The List

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.

The List

01.27.26

3 Famous Songs About Broken Relationships That Were Recorded With the Exes in the Room

By Em Casalena
The List

01.27.26

3 Beatles Songs That Sound Like They Came From Another Planet

By Alex Hopper
The List

01.27.26

3 Classic Rock Songs From the 1970s That Are Still Loved by Younger Generations

By Peter Burditt
The List

01.27.26

4 Country Artists Who Became Grand Ole Opry Members Later in Their Career

By Gayle Thompson
The List

01.27.26

3 Nostalgic Rock Songs From 1964 That Take You Back Every Time

By Thom Donovan
The List

01.27.26

The Demo That Changed Everything: 3 Original Versions of Classic Rock Songs That Sounded Better Than the Final Tracks

By Em Casalena
The List

01.27.26

4 Country Party Songs From the Last Decade That Are Perfect for a Friday Night Playlist

By Gayle Thompson
The List

01.27.26

3 Iconic Duets From 1982 That Never Seem to Age

By Thom Donovan
The List

01.27.26

3 Classic Rock Tunes From 1976 That Should Be Reimagined As Country Songs

By Peter Burditt
The List

01.27.26

3 ACM Winners From 1973 We Still Can’t Get Enough of Now

By Jacob Uitti
The List

01.27.26

3 Country Songs From the 1980s That Didn’t Hit No. 1, but Still Became Legendary

By Gayle Thompson
The List

01.27.26

3 Rap Grammy Award Winners From 1999 Who We Still Listen to Today

By Jacob Uitti

The List

3 Famous Songs About Broken Relationships That Were Recorded With the Exes in the Room

3 Beatles Songs That Sound Like They Came From Another Planet

3 Classic Rock Songs From the 1970s That Are Still Loved by Younger Generations

4 Country Artists Who Became Grand Ole Opry Members Later in Their Career

3 Nostalgic Rock Songs From 1964 That Take You Back Every Time

The Demo That Changed Everything: 3 Original Versions of Classic Rock Songs That Sounded Better Than the Final Tracks

4 Country Party Songs From the Last Decade That Are Perfect for a Friday Night Playlist

3 Iconic Duets From 1982 That Never Seem to Age

3 Classic Rock Tunes From 1976 That Should Be Reimagined As Country Songs

3 ACM Winners From 1973 We Still Can’t Get Enough of Now

3 Country Songs From the 1980s That Didn’t Hit No. 1, but Still Became Legendary

3 Rap Grammy Award Winners From 1999 Who We Still Listen to Today

3 Country Songs From the 1960s That Might Have Actually Predicted the Outlaw Movement

36 Years Ago Today, George Strait Was at No. 1 With a Song Inspired by a Tough Parenting Moment and Plenty of Prayer

American Songwriter Judges Offer Insights Into Judging the 2026 Session Four Lyric Contest Winners

A Q&A with Session Four 2026 Lyric Contest Winner Steve Robinson