A definitive list of the most influential songs of all time is almost impossible to make. Songs have defined generations, wars, movements, beliefs, or expressed the struggles within a particular race or culture. 

Whether it be American music, grime, grunge, country rock, or classic Brit hits, there are hundreds of songs one could call influential. However, in no particular order, here are arguably 11 of the most influential songs of all time. 

The Beach Boys – Good Vibrations 

Good Vibrations is easily one of the biggest songs The Beach Boys ever released and a song that defined the 60s. The eclectic mix of psychedelic instrumentals and soothing vocals is widely regarded as one of the songs that created the groovy sounds of the 70s. 

The more impressive part is that this song has lasted decades and can still be played in a bar or at a party, and everyone will start tapping their foot, no matter their age. 

The Doors – Light My Fire

You can’t talk about “the best to ever do it” without mentioning The Doors. While they had tons of hits throughout the years, Light My Fire was their first number 1. All these years later and you will still hear it in movies, TV shows, and video games. 

Outkast – Hey Ya

There aren’t many hip-hop songs that people will add to a list like this, but there are dozens that are genre-defining and changed music forever; Hey Ya is one of those songs. Outkast is one of the best rap duos of all time, and Hey Ya was played on every radio station, on TV, and in every karaoke bar for years after its release. 

Roy Orbison – Only The Lonely

Considering his immense success and discography, it surprises some to hear Only The Lonely was Orbison’s big hit. When it was released, the New York Times described Orbison as being “clenched, driven and urgent.” This ballad pulls at the heartstrings from the moment it starts. 

Simon and Garfunkel – The Sound of Silence

The first number one for the duo, Sound of Silence, has been redone and remade dozens of times throughout the years. In 1999 BMI named The Sound of Silence the 18th-most performed song. It is widely regarded as a piece of the backbone of folk rock. 

John Lennon – Imagine 

Imagine is credited as having one of the best messages in music while using simple lyrics and musical composition. The song was released during a time of mass upheaval, with war and minorities fighting for equal rights being on the news every day. It is widely viewed as the backing track for the world when it went through massive changes. 

Nirvana – Smells Like Teen Spirit

Nirvana is the band that many believe not only created grunge but brought it into the mainstream. In his short life, Kurt Cobain wrote a song, Smells Like Teen Spirit, that would be known as the anthem of the generation for Gen X.

The song has been revered since its release, with NME naming it the second Best Single of All Time, and it went Platinum in seven countries, including a ridiculous 9x Platinum in Australia. 

The Beatles – Hey Jude

The Beatles had dozens of hits during their time, but one easily stands out from the crowd. Hey Jude was released in 1968, and across 24 different weekly charts, it didn’t dip below 5th and was 1st on 22 of them; mind-blowing success, to say the least. 

Public Enemy – Fight the Power

Part of the soundtrack for Spike Lee’s Do The Right Thing, Fight the Power by Public Enemy, incorporates aspects of African-American culture, taking aspects of the civil rights movements and black church services. 

Not only is it a tribute to those who stood up against oppression and fought against injustice, but it was also a commercial success. Rolling Stone named it as the 2nd best song of all time in 2021. 

Linkin Park – Numb

Linkin Park is another group that released a handful of instant hits. The unique and strong vocals of their late lead singer Chester Bennington and the mix of rock and electronic music made them appeal to a huge audience. 

Numb was an overnight sensation whose lyrics resonated with those facing everything from heartbreak to bullying and insecurities. The message was so much deeper than anyone expected and was the Smells Like Teen Spirit for millennials. 

Wu-Tang Clan – C.R.E.A.M

The song that put Wu-Tang on the map, C.R.E.A.M has one of the best and most recognizable beats in music; the track is accredited with being one of the reasons hip-hop left the realm of being “for the streets” and became more commercial. It may not be the most hardcore track Wu ever released, but it impacted far beyond anything they could have expected.