100 Greatest Rock Debut Singles

Greatest Rock Debut Singles title image showing two 45rpm record lables
Criteria: These debut singles were chosen and ranked based upon their initial and lasting popularity and their impact and influence on rock 'n' roll and its related genres. Also taken into account is the fact that singles were much more significant in the early days of rock 'n' roll, and have been diminishing in importance since the late 1960s, to the point where the single is not very significant at all in the modern era.

Last Updated: 2021-11-12
Newly added names are in  Red 
Greatest Rock Debut Singles
  1. Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley / I'm A Man - 1955
  2. Chuck Berry - Maybellene / Wee Wee Hours - 1955
  3. Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight - 1979
  4. Sex Pistols - Anarchy In The U.K. - 1976
  5. Kingsmen - Louie Louie - 1963
  6. Percy Sledge - When A Man Loves A Woman - 1966
  7. James Brown - Please, Please, Please - 1956
  8. Elvis Presley - That's All Right / Blue Moon Of Kentucky - 1954
  9. Procol Harum - Whiter Shade Of Pale - 1967
10. Booker T. & the MG's - Green Onions - 1962
11. Jerry Butler & the Impressions - For Your Precious Love - 1958
12. Gene Vincent & the Bluecaps - Be-Bop-A-Lula / Woman Love -1956
13. Frankie Lymon & the Teenagers - Why Do Fools Fall In Love - 1955
14. Lloyd Price - Lawdy Miss Clawdy / Mailman Blues - 1952
15. Ramones - Blitzkrieg Bop - 1976
16. Mamas & Papas - California Dreamin' - 1965
17. Zombies - She's Not There - 1964
18. Little Eva - The Loco-Motion - 1962
19. Chords - Sh-Boom - 1954
20. Drifters - Money Honey - 1953
21. Boston - More Than A Feeling - 1976
22. Lovin' Spoonful - Do You Believe In Magic - 1965
23. R.E.M. - Radio Free Europe - 1981
24. Del-Vikings - Come Go With Me - 1956
25. Jackie Brenston - Rocket 88 - 1951
26. Count Five - Psychotic Reaction - 1966
27. Box Tops - The Letter - 1967
28. ? & the Mysterians - 96 Tears - 1966
29. Del Shannon - Runaway - 1961
30. Orioles - It's Too Soon To Know - 1948
31. Skyliners - Since I Don't Have You - 1958
32. Danny & the Juniors - At The Hop - 1957
33. Fats Domino - The Fat Man / Detroit City Blues - 1950
34. Aerosmith - Dream On - 1973
35. B-52's - Rock Lobster - 1978
36. Silhouettes - Get A Job - 1957
37. Monotones - Book Of Love - 1957
38. The Knack - My Sharona - 1979
39. Frankie Goes To Hollywood - Relax - 1983
40. The Clash - White Riot - 1977
41. Dire Straits - Sultans Of Swing - 1978
42. Bad Company - Can't Get Enough - 1974
43. McCoys - Hang On Sloopy - 1965
44. Champs - Tequila - 1958
45. Tracy Chapman - Fast Car - 1988
46. Cars - Just What I Needed - 1978
47. Bill Withers - Ain't No Sunshine - 1971
48. Eagles - Take It Easy - 1972
49. Jackson Browne - Doctor My Eyes - 1972
50. John Lee Hooker - Boogie Chillen - 1948
51. Van Halen - You Really Got Me - 1978
52. Showmen - It Will Stand - 1961
53. Marvelettes - Please Mr. Postman - 1961
54. Vanilla Fudge - You Keep Me Hangin' On - 1967
55. Etta James - The Wallflower - 1955
56. Ritchie Valens - Come On Let's Go - 1958
57. Slim Harpo - I'm A King Bee / Got Love If You Want It - 1957
58. Elmore James - Dust My Broom - 1951
59. Howlin' Wolf - How Many More Years / Moaning At Midnight - 1951
60. Doors - Break On Through - 1967
61. Lonnie Donegan - Rock Island Line - 1955
62. Marcels - Blue Moon - 1961
63. Blue Cheer - Summertime Blues - 1968
64. Deep Purple - Hush - 1968
65. Lorde - Royals - 2013
66. Mar-Keys - Last Night - 1961
67. Gary U.S. Bonds - New Orleans - 1960
68. Britney Spears - ...Baby One More Time - 1998
69. Nazz - Hello It's Me / Open My Eyes - 1968
70. Chairmen Of The Board - Give Me Just A Little More Time - 1969
71. Tymes - So Much In Love - 1963
72. Garnet Mimms & the Enchanters - Cry Baby - 1963
73. Led Zeppelin - Good Times, Bad Times / Communication Breakdown - 1969
74. Lesley Gore - It's My Party - 1963
75. Thunderclap Newman - Something In The Air - 1969
76. Heart - Magic Man - 1976
77. Los Bravos - Black Is Black - 1966
78. Left Banke - Walk Away Renee - 1966
79. Shadows Of Knight - Gloria - 1966
80. Music Machine - Talk Talk - 1966
81. Janis Ian - Society's Child - 1966
82. Strawberry Alarm Clock - Incense And Peppermints - 1967
83. Monkees - Last Train To Clarksville - 1966
84. Jimi Hendrix - Hey Joe - 1966
85. Friends Of Distinction - Grazing In The Grass - 1969
86. Steam - Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye) - 1969
87. Clarence "Frogman" Henry - Ain't Got No Home - 1956
88. America - A Horse With No Name - 1971
89. Yazoo - Only You / Situation - 1982
90. Chantays - Pipeline - 1963
91. Honeycombs - Have I The Right - 1964
92. Dixie Cups - Chapel Of Love - 1964
93. Teddy Bears - To Know Him Is To Love Him - 1958
94. Donovan - Catch The Wind - 1965
95. Harry Chapin - Taxi - 1972
96. Joe Jackson - Is She Really Going Out With Him? - 1978
97. Duprees - You Belong To Me - 1962
98. Dionne Warwick - Don't Make Me Over - 1962
99. Beach Boys - Surfin' - 1961
100. Jive Five - My True Story - 1961




I'm A Man record lable


Maybellene record lable


Rapper's Delight record lable


Anarchy In The U.K. record sleve


When A Man Loves A Woman record sleve


Please, Please, Please record lable


That's All Right record lable
Honerable Mentions
Dee Dee Sharp - Mashed Potato Time - 1962
Peter & Gordon - A World Without Love - 1964
Beau Brummels - Laugh, Laugh - 1964
Foundations - Baby, Now That I've Found You - 1967
Herman's Hermits - I'm Into Something Good - 1964
Irma Thomas - Don't Mess With My Man - 1959
James & Bobby Purify - I'm Your Puppet - 1966
Mary Wells - Bye Bye Baby - 1960
Nashville Teens - Tobacco Road - 1964
Roxy Music - Virginia Plain - 1972
Otis Rush - I Can't Quit You Baby / Sit Down Baby - 1956
Randy & the Rainbows - Denise - 1963
Traffic - Paper Sun - 1967
Young Rascals - I Ain't Gonna Eat Out My Heart Anymore - 1965
Mungo Jerry - In The Summertime - 1970









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