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 Buggles’ au salon du Midem à Cannes, en janvier 1980.
Jim Morrison performs with the Doors at Fantasy Fair in Marin County, California, during the Summer of Love, 1967; (Photo by Elaine Mayes/Getty Images)
Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell provides backing vocals during the recording of Carole King's album 'Tapestry' at A&M Records Recording Studio in January 1971 in Los Angeles, California, United States. (Photo by Jim McCrary/Redferns)
LOS ANGELES – 1968: Married country singers Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash perform onstage in 1968 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)
CHICAGO – MARCH 1973: (L-R) American singer, songwriter, guitarist and pianist Gram Parsons (1946-1973) performing with American singer, songwriter, and musician Emmylou Harris during Parson’s “Fallen Angel’s Tour" at The Quiet Knight in Chicago, IL on March 3, 1973. (Photo by Icon and Image/Getty Images)
The Beatles answer questions for newsmen and journalists in New York after their arrival for their first tour of America. Left to right: Paul McCartney, Ringo Starr, George Harrison and John Lennon. 7th February 1964. (Photo by Daily Mirror/Daily Mirror/Mirrorpix via Getty Images)
LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM – MARCH 06: Nancy Wilson and Ann Wilson of American rock band Heart perform on stage at Wembley Arena on March 6th, 1988 in London, England. (Photo by Pete Still/Redferns)
The Doors L-R Jim Morrison, John Densmore, Ray Manzarek and Robby Krieger pose for a portrait circa 1968 in Hollywood, California. (Photo by Edmund Teske/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)