Top 20 "Songs Of The Century" revisited

The Songs Of The Century project (2001) ranked the top 365 songs of the 20th century, a list picked by hundreds of "music lovers across the country" from "all walks of life", including the music industry.

Selections overall seem to indicate an average age of voters to be, shall we say, beyond even the baby boomer generation. The ranking was determined by a very small sampling — only 15% (approximately 200) — of RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) voters. Below this top 20 is linked to our own SHS cover songs database.

1. Over the Rainbow by Judy Garland (1939) (O)
2. White Christmas by Bing Crosby (1942) (O)
3. This Land Is Your Land by Woody Guthrie (1940) (O)
4. Respect by Aretha Franklin (1967) (C)
5. American Pie by Don McLean (1971) (O)
6. Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy by The Andrews Sisters (1941) (O)
7. West Side Story Original Cast Album (1957) (A)
8. Take Me Out to the Ball Game by Billy Murray/Haydn Quartet (1908) (O)
9. You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' by The Righteous Brothers (1965) (O)
10. The Entertainer by Scott Joplin (1902) (O)
11. In the Mood by The Glenn Miller Orchestra (1939) (C)
12. Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & The Comets (1954) (C)
13. When the Saints Are Marching In by Louis Armstrong (1939) (C)
14. You Are My Sunshine by Jimmie Davis (1940) (C)
15. The Ballad of Mack the Knife by Bobby Darin (1959) (C)
16. (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones (1965) (O)
17. Take the "A" Train by Duke Ellington and His Orchestra (1941) (O)
18. Blueberry Hill by Fats Domino (1956) (C)
19. God Bless America by Kate Smith (1939) (O)
20. Stars and Stripes Forever by Sousa’s Band (1901) (U)

Somewhat peculiar is that many popular songs from the sixties were shoved back a lot. The highest ranking for the Fab Four, for instance, managed only a 28th rank with I Want to Hold Your Hand, a song that is found at or near the top of most rock song lists. Elvis Presley even fared worse; the King's highest rank was 68, for the single Don't Be Cruel / Hound Dog (Check here)

See the complete list

Last edit: 2012-11-05 18:22:42 UTC by Limbabwe

Interesting list, but mine would look different. White X-mas on position 2....must be a list from a country with "Christmas tree shops" open all year round.

Probably a more "representative" list (although BMI was only founded in 1940, hence no songs before that date) would be the BMI Top 20 Most Played Songs of the Century from 1999, listing the most played songs on American radio and television:

1. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'"
2. "Never My Love"
3. "Yesterday"
4. "Stand By Me"
5. "Can't Take My Eyes Off You"
6. "Sitting on the Dock of the Bay"
7. "Mrs. Robinson"
8. "Baby, I Need Your Loving"
9. "Rhythm of the Rain"
10. "Georgia on My Mind"
11. "Killing Me Softly with His Song"
12. "More"
13. "I Will Always Love You"
14. "When a Man Loves A Woman"
15. "Every Breath You Take"
16. "Gentle on My Mind"
17. "Something"
18. "The Sound of Silence"
19. "Bridge Over Troubled Water"
20. "By the Time I Get to Phoenix"

"You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'" is the only song to appear in both the RIAA and BMI Top 20; it has been played 8 million times, which equals more than 45 years of back-to-back play!

Sources:

http://www.bmi.com/news/entry/19991214_bmi_announces_top_100_songs_of_the_centur…

http://www.jerryosborne.com/1-17-00.htm

http://www.jerryosborne.com/10-22-12.htm (only this week to be found here: http://www.jerryosborne.com/mr.music.htm)

To give an idea of the magnitude of SecondHandSongs, below the remaining 345 of the top 365 songs of the 20th century are linked to our database:

21. I Heard It Through the Grapevine by Marvin Gaye (1968) (C)

22. (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay by Otis Redding (1968) (O)

23. I Left My Heart in San Francisco by Tony Bennett (1962) (O)

24. Good Vibrations by The Beach Boys (1966) (O)

25. Stand by Me by Ben E. King (1961) (O)

26. Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time) by Lena Horne (1942) (C)

27. Johnny B. Goode by Chuck Berry (1958) (O)

28. I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles (1963) (O)

29. Midnight Train to Georgia by Gladys Knight & The Pips (1973) (C)

30. Imagine by John Lennon (1971) (O)

31. Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer by Gene Autry (1949) (O)

32. The Twist by Chubby Checker (1960) (C)

33. Happy Trails by Roy Rogers & Dale Evans (1948) (O)

34. Your Cheatin' Heart by Hank Williams (1953) (O)

35. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot by Fisk Jubilee Singers (1909) (O)

36. The Sound of Music Original Cast Album (A)

37. 'Round Midnight by Thelonius Monk (1944) (C)

38. What’s Love Got to Do with It by Tina Turner (1984) (U)

39. Over There by The American Quartet (1917) (U)

40. Stardust by Hoagy Carmichael (1927) (O)

41. Ain't Misbehavin' by Fats Waller (1929) (C)

42. Georgia on My Mind by Ray Charles (1960) (C)

43. Oh, Pretty Woman by Roy Orbison (1964) (O)

44. Every Breath You Take by The Police (1983) (O)

45. My Girl by The Temptations (1965) (O)

46. Hotel California by The Eagles (1977) (O)

47. Happy Days Are Here Again by Ben Selvin And His Orchestra (1930) (C)

48. Stand by Your Man by Tammy Wynette (1968) (O)

49. Take Five by The Dave Brubeck Quarter (1959) (O)

50. America the Beautiful by Louise Homer (1910) (U)

51. When a Man Loves a Woman by Percy Sledge (1966) (O)

52. Light My Fire by The Doors (1967) (O)

53. Stairway to Heaven by Led Zeppelin (1971) (O)

54. Sweet Georgia Brown by Ben Bernie and His Hotel Roosevelt Orchestra (1925) (O)

55. When You Wish Upon a Star by Cliff Edwards (1940) (O)

56. Yesterday by The Beatles (1965) (O)

57. Louie Louie by The Kingsmen (1963) (C)

58. God Bless the Child by Billie Holiday (1941) (O)

59. Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen (1984) (O)

60. The Girl from Ipanema by Stan Getz/Astrud Gilberto (1964) (O)

61. I Walk the Line by Johnny Cash (1956) (O)

62. Star Spangled Banner by John McCormack (1917) (C)

63. Oh Happy Day by The Edwin Hawkins Singers (1968) (O)

64. Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis and His Pumping Piano (1957) (O)

65. What's Going On by Marvin Gaye (1971) (O)

66. Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! Original Cast Album (A)

67. Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah by Johnny Mercer (1946) (C)

68. Don’t Be Cruel / Hound Dog by Elvis Presley (1956): Hound Dog (O)/(C)

69. St. Louis Blues by W.C. Handy (1923) (C)

70. Yankee Doodle (Swanee River Rock) by Vess Ossman (1894) (O)

71. California Dreamin' by The Mamas & Papas (1966) (O)

72. On the Road Again by Willie Nelson (1980) (O)

73. Auld Lang Syne by Frank Stanley (1907) (U)

74. Summertime by Sidney Bechet Quintet (1939) (C)

75. Theme From Shaft by Isaac Hayes (1971) (O)

76. Beat It by Michael Jackson (1983) (O)

77. Sentimental Journey by Les Brown’s Orchestra with Doris Day (1945) (O)

78. Blue Suede Shoes by Carl Perkins (1956) (O)

79. The Sound of Silence by Simon & Garfunkel (1965) (O)

80. Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana (1991)

81. It Had to Be You by the Isham Jones Orchestra (1924) (C)

82. Minnie the Moocher by Cab Calloway (1931) (O)

83. Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford (1955) (C)

84. What a Wonderful World by Louis Armstrong (1967) (O)

85. Fire and Rain by James Taylor (1970) (O)

86. Y.M.C.A. by the Village People (1978) (O)

87. Heartbreak Hotel by Elvis Presley (1956) (O)

88. King of the Road by Roger Miller (1965) (O)

89. I Will Survive by Gloria Gaynor (1978) (O)

90. Ave Maria by Marian Anderson (1936) (U)

91. Begin the Beguine by Artie Shaw and His Orchestra (1938) (C)

92. Like a Rolling Stone by Bob Dylan (1965) (O)

93. Stop! In the Name of Love by The Supremes (1965) (O)

94. Stayin' Alive by The Bee Gees (1977) (O)

95. 1999 by Prince (1982) (O)

96. Please Remember Me by Tim McGraw (1999) (C)

97. Porgy and Bess Original Cast Album (A)

98. Back in the Saddle Again by Gene Autry (1939) (O)

99. Shake, Rattle and Roll by Joe Turner and His Blues Kings (1954) (O)

100. In the Still of the Nite by The Five Satins (1956) (O)

101. Killing Me Softly With His Song by Roberta Flack (1973)(C)

102. Friends in Low Places by Garth Brooks (1990) (O)

103. Charleston by Arthur Gibbs & His Gang (1924) (O)

104. A-Tisket A-Tasket by Ella Fitzgerald (1938) (C)

105. When Irish Eyes Are Smiling by Chauncy Olcott (1913) (O)

106. The Times They Are A-Changin' by Bob Dylan (1964) (O)

107. I Fall to Pieces by Patsy Cline (1961) (O)

108. I Will Always Love You by Whitney Houston (1992) (C)

109. Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole (1950) (O)

110. Blowin' in the Wind by Peter, Paul & Mary (1963) (C)

111. Peggy Sue by Buddy Holly (1957) (O)

112. Lean On Me by Bill Withers (1972) (O)

113. Kind of Blue (Album) Miles Davis (A)

114. I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry by Hank Williams (1949) (O)

115. Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival (1969) (O)

116. Will the Circle Be Unbroken by The Carter Family (1935) (O)

117. Puttin' On the Ritz by Harry Richman (1930) (O)

118. Layla by Derek & The Dominos (1970) (O)

119. Jump by Van Halen (1984) (O)

120. I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For by U2 (1987) (O)

121. We Are the World by USA for Africa (1985) (O)

122. Girls Just Want to Have Fun by Cyndi Lauper (1983) (O)

123. My Fair Lady Original Cast Album (A)

124. Swanee by Al Jolson (1920) (U) : See topic http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/39793

125. Let Me Call You Sweetheart by The Peerless Quartet (1911) (O)

126. Makin' Whoopee! by Eddie Cantor (1928) (O)

127. Tracks of My Tears by The Miracles (1965) (O)

128. I Wanna Be Loved by You by Helen Kane and Dan Healy (1928) (O)

129. Pennies From Heaven by Bing Crosby (1936) (O)

130. Tutti-Frutti by Little Richard (1955) (O)

131. Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison (1967) (O)

132. I Only Have Eyes for You by The Flamingos (1959) (C)

133. Born to Be Wild by Steppenwolf (1968) (O)

134. Superstition by Stevie Wonder (1972) (O)

135. Born to Run by Bruce Springsteen (1975) (O)

136. On the Good Ship Lollipop by Shirley Temple (1935) (O)

137. Wabash Cannonball by Roy Acuff (1938) (C)

138. Unchained Melody by Al Hibbler (1955) (C)

139. Dancing in the Street by Martha & The Vandellas (1964) (O)

140. Ain't No Mountain High Enough by Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell (1967) (O)

141. Piano Man by Billy Joel (1974) (O)

142. Joy to the World by Three Dog Night (1970) (O)

143. Losing My Religion by R.E.M. (1991) (O)

144. My Way by Frank Sinatra (1969) (C)

145. Let's Stay Together by Al Green (1971) (O)

146. We Are the Champions / We Will Rock You by Queen (1977) (O)/(O)

147. Purple Rain by Prince (1984) (O)

148. Dancing Queen by Abba (1976) (O)

149. A Love Supreme (Album) John Coltrane (A)

150. Wake Up Little Susie by The Everly Brothers (1957) (O)

151. Shout by The Isley Brothers (1959) (O)

152. I Got You (I Feel Good) (I Found You) by James Brown (1965) (C)

153. The Thrill Is Gone by B.B. King (1969) (C)

154. Alexander's Ragtime Band by The Boswell Sisters (1935) (C)

155. Bo Diddley by Bo Diddley (1955) (O)

156. Banana Boat (Day-O) by Harry Belafonte (1956) (C)

157. Ring of Fire ((Love's) Ring of Fire) by Johnny Cash (1963) (C)

158. Donna / La bamba by Richie Valens (1958) (O)/(C)

159. The Lion Sleeps Tonight by The Tokens (1961) (C)

160. Take Me Home, Country Roads by John Denver (1971) (O)

161. Material Girl by Madonna (1984) (O)

162. Rapper's Delight by The Sugarhill Gang (1979) (C)

163. Irene by Leadbelly (1933) (O)

164. Tequila by The Champs (1958) (O)

165. Whatever Will Be, Will Be (Que sera, sera) by Doris Day (1956) (O)

166. Turn! Turn! Turn! (To Everything There Is a Season) by The Byrds (1965) (C)

167. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Album) The Beatles (A)

168. Soul Man by Sam & Dave (1967) (O)

169. You Are the Sunshine of My Life by Stevie Wonder (1973) (O)

170. Thanks for the Memory by Bob Hope & Shirley Ross (1938) (O)

171. Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head by B.J. Thomas (1969) (O)

172. Moon River by Henry Mancini (1961) (O)

173. Freebird by Lynyrd Skynyrd (1973) (O)

174. Misty by Erroll Garner Trio (1954) (O)

175. Chances Are by Johnny Mathis (1957) (O)

176. Love Letters by Ketty Lester (1962) (C)

177. I Love Rock 'n' Roll by Joan Jett & Blackhearts (1981) (C)

178. Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (1988) (O)

179. Will You Love Me Tomorrow by The Shirelles (1960) (O)

180. Leader of the Pack by The Shangri-Las (1964) (O)

181. In the Midnight Hour by Wilson Pickett (1965) (O)

182. Why Do Fools Fall in Love? by Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers (1955) (O)

183. I Can See Clearly Now by Johnny Nash (1972) (O)

184. Oye como va by Santana (1971) (C)

185. Coal Miner's Daughter by Loretta Lynn (1970) (O)

186. Cats in the Cradle by Harry Chapin (1974) (O)

187. Mammas Don't Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys by Waylon Jennings & Willie Nelson (1978) (C)

188. The Gambler by Kenny Rogers (1978) (C)

189. Bye Bye Blackbird by Gene Austin (1926) (C)

190. Smoke Gets in Your Eyes by The Platters (1958) (C)

191. Fight for Your Right (To Party) by The Beastie Boys (1986) (O)

192. We Are Family by Sister Sledge (1979) (O)

193. (They Long to Be) Close to You by The Carpenters (1970) (C)

194. Maggie May by Rod Stewart (1971) (O)

195. Night and Day by Fred Astaire with Leo Reisman’s Orchestra (1932) (O)

196. Brother, Can You Spare Me a Dime? by Rudy Vallee (1932) (C)

197. Tom Dooley by The Kingston Trio (1958) (C)

198. Tennessee Waltz by Patti Page (1950) (C)

199. If You Don't Know Me by Now by Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (1972) (O)

200. Goodbye Yellow Brick Road by Elton John (1973) (O)

201. U Can't Touch This by M.C. Hammer (1990)

202. Smooth by Santana & Rob Thomas (1999)

203. Livin' la vida loca by Ricky Martin (1999)

204. How Great Thou Art by George Beverly Shea (1955)

205. Sing, Sing, Sing by Benny Goodman Orchestra (1937)

206. Hair Original Cast Album (A)

207. Tumbling Tumbleweeds by The Sons of the Pioneers (1934)

208. What the World Needs Now Is Love by Jackie DeShannon (1965)

209. Crying by Roy Orbison (1961)

210. Sweet Child o' Mine by Guns N’ Roses (1987)

211. One O'clock Jump by Count Basie Orchestra (1937) (O)

212. Downtown by Petula Clark (1964)

213. It's Too Late / I Feel the Earth Move by Carole King (1971)

214. Celebration by Kool & The Gang (1980)

215. So Much in Love by The Tymes (1963)

216. You're So Vain by Carly Simon (1972)

217. Heart of Glass by Blondie (1979)

218. Blue Moon of Kentucky by Bill Monroe & The Blue Grass Boys (1946)

219. Teen Angel by Mark Dinning (1959)

220. Ornithology (Album) Charlie Parker Sextet (A)

221. We Shall Overcome by Joan Baez (1963) (U)

222. Something to Talk About by Bonnie Raitt (1991) (O)

223. Take My Hand Precious Lord (Precious Lord, Take My Hand) by Thomas Dorsey (1932) (U)

224. South Pacific Original Cast Album (A)

225. Runaround Sue by Dion (1961)

226. Tea For Two by Art Tatum (1939) (C)

227. Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran (1958)

228. Everybody Loves Somebody by Dean Martin (1964)

229. It's My Party by Lesley Gore (1963)

230. The Loco-motion by Little Eva (1962)

231. On Broadway by The Drifters (1963)

232. Me and Bobby McGee by Janis Joplin (1971)

233. Time in a Bottle by Jim Croce (1973)

234. Margaritaville by Jimmy Buffett (1977)

235. Bitches Brew (Album) Miles Davis (A)

236. Kansas City by Wilbert Harrison (1959)

237. Earth Angel by The Penguins (1954)

238. Got My Mo-Jo Working (But It Just Won't Work On You) by Muddy Waters (1957)

239. People Get Ready by The Impressions (1965)

240. House of the Rising Sun (The Rising Sun Blues) by The Animals (1964)

241. White Rabbit by Jefferson Airplane (1967)

242. Graceland by Paul Simon (1986)

243. Love Shack by The B-52s (1989)

244. I Believe I Can Fly by R. Kelly (1996)

245. All I Wanna Do by Sheryl Crow (1993)

246. My Heart Will Go On by Celine Dion (1997)

247. My Old Kentucky Home (My Old Kentucky Home - Good-Night!) by Geraldine Farrar (1910) (C)

248. Abraham, Martin and John by Dion (1968)

249. The King and I Original Cast Album (A)

250. At the Hop by Danny & The Juniors (1957)

251. What'd I Say by Ray Charles (1959)

252. Mr. Sandman by The Chordettes (1954)

253. Be My Baby by The Ronettes (1963)

254. I Got You Babe by Sonny & Cher (1965)

255. The Devil Went Down to Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band (1979)

256. Flashdance... What a Feeling by Irene Cara (1983)

257. Burning Down the House by Talking Heads (1983)

258. Achy Breaky Heart (Don't Tell My Heart) by Billy Ray Cyrus (1992)

259. Wide Open Spaces by Dixie Chicks (1998) (U)

260. The Music Man Original Cast Album (A)

261. Walk on By by Dionne Warwick (1964)

262. Ramblin' Man by Allman Brothers Band (1973)

263. Move on up a Little Higher by Mahalia Jackson (1948)

264. I'm So Excited by The Pointer Sisters (1984)

265. That Old Black Magic by Louis Prima & Keely Smith (1958)

266. Reach Out I'll Be There by The Four Tops (1966)

267. Walk This Way by Aerosmith (1976)

268. Bette Davis Eyes by Kim Carnes (1981)

269. The Wind Beneath My Wings by Bette Midler (1988)

270. Change the World by Eric Clapton (1996)

271. If I Didn't Care by The Ink Spots (1939)

272. Paper Doll by The Mills Brothers (1942)

273. Strange Fruit by Billie Holiday (1939)

274. Ode to Billie Joe by Bobbie Gentry (1967)

275. Strangers in the Night by Frank Sinatra (1966)

276. War by Edwin Starr (1970)

277. Behind Closed Doors by Charlie Rich (1973)

278. Old Time Rock & Roll by Bob Seger (1978)

279. We Got the Beat by The Go-Gos (1980)

280. The Message by Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five (1982)

281. You're the Top by Cole Porter (1934)

282. My Guy by Mary Wells (1964)

283. You Send Me by Sam Cooke (1957)

284. By the Time I Get to Phoenix by Glen Campbell (1967)

285. Everybody's Talkin' by Nilsson (1968)

286. Heart of Gold by Neil Young (1972)

287. Jack and Diane by John Cougar Mellencamp (1982)

288. Fight the Power by Public Enemy (1989)

289. Me and My Shadow by Whispering Jack Smith (1927)

290. Deep in the Heart of Texas by Alvino Ray Orchestra (1942)

291. For What It's Worth by Buffalo Springfield (1966)

292. That's What Friends Are For by Dionne Warwick & Friends (1985)

293. You're Still the One by Shania Twain (1998)

294. Heavy Weather (Album) Weather Report (A)

295. Go Your Own Way by Fleetwood Mac (1977)

296. Another Brick in the Wall, Pt. 2 by Pink Floyd (1979)

297. (Ghost) Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) (Riders in the Sky by Vaughn Monroe (1949)

298. The Way We Were by Barbra Streisand (1973)

299. 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton (1980)

300. Grease - The Original Soundtrack From the Motion Picture (Album) (A)

301. Don't Worry, Be Happy by Bobby McFerrin (1988)

302. Who's Sorry Now? by Connie Francis (1958) (C)

303. That's the Way (I Like It) by K.C. & Sunshine Band (1975)

304. Yes! We've Got No Bananas by the Great White Way Orchestra with Billy Murray (1923) (C)

305. On Top of Old Smoky by The Weavers (1951) (C) : See topic http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/48272 & http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/49313

306. You Really Got Me by The Kinks (1964)

307. Ohio by Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young (1971)

308. Free Fallin' by Tom Petty (1989)

309. This Kiss by Faith Hill (1998) (O)

310. Body and Soul by Coleman Hawkins Orchestra (1939)

311. I Am Woman by Helen Reddy (1972)

312. Show Boat Original Cast Album (A)

313. This Masquerade by George Benson (1976)

314. Some of These Days by Sophie Tucker with Ted Lewis (1927)

315. Down Hearted Blues (Downhearted Blues) by Bessie Smith (1923)

316. New San Antonio Rose by Bob Wills & His Texas Playboys (1939)

317. How High the Moon by Les Paul & Mary Ford (1951)

318. I'm Sorry by Brenda Lee (1960)

319. Everyday People by Sly & The Family Stone (1968)

320. When Will I Be Loved by Linda Ronstadt (1974)

321. Uncle John's Band by The Grateful Dead (1970)

322. Faith by George Michael (1987)

323. Up Where We Belong by Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes (1982)

324. All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over by Hank Williams, Jr. (1984) (U)

325. Candle in the Wind by Elton John (1973/1997)

326. El Shaddai by Amy Grant (1982) (U) : see topic http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/48273

327. Salt Peanuts by Dizzy Gillespie (1945) (C)

328. Zodiac Suite (Album) Mary Lou Williams (A)

329. Pagliacci, Act I: Vesti La Giubba (On with the Play) by Enrico Caruso (1907) (U)

330. Whispering by Paul Whiteman & His Ambassador Orchestra (1920)

331. Blue Yodel (T for Texas) (Blue Yodel) by Jimmie Rodgers (1928)

332. Boogie Chillen' by John Lee Hooker (1949)

333. The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton (1959)

334. She Works Hard for the Money by Donna Summer (1983)

335. I Want You Back by The Jackson 5 (1969)

336. He Stopped Loving Her Today by George Jones (1980)

337. Men in Black by Will Smith (1997)

338. El Paso by Marty Robbins (1959)

339. I'll Fly Away by The Chuck Wagon Gang (1949)

340. Rock It by Herbie Hancock (1983)

341. King Porter Stomp by Jelly Roll Morton (1923)

342. Cross Road Blues by Robert Johnson (1937)

343. Cattle Call by Eddy Arnold and his Tennessee Plowboys (1945)

344. Tiger Rag by The Original Dixieland Jass Band (1918)

345. The Prisoner's Song by Vernon Dalhart (1925)

346. Yakety Yak by The Coasters (1958)

347. Big Yellow Taxi by Joni Mitchell (1970)

348. Higher Love by Steve Winwood (1986)

349. No Charge by Shirley Caesar (1975) (C)

350. My Home’s in Alabama by Alabama (1980) (U)

351. One Sweet Day by Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men (1995) (U)

352. I Hope You Dance by Lee Ann Womack (2000) (U) : See topic http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/34820

353. Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around by The Fairfield Four (1947) (U)

354. The "In" Crowd by Ramsey Lewis Trio (1965)

355. Near You by Francis Craig Orchestra (1947) (O): see topic http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/48692

356. Sing Me Back Home by Merle Haggard (1967)

357. Django by The Modern Jazz Quartet (1954)

358. Respect Yourself by The Staple Singers (1971)

359. Doo Wop (That Thing) by Lauryn Hill (1998) (U)

360. Mama He's Crazy by The Judds (1984)

361. No Scrubs by TLC (1999) (U)

362. Saturday in the Park by Chicago (1972)

363. Bills, Bills, Bills by Destiny’s Child (1999) (U): see topic http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/48646

364. Addictive Love by Bebe & Cece Winans (1991)

365. All Along the Watchtower by The Jimi Hendrix Experience (1968)

Last edit: 2019-02-09 07:08:44 UTC by Limbabwe

Finding below information was one of my main reasons for linking the Top 365 Songs Of The Century to the SHS database.

Missing Originals (*)

20) Stars and Stripes Forever

38) What’s Love Got to Do with It

39) Over There

124) Swanee

221) We Shall Overcome

259) Wide Open Spaces

305) On Top of Old Smoky

324) All My Rowdy Friends Are Coming Over

326) El Shaddai

329) Pagliacci, Act I: Vesti La Giubba (On with the Play)

350) My Home’s in Alabama

351) One Sweet Day

352) I Hope You Dance

353) Don’t Let Nobody Turn You Around

355) Near You

359) Doo Wop (That Thing)

361) No Scrubs

363) Bills, Bills, Bills

(*) I'm assuming the above 18 originals were covered and thus do qualify for the SHS database.

Missing releases (**)

50) America the Beautiful by Louise Homer (1910)

62) Star Spangled Banner by John McCormack (1917): http://www.secondhandsongs.com/topic/44210

73) Auld Lang Syne by Frank Stanley (1907)

90) Ave Maria by Marian Anderson (1936)

223) Take My Hand Precious Lord (Precious Lord, Take My Hand) by Thomas Dorsey (1932)

In total 5 missing releases.

(**) Originals are in the database; the RIAA dates are not always correct.

I do hope that these missing originals and releases will be added to SHS in the near future

Last edit: 2013-02-23 11:52:19 UTC by Limbabwe

Thanks Eric for this. It's great to see SHS has the majority of the list already covered. I bookmarked this page and will surely make an effort in the near future (when I'm out of ideas).

At first glance, you can delete already two releases:

A-Tisket A-Tasket by Chick Webb & His Orchestra (1938) with Ella of course and I think (not sure) "Take My Hand Precious Lord" was never recorded by Dorsey himself.

Added Connie's Who's Sorry Now?

Last edit: 2012-11-04 23:11:56 UTC by walt

Quote from walt

At first glance, you can delete already two releases:

A-Tisket A-Tasket by Chick Webb & His Orchestra (1938) with Ella of course

and

Connie's Who's Sorry Now?

Thanks, walt! I've deleted these two, which leaves ten.

Quote from walt

and I think (not sure) "Take My Hand Precious Lord" was never recorded by Dorsey himself.

It's not recorded by the Tommy (Thomas) Dorsey which is prominent in our database (Tommy Dorsey) but it was written by "the father of black gospel music" reverend Thomas Dorsey (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_A._Dorsey), who probably didn't record it (Mahalia Jackson was the first: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Take_My_Hand,_Precious_Lord).

Hope this helps.

Looking forward to your new entries!

Kind regards,

Limbabwe

Originals vs Covers

As I've said before the data in our database are a great source of news. Coupled with external info, such as in this case the "Songs Of The Century" list, we are able to gather interesting information to be used internally (f.e. to be able to generate a list of missing originals and covers) and externally (f.e. by creating news items for our website, Facebook page and press releases).

Take f.e. the "Songs Of The Century" list; wouldn't it be interesting to know how many of these are originals and how many cover songs? Gathering this information will require some work, but it will enable us to get some fairly accurate information on for example the importance of cover songs for the music business.

In order to gather that info I've checked the origin of the first 100 songs of the "Songs Of The Century" list. The results up till now are:

27,5% or 25 of the Top 100 Songs Of The Century are covers (marked as (C) in the list): this proves the importance of the cover song and importance of the indexing work done by SecondHandSongs.

and

72,5% or 66 of the Top 100 Songs of The Century are originals (marked as (O) in the list)

Of the remaining 10 songs (not 9, as 'Don’t Be Cruel / Hound Dog' by Elvis Presley is counted both as an original (the 'Don’t Be Cruel' part) and a cover (the 'Hound Dog' part)) 4 are album entries (marked as (A) in the list) and 6 songs are not in our database yet or there is some other uncertainty (marked as (U) in the list).

I'll keep you posted on the final results as soon as they are available.

One less missing original as I've added "When Irish Eyes Are Smiling".

When Irish Eyes Are Smiling now added by tsk! Thanks a lot, Tim!

Still 23 originals and 10 releases to go!

I have now added the missing Rudy Vallee cover: Brother, Can You Spare a Dime?.

Rudy Vallee's cover of Brother, Can You Spare a Dime? has now been added by tsk! Thanks a lot, Tim!

Still 23 originals and 9 releases to go!

Great Job as usual by you Guys. But not really representative of the greatest songs of 20th Century.

I know it's based on American radio plays, however out of 365 songs only 25 are by UK acts. It just

goes to show how introverted the American people are. If you did a similar thing regards UK Airplay

it would probably be about 60/40 in favour of the US of A. Still very interesting though.

Keep up the good work.

Pattaya Martin

Added versions:

247) My Old Kentucky Home by Geraldine Farrar (1910)

304) Yes! We've Got No Bananas by the Great White Way Orchestra (1923) with Billy Murray

349) No Charge by Shirley Caesar (1975)

Last edit: 2012-11-26 11:09:30 UTC by walt

Walt just added 3 missing releases to the database. Great work, walt !

Still 23 originals and 6 releases to go!

There was a song called 'What's Love Got to Do With It' released as the 'B' Side

to a Single by Chap on Lo Recordings Cat No LO707 in 2008 in the UK.

Never heard it, but an unusual title to be different. Anybody know anything?

I have added the work "One O'Clock Jump", and I will be working on adding many covers of this song.

Tsk just added the original and several covers of One O'clock Jump to the database! Thanks, Tim!

22 originals and 6 releases to go!

About the Stars and Stripes Forever...

An arrangement for banjo and piano was recorded by the Berliner Gramophone Co. (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/diglib/ihas/loc.mbrs.berl.13470Z/default.html). Can't find a date...

And for what it is worth...

On http://www.davidsarnoff.org/soo-maintext.html, I read: "August 11, 1903: On this date we made the first record of John Philip Sousa’ s Band. Selection recorded entitled “Stars and Stripes Forever"...

Last edit: 2013-01-12 11:41:17 UTC by flip

About What's Love Got To Do With It...

The song was originally recorded by UK pop group Bucks Fizz, whose version remained unreleased until 2000. The group went on to record it in February 1984, but sung by male member Bobby G.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What's_Love_Got_to_Do_with_It_(song)

The song was originally recorded by UK pop group Bucks Fizz in 1984 as a demo, and remained unreleased until 2000.

http://www.covermesongs.com/2012/09/gossip-asks-whats-love-got-to-do-with-it-on-…

As a bonustrack on the CD-re-issue (2000) of "Are You Ready".