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’ – The Righteous Brothers
4. When a Man Loves a Woman – Percy Sledge
5. Long Tall Sally – Little Richard
6. The Times They Are a-Changin’ – Bob Dylan
7. Whole Lotta Shakin’ Goin On – Jerry Lee Lewis
8. For What It’s Worth – Buffalo Springfield
9. Sunshine of Your Love – Cream
10. California Girls – The Beach Boys
11. Mystery Train – Elvis Presley
12. I Got You (I Feel Good) – James Brown
13. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) – The Beatles
14. Blue Suede Shoes – Carl Perkins
15. Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry
16. You Can’t Always Get What You Want – The Rolling Stones
17. Voodoo Child (Slight Return) – Jimi Hendrix
18. Be-Bop-A-Lula – Gene Vincent and His Blue Caps
19. Hot Stuff – Donna Summer
20. Living for the City – Stevie Wonder
21. The Boxer – Simon and Garfunkel
22. Not Fade Away – Buddy Holly
23. Brown Eyed Girl – Van Morrison
24. I’ve Been Loving You Too Long (to Stop Now) – Otis Redding
25. That’s All Right – Elvis Presley
26. You Send Me – Sam Cooke
27. Honky Tonk Women – The Rolling Stones
28. Take Me to the River – Al Green
29. It’s a Man’s Man’s Man’s World – James Brown
30. Shake Rattle & Roll – Big Joe Turner
31. Rock & Roll Music – Chuck Berry
32. Born to Be Wild – Steppenwolf
33. Who Do You Love – Bo Diddley
34. While My Guitar Gently Weeps – The Beatles
35. I Saw Her Standing There – The Beatles
36. Please, Please, Please – James Brown
37. I Wanna Be Sedated – The Ramones
38. Me and Bobby McGee – Janis Joplin
39. Cathy’s Clown – The Everly Brothers
40. Earth Angel – The Penguins
41. Foxy Lady – Jimi Hendrix
42. A Hard Day’s Night – The Beatles
43. Rave On – Buddy Holly
44. (We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and His Comets
45. Moment Of Surrender – U2
46. Folsom Prison Blues – Johnny Cash
47. I Can’t Stop Loving You – Ray Charles
48. I Fought the Law – Bobby Fuller Four
49. Don’t Worry Baby – The Beach Boys
50. Save the Last Dance for Me – The Drifters
51. The Thrill Is Gone – B.B. King
52. Please Please Me – The Beatles
53. Who’ll Stop the Rain – Creedence Clearwater Revival
54. I Never Loved a Man (The Way I Love You) – Aretha Franklin
55. Back in Black – AC/DC
56. Knocking on Heaven’s Door – Bob Dylan
57. Rehab – Amy Winehouse
58. There Goes My Baby – The Drifters
59. Maybe – The Chantels
60. Don’t Be Cruel – Elvis Presley
61. Hey Joe – Jimi Hendrix
62. Come Together – The Beatles
63. Positively 4th Street – Bob Dylan
64. Reach Out, I’ll Be There – The Four Tops
65. Bye Bye Love – The Everly Brothers
66. In My Room – The Beach Boys
67. 96 Tears – ? and the Mysterians
68. Caroline, No – The Beach Boys
69. Rockin’ in the Free World – Neil Young
70. Do You Believe in Magic – The Lovin’ Spoonful
71. Walk Away Renee – The Left Banke
72. Oh, Pretty Woman – Roy Orbison
73. Dance to the Music – Sly and the Family Stone
74. Hoochie Coochie Man – Muddy Waters
75. Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
76. Moondance – Van Morrison
77. Just Like a Woman – Bob Dylan
78. Only the Lonely – Roy Orbison
79. We Gotta Get Out of This Place – The Animals
80. I’ll Feel a Whole Lot Better – The Byrds
81. Everyday – Buddy Holly
82. I Got a Woman – Ray Charles
83. I Fall to Pieces – Patsy Cline
84. The Wanderer – Dion
85. Stand! – Sly and the Family Stone
86. Love Shack – The B-52’s
87. Gimme Some Lovin’ – The Spencer Davis Group
88. (Your Love Keeps Lifting Me) Higher and Higher – Jackie Wilson
89. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down – The Band
90. Hot Fun in the Summertime – Sly and the Family Stone
91. Money Honey – The Drifters
92. Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin
93. Paranoid Android – Radiohead
94. Highway to Hell – AC/DC
95. Mississippi – Bob Dylan
96. Wild Thing – The Troggs
97. I Can See for Miles – The Who
98. Oh, What a Night – The Dells
99. Ooo Baby Baby by Smokey Robinson
100. He’s a Rebel – The Crystals
101. Walking in the Rain – The Ronettes
102. Tighten Up – Archie Bell and the Drells
103. Sunday Bloody Sunday – U2
104. Jesus Walks – Kanye West
105. Sloop John B – The Beach Boys
106. Sweet Little Sixteen by Chuck Berry
107. Somebody to Love – Jefferson Airplane
108. Born in the U.S.A – Bruce Springsteen
109. I’ll Take You There – The Staple Singers
110. Ziggy Stardust – David Bowie
111. Chapel of Love – The Dixie Cups
112. Call Me – Blondie
113. (What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace Love and Understanding – Elvis Costello and The Attractions
114. Smoke Stack Lightning – Howlin’ Wolf
115. Walk This Way – Run-DMC
116. Money (That’s What I Want) – Barrett Strong
117. Can’t Buy Me Love – The Beatles
118. She’s Not There – The Zombies
119. Train in Vain – The Clash
120. Tired of Being Alone – Al Green
121. Black Dog – Led Zeppelin
122. Street Fighting Man – The Rolling Stones
123. Sign ‘O’ the Times – Prince
124. One Way or Another – Blondie
125. One More Time – Daft Punk
126. Do Ya Think I’m Sexy? – Rod Stewart
127. Ruby Tuesday – The Rolling Stones
128. With a Little Help From My Friends – The Beatles
129. That’s Entertainment – The Jam
130. Why Do Fools Fall In Love – Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers
131. Lonely Teardrops – Jackie Wilson
132. Wake Up Little Susie – The Everly Brothers
133. In Dreams – Roy Orbison
134. Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood – The Animals
135. Many Rivers to Cross – Jimmy Cliff
136. Take Me Out – Franz Ferdinand
137. Heartbreaker – Led Zeppelin
138. Cortez the Killer – Neil Young
139. Dancing Barefoot – Patti Smith Group
140. Good Lovin’ – The Young Rascals
141. For Your Precious Love – Jerry Butler and the Impressions
142. The End – The Doors
143. That’s the Way of the World – Earth, Wind and Fire
144. We Will Rock You – Queen
145. I Can’t Make You Love Me – Bonnie Raitt
146. Spirit in the Sky – Norman Greenbaum
147. Beautiful Day – U2
148. Walk This Way – Aerosmith
149. Maybe I’m Amazed – Paul McCartney
150. You Keep Me Hanging On – The Supremes
151. Baba O’Riley – The Who
152. Runaround Sue – Dion
153. Jim Dandy – Lavern Baker
154. Piece of My Heart – Big Brother and the Holding Company
155. La Bamba – Ritchie Valens
156. Candle in the Wind – Elton John
157. That Lady (Part 1 and 2) – The Isley Brothers
158. Spanish Harlem – Ben E
159. The Locomotion – Little Eva
160. The Great Pretender – The Platters
161. All Shook Up – Elvis Presley
162. Tears in Heaven – Eric Clapton
163. Watching the Detectives – Elvis Costello
164. Bad Moon Rising – Creedence Clearwater Revival
165. Nowhere to Run – Martha and the Vandellas
166. Got My Mojo Working – Muddy Waters
167. All You Need Is Love – The Beatles
168. Complete Control – The Clash
169. The Letter – The Box Tops
170. Highway 61 Revisited – Bob Dylan
171. How Deep Is Your Love – The Bee Gees
172. White Room – Cream
173. Personal Jesus – Depeche Mode
174. I’m A Man – Bo Diddley
175. The Wind Cries Mary – Jimi Hendrix
176. I Can’t Explain – The Who
177. Wonderful World – Sam Cooke
178. Brown Eyed Handsome Man – Chuck Berry
179. Another Brick in the Wall Part 2 – Pink Floyd
180. Fake Plastic Trees – Radiohead
181. Hit the Road Jack – Ray Charles
182. Pride (In The Name of Love) – U2
183. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road – Elton John
184. Tell It Like It Is – Aaron Neville
185. Bitter Sweet Symphony – The Verve
186. Ticket to Ride – The Beatles
187. Ohio – Crosby, Stills, Nash and Young
188. I Know You Got Soul – Eric B and Rakim
189. Roxanne – The Police
190. Just My Imagination – The Temptations
191. Baby I Need Your Loving – The Four Tops
192. Summer in the City – The Lovin’ Spoonful
193. O-o-h Child – The Five Stairsteps
194. Can’t Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley
195. Remember (Walkin’ in the Sand) – The Shangri-Las
196. Thirteen – Big Star
197. Sweet Home Alabama – Lynyrd Skynyrd
198. Tonight’s the Night – The Shirelles
199. Thank You (Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin) – Sly & the Family Stone
200. C’mon Everybody – Eddie Cochran
201. We’ve Only Just Begun – The Carpenters
202. In Bloom – Nirvana
203. Sweet Emotion – Aerosmith
204. Monkey Gone to Heaven – Pixies
205. The Girl Can’t Help It – Little Richard
206. Young Blood – The Coasters
207. I Can’t Help Myself – The Four Tops
208. It’s Your Thing – The Isley Brothers
209. Piano Man – Billy Joel
210. Blue Suede Shoes – Elvis Presley
211. William, It Was Really Nothing – The Smiths
212. American Idiot – Green day
213. Smoke on the Water – Deep Purple
214. New Year’s Day – U2
215. Everybody Needs Somebody to Love – Solomon Burke
216. Ain’t It a Shame – Fats Domino
217. Ramble On – Led Zeppelin
218. Mustang Sally – Wilson Pickett
219. Alone Again Or – Love
220. Beast of Burden – The Rolling Stones
221. Love Me Tender – Elvis Presley
222. Push It – Salt-n-Pepa
223. Pink Houses – John Cougar Mellencamp
224. Come Go With Me – The Del-Vikings
225. I Shot the Sheriff – Bob Marley and the Wailers
226. I Got You Babe – Sonny and Cher
227. Heroin – The Velvet Underground
228. The Twist – Chubby Checker
229. Cupid – Sam Cooke
230. Paradise City – Guns n’ Roses
231. My Sweet Lord – George Harrison
232. All Apologies – Nirvana
233. Soul Man – Sam and Dave
234. Rollin’ Stone – Muddy Waters
235. Big P*mpin’ – Jay-Z (feat. UGK)
236. Respect Yourself – The Staple Singers
237. Rain – The Beatles
238. Standing in the Shadows of Love – The Four Tops
239. Where Did Our Love Go – The Supremes
240. Do Right Woman, Do Right Man – Aretha Franklin
241. I Want to Know What Love Is – Foreigner
242. Cry Me A River – Justin Timberlake
243. Lady Marmalade – Labelle
244. I’m Eighteen – Alice Cooper
245. Under the Boardwalk – The Drifters
246. Clocks – Coldplay
247. I Love Rock ‘N Roll – Joan Jett
248. Time To Pretend – MGMT
249. Ignition (Remix) – R. Kelly
250. Brown Sugar – The Rolling Stones
251. Running on Empty – Jackson Browne
252. The Rising – Bruce Springsteen
253. Miss You – The Rolling Stones
254. Shop Around – Smokey Robinson and the Miracles

With all these questionable inclusions and exclusions, it feels as if Rolling Stone attempted to make their list more ‘today-friendly or make it more ‘current,’ which should not have been a factor for an ‘all time’ list.

Analysis of ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ List by Rolling Stone

The Beatles take the lead on the list with the highest number of songs with 12. They are followed by The Rolling Stones with 7 songs, and Bob Dylan and David Bowie with 6 songs each.

According to Rolling Stone magazine, there are 254 new additions to the list compared to their previous list. This is more than half of the list, which is too large of a number to change within a matter of 16 years.

Check out the complete new list below.

2021 list of ‘The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time’ by Rolling Stone

1. Aretha Franklin – Respect
2. Public Enemy – Fight the Power
3. Sam Cooke – A Change Is Gonna Come
4. Bob Dylan – Like a Rolling Stone
5. Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit
6. Marvin Gaye – What’s Going On
7. The Beatles – Strawberry Fields Forever
8. Missy Elliott – Get Ur Freak On
9. Fleetwood Mac – Dreams
10. Outkast – Hey Ya!
11. The Beach Boys – God Only Knows
12. Stevie Wonder – Superstition
13. The Rolling Stones – Gimme Shelter
14. The Kinks – Waterloo Sunset
15. The Beatles – I Want to Hold Your Hand
16. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z – Crazy in Love
17. Queen – Bohemian Rhapsody
18. Prince and the Revolution – Purple Rain
19. John Lennon – Imagine
20. Robyn – Dancing on My Own
21. Billie Holiday – Strange Fruit
22. The Ronettes – Be My Baby
23. David Bowie – Heroes
24. The Beatles – A Day in the Life
25. Kanye West feat. Pusha T – Runaway
26. Joni Mitchell – A Case of You
27. Bruce Springsteen – Born to Run
28. Talking Heads – Once in a Lifetime
29. Dr. Dre feat. Snoop Doggy Dogg – Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang
30. Lorde – Royals
31. The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
32. Notorious B.I.G. – Juicy
33. Chuck Berry – Johnny B. Goode
34. James Brown – Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag
35. Little Richard – Tutti-Frutti
36. The White Stripes – Seven Nation Army
37. Prince and the Revolution – When Doves Cry
38. Otis Redding – (Sittin’ On) the Dock of the Bay
39. Outkast – B.O.B.
40. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – All Along the Watchtower
41. Joy Division – Love Will Tear Us Apart
42. Bob Marley and the Wailers – Redemption Song
43. The Temptations – My Girl
44. Michael Jackson – Billie Jean
45. Kendrick Lamar – Alright
46. M.I.A. – Paper Planes
47. Elton John – Tiny Dancer
48. Radiohead – Idioteque
49. Lauryn Hill – Doo Wop (That Thing)
50. Daddy Yankee – Gasolina
51. Dionne Warwick – Walk on By
52. Donna Summer – I Feel Love
53. The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations
54. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – The Tracks of My Tears
55. Madonna – Like a Prayer
56. Missy Elliott – Work It
57. Sly and the Family Stone – Family Affair
58. The Band – The Weight
59. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – The Message
60. Kate Bush – Running Up That Hill
61. Led Zeppelin – Stairway to Heaven
62. U2 – One
63. Dolly Parton – Jolene
64. Ramones – Blitzkrieg Bop
65. Earth, Wind & Fire – September
66. Simon and Garfunkel – Bridge Over Troubled Water
67. Bob Dylan – Tangled Up in Blue
68. Chic – Good Times
69. Taylor Swift – All Too Well
70. Elvis Presley – Suspicious Minds
71. Tracy Chapman – Fast Car
72. The Beatles – Yesterday
73. Beyoncé – Formation
74. Leonard Cohen – Hallelujah
75. Pulp – Common People
76. Johnny Cash – I Walk the Line
77. The Modern Lovers – Roadrunner
78. The Four Tops – Reach Out (I’ll Be There)
79. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
80. Ray Charles – What’d I Say
81. The Velvet Underground – I’m Waiting for the Man
82. Adele – Rolling in the Deep
83. Bob Dylan – Desolation Row
84. Al Green – Let’s Stay Together
85. Prince – Kiss
86. The Rolling Stones – Tumbling Dice
87. LCD Soundsystem – All My Friends
88. Guns N’ Roses – Sweet Child O’ Mine
89. The Beatles – Hey Jude
90. Aretha Franklin – (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman
91. UGK feat. Outkast – Int’l Players Anthem (I Choose You)
92. Little Richard – Good Golly, Miss Molly
93. Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
94. Whitney Houston – I Will Always Love You
95. Oasis – Wonderwall
96. Jay-Z – 99 Problems
97. Patti Smith – Gloria
98. The Beatles – In My Life
99. Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive
100. Daddy Yankee – Gasolina
101. Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Maps
102. Chuck Berry – Maybelline
103. Alanis Morissette – You Oughta Know
104. The Jackson 5 – I Want You Back
105. David Bowie – Life on Mars?
106. The Rolling Stones – Sympathy for the Devil
107. Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.
108. The Cure – Just Like Heaven
109. Sly and the Family Stone – Everyday People
110. The Beatles – Something
111. Bruce Springsteen – Thunder Road
112. R.E.M. – Losing My Religion
113. Stevie Wonder – Higher Ground
114. Britney Spears – Toxic
115. Etta James – At Last
116. Rob Base and DJ E-Z Rock – It Takes Two
117. Aretha Franklin – I Say a Little Prayer
118. Radiohead – Creep
119. Marvin Gaye – I Heard It Through the Grapevine
120. X-Ray Spex – Oh Bondage! Up Yours!
121. The Beatles – Let It Be
122. The Impressions – People Get Ready
123. Talking Heads – This Must Be the Place (Naive Melody)
124. Buddy Holly – That’ll Be the Day
125. Sex Pistols – Anarchy in the U.K.
126. George Michael – Freedom! ’90
127. TLC – Waterfalls
128. Led Zeppelin – Whole Lotta Love
129. Drake feat. Majid Jordan – Hold On, We’re Going Home
130. Martha and the Vandellas – Dancing in the Street
131. Ben E. King – Stand by Me
132. Eric B. and Rakim – Paid in Full
133. Journey – Don’t Stop Believin’
134. Tina Turner – What’s Love Got to Do With It
135. The Beatles – She Loves You
136. Otis Redding – Try a Little Tenderness
137. Ariana Grande – Thank U, Next
138. Blondie – Heart of Glass
139. Madonna – Vogue
140. Bob Marley and the Wailers – No Woman No Cry
141. Rod Stewart – Maggie May
142. George Jones – He Stopped Loving Her Today
143. The Clash – London Calling
144. The Rolling Stones – Jumpin’ Jack Flash
145. Outkast – Ms. Jackson
146. James Taylor – Fire and Rain
147. Fats Domino – Blueberry Hill
148. Led Zeppelin – Kashmir
149. Elton John – Rocket Man
150. Green Day – Basket Case
151. The Shirelles – Will You Love Me Tomorrow
152. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Proud Mary
153. Rick James – Super Freak
154. Howlin’ Wolf – Spoonful
155. The Strokes – Last Nite
156. The Kingsmen – Louie Louie
157. Sonic Youth – Teenage Riot
158. The Meters – Cissy Strut
159. The Who – Baba O’Riley
160. R.E.M. – Nightswimming
161. Madonna – Into the Groove
162. Nick Drake – Pink Moon
163. Fleetwood Mac – Landslide
164. Bob Dylan – Mr. Tambourine Man
165. Hank Williams – I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry
166. Mott the Hoople – All the Young Dudes
167. Eminem – Lose Yourself
168. Dusty Springfield – Son of a Preacher Man
169. Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers – American Girl
170. The Five Satins – In the Still of the Night
171. Louis Armstrong – What a Wonderful World
172. Nina Simone – Mississippi Goddam
173. Television – Marquee Moon
174. R.E.M. – Radio Free Europe
175. The Flamingos – I Only Have Eyes for You
176. The Kinks – You Really Got Me
177. Van Halen – Jump
178. Billie Eilish – Bad Guy
179. Pink Floyd – Comfortably Numb
180. Lou Reed – Walk on the Wild Side
181. The Byrds – Eight Miles High
182. Simon and Garfunkel – The Sounds of Silence
183. Stevie Wonder – You Are the Sunshine of My Life
184. Sinéad O’Connor – Nothing Compares 2 U
185. Michael Jackson – Beat It
186. The Staple Singers – I’ll Take You There
187. Bob Dylan – Subterranean Homesick Blues
188. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Little Wing
189. David Bowie – Space Oddity
190. N.W.A – F*ck tha Police
191. Bobbie Gentry – Ode to Billie Joe
192. Geto Boys – Mind Playing Tricks on Me
193. The Rolling Stones – Wild Horses
194. PJ Harvey – Rid of Me
195. Patsy Cline – Crazy
196. James Brown – Get Up (I Feel Like Being A) Sex Machine
197. Ann Peebles – I Can’t Stand the Rain
198. Marvin Gaye – Sexual Healing
199. Aerosmith – Dream On
200. David Bowie – Changes
201. Johnny Cash – Ring of Fire
202. Elton John – Your Song
203. Stevie Wonder – Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours
204. David Bowie – Young Americans
205. Britney Spears – …Baby One More Time
206. Glen Campbell – Wichita Lineman
207. Rage Against the Machine – Killing in the Name
208. Hole – Doll Parts
209. Don Henley – Boys of Summer
210. Funkadelic – One Nation Under a Groove
211. U2 – With or Without You
212. Boston – More Than a Feeling
213. The Rolling Stones – Paint It, Black
214. Steely Dan – Deacon Blues
215. Mobb Deep – Shook Ones, Pt. II
216. Elvis Presley – Jailhouse Rock
217. Stevie Nicks – Edge of Seventeen
218. Wilson Pickett – In the Midnight Hour
219. Tom Petty – Free Fallin’
220. New Order – Bizarre Love Triangle
221. Ike and Tina Turner – River Deep, Mountain High
222. Crosby – Suite: Judy Blue Eyes
223. Eminem feat. Dido – Stan
224. Derek and the Dominos – Layla
225. Joni Mitchell – Both Sides Now
226. The Smiths – There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
227. Creedence Clearwater Revival – Fortunate Son
228. Beyoncé – Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)
229. Woody Guthrie – This Land Is Your Land
230. The Byrds – Mr. Tambourine Man
231. Whitney Houston – I Wanna Dance With Somebody (Who Loves Me)
232. The Who – My Generation
233. Deee-Lite – Groove Is in the Heart
234. The Supremes – You Keep Me Hangin’ On
235. New Order – Blue Monday
236. Bill Withers – Lean on Me
237. Hank Williams – Your Cheatin’ Heart
238. Aaliyah – Are You That Somebody?
239. Big Star – September Gurls
240. Backstreet Boys – I Want It That Way
241. Digital Underground – The Humpty Dance
242. Jerry Lee Lewis – Great Balls of Fire
243. The Beatles – Eleanor Rigby
244. Pavement – Summer Babe (Winter Version)
245. Beastie Boys – Sabotage
246. Faces – Ooh La La
247. Joni Mitchell – River
248. N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton
249. Joan Jett – Bad Reputation
250. The Jimi Hendrix Experience – Purple Haze
251. Gloria Gaynor – I Will Survive
252. Parliament – Flash Light
253. Willie Nelson – Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain
254. The Supremes – Stop! In the Name of Love
255. Loretta Lynn – Coal Miner’s Daughter
256. Metallica – Master of Puppets
257. Martha Reeves and the Vandellas – Heat Wave
258. Gil-Scott Heron – The Revolution Will Not Be Televised
259. Neil Young – Heart of Gold
260. The Wailers – Get Up, Stand Up
261. Curtis Mayfield – Pusherman
262. Paul Simon – American Tune
263. Dolly Parton – Coat of Many Colors
264. Marvin Gaye – Let’s Get It On
265. The Replacements – Left of the Dial
266. Augustus Pablo – King Tubby Meets the Rockers Uptown
267. Drake feat. Rihanna – Take Care
268. The Isley Brothers – Shout (Parts 1 and 2)
269. The Righteous Brothers – Unchained Melody
270. Nine Inch Nails – Closer
271. Procol Harum – A Whiter Shade of Pale
272. Thin Lizzy – The Boys Are Back in Town
273. Roberta Flack – Killing Me Softly With His Song
274. Al Green – Love and Happiness
275. Randy Newman – Sail Away
276. Buzzcocks – Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)
277. Bo Diddley – Bo Diddley
278. Toots and the Maytals – Pressure Drop
279. Radiohead – Karma Police
280. The Beatles – Penny Lane
281. Clipse – Grindin’
282. INXS – Never Tear Us Apart
283. Ray Charles – Georgia on My Mind
284. Leonard Cohen – Suzanne
285. Destiny’s Child – Say My Name
286. ABBA – Dancing Queen
287. AC/DC – You Shook Me All Night Long
288. The Funky 4 + 1 – That’s the Joint
289. Bruce Springsteen – Atlantic City
290. Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris – Yeah!
291. Phil Collins – In the Air Tonight
292. A Tribe Called Quest – Can I Kick It?
293. Alice Cooper – School’s Out
294. The Velvet Underground – Sweet Jane
295. The Who – Won’t Get Fooled Again
296. Bikini Kill – Rebel Girl
297. Beach Boys – Wouldn’t It Be Nice
298. Bruce Springsteen – Jungleland
299. Screamin’ Jay Hawkins – I Put a Spell on You
300. The B-52’s – s, ‘Rock Lobster
301. Bob Seger – Night Moves
302. Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
303. TLC – No Scrubs
304. Kraftwerk – Trans-Europe Express
305. The Police – Every Breath You Take
306. Aretha Franklin – Chain of Fools
307. Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
308. Liz Phair – Divorce Song
309. Bill Withers – Ain’t No Sunshine
310. The Doors – Light My Fire
311. The Eagles – Hotel California
312. Isaac Hayes – Walk on By
313. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles – The Tears of a Clown
314. The Stooges – I Wanna Be Your Dog
315. John Coltrane – Pt. 1-Acknowledgement
316. The Shangri-Las – Leader of the Pack
317. Bob Dylan – Visions of Johanna
318. Big Mama Thornton – Hound Dog
319. Tears for Fears – Everybody Wants to Rule the World
320. 2Pac – California Love
321. U2 – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
322. Neil Young – After the Gold Rush
323. Everly Brothers – All I Have to Do Is Dream
324. Billy Joel – Scenes From an Italian Restaurant
325. Iggy Pop – Lust for Life
326. Rilo Kiley – Portions for Foxes
327. Mary J. Blige – Real Love
328. Red Hot Chili Peppers – Under the Bridge
329. Bad Bunny – Safaera
330. The Notorious B.I.G. – Big Poppa
331. The Marvelettes – Please Mr. Postman
332. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z – Umbrella
333. The Temptations – Papa Was a Rollin’ Stone
334. The Grateful Dead – Ripple
335. Marshall Jefferson – Move Your Body (The House Music Anthem)
336. Hall and Oates – She’s Gone
337. Cher – Believe
338. Black Sabbath – Paranoid
339. Prince – 1999
340. The Clash – (White Man) in Hammersmith Palais
341. The Monkees – I’m a Believer
342. Chuck Berry – Promised Land
343. The Doobie Brothers – What a Fool Believes
344. Black Sabbath – Iron Man
345. Carole King – It’s Too Late
346. BTS – Dynamite
347. Elvis Presley – Heartbreak Hotel
348. Roxy Music – Virginia Plain
349. The Zombies – Time of the Season
350. John Prine – Angel From Montgomery
351. Jorge Ben – Ponta de Lança Africano (Umbabarauma)
352. Ice Cube – It Was a Good Day
353. Eurythmics – Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
354. Michael Jackson – Rock With You
355. Thelma Houston – Don’t Leave Me This Way
356. Cheap Trick – Surrender
357. Taylor Swift – Blank Space
358. Patti Smith – Because the Night
359. Fugees – Killing Me Softly With His Song
360. Prince – Little Red Corvette
361. Jimmy Cliff – The Harder They Come
362. Kacey Musgraves – Merry Go ‘Round
363. Bob Marley and the Wailers – Could You Be Loved
364. The Grateful Dead – Box of Rain
365. Sex Pistols – God Save the Queen
366. The Crystals – Da Doo Ron Ron
367. Frank Ocean – Thinkin Bout You
368. Soundgarden – Black Hole Sun
369. The Cars – Just What I Needed
370. Buddy Holly – Peggy Sue
371. Elton John – Bennie and the Jets
372. Bonnie Raitt – I Can’t Make You Love Me
373. Drake – Hotline Bling
374. William DeVaughn – Be Thankful for What You Got
375. The Drifters – Up on the Roof
376. Merle Haggard – Mama Tried
377. The Cure – Pictures of You
378. The Killers – Mr. Brightside
379. D’Angelo – Untitled (How Does It Feel)
380. Fountains of Wayne – Radiation Vibe
381. The Slits – Typical Girls
382. Fiona Apple – Paper Bag
383. Childish Gambino – Redbone
384. Cardi B Ft. Bad Bunny & J Balvin – I Like It
385. Diana Ross – I’m Coming Out
386. The Kinks – Lola
387. New York Dolls – Personality Crisis
388. DMX – Party Up (Up in Here)
389. Pretenders – Brass in Pocket
390. Metallica – Enter Sandman
391. Eric Church – Springsteen
392. Coldplay – Fix You
393. James Brown – Say It Loud (I’m Black and I’m Proud)
394. Jeff Buckley – Grace
395. Afrika Bambaataa and the Soulsonic Force – Planet Rock
396. Elvis Costello – Alison
397. Public Enemy – Bring the Noise
398. Duran Duran – Hungry Like the Wolf
399. Sylvester – You Make Me Feel (Mighty Real)
400. David Bowie – Station to Station
401. Fleetwood Mac – Go Your Own Way
402. Bill Withers – Lovely Day
403. Rufus and Chaka Khan – Ain’t Nobody
404. Kiss – Rock and Roll All Nite
405. Selena – Amor Prohibido
406. Run-DMC – Sucker MC’s
407. Lynyrd Skynyrd – Free Bird
408. Cat Stevens/Yusuf – Father and Son
409. Foo Fighters – Everlong
410. Allman Brothers Band – Whipping Post
411. Wilco – Heavy Metal Drummer
412. Neneh Cherry – Buffalo Stance
413. Them – Gloria
414. Blondie – Dreaming
415. Depeche Mode – Enjoy the Silence
416. Pearl Jam – Alive
417. Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk
418. Booker T. and the MGs – Green Onions
419. Mariah Carey – Fantasy
420. The Mamas and the Papas – California Dreamin’
421. The Smiths – How Soon Is Now?
422. Craig Mack feat. Notorious B.I.G. – Flava in Ya Ear (Remix)
423. Fiona Apple – Criminal
424. Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre and Queen Pen – No Diggity
425. Muddy Waters – Mannish Boy
426. Nicki Minaj – Super Bass
427. Sugar Hill Gang – Rapper’s Delight
428. Harry Styles – Sign of the Times
429. Queen and David Bowie – Under Pressure
430. Pete Rock and CL Smooth – They Reminisce Over You
431. Prince – Adore
432. Eddie Cochran – Summertime Blues
433. Pet Shop Boys – West End Girls
434. Ramones – Sheena Is a Punk Rocker
435. Rush – Limelight
436. Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
437. Lucinda Williams – Passionate Kisses
438. Megan Thee Stallion feat. Beyoncé – Savage (Remix)
439. Celia Cruz – La Vida Es un Carnaval
440. Alicia Keys – If I Ain’t Got You
441. Miranda Lambert – The House That Built Me
442. Motörhead – Ace of Spades
443. Fall Out Boy – Sugar, We’re Goin Down
444. 50 Cent – In Da Club
445. T. Rex – Cosmic Dancer
446. Bruce Springsteen – Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
447. The Beatles – Help!
448. Erykah Badu – Tyrone
449. Blue Öyster Cult – (Don’t Fear) The Reaper
450. Neil Young – Powderfinger
451. Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert – Bad and Boujee
452. Toto – Africa
453. Missy Elliot – The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
454. Sister Nancy – Bam Bam
455. Jefferson Airplane – White Rabbit
456. Lana Del Rey – Summertime Sadness
457. Bon Jovi – Livin’ on a Prayer
458. Beck – Loser
459. Sade – No Ordinary Love
460. Steel Pulse – Ku Klux Klan
461. Roy Orbison – Crying
462. Van Morrison – Into the Mystic
463. John Lee Hooker – Boom Boom
464. Joni Mitchell – Help Me
465. Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams – Get Lucky
466. Luther Vandross – Never Too Much
467. Nirvana – Come as You Are
468. Mazzy Star – Fade Into You
469. Dixie Chicks – Goodbye Earl
470. Gladys Knight and the Pips – Midnight Train to Georgia
471. The Animals – The House of the Rising Sun
472. Peter Gabriel – Solsbury Hill
473. Tammy Wynette – Stand by Your Man
474. Curtis Mayfield – Move On Up
475. Janet Jackson – Rhythm Nation
476. Kris Kristofferson – Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down
477. The Go-Gos – Our Lips Are Sealed
478. Juvenile feat. Lil Wayne and Mannie Fresh – Back That Azz Up
479. Santana – Oye Como Va
480. Biz Markie – Just a Friend
481. Robert Johnson – Cross Road Blues
482. Lady Gaga – Bad Romance
483. The Four Tops – I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)
484. Weezer – Buddy Holly
485. Azealia Banks – 212
486. Lil Wayne – A Milli
487. Solange – Cranes in the Sky
488. The Weeknd – House of Balloons
489. The Breeders – Cannonball
490. Lil Nas X – Old Town Road
491. Guns N’ Roses – Welcome to the Jungle
492. Miles Davis – So What
493. The Pixies – Where Is My Mind?
494. Cyndi Lauper – Time After Time
495. Carly Simon – You’re So Vain
496. Harry Nilsson – Without You
497. Lizzo – Truth Hurts
498. Townes Van Zandt – Pancho and Lefty
499. The Supremes – Baby Love
500. Kanye West – Stronger

All song lists have been sourced from Rolling Stone.

Let us hear what you think about the brand-new greatest list in the comments below. What are your favorite songs on the list?