Here’s my very, VERY rough prediction as to what the top 10 might look like:
1 | Aretha Franklin | Respect | 1967
2 | Bob Dylan | Like a Rolling Stone | 1965
3 | Marvin Gaye | What’s Going On | 1971
4 | Nirvana | Smells Like Teen Spirit | 1991
5 | Johnny B Goode | Chuck Berry | 1958
6 | The Beach Boys | Good Vibrations | 1966
7 | Sam Cooke | A Change is Gonna Come | 1958
8 | Michael Jackson | Billie Jean | 1982
9 | The Ronettes | Be My Baby | 1963
10 | Prince | When Doves Cry | 1984
Some more general predictions
- "Paper Planes" will be the top song of the 2000s
- I’m leaning towards "Alright" being the top song of the 2010s, but “Dancing On My Own” could be as well (possibly even "Formation", but I doubt that).
- "Imagine" will take a dive, likely out of the top 40 or so. I can definitely see voters being mixed about the song, with some showing appreciation for its themes but others being more cynical about them.
- "A Day in the Life" will be the highest-rated Beatles song, and it’ll probably be in the top 20.
- "Gimme Shelter" will be the highest ranked Rolling Stones song, primarily due to its themes of war. While "Satisfaction" is good, I could see it not even being in the top 50; younger voters might not really care about its themes of commercialism, which are relevant but not very "political", at least compared to "Gimme Shelter's".
- I can see a similar approach taken with "My Generation", but I can also see it remain somewhat high on the list, as its themes can be applied to today's society with the social justice movements over the last few years.
- As shown above, I believe "Billie Jean" will be in the top 10 (or at the very least top 20), and I disagree with other forumers that it will take a tumble due to Jackson’s public perception. Thriller was pretty damn high in the album list, and I can see RS just briefly mentioning Jackson’s personal life like they did in Thriller’s album spot while still giving a high placement to “Billie Jean”.
- While I wouldn’t be the biggest fan of it, I could see "WAP" being in the list, likely the only song from 2020.
- "Bohemian Rhapsody" will be in the top 100 (it better be in the top 50!)
I’m looking forward to this list. The original song list (and its update) is what got me interested in these music lists, and therefore finding this site. I’m excited they’re making a new one.