Editorial Chart

The 100 Greatest Hits of All Time

Updated June 2026 · Ranked by cultural impact & longevity

From garage-band riffs to chart-conquering pop, our editors ranked the songs that shaped popular music across six decades — the ones that still fill dancefloors, stadiums and singalongs today. Scroll the full countdown below.

  1. 1Bohemian RhapsodyQueen1975 · A Night at the OperaThe six-minute mock-opera that broke every rule and won.
  2. 2Billie JeanMichael Jackson1982 · ThrillerThat bassline, that moonwalk — pop's gravitational centre.
  3. 3Smells Like Teen SpiritNirvana1991 · NevermindThe riff that dragged grunge into every bedroom on Earth.
  4. 4Hotel CaliforniaEagles1976 · Hotel CaliforniaA hazy California fever dream with one immortal guitar duel.
  5. 5Sweet Child o' MineGuns N' Roses1987 · Appetite for DestructionSlash's opening lick — the sound of late-'80s rock itself.
  6. 6Stairway to HeavenLed Zeppelin1971 · Led Zeppelin IVEight minutes that build from folk hush to thunderous climax.
  7. 7ImagineJohn Lennon1971 · ImagineLennon's piano hymn to a borderless, peaceful world.
  8. 8Hey JudeThe Beatles1968 · SingleThe seven-minute singalong that refuses to fade out.
  9. 9Like a Rolling StoneBob Dylan1965 · Highway 61 RevisitedDylan goes electric and rewrites what a song could be.
  10. 10Mr. BrightsideThe Killers2004 · Hot FussThe jealousy anthem that never left the charts.
  11. 11Don't Stop Believin'Journey1981 · EscapeArena-rock's eternal last-call singalong.
  12. 12Bad RomanceLady Gaga2009 · The Fame MonsterGaga's monster hook that owned the pop 2010s.
  13. 13Rolling in the DeepAdele2011 · 21The soul-stomping breakup that made Adele a global force.
  14. 14ThrillerMichael Jackson1982 · ThrillerThe title track that made horror danceable — and history.
  15. 15Purple RainPrince1984 · Purple RainPrince's gospel-rock epic and its skyward guitar solo.
  16. 16WonderwallOasis1995 · (What's the Story) Morning Glory?The campfire anthem of a Britpop generation.
  17. 17Livin' on a PrayerBon Jovi1986 · Slippery When WetTommy, Gina, a talk-box, and a key change for the ages.
  18. 18Every Breath You TakeThe Police1983 · SynchronicityA stalker's lullaby everyone mistakes for a love song.
  19. 19Lose YourselfEminem2002 · 8 MileEminem's one-shot, palms-sweaty motivational masterpiece.
  20. 20Seven Nation ArmyThe White Stripes2003 · ElephantSeven notes that became every stadium's chant.
  21. 21Beat ItMichael Jackson1982 · ThrillerJackson meets Van Halen for pop's sharpest knife-fight.
  22. 22With or Without YouU21987 · The Joshua TreeThe Edge's chiming ache, slow-built to a roar.
  23. 23CreepRadiohead1993 · Pablo HoneyThe self-loathing anthem Radiohead spent years escaping.
  24. 24Uptown FunkMark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars2014 · Uptown SpecialPure retro-funk swagger that ruled every dancefloor.
  25. 25Back in BlackAC/DC1980 · Back in BlackThe riff that turned grief into the loudest comeback ever.
  26. 26Sweet Home AlabamaLynyrd Skynyrd1974 · Second HelpingSouthern-rock's sunniest, most argued-over singalong.
  27. 27Dancing QueenABBA1976 · ArrivalABBA's glittering, undefeated dancefloor coronation.
  28. 28Stayin' AliveBee Gees1977 · Saturday Night FeverThe strut, the falsetto, the disco heartbeat itself.
  29. 29Wish You Were HerePink Floyd1975 · Wish You Were HereA wistful acoustic ache for absent friends.
  30. 30Another Brick in the WallPink Floyd1979 · The WallA children's choir turns rebellion into a chart-topper.
  31. 31Paint It BlackThe Rolling Stones1966 · AftermathA sitar-driven descent into Stones-shaped darkness.
  32. 32(I Can't Get No) SatisfactionThe Rolling Stones1965 · Out of Our HeadsThe fuzz riff that detonated rock and roll.
  33. 33Enter SandmanMetallica1991 · MetallicaThe riff that took metal fully mainstream.
  34. 34Nothing Else MattersMetallica1991 · MetallicaMetallica's tender ballad amid the thunder.
  35. 35ThunderstruckAC/DC1990 · The Razors EdgeThat climbing intro lick — pure electric adrenaline.
  36. 36RespectAretha Franklin1967 · I Never Loved a Man the Way I Love YouAretha spells out an anthem of dignity and soul.
  37. 37SuperstitionStevie Wonder1972 · Talking BookStevie's clavinet funk — impossible to sit still to.
  38. 38My GirlThe Temptations1965 · The Temptations Sing SmokeyMotown sunshine in three perfect minutes.
  39. 39Stand by MeBen E. King1961 · SingleA timeless plea built on the warmest of basslines.
  40. 40Good VibrationsThe Beach Boys1966 · Smiley SmileBrian Wilson's 'pocket symphony' of pure sunshine.
  41. 41Johnny B. GoodeChuck Berry1958 · SingleChuck Berry writes rock and roll's origin story.
  42. 42I Will SurviveGloria Gaynor1978 · Love TracksDisco's defiant, last-laugh empowerment anthem.
  43. 43SeptemberEarth, Wind & Fire1978 · SingleEarth, Wind & Fire's eternal 'ba-dee-ya' joy.
  44. 44AfricaToto1982 · Toto IVSoft-rock's gloriously earnest, undying singalong.
  45. 45Take On Mea-ha1985 · Hunting High and LowThat impossible falsetto and a sketch-art video.
  46. 46Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Eurythmics1983 · Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)Synth-pop noir with an unshakeable hook.
  47. 47Don't Stop Me NowQueen1978 · JazzQueen at maximum velocity — pure, breathless joy.
  48. 48We Will Rock YouQueen1977 · News of the WorldStomp, stomp, clap — the simplest anthem ever.
  49. 49We Are the ChampionsQueen1977 · News of the WorldEvery victory lap's official soundtrack.
  50. 50HeroesDavid Bowie1977 · "Heroes"Bowie's soaring, defiant Berlin-wall romance.
  51. 51Space OddityDavid Bowie1969 · David BowieGround control, Major Tom, and a star is born.
  52. 52Let's DanceDavid Bowie1983 · Let's DanceBowie goes pop and conquers the dancefloor.
  53. 53All Along the WatchtowerJimi Hendrix1968 · Electric LadylandHendrix reinvents Dylan into a storm of guitar.
  54. 54Purple HazeJimi Hendrix1967 · Are You ExperiencedThe psychedelic riff that rewired the guitar.
  55. 55Light My FireThe Doors1967 · The DoorsOrgan swirl, swagger, and seven minutes of fire.
  56. 56Free BirdLynyrd Skynyrd1973 · Pronounced 'Leh-'nerd 'Skin-'nerdThe ultimate shouted request, and a guitar marathon.
  57. 57The Sound of SilenceSimon & Garfunkel1965 · Sounds of SilenceHushed folk poetry that still echoes everywhere.
  58. 58Bridge Over Troubled WaterSimon & Garfunkel1970 · Bridge Over Troubled WaterA gospel-swelled promise of comfort.
  59. 59American PieDon McLean1971 · American PieEight minutes of cryptic, singalong rock history.
  60. 60DreamsFleetwood Mac1977 · RumoursStevie Nicks turns heartbreak into hypnotic groove.
  61. 61Go Your Own WayFleetwood Mac1977 · RumoursA breakup set to an irresistible driving beat.
  62. 62Take It EasyEagles1972 · EaglesThe breezy country-rock highway anthem.
  63. 63Rocket ManElton John1972 · Honky ChâteauElton's lonely-astronaut ballad among the stars.
  64. 64Tiny DancerElton John1971 · Madman Across the WaterA slow-burn ode that everyone now knows by heart.
  65. 65Your SongElton John1970 · Elton JohnThe shy, sweet love letter that launched a legend.
  66. 66Piano ManBilly Joel1973 · Piano ManBilly Joel's barroom singalong, harmonica and all.
  67. 67Sweet CarolineNeil Diamond1969 · Single'Ba ba ba' — the world's default crowd chant.
  68. 68Let It BeThe Beatles1970 · Let It BeThe Beatles' serene, gospel-tinged farewell.
  69. 69Here Comes the SunThe Beatles1969 · Abbey RoadHarrison's bright sigh of relief after the dark.
  70. 70Come TogetherThe Beatles1969 · Abbey RoadSlinky, surreal, and effortlessly cool.
  71. 71Like a PrayerMadonna1989 · Like a PrayerMadonna fuses pop, gospel choir, and scandal.
  72. 72VogueMadonna1990 · I'm BreathlessStrike a pose — dancefloor glamour perfected.
  73. 73...Baby One More TimeBritney Spears1998 · ...Baby One More TimeThe hit that crowned a new teen-pop era.
  74. 74ToxicBritney Spears2003 · In the ZoneSpy-string hook and pure pop adrenaline.
  75. 75No ScrubsTLC1999 · FanMailTLC's sleek, sharp-tongued kiss-off classic.
  76. 76I Want It That WayBackstreet Boys1999 · MillenniumBoy-band perfection, lyrics nobody can quite parse.
  77. 77Smooth CriminalMichael Jackson1987 · BadAnnie, are you OK? — Jackson at his slickest.
  78. 78HallelujahJeff Buckley1994 · GraceBuckley's aching definitive take on Cohen's hymn.
  79. 79ZombieThe Cranberries1994 · No Need to ArgueA raw-throated protest that still hits hard.
  80. 80Bitter Sweet SymphonyThe Verve1997 · Urban HymnsThat swooping string loop and a weary swagger.
  81. 81Don't Look Back in AngerOasis1995 · (What's the Story) Morning Glory?Oasis's arms-around-shoulders closing anthem.
  82. 82Boulevard of Broken DreamsGreen Day2004 · American IdiotGreen Day's lonely, mid-2000s arena ballad.
  83. 83In the EndLinkin Park2000 · Hybrid TheoryNu-metal's biggest, most quotable crossover.
  84. 84NumbLinkin Park2003 · MeteoraAngst distilled into one huge, cathartic chorus.
  85. 85Chop Suey!System of a Down2001 · ToxicityWhiplash metal that somehow everyone can scream along to.
  86. 86Bring Me to LifeEvanescence2003 · FallenGothic piano-rock with an unforgettable 'wake me up'.
  87. 87Hey Ya!OutKast2003 · Speakerboxxx/The Love BelowShake it like a Polaroid — irresistible pop-funk.
  88. 88Crazy in LoveBeyonce2003 · Dangerously in LoveThat horn stab announces Beyoncé's solo reign.
  89. 89Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)Beyonce2008 · I Am... Sasha FierceA hook, a dance, and a cultural moment.
  90. 90UmbrellaRihanna2007 · Good Girl Gone BadElla-ella — Rihanna's rain-soaked breakthrough.
  91. 91Poker FaceLady Gaga2008 · The FameGaga's electro hook that planted a pop flag.
  92. 92ShallowLady Gaga & Bradley Cooper2018 · A Star Is BornThe duet that climbs to a goosebump-raising peak.
  93. 93HappyPharrell Williams2013 · Despicable Me 2Pharrell bottles pure, clap-along sunshine.
  94. 94Get LuckyDaft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams2013 · Random Access MemoriesDaft Punk's silky disco revival with Nile Rodgers.
  95. 95Blinding LightsThe Weeknd2020 · After HoursNeon '80s synthwave that broke chart records.
  96. 96Shape of YouEd Sheeran2017 · ÷ (Divide)Sheeran's marimba-pop juggernaut.
  97. 97BelieverImagine Dragons2017 · EvolveStomping, shout-along arena pop-rock.
  98. 98RadioactiveImagine Dragons2012 · Night VisionsThe slow-burn anthem that wouldn't leave radio.
  99. 99Wake Me UpAvicii2013 · TrueAvicii fuses folk strum and festival drop.
  100. 100Dance MonkeyTones and I2019 · The Kids Are ComingAn inescapable, helium-voiced global smash.