Last year, Rolling Stone Magazine updated its list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, but there were very few changes. Now they’ve updated their list of the 500 Best Songs of All Time, only this time, half the list was replaced with new picks.
The list, which was first published in 2004, features a whopping 254 new tracks, and as you can imagine, it has caused much debate online as newer songs are pitted against timeless classics.
One song that everyone seems to agree on, however, is Aretha Franklin’s signature hit, “Respect,” which not only appears on the list but garnered the number one spot!
The magazine says 500 Greatest Songs of All Time was compiled from ballots submitted by more than 250 artists, journalists, and industry figures.
Rolling Stone also noted that the 2004 version of the list was dominated by early rock and soul, while the new edition “contains more hip-hop, modern country, indie rock, Latin pop, reggae, and R&B.
Newer songs include Lil Nas X‘s viral hit “Old Town Road,” Lizzo‘s “Truth Hurts,” Megan Thee Stalion, and Beyoncé‘s “Savage (Remix),” Drake‘s “Hotline Bling,” Childish Gambino‘s “Redbone” and more.
Take a look at the top 20 entries below and check out the full list on Rolling Stone.
500 Greatest Songs of All Time – Top 20
20. Robyn – ‘Dancing on My Own’
19. John Lennon – ‘Imagine’
18. Prince and the Revolution – ‘Purple Rain’
17. Queen – ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’
16. Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z – ‘Crazy in Love’|
15. The Beatles – ‘I Want to Hold Your Hand’
14. The Kinks – ‘Waterloo Sunset’
13. The Rolling Stones – ‘Gimme Shelter’
12. Stevie Wonder – ‘Superstition’
11. The Beach Boys – ‘God Only Knows’
10. Outkast – ‘Hey Ya!’
9. Fleetwood Mac – ‘Dreams’
8. Missy Elliott – ‘Get Ur Freak On’
7. The Beatles – ‘Strawberry Fields Forever’
6. Marvin Gaye – ‘What’s Going On’
5. Nirvana – ‘Smells Like Teen Spirit’
4. Bob Dylan – ‘Like a Rolling Stone’
3. Sam Cooke – ‘A Change Is Gonna Come’
2. Public Enemy – ‘Fight the Power’
1. Aretha Franklin – ‘Respect’
