The 50 Greatest Songs that Topped the Austrian Charts in the 20th Century, Ranked by Martin Canine

August 15th to September 30th, 1983.

Nighttime has always brought out the poet in us, and no song demonstrates this better than Mike Oldfield's brilliant folk-pop track "Moonlight Shadow." The song centers on the unexpected murder of a close person but sets it in a soothing, mysterious world. Not overly bleak, yet not quite happy, the song is structured more like a piece of folklore.

The guitar-driven arrangement, with an emotionally charged solo in the final third, fits the storytelling perfectly. The imagery of whispering trees, glowing stars, and the titular contrast of light and shadow paints a picture that, despite the tragic subject, feels calming. It's as if the night swallows the pain and turns it into a melody that dances in the wind.

January 15th to February 14th, 1986.

A very strong contender for both the greatest Austrian song and the most controversial (partially) German-language track ever recorded, Falco's "Jeanny" is a tale of haunting emotional intensity. In it, Falco portrays a man obsessed with a 19-year-old woman named Jeanny, to whom he speaks throughout the song. In his imagination, they are a couple, although it becomes clear from his phrasing (and the iconic music video) that he likely assaulted, kidnapped, or killed her. He is now fleeing from the police, who are searching for Jeanny after she is reported missing (as heard in a newsflash used as the third verse).

As the song progresses, the man's schizophrenia and paranoia intensify, culminating in a frightening finale of desperate "Jeanny" screams.

October 15th to November 14th, 1969.

French songwriting genius Serge Gainsbourg and his then-girlfriend, British actress and singer Jane Birkin, recorded what would turn out to be the most sensual, erotic song ever captured on tape. The beauty and elegance of the song lie in how artfully and tastefully it is brought to life. The pace is slow and steady, building tension, with passion infused into the whispery vocals that occasionally give way to pleasure (knowing Gainsbourg, it's possible some of this wasn't just acting).

The sweet instrumental, coupled with lyrics about savoring the moment, adds to the song's charm. In the infamous sections consisting entirely of Birkin's breathing, you can hear her body arch back in a rush of hormones.

April 15th to 30th, 1981.

Austrian radio stations love this song more than any other. It's on at least twice per day, but that's the minimum. Once you truly hear it - soaking it in - you understand how emotionally atmospheric music can be. Starting off minimalistically, with a few dreamy synths, some distant feedback, and almost whispery drums, the song suddenly bursts into what became the most memorable drum break in music history. It transforms into a surreal, percussion-dominated ballad that creates a unique soundscape that has never been replicated.

The metaphorical lyrics, often interpreted as being about a person drowning and the singer not saving their life, are more likely about a toxic relationship or a betrayal by a false friend. Collins created a song that feels like a journey into the subconscious: everything is strange and unusual, yet laden with inexplicable emotion in every note.

November 15th to December 14th, 1966. Double A-Side with "Yellow Submarine."

Originating from the major turning point in The Beatles' career (while Rubber Soul was more experimental than anything before, it still retained a pop sensibility; Revolver is where drugs and sound experiments fully took over), "Eleanor Rigby" might be the best thing they ever recorded.

The melancholy in the vocals, the bittersweet melody, and the sentimental string arrangement all contribute to a song that feels lush and operatic, despite its short runtime and minimalistic approach. It's an unforgettable experience, a track that broke new ground in music and has yet to be matched.

February 15th to March 21st, 1998.

Forever tied to the sometimes dreamlike, sometimes tragic images of one of the greatest epics Hollywood ever produced (Gone With the Wind being a distant second), the story of love that "touched her one time and lasts for a lifetime" is as powerful and emotionally charged as the film it accompanies. While the lyrics position Céline Dion as the voice of young Rose, the inevitability of death pervades the song.

The strong feelings of eternal love, brought to life by Dion's intense vocals and a delicate flute, make this arguably the greatest dramatic ballad of all time.

March 15th to May 14th, 1969. Double A-Side with "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da."

George Harrison did write some really good Beatles songs - although, of course, he was overshadowed by the Lennon-McCartney duo - but this is his magnum opus. Every second and note of it is overflowing with brilliance. The very bleak melody of the verses, how it brightens up in the chorus (at least in terms of composition) only to turn bleak again, and, of course, how the titular guitar (overdubbed by Eric Clapton) gently weeps more and more as the song progresses.

This is some truly expressive music. It's a tune that feels naturally moving, not just by its instrumentation but also by the way it is played.

July 23rd to September 30th, 1995.

Rednex, already popular for their danceable, pounding European country hits "Cotton Eye Joe" and "Old Pop in an Oak" (which topped the Austrian charts for 7 and 10 weeks respectively, but didn't make this list), made a complete change in style with their follow-up single. "Wish You Were Here" is one of the ultimate ballads of the 90s. Vulnerable in vocal delivery yet strong in instrumentation, the song tells the story of a woman desperately longing for her man to return. Its emotional depth and all-encompassing loneliness were unexpected from a band best known for ironic square dance music.

However, once it hit the radio, listeners were captivated. It became the "Jolene" of the 1990s, albeit from Sweden.