Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 Greatest Songs of All Time seems to be one of, if not, the most quoted source in regards to critics' lists for best songs of all time.

So, that got me wondering. What are the most acclaimed songs on Acclaimed Music.net that didn't make the list?

What are the least-acclaimed songs that did make the list?

Songs with asterisks (*) are songs that were released after the publication of Rolling Stone's list in 2004.

TOP SONGS NOT IN RS'S TOP 500

*1. Gnarls Barkley - Crazy (2006) #45
2. Pulp - Common People (1995) #50
3. New Order - Blue Monday (1983) #53
4. Massive Attack - Unfinished Sympathy (1991) #62
5. Franz Ferdinand - Take Me Out (2004) #69
6. Missy Misdemeanor Elliott - Get Ur Freak On (2001) #70
7. Oasis - Live Forever (1994) #71
8. The Specials - Ghost Town (1981) #90
9. The Smiths - This Charming Man (1983) #93
10. David Bowie - Space Oddity (1969) #104
11. Beyonce - Crazy in Love (2003) #105
12. The Temptations - My Girl (1964) #106
13. Oasis - Wonderwall (1995) #108
14. T. Rex - Get It On (Bang a Gong) (1971) #110
15. Underworld - Born Slippy (1995) #113
16. Billie Holiday - Strange Fruit (1939) #114
17. Blur - Song 2 (1997) #119
18. Talking Heads - Once in a Lifetime (1980) #123
19. Radiohead - Creep (1992) #132
20. The White Stripes - Seven Nation Army (2003) #140
21. The Supremes - Stop! In the Name of Love (1965) #142
22. Soft Cell - Tainted Love (1981) #146
23. The Stone Roses - Fools Gold (1989) #153
24. Roxy Music - Virginia Plain (1972) #155
25. Fatboy Slim - The Rockafeller Skank (1998) #157
26. The Prodigy - Firestarter (1996) #159
27. Van Halen - Jump (1984) #161
28. Woody Guthrie - This Land Is Your Land (1947) #165
29. Missy Misdemeanor Elliott - Work It (2002) #169
30. The Breeders - Cannonball (1993) #170
31. Madonna - Like a Virgin (1984) #172
32. Kylie Minogue - Can't Get You Out of My Head (2001) #176
33. The Smiths - There Is a Light That Never Goes Out (1986) #179
34. The Human League - Don't You Want Me (1981) #181
35. Violent Femmes - Blister in the Sun (1982) #183
35. Blur - Girls and Boys (1994) #185
36. Aretha Franklin - I Say a Little Prayer (1968) #188
37. Desmond Dekker - The Israelites (1969) #189
38. Buzzcocks - Ever Fallen in Love? (1978) #193
39. Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Relax (1983) #194
40. Kraftwerk - Autobahn (1974) #196
41. Deee-Lite - Groove Is in the Heart (1990) #197
*42. LCD Soundsystem - All My Friends (2007) #198
*43. Amy Winehouse - Rehab (2006) #199
44. The Rapture - House of Jealous Lovers (2002) #201
45. Eminem - My Name Is (1999) #204
46. Madonna - Into the Groove (1985) #207
47. Sonic Youth - Teen Age Riot (1988) #209
*48. Justice - D.A.N.C.E. (2007) #211
49. Motorhead - Ace of Spades (1980) #215
*50. Kanye West - Gold Digger (2005) #216
51. Britney Spears - Toxic (2003) #220
52. Talking Heads - Psycho Killer (1977) #226
53. Pretenders - Brass in Pocket (1979) #227
54. The Beatles - Tomorrow Never Knows (1966) #230
*55. Peter Bjorn and John - Young Folks (2006) #231
*56. Amerie - 1 Thing (2005) #235
57. Robert Johnson - Cross Road Blues (1936) #236
58. Beastie Boys - Fight for Your Right (To Party) (1986) #242
59. Beastie Boys - Intergalactic (1998) #244
60. OutKast - Ms. Jackson (2000) #245
61. The La's - There She Goes (1988) #246
62. Isaac Hayes - Theme from Shaft (1971) #247
63. The Beach Boys - I Get Around (1964) #250
64. Pink Floyd - See Emily Play (1967) #251
*65. Rihanna feat. Jay-Z - Umbrella (2007) #256
66. Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five - The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel (1981) #257
67. LCD Soundsystem - Losing My Edge (2002) #260
68. Stardust - Music Sounds Better with You (1998) #261
69. The Undertones - Teenage Kicks (1978) #265
70. Ann Peebles - I Can't Stand the Rain (1973) #266
71. Pixies - Debaser (1989) #271
72. Nirvana - Heart-Shaped Box (1993) #274
73. Link Wray - Rumble (1958) #275
74. The Beatles - Paperback Writer (1966) #276
75. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Under the Bridge (1991) #278
76. John Lennon - Instant Karma (We All Shine On) (1970) #280
77. Sex Pistols - Pretty Vacant (1977) #281
78. The Coasters - Yakety Yak (1958) #283
79. Tammy Wynette - Stand by Your Man (1968) #285
80. Serge Gainsbourg & Jane Birkin - Je T'Aime Moi Non Plus (1969) #287
81. The Jam - Going Underground (1980) #288
82. The White Stripes - Fell in Love with a Girl (2001) #289
83. TLC - Waterfalls (1994) #290
84. Don McLean - American Pie (1971) #291
85. Jackie Brenston - Rocket 88 (1951) #292
*86. Justin Timberlake - My Love (2006) #294
87. Dinosaur Jr. - Freak Scene (1988) #303
88. Grandmaster Flash and Melle Mel - White Lines (Don't Do It) (1983) #209
89. R.E.M. - It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) (1987) #310
90. M/A/R/R/S - Pump Up the Volume (1987) #311
91. TLC - No Scrubs (1999) #313
92. Pearl Jam - Jeremy (1991) #314
93. The Beatles - Revolution (1968) #317
94. Edwin Starr - War (1970) #318
95. Michael Jackson - Don't Stop Till You Get Enough (1979) #319
96. The Chemical Brothers - Block Rockin' Beats (1997) #322
97. Chic - Le Freak (1978) #323
*98. Arctic Monkeys - I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor (2005) #327
99. Coldplay - Yellow (2000) #334
100. Thelonious Monk - Round Midnight (1946) #335
101. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - The Tears of a Clown (1967) #336
102. The Beatles - Happiness Is a Warm Gun (1968) #337
103. Happy Mondays - Step On (1990) #342
104. Cliff Richard - Move It (1958) #343
105. Louis Armstrong - West End Blues (1928) #345
106. John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillen (1948) #346
107. Patti Smith - Gloria (1975) #348
108. The Beatles - I Am the Walrus (1967) #351
109. Soundgarden - Black Hole Sun (1994) #353
110. "Tennessee" Ernie Ford - Sixteen Tons (1955) #355
111. OutKast - B.O.B. (Bombs Over Baghdad) (2000) #356
*112. TV on the Radio - Wolf Like Me (2006) #357
113. Rob Base & DJ E-Z Rock - It Takes Two (1988) #359
114. Magazine - Shot by Both Sides (1978) #360
115. Primal Scream - Higher Than the Sun (1991) #361
116. Bon Jovi - Livin' on a Prayer (1986) #362
117. Public Enemy - Rebel Without a Pause (1987) #363
*118. Madonna - Hung Up (2005) #364
119. AC/DC - You Shook Me All Night Long (1980) #365
120. Judy Garland - Over the Rainbow (1939) #366
121. Cornershop - Brimful of Asha (1997) #367
122. MC5 - Kick Out the Jams (1969) #368
123. Public Image Ltd. - Public Image (1978) #369
124. PJ Harvey - Rid of Me (1993) #374
125. David Bowie - Life on Mars (1971) #375
126. The Jam - Down in the Tubestation at Midnight (1978) #376
127. The Monkees - I'm a Believer (1966) #377
128. Madonna - Ray of Light (1998) #379
129. Bill Monroe - Blue Moon of Kentucky (1947) #380
130. Patti Smith Group - Because the Night (1978) #381
131. Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy (1952) #382
131. Primal Scream - Loaded (1990) #383
132. Led Zeppelin - Rock and Roll (1971) #386
133. The Hives - Hate to Say I Told You So (2000) #387
134. Kelis - Milkshake (2003) #390
135. Hank Williams - I'll Never Get Out of This World Alive (1952) #394
136. Cameo - Word Up! (1986) #395
137. Beck - Where It's At (1996) #397
138. Aphex Twin - Window Licker (1999) #399
139. Fairport Convention - Who Knows Where the Time Goes (1969) #401
140. Gorillaz - Clint Eastwood (2001) #404
*141. The Raconteurs - Steady as She Goes (2006) #405
142. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid in Full (1987) #408
143. The Smashing Pumpkins - 1979 (1995) #410
144. The Sugarcubes - Birthday (1987) #411
145. Portishead - Sour Times (1994) #412
146. Dire Straits - Sultans of Swing (1978) #413
147. Gary Numan - Cars (1979) #414
148. The Supremes - You Can't Hurry Love (1966) #415
149. Wilbert Harrison - Kansas City (1959) #416
150. Alanis Morissette - You Oughta Know (1995) #420
151. Pavement - Cut Your Hair (1994) #421
152. Naughty by Nature - O.P.P. (1991) #422
153. The Clash - Rock the Casbah (1982) #427
154. Cyndi Lauper - Girls Just Want to Have Fun (1983) #428
155. Mary Wells - My Guy (1964) #430
156. Lauryn Hill - Doo Wop (That Thing) (1998) #431
157. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill (1985) #433
158. Arrested Development - Tennessee (1992) #435
159. Stevie Wonder - Uptight (1965) #438
160. Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls (1985) #439
161. Bing Crosby - White Christmas (1942) #441
162. 10cc - I'm Not in Love (1975) #442
163. John Coltrane - A Love Supreme, Part 1: Acknowledgment (1965) #444
164. Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs - Wooly Bully (1965) #446
165. 50 Cent - In Da Club (2003) #447
166. Duke Ellington - Take the "A" Train (1941) #448
167. Steely Dan - Reelin' in the Years (1972) #449
*168. Hot Chip - Over and Over (2006) #450
169. Jay-Z - 99 Problems (2003) #451
170. Britney Spears - Baby One More Time (1999) #452
171. Laurie Anderson - O Superman (1981) #453
172. Harold Melvin and the Bluenotes - If You Don't Know Me by Now (1972) #454
173. Jimmie Rodgers - Blue Yodel (T for Texas) (1928) #456
174. ABC - The Look of Love (1982) #457
175. The Doors - Riders on the Storm (1971) #458
176. Red Hot Chili Peppers - Give It Away (1991) #464
177. Leadbelly - The Midnight Special (1940) #465
178. Madonna - Music (2000) #467
179. My Bloody Valentine - Only Shallow (1991) #470
180. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Maps (2003) #472
181. The Cure - Boys Don't Cry (1979) #474
182. Coolio feat. L.V. - Gangsta's Paradise (1995) #475
183. The Shadows - Apache (1960) #477
184. Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel - Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me) (1975) #478
185. The Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman (1961) #479
186. Led Zeppelin - Dazed and Confused (1969) #480
187. Blackstreet feat. Dr. Dre - No Diggity (1996) #481
188. Roxy Music - Love Is the Drug (1975) #482
189. Van Morrison - Madame George (1968) #483
190. Johnny Cash - Hurt (2002) #485
191. Madonna - Vogue (1990) #486
192. The Sparks - This Town Ain't Big Enough for the Both of Us (1974) #487
193. U2 - I Will Follow (1980) #489
*194. Franz Ferdinand - Do You Want To (2005) #490
195. The Pogues feat. Kirsty MacColl - Fairytale of New York (1987) #493
196. Etta James - At Last (1961) #494
197. Neneh Cherry - Buffalo Stance (1988) #495
198. Gene Chandler - Duke of Earl (1962) #496
199. The Beach Boys - Surfin' U.S.A. (1963) #497
200. Billie Holiday - God Bless the Child (1941) #499
201. The Strokes - Last Nite (2001) #500
202. Blur - For Tomorrow - (1993) #503
203. Culture Club - Do You Really Want to Hurt Me (1982) #503
204. The Go-Go's - Our Lips Are Sealed (1981) #507
205. New Order - True Faith (1987) #508
206. Morrissey - First of the Gang to Die (2004) #510
207. House of Pain - Jump Around (1992) #511
208. Bob Seger - Night Moves (1976) #512
209. Augustus Pablo - Kiing Tubby Meets Rockers Uptown (1975) #513
210. Pixies - Gigantic (1988) #515
211. Daft Punk - Da Funk (1995) #516
*212. T.I. - What You Know (2006) #518
213. The O'Jays - Backstabbers (1972) #519
*214. Gorillaz - Feel Good Inc. (2005) #522
215. Kelly Clarkson - Since U Been Gone (2004) #523
216. LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out (1990) #524
217. Simon and Garfunkel - Mrs. Robinson (1968) #525
218. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Never Understand (1985) #526
219. New Radicals - You Get What You Give (1998) #527
220. Electric Six - Danger! High Voltage (2002) #529
221. The Rolling Stones - Start Me Up (1981) #530
223. Kraftwerk - Das Model (1978) #531
224. Free - All Right Now (1970) #532
225. Soul II Soul - Back to Life (1989) #533
226. Crowded House - Don't Dream It's Over (1986) #534
227. Pet Shop Boys - Being Boring (1990) #535
228. Sex Pistols - Holidays in the Sun (1977) #536
229. Devo - Whip It (1980) #537
230. The Damned - New Rose (1976) #538
231. Louis Armstrong - What a Wonderful World (1967) #539
232. Oasis - Supersonic (1994) #541
233. Public Enemy - Don't Believe the Hype (1988) #542
234. Jackie Wilson - Reet Petite (The Finest Girl You Ever Want to Meet) (1957) #543
235. Loretta Lynn - Coal Miner's Daughter (1970) #545
236. The Jesus and Mary Chain - Just Like Honey (1985) #546
237. Henry Mancini - Moon River (1961) #549
238. Kate Bush - Wuthering Heights (1978) #550
239. The Miracles - You've Really Got a Hold on Me (1962) #551
240. Richard Hell & The Voidoids - Blank Generation (1977) #552
241. Stan Getz & Astrud Gilberto - The Girl from Ipanema (1963) #553
242. The Chemical Brothers - Setting Sun (1996) #554
243. Carly Simon - You're So Vain (1972) #555
244. The Avalanches - Since I Left You (2000) #556
245. Robert Wyatt - Sea Song (1974) #557
246. Pretenders - Back on the Chain Gang (1982) #558
247. Junior Murvin - Police and Thieves (1976) #559
248. Blur - Out of Time (2003) #560
249. Cyndi Lauper - Time After Time (1983) #561
250. The Clash - White Riot (1977) #563

LOWEST-RATED SONGS IN RS'S TOP 500

1=Led Zeppelin - Ramble On (unlisted in AM)
1=Little Ricahrd - The Girl Can't Help It (unlisted in AM)
1=Joni Mitchell - Both Sides Now (unlisted in AM)
4=Earth, Wind & Fire - That's the Way of the World (1975) bubbling under
4=The Five Stairsteps - Ooh-Ooh-Child (1970) bubbling under
4=Elvis Presley - Blue Suede Shoes (1956) bubbling under
4=Paul Revere & The Raiders - Kicks (1966) bubbling under
4=The Smiths - William, It Was Really Nothing (1984) bubbling under
9. Brook Benton - Rainy Night in Georgia (1970) #2892
10. The Rolling Stones - Ruby Tuesday (1967) #2673
11. The Beach Boys - Sloop John B. (1966) #2660
12. The Ronettes - Walking in the Rain (1964) #2576
13. Thirteen - Big Star (1972) #2544
14. R. Kelly - I Believe I Can Fly (1996) #2510
15. Willie Nelson - On the Road Again (1980) #2410
16. Cream - White Room (1968) #2395
17. Wilson Pickett - Mustang Sally (1966) #2319
18. Rod Stewart - Do Ya Think I'm Sexy (1978) #2284
19. The Beach Boys - Caroline, No (1966) #2172
20. Chuck Berry - Brown Eyed Handsome Man (1956) #2131
21. The Cure - Pictures of You (1989) #2124
22. Little Richard - Keep a Knockin' (1957) #2104
23. Jeff Buckley - Hallelujah (1994) #2095
24. Aerosmith - Sweet Emotion (1975) #2060
25. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Little Wing (1967) #2014
26. Al Green - Love and Happiness (1973) #1873
27. The Shirelles - Tonight's the Night (1960) #1851
28. Aretha Franklin - Do Right Woman - Do Right Man (1967) #1845
29. John Cougar Mellencamp - Pink Houses (1983) #1840
30. Bob Dylan - Highway 61 Revisited (1965) #1828
31. Nirvana - In Bloom (1991) #1815
32. Neil Young - Cortez the Killer (1975) #1803
33. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - The Wind Cries Mary (1967) #1795
34. Patti Smith Group - Dancing Barefoot (1979) #1791
35. Solomon Burke - Everybody Needs Somebody to Love (1964) #1760
36. Sly and the Family Stone - Stand! (1969) #1751
37. Elvis Presley - Can't Help Falling in Love (1961) #1696
38. The Rolling Stones - Beast of Burden (1978) #1689
39. Jackson Browne - Running on Empty (1977) #1639
40. Elton John - Rocket Man (1972) #1632
41. Buddy Holly - Everyday (1957) #1627
42. The Four Tops - Standing in the Shadows of Love (1966) #1626
43. Sam Cooke - Cupid (1961) #1620
44. Elvis Presley - Love Me Tender (1956) #1544
45. Led Zeppelin - Black Dog (1971) #1519
46. The Drifters - Under the Boardwalk (1964) #1512
47. Pink Floyd - Comfortably Numb (1979) #1473
48. The Four Tops - I Can't Help Myself (1964) #1466
49. The Staple Singers - I'll Take You There (1972) #1461
50. Dion - The Wanderer (1961) #1460
51. Blondie - One Way or Another (1978) #1451
52. The Beatles - With a Little Help from My Friends (1967) #1450
53. Willie Nelson - Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain (1975) #1441
54. Bonnie Raitt - I Can't Make You Love Me (1991) #1396
55. Alice Cooper - I'm Eighteen (1971) #1386
56. The Allman Brothers Band - Whipping Post (1969) #1384
57. The Animals - Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood (1965) #1380
58. Bob Marley and the Wailers - Redemption Song (1980) #1379
59. Guns N' Roses - Paradise City (1987) #1371
60. Norman Greenbaum - Spirit in the Sky (1969) #1361
61. Smokey Robinson and the Miracles - Ooo Baby Baby (1965) #1348
62. Crosby, Stills & Nash - Suite: Judy Blue Eyes (1969) #1331
63. The Isley Brothers - That Lady (1973) #1302
64. The Beatles - Can't Buy Me Love (1964) #1297
65. Cream - Crossroads (1969) #1296
66. Howlin' Wolf - Spoonful (1960) #1268
67. The Dixie Cups - Chapel of Love (1964) #1247
68. Eddie Cochran - C'mon Everybody (1958) #1232
69. The Byrds - I'll Feel a Whole Lot Better (1965) #1228
70. The Dells - Oh What a Nite (1956) #1214
71. The Eagles - Desperado (1973) #1176
72. Eric Clapton - Tears in Heaven (1992) #1162
73. The Beatles - All You Need Is Love (1967) #1159
74. The Beatles - I Saw Her Standing There (1963) #1155
75. The Jimi Hendrix Experience - Foxy Lady (1967) #1143

Interesting lists. Thanks for posting.

the usual notional Why_those_bits_were_missing_exclusion_list:

a) too british
b) too old
c) too camp
d) too nasty

yeah.. ok, plus My Girl

Plus the list was voted on by alot of people. That tends to dilute the critical factor.

plus ?uestlove revealing himself as a belated Beach Boys afficionado was a pretty unexpected footnote...

no grudge against cool closet case oreos at all, but.. hee hee

Was this in 2004, nj?

think so, cf... the only RS mag i actually bought in the 2000's..

My records indicate that "My Girl" is pretty high in the RS list - at 88.

The AM list was "voted on" by even more people, so it should have the same diluting effect.

Oops...my mistake!
Yes, "My Girl" does appear at #88 on RS's list.
I was actually very relieved to learn of my error. Such a beautiful song, that should be on any best-of list.

How about this. The Rolling Stone list was voted on by alot of non-critics, but you're right. The better answer is that there are thousands upon thousands of songs to consider for a top 500 and far fewer albums.

plus it adds another quantum of logic to my soopadoopaprecise formula..

How is Ramble on not on this list?

I BELIVE I CAN FLYYYYY I BELIEVE I CAN TOUCH THE SKYYYYYY


such a great song, right? Right? RIGHT?????

Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now is not even bubbling under! And it is largely considered to be one of her best songs! Maybe people prefer to add Juddy Collin's version on lists. But damn, Joni's version is the ultimate one!

I was about to comment about my surprise at the exclusion of Joni Mitchell's Both Sides Now from the AM list when I saw that HRS just did so. Anyway, I second HRS! It's an iconic song from Joni, written when she was very young.

I agree with you Paul. Joni managed to write a masterpiece, that many singers dream to write, when she was very young. Everybody covers that song! Even Amelia (an awesome song by the way) managed to be inside the bubbling under. I hope a new "best songs of all time list" surfaces including the song in a very high position, then she will finally be inside the bubbling under (although in my opinion Both Sides Now is top 500/1000 material)

I think the best explanation for the absence of Joni's Both Sides Now is the fact that Judy Collins' popular (and excellent) version was released before Joni's recording. This probably leads to vote splitting, as it's not clear which is the definitive version.

The first recording was made by Fairport Convention (as a demo) in 1967. It was also recorded by everyone from Frank Sinatra to Neil Diamond to Glen Campbell. (Oh, and Leonard Nimoy gave the song a very tender reading too on his "The Way I Feel" LP.)

Although i believe that Joni's made the ultimate version twice (Clouds version and Both Sides Now 2000 version), it's pretty hard to say which one was. Everyone has covered this song, even Courtney Love. I guess it is Joni's most covered song ever, and i'm including the bunch of people that has covered River, A Case Of You and others.

Another shock was seeing Judy Collin's version bubbling under right now. I thought "yeah, maybe the totally split the votes", but only 2 lists included the song. So i guess that the song itself is very underrated, regardless of who sang it first or which version is the ultimate one. I'm surprised since songs that are way less known and actually album tracks sometimes, managed to appear inside the AM top 3000 songs or bubbling under and, the album which Both Sides Now is the last track, is bubbling under too. AM it's not the one to blame, they''re doing their work. Critics need to cite that song somewhere more times, and i believe it will gain steam enough to at least bubble under!

I think someone already mentioned that "My Girl" is #88 on Rolling Stone's list.