161 Best Songs Of All Time
Contents
Gnarls Barkley – Crazy
Danger Mouse is unquestionably one of the greatest producers of the modern era. Teaming up with CeeLo Green to make modern soul music is a move that just makes sense.
Gnarls Barkley has had a number of hits over the years but Crazy remains the most popular. The song has a groove that cannot be denied, while Green’s vocals fill the track with tension and heightened energy.
A$AP Rocky – Praise The Lord (Da Shine) ft. Skepta
LSD has influenced some surprising things over the years, especially in the field of music. And while most people think of psychedelic jam bands, rap artists have also taken part in the substance.
Praise The Lord (Da Shine) is a collaboration between A$AP Rock and Skepta written under such circumstances. This track uses their collaborative relationship as a strength, guaranteeing this to be a timeless classic.
Daddy Yankee & Snow – Con Calma
You’ve probably heard the saying that it isn’t wise to meet your heroes. However, it’s safe to say that not following this advice worked wonders for the song, Con Calma.
In a way, Daddy Yankee’s inclusion of Snow on the track is like paying homage to a childhood hero. It also marked the resurgence of Snow’s professional career after years of relative obscurity.
Akon ft. Eminem – Smack That
At the height of his career, Eminem soon found himself being featured on more songs that he was comfortable with. Fortunately, he allowed himself to be on Akon’s smash hit from 2006, Smack That.
Like many rap songs of that time period, Smack That is especially primed toward late-night dance clubs. It’s almost impossible not to get completely amped up when this song is playing.
Norah Jones – Don't Know Why
At the very start of her career, Norah Jones immediately established herself as a force to be reckoned with. Her song, Don’t Know Why, remains to be one of the greatest songs she has ever released.
This track has a lackadaisical feel driven by Norah’s voice and perfectly accompanied by piano. The song’s inherent swing is actually quite relaxing to listen to, as is Norah’s soothing vocal delivery.
Bobby Shmurda – Hot N*gga
If you’re going to mention Bobby Shmurda, you have to mention his track, Hot N*gga. This is the song that put Bobby on the radar of mainstream audiences and for good reason.
Like many modern rap-pop songs, Hot N*gga has its own signature dance as evidenced in its music video. Thanks to the Vine social media platform, everybody and their 3rd cousin were giving the dance a try.
Harry Styles – As It Was
If you’ve been sleeping under a rock, you might only be vaguely aware of who Harry Styles is. In the present day, he might be one of the hottest pop stars on the planet.
Numerous critics have all agreed that some of his most recent albums are some of the greatest in history. Take a listen to his hit track, As It Was, to get a taste of Harry Styles for yourself.
Dave – Location (ft. Burna Boy)
If you’re a US resident, there’s a fair chance that you might not be familiar with Dave. However, across the pond, Dave has been releasing some of the greatest music in recent years.
His track, Location, comes from his first album and features the Nigerian rapper, Burna Boy. The song was a massive commercial success, dominating the charts in the UK for a couple of years.
Lil Wayne – Lollipop ft. Static
Who could forget the days when auto-tune ran rampant throughout every rap hit on the pop charts? Lil Wayne made especially good use of the production effect with his track, Lollipop.
Say what you will about the possibly overused technique. At the end of the day, Lil Wayne ended up walking away with a Grammy Award for Lollipop.
Ray Charles – Hit The Road Jack
Hit The Road Jack is a song that has been a persistent presence in pop culture since the 1960s. The song is easily recognized by its use of background singers who sing the track’s iconic chorus.
If you didn’t know any better, you might be in disbelief that this song was actually recorded by Ray Charles. This upbeat bop is one of the greatest songs he ever released throughout his historic career.
Evanescence – My Immortal
In the early 2000s, Evanescence was one of the biggest bands in the industry in terms of success and following. Their brand of gothic rock with Amy Lee’s powerful vocal presence made them unstoppable.
The band emerged onto the scene rather quickly, especially with their track, My Immortal. This song is a sort of sonic landscape picture of how life sounded back in 2003.
Afroman – Because I Got High
Every stoner has faced the dilemma of having something to do, but then forgetting to. Whether that forgetfulness is by choice or accident often seems to be a blurred, thin line.
And while music often mentions stoner characteristics, none have matched Afroman’s Because I Got High. The song’s lyrics are something that almost every stoner can relate to, quickly transforming the song into an anthem.
System Of A Down – Chop Suey!
System Of A Down might be one of the greatest progressive metal bands of the new century. Their 2001 album, Toxicity, is one of the landmark albums of the genre and is a definite modern classic.
One of the many songs on the album to become a hit is their track, Chop Suey! This song explodes with intensity over and over again and features a serene chorus that can make anyone uncomfortable.
