Ranking of Popular Western Music Artists Among People in Their 40s [2026]

With Or Without YouU296rank/position

U2 – With Or Without You (U2 At The BBC)

There seem to be various interpretations of this song, but to me it feels like the inner conflict and anguish we face when making choices in life.

Like loving someone but not being able to be together.

It might be Bono’s cry about living with his own contradictions.

JumpVan Halen97rank/position

Van Halen – Jump (Official Music Video) [HD]

Included on the 1984 album released in ’84.

A four-piece rock band from California that debuted in ’78.

You can feel your spirits lift just from the opening keyboard tone.

It’s an up-tempo track whose irresistibly catchy, pop-flavored melody—unexpected from a hard rock band—sounds downright cool.

A Thousand MilesVanessa Carlton98rank/position

Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles

It’s a 2002 hit by American singer-songwriter Vanessa Carlton, and I don’t really know many of her other songs.

It’s an uptempo track you can play solo on piano, with a distinctive piano intro and a pleasant, easy-to-listen-to feel.

Take On Mea-ha99rank/position

a-ha – Take On Me (Official Video) [4K]

It’s a single released in 1985 by the Norwegian band a-ha.

The music video’s animation was very well received, and it won six awards at the 1986 MTV Video Music Awards.

All The Small Thingsblink-182100rank/position

blink-182 – All The Small Things (Official Music Video)

A pop-punk track released in 2000 by the American rock band Blink-182.

It has been covered by Jedward and Honeywagon.

It’s said to be an easy track to sing at karaoke, not requiring sophisticated vocal quality or skill.