The most awarded songs #5 are even more tunes that got awards from the Grammys, the Oscars, Rolling Stone magazine, RIAA, ASCAP, CMA, NPR, et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.
110. The Great Pretender – The Platters. This song epitomized the 1950s sound for me, more than almost any other tune. Naturally, it’s on the soundtrack of American Graffiti, which I do own.
109. All I Have To Do Is Dream – The Everly Brothers. #1 on the pop, R and B, and country charts in 1958 for five, five, and three weeks, respectively. My second favorite version is the one with Linda Ronstadt and Kermit the Frog. Did I ever link to that?
108. Shout – The Isley Brothers. This became one of those too-oft-covered songs that I still love because the call-and-response reminds me of the best of the black church. Yes, I’m very fond of the Isleys, as I noted here.
107. Roll Over Beethoven – Chuck Berry. Musically, he references Early in the Mornin’, a 1947 hit for Louis Jordan. As this article noted when it was added to the National Registry in 2003: “Roll Over Beethoven remains the definitive Chuck Berry composition, the Rosetta Stone that unlocks our understanding of his influences, his creative process, and his enduring appeal.” So “tell Tchaikovsky the news.”
106. Born To Run – Bruce Springsteen. Possibly, still, my favorite song by The Boss, way back when TIME and Newsweek, on the same week in 1975, dubbed him the next big thing. And eventually, he was.
Leonard Skinner
105. Freebird – Lynyrd Skynyrd. So popular that audience members at various concerts call for it by name, regardless of the artist or their genre. And occasionally, the musicians oblige.
104. I Left My Heart In San Francisco – Tony Bennett. Not only is it Bennett’s signature tune, but it has been embraced by the city. It is one of two official anthems for the city of San Francisco. The SF Giants baseball team plays the song after each home victory.
103. Respect Yourself – The Staple Singers. I cannot adequately describe the joy I get when I hear a certain line. “If you don’t respect yourself Ain’t nobody gonna give a good cahoot, na na na na.” I’m so glad Mavis Staples has been still making music.
102. I Fall To Pieces – Patsy Cline. For reasons having to with her near-fatal accident, this was one of the slowest ascending singles in country music history. But it ended up at #1 on country charts for two weeks in 1961. It also was #6 adult contemporary, and #12 pop. I remember it well.
101. Moon River – Henry Mancini and His Orchestra. While I’m familiar with this version, I associate the song more with Andy Williams. Or Audrey Hepburn singing it in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.