How to Love
2011 · From Tha Carter IV
Wayne named Tupac's "Keep Ya Head Up" as his model, then sang it over acoustic guitar into the top five.
★ 2.5
The Songs canon
Sourced and sung.
Every song chosen by hand, with the recording to play it.
Browse all 2,393 songs or filter by genre, subject, artist, and year.
Browse all 2,393 songs or filter by genre, subject, artist, and year.
Jumper
1997
A bullied teenager's death behind it, and Jenkins turned the fifth single off his debut into a plea.
★ 4.5
Oh! Sweet NothingThe Velvet Underground
Oh! Sweet Nothing
1970 · From Loaded
Reed's parade of characters with nothing to their names, sung by Doug Yule over seven closing minutes of Loaded.
★ 4.6
She Will Be Loved
2002
Levine says he and Valentine wrote it in about an hour, drawing on a troubled couple he knew.
★ 4.6
We Are the WorldUSA for Africa
We Are the World
1985
Forty-odd stars filed past a sign reading "Check your ego at the door," and Quincy Jones got them singing together.
★ 4.8
What It's LikeEverlast
What It's Like
1998
Everlast left House of Pain, picked up an acoustic guitar, and topped both rock charts with three street portraits.
★ 4.9
Man in the Mirror
1988 · From Bad
Garrett and Ballard's demo won Quincy Jones over within hours, and the Andraé Crouch Choir carries Jackson home.
★ 6.8
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace Love and Understanding?
1978 · From Armed Forces
Nick Lowe wrote it for a pub-rock flop, produced Costello's B-side version, then got rich when The Bodyguard covered it.
★ 7.0
Lean On Me
1972
Withers bought a small piano, ran his fingers up the keys, and found the coal-town kinship he missed.
★ 8.3
Under PressureDavid Bowie
Under Pressure
David Bowie and Queen
1981 · From Hot Space
Bowie lived near Mountain Studios, dropped in, and one evening's jam became a UK number one with a disputed bassline.
★ 8.4
Try a Little Tenderness
1966 · From Complete & Unbelievable: The Otis Redding Dictionary of Soul
A 1932 Tin Pan Alley ballad, rearranged by Isaac Hayes, until Redding and Al Jackson tear the roof off.
★ 8.6
What's Going OnMarvin Gaye
What's Going On
1971 · From What's Going On
Party chatter, a sax that sighs, and Gaye asking the question Motown begged him not to ask.
★ 9.9