Showing posts with label The Police. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Police. Show all posts

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

Top 50 New Wave Acts

New Wave:

Top 50 Acts

New wave was a genre of music which emerged in the late ‘70s in the United States and United Kingdom. It grew out of punk rock, a more guitar-based and aggressive sound, but became more commercial with its more smoothed-out synthesizer-driven and danceable sound as well as colorful, trendy wardrobe.

This list was created by aggregating 15 best-of lists focused on new wave acts. See other lists of Acts/Music Makers by Genre.


Talking Heads

1. Talking Heads
2. Blondie
3. The Cure
4. Depeche Mode
5. The Cars
6. The B-52’s
7. Devo
8. The Police
9. New Order
10. Duran Duran

11. Tears for Fears
12. Elvis Costello
13. INXS
14. Culture Club
15. Echo & the Bunnymen
16. Psychedelic Furs
17. Eurythmics
18. Siouxsie & the Banshees
19. The Human League
20. ABC

21. Simple Minds
22. Pretenders
23. Joy Division
24. Aha
25. XTC
26. Adam Ant
27. Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark
28. A Flock of Seagulls
29. Erasure
30. The Smiths

31. Pet Shop Boys
32. Berlin
33. The Go-Go’s
34. Oingo Boingo
35. Soft Cell
36. Squeeze
37. Joe Jackson
38. Bangles
39. The Jam
40. Men at Work

41. Television
42. Billy Idol
43. The Fixx
44. Madness
45. Bananarama
46. Ultravox
47. Thompson Twins
48. Talk Talk
49. Spandau Ballet
50. Howard Jones

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 7/1/2026.

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Monday, February 3, 2025

The Grammy Song and Record of the Year Winners Ranked

The Grammys:

Song and Record of the Year Winners

The Grammy Awards have been given annually since 1958. Two of the most prestigious awards are Record of the Year (given to the performers) and Song of the Year (given to the songwriters). Below is a listing of all songs to receive either award. Following that is a ranking by the DMDB of all those songs.

Check out other “songs of the year” lists here.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the two-part Dave’s Music Database podcast celebrating the Grammy Winners for Record and Song of the Year 1959-1992 (debut: April 5, 2022 at 7pm CST) and 1993-2022 (debut: April 12, 2022 at 7pm CST). which references songs on this list. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

SONG/RECORD WINNERS BY YEAR:

  • 2025 SONG: Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” (2024)
  • 2025 RECORD: Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” (2024)
  • 2024 SONG: Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For?” (2023)
  • 2024 RECORD: Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (2023)
  • 2023 SONG: Bonnie Raitt “Just Like That” (2022)
  • 2023 RECORD: Lizzo “About Damn Time” (2022)
  • 2022 RECORD/SONG: Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (2021)
  • 2021 SONG: H.E.R. “I Can’t Breathe” (2020)
  • 2021 RECORD: Billie Eilish “Everything I Wanted” (2020)
  • 2020 RECORD/SONG: Billie Eilish “Bad Guy” (2019)

  • 2019 RECORD/SONG: Childish Gambino “This Is America” (2018)
  • 2018 SONG: Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016)
  • 2018 RECORD: Bruno Mars “24K Magic” (2016)
  • 2017 RECORD/SONG: Adele “Hello” (2015)
  • 2016 SONG: Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
  • 2016 RECORD: Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
  • 2015 RECORD/SONG: Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
  • 2014 SONG: Lorde “Royals” (2013)
  • 2014 RECORD: Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
  • 2013 SONG: Fun with Janelle Monáe “We Are Young” (2012)
  • 2013 RECORD: Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
  • 2012 RECORD/SONG: Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
  • 2011 RECORD/SONG: Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
  • 2010 SONG: Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
  • 2010 RECORD: Kings of Leon “Use Somebody” (2008)

  • 2009 SONG: Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
  • 2009 RECORD: Robert Plant with Alison Krauss “Please Read the Letter” (2007)
  • 2008 RECORD/SONG: Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (2006)
  • 2007 RECORD/SONG: Dixie Chicks “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2006)
  • 2006 SONG: U2 “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” (2005)
  • 2006 RECORD: Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
  • 2005 SONG: John Mayer “Daughters” (2004)
  • 2005 RECORD: Ray Charles with Norah Jones “Here We Go Again” (2004)
  • 2004 SONG: Luther Vandross “Dance with My Father” (2003)
  • 2004 RECORD: Coldplay “Clocks” (2002)
  • 2003 RECORD/SONG: Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why” (2002)
  • 2002 SONG: Alicia Keys “Fallin’” (2001)
  • 2002 RECORD: U2 “Walk On” (2001)
  • 2001 RECORD/SONG: U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)
  • 2000 RECORD/SONG: Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)

  • 1999 RECORD/SONG: Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
  • 1998 RECORD/SONG: Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home” (1997)
  • 1997 RECORD/SONG: Eric Clapton “Change the World” (1996)
  • 1996 RECORD/SONG: Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
  • 1995 SONG: Bruce Springsteen “Streets of Philadelphia” (1994)
  • 1995 RECORD: Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)
  • 1994 SONG: Peabo Bryson with Regina Belle “A Whole New World” (1992)
  • 1994 RECORD: Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
  • 1993 RECORD/SONG: Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
  • 1992 RECORD/SONG: Natalie Cole with Nat “King” Cole “Unforgettable” (1991)
  • 1991 SONG: Bette Midler “From a Distance” (1990)
  • 1991 RECORD: Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)
  • 1990 RECORD/SONG: Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1988)

  • 1989 RECORD/SONG: Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988)
  • 1988 SONG: Linda Ronstadt with James Ingram “Somewhere Out There” (1986)
  • 1988 RECORD: Paul Simon “Graceland” (1986)
  • 1987 SONG: Dionne Warwick & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
  • 1987 RECORD: Steve Winwood “Higher Love” (1986)
  • 1986 RECORD/SONG: USA for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
  • 1985 RECORD/SONG: Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
  • 1984 SONG: The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
  • 1984 RECORD: Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
  • 1983 SONG: Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
  • 1983 RECORD: Toto “Rosanna” (1982)
  • 1982 RECORD/SONG: Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)
  • 1981 RECORD/SONG: Christopher Cross “Sailing” (1980)
  • 1980 RECORD/SONG: The Doobie Brothers “What a Fool Believes” (1978)

  • 1979 RECORD/SONG: Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
  • 1978 SONG (tie): Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)
  • 1978 SONG (tie): Barbra Streisand “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” (1976)
  • 1978 RECORD: Eagles “Hotel California” (1977)
  • 1977 SONG: Barry Manilow “I Write the Songs” (1975)
  • 1977 RECORD: George Benson “This Masquerade” (1976)
  • 1976 SONG: Judy Collins “Send in the Clowns” (1975)
  • 1976 RECORD: Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
  • 1975 SONG: Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
  • 1975 RECORD: Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
  • 1974 RECORD/SONG: Roberta Flack “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1973)
  • 1973 RECORD/SONG: Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
  • 1972 SONG: Carole King/James Taylor “You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)
  • 1972 RECORD: Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
  • 1971 RECORD/SONG: Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
  • 1970 SONG: Joe South “Games People Play” (1968)
  • 1970 RECORD: The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)

  • 1969 SONG: Roger Miller “Little Green Apples” (1968)
  • 1969 RECORD: Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)
  • 1968 RECORD/SONG: The Fifth Dimension “Up, Up and Away” (1967)
  • 1967 SONG: The Beatles “Michelle” (1965)
  • 1967 RECORD: Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
  • 1966 SONG: Tony Bennett “The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from The Sandpiper)” (1965)
  • 1966 RECORD: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass “A Taste of Honey” (1965)
  • 1965 SONG: Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)
  • 1965 RECORD: Stan Getz with Joao Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
  • 1964 RECORD/SONG: Henry Mancini “The Days of Wine and Roses” (1963)
  • 1963 SONG: Sammy Davis, Jr. “What Kind of Fool am I?” (1962)
  • 1963 RECORD: Tony Bennett “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” (1962)
  • 1962 RECORD/SONG: Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
  • 1961 SONG: Ferrante & Teicher “Theme from Exodus” (1960)
  • 1961 RECORD: Percy Faith “A Theme from A Summer Place” (1960)
  • 1960 SONG: Johnny Horton “The Battle of New Orleans” (1959)
  • 1960 RECORD: Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959)
  • 1959 RECORD/SONG: Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (1958)

SONG/RECORD WINNERS RANKED:

This is the DMDB’s ranking of all songs which have won Grammys for Song or Record of the Year.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
2. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
3. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
4. Eagles “Hotel California” (1977)
5. Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959)
6. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
7. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
8. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
9. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
10. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)

11. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
12. USA for Africa “We Are the World” (1985)
13. Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
14. Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)
15. Adele “Hello” (2015)
16. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014)
17. Roberta Flack “Killing Me Softly with His Song” (1973)
18. Kim Carnes “Bette Davis Eyes” (1981)
19. Lorde “Royals” (2013)
20. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (1977)

21. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
22. Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
23. Simon & Garfunkel “Mrs. Robinson” (1968)
24. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1969)
25. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
26. U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)
27. Lady Antebellum “Need You Now” (2009)
28. Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
29. Barbra Streisand “The Way We Were” (1973)
30. Johnny Horton “The Battle of New Orleans” (1959)

31. Alicia Keys “Fallin’” (2001)
32. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
33. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
34. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
35. Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (2006)
36. Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
37. Fun with Janelle Monáe “We Are Young” (2012)
38. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (1994)
39. Billie Eilish “Bad Guy” (2019)
40. Phil Collins “Another Day in Paradise” (1989)

41. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)
42. Dionne & Friends “That's What Friends Are For” (1985)
43. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
44. Domenico Modugno “Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blue)” (1958)
45. Coldplay “Clocks” (2002)
46. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
47. Percy Faith “A Theme from A Summer Place” (1960)
48. Billy Joel “Just the Way You Are” (1977)
49. Sheryl Crow “All I Wanna Do” (1994)
50. Natalie Cole with Nat “King” Cole “Unforgettable” (1991)

51. Tony Bennett “I Left My Heart in San Francisco” (1962)
52. Frank Sinatra “Strangers in the Night” (1966)
53. Louis Armstrong “Hello, Dolly!” (1964)
54. Kings of Leon “Use Somebody” (2008)
55. Bruce Springsteen “Streets of Philadelphia” (1994)
56. Stan Getz with Joao Gilberto “The Girl from Ipanema” (1964)
57. Miley Cyrus “Flowers” 58. The Doobie Brothers “What a Fool Believes” (1978)
59. Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016)
60. Bette Midler “Wind Beneath My Wings” (1988)

61. Bruno Mars and Anderson Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (2021)
62. Peabo Bryson with Regina Belle “A Whole New World” (1992)
63. Bobby McFerrin “Don’t Worry, Be Happy” (1988)
64. James Taylor “You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)

DMDB Top 2%:

65. Christopher Cross “Sailing” (1980)
66. Toto “Rosanna” (1982)
67. Lizzo “About Damn Time” (2022)
68. The Beatles “Michelle” (1965)
69. Steve Winwood “Higher Love” (1986)
70. Childish Gambino “This Is America” (2018)

71. Eric Clapton “Change the World” (1996)
72. Norah Jones “Don’t Know Why” (2002)
73. Barbra Streisand “Evergreen (Love Theme from A Star Is Born)” (1976)
74. Shawn Colvin “Sunny Came Home” (1997)
75. Barry Manilow “I Write the Songs” (1975)
76. Bruno Mars “24K Magic” (2016)

DMDB Top 5%:

77. The Fifth Dimension “Up, Up and Away” (1967)
78. Dixie Chicks “Not Ready to Make Nice” (2006)
79. Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For?” (2023)
80. Judy Collins “Send in the Clowns” (1975)

81. Billie Eilish “Everything I Wanted” (2020)
82. Paul Simon “Graceland” (1986)
83. U2 “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” (2005)
84. Henry Mancini “The Days of Wine and Roses” (1963)
85. U2 “Walk On” (2001)
86. Bette Midler “From a Distance” (1990)
87. George Benson “This Masquerade” (1976)
88. Sammy Davis, Jr. “What Kind of Fool am I?” (1962)
89. Kendrick Lamar “Not Like Us” (2024)

DMDB Top 10%:

90. Linda Ronstadt with James Ingram “Somewhere Out There” (1986)
91. Tony Bennett “The Shadow of Your Smile (Love Theme from The Sandpiper)” (1965)
92. Robert Plant with Alison Krauss “Please Read the Letter” (2007)
93. Ferrante & Teicher “Theme from Exodus” (1960)
94. John Mayer “Daughters” (2004)
95. Carole King “You’ve Got a Friend” (1971)
96. Roger Miller “Little Green Apples” (1968)
97. Joe South “Games People Play” (1968)
98. Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass “A Taste of Honey” (1965)
99. Luther Vandross “Dance with My Father” (2003)

DMDB Top 20%:

100. Bonnie Raitt “Just Like That” (2022)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

101. H.E.R. “I Can’t Breathe” (2020)
102. Ray Charles with Norah Jones “Here We Go Again” (2004)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 1/19/2012; last updated 2/3/2025.

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Wednesday, June 14, 2023

The Top 100 Songs of Sting & The Police

Sting & The Police

Top 100 Songs

Rock singer/bassist Sting was born Gordon Matthew Thomas Sumner on 10/2/1951 in Wallsend, England. He got the nickname “Sting” because of a yellow and black jersey he used to wear. He was in the groups Last Exit, Strontium 90, and Nuclear Waste before forming the new wave group The Police with drummer Stewart Copeland and guitarist Andy Summers. They released five studio albums from 1978 to 1983. In 1985, Sting released his first solo album.

Click here to see other acts’ best-of lists.

Check out the DMDB podcast episodes The Best of Sting, 1985-2021 and The Best of the Police, 1977-1986 (In Celebration of the 40th Anniversary of Synchronicity) based on this list.

Awards (The Police):

Awards (Sting):

Top 100 Songs

Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards. Songs are by Sting unless noted otherwise.

DMDB Top 1%:

1. Every Breath You Take (The Police, 1983)
2. Roxanne (The Police, 1978)

DMDB Top 2%:

3. Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic (The Police, 1981)
4. Message in a Bottle (The Police, 1979)
5. All for Love (Sting with Rod Stewart & Bryan Adams, 1993)
6. Fields of Gold (1993)

DMDB Top 5%:

7. Don’t Stand So Close to Me (The Police, 1980)
8. King of Pain (The Police, 1983)
9. If I Ever Lose My Faith in You (1993)
10. Spirits in the Material World (The Police, 1981)

11. Synchronicity II (The Police, 1983)
12. All This Time (1991)
13. Desert Rose (with Cheb Mami, 1999)
14. If You Love Somebody Set Them Free (1985)

DMDB Top 10%:

15. Englishman in New York (1987)
16. Wrapped Around Your Finger (The Police, 1983)
17. De Do Do Do De Da Da Da (The Police, 1980)
18. Russians (1985)
19. Fortress Around Your Heart (1985)
20. Walking on the Moon (The Police, 1979)

21. Can’t Stand Losing You (The Police, 1978)
22. Be Still My Beating Heart (1987)
23. We’ll Be Together (1987)
24. Love Is the Seventh Wave (1985)
25. Fragile (1987)
26. Invisible Sun (The Police, 1981)
27. Don’t Stand So Close to Me ‘86 (The Police, 1986)

DMDB Top 20%:

28. It’s Probably Me (Sting with Eric Clapton, 1992)
29. So Lonely (The Police, 1978)
30. They Dance Alone (1987)

31. I Burn for You (The Police, 1982)
32. When We Dance (1994)
33. Brand New Day (1999)
34. Epilogue (Nothing ‘Bout Me) (1993)
35. You Still Touch Me (1996)
36. Someone to Watch Over Me (1987)
37. Driven to Tears (The Police, 1981)
38. Moon Over Bourbon Street (1985)
39. Secret Journey (The Police, 1981)
40. Always on Your Side (Sheryl Crow with Sting, 2006)

41. Mack the Knife (1959)
42. When the World Is Running Down You Make the Best of What’s Still Around (The Police, 1980)
43. Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing) (2003)
44. I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying (1996)
45. The Soul Cages (1991)
46. Spread a Little Happiness (1982)
47. Send Your Love (2003)
48. The Bed’s Too Big Without You (The Police, 1979)
49. Shape of My Heart (1993)
50. My Funny Valentine (2002)

51. Let Your Soul Be Your Pilot (1996)
52. Down So Long (live with Jeff Beck, 1986)
53. Why Should I Cry for You? (1991)
54. Roxanne (live, 1981)
55. Murder by Numbers (The Police, 1983)
56. Message in a Bottle (live, 1981)
57. I Can’t Stop Thinking About You (2016)

Beyond the DMDB Top 20%:

58. Bring on the Night (The Police, 1979)
59. Strange Fruit (1987)
60. Ain’t No Sunshine (live, 1991)

61. Little Wing (1987)
62. Demolition Man (The Police, 1981)
63. I Hung My Head (1996)
64. (Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay (2020)
65. Whenever I Say Your Name (Sting with Mary J. Blige, 2003)
66. Mad About You (1991)
67. Canary in a Coal Mine (The Police, 1980)
68. Synchronicity I (The Police, 1983)
69. This Cowboy Song (1995)
70. Tea in the Sahara (The Police, 1983)

71. Fall Out (The Police, 1977)
72. Demolition Man (new recording, 1993)
73. The Lazarus Heart (1987)
74. After the Rain Has Fallen (1999)
75. Next to You (The Police, 1978)
76. On Any Other Day (The Police, 1979)
77. Rock Steady (1987)
78. Brimstone and Treacle (1982)
79. Walking in Your Footsteps (The Police, 1983)
80. A Day in the Life (live, 1993)

81. Practical Arrangement (Sting with Jo Lawry, 2013)
82. The River (Sting live with Bruce Springsteen, 1988)
83. Consider Me Gone (1985)
84. Seven Days (1993)
85. Tomorrow We’ll See (1999)
86. I’m So Happy I Can’t Stop Crying (Sting with Toby Keith, 1997)
87. I Shall Be Released (Sting et al live, 1981)
88. Be My Girl – Sally (The Police, 1978)
89. Truth Hits Everybody (The Police, 1978)
90. Fill Her Up (1999)

91. Voices Inside My Head (The Police, 1980)
92. Don’t Make Me Wait (with Shaggy, 2018)
93. Does Everybody Stare (The Police, 1979)
94. Come Down in Time (1991)
95. We Work the Black Seam (1985)
96. Need Your Love So Bad (1982)
97. Only You (1982)
98. Bombs Away (The Police, 1980)
99. Tempted (live, 1991)
100. Tutti Frutti (1982)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 10/4/2011; updated 6/14/2023.
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Wednesday, June 22, 2022

Dave's Music Database Hall of Fame: Music Maker Inductees (June 2022)

Top 10 Alternative Rock Acts

Originally posted 6/22/2022.

January 22, 2019 marked the 10-year anniversary of the DMDB blog! To honor that, Dave’s Music Database announced its own Hall of Fame. This fourteenth class of music maker inductees is comprised of the top alternative rock acts (see the full top 100 list here). These are the top 10 from that list, minus previous inductee David Bowie.

See the full list of music maker inductees here.

Elvis Costello (1954-)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

New wave/punk rock singer/songwriter born in London in 1954. Inductee into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Alison” ranks as one of Rolling Stone magazine’s top 200 songs of all time. “Radio Radio” ranks as one of the top 50 punk rock songs of all time. “Pump It Up” and “What’s So Funny ‘Bout Peace, Love, and Understanding” are both in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s top 500 songs of all time. “Veronica” and “The Other Side of Summer” both topped the alternative rock chart. My Aim Is True, This Year’s Model, Armed Forces and Imperial Bedroom rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Nirvana (active 1987-1994)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Pioneering grunge group formed in Aberdeen, Washington, by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain with bassist Krist Novoselic and eventual drummer Dave Grohl. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era and the Grammy Hall of Fame. That song, “Come As You Are,” and “All Apologies” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. They charted 13 times on the mainstream and/or alternative rock chart, including five #1’s. Nevermind is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame and National Recording Registry. That album, In Utero, MTV Unplugged in New York, and their self-titled 2002 greatest-hits collection rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

Pearl Jam (active 1990-)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Grunge band formed in 1990 in Seattle, Washington by singer Eddie Vedder, bassist Jeff Ament, and guitarists Stone Gossard and Mike McCready. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Alive” and “Jeremy” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. They reached the mainstream and/or alternative rock chart 46 times from 1992 to 2020, including seven #1’s. Ten is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. That album, Vs., and Vitalogy all rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

The Police (active 1977-1986) / Sting

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Singer/bassist Sting, guitarist Andy Summers, and drummer Stewart Copeland formed The Police formed in Newcastle, England, in 1977. They have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Sting has been inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Roxanne,” “Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic,” and “Every Breath You Take” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. The latter is in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era and won the Grammy for Song of the Year. The Police reached the mainstream rock chart 11 times, including three #1’s. Sting reached the mainstream and/or alternative rock chart 17 times, including 4 #1’s. All five of the Police’s studio albums rank in the top 1000 albums of all time, as does Sting’s first solo album, The Dream of the Blue Turtles. Synchronicity is also featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century and is in the Grammy Hall of Fame. Read more.

Radiohead (active 1985-)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

The experimental rock group formed in Oxford, England, in 1985 with singer Thom Yorke, brothers Johnny Greenwood (guitar) and Colin Greenwood (bass), guitarist Ed O’Brien and drummer Phil Selway. Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee. “Creep” and “Paranoid Android” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. The Bends and OK Computer are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. The latter is also in the National Recording Registry. Those albums as well as Kid A, Hail to the Thief, and In Rainbows also rank the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

R.E.M. (active 1980-2011)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Rock group formed in Athens, Georgia, by singer Michael Stipe, guitarist Peter Buck, bassist Mike Mills, and drummer Bill Berry. The band have been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame. “Radio Free Europe,” “The One I Love,” “It’s the End of the World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine),” “Everybody Hurts,” and “Losing My Religion” rank in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. The latter is also featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era. They reached the alternative rock and/or mainstream rock chart with 39 songs, including nine #1’s. Murmur and Automatic for the People are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. They have five more albums that rank in the top 1000 albums of all time. Read more.

The Smiths (active 1982-1987) / Morrissey (1959-)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Rock group formed in 1982 in Manchester, England, by singer Morrissey, guitarist Johnny Marr, bassist Andy Rourke, and drummer Mike Joyce. “How Soon Is Now?” ranks in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. It’s one of four of their songs that rank in the DMDB’s top new wave/college rock songs. The Queen Is Dead is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. As a solo act, Morrissey reached the alternative rock chart a dozen times, including #1 with “Tomorrow” and “The More You Ignore Me, the Closer I Get.” Read more.

U2 (1976-)

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

Rock group formed in Dublin, Ireland, by Bono (vocals), The Edge (guitar), Adam Clayton (bass), and Larry Mullen, Jr. (drums). Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee and a Kennedy Center Honoree. Charted on the mainstream rock and/or alternative rock chart with 60 songs, including 14 #1 songs. They have seven songs in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs, including “With or Without You,” which is also featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era, and “Beautiful Day,” which is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Songs of the Digital Era and won Grammys for Song and Record of the Year. They have 12 albums that rank in the top 1000 albums of all time, including The Joshua Tree and Achtung Baby, which are featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. Read more.

The Velvet Underground (active 1965-1970) / Lou Reed

Inducted June 2022 as a “Top 10 Alternative Rock Act”

The Velvet Underground and Lou Reed have both been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. The Velvet Underground also received a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. VU’s songs “Heroin” and “Sweet Jane” are on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame: 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll list. Reed’s “Walk on the Wild Side” ranks in the DMDB’s top 1% of songs. he also topped the alternative rock chart with “Dirty Blvd.” and “What’s Good.” Velvet Underground & Nico is featured in the DMDB book The Top 100 Albums of the 20th Century. All four of the band’s studio albums rank in the top 1000 albums of all time, as do Reed’s albums Transformer and Berlin. Read more.
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Tuesday, October 12, 2021

Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top 200 Songs

Rolling Stone:

Top 200 Songs

Rolling Stone magazine has published numerous best-of lists over the years. Below is an exclusive Dave’s Music Database list aggregating nine Rolling Stone lists from 1988 to 2021 into one overall list.

Click here to see other lists from publications and/or organizations.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: Rolling Stone Magazine’s Top Songs of All Time based on this list. It debuts October 12, 2021 at 7pm CST. Tune in every Tuesday at 7pm for a new episode based on the lists at Dave’s Music Database.

1. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
2. Eagles “Hotel California” (1976)
3. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
4. Prince “Little Red Corvette” (1983)
5. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
6. Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” (1975)
7. Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
8. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
9. Prince “When Doves Cry” (1984)
10. John Lennon “Imagine” (1971)

11. The Beatles “Hey Jude” (1968)
12. The Beach Boys “Good Vibrations” (1966)
13. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” (1982)
14. The Miracles “The Tracks of My Tears” (1965)
15. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
16. The Jackson 5 “I Want You Back” (1969)
17. Al Green “Let’s Stay Together” (1971)
18. Marvin Gaye “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
19. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
20. Elton John “Your Song” (1970)

21. Joy Division “Love Will Tear Us Apart” (1980)
22. Creedence Clearwater Revival “Proud Mary” (1969)
23. Sinéad O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
24. Rod Stewart “Maggie May” (1971)
25. Chic “Good Times” (1979)
26. Fleetwood Mac “Go Your Own Way” (1977)
27. Bob Dylan “Like a Rolling Stone” (1965)
28. The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
29. The Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1963)
30. Otis Redding “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” (1968)

31. Beyoncé with Jay-Z “Crazy in Love” (2003)
32. Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)
33. The Ronettes “Be My Baby” (1963)
34. Bob Dylan “Tangled Up in Blue” (1975)
35. The Who “My Generation” (1966)
36. Jay-Z “99 Problems” (2004)
37. The Beatles “Strawberry Fields Forever” (1967)
38. The White Stripes “Seven Nation Army” (2003)
39. The Jimi Hendrix Experience “All Along the Watchtower” (1968)
40. Gnarls Barkley “Crazy” (2006)

41. Sex Pistols “Anarchy in the U.K.” (1976)
42. R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)
43. Elvis Presley “Suspicious Minds” (1969)
44. The Clash “London Calling” (1980)
45. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002)
46. U2 “With or Without You” (1987)
47. Ike & Tina Turner “River Deep, Mountain High” (1966)
48. The Doors “Light My Fire” (1967)
49. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott “Get Ur Freak On” (2001)
50. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1988)

51. The Rolling Stones “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” (1968)
52. David Bowie “Changes” (1972)
53. Wilson Pickett “In the Midnight Hour” (1965)
54. Four Tops “Reach Out (I’ll Be There)” (1966)
55. Tom Petty “Free Fallin’” (1989)
56. The Who “Won’t Get Fooled Again” (1971)
57. Them “Gloria” (1964)
58. Eminem with Dido “Stan” (2000)
59. Rihanna with Jay-Z “Umbrella” (2007)
60. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)

61. Aretha Franklin “Chain of Fools” (1967)
62. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
63. The Rolling Stones “Brown Sugar” (1971)
64. Blue Öyster Cult “Don’t Fear the Reaper” (1976)
65. The Rolling Stones “Gimme Shelter” (1968)
66. The Beatles “Yesterday” (1965)
67. The Beatles “A Day in the Life” (1967)
68. U2 “One” (1992)
69. The Beatles “In My Life” (1965)
70. The Rolling Stones “Sympathy for the Devil” (1968)

71. The Band “The Weight” (1968)
72. Miss “Misdemeanor” Elliott “Work It” (2002)
73. Sam Cooke “A Change Is Gonna Come” (1964)
74. Chuck Berry “Johnny B. Goode” (1958)
75. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
76. The Temptations “My Girl” (1964)
77. James Brown “Papa’s Got a Brand New Bag” (1965)
78. The Impressions “People Get Ready” (1965)
79. The Kinks “Waterloo Sunset” (1967)
80. Van Halen “Jump” (1984)

81. The Kingsmen “Louie Louie” (1963)
82. M.I.A. “Paper Planes” (2008)
83. Van Morrison “Brown-Eyed Girl” (1967)
84. The Rolling Stones “Honky Tonk Women” (1969)
85. The Kinks “You Really Got Me” (1964)
86. Buffalo Springfield “For What It’s Worth” (1967)
87. Led Zeppelin “Whole Lotta Love” (1969)
88. Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
89. Derek and the Dominos “Layla” (1970)
90. Tracy Chapman “Fast Car” (1988)

91. Creedence Clearwater Revival “Fortunate Son” (1969)
92. Franz Ferdinand “Take Me Out” (2004)
93. The Beatles “She Loves You” (1963)
94. U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)
95. Procol Harum “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
96. The Byrds “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965)
97. Kanye West “Jesus Walks” (2004)
98. Amy Winehouse “Rehab” (2006)
99. Bruce Springsteen “Thunder Road” (1975)
100. Yeah Yeah Yeahs “Maps” (2003)

101. Sly & the Family Stone “Family Affair” (1971)
102. Roy Orbison “(Oh) Pretty Woman” (1964)
103. OutKast “Ms. Jackson” (2000)
104. Ben E. King “Stand by Me” (1961)
105. Johnny Cash “Ring of Fire” (1963)
106. The Beatles “Help!” (1965)
107. Bob Dylan “Mississippi” (2001)
108. Sly & the Family Stone “Everyday People” (1968)
109. Otis Redding “Try a Little Tenderness” (1966)
110. Kelly Clarkson “Since U Been Gone” (2004)

111. Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956)
112. Prince & the Revolution “Purple Rain” (1984)
113. U2 “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” (1987)
114. Marvin Gaye “Let’s Get It On” (1973)
115. The Mamas & the Papas “California Dreamin’” (1966)
116. The Strokes “Last Nite” (2001)
117. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
118. Ramones “I Wanna Be Sedated” (1978)
119. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
120. The Crystals “Da Doo Ron Ron” (1963)

121. Lou Reed “Walk on the Wild Side”
122. Public Enemy “Fight the Power” (1989)
123. Dusty Springfield “Son of a Preacher Man” (1968)
124. James Taylor “Fire and Rain” (1970)
125. The Rolling Stones “Paint It Black” (1966)
126. Bill Withers “Lean on Me” (1972)
127. The Everly Brothers “All I Have to Do Is Dream” (1958)
128. The Animals “The House of the Rising Sun” (1964)
129. Marvin Gaye “Sexual Healing” (1964)
130. Stevie Wonder “You Are the Sunshine of My Life” (1972)

131. Green Day “American Idiot” (2004)
132. Jefferson Airplane “Somebody to Love” (1967)
133. Tina Turner “What’s Love Got to Do with It?” (1984)
134. The Sex Pistols “God Save the Queen” (1977)
135. Run-D.M.C. with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry “Walk This Way” (1986)
136. Elton John “Tiny Dancer” (1972)
137. Beck “Loser” (1993)
138. Dr. Dre with Snoop Dogg “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” (1992)
139. Prince “1999” (1982)
140. U2 “Pride (In the Name of Love)” (1984)

141. Public Enemy “Bring the Noise” (1988)
142. The Rolling Stones “Miss You” (1978)
143. Muddy Waters “Mannish Boy” (1955)
144. Blackstreet with Dr. Dre “No Diggity” (1996)
145. Prince “Kiss” (1986)
146. R.E.M. “Radio Free Europe” (1983)
147. Eric Clapton “Tears in Heaven” (1992)
148. Foreigner “I Want to Know What Love Is” (1984)
149. Al Green “Tired of Being Alone” (1971)
150. The Temptations “Just My Imagination Running Away with Me” (1971)

151. The Who “Baba O’Riley” (1971)
152. Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971)
153. Willie Nelson “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain” (1975)
154. Elvis Costello “Alison” (1977)
155. Joni Mitchell “Help Me” (1974)
156. Metallica “Enter Sandman” (1991)
157. Eurythmics “Sweet Dreams Are Made of This” (1983)
158. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
159. Jimmy Cliff “The Harder They Come” (1972)
160. Cheap Trick “Surrender” (1978)

161. Beastie Boys “Sabotage” (1994)
162. The Beach Boys “God Only Knows” (1966)
163. Guns N’ Roses “Welcome to the Jungle” (1987)
164. OutKast “B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad)” (2000)
165. The Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (1964)
166. Ray Charles “What’d I Say” (1959)
167. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
168. David Bowie “Heroes” (1977)
169. Kanye West with Pusha T “Runaway” (2010)
170. Little Richard “Tutti Frutti” (1955)

171. Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” (1971)
172. Bob Dylan “Blowin’ in the Wind” (1963)
173. Johnny Cash “I Walk the Line” (1956)
174. Radiohead “Idioteque” (2000)
175. Chuck Berry “Maybellene” (1955)
176. Percy Sledge “When a Man Loves a Woman” (1966)
177. LCD Soundsystem “All My Friends” (2007)
178. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005)
179. The Beatles “Let It Be” (1970)
180. Alanis Morissette “You Oughta Know” (1995)

181. Britney Spears “Toxic” (2004)
182. Bob Marley & the Wailers “Redemption Song” (1980)
183. Gladys Knight & the Pips “Midnight Train to Georgia” (1973)
184. Ramones “Sheena Is a Punk Rocker” (1977)
185. Dionne Warwick “Walk on By” (1964)
186. Buddy Holly and The Crickets “That’ll Be the Day” (1957)
187. Bob Marley & the Wailers “No Woman, No Cry” (1975)
188. Madonna “Vogue” (1990)
189. U2 “Moment of Surrender” (2009)
190. Ramones “Blitzkrieg Bop” (1976)

191. Little Richard “Good Golly Miss Molly” (1958)
192. The Jimi Hendrix Experience “Purple Haze” (1967)
193. Fats Domino “Blueberry Hill” (1956)
194. Backstreet Boys “I Want It That Way” (1999)
195. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It) ” (2008)
196. Elvis Presley “Mystery Train” (1955)
197. The Five Satins “In the Still of the Nite (I’ll Remember)” (1956)
198. Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
199. Patsy Cline “Crazy” (1961)
200. Ray Charles “Georgia on My Mind” (1960)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 5/7/2013; last updated 10/12/2021.

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