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C'mon, whippersnappers. There was pop music long before rock. If you're judging popular songs, you should go back to the start. Here's my top ten list, which like me, goes back almost an entire century:

1. Over There: A hugely popular World War I song that blared patriotism, jingoism and hyped enlistments
2. White Christmas: Bing Crosby's sentimental tune still hits the charts annually after 65 years
3. Blue Suede Shoes: Presley ushered in the rock'n'roll era, heaven help us all
4. Mona Lisa: Nat King Cole's pop love song crooning smashed the hell out of the color barrier
5. New York, New York: Sinatra, tho late in his career, topped it all off with this great tribute to NYC
6. A Tisket, A Tasket: The immortal Ella Fitzgerald turned a nursery school song into pop and launched her brilliant career
7. Over The Rainbow: Judy Garland's classic song of hope and optimism is still as popular today
9. The Yellow Submarine: The Beatles novelty tune crossed all music lines from kiddie to rock to become a super hit
10. Hello, Dolly: Louie Armstrong's gravel voice gave this Broadway tune a ride up the pop charts

Anyone out there agree?

Learn more about this author, Ted Sherman.
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