1950s
(1953) There's controversy about this song being the first rock song ever, but undoubtedly it's the first rock song to top the charts
ROCK AROUND THE CLOCK
(1965) This song by The Temptations was written in the Apollo Theater when the group was touring with The Miracles.
MY GIRL
(1970) This was Elton John’s first single to make it on the charts.
YOUR SONG
(1985) This song by A-Ha became a hit in the US mostly because of its music video where a cartoon figure beckons the reader to join him in a comic book story.
TAKE ON ME
This song was originally a country hit, and All-4-One turned it into a R&B song in 1994.
I SWEAR
(1957) This song was featured in an Elvis movie in which he plays a wrongly accused convict who becomes a star when he gets out
JAILHOUSE ROCK
(1966) Michelle Phillips of the Mamas & The Papas wrote this song while living in NYC during a cold winter and it tells of her homesickness for the state she was from.
CALIFORNIA DREAMIN’
(1976) This song by the Eagles is their interpretation of the “high life” in Los Angeles.
HOTEL CALIFORNIA
(1985) This song was Aretha Franklin’s last #1 hit and is one of the most famous driving songs of all time.
FREEWAY OF LOVE
(1998) This song by Aerosmith was featured in the movie Armageddon which stared Steven Tyler’s (lead singer of Aerosmith) daughter, Liv Tyler.
I DON’T WANT TO MISS A THING
(1958) This song by Chuck Berry is based on his life. It tells the tale of a boy with humble beginnings with a talent for playing the guitar.
JOHNNY B. GOODE
(1964) The frontman for the Kinks wrote this song after watching girls dancing in a club.
YOU REALLY GOT ME
(1974) This song by Lynyrd Skynyrd is about Southern pride.
SWEET HOME ALABAMA
(1981) .38 Special came up with the title of this song after hearing Dina Shore say it to a guest on her talk show who was talking about giving her husband space in their relationship.
HOLD ON LOOSELY
(2002) This song by Christina Aguilera is about overcoming insecurities of how you look.
BEAUTIFUL
13 yo Frankie Lymon (Frankie Lymon & The Teenagers) was inspired to write this song after a resident in his apartment building gave him a collection of love letters written by his girlfriend.
WHY DO FOOLS FALL IN LOVE
(1966) Nancy Sinatra said she regretted singing this song because she felt that the image it portrayed of her was “hard and I’m as soft as they come.”
THESE BOOTS ARE MADE FOR WALKIN’
(1970) Paul McCartney wrote this song. It was inspired by his mother, Mary, who died when he was 14.
LET IT BE
(1980) This smooth, soulful song tells of a deep connection between a couple: whatever happens, they can get through it together.
JUST THE TWO OF US
(2017) Ed Sheeran wrote this song for his girlfriend at the time. It’s about looking forward to a future of children and family and growing old together.
PERFECT
This song was actually written in 1933 for the musical Roberta, and it became a big hit for the Platters in 1958
SMOKE GETS IN YOUR EYES
(1969) Norman Greenbaum wrote and sang this song. He said “it appeals to one’s inner self and the need for redemption.”
SPIRIT IN THE SKY
(1971) This song by The Temptations was written in the late 60s, but since psychedelic music was popular at the time, they decided to wait a few years to release it.
JUST MY IMAGINATION
(1986) This song by The Moody Blues is about “the one who got away.” The singer wonders if his long-lost love remembers him the way he remembers her.
YOUR WILDEST DREAMS
(2018) This song by Lauren Daigle is about being accepted by God.
YOU SAY