1997 Hit Ranked Greatest Mainstream Rock Song of All Time by Billboard

A surprise 1997 track has been named the greatest mainstream rock song of all time by Billboard. Days of the New's acoustic-driven song 'Touch, Peel and Stand' topped the ranking.

Why Billboard Chose This 1997 Hit as No. 1

In June 2021, Billboard published its list of the greatest mainstream rock songs of all time. The outlet ranked 'Touch, Peel and Stand' by Days of the New in the No. 1 slot. The rest of the top five included Stone Temple Pilots' 'Interstate Love Song,' U2's 'Mysterious Ways,' Nickelback's 'How You Remind Me,' and Creed's 'Higher.' Some of the other notable bands that had songs on the ranking include Van Halen, 3 Doors Down, and Staind.

Originally released in July 1997, 'Touch, Peel and Stand' quickly became a major hit. Between 1997 and 1998, the track was No. 1 on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart for a total of 16 weeks, which was a record at the time. That success led to the song becoming a staple of rock radio upon it release and in the years since, which is why it topped Billboard's list.

Billboard explained the methodology it used to create the ranking in a companion article. "Rock Songs rankings are based on weekly performance on the radio airplay-based Mainstream Rock Airplay chart (from rankings dated March 21, 1981, through March 20, 2021). Songs are ranked based on an inverse point system, with weeks at No. 1 earning the greatest value and weeks at lower spots earning the least. Due to changes in chart methodology over the years, eras are weighted differently to account for chart turnover rates during various periods. Artists are ranked based on a formula blending performance, as previously outlined, of all their Mainstream Rock Airplay chart entries."

Days of the New formed in Charlestown, Indiana, in 1995, and was focused on Travis Meeks as its singer, songwriter, and guitarist. The band's self-titled debut album, which included 'Touch, Peel and Stand,' also featured Jesse Vest on bass, Matt Taul on drums, and Todd Whitener on guitar.

You can listen to 'Touch, Peel and Stand' here:

Billboard's Top 20 Greatest Mainstream Rock Songs of All Time:

• 20. 'So Far Away' — Staind
• 19. 'Hail To The King' — Avenged Sevenfold
• 18. 'Silent Running' — Mike and the Mechanics
• 17. 'Second Chance' — Shinedown
• 16. 'Face To The Floor' — Chevelle
• 15. 'Kryptonite' — 3 Doors Down
• 14. 'S.O.S. (Sawed Off Shotgun)' — The Glorious Sons
• 13. 'Top Of The World' — Van Halen
• 12. 'When I'm Gone' — 3 Doors Down
• 11. 'It's Been Awhile' — Staind
• 10. 'Fake It' — Seether
• 9. 'Angel Of Harlem' — U2
• 8. 'Chalk Outline' — Three Days Grace
• 7. 'Break' — Three Days Grace
• 6. 'Loser' — 3 Doors Down
• 5. 'Higher' — Creed
• 4. 'How You Remind Me' — Nickelback
• 3. 'Mysterious Ways' — U2
• 2. 'Interstate Love Song' — Stone Temple Pilots
• 1. 'Touch, Peel and Stand' — Days of the New