Having now watched the top 20 from the link, I have to admit I’ve heard 6 and 7 before. I’m still blissfully ignorant of 4, 5, 9, 13, and 16.
I’m reasonably pleased I’ve never heard of #4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 13, 14, 15 or 16 in the Top 20. The artists, maybe, the songs never.
Actually, Santana’s is not the original version…it’s originally a Fleetwood Mac (the original Peter Green lineup) recording.
Another surprise: No songs from Fleetwood Mac on the top-600.
- It’s another vote for #2
- Bowie - and that’s a single entry at #583
- #10 - Physical by Olivia Newton-John. I mean…inconsequential.
Can I suggest a fourth category of “Partially restored my faith in humanity”? Which would be:
- #24 - Le Freak by Chic. Maybe there is hope.
j
That explains, perhaps, why cover bands in Scottish pubs don’t have much of a Latin tinge to their versions of Black Magic Woman. This has been quite a learning experience this evening!
I’m at least vaguely familiar with most of the songs in the top 100, but this was the top one that I draw a complete blank on. And I never left these United States during the time it was popular.
I know I’ve heard this song, but it’s so undistinguished I couldn’t tell you what it sounds like, other than “random song”.
Every title in the list is all-caps, except #43, Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust”. Conspiracy?
What an incredibly random bunch of songs. “The Twist” is a fun Oldie but would be an odd choice for #1 in anyone’s book. Having toiled in the radio biz for about 48 years, I’ve played, or at least heard, the vast majority. That said, I have no recollection of #6, but then have to go to #28 before I draw another blank.
Andy Gibb places two but the Beatles only have ONE?
Andy Gibb.
That about says it all.
Beatles have 2 songs in the top-100 at 13 & 48, and She Loves You, Get Back, and Let It Be are in the back-500. This represents 25% of their songs which went to #1, but it definitely feels like they ought to have more.
One thing in this lists defense is that the ranking system is mathematical and not some guesswork by random celebrities. While the formula may need tweaking, at least it is improvable.
The Twist is #1 because it was released twice with both releases having full chart rise, top, and fall, effectively allowing the song to lap the field by being counted twice. Being a… fan? … of the charts since a kid, I knew The Twist would be #1 before I even clicked the link. It’s Billboard’s version of Jimi Hendrix in the discussion of “who is the greatest guitarist of all time” - all others are vying for #2.
You and me on #28. What were we doing in 2008?
Oh, yeah, watching the economy crash. 
I’m certain that those of you who say you’ve never heard of #4 and 7 have heard those songs before, you just don’t know them by name. They were everywhere. You’d have to be living in a cave and never watch TV, movies, commercials, go into stores that play music, etc.
Of course, this is the SDMB, where people think claiming to have never heard of “popular thing” makes you somehow better.
To me, it does seem mind-boggling to have avoided “Uptown Funk” and “I Got A Feeling” all these years but, on the other hand, I am 99% certain my parents, for instance, would not recognize those songs at all if I played it for them. I’m sure they may have heard it in passing on a commercial or something, but I doubt they’ve heard it enough to register.
So I can believe the folks here who have no memory of the song. I know it well because I do listen to Top 40 radio, I do consume a lot of pop culture, I go to bars, I go to weddings, and generally work in the event industry where these songs are modern standards. I can certainly imagine a lifestyle where exposure to these songs would be minimal.
Andy Gibb???
Sonny Tufts???
#5 is my pick for ‘never heard’, and I suspect it may just not have made it out of the US
My WTF moment … Bohemian Rhapsody is number FIVE hundred and seventeen??? And it’s listed as 1992??? Was that just not released as a single in the US?
Bohemian peaked at #9 when it was released, made it to #2 in 1992 (its peak position and likely why the year is listed as 1992). Kinda like The Twist, but I am surprised that it isn’t higher than 517. Sounds like a top-100 to me.
How is it the Goo Goo Dolls are nowhere to be found on the list? Wikipedia entry for “Iris” says
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#23 - the theme from A Summer Place. Maybe my age (late 30s ) or I just don’t recognize the title. That’s the only one in the top 100 that I can’t immediately hum or mumble a few words to upon seeing the artist and title. I’m sure I’ve heard #128 at some point but I have no instant recollection. Same with the Drake song at #150 and I think that’s it in the top 200.
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I don’t know. Seems like an objective thing and I can’t say I can think of any hits any more deserving than others.
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#19 - Rod Stewart “Tonight’s The Night.” Know of it, heard it, just didn’t know it was that big.
It was not eligible for the Hot 100. This song was released during a time when many of the most popular songs were not released commercially as singles during the time when record labels were trying to increase CD “album” sales and there was no widely available legal commercial download service or chart methodology allowing for non-commercial singles and/or incorporating streams, airplay, downloads. See also songs like No Doubt’s “Don’t Speak” or many many radio singles from the late '90s to early 2000s that were only eligible for genre charts and airplay charts. It’s a chart methodology quirk, mainly.
This is even addressed directly in the link you posted.
37 - The Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton
No Britney, no Pink and only 2 Christina Aguilera (one of which is a collaboration)? Was Billboard shut down in 2000-2001?
30 - Too Close by Next , TIL never to underestimate the public’s love of unsubtle erection-based double entendres in their R&B jams.