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The criteria for inclusion on the list were simple – either the song itself or the playing thereof at a crucial moment must have had an impact on real-world events, political, social or cultural.
We assembled a panel of historians, musicians, critics and industry honchos to tell us their favoured candidates. They were allowed to nominate up to three songs which they felt had made the biggest impact on the world. The votes were then tallied with the Time Out's team own recommendations and put in a semblance of order. In the event of a tie for any position – which was surprisingly often – we argued the case for each song's historical merits, revised the list and applied Savlon.
The vast majority of the tracks represented are pop, folk or traditional standards. However, we have stretched the definition of 'song' where a strong argument was made for a particular movement of a classical piece or even a national anthem. And, thanks to cheeky rule-bending historian Dan Snow, there's even a poem – which we did think of trying to bill as an early progenitor of rap, but we didn't think we'd get away with it.
The final list is by no means definitive, and we're interested to hear what you think of it, especially if there are any glaring omissions you think should be addressed. Tell us what you think in the comments below.
Suede frontman.
The Horrors' frontman.
Journalist and author of ‘This is Serbia Calling’ and ‘Altered State’.
Art historian, honorary fellow of the Royal Institution of British Artists, author and TV/radio broadcaster. ‘The Country House Revealed’ is published by BBC Books at £25 and ‘The Secret History of Georgian London: How the Wages of Sin Shaped the Capital’, is published by Random House at £20.
Aka Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly.
Concert promoter.
Research fellow at King’s College London, fellow Of the Historical Association, New York Times bestselling author and TV/radio broadcaster. ‘The Hemlock Cup: Socrates, Athens And The Search For The Good Life’, is published in paperback by Vintage at £9.99. For more details visit www.bettanyhughes.co.uk.
Member of Howling Bells.
Author, TV and radio broadcaster. Co-presented National Treasures Live on BBC ONE.
Members of Summer Camp
Member of Wild Beasts
I found your work very interesting, even if it obviously an English speaking/North of the World centered selection. With a few exceptions like the Marselleise, the list sounds as if English was the only language able to change history. With the exception of the Egiptian Spring song Ihral, it looks as if the South of the Planet has no history at all. Spain and Latin America should compile their own 100 songs, absent here.
I'm surprised that Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody isn't on the list, given that it is widely recognised to have launched the video as the primary marketing tool for a song. (As well as the fact that it was a ground-breaking song to top the charts for so long given its length and complexity, and Queen's general impact on live rock perfomance.)
Sam Duckworth, don't write about something your clueless about, the statement 'it was the first dub reggae' is clearly not true, ever heard of King Tubby or Lee 'Scratch' Perry? do your research properly!
Sam Duckworth, don't write about something your clueless about, the statement 'it was the first dub reggae' is clearly not true, ever heard of King Tubby or Lee 'Scratch' Perry? do your research properly!
I was surprised to see that Christina Aguilera's 2002/3 hit Beautiful was not on the list. I think that the song should have placed somewhere in the top 50. It's a song that everyone can connect with as its lyrics address everyone in some way. Surely it has some impact on this list.
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