With The List, American Songwriter details the best, the brightest, the most enduring, the worst, the most hated, and the most surprising songs ever–among many other qualifiers. If you’re looking for our definitive rankings on music, you’ll find them below.
MIchael Jackson and Lionel Richie pose for a photo circa 1985.
LONDON – 16th JUNE: Ringo Starr (left) and George Harrison (1943-2001) from The Beatles perform 'Rain' and 'Paperback Writer' on BBC TV show 'Top Of The Pops' in London on 16th June 1966. (Photo by Mark and Colleen Hayward/Redferns)
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – JUNE 05: EDITORIAL USE ONLY. Ella Langley performs on the main stage during CMA Fest 2025 at Nissan Stadium on June 05, 2025 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/WireImage)
American Rock and Country musician Del Shannon (1934 – 1990) as he poses backstage at On Broadway, Chicago, Illinois, February 2, 1982. (Photo by Paul Natkin/Getty Images)
From left, John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, Jimmy Page and John Bonham of The New Yardbirds (soon to be re-named Led Zeppelin) perform live on stage at Gladsaxe Teen Club in Gladsaxe, Denmark on 7th September 1968. (Photo by Jorgen Angel/Redferns)
