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.
FRISCO, TEXAS – MAY 09: Dolly Parton attends the Dolly! All Access Pop-Up Store Preview & Press Conference at The Star in Frisco on May 09, 2023 in Frisco, Texas. (Photo by Sam Hodde/Getty Images for ABA)
CIRCA 1966: Bruce Johnston (right) and Carl Wilson of the rock and roll band "The Beach Boys" perform onstage in striped shirts with Fender electric guitars in circa 1966. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
Kyu Sakamoto. (1941-1985) Japanese singer, best known outside Japan for his international hit song "Ue o Muite Aruko" (known as "Sukiyaki" in English-speaking markets), which was sung in Japanese and sold over 13 million copies. It reached number one in the United States Billboard Hot 100 in June 1963, making Sakamoto the first Asian recording artist to have a number one song on the chart. (Photo by Sjöberg Bildbyrå/ullstein bild via Getty Images)
"The Mamas and the Papas", folk rock group, during their guest appearance on the "Ed Sullivan Show" TV Program. From left to right, Michelle Phillips, Cass Elliot, Dennis Doherty, and John Phillips. Photo by Bettman/Getty Images
