Is Britney Spears’ hit “…Baby One More Time” the greatest debut single ever?
“One of those pop manifestos that announces a new sound, a new era, a new century. But most of all, a new star,” declared Rob Sheffield of Rolling Stone on its list of the the 100 Greatest Debut Songs. “Planet Earth, meet Britney Jean Spears, the 17-year-old pride of Kentwood, Louisiana.”
Ranking the 1998 track, written by Max Martin, No. 1 on the list, Rolling Stone described it as “an apocalyptic thunder-clap of a song.” It celebrated the song for changing “the sound of pop forever.”
No debut singles from Canadian artists made the list, which includes One Direction’s “What Makes You Beautiful” (No. 38) and “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X (No. 12). There are also songs from The Jackson 5, The Beatles, Taylor Swift and Rihanna.
Check out all 100 of the Greatest Debut Songs here.