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.
American singer Ray Charles (1930 – 2004) performs in a still from the CBS special 'Barbra Streisand and Other Musical Instruments,' London, England, August 8, 1973. (Photo by CBS Photo Archive/Getty Images)
British singer, songwriter and musician Elton John (Reginald Kenneth Dwight) playing piano. Rome, 1973 (Photo by Rino PetrosinoMondadori Portfolio by Getty Images)
(MANDATORY CREDIT Ebet Roberts/Getty Images) CANADA – JULY 24: Photo of Bruce SPRINGSTEEN; Bruce Springsteen performing on stage (Photo by Ebet Roberts/Redferns)
