This past Wednesday, Rolling Stone Magazine came out with its revamped Top 500 Songs of All Time and without mincing words here, are they effing kidding?
The last list in 2004 had a few surprises to say the least but you really couldn’t argue with their top 10 or possibly their top 50 as well. That was pretty simple, they only had to include some music from 1990-2004, a horrible period for music in general, but rock music more so. Now, they have to include 2004-2021 which was an even worse period for music along with the crap from that 1990-2004 period. Thirty years of God awful recordings. Ugh.
I know, I know, there had to be some decent music during that period and there probably was but this goes back to a point I have made repeatedly in this column, the music being made now will never stand the test of time like music done in the 50’s through the mid 70’s.
Before I start, this list is the result of a poll of over 2500 artists, producers, writers and other industry types. Maybe that explains it.
I could rip apart this list in my sleep but since I am awake and raring to go lets just look at the top 10 to start.
Ok, “Respect” by Aretha Franklyn. No argument there except that a number of Aretha’s songs could fit but, I’ll give them that.
WTF! Number 2, Public Enemy’s “Fight The Power”. That has to be a joke, no? While it is a pretty powerful song and has an urgency and anger in it, it doesn’t come close to the top ten or top fifty. It’s pandering by Rolling Stone to a group of readers that would never pick up the magazine. They want to show they are in touch, so they end up further eroding any cred they had with Rock and Roll.
Sam Cook’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” is another attempt to show readers that Rolling Stone understands the problems in society today or some such drivel. It is a very good song, great production but is it the third best record of all time, sorry, not in my humble opinion.
“Like a Rolling Stone” by Bob Dylan was number one in 2004, how does it drop down?Peoples tastes change, I get that, but greatness should only be supplanted by something greater. Show that to me. I don’t see it. I won’t quibble with Aretha or Dylan, both great artists and thats okay. However, there is something wrong here.
I have zero issue with the next three, Nirvana, Marvin Gaye and The Beatles all deserve top 10 records. Just pick which one you like and drop it in. However, putting Missy Elliot’s “Get Ur Freak On” anywhere near the top 500 songs is blasphemous! Maybe thats too strong but come on, who on God’s green earth would ever say this record or any record that Missy Elliot has ever done deserves to be included or even mentioned in the same breath as The Beatles or Elvis Presley. More pandering I see.
Number nine is Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams” and I think there are probably 15 Fleetwood Mac songs that are better, but I argue too much about this selection. However, I can definitely argue putting Outkast’s “Hey Ya” on this list. While I do like the song and it is very danceable and fun, it does not deserve this lofty standing. Because Outkast has had an important place in music history (wait, did I just say that?) I can see including this song somewhere in the 400’s, not #10.
Ok, I’ve vented enough about this stupidity. Oh wait, this one just slapped me in the face, Robyn’s “Dancing on My Own” is number 20. Good God! What is a Robyn and how did this even happen? I read the notes on the selection and she, or should I say, this song is a template for other songs by Taylor Swift and Lourde. Thats all the more reason, it should have never been included on this list at all. It’s like planting poison ivy and watering it. You asked for it you got it and now we have to suffer through the results. Putting this song ahead of “Be my Baby” by the Ronettes should tell you all you need to know about this list.
I could go on but my head is about to explode seeing Beyonce’ and Jay Z mentioned before Elvis Presley or The Rolling Stones. There has to be a law against that?
It is pretty clear to me that Rolling Stone Magazine has completely lost it’s way. Granted, it has always been a liberal magazine with some excellent Rock and Roll writers but now it seems those writers have given way to that agenda and forgotten what truly great music encompasses. Trying to draw in a different demographic now that they have lost their base of fifty years is sad. This list is an attempt to show inclusiveness and acceptance that music has changed. It has changed but not for the better and forcing people to rethink what they believe is great music is a waste of time. People who like music and enjoy music know this and also know what the magazine is attempting to do, change opinions. Hard to do when you have lived through a period of truly great music like most of us have.
Take a look at their list and tell me what you think. Notorious B.I.G. ahead of Chuck Berry? Ugh, it’s too painful!!
Hey look at that, we finally agree on something!