Special Report

The Absolute Best Songs in History

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What are the 100 absolute best songs in history? That question will raise as many hackles on the backs of necks as the questions of who are the greatest players in a given sport or the best presidents in American history. (Here’s a list of every Song of the Year since the Grammys started.)

It may not settle any arguments, but 24/7 Tempo devised a way to determine what those 100 best songs would be. (Note that this list covers only specific performances of pop songs from the 1950s through the present day, and doesn’t include standards from the so-called Great American Songbook, classic folk songs, or other earlier music.)

To compile our list, we developed an index composed of Billboard chart performance, critical rankings, and cultural popularity. An inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point, was included in the index at full weight. A song’s ranking on the 2021 edition of Rolling Stone’s “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list was included in the index at full weight. The number of times a song has been covered was included in the index at double weight. (Data on song covers and songwriting credits comes from song database SecondHandSongs.) Only songs on the Rolling Stone list were considered. (These are the best cover songs of all time.)

Baby Boomers who feel that the music produced while they were coming of age was the best ever might feel vindicated by this list. Of the 100 songs here, exactly 60% of them – including eight of the top 10 – are from the 1960s and ‘70s. The explosion of pop music in those decades was intense. 

Besides homegrown rock ‘n’ roll from the Beach Boys and Creedence Clearwater Revival, soul and Motown sounds from acts like the Miracles and the Temptations, and singer/songwriter performances by such as Simon & Garfunkel and Joni Mitchell, the music scene was enlivened by the British invasion, led most of all by The Beatles, who have three songs in the top 10.  

Click here to see the absolute best songs in history

The 1970s marked a period of distinct shift in American music, spawning disco, funk, and such rock ‘n’ roll subgenres as punk and new wave. There are 21 songs from the 1970s on the list, from artists including Earth, Wind & Fire, the Bee Gees, David Bowie, Stevie Wonder, and Roberta Flack.

There are also six songs here from the classic rock ‘n’ roll era of the 1950s – but none from the 2020s.

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100. Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag (1966)
> Artist: James Brown
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: James Brown

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99. Yeah! (2004)
> Artist: Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Written by: Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

98. A Case of You (1971)
> Artist: Joni Mitchell
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Joni Mitchell

Miguel Villagran / Getty Images

97. What’s Love Got To Do With It (1984)
> Artist: Tina Turner
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Written by: Tina Turner

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96. Whole Lotta Love (1969)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Led Zeppelin

Central Press / Getty Images

95. Family Affair (1971)
> Artist: Sly & The Family Stone
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Sly & The Family Stone

94. Running Up That Hill (1985)
> Artist: Kate Bush
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 30 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Kate Bush

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93. Louie Louie (1963)
> Artist: The Kingsmen
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Written by: The Kingsmen

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92. The Tracks of My Tears (1965)
> Artist: The Miracles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 16 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 12 weeks
> Written by: The Miracles

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91. Beat It (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Written by: Michael Jackson

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90. Stairway to Heaven (1971)
> Artist: Led Zeppelin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Led Zeppelin

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89. I Walk the Line (1956)
> Artist: Johnny Cash
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Johnny Cash

Ian Gavan / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

88. Jolene (1974)
> Artist: Dolly Parton
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 60 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 8 weeks
> Written by: Dolly Parton

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87. Paint It, Black (1966)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: The Rolling Stones

86. Blueberry Hill (1956)
> Artist: Fats Domino
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Fats Domino

85. Paper Planes (2008)
> Artist: M.I.A.
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: M.I.A.

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84. Dancing In The Street (1964)
> Artist: Martha & The Vandellas
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Martha & The Vandellas

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83. Fast Car (1988)
> Artist: Tracy Chapman
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 21 week
> Written by: Tracy Chapman

Martyn Goddard / Getty Images

82. Every Breath You Take (1983)
> Artist: The Police
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Written by: The Police

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81. Heroes (1977)
> Artist: David Bowie
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: David Bowie

80. Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998)
> Artist: Lauryn Hill
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 21 week
> Written by: Lauryn Hill

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79. Thank U, Next (2019)
> Artist: Ariana Grande
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Written by: Ariana Grande

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

78. Ain’t No Sunshine (1971)
> Artist: Bill Withers
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Bill Withers

Mark Metcalfe / Getty Images

77. Creep (1992)
> Artist: Radiohead
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 34 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Radiohead

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

76. …Baby One More Time (1998)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Written by: Britney Spears

75. September (1978)
> Artist: Earth, Wind & Fire
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Written by: Earth, Wind & Fire

Paul Kane / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

74. Losing My Religion (1991)
> Artist: R.E.M.
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 21 week
> Written by: R.E.M.

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73. Toxic (2003)
> Artist: Britney Spears
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Britney Spears

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

72. (You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman (1967)
> Artist: Aretha Franklin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 9 weeks
> Written by: Aretha Franklin

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

71. Like a Prayer (1989)
> Artist: Madonna
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Madonna

Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

70. Space Oddity (1969)
> Artist: David Bowie
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 15 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: David Bowie

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69. Wonderwall (1995)
> Artist: Oasis
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Oasis

Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

68. I Feel Love (1977)
> Artist: Donna Summer
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Written by: Donna Summer

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

67. Try a Little Tenderness (1966)
> Artist: Otis Redding
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 25 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 10 weeks
> Written by: Otis Redding

Chris Graythen / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

66. Kiss (1986)
> Artist: Prince
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Prince

Cameron Spencer / Getty Images Sport via Getty Images

65. You Oughta Know (1995)
> Artist: Alanis Morisette
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 30 weeks
> Written by: Alanis Morisette

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

64. Ode To Billie Joe (1967)
> Artist: Bobbie Gentry
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Bobbie Gentry

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63. Good Vibrations (1966)
> Artist: The Beach Boys
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: The Beach Boys

Bennett Raglin / Getty Images

62. Work It (2000)
> Artist: Missy Elliot
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Written by: Missy Elliot

Christopher Polk / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

61. Hold On, We’re Going Home (2013)
> Artist: Drake Featuring Majid Jordan
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 33 weeks
> Written by: Drake Featuring Majid Jordan

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

60. Wichita Lineman (1968)
> Artist: Glen Campbell
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Glen Campbell

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59. Both Sides Now (1969)
> Artist: Joni Mitchell
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Joni Mitchell

Frank Barratt / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

58. I Want You Back (1969)
> Artist: Jackson 5
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Written by: Jackson 5

Michael Kovac / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

57. Fire and Rain (1970)
> Artist: James Taylor
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: James Taylor

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

56. Reach Out I’ll Be There (1967)
> Artist: Four Tops
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Four Tops

Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

55. Waterfalls (1995)
> Artist: TLC
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 34 weeks
> Written by: TLC

bodellia / Flickr

54. Sweet Child O’ Mine (1987)
> Artist: Guns N’ Roses
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Written by: Guns N’ Roses

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53. Get Ur Freak On (2001)
> Artist: Missy Elliott
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 7 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Written by: Missy Elliott

Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

52. All Along the Watchtower (1968)
> Artist: Jimi Hendrix
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 20 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 9 weeks
> Written by: Jimi Hendrix

Mike Coppola / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

51. One (1992)
> Artist: U2
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: U2

Emma McIntyre / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

50. Nuthin’ But A “G” Thang (1992)
> Artist: Dr. Dre
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Written by: Dr. Dre

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49. Crazy (1961)
> Artist: Patsy Cline
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 9 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: Patsy Cline

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48. When Doves Cry (1984)
> Artist: Prince
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Written by: Prince

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

47. I Heard It Through the Grapevine (1968)
> Artist: Marvin Gaye
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Marvin Gaye

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

46. Your Song (1970)
> Artist: Elton John
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 8 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Elton John

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45. Johnny B. Goode (1958)
> Artist: Chuck Berry
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: N/A
> Written by: Chuck Berry

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

44. I Say a Little Prayer (1968)
> Artist: Aretha Franklin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 10 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: Aretha Franklin

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43. Purple Rain (1984)
> Artist: Prince
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 18 weeks
> Written by: Prince

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

42. A Change is Gonna Come (1964)
> Artist: Sam Cooke
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 31 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 7 weeks
> Written by: Sam Cooke

Paras Griffin / Getty Images

41. Killing Me Softly With His Song (1973)
> Artist: Roberta Flack
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Roberta Flack

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

40. Respect (1967)
> Artist: Aretha Franklin
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 12 weeks
> Written by: Aretha Franklin

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39. Let’s Stay Together (1971)
> Artist: Al Green
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Al Green

Steve Morley / Redferns via Getty Images

38. Like a Rolling Stone (1965)
> Artist: Bob Dylan
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 12 weeks
> Written by: Bob Dylan

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

37. Be My Baby (1963)
> Artist: The Ronettes
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: The Ronettes

Clive Limpkin / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

36. God Only Knows (1966)
> Artist: The Beach Boys
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 39 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 8 weeks
> Written by: The Beach Boys

Getty Images / Archive Photos via Getty Images

35. You Are the Sunshine of My Life (1972)
> Artist: Stevie Wonder
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Written by: Stevie Wonder

34. At Last (1960)
> Artist: Etta James
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 47 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 8 weeks
> Written by: Etta James

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

33. Suspicious Minds (1969)
> Artist: Elvis Presley
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Elvis Presley

Eric Koch for Anefo / Wikimedia Commons

32. What’d I Say (1957)
> Artist: Ray Charles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Ray Charles

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

31. Proud Mary (1969)
> Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Creedence Clearwater Revival

Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

30. Dreams (1977)
> Artist: Fleetwood Mac
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Written by: Fleetwood Mac

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

29. The Sound Of Silence (1964)
> Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Simon & Garfunkel

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

28. My Girl (1965)
> Artist: The Temptations
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: The Temptations

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

27. Stayin’ Alive (1977)
> Artist: Bee Gees
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Written by: Bee Gees

Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

26. Superstition (1972)
> Artist: Stevie Wonder
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Stevie Wonder

Samir Hussein / Getty Images

25. Walk on By (1964)
> Artist: Dionne Warwick
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: Dionne Warwick

Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

24. Bad Guy (2019)
> Artist: Billie Eilish
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 49 weeks
> Written by: Billie Eilish

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Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

23. Since U Been Gone (2004)
> Artist: Kelly Clarkson
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 46 weeks
> Written by: Kelly Clarkson

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

22. Hey Ya! (2003)
> Artist: Outkast
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Written by: Outkast

Tim P. Whitby / Getty Images

21. Billie Jean (1982)
> Artist: Michael Jackson
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Written by: Michael Jackson

David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

20. What’s Going On (1971)
> Artist: Marvin Gaye
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Written by: Marvin Gaye

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Photo by Jeff Kravitz / FilmMagic / Getty Images

19. Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
> Artist: Nirvana
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 6 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Written by: Nirvana

18. (Sittin’ On) The Dock Of The Bay (1967)
> Artist: Otis Redding
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Written by: Otis Redding

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

17. Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1960)
> Artist: The Shirelles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Written by: The Shirelles

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

16. I Only Have Eyes for You (1959)
> Artist: The Flamingos
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 11 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: The Flamingos

Evening Standard / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

15. Hallelujah (1984)
> Artist: Leonard Cohen
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 59 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 1 week
> Written by: Leonard Cohen

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

14. I Will Always Love You (1992)
> Artist: Whitney Houston
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Written by: Whitney Houston

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Kevin Winter / Getty Images

13. Royals (2011)
> Artist: Lorde
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 44 weeks
> Written by: Lorde

Central Press / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

12. (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1965)
> Artist: The Rolling Stones
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: The Rolling Stones

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

11. Stand by Me (1961)
> Artist: Ben E. King
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 35 weeks
> Written by: Ben E. King

Fox Photos / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

10. Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
> Artist: Queen
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 44 weeks
> Written by: Queen

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9. Let It Be (1970)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: The Beatles

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

8. Rolling in the Deep (2011)
> Artist: Adele
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 65 weeks
> Written by: Adele

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

7. Imagine (1971)
> Artist: John Lennon
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 3 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 9 weeks
> Written by: John Lennon

Frank Micelotta / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

6. Unchained Melody (1965)
> Artist: The Righteous Brothers
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 4 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 57 weeks
> Written by: The Righteous Brothers

Keystone / Getty Images

5. What a Wonderful World (1967)
> Artist: Louis Armstrong
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 32 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: Louis Armstrong

BIPS / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

4. Hey Jude (1968)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 19 weeks
> Written by: The Beatles

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3. Georgia On My Mind (1960)
> Artist: Ray Charles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 13 weeks
> Written by: Ray Charles

Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images

2. Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
> Artist: Simon & Garfunkel
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Written by: Simon & Garfunkel

Courtesy of United Artists

1. Yesterday (1965)
> Artist: The Beatles
> Peak position on Billboard Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on the Billboard Hot 100: 11 week
> Written by: The Beatles

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