The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) formed in 1914. They are a membership association of more than 930,000 songwriters, composers and music publishers. In honor of their 100th birthday, they created a list of their top 100 songs as well as a list of the songs of the year from 1914 to 2013 (see here). I’ve posted the top 100 list here. Note that the original list refers to the songs and their songwriters. I have listed the songs with the artist who has the highest-ranked version of the song in Dave’s Music Database.
Click here to see other lists from publications and/or organizations.
1. Patty S. Hill & Mildred J. Hill (songwriters) “Happy Birthday to You” (1893)
2. The Temptations “My Girl” (1964)
3. Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers “White Christmas” (1942)
4. Judy Garland “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (1944)
5. Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1989)
6. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
7. Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough” (1967)
8. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
9. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
10. Johnny Nash “I Can See Clearly Now” (1972)
11. Judy Garland “Over the Rainbow” (1939)
12. Peter Frampton “Baby I Love Your Way” (live, 1976)
13. Dooley Wilson “As Time Goes By” (1942)
14. Phil Collins “In the Air Tonight” (1981)
15. Billy Medley with Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
16. Eagles “Take It Easy” (1972)
17. Dobie Gray “Drift Away” (1973)
18. Bobby Helms “Jingle Bell Rock” (1957)
19. The Marcels “Blue Moon” (1961)
20. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (1983)
21. Whitney Houston “The Greatest Love of All” (1985)
22. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
23. Gene Autry & the Pinafores “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949)
24. Stevie Wonder “I Just Called to Say I Love You” (1984)
25. The Temptations “Get Ready” (1966)
26. Berlin “Take My Breath Away” (1986)
27. Mary Wells “My Guy” (1964)
28. Vaughn Monroe “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (1945)
29. Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
30. Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (1980)
31. Simple Minds “Don’t You Forget about Me” (1985)
32. Louis Armstrong “What a Wonderful World” (1967)
33. Tears for Fears “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” (1985)
34. The Contours “Do You Love Me?” (1962)
35. Nat “King” Cole “When I Fall in Love” (1957)
36. U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987)
37. The Mamas & the Papas “California Dreamin’” (1966)
38. Cyndi Lauper “Time After Time” (1983)
39. George Michael “Careless Whisper” (1984)
40. The Flamingos “I Only Have Eyes for You” (1959)
41. REO Speedwagon “Can’t Fight This Feeling” (1984)
42. Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (1943)
43. Natalie Cole with Nat “King” Cole “Unforgettable” (1991)
44. Harry Simeone Chorale “The Little Drummer Boy” (1958)
45. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
46. Don Henley “The Boys of Summer” (1984)
47. The Temptations “The Way You Do the Things You Do” (1964)
48. John Waite “Missing You” (1984)
49. Madonna “Vogue” (1990)
50. Huey Lewis & the News “The Power of Love” (1985)
51. Jerry Lee Lewis “Great Balls of Fire” (1957)
52. Eagles “Hotel California” (1976)
53. Bruce Springsteen “Dancing in the Dark” (1984)
54. Perry Como “Silver Bells” (1953)
55. The Beatles “Come Together” (1969)
56. The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965)
57. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
58. Joe Cocker “You Are So Beautiful” (1974)
59. Leroy Anderson “Sleigh Ride” (1949)
60. Bing Crosby with Trudy Erwin “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” (1943)
61. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
62. Lionel Richie “All Night Long (All Night)” (1983)
63. The Doors “Light My Fire” (1967)
64. Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes “Up Where We Belong” (1982)
65. Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” (1976)
66. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
67. Bryan Adams “Heaven” (1984)
68. Shania Twain “You’re Still the One” (1998)
69. Irene Cara “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” (1983)
70. Santana & Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)
71. The Beatles “Yesterday” (1965)
72. Ray Parker, Jr. “Ghostbusters” (1984)
73. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
74. Bruce Springsteen “Born in the U.S.A.” (1984)
75. Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (1984)
76. John Cougar Mellencamp “Jack and Diane” (1982)
77. The Jackson 5 “I’ll Be There” (1970)
78. Whitney Houston “How Will I Know” (1985)
79. Chicago “You’re the Inspiration” (1984)
80. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing” (1982)
81. John Cougar Mellencamp “Small Town” (1985)
82. Fine Young Cannibals “She Drives Me Crazy” (1989)
83. Tom Petty “Free Fallin’” (1989)
84. M.C. Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
85. George Michael “Faith” (1987)
86. Bill Haley & the Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954)
87. All-4-One “I Swear” (1994)
88. Faith Hill “Breathe” (1999)
89. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
90. Richard Marx “Right Here Waiting” (1989)
91. Whitney Houston “Saving All My Love for You” (1985)
92. Marvin Gaye “Let’s Get It On” (1973)
93. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
94. The Rolling Stones “Start Me Up” (1981)
95. Heart “These Dreams” (1985)
96. Aerosmith “I Don’t Want to Miss a Thing” (1998)
97. Heatwave “Always and Forever” (1977)
98. Dire Straits “Money for Nothing” (1985)
99. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (1997)
100. LeAnn Rimes “How Do I Live” (1997)
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First posted 9/4/2023. | 
