The music industry has changed drastically over the years. In the early 1900s, radio was introduced, and then came the rise of the record companies. Nowadays, streaming services such as Spotify dominate the market. visit here
Music has always been a large part in our lives, whether it’s listening to it at home or going out to dance clubs. Music has also played a huge role in shaping society throughout history.
From classic rock tracks – as seen here http://rocksoffmag.com/ – to modern day funk, here are some of the top songs that topped the charts through various eras.
1950s
(We’re Gonna) Rock Around the Clock – Bill Haley and His Comets (1954)
The 50s marked the introduction of rock ‘n roll into the world. Bill Haley’s iconic track was one of the tracks to really push this genre of music into the mainstream charts. Thanks to an upbeat tempo and feel good lyrics, it became a popular jiving track.
Jailhouse Rock – Elvis Presley (1957)
The epitome of the rock genre, Jailhouse Rock has one of the most memorable introductions in rock history. Featuring just two guitar chords and snare drum hits, the iconic six-second long introduction was just another notch on the bow of the King of Rock and Roll.
1960s
(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction (1965) – The Rolling Stones
You wouldn’t expect a towering three-note guitar riff, basic chords, and a simple refrain to sound so complex. But this is an area where The Rolling Stones excel. Their iconic sound pulses through every second of this rock classic. visit here
Hey Jude – The Beatles (1968)
The Beatles dominated the charts during this era. Hey Jude successfully mixed the classic rock sound with lots of signature Beatles flare. Not only was it a hit with audiences throughout the 60s, but it’s still noted as one of their most iconic songs to date.
1970s
Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (1975)
This six-minute rock suite is one of the greatest of all time. It broke all known music rules at the time of its release, proceeded to break countless records, and continues to astound audiences worldwide. According to Mercury himself, the lyrics are “random rhyming nonsense.”
Imagine – John Lennon (1971)
Imagine is a moving political anthem that campaigns for global harmony. Accompanied by meaningful lyrics, Lennon’s tuneful – and almost mournful – plea sends out a powerful message that is still prevalent in our society today.
1980s
Billie Jean – Michael Jackson (1982)
One of the songs on Jackson’s record breaking album Thriller (1982), Billie Jean blends rhythm and blues with post-disco, dance pop, and funk. It established a new type of sound and has remained one of his most popular songs ever since.
Every Breath You Take – The Police (1983)
This is the ultimate all-round new wave soft rock song. With a medium tempo, catchy tune, and sinister lyrics, it provides you with a listening experience you’d usually experience with classic rock, but with a little bit of darkness.
1990s
Smells Like Teen Spirit – Nirvana (1991)
Smells Like Teen Spirit paved the way for rock band Nirvana to carve their signature sound into the mainstream. Using a combination of grunge, hard rock, and alternative rock elements, the richness of this instrumental cemented the track as one to remember.
Love Is All Around – Wet Wet Wet (1994)
This romantic anthem from Wet Wet Wet’s was seen as the quintessential soundtrack of 1994. It still remains one of the best love songs ever written! Its beauty lies in its simplicity. With catchy hooks and musical arrangements, the song is infectious.
2000s
How You Remind Me – Nickelback (2001)
Canadian rock band Nickelback had quite a few global hits in the early 00s. But none more so than How You Remind Me. It established Nickelback as a post-grunge powerhouse, and later became the most played song of 2002 on US radio stations.
Crazy – Gnarls Barkley (2006)
As its title implies, this song is largely centered around how the singer perceives the idea of ‘craziness’ in both himself and other people. Crazy has an easily memorable tune that tends to float outside of music genre altogether. This explains its wide appeal – even to this day.
2010s
Rolling In The Deep – Adele (2010)
On this grammy award winning revenge song, Adele berates her former romantic partner through powerful vocals accompanied by a dark, rich bluesy instrumental. It topped the charts globally and truly cemented Adele as one of the world’s best selling solo artists.
Uptown Funk – Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars (2015)
Straying from the rock n roll genre truly helped Uptown Funk to make its mark during this era. In fact, it was one of the most popular songs even at end of the decade! Heavy 80s funk influence brought a fresh new sound to the charts.
Summary
Crossovers between music genres are becoming increasingly more popular, so it’s hard to predict what type of song will top the charts at the end of this next era! All we can do is wait and listen.
