I have read and studied so many different lists that claim to rank the 100 best songs of all-time. They all do the same thing: explain why the song matters in the context of the time it came out, the impact it had on the world, the technical aspects of the music, and how it holds up over time. These lists are super interesting and you can find a great one right here.

But what these lists never account for is the “is it just a great song that I like listening to” aspect of music. Forget history. Forget impact. Forget technicalities. Do I like this song? Is it a great listen? This is what this list is going to be.

This is not the best songs of all time. This is not the most impressive songs of all time. This is just my favorite songs. All time. And why I love them.

Q: If this is your personal list why would I care?

You probably don’t. But my hope is that this might jog your memory of a song you love that you should listen to again. Or maybe even expose you to a couple of songs that you have never heard before.

Q: But what was your methodology for deciding the list?

None. Basically.

I went through a bunch of playlists, my listen history, albums I own, and I read through other lists to make sure I wasn’t forgetting anything obvious. And pulled out all the songs that I thought “yeah, that’s a great song”. I made a single playlist. It was almost 300 songs long. I felt like I was being real picky. Then I painstakingly went through all the songs and listened to them, and listened to them again, made a list, listened to that on shuffle, kicked some out that I maybe I over-ranked, and finally got it down to 100 songs that I love. Then ranked all 100 in order from favorite to least favorite.

Q: What if your list is wrong?

It will be. Let me know in the comments. I’m sure I missed a song or two or fifty. Or I have a song on my list that you think sucks you should definitely tell me and I will definitely care about your opinion. I think we’ll be all be okay though.

Q: Anything we should know about your list?

It’s pretty well researched that middle school and high school impact your musical preferences the most. With that influence peaking around age 14. So… for me, I was born in 1985. I was 14 in in 1999. If this list feels 90s or early 2000s heavy, that’s why. Not my fault. It’s science. But I do think there’s a pretty good mix of music in here. Rap and country are not well represented on this list though. Sorry, not sorry.

The List

100. High and Dry (Live on the South Bank) — Jamie Cullum

Perfect piano solo. Great for any situation. Weirdly great voice.

99. Can’t Hold Us — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis

Pure energy. Start to finish. Blast it.

98. Scenes from an Italian Restaurant — Billy Joel

Billy Joel’s version of the Golden Slumbers medley.

97. Tuesday’s Gone — Lynyrd Skynyrd

Could listen to this on repeat all day. Clean guitar riff.

96. Sweet Disposition — The Temper Trap

This is just a fun, chill vibe.

95. Can’t Stop — Red Hot Chili Peppers

This is just a great time. No one doesn’t have fun when this comes on.

94. Fix You — Coldplay

The slow build to the second half payoff is precisely balanced.

93. Wouldn’t It Be Nice — The Beach Boys

This pops into my head at least once a week.

92. Ants Marching — Dave Matthews Band

Those drums. And electric violin? Get outta here.

91. Brown Eyed Girl — Van Morrison

Oh, you wanna feel good? Yeah. Throw this on.

90. Sunday Morning — Maroon 5

I’ll never forget hearing this for the first time. Rock, pop, jazz. Best marriage.

89. Golf on TV — Lennon Stella, JP Saxe

Funniest lyrics that are so relatable. Love the harmonies.

88. Hallelujah — Jeff Buckley

Love this version. Also go find Gavin Degraw’s on youtube.

87. The Men that Drive Me Places — Ben Rector

You probably don’t know this song. Please go listen to it.

86. It’s Been a Long, Long Time — Harry James

I doubt you recognize this song by the name. But you know it. And probably love it. Especially if you’re fancy, like me.

85. Breakfast at Tiffany’s — Deep Blue Something

Speaking of fancy. Nothing beat 90s music. One of my favorite sing-a-longs.

84. Gloria — Van Morrison

Oh, just found one that’s even more fun to sing. Van Morrison is underrated.

83. Don’t Speak — No Doubt

30 years and this still hits. Spanish guitar in a pop song is the real hero here.

82. Don’t Let Me Down — The Beatles

Jon kills it in this song. “It’s a love that last forever!”

81. Without Me — Eminem

Terrible song and I love every second of it.

80. Motorcycle Drive By — Third Eye Blind

Goes from “this is nice” to “this song rips” halfway through.

79. In the End — Linkin Park

Nothing reminds me more of high school than this song. But in a good way.

78. Santeria — Sublime

I don’t trust anyone that doesn’t love this song.

77. Paint It, Black — The Rolling Stones

Weirdest use of a comma I’ve ever seen. Creepy yet beautiful.

76. Africa — Toto

I bless the raaaaaaains down in Aaaaaaaafrica! Come on. Thanks Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard for this video.

75. Can We Kiss Forever? — Kina

Every once in a while TikTok gives you a killer hit. Listen to this sitting outside and you’re day will change.

74. Stop Draggin’ My Heart Around — Tom Petty, Stevie Nicks

Most unexpected duet. Hit those harmonies so good in the chorus.

73. La Grange — ZZ Top

Bet you haven’t listened to this in a while and now you need to. A non-stop train.

72. Wonderwall — Oasis

Am I basic? Ken should have played this instead of Push.

71. when the party’s over — Billie Eilish

Uhh… what even is this?!? Simple piano and overpowering bass? Yes please.

70. Save Tonight — Eagle-Eye Cherry

Smoothest voice in the west. (I have no idea where he’s from)

69. Seven Devils — Florence + The Machine

Darkest song on this list. Revenge season 1 finale was a banger and this song sold the whole thing.

68. Gravity (Live) — John Mayer

This feels like the guitar is the one singing.

67. Undone (The Sweater Song) — Weezer

One of the greatest albums of the 90s. IYKYK

66. Billie Jean — Michael Jackson

I don’t dance and this song makes me wanna dance.

65. Somebody to Love — Queen

Play this on any roadtrip. Not a soul will complain.

64. Love Like This — Ben Rector

Oh you thought he was singing about his wife? Try daughter and listen again. *chef’s kiss*

63. Anna Begins — Counting Crows

Song structure here is bizarre. It’s so jerky and uncomfortable. But the chorus payoff is so satisfying.

62. Enter Sandman — Metallica

Let’s goooooo! Just pumps up any situation. Even my kids buy into this song.

61. Three Little Birds — Bob Marley

In honor of my wife. This was our family theme song the last couple years.

60. Sweet Child O’ Mine — Guns N’ Roses

One of the best guitar intros ever written.

59. You Can’t Always Get What You Want — The Rolling Stones

7:28 never felt so short.

58. Some Nights — fun.

Aptly-named band. The Format was cool too.

57. Baby Grand — Bill Joel, Ray Charles

Fun duet. Wish I could play the piano like these guys.

56. Shine — Collective Soul

Playing this on the guitar is so satisfying.

55. Honey Bee — Tom Petty

The drums entering this song blows my mind every time. One of those songs that should never end.

54. If You Ever Wanna Be In Love — James Bay

Love his voice. Pure emotion here. Moody piano.

53. Johnny B. Goode — Chuck Berry

This just had to be on here. Marty McFly killed it when he wrote this song back in 1955.

52. Seven Nation Army — The White Stripes

Most repetitive song I’ve ever heard, but if you write one of the catchiest guitar/bass riffs why wouldn’t you just repeat it for 4 straight minutes?

51. House of the Rising Sun — The Animals

How about that gritty voice? Gah. You can feel the pain.

50. Going to California — Led Zeppelin

Feels like the soundtrack of a beautiful day/moment.

49. Details in the Fabric — Jason Mraz, James Morrison

There is no better vocal pairing in a duet than this.

48. Family Affair — Mary J Blige

Tightest beat. Smooth vocals. Grooves beginning to end.

47. Kiss Me — Sixpence None The Richer

It’s a cute song. What else is there to say about it?

46. Don’t Look Back in Anger — Oasis

Better than Wonderwall.

45. Make It Rain — Ed Sheeran

Holy crap. I wish I could see someone perform this live. This song slaps.

44. ocean eyes — Billie Eilish

Her voice. That bass. Love love love this one.

43. Don’t Lose Sight (Acoustic) — Lawrence

Mindmelting vocals. No chance you’re not having fun with this one.

42. Fast Car — Tracy Chapman

I swear I had this song on this list before I got popular (again) this year.

41. Mrs Robinson — Simon & Garfunkel

Forrest Gump was the reason I really started liking this song and it’s kinda the perfect song to sum up the vibe of that movie.

40. Delicate — Damien Rice

Thank you Lost for this one. I’d argue that this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.

39. My Old School — Steely Dan

The most Steely Dan Steely Dan song. No one does it like them.

38. A White Shade of Pale — Procol Harum

This songs sounds like it should be in a closing scene of a Wonder Years episode. But it wasn’t. And that feels like a mistake.

37. Life and Death — Michael Giacchino

Probably the only movie score song here. So much emotion. With no lyrics. Powerful.

36. Set Fire to the Rain — Adele

A vocal performance for the record books here. Put this in the history books.

35. Creep — Radiohead

Guitar at 2:02

34. September — Earth, Wind & Fire

Crowd pleaser. Especially with a Sept 21 birthday in our family.

33. The Power of Love — Huey Lewis & The News

You thought Back to the Future would only have 1 entry on my list? Get outta here.

32. Let’s Fall in Love for the Night — Finneas

I get that overall Billie Eilish is better but I don’t know if any of her songs beat this one.

31. We Are Golden — Mika

Lisa and I listened to this song on our first date so it’s undefeated. No one has a more smile-inducing voice than Mika.

30. The Times They Are A-Changing’— Bob Dylan

If in 100 years someone asks “what was music like in the 1900s?” I hope they play this song.

29. Everybody Wants to Rule the World — Tears for Fears

If in 100 years someone asks “what was music like in the 1900s?” I hope they don’t play this song. Let’s keep this one for ourselves.

28. Yesterday — The Beatles

Nice work here Paul.

27. Gravity — Sara Bareilles

Second Gravity on this list. Something always brings me back to this song.

26. Man in the Mirror — Michael Jackson

Name a more inspirational song than this. Also hitting that key change on “change”? Nailed it.

25. Everlong — Foo Fighters

Each year since this song has come out I’ve liked it more than the last.

24. I Want You (She’s So Heavy) — The Beatles

The dirtiest guitar outro. Love every second of it.

23. Rain King — Counting Crows

Go watch a video of them playing this song live. No band has more fun.

22. Swingtown — Steve Miller Band

Oh… are we… going on a road trip?!? Blast it.

21. Alone — Bahamas

Slap on those spacial audio headphones, close your eyes, and rock your world.

20. With a Little Help From my Friends — Joe Cocker

One of the greatest concert moments of my life was seeing him perform this live.

19. Vienna — Billy Joel

Billy Joel at his best here. Transports you to another world with this one.

18. Don’t Know Why — Norah Jones

This song soothes my soul.

17. A Beautiful Mess (Live) — Jason Mraz

What a vocal performance. A live performance, hitting every note, and bringing so much emotion.

16. 1979 — The Smashing Pumpkins

Let’s hop in a car tire and roll down the hill. Never liked this song when it came out. Grew on me over time.

15. Pure Imagination — Jamie Cullum

You know this song. Not this version. It’s absolutely perfect.

14. Your Song — Elton John

I love songs about songs. Got another coming soon.

13. Here Comes the Sun — The Beatles

George was the best song writer in The Beatles. I think this is easily their best song. But not my favorite (foreshadowing).

12. Line By Line — JP Saxe, Maren Morris

Another song about songs. “Sometimes if it don’t sound right I apologize, I just said it cause it rhymed”. These harmonies scratch an itch inside me.

11. If I Ain’t Got You — Alicia Keys

This could be my number 1. And depending on the day might be.

10. Dog Days Are Over — Florence + The Machine

That voice. I wanna see this live.

9. If I Ruled the World — Jamie Cullum

Jamie Cullum’s voice on full display here. Sounds so effortful. But in a good way.

8. Moondance — Van Morrison

I think Van Morrison created magic with this song. It’s hard to believe someone made this. Like it didn’t exist. And then he wrote it. It’s weird to think about.

7. Palisades Park — Counting Crows

If you like spoken word poetry, rambling choruses, and songs that never end you’re gonna love this.

6. Peg — Steely Dan

I would never be embarrassed to listen to this song in front of people.

5. Moonlight Serenade — Glenn Miller

Much like this song, I have no words. Pure romance.

4. Under Pressure — Queen, David Bowie

Can’t believe they stole this from Vanilla Ice. 2 songs combined into 1 is hilarious. How did that work at all?

3. While My Guitar Gently Weeps — The Beatles

George at it again. Some real emotional guitar in this one. I woulda never thought about describing a guitar part as tears yet it’s a perfect fit in this case. They nailed it.

2. Wildflowers — Tom Petty

No song makes me feel better than this one. It’s a total happiness generator.

1. Slow Dancing in a Burning Room (Live) — John Mayer

I can’t say enough about this song (this specific version). I’ve never heard a guitar sing like this. Watching these 2 play the outro guitar solo/duet was truly a life-changing experience. It made me forever think differently about what guitars can be.

And that’s it. What did I miss? What did I get right?Which songs would definitely make your list? I want to hear more great music so please share.

Here’s the Spotify playlist if you wanna listen yourself.