The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time was first published by Rolling Stone magazine published in 2004 and was updated in 2010. It was chosen based on votes by musicians, critics, and industry figures. Instead of focusing on the quality and lyrics of the songs, the list credits songs based on their success and impact upon the world. It is argued that in some cases songs were included for the sake of the artist, rather than for the song itself. As with numerous such lists, the choices are a source of debate for many.

The list is composed largely of American and British artists: out of the 500 songs, 357 are from the US and 117 from the UK; the third most represented country is Canada with 10 entries, then Ireland with 8. The list includes just one song not in English (La Bamba by Ritchie Valens) and only three songs from the 21st century. The oldest song on the list is Muddy Waters' "Rollin' Stone" from 1948 (ranked #459). The only other song from the 1940s is Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" from 1949 (#111). The most recent is OutKast's 2003 hit "Hey Ya!" (#180) - the other songs from the current millennium being "Lose Yourself" and "Stan" by Eminem. With 23 songs on the list, The Beatles are the most represented musical act. John Lennon is the only artist to place multiple songs in the top 10 (as a member of the Beatles and as an individual). The Beatles are followed by The Rolling Stones (14 entries); Bob Dylan, who also topped the list with "Like a Rolling Stone" (12 entries); Elvis Presley (11 entries); The Beach Boys and Jimi Hendrix (seven entries each) and Chuck Berry, U2, James Brown, Prince, Led Zeppelin and Sly & The Family Stone (six entries each).