161 Best Songs Of All Time

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.

Travis Scott – SICKO MODE ft. Drake

Since the start of his professional career as a rapper, Travis Scott was on an upward trajectory. Working out a publishing deal with Kanye West’s team has done quite a bit to get Scott into the limelight.

It wasn’t until around 2019 that Travis Scott became highly esteemed with the release of his 3rd album. The song that put Travis Scott at the top was SICKO MODE, which featured the pop icon, Drake.

Christina Aguilera, Lil' Kim, Mya, P!nk – Lady Marmalade

Lady Marmalade is a track that has had numerous releases throughout the years. Because of its suggestive nature, almost every version has turned out to be massively successful.

The early 2000s saw some of pop music’s hottest stars teaming up to reinvent the track in a modern way. Needless to say, it was an instant success, partially aided by its feature in the film, Moulin Rouge!

Lily Allen – Smile

It’s hard to understate the importance that Myspace had for music artists during the height of its platform. While it seems that mostly emo groups benefitted from this, pop stars were not exempt by any means.

In fact, Myspace is exactly how Lily Allen was discovered, which quickly snowballed into a massive success. This attention made her debut single, Smile, one of the best-performing tracks of 2006.

Dionne Warwick – Walk On By

Younger generations may not know this, but Dionne Warwick was one of the greatest singers of the 20th century. This soul singer’s family definitely has musical roots as Warwick has relatives including Whitney Houston and Dee Dee Warwick.

Dionne has had a few smash hits throughout her long career, with Walk On By being the most famous. The song has been covered countless times by numerous artists including Isaac Hayes, Cyndi Lauper, and the Average White Band.

Childish Gambino – This Is America

Make no mistake about it, the social climate of the last 10 years has been relatively restless. You only needed to turn the TV on for a few minutes throughout 2020 to ascertain this assumption.

But, in 2018, Childish Gambino highlighted many of the current problems that still exist today in 2023. This Is America was a gigantic hit and it’s a track that will likely continue to be all too relevant.

Kaoma – Lambada

Were you somebody that frequented dance clubs toward the end of the 1980s? If so, you probably cut the rug to Kaoma’s international hit, Lambada.

Kaoma might be a French group, but Lamabada sounds like anything but the sounds commonly associated with France. The track fuses a Latin groove with hints of zydeco in a combination that is quite infectious.

Plain White T's – Hey There Delilah

Another song that really benefited from Myspace is Hey There Delilah, by the Plain White T’s. 2006 was a time when emo bands reigned supreme, especially in instances of stripped-down acoustic nature.

Just about every young guitar player in high school learned how to play Hey There Delilah. This was a necessity if you had hoped to impress the person of your fancy.

Mungo Jerry – In The Summertime

Can a one-hit-wonder be considered one of the best songs of all time? The answer is, absolutely, especially in the case of Mungo Jerry’s In The Summertime.

This upbeat banger has become somewhat of a tradition for people to listen to as summer rolls along. The track embodies the good feelings that the warmer weather often brings with it.

Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M.

There have been many successful rap groups throughout the years, but none as ubiquitous as Wu-Tang Clan. The group is best known for including samples from old martial arts movies in their songs.

Their debut album, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), is widely considered one of the greatest rap albums of all time. Many of the tracks are bonafide classics, including their hit single, C.R.E.A.M.

J Hus – Did You See

English rappers often do not get the same amount of visibility as their American counterparts. But that doesn’t mean that rap is not currently alive and thriving across the pond.

J Hus proved this to be a reality when he released his debut album, Common Sense, back in 2017. His track, Did You See, ended up becoming one of the biggest hits of the year in the UK.

Nickelback – How You Remind Me

Nickelback gets quite a bit of hate today for the formulaic sound that many of their songs are built from. But the reality is that it is this formula that has made them the greatest band Canada has ever produced.

In 2001, Nickelback released their track, How You Remind Me, quickly becoming a radio hit. From then on, Nickelback would be a staple in mainstream channels for over 2 decades.

Usher – Yeah!

If you watched MTV in the 1990s, you probably remember Usher’s rise to prominence and success. Some of his tracks became the hits of summer throughout the late 1990s.

However, when 2004 came along, Usher rose to even greater heights with his album, Confessions. The track, Yeah!, found its way to every DJ’s playlist, and is a frequent track at weddings and school dances.

Rick Ross – Hustlin’

You know that you have some magical talent when 2 of the biggest record labels in rap broker a deal. Rick Ross had this very thing happen, and funnily enough, he didn’t even sign with either of those labels.

But, this attention definitely trickled out and created a serious buzz about what Rick Ross was about to release. Rick Ross went to bed and woke up famous after he finally released his debut track, Hustlin’.

Lou Bega – Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…)

The late 1990s were a bit of a weird time in the landscape of mainstream music. Pop singers, boy bands, and rap groups were all at a culminating point amidst the dying throes of mainstream rock.

But what’s even more interesting is that Lou Bega’s Mambo No. 5 (A Little Bit Of…) became a gigantic success. This feel-good big-band mambo sound was unlike anything being heard on the radio at the time.

Wizkid – Essence ft. Tems

Nigeria has produced a surprising number of successful rappers over the last 2 decades. One of the most renowned around the world is Wizkid, who has been on a consistent upward trajectory.

Some of Whizkid’s greatest hits have resulted from collaborations with other artists (including Drake). His collaboration with Tems on the song, Essence, found massive reception outside of Nigeria.

Tim McGraw – Humble And Kind

Country music has always had its periods of mainstream success, with each decade having a distinct sound. In the 1990s, country music soared back to the mainstream limelight with numerous artists, including Tim McGraw.

And while McGraw’s biggest hits may have come from that specific golden era, his career remains alive and thriving. His recording of Humble And Kind went on to be named the best country song of 2016 multiple times.

J. Cole – MIDDLE CHILD

Recording an entire song is generally not something that happens in today’s day and age of recording techniques. It’s even more rare for such an occurrence to happen in the rap world, a genre noted for its production.

But some songs are just too potent to be contained, which is what J. Cole’s MIDDLE CHILD is. This track garnished J. Cole some serious hype, making him one of the best rappers of the current generation.

Willie Nelson – Always On My Mind

Willie Nelson is one of the greatest songwriters on the planet, with a catalog to show for it. In fact, some of the greatest songs ever recorded were written by Willie and recorded by other artists.

But, aside from performing his own songs, Willie Nelson found wondrous successes with a few cover songs. His version of Always On My Mind is a staple country song from the early 1980s.

Meek Mill – 1942 Flows

In terms of the last decade, Meek Mill could be considered one of the biggest rappers on the planet. Colossal albums and a few handfuls of feuds and controversies have ornamented his career.

One of the songs that many fans hold dear to their hearts is 1942 Flows, from his 3rd album. The album itself was critically acclaimed and exploded with listeners as a result of the hype surrounding its release.

Stevie Wonder – I Just Called To Say I Love You

Let’s face it, Stevie Wonder will go down in history as one of the greatest musicians of all time. Several of his albums are landmarks and his musical reach extends far beyond what is generally known.

It’s almost too difficult to name one song as his best, as people know him for different songs. In terms of overall success, the song that is his greatest is, I Just Called To Say I Love You.

Lemar – If There's Any Justice

How many times have you caught feelings for somebody that was already in a relationship? In music, this is a recurring subject that appears in some of the greatest songs ever written.

Lemar found that the relation to this feeling was all too prevalent when he released If There’s Any Justice. The track became an international hit and was a giant on the UK charts throughout 2005.

Editor's note: This is one of my personal best songs ever.

Michael Bublé – Feeling Good

The golden days of crooner music might be long past, but Michael Bublé has been carrying on the tradition. From a very young age, Bublé has been turning heads with his effortless vocal delivery.

Throughout the early 2000s, Michael Bublé became a household name due to his ginormous mainstream success. One track that served him well was Feeling Good, for which singer, Nina Simone is also known.

Dizzee Rascal – Fix Up, Look Sharp

Throughout the early 2000s, rap music began to become increasingly popular all around the world. British rappers were some of the first to adopt this sound, with Dizzee Rascal being one of the biggest.

Dizzee Rascal burst onto the scene with a debut album that found immediate recognition. A number of hit singles came from this album, but Fix Up, Look Sharp, remains a modern classic.

Rick Astley – Never Gonna Give You Up

How many times in the last 15 years have you clicked a link to find Never Gonna Give You Up? If you’re like any normal person, you’ve been “Rick-rolled” more times than you can count.

The song’s resurgence due to this popular internet joke has made Rick Astley a cultural phenomenon. But, during its original release, the song’s success was anything but a joke.

Fredo – Netflix & Chill

Internet slang seems to be created daily, but only a few phrases seem to withstand the test of time. Just about everybody in the modern technological age understands what it means to “Netflix and chill”.

In fact, the phrase was usually the only thing people would put in their online dating bios. British rapper Fredo hit upon some serious pay dirt when he released Netflix & Chill in 2019.

Rick James – Give It To Me Baby

Rick James is known for a wide variety of different things, including his stylish hair and funky music. His track, Super Freak, is one of the greatest mainstream funk songs of all time.

Before 1981, Rick James was only moderately successful with just a handful of chart-topping hits. When he released Give It To Me Baby, Rick James found his career spanning heights he could only dream of.

twenty one pilots – Heathens

The duo, twenty one pilots, might be one of the hottest pop sensations of the last 15 years. There is no denying that the group has one of the biggest followings in modern music (aside from Taylor Swift).

Although many of their tracks have become iconic, the song Heathens is the one they are mostly associated with. The song gained serious traction after it was featured in the 2016 movie, Suicide Squad.

Salt-N-Pepa – Push It

It isn’t very often that a B-side single release becomes the song that breaks an artist into the mainstream. For Salt-N-Pepa, Push It quickly became one of the best hip-hop songs of the late 1980s.

The song was so ahead of its time that it was still played regularly on the radio in the mid-1990s. It also helped prop the genre up for success in the years to come by attracting a wider audience.

Extreme – More Than Words

If you thought that hair band ballads were a thing of the 1980s, think again. Before grunge broke in 1994, bands like Poison and Extreme were at the height of their success.

Extreme would go on to release one of the biggest hits of the late 20th century with More Than Words. The song’s acoustic stylings and easy-to-sing melody made this ballad too much to resist.

Jack Johnson – I Got You

Jack Johnson has become one of the biggest modern artists commonly associated with the acoustic guitar. Johnson has relied primarily on his singer-songwriter approach in a climate dominated by electronic production.

For many, Jack Johnson has a singing voice that touches the very soul of the listener. His track, I Got You, remains to be one of his favored hits among his biggest fans.

Oasis – Wonderwall

Even if you’re not a guitarist, you’ve probably heard the joke about Oasis’s song, Wonderwall. Like Wagon Wheel, Wonderwall is one of those songs that gets requested a surprising amount.

But, part of the joke is that everybody within earshot of the person playing it will start singing along. Any song this popular definitely deserves to be considered one of the best songs of all time.

Best Songs Of All Time, Final Thoughts

That was out list of the best songs of all time. It’s astonishing when you think of how 3 minutes of a song can have an impact on so many lives. The truly great songs continue to play a role in the soundtrack of life years beyond their original release date.

As long as music remains a personal thing, the list of greats is certain to grow with each generation. How many of these songs do you think will still find themselves being played 50 years from now?

Let us know your top 5 best songs ever in the comments below, and let us know which songs you feel we missed. We only allowed one song from each main musician, so if one of their songs was already on the list, that's likely why we didn't add another from them.