Was Over the Rainbow the top song of the 20th century ? (sing, pop)

[Davros]

It was ranked the top "Song of the Century" by the Recording Industry Association of America.

I would definitely consider it a candidate for "Song of the Century" among American popular music. Of course Jimmy Stewart's rendition in The Philadelphia Story is part of its proud history.

Maybe their #2 song White Christmas is better known and had a greater impact on American culture ... but ... I like Over the Rainbow better ... but ... I have to say White Christmas was the Song of the Century.

[plmokn]

Maybe "Happy Birthday" though it was written in 1893
Or, something patriotic such as American the Beautiful or SSB.

Or, some christmas carol

Or seeing that the later in the century you go, the more people there are and the more people have access to recorded music so maybe it is something by a pop megastar like Michael Jackson.

Or, what album has sold the most? Some Beatles album? Some Hip Hop album?

[Davros]

Originally Posted by plmokn

Maybe "Happy Birthday" though it was written in 1893
Or, something patriotic such as American the Beautiful or SSB.

Or, some christmas carol

Or seeing that the later in the century you go, the more people there are and the more people have access to recorded music so maybe it is something by a pop megastar like Michael Jackson.

Or, what album has sold the most? Some Beatles album? Some Hip Hop album?

Yes, White Christmas.

America The Beautiful might be a candidate since I just looked it up and words and music were first put together in 1910 ... but ... both the words and the tune were written separately in the late 1800s ... and the thing about White Christmas and Over the Rainbow is that they were both completely conceived in the 20th century as original music and they each have an artist who's performance is the standard against which all other performances of the song are measured: Bing Crosby for White Christmas and Judy Garland for Over the Rainbow.

Who doesn't know White Christmas ? Who hasn't heard Bing Crosby sing White Christmas ? I think they'd be hard to find. I just don't think any Michael Jackson song or even Elvis song can compare.

[JPD]

Rainbow Connection is better.