Vista Staff Picks: Greatest songs of all time

Move over Rolling Stone, here is our list of the best songs ever

Isabella Sanchez / Assistant Arts & Culture Editor / The USD Vista

The Rolling Stone recently released their list of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” which is an updated version of their original list published back in 2004. Many household names are featured including Drake, Prince, and Adele. 

For The USD Vista staff, out of the 500 songs, there were some songs they agreed with and some that they thought were missing. So, the staff compiled their own list of the greatest hits of all time. 

It has it all: classics, hidden gems, and mainstream bops. Get ready to run to Spotify and revamp your playlists. 

“Everywhere” by Fleetwood Mac – Julia Sotille / Social Media Manager

“It ALWAYS puts me in the best mood,” Julia said. “I listen to it almost everyday and never get sick of it.”

“Numb” by MARINA – Colin Mullaney / Assistant News Editor

“It is about burning ambition coupled with mental health struggles, and how disjointed and unnerving it can be to feel both simultaneously, resulting in a constant aching sensation for something as of yet realized: numbness. The chorus is catchy and unique, and, stylistically, the song sounds very alternative,” Colin said. 

“Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen – Samantha Anciano / Copy Editor & Maria Simpson / Assistant Opinion Editor

“This song has so much sentimental meaning to me,” Sam shared. “It has so many elements and styles that makes the one song feel like multiple songs.”

Maria agreed with Sam saying, “This song is so incredibly iconic and there really is no other song like it! It is known and loved by probably millions of people.”

“Harvest Moon” by Neil Young – Anna Valaik / Arts & Culture Editor

“This song reminds me of sitting on my porch and watching a beautiful Lake Michigan sunset with my family,” Anna reminisced. “It feels like pure bliss, with the tiniest bit of melancholy and nostalgia. It will never, ever get old to me.”

“Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye – Mei Flory / Assistant Arts & Culture Editor

“After ‘Somebody That I Used to Know’ was released, the world has not known peace,” Mei said. “The guy who created the song just dipped, similar to the Avatar, sparking memes on the internet yet inspiring an entire generation that heard the song growing up in 2012.”

“Recharge & Revolt” by The Raveonettes – Haley Jacob / Assistant Feature Editor

“The instrumentals are mesmerizing, and the song has you feeling every emotion all at once. You almost can’t put the beauty of this song into words because words fail to capture its full power,” Haley said. 

“Gasolina” by Daddy Yankee – Megan Valadez / Assistant Opinion Editor 

“This song ignited the reggaeton genre,” Megan said. “I can’t help but dance to it every single time it comes on.”

“California” by The Lagoons – Yana Kouretas / Feature Editor

“It makes me feel nostalgic about living in California even though I already live here,” Yana shared. “It reminds me of the summers I spent in Lake Tahoe peacefully by the lake.”

“Yesterday” by the Beatles – Karisa Kampbell / News Editor & Tyler Pugmire / Executive Editor

Karisa said: “This song is so incredibly relatable. It is beautifully written, and I feel that everyone has been in a similar position, where in one moment everything is fine, and the next everything you knew is gone. Plus it’s The Beatles and who doesn’t love The Beatles.”

Tyler, on the same page as Karisa, said, “Most complete song ever. Tells such a gut-wrenching story in 2 minutes and 5 seconds, also great guitar.”

“Take Me Home” by John Denver – Mari Olson / Sports Editor

“I love this song for its simplicity,” Mari shared. “It’s easy to sing along to and it’s a really sweet message.”

“Driver’s License” by Olivia Rodrigo – Taylor DeGuzman / Editor-In-Chief

“Not like I’m an Olivia Rodrigo super fan or anything…but when ‘Driver’s License’ came out it’s like we had a cultural reset,” Taylor said. “People were reminded of what a ‘bridge’ should sound like, that young, female songwriters are revolutionary, and how songs have the power to resonate with just about anyone, no matter if they just got dumped for a blonde girl or not.”

“Falling Slowly” by Glen – Olivia Synek / Opinion Editor

“Although not representative of my music taste, this is my favorite song because of the memories it brings up for me,” Olivia shared. 

“Not only is it a beautiful song, it is from the movie Once that was turned into a play; I heard this song live when I saw the play in Dublin with my mom, so it reminds me of her!” 

Although the greatest song of all time may be different for some, everyone can agree that music plays such an important  role in our day to day lives. From country ballads to car sing-alongs, there really is a song for every situation. Music, in general, is the greatest mood booster of all time.