The Greatest Songs of All Time: 550-501

#550: Orchestral Maneuvers in the Dark - Enola Gay

Enola Gay is of course the plane that dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima, decimating the entire city. I'm sure OMD got their inspiration for writing songs about decimated cities from their native Merseyside, and in doing so created one of the more unique anti-war songs out there. The synth is just fucking incredible, giving the track a dance vibe that's quickly snatched away by those morose lyrics.

#549: R.E.M. - The One I Love

A plain love song on the surface that actually transforms itself into an emotionally rich guitar track. The repetition may put some people off, but I personally find the lyrics the strongest aspect of this track. This isn't a romantic record despite outwards appearances, and if you look hard enough you can find some brutal lines hidden within the song.

#548: Foo Fighters - Learn to Fly

It's hard to forget a song with such a ridiculous music video. It's also hard to forget a song with such a memorable chorus. 'Learn to Fly' has the riffs and lyrics any good Foo Fighters song needs, with a large added dose of style.

#547: Smokey Robinson & the Miracles - The Tears of a Clown

This is one of the few times in pop music when the melody and the vocals manage to sync together perfectly. The instrumentation is delightful and sophisticated, as are the silky smooth vocals of the legendary Smokey Robinson. The lyrics are the real highlight however, telling a depressing tale that's eerily relatable despite being based on a historical Italian opera.
 
#546: Elvis Presley - Mystery Train

All Elvis needed was an already existing blues song to transform rock and roll music forever. Mystery Train was his first taste of success on a national level, delivering a fine uptempo rock and roll track with intriguing undertones.

#545: Frank Sinatra - Fly Me to the Moon

A jazz song from the mid-50s that had been covered by just about everyone became legendary when Frank Sinatra added his iconic crooning to the mix. The release of his cover was timed with the Space Race, and in fact became the first song to be played on the moon. I dread to think what music the moon would have to endure if anyone landed there now.

#544: Alice Cooper - I'm Eighteen

Alice stays true to his attitudes on freedom and rebelliousness by performing this track in an almost paralytic state. The angst at societal norms runs throughout the track, almost playing like a call to arms. Songs like this would be hugely influential in the metal genre, with Alice's shocking style and way with words becoming a template for numerous bands over the coming decades.

#543: The Tremeloes - Silence is Golden

You might imagine it was a psychedelic track that topped the charts of Britain during the Summer of Love, but you would be badly mistaken. Instead of participating in this cultural revolution Britons decided a cover of The Four Seasons from Dagenham was the way forward. To be fair the harmonies are fantastic, making this one of the most profound number one singles ever.

#542: Del Shannon - Runaway

When you envisage some of the greatest rock and roll stars of all time you probably wouldn't be imagining a drunk hunchback. Then again, you don't imagine a high pitched chorus sounding anywhere near as good as it does here. Runaway is a terrific song, mixing 60s pop with what appears to be the sound of a fairground. That solo ranks as one of my favourites of all time, and the whole track is one of my favourites to sing along to.

#541: Pearl Jam - Even Flow

A really strong guitar track from these grunge rockers. Eddie Vedder sounds good on the vocals. I can't understand anything he's saying, but he sounds good regardless. Even Flow is played at a furious pace, never once slowing down for a breather, providing fan service for anyone hoping for some hardcore grunge on their superb album 'Ten'.

#540: T. Rex - Ride a White Swan

I remember watching Marc Bolan enter the stage to perform this track on an absolute unit of a model swan. This crazy moment is a great addition to the charm of this track, as the song combines both the charisma of Bolan with some bright and loud riffing that grabs your attention instantly. It's a toe-tapping track that brought glam rock to the masses, and probably did wonders for the LSD industry as well.

#539: The Rolling Stones - You Can't Always Get What You Want

The intro to the album version of this track doesn't really prepare you for this blues-inspired rock track riddled with pessimism. The pacing on this track is brilliant, gradually covering many mature topics such as drugs and politics. The London Bach Choir actually tried to get their name removed after finding they were lumped in with some serious themes on the album 'Let it Bleed', but unfortunately for them you can't always get what you want.

#538: Meat Loaf - I'd Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That)

Meat Loaf decided to turn a fairly formulaic pop-rock song into a full-blown feature-length film. Why they needed to add makeup to make him look grotesque in the video still confuses me. We'll ignore the fact the title is contradictory, and we'll ignore the excessive cheese because this is such a great track to indulge yourself in. Every single instrument in the recording studio must have been used at some point, but the result is an epic ballad that just feels great to hear.

#537: The Clash - Train in Vain

The final song on the classic album 'London Calling' is a good one, although it's actually a secret song not officially on the album. It's not a punk track, instead becoming a complex funk number that would have been at home about a decade earlier. 'Train in Vain' is one of the best pop songs in history from an unexpected source.

#536: The Beach Boys - I Can Hear Music

The Beach Boys had become a fully experimental group by 1969, but they could still polish a classic cover. I Can Hear Music was originally recorded by The Ronettes, but in my opinion works better with the amazing vocals of Carl Wilson, backed up with legendary harmonies. The best role is from the guy on the right, who does absolutely nothing for the whole song except dance like a weird uncle at a disco.

#535: Cab Calloway - Minnie the Moocher

A jazz classic all the way from 1931. 'Minnie the Moocher' oozes class and sophistication, only being interrupted by Calloway's playful vocals. They're actually quite sinister lyrics, heavily referring to drug use, but thankfully they're written in jive so no censorship idiots could understand them. Cab Calloway runs the fine line between charisma and having a seizure, succeeding at getting the crowd to play an integral part of the record.

#534: The Marcels - Blue Moon

A song originally from the 1930s that's been covered by artists from Elvis to Rod Stewart. The best version is a doo-wop classic from The Marcels that decided the serious nature of the original held the song back. The song is lively, it's fun, and great to join in. The mostly nonsense chorus is so catchy, with some great harmonies added in.

#533: XTC - Making Plans for Nigel

If I was a band from Swindon I would also want to make plans. That's plans to leave as soon as possible. It's a better plan than getting Nigel a job at British Steel, which was doing its best Titanic impression in the late 70s. The song itself sounds like absolutely nothing else. The strange riff is mesmerising, the drums are incredible, and the monotone lyrics draw you into an interesting tale.

#532: The Maytals - Pressure Drop

What a reggae classic. I wasn't aware barometric pressure readings could be turned into one of the most enjoyable reggae romps in existence, but apparently in the hands of a talented group this seemingly boring theme can be made exciting. It's just such a great song to listen to.

#531: The Yardbirds - Heart Full of Soul

Wow, what a riff. Who needs Eric Clapton in your group when Jeff Beck comes out with that absolute masterpiece? Fuzz guitars weren't commonplace in the mid-60s, but here you see them used to their full potential. The exotic sound of the track would have turned heads at the time, also influencing numerous garage bands in the process.

#530: Neil Young - Rockin' in the Free World

These are the proper hard rock tracks that Neil Young should be remembered for instead of all that techno and country nonsense that plagued his discography in the 80s. It's one of those protest songs that brilliantly mocks politics of the time both home and away, but not letting these themes get in the way of a classic rock track.

#529: The Beatles - You've Got to Hide Your Love Away

The album 'Help' is a pop masterpiece, but every now and then the tracks get toned down for some acoustic excellence. Allegedly the track is a gay anthem for manager Brian Epstein, which I believe is the first time a song for the gay community contained an acoustic guitar and not much else. The simplicity of this track is its strong point, creating a pleasant folk track with even better lyrics.
 
#528: Bob Marley and the Wailers - Redemption Song

If there was ever a song to sum up Bob Marley it would be this one. Thoughtful lyrics, a powerful vocal performance, but most importantly that signature reggae rhythm. The Wailers must have gone for lunch whilst this was being recorded, as they're nowhere to be heard. The isolated vocals give the track a personal feel with an incredible virtuoso performance at a time when Marley was suffering heavily from cancer.
 
#527: The Primitives - Crash

One of the best rock tracks of the 80s came all the way from the charming slums of Coventry. The giveaway is the band being called 'primitives', which is a common term for Coventry residents. To be fair to the band they produce one hell of a power pop single that will charm you with jangly guitars, powerful riffs, and some catchy lyrics that are all nicely paced.

#526: Sinead O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 U

It's fair to say Sinead is a bit of a mess. That's great for performing passionate songs like this, but not great if you want to book her for a television show, as she may start ripping up pictures of the pope. The raw emotion on display here is astonishing. The Prince written lyrics are already serious enough, but add in those brilliant vocals and the song becomes one of the most heartbreaking pop tracks in history.

#525: The Beat - Mirror in the Bathroom

Ska royalty. The Beat live up to their name by laying down a killer beat, only punctuated by the occasional smooth saxophone. The lyrics, the vocals, the energy, and the bassline are all just fantastic. It's one of the most enjoyable singles of all time, and a hallmark of the ska genre.

#524: Prince - When Doves Cry

Another Prince record that seems to cover a million different genres. When Doves Cry was his only number one hit in the UK, and arguably his best. It's an experimental number with an interesting absence of base, although you don't really need it when the chorus and lyrics carry the whole song. Just to note that whilst birds do have tear ducts to protect their eyes it would simply be inaccurate to state they cried like humans. Great track however.

#523: Blondie - The Tide is High

An exotic sounding track from a group who often embraced a far heavier sound. The track has reggae roots in 1960s band The Paragons, but never found mainstream appeal until this Blondie cover. This version has better hooks, better vocals, and more importantly a user-friendly melody. It's a great pop track that has since seen others try and copy the style to less success.

#522: Pulp - Common People

The ultimate summation of Britpop culture that swept the British charts in the mid-90s. The song plays with themes such as class and romance, all performed in the whimsical style of Jarvis Cocker. Common People brought Pulp to the front of the Britpop queue and is often voted as the greatest song of the genre.

#521: The Crickets - Maybe Baby

A classic Buddy Holly number that relies on a strong hook and even stronger guitar work. Maybe Baby was Buddy Holly's first real foray into the mainstream and would become one of his signature rock and roll tracks over the years.

#520: Wilson Pickett - In the Midnight Hour

A classic soul record that would become legendary thanks to the vocals of Wilson. The only thing more powerful on the record are those horns which immediately ramp up the energy for the song to maintain. The track became Pickett's first hit and has since been covered by a multitude of soul musicians.

#519: Tame Impala - Feels Like We Only Go Backwards

A modern revival of psychedelic rock that increases the aesthetics of the genre thanks to modern studio innovations. The track is structured like a pop song, relying on big hooks and repetitive verses to get lodged in your head. The vocals are as smooth as can be, perfectly combining with the melodies for a modern psychedelic marvel.

#518: Jimmy Ruffin - What Becomes of the Brokenhearted

Motown ballads usually have a sense of positivity and pleasantness about them. This song however is the direct opposite, painting a harrowing and depressing view of romance through the soulful vocals of Jimmy Ruffin. Just make sure it's him singing and not the awful Paul Young cover.

#517: Guns N' Roses - November Rain

Guns N' Roses could never manage subtlety could they? November Rain is a nine-minute rock ballad with about a million different instruments and egos all fighting for supremacy. The track is a symphony of rock and roll bravado, combining every single rock cliche over the epic runtime. It's the longest ever song to reach the top ten and is still seen as one of the most popular rock songs of all time.

#516: Jimmy Cliff - Many Rivers to Cross

Jesus, what a voice. That voice carries this movingly optimistic track, beautifully describing the emotion found within the song. The lyrics express Jimmy's own personal struggles, almost sounding like a hymn with the inherent sense of desperation and the presence of a church organ. The song sadly never charted with the man himself, instead finding fame with thieves that unsuccessfully tried to copy this beautiful track.

#515: The Beatles - Nowhere Man

A brutally depressing number that's deeply personal for a lot of individuals. John Lennon is said to have written the song about himself, although the beauty of this track is that you can place yourself directly into his shoes. A standout track on the revolutionary 'Rubber Soul' album.

#514: Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally

A legendary Southern soul track with a nice gospel flavour. Wilson Pickett is at his brilliant best, but it's the responding backing singers that really elevate this track to the next level.

#513: Black Sabbath - Black Sabbath

Here you have possibly the first-ever heavy metal song. Some historians might claim others got there first, but there's no denying this track laid the foundations for a genre still hugely popular today. The unique riff is not also great, but one that would change the music game forever, and provide the basis for the satanic themes that run riot in any Black Sabbath piece.

#512: The Beatles - All You Need Is Love

The nation of France may have stolen the introduction of this one, but here The Beatles managed to create a unique sounding pop track with a universal message. This was purposely written for the first ever international satellite broadcast, becoming an international symbol of peace and love as a result. The ending deserves a mention, which departs from the catchy choruses to play a medley of influential music.

#511: The Rolling Stones - Get Off of My Cloud

Released after the smash hit 'Satisfaction' is this often forgotten classic that like its predecessor also topped the charts. The lyrics very much sum up the attitude of the band at the time, being both brash and full of attitude. There's also an underrated guitar line to be heard underneath the shouty vocals, although you're unlikely to notice with everything else going on.

#510: Eminem - Stan

Eminem does a scarily terrific job of coming across as a deranged individual. I find the man always excels when he plays the role of these larger than life characters. The song tells an incredibly interesting tale that grips you from start to finish, perfectly flowing from verse to verse. Eminem is further complimented by Dido, whose voice sounds fantastic considering she was last seen in Aeneid.

#509: Dusty Springfield - Son of a Preacher Man

Dusty Springfield is not an artist from Southern America. Why then does it sound so brilliant when she not only incorporates gospel sounds, but adds in a bit of country for good measure? Dusty's voice sounds excellent in this context, pulling off the role of soul star whilst also adding in some sexual chemistry. I love the guitar and brass combination as well.

#508: The Doors - Hello, I Love You

If only getting laid was as easy as Jim Morrison makes it out to be. There's no flowery language in this one, being as succinct and to the point as a song can be. This song is structured like a pop number, yet has a surprisingly heavy sound and an erratic organ. The stereo recording of this track was actually instrumental in how music would be heard in the future, showing that musical experiences could be tuned to each individual ear.

#507: Aretha Franklin - Chain of Fools

I always thought Aretha sounds like she's from Manchester with her pronunciation of the word 'fools'. Her voice is of course iconic, but it's her chemistry with the backing singers that really makes this song so great. A legendary soul release from a legendary soul artist.

#506: The Beatles - Twist and Shout

It was upon first hearing this that every single young woman across the planet screamed themselves into Beatlemania. John Lennon decides to destroy his own vocal cords in his best Isley Brothers impersonation, all in the pursuit of an energetic track that would often bring the house down to conclude concerts.

#505: Tom Petty - Free Fallin'

A simple acoustic number with an impressive vocal display from an artist more at home with harder rock tracks. You may not win any awards for being able to play it well, but you'll be the one having fun when you start belting out that brilliant chorus.

#504: Santana - Black Magic Woman

A smooth rock track and a Latin American party all rolled into one guitar heavy song. As with any Santana record it's the skill of guitar playing that instantly grabs your attention. The song was actually written by Fleetwood Mac's Peter Green as a blues number, but was then given some spice by Santana and the next thing you know you have a commercial hit.

#503: Pet Shop Boys - West End Boys

One of the best produced pieces of synthpop ever recorded. The vocals switch from monotonous speaking to soothing and a little bit camp, but the instrumentation is just so well layered, giving this wonderfully rich sound. This version is actually a remix of a less successful version released the year prior, which might have something to do with it rambling on about Vladimir Lenin for some strange reason.

#502: Ralph McTell - Streets of London

It's not often a song makes you think as much as this one. You don't need scores of celebrities to hammer home a serious message, just a man with his voice and an acoustic guitar. You would have to have no heart at all to not be moved by such a depressingly beautiful piece.

#501: David Bowie - Ziggy Stardust

Ziggy Stardust is bonkers and brilliant at the same time. Nobody could have ever imagined that an album centred around some space pirate who communicates with aliens being any good, but you know it's going to be a cracking track when that opening riff begins. There's better on the album, but that doesn't mean this isn't a brilliant track.