The "Songs of the Century" list is part of an education project by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), the National Endowment for the Arts, and Scholastic Inc. that aims to "promote a better understanding of America’s musical and cultural heritage" in American schools. Hundreds of voters, which includes elected officials, people from the music industry and the media, teachers, and students, were asked in 2001 to choose the top 365 songs, by Americans, of the 20th century with historical significance in mind. The voters were selected by RIAA, although only about 15% (200) of the 1,300 selected voters responded.[1].

[edit] The list

The list of the top 25 songs, in the order of votes received. Each song is followed by the name of an artist who made a recording of the song.

[edit] External links

• CNN article
• RIAA press release, March 7, 2001
• National Public Radio "Talk of the Nation" broadcast hosted by Juan Williams with Bill Ivey, Chairman of the National Endowment of the Arts, March 14, 2001
• A Century of American Songs