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The Most Popular Song The Year You Were Born

The Most Popular Song The Year You Were Born

To help you connect with your musical cohort, however belatedly — and also as an illustration of how much our national musical tastes have changed over the decades — 24/7 Tempo has assembled a list revealing the most popular song in America for every year since 1958, the earliest year for which this data is available. (For a different list dating even further back, here is the most famous musician born every year since 1930.)

Among the 60-plus songs on this list, you’ll find old-school rock-and-roll (like Chubby Checker’s classic ‘The Twist”), instrumentals (“Harlem Nocturne”), pop (“I Just Want to Be Your Everything”), reggae fusion (“Red, Red Wine”), novelty songs (“The Macarena”), and country (“If I Die Young”), among other musical idioms, before the likes of Post Malone (“Sunflower,” “Circles”) and The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights”) make an appearance.

Some of the songs here, listened to today, might inspire you to reach for the mute button; others are timeless classics that merit hearing again and again, no matter when they — or you — were born. (Speaking of classics, these are the 50 absolute best songs in history.)

To identify each year’s most popular song, 24/7 Tempo reviewed the Billboard Hot 100 to learn which single remained on the chart for the longest period during every 12-month period beginning in 1958, the first year the publication compiled this data. Total number of weeks and each song’s peak on the chart are also drawn from the Hot 100. According to Billboard, the Hot 100 “is ranked by radio airplay audience impressions as measured by Nielsen BDS, sales data compiled by Nielsen Soundscan (both at retail and digitally) and streaming activity provided by online music sources.”

1958: Chantilly Lace
> Artist: Big Bopper
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 22
> Peak: #6 for 12 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Amazon.com

1959: Robbin’ The Cradle
> Artist: Tony Bellus
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 26
> Peak: #25 for 10 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Mercury Records under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1960: Running Bear
> Artist: Johnny Preston
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 27
> Peak: #1 for 14 weeks

1961: Never On Sunday
> Artist: Don Costa And His Orchestra And Chorus
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 26
> Peak: #19 for 15 weeks

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1962: The Twist
> Artist: Chubby Checker
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 39
> Peak: #1 for 32 weeks

Source: Bill McCay / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1963: Limbo Rock
> Artist: Chubby Checker
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 23
> Peak: #2 for 8 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Joe Mabel under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/deed.en) / Wikimedia Commons

1964: Tall Cool One
> Artist: The Wailers
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 23
> Peak: #36 for 18 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Madison Records

1965: Harlem Nocturne
> Artist: The Viscounts
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25
> Peak: #39 for 4 weeks

Source: RB / Redferns via Getty Images

1966: Wipe Out
> Artist: The Surfaris
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 30
> Peak: #2 for 23 weeks

1967: Born Free
> Artist: Roger Williams
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 21
> Peak: #7 for 5 weeks

Source: George Stroud / Getty Images

1968: Sunshine Of Your Love
> Artist: Cream
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 26
> Peak: #5 for 4 weeks

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1969: Get Together
> Artist: The Youngbloods
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25
> Peak: #5 for 7 weeks

Source: Kevork Djansezian / Getty Images

1970: Solitary Man
> Artist: Neil Diamond
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 24
> Peak: #21 for 5 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Verve

1971: Superstar
> Artist: Murray Head With The Trinidad Singers
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 31
> Peak: #14 for 5 weeks

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1972: Layla
> Artist: Derek & The Dominos
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 25
> Peak: #10 for 3 weeks

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1973: Why Me
> Artist: Kris Kristofferson
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 38
> Peak: #16 for 7 weeks

Source: Frazer Harrison / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1974: One Hell Of A Woman
> Artist: Mac Davis
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 28
> Peak: #11 for 13 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Vogue / Copacabana under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1975: Feelings
> Artist: Morris Albert
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 28
> Peak: #6 for 14 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Vogue / Copacabana under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1976: Feelings
> Artist: Morris Albert
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 32
> Peak: #6 for 14 weeks

Source: Stuart Nicol / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1977: I Just Want To Be Your Everything
> Artist: Andy Gibb
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 31
> Peak: #1 for 17 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Epic Records under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1978: I Go Crazy
> Artist: Paul Davis
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 40
> Peak: #7 for 11 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Chrysalis under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1979: Hot Child In The City
> Artist: Nick Gilder
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 31
> Peak: #1 for 11 weeks

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1980: With You I’m Born Again
> Artist: Billy Preston & Syreeta
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 29
> Peak: #4 for 10 weeks

Source: Mike Lawrie / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1981: Jessie’s Girl
> Artist: Rick Springfield
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 32
> Peak: #1 for 14 weeks

Source: Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

1982: Tainted Love
> Artist: Soft Cell
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 43
> Peak: #8 for 17 weeks

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1983: Gloria
> Artist: Laura Branigan
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 36
> Peak: #2 for 16 weeks

Source: Express / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1984: I’m So Excited
> Artist: The Pointer Sisters
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 38
> Peak: #9 for 12 weeks

Source: Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1985: I’m So Excited
> Artist: The Pointer Sisters
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 40
> Peak: #9 for 12 weeks

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

1986: I Miss You
> Artist: Klymaxx
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 29
> Peak: #5 for 14 weeks

Source: Larry Busacca / Getty Images

1987: Stand By Me
> Artist: Ben E. King
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 35
> Peak: #4 for 30 weeks

Source: Pete Cronin / Redferns via Getty Images

1988: Red Red Wine
> Artist: UB40
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 36
> Peak: #1 for 16 weeks

Source: David Redfern / Redferns via Getty Images

1989: Red Red Wine
> Artist: UB40
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 40
> Peak: #1 for 16 weeks

Source: Paul Natkin / Getty Images

1990: Bust A Move
> Artist: Young M.C.
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 39
> Peak: #7 for 28 weeks

Source: Larry French / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1991: Close To You
> Artist: Maxi Priest
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 30
> Peak: #1 for 16 weeks

Source: Express Newspapers / Getty Images

1992: Bohemian Rhapsody
> Artist: Queen
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 41
> Peak: #2 for 13 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Bellmark Records under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1993: Dazzey Duks
> Artist: Duice
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 40
> Peak: #12 for 14 weeks

Source: Al Pereira / Getty Images

1994: Whoomp! (There It Is)
> Artist: Tag Team
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 45
> Peak: #2 for 36 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Mercury under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1995: 100% Pure Love
> Artist: Crystal Waters
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 45
> Peak: #11 for 26 weeks

Source: Richard Haughton / ebtg.com

1996: Missing
> Artist: Everything But The Girl
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 55
> Peak: #2 for 28 weeks

Source: Gustavo Caballero / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1997: Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)
> Artist: Los Del Rio
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 60
> Peak: #1 for 28 weeks

Source: Rick Diamond / Getty Images

1998: How Do I Live
> Artist: LeAnn Rimes
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 69
> Peak: #2 for 44 weeks

Source: Courtesy of Arista Records under fair use (to serve as the primary means of visual identification at the top of the article dedicated to the work in question) via Wikimedia Commons

1999: Too Close
> Artist: Next
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 53
> Peak: #1 for 43 weeks

Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images

2000: Smooth
> Artist: Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 58
> Peak: #1 for 46 weeks

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

2001: The Way You Love Me
> Artist: Faith Hill
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 56
> Peak: #6 for 20 weeks

Source: Kristian Dowling / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2002: Hanging By A Moment
> Artist: Lifehouse
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 54
> Peak: #2 for 36 weeks

Source: Al Bello / Getty Images

2003: When I’m Gone
> Artist: 3 Doors Down
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 45
> Peak: #4 for 23 weeks

Source: Janette Pellegrini / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2004: Unwell
> Artist: matchbox twenty
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 54
> Peak: #5 for 37 weeks

Source: Matt Winkelmeyer / Getty Images

2005: Breakaway
> Artist: Kelly Clarkson
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 46
> Peak: #6 for 34 weeks

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2006: You And Me
> Artist: Lifehouse
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 62
> Peak: #5 for 35 weeks

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

2007: Before He Cheats
> Artist: Carrie Underwood
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 64
> Peak: #8 for 27 weeks

Source: Scott Gries / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2008: Paralyzer
> Artist: Finger Eleven
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 50
> Peak: #6 for 22 weeks

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images

2009: I’m Yours
> Artist: Jason Mraz
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 76
> Peak: #6 for 56 weeks

Source: John Shearer/Country Rising / Getty Images

2010: Need You Now
> Artist: Lady Antebellum
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 60
> Peak: #2 for 31 weeks

Source: Noam Galai / Getty Images

2011: If I Die Young
> Artist: The Band Perry
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 53
> Peak: #14 for 18 weeks

Source: Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2012: Party Rock Anthem
> Artist: LMFAO Featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 68
> Peak: #1 for 54 weeks

Source: Rich Lam / Getty Images

2013: Radioactive
> Artist: Imagine Dragons
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 68
> Peak: #3 for 45 weeks

Source: Jonathan Leibson / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2014: Radioactive
> Artist: Imagine Dragons
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 87
> Peak: #3 for 45 weeks

Source: Ethan Miller / Getty Images

2015: Thinking Out Loud
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 58
> Peak: #2 for 44 weeks

Source: Larry Busacca / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2016: Uptown Funk!
> Artist: Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 56
> Peak: #1 for 49 weeks

Source: Mat Hayward / Getty Images

2017: Cheap Thrills
> Artist: Sia Featuring Sean Paul
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 52
> Peak: #1 for 30 weeks

Source: Ian Gavan / Getty Images

2018: Shape Of You
> Artist: Ed Sheeran
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 59
> Peak: #1 for 58 weeks

Source: Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2019: Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)
> Artist: Post Malone & Swae Lee
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 53
> Peak: #1 for 42 weeks

Source: Tabatha Fireman / Getty Images

2020: Circles
> Artist: Post Malone
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 61
> Peak: #1 for 50 weeks

Source: Pascal Le Segretain / Getty Images

2021: Blinding Lights
> Artist: The Weeknd
> Weeks on Billboard Hot 100: 75
> Peak: #1 for 59 weeks

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