This article presents a personal, subjective list of the author's 100 favorite songs of all time. Unlike other 'best of' lists that focus on historical impact or technical aspects, this list is purely based on the author's personal enjoyment and preference.
The author compiled an initial playlist of nearly 300 songs based on his listening history, playlists, and albums. He then refined this list through repeated listening and ranking, resulting in the final 100.
The author notes the significant influence of music from his teenage years (1990s and early 2000s) on his preferences. He acknowledges that genres like rap and country are underrepresented on his list.
The list contains a wide variety of songs from different artists and genres, ranging from classic rock to contemporary pop. Each entry includes a brief description of why the author enjoys the song.
The author invites readers to share their own favorite songs and opinions on his selections, highlighting a sense of community and music appreciation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Perfect piano solo. Great for any situation. Weirdly great voice.
Pure energy. Start to finish. Blast it.
Billy Joel’s version of the Golden Slumbers medley.
Could listen to this on repeat all day. Clean guitar riff.
This is just a fun, chill vibe.
This is just a great time. No one doesn’t have fun when this comes on.
The slow build to the second half payoff is precisely balanced.
This pops into my head at least once a week.
Those drums. And electric violin? Get outta here.
Oh, you wanna feel good? Yeah. Throw this on.
I’ll never forget hearing this for the first time. Rock, pop, jazz. Best marriage.
Funniest lyrics that are so relatable. Love the harmonies.
Love this version. Also go find Gavin Degraw’s on youtube.
You probably don’t know this song. Please go listen to it.
I doubt you recognize this song by the name. But you know it. And probably love it. Especially if you’re fancy, like me.
Speaking of fancy. Nothing beat 90s music. One of my favorite sing-a-longs.
Oh, just found one that’s even more fun to sing. Van Morrison is underrated.
30 years and this still hits. Spanish guitar in a pop song is the real hero here.
Jon kills it in this song. “It’s a love that last forever!”
Terrible song and I love every second of it.
Goes from “this is nice” to “this song rips” halfway through.
Nothing reminds me more of high school than this song. But in a good way.
I don’t trust anyone that doesn’t love this song.
Weirdest use of a comma I’ve ever seen. Creepy yet beautiful.
I bless the raaaaaaains down in Aaaaaaaafrica! Come on. Thanks Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard for this video.
Every once in a while TikTok gives you a killer hit. Listen to this sitting outside and you’re day will change.
Most unexpected duet. Hit those harmonies so good in the chorus.
Bet you haven’t listened to this in a while and now you need to. A non-stop train.
Am I basic? Ken should have played this instead of Push.
Uhh… what even is this?!? Simple piano and overpowering bass? Yes please.
Smoothest voice in the west. (I have no idea where he’s from)
Darkest song on this list. Revenge season 1 finale was a banger and this song sold the whole thing.
This feels like the guitar is the one singing.
One of the greatest albums of the 90s. IYKYK
I don’t dance and this song makes me wanna dance.
Play this on any roadtrip. Not a soul will complain.
Oh you thought he was singing about his wife? Try daughter and listen again. *chef’s kiss*
Song structure here is bizarre. It’s so jerky and uncomfortable. But the chorus payoff is so satisfying.
Let’s goooooo! Just pumps up any situation. Even my kids buy into this song.
In honor of my wife. This was our family theme song the last couple years.
One of the best guitar intros ever written.
7:28 never felt so short.
Aptly-named band. The Format was cool too.
Fun duet. Wish I could play the piano like these guys.
Playing this on the guitar is so satisfying.
The drums entering this song blows my mind every time. One of those songs that should never end.
Love his voice. Pure emotion here. Moody piano.
This just had to be on here. Marty McFly killed it when he wrote this song back in 1955.
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?
How about that gritty voice? Gah. You can feel the pain.
Feels like the soundtrack of a beautiful day/moment.
There is no better vocal pairing in a duet than this.
Tightest beat. Smooth vocals. Grooves beginning to end.
It’s a cute song. What else is there to say about it?
Better than Wonderwall.
Holy crap. I wish I could see someone perform this live. This song slaps.
Her voice. That bass. Love love love this one.
Mindmelting vocals. No chance you’re not having fun with this one.
I swear I had this song on this list before I got popular (again) this year.
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.
Thank you Lost for this one. I’d argue that this is one of the most beautiful songs ever written.
The most Steely Dan Steely Dan song. No one does it like them.
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.
Probably the only movie score song here. So much emotion. With no lyrics. Powerful.
A vocal performance for the record books here. Put this in the history books.
Guitar at 2:02
Crowd pleaser. Especially with a Sept 21 birthday in our family.
You thought Back to the Future would only have 1 entry on my list? Get outta here.
I get that overall Billie Eilish is better but I don’t know if any of her songs beat this one.
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.
If in 100 years someone asks “what was music like in the 1900s?” I hope they play this song.
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.
Nice work here Paul.
Second Gravity on this list. Something always brings me back to this song.
Name a more inspirational song than this. Also hitting that key change on “change”? Nailed it.
Each year since this song has come out I’ve liked it more than the last.
The dirtiest guitar outro. Love every second of it.
Go watch a video of them playing this song live. No band has more fun.
Oh… are we… going on a road trip?!? Blast it.
Slap on those spacial audio headphones, close your eyes, and rock your world.
One of the greatest concert moments of my life was seeing him perform this live.
Billy Joel at his best here. Transports you to another world with this one.
This song soothes my soul.
What a vocal performance. A live performance, hitting every note, and bringing so much emotion.
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.
You know this song. Not this version. It’s absolutely perfect.
I love songs about songs. Got another coming soon.
George was the best song writer in The Beatles. I think this is easily their best song. But not my favorite (foreshadowing).
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.
This could be my number 1. And depending on the day might be.
That voice. I wanna see this live.
Jamie Cullum’s voice on full display here. Sounds so effortful. But in a good way.
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.
If you like spoken word poetry, rambling choruses, and songs that never end you’re gonna love this.
I would never be embarrassed to listen to this song in front of people.
Much like this song, I have no words. Pure romance.
Can’t believe they stole this from Vanilla Ice. 2 songs combined into 1 is hilarious. How did that work at all?
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.
No song makes me feel better than this one. It’s a total happiness generator.
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.
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