10 Songs That Defined an ENTIRE Generation

#10: “Alright”

Kendrick Lamar

Released as a single from his critically adored “To Pimp a Butterfly” LP, Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” was a powerful anthem that arrived at a particularly tense period in recent American history. Upon its release, it emerged as one of the defining protest songs of the twenty-first century, combining jazz-infused production with Kendrick Lamar's deeply personal reflections. Its repeated refrain, "We gon' be alright," became a spontaneous chant at demonstrations linked to the Black Lives Matter movement, symbolising hope in the face of systemic injustice. Like the rest of the album, it also just worked remarkably well as a melting pot of genres, styles, and influences.

#9: “God Save the Queen”

Sex Pistols

The punk explosion of the 1970s was never destined to peak for very long, just as one of its biggest bands, The Sex Pistols, was always doomed for a short shelf life. In that time, though, they gave us some of the defining songs of the time. “God Save the Queen” was certainly one of their boldest moves. Released during Queen Elizabeth II's Silver Jubilee, "God Save the Queen" became punk's biggest statement of rebellion against Britain's political establishment and social hierarchy. It was impossible to ignore. Its critics despised everything about its very existence, while fans of the band simply couldn’t get enough of Johnny Rotten’s snarling delivery. A highly important release cycle that pushed musical boundaries forward in a huge way.

#8: “What's Going On”

Marvin Gaye

After years of playing by company rules and releasing a steady flow of Motown-approved covers and sure things, Marvin Gaye pulled off an incredible career u-turn in 1971. Feeling the weight of the various social issues that he witnessed every day, Gaye took full creative control with his next album, “What’s Going On”. Its title track, in particular, proved that soul music could address serious topics with real sophistication. Gaye, as it turned out, was an absolute natural when it came to crafting a concept album while still maintaining real pop sensibility. “What’s Going On” did wonders for Marvin’s career, while also pushing several of his contemporaries to move into different territory with their own work.

#7: “Born in the U.S.A.”

Bruce Springsteen

Trust us, we nearly went with “Born to Run” with this one, but for as much as that track was a riveting anthem, Bruce Springsteen had a lot more to say with “Born in the U.S.A”. Often misinterpreted as a fiercely patriotic track, the song’s triumphant chorus and its verses could not be more different. Its verses are a powerful critique of America's treatment of Vietnam veterans and working-class citizens. In a skilled display of contrast, Springsteen paired bleak, socially conscious lyrics with a stadium-rock sound, creating one of music's greatest ironies. It was a fitting statement at an important time for the US, and the fact that politicians are still misunderstanding this song to this day only proves its genius.

#6: “Rapper's Delight”

The Sugarhill Gang

There are very few songs that have the honour of introducing the world to an entirely new style or genre. The Sugarhill Gang managed to do exactly that with 1979’s “Rapper’s Delight”. Using an interpolation of Chic’s “Good Times”, the song was able to showcase several foundational aspects of hip-hop in a very short time. It was fun, groovy, and full of attitude, and while there were several pioneers before them who didn’t make it that far into the mainstream, “Rapper’s Delight” undeniably set things in motion. From there, record labels suddenly recognised rap's potential, opening doors for countless artists who followed.

#5: “Imagine”

John Lennon

Writing a song that can convey emotion through a very simple sentiment is a lot harder than you might think. For John Lennon, he poured his soul into 1971’s “Imagine”, forming one of the most universally beloved anthems of all-time. Rather than preaching from a position of anger, Lennon invited listeners to picture a world without war, nationalism or material obsession using straightforward language and a memorable melody. The fact that it’s a masterfully crafted song was enough to make it stand on its own two feet. However, this is a track that is still inspiring people, still being performed during tragedies, celebrations, humanitarian events, and everything in between.

#4: “Fight the Power”

Public Enemy

When N.W.A kicked down the door for aggressively, socially-conscious hip-hop in early 1989 with “Straight Outta Compton”, Public Enemy very clearly picked up the baton later that year. "Fight the Power" became one of hip-hop's defining political statements by confronting racism, inequality and institutional power with even more direct intensity. Chuck D was the type of lyricist who could paint a very vivid picture, and with the powerful backbeat and catchy chorus, it was the perfect recipe for success. To this day, its themes remain strikingly relevant, inspiring activists, musicians and audiences confronting injustice across multiple generations.

#3: “Smells Like Teen Spirit”

Nirvana

It’s very rare to see an underground movement get catapulted into the mainstream eye the way that grunge did in the early 1990s. Nirvana very clearly did not intend for this to happen, but when that spark turned into a flame, there was no stopping it from spreading. At a time when polished glam metal dominated rock radio, “Smells Like Teen Spirit” brought distorted guitars, raw emotion and unapologetic authenticity. The youth of that era saw themselves in the band’s stripped down image and in the angst and frustration that emanated from their performance. It didn’t just inspire young musicians; it redefined what they believed was possible.

#2: “A Change Is Gonna Come”

Sam Cooke

Released during the height of the American Civil Rights Movement, "A Change Is Gonna Come" became one of the era's defining songs of hope and resilience. Inspired partly by Sam Cooke's experiences with racial discrimination, it transformed deeply personal pain into a universal message of perseverance. Even without the context, it functions remarkably well as a heartwrenching ballad. Cooke was, of course, one of the great singers of his time, and his ability to move listeners with his words was uncanny. It wasn’t a huge commercial success at first, but it soon became one of the century’s most poignant protest songs.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Respect”

Aretha Franklin

One of the Most Uplifting Anthems Ever Recorded

“Strange Fruit”

Billie Holiday

A Truly Heartwrenching Meditation On Lynching in America

“My Generation”

The Who

One of the Defining Statements About Youthful Defiance in the 60s

“Born This Way”

Lady Gaga

A Major Musical Celebration Of Self-Love and Identity

“Hallelujah”

Leonard Cohen

One of Leonard Cohen's Greatest Songwriting Achievements

#1: “Like a Rolling Stone”

Bob Dylan

Although Bob Dylan made a similarly large splash with “The Times They Are a-Changin” and “Blowin in the Wind”, our final pick could ultimately only go one way. “Like a Rolling Stone” wasn’t just a big deal for Dylan himself as he shed his folk-hero image and went electric. At over six minutes long, it ignored radio conventions while combining poetic lyricism with rock instrumentation in a way few mainstream artists had attempted. It was snarling, angry, witty, unapologetic; a totally fresh sound for the mid-60s. Many famous musicians of the era describe hearing it first as though they were listening to the future unfold in real time. A song in the conversation for the greatest rock and roll track of all-time.

But what do you consider to be the most influential and inspirational song of all-time? Let us know in the comments section below.