Which songs do Boomers love the most?
Over Easter 2021, the Boom All Time Chart was compiled from thousands of votes.
Vote now for the 2022 chart!
1
A Whiter Shade of Pale
Procol Harum
1967
Johann Sebastian Bach's Air on a G String inspired the organ part. This was their debut single
2
Bohemian Rhapsody
Queen
1975
Spent 14 weeks on and off at number 1 - 3rd best selling single of all time - only single to top the charts at two separate Christmases
3
God Only Knows
Beach Boys
1966
Originally only the B Side to 'Wouldn't it be Nice' in the US!
4
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Simon & Garfunkel
1970
Watching how rapturous the crowds were when the song was performed, Paul Simon now wishes he'd sung lead vocals :)
5
Waterloo Sunset
Kinks
1967
Terry and Julie were thought to be Terence Stamp and Julie Christie, but writer Ray Davies later denied they were his inspiration. Closed the 2012 London Olympics
6
I'm Not In Love
10cc
1975
Written mostly by Eric Stewart as a riposte to his wife's declaration that he did not tell her often enough that he loved her
7
Good Vibrations
Beach Boys
1966
At the time, the most expensive single ever recorded in terms of studio time used
8
Hey Jude
Beatles
1968
The first single on Apple Records, written by Paul about John's son Julian
9
Nights in White Satin
Moody Blues
1967
10
In My life
Beatles
1965
John's first truly autobiographical composition
11
Strawberry Fields Forever
Beatles
1967
Strawberry Fields was a Salvation Army home in Liverpool which John Lennon used to visit
12
Music
John Miles
1976
13
Hotel California
Eagles
1976
The guitar solo to this song by Joe Walsh has been voted best ever by readers of Guitarist magazine
14
Stairway to Heaven
Led Zeppelin
1971
When asked why the song was so popular, Robert Plant said "Depending on what day it is, I still interpret the song a different way - and I wrote the lyrics."
15
House of the Rising Sun
Animals
1964
16
Albatross
Fleetwood Mac
1969
One of four instrumentals in the chart
17
Baker Street
Gerry Rafferty
1978
The Raf Ravenscroft Sax solo led to a resurgence in saxophone sales
18
Penny Lane
Beatles
1967
19
MacArthur Park
Richard Harris
1968
Written by Jimmy Webb about his break-up with his then girlfriend. Richard Harris had just filmed Camelot and wanted to make a hit single
20
Like A Rolling Stone
Bob Dylan
1965
21
Mr. Blue Sky
ELO
1977
22
My Way
Frank Sinatra
1969
Originally a French song, new lyrics were created in English by Paul Anka. This song spent 75 weeks on the UK charts
23
San Francisco (be sure to wear some flowers in your hair)
Scott McKenzie
1967
24
I Heard it Through the Grapevine
Marvin Gaye
1970
Originally a big hit for Gladys Knight and was a big hit, this version has become an acclaimed soul classic
25
Out of Time
Chris Farlowe
1966
26
Eleanor Rigby
Beatles
1966
27
Year of the Cat
Al Stewart
1976
Produced by Alan Parsons
28
Imagine
John Lennon
1971
29
Maggie May
Rod Stewart
1971
One of two singles to have both A and B side in the charts
30
Young Girl
Gary Puckett & The Union Gap
1968
31
Born To Run
Bruce Springsteen
1975
The title track of one of the most critically acclaimed rock albums of all time. Bruce said he wanted it to sound like "Roy Orbison singing Bob Dylan, produced by Spector"
32
Won't Get Fooled again
Who
1971
33
A Day in the Life
Beatles
1967
Drug references meant this was originally banned by the BBC, but it's now regarded as one of their finest works
34
Home Thoughts from Abroad
Clifford T Ward
1973
The Worcestershire singer-songwriter whose work was much played on radio by specific presenters - and enjoyed hugely - yet failed to achieve the chart successes he deserved
35
Get Back
Beatles
1970
Performed as part of the group's rooftop performance in Savile Row
36
Wichita Lineman
Glen Campbell
1968
37
Everlasting Love
Love Affair
1968
A classic song covered numerous times - and one of only two songs to chart in the UK in the 1960s, 70s, 80s, 90s and 2000s for different acts
38
Something in the Air
Thunderclap Newman
1969
39
Life On Mars
David Bowie
1971
Featuring Rick Wakeman on piano, and with famously cut up and jumbled lyrics
40
Cathy's Clown
Everly Brothers
1960
41
All Right Now
Free
1970
42
The Air That I Breathe
Hollies
1974
Originally written by Albert Hammond and Mike Hazelwood
43
My Sweet Lord
George Harrison
1970
The first Number 1 single for an ex-Beatle, and famously also the subject of a lawsuit for infringing He's So Fine by the Chiffons
44
Wuthering Heights
Kate Bush
1978
45
Eloise
Barry Ryan
1968
Written by this act's brother, and influenced by Richard Harris's MacArthur Park. Jimmy Page, later of Led Zeppelin, and Glen Campbell both played on the recording
46
Alone Again Or
Love
1967
47
Forever Autumn
Justin Hayward
1978
Written by Jeff Wayne for his theatrical masterpiece War of The Worlds
48
All Along The Watchtower
Jimi Hendrix
1968
49
Runaway
Del Shannon
1961
His real name was Charles Weedon Westover. He worked as a carpet salesman before turning to pop music
50
Reflections Of My Life
Marmalade
1969
51
Caroline
Fortunes
1964
Indelibly linked with the pirate station of the same name.
52
The Sun Ain't Gonna Shine (Anymore)
Walker Brothers
1967
53
I Say a Little Prayer
Aretha Franklin
1968
One of a number of Bacharach / David compositions in the chart - written for Dionne Warwick as a woman's concern for her man serving in the Vietnam War
54
Dancing Queen
Abba
1976
55
Brown Sugar
Rolling Stones
1971
First played live at the infamous Altamont Speedway concert in 1969
56
Sittin' on the Dock of the Bay
Otis Redding
1968
57
Without You
Harry Nilsson
1971
Originally written by Badfinger, this version is one of two international best-selling versions of the song
58
In Dreams
Roy Orbison
1963
59
All You Need is Love
Beatles
1967
The song that launched Boom Radio
60
Telstar
Tornados
1962
One of four instrumentals in the chart
61
This Old Heart Of Mine
Isley Brothers
1966
62
Layla
Derek & the Dominos
1970
One of two songs written for Patti Boyd in the chart
63
American Pie
Don McLean
1971
64
Vincent
Don McLean
1971
Written about the Artist Van Gogh, and the songwriter's belief his suicide was driven by illness not madness
65
He Ain't Heavy (He's My Brother)
Hollies
1969
66
It's Now or Never
Elvis Presley
1960
This is Elvis's best selling single ever
67
Silence is Golden
Tremeloes
1967
68
Man of the World
Fleetwood Mac
1971
69
California Dreamin'
Mamas and Papas
1965
70
Summer Holiday
Cliff Richard
1963
The theme tune to the second best performing film of 1963 in Britain (behind From Russia With Love).
71
She Loves You
Beatles
1963
72
Here, There and Everywhere
Beatles
1966
73
The Winner Takes It All
Abba
1980
Clearly written about the marriage break-up at the heart of the group, although subsequently denied by Bjorn
74
Get it On
T Rex
1971
75
Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow
Shirelles
1960
76
The Boxer
Simon & Garfunkel
1965
In part, inspired by verses from the Bible, which Paul was reading at the time
77
I Only Want To Be With You
Dusty Springfield
1963
78
What A Wonderful World
Louis Armstrong
1967
Only became a hit in the United States ten years after its initial release aftre being featured in the movie Good Morning Vietnam
79
Downtown
Petula Clark
1964
80
Badge
Cream
1969
81
(I can't get no) Satisfaction
Rolling Stones
1965
A song originally only played on pirate radio in the UK because its lyrics were considered too sexually suggestive
82
All I See Is You
Dusty Springfield
1965
83
You've Got A Friend
James Taylor
1971
Written by Carole King, apparently inspired by an earlier lyric in James Taylor's Fire and Rain about not being able to find a friend
84
Do I Love You
Frank Wilson
1965
Highest Northern Soul single in the chart
85
Son of a Preacher Man
Dusty Springfield
1968
86
Free Bird
Lynyrd Skynyrd
1974
87
Goodbye to Love
Carpenters
1972
Inspired by a 1940s Bing Crosby film which refers to the song's title but never plays it. One of the first power ballads to include a fuzz guitar
88
Honky Tonk Woman
Rolling Stones
1969
89
Love Grows
Edison Lighthouse
1970
90
Wonderful Land
Shadows
1962
One of four instrumentals in the chart
91
Yesterday
Beatles
1965
92
Can't Help Falling in Love
Elvis Presley
1961
Recorded for the film Blue Hawaii, this song became the King's finale in his 60s/70s live performances
93
Hello, Goodbye
Beatles
1967
94
Walk on the Wild Side
Lou Reed
1972
Produced by David Bowie, this song references many of the characters who surrounded Andy Warhol
95
Your Song
Elton John
1970
96
Let It Be
Beatles
1970
97
Night Fever
Bee Gees
1978
At one point, the Bee Gees had four of the top five positions in the Billboard chart in the US - and this was Number 1
98
Stand By Me
Ben E King
1961
99
Excerpt from 'A Teenage Opera'
Keith West
1967
There never was a full opera from which to take this as an excerpt! John Peel played it whilst a pirate which helped it to chart
100
Bobby's Girl
Susan Maughan
1962
101
Mr Tambourine Man
Byrds
1965
One of the songs that created the folk-rock sound in 1965
102
Woman
John Lennon
1981
103
I Can See Clearly Now
Johnny Nash
1972
Johnny had previously worked with Bob Marley, and it clearly shows in this song
104
Walk Away
Matt Monro
1964
105
Goin' Back
Dusty Springfield
1966
Written by Jerry Goffin and Carole King. King was going to record it herself - but then decided to offer it to Dusty instead.
106
Riders On The Storm
Doors
1971
107
(If Paradise Was) Half As Nice
Amen Corner
1969
Originally an Italian song, it was first offered in translation to the Tremeloes - who turned it down. Dave Clark 5 did record it - and so did the band who had the No 1 hit with it
108
Paint it Black
Rolling Stones
1966
109
Sound of Silence
Simon & Garfunkel
1964
110
Here Comes The Night
Them
1965
Jimmy Page played guitar - and Van Morrison was the singer - and this was his biggest ever chart hit
111
Itchycoo Park
Small Faces
1967
112
We've Only Just Begun
Carpenters
1970
113
Bat Out of Hell
Meatloaf
1978
Longest track in the chart
114
Laughter in the Rain
Neil Sedaka
1974
115
Midnight Train to Georgia
Gladys Knight & The Pips
1973
Originally written by Jim Weatherly after a conversation with Farah Fawcett about a "midnight plane to Houston"
116
Telephone Line
ELO
1977
117
Crossroads
Cream
1968
Originally a blues song from the 1930s
118
Rockin' All Over the World
Status Quo
1977
119
Annie's Song
John Denver
1974
Written for his then wife, and composed in 10 minutes flat in a ski lift in Aspen,Colorado
120
I've Got You Under My Skin
Frank Sinatra
1966
121
Rock and Roll (I Gave You the Best Years of my Life)
Kevin Johnson
1974
The only Australian on the chart
122
You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'
Righteous Brothers
1965
123
Make Me Smile (Come Up and See Me)
Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel
1975
Written as a riposte to his former band mates by Steve Harley
124
Young Hearts Run Free
Candi Staton
1976
125
Help
Beatles
1965
126
All The Young Dudes
Mott the Hoople
1972
Written by Bowie and given to the band after they'd rejected Suffragette City!
127
Tracks of my Tears
Smokey Robinson & The Miracles
1965
128
You'll Never Walk Alone
Gerry & the Pacemakers
1963
129
Halfway to Paradise
Billy Fury
1961
The only person to equal the Beatles record of 24 hits in the 1960s in the UK
130
Band of Gold
Freda Payne
1970
131
The Long and Winding Road
Beatles
1970
132
Lay Lady Lay
Bob Dylan
1969
Originally written for the soundtrack to the film Midnight Cowboy - it wasn't finished in time though! Dylan later claimed it had been written for Barbra Streisand
133
Silver Machine
Hawkwind
1972
134
Desperado
Eagles
1973
The first song jointly written by Don Henley and Glenn Frey
135
Make It With You
Bread
1970
136
Comfortably Numb
Pink Floyd
1980
137
Where Do You Go to (My Lovely)
Peter Sarstedt
1969
Born and raised in India, he was the younger brother of '60s pop star Eden Kane
138
Woodstock
Matthews Southern Comfort
1970
139
Time Passages
Al Stewart
1978
140
Starman
David Bowie
1972
Recorded in 1972, his performance of this song on Top of the Pops is widely credited with making Bowie a major star
141
On Days Like These
Matt Monro
1969
142
Needles & Pins
Searchers
1964
143
Oh Pretty Woman
Roy Orbison
1964
Inspired by his wife Claudette, this song marked the high point of Roy's recording success
144
Diana
Paul Anka
1957
145
If I Fell
Beatles
1964
146
Move It
Cliff Richard
1958
Cliff's first single, originally the B side, but was flipped and became one of the first authentic Rock'n'Roll records produced outside the US
147
Please Please Me
Beatles
1963
148
The Best Is Yet To Come
Clifford T Ward
1981
149
Wouldn't It Be Nice
Beach Boys
1966
One of two singles to have both A & B side in the charts
150
You Don't Have To Say You Love Me
Dusty Springfield
1966
151
I Feel Love
Donna Summer
1977
Labeled one of the most influential songs ever recorded, laying the foundations for electronic disco music
152
Rhythm Of The Rain
Cascades
1963
153
River Deep Mountain High
Ike & Tina Turner
1966
154
Be My Baby
Ronettes
1963
The quintessential 'Wall of Sound' recording
155
The Last Time
Rolling Stones
1965
156
Something
Beatles
1969
The first of two songs written for Patti Boyd in the chart
157
The Boys of Summer
Don Henley
1984
158
All I Have To Do is Dream
Everly Brothers
1958
Recorded in just two takes in Nashville in 1958
159
All Over the World
Francoise Hardy
1964
160
Lyin’ Eyes
Eagles
1975
161
Tin Soldier
Small Faces
1967
162
Don't Be Cruel
Elvis Presley
1956
The oldest track in the chart
163
The Wonder of you
Elvis Presley
1970
164
Crazy
Patsy Cline
1961
Written by Willie Nelson
165
A Lover's Concerto
Toys
1965
166
Apache
Shadows
1960
One of four instrumentals in the Boom chart
167
It's Getting Better
Mama Cass
1969
168
Only the Lonely
Roy Orbison
1960
Written by Roy - and turned down by both Elvis and the Everly Brothers
169
My Generation
Who
1965
170
Sloop John B
Beach Boys
1966
A Bahamian folk song, at least 100 years old, converted into a pop hit by the Beach Boys
171
What Becomes Of The Brokenhearted
Jimmy Ruffin
1966
172
Sweet Caroline
Neil Diamond
1969
Originally written for John F Kennedy's daughter in 1969, it has now become a favourite in sports stadia the World over
173
Massachusetts
Bee Gees
1967
174
Pretty Flamingo
Manfred Mann
1966
175
Light my Fire
Doors
1967
The band's first big success, and the first release by Elektra records to sell 1 million copies
176
Those Were the Days
Mary Hopkin
1968
177
Go Now
Moody Blues
1964
178
Native New Yorker
Odyssey
1977
The only sister act in the charts - Lillian and Louise Lopez - along with their son Stephen Collazo
179
No Regrets
Walker Brothers
1975
180
The Young Ones
Cliff Richard
1962
181
Heaven Must Have Sent You
Elgins
1966
One of two bona-fide Northern Soul classics on the chart. Written by Motown's Holland-Dozier-Holland
182
I Saw the Light
Todd Rundgren
1973
183
Let's Go to San Francisco
Flowerpot Men
1967
184
Little Does She Know
Kursaal Flyers
1977
One of the biggest acts ever to emerge from Southend-On-Sea
185
Time in a Bottle
Jim Croce
1974
186
Summertime Blues
Eddie Cochran
1958
Shortest track in the chart
187
Anyone Who Had a Heart
Cilla Black
1964
188
Could It Be Forever
David Cassidy
1972
189
Love is the Answer
England Dan and John Ford Coley
1979
Despite the name, they are both from Texas!
190
I'm a Believer
Monkees
1968
191
Reason to Believe
Rod Stewart
1971
One of two singles to have both A & B side in the charts
192
Nothing Rhymed
Gilbert O'Sullivan
1970
One of two acts from the Republic of Ireland on the chart
193
Africa
Toto
1982
194
Jesamine
Casuals
1968
Paul Weller from the Jam has repeatedly referred to this as one of his all time favourite singles
195
Atomic
Blondie
1980
196
This Boy
Beatles
1963
197
For What It’s Worth
Buffalo Springfield
1966
One of two part-Canadian acts on the chart - this song is often used in movies to set the scene for unrest and protest
198
Metal Guru
T Rex
1972
199
I Want to Hold Your Hand
Beatles
1963
200
It Doesn't Matter Anymore
Buddy Holly
1958
First UK posthumous No. 1