Buzz
Written by Jennifer Drapkin, Kevin O'Donnell, and Ky Henderson
These tracks may not win awards for their beauty or musical complexity, and some might even push your patience to the limit. Yet, these songs—ranging from timeless classics like Mozart to modern hits by Beyoncé—have profoundly shaped our world over the past 25 years. They’ve saved lives, celebrated national pride, and even encouraged teens to embrace personal hygiene. Each has left an indelible mark. So, without further ado, let’s dive into this ultimate playlist of influential tunes. The countdown starts now!
25. "The Magic Flute" // Mozart
Despite the myths about Mozart boosting kids' intelligence (untrue!) or aiding SAT performance (maybe), one undeniable effect of Mozart’s music is speeding up the digestion process of sludge-eating microbes. A sewage treatment facility in Treuenbrietzen, Germany, tested various operas by blasting them through loudspeakers across the site. "The Magic Flute" proved most effective. Anton Stucki, the plant’s lead operator, suggests the music’s vibrations accelerate waste breakdown. "The vibrations permeate everything—water, sewage, and microbial cells—creating a resonance that energizes the microbes and enhances their efficiency," he explains. Though Stucki prefers rock music, he endures Mozart as it boosts microbial productivity, saving the plant around $1250 monthly.
24. "867-5309/Jenny" // Tommy Tutone
For almost 30 years, this track has been a boon for intoxicated college students everywhere. Since its 1982 debut, pranksters have repeatedly dialed 867-5309, asking for “Jenny.” Those unlucky enough to have this number face endless prank calls daily, varying by location.
Some have cleverly capitalized on the number. In 2004, DJ Spencer Potter from Weehawken, New Jersey, noticed 867-5309 was available in his area code and claimed it, hoping it would attract business. However, the sheer volume of calls overwhelmed him. By February 2009, he auctioned it on eBay to Retro Fitness, a gym chain embracing an '80s retro vibe. Potter ultimately earned $186,853.09—a figure he found more than satisfactory.
23. "I Will Always Love You" // Whitney Houston
Dictators might seem to have an easy time winning elections since they face no opponents, but there’s still a show to put on. Saddam Hussein took this seriously in 2002, using an Arabic rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” (originally by Dolly Parton) as his campaign anthem. The song, paired with footage of Hussein kissing babies, firing weapons, and striking dramatic poses, played nonstop on Iraq’s three TV channels during the election season. If this doesn’t demonstrate how Hussein tormented his people, nothing does.
22. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" // Nirvana
Kurt Cobain insisted he was unaware that Teen Spirit was a deodorant brand when he penned Nirvana’s 1991 grunge anthem. The song’s title came from graffiti on his apartment wall: “Kurt Smells Like Teen Spirit.” Regardless, the track had a massive impact on the deodorant. Mennen, the manufacturer, adopted the slogan, “Do you smell like Teen Spirit?” Sales surged, and the company expanded its Teen Spirit product line. Just six months after the song’s release, Colgate-Palmolive acquired Mennen for $670 million. While grunge fans cared little about fashion, they clearly cared about their scent.
21. "Gran Vals" // Francisco Tarrega
You might not recognize the name, but you’ve definitely heard this melody. Nokia introduced the 13-note piano sequence 20 years ago, creating the first ringtone. Today, it’s estimated to play 1.8 billion times daily worldwide—about 20,000 times per second. The tune originates from “Gran Vals,” a 1902 guitar composition by classical guitarist Francisco Tarrega. In 1993, Nokia executive Anssi Vanjoki adopted it as the default ring for the sleek Nokia 2110. While many are now tired of the tone, the quest for unique ringtones has turned the industry into a multi-billion-dollar business.
More Articles About Music:
20. "Panama" // Van Halen
Music has the power to inspire, but it can also drive people out of hiding. In December 1989, the U.S. invaded Panama after dictator Manuel Noriega was exposed as a drug lord. Noriega sought refuge in the Vatican embassy on December 24, prompting American troops to surround the building. To force him out without resorting to violence, the U.S. Southern Command Network Radio turned to Van Halen.
Loudspeakers were placed around the embassy, and the sonic assault began. After enduring 10 days of Van Halen’s “Panama” and other rock anthems blasting at ear-splitting volumes, Noriega chose surrender over further torment. On January 3, 1990, he gave himself up. Convicted on charges of drug trafficking, racketeering, and money laundering, his downfall was sealed by his inability to withstand a barrage of power chords. Ironically, the song isn’t about Panama at all—legend says it’s about lead singer David Lee Roth’s car.
19. "Runaway Train" // Soul Asylum
Public service announcements often go unnoticed, but in 1992, music videos on MTV had a massive audience. Combining the two seemed like a brilliant idea. For Soul Asylum’s “Runaway Train,” director Tony Kaye created a video showcasing missing children, aiming to help locate them. The strategy succeeded, leading to the recovery of numerous runaways. Kaye even produced six versions of the video—three for the U.S. and one each for the U.K., Australia, and Germany.
However, the outcomes weren’t always positive. Some children were found deceased, while others returned to abusive homes. In 2006, Soul Asylum guitarist Dan Murphy reflected on the video’s impact: “Kids run away for reasons, often due to abuse,” he told the Pasadena Weekly. “While there were some happy endings, the underlying issues driving kids to flee their homes remained unresolved.”
18. "Gates of Hades" // Nick Ashton
Music can uplift, but can it actually induce a high? In 2010, U.S. teens claimed to experience everything from mild dizziness to intense hallucinations after listening to “Gates of Hades.” This track sparked the “i-Dosing” trend, created by Nick Ashton. The technology uses “binaural beats,” where different frequencies are played in each ear, supposedly synchronizing brain waves to mimic states like intoxication, love, or arousal.
In 2010, i-Doser.com released the song for free on YouTube as a teaser, then sold additional tracks on their website. Ashton reported that over a million people purchased the songs that year. Soon, parents and authorities intervened; an Oklahoma City school even banned iPods to prevent students from “i-Dosing” during class. However, there was little cause for concern—while some teens claimed to feel effects, no evidence suggests i-Dosing is addictive or leads to harder substances. Essentially, it’s just auditory stimulation.
17. "Better by You, Better Than Me" // Judas Priest
Can music drive someone to suicide? In 1990, Judas Priest faced accusations after two intoxicated teens in Reno, Nevada, shot themselves after repeatedly listening to “Better By You, Better Than Me.” (One died instantly; the other survived.) The case centered on the alleged subliminal message “Do it” in the song. Experts debated the claim, but the judge dismissed the case, stating, “Scientific evidence does not prove that subliminal messages, even if perceived, can cause such extreme actions.” The ruling stands unchallenged. As lead singer Rob Halford later quipped, he’d rather tell fans, “Buy more of our records.”
16. "The Cup of Life" // Ricky Martin
Facing execution, 13 pirates in China in 2000 chose a final celebration of booze and Ricky Martin. Convicted of hijacking a ship and killing its crew, they were given 30 minutes to meet relatives, eat, and drink rice wine before their execution. As they were paraded through Shanwei, the pirates loudly sang Ricky Martin’s 1998 World Cup anthem, “The Cup of Life.” In their final moments, they chanted, “Go! Go! Go! allez! allez! allez!”—the song’s refrain—and danced in their shackles.
15. "Tom’s Diner" // Suzanne Vega
When CDs debuted in 1982, their storage capacity amazed consumers. Each three-minute song consumed about 32 megabytes of data. However, this size was impractical during the early days of slow internet. Downloading a single song via dial-up could take up to eight hours. In the 1990s, German engineer Dr. Karlheinz Brandenburg developed MP3 compression, reducing audio file sizes by a factor of 11. While refining the format, Brandenburg used Suzanne Vega’s 1987 a cappella version of “Tom’s Diner” to test sound quality. He believed that if her clear, warm vocals sounded good on MP3, the format would work for any music. So, if you enjoy digital music, thank Vega for her pristine voice.
14. "Run the World (Girls)" // Beyoncé
During NASA’s final space shuttle mission, the Atlantis crew witnessed 15 sunrises and sunsets daily, disrupting their sleep cycles. On July 16, 2011, they received a unique wake-up call from Beyoncé. The R&B icon roused the astronauts with her empowering anthem “Run the World (Girls),” dedicating it to crew member Sandy Magnus and all women in space exploration. While it was a promotional move for her album, it certainly beat a standard alarm.
13. "As Slow as Possible" // John Cage
Currently, at St. Burchardi Church in Halberstadt, Germany, an organ is performing a never-ending piece of music—at least not within our lifetimes. John Cage's minimalist composition, 'As Slow as Possible,' spans just eight pages of sheet music but is designed to play out over 639 years. This work is part of Cage's broader investigation into the temporal and spatial dimensions of music. He chose the organ for its enduring pipes, capable of lasting millennia. A blower machine continuously feeds air, and weights keep the pedals depressed. The initial chord, consisting of three notes, began in 2003 and sustained for 18 months. The church has pledged to continue the performance until its conclusion. For those eager for a quicker rendition, a club remix is anticipated to be released soon.
12. 'Unforgettable' // Natalie Cole
In 1991, Natalie Cole embarked on a unique musical journey by performing alongside her late father, Nat 'King' Cole. This innovative approach utilized cutting-edge digital technology to create a duet with her father, based on his 1951 recording of 'Unforgettable.' The project sparked ethical debates and was deemed unsettling by some, including Natalie's own mother. Despite the criticism, the song achieved remarkable success, with the accompanying album selling over 7 million copies and winning multiple Grammy Awards. This paved the way for similar posthumous collaborations, such as Lisa Marie Presley with Elvis, Janet Jackson with Michael, and The Beatles' virtual reunion for 'Free as a Bird.' It seems that connecting with the departed no longer requires mystical intervention—just skilled production.
11. 'I'm Me' // Lil Wayne
In 2008, Michael Phelps dominated the Beijing Olympics, securing the most gold medals ever won at a single Games. What fueled his extraordinary performance? Was it his massive 10,000-calorie daily intake, his uniquely advantageous physical traits, or perhaps the influence of Lil Wayne? Phelps famously isolated himself with his iPod before each race, removing his earbuds moments before diving in. His choice of music, particularly Lil Wayne's 'I'm Me,' was so impactful that it led to accusations of performance enhancement. On *The Today Show*, Phelps revealed the song's significance in his pre-race routine. The lyrics, 'There ain’t nothin’ gonna stop me, so just envy it,' undoubtedly resonated with the swimmer as he prepared to etch his name into Olympic history.
10. 'Never Gonna Give You Up' // Rick Astley
Rick Astley's 1987 smash hit 'Never Gonna Give You Up,' along with its delightfully over-the-top music video, was destined to remain a relic of the '80s. However, it found new life through an internet prank known as 'Rickrolling.' Imagine receiving a link from a colleague, expecting to read about healthcare or a blog post, only to be redirected to Astley's iconic video. Suddenly, you're watching a man in white jeans lip-syncing and dancing. This phenomenon originated on 4chan in 2008 and rapidly became a global internet sensation. While amusing at first, the joke can wear thin after multiple encounters. Despite this, the video has garnered over 50 million views in the past three years alone.
9. 'The Drugs Don't Work' // The Verve
Crafting a sorrowful song is an art, but creating one so profoundly melancholic that it influences scientific research is extraordinary. The Verve's 1997 ballad 'The Drugs Don't Work' was inspired by lead singer Richard Ashcroft's experience watching his father pass away in a hospital. The track's emotional weight is so intense that it can induce physical reactions. In 2006, physiologist Harry Witchel from the University of Bristol studied how pop music affects the body. Among all the songs analyzed, 'The Drugs Don't Work' stood out for its ability to slow heart rates and breathing, mirroring the physiological effects of sadness. Witchel noted that the song effectively replicates the emotional state of grief.
8. 'Pretty Woman' // 2 Live Crew
Parodies occupy a complex legal space. Although the First Amendment safeguards freedom of expression, directly replicating someone else's creative work is neither lawful nor ethical.
In 1989, the rap group 2 Live Crew pushed legal boundaries with their reinterpretation of Roy Orbison's 'Oh, Pretty Woman.' The original song's publisher, Acuff-Rose Music, which had profited significantly from licensing the track, took offense at the group's explicit and vulgar adaptation. They sued 2 Live Crew for using the song without permission. The case reached the U.S. Supreme Court, which ruled in favor of 2 Live Crew, stating that their version was transformative enough to qualify as a new creation. This landmark decision provided legal protection for parody artists, from Weird Al Yankovic to Lez Zeppelin, ensuring they could operate without fear of litigation.
One of the most unusual outcomes of the 'Oh, Pretty Woman' case was Justice David Souter's inclusion of 2 Live Crew's lyrics in his official opinion. Phrases like 'Big hairy woman, you need to shave your stuff' are now permanently archived in legal documents across the nation.
7. 'The Super Bowl Shuffle' // The Chicago Bears Shufflin' Crew
The 1985-86 season was a standout year for the Chicago Bears. Not only did they excel in the National Football League, but they also sparked an unexpected musical trend. The team boasted charismatic players like the 350-pound rookie William 'The Refrigerator' Perry and the rebellious quarterback Jim McMahon. With such vibrant personalities, it seemed only natural to let them showcase their talents beyond the field—by rapping.
The boldly kitschy 'Super Bowl Shuffle' marked the first time a sports team ventured into hip-hop, creating a music video that became a massive success. It enjoyed extensive airplay and sold over 500,000 copies, even earning a Grammy nomination. Unfortunately, it also inspired countless other sports franchises to release their own musical efforts, leading to forgettable tracks like the Mets' 'Get Metsmerized' and the Rams' 'Ram It.'
6. 'Gin and Juice' // Snoop Dogg
When Snoop Dogg performed 'Gin and Juice' on *Saturday Night Live* on March 19, 1994, he unknowingly sparked a fashion revolution. The oversized red, white, and blue Tommy Hilfiger rugby shirt he wore sold out in Manhattan stores the very next day, and Tommy Hilfiger's sales surged by $90 million that year. Despite rumors that Hilfiger was unhappy about his preppy brand becoming a hip-hop staple, he embraced the trend. The designer adapted his collections to appeal to the urban market, incorporating bolder colors and larger logos. He even featured rappers like Puffy and Coolio in his fashion shows, proving that Snoop wasn’t the only one focused on turning style into profit.
5. 'Across the Universe' // The Beatles
In February 2008, NASA made history by transmitting The Beatles' 'Across the Universe' into deep space, aiming it toward the North Star, Polaris. The song is expected to reach its destination in approximately 431 years, potentially introducing extraterrestrial beings to the iconic track. Yoko Ono, John Lennon's widow, hailed the event as a milestone, envisioning a future where humanity communicates with countless planets. While the idea of alien listeners is thrilling, collecting royalties from outer space might prove challenging.
4. 'Jigsaw Falling Into Place' // Radiohead
For over 20 years, Radiohead has consistently pushed boundaries in music, and in 2007, they revolutionized the music industry itself. Facing widespread illegal downloads and declining CD sales, the band bypassed traditional record labels and distribution channels entirely. They released their seventh album, *In Rainbows*, featuring the hit 'Jigsaw Falling into Place,' directly on their website, allowing fans to pay whatever they chose. While a third of downloaders paid nothing, the average contribution was around $8. Within a year, the album sold 3 million copies, and with minimal distribution costs, it became a financial triumph for the band. This bold move inspired other artists to adopt similar strategies, further diminishing the dominance of record companies. Sometimes, giving away music can be the key to saving the industry.
3. 'Everybody Hurts' // R.E.M.
Playing R.E.M.'s 'Everybody Hurts' at dawn might not sound like a productivity booster, but it works wonders for cows. Studies in the UK have found that soothing, slow-tempo music reduces stress in dairy cows, leading to an increase in milk production by nearly half a pint per day. Among the songs tested, R.E.M.'s heartfelt anthem proved most effective, particularly when played from 5 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For cows enduring the monotony of barn life and constant milking, the song's message—that everyone experiences pain and sorrow—might offer a small comfort.
2. 'Believe' // Cher
In 1998, Cher and her producer Mark Taylor unleashed a groundbreaking sound. Auto-Tune, a pitch-correction tool, had existed for years but was rarely used creatively. Taylor aimed to craft a dance track that would resonate with both younger clubgoers and Cher’s longtime fans. By applying Auto-Tune to Cher’s voice, he introduced gliding, robotic effects that transformed her vocals. Initially concerned about her reaction, Taylor was relieved when Cher embraced the innovation. 'Believe' became a global phenomenon, selling over 10 million copies and earning a Grammy for Best Dance Recording. This track popularized Auto-Tune, paving the way for artists like T-Pain, Kanye West, and Katy Perry to incorporate the technology into their music. It also marked a step closer to a future where machines might overshadow human performers.
1. 'I Love You' // Barney the Dinosaur
The theme song from *Barney the Dinosaur* holds an unexpected place in modern history as a tool of psychological warfare. At Guantanamo Bay, U.S. military interrogators used music to break detainees’ resolve in a facility nicknamed 'the Disco.' While death metal and Christina Aguilera were part of the playlist, Barney’s 'I Love You' was the most frequently employed. Dubbed 'futility music,' its repetitive, saccharine melody was designed to make prisoners feel that resistance was pointless. Over time, the song’s relentless cheerfulness could erode morale, leading detainees to cooperate. Parents who’ve endured the song on loop can attest to its uniquely grating power.
