The Greatest Songs of All Time: 900-851

#900: Chic - Good Times

Disco royalty. A stuttering bass line that's influenced more records than I can count is the foundation for a surprisingly complex feel-good hit. A real toe-tapping anthem that essentially created the whole rap genre.

#899: Gary Glitter - Rock and Roll

You've probably heard this one blaring around sports stadiums around the world, and therefore may be surprised to discover it was released by a nonce. Painfully simplistic, but a solid song nonetheless that has a beat still stolen by many artists today.

#898: Elvis Presley - Return to Sender

With 'Return to Sender' you have to wonder whether Elvis was a musician or a film star. Another simple song that hooks you in with a catchy chorus and some signature Elvis charisma. You need a lot of charisma when making a hit about the US postal service.

#897: LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

I have to say that I've never enjoyed being threatened with physical assault to this extent. Unlike the rappers of today you actually get the sense that LL Cool J could take your head off. What may sound like a run of the mill hip hop single was actually released all the way back in 1991, still sounding just as gnarly today.

#896: The Commodores - Three Times a Lady

A smooth and somewhat cheesy ballad from the man who would go on to make a career out of them. This is perhaps the most beautiful of them all, although really this song should be famous for the stunning selection of Afros on the cover.

#895: Chuck Berry - No Particular Place to Go

Coming rather late in Berry's career was this toe-tapping hit. It's not some of his more revolutionary work and is actually a song about a cockblocking seatbelt, but it's certainly one of Chuck's catchiest and best-loved songs.

#894: The Rolling Stones - Tumbling Dice

The cherry on top of Exile on Main Street. It's actually a surprisingly uplifting song when you consider the blues-rock elements, and I honestly prefer the backing vocals to Mick Jagger's iconic voice. No wonder this has become an anthem for many a rock fan.

#893: Marvin Gaye - Sexual Healing

A smooth and sensual seduction from one hell of a singer. After a listen I too want Marvin Gaye's to give me some sexual healing. This song was Marvin's swansong and the ideal way to bow out of a storied career.

#892: Sam Cooke - You Send Me

Another singer with an effortlessly smooth voice. Sam Cooke broke into the mainstream with this song that's as smooth as his voice. You Send Me has become one of the most popular soul singles of all time, also being seen as a landmark release for the genre.

#891: Elvis Presley - Surrender

An amazing vocal performance from Presley elevates this Neapolitan ballad to legendary status. His voice alone made sure this single is one of the best selling of all time, which is an impressive feat for a song less than two minutes in length.

#890: Pulp - Do You Remember the First Time?

One of Pulp's earliest tracks that was also one of their best. The song graphically describes frontman Jarvis Cocker's sexual frustrations accompanied with some catchy riffs and hooks. If that doesn't float your boat then you can at least enjoy Cocker aggressively informing his rival that he doesn't care if the man screws his lover. Charming.

#889: Gene Vincent- Be-Bop-A-Lula

Rockabilly royalty. It doesn't matter if you're a singer who can't look at the audience when you have a tune as catchy as this. It's not fast paced, it's not loud and in your face, and Gene Vincent certainly isn't Elvis, but this hit still stands today as a landmark release for rock and roll.

#888: Little Eva - The Loco-Motion

I hate dance records, but play this at a party and I'll be the one leading the dancing on the floor. The song has charted in three different decades by three different artists, highlighting the timeless charm of this hit. The saxophone is the star of the show, not fading into obscurity like Little Eva would.

#887: Bee Gees - You Should Be Dancing

Funky basslines and funky beats are always enough to convince me I should very well be dancing. It was the first time the Bee Gees forayed into the world of disco and unsurprisingly they wouldn't turn back. Just a taste of Bee Gee's shrieking was enough to change the dance game forever.

#886: Erasure - A Little Respect

One of the best singalong bangers of all time. A simple synthpop hit that has since become one of my go-to karaoke anthems. Vocalist Andy Bell gives it everything with the hook in that famous falsetto voice, as do everyone else in the pub after a few beers.

#885: Earth, Wind & Fire - Boogie Wonderland

How can a song pack this much energy for so long? Boogie Wonderland still sounds as groovy today as it ever did. The lyrics actually tell quite a depressing tale, although I'm not sure anyone cares when dancing along to this disco staple.

#884: 10cc - I'm Not in Love

A depressingly ambient song with some outstanding production value that would be envied today. 10cc were better known for mediocre pop rock, so where the hell this came from I will never know. If the brutal verses don't suck you in then the hauntingly beautiful backing vocals surely will.

#883: The Contours - Do You Love Me

Do You Love Me has just about everything a soul music fan would want from an upbeat song, except for a question mark at the end of the title. It lures you in with both charm and energy, even pulling off a false ending at one point. A great single from the pioneers of Motown.

#882: The Isley Brothers - That Lady

Holy shit the guitar in this sounds awesome. The Isley Brothers practically reinvented themselves with this funk rock track, departing from their pop filled career. Their funk phase was by their best period, punctuated by standout singles such as this one.

#881: The Bellamy Brothers - Let Your Love Flow

A feel-good country song, which is a pleasant surprise. It's a rather generic track with humble lyrics that may refer to a many number of things. That's not to say the song is bland, and despite not being complex will put a smile on your face with ease.

#880: AC/DC - Thunderstruck

Featuring some of the most complex guitar work you're ever likely to see Thunderstruck is one hell of a hard rock song. The riffs are rough and hardcore and the lyrics are just begging to be shouted out at full volume. This is about as hard as rock ever gets.

#879: U2 - One

Back when U2 knew how to produce a record. One is a forceful record that successfully combines subdued riffs with Bono's powerful vocals. It's a pleasant Bono lecture for once that only occasionally gets on your nerves.

#878: Weezer - Buddy Holly

A nostalgic track with a very modern flavour. Relying on references to yesteryear and styling out of the 50s Buddy Holly is a fitting tribute to the man himself and an absolute classic in the hard rock genre.

#877: The Beatles - Ticket to Ride

One of The Beatles best-loved records is a playful tune that signalled the departure from the signature Merseybeat sound that made the band famous. The hard guitar riffs and passionate vocals are what would go on to define The Beatles, and it all started with this simple song.

#876: Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc.

A unique hit that seems impossible to place in any genre, possibly creating its own. You would think this mish-mash would affect the flow, but amazingly it doesn't. The bassline in particular is incredible, tying all these convoluted elements together. An incredible composition that stands out of
the crowd by a mile.

#875: The Beatles - You're Going to Lose That Girl

An ode to cockblocking. Tucked away in the brilliant album Help is this gem. More of a throwback to classic Beatles tracks than the new revolutionary sound found on the album, but still a proud part of the discography that can stand on its own two feet.

#874: The Four Seasons - Big Girls Don't Cry

A catchy little tune tailored made for that shrieking falsetto. Structurally it's very similar to Sherry, but the harmonies in this one work so much better for me. The Four Seasons work so well as a quartet, illustrated by this solid single.

#873: Supertramp - Breakfast in America

A plodding pop track that will easily get stuck in your head, especially that damn chorus. Ironically a song romanticising America actually flopped there, but aside from commercial success this is in my opinion the best Supertramp has to offer.

#872: Alphaville - Forever Young

Whilst the song itself feels quite dated instead of being forever young and the lead singer looks like an anaemic chipmunk there is no denying that for a power ballad this has one big poignant message. The chorus is brilliantly performed and you cannot help but get emotionally involved in this German synthpop anthem.

#871: Frank Sinatra & Nancy Sinatra - Somethin' Stupid

Frank and Nancy compliment each other almost perfectly. Blood is thicker than water, and apparently that branches to musical harmony as well. The unique chemistry benefits the song no end, and as a result this iconic father and daughter duo shot straight to number one across the pond.

#870: Baddiel & Skinner & Lightning Seeds - Three Lions

A novelty track about football performed by two comedians who evidently cannot sing should be shit. Not only is Three Lions not shit, but it's a catchy and well-written track that's become a football anthem in Britain. The chant 'it's coming home' is now frequently heard around the pubs of Britain whenever the English football team bother to show up at major tournaments.

#869: Abba - Mamma Mia

Is this song cheesy? Certainly. Does that mean Mamma Mia isn't a good song? Not a chance. If you scrape away the layers of cheese you do find a well-constructed pop song. The film of the same name may have slaughtered it in the most brutal fashion possible, but the original hit is everything that made 70s pop so enjoyable.

#868: Judas Priest - Painkiller

The song that came out of absolutely nowhere and repackaged Judas Priest from classic rockers into heavy metal gods. Frontman Rob Halford goes fucking crazy, sounding like a man with his balls trapped in a vice. The guitar and drums are equally chaotic. Painkiller is heavy metal at its most ferocious.

#867: The Black Keys - Lonely Boy

Lonely Boy is a great advert for the fuzz guitar. The guitar work in this popular rock song is exemplary, providing the foundation for what is in essence a very simple song everywhere else. The blues-rock influence is plain to see, giving the listener a sweet shot of nostalgia to American rock bands of yesteryear.

#866: The Hues Corporation - Rock the Boat

A disco classic. I don't even have to be drunk to get up and let loose to this banger. Released relatively early in the life of the disco genre this hit is not flamboyant or in your face, just relying on a great chorus to get you up and dancing.

#865: The Beatles - Dear Prudence

Possibly the most sensitive track The Beatles ever released. John Lennon caresses the lyrics with his powerful and iconic voice. The track creates such a soothing atmosphere whilst still managing to sound beautifully profound at the same time. That's a rare combination that is nailed in this song.

#864: Barry White - You're the First, the Last, My Everything

The Walrus of Love lays down his most iconic vocal performance. Effortlessly smooth with a sharp disco style that you can easily groove to. The lyrics are also beautifully crafted, complementing White's now iconic sexual charm. He may have been grotesquely obese, but I'd sleep with him after being wooed with this song.

#863: Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Enough for Both of Us

I'm not sure how a man with a womanly voice and his brother who looks like Hitler and stares intently into the camera managed to concoct such a great glam rock track, but remember the 70s were a different era. Ridiculous and brilliant at the same time Sparks stamped their names into glam rock history with this unique classic.

#862: Frankie Valli - Grease

The theme tune for the 1978 musical of the same name that manages to be better than anything else in the film, despite not receiving the same success as other tracks in the movie. Frankie Valli may sound cheesy in this throwback, but thankfully has the talent to carry a classy disco track instead of the cringe-worthy drivel found in the film.

#861: Barrett Strong - Money (That's What I Want)

Probably more famous are the cover versions by The Beatles and later The Flying Lizards. The original is however the best version, relying on simplicity to carry a piano and tambourine heavy track. A relatable message for the music industry that would fittingly become one of its most influential tracks.

#860: Amy Winehouse - Back to Black

Amy Winehouse is often cited as once having one of the most gifted voices in the music business, and with this release you can see why. A dark and depressing atmosphere descends upon this track with chiming bells and a haunting piano melody. Sad to see someone so talented end their career a messed up junkie.

#859: Michael Andrews - Mad World

How do you successfully cover an awful Tears For Fears song that summarised everything wrong with 80s pop? Easy, you take all the shit out, which leaves you with barely anything apart from a piano. The desolate nature of the song works however, and we end up with a depressing single that for some reason was the Christmas number one in the UK. No fucking clue why you would buy this to get in the Christmas spirit.

#858: Oasis - Cigarettes & Alcohol

A depressingly beautiful summation of modern British culture. The introductory riff is basically stolen from T. Rex's 'Get it On', but that almost adds to the blatant ladishness about the whole song. It's also a cracking riff. 'Cigarettes and Alcohol' is an anthem for not giving a fuck, and one that could very well define a whole British generation.

#857: UB40 - Red Red Wine

Yes, I am seriously suggesting that one of the best reggae songs ever released was by two white men from Birmingham covering a song written by the also white Neil Diamond. I don't know why, but it just works. Reggae purists might want to kill me, but if you try to have fun with this song you'll soon realise it's a catchy gem.

#856: Bee Gees - Jive Talkin'

A sneak preview into the Bee Gee's brand of disco that would dominate the late 70s. The keyboard sounds great, the vocals don't deafen you with irritating screeches, and it's an adventurous release for a band that was once famed for folk rock.

#855: Elvis Presley - It's Now or Never

Maybe the most impressive of Elvis Presley's vocal performances. It's the sort of song you would expect a Greek waiter to seduce your wife with, but thanks to Elvis has become a legendary single and one of the best selling of all time.

#854: Chuck Berry - Sweet Little Sixteen

Famously nicked by The Beach Boys, then The Beatles, then John Lennon again. Chuck Berry rarely gets enough recognition for this great riff. The real travesty is that this was Berry's second biggest hit because idiots decided to buy the song where he talked about playing with his cock. Outrageous.

#853: The Crickets - Not Fade Away

A Buddy Holly classic with a rather large helping hand from Bo Diddley's beat. The Rolling Stones may have had all the success with a cover version of the song, but this rock and roll tune will always be more suited to the voice of Buddy Holly.

#852: The Spinners - Working My Way Back to You

The song was originally a rock track performed by The Four Seasons, but that sounds dreadful when compared to the soul inspired cover from The Spinners. The disco elements and the harmonies work wonders for this song and elevate what was a passable rock track into a disco classic.

#851: Huey Lewis and the News - The Power of Love

Made famous by the film 'Back to the Future'. It's a classic 80s pop-rock that never once feels silly or contrived despite playing a starring role in a quirky film. The vocals are your standard pop-rock affair and the hooks will easily leave you wanting more.