The Greatest Songs of All Time: 1000-951

#1000: Three Dog Night - Joy to the World

More ridiculous than great, and also one of the best selling songs of the 1970s. A poignant example of how strange the charts looked back then.

#999: Abba - Knowing Me Knowing You

Not a high scorer on this list, but certainly a leading contender for the best 'aha' in music history. The rest is just textbook Abba.

#998: The Hollies - Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress

A 70's classic rock stalwart. It's a chilled out and melodic number that tragically never saw any real success in the UK charts.

#997: Beck - Loser

Here we have a rather unusual hit from the man known as Beck. It's become something of a cult hit in recent years, but sounds just as good and original as when it was first released.

#996: Michael Jackson - Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough

Smooth and quintessentially a Jackson classic. Just a quick listen to this man's debut single and it's no surprise he became a pop megastar.

#995: Neil Diamond - Cracklin' Rosie

An anthem for the middle-aged man who believes the 1970s was the best decade for music. It's a traditionally slow number from Diamond, and probably the high point of his lengthy career.

#994: Iron Butterfly - In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida

A two-minute song stretched out into a brief seventeen-minute hard rock classic. I've no idea what the title refers to, but it's certainly catchy at the start and finish with just enough energy to make the instrumental parts interesting as well.

#993: MC5 - Kick Out The Jams

From the opening cry this is a seven-minute intense rock track. Kick Out The Jams is a prototype for punk rock, and this influential track would inspire many artists to ramp up their intensity to new highs.

#992: Suzi Quattro - Can the Can

Suzi Quattro's breakthrough hit is not just a toe-tapping classic but also proof that you didn't need a penis to become a rock and roll star

#991: Michael Jackson - The Way You Make Me Feel

A Jackson song that seems to get better with age. Michael's behaviour in the video does not however, and he ends up stalking some poor lady with the same intensity as if she were a child in his mansion.

#990: Aha - Take on Me

Let's face it, we've all belted out the chorus to this one after a drink too many. Who can blame you? The synth is as infectious as the chorus. Possibly the only thing more memorable than the song itself is the video, which has become etched into pop culture forever.

#989: Madonna - Papa Don't Preach

One of the most iconic songs from one of the most iconic artists. It's actually quite a serious piece, with themes of abortion and teenage pregnancy thrown around at will. The result was one of the biggest hits of 1986 with lots of controversies added in for good measure.

#988: 2Pac - Keep Ya Head Up

Dedicated to a fifteen-year-old girl shot in Los Angeles this song is a mature and inspiring look at life from a rapper usually revelling in vulgar hedonism.

#987: Santana - Oye Como Va

Originally written by jazz artist Tito Puente this chilled out tune came to life under the guidance of Santana. Despite its vibrant nature this song is best played to calm the mind and is accompanied best with some medicinal herbs.

#986: The Hives - Hate to Say I Told You So

A garage rock classic from the heart of Sweden. The Hives are an odd collection of misfits, but when their combined talents are put on display they can produce one hell of a catchy tune. The guitar work on this track is a particular highlight and a great example of just why this period of rock history is admired by many.

#985: The Beatles - Taxman

The track that kicked off the album Revolver is a rather literal attack on the British tax system. It's one of the more rustic songs on the often complex album, but certainly gets the protest message across very effectively.

#984: Chic - Le Freak

Another protest song that was originally titled 'fuck off' instead of 'freak out'. The anger this time is directed towards a club that refused Chic entry. The line 'freak out' has now become legendary in the world of dance music, but it's also the brilliant bass that makes this song for me.

#983: Public Image - Public Image

Simple rock at its best. There's nothing fancy here, just John Lydon's powerful vocals over the top of some hard rock. The song is actually an attack of Lydon's former band 'The Sex Pistols' and regarded by many as better artistry than The Pistols ever managed.

#982: Johnny Cash - A Boy Named Sue

A ridiculous story with a ridiculous title. How this ever became one of Cash's most iconic hits I will never know. It's actually a miserable account of a boy trying to kill his own father after a life of ridicule, and in traditional Cash style it's told in depressing brilliance.

#981: Electric Light Orchestra - Evil Woman

As catchy as that guitar riff that follows the chorus. This artistic rock song saw ELO find their first bit of success across the planet, displaying just what this multi-talented group could do with a simple song written in half an hour to fill up the next album.

#980: Dion and the Belmonts - Teenager in Love

As cute and sweet as Dion himself. I can just imagine teenagers in the 50s and 60s serenading their soon to be partners with this romantic number. Charming and innocent, and a product of its time.

#979: Tommy James & The Shondells - Mony Mony

A song you just have to clap along to. Even paraplegics would get up with ease to have a good time with this cheerful classic. It was later covered by Billy Idol, but the original is the one that really gets the feel-good nature of the track across the best.

#978: Abba - The Winner Takes It All

A touching pop ballad that proved Abba didn't always have to release rubbishy pop. Maybe it's an advert for the sole attractive woman in the group, but a more accurate theory is that it's a song written about the romantic turmoil inside the group.

#977: Men at Work - Down Under

A humorous look at Australian culture that taught me there was more to the colonies than convicts and snakes. It's become a patriotic anthem in Australia, which doesn't make them look like simpletons at all, but around the rest of the planet it's still seen as a lighthearted classic that could have only been released in 1980's Australia.

#976: Michael Sembello - Maniac

Camper than just about any other 1980's dance hit, and that's saying something. The song featured in the film Flashdance, which cemented its place not just in pop culture but in gay culture as well. It's actually a song based on a horror film of the same name, but somehow just works better when played in dancing montages. Strange.

#975: Slade - Cum On Feel the Noize

Slade are from Bolton which explains the appaling spelling. The song itself is a rock classic from the most unlikely of bands. They look like men that are banned from the nearest primary school, yet here they are rocking out to a legendary singalong anthem.

#974: Michael Jackson - Black or White

Obviously, it does matter if you're black or white when you start spending millions to change race. This song is one of Jackson's more visually appealing numbers with a huge budget short film accompanying the King of Pop's most heartfelt performance. A pop powerhouse if ever I've seen one.

#973: The White Stripes - Fell in Love with a Girl

Just two minutes is all this fast-paced track needs to get lodged in your brain. At a brief running time this will leave you wanting more, but in this period has built the reputation as one of the most influential rock songs in recent memory. Impressive stuff.

#972: Patsy Cline - I Fall to Pieces

This is what country music is all about. Simple, yet unashamedly raw. You can just sense the pain from Cline's weepy and depressing tone. A masterclass in how to squeeze every bit of emotion out of a song.

#971: Mudhoney - Touch Me I'm Sick

Before Nirvana broke into the mainstream Mudhoney were holding the torch for grunge. Their signature song was a forceful mix of grunge and punk, going on to set the standards for a rock genre that would dominate the charts for the next few years.

#970: Hall & Oates - Maneater

One cannot discuss cheesy 80's classics without a mention of Hall and Oates. The high point of their cheese filled career was this absolute banger which I will happily sing at the top of my lungs every time I get the chance
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#969: Billy Idol - White Wedding

One of Billy Idol's better-known hits. The brashness of the song can be seen spilling over into the music video, which has arguably become more famous than the song itself, although why the hell the crowd go for a Nazi salute is something I've still yet to work out.

#968: Sweet - Block Buster!

Does it get any more 70's than this? The perms. The studio. The costumes. The guitarist wearing an SS uniform. All critical elements of classic British rock. Great riff as well.

#967: Al Green - Tired of Being Alone

You sing this like Al Green and I guarantee you won't be alone for much longer. This soulful hit is a pleasure to listen to and unsurprisingly holds a reputation today as one of the all-time greats.

#966: Steely Dan - Reelin' in the Years

You wouldn't expect a band named after a fictional dildo to produce sophisticated rock records, but 1973 was a weird time for music in general. Expert guitar playing, expert vocals, and an interesting jazz fusion make this an instant classic in my books. The guitar solo in particular is fucking great.
 

#965: ZZ Top - Sharp Dressed Man

Girls may be crazy for sharp dressed men, but I'm not sure they're so keen on knee length beards. This song is a testosterone filled romp focusing on girls and cars. If this is your sort of thing then your penis must be tiny. I love it.

#964: Kansas - Carry On Wayward Son

Prog rock royalty that catapulted some no-name band from rural America towards stardom. Popular when first released in the 70s this song has since become a fixture of many great song lists.

#963: Lana Del Rey - Born to Die

Another hit that propelled an artist to stardom. Born to Die was one of the first chances we got to sample Lana's melancholic approach, yet rarely has she ever topped this impressive endeavour.

#962: Owl City - Fireflies

It may have since become an internet meme, but this is one of the best pop songs to be released this century. The lyrics are strange, but who honestly cares when the actual melody is that charming? There's something so sweet and innocent about a man being hugged by fireflies.

#961: Chicago - If You Leave Me Now

The very definition of an easy listening classic. Surely this has to be the soundtrack of any cheesy 70's heartbreak. The high pitched chorus has become legendary over the years, with its new found success becoming a key feature of Chicago hits from then on.

#960: Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out

No, Franz Ferdinand shouting 'take me out' is not Gavrilo Princip's wet dream but actually one of the finest British rock songs of the last few decades. The change in rhythm and that thudding beat still sound just as good today, and the song has to be considered an indie rock anthem.

#959: Cutting Crew - (I Just) Died in Your Arms

Another cheesy love song from yesteryear. This particular one happens to be cheesier than most. Cutting Crew ended up being one-hit wonders, but they will always be remembered for this iconic power ballad.

#958: The Rasmus - In The Shadows

A personal favourite from my childhood all the way from sunny Finland. A track that any self-professed emo would happily have in their collection, and one that will always have a special place inside mine.

#957: The Box Tops - The Letter

A long forgotten classic that happened to be very influential in its heyday. Two minutes of gruff vocals over a simple melody is all you need to craft a hit, and when those elements come together the results are great.

#956: Elvis Presley - The Wonder of You

A timeless piece. It's actually a cover version of a 1958 Vince Edwards song, yet only one gets any form of recognition. It's easy to see why Elvis has the most popular version when you listen to the incredible vocals.

#955: Outkast - Hey Ya!

I can remember this being a huge hit upon release here in the UK, and deservedly so. I don't think I've ever met anyone who dislikes it. Full of energy, this is a unique pop hit that moved away from conventional norms, making stars out of this experimental duo.

#954: Bob Dylan - Tangled Up in Blue

A classic Dylan track with storytelling you could only find from a lyrical genius. The song effortlessly reverts from first to third person creating this hugely complex narrative in the space of five short minutes. The only thing I hate about this record is Bob's inability to rub in sun cream.

#953: Paul Simon - 50 Ways To Leave Your Lover

This deep and personal track takes a minimalistic approach to artistry. It's got the classic Paul Simon vocals accompanied by not much else, which works just great. We never actually find out every one of the fifty ways, but Paul Simon only needed one to divorce his wife prior to the release of this song.

#952: Foreigner - Cold As Ice

Found on Foreigner's debut album this classic rock track never really saw the success it deserved. It's a solid track with some decent guitar work and vocals, yet is a frequent absentee from any great song list.

#951: Billy Joel - The Longest Time

One of the best Billy Joel serenades. Don't be fooled by the production, this is Billy Joel singing every single part himself, harmonising beautifully. Aside from a quiet bassline that's all there is to it, and all this song ever needs.