The 2009 Twelfth Annual Top 77 All Time Favorite Hits
Commentary and analysis by Mike Riccio
Compilation by Tom Natoli Assisted by Frank Thomas, Chad Olszyk and Mike Riccio
Technical Director Frank Thomas
(as voted by site visitors 10/22/09 through 12/13/09)
For a "countdown" version of the results, click here:
http://www.tunemagic.net/Vote2009/Updates
For an audio version of the countdown, click here:
http://home.comcast.net/~bobradil/WNHU100101.ASX
For your own copy of the expanded version of the Top 77,
just email Mike and Tom at VoteTop77@Yahoo.com.
If you voted on this year's survey and provided a valid email address, you will automatically be emailed a copy of the expanded list.
Thanks again for all of the Top 77 crew who make this possible. It would not happen if I didn't have help from fellow "Survey Guy" Tom Natoli who does the bulk of the compilations from October through December. In addition, Tom was the driving force in coming up with a database of 30,000 plus songs that made for a "drop down" menu to simplify the process for most everyone.
Thanks in a BIG way go to Frank Thomas who not only developed a program that helped make all the tabulations much easier but also for the incredible job he does designing and posting the voting and results pages throughout the process. Frank is now firmly a key part of this team.
I'm also grateful to Chad Olszyk for his continued assistance along the way tweaking the program pages for us and to Craig Harris for his initial input and help on the technical end in developing the initial program years ago.
Thanks go to Bob Radil for helping to make the results come alive with the audio version of the countdown on his WNHU show. The preparation and technical details that Bob had to handle were many and so for that we're very grateful.
And I can't forget those who put up links for us so voters could find their way to the polls. We give a tip of the hat to Ron Kovacs (RadioMaxMusic.com), Bill Danning (OldiesLoon.com), Ronnie Allan (JerseyGirlsSing.com), Chris and the Classic Oldies Site (www.classicoldiesradio.com), Pat St. John (PatStJohn.net), and all the others who helped promote this project.
Also, I give a tip of the cap to Allan Sniffen for continuing to host the server that keeps the "Oldies Message Board" going. That's the board I moderate which is so closely connected to this survey.
So let's get into the actual results and breakdowns.
| (Asterisk (*) indicates former WABC #1 song) | ||||
| Last Year | This Year | TITLE | ARTIST | YEAR / Years On Top 77 |
| -- | 77 | *OH PRETTY WOMAN | ROY ORBISON | 1964 / 6 |
| 35 | 76 | BEYOND THE SEA | BOBBY DARIN | 1960 / 8 |
| -- | 75 | THE WONDER OF YOU | ELVIS PRESLEY | 1970 / 1 |
| -- | 74 | YOU REALLY GOT ME | KINKS | 1964 / 1 |
| -- | 73 | *HAPPY TOGETHER | TURTLES | 1967 / 1 |
| -- | 72 | MY WAY | FRANK SINATRA | 1969 / 7 |
| -- | 71 | EVERYTHING THAT TOUCHES YOU | ASSOCIATION | 1968 / 1 |
| -- | 70 | DENISE | RANDY AND THE RAINBOWS | 1963 / 1 |
| 75 | 69 | *INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS | STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK | 1967 / 10 |
| -- | 68 | *RUNAWAY | DEL SHANNON | 1961 / 5 |
| -- | 67 | *YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' | RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS | 1965 / 8 |
| 76 | 66 | *CLOSE TO YOU | CARPENTERS | 1970 / 5 |
| 30 | 65 | SUSPICIOUS MINDS | ELVIS PRESLEY | 1969 / 5 |
| 49 | 64 | *THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN | ANIMALS | 1964 / 6 |
| 45 | 63 | *HONKY TONK WOMEN | ROLLING STONES | 1969 / 8 |
| 41 | 62 | *HELP! | BEATLES | 1965 / 6 |
| -- | 61 | STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER | BEATLES | 1967 / 7 |
| -- | 60 | BILLIE JEAN | MICHAEL JACKSON | 1983 / 2 |
| 26 | 59 | HOTEL CALIFORNIA | EAGLES | 1977 / 8 |
| -- | 58 | *JAZZMAN | CAROLE KING | 1974 / 7 |
| 70 | 57 | *NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN | MOODY BLUES | 1972 / 12 |
| -- | 56 | SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU | SKYLINERS | 1959 / 8 |
| -- | 55 | THIS I SWEAR | SKYLINERS | 1959 / 2 |
| -- | 54 | *PAINT IT BLACK | ROLLING STONES | 1966 / 1 |
| -- | 53 | *A HARD DAY'S NIGHT | BEATLES | 1964 / 5 |
| 55 | 52 | *I CAN'T HELP MYSELF | FOUR TOPS | 1965 / 7 |
| 19 | 51 | *BE MY BABY | RONETTES | 1963 / 7 |
| -- | 50 | *THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT | TOKENS | 1961 / 2 |
| -- | 49 | RIVER DEEP MOUNTAIN HIGH | IKE AND TINA TURNER | 1966 / 3 |
| -- | 48 | THE WANDERER | DION | 1962 / 2 |
| 54 | 47 | BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY | QUEEN | 1976 & 1992 / 6 |
| 29 | 46 | *SHERRY | FOUR SEASONS | 1962 / 7 |
| 53 | 45 | I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU | FLAMINGOS | 1959 / 4 |
| -- | 44 | RESPECT | ARETHA FRANKLIN | 1967 / 2 |
| 39 | 43 | HE'S A REBEL | CRYSTALS | 1962 / 8 |
| 17 | 42 | *CHERISH | ASSOCIATION | 1966 / 9 |
| 18 | 41 | BECAUSE | DAVE CLARK FIVE | 1964 / 11 |
| 59 | 40 | *REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE | FOUR TOPS | 1966 / 2 |
| 32 | 39 | EARTH ANGEL (WILL YOU BE MINE) | PENGUINS | 1955 / 5 |
| 77 | 38 | TIME WON'T LET ME | OUTSIDERS | 1966 / 4 |
| -- | 37 | *CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION | TOMMY JAMES & THE SHONDELLS | 1969 / 7 |
| 20 | 36 | TAXI | HARRY CHAPIN | 1972 / 11 |
| 28 | 35 | DAWN (GO AWAY) | FOUR SEASONS | 1964 / 6 |
| 36 | 34 | *MAGGIE MAY | ROD STEWART | 1971 / 7 |
| 57 | 33 | MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS | GRASS ROOTS | 1968 / 6 |
| -- | 32 | *WHAT'S GOING ON | MARVIN GAYE | 1971 / 4 |
| 40 | 31 | MACK THE KNIFE | BOBBY DARIN | 1959 / 10 |
| 33 | 30 | GOD ONLY KNOWS | BEACH BOYS | 1966 / 9 |
| 47 | 29 | *YESTERDAY | BEATLES | 1965 / 9 |
| 43 | 28 | WALK AWAY RENEE | LEFT BANKE | 1966 / 4 |
| 42 | 27 | WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN | WHO | 1971 / 4 |
| 38 | 26 | UNCHAINED MELODY | RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS | 1965 & 1990 / 11 |
| 22 | 25 | LAYLA | DEREK & THE DOMINOS | 1971 & 1972 / 11 |
| 56 | 24 | *THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE | SIMON AND GARFUNKEL | 1965 / 2 |
| 23 | 23 | MY GIRL | TEMPTATIONS | 1965 / 11 |
| -- | 22 | *DOWNTOWN | PETULA CLARK | 1965 / 2 |
| 21 | 21 | *LIGHTNIN' STRIKES | LOU CHRISTIE | 1966 / 6 |
| 25 | 20 | WATERLOO SUNSET | KINKS | 1967 / 4 |
| 60 | 19 | A DAY IN THE LIFE | BEATLES | 1967 / 10 |
| 27 | 18 | IN MY LIFE | BEATLES | 1966 / 10 |
| 31 | 17 | LIKE A ROLLING STONE | BOB DYLAN | 1965 / 10 |
| 14 | 16 | CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE | ELVIS PRESLEY | 1962 / 8 |
| 16 | 15 | *A HORSE WITH NO NAME | AMERICA | 1972 / 11 |
| 9 | 14 | *SHE LOVES YOU | BEATLES | 1964 / 12 |
| 15 | 13 | IMAGINE | JOHN LENNON | 1971 / 12 |
| 11 | 12 | *RAG DOLL | FOUR SEASONS | 1964 / 11 |
| 12 | 11 | *BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER | SIMON AND GARFUNKEL | 1970 / 12 |
| 8 | 10 | *AMERICAN PIE | DON MCLEAN | 1972 / 12 |
| 13 | 9 | MACARTHUR PARK | RICHARD HARRIS | 1968 / 12 |
| 10 | 8 | GOOD VIBRATIONS | BEACH BOYS | 1966 / 12 |
| 7 | 7 | *I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND | BEATLES | 1964 / 12 |
| 6 | 6 | *LIGHT MY FIRE | DOORS | 1967 / 12 |
| 2 | 5 | *AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH | DIANA ROSS | 1970 / 12 |
| 3 | 4 | IN THE STILL OF THE NITE | FIVE SATINS | 1956 / 12 |
| 4 | 3 | *SATISFACTION | ROLLING STONES | 1965 / 12 |
| 5 | 2 | STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN | LED ZEPPELIN | 1971 / 12 |
| 1 | 1 | *HEY JUDE | BEATLES | 1968 / 12 |
| There you have it! | ||||
| The 2008 Twelfth Annual Top 77 All Time Favorite Hits | ||||
| - As voted by you! | ||||
Now here are some interesting details on some specific breakouts of the results. For starters, let's look at the most expanded view yet of the top songs of each decade.
TOP SONGS BY DECADE
1900s (.06% of all songs voted for)
1. FLIGHT OF THE BUMBLEBEE - NIKOLAI RIMSKY-KORSAKOV
2. TAKE ME OUT TO THE BALL GAME - HAYDN QUARTET
1910s (.03% of all songs voted for)
1. WAITING FOR THE ROBERT E LEE - HEIDELBURG QUINTET
1930s (.19% of all songs voted for)
1. OVER THE RAINBOW - JUDY GARLAND
2. BLUE MOON - BENNY GOODMAN
3. DANCING IN THE DARK - BING CROSBY
4. IN THE MOOD - GLENN MILLER & HIS ORCHESTRA
5. HOME ON THE RANGE - BING CROSBY
6. BEGIN THE BEGUINE - ARTIE SHAW & HIS ORCHESTRA
1940’s (.21% of all songs voted for)
1. THE WOODY WOODPECKER SONG - KAY KYSER
2. ANNIVERSARY SONG - AL JOLSON
3. I'M SO LONESOME I COULD CRY - HANK WILLIAMS & HIS DRIFTING COWBOYS
4. WHITE CHRISTMAS - BING CROSBY
5. C JAM BLUES - DUKE ELLINGTON
6. HONEY DEAR - VAUGHN MONROE
1950’s (8.1% of all songs voted for)
1. IN THE STILL OF THE NITE - FIVE SATINS
2. MACK THE KNIFE - BOBBY DARIN
3. EARTH ANGEL (WILL YOU BE MINE) - PENGUINS
4. I ONLY HAVE EYES FOR YOU - FLAMINGOS
5. THIS I SWEAR - SKYLINERS
6. SINCE I DON'T HAVE YOU - SKYLINERS
7. ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK - BILL HALEY & HIS COMETS
8. HOUND DOG - ELVIS PRESLEY
9. WHISPERING BELLS - DELL-VIKINGS ( DEL VIKINGS ) ( DEL-VIKINGS )
10. I WONDER WHY - DION & THE BELMONTS
11. MAYBE - CHANTELS
12. DON'T BE CRUEL - ELVIS PRESLEY
13. TONITE TONITE - MELLO-KINGS
14. JOHNNY B GOODE - CHUCK BERRY
15. CHANCES ARE - JOHNNY MATHIS
16. FASCINATION - JANE MORGAN
17. ONLY YOU (AND YOU ALONE) - PLATTERS
18. THAT'LL BE THE DAY - BUDDY HOLLY CRICKETS
19. STARDUST - BILLY WARD & HIS DOMINOES
20. LITTLE STAR - ELEGANTS
21. ONE SUMMER NIGHT - DANLEERS
22. IT'S ALL IN THE GAME - TOMMY EDWARDS
23. DESERIE - CHARTS
24. LOVERS NEVER SAY GOODBYE - FLAMINGOS
25. VENUS - FRANKIE AVALON
26. THE CLOSER YOU ARE - CHANNELS
27. I WANT YOU I NEED YOU I LOVE YOU - ELVIS PRESLEY
28. LOVE ME TENDER - ELVIS PRESLEY
29. DREAM LOVER - BOBBY DARIN
30. MY PRAYER - PLATTERS
31. LITTLE DARLIN' - DIAMONDS
32. THE WAYWARD WIND - GOGI GRANT
33. FOR YOUR PRECIOUS LOVE - JERRY BUTLER & THE IMPRESSIONS
34. WHOLE LOT OF SHAKIN' GOING ON - JERRY LEE LEWIS
35. STORY UNTOLD - NUTMEGS
36. SILHOUETTES - RAYS
37. SHAKE RATTLE AND ROLL - JOE TURNER
38. AT THE HOP - DANNY & THE JUNIORS
39. ALL THE WAY - FRANK SINATRA
40. MY SPECIAL ANGEL - BOBBY HELMS
41. BLUEBERRY HILL - FATS DOMINO
42. TWILIGHT TIME - PLATTERS
43. SH-BOOM (LIFE COULD BE A DREAM) - CHORDS
44. CATCH A FALLING STAR - PERRY COMO
45. YOU - AQUATONES
46. SCHOOL DAY (RING RING GOES THE BELL) - CHUCK BERRY
47. PLEDGING MY LOVE - JOHNNY ACE
48. MR BLUE - FLEETWOODS
49. TRICKLE TRICKLE - VIDEOS
50. I'M IN LOVE AGAIN - FATS DOMINO
51. VOLARE (NEL BLU DIPINTO DI BLU) - DOMENICO MODUGNO
52. DONNA - RITCHIE VALENS
53. I'M SO YOUNG - STUDENTS
54. LIFE IS BUT A DREAM - HARPTONES
55. DIANA - PAUL ANKA
56. BE-BOP-A-LULA - GENE VINCENT AND HIS BLUE CAPS
57. A SUNDAY KIND OF LOVE - HARPTONES
58. HERE IN MY HEART - AL MARTINO
59. TUTTI FRUTTI - LITTLE RICHARD
60. OH BOY - BUDDY HOLLY CRICKETS
61. NO ONE KNOWS - DION & THE BELMONTS
62. FEVER - PEGGY LEE
63. JUST TO BE WITH YOU - PASSIONS
64. GREAT BALLS OF FIRE - JERRY LEE LEWIS
65. ISLAND OF LOVE - SHEPPARDS
66. I WALK THE LINE - JOHNNY CASH
67. POOR LITTLE FOOL - RICK NELSON ( RICKY NELSON )
68. IT'S ONLY MAKE BELIEVE - CONWAY TWITTY
69. PUT YOUR HEAD ON MY SHOULDER - PAUL ANKA
70. LOVE ME - ELVIS PRESLEY
71. LOVE IS A MANY-SPLENDORED THING - FOUR ACES
72. SUSIE DARLIN' - ROBIN LUKE
73. THE END - EARL GRANT
74. YOU CHEATED - SHIELDS
75. COME SOFTLY TO ME - FLEETWOODS
76. SPLISH SPLASH - BOBBY DARIN
77. UNFORGETTABLE - NAT "KING" COLE
1960’s (38.6% of all songs voted for)
1. HEY JUDE - BEATLES
2. SATISFACTION - ROLLING STONES
3. LIGHT MY FIRE - DOORS
4. I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND - BEATLES
5. GOOD VIBRATIONS - BEACH BOYS
6. MACARTHUR PARK - RICHARD HARRIS
7. RAG DOLL - FOUR SEASONS
8. SHE LOVES YOU - BEATLES
9. CAN'T HELP FALLING IN LOVE - ELVIS PRESLEY
10. LIKE A ROLLING STONE - BOB DYLAN
11. IN MY LIFE - BEATLES
12. A DAY IN THE LIFE - BEATLES
13. WATERLOO SUNSET - KINKS
14. LIGHTNIN' STRIKES - LOU CHRISTIE
15. DOWNTOWN - PETULA CLARK
16. MY GIRL - TEMPTATIONS
17. THE SOUNDS OF SILENCE - SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
18. UNCHAINED MELODY - RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
19. WALK AWAY RENEE - LEFT BANKE
20. YESTERDAY - BEATLES
21. GOD ONLY KNOWS - BEACH BOYS
22. MIDNIGHT CONFESSIONS - GRASS ROOTS
23. DAWN (GO AWAY) - FOUR SEASONS
24. CRYSTAL BLUE PERSUASION - TOMMY JAMES AND THE SHONDELLS
25. TIME WON'T LET ME - OUTSIDERS
26. REACH OUT I'LL BE THERE - FOUR TOPS
27. BECAUSE - DAVE CLARK FIVE
28. CHERISH - ASSOCIATION
29. HE'S A REBEL - CRYSTALS
30. RESPECT - ARETHA FRANKLIN
31. SHERRY - FOUR SEASONS
32. THE WANDERER - DION
33. RIVER DEEP MOUNTAIN HIGH - IKE AND TINA TURNER
34. THE LION SLEEPS TONIGHT (WIMOWEH) - TOKENS
35. BE MY BABY - RONETTES
36. I CAN'T HELP MYSELF (SUGAR PIE HONEY BUNCH) - FOUR TOPS
37. A HARD DAY'S NIGHT - BEATLES
38. PAINT IT BLACK - ROLLING STONES
39. STRAWBERRY FIELDS FOREVER - BEATLES
40. HELP - BEATLES
41. HONKY TONK WOMEN - ROLLING STONES
42. THE HOUSE OF THE RISING SUN - ANIMALS ( ERIC BURDON )
43. SUSPICIOUS MINDS - ELVIS PRESLEY
44. YOU'VE LOST THAT LOVIN' FEELIN' - RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS
45. RUNAWAY - DEL SHANNON
46. INCENSE AND PEPPERMINTS - STRAWBERRY ALARM CLOCK
47. DENISE - RANDY AND THE RAINBOWS
48. EVERYTHING THAT TOUCHES YOU - ASSOCIATION
49. MY WAY - FRANK SINATRA
50. HAPPY TOGETHER - TURTLES
51. YOU REALLY GOT ME - KINKS
52. BEYOND THE SEA - BOBBY DARIN
53. OH PRETTY WOMAN - ROY ORBISON
54. AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH - MARVIN GAYE & TAMMI TERRELL
55. YOU CAN'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT - ROLLING STONES
56. SOMETHING - BEATLES
57. YOU CAN'T HURRY LOVE - DIANA ROSS SUPREMES
58. RUNAROUND SUE - DION
59. CRYING - ROY ORBISON
60. WINDY - ASSOCIATION
61. PSYCHOTIC REACTION - COUNT FIVE
62. POOR SIDE OF TOWN - JOHNNY RIVERS
63. CALIFORNIA DREAMIN' - MAMAS AND THE PAPAS
64. DAYDREAM BELIEVER - MONKEES
65. STOP! IN THE NAME OF LOVE - DIANA ROSS SUPREMES
66. KIND OF A DRAG - BUCKINGHAMS
67. WILL YOU BE STAYING AFTER SUNDAY - PEPPERMINT RAINBOW
68. WHAT DOES IT TAKE (TO WIN YOUR LOVE) - JR. WALKER AND THE ALL STARS
69. SUMMER WIND - FRANK SINATRA
70. MOON RIVER - ANDY WILLIAMS
71. IN DREAMS - ROY ORBISON
72. DON'T WORRY BABY - BEACH BOYS
73. I SAW HER STANDING THERE - BEATLES
74. PROUD MARY - CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL ( CCR )
75. DON'T YOU CARE - BUCKINGHAMS
76. TWIST AND SHOUT - BEATLES
77. GET BACK - BEATLES
1970’s (29.9% of all songs voted for)
1. STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN - LED ZEPPELIN
2. AIN'T NO MOUNTAIN HIGH ENOUGH - DIANA ROSS
3. AMERICAN PIE - DON MCLEAN
4. BRIDGE OVER TROUBLED WATER - SIMON AND GARFUNKEL
5. IMAGINE - JOHN LENNON
6. A HORSE WITH NO NAME - AMERICA
7. LAYLA - DEREK & THE DOMINOS ( ERIC CLAPTON )
8. WON'T GET FOOLED AGAIN - WHO
9. WHAT'S GOING ON - MARVIN GAYE
10. MAGGIE MAY - ROD STEWART
11. TAXI - HARRY CHAPIN
12. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY - QUEEN
13. NIGHTS IN WHITE SATIN - MOODY BLUES
14. JAZZMAN - CAROLE KING
15. HOTEL CALIFORNIA - EAGLES
16. CLOSE TO YOU - CARPENTERS
17. THE WONDER OF YOU - ELVIS PRESLEY
18. BABA O'RILEY - WHO
19. LET IT BE - BEATLES
20. BORN TO RUN - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
21. MAGIC - PILOT
22. THE LONG AND WINDING ROAD - BEATLES
23. GIMME SHELTER - ROLLING STONES
24. JUST MY IMAGINATION (RUNNING AWAY WITH ME) - TEMPTATIONS
25. BAD TIME - GRAND FUNK ( RAILROAD )
26. SPIRIT IN THE SKY - NORMAN GREENBAUM
27. LOVE GROWS (WHERE MY ROSEMARY GOES) - EDISON LIGHTHOUSE
28. BROWN SUGAR - ROLLING STONES
29. CELLULOID HEROES - KINKS
30. NEITHER ONE OF US (WANTS TO BE THE FIRST TO SAY GOODBYE) - GLADYS KNIGHT & THE PIPS
31. THE WAY WE WERE - BARBRA STREISAND
32. BABY TAKE ME IN YOUR ARMS - JEFFERSON
33. FIRE AND RAIN - JAMES TAYLOR
34. LONG COOL WOMAN (IN A BLACK DRESS) - HOLLIES
35. THUNDER ROAD - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
36. MOONLIGHT FEELS RIGHT - STARBUCK
37. SUPERSTAR - CARPENTERS
38. DREAM ON - AEROSMITH
39. SWEARIN' TO GOD - FRANKIE VALLI
40. SMOKE ON THE WATER - DEEP PURPLE
41. BAND OF GOLD - FREDA PAYNE
42. MOONDANCE - VAN MORRISON
43. BAT OUT OF HELL - MEAT LOAF
44. YOUR SONG - ELTON JOHN
45. IT'S A SHAME - SPINNERS
46. LYIN' EYES - EAGLES
47. JOY TO THE WORLD - THREE DOG NIGHT
48. LOLA - KINKS
49. BRANDY (YOU'RE A FINE GIRL) - LOOKING GLASS
50. IT'S TOO LATE - CAROLE KING
51. SCHOOL'S OUT - ALICE COOPER
52. I WILL SURVIVE - GLORIA GAYNOR
53. INTO THE MYSTIC - VAN MORRISON
54. DECEMBER 1963 (OH WHAT A NIGHT) - FOUR SEASONS
55. BENNIE AND THE JETS - ELTON JOHN
56. TIGHTER TIGHTER - ALIVE AND KICKING
57. SWEET SEASONS - CAROLE KING
58. GO YOUR OWN WAY - FLEETWOOD MAC
59. BLACK DOG - LED ZEPPELIN
60. ROUNDABOUT - YES
61. YOU'RE THE FIRST THE LAST MY EVERYTHING - BARRY WHITE
62. MY LOVE - PAUL MCCARTNEY & WINGS
63. STAYIN' ALIVE - BEE GEES
64. CAT'S IN THE CRADLE - HARRY CHAPIN
65. BAKER STREET - GERRY RAFFERTY
66. #9 DREAM - JOHN LENNON
67. WHOLE LOTTA LOVE - LED ZEPPELIN
68. KENTUCKY RAIN - ELVIS PRESLEY
69. TOO LATE TO TURN BACK NOW - CORNELIUS BROTHERS & SISTER ROSE
70. FUNERAL FOR A FRIEND LOVE LIES BLEEDING - ELTON JOHN
71. KASHMIR - LED ZEPPELIN
72. RAINY NIGHT IN GEORGIA - BROOK BENTON
73. I'M NOT IN LOVE - 10CC
74. MAKE ME SMILE - CHICAGO
75. WHEN WILL I SEE YOU AGAIN - THREE DEGREES
76. MAYBE I'M AMAZED (ORIGINAL 1970 VERSION) - PAUL MCCARTNEY
77. DO IT AGAIN - STEELY DAN
1980’s (12.62%)
(*Note: "Stand By Me" also charted in the 60s. "Jealous Guy" was originally released in 1971 and charted as a single for 4 weeks in 1988.)
1. BILLIE JEAN - MICHAEL JACKSON2. COMFORTABLY NUMB - PINK FLOYD
3. BEAT IT - MICHAEL JACKSON
4. WITH OR WITHOUT YOU - U2
5. IF YOU LOVE SOMEBODY SET THEM FREE - STING
6. SUMMER OF '69 - BRYAN ADAMS
7. COME DANCING - KINKS
8. THRILLER - MICHAEL JACKSON
9. WHAT A WONDERFUL WORLD - LOUIS ARMSTRONG
10. MAGIC - OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN
11. STAND BY ME - BEN E. KING
12. HANDLE WITH CARE - TRAVELING WILBURYS
13. IN YOUR EYES - PETER GABRIEL
14. TOM SAWYER - RUSH
15. WELCOME TO THE JUNGLE - GUNS N' ROSES
16. BETTER THINGS - KINKS
17. SWEET CHILD O' MINE - GUNS N' ROSES
18. DANCING IN THE DARK - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
19. RUNNING UP THAT HILL - KATE BUSH
20. ANOTHER BRICK IN THE WALL - PINK FLOYD
21. HE STOPPED LOVING HER TODAY - GEORGE JONES
22. THE POWER OF LOVE - HUEY LEWIS & THE NEWS
23. MORSE CODE OF LOVE (BABY COME BACK TO ME) - CAPRIS
24. COME ON EILEEN - DEXY'S MIDNIGHT RUNNERS
25. THEME FROM NEW YORK NEW YORK - FRANK SINATRA
26. WOMAN - JOHN LENNON
27. MAN IN THE MIRROR - MICHAEL JACKSON
28. WIND BENEATH MY WINGS - BETTE MIDLER
29. AMERICA - NEIL DIAMOND
30. ALL I WANT IS YOU - U2
31. ENDLESS LOVE - DIANA ROSS & LIONEL RICHIE
32. SEXUAL HEALING - MARVIN GAYE
33. DON'T STOP BELIEVIN' - JOURNEY
34. EYE OF THE TIGER - SURVIVOR
35. PRIDE (IN THE NAME OF LOVE) - U2
36. AT THIS MOMENT (LIVE 1987 #1 HIT) - BILLY AND THE BEATERS
37. WATCHING THE WHEELS - JOHN LENNON
38. THE WINNER TAKES IT ALL - ABBA
39. CAUGHT UP IN YOU - .38 SPECIAL
40. WAITING FOR A GIRL LIKE YOU - FOREIGNER
41. LONGER - DAN FOGELBERG
42. I LOVE ROCK 'N' ROLL - JOAN JETT & THE BLACKHEARTS
43. HOW SOON IS NOW - SMITHS
44. WE BUILT THIS CITY - STARSHIP
45. UPSIDE DOWN - DIANA ROSS
46. MISSING YOU - JOHN WAITE
47. JUST LIKE HEAVEN - CURE
48. BACK IN BLACK - AC/DC
49. IT'S STILL ROCK AND ROLL TO ME - BILLY JOEL
50. CARELESS WHISPER - WHAM!
51. THE BOYS OF SUMMER - DON HENLEY
52. LIKE A ROCK - BOB SEGER AND THE SILVER BULLET BAND
53. WHERE THE STREETS HAVE NO NAME - U2
54. DOWN UNDER - MEN AT WORK
55. LET'S GROOVE - EARTH, WIND & FIRE
56. JEALOUS GUY - JOHN LENNON
57. LIVIN' ON A PRAYER - BON JOVI
58. DRIVE - CARS
59. YOU SHOOK ME ALL NIGHT LONG - AC/DC
60. LOVE SONG - CURE
61. YOU'RE THE FIRST THE LAST MY EVERYTHING - BARRY WHITE
62. I WON'T BACK DOWN - TOM PETTY
63. FREE FALLIN' - TOM PETTY
64. SAILING - CHRISTOPHER CROSS
65. THE TIDE IS HIGH - BLONDIE
66. PRIVATE DANCER - TINA TURNER
67. LIPS LIKE SUGAR - ECHO AND THE BUNNYMEN
68. JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) - POINTER SISTERS
69. RELAX - FRANKIE GOES TO HOLLYWOOD
70. JERSEY GIRL - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
71. JUMP - VAN HALEN
72. VIENNA - ULTRAVOX
73. BOYS DON'T CRY - CURE
74. THE SAFETY DANCE - MEN WITHOUT HATS
75. AFRICA - TOTO
76. WALKING ON SUNSHINE - KATRINA & THE WAVES
77. GLORY DAYS - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN
1990’s (5% of all songs voted for)
(*Note: "Unchained Melody" also charted in the 60s. "Bohemian Rhapsody" also charted in the 70s.)
1. UNCHAINED MELODY - RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS2. BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY - QUEEN
3. I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU - WHITNEY HOUSTON
4. SMELLS LIKE TEEN SPIRIT - NIRVANA
5. MY HEART WILL GO ON - CELINE DION
6. JEREMY - PEARL JAM
7. ONE - U2
8. SMOOTH - SANTANA FEATURING ROB THOMAS
9. KNOCKIN' ON HEAVEN'S DOOR - GUNS N' ROSES
10. KEY WEST INTERMEZZO (I SAW YOU FIRST) - JOHN MELLENCAMP
11. CREEP - RADIOHEAD
12. BLACK OR WHITE - MICHAEL JACKSON
13. ENTER SANDMAN - METALLICA
14. SOMEWHERE OVER THE RAINBOW - ISRAEL KAMAKAWIWO'OLE
15. ALL I WANNA DO IS MAKE LOVE TO YOU - HEART
16. BELIEVE - CHER
17. EVEN FLOW - PEARL JAM
18. ANNA BEGINS - COUNTING CROWS
19. LEARNING TO FLY - TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
20. I'M GONNA BE (500 MILES) - PROCLAIMERS
21. FRIENDS IN LOW PLACES - GARTH BROOKS
22. BITTERSWEET SYMPHONY - VERVE
23. CLOSE TO ME - CURE
24. HERO - MARIAH CAREY
25. HISTORY (DANCE MIX) - MICHAEL JACKSON
26. KING OF TOYS - BALISTIK KICK
27. LOOKING FOR AN ECHO - KENNY VANCE & THE PLANOTONES
28. MAP REFERENCE 41 DEGREES NORTH 93 DEGREES WEST - WIRE
29. NAKED - BODEANS
30. O HOLY NIGHT - MAHALIA JACKSON
31. ONLY A DREAM - KINKS
32. YOU GET WHAT YOU GIVE - NEW RADICALS
33. ALL AROUND THE WORLD - LISA STANSFIELD
34. ANTS MARCHING - DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
35. FEELS LIKE I'M IN LOVE - KELLY MARIE
36. GET HERE - OLETA ADAMS
37. HOW DO I LIVE - LEANN RIMES
38. IRIS - GOO GOO DOLLS
39. LOVE AND ONLY LOVE - NEIL YOUNG & CRAZY HORSE
40. MAMBO NO 5 (A LITTLE BIT OF) - LOU BEGA
41. MARY JANE'S LAST DANCE - TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
42. WONDERFUL - ADAM ANT
43. ASCENSION (DON'T EVER WONDER) - MAXWELL
44. CALL MR LEE - TELEVISION
45. HUNDRED MILE HIGH CITY - OCEAN COLOUR SCENE
46. PEPPERS AND TOMATOES - RALPH MCTELL
47. SAINT OF ME - ROLLING STONES
48. SHOT OF POISON - LITA FORD
49. THE POWER OF LOVE - CELINE DION
50. WOULD - ALICE IN CHAINS
51. YOU DON'T KNOW HOW IT FEELS - TOM PETTY AND THE HEARTBREAKERS
52. YOU OUGHTA KNOW (STUDIO VERSION) - ALANIS MORISSETTE
53. ALWAYS - BON JOVI
54. BLACK METALLIC - CATHERINE WHEEL
55. BLISTER IN THE SUN - VIOLENT FEMMES
56. I FEEL BETTER THAN JAMES BROWN - WAS (NOT WAS)
57. MORE THAN WORDS - EXTREME
58. ORDINARY AVERAGE GUY - JOE WALSH
59. PASTURES OF PLENTY - BRUCE HORNSBY
60. TICK TOCK - VAUGHAN BROTHERS
61. TYPICAL SITUATION - DAVE MATTHEWS BAND
62. WALKING IN MEMPHIS - MARC COHN
63. AGAINST THE 70'S - MIKE WATT
64. BEAT UP GUITAR - HOOTERS
65. DOWNTOWN TRAIN - ROD STEWART
66. HAVE I TOLD YOU LATELY (THAT I LOVE YOU) - ROD STEWART
67. HERO OF THE DAY - METALLICA
68. I'LL NEVER GET OVER YOU (GETTING OVER ME) - EXPOSE
69. LEAVE THEM ALL BEHIND - RIDE
70. RAIN KING - COUNTING CROWS
71. THAT THING YOU DO - WONDERS
72. VIRTUAL INSANITY - JAMIROQUAI
73. WHEN I LOOK INTO YOUR EYES - FIREHOUSE
74. WILD NIGHT - JOHN MELLENCAMP
75. AROUND THE WAY GIRL - LL COOL J
76. EVERYBODY HURTS - R.E.M.
77. HEARTBREAKER - MARIAH CAREY
2000’s (4.6% of all songs voted for)
1. I GOTTA FEELING - BLACK EYED PEAS
2. DANCE WITH MY FATHER - LUTHER VANDROSS
3. WHEN YOU WERE YOUNG - KILLERS
4. PARTY IN THE USA - MILEY CYRUS
5. THE PRAYER - ANDREA BOCELLI
6. CRAZY - GNARLS BARKLEY
7. ALL SUMMER LONG - KID ROCK
8. VIVA LA VIDA - COLDPLAY
9. SWEET DREAMS - BEYONCE
10. YELLOW - COLDPLAY
11. DISEASE - MATCHBOX TWENTY
12. 1 2 3 4 - PLAIN WHITE T'S
13. ALL THESE THINGS THAT I'VE DONE - KILLERS
14. COLD BLACK DEVIL - JACKIE GREENE
15. FAINT - LINKIN PARK
16. IF YOU'RE GONE - MATCHBOX TWENTY
17. NEVER FORGET YOU - NOISETTES
18. QUIET ONES - TEARS FOR FEARS
19. SECOND CHANCE - SHINEDOWN
20. SOMEDAY - ROB THOMAS
21. SWEAR IT AGAIN - WESTLIFE
22. THINKIN' ABOUT YOU - MARIO
23. USE SOMEBODY - KINGS OF LEON
24. YOU ROCK MY WORLD - MICHAEL JACKSON
25. ALREADY GONE - KELLY CLARKSON
26. AMAZED - LONESTAR
27. BLACK HORSE & THE CHERRY TREE - KT TUNSTALL
28. BREAK UP - MARIO
29. I'M AMAZED - MY MORNING JACKET
30. I'M YOURS - JASON MRAZ
31. MAYONNAISE - SMASHING PUMPKINS
32. MUST BE SANTA - BOB DYLAN
33. ONE MORE TIME - DAFT PUNK
34. ONE STEP CLOSER - LINKIN PARK
35. STAY - SUGARLAND
36. STAY WITH YOU - JOHN LEGEND
37. THE MIDDLE - JIMMY EAT WORLD
38. THIS IS HOW A HEART BREAKS - ROB THOMAS
39. WAKE UP - ARCADE
40. WHEN YOU LOOK ME IN THE EYES - JONAS BROTHERS
41. BELIEF - JOHN MAYER
42. BROWN-EYED GIRL - EVERCLEAR
43. DROP IT LIKE IT'S HOT - SNOOP DOGG
44. HOME - DAUGHTRY
45. HOW YOU REMIND ME - NICKELBACK
46. NOT ANYMORE - LETOYA
47. SAVE YOUR BREATH - KOKO TAYLOR
48. SAY HEY (I LOVE YOU) - MICHAEL FRANTI & SPEARHEAD
49. SETTLIN' - SUGARLAND
50. THERE YOU'LL BE - FAITH HILL
This year, voting for the 50s, 60s and 80s were up just slightly, while the 70s and 90s were down slightly, and the 2000s stayed pretty much even.
Where did the votes come from? Here's the top ten:
New Jersey (24.2%)
New York (24.1%)
Florida (4.9%)
Pennsylvania (4.4%)
California (4.4%)
Connecticut (3.8%)
Massachusetts (2.5%)
Arizona (1.3%)
Ohio (1.6%)
Maine (1.6%)
Maryland (1.6%)
Our friends in the UK are next on the list, tying with Georgia, Washington and Texas and outvoting every other state on this side of the pond. Other votes from outside the USA came from Canada, Australia, Bermuda, Italy, The Netherlands, Ireland, Puerto Rico, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, and Argentina. This year, we had the most domestic participation ever, with only five states NOT voting; that would be Alaska, Idaho, Iowa, Missouri, and Wyoming. Also Washington DC did NOT vote. Maybe they were too busy filibustering!
TOP ARTISTS
(# of songs that got votes are on the right)
| 1. | Beatles | 88 |
| 2.(tie) | Rolling Stones | 37 |
| (tie) | Elvis Presley | 37 |
| 3. | Beach Boys | 27 |
| 4. | Elton John | 24 |
| 5. | Michael Jackson | 23 |
| 6.(tie) | Kinks | 22 |
| (tie) | Four Seasons | 22 |
| 7.(tie) | Bruce Springsteen | 20 |
| (tie) | Stevie Wonder | 20 |
| 8.(tie) | Frank Sinatra | 19 |
| (tie) | Diana Ross & The Supremes | 19 |
| 9. | Who | 17 |
| 10.(tie) | Aretha Franklin | 15 |
| (tie) | Temptations | 15 |
| (tie) | Four Tops | 15 |
This year The Bee Gees dropped out of the top ten, while Michael Jackson, Frank Sinatra and Aretha Franklin jump into the top ten.
Here's a rundown of the top songs by the artists:
Beatles
1. Hey Jude
2. I Want To Hold Your Hand
3. She Loves You
4. In My Life
5. A Day In The Life
6. Yesterday
7. A Hard Day's Night
8. Strawberry Fields Forever
9. Help
10. Let It Be
11. Something
12. The Long And Winding Road
13. I Saw Her Standing There
14. Twist And Shout
15. Get Back
16. Here Comes The Sun
17. And I Love Her
18. Please Please Me
19. I Feel Fine
20. And Your Bird Can Sing
21. Penny Lane
22. I Am The Walrus
23. We Can Work It Out
24. All My Loving
25. While My Guitar Gently Weeps
Elvis Presley
1. Can't Help Falling In Love
2. Suspicious Minds
3. The Wonder Of You
4. Hound Dog
5. Don't Be Cruel
6. Kentucky Rain
7. If I Can Dream
8. In The Ghetto
9. I Want You I Need You I Love You
10. Burning Love
11. Love Me Tender
12. My Way
13. Are You Lonesome Tonight
14. Marie's The Name His Latest Flame
15. Love Me
Rolling Stones
1. Satisfaction
2. Paint It Black
3. Honky Tonk Women
4. You Can't Always Get What You Want
5. Gimme Shelter
6. Brown Sugar
7. Jumpin' Jack Flash
8. Sympathy For The Devil
9. Wild Horses
10. Get Off Of My Cloud
11. As Tears Go By
12. Tumbling Dice
13. Mother's Little Helper
14. Ruby Tuesday
15. Let's Spend The Night Together
Beach Boys
1. Good Vibrations
2. God Only Knows
3. Don't Worry Baby
4. Wouldn't It Be Nice
5. I Can Hear Music
6. Sloop John B
7. I Get Around
8. California Girls
9. Help Me Rhonda
10. Surf's Up
Elton John
1. Your Song
2. Bennie And The Jets
3. Funeral For A Friend Love Lies Bleeding
4. Someone Saved My Life Tonight
5. Philadelphia Freedom
6. Rocket Man
7. Don't Go Breaking My Heart (with Kiki Dee)
8. Tiny Dancer
9. Daniel
10. Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
Michael Jackson
1. Billie Jean
2. Beat It
3. Thriller
4. Got To Be There
5. Man In The Mirror
6. Don't Stop 'Til You Get Enough
7. Black Or White
8. Rock With You
9. History (Dance Mix)
10. The Way You Make Me Feel
Kinks
1. Waterloo Sunset
2. You Really Got Me
3. Celluloid Heroes
4. Lola
5. Come Dancing
6. Days
7. Better Things
8. Sunny Afternoon
9. All Day And All Of The Night
10. Shangri-La
Four Seasons
1. Rag Doll
2. Dawn (Go Away)
3. Sherry
4. Let's Hang On
5. Opus 17 (Don't You Worry 'Bout Me)
6. December 1963 (Oh What A Night)
7. Tell It To The Rain
8. Candy Girl
9. Save It For Me
10. Walk Like A Man
Bruce Springsteen
1. Born To Run
2. Thunder Road
3. Dancing In The Dark
4. Jungleland
5. Badlands
6. Backstreets
7. Jersey Girl
8. Glory Days
9. No Surrender
10. Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)
Stevie Wonder
1. My Cherie Amour
2. You Are The Sunshine Of My Life
3. Superstition
4. I Just Called To Say I Love You
5. I Believe (When I Fall In Love It Will Be Forever)
6. Do I Do
7. Higher Ground
8. A Place In The Sun
9. Ribbon In The Sky
10. I Was Made To Love Her
Frank Sinatra
1. My Way
2. Summer Wind
3. Strangers In The Night
4. Theme From New York New York
5. That's Life
6. The Way You Look Tonight
7. All The Way
8. It Was A Very Good Year
9. That's All
10. Come Fly With Me
(Diana Ross) & The Supremes
1. You Can't Hurry Love
2. Stop In The Name Of Love
3. Someday We'll Be Together
4. Love Child
5. Baby Love
6. You Keep Me Hangin' On
7. I Hear A Symphony
8. Where Did Our Love Go
9. Back In My Arms Again
10. My World Is Empty Without You
Who
1. Won't Get Fooled Again
2. Baba O'Riley
3. I Can't Explain
4. I Can See For Miles
5. Behind Blue Eyes
6. Pinball Wizard
7. 5:15
8. Love Reign O'er Me
9. Underture
10. The Kids Are Alright
Aretha Franklin
1. Respect
2. Chain Of Fools
3. Sweet Sweet Baby Since You've Been Gone
4. I Say A Little Prayer
5. Ain't No Way
6. Rock Steady
7. Think
8. Until You Come Back To Me (That's What I'm Gonna Do)
9. The House That Jack Built
10. Freeway Of Love
Temptations
1. My Girl
2. Just My Imagination (Running Away With Me)
3. Ain't Too Proud To Beg
4. Ball Of Confusion (That's What The World Is Today)
5. Papa Was A Rollin' Stone
6. You're My Everything
7. Since I Lost My Baby
8. Cloud Nine
9. Loneliness Made Me Realize It's You That I Need
10. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (with Diana Ross and the Supremes)
Four Tops
1. Reach Out I'll Be There
2. I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)
3. Baby I Need Your Loving
4. Bernadette
5. Standing In The Shadows Of Love
6. Shake Me Wake Me (When It's Over)
7. Still Water (Love) (hit single)
8. I Got A Feeling
9. It's The Same Old Song
10. River Deep Mountain High (with The Supremes)
British Invasion Top 20 (all songs released by 12/65)
1.(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction- Rolling Stones
2. I Want To Hold Your Hand- Beatles
3. She Loves You- Beatles
4. Downtown- Petula Clark
5. Yesterday- Beatles
6. Because- Dave Clark Five
7. A Hard Day's Night- Beatles
8. Help!- Beatles
9. The House Of The Rising Sun- Animals
10. You Really Got Me- Kinks
11. I Saw Her Standing There- Beatles
12. Twist And Shout- Beatles
13. And I Love Her- Beatles
14. Please Please Me- Beatles
15. I Feel Fine- Beatles
16. I Only Want To Be With You- Dusty Springfield
17. We Can Work It Out- Beatles
18. All My Loving- Beatles
19. You've Got Your Troubles- Fortunes
20. Go Now!- Moody Blues
Motown Top 20
1. Ain't No Mountain High Enough- Diana Ross
2. My Girl- Temptations
3. What's Going On- Marvin Gaye
4. Reach Out I'll Be There- Four Tops
5. I Can't Help Myself- Four Tops
6. Ain't No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell
7. You Can't Hurry Love- Supremes
8. Just My Imagination- Temptations
9. Stop! In The Name Of Love- Supremes
10. What Does It Take- Jr. Walker & the All Stars
11. Neither One Of Us- Gladys Knight & the Pips
12. Baby I Need Your Loving- Four Tops
13. It's A Shame- Spinners
14. This Old Heart Of Mine- Isley Brothers
15. Someday We'll Be Together- Diana Ross & the Supremes
16. Bernadette- Four Tops
17. Love Child- Diana Ross & the Supremes
18. Ain't Too Proud To Beg- Temptations
19. I Heard It Through The Grapevine- Marvin Gaye
20. Let's Get It On- Marvin Gaye
It's been another terrific year of voting! Thanks to Tom, Frank and Chad for their outstanding efforts, and yes, thanks most of all to ALL of you who help make this such a success year after year. Your response and your enjoyment is the reason we keep going and keep striving to make this survey better each year.
In future weeks look for my further comments on the voters and some other fun stuff about the survey. But for now, I'll leave you to click THIS, about all of you! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ob6RRcw3V3A
- Mike Riccio