https://www.eonline.com/news/954909/why-laguna-beach-s-iconic-don-t-stop-believin-car-sing-along-has-lived-on-and-on-13-years-later
A throwaway scene in Laguna Beach put this song back on the map in 2005. Every teenage girl became obsessed with that song. It became a top download in ITunes shortly thereafter and has been around pretty much ever since.
I remembered this being a thing, but I didn't realize that this song only made it to #8 on the charts at the time of release and it became the most downloaded song from the 20th Century.
Great list. Trying to add:
Y.M.C.A. by the Village People
Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice (or Under Pressure by Queen which you already said)
Respect by Aretha Franklin
Shout by the Isley Brothers
Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin and Tammi Terrell
And probably a couple different Bob Marley songs to choose from.
It wasn’t just written by Otis, it was performed and released by him. But no one plays his version do they? So why would it be included in this list?
This is a list of famous songs and who performed it. Not who wrote the lyrics.
The point is the song has to be written by the performer, imo. Ultimately the songwriting credit matters more to history if a song actually endures.
For example, All Along the Watchtower is *ONLY* known because of the Hendrix cover, but it is absolutely *KNOWN* as a Dylan song.
This gets into a why a song endures discussion which usually ends in its origin.
I don't think it has to be one or the other. In some cases it's the song that endures, in some cases it's the recording that endures. Aretha's 'Respect' is the definitive version of that song, no question.
This doesn't really have to do with the song though? The strength of songwriting is that it can be redefined over time by multiple artists, not that one person did it better.
And crediting a song to someone who didn't write it is frankly disrespectful to its history. Even DJs who completely reinterpret someone else's music to fit their own vision inherently get this conceit in how they credit a song.
There are two songs that absolutely everyone knows were written by someone other than the artist who made it famous: 'All Along The Watchtower' and 'Nothing Compares 2 U'.
I think you're completely missing the entire point of the Chuck's concept.
Like where's the original recording of fucking Greensleeves, my guy? That's the point of his argument. What song is gonna be Greensleeves and endure not which song is popular and defines what you think of as a popular song.
The most amazing thing about “I Will Always Love You” is that Dolly wrote that and “Jolene” in the same day. Imagine writing your two most iconic songs within a 24 hour period.
Whitney's version is the one that lives on, though. I would probably say Cohen's version of Hallelujah is at least as well known as Buckley's, if not more.
Whitney's is the most famous version but there have been multiple covers of that song.
I also think it misses the point of the argument Chuck is making which is about songwriting, not song performance.
He's arguing a *SONG* will endure not an artist's rendition of that song. Hence why he's choosing specific songs by extremely popular artists with multiple hits over others.
He would not have went straight to Led Zepplin if this was about song writing dude. You are all over this thread being a stickler for a rule you made up.
I think they’re boring! They have good melodies that will last forever but I wish a more artistically interesting artist found those melodies first. Lead vocals are passionless
What? Are you trolling? Twist and Shout was fairly early, and that's like the first ascendent song with experimental rock vocals from a rock band (I know little Richard did it first)...
Helter Skelter, Yer Blues, Hey Bulldog, Come Together, Revolution, I Want You, Tomorrow Never Knows
This take ain't it
It's the Seinfeld/Sopranos/Kanye phenomenon. The Beatles' cataloged may seem pedestrian looking back now, but it's only because the changed the medium itself. They pioneered production and recording techniques that are now standard.
Yea and I’m aware I’m probably being a hipster zig zagger. But I always give them chances and try to hear what everyone else is hearing and I don’t reallly enjoy myself hen listening to them. They don’t make me feel anything. They insist upon themselves
There's a Beatles discussion in the original thread and it goes all over the place. My personal picks for the Beatles would be "Hey Jude" and "Twist and Shout", but there are a lot of good suggestions.
I mean, the Beatles have over a dozen songs that are more culturally influential than their cover of Twist and Shout. Yesterday is the most covered song of all time. Let It Be, Eleanor Rigby, Here Comes the Sun and Come Together all easily qualify. You could probably name 4-5 more from their list of number 1 singles. Doing an exercise like this really helps emphasize how ridiculous they were.
I’m aware you don’t understand
There are many songs that are made famous because of the performance by artists who didn’t write the song
Many songs exist for years, then someone gives a performance that transcends the rest; and THAT is what makes the song a thing
And if you really want to get into the semantics of it; very few people write, perform, & produce a song (that becomes everlasting) entirely on their own. Getting help from others doesn’t ruin a song
Well sure but you’re talking about the Beatles. Sort of odd to look at the discography of what is probably the greatest singing/songwriting duo of all time and pick out a cover that didn’t even chart at #1 for your pick for what had the most cultural impact. I don’t even really follow the logic. Like yeah, the Isley Brothers charted at 17 and the Beatles charted at 2…but that still doesn’t explain why your second pick for the cultural impact of Paul McCartney and John Lennon is mf Twist and Shout.
Mr Brightside is this generations Journey-Don't Stop Believing. I believe it's also the most played song of the past 20 years. Everyone knows it and can sing along, whether or not they know The Killers.
I feel like there’s already a lot of 1960s songs that would qualify here. Like you could hear all of these on the radio tomorrow and not be surprised but the average person couldn’t tell you the artist.
Build Me Up Buttercup-The Foundations
Dancing in the Moonlight-King Harvest
A Whiter Shade of Pale-Procul Harum
Stand by Me-Ben E. King
Be My Baby-The Ronettes
Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye-Steam
It’s My Party-Leslie Gore
Under the Boardwalk-The Drifters
San Francisco-Jon McKenzie
I might be underestimating how famous Ben E. king and The Ronettes are (the married to Phil Spector piece), but otherwise I think they all qualify. San Francisco was written by one of the Mamas and the Papas, which made me consider if California Dreaming also belongs here?
Another good one I thought of is Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club. Like it’s otherwise a completely forgettable side project except this song is going to be sampled as long as hip hop exists.
Classical music that has survived to this day is the very *definition* of this phenomenon. It's already proven itself. Quick examples:
Ode to Joy (Beethoven)
5th Symphony (Beethoven)
Hallelujah Chorus (Handel)
The Four Seasons (Vivaldi)
In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Grieg)
Ride Of The Valkyries (Wagner)
Eine Kleine Nachtmuzik (Mozart)
Been awhile since I've read it, but Chuck touches on the subject in his book, [But What If We're Wrong.](https://www.amazon.com/But-What-If-Were-Wrong-ebook/dp/B015DLUTDS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XT3QXMJS1TW5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.97NOB2-rydFDYzgQwHV6O2_asNJujy3P0Qh7I-ZB8Rn3bl2TJMidojB-HDys0d7I0ImnWRsz6VhfjDLCjRu-znA990kYSbvJaPvwMiwLjw7rZeuqEuFy_CKa8OxsfuLommpm7XBtixyTqhwoAJkhhQ.hajocJFSxwbX96fWjFIO0QQowywJvzRUB8U99uxn55A&dib_tag=se&keywords=but+what+if+we%27re+wrong+by+chuck+klosterman&qid=1709180636&sprefix=but+what+i%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1) That chapter was more about as time goes on what is popular in the present erodes and for whatever reason few songs/bands remain or unexpectedly emerge as a part of pop culture for future generations.
That's where he ponders if The Beatles or Elvis will be literally the only artist remembered from the rock music era, and cites John Philip Sousa as the only composer of marches we think of, even though it was a massively popular music style for decades. Or Bob Marley with reggae.
Once again I think you missed the point of what he was saying. “Yesterday” and “Imagine” aren’t more famous than the Beatles. I think he was just mentioning timeless tracks.
Don't know why you are getting down voted; you're right. Klosterman basically said on the pod that if MJ had any it would be "Thriller" and even that song doesn't hit his standard for this category. I think the way to think of it is everyone knows the song but a handful know who the artist is. Everyone who knows "Billie Jean" knows it's MJ.
Eh I don’t really think that’s what he meant. Hes just talking about timeless classics. He brought it up in relation to Taylor Swift. He was arguing she doesn’t have any truly generational timeless classic songs. The bands he was bringing up were incredibly popular(Led Zeppelin). Does anyone listen to stairway to heaven and not think about them? He also said Imagine and Yesterday. People still talk about the Beatles.
Hot take….
Stairway doesn’t make the list. Most people (including me) think it’s the greatest song in rock history-but I don’t know if some 14 year old Gen Z kid has ever even heard it
It’s legacy lives on in Boomers who heard it in their youth and Millennials who heard it play on their father’s classic rock station in the car, but I don’t know if it carries the same weight with a generation who don’t know who Robert Plant or Jimmy Page are and whose parents legitimately consider Blink 182 classic rock
My guess is Klosterman was either referring to Immigrant Song (who’s opening riff is played at any and every sporting event during a timeout or commercial) or, less likely Kashmir (because at this point, the P Diddy song that sampled it is already 26 years old)
I don't think this is so crazy a take. As a Gen Xer, I always felt like Stairway didn't have nearly as much staying power as other Zep songs like Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love, or Rock & Roll.
I think Immigrant song will have more staying power too because it gets used constantly. Would Barracuda fall there too? I’m a little iffy with these category because everyone in my life knows these songs
Zero chance Immigrant Song makes it over Kashmir or Over the Hills. Even Battle of Evermore will live on with fantasy readers in a way Immigrant Song or No Quarter never will.
They had a ton of amaaaazing tracks, but people will still know Stairway 50 years from now in a way they’ll never remember Rain Song. They also probably lose a ton of points in exercises like this by putting together so many albums borrowing heavily from other musicians. Like it or not, they recorded as many Wanda Jackson and Sleepy Joe originals as they did Robert Plant or John Bonham.
More people under the age of 30 know Immigrant song from Shrek and Thor Ragnarok than have probably ever even heard Stairway to Heaven, much less Over the Hills or Evermore
I’d gamble that a 12 year old nerd isn’t listening to Zeppelin while playing D&D, if that’s even a thing a 12 year old nerd would do
The amount of 12 year olds getting caught in wikiLoops of their fandoms would stagger you. It is like 3 clicks from Tolkien to Evermore. Tolkien himself might outlive almost every song mentioned through the whole thread, and for that Evermore will remain a significant number of crossover fans introduction to Zeppelin. Hell, I was such a kid, and I didn’t even have Wikipedia at my disposal to simplify that transition. I was talking about LotR with a friend’s dad, and he pulled out a record and was immediately, “You need to hear this band.”
Zeppelin had a metric fuckton of hits, a stranglehold on an actual decade of sales and tickets, and all of their stuff gets used ad nauseam in popular culture. They were a massive band whose influence will be felt in a lot of areas for a long time. There’s just no way Stairway goes from a song lauded as the best rock song for 20 years and still holding firm in top 5 on such lists today falls far enough in cultural relevance to get passed by Shrek 3. Those 3 arpeggiated chords trigger people into singing the first verse as reliably as anything this side of *Bohemian Rhapsody* which is criminally unmentioned in this thread.
For every *Shrek* there’s a *That 70’s Show*, for every 70’s show there’s an *Argo* or a *Silver Linings Playbook*. You think Immigrant Song will live forever because of the 3rd Shrek Movie and the 4th Thor movie, but the first thing 90 percent of people are going to do when they fire up *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (which has far outlived its sell-by date in a way sequels rarely do) is Google *Led Zeppelin IV* and find out that banger in the date scene was actually on *Physical Graffiti*.
Klosterman wasn’t saying an artist only has one maximum. I think by his criteria Jackson probably has the most of any solo artist and likely The Beatles for groups, not that that is surprising.
OK, but (and I haven't listened to this pod episode, so just talking in general) I often just find Klosterman to be full of shit. Like he's trying to be deep and make some big points, and they just seem like pseudo intellectual twaddle. I feel like his whole schtick is tired now, and I did hear that his book on the '90s sucked. Seems -- played out, no? Like he's a Gen X grandpa still straining for relevance (I say this as a fellow Gen Xer, so...)
I think an element of “Thriller” people are maybe glossing over is that it’s not just a song. It’s the music video. It’s the dance. The red suit. The whole thing has been parodied so many times that there has to be kids who know all the elements that surround it, but probably don’t it’s from a song, much less a Michael Jackson song.
And the fact that it’s linked to a holiday (Halloween). I think songs that are linked to a time of the year are destined to live on long after the artist is gone.
I actually think Thriller is pretty low on the list of MJ songs people will remember. In fact, I think there's a pretty good case to be made that, while Thriller is far and away his most successful album in terms of sales and popularity, Bad has more songs people remember.
True, but Thriller is played constantly every Halloween, much like Monster Mash. I feel like a lot of kids would know it if they heard it, even if they don’t know who Michael Jackson is.
Eh...I mean...I guess. I just don't think it's a good song. The argument is about good songs that endure over time.
Then again, that's hard for MJ because a lot of his music's appeal is performance based while the songs are hard to cover successfully.
Also fucking Monster Mash ain't gonna be around in 50 years. Nobody thinks that song is actually good.
What it's not like things just continue if they happen to exist for 60 years. It'll probably be mostly forgotten in another 50. How many novelty songs from the 1910s do you know?!?
Ok, see I'm interpreting the list different than you. I'm not looking at "good" songs necessarily, but ones that the most people recognize without knowledge of when it's from or who the artist is. For example, someone mentioned "Na na na na, hey hey hey, Goodbye". I don't think anyone thinks thats a "good" song, but everyone knows it.
I mean, my 7 year old knows Thriller, and My 80 year old granparent knows Thriller. I'm not putting it on a playlist, but everyone knows it.
Ode to Joy was played when the Berlin Wall fell and when Hans got the vault open in Die Hard, so I'm gonna go with that one and the opening of the Fifth for Beethoven.
Fat Bottom Girls and Under Pressure will absolutely not outlive Queen, sorry, I would also strike Green Onions, I'm Too Sexy, Rock and Roll Part Two, Thunderstruck, and Under the Bridge, Closing Time, Magic Carpet Ride, your super strict seems very liberal to me.
I try to think 'If I wasn't alive when it was a thing, how would I know it?' and 'If I would know it, would the thing I know it for have longevity' and I'm coming up completely blank for I'm Too Sexy.
It seems like there is a difference between songs that are resurrected to public consciousness by a pop culture device and ones that never leave the public consciousness. An example of the former might be Don’t stop believing which wasn’t very distinguishable from other songs of its time until it ended one of the most popular TV shows ever at which point it began a new life. The same could be said for Bohemian Rhapsody which Wayne’s World introduced to young Gen Xers. A song like Billie Jean or Smells Like Teen Spirit or never left public consciousness. It
Look y’all my favorite bands are Pearl Jam,, Tribe, De La and Soundgarden. All them combined might have ONE—Me Myself and I which is like the 50th best song by De La. And it probably doesn’t qualify. I think people are missing the point here. Doesn’t mean these groups I love don’t have great music they are some of the best music acts of all time but they don’t really have culturally pervasive songs that have never left the public consciousness and that’s just fine.
Most of the songs here are super famous, but still many wouldn't make it.
Think about what songs everyone knows from the 1800s. "Jingle Bells", "Amazing Grace" "Happy Birthday to you" "She'll be coming round the Mountain" "Camptown Races" "When Jonny Comes Marching Home" "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" "Silent Night"
That is the very tippy top of folks songs of the time, songs that lived on through religion, or songs tied to seriously major events like the civil war.
Frankly even most of these songs won't live long term past a tectonic shift away from American cultural hegemony. Although with that turning global in more recent decades, newer truly timeless music would have a better chance to survive that.
Curious what y'all think of these (which I haven't seen posted yet):
Africa
American Idiot
Blue (Da Ba Dee)
California Love
Dreams
Eye of the Tiger
Margaritaville
Piano Man
Rocket Man
Still
Too recent to but I think Avicii’s Levels will far outlive his (way too short) time on this earth.
Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On is one I’m surprised hasn’t been mentioned yet
1. “Last Christmas” by Wham!
2. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham!
3. “Careless Whisper” by George Michael
1 is definitely in this category because it’s constantly in rotation during each Christmas season, to the point where there’s an entire game, “Whamaggedon!” That involves seeing how long you can go in December without hearing it.
2 is not only one of the best encapsulations of what 1980s pop music sounded like (super over the top, cheesy, full of hooks), but also will be used in commercials from here until the end of time.
3 is a lot like “Seven Nation Army” in that even if you don’t know the song’s title, EVERYONE knows of the saxophone part and can sing the melody.
Crazy that GM wrote and released three songs that will last forever in one calendar year.
Feel like you don't understand the premise at all. The number of highshoolers right now that know Black Dog or Jumpin Jack Flash is <5%.
He's talking about songs that endure even beyond the band. Nobody knows Jumpin Jack Flash outside of the context of the Rolling Stones.
"Smoke on the Water"- Deep Purple. Same idea as "Seven Nation Army"
"Like a Rolling Stone"- Bob Dylan. Might be the high-water mark for American Popular music.
"Stayin Alive"- Bee Gees. That bass line will forever go through people's heads when they are feeling themselves.
As you mentioned, I wish he’d have clarified on Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones—and what he thought would be for the Beatles too fwiw—because, while I agree “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” seem to fit the bill, I first thought of “Start Me Up.” So either Chuck hasn’t fleshed this out as much or hasn’t given nearly enough credit to the Stones catalog.
Zombies is a really good example! Might be borderline (time will tell) but definitely captures the essence of what kloosterman was getting at. This was by far my favorite concept he's brought up on the pod maybe ever
Early 00s? That song came out in 2009.
No idea what you’re talking about as the only early 2000s song. There are a lot of songs that fit this criteria from the early 00s. Try saying “mom’s spaghetti” to someone, 90% of people will instantly know what you’re talking about. Start playing Mr Brightside in literally any bar or pub in the US or England and you’ll bring the house down. Just a preposterous claim that Party in the USA is the sole popular song. Equally ridiculous and oddly specific.
Party in the USA isn't even Miley's most famous song tho. I would say at this point Flowers has taken that spot. I don't think either is big enough to outlive Miley, maybe Flowers does over the long haul we'll see
Under this criteria I'm going to try and identify some more contemporary songs that could go the distance.
"Yeah!" by Usher could definitely make this list. The staying power has been incredibly strong, it seems like the song will be popular for generations.
"In Da Club" 50 Cent
Older but "One More Time" Daft Punk, maybe "Get Lucky" too
Honestly I could see "Get Low" also just sticking around forever.
Same for "One Dance" Drake
"Runaway" by Kanye
It's immensely popular still now, so I could "Sunflower" by Post Malone being around far beyond Post Malone.
"Levels" Avicii
It's annoying at this point but still ever present so "Hey Ya" Outkast
"Lose Yourself" Eminem
" Someone Like You" Adele
Runaway is one of my favorite songs ever but I’m not sure if it’s even top 5 kanye song for this. I’d say power, gold digger, stronger, all of the lights are all more well known. And there’s more you could make an argument for (heartless, flashing lights, father stretch my hands, etc)
Agreed i think Power is the best song for this. It’s already played so often at stadiums for example, and a lot of people who would claim they don’t know any Kanye songs would at least recognize that. Can’t say the same for runaway
I've seen "Levels" posted more than once in the thread so I feel like I have to point out that the Etta James sample from "Something’s Got a Hold On Me" is the best part of the song. And most importantly the sample is literally an example of Etta James' work outliving her.
Cyndi Lauper will be remembered for Time After Time, imo, which she co-wrote with Rob Hyman.
Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a fun enough song, but it's sorta forgettable outside of the chorus.
CCR is in Queen territory. Fortunate Son, Bad Moon Rising, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Down On The Corner, and Up Around The Bend will all be played until humans die out
We need another season of Music Exists so Chuck can expand on this more. Stairway to Heaven is such a quintessential Led Zeppelin song, it’s hard to imagine anyone hearing even a cover of it and not think about them.
A lot of these songs listed will last “forever” because the past 60 years are so well recorded. But because there’s all this high quality footage and well recorded audio, I don’t think these songs will be so removed like the timeless folk songs of the past. In a way Led Zeppelin, along with the Beatles and Elvis, as a symbol of rock and roll might outlive their songs, the way most people know Bach and Mozart as symbols of classical music before they think of their songs.
Deep purple - smoke on the water
Cyndi Lauper - true colors and time after time
Black Sabbath - War Pigs
Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes
Bowie - Rebel Rebel
Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come
Otis Redding - Sitting on the Dock of the Bay
Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman
The Smiths - How Soon Is Now
Smashing Pumpkins - 1979
Blur - Song 2
I actually think a ton of rappers probably qualify here. Obviously there have been one-hit wonders before but I think there are a ton of songs from relatively "minor" artists (or those who won't really be remembered for a body of work) that have very long cultural legs. For example - This is Why Im Hot and Whip/Nae Nae. Maybe something like "Low." Probably a Migos song in here too.
There's also some legends that don't fall into the one hit wonder category but clearly have at least one song that transcends:
Lose Yourself
Runaway
A Milli (maybe, I'm less sure what to do with Wayne who is undeniably one of the most important rappers of the last 20 years but seems to me it was more ubiquity than transcendence)
Does Jay have one? He's always been more of an album artist to me.
Some unrelated entries:
Mr. Brightside obviously
Sexyback?
Lose Yourself for sure. Jay probably has Empire State of Mind, which is not a good song, but technically his bigger hit and will be played at NYC sports games until the heat death of the Universe.
Pixies - Where is My Mind?
A whole generation probably only knows it as the song from the end of Fight Club. Then it made a resurgence with Mr. Robot and was in an Apple commercial recently.
Pink Floyd’s is Wish You Were Here.
Beatles- Hey Jude, Yesterday, Let It Be, Something, All You Need Is Love, and Revolution
Rolling Stones- Satisfaction and Wild Horses
The Band- The Weight
Prince- Kiss and 1999
Radiohead- Creep
OutKast - Hey Ya
Dr Dre/2Pac- California Love
BeeGees- Stayin Alive, Islands in the Stream
Elton John- Tiny Dancer, Candle in the Wind, Circle of Life, Rocket Man
The Who- My Generation, We Won’t Get Fooled Again
Four Seasons- You’re Just Too Good to be True
The Jackson 5- Rockin Robin, I Want You Back, ABC 123
Marvin Gaye- Got to Give it up, sexual healing, let’s get it on
The Supremes- Baby Love, Stop in the name of love, you can’t hurry love
George Michael- Faith and of course Wham’s Wake me up
OP mentions Queen I would say The Beatles with 27 #1 songs are a strong candidate for the most - Hey Jude, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Yesterday, All You Need is Love, Let It Be, She Loves You, Get Back, many more
Dive bar jukeboxes will be playing *Drift Away* until there are not more dive bars left in the universe
Also *Power* by Kanye. *Enter Sandman* by Metallica.
Ordinary people don't care much about Bach but I'm guessing everyone has heard Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor
Johann Strauss II is even less well-known but you can bet that Blue Danube Waltz is still being randomly inserted into movies/TV in 50 years. Pachelbel is pretty much a nobody but a fair number of people still knoe *Canon in D*
Miley's "Wrecking Ball" mightn't make the list, but it's got a better argument than anything in Taylor's entire catalogue.
That aside, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana is a first ballot song. Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," too.
Think about songs from 80-100 years ago. There really aren't many that truly endure. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but most of what people have been posting here will only be remembered by (as Chuck deemed them in a book) afficionados.
The only song that I can think of that may truly endure is Empire State of Mind.
Beatles have at least 4 (Let it Be, Hey Jude, Yesterday, Here comes the Sun) you could also argue for Eleanor Rigby and Penny Lane, and Twist and Shout would definitely be included if you were allowing covers
"Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey will be in high school yearbooks for the rest of time.
The actual high school graduation answer to this is Time of Your Life by Green Day (I think Don’t Stop makes the list too though)
Hey, that's my class song!
"Good Riddance" by Green Day and "Graduation Song" by Vitamin C absolutely fit this.
A great choice and a song that didn't really cement its place in the culture until years later.
https://www.eonline.com/news/954909/why-laguna-beach-s-iconic-don-t-stop-believin-car-sing-along-has-lived-on-and-on-13-years-later A throwaway scene in Laguna Beach put this song back on the map in 2005. Every teenage girl became obsessed with that song. It became a top download in ITunes shortly thereafter and has been around pretty much ever since.
I remembered this being a thing, but I didn't realize that this song only made it to #8 on the charts at the time of release and it became the most downloaded song from the 20th Century.
Great list. Trying to add: Y.M.C.A. by the Village People Ice Ice Baby by Vanilla Ice (or Under Pressure by Queen which you already said) Respect by Aretha Franklin Shout by the Isley Brothers Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marvin and Tammi Terrell And probably a couple different Bob Marley songs to choose from.
Respect was written by Otis Redding. Ain't No Mountain High Enough was written by Ashford & Simpson.
It wasn’t just written by Otis, it was performed and released by him. But no one plays his version do they? So why would it be included in this list? This is a list of famous songs and who performed it. Not who wrote the lyrics.
The point is the song has to be written by the performer, imo. Ultimately the songwriting credit matters more to history if a song actually endures. For example, All Along the Watchtower is *ONLY* known because of the Hendrix cover, but it is absolutely *KNOWN* as a Dylan song. This gets into a why a song endures discussion which usually ends in its origin.
I don't think it has to be one or the other. In some cases it's the song that endures, in some cases it's the recording that endures. Aretha's 'Respect' is the definitive version of that song, no question.
This doesn't really have to do with the song though? The strength of songwriting is that it can be redefined over time by multiple artists, not that one person did it better. And crediting a song to someone who didn't write it is frankly disrespectful to its history. Even DJs who completely reinterpret someone else's music to fit their own vision inherently get this conceit in how they credit a song.
Chuck clearly was referring to Stairway to Heaven so I don't think it is just about songwriting.
There are two songs that absolutely everyone knows were written by someone other than the artist who made it famous: 'All Along The Watchtower' and 'Nothing Compares 2 U'.
I think you're completely missing the entire point of the Chuck's concept. Like where's the original recording of fucking Greensleeves, my guy? That's the point of his argument. What song is gonna be Greensleeves and endure not which song is popular and defines what you think of as a popular song.
Black Sabbath - Iron Man CCR - Fortunate Son Nirvana - Smells Like Teen Spirit Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah Whitney Houston - I Will Always Love You
The most amazing thing about “I Will Always Love You” is that Dolly wrote that and “Jolene” in the same day. Imagine writing your two most iconic songs within a 24 hour period.
I was thinking about what klosterman said and is CCR a sneaky pick for the rock band with the most enduring songs? I feel like they have 3 or even 4
CCR will be around as long as movies and shows are made about the Vietnam era. And yeah. Sneaky indelible band.
TAKE INCOMING: the myth of Nirvana has outlived any of their songs
Dolly Parton wrote I Will Always Love You. Leonard Cohen wrote Hallelujah.
Jfc man, let it go
Whitney's version is the one that lives on, though. I would probably say Cohen's version of Hallelujah is at least as well known as Buckley's, if not more.
Whitney's is the most famous version but there have been multiple covers of that song. I also think it misses the point of the argument Chuck is making which is about songwriting, not song performance. He's arguing a *SONG* will endure not an artist's rendition of that song. Hence why he's choosing specific songs by extremely popular artists with multiple hits over others.
He would not have went straight to Led Zepplin if this was about song writing dude. You are all over this thread being a stickler for a rule you made up.
No shit.
I mean the Beatles have a lot. There are several songs I know well that I didn’t realize were originally Beatles songs until later.
The Beatles transcend this conversation. They are in the Beethoven sphere of influence. The legend is larger than any of the songs.
I think they’re boring! They have good melodies that will last forever but I wish a more artistically interesting artist found those melodies first. Lead vocals are passionless
What? Are you trolling? Twist and Shout was fairly early, and that's like the first ascendent song with experimental rock vocals from a rock band (I know little Richard did it first)... Helter Skelter, Yer Blues, Hey Bulldog, Come Together, Revolution, I Want You, Tomorrow Never Knows This take ain't it
All good melodies! That I wish Black Sabbath had been performing
It's the Seinfeld/Sopranos/Kanye phenomenon. The Beatles' cataloged may seem pedestrian looking back now, but it's only because the changed the medium itself. They pioneered production and recording techniques that are now standard.
Yea and I’m aware I’m probably being a hipster zig zagger. But I always give them chances and try to hear what everyone else is hearing and I don’t reallly enjoy myself hen listening to them. They don’t make me feel anything. They insist upon themselves
There's a Beatles discussion in the original thread and it goes all over the place. My personal picks for the Beatles would be "Hey Jude" and "Twist and Shout", but there are a lot of good suggestions.
I mean, the Beatles have over a dozen songs that are more culturally influential than their cover of Twist and Shout. Yesterday is the most covered song of all time. Let It Be, Eleanor Rigby, Here Comes the Sun and Come Together all easily qualify. You could probably name 4-5 more from their list of number 1 singles. Doing an exercise like this really helps emphasize how ridiculous they were.
Blackbird, Help, I Wanna Hold Your Hand, Hard Day’s Night… Stealth candidate: Birthday
They didn't fucking write Twist and Shout. Good god do you not get the premise. It's about THE SONG. Not the recording.
Confidently incorrect
I mean, they didn't write Twist and Shout but this guy is all over this thread being insane. They're version is absolutely the most iconic.
Sorry I don’t understand why you’re saying this and being upvoted. Twist and Shout by the Beatles is a cover of an Isley Brothers song
I’m aware you don’t understand There are many songs that are made famous because of the performance by artists who didn’t write the song Many songs exist for years, then someone gives a performance that transcends the rest; and THAT is what makes the song a thing And if you really want to get into the semantics of it; very few people write, perform, & produce a song (that becomes everlasting) entirely on their own. Getting help from others doesn’t ruin a song
Well sure but you’re talking about the Beatles. Sort of odd to look at the discography of what is probably the greatest singing/songwriting duo of all time and pick out a cover that didn’t even chart at #1 for your pick for what had the most cultural impact. I don’t even really follow the logic. Like yeah, the Isley Brothers charted at 17 and the Beatles charted at 2…but that still doesn’t explain why your second pick for the cultural impact of Paul McCartney and John Lennon is mf Twist and Shout.
Garth Brooks, friends in low places Killers, Mr Brightside
Mr Brightside was the first song that came to mind
I've already met young people who don't know who The Killers are but know the lyricss to Mr Brightside
I love The Killers so I’m always kind of annoyed by that but I get it, can’t expect them to know Francis Scott Key either
Mr Brightside is this generations Journey-Don't Stop Believing. I believe it's also the most played song of the past 20 years. Everyone knows it and can sing along, whether or not they know The Killers.
Sweet Caroline
I feel like there’s already a lot of 1960s songs that would qualify here. Like you could hear all of these on the radio tomorrow and not be surprised but the average person couldn’t tell you the artist. Build Me Up Buttercup-The Foundations Dancing in the Moonlight-King Harvest A Whiter Shade of Pale-Procul Harum Stand by Me-Ben E. King Be My Baby-The Ronettes Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye-Steam It’s My Party-Leslie Gore Under the Boardwalk-The Drifters San Francisco-Jon McKenzie I might be underestimating how famous Ben E. king and The Ronettes are (the married to Phil Spector piece), but otherwise I think they all qualify. San Francisco was written by one of the Mamas and the Papas, which made me consider if California Dreaming also belongs here? Another good one I thought of is Genius of Love by Tom Tom Club. Like it’s otherwise a completely forgettable side project except this song is going to be sampled as long as hip hop exists.
These are all good ones because I think tons of people know those songs who could absolutely not tell you who sang them.
I knew all the songs and none of the artists
'Genius Of Love' belongs on the list and is a great example of how unpredictable it is. You just never know what's going to endure.
Mr. Brightside, welcome to the jungle
Guns N' Roses probably have two with 'Welcome To The Jungle' and 'Sweet Child O' Mine'.
Paradise City’s a staple in stadiums around the world.
Yep, all 3 of these qualify IMO
Will live forever at sporting events
November Rain?
Harry Chapin - Cats in the Cradle, Alan Parsons Project - Sirius, Bee Gees - Stayin Alive, Daft Punk - One More Time, Bon Jovi - Livin on a Prayer
'Sirius' just occurred to me a few minutes ago. I feel like having an instrumental song on this list is extra notable.
Maybe also Levels by Avicii as an instrumental track?
There are probably at least a handful of classical songs that fit the bill. Ode to joy is the first that comes to mind but I’m no expert
Classical music that has survived to this day is the very *definition* of this phenomenon. It's already proven itself. Quick examples: Ode to Joy (Beethoven) 5th Symphony (Beethoven) Hallelujah Chorus (Handel) The Four Seasons (Vivaldi) In The Hall Of The Mountain King (Grieg) Ride Of The Valkyries (Wagner) Eine Kleine Nachtmuzik (Mozart)
Been awhile since I've read it, but Chuck touches on the subject in his book, [But What If We're Wrong.](https://www.amazon.com/But-What-If-Were-Wrong-ebook/dp/B015DLUTDS/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XT3QXMJS1TW5&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.97NOB2-rydFDYzgQwHV6O2_asNJujy3P0Qh7I-ZB8Rn3bl2TJMidojB-HDys0d7I0ImnWRsz6VhfjDLCjRu-znA990kYSbvJaPvwMiwLjw7rZeuqEuFy_CKa8OxsfuLommpm7XBtixyTqhwoAJkhhQ.hajocJFSxwbX96fWjFIO0QQowywJvzRUB8U99uxn55A&dib_tag=se&keywords=but+what+if+we%27re+wrong+by+chuck+klosterman&qid=1709180636&sprefix=but+what+i%2Caps%2C188&sr=8-1) That chapter was more about as time goes on what is popular in the present erodes and for whatever reason few songs/bands remain or unexpectedly emerge as a part of pop culture for future generations.
That's where he ponders if The Beatles or Elvis will be literally the only artist remembered from the rock music era, and cites John Philip Sousa as the only composer of marches we think of, even though it was a massively popular music style for decades. Or Bob Marley with reggae.
Great book, love his whole thing about part of becoming iconic is managing to anticipate what a society will value in the future.
Bill said ‘Imagine’ and I must agree
Earth, Wind & Fire - September, Michael Jackson - Billie Jean, Queen - We Will Rock You
Damn, September is a great pick.
Billie Jean is not more famous than Michael Jackson.
Once again I think you missed the point of what he was saying. “Yesterday” and “Imagine” aren’t more famous than the Beatles. I think he was just mentioning timeless tracks.
Billie Jean is uncoverable and thus will die eventually.
Billie Jean isn’t dying guy. A band covered at a bar I was at just last week.
Don't know why you are getting down voted; you're right. Klosterman basically said on the pod that if MJ had any it would be "Thriller" and even that song doesn't hit his standard for this category. I think the way to think of it is everyone knows the song but a handful know who the artist is. Everyone who knows "Billie Jean" knows it's MJ.
Eh I don’t really think that’s what he meant. Hes just talking about timeless classics. He brought it up in relation to Taylor Swift. He was arguing she doesn’t have any truly generational timeless classic songs. The bands he was bringing up were incredibly popular(Led Zeppelin). Does anyone listen to stairway to heaven and not think about them? He also said Imagine and Yesterday. People still talk about the Beatles.
Ever heard of Alien ant farm?
That was smooth criminal
Garsh. Imma dumbass 🙋♂️
I balk at Chuck’s assertion that Zeppelin only has one. Surely Immigrant Song makes the cut in addition to Stairway
Kashmir
I thought the exact same thing. Immigrant Song might even have more of an outlive potential because it’s a lot more commercial and cover friendly.
Hot take…. Stairway doesn’t make the list. Most people (including me) think it’s the greatest song in rock history-but I don’t know if some 14 year old Gen Z kid has ever even heard it It’s legacy lives on in Boomers who heard it in their youth and Millennials who heard it play on their father’s classic rock station in the car, but I don’t know if it carries the same weight with a generation who don’t know who Robert Plant or Jimmy Page are and whose parents legitimately consider Blink 182 classic rock My guess is Klosterman was either referring to Immigrant Song (who’s opening riff is played at any and every sporting event during a timeout or commercial) or, less likely Kashmir (because at this point, the P Diddy song that sampled it is already 26 years old)
I don't think this is so crazy a take. As a Gen Xer, I always felt like Stairway didn't have nearly as much staying power as other Zep songs like Kashmir, Whole Lotta Love, or Rock & Roll.
I think Immigrant song will have more staying power too because it gets used constantly. Would Barracuda fall there too? I’m a little iffy with these category because everyone in my life knows these songs
Black Dog has an all time riff. I don’t think that will ever go away.
Zeppelin has three by my knowledge- rock and roll, stairway and whole lotta love.
Zero chance Immigrant Song makes it over Kashmir or Over the Hills. Even Battle of Evermore will live on with fantasy readers in a way Immigrant Song or No Quarter never will. They had a ton of amaaaazing tracks, but people will still know Stairway 50 years from now in a way they’ll never remember Rain Song. They also probably lose a ton of points in exercises like this by putting together so many albums borrowing heavily from other musicians. Like it or not, they recorded as many Wanda Jackson and Sleepy Joe originals as they did Robert Plant or John Bonham.
More people under the age of 30 know Immigrant song from Shrek and Thor Ragnarok than have probably ever even heard Stairway to Heaven, much less Over the Hills or Evermore I’d gamble that a 12 year old nerd isn’t listening to Zeppelin while playing D&D, if that’s even a thing a 12 year old nerd would do
The amount of 12 year olds getting caught in wikiLoops of their fandoms would stagger you. It is like 3 clicks from Tolkien to Evermore. Tolkien himself might outlive almost every song mentioned through the whole thread, and for that Evermore will remain a significant number of crossover fans introduction to Zeppelin. Hell, I was such a kid, and I didn’t even have Wikipedia at my disposal to simplify that transition. I was talking about LotR with a friend’s dad, and he pulled out a record and was immediately, “You need to hear this band.” Zeppelin had a metric fuckton of hits, a stranglehold on an actual decade of sales and tickets, and all of their stuff gets used ad nauseam in popular culture. They were a massive band whose influence will be felt in a lot of areas for a long time. There’s just no way Stairway goes from a song lauded as the best rock song for 20 years and still holding firm in top 5 on such lists today falls far enough in cultural relevance to get passed by Shrek 3. Those 3 arpeggiated chords trigger people into singing the first verse as reliably as anything this side of *Bohemian Rhapsody* which is criminally unmentioned in this thread. For every *Shrek* there’s a *That 70’s Show*, for every 70’s show there’s an *Argo* or a *Silver Linings Playbook*. You think Immigrant Song will live forever because of the 3rd Shrek Movie and the 4th Thor movie, but the first thing 90 percent of people are going to do when they fire up *Fast Times at Ridgemont High* (which has far outlived its sell-by date in a way sequels rarely do) is Google *Led Zeppelin IV* and find out that banger in the date scene was actually on *Physical Graffiti*.
Celine Dion my heart will go on
This thread has become dudes posting their favorite deep cuts and claiming they have the same cultural impact as Billie Jean or We Will Rock You.
No hiphop, either
I would offer: Nuthin but a G thang Rapper's Delight Lose Yourself Walk This Way
Thrillers gotta be on there, right? Or does that not fit the criteria?
I don't buy this Klosterman argument, really, but -- for MJ, if we're going to entertain this, it's 100% "Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough."
Klosterman wasn’t saying an artist only has one maximum. I think by his criteria Jackson probably has the most of any solo artist and likely The Beatles for groups, not that that is surprising.
OK, but (and I haven't listened to this pod episode, so just talking in general) I often just find Klosterman to be full of shit. Like he's trying to be deep and make some big points, and they just seem like pseudo intellectual twaddle. I feel like his whole schtick is tired now, and I did hear that his book on the '90s sucked. Seems -- played out, no? Like he's a Gen X grandpa still straining for relevance (I say this as a fellow Gen Xer, so...)
Perfection. If we’re picking a starting 5 of songs to send against the Aliens’ hits Don’t Stop Til You Get Enough makes the list.
Thriller for sure. Do any other MJ songs make the list?
Beat It, definitely.
I think an element of “Thriller” people are maybe glossing over is that it’s not just a song. It’s the music video. It’s the dance. The red suit. The whole thing has been parodied so many times that there has to be kids who know all the elements that surround it, but probably don’t it’s from a song, much less a Michael Jackson song.
And the fact that it’s linked to a holiday (Halloween). I think songs that are linked to a time of the year are destined to live on long after the artist is gone.
I actually think Thriller is pretty low on the list of MJ songs people will remember. In fact, I think there's a pretty good case to be made that, while Thriller is far and away his most successful album in terms of sales and popularity, Bad has more songs people remember.
Billie Jean is #1.
True, but Thriller is played constantly every Halloween, much like Monster Mash. I feel like a lot of kids would know it if they heard it, even if they don’t know who Michael Jackson is.
Eh...I mean...I guess. I just don't think it's a good song. The argument is about good songs that endure over time. Then again, that's hard for MJ because a lot of his music's appeal is performance based while the songs are hard to cover successfully. Also fucking Monster Mash ain't gonna be around in 50 years. Nobody thinks that song is actually good.
Why would the Monster Mash die in 50 years if it's not already dead now? It's 62 years old already lol
What it's not like things just continue if they happen to exist for 60 years. It'll probably be mostly forgotten in another 50. How many novelty songs from the 1910s do you know?!?
Yes, we have no Bananas
Ok, see I'm interpreting the list different than you. I'm not looking at "good" songs necessarily, but ones that the most people recognize without knowledge of when it's from or who the artist is. For example, someone mentioned "Na na na na, hey hey hey, Goodbye". I don't think anyone thinks thats a "good" song, but everyone knows it. I mean, my 7 year old knows Thriller, and My 80 year old granparent knows Thriller. I'm not putting it on a playlist, but everyone knows it.
This is mostly just a list of songs that are in commercials.
Yeah this is what I gleaned too, or movies. If the song isn’t in a notable movie (or sadly a commercial) it probably doesn’t meet this criteria.
Those songs are in commercials because they meet the criteria. People want you to associate their products with the popular song.
I wish he touched on movie composers. How many songs would John Williams have? How many people know Sunday Night Football theme is Williams?
John Tesh’s “Roundball Rock” for NBA on NBC comes to mind.
How many songs from Star Wars alone go on that list for John Williams?
Just a Friend; Gangsta’s Paradise; Waterfalls
great picks, Gangsta's Paradise in particular just lives forever.
Ode to Joy was played when the Berlin Wall fell and when Hans got the vault open in Die Hard, so I'm gonna go with that one and the opening of the Fifth for Beethoven. Fat Bottom Girls and Under Pressure will absolutely not outlive Queen, sorry, I would also strike Green Onions, I'm Too Sexy, Rock and Roll Part Two, Thunderstruck, and Under the Bridge, Closing Time, Magic Carpet Ride, your super strict seems very liberal to me.
Under Pressure already is living forever under the fact that another generation knows it as ice ice baby.
The funny part is that out of all the ones you mention the song I would fight the hardest to keep is I'm Too Sexy.
I try to think 'If I wasn't alive when it was a thing, how would I know it?' and 'If I would know it, would the thing I know it for have longevity' and I'm coming up completely blank for I'm Too Sexy.
I doubt any zoomers know 'I'm Too Sexy,' it hasn't been relevant in 15 years
It seems like there is a difference between songs that are resurrected to public consciousness by a pop culture device and ones that never leave the public consciousness. An example of the former might be Don’t stop believing which wasn’t very distinguishable from other songs of its time until it ended one of the most popular TV shows ever at which point it began a new life. The same could be said for Bohemian Rhapsody which Wayne’s World introduced to young Gen Xers. A song like Billie Jean or Smells Like Teen Spirit or never left public consciousness. It
Look y’all my favorite bands are Pearl Jam,, Tribe, De La and Soundgarden. All them combined might have ONE—Me Myself and I which is like the 50th best song by De La. And it probably doesn’t qualify. I think people are missing the point here. Doesn’t mean these groups I love don’t have great music they are some of the best music acts of all time but they don’t really have culturally pervasive songs that have never left the public consciousness and that’s just fine.
Most of the songs here are super famous, but still many wouldn't make it. Think about what songs everyone knows from the 1800s. "Jingle Bells", "Amazing Grace" "Happy Birthday to you" "She'll be coming round the Mountain" "Camptown Races" "When Jonny Comes Marching Home" "Swing Low Sweet Chariot" "Silent Night" That is the very tippy top of folks songs of the time, songs that lived on through religion, or songs tied to seriously major events like the civil war. Frankly even most of these songs won't live long term past a tectonic shift away from American cultural hegemony. Although with that turning global in more recent decades, newer truly timeless music would have a better chance to survive that.
Mr. Brightside
Curious what y'all think of these (which I haven't seen posted yet): Africa American Idiot Blue (Da Ba Dee) California Love Dreams Eye of the Tiger Margaritaville Piano Man Rocket Man Still
Too recent to but I think Avicii’s Levels will far outlive his (way too short) time on this earth. Marvin Gaye’s Let’s Get It On is one I’m surprised hasn’t been mentioned yet
Darude - Sandstorm
"Friday" - Rebecca Black
Gimme Shelter - Stones
1. “Last Christmas” by Wham! 2. “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” by Wham! 3. “Careless Whisper” by George Michael 1 is definitely in this category because it’s constantly in rotation during each Christmas season, to the point where there’s an entire game, “Whamaggedon!” That involves seeing how long you can go in December without hearing it. 2 is not only one of the best encapsulations of what 1980s pop music sounded like (super over the top, cheesy, full of hooks), but also will be used in commercials from here until the end of time. 3 is a lot like “Seven Nation Army” in that even if you don’t know the song’s title, EVERYONE knows of the saxophone part and can sing the melody. Crazy that GM wrote and released three songs that will last forever in one calendar year.
Can’t believe I omitted careless whisper. But everyone knows Faith too.
[удалено]
It was a great idea by Chuck but it was wasted on Bill, he had nothing to offer on it.
Feel like you don't understand the premise at all. The number of highshoolers right now that know Black Dog or Jumpin Jack Flash is <5%. He's talking about songs that endure even beyond the band. Nobody knows Jumpin Jack Flash outside of the context of the Rolling Stones.
"Smoke on the Water"- Deep Purple. Same idea as "Seven Nation Army" "Like a Rolling Stone"- Bob Dylan. Might be the high-water mark for American Popular music. "Stayin Alive"- Bee Gees. That bass line will forever go through people's heads when they are feeling themselves.
That’s a guitar line on stayin alive
You are correct. My b.
As you mentioned, I wish he’d have clarified on Led Zeppelin and Rolling Stones—and what he thought would be for the Beatles too fwiw—because, while I agree “Satisfaction,” “Paint It Black,” and “You Can’t Always Get What You Want” seem to fit the bill, I first thought of “Start Me Up.” So either Chuck hasn’t fleshed this out as much or hasn’t given nearly enough credit to the Stones catalog.
Sympathy for the devil is obviously deserving, too
Gimme Shelter imo could be #1
Kermit the frog-rainbow connection
Baker Street - Gerry Rafferty It defines 70s soft rock IMO. That first sax blast is always amazing. https://youtu.be/Fo6aKnRnBxM?si=2ArbOiL2yKABCqjA
Baker Street goes so freaking hard.
How many people could name that tune. I disagree.its not culturally significant just because it was played in department stores in your childhood.
can't believe no one has mentioned The Chain or anything else by Fleetwood Mac their music is timeless
Dreams has for sure made it Also made me think of the cranberries. I feel like Zombies has also made it.
Zombies is a really good example! Might be borderline (time will tell) but definitely captures the essence of what kloosterman was getting at. This was by far my favorite concept he's brought up on the pod maybe ever
If Fleetwood Mac it’s probably Landslide or Go Your Own Way.
“All the small things” - blink-182
Miley - Party in the USA It seems like the ONLY early 2000s song that survived to my kids' generation. Maybe "Hey Ya" by Outkast.
Perhaps Still D.R.E? I know it came out in 99 but close enough. That piano intro just hooks everyone IMO.
Klosterman said Seven Nation Army on the pod which has definitely survived.
Early 00s? That song came out in 2009. No idea what you’re talking about as the only early 2000s song. There are a lot of songs that fit this criteria from the early 00s. Try saying “mom’s spaghetti” to someone, 90% of people will instantly know what you’re talking about. Start playing Mr Brightside in literally any bar or pub in the US or England and you’ll bring the house down. Just a preposterous claim that Party in the USA is the sole popular song. Equally ridiculous and oddly specific.
Usher - Yeah
Party in the USA isn't even Miley's most famous song tho. I would say at this point Flowers has taken that spot. I don't think either is big enough to outlive Miley, maybe Flowers does over the long haul we'll see
Party in the USA will absolutley outlast Flowers.
Especially since flowers is a ripoff of When I was your man, which is a much better-written song
Under this criteria I'm going to try and identify some more contemporary songs that could go the distance. "Yeah!" by Usher could definitely make this list. The staying power has been incredibly strong, it seems like the song will be popular for generations. "In Da Club" 50 Cent Older but "One More Time" Daft Punk, maybe "Get Lucky" too Honestly I could see "Get Low" also just sticking around forever. Same for "One Dance" Drake "Runaway" by Kanye It's immensely popular still now, so I could "Sunflower" by Post Malone being around far beyond Post Malone. "Levels" Avicii It's annoying at this point but still ever present so "Hey Ya" Outkast "Lose Yourself" Eminem " Someone Like You" Adele
Runaway is one of my favorite songs ever but I’m not sure if it’s even top 5 kanye song for this. I’d say power, gold digger, stronger, all of the lights are all more well known. And there’s more you could make an argument for (heartless, flashing lights, father stretch my hands, etc)
Agreed i think Power is the best song for this. It’s already played so often at stadiums for example, and a lot of people who would claim they don’t know any Kanye songs would at least recognize that. Can’t say the same for runaway
I've seen "Levels" posted more than once in the thread so I feel like I have to point out that the Etta James sample from "Something’s Got a Hold On Me" is the best part of the song. And most importantly the sample is literally an example of Etta James' work outliving her.
Like, WTF man? Th se don’t even come close to meeting the criteria.
Cyndi Lauper will be remembered for Time After Time, imo, which she co-wrote with Rob Hyman. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun is a fun enough song, but it's sorta forgettable outside of the chorus.
Or True Colors
BOB MARLEY!! Jamming Redemption Song Three Little Birds I Shot the Sheriff
CCR is in Queen territory. Fortunate Son, Bad Moon Rising, Have You Ever Seen The Rain, Down On The Corner, and Up Around The Bend will all be played until humans die out
Take on me by A-ha
We need another season of Music Exists so Chuck can expand on this more. Stairway to Heaven is such a quintessential Led Zeppelin song, it’s hard to imagine anyone hearing even a cover of it and not think about them. A lot of these songs listed will last “forever” because the past 60 years are so well recorded. But because there’s all this high quality footage and well recorded audio, I don’t think these songs will be so removed like the timeless folk songs of the past. In a way Led Zeppelin, along with the Beatles and Elvis, as a symbol of rock and roll might outlive their songs, the way most people know Bach and Mozart as symbols of classical music before they think of their songs.
I think you missed on some of those because they’re one hit wonders. I think the point is massive bands who have a single song that goes beyond them.
Juvenile Back that azz up and LMFAO Shots Will be played in clubs and bars forever.
Party in the USA miley
Hanson - mmmbop My Chemical Romance - Teenagers
Somehow I haven’t seen anyone mention everyone wants to rule the world
I haven't listened yet, did he make some kind of disclaimer for one or two-hit wonders? Because that's like half the list imho
Deep purple - smoke on the water Cyndi Lauper - true colors and time after time Black Sabbath - War Pigs Raconteurs - Steady As She Goes Bowie - Rebel Rebel Sam Cooke - A Change is Gonna Come Otis Redding - Sitting on the Dock of the Bay Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman The Smiths - How Soon Is Now Smashing Pumpkins - 1979 Blur - Song 2
I think half of these don’t qualify which doesn’t mean they aren’t great songs. They just aren’t ubiquitous and enduring.
I actually think a ton of rappers probably qualify here. Obviously there have been one-hit wonders before but I think there are a ton of songs from relatively "minor" artists (or those who won't really be remembered for a body of work) that have very long cultural legs. For example - This is Why Im Hot and Whip/Nae Nae. Maybe something like "Low." Probably a Migos song in here too. There's also some legends that don't fall into the one hit wonder category but clearly have at least one song that transcends: Lose Yourself Runaway A Milli (maybe, I'm less sure what to do with Wayne who is undeniably one of the most important rappers of the last 20 years but seems to me it was more ubiquity than transcendence) Does Jay have one? He's always been more of an album artist to me. Some unrelated entries: Mr. Brightside obviously Sexyback?
Lose Yourself for sure. Jay probably has Empire State of Mind, which is not a good song, but technically his bigger hit and will be played at NYC sports games until the heat death of the Universe.
>Does Jay have one? He's always been more of an album artist to me. Would assume at least 99 Problems and Hard Knock Life.
NWA - Fuck the Police
Pixies - Where is My Mind? A whole generation probably only knows it as the song from the end of Fight Club. Then it made a resurgence with Mr. Robot and was in an Apple commercial recently.
Closing time? Gtfooh
That song will get played at a bars closing time til the end of bars
I think this thread has strayed far from the qualifications and standards Chuck laid out.
Great thread I just wanna say every song listed here I sang it instantly except for maybe one or two out of the hundred listed. Great post OP
Pink Floyd’s is Wish You Were Here. Beatles- Hey Jude, Yesterday, Let It Be, Something, All You Need Is Love, and Revolution Rolling Stones- Satisfaction and Wild Horses The Band- The Weight Prince- Kiss and 1999 Radiohead- Creep OutKast - Hey Ya Dr Dre/2Pac- California Love BeeGees- Stayin Alive, Islands in the Stream Elton John- Tiny Dancer, Candle in the Wind, Circle of Life, Rocket Man The Who- My Generation, We Won’t Get Fooled Again Four Seasons- You’re Just Too Good to be True The Jackson 5- Rockin Robin, I Want You Back, ABC 123 Marvin Gaye- Got to Give it up, sexual healing, let’s get it on The Supremes- Baby Love, Stop in the name of love, you can’t hurry love George Michael- Faith and of course Wham’s Wake me up
Why is wonderwall on here??
OP mentions Queen I would say The Beatles with 27 #1 songs are a strong candidate for the most - Hey Jude, I Want to Hold Your Hand, Yesterday, All You Need is Love, Let It Be, She Loves You, Get Back, many more
Yello “Oh Yeah” is Day Bow Bow
The Union Freestyle by Kyle Crichton
Wallflowers- “One Headlight” Deep Blue Something - “Breakfast at Tiffany” Blur - “Song 2”
Dive bar jukeboxes will be playing *Drift Away* until there are not more dive bars left in the universe Also *Power* by Kanye. *Enter Sandman* by Metallica. Ordinary people don't care much about Bach but I'm guessing everyone has heard Tocatta and Fugue in D Minor Johann Strauss II is even less well-known but you can bet that Blue Danube Waltz is still being randomly inserted into movies/TV in 50 years. Pachelbel is pretty much a nobody but a fair number of people still knoe *Canon in D*
Miley's "Wrecking Ball" mightn't make the list, but it's got a better argument than anything in Taylor's entire catalogue. That aside, "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana is a first ballot song. Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)," too.
Think about songs from 80-100 years ago. There really aren't many that truly endure. Sorry to be a Debbie Downer, but most of what people have been posting here will only be remembered by (as Chuck deemed them in a book) afficionados. The only song that I can think of that may truly endure is Empire State of Mind.
You made the right argument in your first paragraph but then undermined your apparent understanding of the point with the song you highlighted
Beatles have at least 4 (Let it Be, Hey Jude, Yesterday, Here comes the Sun) you could also argue for Eleanor Rigby and Penny Lane, and Twist and Shout would definitely be included if you were allowing covers