Most well-known songs

I heard "Sweet Home Alabama" on the radio yesterday and it got me thinking about what the best-known songs are in different genres. I'm not saying they are the best songs, just most recognizable. Songs that everyone knows, no matter what their taste is, ones they will recognize if they hear it in a commercial or movie.

My Thought:

Southern rock -- Sweet Home Alabama

Rock -- Stairway to Heaven

Pop -- I Will Always Love You

Country -- Friends in Low Places

Alternative -- Smells Like Teen Spirit

Funk/Rhythm and Blues: Celebrate

Oldie: Rock Around the Clock

Feel free to add categories or tell me I'm full of it.

 

I'm right there with you on these except Stairway to Heaven. I just don't think that song is as ubiquitous as it once was. I'd guess a good chunk of people under 30 only know it by name and another good chunk under 20 don't even know it exists.

 

Sweet Caroline.

 

Metal/Rock -- Enter Sandman

 

1980s format: Either Love Shack or Jesse's Girl.

 

Tried my best not to look at your answers:

Southern rock -- "Sweet Home Alabama"

Rock -- "Satisfaction"

Pop -- "Hey Jude"

Country -- "I Walk the Line"

Alternative -- "Smells Like Teen Spirit"

Funk/Rhythm and Blues: "Signed, Sealed, Delivered"

Oldie: "Johnny B. Goode"

Punk: "Blitzkrieg Bop"

Rap: "Ice Ice Baby"

Hard Rock/Metal: "Welcome to the Jungle"

Folk: "Blowin' in the Wind"

Blues: "Sweet Home Chicago"

 

Southern rock -- Sweet Home Alabama Freebird

 

In the Classic Rock category, I'll throw in a nod for "Another Brick in the Wall."

 

Pop: Girls Just Want To Have Fun.

Country: The Gambler.

Oldies: I Wanna Hold Your Hand

Disco: Stayin' Alive

90s Alternative: Jeremy

Classic Rock: More Than A Feeling

 

The Beatles could credibly have the most well-known song in at least four categories: Pop, classic rock, psychedelic, oldies.

 

Country: Folsom Prison Blues

80s Pop: Thriller, Beat It

 

I almost went with Billie Jean for pop