100 songs that changed history: the full list

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Time Out explores the music that changed the course of world events

Inspired (kind of) by Pete Seeger's quote that 'the right song at the right time can change history', Time Out assembled a panel of musicians, historians and enthusiasts to debate and collate the 100 songs which have had the most significant impact on real-world events – culturally, socially and politically.

Browse the full list below, click on each song to read more and tell us what you think in the comments.

100 - 91 | 90 - 81 | 80 - 71 | 70 - 61 | 60 - 51 | 50 - 41 | 40 - 31 | 30 - 21 | 20 - 11 | 10 - 1

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(1 rating)

It is frankly an odd list even by the standard of the phenomenon of ridiculous lists. Biko by Peter Gabriel was instrumental in raising awareness of the South African struggle for freedom. Not in your list at all.

Bill Phell Sun Sep 11 2011
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who the hell came up with this list?! They are a fool and completly biased towards shitty urban tracks that did nothing but incite hatred for the police. Completly stupid list and a waste of my time.

Matt Sat Sep 10 2011
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I can't believe "Big Yellow Taxi" or "Woodsock" aren't on there seeing as they were definitive songs for the hippie movement and for Generation X as a whole, whereas "Wannabe" is! And why Aretha's "Think" and not "Respect"?

Tristan Sat Sep 10 2011
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I must agree with Pierre below... I've only looked through the top 50, but only 10 of those are related to the changing of history in countries other than the USA or Britain... And even of THOSE, two or three are by British or American artists. This is for the most part a list of songs which changed 'Anglo-Saxon culture', not 'history'.

Caroline Sat Sep 10 2011
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I fail to understand why, given the political context of this list, there is nothing by Paul Robeson ? A musical/acting/political heavyweight who presaged some of these allegedly "militant" black acts on the list by decades, was put under surveillance by the CIA, spoke up for black civil rights before the parents of NWA were born : one can only assume the oh-so-knowledgeable TO music section & panel of "experts" have never heard of him

Chris Sat Sep 10 2011
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Checa.

Pa Sat Sep 10 2011
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And what about Bob Marley ?

Soccerasta Fri Sep 9 2011
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Encore l'impérialisme culturel anglo-saxon, ils se prennent vraiment pour le nombril du monde. Jusqu'au "Star spangled" un symbole international d'ignorance et d'arrogance...

Pierre Demers Fri Sep 9 2011
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Where is Bob Marley ?

Pierrot2Mars Fri Sep 9 2011
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Have you guys ever heard about U2 or Johnny Clegg ? Seriously Justin Bieber ?!? Even Britney Spears would have been a better choice...

Gwenn Fri Sep 9 2011
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100 songs that changed history: the full list

100 - 91

90 - 81

80 - 71

70 - 61

60 - 51

50 - 41

40 - 31

30 - 21

20 - 11

10 - 1

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