From the story of how the song came to be written to the reactions of critics and the public, everything is recorded in one volume!

"1001 Pop Songs You Must Hear Before You Die" is a compilation of nearly a century's worth of music, introducing readers to some of the greatest albums of all time.
This book contains a story about a great song, one for each entry.
What inspired the composer, what makes this track shine despite the test of time, the songs it has influenced, and even some notable cover versions.
As you read the book, you will discover fascinating anecdotes and common sense.
What connects Red Belly, Ronnie Donigan, and Black Betty? Whose tombstone inspired Phil Spector's first hit? What led Christina to join forces with "The Moon People"? The answers will be readily available as you turn the pages.

It's hard to imagine The Wizard of Oz without "Over the Rainbow."
But in fact, it is said that this song was almost omitted from the movie.
After the preview, MGM executives demanded that the song be removed, claiming that it slowed down the overall flow of the film.
This ballad barely survives thanks to the forceful intervention of Arthur Fried, who had previously worked as a composer but then embarked on a new path as a film director.
That song later won an Oscar for Best Original Song.
--- p.33 From 「Over the Rainbow | Judy Garland (1939)」


Considering that it's a song from an album filled with nothing but superlatives and first-rate adjectives, the horror-inspired feel of the title track of "Thriller" is a bit at odds with the innovative approach of "Billie Jean" or "Beat It."
Still, “Thriller” remains one of Michael Jackson’s most iconic songs.
This was also thanks to the groundbreaking music video.
It was a 14-minute zombie parody produced by John Landis (he was the director of The Werewolf of London).
--- p.514 From 「Thriller | Michael Jackson (1982)」


A smash hit on both sides of the Atlantic and a Top 10 hit across Australia and Europe, the song has the grandeur appropriate to such a milestone.
Strings introduce an instantly addictive riff, and then singer Chris Martin appears and begins to tell a seemingly sad story about a man who “once ruled the world.”
The music is dazzlingly majestic.
--- p.867 From 「Viva la Vida | Coldplay (2008)」


The song was a classic love letter to New York City and stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks.
It seems like the first time a Big Apple theme song has received such enthusiastic support since Frank Sinatra's "Theme from New York, New York" (1980).
--- p.872 From 「Empire State of Mind | Jay-Z & Alicia Keys (2009)」


Released in late 2013, “Happy” swept radio and music charts throughout 2014, becoming one of the best-selling albums of the 21st century and ultimately proving Pharrell’s sensationalism by earning an Oscar nomination alongside the Frozen soundtrack for Best Original Song.
Pharrell actually joked to GQ about not winning.
“When they announced the winners, my expression was just ‘ice.’
But then I thought,
“I guess I’ll just have to ‘Let it go.’”
--- p.882 from 「Happy | Pharrell Williams (2013)」


“When I thought I hit a wall, it was when I was just repeating the chord progression over and over again,” Taylor told USA Today.
“Then suddenly a verse came out.
'Cause the Players gonna play, play, play, play' This part just popped out.
We realized we had created something special.
The rest of the part was also completed in a very special way, just like the chorus.”

--- From 「Shake It Off | Taylor Swift (2014)」