Five Classic Hits Named to All-Time Rankings

Several classic hits are receiving renewed attention for their unusual chart histories and lasting influence. Reunion’s “Life Is a Rock (But the Radio Rolled Me)” reached No. 8 in 1974 with a rapid-fire roll call of music references, while Styx’s “Lady” was recently ranked among the greatest power ballads and was written by Dennis DeYoung for his wife. Benny Mardones’ “Into the Night” reached the Top 20 in both 1980 and 1989 after radio airplay revived it. M’s “Pop Muzik,” a No. 1 hit in 1979, blended electronic sounds with a playful take on pop history and foreshadowed 1980s synth-pop. Guns N’ Roses’ “November Rain” became a major hit despite its nearly nine-minute length, with Slash’s guitar solo and its lavish music video helping cement its legacy.