THE TOP 500 MOST INFLUENTIAL ROCK SONGS

(According to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, as of January 2012)

 

MOST INFLUENTIAL ROCK ARTISTS IN THE ROCK 'N' ROLL TOP 500
  7 SONGS:
The Beatles (John Lennon also has 3 more of his own)
  6 SONGS: Elvis Presley
  5 SONGS: The Rolling Stones; Bob Dylan; The Beach Boys
  4 SONGS: Stevie Wonder; Michael Jackson/Jackson 5; Muddy Waters;
        Led Zeppelin; Robert Johnson;
  3 SONGS: Chuck Berry; David Bowie; James Brown; The Byrds;
        Ray Charles; Sam Cooke; Creedence Clearwater Revival; The Kinks
        The Drifters; Aretha Franklin; Marvin Gaye; Woodie Guthrie; The Who;
        Jimi Hendrix; Howlin' Wolf; John Lennon; The Miracles; Neil Young
        Van Morrison; Pink Floyd; Otis Redding; Little Richard; The Temptations

MOST INFLUENTIAL DECADE FOR THE ROCK 'N' ROLL TOP 500
  The 1960s: 188 Songs (38%)

MOST INFLUENTIAL YEARS FOR THE ROCK 'N' ROLL TOP 500
  1966: 33 songs
 
1965: 28 songs
 
1967: 26 songs
 
1969: 21 songs
 
1964 & 1957: 19 songs
 
1968 & 1956: 18 songs
 
1972, 1970, 1962 & 1958: 16 songs
 
1973: 15 songs

The 1920s (12 songs--3%)
    Robert JOHNSON: Cross Road Blues (c. 1920s; recorded 1936)
    Robert JOHNSON: Hellhound On My Trail (c. 1920s; recorded 1936))
    Robert JOHNSON: Love in Vain (c. 1920s; recorded 1936)
    Robert JOHNSON: Sweet Home Chicago (c. 1920s; recorded 1936)
    LEADBELLY: The Midnight Special (c. 1920s; recorded 1948)
    Ma RAINEY & Her Tub Jug Washboard Band: Prove It On Me (c. 1924-28)
    Blind Lemon JEFFERSON: Matchbox Blues (c. 1925)
    Louis ARMSTRONG: West End Blues (c. 1926-28)
    Blind Willie JOHNSON: Motherless Children Have a Hard Time (c. 1927)
    Blind Willie McTELL: Statesboro Blues (1927)
    Mississippi John HURT: Stack O' Lee Blues (1928)
    Bessie SMITH: Downhearted Blues (c. 1928)

The 1930s (9 songs--2%)
    Jimmie RODGERS: Blue Yodel No. 9 (c. 1930)
    Big Joe WILLIAMS: Baby Please Don't Go (c. 1935-41)
    Roy ACUFF And The Smoky Mountain Boys: Wabash Cannonball (1938)
    Sister Rosetta THARPE: This Train (c. 1938-41)
    Charlie CHRISTIAN [& Benny Goodman Orchestra]: Solo Flight (c. 1939)
    Woody GUTHRIE: Pastures Of Plenty (c. 1939)
    Woody GUTHRIE: Pretty Boy Floyd (c. 1939)
    Woody GUTHRIE: This Land Is Your Land (c. 1939)
    Bill MONROE: Mule Skinner Blues (1939)

The 1940s (12 songs--3%)
    The DIXIE HUMMINGBIRDS: I'll Live Again [Gospel] (c. 1940s)
    Sonny Boy (John Lee) WILLIAMSON: Good Morning (Little) School Girl (c. 1940)
    Bob WILLS and His Texas Playboys: Take Me Back To Tulsa (1940)
    Jimmy YANCEY: Midnight Stomp (c. 1940)
    GOLDEN GATE QUARTET: Rock My Soul [Gospel] (c. 1944)
    Louis JORDAN And His Tympany Five: Caldonia (1945)
    Charles BROWN: Driftin' Blues (1946)
    Mahalia JACKSON: Move On Up A Little Higher (1946)
    T-Bone WALKER: Call It Stormy Monday (c. 1947)
    Louis JORDAN And His Tympany Five: Saturday Night Fish Fry (1949)
    Dinah WASHINGTON: Am I Asking Too Much (c. 1949)
    Muddy WATERS: Rollin' Stone (c. 1949)

The 1950s (102 songs--20%)

  1950: (4 songs)
    Wynonie HARRIS: Good Rockin' Tonight (c. 1950)
    Billy RILEY & His Little Green Men: Red Hot (c. early 1950s)
    The SOUL STIRRERS: By And By [Gospel] (1950)
    The WEAVERS: Goodnight Irene (1950)

  1951: (1 song)
    Cecil GANT: We're Gonna Rock (c. 1951)

  1952: (6 songs)
    Les PAUL and Mary FORD: How High The Moon (c. 1952)
    Lloyd PRICE: Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1952)
    Little WALTER: Juke (1952)
    Muddy WATERS: Got My Mojo Working (c. 1952)
    Muddy WATERS: Hoochie Coochie Man (c. 1952)
    Muddy WATERS: Mannish Boy (c. 1952)

  1953: (10 songs)
    Ruth BROWN: Mama, He Treats Your Daughter Mean (1953)
    The CROWS: Gee (c. 1953)
    The DOMINOES: Sixty Minute Man (c. 1953)
    The DRIFTERS: Money Honey (1953)
    Lowell FULSON: Reconsider Baby (1953)
    Professor LONGHAIR: Tipitina (1953)
    The ORIOLES: Crying In The Chapel (1953)
    Pinetop PERKINS: Pinetop's Boogie Woogie (1953)
    Willie Mae 'Big Mama' THORNTON: Ball 'N' Chain (c. 1953)
    Willie Mae 'Big Mama' THORNTON: Hound Dog (1953)

  1954: (2 songs)
    Hank BALLARD And The Midnighters: Work With Me Annie (1954)
    Big Joe TURNER: Shake, Rattle And Roll (1954)

  1955: (13 songs)
    Chuck BERRY: Maybellene (1955)
    Johnny CASH: Folsom Prison Blues (1955)
    Ray CHARLES: I Got A Woman (1955)
    Fats DOMINO: Ain't That a Shame (1955)
    Bill HALEY & His Comets: (We're Gonna) Rock Around The Clock (1955)
    The MOONGLOWS: Sincerely (1955)
    The PENGUINS: Earth Angel [Will You Be Mine] (1955)
    The PLATTERS: The Great Pretender (1955)
    Elvis PRESLEY: Mystery Train (1955)
    Elvis PRESLEY: That's All Right (c. 1955)
    Little RICHARD: Long Tall Sally (1955)
    Guitar SLIM: The Things That I Used To Do (c. 1955)
    Clara WARD & The Ward Singers: How I Got Over [Gospel] (c. 1955)

  1956: (18 songs)
    LaVern BAKER: Jim Dandy (1956)
    Johnny CASH: I Walk the Line (1956)
    Bill DOGGETT: Honky Tonk (1956)
    Fats DOMINO: Blueberry Hill (1956)
    Lonnie DONEGAN: Rock Island Line (1956)
    The FIVE SATINS: In The Still Of The Nite (1956)
    The INK SPOTS: If I Didn't Care (1956)
    Little Willie JOHN: Fever (1956)
    Frankie LYMON and The Teenagers: I'm Not A Juvenile Delinquent (1956)
    Frankie LYMON and The Teenagers: Why Do Fools Fall In Love (1956)
    Carl PERKINS: Blue Suede Shoes (1956)
    Carl PERKINS: Matchbox (1956)
    Elvis PRESLEY: Heartbreak Hotel (1956)
    Elvis PRESLEY: Love Me Tender (1956)
    Little RICHARD: Good Golly, Miss Molly (1956)
    Little RICHARD: Tutti Frutti (1956)
    Otis RUSH: I Can't Quit You Baby (1956)
    Gene VINCENT & His Blue Caps: Be-Bop-A-Lula (1956)

  1957: (19 songs)
    Chuck BERRY: Rock & Roll Music (1957)
    Sam COOKE: You Send Me (1957)
    DANNY & THE JUNIORS: At The Hop (1957)
    The DELL-VIKINGS: Come Go With Me (1957)
    Bo DIDDLEY: Bo Diddley (1957)
    The EVERLY BROTHERS: Bye Bye Love (1957)
    Dale HAWKINS: Suzy-Q (1957)
    Screamin' Jay HAWKINS: I Put a Spell On You (1957)
    Buddy HOLLY And The Crickets: That'll Be the Day (1957)
    Buddy HOLLY: Peggy Sue (1957)
    JOHNNY BURNETTE TRIO: The Train Kept A-Rollin' (1957)
    Buddy KNOX: Party Doll (1957)
    Jerry Lee LEWIS: Great Balls of Fire (1957)
    Jerry Lee LEWIS: Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin On (1957)
    Amos MILBURN: Let's Have A Party (1957)
    Elvis PRESLEY: Jailhouse Rock (1957)
    Huey 'Piano' SMITH & His Clowns: Rockin' Pneumonia And The Boogie-Woogie Flu ('57)
    Larry WILLIAMS: Bony Maronie (1957)
    Chuck WILLIS: C.C. Rider (1957)

  1958: (16 songs)
    Chuck BERRY: Johnny B. Goode (1958)
    The BIG BOPPER: Chantilly Lace (1958)
    The CHAMPS: Tequila (1958)
    The COASTERS: Yakety Yak (1958)
    The COASTERS: Young Blood (c. 1958)
    Eddie COCHRAN: Summertime Blues (1958)
    Bobby DARIN: Splish Splash (1958)
    Duane EDDY: Rebel-'Rouser (1958)
    The EVERLY BROTHERS: All I Have to Do Is Dream (1958)
    John Lee HOOKER: Boom Boom (c. 1958)
    The MONOTONES: Book Of Love (1958)
    Johnny OTIS: Willie And The Hand Jive (1958)
    Jimmy REED: Big Boss Man (c. 1958)
    Jimmy REED: Bright Lights, Big City (c. 1958)
    Cliff RICHARD And The Shadows: Move It (1958)
    Link WRAY: Rumble (1958)

  1959: (13 songs)
    James BROWN: Please Please Please (1959)
    Ray CHARLES: What'd I Say (1959)
    The CLOVERS: Love Potion No. 9 (1959)
    Eddie COCHRAN: C'mon Everybody (1959)
    DION And The Belmonts: A Teenager In Love (1959)
    The DRIFTERS: There Goes My Baby (1959)
    The FLAMINGOS: I Only Have Eyes For You (1959)
    The ISLEY BROTHERS: Shout: Pts. 1 & 2 (1959)
    Wilbert HARRISON: Kansas City (1959)
    Ritchie VALENS: La Bamba (1959)
    Howlin' WOLF: The Red Rooster (1959)
    Howlin' WOLF: Smokestack Lightnin' (1959)
    Howlin' WOLF: Spoonful (1959)

The 1960s (188 songs--38%)

  1960: (5 songs)
    Ben E. KING: Spanish Harlem (1960)
    The SHIRELLES: Will You Love Me Tomorrow (1960)
    Barrett STRONG: Money [That's What I Want] (1960)
    The VENTURES: Walk Don't Run (1960)
    Marion WILLIAMS: Packing Up [Gospel] (c. 1960)

  1961: (12 songs)
    Gary U.S. BONDS: Quarter To Three (1961)
    Chubby CHECKER: The Twist (1961)
    Patsy CLINE: I Fall To Pieces (1961)
    Slim HARPO: Rainin' In My Heart (1961)
    Elmore JAMES: Dust My Broom (1961)
    Elmore JAMES: Shake Your Moneymaker (1961)
    Ben E. KING: Stand By Me (1961)
    Freddy KING: Hide Away (1961)
    The MARCELS: Blue Moon (1961)
    Ricky NELSON: Hello Mary Lou (1961)
    Del SHANNON: Runaway (1961)
    The SHIRELLES: Dedicated To The One I Love (1961)

  1962: (16 songs)
    Bobby Blue BLAND: Turn On Your Love Light (1962)
    BOOKER T. & THE MG'S: Green Onions (1962)
    Solomon BURKE: Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (c.1962)
    Gene CHANDLER: Duke Of Earl (1962)
    Ray CHARLES: Hallelujah I Love Her So (c. 1962)
    The CONTOURS: Do You Love Me (1962)
    Sam COOKE: Bring It On Home to Me (1962)
    The CRYSTALS: He's A Rebel (1962)
    Dick DALE And The Del-Tones: Let's Go Trippin' (c. 1962)
    The DRIFTERS: Up On The Roof (1962)
    Little EVA: The Loco-Motion (1962)
    The FOUR SEASONS: Big Girls Don't Cry (1962)
    John Lee HOOKER: Boogie Chillun (1962)
    The MIRACLES: You've Really Got A Hold On Me (1962)
    PETER, PAUL and MARY: If I Had A Hammer (1962)
    Pete SEEGER: Where Have All The Flowers Gone (recorded 1962)

  1963: (10 songs)
    The BEACH BOYS: Surfin' U.S.A. (1963)
    The CHANTAYS: Pipeline (1963)
    The CRYSTALS: Da Doo Ron Ron [When He Walked Me Home] (1963)
    Bob DYLAN: Blowin' in the Wind (1963)
    The FOUR SEASONS: Walk Like A Man (1963)
    JAN & DEAN: Surf City (1963)
    The KINGSMEN: Louie Louie (1963)
    MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS: [Love Is Like a] Heat Wave (1963)
    The RONETTES: Be My Baby (1963)
    The SURFARIS: Wipe Out (1963)

  1964: (19 songs)
    The ANIMALS: The House Of The Rising Sun (1964)
    The BEACH BOYS: Don't Worry Baby (1964)
    The BEATLES: I Want to Hold Your Hand (1964)
    Don COVEY: Mercy Mercy (c. 1964)
    DAVE CLARK FIVE: Glad All Over (1964)
    The DIXIE CUPS: Chapel Of Love (1964)
    Bob DYLAN: The Times They Are A-Changin' (1964)
    The FOUR TOPS: Baby I Need Your Loving (1964)
    GERRY AND THE PACEMAKERS: How Do You Do It? (1964)
    The KINKS: You Really Got Me (1964)
    MARTHA AND THE VANDELLAS: Dancing In The Street (1964)
    Roy ORBISON: Oh, Pretty Woman (1964)
    PETER AND GORDON: A World Without Love (1964)
    The RIGHTEOUS BROTHERS: You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' (1964)
    The ROLLING STONES: Time Is On My Side (1964)
    The SEARCHERS: Needles and Pins (1964)
    The SHANGRI-LAS: Leader Of The Pack (1964)
    SWINGING BLUE JEANS: Hippy Hippy Shake (1964)
    Mary WELLS: My Guy (1964)

  1965: (28 songs)
    The ANIMALS: We Gotta Get Out Of This Place (1965)
    The BEACH BOYS: California Girls (1965)
    The BEATLES: HELP! (1965)
    The BEATLES: Norwegian Wood (1965)
    The BEATLES: Yesterday (1965)
    The BEAU BRUMMELS: Laugh Laugh (1965)
    James BROWN: I Got You [I Feel Good] (1965)
    The BYRDS: Mr. Tambourine Man (1965)
    Sam COOKE: A Change Is Gonna Come (1965)
    COUNTRY JOE & THE FISH: Fish Cheer and I-Feel-Like-I'm-Fixin'-To-Die-Rag (1965)
    Bob DYLAN: Like a Rolling Stone (1965)
    Bob DYLAN: Subterranean Homesick Blues (1965)
    The IMPRESSIONS: People Get Ready (1965)
    The LOVIN' SPOONFUL: Do You Believe In Magic (1965)
    Barry McGUIRE: Eve of Destruction (1965)
    The MIRACLES: The Tracks Of My Tears (1965)
    Phil OCHS: I Ain't Marchin' Anymore (1965)
    Wilson PICKETT: In The Midnight Hour (1965)
    Paul REVERE & The Raiders: Just Like Me (1965)
    The ROLLING STONES: (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction (1965)
    SAM THE SHAM AND THE PHAROAHS: Wooly Bully (1965)
    SIMON AND GARFUNKEL: The Sounds Of Silence (1965)
    SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET: She's About A Mover (1965)
    The SUPREMES: Stop! In The Name Of Love (1965)
    The TEMPTATIONS: My Girl (1965)
    The TURTLES: It Ain't Me Babe (1965)
    Jr. WALKER and the All Stars: Shotgun (1965)
    The WHO: My Generation (1965)

  1966: (33 songs)
    The BEACH BOYS: God Only Knows (1966)
    The BEACH BOYS: Good Vibrations (1966)
    The BOBBY FULLER FOUR: I Fought The Law (1966)
    The BYRDS: Eight Miles High (1966)
    The COUNT FIVE: Psychotic Reaction (1966)
    DONOVAN: Sunshine Superman (1966)
    The FOUR TOPS: Reach Out I'll Be There (1966)
    The HOLLIES: Bus Stop (1966)
    Tommy JAMES And The Shondells: Hanky Panky (1966)
    B.B. KING: Sweet Little Angel (c. 1966)
    The KINKS: A Well Respected Man (1966)
    The LEFT BANKE: Walk Away Renee (1966)
    The MAMAS AND THE PAPAS: California Dreamin' (1966)
    The MIRACLES: Going To A Go-Go (1966)
    The MONKEES: I'm A Believer (1966)
    The MONKEES: Last Train To Clarksville (1966)
    Aaron NEVILLE: Tell It Like It Is (1966)
    ? AND THE MYSTERIANS: 96 Tears (1966)
    Otis REDDING: Shake (1966)
    Otis REDDING: Try A Little Tenderness (1966)
    Mitch RYDER & Detroit Wheels: Devil With A Blue Dress On/Good Golly Miss Molly ('66)
    The SHADOWS OF KNIGHT: Gloria (1966)
    Percy SLEDGE: When A Man Loves A Woman (1966)
    The STANDELLS: Dirty Water (1966)
    The SUPREMES: You Can't Hurry Love (1966)
    The TEMPTATIONS: Ain't Too Proud To Beg (1966)
    TOOTS & THE MAYTALS: Pressure Drop (c. 1966)
    The TROGGS: Wild Thing (1966)
    IKE & TINA TURNER: River Deep, Mountain High (1966)
    Jackie WILSON: [Your Love Keeps Lifting Me] Higher and Higher (1966)
    Stevie WONDER: Uptight (Everything's Airight) (1966)
    The YARDBIRDS: Shapes Of Things (1966)
    The YOUNG RASCALS: Good Lovin' (1966)

  1967: (26 songs)
    The BEATLES: A Day in the Life (1967)
    The BEATLES: Strawberry Fields Forever (1967)
    The BOX TOPS: The Letter (1967)
    BUFFALO SPRINGFIELD: For What It's Worth [Stop, Hey What's That Sound] (1967)
    The DOORS: Light My Fire (1967)
    The DOORS: The End (1967)
    Aretha FRANKLIN: Chain Of Fools (1967)
    Aretha FRANKLIN: I Never Loved A Man [the Way I Love You] (1967)
    Aretha FRANKLIN: Respect (1967)
    Etta JAMES: Tell Mama (1967)
    JEFFERSON AIRPLANE: Somebody to Love (1967)
    JEFFERSON AIRPLANE: White Rabbit (1967)
    Albert KING: Born Under A Bad Sign (1967)
    MOBY GRAPE: Omaha (c. 1967)
    Van MORRISON: Brown Eyed Girl (1967)
    The MOTHERS OF INVENTION: Brown Shoes Don't Make It (1967)
    PINK FLOYD: See Emily Play (1967)
    PROCOL HARUM: A Whiter Shade Of Pale (1967)
    SAM & DAVE: Soul Man (1967)
    The SEEDS: Pushin' Too Hard (1967)
    SLY & THE FAMILY STONE: Dance To The Music (1967)
    SPENCER DAVIS GROUP: Gimme Some Lovin' (1967)
    TRAFFIC: Dear Mr. Fantasy (1967)
    VELVET UNDERGROUND: Heroin (1967)
    VELVET UNDERGROUND: White Light / White Heat (1967)
    The YOUNG RASCALS: Groovin' (1967)

  1968: (18 songs)
    The BAND: The Weight (1968)
    The BEATLES: Hey Jude (1968)
    Archie BELL & The Drells: Tighten Up (1968)
    BIG BROTHER & THE HOLDING COMPANY: Piece Of My Heart (1968)
    James BROWN: Say It Loud: I'm Black and I'm Proud (1968)
    The BYRDS: Hickory Wind (1968)
    Joe COCKER: With A Little Help From My Friends (1968)
    CREAM: Sunshine of Your Love (1968)
    Marvin GAYE: I Heard It Through The Grapevine (1968)
    Jimi HENDRIX: All Along The Watchtower (1968)
    Jimi HENDRIX: Purple Haze (1968)
    Jimi HENDRIX: Voodoo Child [Slight Return] (1968)
    IRON BUTTERFLY: In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida (1968)
    Van MORRISON: Madame George (1968)
    Otis REDDING: (Sittin' On) The Dock Of The Bay (1968)
    The ROLLING STONES: Jumpin' Jack Flash (1968)
    The ROLLING STONES: Sympathy For The Devil (1968)
    STEPPENWOLF: Born To Be Wild (1968)

  1969: (21 songs)
    The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND: Whipping Post (1969)
    The BAND: The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down (1969)
    Jeff BECK Group: Plynth [Water Down The Drain] (1969)
    David BOWIE: Space Oddity (1969)
    CREAM: Crossroads (1969)
    CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL: Fortunate Son (1969)
    CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL: Green River (1969)
    CREEDENCE CLEARWATER REVIVAL: Proud Mary (1969)
    CROSBY, STILLS & NASH: Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969)
    The DELLS: Oh, What A Night (1969)
    The GRATEFUL DEAD: Dark Star (1969)
    IGGY AND THE STOOGES: Search And Destroy (1969)
    The ISLEY BROTHERS: It's Your Thing (1969)
    JACKSON 5: I Want You Back (1969)
    LED ZEPPELIN: Dazed And Confused (1969)
    LED ZEPPELIN: Whole Lotta Love (1969)
    John LENNON: Give Peace A Chance (1969)
    The ROLLING STONES: Honky Tonk Women (1969)
    Elvis PRESLEY: Suspicious Minds (1969)
    QUICKSILVER MESSENGER SERVICE: Who Do You Love (1969)
    The WHO: Go To The Mirror Boy from Tommy (1969)

The 1970s (113 songs--23%)

  1970: (16 songs)
    B.B. KING: The Thrill Is Gone (1970)
    Eric CLAPTON: After Midnight (1970)
    Jimmy CLIFF: Many Rivers to Cross (1970)
    CROSBY, STILLS, NASH & YOUNG: Ohio (1970)
    FREE: All Right Now (1970)
    The GRATEFUL DEAD: Uncle John's Band (1970)
    JACKSON 5: ABC (1970)
    Elton JOHN: Your Song (1970)
    The KINKS: Lola (1970)
    John LENNON: Instant Karma [We All Shine On] (1970)
    Van MORRISON: Moondance (1970)
    SANTANA: Black Magic Woman/Gypsy Queen (1970)
    SIMON and GARFUNKEL: Bridge Over Troubled Water (1970)
    SLY & THE FAMILY STONE: Thank You [Falettinme Be Mice Elf Agin] (1970)
    Edwin STARR: War (1970)
    James TAYLOR: Fire And Rain (1970)

  1971: (14 songs)
    BLACK SABBATH: Iron Man (1971)
    BLACK SABBATH: Paranoid (1971)
    Alice COOPER: I'm Eighteen (1971)
    The DELMORE BROTHERS: Hillbilly Boogie (1971)
    The FLYING BURRITO BROTHERS: Sin City (1971)
    Marvin GAYE: What's Going On (1971)
    Al GREEN: Let's Stay Together (1971)
    Carole KING: You've Got A Friend (1971)
    LED ZEPPELIN: Rock And Roll (1971)
    LED ZEPPELIN: Stairway To Heaven (1971)
    John LENNON: Imagine (1971)
    The STAPLE SINGERS: Respect Yourself (1971)
    Rod STEWART: Maggie May (1971)
    The WHO: Baba O'Riley (1971)

  1972: (16 songs)
    David BOWIE: Ziggy Stardust (1972)
    DEEP PURPLE: Smoke On The Water (1972)
    Gary GLITTER: Rock 'N' Roll Part 2 (1972)
    Jimmy CLIFF: The Harder They Come (1972)
    The EAGLES: Take It Easy (1972)
    Curtis MAYFIELD: Superfly (1972)
    Don McLEAN: American Pie (1972)
    The MOODY BLUES: Nights In White Satin (1972)
    MOTT THE HOOPLE: All The Young Dudes (1972)
    T. REX: Bang A Gong [Get It On] (1972)
    The TEMPTATIONS: Papa Was A Rollin' Stone (1972)
    Jethro TULL: Aqualung (1972)
    WAR: Slippin' Into Darkness (1972)
    Stevie WONDER: Superstition (1972)
    YES: Roundabout (1972)
    Neil YOUNG: Heart Of Gold (1972)

  1973: (15 songs)
    AEROSMITH: Dream On (1973)
    The ALLMAN BROTHERS BAND: Ramblin' Man (1973)
    GRAND FUNK RAILROAD: We're An American Band (1973)
    Dr. JOHN: Right Place Wrong Time (1973)
    LITTLE FEAT: Dixie Chicken (1973)
    Bob MARLEY and The Wailers: Get Up Stand Up (c. 1973)
    Bob MARLEY and The Wailers: I Shot The Sheriff (c. 1973)
    NEW YORK DOLLS: Personality Crisis (1973)
    O'JAYS: Love Train (1973)
    PINK FLOYD: Money (1973)
    Lou REED: Walk On The Wild Side (1973)
    Bruce SPRINGSTEEN: Rosalita (Come Out Tonight (1973)
    STEELY DAN: Reelin' In The Years (1973)
    The STOOGES: I Wanna Be Your Dog (1973)
    Stevie WONDER: Living for the City (1973)

  1974: (4 songs)
    BIG STAR: September Gurls (1974)
    Jackson BROWNE: Late For The Sky (1974)
    Elton JOHN: Bennie And The Jets (1974)
    Joni MITCHELL: Help Me (1974)

  1975: (11 songs)
    AEROSMITH: Toys in the Attic (1975)
    David BOWIE: Fame (1975)
    Bob DYLAN: Tangled Up In Blue (1975)
    KISS: Rock And Roll All Nite (1975)
    KRAFTWERK: Autobahn (1975)
    LYNYRD SKYNYRD: Free Bird (1975)
    Bob MARLEY And The Wailers: No Woman, No Cry (1975)
    QUEEN: Bohemian Rhapsody (1975)
    Patti SMITH: Gloria (1975)
    Bruce SPRINGSTEEN: Born To Run (1975)
    Donna SUMMER: Love To Love You Baby (1975)

  1976: (4 songs)
    PARLIAMENT: Give Up The Funk [Tear The Roof Off The Sucker] (1976)
    Tom PETTY And The Heartbreakers: American Girl (1976)
    ROXY MUSIC: Love Is The Drug (1976)
    Peter TOSH: Legalize It [reggae] (1976)

  1977: (14 songs)
    The BEE GEES: Stayin' Alive (1977)
    BOSTON: More Than A Feeling (1977)
    The DAMNED: New Rose (1977)
    The EAGLES: Hotel California (1977)
    FLEETWOOD MAC: Go Your Own Way (1977)
    Richard HELL & The Voidoids: (I Belong To The) Blank Generation (1977)
    Billy JOEL: Just The Way You Are (1977)
    Paul McCARTNEY: Maybe I'm Amazed (1977)
    Steve MILLER Band: Fly Like An Eagle (1977)
    Randy NEWMAN: Sail Away (1977)
    RAMONES: Sheena Is A Punk Rocker (c. 1977)
    SEX PISTOLS: Anarchy In The U.K. (1977)
    SEX PISTOLS: God Save The Queen (1977)
    Bob SEGER & The Silver Bullet Band: Night Moves (1977)

  1978: (9 songs)
    CHIC: Le Freak (1978)
    Elvis COSTELLO: Pump It Up (1978)
    FUNKADELIC: One Nation Under a Groove (1978)
    Bob MARLEY And The Wailers: Lively Up Yourself (1978)
    The ROLLING STONES: Miss You (1978)
    TELEVISION: Little Johnny Jewel (1978)
    The TRAMMPS: Disco Inferno (1978)
    Van HALEN: Runnin' With the Devil (1978)
    Neil YOUNG: Down By The River (1978)

  1979: (10 songs)
    AC/DC: Highway to Hell (1979)
    The B-52's: Rock Lobster (1979)
    BLONDIE: Heart Of Glass (1979)
    The CLASH: London Calling (1979)
    DIRE STRAITS: Sultans Of Swing (1979)
    PINK FLOYD: Another Brick In The Wall, Part 2 (1979)
    The POLICE: Roxanne (1979)
    SISTER SLEDGE: We Are Family (1979)
    TALKING HEADS: Life During Wartime (1979)
    Neil YOUNG: My My Hey Hey [Out Of The Blue] (1979)

The 1980s (51 songs--10%)

  1980: (12 songs)
    AC/DC: Back In Black (1980)
    Kurtis BLOW: The Breaks (1980)
    DEREK AND THE DOMINOS: Layla (1980)
    DEVO: Whip It (1980)
    Peter GABRIEL: Biko (1980)
    JOY DIVISION: Love Will Tear Us Apart (1980)
    The PRETENDERS: Brass In Pocket (1980)
    RUSH: The Spirit Of Radio (1980)
    The SUGARHILL GANG: Rapper's Delight (1980)
    TALKING HEADS: Once In A Lifetime (1980)
    Stevie WONDER: Master Blaster [Jammin'] (1980)
    X: Los Angeles (1980)

  1981: (1 song)
    Rick JAMES: Super Freak (1981)

  1982: (7 songs)
    Marvin GAYE: Sexual Healing (1982)
    AFRIKA BAMBAATAA: Planet Rock (1994)
    GO-GO'S: We Got The Beat (1982)
    GRANDMASTER FLASH & The Furious Five: The Message (1982)
    HUMAN LEAGUE: Don't You Want Me? (1982)
    Joan JETT & The Blackhearts: I Love Rock 'N Roll (1982)
    STRAY CATS: Rock This Town (1982)

  1983: (8 songs)
    DURAN DURAN: Hungry Like The Wolf (1983)
    EURYTHMICS: Sweet Dreams [Are Made Of This] (1983)
    Michael JACKSON: Beat It (1983)
    Michael JACKSON: Billie Jean (1983)
    The POLICE: Every Breath You Take (1983)
    PRINCE: Little Red Corvette (1983)
    U2: Sunday Bloody Sunday (1983)
    Stevie Ray VAUGHAN: Pride And Joy (1983)

  1984: (11 songs)
    HUSKER DU: Turn On the News (1984)
    Cyndi LAUPER: Girls Just Want To Have Fun (1984)
    John Cougar MELLENCAMP: Authority Song (1984)
    MADONNA: Like A Virgin (1984)
    PRINCE: When Doves Cry (1984)
    The REPLACEMENTS: I Will Dare (1984)
    The SMITHS: Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now (1984)
    Bruce SPRINGSTEEN: Dancing In The Dark (1984)
    U2: Pride [In The Name Of Love] (1984)
    Van HALEN: Jump (1984)
    ZZ TOP: Legs (1984)

  1985: (1 song)
    U.T.F.O.: Roxanne, Roxanne (1985)

  1986: (3 songs)
    CULTURE CLUB: Time [Clock Of The Heart] (1986)
    RUN-D.M.C.: Walk This Way (1986)
    Paul SIMON: Graceland (1986)

  1987: (2 songs)
    The BEASTIE BOYS: (You Gotta) Fight for Your Right [to Party] (1987)
    U2: I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For (1987)

  1988: (4 songs)
    GUNS N' ROSES: Welcome To The Jungle (1988)
    MIDNIGHT OIL: Beds Are Burning (1988)
    R.E.M.: Radio Free Europe (1988)
    SONIC YOUTH: Teenage Riot (1988)

  1989: (2 songs)
    DE LA SOUL: Me Myself And I (1989)
    PUBLIC ENEMY: Fight the Power (1989)

The 1990s (12 songs--3%)

  1990: (2 songs)
    JANE'S ADDICTION: Been Caught Stealin' (1990)
    MC HAMMER: U Can't Touch This (1990)

  1991: (6 songs)
    L.L. COOL J: Mama Said Knock You Out (1991)
    METALLICA: Enter Sandman (1991)
    NIRVANA: Smells Like Teen Spirit (1991)
    Bonnie RAITT: Something To Talk About (1991)
    RED HOT CHILI PEPPERS: Give It Away (1991)
    R.E.M.: Losing My Religion (1991)

  1992: (1 song)
    PEARL JAM: Jeremy (1992)

  1993: (2 songs)
    DR. DRE: Nuthin' But A "G" Thang (1993)
    QUEEN LATIFAH: Ladies First (1993)

  1994: (1 song)
    BECK: Loser (1994)