Detroit's 100 Greatest Songs project

We all know about Detroit's deep, rich music history — a legacy that stretches back decades and thrives today. But now we’re nailing down the best of the best.

With the Detroit's 100 Greatest Songs project, the Free Press is seeking to reach consensus on the homegrown music that rises above and stands the test of time. Detroit has produced an extraordinary array of high-quality records through the years, and we want to see how they stack up in the big picture.

The first step was a song ballot — 499 songs, plus a write-in option — that we compiled after much deliberation, consultation and listening pleasure. Then we conducted a public vote, along with a separate tally that included input from musicians, critics, academics and other experts. On May 8, we’ll begin announcing the results.

The 100 greatest songs will continue to be revealed weekly through July 16, when the Top 10 is unveiled by Don Was and his handpicked Detroit artists in a Concert of Colors show at Orchestra Hall.