The Current

Great Music Lives Here ®
Listener-Supported Music
Donate Now
Coffee Break

Coffee Break: Greatest Songs of All Time

Aretha Franklin performs at Radio City Music Hall in 2017.
Aretha Franklin performs at Radio City Music Hall in 2017.Noam Galai/Getty Images for Tribeca Film Festival

by Jill Riley and Christy Taylor

September 16, 2021

For the first time in 17 years, Rolling Stone has updated their rankings of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time. When you dig into the top 20 you will realize that Robyn made the cut but David Bowie and The White Stripes did not. Do you think there are any surprises or omissions here?

Let's dig into the top 20 in the way we do best - by playing the music!

For today's 9:30 Coffee Break, tell us what you think of their rankings! Who you think should've made the top 20?

Respond with your song ideas in the comments below.

Have an idea for a Coffee Break topic? Submit your idea for a future theme and browse past Coffee Breaks in our archive.

Songs played

Robyn - Dancing On My Own
The Kinks - Waterloo Sunset
Outkast - Hey Ya!
Fleetwood Mac - Dreams
Missy Elliott - Get Ur Freak On
Aretha Franklin - Respect