I'm working on a music writing project and I've been using Acclaimed Music as a source. It's kidn of a fun site that lists the top songs, albums and artists "of all time compiled from critics' best-of lists all around the world." Now, keep in mind that these critics have proclaimed that Bob Dylan's "Like A Rolling Stone" is the best song of all time. Ack!

I don't agree with that, but maybe you do. In the spirit of our Greatest American series, I'm going to post some polls (by decade, starting with the 1940s) and we'll determine what really is the greatest song of all time. Here's how it's going to go:

• For each decade, I'll take the top 5 songs from the Acclaimed Music critics list
• I'll pick 3 more songs that are in the top 200 of the critics list
• Finally, I'm giving myself one wild card that may or may not be in the top 200
• I'm going to try have artists only represented by one song in any poll
• The winners of each decade's poll will square off in the star-studded finale where we'll declare a winner!
• If you don't like any of the choices, well, that's kinda too bad, but do feel free to make a pick in the comments

First up, it's the 1940s. I don't know that many songs from this era, so I can't really complain about the critics list, or do much to expand on it. Looking at later decades, oh, let me tell you, I'm going to have some issues when the 1970s roll around.

Update: the polls are closed. Hank Williams' "I'm So Lonesome I Could Cry" is the winner and will advance to the finals.

Click here for more on our Greatest Song competition.