... Totally subjective and based on the individual tastes of the person who created the list.
However, that didn't stop Telegraph music critic Neil McCormick from formulating a list of what he believes to be the 100 greatest musical compositions of the modern era.
McCormick admits that his eclectic list has a personal tinge. Additionally, the lion's share of the songs come from the 60s and 70s, the time period during which McCormick came of age.
That aside, most of the songs on the list are likely to be familiar to anyone who has a basic knowledge of musical history. Here are the top ten songs according to McCormick.
1. “Life On Mars?,” David Bowie (1971)
2. “Let it Be,” The Beatles (1970)
3. “Tangled Up in Blue,” Bob Dylan (1975)
4. “Unchained Melody,” The Righteous Brothers (1965)
5. “Lola,” The Kinks (1970)
6. “Redemption Song,” Bob Marley (1979)
7. “Saint James Infirmary,” Louis Armstrong (1928)
8. “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” Judy Garland (1939)
9. “I've Got You Under My Skin,” Frank Sinatra (1956)
10. “Everybody Hurts,” REM (1993)
You can check out the full list here.
And if you think that McCormick is a lunatic and that his list is complete garbage, make your own list. With "best of" lists, there are no wrong answers.
Hat Tip: Newser