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16 Number One Songs From Our First 16 Years

Clockwise from upper left: Cover art for Björk's <em>Vespertine, </em>Wilco's <em>Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, </em>Moby's <em>Play, </em>Kanye West's <em>Late Registration, </em>Sleigh Bells' <em>Treats </em>and Regina Spektor's <em>Begin To Hope</em>
Courtesy of the artists
Clockwise from upper left: Cover art for Björk's Vespertine, Wilco's Yankee Hotel Foxtrot, Moby's Play, Kanye West's Late Registration, Sleigh Bells' Treats and Regina Spektor's Begin To Hope

Sixteen years ago All Songs Considered started as NPR's first online-only program. This month we're celebrating its sweet 16 birthday, and to mark the occasion on this week's episode we're counting down our favorite songs from each of the past 16 years. Hearing some of these cuts is a real trip down memory lane, from the dreamy synth sound of Moby's "Porcelain," and Björk's polyrhythmic "Hidden Place," to The Postal Service, Grizzly Bear and Kanye West's brilliant and playful earworm "Gold Digger."

If you've had a memorable moment with All Songs Considered, share your story in the comments section below. We love hearing from our listeners. And if you want to share your own list of number one songs from each of the past 16 years, well pass that along, too!

Copyright 2022 NPR. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org.

Robin Hilton is a producer and co-host of the popular NPR Music show All Songs Considered.
In 1988, a determined Bob Boilen started showing up on NPR's doorstep every day, looking for a way to contribute his skills in music and broadcasting to the network. His persistence paid off, and within a few weeks he was hired, on a temporary basis, to work for All Things Considered. Less than a year later, Boilen was directing the show and continued to do so for the next 18 years.

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