Rolling Stone gathers 60s moss

Finally, the flake has found his fans: Rolling Stone magazine, in its just-released list of the 500 Greatest Songs Of All Time, have bestowed number one status on the cynical, sneering track by Bob Dylan which (inadvertently?) echoes the publication's name: Like A Rolling Stone.

As always, these lists provoke massive bouts of fervent debate, by fans sitting up all night arguing ridiculously that Pink Floyd was indeed a better band than The Who. This time's list consists of a great selection of classics from across the '60s and '70s, a rock-n-roll period that even forced The King himself out of the top ten: Elvis' highest entry in the list was Hound dog at No. 19.

At second place is another song title with the publication's name featuring in the credit: The Rolling Stones' (I can't get no) Satisfaction, another 1965 song, recorded within a month of the revered Dylan track, a testament to the speed and revolutionary ability of music movement at the time.

The list is led by The Beatles, with 23 tracks, followed by The Rolling Stones (14) and Dylan (12), but cult favourites like The Clash's magnificent London calling (at No 15) have snuck in as well.

 'The voters could feel free to vote for Debbie Boone's You light up my life,' said Rolling Stone deputy managing editor Joe Levy. 'But they did not. Even the younger voters tended to lean toward the classics. People get thrilled and outraged by these lists; they certainly enjoy blaming the magazine instead of the voters.'

In an aside, he added: 'Kim Carnes has a fan club somewhere, and I'm sure they'll be rallied to protest why Bette Davis eyes isn't on the list.'

Photograph: Getty Images