The 27th Annual Top 77 Songs Of All Time Survey!
The
Original Internet Voted Songs Survey!
A Quarter Century and counting!
Hundreds of songs!
Thousands of votes!
Here Are the Top 77 Songs - VOTED by YOU for the 27th Edition!
(Voting took place between
10/19/24 and 12/8/24)
2024 Rank/Title/Artist/Year/Top 77 History
* (Asterisk) Indicates a former
#1 song on Billboard charts or WABC Radio in New York. References to
national rankings are based on Billboard's Top 100 or Hot 100 Charts.
"Top 77" references reflect the Top 77 songs of the overall Top 77 voted
songs list.)
From #77 to #1 – The Results of YOUR Votes!
77*Lightning Strikes - Lou Christie (1966) A #1 song both nationally and on WABC, lightning strikes for the 17th time in our Top 77 for this singer, who had three distinctively different chart runs in: 1963 with "Two Faces Have I", 1966 with this song, and 1969 with "I'm Gonna Make You Mine".
76 Unchained Melody - Righteous Brothers (1965/1990) This song returned to the top 20 in 1990 when it was featured in the movie "Ghost". Overall, nine acts have charted in the top 100 nationally with this song, with four different acts making the national top 20 chart since 1955. This song is its 19th appearance on our Top 77.
75*Wedding Bell Blues - 5th Dimension (1969) A #1 song both nationally and on WABC, this was one of two #1 hits for this act in 1969. The other was "Aquarius..." This song is back in our Top 77 for the eighth time.
74 Cara, Mia - Jay and the Americans (1965) It's the ninth time this song has been voted into the Top 77. But the more important question is this: Is there REALLY a comma in the title? The answer? Well, most definitely! Just check the 45 RPM record label.
73 Don't Worry Baby - Beach Boys (1964) Although it did not chart on WABC and only peaked at #24 nationally in 1964, this flip side of the #1 "I Get Around" qualifies as the biggest double-sided car hit in chart history. It's back in the Top 77 for the tenth time.
72 Bohemian Rhapsody – Queen (1976/1992) A Top 3 national and WABC hit, this song was a bigger hit in 1992 than it was when it was originally released in 1976 thanks to its inclusion in the movie "Wayne's World". This is its 16th time in the Top 77.
71*My Sweet Lord - George Harrison (1971) This song peaked just as 1970 was turning into 1971. Back in the Top 77 for the eighth time, it was #1 nationally but stalled at #3 on WABC. George went on to have eight national top 20 hits including two more #1's after this.
70*Incense and Peppermints - Strawberry Alarm Clock (1967) A #1 song nationally and on WABC, it's been in the Top 77 a whopping 22 times since 1998. Care for two fun facts? Their lead singer on this song was Greg Munford, a 16-year-old member of a band called "Shapes of Sound", who immediately left the group after this recording session. 2nd Fun Fact? Lead guitarist Ed King later joined Lynyrd Skynyrd. (And no, "Lynyrd Skynyrd" did not get ptomaine poisoning after "dinn-yrd". Just ask Allan Sherman.)
69 Gimme Shelter - Rolling Stones (1969) From the LP "Let It Bleed", this is back in the Top 77 for the sixth time. Singer Merry Clayton, who contributed heavily to the vocals on this cut, had her own version of the song in 1970.
68*A Hard Days Night - Beatles (1964) A #1 hit both nationally and on WABC, this song is here for the 12th time on the Top 77. It was one of six #1 hits for the boys in 1964 alone!
67 In My Life – Beatles (1966) From the “Rubber Soul” LP, it finished as high as #18 in the twenty-one times it has been voted into the Top 77. Surprisingly this year, it dropped down from #28 last year.
66 Jumpin' Jack Flash – Rolling Stones (1968) Making our list for the seventh time, this was the only Stones song to make the national top 20 in 1968. This year, Jack jumped up from #77 last year.
65*Brandy (You're a Fine Girl) Looking Glass (1972) Back in the Top 77 for the 20th time, a different song called "Brandy" became "Mandy" to avoid confusion when Barry Manilow recorded "Brandy" (now known as "Mandy") allowing "Brandy" to remain as "Brandy" and not "Mandy". Got it? If so, please explain it to me.
64*It's Too Late – Carole King (1971) It's the tenth time around for this classic, the "A" side to "I Feel the Earth Move". It was #11 on our very first Top 77 in 1998. That same year, "Jazzman" finished at #9.
63 Beyond the Sea - Bobby Darin (1960) This follow-up to the monster hit "Mack the Knife" has been voted into the Top 77 part of the list seventeen times.
62*One
Less Bell to Answer – 5th Dimension (1970) They had 8
songs debut in the Hot 100 in 1970, but out of those eight, this was the
only top 20 hit. It was bigger on WABC as it climbed to #1. Nationally,
it peaked at #2. It's the eighth time it has been on our Top 77.
61 Because – Dave Clark Five (1964) It's been in the Top 77 twenty-four times, peaking in 2004 when it finished at #11. It was one of seven top 20 hits released by the group in 1964.
60*You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin' – Righteous Brothers (1965) Back for the 23rd time, this was their breakthrough hit. It came after a tepid start at Moonglow Records where their biggest chart song, "Little Latin Lupe Lu", stalled at #49.
59 If I Can Dream - Elvis Presley (1969) Although it climbed to #12 on the national charts, it stopped at #32 on WABC. This is the first time you've voted it into the top 77 of our list, joining seven other Elvis songs that made it to those heights.
58 Imagine - John Lennon (1971) Never a number one nationally or on WABC, it was one of twelve top 20 hits. This is its 25th time in the top 77.
57*Crystal Blue Persuasion – Tommy James & the Shondells (1969) This is the 18th time that this song has been in the Top 77. Back in 2005 it hit its peak of #27. After this song's chart run, Tommy would have only one more top 10 hit, "Draggin' the Line" in 1971.
56*Will You Love Me Tomorrow - Shirelles (1960) It's the eighteenth time around for this one, a #1 hit both nationally and in 1961. Two years later, The Shirelles got to the top again for three weeks with "Soldier Boy".
55 Here Comes the Sun – Beatles (1969) From the “Abbey Road” LP, this makes the top 77 part of our list for the eighth time. Only three other Beatle LP cuts have gotten as high as #77; "A Day in the Live", "Here, There and Everywhere", and "In My Life".
54 Go All the Way – Raspberries (1972) It's the seventh time this song has been on the Top 77. Lead singer Eric Carman's biggest hit came in 1976 when "All By Myself" made it to #2.
53 Everything That Touches You – Association (1968) This is the fourth time on the top 77 for this song, which turned out to be their last top 20 hit.
52 Dawn (Go Away) - 4 Seasons (1964) This was one of nine songs to chart for the Jersey Boys in 1964. And here's an oddity...it was the only song to be listed in a tie for a position in WABC's top ten when on March 10 it shared the #2 spot with "I Want to Hold Your Hand". It's on our list for the 20th time.
51*Nights in White Satin – Moody Blues (1972) Making the Top 77 twenty-three times, this one took its first deep breath when it "bubbled under the Hot 100" in 1968 before being rereleased four years later.
50*Dancing Queen - ABBA (1977) Back for the second time, it's the only ABBA song to ever crack the Top 77. It was a national #1 hit that stalled at #3 on WABC.
49*I Get Around - Beach Boys (1964) Despite charting with over 60 Hot 100 songs, these guys only had four national #1 songs, and this was one of them. It's back on the Top 77 for just the third time.
48*Daydream Believer – Monkees (1967) "What number is this, Jim?" NUMBER FORTY-EIGHT! You want more numbers? OK, it's the 14th time in 27 years that this #1 hit has made the Top 77, moving up from #49 last year!
47 Can't Help Falling in Love – Elvis Presley (1962) It's back for the 22nd time. A #2 song nationally, it barely made the WABC top ten, peaking at #8, which is surprising for such a classic.
46 Something - Beatles (1969) This was released as a "Double 'A' Side” single along with "Come Together". It's made the Top 77 twelve times. And that other side of this single? Well, it has yet to make the Top 77.
45*Sherry - The 4 Seasons (1962) A #1 hit both nationally and on WABC, fifty-one charted songs and four number one smashes would follow. This is the 18th time it has made the Top 77.
44*Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In (The Flesh Failures) - 5th Dimension (1969) It's the fifteenth time on our list, and along with "Wedding Bell Blues", is one of their only two number one songs, both of which came in 1969.
43*I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch) – Four Tops (1965) This is the 19th time it has made the Top 77. It was a #1 song on both the national charts and WABC radio.
42*California Dreamin' – Mamas & the Papas (1966) It was a #1 song on WABC but only got to #4 on the national chart. Here for the sixteenth time, suprisingly it's the only Mamas & the Papas song to date to get into our Top 77.
41*Runaway - Del Shannon (1961) Del's back in a big way after slipping to #219 last year! #1 on both the WABC and national charts, it has made the Top 77 eighteen times.
40 A Whiter Shade of Pale - Procol Harum (1967) This peaked at #2 on WABC and #5 nationally. Their only other national top 20 song came in 1972 with "Conquistador". It's the fourth time on the top 77 for this song.
39* Yesterday - Beatles (1965) 21 times on the Top 77 for what was essentially a Paul McCartney solo hit before he started releasing Paul McCartney solo hits.
38*Downtown – Petula Clark (1965) It was #1 nationally and on WABC and is back for the 13th time. But the only number you need to know is this: 92. That's how old this remarkable and beautiful lady is who for so long spread her musical gift of talent around the world. Her only other #1 song, my love, was "My Love" in 1966.
37*The Sound(s) of Silence – Simon & Garfunkel (1965) Be it "Sound" or "Sounds" (you'll find it both ways on various record labels), it was an across-the-board #1 at the end of 1965 and the beginning of 1966. They would combine for two more #1 songs before breaking up...and getting back together...and breaking up...and, well, you get the point. It's here for the tenth time.
36 Superstar – Carpenters (1971) It peaked at #2 on WABC and the national charts. So far, it has made our Top 77 six times. But its peak of #25 in 2003 remains the highest position any of their songs have place here.
35 Beginnings – Chicago (1971) This missed the Top 77 for the first 15 years, but then has made it for 11 of the last 12 years. Go figure. The LP cut is long...but I still say the 45 rpm is the best edit job on a single I ever heard.
34 I Only Have Eyes for You – Flamingos (1959) This song seems to make the Top 77 every year. In reality, it's made it 17 times. But that's still impressive, no? It peaked on our top 77 at #17 way back in 2000.
33*What's Going On – Marvin Gaye (1971) A big hit for him and the Detroit Lions football team, who joined in on making the crowd noise. This and “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” proved to be Marvin's biggest hits. It's here for the tenth time.
32 A Day in the Life – Beatles (1967) This “Sgt. Pepper's...” LP cut dropped down from #13 last year, but it remains only one of four Beatles LP cuts to make the Top 77. This is its 22nd time on the Top 77.
31*He's a Rebel - Crystals (1962) With the help of the incredible Darlene Love fronting the vocals, Gene Pitney's songwriting skills, and Phil Spector's "Wall of Sound", this classic girl group returns to the Top 77 for the 18th time with this national #1 hit.
30 Can't Find the Time – Orpheus (1969) This is in its 13th time on the Top 77. Released in both 1968 and 1969, it only got to #80 nationally and didn't chart at all on WABC.
29*Mack the Knife – Bobby Darin (1959) It's on the list for the 25th time. It was a national #1 song for nine weeks!
28*Sugar Sugar – Archies (1969) It’s here for the 13th time. This "Cartoon Studio Band" voiced by Ron Dante, Ellie Greewich, Toni Wine, Andy Kim and others, actually had another top ten national hit. Do you remember "Jingle Jangle"?
27 Born to Run - Bruce Springsteen (1975). This one just missed the Top 77 last year, finishing at #78. It's back for the 19th time.
26*To Sir With Love - Lulu (1967) This #1 song on WABC and nationally finished as the #1 song of the year on many charts. This is the 15th time around for Marie Lawrie...that's Lulu!
25*Cherish - Association (1966) This hit has been voted into the Top 77 twenty-three times...This and "Windy" were their two number one songs.
24*The
Rain, the Park and Other Things – Cowsills (1967) It has
been in the Top 77 for 13 years. This song was #1 on WABC but only could
get to #2 nationally.
23 Like a Rolling Stone - Bob Dylan (1966) With long singles still rather uncommon in 1966, this song was faded about halfway through by many radio stations, including WABC, Eventually, most opted for the full six-minute version. Bob Dylan, nee Robert Allan Zimmerman from the influence of poet Dylan Thomas, is on the list for the 25th time.
22*I Want to Hold Your Hand – Beatles (1964) The song that started Beatlemania in the U.S. has been on our list every single year, making it into the top ten 17 times! Interesting fact: Starting January 18, 1964, one new Beatles song entered the national Hot 100 for five weeks in a row.
21*Happy Together – Turtles (1967) After dropping from #19 to #63 last year, Flo and Eddie and the boys jump back up to #21 for its tenth time on the Top 77. Evidently, they made more people feel happy together this year.
20 Layla – Derek & the Dominos (1971/1972) It's the 22nd time on the list for Eric Clapton disguised as Derek. It actually charted three times by Mr. Eric Derek Domino Clapton...the short version in 1971, the long version in 1972 and a live version in 1992. Which charted highest? Do you like the year 1972?
19*Hotel California - Eagles (1977) The Eagles landed at #1 on the national charts in 1977. Here they land in the Top 77 for the 23rd time. This is the only Eagles song to ever make it into the Top 77.
18*She Loves You - Beatles (1964) Both this and "I Want to Hold Your Hand" stuck around for 15 weeks in 1964. The next Beatles song to stay on the chart for at least those many weeks was "Hey Jude" in 1968. This song, like "I Want to Hold Your Hand" has been in the Top 77 in each of the 27 years of this survey,
17*Let It Be - Beatles (1970) There must have been something in the water in 2009 since that was the only year that this song did not get into the Top 77. It was a #1 hit on the national charts and WABC.
16*Be My Baby - Ronettes (1963) It peaked at #1 on WABC but only #2 nationally. It made the Top 77 twenty-three times, and despite peaking at #2 nationally, the group would never have another national top 20 song.
15 Wichita Lineman - Glen Campbell (1968) Itt has made the Top 77 fifteen times, but this year as #15 it has charted higher than any other year.
14 Suspicious Minds - Elvis Presley (1969) Elvis returned to the #1 spot in 1969 with this, which halted at #4 on WABC. It was his first #1 song since 1962, when "Good Luck Charm" hit the top. It very quietly has made our survey 19 times.
13*Good Vibrations - Beach Boys (1966) This was their third top five hit in 1966. It went to #1 nationally but held at #4 on WABC. It's another of the few songs that has made our top 77 every year.
12*My Girl - Temptations (1965) Like "Good Vibrations", this one was #1 nationally but only made it to #4 on WABC. It only missed making the Top 77 one time.
11 In the Still of the Nite - Five Satins (1956) It charted in 1956, 1959 and 1960 and never made the national top 20, yet "...Still"...still has become a doo-wop classic. It's another song that has made our Top 77 every year.
10 Stairway to Heaven (from the LP "Led Zeppelin IV) - Led Zeppelin (1972) In 2009 it was the #2 song on our Top 77, and it has made the list every year.
9*American Pie - Don McLean (1972) It was an across-the-board #1 song and another that's been here all 27 years. Like "Like a Rolling Stone" it also was split into two parts in its early chart run, with the single going with a "Part 1" and "Part 2" 45 rpm version of this classic.
8*Light My Fire - Doors (1967) It's been here every year, which is something accomplished by only nine songs that have ever made the Top 77. #1 on WABC and nationally. No other Doors song has cracked the Top 77.
7*Ain't No Mountain High Enough - Diana Ross (1970) Another double #1 (on WABC and nationally), this only missed the Top 77 one time and has been #2 seven times!
6*Bridge
Over Troubled Water - Simon and Garfunkel (1970) A #1 on
WABC and nationally, this too has been here every year. And what could
be the strangest thing about this song being such a big hit? That's
simple...Simon sez there were many disagreements about the third verse
in this song, which Garfunkel came up with. It was about Simon's wife
Peggy Harper noticing her first gray hairs. Gee, did ya think it might
be a bit of a touch subject for a woman, Art???
5 MacArthur Park - Richard Harris (1968) It was never #1, stopping at #2 on WABC and nationally. But it's been here every year, finishing in the top ten twenty times! Not bad for a waterlogged cake! Richard never made the top 40 again once this song faded away.
4*Rag
Doll - 4 Seasons (1964) This was the only song to go from
"Pick Hit of the Week" to #1 in one week, something that was extremely
unique in 1964, especially coming in the middle of Beatlemania. It was
one of an extraordinary eleven songs to chart in 1964 for the Jersey
Boys. So, it seems that 1964 was not kind to only the gang from
Liverpool. The song only missed
making the Top 77 once, in our very first 1998 list. But it was also one
of only three songs to get to #1 on our Top 77.
3 God Only Knows - Beach Boys (1964) This was the flip side of "Wouldn't It Be Nice", a #8 song. "God Only Knows" only got to #39 nationally in 1964 and wasn't even played on WABC. But its popularity grew through the years to where its popularity has far surpassed the flip side. It's on the Top 77 for the 24th time.
2*(I
Can't Get No) Satisfaction - Rolling Stones (1965) #1
here, there and everywhere in 1965, this one has made our list every
time and surpassed "Hey Jude" last year to become only the second song
to unseat “Hey Jude” at #1 on this survey. The only other songs that
have finished on top on the Top 77 are "Rag Doll" in 2010 and...
1*Hey
Jude - Beatles (1968)
It's back on top for
the 25th time, narrowly squeezing in by the equivalent of ONE vote! See,
we told you every vote counts! In 1968 it was #1 for an impressive 9
weeks.
And this year, it reigns once again as the Top 77 Champion.
There you have it...out of almost 3,600 songs that got
votes...it was the “Best of the Best”, "King of the Hill", "A-#1" and
all those other "New York, New York" clichés.
Special
“Thanks” goes to Frank Thomas for his exceptional work on the technical
end helping me in compiling this list and researching the stats we
present and for consultation on the overall project...and for being
there to bounce ideas off during this entire project. He’s an invaluable
part of the Top 77 team.
And of
course...thanks to Allan Sniffen for turning the list into a great week
of music on REWOUND Radio.