The Best Singles of All Time

~ Release by Various Artists (see all versions of this release, 1 available)

Tracklist

1▶CD: The Sixties
2▶CD: The Sixties
3▶CD: The Seventies
4▶CD: The Seventies
5▼CD: The Eighties
#TitleArtistRatingLength
1Man Eater
recording of:
Maneater
lyricist:
Sara Allen, Daryl Hall and John Oates
composer:
Daryl Hall and John Oates
publisher:
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! see annotation), Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Fust Buzza Inc., Hot Cha Music Co., Irving Music, Inc., Primary Wave Brian, Rondor Music (Australia) Pty Ltd, Rondor Music Pty. Ltd., Unichappell Music, Inc., Warner Chappell, Warner Chappell Music (publisher as Warner/Chappell Music) and Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019)
Hall & Oates3:21
2Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
live recording of:
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
lyricist:
Annie Lennox (Scottish singer-songwriter, member of Eurythmics and The Tourists) and Dave Stewart (UK guitarist/singer for Eurythmics)
composer:
Eurythmics, Annie Lennox (Scottish singer-songwriter, member of Eurythmics and The Tourists) and Dave Stewart (UK guitarist/singer for Eurythmics)
arranger:
Miriama Young
publisher:
BMG Music, BMG Music Publishing Ltd., D’n’A Ltd., Sunbury Music Ltd. and Universal Music–MGB Songs
recording of:
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)
lyricist:
Annie Lennox (Scottish singer-songwriter, member of Eurythmics and The Tourists) and Dave Stewart (UK guitarist/singer for Eurythmics)
composer:
Eurythmics, Annie Lennox (Scottish singer-songwriter, member of Eurythmics and The Tourists) and Dave Stewart (UK guitarist/singer for Eurythmics)
arranger:
Miriama Young
publisher:
BMG Music, BMG Music Publishing Ltd., D’n’A Ltd., Sunbury Music Ltd. and Universal Music–MGB Songs
Eurythmics3:44
3Walk on the Wild Side
recording of:
Walk on the Wild Side
lyricist and composer:
Lou Reed
publisher:
Dunbar Music, EMI Music Publishing Australia Pty. Limited (not for release label use!), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Oakfield Avenue Music, Oakfield Avenue Music Ltd., Screen Gems–EMI Music Ltd., Screen Gems–EMI Music, Inc. (USA, affiliated with BMI) and Six Continents Music Publishing Inc.
Lou Reed3:52
4Never Gonna Give You Up
keyboard [Fairlight] programming:
Ian Curnow (in 1986-10)
additional engineer:
Jamie Bromfield (member of SNJ Works, The Extra Beat Boys, Recall), Mike Duffy (mixing for Nitzer Ebb), Phil Harding (engineer, producer and remixer) and Karen Hewitt
assistant engineer:
Boky, Peter Day, Gordon Dennis (engineer at PWL Studios), Jonathan King and Yoyo (UK producer/engineer/mixer Yoyo Olugbo)
engineer:
Mark McGuire (UK producer/engineer)
producer:
Aitken, Stock (of Stock Aitken Waterman) and Waterman
mixer:
Mixmasters Pete Hammond (UK producer aka “Mixmaster”) (on 1987-01-01)
drums (drum set) [drums]:
A Linn (Linn 9000) (in 1986-10)
guitar [guitars]:
Matt Aitken (in 1986-10)
keyboard [keyboards]:
Matt Aitken (in 1986-10) and Mike Stock (of Stock Aitken Waterman) (in 1986-10)
background vocals [backing vocals]:
Dee Lewis (in 1986-10), Shirley Lewis (in 1986-10), Mae McKenna (vocalist) (in 1986-10) and Suzanne Rhatigan (in 1986-10)
lead vocals:
Rick (English singer, songwriter and radio personality) (in 1986-10)
arranger:
Gordon Jenkins
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Rights Management (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! see annotation) (in 1987), Pete Waterman Ltd. (copyrights holder) (in 1987) and PWL (in 1987)
miscellaneous support:
PWL (task: original sound recordings made by)
recorded at:
PWL Studio 1 (in 1986-10), PWL Studio 2 (in 1986-10) and PWL Studios (London) in London (Greater London), England, United Kingdom (in 1986-10)
mixed at:
PWL Studio 1 (on 1987-01-01) and PWL Studio 2 (on 1987-01-01)
music videos:
Never Gonna Give You Up by Rick Astley (English singer, songwriter and radio personality)
part of:
Cachitos Nochevieja 2022 (number: 48) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 244)
recording of:
Never Gonna Give You Up (in 1986-10)
writer:
Matt Aitken, Mike Stock (of Stock Aitken Waterman) and Pete Waterman
publisher:
All Boys Music Ltd., BMG Music, Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Hammer Music (German publisher), Mike Stock Publishing Limited, Sid’s Songs Limited, Songs of Kobalt Music Publishing, Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc. (song publisher, never a release label), Universal Music Careers, Universal Music Publishers MGB Australia Pty Ltd, Universal–Songs of PolyGram International, Inc., シンコーミュージック・エンタテイメント (Shinko Music Entertainment Co., Ltd.), ヤマハミュージックEH(CM) (Yamaha Music EH(CM)), ユニバーサル・ミュージック・パブリッシング Synch事業部 (Universal Music Publishing, Synch Division) and Terrace Music (in 1987)
Rick Astley4.43:33
5Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now
performer:
Starship (continuation of Jefferson Starship) (in 1987)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1985, in 1987), BMG Entertainment (in 1987) and Sony Music Entertainment (NOT FOR RELEASE LABEL USE! company owned by Sony Corporation of America since Oct 1, 2008; operates worldwide except in JP) (in 1987)
recording of:
Nothing’s Gonna Stop Us Now (in 1987)
writer:
Albert Hammond and Diane Warren (US songwriter)
arranger:
Narada Michael Walden
publisher:
BMG Music Publishing Ltd., BMG Songs, Inc., Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated), Empire Music Ltd., Realsongs, Warner Bros. Music Ltd. (UK subsidiary, so named between 1970/01/23–1971/04/26 and 1972/04/25–1988/08/23), WB Music Corp. (1929–2019) and Windswept Pacific Music Ltd. (publishing company)
part of:
The 60th Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 2) and Academy Award for Best Original Song (number: 1987 nominee)
Starship3.754:23
6Africa
recording of:
Africa (Toto)
writer:
Jeffrey Porcaro and David Paich
publisher:
Hudmar Publishing Co. Inc., Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd. (UK), Rising Storm Music, Sony Music Publishing (worldwide except Japan, ended 1995), Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Ltd., Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC (1995–2020) and Spirit Two Music
sub-publisher:
ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division)
Toto3:40
7Stars on 45
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Red Bullet Productions B.V. (in 1981)
recording of:
Stars on 45 (the song itself)
writer:
Martin Duiser and Jaap Eggermont
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships) and Nada International C.V.
medley of:
Video Killed the Radio Star
medley of:
Funkytown
Stars on 4544:50
8Smooth Operator
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Sony Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! pre-Aug 2004 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment Inc.) (in 1994)
recording of:
Smooth Operator
lyricist and composer:
Sade Adu and Raymond St. John
publisher:
Angel Music Ltd., Peer Music, Peermusic (UK) Limited, Peermusic Ltd. (BMI), SM Publishing (UK) Limited (Sony Music, 2009–2020), Sony/ATV Songs LLC, ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング A事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division) and ピアーミュージック (Peer Music Japan, Japan, subsidiary of Nichion)
Sade4.654:15
9When the Going Gets Tough
recording of:
When the Going Gets Tough, the Tough Get Going
writer:
Wayne Brathwaite, Barry Eastmond, Robert John “Mutt” Lange (Robert John Lange) and Billy Ocean
publisher:
Aqua Music (Billy Ocean's recording & publishing label), Aqua Music Ltd., BMG Music Publishing Ltd., Imagem London Ltd., Universal Music Publishers MGB Australia Pty Ltd, Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group), Zomba Enterprises, Inc. and Zomba Music Publishers Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Zomba Music Publishing)
Billy Ocean4:08
10Don’t You (Forget About Me)
producer:
Keith Forsey (drummer, producer and songwriter)
mixer:
Jez Coad
performer:
Simple Minds (Scottish rock band) (on 1984-07-10)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Simple Minds Ltd
part of:
Paste: The 50 Greatest NON One-Hit Wonders of All Time (number: 25) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 340)
recording of:
Don’t You (Forget About Me) (on 1984-07-10)
writer:
Keith Forsey (drummer, producer and songwriter) and Steve Schiff
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), MCA Music Ltd. and Universal Music (plain logo: “Universal Music”)
Simple Minds4.254:19
11All Around the World
producer:
Ian Devaney and Andy Morris (former member of Blue Zone (UK), worked with Lisa Stansfield)
vocals:
Lisa Stansfield
recording of:
All Around the World
writer:
Ian Devaney, Andy Morris (former member of Blue Zone (UK), worked with Lisa Stansfield) and Lisa Stansfield
publisher:
Block & Gilbert, Block & Gilbert Music Ltd. (UK based music publishing company, now dissolved) and BMG Music Publishing Ltd.
Lisa Stansfield54:21
12True Colors
engineer and mixer:
Bryan McGee (sound engineer)
lead vocals:
Cyndi Lauper
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
CBS, Inc. (US broadcasting company; file no releases here!) (in 1986), Epic Records (a division of Sony Music Entertainment; holding company, not a release label) (in 1986) and Sony Music Entertainment Inc. (company owned by Sony Corporation of America from 1991–2004, operated worldwide except in JP; normally not a release label) (in 1986)
recording of:
True Colors
writer:
Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly (songwriter)
publisher:
Sony Tunes, Inc. (ended), Brain Drain Music (work publisher), Sony Music Publishing (Japan), Inc., A Division (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP) and Tennman Tunes
live recording of:
True Colors
writer:
Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly (songwriter)
publisher:
Sony Tunes, Inc. (ended), Brain Drain Music (work publisher), Sony Music Publishing (Japan), Inc., A Division (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., A Division), Sony/ATV Music Publishing Ltd., Sony/ATV Tunes LLC (ASCAP) and Tennman Tunes
Cyndi Lauper4.653:47
13Sign Your Name
recording engineer and mixer:
Phil Legg
producer:
Terence Trent D’Arby (now known as Sananda Maitreya) and Martyn Ware
lead vocals:
Terence Trent D’Arby (now known as Sananda Maitreya)
strings arranger:
Terence Trent D’Arby (now known as Sananda Maitreya)
arranger:
Terence Trent D’Arby (now known as Sananda Maitreya)
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Columbia (owned by Sony Music Entertainment, worldwide except JP; formerly owned by CBS between 1938–1990 within US/CA/MX), Sony BMG Music Entertainment (Aug 5, 2004 – Oct 1, 2008), CBS Records (2006–2021) (in 1987) and Sony BMG Music Entertainment (UK) Ltd. (not for release label use! UK subsidiary of Sony BMG Music Entertainment) (in 1987)
recording of:
Sign Your Name
lyricist:
Terence Trent D’Arby (now known as Sananda Maitreya)
composer:
Chris Cameron (British pianist, singer-songwriter, arranger and producer) and Terence Trent D’Arby (now known as Sananda Maitreya)
publisher:
Virgin Music (Publishing) Ltd., Virgin Music Ltd. and Young Terrence Music (Publisher)
Terence Trent D’Arby3.54:35
14Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)
cover recording of:
Wherever I Lay My Hat (That’s My Home)
writer:
Marvin Gaye, Barrett Strong and Norman Whitfield
publisher:
Jobete Music (UK) Ltd.
parody version of:
Wherever I Lay
Paul Young4:00
15I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
engineer:
Barry Hammond
producer:
Pete Wingfield (keyboardist, singer, producer, songwriter)
accordion:
Dave Whetstone
acoustic guitar:
Jerry Donahue and Charlie Reid
bass guitar:
Phil Cranham
drums (drum set):
Paul Robinson (UK drummer, also Turning Point member)
electric guitar:
Jerry Donahue
fiddle:
Steve Shaw (Steve Brennan)
keyboard:
Pete Wingfield (keyboardist, singer, producer, songwriter)
mandolin and tin whistle:
Stuart Nisbet
steel guitar:
Gerry Hogan
vocals:
Charlie Reid and Craig Reid
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
Chrysalis Records Ltd. (not for release label use! company behind the Chrysalis imprint) (in 1988) and Chrysalis Records, Inc. (not for release label use!) (in 1988)
recorded at and mixed at:
Chipping Norton Recording Studios in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
part of:
Paste: The 50 Greatest NON One-Hit Wonders of All Time (number: 21)
recording of:
I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)
writer:
Charlie Reid and Craig Reid
publisher:
Warner Bros. Music Ltd. (UK subsidiary, so named between 1970/01/23–1971/04/26 and 1972/04/25–1988/08/23) and Warner/Chappell Music Ltd. (1996–2019)
The Proclaimers43:38
16I’m So Excited
producer:
Richard Perry (producer)
bass guitar:
Nathan East
drums (drum set):
John “JR” Robinson (session drummer)
guitar:
George Doering and Lee Ritenour
keyboard [keyboards] and synthesizer:
Michael Boddicker and Greg Phillinganes
piano:
William D. “Smitty” Smith (organist/keyboardist)
background vocals:
June Pointer and Ruth Pointer
lead vocals:
Anita Pointer
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Music (in 1982)
part of:
RuPaul’s Drag Race Lip Sync Performances (season 5) (number: 6) and Billboard: The 500 Best Pop Songs (as of October 2023) (number: 258)
recording of:
I’m So Excited
writer:
Anita Pointer, June Pointer, Ruth Pointer and Trevor Lawrence (70s–90s saxophonist & producer, father of Trevor Lawrence Jr.)
publisher:
’Til Dawn Music, Braintree Music, Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), EMI Blackwood Music Inc., EMI Music Publishing (do not use as a release label!), EMI Songs, EMI Songs Ltd. and SBK Blackwood Music Inc. (1987-12-30–1989-07-14)
sub-publisher:
Fujipacific Music Inc. SBK Division (until 2014-12-31), EMI Music Publishing Japan Ltd., Sony Division (until 2021-06-30), Fuji Pacific Music SBK Department (Fujipacific Music SBK Department) (from 2015-01-01 to present) and ソニー・ミュージックパブリッシング EMI外国事業部 (Sony Music Publishing (Japan) Inc., EMI Overseas Division, sub‐publisher for non‐Japanese works) (from 2021-07-01 to present)
The Pointer Sisters4.83:50
17Perfect
producer:
Fairground Attraction and Kevin Moloney
assistant mixer:
Alistair Johnson (engineering)
mixer:
Kevin Moloney
lead vocals:
Eddi Reader
phonographic copyright (℗) by:
BMG Records (UK) Limited (1987–1996) (in 1988), BMG UK & Ireland Limited (holding company, do not add releases here) (in 1988) and Sony Music Entertainment UK Limited (not for release label use! post-2008 subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment) (in 1988)
recorded at:
Chipping Norton Studios in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire, England, United Kingdom
music videos:
Perfect by Fairground Attraction
recording of:
Perfect
lyricist and composer:
Mark Nevin
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), MCA Music Ltd., Universal Music Limited (UK sound recording / publishing company) and Universal/MCA Music Ltd. (not for release label use!)
Fairground Attraction4.353:36
18Stand & Deliver
producer:
Chris Hughes (producer, aka “Merrick”)
bass guitar:
Adam Ant (English new wave singer and actor) and Gary Tibbs
drums (drum set):
Merrick (ex Adam & The Ants) and Terry Lee Miall
guitar:
Marco Pirroni (British musician and producer)
harmonica and lead vocals:
Adam Ant (English new wave singer and actor)
music videos:
Stand and Deliver by Adam and the Ants (English new wave band)
part of:
TV Cream: Real 100 Best Singles Ever (number: 10)
recording of:
Stand and Deliver
writer:
Adam Ant (English new wave singer and actor) and Marco Pirroni (British musician and producer)
publisher:
EMI Music Publishing Ltd. (PRS‐affiliated) and Universal Music Publishing Ltd. (UK subsidiary of Universal Music Publishing Group)
Adam and the Ants53:34
19Back to Life (However Do You Want Me)
producer:
Nellee Hooper and Jazzie B
guest lead vocals:
Caron Wheeler (English singer, songwriter, and record producer)
recording of:
Back to Life
writer:
Nellee Hooper, Simon Law (Soul II Soul), Beresford Romeo and Caron Wheeler (English singer, songwriter, and record producer)
publisher:
Copyright Control (not for release label use! this is only for copyrights and publishing relationships), Law Music, Virgin Music (Publishers) Ltd. and Warner Chappell Music Ltd. (no slash; used 1988–1996)
Soul II Soul43:46
20Agadoo
producer:
Black Lace (1980s British pop band) and Neil Ferguson (Chumbawamba)
recorded at:
Woodlands Studio in Castleford, Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, United Kingdom
recording of:
Agadoo
composer:
Michel Delancray, Gilles Péram and Mya Simille (Micheline Helyett)
translated version of:
Agadou-dou-dou (original French version)
Black Lace3:09
6▶CD: The Eighties
7▶CD: The Nineties
8▶CD: The Nineties
9▶CD: The No. 1s
10▶CD: The No. 1s