Last week Rolling Stone put out their 500 greatest songs of all time list. I really don’t have much to say about their list except for the fact that there are just so many misses. Seriously, I think it’s just a bad list. As much as I’d like to redo the entire 500, I’m simply way too fucking lazy, so instead, I’m giving my top ten in comparison to their top 10 and my arguments for each of my picks. Flame me for these picks if you want, but please don’t try and tell me that my list is any worse than Rolling Stone’s… I don’t know if anyone could make a list worse than that. Don’t get me wrong, there are some that I agree with, but there are just too many duds to give it any credit at all. Let’s get into it. Here’s the top ten from Rolling Stone:
10. “Hey Ya!” by OutKast
Personally, I love this song, but c’mon. Who are we kidding here? It’s catchy and fun and all that, but we all know it’s not a top ten song. I’ll say point blank that I do think it probably deserves to make the top 500 list, but there’s no way it’s top ten. Probably not even top 100.
9. “Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac
I’m a huge Fleetwood Mac fan. I love them. I love this song. But top 10? I think that if we’re taking a Fleetwood Mac song, there’s better ones to pick, and I think you’ll see what I mean in my list.
8. “Get Your Freak On” by Missy Elliot
I legitimately thought the list was a joke when I read this. I was really hoping to see some kind of “Gotcha!” meme or something after this. I guess this is a fine song. I’m not a huge fan, but I can… kind of see the appeal? But there’s just no way it belongs in a top 500 list, let alone a top 10.
7. “Strawberry Fields Forever” by the Beatles
I’ve got a pretty similar argument for this one as I do for “Dreams.” I love the Beatles, and this is a great song. But this is the one we’re going with? I think that’s pretty fucking stupid in all honesty.
6. “What’s Going On” by Marvin Gaye
I like Marvin Gaye. I don’t think any of his songs crack a top ten list in a million years, but if I were to pick one, it would absolutely be “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” with Tammi Terrell. I think that one belongs in a top 25 list no doubt.
5. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
I tend to think Nirvana gets a little bit too much hype, and if we’re talking seriously about bands Dave Grohl has been in, I’m way partial to the Foo Fighters. That being said, ranking “Smells Like Teen Spirit” over “Come as You Are” from Nirvana’s Unplugged Live album is simply stupid.
4. “Like a Rolling Stone” Bob Dylan
Believe it or not, I really have to complaints about this one. Bob Dylan, like him or not, is one of the most influential musical artists to come through the 20th century along with the Beatles and Jimi Hendrix.
3. “A Change Is Gonna Come” by Sam Cooke
This is a truly beautiful song, and Sam Cooke is a legend. Top 10 ever, though? I think we all know that’s a bit ridiculous.
2. “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy
This song is iconic; there’s no denying it. I don’t think Spike Lee’s Do the Right Thing has as awesome as an effect as it does without this song. But aside from the massive cultural impact, is it really that great of a song?
1. “Respect” by Aretha Franklin
I disagree with the pick, but I do love the song. I wouldn’t argue someone putting it in a top ten, but I think putting it at one is a little ridiculous.
Okay. Now that I’ve shit on Rolling Stone’s picks, it’s time to show you what I’m working with. This was a genuinely hard list to make, and I’ll admit outright that my opinion may change tomorrow on these picks. Unlike Rolling Stone’s top 10, though, I think all of my picks have a legitimate reason to be in this list. Let’s get into it.
10. “In My Life” by The Beatles
Best song The Beatles ever wrote, hands down, in my opinion. It’s just an amazing song.
9. “The Chain” by Fleetwood Mac
I didn’t want to disrespect Fleetwood Mac in my criticisms of Rolling Stone’s list because they definitely deserve top ten, but it’s for this song, not “Dreams.”
8. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
Not only was this a song on a fucking groundbreaking album, but it’s also one of the most well-known musical creations ever. Freddie Mercury was a genius, and that’s all I have to say on the matter.
7. “Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan
I already talked about Bob Dylan, but I thought that seven was a much better spot for than four.
6. “Hotel California” by the Eagles
This song, along with the two that follow, are my idea of the most defining rock and roll songs ever written. The key to this one is the greatest rock and roll guitar solo of all time from Joe Walsh and Don Felder.
5. “Layla” by Derek and the Dominos
Eric Clapton and Duane Allman, two of the greatest guitar players of all time, came together to gift us this all-time classic. It’s one of the most recognizable intros in all of music, and it only gets better as the song goes on.
4. “All Along the Watch Tower” by Jimi Hendrix
If you’re arguing with this one, you’re wrong. Jimi Hendrix is a legend.
3. “Scenes from an Italian Restaurant” by Billy Joel
If you’ve never heard this song, listen to it. If you don’t know all the lyrics, learn them. And if you’ve never sang it while blackout drunk, try it.
2. “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John
If you don’t know why this is the second greatest song of all time, watch this clip from Almost Famous (great movie by the way): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwIQBgcYLrI
See that? That’s what happens every time this song is played. Magic.
1. “Thunder Road” by Bruce Springsteen
Bruce Springsteen created a masterpiece here. I can’t talk about it anymore than that because I could write a blog twice the length of this one on how much I love this song.
Feel free to pop in my DMs and tell me why I’m a shitty person for picking these ten songs instead of ten other ones, I’d love to argue with you.
-Strokes
