Showing posts with label White Christmas. Show all posts
Showing posts with label White Christmas. Show all posts

Friday, August 7, 2026

United States: Biggest #1 Songs

USA’s Biggest #1 Pop Songs:

1890-2026

These are the biggest #1 pop songs in the history of the United States pop charts from 1890 to present. Songs could have hit #1 on any of the following charts:

Links go to specific lists of the biggest songs of all time for that chart.

All songs with 10 or more weeks on any of these charts are listed. If a song hit #1 on more than chart, only the chart where the song had the most weeks is noted. However, at times Hit Parade and Cashbox did not designate a specific artist with the #1 song. For example, “Some Enchanted Evening” was a #1 song on Hit Parade in 1949, but because there were multiple versions of the song out at the time, it wasn’t credited to any specific artist. In such cases, this list attributes the song only to an artist if that artist also hit #1 on another of the noted charts.

One last note – in the event of ties, songs are ranked according to most overall points in Dave’s Music Database. For songs which hit #1 multiple times, the version which accumulated the most points is used.

See other chart-based lists here.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out Dave’s Music Database podcast: The Biggest #1 Songs in Billboard Hot 100 History based on this list. It debuts September 7, 2021 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

    26 weeks:

  1. The Weeknd “Blinding Lights” (BA: 2020)

    23 weeks:

  2. Alex Warren “Ordinary” (BA: 2025)

    22 weeks:

  3. Mariah Carey “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (BB: 1994)

    20 weeks:

  4. Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (ST: 2018)
  5. Shaboozey “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” (BA: 2024)

    19 weeks:

  6. Morgan Wallen “Last Night” (ST: 2023)

    18 weeks:

  7. Goo Goo Dolls “Iris” (BA, 1998)
  8. BTS “Dynamite” (DG: 2020)
  9. Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (BA: 2023)

    17 weeks:

  10. Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber “Despacito” (DG: 2017)
  11. Francis Craig with Bob Lamm “Near You” (BB: 1947)

    16 weeks:

  12. Mariah Carey “We Belong Together” (BA: 2005)
  13. Mariah Carey with Boyz II Men “One Sweet Day” (BB: 1995)
  14. No Doubt “Don’t Speak” (BA: 1996)
  15. Maroon 5 with Cardi B “Girls Like You” (BA: 2017)
  16. Ella Langley “Choosin’ Texas” (BB: 2026)

    15 weeks:

  17. Harry Styles “As It Was” (BB: 2022)

    14 weeks:

  18. Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers “White Christmas” (BB: 1942)
  19. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (BB: 1992)
  20. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (BB: 2014)
  21. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (BB: 2009)
  22. Elton John “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Goodbye England’s Rose)” (BB: 1997)
  23. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (BB: 1995)
  24. Boyz II Men “I’ll Make Love to You” (BB: 1994)
  25. Celine Dion “Because You Loved Me” (BA: 1996)
  26. Alicia Keys “No One” (BA: 2001)
  27. Iggy Azalea with Charli XCX “Fancy” (ST: 2014)

  28. Post Malone with 21 Savage “Rockstar” (ST: 2017)
  29. Panic! At the Disco “High Hopes” (BA: 2018)
  30. Desiigner “Panda” (ST: 2015)

    13 weeks:

  31. Glenn Miller “In the Mood” (BB: 1939)
  32. Gene Austin “My Blue Heaven” (BB: 1927)
  33. Patti Page “Tennessee Waltz” (BB: 1950)
  34. The Chainsmokers with Halsey “Closer” (DG: 2016)
  35. Debby Boone “You Light Up My Life” (HR: 1977)
  36. Ben Selvin “Dardanella” (BB: 1920)
  37. Artie Shaw “Frenesi” (BB: 1940)

  38. The Weavers with Gordon Jenkins’ Orchestra “Goodnight Irene” (BB: 1950)
  39. Harry James with Helen Forrest “I’ve Heard That Song Before” (BB: 1943)
  40. The Ink Spots “The Gypsy” (BB: 1946)
  41. Boyz II Men “End of the Road” (BB: 1992)
  42. Ted Weems with Elmo Tanner “Heartaches” (BB: 1947)
  43. Ace of Base “The Sign” (BA: 1994)
  44. TLC “No Scrubs” (BA: 1999)
  45. Donna Lewis “I Love You Always Forever” (BA: 1996)
  46. Brandy with Monica “The Boy Is Mine” (BB: 1998)
  47. Miley Cyrus “Wrecking Ball” (ST: 2013)
  48. Roddy Rich “The Box” (ST: 2019)
  49. BTS “Butter” (DG: 2021)
  50. Encanto Cast “We Don’t Talk About Bruno” (ST: 2022)
  51. Kendrick Lamar with SZA “Luther” (BB: 2024)

    12 weeks:

  52. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (BB: 2017)
  53. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (BB: 2002)
  54. Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (BB: 2004)
  55. Tommy Dorsey & His Orchestra with Frank Sinatra & the Pied Pipers “I’ll Never Smile Again” (BB: 1940)
  56. Robin Thicke with T.I. & Pharrell Williams “Blurred Lines” (BB: 2013)
  57. Santana with Rob Thomas “Smooth” (BB: 1999)
  58. Rihanna with Calvin Harris “We Found Love” (BA: 2011)
  59. The Mills Brothers “Paper Doll” (BB: 1943)

  60. Wiz Khalifa with Charlie Puth “See You Again” (BB: 2015)
  61. Black Eyed Peas “Boom Boom Pow” (BB: 2009)
  62. Vernon Dalhart “The Prisoner’s Song” (BB: 1925)
  63. Vaughn Monroe “Ghost Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend)” (BB:1949)
  64. Jo Stafford “You Belong to Me” (BB: 1952)
  65. Al Jolson “Sonny Boy” (BB: 1928)
  66. Nelly with Kelly Rowland “Dilemma” (BA: 2002)
  67. Nat “King” Cole “Too Young” (HP: 1951)
  68. Huntr/x “Golden” (ST: 2025)
  69. Taylor Swift “Cruel Summer” (BA: 2023)

    11 weeks:

  70. Elvis Presley “Don’t Be Cruel” (BB: 1956) /
  71. Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (BB: 1956)
  72. Fred Astaire & Ginger Rogers with Leo Reisman’s Orchestra “Cheek to Cheek” (BB: 1935)

  73. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (DG: 2013)
  74. Paul Whiteman’s Orchestra “Whispering” (BB: 1920)
  75. Al Jolson “April Showers” (BB: 1922)
  76. Adele “Hello” (BA: 2015)
  77. Bryon G. Harlan “School Days (When We Were a Couple of Kids)” (BB: 1907)
  78. Drake “God’s Plan” (BB: 2018)
  79. American Quartet with Billy Murray “Casey Jones” (BB: 1910)
  80. Puff Daddy with Faith Evans & 112 “I’ll Be Missing You” (BB: 1997)
  81. Beyoncé “Irreplaceable” (BA: 2006)

  82. Justin Bieber “Love Yourself” (BA: 2015)
  83. Haydn Quartet “Put on Your Old Grey Bonnet” (BB: 1909)
  84. Natalie Imbruglia “Torn” (BA: 1997)
  85. Toni Braxton “Un-Break My Heart” (BB: 1996)
  86. All-4-One “I Swear” (BB: 1994)
  87. Johnnie Ray & the Four Lads “Cry” (BB: 1951)
  88. Arthur Collins “The Preacher and the Bear” (BB: 1905)
  89. Paul Whiteman & His Orchestra with Franklyn Baur “Valencia (A Song of Spain)” (BB: 1926)
  90. Destiny’s Child “Independent Women” (BB: 2000)
  91. Les Paul with Mary Ford “Vaya Con Dios (May God Be with You)” (BB: 1953)

  92. Henry Burr “Just a Baby’s Prayer at Twilight (For Her Daddy Over There)” (BB: 1918)
  93. Anton Karas “The Third Man Theme” (BB: 1950), also by Guy Lombardo
  94. Tony Bennett “Because of You” (HP: 1951)
  95. Mariah Carey “Dreamlover” (BB: 1993)
  96. Frankie Carle & Marjorie Hughes “Oh What It Seemed to Be” (BB: 1946)
  97. Len Spencer “The Arkansaw Traveler” (BB: 1902)
  98. Post Malone “Circles” (BA: 2019)
  99. Mario “Let Me Love You” (BA: 2004)
  100. Boyz II Men “On Bended Knee” (BA: 1994)
  101. 24K Goldn with Iann Dior “Mood” (BA: 2020)

  102. Khalid “Talk” (BA: 2019)
  103. Miley Cyrus “We Can’t Stop” (ST: 2013)

    10 weeks:

  104. Arthur Collins & Bryon G. Harlan “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (BB: 1911)
  105. Fred Astaire with Leo Reisman’s Orchestra “Night and Day” (BB: 1932)
  106. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (BA: 1997)
  107. Billy Murray “You’re a Grand Old Flag (aka “The Grand Old Rag”)” (BB: 1906)
  108. Ella Fitzgerald with Chick Webb & His Orchestra “A-Tisket, A-Tasket” (BB: 1938)
  109. Haydn Quartet “Sweet Adeline (You’re the Flower of My Heart)” (BB: 1904)
  110. Flo Rida with T-Pain “Low” (BB: 2007)
  111. Bing Crosby with George Stoll’s Orchestra “Pennies from Heaven” (BB: 1936)

  112. Kanye West with Jamie Foxx “Gold Digger” (BB: 2005)
  113. Bing Crosby with John Scott Trotter’s Orchestra “I’ll Be Seeing You” (HP: 1944), also by Tommy Dorsey with Frank Sinatra
  114. George J. Gaskin “After the Ball” (BB: 1893)
  115. Olivia Newton-John “Physical” (BB: 1981)

  116. Dinah Shore & Her Harper Valley Boys “Buttons and Bows” (BB/HP: 1948)
  117. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis with Wanz “Thrift Shop” (DG: 2012)
  118. Leona Lewis “Bleeding Love” (RR: 2007)
  119. The Harmonicats “Peg O’ My Heart” (HP: 1947)
  120. Drake with Wizkid & Kyla “One Dance” (BB: 2016)
  121. Justin Timberlake “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” (DG: 2016)

  122. Bryon G. Harlan “My Gal Sal” (BB: 1907)
  123. Meghan Trainor “All About That Bass” (ST: 2014)
  124. Perry Como “Some Enchanted Evening” (HP: 1949)
  125. Nick Lucas “Tip Toe Through the Tulips” (BB: 1929)
  126. The Andrews Sisters with Vic Schoen’s Orchestra “Rum and Coca Cola” (BB: 1945)
  127. Seal “Kiss from a Rose” (BA: 1994)
  128. Bing Crosby with Lani McIntire & His Hawaiians “Sweet Leilani” (BB: 1937)
  129. Perry Como “Till the End of Time” (BB: 1945)
  130. Lady Gaga with Bradley Cooper “Shallow” (DG: 2018)

  131. Rudy Vallee & His Connecticut Yankees “Stein Song (University of Maine)” (BB: 1930)
  132. Drake “In My Feelings” (BB: 2018)
  133. Ted Lewis & His Band “In a Shanty in Old Shanty Town” (BB: 1932)
  134. Guy Mitchell “Singing the Blues” (BB: 1956)
  135. Pat Boone “Love Letters in the Sand” (HP: 1957)
  136. Jimmy Dorsey & His Orchestra with Bob Eberly & Helen O’Connell “Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)” (BB: 1941)
  137. Janet Jackson “That’s the Way Love Goes” (BA: 1993)
  138. George J. Gaskin “On the Banks of the Wabash” (BB: 1897)
  139. Dan Quinn “The Band Played On” (BB: 1895)
  140. Vaughn Monroe’s Orchestra “Ballerina” (BB: 1947)

  141. Percy Faith with Felicia Sanders “Where Is Your Heart (Song from “Moulin Rouge”)” (BB: 1953)
  142. The McGuire Sisters “Sincerely” (BB: 1955)
  143. N Sync “Bye Bye Bye” (RR: 2000)
  144. Lil Wayne with Static Major “Lollipop” (BA: 2008)
  145. Perez “Prez” Prado “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” (BB: 1955)
  146. Silentó “Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” (ST: 2015)
  147. Glenn Miller Orchestra with Ray Eberle & The Modernaires “Moonlight Cocktail” (BB: 1942)
  148. Mariah Carey “Hero” (BA: 1993)
  149. Kay Starr “Wheel of Fortune” (BB: 1952)
  150. Ashanti with Ja Rule “Foolish” (BB: 2002)

  151. Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers “Now Is the Hour (Maori Farewell Song)” (HP: 1948)
  152. Rosemary Clooney “Hey There” (HP: 1954)
  153. George W. Johnson “The Laughing Song” (BB: 1891)
  154. Margaret Whiting “A Tree in the Meadow” (HP: 1948)
  155. George J. Gaskin “My Old New Hampshire Home” (BB: 1898)
  156. Santana with the Product G&B “Maria Maria” (BB: 2000)
  157. Debbie Reynolds “Tammy” (HP: 1957)
  158. Eileen Barton “If I Knew You Were Comin’ I’d’ve Baked a Cake” (BB: 1950)
  159. Perry Como “If (They Made Me a King)” (HP: 1951)
  160. Patti Page “I Went to Your Wedding” (BB: 1952)

  161. Mariah Carey “Someday” (BA: 1990)
  162. Usher “U Got It Bad” (BA: 2001)
  163. Jimmy Dorsey with Bob Eberly “I Hear a Rhapsody” (HP: 1941), also by Charlie Barnet with Bob Carroll
  164. DaBaby with Roddy Rich “Rockstar” (ST: 2020)
  165. Migos with Lil Uzi Vert “Bad and Boujee” (ST: 2016)
  166. Cardi B with Megan Thee Stallion “WAP” (ST: 2020)
  167. Bruno Mars with Anderson.Paak as Silk Sonic “Leave the Door Open” (BA: 2021)
  168. Adele “Easy on Me” (BB: 2021)
  169. Taylor Swift “The Fate of Ophelia” (BB: 2026)
  170. Rema with Selena Gomez “Calm Down” (BA: 2023)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 10/29/2017; last updated 8/7/2026.

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Sunday, March 10, 2024

The Oscars: Best Song Winners (1934-2024)

The Oscars:

Winners for Best Original Song, 1934-2024

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, better known as the Oscars, has given out its annual movie awards since 1934. Among the awards is the Academy Award for Best Original Song. The field is limited by eligibility requirements and has overlooked some songs which are integrally linked to their movies. Bill Haley’s “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (The Blackboard Jungle) and Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You” (The Bodyguard) come to mind.

Still, the Oscar-winning writers are a who’s who of quintessential songwriters and composers including Harold Arlen, Burt Bacharach, Carole Bayer Sager, Irving Berlin, Hoagy Carmichael, Hal David, Marvin Hamlisch, Oscar Hammerstein II, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg, Jerome Kern, Alan Jay Lerner, Frank Loesser, Frederick Loewe, Henry Mancini, Alan Menken, Johnny Mercer, Tim Rice, Richard Rodgers, Stephen Sondheim, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and Paul Williams. In addition, a number of notable singers have put their songwriting stamp on Oscar, including Adele, Fred Astaire, Nat “King” Cole, Phil Collins, Bing Crosby, Celine Dion, Bob Dylan, Judy Garland, Elton John, Carly Simon, Bruce Springsteen, Barbra Streisand, and Stevie Wonder.

Click here for other ‘song of the year’ awards.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast episode Some of the Most Iconic Oscar-Winning Songs which references songs on this list. Premiere: March 29, 2022 at 7pm CST. New episodes based on Dave’s Music Database lists are posted every Tuesday at 7pm CST.

Winners by Year:

  • 1934: “The Continental” Leo Reisman (Jerb Magidson, Con Conrad) The Gay Divorce
  • 1935: “Lullaby of Broadway” The Dorsey Brothers with Bob Crosby (Harry Warren, Al Dubin) Gold Diggers of 1935
  • 1936: “The Way You Look Tonight” Fred Astaire with Johnny Green & His Orchestra (Jerome Kerns, Dorothy Fields) Swing Time
  • 1937: “Sweet Leilani” Bing Crosby with Lani McIntire & His Hawaiians (Harry Owens) Wakiki Wedding
  • 1938: “Thanks for the Memory” Shep Fields with Bob Goday (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin) The Big Broadcast of 1938
  • 1939: “Over the Rainbow” Judy Garland (Harold Arlen, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg) The Wizard of Oz
  • 1940: “When You Wish Upon a Star” Cliff Edwards (Ned Washington, Leigh Harline) Pinocchio
  • 1941: “The Last Time I Saw Paris” Kate Smith (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) Lady Be Good
  • 1942: “White Christmas” Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers (Irving Berlin) Holiday Inn
  • 1943: “You’ll Never Know” Dick Haymes with the Song Spinners (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon) Hello, Frisco, Hello
  • 1944: “Swinging on a Star” Bing Crosby with the John Scott Trott Orchestra & the Williams Brothers Quartet (Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) Going My Way
  • 1945: “It Might As Well Be Spring” Dick Haymes (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers) State Fair
  • 1946: “On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe” Johnny Mercer & the Pied Pipers (Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer) The Harvey Girls
  • 1947: “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” James Baskett (Allie Wrubel, Ray Gilbert) Song of the South
  • 1948: “Buttons and Bows” Dinah Shore & Her Harper Valley Boys (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) The Paleface
  • 1949: “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Johnny Mercer with Margaret Whiting (Frank Loesser) Neptune’s Daughter
  • 1950: “Mona Lisa” Nat “King” Cole (Raymond Evans, Jay Livingston) Captain Carey, U.S.A.
  • 1951: “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” (Bing Crosby with Jane Wyman (Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer) Here Comes the Groom
  • 1952: “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)” Tex Ritter (Ned Washington, Dmitri Tiomkin) High Noon
  • 1953: “Secret Love” Doris Day (Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain) Calamity Jane
  • 1954: “Three Coins in the Fountain” The Four Aces (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) Three Coins in the Fountain
  • 1955: “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
  • 1956: “Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera)” Doris Day (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) The Man Who Knew Too Much
  • 1957: “All the Way” Sammy Cahn (Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen) The Joker Is Wild
  • 1958: “Gigi” Les Baxter (Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner) Gigi
  • 1959: “High Hopes” Frank Sinatra (Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen) A Hole in the Head
  • 1960: “Never on Sunday” Don Costa (Manos Hadijidakis, Billy Towne) Never on Sunday
  • 1961: “Moon River” Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) Breakfast at Tiffany’s
  • 1962: “The Days of Wine and Roses” Henry Mancini (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) Days of Wine and Roses
  • 1963: “Call Me Irresponsible” Frank Sinatra (Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen) Papa’s Delicate Condition
  • 1964: “Chim Chim Cheree” Julie Andrews with Dick Van Dyke, Dotrice, & Garber (Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman) Mary Poppins
  • 1965: “The Shadow of Your Smile” Tony Bennett (Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster) The Sandpiper
  • 1966: “Born Free” Roger Williams (John Barry, Don Black) Born Free
  • 1967: “Talk to the Animals” Rex Harrison (Leslie Bricusse) Doctor Dolittle
  • 1968: “Windmills of Your Mind” Noel Harrison (Michael Legrand, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman) The Thomas Crown Affair
  • 1969: “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” B.J. Thomas (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
  • 1970: “For All We Know” The Carpenters (Jimmy Griffin, Fred Karlin, Robb Wilson) Love and Other Strangers
  • 1971: “Theme from Shaft” Isaac Hayes (Isaac Hayes) Shaft
  • 1972: “The Morning After” Maureen McGovern (Al Kasha, Joel Hirshhorn) The Poseidon Adventure
  • 1973: “The Way We Were” Barbara Streisand (Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman) The Way We Were
  • 1974: “We May Never Love Like This Again” Seals & Croft (Dash Crofts, Jimmy Seals) The Towering Inferno
  • 1975: “I’m Easy” Keith Carradine (Keith Carradine) Nashville
  • 1976: “Evergreen” Barbra Streisand (Barbra Streisand, Paul Williams) A Star Is Born
  • 1977: “You Light Up My Life” Debby Boone (Joe Brooks) You Light Up My Life
  • 1978: “Last Dance” Donna Summer (Paul Jabara) Thank God It’s Friday
  • 1979: “It Goes Like It Goes” Jennifer Warnes (David Shire, Norman Gimbel) Norma Rae
  • 1980: “Fame” Irene Cara (Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford) Fame
  • 1981: “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” Christopher Cross (Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, Carole Bayer Sager, Peter Allen) Arthur
  • 1982: “Up Where We Belong” Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes (Will Jennings, Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Saint Marie) An Officer and a Gentleman
  • 1983: “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” Irene Cara (Irene Cara, Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey) Flashdance
  • 1984: “I Just Called to Say I Love You” Stevie Wonder (Stevie Wonder) The Woman in Red
  • 1985: “Say You Say Me” Lionel Richie (Lionel Richie) White Nights
  • 1986: “Take My Breath Away” Berlin (Giorgio Moroder, Tom Whitlock) Top Gun
  • 1987: “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (Frank Previte, John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz) Dirty Dancing
  • 1988: “Let the River Run” Carly Simon (Carly Simon) Working Girl
  • 1989: “Under the Sea” Samuel Wright (Howard Ashman, Alan Menken) The Little Mermaid
  • 1990: “Sooner or Later” Madonna (Stephen Sondheim) Dick Tracy
  • 1991: “Beauty and the Beast” Celine Dion with Peabo Bryson (Howard Ashman, Alan Menken) Beauty and the Beast
  • 1992: “A Whole New World” Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle (Alan Menken, Tim Rice) Aladdin
  • 1993: “Streets of Philadelphia” Bruce Springsteen (Bruce Springsteen) Philadelphia
  • 1994: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” Elton John (Elton John, Tim Rice) The Lion King
  • 1995: “Colors of the Wind” Vanessa Williams (Alan Menken, Steve Schwartz) Pocahontas
  • 1996: “You Must Love Me” Madonna (Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice) Evita
  • 1997: “My Heart Will Go On” Celine Dion (James Horner/Will Jennings) Titanic
  • 1998: “When You Believe” Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey (Stephen Schwartz) The Prince of Egypt
  • 1999: “You’ll Be in My Heart” Phil Collins (Phil Collins) Tarzan
  • 2000: “Things Have Changed” Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan) Wonder Boys
  • 2001: “If I Didn’t Have You” Billy Crystal & John Goodman (Randy Newman) Monsters, Inc.
  • 2002: “Lose Yourself” Eminem (Marshall Mathers, Jeff Bass, Luis Resto) 8 Mile
  • 2003: “Into the West” Annie Lennox (Fran Walsh, Howard Shore, Annie Lennox) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
  • 2004: “Al Otro Lado Del Rio (On the Other Side of the River)” Jorge Drexler (Jorge Drexler) The Motorcycle Diaries
  • 2005: “It’s Hard Out Her for a Pimp” Three 6 Mafia (Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman, Paul Beauregard) Hustle & Flow
  • 2006: “I Need to Wake Up” Melissa Etheridge (Melissa Etheridge) An Inconvenient Truth
  • 2007: “Falling Slowly” The Swell Season (Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová) Once
  • 2008: “Jai Ho” Pussycat Dolls (A.R. Rahman, Gulzar) Slumdog Millionaire
  • 2009: “The Weary Kind” Ryan Bingham (Ryan Bingham, T-Bone Burnett) Crazy Heart
  • 2010: “We Belong Together” Randy Newman (Randy Newman) Toy Story 3
  • 2011: “Man or Muppet” Jason Segel, Peter Linz, Bill Barretta, and Jim Parsons (Bret McKenzie) The Muppets
  • 2012: “Skyfall” Adele (Adele, Paul Epworth) Skyfall
  • 2013: “Let It Go” Idina Menzel (Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez) Frozen
  • 2014: “Glory” Common & John Legend (Common, John Legend) Selma
  • 2015: “Writing’s on the Wall” Sam Smith (Jimmy Napes, Sam Smith) Spectre
  • 2016: “City of Stars” Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone (Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul) La La Land
  • 2017: “Remember Me” Miguel & Natalia Lafourcade (Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez) Coco
  • 2018: “Shallow” Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt) A Star Is Born
  • 2019: “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” Elton John and Taron Egerton (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) Rocketman
  • 2020/2021: “Fight for You” H.E.R. (D’Mile, H.E.R., Tiara Thomas) Judas and the Black Messiah
  • 2021: “No Time to Die” Billie Eilish (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell) No Time to Die
  • 2022: “Naatu Naatu” M.M. Keeravani and Chandrabose featuring Rahul Sipligunj & Kaala Bhairava (M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose) RRR
  • 2023: “What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell) Barbie

Winners Ranked by Overall Dave’s Music Database status:

Year: “Song” Performer Associated Most with Song * (Composers) Title of Movie

* Not necessarily the performer featured in the movie

  1. 1942: “White Christmas” Bing Crosby with the Ken Darby Singers (Irving Berlin) Holiday Inn
  2. 1939: “Over the Rainbow” Judy Garland (Harold Arlen, E.Y. “Yip” Harburg) The Wizard of Oz
  3. 1997: “My Heart Will Go On” Celine Dion (James Horner, Will Jennings) Titanic
  4. 2002: “Lose Yourself” Eminem (Marshall Mathers, Jeff Bass, Luis Resto) 8 Mile
  5. 1936: “The Way You Look Tonight” Fred Astaire with Johnny Green & His Orchestra (Jerome Kerns, Dorothy Fields) Swing Time
  6. 1940: “When You Wish Upon a Star” Cliff Edwards (Ned Washington, Leigh Harline) Pinocchio
  7. 1977: “You Light Up My Life” Debby Boone (Joe Brooks) You Light Up My Life
  8. 1950: “Mona Lisa” Nat “King” Cole (Raymond Evans, Jay Livingston) Captain Carey, U.S.A.
  9. 1944: “Swinging on a Star” Bing Crosby with the John Scott Trott Orchestra & the Williams Brothers Quartet (Jimmy Van Heusen, Johnny Burke) Going My Way
  10. 1948: “Buttons and Bows” Dinah Shore & Her Harper Valley Boys (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) The Paleface

  11. 1984: “I Just Called to Say I Love You” Stevie Wonder (Stevie Wonder) The Woman in Red
  12. 1983: “Flashdance...What a Feelin’” Irene Cara (Irene Cara, Giorgio Moroder, Keith Forsey) Flashdance
  13. 1973: “The Way We Were” Barbara Streisand (Marvin Hamlisch, Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman) The Way We Were
  14. 1961: “Moon River” Henry Mancini with Audrey Hepburn (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) Breakfast at Tiffany’s
  15. 1971: “Theme from Shaft” Isaac Hayes (Isaac Hayes) Shaft
  16. 1987: “I’ve Had the Time of My Life” Bill Medley & Jennifer Warnes (Frank Previte, John DeNicola, Donald Markowitz) Dirty Dancing
  17. 1937: “Sweet Leilani” Bing Crosby with Lani McIntire & His Hawaiians (Harry Owens) Wakiki Wedding
  18. 1986: “Take My Breath Away” Berlin (Giorgio Moroder, Tom Whitlock) Top Gun
  19. 1943: “You’ll Never Know” Dick Haymes with the Song Spinners (Harry Warren, Mack Gordon) Hello, Frisco, Hello
  20. 2018: “Shallow” Lady Gaga & Bradley Cooper (Lady Gaga, Mark Ronson, Anthony Rossomando, Andrew Wyatt) A Star Is Born

  21. 1946: “On the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe” Johnny Mercer & the Pied Pipers (Harry Warren, Johnny Mercer) The Harvey Girls
  22. 1969: “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head” B.J. Thomas (Burt Bacharach, Hal David) Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
  23. 2013: “Let It Go” Idina Menzel (Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez) Frozen
  24. 1993: “Streets of Philadelphia” Bruce Springsteen (Bruce Springsteen) Philadelphia
  25. 1985: “Say You Say Me” Lionel Richie (Lionel Richie) White Nights
  26. 1953: “Secret Love” Doris Day (Paul Francis Webster, Sammy Fain) Calamity Jane
  27. 1949: “Baby It’s Cold Outside” Johnny Mercer with Margaret Whiting (Frank Loesser) Neptune’s Daughter
  28. 1992: “A Whole New World” Peabo Bryson & Regina Belle (Alan Menken, Tim Rice) Aladdin
  29. 1945: “It Might As Well Be Spring” Dick Haymes (Oscar Hammerstein II, Richard Rodgers) State Fair
  30. 1956: “Whatever Will Be Will Be (Que Sera Sera)” Doris Day (Jay Livingston, Ray Evans) The Man Who Knew Too Much

  31. 1935: “Lullaby of Broadway” The Dorsey Brothers with Bob Crosby (Harry Warren, Al Dubin) Gold Diggers of 1935
  32. 1982: “Up Where We Belong” Joe Cocker & Jennifer Warnes (Will Jennings, Jack Nitzsche, Buffy Saint Marie) An Officer and a Gentleman
  33. 1955: “Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing” The Four Aces (Sammy Fain, Paul Francis Webster) Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
  34. 1938: “Thanks for the Memory” Shep Fields with Bob Goday (Ralph Rainger, Leo Robin) The Big Broadcast of 1938
  35. 1934: “The Continental” Leo Reisman (Jerb Magidson, Con Conrad) The Gay Divorce
  36. 1978: “Last Dance” Donna Summer (Paul Jabara) Thank God It’s Friday
  37. 1994: “Can You Feel the Love Tonight” Elton John (Elton John, Tim Rice) The Lion King
  38. 1981: “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do)” Christopher Cross (Burt Bacharach, Christopher Cross, Carole Bayer Sager/Peter Allen) Arthur
  39. 1976: “Evergreen” Barbra Streisand (Barbra Streisand, Paul Williams) A Star Is Born
  40. 1991: “Beauty and the Beast” Celine Dion with Peabo Bryson (Howard Ashman, Alan Menken) Beauty and the Beast

  41. 1947: “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” James Baskett (Allie Wrubel, Ray Gilbert) Song of the South
  42. 1941: “The Last Time I Saw Paris” Kate Smith (Jerome Kern, Oscar Hammerstein II) Lady Be Good
  43. 1957: “All the Way” Sammy Cahn (Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen) The Joker Is Wild
  44. 2012: “Skyfall” Adele (Adele, Paul Epworth) Skyfall
  45. 2023: “What Was I Made For?” Billie Eilish (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell) Barbie
  46. 1954: “Three Coins in the Fountain” The Four Aces (Jule Styne, Sammy Cahn) Three Coins in the Fountain
  47. 1962: “The Days of Wine and Roses” Henry Mancini (Henry Mancini, Johnny Mercer) Days of Wine and Roses
  48. 1999: “You’ll Be in My Heart” Phil Collins (Phil Collins) Tarzan
  49. 1966: “Born Free” Roger Williams (John Barry, Don Black) Born Free
  50. 1952: “High Noon (Do Not Forsake Me)” Tex Ritter (Ned Washington, Dmitri Tiomkin) High Noon

  51. 1980: “Fame” Irene Cara (Michael Gore, Dean Pitchford) Fame
  52. 1963: “Call Me Irresponsible” Frank Sinatra (Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen) Papa’s Delicate Condition
  53. 1995: “Colors of the Wind” Vanessa Williams (Alan Menken, Steve Schwartz) Pocahontas
  54. 1959: “High Hopes” Frank Sinatra (Sammy Cahn, James Van Heusen) A Hole in the Head
  55. 1965: “The Shadow of Your Smile” Tony Bennett (Johnny Mandel, Paul Francis Webster) The Sandpiper
  56. 1951: “In the Cool, Cool, Cool of the Evening” (Bing Crosby with Jane Wyman (Hoagy Carmichael, Johnny Mercer) Here Comes the Groom
  57. 1972: “The Morning After” Maureen McGovern (Al Kasha, Joel Hirshhorn) The Poseidon Adventure
  58. 1989: “Under the Sea” Samuel Wright (Howard Ashman, Alan Menken) The Little Mermaid
  59. 1970: “For All We Know” The Carpenters (Jimmy Griffin, Fred Karlin, Robb Wilson) Love and Other Strangers
  60. 1998: “When You Believe” Whitney Houston & Mariah Carey (Stephen Schwartz) The Prince of Egypt

  61. 1964: “Chim Chim Cheree” Julie Andrews with Dick Van Dyke, Dotrice, & Garber (Richard Sherman, Robert Sherman) Mary Poppins
  62. 1960: “Never on Sunday” Don Costa (Manos Hadijidakis, Billy Towne) Never on Sunday
  63. 2007: “Falling Slowly” The Swell Season (Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová) Once
  64. 1996: “You Must Love Me” Madonna (Andrew Lloyd Webber, Tim Rice) Evita
  65. 1974: “We May Never Love Like This Again” Seals & Croft (Dash Crofts, Jimmy Seals) The Towering Inferno
  66. 1975: “I’m Easy” Keith Carradine (Keith Carradine) Nashville
  67. 1968: “Windmills of Your Mind” Noel Harrison (Michael Legrand/Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman) The Thomas Crown Affair
  68. 1958: “Gigi” Les Baxter (Frederick Loewe, Alan Jay Lerner) Gigi
  69. 2000: “Things Have Changed” Bob Dylan (Bob Dylan) Wonder Boys
  70. 1988: “Let the River Run” Carly Simon (Carly Simon) Working Girl

  71. 2008: “Jai Ho” Pussycat Dolls (A.R. Rahman, Gulzar) Slumdog Millionaire
  72. 2021: “No Time to Die” Billie Eilish (Billie Eilish, Finneas O’Connell) No Time to Die
  73. 2015: “Writing’s on the Wall” Sam Smith (Jimmy Napes, Sam Smith) Spectre
  74. 2014: “Glory” Common & John Legend (Common, John Legend) Selma
  75. 2006: “I Need to Wake Up” Melissa Etheridge (Melissa Etheridge) An Inconvenient Truth
  76. 1967: “Talk to the Animals” Rex Harrison (Leslie Bricusse) Doctor Dolittle
  77. 2001: “If I Didn’t Have You” Billy Crystal & John Goodman (Randy Newman) Monsters, Inc.
  78. 1990: “Sooner or Later” Madonna (Stephen Sondheim) Dick Tracy
  79. 2020/2021: “Fight for You” H.E.R. (D’Mile, H.E.R., Tiara Thomas) Judas and the Black Messiah
  80. 2003: “Into the West” Annie Lennox (Fran Walsh, Howard Shore, Annie Lennox) Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

  81. 1979: “It Goes Like It Goes” Jennifer Warnes (David Shire, Norman Gimbel) Norma Rae
  82. 2016: “City of Stars” Ryan Gosling & Emma Stone (Justin Hurwitz, Benj Pasek, Justin Paul) La La Land
  83. 2005: “It’s Hard Out Her for a Pimp” Three 6 Mafia (Jordan Houston, Cedric Coleman, Paul Beauregard) Hustle & Flow
  84. 2019: “I’m Gonna Love Me Again” Elton John and Taron Egerton (Elton John, Bernie Taupin) Rocketman
  85. 2011: “Man or Muppet” Jason Segel, Peter Linz, Bill Barretta, and Jim Parsons (Bret McKenzie) The Muppets
  86. 2017: “Remember Me” Miguel & Natalia Lafourcade (Kristen Anderson-Lopez, Robert Lopez) Coco
  87. 2010: “We Belong Together” Randy Newman (Randy Newman) Toy Story 3
  88. 2004: “Al Otro Lado Del Rio (On the Other Side of the River)” Jorge Drexler (Jorge Drexler) The Motorcycle Diaries
  89. 2009: “The Weary Kind” Ryan Bingham (Ryan Bingham, T-Bone Burnett) Crazy Heart
  90. 2022: “Naatu Naatu” M.M. Keeravani and Chandrabose featuring Rahul Sipligunj & Kaala Bhairava (M.M. Keeravani & Chandrabose) RRR

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 2/27/2019; last updated 3/10/2024.

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Sunday, December 24, 2023

The Top 100 Christmas Songs of All Time

Christmas Songs:

Top 100

These are the top 100 Christmas songs according to Dave’s Music Database. 40 lists focused on Christmas songs were aggregated together and then the highest-ranking songs were reordered based on their overall status in Dave’s Music Database, which compiles multiple lists as well as chart performances, sales figures, and awards for songs.

Songs are listed first by songwriters and then the song in quotation marks. The year the song was published is listed in parentheses after the song title. If a specific performer is associated with the song, then that performer and the year of its release are listed in parentheses.

Click here to see other genre-specific song lists.

Spotify Podcast:

Check out the Dave’s Music Database podcast The Top 25 Christmas Songs (premiere: December 24, 2023) based on this list.

1. “White Christmas” (written by Irving Berlin, performed by Bing Crosby, 1942)
2. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” (written by Mel Tormé & Robert Wells, performed by Nat “King” Cole, 1946)
3. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Gene Autry, 1949)
4. “Silent Night” (words: Joseph Mohr, music: Franz Gruber, English translation: John Freeman Young; performed by Bing Crosby, 1935)
5. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” (written by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff, performed by Carey, 1994)
6. “Let It Snow! Let It Snow! Let It Snow!” (music: Jule Styne, words: Sammy Cahn, performed by Vaughn Monroe, 1945)
7. “Santa Claus Is Coming to Town” (written by J. Fred Coots & Haven Gillespie, 1934; highest-ranked version: Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1944)
8. “Do They Know It’s Christmas?” (written by Bob Geldof & Midge Ure, performed by Band Aid, 1984)
9. “Winter Wonderland” (music: Felix Bernard, words: Richard B. Smith, performed by Guy Lombardo, 1934)
10. “Jingle Bells” (written by James S. Pierpont, 1857; highest-ranked DMDB version: Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1943)

11. “The Little Drummer Boy” (written by Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, & Henry V. Onorati; performed by the Harry Simeone Chorale; 1958)
12. “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Brenda Lee, 1958)
13. “O Come All Ye Faithful (Adeste Fideles)” (songwriters unknown, 1751; highest-ranked version: John McCormack, 1915)
14. “I Saw Mommy Kissing Santa Claus” (written by Tommie Connor, performed by Jimmy Boyd & Norman Luboff’s Orchestra, 1952)
15. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing” (music: Felix Mendelssohn, words: Charles Wesley, 1855; highest-ranked version: Trinity Choir, 1912)
16. “O Holy Night (Minuit, Chrétiens)” (written by Adolphe Adams & John Sullivan Dwight, 1847; highest-ranked version: Andy Williams, 1963)
17. “Joy to the World” (music: George Frideric Handel, words: Isaac Watts, arranged by Lowell Mason, 1719; highest-ranked version: Mormon Tabernacle Choir, 1970)
18. “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” (music by Walter Kent, words by Kim Gannon & Buck Ram; performed by Bing Crosby, 1943)
19. “Last Christmas” (written by George Michael, performed by Wham!, 1984)
20. “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” (written and performed by John Lennon & Yoko Ono, 1971)

21. “The First Noel” (written by Davies Gilbert, 1823; highest-ranked version: Nelson Eddy, 1961)
22. “Away in a Manger” (music: James Ramsey Murray, words: Charles H. Gabriel, 1882)
23. “Baby It’s Cold Outside” (written by Frank Loesser, performed by Johnny Mercer with Margaret Whiting, 1949)
24. “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” (words: Ralph Blane, music: Hugh Martin, performed by Judy Garland, 1944)
25. “Jingle Bell Rock” (written by Joe Beal & Jim Boothe, performed by Bobby Helms, 1957)
26. “We Three Kings of Orient Are” (written by John Henry Hopkins Jr., 1857)
27. “O Little Town of Bethlehem” (music: Lewis Redner, words: Phillips Brooks, 1868)
28. “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear” (words: Rev. Edmund Hamilton Sears, music: Richard Storrs Willis, 1850)
29. “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” (written by Ross Badasarian, performed by David Seville & the Chipmunks, 1958)
30. “Wonderful Christmas Time” (written and performed by Paul McCartney, 1979)

31. “What Child Is This?” (words: William Chatterton Dix, music: “Greensleeves,” 1865)
32. “Blue Christmas” (written by Billy Hayes & Jay W. Johnson, performed by Elvis Presley, 1957)
33. “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel” (words: John Mason Neale, music: traditional, 1851)
34. “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” (traditional, 1760)
35. “Good King Wencelas” (written by John Mason Neale, 1860)
36. “Frosty the Snowman” (written by Steve Nelson & Walter E. Rollins, performed by Gene Autry, 1950)
37. “All I Want for Christmas Is My Two Front Teeth” (written by Donald Yetter Gardner, performed by Spike Jones, 1948)
38. “Fairytale of New York” (written by Jem Finer & Shane MacGowan, performed by the Pogues with Kirsty MacColl, 1987)
39. “Sleigh Ride” (written by Leroy Anderson & Mitchell Parish, performed by Anderson, 1949)
40. “Go Tell It on the Mountain” (written by John Wesley Work Jr., 1865)

41. “The Twelve Days of Christmas” (words: Frederic Austin, music: traditional, 1780)
42. “Merry Xmas Everybody” (written by Noddy Holder and Jim Lea, performed by Slade, 1973)
43. “Peace on Earth/The Little Drummer Boy” (written by Ian Fraser, Larry Grossman, Alan Kohan, Harry Simeone, Katherine K. Davis, & Henry V. Onorati ; performed by Bing Crosby & David Bowie, 1977)
44. “Deck the Halls” (words: Thomas Oliphant, music: “Nos Galan,” 1862)
45. “Angels We Have Heard on High” (paraphrased by James Chadwick, arranged by Edward Shippen Barnes, music: “Gloria,” 1862)
46. “I Saw Three Ships” (unknown, 1833)
47. “O Christmas Tree (O Tannenbaum)” (words: Ernst Anschütz, music: “Ach Tannenbaum,” 1824)
48. “Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)” (written by Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phil Spector; performed by Darlene Love; 1963)
49. “Silver Bells” (written by Jay Livingston & Ray Evans, performed by Bing Crosby, 1952)
50. “Santa Baby” (written by Joan Javits, Philip Springer, & Tony Springer; performed by Eartha Kitt; 1953)

51. “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year” (written by Edward Pola & George Wyle, 1963)
52. “Run Rudolph Run” (written by Johnny Marks & Marvin Brodie, performed by Chuck Berry, 1958)
53. “River” (written and performed by Joni Mitchell, 1971)
54. “Here Comes Santa Claus” (written by Gene Autry & Oakley Haldeman, performed by Autry, 1947)
55. “Mary’s Boy Child” (written by Jester Hairston, performed by Harry Belafonte, 1956)
56. “Please Come Home for Christmas” (written by Charles Brown & Gene Redd, performed by the Eagles, 1978)
57. “Feliz Navidad” (written and performed by José Feliciano, 1970)
58. “In Dulci Jubilo” (writer unknown, 1328)
59. “Christmas Wrapping” (written by Chris Butler, performed by the Waitresses, 1981)
60. “A Holly Jolly Christmas” (written by Johnny Marks, performed by Burl Ives, 1964)

61. “There’s No Place Like Home for the Holidays” (written by Robert Allen, performed by Perry Como, 1954)
62. “2000 Miles” (written by Chrissie Hynde, performed by the Pretenders, 1983)
63. “Pretty Paper” (written by Willie Nelson, performed by Roy Orbison, 1963)
64. “Christmas Time Is Here” (music: Vince Guaraldi, words: Lee Mendelson, performed by Guaraldi, 1965)
65. “It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas” (written by Meredith Wilson, performed by Perry Como, 1945)
66. “Little Saint Nick” (written by Brian Wilson & Mike Love, performed by the Beach Boys, 1963)
67. “Mistletoe” (written by Nasri Atweh, Adam Messinger, & Justin Bieber; performed by Bieber; 2011)
68. “Step into Christmas” (written by Elton John & Bernie Taupin, performed by John, 1973)
69. “Father Christmas” (written by Ray Davies, performed by the Kinks, 1977)
70. “Christmas in Hollis” (written by Joseph Simmons, Darryl McDaniels, & Jason Mizell; performed by Run-D.M.C., 1987)

71. “Do You Hear What I Hear?” (written by Harry Simeone, performed by Bing Crosby, 1963)
72. “I Believe in Father X-Mas” (written by Greg Lake & Peter Sinfield, performed by Lake, 1975)
73. “Carol of the Bells” (written by Peter J. Wilhousky & M. Leontovich, 1919)
74. “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” (written by Randy Brooks, performed by Elmo & Patsy, 1979)
75. “Merry Christmas Baby” (written by Lou Baxter & Johnny Moore, performed by Chuck Berry, 1958)
76. “Coventry Carol” (writer unknown, 1534)
77. “Thank God It’s Christmas” (written by Brian May & Roger Taylor, performed by Queen, 1984)
78. “Santa Tell Me” (written by Ariana Grande, Savan Kotecha, & Ilya; performed by Grande; 2013)
79. “Underneath the Tree” (written by Kelly Clarkson & Greg Kurstin, performed by Clarkson, 2013)
80. “Up on the Housetop” (written by Benjamin Hanby, 1864)

81. “I Want a Hippopotamus for Christmas” (written by John Rox, performed by Gayla Reevey, 1953)
82. “This Christmas” (written by Donny Hathaway as Donny Pitts with Nadine Theresa McKinnor, performed by Hathaway, 1970)
83. “Christmas Is the Time to Say 'I Love You'” (written and performed by Billy Squier, 1981)
84. “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (words: Theodor Geisel, music: Albert Hague, performed by Thurl Ravenscroft, 1966)
85. “I Wish It Could Be Christmas Everyday” (written by Roy Wood, performed by Wizzard, 1973)
86. “Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight Tonight)” (written by Joey Ramone, performed by the Ramones, 1989)
87. “Christmas Island” (written by Lyle Moraine, performed by the Andrews Sisters, 1946)
88. “Mele Kalikimaka (Hawaiian Christmas Song)” (written by Robert Alex Anderson, performed by Bing Crosby & the Andrews Sisters, 1949)
89. “Christmas All Over Again” (written by Tom Petty, performed by Petty with the Heartbreakers, 1992)
90. “Merry Christmas Darling” (written by Frank Pooler & Richard Carpenter, performed by the Carpenters, 1970)

91. “We Need a Little Christmas” (written by Jerry Herman, performed by Percy Faith, 1966)
92. “Nuttin’ for Christmas” (written by Sid Tepper & Roy C. Bennett, performed by Barry Gordon, 1955)
93. “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” (arranged by Arthur Warrell, performed by Marian Anderson, 1968)
94. “Christmas Eve (Sarajevo 12/24)” (performed by Trans-Siberian Orchestra, 1996)
95. “Hard Candy Christmas” (written by Carol Hall, performed by Dolly Parton, 1982)
96. “Someday at Christmas” (written by Ron Miller & Bryan Wells, performed by Stevie Wonder, 1967)
97. “What Christmas Means to Me” (performed by Stevie Wonder, 1967)
98. “Christmas Song” (written by Dave Matthews, performed by Dave Matthews Band, 1993)
99. “Merry Christmas” (written and performed by Ed Sheeran & Elton John, 2021)
100. “Christmas Time Is Here Again” (written by John Lennon, Paul McCartney, George Harrison, & Richard Starkey; performed by the Beatles; 1967)

Resources and Related Links:

First posted 12/25/2011; last updated 12/24/2023.

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Tuesday, September 5, 2023

The Top 100 Songs of All Time

Dave’s Music Database: Top 100 Songs All-Time

There are over 116,000 songs in Dave’s Music Database. Songs are ranked based on chart peaks, sales, radio airplay, streaming figures, and video plays. Also factored in are multiple music awards and appearances on best-of lists. These are the cream of the crop – the top 100 songs of all time according to Dave’s Music Database.

1. Bing Crosby “White Christmas” (1942)
2. The Police “Every Breath You Take” (1983)
3. The Beatles “Hey Jude” (1968)
4. The Rolling Stones “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” (1965)
5. Michael Jackson “Billie Jean” (1982)
6. Bill Haley & His Comets “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” (1954)
7. Whitney Houston “I Will Always Love You” (1992)
8. Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody” (1975)
9. Nirvana “Smells Like Teen Spirit” (1991)
10. John Lennon “Imagine” (1971)

11. The Beatles “Yesterday” (1965)
12. Marvin Gaye “I Heard It Through the Grapevine” (1968)
13. Aretha Franklin “Respect” (1967)
14. Simon & Garfunkel “Bridge Over Troubled Water” (1970)
15. Eagles “Hotel California” (1977)
16. Bee Gees “Stayin’ Alive” (1977)
17. The Beatles “I Want to Hold Your Hand” (1963)
18. Judy Garland “Over the Rainbow” (1939)
19. The Beach Boys “Good Vibrations” (1966)
20. Guns N' Roses “Sweet Child O’ Mine” (1988)

21. Arthur Collins & Bryon G. Harlan “Alexander’s Ragtime Band” (1911)
22. Bob Dylan “Like a Rolling Stone” (1965)
23. Ben E. King “Stand by Me” (1961)
24. Bryan Adams “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” (1991)
25. Bobby Darin “Mack the Knife” (1959)
26. Led Zeppelin “Stairway to Heaven” (1971)
27. OutKast “Hey Ya!” (2003)
28. Don McLean “American Pie” (1971)
29. The Righteous Brothers “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” (1964)
30. Otis Redding “(Sittin’ on) The Dock of the Bay” (1968)

31. Sinéad O’Connor “Nothing Compares 2 U” (1990)
32. Glenn Miller Orchestra “In the Mood” (1939)
33. Eminem “Lose Yourself” (2002)
34. The Beatles “Let It Be” (1970)
35. Fred Astaire “Night and Day” (1932)
36. Elvis Presley “Heartbreak Hotel” (1956)
37. Stevie Wonder “Superstition” (1972)
38. Derek and the Dominos “Layla” (1970)
39. The Righteous Brothers “Unchained Melody” (1965)
40. The Animals “The House of the Rising Sun” (1964)

41. Black Eyed Peas “I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
42. Mark Ronson with Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk!” (2014)
43. Gloria Gaynor “I Will Survive” (1978)
44. The Temptations “My Girl” (1964)
45. Ed Sheeran “Shape of You” (2017)
46. Abba “Dancing Queen” (1976)
47. Prince “When Doves Cry” (1984)
48. Celine Dion “My Heart Will Go On” (1997)
49. Elton John “Candle in the Wind 1997 (Goodbye England’s Rose)” (1997)
50. R.E.M. “Losing My Religion” (1991)

51. Elvis Presley “Hound Dog” (1956)
52. Adele “Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
53. Bon Jovi “Livin’ on a Prayer” (1986)
54. Elvis Presley “Jailhouse Rock” (1957)
55. The Doors “Light My Fire” (1967)
56. Pink Floyd “Another Brick in the Wall Part II” (1979)
57. Marvin Gaye “What’s Going On” (1971)
58. Joan Jett & the Blackhearts “I Love Rock and Roll” (1981)
59. Bruce Springsteen “Born to Run” (1975)
60. Al Jolson “Swanee” (1920)

61. Fred Astaire “Cheek to Cheek” (1935)
62. U2 “With or Without You” (1987)
63. Elvis Presley “Don’t Be Cruel” (1956)
64. Billy Murray with the Haydn Quartet “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” (1908)
65. Roy Orbison “(Oh) Pretty Woman” (1964)
66. American Quartet “Over There” (1917)
67. Artie Shaw “Stardust” (1941)
68. Rod Stewart “Maggie May” (1971)
69. Chuck Berry “Johnny B. Goode” (1958)
70. Gene Austin “My Blue Heaven” (1927)

71. Van Morrison “Brown-Eyed Girl” (1967)
72. Bessie Smith & Louis Armstrong “St. Louis Blues” (1925)
73. Artie Shaw & His Orchestra “Begin the Beguine” (1938)
74. Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber “Despacito” (2017)
75. Billy Murray “You’re a Grand Old Flag (aka “The Grand Old Rag”)” (1906)
76. Pharrell Williams “Happy” (2013)
77. Gotye with Kimbra “Somebody That I Used to Know” (2011)
78. Procol Harum “A Whiter Shade of Pale” (1967)
79. Chubby Checker “The Twist” (1960)
80. Elton John “Your Song” (1970)

81. Louis Armstrong “What a Wonderful World” (1967)
82. Ray Charles “Georgia on My Mind” (1960)
83. The Who “My Generation” (1965)
84. Lionel Richie & Diana Ross “Endless Love” (1981)
85. Nat “King” Cole “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” (1946)
86. Journey “Don’t Stop Believin’” (1981)
87. Ethel Waters “Stormy Weather (Keeps Rainin' All the Time)” (1933)
88. Survivor “Eye of the Tiger” (1982)
89. The Jimi Hendrix Experience “All Along the Watchtower” (1968)
90. Beyoncé with Jay-Z “Crazy in Love” (2003)

91. The Kinks “You Really Got Me” (1964)
92. Lynyrd Skynyrd “Sweet Home Alabama” (1974)
93. Paul Whiteman “Whispering” (1920)
94. Beyoncé “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” (2008)
95. Usher with Lil’ Jon & Ludacris “Yeah!” (2004)
96. Gnarls Barkley “Crazy” (2006)
97. Lil Nas X with Billy Ray Cyrus “Old Town Road” (2018)
98. Gene Autry “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” (1949)
99. The Kingsmen “Louie Louie” (1963)
100. Los Del Rio “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” (1995)

Resources/Related Links:

First posted 5/28/2008; last updated 9/5/2023.

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Monday, September 4, 2023

Highest-Earning Songs All Time

Highest-Earning Songs of All Time:

Surprisingly, there aren’t many resources out there listing royalties earned by songs. There are variations of a top-ten list that have floated around since at least 2014 (see sources at bottom of page) but that’s about it. This page lists twelve songs which have earned $30 million or more and then lists high-selling songs which may be in that bracket as well. Songs with royalty information are listed by songwriters and not the performers. Songs with numbers of copies sold are listed by the performers. Note that earnings and number of copies sold are often estimates.

Check other lists based on charts, sales, and airplay here.

Songs with Royalties of $30 Million or More:

  1. “Happy Birthday to You” by the Hill Sisters (1893). Earnings: $70 million
  2. “White Christmas” (1942) by Irving Berlin (1942). Earnings: $66 million, copies sold: 52 million
  3. “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’” by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, Phil Spector (1964). Earnings: $65 million
  4. “Yesterday” by John Lennon and Paul McCartney (1965). Earnings: $60 million
  5. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey & Walter Afanasieff (1994). Earnings: $60 million, copies sold: 16 million
  6. “Unchained Melody” by Alex North, Hy Zaret (1955). Earnings: $55 million
  7. “Stand by Me” by Ben E. King, Elmo Glick, Jerry Leiber, Mike Stoller (1961). Earnings: $50 million
  8. Santa Claus Is Coming to Town by Haven Gillespie & Fred J. Coots (1934). Earnings: $50 million
  9. “The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)” by Mel Tormé and Robert Wells (1944). Earnings: $45 million
  10. “Wonderful Christmastime” by Paul McCartney (1979). Earnings: $40 million

  11. “Every Breath You Take” by Sting (1983). Earnings: $35 million
  12. “(Oh) Pretty Woman” by Roy Orbison & Bill Dees (1964). Earnings: $30 million

    Other High-Selling Songs But Royalties Unknown:

  13. “Shape of You” performed by Ed Sheeran (2017). Copies sold: 42 million
  14. “Despacito” performed by Luis Fonsi with Daddy Yankee & Justin Bieber (2017). Copies sold: 38 million
  15. “Candle in the Wind 1997” performed by Elton John (1997). Copies sold: 33 million
  16. “In the Summertime” performed by Mungo Jerry (1970). Copies sold: 31 million
  17. “Silent Night” written by Joseph Mohr (1818). Copies sold: 30 million
  18. “We’re Gonna Rock Around the Clock” performed by Bill Haley & His Comets (1955). Copies sold: 25 million
  19. “I Will Always Love You” performed by Whitney Houston (1992). Copies sold: 24 million
  20. “Something Just Like This” performed by The Chainsmokers with Coldplay (2017). Copies sold: 23 million
  21. “It’s Now or Never” performed by Elvis Presley (1960). Copies sold: 22 million
  22. “Perfect” performed by Ed Sheeran & Beyoncé (2017). Copies sold: 22 million

  23. “We Are the World” performed by U.S.A. for Africa (1985). Copies sold: 20 million
  24. “If I Didn’t Care” by the Ink Spots(1939). Copies sold: 19 million
  25. “Yes Sir, I Can Boogie” performed by Baccara (1977). Copies sold: 18 million
  26. “My Heart Will Go On” performed by Celein Dion (1997). Copies sold: 18 million
  27. “(Everything I Do) I Do It for You” performed by Bryan Adams (1991). Copies sold: 15 million
  28. “You’re the One That I Want” by Olivia Newton-John & John Travolta (1978). Copies sold: 15 million
  29. “Wind of Change” performed by the Scorpions (1991). Copies sold: 14 million
  30. “Sweet Mother” performed by Prince Nico Mbarga (1976). Copies sold: 13 million
  31. Sukiyaki” performed by Kyu Sakamoto (1963). Copies sold: 13 million
  32. “Rudolph, the Red-Nosed Reindeer” performed by Gene Autry (1949). Copies sold: 12.5 million

  33. “I Want to Hold Your Hand” performed by The Beatles (1963). Copies sold: 12 million
  34. Time to Say Goodbye” performed by Andrea Bocelli & Sarah Brightman (1995). Copies sold: 12 million
  35. “Y.M.C.A.” performed by the Village People (1978). Copies sold: 12 million

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First posted 9/14/2023.

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