The Greatest Songs of All Time: 350-301

#350: System of a Down - Chop Suey!

Chop Suey may have become an anthem for morons over the years, but there's still something striking about this track that always manages to draw you in. I really like the structure of the song. In a departure from convention we have the majority of the intensity found in the verses, and it's only in the chorus when we slow down for the introspective parts. Its popularity can be summed up with its almost a billion views on YouTube, which is certainly an impressive feat for an alternative track.

#349: The Clash - Rock the Casbah

It's hardly the hardcore punk attitude that made the Clash household names, but it's certainly one of their best ever tracks. It's catchy and entertaining whilst still having that hardcore edge to separate it from conventional 80s pop. The lyrics are not to be taken seriously, although that doesn't stop the armed forces for repeatedly playing it in the Middle East. Amazingly we have a punk song you might actually want to have a dance over.

#348: Iron Maiden - Run to the Hills

If you were expecting a deep and emotional take on the plight of Native Americans then you obviously haven't met Iron Maiden. 'Run to the Hills' is just one big energy release, punctuated by Bruce Dickinson's screaming vocals. The lyrics do actually deal with both sides of the conflict, although really the sentiment is clearly anti-war throughout. This track helped spearhead a new age of British heavy metal, which gives it a rather mixed reception from the general public.

#347: George Michael - Careless Whisper

Scoff at this ranking all you want, but I absolutely love it. From the blissful opening saxophone we're catapulted into a world of cheese and sensuality. George Michael sounds like a sex machine, with even straight men like myself fantasising over his emotional heartbreak. For 80s commercial pop this is about as sophisticated as it gets.

#346: Cat Stevens - Wild World

I'm not sure fantasising over lost relationships and claiming to view these sexual partners as children is the most romantic thing I've ever heard, and should probably be reported to the police, but there is a lot of sentimental value found in this one. Wild World is a fantastic acoustic track, really hammering home themes of heartbreak and loneliness. Jimmy Cliff's version is also worth a listen if you ask me, whilst Jonathan King's version certainly isn't.

#345: The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight

So here it is, the birth of hip hop as a commercially successful genre. They still hadn't worked out how to untangle the shackles of disco, but that does at least give the track a playful flavour. The lyrics are all over the place, yet such a joy to follow along with whilst simultaneously introducing themes of boastfulness and sexuality that would become integral in rap music.

#344: Steely Dan - Do It Again

How a band manages to pull off a full dramatic plot and a lengthy guitar solo into a five-minute song I will never know. Steely Dan have produced a record that doesn't really sound like anything else. Here we have a work of art more than the folk-rock music the band were noted for. It's really well paced as well, yet despite its complex progression still retains a rich atmosphere throughout.

#343: T. Rex - Hot Love

Not only was Marc Bolan a flamboyant frontman, but as proved here he had a sensual side as well. His voice in this is so crisp and laid back, and whilst the song may be repetitive it certainly isn't without positive energy. It's of no surprise that this track topped the British charts for a whole six weeks at a time when glam rock was at its peak. Probably not the best idea to proudly reveal your lover isn't very old however, especially when you're a rock star from the 70s.

#342: The Shadows - Apache

If you only know this one from Will Smith's dancing then shame on you. The original is a fine guitar instrumental that like its title suggests gives off themes of rural Southern America and the West Coast. I'm amazed that this track was never a success across the pond because it does what American bands were doing at the time a million times better. It's incredible that such a solid electric guitar track existed in the early 60s, becoming one of the most influential pieces of the period.

#341: Roberta Flack - Killing Me Softly with His Song

A classic soul track with a lot of substance hidden within. The vocals are the star of the show here, and whilst they might sound isolated on the surface, a closer inspection will reveal a far more layered production. Roberta may not have written this well-constructed piece, but it fits her style like a glove. A special mention has to be given to The Fugees, who produced a great and unique cover version themselves.

#340: Cheap Trick - Surrender

An anthem for the youth gone wild that unfortunately was never really popular enough to send them totally wild. The lyrics take jabs at overprotective parents, with ideas of freedom and teenage rebellion at the fore. Then you arrive at the chorus, which is just pop-rock perfection, instantly getting lodged in your skull. Interestingly in France the title is translated into 'La Marseillaise'. The more you know.

#339: Led Zeppelin - Communication Breakdown

Who else was producing rock music as intense and pure as this in 1969? Even punk bands were struggling to get to these levels of ferocity a full decade later. The fast-paced riff has become legendary in the world of rock, but really every single member of the band has to be credited for some of the most energy intense performances imaginable. I assume this song live would be an absolute spectacle.

#338: Frank Sinatra - My Way

I hardly call making a career out of the rather obsolete art form of crooning doing things your way, but there's no denying Sinatra is both an icon and an enigma. I'm not sure the instrumentation and the vocals sync up particularly well, but that doesn't matter when you have this legendary voice at your disposal. My Way has since become Sinatra's signature track, and in my opinion there's not a better single to sum up a global icon. It's become so popular in the Philippines that people are actually being murdered when it's inevitably performed again on karaoke night. True story.

#337: Elvis Presley - Heartbreak Hotel

The song that made Elvis an instant rock legend. Not only was this one of the first rock-based tracks to make it into the mainstream, but it also became the inspiration for many aspiring rock acts. Presley's voice is at its most characterful here, poetically bumbling out the lyrics like a man on the wrong end of a sticky breakup. The echo just amplifies the voice, instantly painting a picture in your mind of a charismatic performer.

#336: Megadeth - Peace Sells

You know with a title like that that we're in for a deeply political rant, and that's exactly what we get here. Megadeth were pretty new on the metal scene when this was released, but unsurprisingly built quite a reputation based on this hard rocking anthem. It's intense, powerful, and has a surprisingly neat bass. Peace might sell, but when this song is played there's rarely a peaceful member of the audience.

#335: The Beatles - Paperback Writer

A simple rock track with an uncharacteristically hard style. This was the first time The British Invasion produced heavy material that was also a major commercial success. The riff is exceptionally good, and I just love how it intertwines with the pleasing vocal harmonies. It's rare a hard rock track tops the charts, but here we have a perfect mix of loud guitars and catchy hooks.

#334: The Velvet Underground - Heroin

What an epic lesson on the effects of narcotics. I still can't work out whether this is a dire warning or an advertisement for the titular substance. You might be turned off by the simplistic opening, but this one builds in intensity, creating a rather unnerving atmosphere in the process. Whilst I certainly don't advocate the use of heroin, I do advocate getting an addiction to this classic. Both are some pretty serious shit.

#333: The Turtles - Happy Together

You would think the combined names of the title and band would lead to one of the dullest pop songs of all time, but nothing could be further from the truth. The verses use subtlety to build up to the brilliant chorus that juts instantaneously blares out such a positive message from those richly layered harmonies. Over the years the song has been included in various forms of media, but has still kept that innocent charm.

#332: Love Affair - Everlasting Love

An often forgotten 60s classic that starts with an eruption of grand noises, and finishes exactly the same way. Good luck listening for the lyrics over the sheer volume of noise, but you are eventually treated to a monumental hook, and failing that a cracking bassline. The singer looks about twelve, but he absolutely nails that chorus. The song itself has been released by numerous artists, but none have the same power as this fantastic piece of Northern soul.

#331: Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun

The music video might give you nightmares, but here we have one of the finest grunge singles in existence. The plodding riffs and vocals give off an apocalyptic feel that doesn't feel right. There's nothing musically complex about the composition, but it has the unnerving ability to just sound off. How a song like this ever charted is beyond my comprehension, but then many of these influential grunge rockers weren't the sanest of individuals.

#330: Kraftwerk - The Model

Sometimes all it needs is some serious Germans and a futuristic sound to create a great song. There's something very German about the whole composition, as it feels engineered to perfection by men who look like they work in accountancy. The lyrics get straight to the point, but really the focus has to be on the incredible melodies created by those synthesisers. This bizarre combination worked in Britain, where the public sent it to the top of the charts.

#329: The Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden

If there was any song to sum up what made The Rolling Stones so great then it must surely be this one. The rock elements are kept to the fore, with Mick Jagger going straight in with his loud and proud vocals that instantly raise the hairs on your arms. It might not have set the charts alight, but this was the best you could expect from the Stones during the late 70s, proving they still knew how to write great music.

#328: The Drifters - There Goes My Baby

Doo-Wop was rarely ever as exciting as this. Add in some soul and some strings and you have one of the most lively ballads ever created despite its inherently sad nature. Just listen to that voice. Absolutely amazing. You can forget the unique production for a moment when you have that wonderful thing powering through the hooks. This song was actually the first released by the second version of The Drifters after the original lot had been fired. I'm sure the original members were soon forgotten after the release of this smash hit.

#327: Michael Jackson - Thriller

Thriller grabs your attention and never lets you go. The accompanying video has become one of the most celebrated in history, featuring iconic dances and a demonic Michael. It is actually quite a scary video that still shocks audiences to this day. Vincent Price even makes an appearance towards the end to add in some iconic dialogue that only for a moment takes the spectacle away from Jackson. It's these now iconic features that have made Thriller a pop powerhouse instead of a simplistic dance track.

#326: The Stranglers - Golden Brown

If I had a penny for everyone who told me this was about hard drugs then I'd probably be as rich as The Stranglers were after they released this one. Golden Brown is about as unique as it gets, with alternating time signatures and the domineering sound of a harpsichord. To this day the sound still enthrals me, sounding hauntingly beautiful and exotic at the same time. I don't know how you get all this to work in a pop song, but The Stranglers did a phenomenal job.

#325: Iggy Pop - The Passenger

A classic track that symbolises the edgy and transient nature of the troubled rock star. The riff is the best you'll find on any garage rock song, with the piece becoming one of those classic rock tracks that are just pleasant to sing along to. David Bowie actually sang backing vocals on the original recording and the whole song was written on Berlin transportation. Amazing how something with such humble beginnings can become one of the most poignant rock pieces ever released.

#324: Buddy Holly - Everyday

The B-side to 'Peggy Sue' that in my opinion completely eclipsed the main track on the single. Buddy Holly doesn't understand what the word 'everyday' means, but he certainly understands how to turn this mistake into a brilliant track. This was the song that perfectly demonstrates Buddy Holly's melding of primitive rock and 50s pop. It's such a sweet and charming love track, held together with a simple clapping percussion and a strong voice. All this from a man who never even reached his mid-twenties. Crazy.

#323: Iron Maiden - The Trooper

Now immortalised as a decent ale 'The Trooper' is a track that makes war seem like an exhilarating adrenaline rush. Never has killing Russian horses seemed like such a laugh. The surging riff gives off the intensity of a ferocious battle, carrying on at a million miles an hour, forcing you to pay attention. You really do feel like you're on the field of battle, which is only added to with the graphic description of war from the lyrics being screamed out over the roaring noise of guitars.

#322: Def Leppard - Photograph

Yeah, it might offend metal purists, but for me this is such an infectious track. Photograph has all the traits of classic 80s hair metal. It's crass, it's chauvinistic, and it's full of youthful energy. The hooks are so insanely addictive, with the song just begging you to have a crack at those vocals like the karaoke queen you think you are. That video is also enough for any hormonal boy to rip their cocks off, and funnily enough isn't the official video.

#321: The Doors - Light My Fire

The seven-minute signature track of a legendary rock band. The keyboards and organs are going absolutely mental, but this chaos works a treat. The Doors were often noted for their blues-inspired sounds, and here that's most apparent. 'Light My Fire' led to The Doors gaining worldwide exposure, but in Britain this song is probably best known for the Will Young cover. However, that manufactured wanker can fuck off.

#320: Rod Stewart - Maggie May

A B-side that managed to top the charts for five weeks, with similar success across the planet. Those opening drums followed by the lyrics exploding out of the gates makes me smile inside every single time. Rod Stewart songs are usually about him hitting on women in the most obnoxious ways possible, but here we have a surprisingly mature and sophisticated tale. The track is actually based on a Liverpudlian folk song about a thieving prostitute, which actually sums the city up perfectly, and is a great basis for a story of heartbreak.

#319: Chuck Berry - Roll Over Beethoven

The absolute arrogance of some up and coming artist to publicly slate masters such as Beethoven. Fair play to the man, he backs up the trash talk with a legendary track that's still hailed as an all-time classic to this day. You can pick out any section of the song and hear its influence on the genre of rock and roll. The guitar and lyrics were fresh and vibrant in the 50s music scene, but it's the direct statements that predict a new age of music that would have really turned heads. I still prefer Beethoven's 9th, but maybe that's just me and my old fashioned ways.

#318: Eagles - Life in the Fast Lane

One of the rare times in music when the rock and roll lifestyle is brutally dismantled in front of the audience. The opening riff is just excellent, aptly designed for those late night cruises down the fast lane. In fact the whole track in general benefits from the terrific guitar work, although for me the focus will always be on the expertly constructed lyrics.

#317: The Beatles - If I Needed Someone

George Harrison may not have been the writer of many songs, but here he came up with an absolute beauty. That downshift in tone for the hook will always resonate with me, but then the guitar work on the whole track is just exceptional. For once we get jangly guitars from The Beatles, embracing folk-rock more than anything else. A standout track on an incredible album.

#316: Carly Simon - You're So Vain

Probably my favourite ever metaphorical middle finger ever recorded. Carly Simon takes some thinly veiled shots at someone that has pissed her right off, and I wouldn't want to be that person. Right from that ethereal opening bassline we get insult after insult. I am more than willing to get involved in this sort of drama, even if I have no idea who the song refers to, and there are many theories out there. An absolute mastery in petty bitterness. Mick Jagger is also on backing vocals, so there's that as well.

#315: Mott the Hoople - All the Young Dudes

Even the David Bowie songs that he gave away to other artists are bloody fantastic. Bowie's generosity saved this band from splitting up, whilst also having the added effect of making them household names. Here we have a band acting like rebellious youths, sticking it in the face of the authority. They may have been a primitive version of punks, but they performed a glam rock anthem here.

#314: The Kinks - Sunny Afternoon

Makes you nostalgic for summer months decades before you were born. Just one listen to this takes you to those idyllic summer moments when you haven't a care in the world. Forget weed, this is enough to mellow out any human alive. Sunny Afternoon isn't actually about lazing around, and is really a protest song at high tax rates. Who really cares when you have a track as caressing and calming as this one?

#313: Prince - Let's Go Crazy

Prince tracks are often rather lively, but this one takes the piss. You're lying if you're feet aren't having a fit under the desk. 'Let's Go Crazy' is Prince's idea of a celebration of life, introducing themes of spirituality that run deep through the album 'Purple Rain'. There's even a great little guitar solo to round things off, managing to keep up the insane energy levels in the process. What a way to kickstart an album.

#312: Queen - Bohemian Rhapsody

You must think I'm mad to place Bohemian Rhapsody outside the top 300 of a greatest songs list. There's no denying this is a good song, but for me it's like a jigsaw of individually excellent pieces that don't seem to connect together properly. The song certainly sounds unique, and I do love the sense of theatre and drama that the whole epic production has, but overall the track reeks of a great band trying too hard to be artistically brilliant, only barely managing to scrape by. Overrated, but an all-time classic and an impressive achievement nonetheless.

#311: The Platters - Only You (And You Alone)

Here is proof that all you need is some stunning harmonies to carry a song. You don't even need the touching lyrics or a sense of charm, just those amazing voices. There's so much passion in the vocals that it even breaks on occasion, giving the effect of a truly heartfelt love song. Only You shows characteristics of early rock tracks that would eventually dominate the pop charts whilst still embracing the sounds of a bygone era.

#310: Four Tops - Standing in the Shadows of Love

Signature soul record with one huge dose of vocal brilliance. You take notice when that amazing voice comes blaring out the speakers, joining in the heartbreak of the song's subject. The track sounds eerily like some of the group's better-known tracks, but I guess if you've got a magic formula why change? It's certainly a damn effective formula that produces incredible soul tracks. Nice use of the bongos as well.

#309: Green Day - Basket Case

Basket Case is as good as pop punk ever got, and will likely ever get. The pop elements are kept to the fore, with catchy riffs, catchy lyrics, and not surprisingly catchy hooks that will stay in your head for a lifetime. I love the counterculture aspects as well, and despite its accessible nature the song still feels a little rebellious to fantasise over. At its core there's just a sheer volume of well-layered noises that never once take away the inherent infectiousness of the single.

#308: Desmond Dekker & The Aces - Israelites

The first chance the world ever got to see the commercial potential of reggae music. In the UK this one reached the top of the charts, introducing Jamaican cultural elements that British pop culture would form a close bond with for decades. Israelites is one of those songs where you just want to join in, even though you can't understand half the lyrics, and singing along makes you start this mildly racist Jamaican accent. I should also mention the bass, which is just majestic.

#307: Led Zeppelin - When the Levee Breaks

Led Zeppelin, who were often noted for being ahead of their time, decided to cover a song from 1929. The blues-based origins are evident right from the start, although when you hear the original song you really start to appreciate how much Led Zeppelin add to this one. The drums are the most notable addition, and let you know of their presence every single second. This track rounds off their epic untitled fourth album in style, tying together the hard rock and folk rock elements that are present throughout the whole piece into one dreamy concoction.

#306: Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant

That is a sexy little opening riff, and surprisingly sophisticated for a punk band who were more accustomed to screaming profanity through the microphone. You may not believe this but that riff was actually inspired by ABBA's drastically different 'S.O.S.' Don't worry, the rest is mostly aggressive shouting, although somehow that shouting worms its way into your head with ease. If you're under the impression there was no talent in this group then I urge you to give this one a listen.

#305: New Order - Blue Monday

A landmark synthpop release. There are many different memories associated with this track for many different people, but then this track has the uncanny ability to conjure about fifteen million different emotions all at once. For seven whole minutes this song will take you places, transporting you into some carefree world. The song is expertly paced and layered, maintaining an incredible aura throughout its lengthy runtime. Blue Monday has since become one of the biggest selling singles in UK history, and an important milestone in the evolution of dance music.

#304: The Walker Brothers - The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine Anymore

Arguably the most pronounced Phil Spector composition in existence. Just listen to how the track is layered. Absolutely phenomenal. The lyrics are also really something for a pop track, repeatedly throwing in thoughtful metaphors that really ram home the themes of loneliness. This American group were a huge success here in the UK, even having a larger fan club than The Beatles at one stage. Both musically and commercially this is a historically important release for music.

#303: Little Richard - Good Golly, Miss Molly

You can see why Little Richard sent young and impressionable people into a frenzy with his iconic combination of screaming vocals and energetic tunes. The man is in great form here, almost commanding you to have a dance. Why wouldn't you with that melody? This track would have been revolutionary on release, but then so was almost anything this man released in the late 50s.

#302: The Kinks - Lola

Most people don't realise that one of the defining songs of early British rock is actually a trans anthem. Lola isn't some sweet and innocent girl, she's really a transsexual. This shocking realisation was met with radio bans across the world, although here in Britain we were more shocked with the Coca Cola product placement, and as such the BBC banned it also. Not only do you have to admire The Kinks for trying to break down barriers, but you also have to admire this heartfelt story of romance. Lola became one of the band's most successful records and its calm tone has led to it becoming one of the most beloved British rock tracks in history.

#301: N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton

Whatever your opinion on gangsta rap there is no taking away the fact that this song launched the genre the moment it explodes into action. We get no lazy cliches here, just the raw emotions of young rappers dealing with reality. I'm not from 'The Streets' or 'The Hood', but even I get amped up by a track that I shouldn't be able to relate to in any way.