The 100 absolute best songs in history 24/7 Wall Street
24/7 Wall Street has determined the 100 absolute best songs of all time by creating an index based on sales from the Recording Industry Association of America, Billboard performance, number of cover versions and recognition among music fans. Scroll through to learn more.
Deklofenak, Getty Images/iStockphoto100. "Kung Fu Fighting" • Artist: Carl Douglas • Year: 1974 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 18 • Number of times covered: 41
Courtesy Of 20th Century Records99. "Spirit In the Sky" • Artist: Norman Greenbaum • Year: 1970 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 35
GAB Archive, Redferns98. "Everyday People" • Artist: Sly & The Family Stone • Year: 1968 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 19 • Number of times covered: 0
Central Press / Getty Images97. "Jump" • Artist: Van Halen • Year: 1984 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 21 • Number of times covered: 39
Kevin Winter / Getty Images96. "Africa" • Artist: Toto • Year: 1982 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 21 • Number of times covered: 72
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images95. "Kiss Me" • Artist: Sixpence None the Richer • Year: 1998 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 33 • Number of times covered: 13
Scott Gries / Getty Images94. "Band Of Gold" • Artist: Freda Payne • Year: 1970 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 20 • Number of times covered: 22
Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images93. "I Honestly Love You" • Artist: Olivia Newton-John • Year: 1974 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 24 • Number of times covered: 42
Steve Wood / Getty Images92. "Sweet Soul Music" • Artist: Arthur Conley • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 25
Atco Records / Wikimedia Commons91. "Dizzy" • Artist: Tommy Roe • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 22
ABC / Dunhill Records / Wikimedia Commons90. "Brand New Key" • Artist: Melanie • Year: 1971 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 18 • Number of times covered: 21
Tim Graham / Getty Images89. "My Girl" • Artist: The Temptations • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 155
Brian Bahr / Getty Images88. "Dreams" • Artist: Fleetwood Mac • Year: 1977 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 19 • Number of times covered: 54
Gaye Gerard / Getty Images87. "I Got You Babe" • Artist: Sonny & Cher • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 40
Douglas Miller / Getty Images86. "Crazy" • Artist: Gnarls Barkley • Year: 2006 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 29 • Number of times covered: 61
Bryan Bedder / Getty Images85. "Fame" • Artist: David Bowie • Year: 1975 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 21 • Number of times covered: 36
Evening Standard / Getty Images84. "Cherish" • Artist: The Association • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 31
Wikimedia Commons83. "Another One Bites the Dust" • Artist: Queen • Year: 1980 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 31 • Number of times covered: 45
Fox Photos / Getty Images82."Like A Virgin" • Artist: Madonna • Year: 1984 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 19 • Number of times covered: 61
Kevin Winter / Getty Images81. "Thriller" • Artist: Michael Jackson • Year: 1984 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 18 • Number of times covered: 65
Phil Walter / Getty Images80. "Get Back" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 12 • Number of times covered: 137
Michael Webb / Getty Images79. "Got to Get You Into My Life" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 108
Central Press / Getty Images78. "Baby Love" • Artist: The Supremes • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 38
Keystone / Getty Images77. "Green Onions" • Artist: Booker T. & The MG's • Year: 1962 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 58
Wikimedia Commons76. "Paperback Writer" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 10 • Number of times covered: 62
Fox Photos / Getty Images75."Angie" • Artist: The Rolling Stones • Year: 1973 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 64
Keystone / Getty Images74. "Theme From Shaft" • Artist: Isaac Hayes • Year: 1971 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 57
Jim Dyson / Getty Images73. "Chain of Fools" • Artist: Aretha Franklin • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 12 • Number of times covered: 61
Express Newspapers / Getty Images72. "Beat It" • Artist: Michael Jackson • Year: 1983 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25 • Number of times covered: 77
Hulton Archive / Getty Images71. "Georgy Girl" • Artist: The Seekers • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 47
George Freston / Getty Images70. "Let's Dance" • Artist: David Bowie • Year: 1983 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 20 • Number of times covered: 65
Steve Wood / Getty Images69. "Heart of Gold" • Artist: Neil Young • Year: 1972 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 64
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images68. "And I Love Her" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 9 • Number of times covered: 320
Fox Photos / Getty Images67. "Time In A Bottle" • Artist: Jim Croce • Year: 1973 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 74
Wikimedia Commons66. "How You Remind Me" • Artist: Nickelback • Year: 2001 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 49 • Number of times covered: 12
Antonio Scorza / Shutterstock.com65. "Heart of Glass" • Artist: Blondie • Year: 1979 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 21 • Number of times covered: 69
Mike Coppola / Getty Images64. "Nowhere Man" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 9 • Number of times covered: 95
BIPS / Getty Images63. "96 Tears" • Artist: Question Mark and the Mysterians • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 42
Courtesy Of Real Gone Music62. "I Get Around" • Artist: The Beach Boys • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 43
Clive Limpkin / Getty Images61. "Whole Lotta Love" • Artist: Led Zeppelin • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 79
Hulton Archive / Getty Images60."Gold Digger" • Artist: Kanye West featuring Jamie Foxx • Year: 2005 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 39 • Number of times covered: 0
Christopher Polk / Getty Images59. "Stop! In the Name of Love" • Artist: The Supremes • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 12 • Number of times covered: 72
Keystone Features / Getty Images58. "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" • Artist: Paul Simon • Year: 1975 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 17 • Number of times covered: 77
Chip Somodevilla / Getty Images57. "Annie's Song" • Artist: John Denver • Year: 1974 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 17 • Number of times covered: 92
Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons56. "Hello" • Artist: Lionel Richie • Year: 1984 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 24 • Number of times covered: 77
John Sciulli / Getty Images55. "Call Me" • Artist: Blondie • Year: 1980 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25 • Number of times covered: 63
Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images54. "To Sir With Love" • Artist: Lulu • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 17 • Number of times covered: 43
Clive Limpkin / Getty Images53. "Proud Mary" • Artist: Creedence Clearwater Revival • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 203
Evening Standard / Getty Images52. "How to Save A Life" • Artist: The Fray • Year: 2006 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 58 • Number of times covered: 18
Kim Cook / Getty Images51. "Wooly Bully" • Artist: Sam the Sham & The Pharaohs • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 18 • Number of times covered: 58
Wikimedia Commons50. "Born to Be Wild" • Artist: Steppenwolf • Year: 1968 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 90
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images49. "A Hard Day's Night" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 227
Hulton Archive / Getty Images48. "Please Mr. Postman" • Artist: The Marvelettes • Year: 1961 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 23 • Number of times covered: 52
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images47."Yellow Submarine" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 9 • Number of times covered: 125
John Pratt / Getty Images46. "I Feel Fine" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 11 • Number of times covered: 100
Courtesy Of United Artists45."Light My Fire" • Artist: The Doors • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 23 • Number of times covered: 187
Central Press / Getty Images44. "Lean On Me" • Artist: Bill Withers • Year: 1972 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 19 • Number of times covered: 103
Wikimedia Commons43."Honky Tonk Women" • Artist: The Rolling Stones • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 93
Getty Images Latam / Getty Images42. "King of the Road" • Artist: Roger Miller • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 132
Wikimedia Commons41. "Penny Lane" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 10 • Number of times covered: 136
Hulton Archive / Getty Images40."Billie Jean" • Artist: Michael Jackson • Year: 1983 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25 • Number of times covered: 113
George Rose / Getty Images39."The Rose" • Artist: Bette Midler • Year: 1980 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25 • Number of times covered: 137
Dia Dipasupil / Getty Images38. "Pumped Up Kicks" • Artist: Foster the People • Year: 2010 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 40 • Number of times covered: 37
Theo Wargo / Getty Images37. "Will You Love Me Tomorrow" • Artist: The Shirelles • Year: 1960 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25 • Number of times covered: 269
Mike Coppola / Getty Images36. "I'm A Believer" • Artist: The Monkees • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 98
NBC Television / Getty Images35. "What A Wonderful World" • Artist: Louis Armstrong • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 11 • Number of times covered: 405
Express / Getty Images34. "Oh, Pretty Woman" • Artist: Roy Orbison • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 108
Clive Limpkin / Getty Images33. "We Can Work It Out" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 12 • Number of times covered: 133
Keystone Features / Getty Images32. "Mrs. Robinson" • Artist: Simon & Garfunkel • Year: 1968 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 132
Stephen Lovekin / Getty Images31. "Imagine" • Artist: John Lennon • Year: 1971 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 9 • Number of times covered: 331
Harry Benson / Getty Images30. "Downtown" • Artist: Petula Clark • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 119
Reg Lancaster / Getty Images29. "When A Man Loves A Woman" • Artist: Percy Sledge • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 148
Rick Diamond / Getty Images28. "I Can See Clearly Now" • Artist: Johnny Nash • Year: 1972 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 20 • Number of times covered: 132
Ron Case / Getty Images27. "Lose Yourself" • Artist: Eminem • Year: 2002 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 23 • Number of times covered: 12
Theo Wargo / Getty Images26."The Letter" • Artist: The Box Tops • Year: 1967 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 126
Keystone / Getty Images25. "Eye of the Tiger" • Artist: Survivor • Year: 1982 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25 • Number of times covered: 54
Staffan Vilcans / Wikimedia Commons24. "Time After Time" • Artist: Cyndi Lauper • Year: 1984 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 20 • Number of times covered: 177
Noam Galai / Getty Images23. "Just The Way You Are" • Artist: Billy Joel • Year: 1977 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 27 • Number of times covered: 172
Debby Wong / Shutterstock.com22."Come Together " • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 297
Keystone / Getty Images21. "These Boots Are Made For Walkin' " • Artist: Nancy Sinatra • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 165
Scott Gries / Getty Images20. "Can't Buy Me Love" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1964 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 10 • Number of times covered: 192
Fox Photos / Getty Images19. "Wichita Lineman" • Artist: Glen Campbell • Year: 1968 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 183
Michael Buckner / Getty Images18. "Stand By Me" • Artist: Ben E. King • Year: 1961 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 35 • Number of times covered: 241
Michael Ochs Archives / Getty Images17. "Help!" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 13 • Number of times covered: 178
Keystone / Hulton Archive / Getty Images16. "Something" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1969 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 6 • Number of times covered: 338
Harry Benson / Express / Getty Images15."Eleanor Rigby" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1966 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 8 • Number of times covered: 452
Getty Images14. "Happy" • Artist: Pharrell Williams • Year: 2013 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 47 • Number of times covered: 58
Mauricio Santana / Getty Images13. "The Sound of Silence" • Artist: Simon & Garfunkel • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 201
Frazer Harrison / Getty Images12. "I Want to Hold Your Hand" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1963 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 15 • Number of times covered: 173
Keystone / Getty Images11. "Can't Help Falling In Love" • Artist: Elvis Presley • Year: 1961 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 365
Keystone / Getty Images10."Ain't No Sunshine" • Artist: Bill Withers • Year: 1971 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 16 • Number of times covered: 231
Theo Wargo / Getty Images9. "Let It Be" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1970 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 316
Hulton Archive / Getty Images8. "Bohemian Rhapsody" • Artist: Queen • Year: 1975 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 41 • Number of times covered: 121
Piotr Zajac / Shutterstock6. "Bad Romance" • Artist: Lady Gaga • Year: 2009 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 35 • Number of times covered: 44
Ronald Martinez / Getty Images5. "All of Me" • Artist: John Legend • Year: 2013 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 59 • Number of times covered: 88
Ian Gavan / Getty Images4. "Hey Jude" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1968 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 19 • Number of times covered: 330
William Lovelace / Express / Getty Images3. "Rolling In the Deep" • Artist: Adele • Year: 2010 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 65 • Number of times covered: 84
Gareth Cattermole / Getty Images2. "Bridge Over Troubled Water" • Artist: Simon & Garfunkel • Year: 1970 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 14 • Number of times covered: 411
Rick Diamond / Getty Images1."Yesterday" • Artist: The Beatles • Year: 1965 • Total weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 11 • Number of times covered: 665
Central Press / Getty Images