The Greatest Songs of All Time: 250-201

#250: Def Leppard - Pour Some Sugar on Me

One of the finest and sleaziest examples of glam metal. When this one comes on I usually behave like a mess and act like a whore. You're missing the point of this song if you start complaining about the poor lyrics or the lack of sophistication. This is a spectacle, winning you over with its energy and drama. The hook is just incredible, and is actually one of my favourites of all time. Who gives a shit if music snobs don't find any credibility here? This is all about good old fashioned fun.

#249: Temple of the Dog - Hunger Strike

Chris Cornell and Eddie Vedder in the same band, singing the same song. That's grunge royalty. Their voices compliment each other nicely as well. Hunger Strike is a tribute to a departed friend of these grunge legends, with the unusually sombre tone reflecting the introspective and meaningful lyrics. What a way to say goodbye to a dear friend.

#248: Stevie Wonder - Superstition

One of Stevie Wonder's legendary hits that went on to define his career. Those funky keyboard noises are so infectious that they become the main hook of the song. Amazingly they were actually improvised by Stevie during a recording session, which is just absurd. It is one of those tracks where Stevie just packs so much funk into every aspect. You just have to start tapping your feet whenever that keyboard kick in.

#247: The Velvet Underground - I'm Waiting for the Man

The track isn't exactly about the most riveting of subjects, but a quick look into the lyrics reveals a dark underbelly of drug references. The story told by the lyrics is actually very engaging, interestingly taking a neutral stance on proceedings and backed up with a pounding beat that builds the anticipation. A real visceral and mature take on drug addiction by one of the most revolutionary bands in history.

#246: Four Tops - Baby I Need Your Loving

A Motown classic. There's no doubting this is a soul record, but that hook is a classic of the pop genre, featuring the majestic harmonies that made this group famous. The tone of the track may be upbeat but there's a certain amount of desperation and despair to be found within the vocal performance. This hit would launch the Four Tops, who would become one of the most successful soul groups in music history.

#245: Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)

Punk rock is a genre dominated by angry men, yet here we get a delightful reprieve in the form of Pete Shelley's smooth vocals. Yeah, there's still some anger left lying about, but this is a far more mature and sophisticated view on relationships that you find in the majority of rock tracks. The hook sounds fairly complex but is actually just incredibly well written, effortlessly flowing from one line to the next. The song flies by with its fast pace, but also due to how every single verse and chorus is so damn catchy.

#244: The Stone Roses - Fools Gold

Straddling the line between hardcore rock and dance anthem is this absolute classic. The reverberating guitar and vocals give an isolated feel to the track, but really at heart this song is just one big rock based rave that likes to go a bit mad on command. The sound is dirty and gritty in parts, yet never strays away from that fresh funk based noise. Fools Gold has gone on to become one of the defining sounds of the Manchester music scene.

#243: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Fortunate Son

The defining song of the Vietnam War. The song itself is a solid piece of Southern rock, structured in a way that would go on to formulate the genre in the next decade. That's not why the song has become so notorious. That's the political message, which is cleverly integrated into the lyrics. The message isn't brash or aggressive, only serving to highlight class injustices. I wasn't even alive during the conflict, but just listening to this gives me Vietnam flashbacks to when I was right in the thick of the action.

#242: Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up

Curtis Mayfield wasn't satisfied with just your average soul hit and instead decided to write a whole damn symphony. It's one of those tracks that can brighten your day in an instant. Hell, this one can probably change your whole outlook on life. I love the grandeur of the horn section after every verse, and I also love Mayfield's smooth vocals, which are just as vibrant as the nature of the song. Shout out to the bongos as well. They're also fantastic, but just overshadowed by all the brilliant things happening in this one.

#241: Rage Against the Machine - Killing in the Name

Now, this is how you make a statement. Repetition is used to maximum effect here, whether that be the strong riff or the equally forceful lyrics that don't exactly beat around the bush. These profanity-laced lyrics have often been the subject of controversy within the media, and as such have probably become some of the most memorable rock lines in history. 'Killing in the Name' has become an iconic piece of counterculture, even spearheading the movement to stop talent show winners grabbing the Christmas number one spot here in Britain.

#240: Depeche Mode - Enjoy the Silence

The genre of synthpop often has the reputation of banging out 80s pop anthems, but on the odd occasion we did get to see these electronic sounds used to create some dark and mature tracks. The ambience created by this song is just extraordinary. With just a bunch of synthesisers this band managed to create one of the most lonely and isolating soundtracks ever made. The vocals fit this depressing tone perfectly, mumbling out some sophisticated lyrics with the odd hook thrown in for good measure.

#239: Public Enemy - Don't Believe the Hype

Expertly produced and expertly performed. Public Enemy doesn't mess about with their bars, shouting out directed barrages towards the unsavoury members of society. The group have a lot of attitudes, but equal measures of awareness as well. The beat is on point, but its the flow that's most inspiring. Public Enemy manages to carry an amazing amount of vigour in what is really a slow rap track, paving the way for political hip hop in the process.

#238: Peter Gabriel - Sledgehammer

Peter Gabriel perfectly merges cheese and pop prowess in this brilliant hit. There's an inherent sense of drama and excitement every time you hear this. The beat is monstrous, and adding blaring horns only adds to the sensation of this absolute powerhouse. That's not the highlight however. I live for that hook. Add in some blatant innuendos and you have yourself one sexually charged 80s classic. The music video is also hailed as one of the most revolutionary of all time.

#237: The Beatles - She Said She Said

The Beatles may not have realised what they were doing but they accidentally stumbled across the formula for the modern rock song. You can thank their newly beloved LSD trips for that. This guitar-heavy track stands out on the album 'Revolver' by an absolute mile, and there's plenty of masterpieces to compete with on that record. Here we find the first commercial track to include elements of psychedelia, popularising this drug-centered trend for the rest of the 60s. Ringo Starr even puts in a big shift on the drums, proving he wasn't just a charming character.

#236: Jerry Lee Lewis - Great Balls of Fire

A legendary rock and roll single that cemented Jerry Lee Lewis as an all-time great. Lewis' high pitched squeals are charismatic, breathing more life into the already lively composition. The piano is the driving force in this one, not only dictating the infectious beat but also going completely mental in certain spots. 'Great Balls of Fire' is one of the biggest selling singles of all time, with its influence still being felt in pop culture to this very day.

#235: The Jackson 5 - I Want You Back

Michael Jackson plays the role of young pop sensation once again, showing that at just the age of ten he was destined for greatness. His vocals are fantastic, but credit also has to be given to the writing, which allows the song to flow effortlessly from verse to verse. I doubt Michael can relate to the lyrics, but you wouldn't know that from his sensational performance. It's just such a pleasant and happy song to listen to, instantly bringing a smile to your face from the very start. The bass line is also brilliant.

#234: Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky

Much better than the majority of Christian hymns. The intro is one of the most distinctive in rock history. The fuzz on those guitars is inhuman, matching the crashing beat. Christian rock usually has a terrible reputation, but here's evidence that once in a while you can add the idea of spirituality into rock music without sounding pretentious. Norman himself is actually Jewish, so I honestly have no idea why he's softening up to Jesus when it was his people that crucified the poor guy.

#233: Sly and the Family Stone - Dance to the Music

Politically motivated and artistically sophisticated is how I would describe Sly's gang. The bass line in this more pop orientated track is fantastic, but it's the chorus where this one really delivers its message, shouting out that hook at maximum volume. There are so many different elements all coming together that had never been tried before in this combination. As a listener you're not sure whether you want to join in with Sly's angry sounding vocals or just dance along to the groove. What we're witnessing here is the genesis of commercial funk and the track that launched this revolutionary band to the world.

#232: Pink Floyd - See Emily Play

There was once a time when Pink Floyd actually understood how to keep a song below about forty minutes. The way this track transitions from a lone harpsichord to a hard rock sound is brilliantly bizarre. There's a certain boyish charm in places, but that charm is then quickly wiped out by some menacing sounds. People in the late 60s must have been wondering who these new idiots were, but this unique noise turned into a hit and became the definitive Pink Floyd dose of psychedelia.

#231: The Human League - Don't You Want Me

One of the most easily recognisable tracks of the 80s. The hook is so basic yet so, so effective. Like the rest of the song it's expertly constructed into pop brilliance without ever becoming generic. What I really like is that you get the perspective of the female in the relationship as well, meaning we don't get some one-sided sappy love story and actually a deeper tale of stalking and harassment. Today it's one of the biggest selling singles in UK history and seen as a synthpop anthem that nobody could ever hate.

#230: Kiss - I Was Made for Lovin' You

Yeah, yeah, I know this isn't proper rock music. I honestly couldn't give a single shit. What we have here is some charismatic rockers melding together their stadium based sounds with the feel-good worlds of pop and disco. The intro is unbelievably infectious, but that has nothing on the hook. Good luck getting that chorus out of your head. Paul Stanley's vocals are just so smooth and delightful. If you're not having fun with the disco-inspired elements then you've always got some good guitar work to enjoy anyway.

#229: Bachman-Turner Overdrive - You Ain't Seen Nothing Yet

A nice little track from a nice little Canadian foursome. The chorus is hilarious and harsh in equal measure, as the jumbled vocals are actually bullying the brother of lead singer Randy Bachman who had a terrible stutter. What an absolute asshole. A great hook however, and one that would go on to define the career of these men. Overall this is such an upbeat and pleasant guitar track with an inherently playful nature. It was originally recorded as a joke but is now seen by many as one of the finest pieces of pop-inspired 70s rock.

#228: Elvis Presley - Hound Dog

One of the most legendary blues songs ever penned was given a dose of rock and roll exuberance by none other than The King. If there was ever a song to sum up the iconic career of Elvis then this would be the one. This single has since become one of the best selling tracks in history, topping over ten million sales and staying at the top of American charts for eleven whole weeks, which even for Elvis was a pretty crazy figure.

#227: Alice Cooper - Poison

Alice Cooper ditches shock rock and instead embraces the bawdy lifestyle of glam metal. The lyrics are sexually charged and there are scantily clad models found everywhere in the video. This is what happens when your weird uncle gets way too drunk, but somehow Alice manages to pull this act off with youthful vigour. The hook is the real high point and has to be one of the greatest in the metal genre. Alice Cooper here, moving with the times and salvaging his career in the process. Excellent stuff.

#226: Daft Punk - One More Time

Turns out French house DJs were producing better club tracks in 2000 than any other country can manage today. The composition is euphoric, combining one hell of a beat with a swarm of well-layered instruments. Who cares if this same idea is repeated throughout the song when that said thing makes you feel fucking great? No clue what that music video is about however.

#225: Metallica - Fade to Black

A lesson in pacing and songwriting from Metallica. The way those guitars build throughout the intro is just orgasmic. We begin with an acoustic based track that escalates into a full-blown thrash metal anthem, only topped by a brilliant guitar solo to close out the track. The lyrics are meaningful and mature, wrestling with themes of suicide and depression in a manner so realistic it's shocking. A hauntingly beautiful track showcasing how artistry can be crammed into heavier genres.

#224: The Drifters - Save the Last Dance for Me

A Drifters classic that in my view is their most polished performance of their historic career. The vocals and harmonies are impossibly smooth. Ben E. King truly has one of the greatest romantic voices to ever grace the musical landscape, and when you back that up with the harmonies of a whole group the results are magic. Legend has it that songwriter Doc Pomus had polio, and so could only exert himself for the last dance, which just adds the significance of the romance in this beautiful song.

#223: Simon and Garfunkel - I Am a Rock

Pop songs aren't usually known for their takes on isolation and loneliness, but here we have a pop track on the subject that's both catchy and introspective. The structure is really quite a simple and upbeat acoustic number, but it's really in the lyrical content where this one excels. The song was not only released by Paul Simon on his own but as an EP and a single from the duo just a year later. Convoluted origins from a very simple folk classic.

#222: The Beatles - Helter Skelter

Who knew heavy metal was around in 1968? Who knew a lovable pop group could formulate one of the heaviest genres known to man? The madness doesn't stop either, only finally subsiding when Ringo starts pleading that his hands are blistered. Paul McCartney sounds possessed on vocals, but wow do those guitars steal the show. Charles Manson also used this track to help indoctrinate his murderous cult. Maybe not the person you ideally want your music to resonate with, but it does at least show what a powerful track this is.

#221: Led Zeppelin - Black Dog

The opening track of what is in my opinion the best album ever released. This rock track benefits from a weird time signature and a now iconic riff that gives the song such a recognisable personality. Robert Plant's vocals reach a new literal high, but it's his chemistry with the band that really sends this track to the next level.

#220: David Bowie - Heroes

Heroes is a track that perfectly sums up the legacy of this great figure. The guitars on the track amaze me with how effectively they build up towards that simply spoken chorus. Bowie's vocals on this are extraordinary. He starts off as his charming self and ends up in some desperate state, which is probably how his vocal cords must feel after that performance. This dramatic song clearly had a profound effect on the German people, who have since cited a live performance of this track as a catalyst from bringing down the Berlin Wall.

#219: The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk

Johnny Moore does a fantastic job at filling in as lead vocalist after the former lead singer died of a heroin overdose the night before. The upbeat lyrics benefit from some really positive imagery, so even if the romantic and raunchy hook doesn't float your boat you can always indulge yourself in the charming beach scene the song paints. The Rolling Stones also decided to cover this one, but that version was a rare miss for them.

#218: Cream - Sunshine of Your Love

A blues-rock standard that became highly influential in the world of rock music. That opening riff has now become iconic and to this day no other riff sounds anything like it. Musically it's such a simple riff, and is actually one of the first most guitarists ever play, but there's something so sophisticated about the whole composition. This track was always one of the highlights of their live sets, although when watching some of their concerts at the Royal Albert Hall the crowd looked bored shitless.

#217: Simon & Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson

'Mrs. Robinson, you're trying to seduce me aren't you?' One of the all-time great movie soundtracks also stands out as a phenomenal folk track in its own right. It might well be simple in composition but both the lyrics and guitar work are some of the best you'll ever find. 'Mrs. Robinson' was also the first ever rock track to win record of the year at the Grammys, showing that lot had finally caught up with pop culture years after rock had started dominating the music scene.

#216: Frank Sinatra - Strangers in the Night

The most seductive and charismatic performance from the ultimate crooner. If the vocals don't move you then the orchestral sound will. Sinatra himself hated the song, but audiences around the world and numerous performers who covered this iconic track clearly didn't share that sentiment. 'Strangers in the Night' turned out very right for Sinatra, not only winning about fifteen million Grammys but selling just about as many copies worldwide.

#215: Guns N' Roses - Welcome to the Jungle

Guns N' Roses may have been late to the glam metal party but their debut album hit with the force of a wrecking ball due in no small part to this single. The intro leads you into an aggressive and lively track that punches you in the face with that mean hook almost instantly. The guitars are just as vicious weather through powerful riffs or impressive fast-paced solos. It might not be the most sophisticated hard rock song ever, but it certainly packs a punch.

#214: Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused

Led Zeppelin took a folk rock track and turned it into a blues-rock masterpiece that set the standards for an emerging heavy metal genre. All this from a band of teenagers. 'Dazed and Confused' became the band's first centrepiece song and it would become a full symphony when played live. The clatter of the drums and use of guitars between the verses is just hypnotic, and as for that solo, that's just incredible. The song even inspired a film of the same name, although rather amusingly this song is nowhere to be found in it.

#213: Elvis Presley - Don't Be Cruel

This is the definition of a smash hit. Eleven weeks this song reigned at the top of the American charts. Don't Be Cruel features one of the finest riffs ever included on a rock and roll track. If the instrumentation doesn't please you then there's always the charismatic Elvis performance to fall in love with. It's a track where you join in just to feel like Elvis, and whilst you always feel like a low rent impersonator you still have a great time trying.

#212: The Beach Boys - I Get Around

A classic surf pop record that brilliantly demonstrates what The Beach Boys are all about. The intense repetition is in no way irritating, and in fact the range of harmonies found throughout the short runtime is absolutely phenomenal. At its heart there's such a sense of fun and excitement with this one, mirroring the world of youth with newfound freedoms.

#211: Whitesnake - Here I Go Again

Hardly filled with artistry, but an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. The production reeks of classic glam metal. Loud and wailing guitar riffs are only topped by the ridiculously over the top vocals that carry the infectious hook. The better known single version of the track was released five years later, and although still a solid track lacks that raw emotion of the original.

#210: Madonna - Like a Prayer

An absolute pop masterpiece. The chorus is just perfection, but in reality the verses are just as catchy as that amazing hook. Packed into the hooks are some mature lyrics heavily influenced by sexual undertones and religion. Kudos to Madonna for writing a mature pop hit that deals with very personal issues. It's a really great composition, featuring both elements of hard rock and gospel, but anchored by full-blown pop. Portraying Jesus as a black man built up enough controversy to send public interest through the roof whilst also providing an iconic statement for the pop singer.

#209: Ritchie Valens - La Bamba

A traditional Mexican folk song is given a dose of energy by a rock and roll pioneer. I don't speak a word of Spanish, so for all I know the lyrics could be incredibly depressing, but I won't let that stop me from excitedly mumbling along to every single syllable. It's such an enjoyable song that even if you have no idea what's going on you can still smile away. La Bamba would only ever top the charts with the band Los Lobos, but it was Valens who first translated Mexican traditions into the world of rock.

#208: David Bowie - Ashes to Ashes

A beacon of artistic brilliance from one of the all-time greats. Unusual in composition, but just executed to absolute perfection. I have no idea how you would ever dissect the lyrics. They may make absolutely no sense, but I like them, and they work really well with the structure. The structure, by the way, is just spot on in every single aspect. There's nothing else that sounds remotely similar to this release, but then not many artists manage to reach the creative heights that David Bowie manages here.

#207: Fleetwood Mac - Dreams

Dreams is such a beautiful track. Stevie Nicks' vocals never sounded so good, but it's in the wonderful instrumentation where this song really shines. Dreams is a single that resonates with many people, taking them to a dreamlike world that this track eloquently describes. Dreams was the only time the band ever topped the American charts, with the song subsequently being viewed as the band's finest work by many.

#206: The Beatles - For No One

Paul McCartney may have the reputation of writing soppy ballads, but his work here shows astounding maturity. The lyrics have the incredible ability to view a relationship from the perspective of crushing realism. It's a breakup song, but one not out of malice. I love the french horn solo, but where this song shines is found in Paul's isolated vocals. Turns out you don't even need half The Beatles to create amazing music.

#205: Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five - The Message

The message in The Message is a very serious one, maturely and artistically portraying a rapidly changing 1980s with noticeable angst. The amazing thing is the beat still sounds fresh and vibrant despite uncharacteristically sounding like the decade it came from. That synthesiser is just fantastic, but it's the lyrics between these brief moments where the song really becomes legendary. If any song deserves the recognition for bringing hip hop to the masses then this is the one. The Message was the first time hip hop and serious political issues would join forces, setting a benchmark that would rarely, if ever, be beaten.

#204: Michael Jackson - Beat It

If anyone can put the pop in pop rock it would be Michael Jackson. Michael's tough guy impression is admirable, and although it fails miserably you still can't help but be enthralled by his charismatic performance. I'm not sure running away from gang violence is particularly sound advice, although these words could be applied to other serious issues, such as how Jackson should have beat it away from naked children instead of beating them off. Eddie Van Halen even shows up to shred a few welcome guitar riffs, turning this into a really good guitar track in the process.

#203: Earth, Wind & Fire - September

You must have a heart of stone to not be enthralled by this disco masterpiece. The first day of September is now a national holiday for me and every year I look forward to that date where I can play this song about ten million times in a row without any shame. How is it humanly possible to pack this much fun into such a standard disco formula? The genre of disco usually gets some stick for being overly cheesy, but how can you complain when it produces feel-good anthems for millions of people worldwide? I've still yet to find anyone who dislikes this classic.

#202: Scorpions - Wind of Change

One of the all-time great power ballads delivered with both passion and some good old fashioned German weirdness. This is not just your average rock track, it's a beacon of hope for a recently united German people and an anthem for political unity in a Europe that was still divided. It's a track for getting those lighters in the air and just not giving a shit about the world's various problems. Yeah, it's not the most sophisticated track in history, but its historical significance is almost unrivalled.

#201: Radiohead - Paranoid Android

Radiohead decided their leading singles should ignore the idea of commercial success and instead showcase the best of their artistry. The atmosphere created is disturbing, but not in the typical Radiohead manner of just being endlessly depressing. This one constantly evolves between hauntingly beautiful and aggressively terrifying. The differing segments of the track are each very different, yet meld into each other incredibly well with surprising amounts of cohesion. It's a very ambitious production and one of the most revolutionary singles of the 90s.