Showing posts with label top 100. Show all posts
Showing posts with label top 100. Show all posts

Tuesday, August 22, 2023

The Top 100 Rap/Hip-Hop Songs of All Time

Rap/Hip-Hop:

Top 100 Songs

This list was created by aggregating more than 60 best-of lists focused on rap and hip-hop songs. Also factored in were awards received by the songs and the number of weeks the songs spent at #1 on the Billboard rap chart, R&B chart, and Hot 100.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode The Birth of Hip-Hop: The 50th Anniversary which references songs on this list. It debuted August 11, 2023.

1. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002)
2. Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five “The Message” (1982)
3. The Sugarhill Gang “Rapper’s Delight” (1979)
4. Dr. Dre with Snoop Doggy Dogg “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thang” (1992)
5. Public Enemy “Fight the Power” (1989)
6. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
7. Coolio with L.V. “Gangsta’s Paradise” (1995)
8. The Notorious B.I.G. “Juicy” (1994)
9. Wu-Tang Clan “C.R.E.A.M. (Cash Rules Everything Around Me)” (1994)
10. N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton” (1989)

11. Afrika Bambaataa & the Soul Sonic Force “Planet Rock” (1982)
12. Eminem with Dido “Stan” (2000)
13. Ice Cube “It Was a Good Day” (1993)
14. Puff Daddy with Faith Evans & 112 “I’ll Be Missing You” (1997)
15. Tupac Shakur (2pac) with Dr. Dre & Roger Troutman “California Love” (1996)
16. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony “Tha Crossroads” (1996)
17. Geto Boys “Mind Playing Tricks on Me” (1991)
18. OutKast “Ms. Jackson” (2000)
19. Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
20. 2pac “Dear Mama” (1993)

21. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott “Get Ur Freak On” (2001)
22. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth “They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)” (1992)
23. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Wanz “Thrift Shop” (2012)
24. Mobb Deep “Shook Ones Part II” (1995)
25. Run-D.M.C. with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry “Walk This Way” (1986)
26. Young M.C. “Bust a Move” (1989)
27. Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018)
28. Eminem with Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010)
29. M.C. Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
30. N.W.A. “Fuck tha Police” (1989)

31. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
32. Jay-Z “99 Problems” (2004)
33. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005)
34. Jay-Z with Alicia Keys “Empire State of Mind” (2009)
35. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock “It Takes Two” (1988)
36. De La Soul “Me, Myself and I” (1989)
37. Jay-Z & Kanye West “Niggas in Paris” (2011)
38. Sir Mix-a-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
39. Slick Rick “Children’s Story” (1989)
40. LL Cool J “Mama Said Knock You Out” (1991)

41. The Notorious B.I.G. “Hypnotize” (1997)
42. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007)
43. Kendrick Lamar “Alright” (2015)
44. Cardi B “Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)” (2017)
45. Lil Wayne with Static Major “Lollipop” (2008)
46. Kanye West “Jesus Walks” (2004)
47. Kurtis Blow “The Breaks” (1980)
48. Snoop Dogg with Pharrell Williams “Drop It Like It’s Hot” (2004)
49. Naughty by Nature “O.P.P.” (1991)
50. Snoop Doggy Dogg “Gin & Juice” (1994)

51. Eric B. & Rakim “Paid in Full (Seven Minutes of Madness)” (1987)
52. Nas “NY State of Mind” (1994)
53. Kendrick Lamar “Humble” (2017)
54. Eminem “The Real Slim Shady” (2000)
55. Common “I Used to Love H.E.R.” (1994)
56. Tone Loc “Wild Thing” (1988)
57. Eminem “My Name Is” (1999)
58. Lil Wayne “A Milli” (2008)
59. Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth “See You Again” (2015)
60. LL Cool J “Rock the Bells” (1986)

61. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
62. Marley Marl “The Symphony” (1988)
63. House of Pain “Jump Around” (1992)
64. LL Cool J “I Need Love” (1987)
65. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
66. Method Man & Mary J. Blige “I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” (1995)
67. Nate Dogg & Warren G “Regulate” (1994)
68. Arrested Development “Tennessee” (1992)
69. Digital Underground “The Humpty Dance” (1990)
70. Drake “Hotline Bling” (2015)

71. Run-D.M.C. “Sucker MC’s” (1984)
72. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Ray Dalton “Can’t Hold Us” (2011)
73. Drake “God’s Plan” (2018)
74. Roddy Ricch “The Box” (2019)
75. Cardi B with Megan Thee Stallion “WAP” (2020)
76. Tag Team “Whoomp! There It Is” (1993)
77. Boogie Down Productions “The Bridge Is Over” (1987)
78. Grandmaster Flash & Melle Mel “White Lines (Don’t Do It)” (1983)
79. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince “Parents Just Don’t Understand” (1988)
80. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott “Work It” (2002)

81. Lauryn Hill “Doo Wop (That Thing)” (1998)
82. DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince “Summertime” (1991)
83. Iggy Azalea with Charli XCX “Fancy” (2014)
84. Post Malone with 21 Savage “Rockstar” (2017)
85. Doug E. Fresh with Slick Rick “La Di Da Di” (1985)
86. Nas “The World Is Yours” (1994)
87. 2pac “Keep Ya Head Up” (1993)
88. Beastie Boys “You Gotta Fight for Your Right to Party” (1986)
89. Kris Kross “Jump” (1992)
90. Kanye West with Daft Punk “Stronger” (2007)

91. Audio Two “Top Billin’” (1988)
92. Blackstreet with Dr. Dre & Queen Pen “No Diggity” (1996)
93. Chamillionaire with Krayzie Bone “Ridin’” (2006)
94. T.I. “What You Know” (2006)
95. Soulja Boy Tell’em “Crank That (Soulja Boy)” (2007)
96. Cypress Hill “How I Could Just Kill a Man” (1991)
97. Jay-Z with UGK “Big Pimpin’” (2000)
98. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
99. Drake with Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” (2016)
100. Nelly with Kelly Rowland “Dilemma” (2002)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 6/8/2011; last updated 8/22/2023.

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Saturday, May 8, 2021

Adult Album Alternative (AAA): Top 100+ Songs from 1996 to 2021

Adult Alternative, 1996-2021:

Top 100+ Songs

In 1996, Billboard magazine lanched the adult album alternative (AAA) chart. The radio format is a spinoff of the album-oriented radio format rooted in music from the ‘60s and ‘70s. AAA includes some of that genre’s most noted acts (Eric Clapton, John Mellencamp, Tom Petty, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen), but expands to include a variety of genres generally broader than most other radio formats, encompassing alternative rock, alt country, folk, jazz, and blues.

Here are the top 100+ AAA songs based on most weeks at #1. Songs with the same number of weeks on top are ranked based on most points in Dave’s Music Database. All songs spending five or weeks on top have been included on this list.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

    16 weeks:

  1. U2 “Beautiful Day” (2000)

    15 weeks:

  2. Coldplay “Clocks” (2002)
  3. Kings of Leon “Waste a Moment” (2016)

    14 weeks:

  4. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
  5. The Wallflowers “One Headlight” (1996)
  6. Matchbox 20 “Bent” (2000)
  7. Matchbox 20 “3 A.M.” (1996)

    13 weeks:

  8. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
  9. Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (1999)
  10. Jack Johnson “Upside Down” (2006)
  11. Pearl Jam “Just Breathe” (2009)

    12 weeks:

  12. Train “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)” (2001)
  13. Beck “Dreams” (2015)
  14. Dave Matthews Band “Funny the Way It Is” (2009)

    11 weeks:

  15. Coldplay “Viva La Vida” (2008)
  16. Portugal, the Man “Feel It Still” (2017)
  17. Mumford & Sons “I Will Wait” (2012)
  18. The Lumineers “Ophelia” (2016)
  19. Jack Johnson “You and Your Heart” (2010)
  20. KT Tunstall “Hold On” (2007)

    10 weeks:

  21. Sarah McLachlan “Building a Mystery” (1997)
  22. George Ezra “Budapest” (2013)
  23. The Black Keys “Fever” (2014)
  24. Death Cab for Cutie “Soul Meets Body” (2005)
  25. Jack Johnson “If I Had Eyes” (2007)
  26. Jack Johnson “Good People” (2005)
  27. David Gray “Fugitive” (2009)

    9 weeks:

  28. U2 “Vertigo” (2004)
  29. Coldplay “Speed of Sound” (2005)
  30. Train “Calling All Angels” (2003)
  31. Hootie & the Blowfish “Old Man & Me (When I Get to Heaven)” (1996)
  32. The Black Keys “Go” (2019)
  33. Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats “You Worry Me” (2018)

    8 weeks:

  34. Lorde “Royals” (2013)
  35. Green Day “Boulevard of Broken Dreams” (2004)
  36. Snow Patrol “Chasing Cars” (2006)
  37. The Lumineers “Ho Hey” (2012)
  38. Coldplay “Paradise” (2011)
  39. Milky Chance “Stolen Dance” (2013)

  40. R.E.M. “The Great Beyond” (1999)
  41. Michael Franti & Spearhead “The Sound of Sunshine” (2010)
  42. Counting Crows “Hanginaround” (1999)
  43. The Lumineers “Stubborn Love” (2012)
  44. The Head and the Heart “All We Ever Knew” (2016)
  45. Norah Jones “Sunrise” (2004)
  46. Tracy Chapman “Telling Stories (There Is Friction in the Space Between)” (2000)
  47. Death Cab for Cutie “You Are a Tourist” (2011)
  48. Death Cab for Cutie “Gold Rush” (2018)
  49. David Gray “You’re the World to Me” (2007)
  50. Serena Ryder “Stompa” (2013)
  51. Nathaniel Rateliff “And It’s Still Alright” (2020)

    7 weeks:

  52. The Fray “You Found Me” (2008)
  53. The Black Keys “Lonely Boy” (2011)
  54. New Radicals “You Get What You Give” (1998)
  55. Sheryl Crow “Soak Up the Sun” (2002)
  56. Eric Clapton “My Father’s Eyes” (1998)
  57. U2 “Staring at the Sun” (1997)
  58. U2 “Window in the Skies” (2006)
  59. Coldplay “Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall” (2011)
  60. Kings of Leon “Radioactive” (2010)

  61. Dave Matthews Band “Stay (Wasting Time)” (1998)
  62. Vampire Weekend “Harmony Hall” (2019)
  63. U2 “You’re the Best Thing About Me” (2017)
  64. Dave Matthews Band “Where Are You Going?” (2002)
  65. Natalie Merchant “Kind and Generous” (1998)
  66. Dave Matthews Band “Everyday” (2001)
  67. Spoon “Hot Thoughts” (2017)
  68. Snow Patrol “Crack the Shutters” (2008)
  69. John Butler Trio “Better Than” (2007)
  70. Ray LaMontagne “Strong Enough” (2020)

    6 weeks:

  71. Gnarls Barkley “Crazy” (2006)
  72. Sam Smith “Stay with Me” (2014)
  73. Phillip Phillips “Home” (2012)
  74. John Mayer “Waiting on the World to Change” (2006)
  75. Goo Goo Dolls “Slide” (1998)
  76. John Mellencamp “Key West Intermezzo (I Saw You First)” (1996)
  77. Arcade Fire “Everything Now” (2017)
  78. U2 “Electrical Storm” (2002)
  79. Sheryl Crow “A Change Would Do You Good” (1996)

  80. The Killers “Read My Mind” (2006)
  81. Jack Johnson “Sitting, Waiting, Wishing” (2005)
  82. Mumford & Sons “Guiding Light” (2018)
  83. Blues Traveler “Most Precarious” (1997)
  84. Norah Jones “Chasing Pirates” (2009)
  85. David Gray “The One I Love” (2005)
  86. Ray LaMontagne & the Pariah Dogs “Beg, Steal or Borrow” (2010)
  87. Pete Yorn “Life on a Chain” (2001)
  88. Kings of Leon “The Bandit” (2021)
  89. Caamp “Officer of Love” (2020)

    5 weeks:

  90. The Verve Pipe “The Freshmen” (1996)
  91. Primitive Radio Gods “Standing Outside a Broken Phone Booth with Money in My Hand” (1996)
  92. U2 “Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own” (2004)
  93. Death Cab for Cutie “I Will Possess Your Heart” (2008)
  94. Coldplay “Adventure of a Lifetime” (2015)
  95. Rag ‘n’ Bone Man “Human” (2016)
  96. Gin Blossoms “Follow You Down” (1996)
  97. Mumford & Sons “Believe” (2015)
  98. Sheryl Crow “My Favorite Mistake” (1998)
  99. The Black Keys “Lo/Hi” (2019)
  100. Counting Crows “Accidentally in Love” (2004)

  101. Sarah McLachlan “Fallen” (2003)
  102. Collective Soul “Run” (1999)
  103. The Lumineers “Gloria” (2019)
  104. John Mellencamp with India.Arie “Peaceful World” (2001)
  105. R.E.M. “Supernatural Superserious” (2008)
  106. Shery Crow “Anything But Down” (1998)
  107. Dave Matthews Band “I Did It” (2001)
  108. John Mayer “Bigger Than My Body” (2003)
  109. The Avett Brothers “Ain’t No Man” (2016)
  110. Beck “Uneventful Days” (2019)

  111. Paolo Nutini “New Shoes” (2006)
  112. John Mayer “Who Says” (2009)
  113. Leon Bridges “Bad Bad News” (2019)
  114. My Morning Jacket “Feel You” (2020)
Resources and Related Links:

First posted 12/10/2017; last updated 5/8/2021.

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Tuesday, June 2, 2020

Top 100 Party Songs

First posted 11/12/2018; updated 6/2/2020.

Party Songs:

Top 100

This list was compiled by aggregating more than 50 lists focused on “party songs.”

Note: click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

1. Village People “Y.M.C.A.” (1978)
2. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)
3. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
4. Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (1980)
5. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
6. DJ Casper (aka “Mr. C the Slide Man) “Cha Cha Slide” (2004)
7. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
8. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
9. The Beatles “Twist and Shout” (1963)
10. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)

11. Van Morrison “Brown-Eyed Girl” (1967)
12. Sister Sledge “We Are Family” (1979)
13. Rednex “Cotton Eye Joe” (1994)
14. Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (1984)
15. Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” (1969)
16. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
17. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
18. AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
19. Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
20. Justin Timberlake “Sexyback” (2006)

21. Marcia Griffiths “Electric Slide (Electric Boogie)” (1990)
22. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
23. House of Pain “Jump Around” (1992)
24. Chubby Checker “The Twist” (1960)
25. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
26. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
27. Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004)
28. Sorta Crackers Band/The Emeralds “Chicken Dance” (1982)
29. LMFAO with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011)
30. The Isley Brothers “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” (1959)

31. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody Who Loves Me” (1987)
32. Michael Jackson “Thriller” (1982)
33. Pink “Get the Party Started” (2001)
34. Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1987)
35. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
36. Commodores “Brick House” (1977)
37. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
38. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band “Old Time Rock and Roll” (1978)
39. Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” (1976)
40. The Romantics “What I Like About You” (1980)

41. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
42. Prince “1999” (1982)
43. Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
44. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
45. Brooks & Dunn “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” (1991)
46. Cupid “Cupid Shuffle” (2007)
47. Garth Brooks “Friends in Low Places” (1990)
48. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)
49. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
50. The Foundations “Build Me Up Buttercup” (1968)

51. Montell Jordan “This Is How We Do It” (1995)
52. Psy “Gangnam Style” (2012)
53. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007)
54. MC Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
55. Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl” (1981)
56. The Temptations “My Girl” (1965)
57. Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013)
58. Beyoncé with Jay-Z…Crazy in Love (2003)
59. Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” (1982)
60. Ke$ha…Tik Tok (2009)

61. Young M.C. “Bust a Move” (1989)
62. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
63. Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta “You’re the One That I Want” (1978)/ “Grease Megamix” (1990)
64. Michael Jackson “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
65. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
66. Lady Gaga with Colby O’Donis “Just Dance” (2008)
67. Miami Sound Machine “Conga” (1985)
68. Earth, Wind & Fire “September” (1978)
69. Black Eyed Peas “Let’s Get It Started” (2003)
70. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)

71. California Swag District “Teach Me How to Dougie” (2010)
72. Usher with Pitbull “DJ Got Us Falling in Love” (2010)
73. Marc Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
74. Deee-Lite “Groove Is in the Heart” (1990)
75. Taylor Swift…Shake It Off (2014)
76. Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009)
77. Billy Idol “Mony Mony (live)” (1987)
78. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
79. C + C Music Factory “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (1990)
80. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011)

81. Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011)
82. Big & Rich “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” (2004)
83. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
84. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005)
85. The Jackson 5 “ABC” (1970)
86. V.I.C. “Wobble” (2008)
87. Ray Anthony “Hokey Pokey” (1953)
88. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
89. Lonestar “Amazed” 1999)
90. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull “On the Floor” (2011)

91. Billy Medley with Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
92. Prince “Kiss” (1986)
93. David Bowie “Let’s Dance” (1983)
94. Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5” (1999)
95. Spice Girls “Wannabe” (1996)
96. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
97. Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011)
98. Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)
99. LMFAO “Sexy and I Know It” (2011)
100. Silentó “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (2015)

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Friday, May 29, 2020

The Top 100 Songs by Singers/Songwriters

First posted 4/22/2020; updated 5/29/2020.

Singers & Songwriters:

Top 100 Songs, 1970-1979

The Singers and Songwriters compilations were a series of albums issued in the early 2000s by Time-Life. The U.S. series covered 445 songs over 19 volumes. The focus of the albums was on the singer-songwriter era of the 1970s. That meant most songs were written and performed by the same artist and most were released from 1970 to 1979 and fit most comfortably into the genre known as “soft rock” or “adult contemporary.”

To create this list, Dave’s Music Database took all 445 songs featured on the collections and ranked them according to their overall DMDB status. Non-‘70s songs were left off this list, but songs not necessarily recorded by the same artist who initially wrote them are included. A few other lists were also factored in to include some important songs not featured on any of the collections. Here are the results:

1. Elton John “Your Song” (1970)
2. Rod Stewart “Maggie May” (1971)
3. Don McLean “American Pie” (1971)
4. Carole King “It’s Too Late” (1971)
5. Carly Simon “You’re So Vain” (1972)
6. Harry Chapin “Cat’s in the Cradle” (1974)
7. Warren Zevon “Werewolves of London” (1978)
8. Janis Ian “At Seventeen” (1975)
9. Cat Stevens “Wild World” (1970)
10. John Lennon “Imagine” (1971)

11. George Harrison “My Sweet Lord” (1970)
12. Neil Young “Heart of Gold” (1972)
13. Elvis Costello “Alison” (1977)
14. David Bowie “Life on Mars?” (1973)
15. Jackson Brown “Running on Empty” (1978)
16. Gordon Lightfoot “The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald” (1976)
17. Eagles “New Kid in Town” (1976)
18. Lou Reed “Perfect Day” (1972)
19. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
20. Janis Joplin “Me and Bobby McGee” (1971)

21. America “A Horse with No Name” (1971)
22. Harry Nilsson “Without You” (1971)
23. Elton John “Tiny Dancer” (1971)
24. Gerry Rafferty “Baker Street” (1978)
25. Elton John “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road” (1973)
26. Roberta Flack “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” (1970)
27. Bill Withers “Lean on Me” (1972)
28. James Taylor “Fire and Rain” (1970)
29. Commodores “Three Times a Lady” (1978)
30. The Doobie Brothers “Black Water” (1974)

31. 10cc “I’m Not in Love” (1975)
32. Elton John “Daniel” (1972)
33. The Grateful Dead “Truckin’” (1970)
34. Gladys Knight & the Pips “Midnight Train to Georgia” (1973)
35. The Temptations “Just My Imagination Running Away with Me” (1971)
36. Elton John “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down on Me” (1974)
37. Todd Rundgren “Hello It’s Me” (1972)
38. Stealers Wheel “Stuck in the Middle with You” (1973)
39. Marvin Gaye “Mercy Mercy Me (The Ecology Song)” (1971)
40. The Doobie Brothers “What a Fool Believes” (1978)

41. Chicago “If You Leave Me Now” (1976)
42. The Doobie Brothers “Listen to the Music” (1972)
43. Daryl Hall & John Oates “She’s Gone” (1973)
44. Peter Frampton “Baby I Love Your Way” (1975)
45. Fleetwood Mac “You Make Loving Fun” (1977)
46. Eric Carmen “All by Myself” (1975)
47. Grateful Dead “Uncle John’s Band” (1970)
48. Commodores “Easy” (1977)
49. Dobie Gray “Drift Away” (1973)
50. Elton John “Someone Saved My Life Tonight” (1975)

51. Gary Wright “Dream Weaver” (1975)
52. Stephen Stills “Love the One You’re With” (1970)
53. America “Ventura Highway” (1972)
54. Todd Rundgren “I Saw the Light” (1972)
55. Three Dog Night “Mama Told Me Not to Come” (1970)
56. America “Sister Golden Hair” (1975)
57. Cat Stevens “Morning Has Broken” (1971)
58. Rick Nelson & the Stone Canyon Band “Garden Party” (1972)
59. Commodores “Still” (1979)
60. Elvin Bishop “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” (1976)

61. Fleetwood Mac “Say You Love Me” (1975)
62. Brook Benton “Rainy Night in Georgia” (1970)
63. Rod Stewart “You Wear It Well” (1972)
64. Commodores “Sail On” (1979)
65. Stephen Bishop “On and On” (1977)
66. Jefferson Starship “Miracles” (1975)
67. Grateful Dead “Sugar Magnolia” (1970)
68. Grateful Dead “Friend of the Devil” (1970)
69. Gary Wright “Love Is Alive” (1975)
70. Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)

71. Paul Simon “50 Ways to Leave Your Lover” (1975)
72. Dolly Parton “Jolene” (1973)
73. Terry Jacks “Seasons in the Sun” (1974)
74. Dire Straits “Sultans of Swing” (1978)
75. Gilbert O’Sullivan “Alone Again (Naturally)” (1972)
76. Tony Orlando & Dawn “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Ole Oak Tree” (1973)
77. Glen Campbell “Rhinestone Cowboy” (1975)
78. Jim Croce “Time in a Bottle” (1972)
79. Elton John & Kiki Dee “Don’t Go Breaking My Heart” (1976)
80. Rod Stewart “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)” (1976)

81. Olivia Newton-John “I Honestly Love You” (1974)
82. Eric Clapton “I Shot the Sheriff” (1974)
83. Al Stewart “Year of the Cat” (1976)
84. Joe Cocker “You Are So Beautiful” (1974)
85. Johnny Nash “I Can See Clearly Now” (1972)
86. John Denver “Take Me Home, Country Roads” (1971)
87. Charlie Rich “The Most Beautiful Girl” (1973)
88. Starland Vocal Band “Afternoon Delight” (1976)
89. Linda Ronstadt “You’re No Good” (1974)
90. Captain & Tennille “Love Will Keep Us Together” (1975)

91. Christopher Cross “Sailing” (1979)
92. Rupert Holmes “Escape (The Pina Colada Song)” (1979)
93. Bill Withers “Ain’t No Sunshine” (1971)
94. Player “Baby Come Back” (1977)
95. Jim Croce “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” (1973)
96. Blue Swede “Hooked on a Feeling” (1974)
97. Tony Orlando & Dawn “Knock Three Times” (1970)
98. John Denver “Sunshine on My Shoulders” (1971)
99. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band “Mr. Bojangles” (1970)
100. Mary MacGregor “Torn Between Two Lovers” (1976)

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Monday, July 16, 2018

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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Tuesday, April 5, 2011

Aural Fixation: The Art of List Making

Aural Fixation:

The Art of List Making

“Aural Fixation” is a music-themed column I wrote for PopMatters.com from 2011-2013. They are no longer online there, but I have reformatted them here at the DMDB blog with additional videos, photos, and links, such as where to buy referenced albums. I have also used the title “Aural Fixation” for any essays I have written outside of PopMatters.com as well. To see the essays, check out the Dave’s Music Database Aural Fixation page.

The essays from PopMatters.com have been gathered in book form as Aural Fixation: Essays from a Music Obsessive. Essays written from 2009 to 2011 have been gathered in the book No One Needs 21 Versions of “Purple Haze”. You can purchase the essays in book format here.

For anyone paying attention, you’ll know that I like making lists. A lot. Obsessively so. Not to-do lists, mind you – I’m enthralled by making best-of music-related lists. In the music world, nothing seems to simultaneously disgust and delight so many – well, with the possible exception of Justin Bieber. Detractors whine over what doesn’t make it that should and what makes it that shouldn’t. Music elitists argue that a list degrades musical accomplishments to a subjective ranking. Fans like yours truly just say pfffft.

Consider best-of lists in the same light as, well, compilation albums. Album purists whine that such collections don’t represent artists’ work as originally intended. Sneer at anthologies if you wish, but they serve a purpose. For many people, such a package is the first exposure to an artist beyond a random song here and there. A greatest hits can be the first dip of the toe into the artist’s greater pool of work, prompting the listener to dive deeper.

Best-of lists serve the same purpose. They offer general overviews of whatever they’re specializing in. That may mean diddly to veterans, but it can be a game changer for novices. Years ago, I picked up Dave Marsh’s 1989 book The Heart of Rock and Soul: The 1001 Greatest Singles Ever Made. It was, as far as I can remember, my first foray into the world of best-of list making. While I certainly could nitpick over Marsh’s rankings, I instead relished the discovery of hundreds of songs previously unfamiliar to me. For example, if Marsh ranked Little Willie John’s “Need Your Love So Bad” as high as #49, it at least bore investigation.

So now, twenty years later, I’m trotting out my own book – The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era 1954-1999, available now at Amazon.com. You can learn more about the book at here.

Yes, this blog entry is a shameless plug for said book. What can I say? With all the fake modesty and sincerity I can muster, I hereby proclaim it the best book ever written. Non-listers will build altars to the book that opened the musical door for them. Those who are already list believers will abandon all other lists, knowing they have found the one-and-only TRUE list. Uh huh. You can insert your favorite “swamp land in Florida”, “when pigs fly” or other “it’ll never happen” slam here.

In all seriousness, I cringe at the same thing that makes the skin of many list readers crawl. Who picked these? Even the most credible music sources – the Grammys, the Billboard charts, the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and Rolling Stone magazine – have built-in biases. No matter who generates the list, it is targeted toward that source’s specific audience, inevitably leaving important elements out of the list-making equation.

For example, Bruce Springsteen’s “Born to Run” and Pink Floyd’s “Another Brick in the Wall Part 2” aren’t in the Grammy Hall of Fame, despite being mainstays on any song list worth its salt. Check the list of the thousand songs to hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and you won’t find John Lennon’s “Imagine” and Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.” Even if you figure any Hot 100 charting song into the mix, Led Zeppelin’s “Stairway to Heaven” and Joy Division’s “Love Will Tear Us Apart” are still A.W.O.L. from the list. That’s right – neither even dented the U.S. pop charts, despite their presence on many a best-of list.

The Grammys and Billboard represent more middle-of-the-road tastes, hence the omission of classic rock gems from Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, and others. The problem, however, goes both ways. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame generated a list of the “Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll,” and, apparently as punishment to songs not sporting guitar solos, showed no love to monster hits like Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” and Elton John’s “Candle in the Wind 1997.”

Use Rolling Stone magazine, arguably the leading U.S. rock rag, as your guide and their “500 Greatest Songs of All Time” list won’t leave you feeling like “Dancing in the Street” when you realize that the Martha & the Vandellas’ classic has been kicked to the curb. The absence of Don McLean’s “American Pie” is enough to make one drive his Chevy off the levee.

I could site more oversights from other major music publications, but you get the point. None of these lists capture everything. Maybe a list is slanted toward commercially successful songs. Perhaps it favors critical acclaim. It may be too acutely tuned in to one genre of music. These are the kinds of things that keep me up at night.

Actually, I should qualify that. Music lists have kept me up many a night, but it’s the mix of being a night owl and having a driving need to seek out lists ad infinitum that has led to pillow neglect. I’m fairly non-plussed by whatever a list maker chooses to include or not include. There’s always another list around the next Internet corner to make up the difference.

Out of my late-night excursions trolling the web for best-of lists, Dave’s Music Database was born. At the turn of the millennium, best-of lists were as common as Y2K panic. I have compiled one massive database in which I’ve averaged hundreds of these lists together, effectively weeding out the idiosyncrasies of individual lists and leaving behind one definitive, end-all be-all, no-questions-asked, granddaddy list of all lists. After all that work the next logical question is “Now what?”

I built a website (DavesMusicDatabase.com) around my endeavors and later a Facebook page so that I might connect with other similarly-minded fanatics. Ultimately my love of writing – and a pipe dream of making barrels and barrels of cash – led to The Top 100 Songs of the Rock Era 1954-1999. I keyed in on the rock era since even the plethora of lists in my database couldn’t erase the dominance of the second half of the 20th century.

In writing about the top 100 songs, I opted for an aggregate approach. Much as I’d consulted countless lists to create my definitive one, why not tap multiple sources for the ultimate consolidated capsules about those songs? After such an objective process to determine what made the cut, it would have been oddly inappropriate to suddenly go all personal with heartfelt essays and “I remember where I was when I first heard that” ramblings about each song. Heck, I can save that subjective, opinionated crap for my blog. No, the only acceptable angle was to harken back to the days of collegiate research-paper writing. I liberally footnoted, quoted, and referenced (see sample pages here). It won’t look like other best-of books, but then again, I never wanted it to anyway.

So the end result is, as it says on the back of the book, “the ultimate cream-of-the-crop list which will draw criticism from none and praise from all. Well, one can dream.”

Dreaming may be free, but the book is not. Point that browser toward Amazon.com and plunk down $16.95. Hey, I need to pay next month’s Internet bill so I can start surfing my way to the next project.

BTW, once you have that life-changer in hands head on over to the discussions section on the DMDB Facebook page to leave your comments of praise, worship, and devotion.

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First posted 4/5/2011; updated 10/28/2023.

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Friday, January 1, 2010

My Top 100 Songs of 2000-2009

Here's my list of favorite songs from the last decade, because I know your life just somehow won't be complete until you've seen it. There are comments on the first 10 and just a list after that.

1. Gary Jules/Michael Andrews…Mad World (2003)

It isn’t often that a cover song makes the original obsolete, but this stripped down version of a Tears for Fears song gives these poignant lyrics a more appropriately slowed-down tempo.

2. Alan Jackson…Where Were You When the World Stopped Turning (2001)

I’m not much of a country music fan, but no song summed up the anguish of 9/11 better.

3. Dresden Dolls…Sing (2006)

Are there any other lyrics that better sum up that absolute need to sing?: “There is this thing it's like talking except you don't talk/ You sing/ You sing…Sing for the teachers who told you that you couldn't sing, Just sing.”

4. Israel Kamakawiwo’ole…Over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World (2001)

Technically, this medley dates back to 1990, but it didn’t really gain any attention until after Iz’s death in 1997 and it showed up in a variety of movies, TV shows, and commercials this decade.

5. Arnold McCuller…Free Bird (2000)

Yeah, yeah, another cover. This stripped-down, shortened version of the Lynyrd Skynyrd classic closed out the little-seen movie Duets, leaving a lump in the throat as the singer realizes the fate before him.

6. Johnny Cash…Hurt (2002)

Has anyone ever recorded a better obituary for himself? And doing it with a Nine Inch Nails’ song? Beautiful.

7. Limp Bizkit with Johnny Reznik…Wish You Were Here (2001)

Before the Tribute to Heroes telethon to benefit the families of victims of 9/11, I remember reading some diss on Fred Durst (of Limp Bizkit) about he’d never be able to sing a moving tribute. His take on a Pink Floyd classic made this song feel like it was written about 9/11. Take that, critics!

8. Gnarls Barkley…Crazy (2006)

Was there any better pop song this decade?

9. Crowded House…Silent House (2007)

Originally recorded by the Dixie Chicks, but written by Neil Finn (of Crowded House). While the song appears to be about going through his grandmother’s belongings after her death, it took on another meaning after bandmate Paul Hester committed suicide.

10. Sandi Thom…I Wish I Was a Punk Rocker with Flowers in My Hair (2006)

Pretty much unknown on American shores, this clever song about missing out on the hippie and punk generations hit #1 in the U.K.

11. Evanescence with Paul McCoy…Bring Me to Life (2003)
12. Sheryl Crow…Safe and Sound (2001)
13. Pink with Indigo Girls…Dear Mr. President (2006)
14. KT Tunstall…Black Horse and Cherry Tree (2005)
15. Bruce Springsteen…American Skin (41 Shots) (2000)
16. Eminem…Lose Yourself (2002)
17. Plain White T’s…Hey There Delilah (2005)
18. OutKast…Hey Ya! (2003)
19. Eminem with Dido…Stan (2000)
20. Queensryche…Home Again (2009)
21. John Mellencamp…If I Die Sudden (2008)
22. Mika…Grace Kelly (2007)
23. Bruce Springsteen…When the Saints Go Marching In (2006)
24. Dixie Chicks…Travelin’ Soldier (2002)
25. Glen Hansard/Marketa Irglova…Falling Slowly (2006)
26. Death Cab for Cutie…I Will Follow You into the Dark (2005)
27. Bruce Hornsby…Gonna Be Some Changes Made (2004)
28. Bruce Springsteen…My City of Ruins (2001)
29. David Baerwald…I Won’t Back Down (2006)
30. Chris Cornell…Billie Jean (2007)
31. Bowling for Soup…1985 (2004)
32. Beck…Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime (2004)
33. Eagles…Hole in the World (2003)
34. Alanis Morissette…My Humps (2007)
35. Blur…Out of Time (2003)
36. Fountains of Wayne…Stacy’s Mom (2003)
37. Eagles…No More Walks in the Wood (2007)
38. Eminem…Sing for the Moment (2002)
39. Tori Amos…’97 Bonnie and Clyde (2001)
40. Arnold McCuller/Paul Giamatti…Try a Little Tenderness (2000)
41. Bright Eyes…Road to Joy (2005)
42. No Doubt…Simple Kind of Life (2000)
43. Tracy Chapman…I Did It All (2008)
44. Bruce Springsteen…Empty Sky (2002)
45. Sierra Swan…Mother (2006)
46. The White Stripes…Hotel Yorba (2001)
47. Green Day…Boulevard of Broken Dreams (2004)
48. U2…Sometimes You Can’t Make It on Your Own (2004)
49. Uncle Kracker…Follow Me (2000)
50. Eminem…Like Toy Soldiers (2004)
51. Pearl Jam…Love Reign O’er Me (2007)
52. Hooters…The Boys of Summer (2007)
53. Sheryl Crow…Lullaby for Wyatt (2008)
54. Bruce Springsteen…Radio Nowhere (2007)
55. The Killers…All These Things That I’ve Done (2004)
56. Alanis Morissette…Crazy (2005)
57. Tim Finn…Salt to the Sea (2006)
58. David Baerwald…If Wishes Were Horses (2004)
59. Mindy Smith…Come to Jesus (2004)
60. Dixie Chicks…I Hope (2005)
61. Pink…Don’t Let Me Get Me (2001)
62. Tricky with Ed Kowalczyk & Hawkman…Evolution Revolution Love (2001)
63. Youth Group…Forever Young (2005)
64. Amy Winehouse…Rehab (2006)
65. John Mellencamp…To Washington (2003)
66. Gorillaz…Clint Eastwood (2001)
67. Five for Fighting…Superman (It’s Not Easy) (2000)
68. The Airborne Toxic Event…Sometime Around Midnight (2008)
69. Amanda Ghost…Silver Lining (2000)
70. Del Amitri…Jesus Saves (2002)
71. Green Day…Wake Me Up When September Ends (2004)
72. Damien Rice…The Blower’s Daughter (2003)
73. Eddie Vedder…Hard Sun (2007)
74. Hooters…White Jeans (2007)
75. Kid Rock/Sheryl Crow…Picture (2001)
76. Eminem…Mosh (2004)
77. Eddie Vedder…Guaranteed (2007)
78. Eagles…How Long (2007)
79. Bruce Springsteen…The Wrestler (2008)
80. Sting…Stolen Car (Take Me Dancing) (2003)
81. Mika…Over My Shoulder (2007)
82. Badly Drawn Boy…Something to Talk About (2002)
83. Bob Walkenhorst…Primitivo Garcia (2003)
84. Nine Inch Nails…Only (2005)
85. Bruce Springsteen…The Rising (2002)
86. Avril Lavigne…Sk8er Boi (2002)
87. Eminem…Cleanin’ Out My Closet (2002)
88. Kelly Sweet…Dream On (2007)
89. Tears for Fears…The Devil (2004)
90. Lucinda Williams…Righteously (2003)
91. Hooters…Morning Buzz (2007)
92. Marillion…Half-Full Jam (2008)
93. Bruce Springsteen…Devil’s Arcade (2007)
94. Foo Fighters…Darling Nikki (2003)
95. Adele…Hometown Glory (2008)
96. Bruce Springsteen…Terry’s Song (2007)
97. The Killers…Ruby, Don’t Take Your Love to Town (2005)
98. Eddie Vedder…Long Nights (2007)
99. D’Angelo…Untitled (How Does It Feel) (2000)
100. Blue October…Into the Ocean (2006)
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