In the history of music, there are many songs, which we could not count, but in reality, there are few that manage to stay for years in the taste of people and transcend.
Making a ranking of the songs considered the best in history seems a titanic task and would not be very neutral, because, in this task, we run the risk of mixing our opinions and criteria.
However, Rolling Stone magazine took the challenge. The publication, founded in 1967 and dedicated to music, politics and popular culture, produced a list of the 500 best songs in history in music, but to achieve this was based on the opinion of 172 critics, musicians and industry experts.
In this article, we bring you the musical themes that make up the Top 10 of the best songs according to Rolling Stone magazine.
#1 What’d I Say by Ray Charles
Some people said it was a vulgar one (because of its content that was considered sexual at the time), but it became very popular. It was Charles's first pop single to reach the Top 10.
#2 Smells Like Teen Spirit of Nirvana
Kurt Cobain wanted to write "the definitive pop song", and the success was massive and instant. Thanks to this song, Nirvana had two nominations for the Grammy Awards.
#3 Hey Jude from The Beatles
This song was written by Paul McCartney in 1968 and became one of the band's greatest hits. It also became the subject with the longest duration: 7 minutes and 11 seconds.
#4 Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry
The legacy of this song is very solid, as it is recognized as one of the most influential in the history of music. Artists like AC / DC and Jimmi Hendrix made a cover.
#5 Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys
It was released in 1966 and is considered a "pocket symphony." Even The Beatles sent a congratulatory letter to Brian Wilson for this song.
#6 Respect of Aretha Franklin
Otis Redding originally wrote this song in 1965, but it took two years for it to become Aretha Franklin's greatest success.
#7 What’s Going On by Marvin Gaye
This song has one of the most powerful messages in music, and there are innumerable covers of it.
#8 Imagine John Lennon
This is considered one of the best compositions of all time, even former US President Jimmy Carter said it was used almost like a national anthem.
#9 The Rolling Stones – (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
This one is one of the most famous in rock history, and with this song, the band got its first number one in the United States. Due to its cultural and historical importance, the subject was included in the National Recordings Registry of the United States Library of Congress.
#10 Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan
It is a revolutionary theme because it combines different elements, such as the electric guitar and organ chords. This song ended up becoming one of the most influential in popular culture.