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.
INGLEWOOD, CALIFORNIA – SEPTEMBER 01: (Editorial Use Only) Beyoncé performs onstage during the "RENAISSANCE WORLD TOUR" at SoFi Stadium on September 01, 2023 in Inglewood, California. (Photo by Kevin Mazur/WireImage for Parkwood)
Howard Bellamy (left) and David Bellamy of the American country music duo 'The Bellamy Brothers' performing on stage at the Country Music Festival held at Wembley Arena, London in April 1980. (Photo by David Redfern/Redferns/Getty Images)
CIRCA 1975: (L-R) John McVie, Christine McVie, Stevie Nicks, Mick Fleetwood, and Lindsey Buckingham of the rock group "Fleetwood Mac" pose for a portrait in circa 1975. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 4: Dolly Parton performs on stage at The Dominion Theatre on March 29th, 1983 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)
CIRCA 1958: American doo-wop group "The Penguins" (L-R Dexter Tisby, Cleve Duncan, Johnny Otis, Teddy Harper and Randy Jones pose for a portrait flanking band leader Johnny Otis circa 1958. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
CIRCA 1965: Rock and roll band "The Beatles" pose for a portrait in circa 1965. (L-R) Ringo Starr, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
American singer-songwriter Harry Chapin (1942 – 1981) plays the guitar and sings on stage during a performance, 1970s. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
