America's Pop Hall of Fame Announces 'Iconic' Songs By Decade

America has chosen its iconic songs from four music-rich decades—and one of them is “American Pie.”

The results were released earlier this month by America’s Pop Music Hall of Fame, located in Canonsburg, which conducted the vote on its website and by mail-in ballot.

The public was asked to choose the most representative pop songs of the 1940s, 1950s, 1960s and 1970s. In all four instances, the choice of the public and the Hall of Fame’s selection committee coincided.

These are the initial recording inductees:

1970s: “American Pie” - Don McLean - "American Pie," which chronicled the history of pop music, was a No. 1 hit for Don McLean in 1971-1972—and one of the longest songs ever to top the charts. Part of its charm and endurance is the varying interpretation of its lyrics, which have never been fully explained by the artist.

1960s: “The Twist” - Chubby Checker - "The Twist" is the first and only recording to hit number one on Billboard's pop charts on two separate occasions. The song first ascended the charts in 1960, then, as the dance craze refused to subside, again hit No. 1 in 1962. Moreover, "The Twist" bridged the gap between the fading wave of early rock and roll and the re-energizing of the genre by such acts as the Beach Boys and Four Seasons. The song is also credited with bringing adults into the pop culture - and onto the dance floor

1950s: “Hound Dog” - Elvis Presley - "Hound Dog" was originally released in 1956 as the "B" side of "Don't Be Cruel," but “Hound Dog” became increasingly popular as Presley sang it on several television variety series, most notably "The Milton Berle Show." "Hound Dog" eventually sold more than 5 million copies, was Presley's best-selling single of all time and remains an oldies staple today. It is also credited with being a landmark song in that it incorporated elements of country, r&b, gospel and, of course, the just-emerging rock and roll genres.

1940s: “White Christmas” - Bing Crosby - This song was the most clear-cut choice of both the public and selection committee. Written by Irving Berlin, "White Christmas," was first sung in public on Christmas Day, 1941 on Bing Crosby's weekly NBC radio program, The Kraft Music Hall. In 1942, the recording became a pop hit and incredibly appeared on the charts annually through 1962. It remains a part of America's holiday celebration. "White Christmas" also endured as the best-selling single in history until it was surpassed by Elton John's "Candle in the Wind” in 1997.