Dave’s Faves: Top 100 All-Time Acts Based on Song Counts

These are my all-time acts based on song counts; that is, this is a list of those acts who have the most songs in my digital library. The number in parentheses indicates the number of songs by that act at the time of this list. Note: the high song counts are attributable to multiple versions of some songs – live renditions, alternate takes, etc. I’ll also point out that I posted images of some lesser known acts which rank amongst my favorites instead of more familiar faces. Perhaps it will prompt you to explore an act you know little or nothing about.

Marillion, the 1980s Fish era

1. Bob Dylan (1095)
2. Elvis Presley (703)
3. Bruce Springsteen (651)
4. The Beatles (617)
5. Marillion (565)
6. The Rolling Stones (517)
7. David Bowie (510)
8. U2 (497)
9. Jimi Hendrix (487)
10. Bob Walkenhorst (455)

Bob Walkenhorst, lead singer of the Kansas City-based Rainmakers

11. Eric Clapton (437)
12. Johnny Cash (393)
13. Pearl Jam (368)
14. Prince (366)
15. Sting (349)
16. Tori Amos (341)
17. Elvis Costello (314)
18. The Who (303)
19. Indigo Girls (287)
20. Styx (275)

Indigo Girls

21. Jack White (solo, White Stripes, Raconteurs, Death Weather) (268)
22. Pink Floyd (264)
23. Bob Marley (251)
24. Kevin Gilbert (solo, NRG, Giraffe, Toy Matinee, Kaviar) (250)
25. Lou Reed (249)
26. Alan Parsons (248)
27. Led Zeppelin (242)
28. John Mellencamp (233)
29. Genesis (233)
30. Elton John (231)

the little-known and gone-too-soon Kevin Gilbert

31. R.E.M. (230)
32. Van Halen (220)
33. John Lennon (210)
34. Journey (207)
35. Yes (207)
36. Asia (206)
37. Neil Young (204)
38. Radiohead (202)
39. Rush (201)
40. Sheryl Crow (200)

Chris Difford and Glenn Tilbrook, the core of new-wave band Squeeze since the late ‘70s

41. Sinead O’Connor (197)
42. Simple Minds (194)
43. Aretha Franklin (186)
44. Fish (186)
45. Squeeze (184)
46. Lyle Lovett (184)
47. Robert Plant (181)
48. Aerosmith (179)
49. Peter Gabriel (177)
50. Melissa Etheridge (173)

Melissa Etheridge

51. Michael Jackson (172)
52. Garth Brooks (171)
53. Ray Charles (170)
54. Queen (169)
55. Paul Simon (solo & with Art Garfunkel, 169)
56. Split Enz (166)
57. Stevie Wonder (165)
58. Terence Trent D’Arby (165)
59. Metallica (160)
60. Frank Sinatra (159)

Terence Trent D’Arby

61. Crosby, Stills & Nash (159)
62. Shawn Colvin (159)
63. Fleetwood Mac (157)
64. Billy Joel (156)
65. Paul McCartney (solo & with Wings, 155)
66. Nirvana (154)
67. The Rainmakers (150)
68. Eminem (150)
69. Guns N’ Roses (149)
70. A-ha (149)

Keb’ Mo’

71. Alanis Morissette (149)
72. Eagles (147)
73. Barenaked Ladies (147)
74. Keb’ Mo’ (146)
75. Willie Nelson (144)
76. The Moody Blues (144)
77. Rod Stewart (143)
78. Glee Cast (142)
79. The Kinks (141)
80. Seal (134)

David Baerwald

81. Joe Cocker (134)
82. Coldplay (130)
83. David Baerwald (solo & work with David + David, 129)
84. The Police (127)
85. Kiss (127)
86. Tom Petty (125)
87. Tim Finn (124)
88. Fats Domino (121)
89. The Clash (121)
90. Del Amitri (120)

Justin Currie, solo artist and former lead singer of Del Amitri

91. Bob Seger (120)
92. Olivia Newton-John (119)
93. The Beach Boys (118)
94. Pat Benatar (118)
95. Tears for Fears (118)
96. Kenny Rogers (117)
97. ZZ Top (117)
98. Santana (116)
99. Madonna (115)
100. Roger Waters (111)

Curt Smith and Roland Orzabal of Tears for Fears

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