Top 10 Best Songs of All Time

Music is one of the most powerful forms of expression, and songs are the embodiment of that. Songs can make us laugh, cry, dance, or think. They can inspire us, comfort us, challenge us, or entertain us. Songs can capture the essence of a moment, a feeling, or a story. They can transcend time and space, and connect us with people from different cultures and backgrounds.

But what are the best songs of all time? How do we measure the greatness of a song? Is it by its popularity, its influence, its originality, its quality, or its impact? There is no definitive answer to this question, as different songs appeal to different people for different reasons. However, there are some songs that have been widely recognized as masterpieces of music and have earned a place in the history of sound.

In this list, you will find some of the best songs of all time, according to various sources and criteria. These songs span across genres, eras, and styles, but they all have something in common: they are loved by millions of people around the world.

The Top Ten

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen

It's one of the greatest songs ever made, totally captivating lyrically and extremely innovative musically. All due credit to the Queen himself, Freddie Mercury. Simply put, this is the song with every element required.

When the writer of this song, the late Freddie Mercury, brought "Bohemian Rhapsody" into the studio, the rest of the band thought it was foolish, bizarre, and odd. However, they went along with the "Fred thing", and now it is a masterpiece that has withstood the test of time, even after more than thirty years. Nothing and no one has come close to recreating something so tongue-in-cheek, innovative, and that still makes teenagers want to bang their heads and air-guitar while driving. Simply the best.
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin

The poetic storytelling nature of Robert Plant's lyrics, combined with Jimmy Page's brilliant musical composition, places "Stairway to Heaven" as the number one rock song of all time. Mr. Page's arrangement of a dramatic crescendo-type development, with the song passing through stages along the way, lends to his (and John Paul Jones') influence by classical music. His guitar solo in this song is one of his greatest, played with undeniable passion and ease. "Stairway to Heaven" is a legendary song composed and performed by the greatest rock musicians of all time, Led Zeppelin.

It deserves to be above BR. The song is incredibly overrated. Even though it's not a very fun-sounding song, I have critiques for what it's trying to come off as.
It's not some epic prog song. Several prog rock songs demolish it in every dimension. It's lyrically vague. At first, I thought it was one of those nonsense lyrics songs, but it wants to tell a story, apparently.
Stairway to Heaven is a more cohesive product and sounds fun as well.
Imagine - John Lennon

Hey, you! It's totally incomprehensible that Bohemian Rhapsody is the first. Imagine is the song of all centuries. Queen and John Lennon aren't competitors because John Lennon is God, and Queen is just the queen. So Imagine is the first. It's objective reality.

How did Bohemian Rhapsody end up there? I don't even like that song! Stairway to Heaven, I can sort of understand because it's an awesome song, but it's still not in the same league as John Lennon. If Led Zeppelin walked up a stairway to heaven, John Lennon would be standing at the top. And Queen would be so far below him that they wouldn't be on Earth at all. They would be floating somewhere out in space, roughly in the direction of the other side of the planet. Imagine is definitely first. Its dreamy melody and powerful lyrics really make you imagine what John Lennon imagined.
Smells Like Teen Spirit - Nirvana

This is the best song ever! Smells Like Teen Spirit is iconic and stands out from other songs. I love Nirvana. Nirvana, Nirvana, Nirvana! It's the best song that anyone can listen to. Nirvana is a part of rock history and deserves to be remembered from generation to generation. Smells Like Teen Spirit is a perfect, delicious song that deserves to be on this list. Kurt was such a genius. This song has so much meaning between the lines. It's awesome. I will always love Nirvana. This is the first time I voted for another song, but after listening to this song, I have changed my decision.

I love this song. Nirvana is one of my favourite bands ever! I really miss Kurt Cobain.
Hotel California - Eagles

Don Felder's masterpiece melody - what a guitar combo Felder and Joe Walsh had, either on Hell Freezes Over or during all-electric performances. Henley and Frey nailed the lyrics, arrangement, and more. The Eagles were at their very best, with wonderful singers, great drums, and amazing guitar sounds.
What an intro! It's the best of all time! And those dream-like lyrics! Let's not forget the ending... "You can check out anytime you like, but you can never leave"... followed by the dueling guitars of these virtuoso musicians. How I hated it when ignorant DJs started talking nonsense over the final guitar solo. It must be played until the very last note... perfection!
One - Metallica

Based on the top 10 alone, my vote would be here. Everything from the dark yet meaningful themes and topics to the dual guitars, shredding, arpeggios, solos, instrumentation, lyrics, vocals... it's all there (well, without a bass, but oh well). This is one of the most important songs in all of metal and music in general. It's for fans of thrash metal, metal in general, rock in general, and of course, all of music.
Some of the lyricism is breathtaking as it intertwines with the music itself. Some of the more progressive thrash out there, and honestly, I love it. I love everything, from the energetic drumming to the aggressive riffs to the beautiful solos to the structuring and arrangements to the musicianship itself. It's a trademark song not just in Metallica but all music as a whole.
Comfortably Numb - Pink Floyd

One of the best Pink Floyd songs, I first heard of this song when I watched the movie The Wall. Just like the other songs on The Wall, Comfortably Numb tells a segment of the story about Pink, the album's protagonist. This song deals with Pink's struggle to cope with the world. The lyrics showcase an interplay between a doctor treating Pink (verses, sung by Waters) and Pink's thoughts (chorus, sung by Gilmour).
Gilmour and Waters share credits for this song. Gilmour composed the music, while Waters wrote the lyrics.

This song deserves to be higher than "You Raise Me Up." While other '70s songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody," "Hotel California," and "Stairway to Heaven" are great songs (although "Stairway" is extremely overplayed), "Comfortably Numb" is absolutely perfect.
The opening notes are beautiful but melancholy and set the stage for Pink's story (the main character in the album, not the musician). The music shapes the journey of a troubled rockstar struggling to get through his everyday life. That, combined with brilliant lyrics, a heartfelt chorus ("I have become comfortably numb"), and a guitar solo that sends a shiver down your spine, makes this truly a song worthy of first place.
I'll say it again, "Comfortably Numb" is absolutely perfect. Vote for it to be in the top ten when you see it on this list. By the way, forgive me if I made any spelling or grammatical errors. I'm making this comment on my phone and haven't checked it over.
Hey Jude - The Beatles

As my name is Jude, I get this song sung at me nearly every day by friends or family. Whenever I introduce myself, people always say to me, "You're Jude - like in that Beatles song." I think this says something about how great this song is. If, years on from when the Beatles were big, it is still part of the collective consciousness, and people are very aware of it. Also, it was chosen to be sung in the opening ceremony of the London 2012 Olympics.

This is just a masterpiece, simple as that. Nothing unites people like the "na-na-na" part. It also has great lyrics and lines such as "The movement you need is on your shoulder."
I can't comprehend that this is all the way down at 8th while "Bohemian Rhapsody" tops the list. "Imagine," "Hey Jude," and "Yesterday" are songs that should compete for 1st place, in my opinion.
Lose Yourself - Eminem

I'm not much of a rap lover, but no one can disagree that Eminem's lyrics are superior, not only within rap but from an overall perspective. It's evident through one of the greatest songs, if not the greatest of all time. True inspiration.

Actually, I don't listen to rap music. Metal music is my life, and so whenever I get time to visit this page, I always vote for "One". But this is one song (also Stan) by one of my favorite artists (despite being in a genre I don't like). The lyrics are so beautiful. Eminem is the modern-day Dylan. Someone compared him to Robert Browning, and that's completely true.
Motivating, inspiring, and breathless: "Success is my only mother******* option, failure is not". Such words are not child's play. I even urge metal fans to listen to this song because it is one song that's musically and lyrically brilliant. Hail to the oh! King Eminem.
(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones

In truth, I Can't Get No Satisfaction is the greatest song of all time, and Michael Jackson's song Billie Jean ties with The Rolling Stones' I Can't Get No Satisfaction.
I do not want to insult Michael Jackson or Queen (Freddie Mercury). I love Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones more than anything else. They both gave me a reason to live. I think Bohemian Rhapsody deserves the number 2 or 3 spot.
Of course, I think Michael Jackson is better than The Rolling Stones, but The Rolling Stones are almost equal to MJ when it comes to performing. Both Mick Jagger and MJ did iconic movements onstage. The biggest reason The Rolling Stones are so good is because of I Can't Get No Satisfaction. It is the same with Michael Jackson, whose greatest reason is his song Billie Jean.
By the way, I think Queen is incredible too. I love The Miracle, Innuendo, and Made in Heaven. It felt like Freddie put everything he had into those records. For me, he is my number 2, behind Michael Jackson and The Rolling Stones.

The Newcomers

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Thick of It - KSI

The greatest song to have ever been written the layers make it so much deeper than any casual music fan could understand.

"We're all in this together." Ah, song.

top 10 songs ??? top 1 experiences of all time
I'm in the thick of it, everybody knows
They know me where it snows, I skied in and they froze
I don't know no nothin' 'bout no ice, I'm just cold
40-somethin' milli' subs or so, I've been told
I'm in my prime, like this ain't even final form
They knocked me down, but still, my feet, they find the floor
I went from livin' rooms straight out to sold-out tours
Life's a fight, but trust, I'm ready for the war
Whoa-oh-oh
This is how the story goes
Whoa-oh-oh
I guess this is how the story goes
I'm in the thick of it, everybody knows
They know me where it snows, I skied in and they froze
I don't know no nothin' 'bout no ice, I'm just cold
40-somethin' milli' subs or so, I've been told
From the screen to the ring, to the pen, to the king
Where's my crown? That's my bling, always drama when I ring
See, I believe that if I see it in my heart
Smash through the ceilin' 'cause I'm reachin' for the stars
Whoa-oh-oh
This is how the story goes
Whoa-oh-oh
I guess this is how the story goes
I'm in the thick of it, everybody knows
They know me where it snows, I skied in and they froze (whoo)
I don't know no nothin' 'bout no ice, I'm just cold
40-somethin' milli' subs or so, I've been told
Highway to heaven, I'm just cruisin' by my lone'
They cast me out, left me for dead, them people cold
My faith in God, mind in the sun, I'm 'bout to sow (yeah)
My life was hard, I took the wheel, I cracked the code
Yeah (whoa-oh-oh)
Ain't nobody gon' save you, man, this life will break you
(Whoa-oh-oh) in the thick of it
This is how the story goes
I'm in the thick of it, everybody knows
They know me where it snows, I skied in and they froze (whoo)
I don't know no nothin' 'bout no ice, I'm just cold
40-somethin' milli' subs or so, I've been told
I'm in the thick of it, everybody knows (everybody knows)... read more
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Wildflower - Billie Eilish

This song is so emotional and beautiful why hasn't anyone added this I know most people are gonna vote for classic rock and metal instead but this song has so much emotion and love put into it. The instrumental and billies voice is just beautiful and amazing just like songs like yesterday and exile by Taylor swift this should be way higher

The Contenders

Sweet Child O'Mine - Guns N' Roses

Nothing comes close to this song. Every member of the band is one of the best at their respective instrument. Slash's solos are fabulous, and nobody can come close to the sheer power of Axl's vocals. Also, I've never heard a bassist as creative as Duff, or a drummer with the same groove as Steven. Also, we can't forget Izzy's amazing playing.
Basically, what I'm trying to say is that Sweet Child o' Mine is the best song of all time, with the best vocals and greatest guitar solo. It definitely deserves to be in front of Bohemian Rhapsody and Stairway to Heaven.

Whenever I listen to this song when I'm sad or upset, it makes me one of the happiest people in the world. It gives so much energy, and it's all because of the way Axl sings and Slash's crazy awesome guitar playing.
The song has the best bass line you'll ever come across, and when I was watching the music video, I thought, "How awesome does Izzy look playing the rhythm guitar?" He was swinging his arm over the strings like a crazy maniac. It's the greatest song of all time!
A Day in the Life - The Beatles

I find it very distasteful that people talk about the innovation of songs like "Bohemian Rhapsody" when trying to justify its position at #1. Just be honest and say that you've never listened to practically any songs or genres other than modern pop and rap. I'm not saying that modern music is bad, but your ignorance doesn't make "Rhapsody" the best song ever.
Its popularity is 95% due to its fun sing-along factor (see "Hey Jude" above). While everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I believe that truly great songs have no relevance to such things. "A Day in the Life" and many other songs truly broke the mold, utilizing completely different sounds and techniques from what was being done at the time.
Most importantly, however, few people get inspired or emotionally moved when "Rhapsody" comes on the radio. They just sing along. When it plays, if you truly listen to it, you will get goosebumps and fall into deep thought, awestruck by its magnificence. That's what makes a song great.
Billie Jean - Michael Jackson

I was a kid when Billie Jean came out and a teenager when Smells Like Teen Spirit came out. Both songs were mind-blowing in their respective eras, but Billie Jean was hugely bigger and covered the masses. Smells Like Teen Spirit really hit me hard, but it was mostly an American thing.
Metallica was huge but doesn't deserve a top 10 rating at all. The masses are not metal fans. Although they pushed the limits and spread rock globally, they are not Michael Jackson. The Smiths deserve a vote for How Soon is Now? because that is the most memorable song ever to come out of the U.K. U2 is lame, and if you ever bought an album from them, then you are definitely going to a hell without bacon.
21 Guns - Green Day

I'm one of the few girls in my class who loves Green Day. I like the calmer songs, like 21 Guns and Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Green Day is amazing!

21 Guns saved me when I was depressed and was there to help me. It ignited a flame in me, and I am the best I have ever been.

21 Guns is such a fantastic song! It's really strong and meaningful, and the lyrics are brilliant.
Free Bird - Lynyrd Skynyrd

This song has a little sob story past with me. It was my beloved grandfather's favorite song. He was a pilot and a chef, and he loved flying. This song was his favorite. He was the Vice President Chef of Florida for a time (a bit fuzzy on the chef part, but he held a significant position in Florida's chef industry).
The song played at his funeral. The slow beginning sounded like a typical funeral song, and then... BOOM! When the 4-minute mark passed, it was pure eargasm time! Oh, my God... I will miss that man. Rest in peace, Donald.

In all honesty, "Free Bird" is a masterpiece that greatly deserves the number one spot. It's a song that has stood the test of time since '73. Not to mention its entire history as a song itself.
This song wasn't randomly thought up, nor was it a single person's dedication, but it was made over time by a band that was also a family. It was made with love, sorrow, longing, hope, and the simple thrill of life. There is no better song in the world than this.
November Rain - Guns N' Roses

One of the best songs I've heard in my life! The beautiful piano intro played by Axl is just mesmerizing. Later, the other band members come in with fantastic lyrics. Every time I hear this part:
I know it's hard to keep an open heart
When even friends seem out to harm you
But if you could heal a broken heart
Wouldn't time be out to charm you?
I get a tear on my cheek. It's such an awesome part that immediately reminds me of all the bad things I've experienced in the last few years and how this song has been there for me. Luckily, a few seconds later, there are three amazing solos by Slash in a row. In the video clip (which is insanely good too), we can see Slash standing on Axl's piano during the third solo and playing as skillfully as the devil. It's truly amazing how quickly eight minutes can pass by.
Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan

This song takes you on a hallucinatory third-eye journey, like all these songs do. Part of it could be about great beauty. "Go on, girl, take your chances." Picture her there, on her throne, haughty, naughty, and drunk on herself, as others are. How could she not be? Surrounded by legions of so-called friends and admirers.
Now, picture them there, 10 or so odd years later. Their throne is now a gutter, they're bloated, lying face down in it, like so many before. Nobody will know that you were a beauty, a sweet sweet beauty, but stone-cold. And all your so-called legions who cared, your blood is in their mouths. They had a front-row seat to the circus that was your life.
But the crowds have dispersed, and the tent must come down. Until the next beautiful circus (YOU) comes to town. Because you still have the devil to pay. And dear God, no, you can never go home again. It wasn't really that great there, at home in the first place, or you would've stayed there in the first place.
So now, how does it feel to be on your own, with no direction home? That notes can combine and express exactly a feeling is bizarre to me. I can hear a song like Glen Campbell's "Lineman" or "Solitary Man," and I can see and feel the empty miles of space in between, and the insanity of being a man in the world sometimes in the most perplexing way.
Here he is spat out to the world, coming without much say and will be spat back out again the same way with nothing at no given time. We're given this holy gift called life but we know we didn't really earn this gift, so how can we appreciate this gift really? Surrounded by a billion people and as much technology, yet he is lonesome and empty to his soul.... read more
Wish You Were Here - Pink Floyd

This song really deserves a place in the top ten. Just listen to the lyrics, the slow, smooth melody, and shut your eyes, blocking out the rest of the world for a while. It makes you think and sometimes even takes you back to those moments in your life when you would wonder when and why you had to change things and view life differently.
Even if you aren't a Pink Floyd fan, this song truly brings out something special. I, for one, believe that the lyrics can deeply resonate with almost anyone who remembers what transitions are like and how challenging they can be. Plus, it's a nice song to slow dance to. So much win!

It's such an intimate song in its context, yet it is nearly universally comprehensible with its emotionally aching lyrics and instrumentals that anyone can understand and relate to its message.
The loss of someone you once loved and respected can be devastating, and there are times when you just want to cry out and, for lack of a better term, wish they were there.
This song understands the importance and impact of the visceral and all-too-human feelings of grief, loss, and sadness, something any conscious being can relate to.
From my viewpoint, I feel that it is the greatest song ever written.
Beat It - Michael Jackson

Picking the best song of all time is not necessarily choosing your favorite song. To me, Beat It by Michael Jackson was a milestone in the music industry. The sole reason for this was its dance-inducing music video that helped popularize MTV. Adding to that, Michael's vocal range during the song and a guitar solo by Eddie Van Halen make it a match made in heaven.
It might not be my favorite Michael Jackson song (probably Billie Jean), but I think it was a very important song all around.

Now this is what I absolutely desire and adore: a heavenly-made song by a heavenly person, the one and only Michael Joseph Jackson, the King of not only Pop but also the entire Music and Art. Because Michael is not just an artist, he himself is an art.
Master of Puppets - Metallica

How is One fourth, and this is 49th?! Master of Puppets is easily the best Metallica song, and it is also the best song known to man. This song has the best riff ever.
The little sissies out there voting for Baby by Justin Beav - oops, I mean Bieber - are probably too stupid to withstand the awesomeness of this song. The brilliance of it will blow your guts to Mars.

Most people think it's an "evil" song about selling your soul, but it's actually about the horrors of cocaine addiction. "Chop your breakfast on a mirror," "Taste me, you will see. More is all you need. Dedicated to how I'm killing you." I think it's their best song ever, instrumentally speaking.
Livin' on a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Great song, great band, great beat, great meaning. The song is about perseverance in life.
Tommy used to work on the docks. The union's been on strike. He's down on his luck. It's tough. Gina works the diner all day. Life isn't going too well for our happy couple. They trust in God to get them through their hard times, which come back as trials. Tommy is getting better. Gina… not so much. So he reassures her that they'll get through this second hit in the gut, and they do so, living on a prayer.
You and I know this as an upbeat song. It's not a dirge, but there's a more desperate meaning in the lyrics. And you've got to admire the weaving, if you will.
'Til We Die - Slipknot
Numb - Linkin Park

I would vote for a different song, but this is the only song I actually know and like that is near the top ten. I hate Queen, so I naturally hate Bohemian Rhapsody as well. I hate Eminem as well, so I hate Lose Yourself. I hate The Beatles, so I hate Imagine and Hey Jude.
I don't have much against other bands, but I wouldn't choose Sweet Child O' Mine for Guns N' Roses. Even though I have nothing against other songs above this (except for A Day in The Life, Beatles again) and Lynyrd Skynyrd, which I don't like either, I can even bear Michael Jackson and Bob Dylan, even though I don't really like them. I respect them as good singers.
I would vote for Papa Roach, Seether, Breaking Benjamin, Three Days Grace, Rise Against, Shinedown, Rammstein, Slipknot, or whatever. But since Numb is the closest to the top ten, I voted for it. I'm a modern metal fan, not a classic rock fan, so my list would naturally look very different. But I want at least one modern metal song around. And yeah, I hate Smash Mouth and Green Day that are here. I'm glad there are at least some other modern metal songs around, like Bring Me to Life and Chop Suey, for example.
2112 - Rush

This song is a classic rock piece everyone should know about. As with all of Rush's pieces, the lyrics have a deeper meaning and a purpose, and the music paints the picture in your mind perfectly. Rush is gravely underappreciated, mostly because music critics didn't, and don't, like progressive heavy music. Plus, it's too long for radio.
So I say, since this song is even here at all, since it stuck through all these years of being swept under the carpet because it's "different," 2112 should be up there. And so should Rush.

This is simply a masterpiece that is better than about 50% of the songs ahead of it on this list. When God sent down Jesus, he forgot to send down three others until the 50s. Their names are Geddy Lee, Alex Lifeson, and Neil Peart. 2112 is the definition of a Rush song. Complex, with many themes, a high level of musicianship, great lyrics, and creativity that not many bands can even come close to.
Fade to Black - Metallica

It would make me really furious if this masterpiece wasn't considered one of the best songs ever made. It has one of the most mesmerizing intros you could find anywhere, a deep meaning, and is breathtaking in every aspect. This is what music is about for me.

One of the few songs I can listen to on repeat and not get sick of it. The first song I learned on the acoustic guitar. It has the best guitar solo ever and is tied with November Rain as the greatest song of all time, and you cannot convince me otherwise.