The Greatest Songs of All Time: 150-101

#150: The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood

The Animals always managed to perform cover songs better than the original artists. Originally released by Nina Simone this blues classic was rocked up substantially with the inclusion of guitars and organs, creating some of the grittiest sounds found at that time. In this way the song seems to fit The Animals style better than Simone, with the lyrics in particular showing surprising amounts of emotion from a rock track. The Animals scored a hit on both sides of the Atlantic with this one, with their version often being cited as the most popular cover of the song.

#149: The Kinks - All Day and All of the Night

You could be forgiven for thinking this is identical to their better-known hit 'You Really Got Me', and in truth they are very similar compositions. Despite similar riffs and styles I find there to be more polish on this record. Whether that's from the superior vocals or the better hook I'm not sure, but there is a progression in sound to be found here. The revolutionary riff still sounds brilliant and there's also that vibrant energy that couldn't be found at the same level in any of their contemporaries.

#148: James Brown - I Got You (I Feel Good)

As soon as you hear that iconic James Brown scream you know you're about to be in for one hell of a show. The structure of the song is very simple, relying on that single hook to be carried by James' incredible voice. This formula works as well, and we would see these individual elements being copied throughout the world of funk and soul in the coming years. Nowadays this soul classic has become an anthem for, funnily enough, feeling good. And yes, I can confirm I feel good listening to it now.

#147: Bob Dylan - Blowin' in the Wind

A beautifully simple folk classic heightened by the timeless mannerisms of a master lyricist. Under the surface there is far more however, and by dissecting the lyrics you're able to find a protest song against the ongoing wars of the time. The ambiguity in the lyrics has allowed the song to be applied to numerous other social issues over the years and influenced many other performers to pen their own protest songs as well as cover this legendary track.

#146: Pink Floyd - Echoes

At its full-length Echoes stretches out for a full 23 minutes and in typical prog rock fashion features a number of segments bridged together with extended improvisation. That's not to say the composition is messy, and in fact the whole production of this lengthy track is just staggeringly good. The recording in Pompeii is also one of the most amazing in music history and actually sounds better than the studio recording. Together as a package the song and the environment are such an ethereal spectacle.

#145: Bob Marley and the Wailers - I Shot the Sheriff

A Marley classic that successfully fuses an interesting narrative with stellar instrumentation. Despite the serious nature of the lyrics the song has a really pleasant and energetic feel, really emphasising the Caribbean based sounds. Marley sounds emotionally involved in the track and delivers one of his finest vocal performances. The far more successful Eric Clapton cover is also worth a listen, which is a track that not only popularised this song but also brought Clapton into the mainstream music scene.

#144: B.B. King - The Thrill Is Gone

A blues standard brought to life by King's skilled guitar playing. The Thrill Is Gone is a painfully depressing track and could just as easily describe failed romances or human life in general. It's hard not to get caught up in the meaningful lyrics that tug at your heartstrings during every line. The use of an electric guitar was a new avenue for both King and commercially successful blues in general and has since become the ultimate track from this music pioneer.

#143: The Doors - Riders on the Storm

The final song ever recorded by Jim Morrison. There's something so inherently cool about the whole recording. I don't whether that's due to Jim Morrison's laid back vocals or maybe the meandering piano and bass that gives the song an equally free-flowing character. It really does make you feel like aimlessly driving through the wilderness. Morrison passed away shortly after recording this song, but what a beautiful swansong to cement your legacy as a rock legend.

#142: Public Enemy - Fight the Power

If you look hard enough you might be able to see the protest elements in this one. Seriously though, has any song ever had such an obvious and powerful political message? Not many people would have had the balls to tell the authorities to go and fuck themselves in 1989, especially encouraging others to join in and shitting all over icons such as Elvis and John Wayne in the process. Public Enemy managed to become the mouthpiece of many pissed off Americans who found this accessible rally cry a revelation. 'Fight the Power' isn't just some political statement, and actually contains some of the best flow Public Enemy ever managed whilst all being backed up with a killer beat.

#141: Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven

A tragic acoustic number written in memory of Clapton's four-year-old son who tragically fell out of an apartment window. It's impossible not to be moved by Clapton's fragile vocals. The structure is of a simple ballad, but lyrically there is just so much going on. I don't think I've ever seen a song that deals with loss in such a mature and respectful way. As such 'Tears in Heaven' has become a hymn for many experiencing loss in their lives, but even for those who are mentally in a good place this is still one soul-crushing ballad.

#140: The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset

What I would give to live in the world presented by The Kinks here. Waterloo Sunset has to be considered one of the finest ever written pop tracks, creating this idyllic scene with well-crafted verses and a hook that's impossible to ever find tiring. It's so refreshing to find such a lovely composition in a band that were famed for their heavy and dirty sounds. A real triumph in both songwriting and artistry. Just out of curiosity, a Waterloo sunset really is as amazing as this song would have you believe.

#139: Neil Young - Heart of Gold

Speaking of beautiful compositions, here's another one. The simple formula of just a man with his guitar works so well here. The harmonica is also a welcome addition, but when you have that smooth voice that can write such a poetic song about ageing you don't really need any over the top production. 'Heart of Gold' was a surprising number one hit in the US, where it took a Canadian to show the country rockers some sophistication.

#138: Bob Dylan - The Times They Are a-Changin'

Yes Bob, the times certainly were changing. It takes one hell of a songwriter to produce a piece of poetry that seems almost universal no matter what the year. Let's not forget Dylan was only 23 when he penned this track, so it honestly amazes me how so much maturity and awareness is shown by such a young man. Many have tried to update the lyrics to put a modern spin on the track, yet even these reworked versions are often less applicable than the untouchable original.

#137: David Bowie - Life on Mars

David Bowie gives us a gripping example of when artistry and a sense of theatre come colliding together. The pacing on this track is just sublime. The way those pianos lead into that crescendo is so brilliantly done it's hard to put how incredible it is into words. The lyrics are the usual nonsensical affair from Bowie, coming across as surreal and esoteric as the man himself, but still managing to conjure up some vivid imagery. This is simply music as a pure art form.

#136: The Beatles - She Loves You

When people ask me what popular song sums up Britain in a nutshell I always reply with this one. The rumbling drums leading into The Beatles shouting at you with full force is such an iconic moment in music history. The chorus is about as simple as it gets, but wow is it one powerful hook. This is Beatlemania condensed into just over two minutes. Today it still holds the title of the band's best selling record, as well as being the best selling record of the entire 1960s. The only thing missing from the recording is a torrent of screaming fans.

#135: The Doors - People Are Strange

People may well be strange, but they aren't as bizarre as this track makes them sound. People Are Strange was the track that introduced the public to the unusual and often disturbing mind of Jim Morrison, combining his monotone vocals and a lively keyboard. It's a brutally realistic interpretation of depression, catering for the outsider culture who would end up embracing The Doors thanks to tracks like this one.

#134: Marvin Gaye - What's Going On

Many people were wondering what was going on in 1971, but none expressed this confusion better than Marvin Gaye. Beautifully constructed and beautifully performed, this is arguably the peak of creativity within the Motown scene. The serious themes of the track ended up creating a revolution in soul music where the voice was no longer the only requirement to make it big. The voice is still a massive part of this song, but if anything the lyrics and themes are even more powerful.

#133: War - Low Rider

Possibly the most exciting funk track of all time. The overwhelming percussive elements of the song give it a really joyful tone, giving you the feeling of attending a Latin American party. The lyrics aren't anything special, but the way they're delivered fits in with the song brilliantly. Here the car in question is seen as the pinnacle of coolness, and anything celebrated with this soundtrack is awesome in my book. That repetitive saxophone line is just the icing on the cake on a fantastic composition.

#132: The Who - Won't Get Fooled Again

Considered by many to be the ultimate song ever released by The Who. Interestingly the synthesiser takes centre stage for most of the track, successfully integrating itself into a rock track years before this became trendy. The full length of the track on the album is a glorious full eight minutes, with the song managing to keep up its energy for the full duration. Roger Daltry is in fine form on vocals, screaming his way through verses and hooks so he can be heard over the sheer volume of those guitars and finally letting out one of the best noises in rock history at the climax. Masterful pacing.

#131: Sam Cooke - Chain Gang

A surprisingly complex production provides an interesting accompaniment to a legendary voice. I really like the sound effects added during production. Using the sounds of the chain gang as the percussion really adds a sense of realism towards the issues being poetically described in vivid detail. On the contrary the moment Sam Cooke's voice first opens the verses is just majestic. Sam Cooke scored a big hit on both sides of the Atlantic with this one, and today it is still seen as a 60s classic.

#130: Dream Theater - Pull Me Under

The pinnacle of progressive metal. As you can imagine a successful progressive metal number needs to be paced well, and pacing is exactly what this track excels at. Pull Me Under gradually builds towards some powerful hooks that paint a grim picture of life in the style of Shakespeare's Hamlet. The only thing I don't like is how the track just stops suddenly, but I can hardly complain when the song is already littered with big payoffs. Pull Me Under was the group's only major commercial success and a fine showcase of a genre that rarely gets any attention.

#129: The Drifters - Up on the Roof

An impossibly relaxing soul track that clears your head better than any roof can. Here we have simple songwriting at its absolute best. It's not a complex idea presented by the song, but it's done in such a pleasant way that a dreamlike atmosphere is effortlessly created. As you can imagine the vocals are performed with the usual high quality of a Drifters record, but the use of strings in the background also deserves some needed merit. I'm still not convinced a roof is this amazing place The Drifters make it out to be. At the end of a hard day I usually go to the pub, but each to their own I suppose.

#128: The Smiths - How Soon Is Now?

Nowhere can Morrisey's miserable tone be better demonstrated than in this song. In this instance the moody tone created is only heightened by the stellar instrumentation that shows what happens when The Smiths decide to experiment. It's an incredibly unique composition, still sounding out of place and otherworldy no matter how many times you hear it. Even by the standards of today the song still has that alternative edge and is seen by many as The Smiths at their artistic peak.

#127: Creedence Clearwater Revival - Bad Moon Rising

The late 60s were a frightening world for many, and nowhere better can that sentiment be found than in this classic. For a bunch of folk rockers CCR really do know how to produce a hit song. The structure and composition are refreshingly simple, but the way the sound is layered is phenomenal. There's no excess baggage, just great, solid music throughout. Bad Moon Rising even managed to top the charts here in Britain, and even today is still one of the most fondly remembered tracks of the era.

#126: The Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love

The debut track that launched The Everly Brothers straight into stardom. The sound is very simplistic, with just the combination of traditional sounding guitars and the legendary brotherly harmonies needed to carry the track. There's plenty of energy to be found within, but its success really hinges on the star power of the two brothers. Bye Bye Love also happens to be my favourite ever song from a musical, even if that particular number happened to be the heavily modified 'Bye Bye Life' from 'All That Jazz'.

#125: Pink Floyd - Time

The standout track from 'The Dark Side of the Moon', and that is saying something. For me, Time is both an unsettling and beautiful song. It manages to turn the slow march of time into this vivid monster whilst simultaneously presenting this dreamy atmosphere to get lost in. Admittedly you have to get past those ominous clocks first, but the progression into the main track is sublime. I would also like to add that the guitar solo is fucking amazing.

#124: Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell

Oh, that's right, I've put the embodiment of a cardiac arrest at number 124. You can hate me all you want, but this is one of the most satisfying and epic pieces of rock music ever created. It's also one of the most ridiculous, but in all honesty that makes me love it even more. Eight minutes of just pure drama to get excited over. I'm amazed Meat doesn't collapse in a pool of his own sweat, but he keeps powering away like an absolute madman. They call this rock opera, but honestly, there must be the contents and drama of about fifteen operas all congealed into one eight-minute long spectacle.

#123: The Byrds - Eight Miles High

Crank up the volume and you too will feel eight miles high even if you haven't smoked anything. The composition of this track is just mental. Here The Byrds were experimenting with the very fringes of popular music at the time, creating unique sounds that combined the worlds of Eastern and Western music. The drug-related themes meant many radio stations banned the song completely, but that didn't stop the track from popularising psychedelia. The British may have conquered the world of 60s psychedelic rock, but thanks to The Byrds it was the Americans who got there first.

#122: Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues

A legendary rock and roll track based around a surprisingly fantastic guitar riff. Running for just under two minutes the song gives us a pretty brief experience, but one with nothing overdone or wasted. It's rock and roll stripped to its core elements and still sounds just as good today. Eddie Cochran is just such a classy guy on the microphone, charming his way into youth culture with a song that would have resonated with teens across the world. Ignore the billions of covers, because here is where the best version lies.

#121: Lennon/Ono - Instant Karma!

This is one of those records where John Lennon just goes for it, breaking his vocal cords into a million pieces. The subject is clearly a very personal project for Lennon and it's rare to find a pop song with such awareness. Gone is the idyllic hippie bullshit and in comes a more mature and introspective John Lennon. This was the first time we got to see a former Beatle find success in a big way and it remained Lennon's best selling solo work until his death. I still can't figure out why Yoko Ono thought her eyes was the best place to put a sanitary towel, although blind knitting is the best contribution she ever made to music.

#120: Jeff Beck - Beck's Bolero

One of the finest instrumentals of all time. I find it astonishing that Jeff Beck was releasing this experimental piece all the way back in 1966. Nobody was releasing this sort of forward-thinking artistry back then. Even more amazing is the fact this was Beck's first ever solo recording. If for some reason Jeff Beck doesn't float your boat then you have the frighteningly good combined skills of Jimmy Page, Keith Moon, and John Paul Jones to pick up the slack for you. The fact that this single is often forgotten when talking about revolutionary 60s rock tracks is just criminal.

#119: The Who - Substitute

Classic British rock from some legendary British rockers. Substitute was one of the band's earlier singles, but one that's still one of their most talked about tracks to this day. The repetition of the titular phrase allows the hooks to get easily lodged in your brain, with these hooks being separated with some clever and amusing lyrics. As you can imagine Substitute is guitar heavy and full of energy. This seemingly innocent track was heavily censored in the US, but we'll just ignore that poor export.

#118: Little Richard - Long Tall Sally

I don't know how much excitement was around in the mid-50s, but most of it must have been stored away in this record. Even by the standards of today this is absolutely wild. Little Richard wastes no time in shouting hooks straight into your face, which is a trick he continues for the rest of the song. The man only stops to let a saxophone steal the show for a brief period. I honestly need to lie down after listening to this once, so how the hell Little Richard manages to keep up his incredible performance for the full track I will never know.

#117: Paul McCartney and Wings - Band on the Run

Even The Beatles never managed to pace a song this well. Here we essentially we get a song split into three parts. The opening segment is a slow paced guitar track, but in the end we end up with this catchy rock track. All three parts are expertly written and integrated into the final track, which ends up feeling like one epic composition. In reality each part of the song stands on its own two feet, with absolutely none of it feeling like filler. Impressively this complex track actually fared well in the charts, and still today is often favourably compared with other McCartney achievements.

#116: The Mamas & the Papas - California Dreamin'

A better advert for California than any tourist board could ever manage. I've never been to California, yet this brilliant track somehow makes me miss the experience. The call and response structure leads to some of the most luscious harmonies you will ever find on any pop song. The production is just glorious, and despite a large number of covers nobody has ever gotten close to delivering that wonderfully rich sound. A standout pop track of the 1960s and a signature track of the ongoing cultural revolution.

#115: Ray Charles - Hit the Road Jack

Maybe the most infectious soul record in history. It may not last very long, but it's damn exciting while it lasts. Credit to Ray Charles for managing to describe the appearance of a woman in poetic detail despite his visual limitations, but it's the chemistry between him and the backing singers that really make this one special. It's not easy for the backing singers to make their presence known when you have Ray Charles as company, but they do a stellar job of nailing that hook. I don't think telling Ray Charles to hit the road is particularly sporting of them, especially when he sounds as good as he does here.

#114: Aerosmith - Dream On

Aerosmith often straddled the border between sophisticated classic rockers and immature glam rock show-offs, but in this instance they performed an absolute classic of the genre. The guitars aren't overwhelming and instead gently build into a fantastic climax. Similarly, Steven Tyler doesn't scream his face off until the song demands him to. As power ballads go this is one of the finest, and also the first time in history someone got the formula bang on.

#113: ABBA - Dancing Queen

Many times in my life I have tried to prove to myself that I am the dancing queen, but alas I am no longer young, sweet, and only seventeen. However, I don't care. As long as I have ABBA giving me these rousing words of encouragement then I at least feel like the dancing queen whenever I'm a few drinks down. I doubt there will ever be a more joyous pop sensation than this one. Even outside of the euphoric choruses it's still just full of energy and fun. Clearly, the world agrees, and Dancing Queen conquered the charts in just about every single nation on earth.

#112: The Crickets - That'll Be the Day

Buddy Holly's only American number one single was also his breakout single. The track has a seamless flow that smoothly bridges between the rhythmic verses and poignant chorus. The structure is typical of rock and roll, but Buddy Holly's charismatic performance carries the track from start to finish. Unfortunately it was not a heartbreak that killed Buddy Holly but the bigger issue of an aeroplane crashing into the dirt. Good job Buddy Holly was a musician and didn't become a fortune teller.

#111: The Doors - The End

A lot of material by The Doors is acid induced chauvinism, but here they produced one of the most mature rock tracks in history. The opening passage is just beautiful and it evolves into this otherworldly sound during the verses. Jim Morrison's monotone vocals do an incredible job at conveying the serious nature of the meaningful lyrics. Ironically it was the last song the band ever performed together live, but what a sendoff from one of the most influential rock groups in history. I also love its use in the war epic 'Apocalypse Now'.

#110: Procol Harum - A Whiter Shade of Pale

Who would ever imagine that one of the biggest selling singles in history came from a group of hippies in Southend? Central to this piece is that organ, which has become iconic throughout the years, arguably overshadowing everything else on the track. The song is today considered a definitive anthem of the 'Summer of Love', and particularly its success in Britain marked a key transition in culture for the younger generation. Out of interest, Procol Harum may sound like a pompous Latin name, but is actually a mistranslation of a friend's cat, and as such is as completely meaningless as the lyrics to this song.

#109: Jefferson Airplane - Somebody to Love

An American contribution to the 'Summer of Love' that went on to define the scene in the epicentre of this revolutionary movement. This is strange considering the songs seems to be criticising this central idea of universal love, but I suppose a quick acid trip will make you forget all that. Here, the psychedelic and surprisingly fierce guitars provide an excellent foundation for the amazing vocals. These vocals come straight out the gate, and just when you think they can't get any more powerful you're soon hit with an iconic chorus that would grab the attention of hippies everywhere.

#108: Jimmy Cliff - The Harder They Come

The focal song of the film with the same name that was instrumental in popularising the reggae movement around the world. The song itself is such a brilliantly subdued jam, held together with Jimmy Cliff's orgasmic voice. The man sends us into some idyllic tropical paradise in a way reggae music has never really emulated. This song is miles away from the simplistic Jamaican 'rude boy' image and showed the world that reggae music wasn't some brief fad.

#107: Ben E. King - Spanish Harlem

Just listen to that voice. Unbelievable. We'll forget about the beautiful instrumentation for a moment because I'm not sure it's possible for a human male to sound that amazing. I do also enjoy the Latin American inspired marimba, and in fact the whole production is expertly done. The lyrics do a lot to aid Mr King in coming across as the most charming man in the world, but let's not take anything away from that vocal performance. Just to add, I'm quite fond of the vocals, which is something I don't think I've mentioned yet.

#106: Funkadelic - One Nation Under a Groove

The best example of when Funkadelic's lunacy produced incredible spectacles. This isn't just some seven-minute funk song, it's a whole damn journey. It's hard to isolate the finer points of this single as there's so much going on and so much to get stuck into. This track is like the best points of every funk song just melded into one epic product. 'One Nation Under a Groove' is the defining song of psychedelic funk and an influential milestone in African American culture.

#105: Elton John - Goodbye Yellow Brick Road

The titular track to the definitive Elton John album. Elton could always nail a piano ballad, but here he takes that skill to a totally different level. The way the track effortlessly transitions from the piano-led verses into the powerful hook is something else, with Elton's dramatic vocals sounding absolutely brilliant. The lyrics are also expertly crafted with large amounts of rich imagery hurtling around in every line. Quite simply this is as good as ballads ever get.

#104: Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through the Grapevine

One of the greatest Motown compositions finally got the recording it deserved from a passionate Marvin Gaye. There's something so sinister with the whole lyrics that only a voice as dynamic as Marvin's can fully display the different emotions in this track. The strings and backing singers are equally dynamic, but there's no denying this wouldn't be one of the greatest soul songs in history without Marvin. The song became the biggest Motown hit at that point, topping the American charts for seven whole weeks. Too bad Marvin didn't hear his father reloading his revolver through the grapevine.

#103: Bob Dylan - Like a Rolling Stone

Regarded by some critics as the greatest song of all time. You can see why. Everything from the instrumentation to the lyrics just feels special. It may be the more serious feel of the song, or it may be the epic pacing. You have to appreciate the balls of Dylan to add an electric guitar and organ onto a folk piece, but the gamble pays off in a big way. Bob writes some legendary lines in his own famous style, and funnily enough these legendary lines are about his favourite subject of abject misery. Here Dylan dishes out one of the rawest diss tracks in history with a lot of added artistic flair.

#102: Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll

Led Zeppelin have a whole catalogue of great hard rock tracks, yet none stand out quite as much as this effort. It's hardly one of their most revolutionary numbers, but the simplistic structure is hammered home with hard riffs and incredible intensity. The energy given out by all members of the band is just unbelievable. Special mention has to go to John Bonham on the drums and Robert Plant on the vocals, who are both off the charts every single second. Not surprisingly this is one of their best songs to hear live, often playing the role as the final encore.

#101: Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You

This man needs help, not a music career. The most amazing thing of all is that this guy was giving audiences nightmares in the mid-50s. He still gives me nightmares today. In this way Hawkins became the first shock rocker, decades before other rockers started following suit. There's about a million cover version, many of which are more successful and far less crazy, but nobody is ever likely to get close to the twisted and unhinged performance of the original. Out of interest, Hawkins is thought to be the father to over fifty children, so he certainly did put a spell on a lot of women who presumably went for maniacs.