All forms of art are relative — this is especially true for music. Music, the art as a whole, is universal — I believe it would be fair to say that everyone with access to multiple styles of music enjoys at least one of them. Music, as a preference is polarizing — think about rap music, or opera, or blue grass; usually a preference of these categories is mutually exclusive. Preference for various styles of music will always vary between people and these tastes will usually even oscillate within an individual’s lifetime.
But there are some songs in existence that I believe every person enjoys whether they’ll admit it or not. Because I love creating top ten lists, I’ve put together a top ten list of songs that every single person who has heard them, has enjoyed them. Even if you think you didn’t enjoy them when you first heard them, listen to them again now and you will.
Time of the Season, The Zombies
In my opinion, not enough songs written today fade out with an organ solo.
How Can You Mend A Broken Heart, Al Green
One of the most soulful songs ever recorded.
Kokomo, The Beach Boys
The definitive summer song.
Have You Seen Her, The Chilites
Even I don’t even know why I like this song… but I do.
(Sitting On) The Dock of the Bay, Otis Redding
Who hasn’t hopelessly spent a day just sitting around waiting for something to happen?
Careless Whisper, Wham
Who knew that a sax played over an eighties sound machine would leave such an impression? Without the saxophone this song would have been forgotten about long ago.
Fields of Gold, Sting
Sting at his best. There is something about the quiet repetitious nature of the song that makes it hard to get out of your head.
Crocodile Rock, Elton John
Never before has there been a song that inspired so many off key karaoke performances. The falsetto chorus — LAAAAAA LA LA LA LA LA.
For What It’s Worth, Buffalo Springfield
Many people love this song and may not even know it. It’s one of those songs that whenever you hear it on the radio, you always turn it up, but might not know the name of the song.
Billie Jean, Michael Jackson
It’s Billie Jean. I don’t care what your personal thoughts about Michael Jackson are, this is one (if not the) most perfect song of all time. I know people who think the man was filth, but still sing along to Billie Jean. It also doesn’t hurt that one of the greatest musical performance of all time is associated with this song.
What about “Under Pressure”? How dare you publish this list without first soliciting my opinion? That’s OK, you can replace MJ’s song with it.
I was actually contemplating We Will Rock You, but there are plenty of people out there who can’t really take Freddie Mercury.