The Greatest Songs of All Time: 850-801

#850: ZZ Top - La Grange

A symphony of blues rock, and grunting. La Grange is actually about an illegal whorehouse in Texas that actually shut down due to the popularity of this song. Over the years La Grange has become synonymous with classic rock, and that simple riff has become legendary
.
#849: Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs - Wooly Bully

Sam and his Pharaohs are an interesting bunch and probably a bit mental. Having said that, they did know how to perform a catchy song that doesn't take itself seriously. It's also quite a good rock and roll track when you start ignoring how ridiculous this whole act is.

#848: The Beach Boys - Little Honda

An exciting little number from The Beach Boys that not only perfectly encapsulates what makes their laid back vibes so great but also showed a transition towards a more artistic style that would later define their career.

#847: Van Halen - Jump

I hate that hard rockers as talented as Van Halen have to resort to synthesisers instead of relying on their god given talents, but annoyingly this song somehow works. There's still enough Van Halen flamboyance around and at the end of the day it's a really catchy song.

#846: The Doors - Roadhouse Blues

A real driving song this one. It's a song that will make you want to put your foot down hard on the gas pedal. A real tune that displays the best of rock and roll, and let's be honest, makes you feel damn cool at the same time.

#845: Christie - Yellow River

An overlooked number one single from the early 1970s that gained popularity out of nowhere. The song itself is full of energy yet relatively simple, and the chorus is infectious and extremely well written. An underrated gem from a band long forgotten.

#844: The Beatles - The Ballad of John and Yoko

A big middle finger from John Lennon to the press and the rest of The Beatles. Not only does it detail Lennon's personal life but Lennon and McCartney recorded it without permission from the other half of the group. This solid single is so well written it almost makes Lennon and Yoko Ono seem like they're not complete twats.

#843: Electric Light Orchestra - Don't Bring Me Down

The heavy layering of guitars gives this one a rather intense flavour when compared to other ELO tracks. The structure is very simple, yet the recurring elements combine to create some high-quality loud noises.

#842: Joan Osborne - One of Us

Formulaic pop rock lost in the pages of time. The lyrics probably aren't as deep as you imagine and the guitar track is about as simple as you can possibly get, but there's something alluring about this well-performed track. It does help that the chorus is really catchy.

#841: Ray Charles - I Got a Woman

No, it's not Kanye West's 'Gold Digger', but a Ray Charles classic. It's a testament to the quality of the song that it's still able to be a huge hit half a century later. I just wish people would associate the track with the breakout and also a revolutionary single from the legendary Ray Charles.

#840: America - A Horse with No Name

More at home on classic rock radio stations than anywhere else. America came up with a pleasant song that caresses the ears even if the delivery is a little rough around the edges. You don't have to be fucking Wordsworth to describe heat as anything other than hot.

#839: The Police - Roxanne

Now a more popular drinking game than the song ever was. It is a good drinking song for the record, but creatively it's far superior. The single itself is about a man falling in love with a prostitute, but that deep theme seems lost on students of today as they pound down another swig of vodka.

#838: The Beach Boys - Fun, Fun, Fun

The title provides a very apt description of the song's styling. The vocal harmonies are of the high standard that The Beach Boys became known for with the melodies conjuring up images of the beach in summer. A signature song from such a lovable group.

#837: 2Pac - California Love

This is how you return from a brief prison stint if you're one of the world's most notorious rappers. You brag about your lavish lifestyle in the most confrontational way possible. Not only does the song contain some killer verses but the hook is still as catchy today as it ever was.

#836: The Jam - That's Entertainment

A little slice of England. Well, a slice of the English underground music scene at least. That's Entertainment is full of British wit and sarcasm and like everything great in Britain was written after Paul Weller came home from the pub drunk. What a hero.

#835: Gary Glitter - Do You Wanna Touch Me

Being asked if I want to touch a convicted paedophile makes my skin crawl. Once you dislodge the sick from your throat you do find yourself listening to a song with one hell of a hook, even if the imagery is fucking disgusting. Glam rock royalty from one creepy weirdo.

#834: The Cars - Drive

A hauntingly beautiful love song. Masterfully produced to create that melancholic atmosphere that echoes throughout the whole piece. This is a heartfelt ballad with a strong scent of the 80s that keeps it on your standard nostalgia playlist.

#833: Chuck Berry - Rock and Roll Music

What could very well be the definitive anthem for rock and roll. With this song Chuck Berry encapsulates every positive trope of 50s music. The song has been covered by just about every band worth mentioning, and still today is regarded as a landmark release in the rock and roll genre.

#832: Duran Duran - Save a Prayer

A wonderful product of 80s pop. The subtle synths in the background add so much atmosphere to the already complex composition. Duran Duran were known for their hard-hitting pop anthems, but this is by far their most sophisticated.

#831: The Crystals - Then He Kissed Me

A song that for me will forever be synonymous with being let through the kitchens into the biggest club in town. The film Goodfellas may have introduced the song to modern audiences, but this is actually one of the strongest singles released by any girl group. The naivety in the lyrics is touching, as is the innocent feel of the whole song.

#830: A Flock of Seagulls - I Ran (So Far Away)

A nostalgic synthpop classic tailor-made for the 80s. Its catchy chorus and infectious beat conjure up all the positive vibes of 80s pop even if nobody in Britain actually bought the damn thing.

#829: Saint Etienne - Only Love Can Break Your Heart

A mish-mash of various genres. You may be wondering how all this added stuff can work when applied to a folk-rock song from Neil Young, and to be honest I have absolutely no idea myself. The result is a great track however, breathing life into a forgotten song and giving it a new edgy flavour.

#828: Kanye West - Runaway

The most sophisticated track in Kanye's discography. The lyrics graphically explore Kanye's relationships, overlayed with a lonely piano and a complex array of samples. Runaway is a detailed portrait of an often misunderstood man, and undoubtedly one of the best rap tracks in recent memory.

#827: Toto - Hold the Line

'Hold the Line' is what Toto are all about. A huge crescendo of a chorus partnered with some powerful riffs and a nice little bit of piano. It's a song just begging to be belted out at full volume.

#826: KC and the Sunshine Band - Give It Up

Brilliantly 80s. A fun disco-fueled dance track that's just as likely to get stuck in your head as it is to make you bust a move. Good honest fun that will easily put a grin on your face.

#825: The Dixie Cups - Chapel of Love

Possibly sounding dated in this day and age, but still has that innocent charm. The composition is simplistic and thankfully doesn't feel the need to overshadow the strong vocals. The best iteration of the song was when Stanley Kubrick married it to the war in Vietnam in his film 'Full Metal Jacket'.

#824: Pat Benatar - Hit Me with Your Best Shot

A solid pop-rock record with one catchy hook. The guitars and vocals are all well and good, never becoming overcomplicated and sticking to the fundamentals of a good rock song.

#823: The Clash - Should I Stay or Should I Go

Easily the most well-known Clash song, and also one of their most simple. The song isn't punk rock at its most vicious, but it does have a solid riff and a chorus now iconic in the world of punk. Interestingly the song only became a number one hit ten years after it was originally released due to being used in a jeans commercial.

#822: Queen - Don't Stop Me Now

One of Freddie Mercury's more polished vocal performances. I suppose there's a lot to leave on the table when you're describing your homosexuality. The vocal harmonies in the chorus work wonders, and the more pop-inspired elements ensure this is a Queen song that only gets better with age.

#821: The Beatles - Get Back

Famously played live on a London rooftop. Musically it's a blues-inspired rock number that gives it a sound very similar to other British rock bands around the same time, yet still has that famous Beatles flair and originality.

#820: The Four Seasons - December, 1963 (Oh, What a Night)

That December in 1963 does indeed sound like a great night. The hook to this one is infectious and the 70s pop and disco styling are so fun to listen to. It may not be the most sophisticated record, and it's certainly a departure from the group's signature sound, but it is one that can be sung over and over again without becoming tedious.

#819: Nirvana - All Apologies

The B Side might be Kurt Cobain imploring the listener to literally rape him, which is then followed by a track called 'Moist Vagina', but All Apologies is the final hurrah in a storied career cut tragically short. The combination of guitar riffs and introspective lyrics give a melancholic atmosphere and a vivid look into the mind of a very troubled man.

#818: Eagles - One of These Nights

The title track of the Eagles finest album. The vocal harmonies are of exquisite quality, happily becoming the focal point of the song. The composition is rather peculiar, even at some stages feeling like a disco record, with only the harmonies reminding you this is a classic Eagles track.

#817: Boney M. - Rasputin

Yes, this may be very corny, but holy shit that introduction and hook are enough to put a smile on my face regardless of the situation. You could play this at a funeral and I'd be dancing around the coffin. Trust those zany Germans to take the genre of disco and go absolutely mental with it.

#816: Motley Crue - Kickstart My Heart

I'm not certain this song would kickstart your heart. A nuclear power plant perhaps, but not your heart. Written about bassist Nikki Sixx's revival after an overdose Kickstart My Heart is violent, angry, and adrenaline filled.

#815: Cream - White Room

A psychedelic rock that is carried by a surprising amount of energy. The drums are the highlight by far and the foundation for the whole song, but I also love the intertwined guitar riffs over the top. A song to easily get lost in.

#814: The Crazy World of Arthur Brown - Fire

If historians ever uncover footage of this number one single then they would believe Britain went fucking mental in the late 60s. Whilst hippies were providing a cultural revolution we had this cult leader proclaiming himself the god of hellfire. I absolutely love the craziness. The craziness that would be copied my other rock acts for decades to come.

#813: Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time

One of the more touching ballads from a period in pop that favoured loud and flashy compositions. Cyndi Lauper is not prancing around the town wanting to have fun but instead showing a more mature side with this deeply personal track. One of the 80s standout hits.

#812: Elvis Costello - Watching the Detectives

An intriguing fusion of reggae and new wave. There's such a sense of style generated by the merging of two totally different genres. I have no idea what the song is about, but the atmosphere created is as dark as the detective shows Costello references.

#811: John Lee Hooker - Boom Boom

Blues at its most raw and simple. You don't need any fancy gimmicks when you have a hook and a riff as good as this one. Boom Boom has been recorded by just about every blues-inspired artists to ever exist, becoming one of the most iconic tracks in the genre.

#810: Hot Chocolate - You Sexy Thing

I can confirm the sexy thing being referred to in this song is actually the fuzz guitar. The disco beat and lyrics are both fairly standard, but that fuzz guitar just takes everything to the next level. The vocals are memorable to say the least as is its numerous appearances in films across the decades.

#809: Eddy Grant - I Don't Wanna Dance

Not the best technical song in history, but my god is it catchy. The upbeat feel of the song is interesting considering it's a song about the British class and race divide. I doubt many British people gave a shit about that message when sending this banger to the top of the charts.

#808: The Byrds - I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better

A forgotten Byrds classic that summed up everything great about the band despite being released as a B side early in their career. It's one of those times in music when the B side easily surpasses the flip side. The song is certainly one of the most underrated pop-rock songs of all time.

#807: Adam Ant - Stand and Deliver

In a decade of flashy choruses this may just be the best of the lot. Adam Ant is his usual eccentric self, making a seemingly tedious costume drama chaotically fun. Unfortunately Adam Ant then legitimately went mental and this song ended up being butchered to try and save endangered gorillas. Let's just remember this as an 80s classic.

#806: Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain

A proper country classic from maybe the best country artist of all time. This song, in particular, has been covered by many notable artists, but none are as soulful and beautiful as the Willie Nelson version. The slow acoustic arrangement and Nelson's gruff voice work perfectly together in one of the most emotionally rich country songs ever.

#805: Marvin Gaye - Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology)

About as smooth as soul music can ever get. I literally have no idea why this smoothness was applied to the destruction of the environment, but it somehow works a treat. Environmentally friendly soul from the master himself.

#804: Nazareth - Love Hurts

A timeless classic if you love shrieking soft rock. I don't, but even I have to admit this is a rock classic. Originally released by the Everly Brothers the song has been recorded by many artists, but none are as notable as this power ballad from Nazareth. If you can get past the shrieking vocals you find a solid rock song.

#803: Tina Turner - What's Love Got to Do with It

Tina Turner's comeback hit, and what a way to do it. Not many people can power out a memorable chorus like Tina Turner and it's of no surprise that this became her biggest-selling single.

#802: Kool & the Gang - Jungle Boogie

Now a pop culture staple thanks to numerous appearances in film and television Jungle Boogie is in itself a very good funk track with some great vocals. The song is also highly influential in the disco genre, blaring through clubs years before the disco wave of the late 70s.

#801: Jackson Browne - Running on Empty

A song for rocking out to down an empty highway with the roof down. A smooth and melodic release in the folk-rock genre and a staple of any classic rock playlist worth its salt.