The Greatest Songs of All Time: 100-51

#100: Jim Croce - Time in a Bottle

Jim Croce's life was categorised by misfortune after misfortune. The musician died at the age of thirty after spending most of his earlier years penniless, yet here we see the beautiful side of his life with one of the most gut-wrenching performances in music history. The track was written in response to learning the news that his wife was pregnant and this powerful theme really gives us a chance to experience the immense songwriting talent of this musician. 'Time in a Bottle' reached the top of the American charts after the death of Croce at a time when the themes of mortality couldn't be more appropriate.

#99: Fleetwood Mac - Albatross

Those who know their poetry will instantly recognise the symbol of an albatross as the bird that brings misery on the sailors in 'The Rhyme of the Ancient Mariner' when killed. The instrumental brings these themes to life with a lonely and isolated guitar that drifts along aimlessly. The atmosphere created by this simple composition is just extraordinary. Albatross is the best selling instrumental of all time here in Britain, also becoming Fleetwood Mac's only number one hit to date.

#98: Dion - Runaround Sue

I feel for Sue. Yes, she might have got around a bit, but nobody deserves a character assassination like this brutal track. Not only does Dion sound great, but his voice allows the song to flow effortlessly between the fast-paced verses and numerous hooks. Interestingly Dion's wife is named Sue, but I guess that's none of my business. Runaround Sue dominated the American charts and so I doubt Sue has been getting much action recently. The song has become ingrained within pop culture, although most recently was brutally sampled in a Meghan Trainor hit. No legendary song deserves that sort of treatment.

#97: The Beatles - Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)

By including sounds from the Far East in their work The Beatles were able to transform the landscape of 60s rock. George Harrison shows up with his sitar, finely integrating the exotic sounds into the simple acoustic soundtrack like no band had ever managed before. It's really hard to categorise this unique sounding track as on one hand it's full of psychedelic flavours, but on the other it sounds like a fairly conventional folk track. Similarly, the lyrics like to change between crushing realism and playful whimsy. Norwegian Wood is a real enigma of a song with an uncanny ability to make simple elements seem like strokes of genius.

#96: Pink Floyd - Wish You Were Here

Pink Floyd pull off the difficult skill of creating a satisfying prog rock track in under six minutes. The lyrics are the main event here, poetically describing themes of loss in stunning detail. In this instance the subject is the loss of former bandmate Syd Barrett, hence the emotion heard in the vocals, but really the track can be universally applied. Here we have a standout moment not just on the album of the same name, but also in the career of this legendary group.

#95: The Who - I Can See for Miles

This track is about as hard as rock ever got in the 60s, but the real trick is how the song paces this heavy sound in digestible chunks. Keith Moon goes absolutely berserk on the drums, putting in a performance that even for him is completely over the top. There's a nice contrast between the hectic drums and the more subdued vocals, but again it's that pacing that gives this track such an anthemic feel. As someone who relies on glasses to even read a sentence I should find this a cruel taunt, but how can you ever hate such a brilliant song?

#94: David Bowie - Starman

To say this was an adventurous single would be the understatement of the century. Here David Bowie is pushing the boundaries of music as an art form in his own inventive way. Even by David Bowie's standards this is pretty out there. You could almost describe the lyrics as out of this world. The composition is ethereal, painting this futuristic picture whilst simultaneously delivering a satisfying acoustic sound. Starman introduced Britain to the wacky world of Ziggy Stardust, also giving us that iconic image of Bowie that will never be forgotten.

#93: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Have You Ever Seen the Rain?

Yes, yes I have seen the rain. I'm from fucking Britain, it's all I ever see. This song manages to pull off a rare trifecta in the sense that it has passionate and meaningful lyrics, a solid acoustic rock sound, and massive hooks that any pop song would kill to have. The band often had apocalyptic themes embedded in their tracks, but this one has a more personal feel to it, even referencing the internal strife within the band. CCR would never reach these heights again, but they left their mark on the music landscape thanks in no small part to this absolute classic.

#92: Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run

Bruce Springsteen perfectly encapsulates everything so attractive about freedom. The hook is great and all, but those chords after the chorus blow me away every single time. The guitars sound incredible, and there's such a rich sound resonating everywhere the song travels. After every listen I start to understand why this man is known as 'The Boss', because for over four minutes he becomes this charisma machine. 'Born to Run' was the album that propelled Springsteen to stardom, changing the course of American rock music forever.

#91: Scott McKenzie - San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)

Never has there been a song that so definitively summarises the cultural changes of the 60s. San Francisco is a track that makes you feel sad you never got to experience this pivotal and uplifting series of events that changed the world. The song is seen as an unofficial anthem for the hippie movement, but even saw its influence spread to social changes in countries such as Czechoslovakia. Scott McKenzie was something of a one-hit wonder, but thanks to this iconic track he's become a crucial part of music and cultural history.

#90: Billy Joel - Piano Man

Billy Joel composes one of the finest ballads of all time, describing crushing realism with added artistic flair. The lyrics are based on the man's own observations, which results in us getting some interesting anecdotes from the equally interesting characters. Strangely it's the repetitive harmonica that takes centre stage throughout most of the track. The piano still sounds good, but often it's overshadowed by other areas of the high-quality instrumentation, only to then suddenly appear out of nowhere for an awesome solo.

#89: Simon & Garfunkel - Scarborough Fair

American folk duo Simon and Garfunkel give us their take on a traditional English ballad. Many folk artists have had a crack at creating a modern version of this endearing classic, but none of those attempts managed to pull off mixing a medieval sound with modern folk music. The vocal harmonies are absolutely mesmerising, easily stealing the show and perfectly complimenting those dulcet tones in the background. You may be forgiven for thinking Scarborough is some old fashioned paradise nestled away in Britain after listening to this, but in reality this song paints Scarborough as far nicer than it has any right to.

#88: James Brown - Papa's Got a Brand New Bag

Finally, James Brown is given that epic composition to match his incredible vocals. This must be the first time in history that James Brown is overshadowed by the instrumentation. The man gives it a go, but here his vocals only accompany a toe-tapper of a hit. Whoever came up with that little guitar strum before the horns blow the roof off is an absolute legend. In fact, the whole composition comes out cooler than James-fucking-Brown. How is that even possible? What we have here is one of the funkiest tracks of all time, and one that thanks to James Brown would go on to influence a whole emerging funk genre as a whole.

#87: The Spencer Davis Group - Keep on Running

A 60s classic that just has to be blasted out at full volume. The distorted power chords, the furious beat, and the chanting backing vocals all add up to an anthemic number. I should add that vocalist Steve Winwood is only seventeen in this. What a confident and career-defining performance from a seventeen-year-old. Very few people were producing sounds anywhere near as heavy and exhilarating as this in 1965, and as such the track stormed the charts here in Britain.

#86: The Rolling Stones - Gimme Shelter

The Stones decided made a quick departure from their position as rock icons and released a bleak and shocking track about current affairs. Mick Jagger sounds like a desperate preacher with his vocals, and there's even a nice little inclusion of a female singer, who manages to sound even more eccentric than Jagger. The guitars feel far more methodical in nature, but sound absolutely fantastic and dirty in their own right. Martin Scorsese also seems to put this in every single one of his films, which gets absolutely no complaints from me.

#85: Oasis - Live Forever

The Oasis magnum opus. I still can't put into words how well written the whole thing is. The damn song is just one big hook and the lyrics have this euphoric feeling that gets you every single time. When this was released in 1994 it must have felt like a breath of fresh air for the British music scene, who had become accustomed to depressing droning dominating the charts. Live Forever was the first time Oasis reached the top ten of the UK charts and the first time people started to take notice of a new emerging rock sound. Here we have the pinnacle of Britpop, and the last great thing to ever come out of rock and roll.

#84: The Tornados - Telstar

What an instrumental. In my opinion the greatest instrumental of all time. When the main melodic hook hits I actually orgasm it's that incredible. Telstar is actually a communications satellite, hence the futuristic effects used. This satellite is central to the soundtrack for the strange new worlds being explored by mankind, with The Tornados showing off revolutionary studio effects produced in a small apartment that were every bit as spectacular as spaceflight. Telstar is also Margaret Thatcher's favourite pop song, but that's hardly the fault of the band.

#83: The Beatles - Help!

The title track and centrepiece of The Beatles' most iconic album. Humongous hooks, incredible vocal harmonies, and four charming Liverpudlians all send this monster hit into the history books. At its heart this is about as fun as any pop song has ever been in history, and don't even get me started on how catchy the damn thing is. Help is hardly the most complex of the band's songs, but its simplicity and energy are exactly what makes it such an endearing classic.

#82: Johnny Cash - Hurt

Johnny Cash delivers one of the greatest cover songs in existence, giving the track a whole new meaning in the process. I'm mostly a soulless bastard, but even I will be the first to admit I've teared up to this heartwrenching track over the years. The sight and sound of Johnny Cash knowing he's nearing the end of his storied life whilst reminiscing on past triumphs and regrets sends chills down every part of my body. The man is visibly weak, yet gives one final epic performance with all his heart. Absolutely epic.

#81: Chuck Berry - Johnny B Goode

The song that etched Chuck Berry and rock and roll as a whole into the history books. We could sit here and talk for hours about the most iconic aspect of this song, whether that be the opening riff, the amazing guitar solo, the hook, or Chuck Berry's legendary vocals and charisma. The lyrics refer to Berry's own upbringing, portraying the man as a rock and roll hero in the most flattering ways possible. Such was this track's cultural impact that it's now floating towards potential alien life to represent the whole of humanity.

#80: Eddie Cochran - C'mon Everybody

Eddie Cochran just knows how to convey the sense of fun found in his songs thanks to his charismatic persona. The infectious guitar riff central to this track helps things run along smoothly and in style, but really it's Eddie who carries this track. The song doesn't waste any time with any filler and just lays out some fantastic rock and roll verses without any messing around. Eddie Cochran was only really a commercial success here in the UK despite being one of the finest talents to ever come out of the American rock and roll scene.

#79: Isaac Hayes - Theme From Shaft

It amazes me that one of the greatest funk tracks in existence was penned for the opening credits of a film. If you ever need a theme song to make you feel like the coolest cat in town then look no further. Isaac Hayes is silky smooth on the vocals, instantaneously causing women around the world to ovulate to the sound of that husky voice. Shaft is a revolutionary composition as well, displaying facets of what would later become disco, and also becoming the first African American musician to win an Oscar.

#78: Sex Pistols - Anarchy in the U.K.

The late 70s may have been a turbulent time for Brits, but thanks to this groundbreaking release anarchy was truly created in the music scene. Even today this is one of the most aggressive and shocking political statements ever made in music. The Sex Pistols became the faces of anarchy with this song, and you genuinely believed these rebellious youths did want to see the country in complete chaos. They don't give a single shit about grace and decorum, and they riled up an angry youth with this clear cut message. Soon countless groups of shouty rebels were making angry music, and that's all thanks to this track.

#77: The Beatles - Something

One of the all-time great love songs that amazingly doesn't feature explicit references to love at any stage. The lyrics are absolutely beautiful, but it's the composition that really sets this apart from other love songs. This song is really just a great listen from start to finish, combining simple elements to create one epic piece. You could even say it has that certain something. Frank Sinatra even named this track the best of the last fifty years, and that's a man who knows something or two about music.

#76: The Cure - Just Like Heaven

The Cure shows their more subtle side with one of the most beautiful rock tracks ever produced. Just Like Heaven is possibly the most sophisticated love song of all time, using beautiful imagery and beautiful instrumentation to paint the picture. The composition is just extraordinary, with gentle guitar lines giving way to epic piano segments at just the perfect moments. All this from a man that looks like a budget vampire.

#75: The Beach Boys - Don't Worry Baby

Yet another beautiful love song. The first thing that hits you with this song is just how incredible the vocal harmonies on this track are. I can't decide whether the harmonies or the lyrics are more soothing, but both of these elements are just astonishingly good. At a time when bravado and rebelliousness were becoming rife in rock, it's so refreshing to hear such a tender ballad with such meaningful lyrics. This was the first opportunity we got to see the creative powerhouse of Brian Wilson in action, and it's thanks to him that this track is produced to absolute perfection.

#74: The Byrds - Mr. Tambourine Man

The Byrds release one of the all-time great covers, giving a Bob Dylan classic a new lease of life with their unique and revolutionary sound. The jangly guitars are so pleasant and vibrant on the ears, which is characteristic of the band. The Byrds were the American answer to the British invasion and even managed to reverse the tide with this track, topping the charts in the UK. This release gave folk rock a modern direction and gave the genre a boost in popularity that influenced bands around the world. Technically this is the only time Bob Dylan topped the charts, but what a way to do it.

#73: The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Purple Haze

This Jimi Hendrix guy sure knows how to play the electric guitar. Purple Haze is dominated by this pure and electric riff. This heavy and distorted sound was a precursor to what could be achieved with guitar based tracks, with many musicians first hearing this psychedelic genius on this Hendrix release. Jimi's vocals are actually fairly mellow, and the whole recording feels delightfully smooth despite its often brutal nature. Oh, and just in case you were getting tired of the riff there's also a brilliant solo. An absolutely perfect guitar track.

#72: Simon & Garfunkel - Bridge over Troubled Water

Simon and Garfunkel tug at the heartstrings with what I believe is the most touching ballad ever penned. The whole composition is just a talented singer and a talented songwriter singing over the top of a lonely piano. More instruments are later added to the mix, but it's this pureness and simplicity that makes this track so special. This iconic ballad has been recorded by countless other artists and today remains one of the biggest selling singles of all time.

#71: The Cure - Friday I'm in Love

The Cure produces one of the most joyous and euphoric songs in existence. There's so much positive energy in every single aspect. Everyone sounds like they're having a great time, appearing to be releasing that pain after a long and stressful week. Seriously, this is not the most sophisticated rock track of all time, but give it a listen and you'll start enjoying yourself in a way no other song has ever managed before. I love this song so much that I even occasionally give it a listen on days other than Friday. It still makes me incredibly happy, so I don't give a shit.

#70: The Isley Brothers - Summer Breeze

Summer Breeze was originally a forgotten soft rock record from the early 70s. The difference between the original and this superior version is astonishing, with The Isley Brothers somehow transforming the dated sound into an R&B classic. The added elements contribute to an epic composition that makes the original sound totally rubbish. The inclusion of that riff in particular is a stroke of genius. Similarly, the imagery and atmosphere of the track are so vivid that to me this song represents the summer. It turns out you can actually polish a turd if you're named Isley.

#69: The Everly Brothers - All I Have to Do Is Dream

The most dramatic example of the high-quality harmonies The Everly Brothers could pull off. The seductive and charming lyrics are great and all, but when you have those vocals you instantly have yourself a legendary song. Amazingly this iconic vocal performance was recorded in just two takes. I love how the electric guitar never tries to steal the spotlight, just creating a gentle atmosphere to compliment the main event. This track was a huge hit in the late 50s and is currently the only track to ever top all of the Billboard singles charts.

#68: The Clash - London Calling

The definitive Clash song and a milestone of what could be achieved by punk rockers. This was the sign that punk had moved with the times and was transcending into far more sophisticated areas. The bass line is legendary, the lyrics are legendary, the guitar riff is legendary, and the hook blows me away every single time without fail. The lyrics in particular do an amazing job at painting this apocalyptic scene that seemingly gets more frightening with each day. Quite simply this is one of the greatest political statements ever made in music.

#67: Bob Dylan - Subterranean Homesick Blues

Imagine the shock of folk fans when the living legend that is Bob Dylan released a song with an electric guitar. This piece of sacrilege was the dawn of a new era for Dylan and his fusion of electronic sounds and folk would become revolutionary. Bob Dylan gives rappers a run for their money with his fast-talking vocals but completely blows past them with his intelligent and poetic lyrics that cover just about every societal issue known to man. All of this in just over two minutes. I also love the music video, which predates the trend of lyric videos by a good fifty years.

#66: Led Zeppelin - Kashmir

When Led Zeppelin delve into progressive rock the results are almost always special. The composition itself isn't that complex and the central part of the song is this iconic riff that meticulously plods along in anthemic fashion. The riff may be the foundation of the track, but I also love the added strings and horns that occasionally add a little bit of flair to proceedings. In truth all four members of the band are spectacular in this one, showcasing that unrivalled chemistry that made these men rock gods.

#65: Johnny Cash - Folsom Prison Blues

The standout track on Johnny Cash's debut album. Lyrically this is some of the finest material ever created. In this short country track we go from the interesting thoughts of a prisoner to his chilling admittance that he shot a man just to watch him die. That line in particular is one of my all time favourites. If anything the live version is even better, having the unique feature of being recorded actually in Folsom Prison itself.

#64: Gerry and the Pacemakers - You'll Never Walk Alone

It's rare a song becomes the anthem for half an entire city. What's even more amazing is that this particular city is Liverpool, so how great does a song have to be for that city to reject the musical greats born and bred there in favour of this one? The song itself is from the musical Carousel, but only really comes to life with this version. The vocals are as powerful as the subject matter and the build to the crescendo is just electrifying. I also prefer the live version of this one, although that particular version is performed by thousands of Liverpool football club supporters.

#63: Led Zeppelin - Heartbreaker

The greatest showcase of Jimmy Page's inhuman guitar playing. That guitar solo is just unbelievable. Surely it cannot be possible for a single human being to produce noises like that on an electric guitar. Page would even take this solo to the next level in live shows, not only extending it, but going fucking crazy and including other songs in the mix. The bassline is also fantastic, but really this is one of the all-time great guitar tracks that every aspiring guitar player should put at the top of their bucket lists.

#62: Sex Pistols - God Save the Queen

Lyrically destroying the Queen is a very easy way to create a scene in Britain. Calling her a fascist is not exactly sporting over here, and as such this track became the poster boy for the emergence of rebellious punk. 'God Save the Queen' is a brilliant punk track in its own right, with guitars and vocals just as aggressive and provocative as the subject matter. Funnily enough there was some controversy with this release, and the track was subsequently banned by just about everyone. That didn't stop it from storming the charts, and only a BBC plot managed to keep it from the top spot. The Queen can execute me for treason, but I think this is better than the British national anthem.

#61: Love - Alone Again Or

For anyone wondering what the most beautiful song of all time is then wonder no more. The whole 'Forever Changes' album is a wonderfully constructed collection of beautifully crafted tracks, but this one is a cut above the rest. Love takes us on a journey that gracefully transitions between strings and horns, all flowing in the most effortless way possible. Despite the charming composition there's an air of depression found within the lyrics with the focal point punctuating themes of intense loneliness. It's rare that artistry of this level can be found, and I doubt anyone will ever hear anything remotely like this ever again.

#60: The Moody Blues - Nights in White Satin

An incredibly touching love song with exotic hints of psychedelia creeping in. We may have already heard what I think is the most beautiful song in history, but this is damn close. Amazingly this mature love track was written by Justin Hayward at just nineteen years of age. The Moody Blues ended up producing one of the all-time great love songs that still sounds as atmospheric and bold as it ever did. The sounds produced by the orchestral composition are ethereal, aiding in creating one of the most moving tracks in such a dynamic decade.

#59: Led Zeppelin - Whole Lotta Love

When you're discussing the greatest riffs of all time then this one has to be ranked near the top. Particularly in Britain that riff has become a cultural phenomenon, even providing the soundtrack for the once weekly chart countdowns on 'Top of the Pops'. There is more to the song than an iconic riff, and in fact we get a great display of Led Zeppelin's unique chemistry in action. Some may be turned off by the little pause, but I personally like the little break before mayhem is restored. Whole Lotta Love is the ultimate example of Led Zeppelin using their blues influence to instigate the arrival of proper hard rock.

#58: The Rolling Stones - Jumpin' Jack Flash

An energetic classic rock masterpiece. Unusually for The Stones there's no blues-based depression or sleazy references to mention, just a positive track with a ton of positive energy. There's still a heavy blues influence, but this is as pure and unadulterated as The Rolling Stones ever sounded, becoming a welcome reprieve from the group's brief foray into psychedelia. Jumpin' Jack Flash is the song most performed live at Rolling Stones concerts and is in my opinion their signature track.

#57: Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing

It's rare such a phenomenal guitar track manages to take the charts by storm, but thankfully that very scenario happened in 1978 with this breakout hit. The subdued yet complex guitars make this song, backed up with some solid songwriting. Just for a moment it looked like guitar centred rock would be making a comeback, but unfortunately rock music as pure as this would be a rare sight in future years. Shoutout to Guitar George as well. He's an absolute lad for learning all the chords to this one. A real sultan of swing.

#56: The Rolling Stones - (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction

We all know that riff. It's become a crucial part in the evolution of music. Most people have pointless dreams, but Keith Richards dreams up guitar riffs that would change the course of music history forever. This monstrous hit opened the door for countless other artists to experiment with guitar-led tracks. Rarely would this new breed of rock ever top this track, which aside from having a great guitar soundtrack also has a killer hook and powerful verses. This single was a huge hit on both sides of the Atlantic and remains ingrained in pop culture to this very day.

#55: Blondie - Atomic

The opening may sound like 'Three Blind Mice', but once that's over you're treated to new wave perfection. The soundtrack becomes the focal point of the track, sounding both vibrant and forward thinking. That's not to say the lyrics aren't also brilliant. There may not be many words spoken, but all of them sound absolutely amazing and build into some momentous crescendos. Atomic is currently Blondie's best selling single here in the UK and for me is the finest piece of music to ever emerge out of the new wave scene.

#54: Van Morrison - Brown Eyed Girl

One of the greatest feel-good pop tracks in history. The composition is simple, yet is incredibly satisfying from the opening guitar riff. There's something so charming about hearing the miserable Van Morrison reminiscing about pleasant memories. It's easy to see why this has become Van's most iconic track and today it's still frequently played over the airwaves. Originally this song was going to be named 'Brown Skinned Girl', but don't worry guys the censors still defeated Van after he dared to mention the scandalous act of making love.

#53: Blue Oyster Cult - (Don't Fear) The Reaper

The final hurrah for psychedelic infused rock that even in its heyday rarely sounded as good as this. This single manages to pull off the trick of providing us with big hooks whilst also impressing us with the complex structure. Throughout the track we venture through smooth rock and intense solos, all whilst the chilling lyrics are meandering around the subject of death. 70s rock rarely gets as sophisticated and atmospheric as this. The song has now become the source of a famous joke about needing more cowbell, but I personally prefer its musical legacy.

#52: The Undertones - Teenage Kicks

The ultimate example of how sometimes simplicity is all that's needed to create an iconic piece of art. There is absolutely no excess baggage on this catchy punk hit. The track says all it needs to, gets stuck in your head, and then kindly ends to leave you wanting more. Some may hear just a generic rock track, but the punchy punk undertone (ha) adds a ton of flavour. You really have to know your stuff to create one of the defining tracks of punk rock with so little ingredients. There has never been another song that speaks to the disenfranchised British youth like this one. 'Teenage Kicks' are words to live by, although maybe don't put them on your gravestone unless you want your memorial to be kicked over by youths.

#51: The Zombies - Time of the Season

The Zombies were very observant when they declared that the season for loving was upon us all. 'Time of the Season' in particular became one of the anthems for the growing hippie movement, becoming one of the more artistic hits to emerge from this trend. There's also a certain sense of sensuality with the whole production, and one that would typically be reserved for charismatic soul singers. The bassline is fantastic, but what really makes the track standout is the unorthodox structure that relies on minimalism to build up towards that brief hook. Ironically The Zombies were actually dead as a band when this was originally released, but that didn't stop the song from becoming a huge hit.