subject: Music That Spans The Test Of Time [print this page] If you Google "Top 50 Songs of all times", you get a menagerie of differing opinions. Wikipedia has a great compilation that seems to be the perfect line up with many voices on the input. Great songs bring back memories, evoke emotions, can put you exactly where you were when the song was popular and make you want to sing along. Today's young bands like Radio Silence, are striving to be remembered 50 years from now! If you love music, you will probably remember most of the songs on the list.
Starting at number one, Bob Dylan's "Like a Rolling Stone" recorded in 1965 has captured the hearts of music lovers for almost five decades. Number two, the Rolling Stones famous, also a 1965 song, "Satisfaction", which could be sung by most 15 year olds and 60 year olds alike. No surprise that a Beatle song hit the charts at number three with the song "Imagine". John Lennon endeared himself to an entire generation of youth that have passed the baton on to their children.
In 1971, Marvin Gaye recorded a soul song, "What's Going On" that crossed genres of music to become the fastest selling Motown single to date. The song is about soldiers returning from Vietnam coming back to a world they no longer recognize. It was number one on the R&B charts and number two on the pop charts.
Aretha Franklin's "Respect" is considered a landmark for the feminist movement. It subsequently earned her two Grammy Awards. The ever-popular Beach Boys "Good Vibrations" recorded in 1966 earned them the number six spot on top songs of all times.
Chuck Berry recorded "Johnny B. Goode" in 1958 to the delight and glee of poodle skirt wearing girls and cool boys with slicked back hair.
The list continues with more Beatles songs, Nirvana, The Who, more Bob Dylan, Elvis Presley at number nineteen with Hound Dog and Jimi Hendrix with "Purple Haze".
What makes a song so memorable? What captures audiences for 50 years? Tempo, lyrics, passion, message, tune, the singer, or possibly a combination of several factors keeps a song in our memory. Ease of lyrics makes them easy to sing along to and remember.
Musicians today have their work cutout to write and produce songs equal to the top songs written in the past. Radio Silent, a local NYC band believes some of that popularity and sustainability will come through songs with an upbeat tune and message. Usually negative songs die quicker. Look at the list for verification, a truly remarkable feat.
