Top 10 Best Songs From Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All-time
Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Songs of All Time didn't just materialize out of thin air. It's the product of polling critics, artists, and industry veterans across generations. First unveiled in 2004 and then updated in 2010 and 2021, each edition of the list has stirred controversy, sparked celebration, and reminded people just how personal music can be.Some songs on that list changed the direction of pop culture. Others captured the voice of a movement or distilled a moment in history into three and a half minutes of perfection. And a few? They just slap. Period.
Now it's your turn. Which songs deserve to stand tallest among the giants? What's overrated, what's underrated, and what song has no business being anywhere near a top ten but somehow keeps showing up anyway? Cast your vote, have your say, and help shape this list into something that reflects the opinions of actual fans like you. Not just critics in a Manhattan office with a Bob Dylan poster behind their desk.
It doesn't matter how many decades it has been since this song came out. It always makes me stop, listen, sing along, and yearn for those days. It's a place and time as well as a song.
Without a doubt. Skewers the '60s. Prefigures the decline to come. The most astringent antidote to the other garbage on this list.
A brilliant lyric. No one has better described the downfall of arrogance and self-entitlement.
The cornerstone for rock music.
Within this song, he captured everything that music is supposed to do: make you think, make you smile, make you cry, and of course, relate it to yourself in some way. Imagine - music evokes imagination. Truly amazing. RIP, John.
Incredible song...always shows us that nothing has changed and most likely never will. RIP, John Lennon.
Best song. If you do like that, you will get results.
Much better and more complex than the first one (Like a Rolling Stone by Dylan). It is a masterpiece.
Best song ever. Much more creative and complex than Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone."
Rolling Stone Magazine should have put this song in the top 5.
This single cost $50,000 to make. The most expensive at the time.
Beach Boys music was flawless. Great times!
The harmonies on this song are flawless.
Great song from an amazing album. From start to finish, an all-time classic that has never aged.
The song that DEFINES rock and roll. The sounds are all derived from this point in time. The now-late Chuck Berry isn't some 'innovator' or 'contributor.' He CREATED the genre in the way it exists now. He, not Elvis, is the TRUE KING of rock and roll.
Some of the best guitar I've ever heard, by one of the best guitarists ever, in fact. An innovator of rock and roll.
Can't imagine my whole life without this song. Love it.
Maybe Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" could be #1 along with a few others, but this is supposed to be rock and roll! "Stairway" fits that spot. Some of these listed should not even be close to the top.
It's like these guys could read each other's minds! This song will always be timeless.
This song gives inspiration to all generations.
A Metallica song before this one? What! Are you kidding me?! Every Metallica song combined does not even come close to Free Bird! Anybody with half a brain should know Free Bird should be #1. Period!
Surprisingly, it was only number 193 on their list.
The Newcomers
Everyone knows this song. Best cover ever.
It was relevant 50 years ago, and it is still relevant today.
I've been asking myself the same question.
Flying the flag of heavy metal!
I cry every day when I see the Nevermind poster that always reminds me of Kurt Cobain.
Always evokes memories from my past. Rock on, Seattle!
Perfect band. Perfect song. Perfect vote.
Great to see this on the list. Largely ignored these days, but it feels like a couple of minutes of perfection to me. Love it.
Don't let the writing credits fool you. Paul McCartney wrote this all on his own. Lennon had nothing to do with it.
This is possibly the best song on the list. Hey Jude! That's just awesome singing harmonies.
Great Beatles song, second only to Something. Too bad they did not stay together longer.
The Boss of all rock and roll! Best ever!
