On a whim, I decided to listen to the Rolling Stone Top 500 Songs of All Time today, just to see how long I could go before getting bored and giving up. (I’ve gotten the whole playlist, in order, through magic.) I’m listening to them in order, and making it doubly complicated by not actually reading the reading the playlist in advance, as it was a mix tape.

I just got done with the top 10, and let me just say that this list is dumb. Not a single hip-hop track in the top 10? And “What’s Going On” is?

Your thoughts on the list are welcome, even though this is WAY old news.

I’ll try to periodically post further thoughts. Until then, you guys could bet on what track I’ll give up on. I’ve already made it to track 13, “Yesterday” by the Beatles.

I think it says something about RS and the pool of people they poll. The magazine was started by Jann Wenner and still placates to these people. For christ’s sake, that magazine convinced an entire generation that Jackson Browne was a worthwhile artist. What do you expect?

Also, “What’s Going On” is a damn good song, and apparently was pretty significant.

It’s a fine song, one of Gaye’s best, but I don’t think it’s the fourth greatest song of all time. Maybe in the top 50, but not top five.

Right now I’m on #22, the Ronette’s “Be My Baby.” This wouldn’t have even made my top 500.

Be My Baby might be the perfect example of girl group pop. Without that song you have no Destiny’s Child and probably no “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys.

Also, there have been five Beatles songs, and I’m only on #23. Rubbish. There’d be six, actually, if you counted “Imagine” (#3). I like the Beatles a lot, but this is a joke.

Wait a minute, you haven’t had your dose of “The Beatles are the greatest band ever” Kool-Aid today?

Bugg - 07 September 2009 06:53 PM

Be My Baby might be the perfect example of girl group pop. Without that song you have no Destiny’s Child and probably no “Pet Sounds” by the Beach Boys.

You’re more of a Motown/doo-wop fan than I am, though. You’re not wrong, but they never would have occurred to me.

You’ll be happy to note there are two Beach Boys songs. #25 is “God Only Knows,” which I’m grooving on right now.

God Only Knows is a damn beautiful song. The other listed is probably “Good Vibrations”, even though “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)” should be on the list.

Bugg - 07 September 2009 06:57 PM

Wait a minute, you haven’t had your dose of “The Beatles are the greatest band ever” Kool-Aid today?

Guess not. They’re a great band, but ... crap ... ANOTHER F’CKn BEATLES SONG JUST STARTED! “A Day In The Life” is #26, I guess.

Elvis didn’t even show up until #19, and that was “Hound Dog.” Elvis makes any rock fan’s top ten, I should think. I mean, the Clash outcharted Elvis. That’s just idiotic.

Bugg - 07 September 2009 07:00 PM

God Only Knows is a damn beautiful song. The other listed is probably “Good Vibrations”, even though “When I Grow Up (To Be a Man)” should be on the list.

I could do with a lot less Beatles and a lot more Beach Boys, frankly.

Also, no Michael Jackson or Prince yet. And still no hip-hop.

I think Elvis is more important as a symbol than as an artist. With that being said, “True Love Travels on a Gravel Road” is a kick ass tune.

“A Day in the Life” is a pretty sweet song. Not as good as “Help”, however.

I think I might be more saturated with Elvis tradition than you. My family are all in West Tennessee, so The King is taken very seriously.

Wait ... really? ... “Layla” is #27? That’s by, er, can’t remember. *iPod peek* Derek & The Dominoes? Whatever.

Otis Redding cracked top 30! Score. Can’t not love Otis Redding.

There is no such thing as too much Beatles. But too much Beach Boys is easily achieved. The first statement probably shows my age. The second shows that I disliked the Beach Boys from an early age.

Hanke has no soul.

#35 is The Doors “Light My Fire.” Meh. And how “You’ve Lost That Loving Feeling” made it to #34, I’ll never figure out.