DavesMusicDatabase.com is devoted to ranking, rating, and reviewing music of all genres and eras. The DMDB blog serves up music history snapshots, best-of lists, and music-related essays.
Legendary psychedelic-blues/rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix (click link for DMDB encyclopedia entry) was born Johnny Allen Hendrix on 11/27/1942 in Seattle, Washington. He was only 27 when he died of a drug overdose in London on 9/18/1970.
He first worked as a sideman with Rosa Lee Brooks (1964), Isley Brothers (1964), Buddy & Stacey and the Upsetters (1965); Little Richard, Curtis Knight, and Ronnie Youngblood. He formed Jimmy James and the Blue Flames in 1965. The next year he was discovered by the Animals’ Chas Chandler at New York City’s Café Wha? He went to London and formed the Jimi Hendrix Experience (1966-1969) with bassist Noel Redding and drummer Mitch Mitchell. He also helmed the Band of Gypsys with drummer Buddy Miles and bassist Buddy Cox from 1969 to 1970.
6. Crosstown Traffic (1968)
7. Foxey Lady (1967)
8. Fire (1967)
9. The Wind Cries Mary (1967)
10. Red House (1967)
11. The Star Spanged Banner (live, 1969)
12. Are You Experienced? (1967)
13. Freedom (1970)
14. Burning of the Midnight Lamp (1967)
15. Dolly Dagger (1970)
16. Stone Free (1966)
17. Manic Depression (1967)
18. Angel (1970)
19. Up from the Skies (1967)
20. Castles Made of Sand (1967)
21. Like a Rolling Stone (live, 1967)
22. If 6 Was 9 (1967)
23. Gloria (live, 1968)
24. I Don’t Live Today (1967)
25. Wild Thing (live, 1967)
Cover songs have long been a staple of music, although listeners tend to favor the originals. However, there have been some covers which outshone the original – in some cases, to the point that people may not realize the song with which they’re so familiar is not recorded by the original artist. Here, according to the rankings in Dave’s Music Database, are the top cover songs of all time:
51. Ray Charles “Georgia on My Mind” (1960)
52. Paul Whiteman “Three O’Clock in the Morning” (1922)
53. Fred Astaire “They Can’t Take That Away from Me” (1937)
54. Ray Charles “I Can’t Stop Loving You” (1962)
55. Billie Holiday “Summertime” (1936)
56. Soft Cell “Tainted Love” (1981)
57. Glenn Miller “That Old Black Magic” (1943)
58. Bunny Berigan “I Can’t Get Started” (1938)
59. Bing Crosby “Silent Night” (1935)
60. Elvis Presley “Are You Lonesome Tonight?” (1960)
61. Fats Waller “Honeysuckle Rose” (1935)
62. Charles Harrison “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows” (1918)
63. Paul Whiteman “My Mammy” (1921)
64. Henry Burr “Beautiful Ohio” (1919)
65. The Flamingos “I Only Have Eyes for You” (1959)
66. Run-D.M.C. with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler & Joe Perry “Walk This Way” (1986)
67. Peerless Quartet “I Didn’t Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier” (1915)
68. The Fifth Dimension “Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” (1969)
69. Count Basie “April in Paris” (1956)
70. Ben Selvin “I’m Forever Blowing Bubbles” (1919)
71. Mitch Miller “The Yellow Rose of Texas” (1955)
72. The Byrds “Mr. Tambourine Man” (1965)
73. The Five Satins “In the Still of the Nite (I’ll Remember)” (1956)
74. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
75. Bing Crosby with the Mills Brothers “Dinah” (1932)
76. Vess Ossman “The Old Folks at Home (Swanee River)” (1900)
77. Bert Williams “Nobody’ (1906)
78. Haydn Quartet “Bedelia” (1904)
79. Missouri Waltz (Hush-A-Bye Ma Baby)” (1917)
80. James Harrison & Dick Haymes “I’ll Get By As Long As I Have You” (1941)
81. George MacFarlane “A Little Bit of Heaven (Shure, They Call It Ireland)” (1915)
82. Louis Armstrong “All of Me” (1932)
83. Bing Crosby with Trudy Erwin & Sportsmen Glee Club “People Will Say We’re in Love” (1943)
84. Elvis Presley “That’s All Right, Mama” (1954)
85. Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers “Sunday, Monday or Always” (1943)
86. Willie Nelson “Always on My Mind” (1982)
87. Harry MacDonough “Hiawatha (His Song to Minnehaha)” (1903)
88. Perry Como “If I Loved You” (1945)
89. Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn “Moon River” (1961)
90. Kay Kyser with Harry Babbitt & Julie Conway “Jingle, Jangle, Jingle” (1942)
91. All-4-One “I Swear” (1994)
92. Ray Miller “The Sheik of Araby” (1922)
93. Bill Snyder “Bewitched, Bothered, and Bewildered” (1950)
94. Art Mooney “I’m Looking Over a Four-Leaf Clover” (1948)
95. Frank Stanley with Corrine Morgan “Listen to the Mocking Bird (aka “The Mocking Bird”)” (1904)
96. Ernestine Schumann-Heink “Danny Boy” (1918)
97. Rosemary Clooney “Tenderly” (1952)
98. Guy Lombardo “How Deep Is the Ocean?” (1932)
99. Ada Jones & Billy Murray “Come Josephine in My Flying Machine” (1911)
100. George Olsen “Who?” (1926)
Peak: 19 US, 17 CB, 14 HR, 41 AR *, 12 UK, 13 CN, 113 AU
* 1990 live solo version by Paul McCartney
(Click for codes to singles charts.)
Sales *: 4.0 US, 1.06 UK, 10.0 world (includes US + UK)
Radio Airplay *: 3.0
Video Airplay *: 46.9
Streaming *: 84.74
* in millions
Review:
The birth of “Hey Jude” is a story familiar to anyone versed in Rock and Roll History 101: Cynthia Lennon was soon to be the ex-wife of the famous Beatle. To soothe the couple’s young son, Julian, John’s band mate Paul McCartney offered words of encouragement in the best way he knew how – through song.
However, there are alternative versions of the inspiration for the rock-and-roll era’s greatest single. In his autobiography, Many Years from Now, McCartney asserted the song was really about himself. KL-143 Meanwhile, Lennon concluded the song was Paul’s commentary on the strain that John and Yoko’s relationship put on the bond between John and Paul. RS500
Regardless of its origin, “‘Hey Jude’ kicks ass on a par with Van Gogh or Beethoven in their prime.” WI-137 As the first single from the Beatles’ new Apple Records label, it was history’s highest debut (at #10) on the U.S. charts at that time. BR1-247 It became the best-selling single of the sixties and the Beatles’ biggest U.S. hit.
At over seven minutes, “Hey Jude” was the longest single ever released. SF This made producer George Martin wary that radio wouldn’t play it, to which John cheekily retorted, “They will if it’s us.” RS500 When Lennon’s assumption proved correct, the real winners were DJ’s who could take longer bathroom breaks as the listening public absorbed similarly lengthy hits like “American Pie” and “Layla.”
More than half the song’s length is borne out of the “na na na“ fade-out coda that repeats 19 times. The featured orchestra was paid double their usual fee just to clap and sing along. RS500
BR1 Bronson, Fred (2003). The Billboard Book of Number One Hits (5th edition). New York, NY: Billboard Books.
KL Kutner, Jon, and Spencer Leigh (2005). 1000 UK Number One Hits: The Stories Behind Every Number One Single Since 1952. London, Great Britain: Omnibus Press.
WI Williams, Paul (1993). Rock and Roll: The Best 100 Singles. New York, NY: Carroll & Graf Publishers, Inc.
Note: Footnotes (raised letter codes) refer to sources frequently cited on the blog. Numbers following the letter code indicate page numbers. If the raised letter code is a link, it will go directly to the correct page instead of the home page of a website. You can find the sources and corresponding footnotes on the “Lists” page in the “Song Resources” section.
This list was originally posted 12/29/2011. Revised 11/22/2018.
image from dreamstime.com
This list is a compiled from a variety of sources for sales figures (see complete source list here), but they are generally estimates since there is no official agency to track worldwide sales. As such, it is highly possible that some of these sales figures have been inflated by record companies or other vested parties, but this list does at least offer some idea of the world’s best-selling songs.
If you have your doubts about some of these songs belonging on this list, you’re not alone. I realize my knowledge of music beyond U.S. shores is limited, but if songs like Thelma Aoyama’s “Soba ni lur ne”, Utada Hikaru’s “Flavor of Life”, Kiseki’s “Greeeen”, Andre Brasseur’s “Early Bird”, and Machiko Soga’s “Oba-Q Ondo” are truly that monstrous in sales, shouldn’t I have at least heard of them? Oh well. I just report the lists. I don’t make these figures up (even if someone else does).
Note: in the event of ties, songs are ranked according to overall DMDB points.
Based on numbers from VEVO and YouTube, these are the most watched music videos of all-time. Number is in billions.
1. Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee “Despacito” (2017) 5.723
2. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017) 3.910
3. Wiz Khalifa & Charlie Puth “See You Again” (2015) 3.874
4. Marc Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014) 3.343
5. Psy “Gangnam Style” (2012) 3.240
6. Justin Bieber “Sorry” (2015) 3.035
7. Maroon 5 “Sugar” (2014) 2.814
8. Taylor Swift “Shake It Off” (2014) 2.683
9. Katy Perry “Roar” (2013) 2.665
10. Enrique Iglesias, Descemer Bueno, & Gente de Zona “Bailando” (2014) 2.640
11. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014) 2.544
12. One Republic “Counting Cars” (2013) 2.530
13. Katy Perry & Juicy J “Dark Horse” (2013) 2.461
14. Major Lazer, DJ Snake & MO “Lean On” (2015) 2.448
15. Adele “Hello” (2015) 2.432
16. Taylor Swft “Blank Space” (2014) 2.366
17. Shakira & Maluma “Chantaje” (2016) 2.277
18. Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass” (2014) 2.240
19. Chainsmokers & Halsey “Closer” (2016) 2.200
20. Passenger “Let Her Go” (2012) 2.176
21. Little Baby Bum “Wheels on the Bus” (2014) 2.166
22. Calvin Harris & Rihanna “This Is What You Came For” (2016) 2.137
23. J. Balvin & Willy Williams “Mi Gente” (2017) 2.126
24. Camila Cabello with Young Thug “Havana” (2017) 2.115
25. Shakira & Freshlyground “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” (2010) 2.099
26. Alan Walker “Faded” (2015) 2.090
27. Justin Bieber & Ludacris “Baby” (2010) 2.015
28. Charlie Puth & Selena Gomez “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (2016) 1.998
29. Clean Bandit, Sean Paul, & Anne-Marie “Rockabye” (2016) 1.977
30. Pinkfong! Kids’ Songs “Baby Shark Dance” (2016) 1.964
31. Justin Bieber “What Do You Mean?” (2015) 1.957
32. Fifth Harmony “Work from Home” (2016) 1.953
33. Sia “Chandelier” (2014) 1.941
34. Ellie Goulding “Love Me Like You Do” (2015) 1.832
35. Avicii & Aloe Blacc “Wake Me Up” (2013) 1.722
36. Luis Fonsi with Demi Lovato “Échame La Culpa” (2017) 1.669
37. Eminem & Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie” (2010) 1.645
38. “Criminal” Natti Natasha with Ozuna (2017) 1.643
39. Fifth Harmony & Kid Ink “Worth It” (2015) 1.635
40. Shawn Mendes “Treat You Better” (2016) 1.629
41. Idina Menzel “Let It Go” (2013) 1.618
42. Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017) 1.597
43. Silento “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (2015) 1.589
44. LMFAO, Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011) 1.572
45. Magic! “Rude” (2013) 1.570
46. ChuChu TV with Ozuna “Johny Johny Yes Papa” (2014) 1.570
47. Twenty One Pilots “Stressed Out” (2015) 1.567
48. Dua Lipa “New Rules” (2017) 1.541
49. Icanrockyourworld “The Gummy Bear Song” (2007) 1.538
50. J. Balvin “Ay Vamos” (2014) 1.529
51. Bruno Mars “The Lazy Song” (2010) 1.507
52. Ricky Martin & Maluma “Vente Pa Ca” (2016) 1.458
53. Crazy Frog “Axel F” (2005) 1.456
54. Drake “Hotline Bling” (2015) 1.454
55. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010) 1.434
56. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj “Side to Side” (2016) 1.434
57. Maluma “Felices los 4” (2017) 1.432
58. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015) 1.429
59. The Weeknd & Daft Punk “Starboy” (2016) 1.428
60. The Chainsmokers with Coldplay “Something Just Like This” (2017) 1.423
61. CNCO “Reggaeton Lento (Bailemos)” (2016) 1.423
62. Nio Garcia with Darrell & Casper Magico, Bad Bunny, Nicky Jam, & Ozuna “Te Boté (Remix)” (2018) 1.409
63. Romeo Santos & Eliza Gonzalez “Propuesta Indecente” (2013) 1.408
64. Becky G with Bad Bunny “Mayores” (2017) 1.394
65. LooLoo Kids “Johny Johny Yes Papa” (2016) 1.389
66. John Legend “All of Me” (2013) 1.387
67. Nicky Jam with J. Balvin “X” (2018) 1.377
68. Danny Ocean “Me Rehúso” (2016) 1.367
69. Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016) 1.363
70. Nicky Jam “Hasta El Amanecer” (2016) 1.355
71. Chino & Nacho with Daddy Yankee “Andas en Mi Cabeza” (2016) 1061.49
72. Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (2017) 1.311
73. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull “On the Floor” (2011) 1.289
74. Ellie Goulding “Burn” (2013) 1.289
75. The Weeknd “The Hills” (2015) 1.279
76. Daddy Yankee “Shaky Shaky” (2016) 1.272
77. Maluma with Nego Do Borel “Corazón” (2017) 1.269
78. Rihanna “Diamonds” (2012) 1.250
79. Calvin Harris & Disciples “How Deep Is Your Love” (2015) 1.247
80. Jessie J, Ariana Grande, & Nicki Minaj “Bang Bang” (2014) 1.246
81. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Wanz “Thrift Shop” (2012) 1.245
82. Taylor Swift & Kendrick Lamar “Bad Blood” (2014) 1.245
83. Bruno Mars “Just the Way You Are (Amazing)” (2010) 1.244
84. Calvin Harris “Summer” (2014) 1.243
85. David Guetta & Nicki Minaj “Hey Mama” (2015) 1.242
86. Jason Derulo with Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign “Swalla” (2017) 1.224
87. Carlos Vives & Shakira “La Bicicleta” (2016) 1.224
88. Sia & Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills” (2016) 1.224
89. Martin Garrix “Animals” (2013) 1.223
90. Adele “Someone Like You” (2011) 1.222
91. Piso 21 with Manuel Turizo “Déjala Que Vuelva” (2017) 1.219
92. Pulcinopiotv “El Pollito Pio” (2012) 1.213
93. Joey Montana “Picky” (2015) 1.212
94. Psy “Gentleman” (2013) 1.201
95. Nicky Jam & Enrique Iglesias “El Perdon (Forgiveness)” (2015) 1.193
96. Rihanna & Drake “Work” (2016) 1.183
97. Eminem “Not Afraid” (2010) 1.180
98. Katy Perry “Firework” (2010) 1.140
99. Maluma “El Perdedor” (2016) 1.139
100. Gotye & Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011) 1.137
101. Ariana Grande & Iggy Azalea “Problem” (2014) 1.131
102. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011) 1.123
103. Drake “God’s Plan” (2018) 1.113
104. Katy Perry “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)” (2010) 1.106
105. Gente de Zona & Marc Anthony “La Gozadera” (2015) 1.099
106. Taylor Swift “Look What You Made Me Do” (2017) 1.096
107. Ricky Martin & Yotuel “La Mordidita” (2015) 1.094
108. Skrillex, Diplo, & Justin Bieber “Where Are U Now” (2015) 1.065
109. Guns N’ Roses “November Rain” (1991) 1.064
110. Pitbull & Ke$ha “Timber” (2013) 1.064
111. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013) 1.030
112. Prince Royce “Darte Un Beso” (2013) 1.030
Bandleader Thomas Francis Dorsey, Jr. was born on 11/19/1905 in Shenandoah, Pennsylvania. He died on 11/26/1956. Known as the “Sentimental Gentleman of Swing,” he is considered among the greatest trombonists in jazz history.
He and his older brother Jimmy worked in bands led by Jean Goldkette, Vincent Lopez, Red Nichols, Nat Shilkret, Rudy Vallee, and Paul Whiteman. They also worked with the California Ramblers (25-27), Charleston Chasers, and formed their own Dorsey Brothers Orchestra (34-35). Tommy formed his own band in 1935 out of the remains of Joe Haymes’ band. Sy Oliver worked as an arranger for the band and Frank Sinatra (40-42) recorded with Dorsey as a vocalist.
Dave’s Music Database lists are determined by song’s appearances on best-of lists as well as chart success, sales, radio airplay, streaming, and awards.
BS = Boswell Sisters, DB = Dorsey Brothers, JL = Jack Leonard, TS = The Sentimentalists, FS = Frank Sinatra, EW = Edythe Wright. According to Joel Whitburn’s Pop Memories 1890-1954, Tommy Dorsey hit the top of the U.S. charts 19 times (#1 songs noted in list).
DMDB Top 1%:
1. All the Things You Are (w/ JL, 1939) #1
2. I’ll Never Smile Again (w/ Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers, 1942) #1
3. There Are Such Things (w/ Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers, 1942) #1
4. Once in a While (1937) #1
5. Lullaby of Broadway (DB w/ Bob Crosby, 1935) #1
6. Alone (w/ Cliff Weston, 1936) #1
7. Music, Maestro, Please! (w/ EW, 1938) #1
DMDB Top 5%:
8. Marie (w/ JL, 1937) #1
9. The Music Goes ‘Round and ‘Round (w/ EW, 1935) #1
10. I’m Gettin’ Sentimental Over You (1936)
11. Indian Summer (w/ JL, 1939) #1
12. In the Blue of the Evening (w/ FS, 1943) #1
13. The Dipsy Doodle (w/ EW, 1937) #1
14. Alexander’s Ragtime Band (BS w/ DB, 1935)
15. Stardust (w/ FS, 1941)
16. Stardust (w/ EW, 1936)
17. Oh, Look at Me Now (w/ FS, 1941)
18. In the Still of the Night (w/ JL, 1937)
19. Chasing Shadows (DB w/ Bob Eberly, 1935) #1
20. Opus No. 1 (1945)
21. I’ll Be Seeing You (w/ FS, 1940)
22. Our Love (w/ JL, 1939) #1
23. How About You? (w/ FS, 1942)
24. The Lady Is a Tramp (w/ JL, 1937)
25. I Should Care (w/ Bonnie Lou Williams & TS, 1945)
26. This Love of Mine (w/ FS, 1941)
27. Now It Can Be Told (w/ JL, 1938)
28. Satan Takes a Holiday (1937) #1
29. On the Sunny Side of the Street (w/ TS, 1945)
30. You (w/ EW, 1936) #1
DMDB Top 10%:
31. Everything Happens to Me (w/ FS, 1941)
32. Oh, You Crazy Moon (w/ JL, 1939)
33. Imagination (w/ FS, 1940)
34. Yes Indeed! (w/ Jo Stafford & Sy Oliver, 1941)
35. Polka Dots and Moonbeams (w/ FS, 1940)
36. Boogie Woogie (1938)
37. They Can’t Take That Away from Me (w/ JL, 1937)
38. On Treasure Island (w/ EW, 1935) #1
39. It’s Always You (w/ FS, 1943)
40. I Concentrate on You (w/ Anita Boyer, 1940)
41. The Lamp Is Low (w/ JL, 1939)
42. Fools Rush in Where Angels Fear to Tread (w/ FS, 1940)
43. Have You Got Any Castles, Baby? (w/ JL, 1937)
44. You’re the Top (DB w/ Ray McKinley, 1934)
45. Stop Beatin’ Around the Mulberry Bush (w/ EW, 1938)
46. It Started All Over Again (w/ FS, 1943)
47. I Hadn’t Anyone Till You (w/ JL, 1938)
48. Will You Still Be Mine? (w/ Connie Haines, 1944)
49. You Are My Lucky Star (DB w/ Bob Eberly, 1935)
50. It’s the Girl (BS w/ DB, 1931)
51. A-Tisket, A-Tasket (w/ EW, 1938)
52. We Three (My Echo, My Shadow, and Me) (w/ FS, 1940)
53. Darn That Dream (w/ Anita Boyer, 1940)
54. Just As Though You Were Here (w/ FS, 1942)
55. Take Me (w/ FS, 1942)
56. Until (w/ Harry Prime, 1948)
57. What Is This Thing Called Love? (w/ Connie Haines, 1942)
58. Honeysuckle Rose (Bunny Berigan & His Orchestra w/ Fats Waller, Tommy Dorsey, and Dick McDonough, 1937)
59. You Must Have Been a Beautiful Baby (w/ EW, 1938)
60. On the Atchison, Topeka, and Santa Fe (w/ TS, 1945)
61. Did I Remember? (w/ EW, 1936)
62. You Couldn’t Be Cuter (1938)
63. Honeysuckle Rose (DB w/ Don Mattison, Skeets Herfurt, & Rock Hillman, 1935)
64. My Cabin of Dreams (w/ EW, 1937)
65. San Francisco (w/ EW, 1936)
66. Let’s Do It, Let’s Fall in Love (DB w/ Bing Crosby, 1929)
67. You Are My Lucky Star (w/ Eleanor Powell, 1935)
68. How Are Things in Glocca Mora? (w/ Stuart Foster, 1947)
69. Manhattan Serenade (w/ Jo Stafford, 1942)
70. Let’s Get Away from It All (w/ the Pied Pipers, 1941)
71. Do I Worry? (w/ FS, 1941)
72. Says My Heart (w EW, 1938)
73. You and I (w/ FS, 1941)
74. Sweet Sue, Just You (w/ JL, 1939)
DMDB Top 20%:
75. The Big Apple (w/ EW, 1937) #1
76. I Dream of You (w/ Freddy Stewart, 1944)
77. Dolores (w/ FS, 1941) #1
78. I’ll Be Seeing You (w/ FS, 1961)
79. When I Take My Sugar to Tea (BS w/ DB, 1931)
80. Again (1949)
81. Are You Having Any Fun? (w/ EW, 1939)
82. Be Careful, It’s My Heart (w/ FS, 1942)
83. Say It Over and Over Again (w/ FS, 1940)
84. Our Love Affair (w/ FS, 1940)
85. Only Forever (w/ Alan Starr, 1940)
86. You Leave Me Breathless, 1938)
87. All This and Heaven Too (w/ FS, 1940)
88. Who? (w/ JL, 1937)
89. I Can Dream, Can’t I? (w/ JL, 1938)
90. You’re Lonely and I’m Lonely (1940)
91. I’m Gettin’ Sentimental Over You (DB w/ Bob Crosby, 1934)
92. Lazy Bones (Mildred Bailey w/ DB, 1933)
93. More and More (w/ Bonnie Lou Williams, 1945)
94. Trade Winds (w/ FS, 1940)
95. Aren’t You Glad You’re You? (w/ Stuart Foster, 1946)
96. I’ll Never Say “Never Again” Again (DB w/ Don Mattison, Skeets Herfurt, and Rock Hillman, 1935)
97. Song of India (1937)
98. I’ve Got a Feelin’ You’re Foollin’ (DB w/ Bob Eberly, 1935)
99. Violets for Your Furs (w/ FS, 1941)
100. Fine and Dandy (DB w/ Scrappy Lambert, 1930)
These are the most-streamed songs on Spotify. The number after the parentheses indicates the number of streams in millions.
1. Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber “Despacito” (2017) 2079.00 *
2. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017) 1978.00
3. Drake with Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” (2016) 1591.00
4. The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (2016) 1411.00
5. Post Malone with 21 Savage “Rockstar” (2017) 1320.00
6. Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud” (2014) 1210.00
7. Major Lazer with DJ Snake & MØ “Lean On” (2015) 1179.00
8. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (2015) 1134.00
9. Justin Bieber “Sorry” (2015) 1118.00
10. Drake “God’s Plan” (2018) 1101.00
11. The Chainsmokers with Daya “Don’t Let Me Down” (2016) 1098.00
12. Mike Posner “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” (2015) 1073.00
13. Camila Cabello with Young Thug “Havana” (2017) 1073.00
14. The Weeknd with Daft Punk “Starboy” (2016) 1063.00
15. DJ Snake with Justin Bieber “Let Me Love You” (2016) 1020.00
16. Ed Sheeran “Photograph” (2014) 1002.00
17. Dua Lipa “New Rules” (2017) 1000.00
18. James Arthur “Say You Won’t Let Go” (2016) 974.00
19. Major Lazer with Justin Bieber & MØ “Cold Water” (2016) 965.00
20. Justin Bieber “What Do You Mean? ” (2015) 962.00
21. Sia with Sean Paul “Cheap Thrills” (2015) 956.00
22. Ed Sheeran with Beyoncé “Perfect” (2017) 947.00
23. The Chainsmokers & Coldplay “Something Just Like This” (2017) 946.00
24. Kendrick Lamar “Humble” (2017) 944.00
25. Twenty One Pilots “Stressed Out” (2015) 939.00
26. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014) 936.00
27. Lil Uzi Vert “XO Tour Llif3” (2017) 920.00
28. Alan Walker “Faded” (2015) 913.00
29. Lukas Graham “7 Years” (2015) 905.00
30. French Montana with Swae Lee “Unforgettable” (2017) 902.00
31. OMI “Cheerleader (Felix Jaehn Remix)” (2014) 901.00
32. Hozier “Take Me to Church” (2013) 894.00
33. Imagine Dragons “Thunder” (2017) 878.00
34. Shawn Mendes “Stitches” (2015) 875.00
35. Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (2016) 867.00
36. Calvin Harris with Rihanna “This Is What You Came For” (2016) (866.00
37. Adele “Hello” (2015) 865.00
38. The Weeknd “Can’t Feel My Face” (2015) 864.00
39. Fifth Harmony with Ty Dolla $ign “Work from Home” (2016) 863.00
40. Shawn Mendes “Treat You Better” (2016) 859.00
41. Post Malone with Quavo “Congratulations” (2016) 856.00
42. Sam Smith“Stay with Me” (2014) 850.00
43. John Legend “All of Me” (2013) 842.00
44. Imagine Dragons “Believer” (2017) 841.00
45. Passenger “Let Her Go” (2012) 839.00
46. Bruno Mars “That’s What I Like” (2016) 835.00
47. Rihanna with Drake “Work” (2016) 832.00
48. Wiz Khalifa with Charlie Puth “See You Again” (2015) 821.00
49. DJ Khaled with Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne “I’m the One” (2017) 813.00
50. Clean Bandit with Sean Paul & Anne-Marie “Rockabye” (2016) 808.00
51. Twenty One Pilots “Heathens” (2016) 807.00
52. Imagine Dragons “Radioactive” (2012) 805.00
53. Major Lazer with Nyla & Fuse ODG “Light It Up (remx)” (2015) 800.00
54. Kygo with Selena Gomez “It Ain’t Me” (2017) 785.00
55. Sia “Chandelier” (2014) 781.00
56. Charlie Puth “Attention” (2017) 779.00
57. Zayn with Taylor Swift “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” (2016) 777.00
58. Drake “Hotline Bling” (2015) 768.00
59. Desiigner “Panda” (2016) 767.00
60. Charlie Puth with Selena Gomez “We Don’t Talk Anymore” (2016) 767.00
61. One Republic “Counting Stars” (2013) 761.00
62. Maroon 5 “Sugar” (2014) 760.00
63. J. Balvin with Willy William & Beyoncé “Mi Gente” (2017) 760.00
64. The Weeknd “The Hills” (2015) 757.00
65. Avici with Aloe Blacc “Wake Me Up!” (2013) 755.00
66. G-Eazy with Bebe Rexha “Me, Myself & I” (2015) 753.00
67. Skrillex with Diplo & Justin Bieber “Where Are U Now” (2015) 748.00
68. Twenty One Pilots “Ride” (2015) 748.00
69. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Ray Dalton “Can’t Hold Us” (2011) 744.00
70. DNCE “Cake by the Ocean” (2015) 740.00
71. Martin Garrix with Bebe Rexha “In the Name of Love” (2016) 740.00
72. Zara Larsson “Lush Life” (2016) 733.00
73. Ariana Grande with Nicki Minaj “Side to Side” (2016) 732.00
74. Ellie Goulding “Love Me Like You Do” (2015) 731.00
75. Danny Ocean “Me Rehúso” (2016) 728.00
76. Gnash with Olivia O’Brien “I Hate U, I Love U” (2016) 726.00
77. Imagine Dragons “Demons” (2012) 723.00
78. XXXtentacion “Sad!” (2018) 722.00
79. The Weeknd with Daft Punk “I Feel It Coming” (2016) 708.00
80. Logic with Alessia Cara & Khalid “1-800-273-8255” (2017) 706.00
81. Sam Smith “Too Good at Goodbyes” (2017) 703.00
82. Zedd with Alessia Cara “Stay” (2017) 697.00
83. Drake with Rihanna “Too Good” (2016) 695.00
84. Vance Joy “Riptide” (2013) 695.00
85. Shawn Mendes “There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back” (2016) 687.00
86. Future “Mask Off” (2017) 684.00
87. Hailee Stenfield with Grey & Zedd “Starving” (2016) 681.00
88. Post Malone with Ty Dolla $ign “Psycho” (2018) 675.00
89. Jonas Blue with Dakota “Fast Car” (2015) 674.00
90. Clean Bandit with Jess Glynne “Rather Be” (2014) 671.00
91. Zayn “Pillow Talk” (2016) 669.00
92. Bruno Mars “24K Magic” (2016) 668.00
93. Post Malone “I Fall Apart” (2017) 666.00
94. Marshmello with Khalid “Silence” (2017) 665.00
95. Robin Schulz with Francesco Yates “Sugar” (2016) 661.00
96. The Chainsmokers “Paris” (2017) 659.00
97. Jason Derulo with Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign “Swalla” (2017) 659.00
98. Ed Sheeran “Castle on the Hill” (2017) 658.00
99. Drake “In My Feelings” (2018) 657.00
100. The Chainsmokers with Rozes “Roses” (2015) 628.00
* Combined numbers of original song + the remake with Justin Bieber.
This list was compiled by aggregating more than 50 lists focused on “party songs.” Another 25 lists were factored in, although at lesser weight, that focused on popular songs at weddings.
1. Village People “Y.M.C.A.” (1978)
2. The B-52’s “Love Shack” (1989)
3. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)
4. Kool & the Gang “Celebration” (1980)
5. DJ Casper (aka “Mr. C the Slide Man) “Cha Cha Slide” (2004)
6. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
7. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
8. The Beatles “Twist and Shout” (1963)
9. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
10. Van Morrison “Brown-Eyed Girl” (1967)
11. Sister Sledge “We Are Family” (1979)
12. Rednex “Cotton Eye Joe” (1994)
13. Neil Diamond “Sweet Caroline” (1969)
14. Cyndi Lauper “Girls Just Want to Have Fun” (1983)
15. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
16. Kenny Loggins “Footloose” (1984)
17. AC/DC “You Shook Me All Night Long” (1980)
18. Sir Mix-A-Lot “Baby Got Back” (1992)
19. Justin Timberlake “Sexyback” (2006)
20. Marcia Griffiths “Electric Slide (Electric Boogie)” (1990)
21. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
22. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
23. House of Pain “Jump Around” (1992)
24. Chubby Checker “The Twist” (1960)
25. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
26. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
27. Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004)
28. LMFAO with Lauren Bennett & GoonRock “Party Rock Anthem” (2011)
29. The Isley Brothers “Shout (Parts 1 and 2)” (1959)
30. Sorta Crackers Band/The Emeralds “Chicken Dance” (1982)
31. Whitney Houston “I Wanna Dance with Somebody” (1987)
32. Michael Jackson “Thriller” (1982)
33. Def Leppard “Pour Some Sugar on Me” (1987)
34. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
35. Nelly “Hot in Herre” (2002)
36. Commodores “Brick House” (1977)
37. Pink “Get the Party Started” (2001)
38. Bob Seger & the Silver Bullet Band “Old Time Rock and Roll” (1978)
39. Wild Cherry “Play That Funky Music” (1976)
40. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
41. Prince “1999” (1982)
42. Cupid “Cupid Shuffle” (2007)
43. The Romantics “What I Like About You” (1980)
44. Salt-N-Pepa “Push It” (1987)
45. Garth Brooks “Friends in Low Places” (1990)
46. 50 Cent “In Da Club” (2002)
47. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)
48. Brooks & Dunn “Boot Scootin’ Boogie” (1991)
49. Vanilla Ice “Ice Ice Baby” (1990)
50. The Foundations “Build Me Up Buttercup” (1968)
51. Montell Jordan “This Is How We Do It” (1995)
52. Psy “Gangnam Style” (2012)
53. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (2007)
54. MC Hammer “U Can’t Touch This” (1990)
55. The Temptations “My Girl” (1965)
56. Rick Springfield “Jessie’s Girl” (1981)
57. Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (2013)
58. Beyoncé with Jay-Z…Crazy in Love (2003)
59. Dexy’s Midnight Runners “Come on Eileen” (1982)
60. Ke$ha…Tik Tok (2009)
61. Michael Jackson “Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough” (1979)
62. Young M.C. “Bust a Move” (1989)
63. Rick James “Super Freak” (1981)
64. Lady Gaga with Colby O’Donis “Just Dance” (2008)
65. Miami Sound Machine “Conga” (1985)
66. Guns N’ Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1987)
67. Earth, Wind & Fire “September” (1978)
68. 5. Marc Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
69. Deee-Lite “Groove Is in the Heart” (1990)
70. Black Eyed Peas “Let’s Get It Started” (2003)
71. Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta “You’re the One That I Want” (1978)/ “Grease Megamix” (1990)
72. Taylor Swift…Shake It Off (2014)
73. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
74. California Swag District “Teach Me How to Dougie” (2010)
75. Miley Cyrus “Party in the U.S.A.” (2009)
76. Billy Idol “Mony Mony (live)” (1987)
77. Daft Punk with Pharrell Williams “Get Lucky” (2013)
78. C + C Music Factory “Gonna Make You Sweat (Everybody Dance Now)” (1990)
79. Carly Rae Jepsen “Call Me Maybe” (2011)
80. Maroon 5 with Christina Aguilera “Moves Like Jagger” (2011)
81. Big & Rich “Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy” (2004)
82. V.I.C. “Wobble” (2008)
83. Michael Jackson “Beat It” (1983)
84. Usher with Pitbull “DJ Got Us Falling in Love” (2010)
85. Ray Anthony “Hoky Pokey” (1953)
86. Elvis Presley “Can’t Help Falling in Love” (1961)
87. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (2005)
88. The Jackson 5 “ABC” (1970)
89. Lonestar “Amazed” 1999)
90. Jennifer Lopez & Pitbull “On the Floor” (2011)
91. Billy Medley with Jennifer Warnes “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” (1987)
92. David Bowie “Let’s Dance” (1983)
93. Lou Bega “Mambo No. 5” (1999)
94. Spice Girls “Wannabe” (1996)
95. Martha & the Vandellas “Dancing in the Street” (1964)
96. Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (2011)
97. Wham! “Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go” (1984)
98. Prince “Kiss” (1986)
99. LMFAO “Sexy and I Know It” (2011)
100. Silentó “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (2015)
People’s Choice Awards is an American awards show which was launched in 1975. People vote annually on awards for movies, music, and television. The awards, however, vary from year to Year. Here are times when an award was given to a favorite song for the year:
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