Songs are the soundtrack of our lives. A song can evoke a romance that ended with wedding bells or a broken heart, or call to mind a high school summer or an entire era. If you heard The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” for what seemed like a million times last year, for instance — and it was that ubiquitous — you’ll probably forever associate it with the COVID-19 pandemic.
There are other songs that you might not have heard for a decade or more but whose lyrics you still remember. There are songs, both old and new, that become so-called earworms that get stuck in your head — you keep hearing them and/or singing them to yourself whether you want to or not.
24/7 Tempo has compiled a list of the two most popular songs every year since 1970, based on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Some were hits so long ago that many of today’s listeners might never have heard them — for instance, “Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree” or “Rhinestone Cowboy.” (For a musical history lesson, seethe most popular song the year you were born.)
Others became timeless classics. Even if you were born decades after the movie “Saturday Night Fever” opened, you’ll probably recognize the opening bars of “Stayin’ Alive” right away. And it wasn’t even the most popular song in 1978 — that honor was claimed by “Hot Child In The City.” (These are the 50 absolute best songs from the movies.)
Some of the more recent songs on our list are still getting plenty of airplay. Adele’s “Rolling In the Deep,” the most popular song of 2011, still gets played today. So do more recent mega-hits like “Happy” by Pharrell Williams (2014) and “Uptown Funk!” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars (2015). And of course there’s “Levitating” by Dua Lipa and DaBaby, the No. 1 hit of 2021 thus far — another song that some of us might long associate with these difficult times.
Click here to see the most popular song every year since 1970
To determine the most popular song every year since 1970, 24/7 Tempo reviewed data from the Billboard Hot 100 record chart, which has been the industry standard for measuring a song’s popularity since its inception in 1958. While the methodology has changed over the years, the current Hot 100 is computed based on radio airplay, retail and digital sales, and online streaming activity in the U.S.
To compile our list, we ranked the performance of a song within the year given, based on a custom score composed of its time spent and position on the Hot 100, with a week at No. 100 being worth one point, a week at No. 99 two points, and so on, up to a week at No. 1 worth 100 points. Any chart time spent by a song outside of the given year, either from consecutive years or a return to the charts years later, was excluded from the score.
Source: CBS Television / Wikimedia Commons
1970
> Most popular song: Rare Earth – Get Ready
> Hot 100 debut: March 14, 1970
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 4
> Weeks on Hot 100: 20
> Runner-up song: Freda Payne – Band Of Gold
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Source: Leena A. Krohn / Wikimedia Commons
1971
> Most popular song: The Raiders – Indian Reservation (The Lament Of The Cherokee Reservation Indian)
> Hot 100 debut: April 10, 1971
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 22
> Runner-up song: Rod Stewart – Maggie May/Reason To Believe
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Source: U.S. National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1972
> Most popular song: Joe Tex – I Gotcha
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 22, 1972
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 21
> Runner-up song: Roberta Flack – The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
Source: sterferg / Wikimedia Commons
1973
> Most popular song: Kris Kristofferson – Why Me
> Hot 100 debut: April 7, 1973
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 16
> Weeks on Hot 100: 38
> Runner-up song: Dawn Featuring Tony Orlando – Tie A Yellow Ribbon Round The Ole Oak Tree
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Source: ABC Television / Wikimedia Commons
1974
> Most popular song: Redbone – Come And Get Your Love
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 12, 1974
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 5
> Weeks on Hot 100: 23
> Runner-up song: Jackson 5 – Dancing Machine
Source: O'Halloran, Thomas J. / Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1975
> Most popular song: Morris Albert – Feelings
> Hot 100 debut: June 21, 1975
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 6
> Weeks on Hot 100: 32
> Runner-up song: Glen Campbell – Rhinestone Cowboy
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Source: White House Photograph Courtesy Gerald R. Ford Library / Wikimedia Commons
1976
> Most popular song: Walter Murphy & The Big Apple Band – A Fifth Of Beethoven
> Hot 100 debut: May 29, 1976
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 28
> Runner-up song: Gary Wright – Love Is Alive
Source: Derzsi Elekes Andor / Wikimedia Commons
1977
> Most popular song: Andy Gibb – I Just Want To Be Your Everything
> Hot 100 debut: April 23, 1977
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 31
> Runner-up song: Hot – Angel In Your Arms
Source: Steve Morgan / Wikimedia Commons
1978
> Most popular song: Nick Gilder – Hot Child In The City
> Hot 100 debut: June 10, 1978
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 31
> Runner-up song: Bee Gees – Stayin’ Alive
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Source: Frances M Ginter / Getty Images
1979
> Most popular song: Robert John – Sad Eyes
> Hot 100 debut: May 19, 1979
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 27
> Runner-up song: Dionne Warwick – I’ll Never Love This Way Again
Source: Bogaerts, Rob / Anefo / Wikimedia Commons
1980
> Most popular song: Blondie – Call Me
> Hot 100 debut: Feb. 16, 1980
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 25
> Runner-up song: Diana Ross – Upside Down
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Source: White House Photographic Office / The National Archives and Records Administration / Wikimedia Commons
1981
> Most popular song: Rick Springfield – Jessie’s Girl
> Hot 100 debut: March 28, 1981
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 32
> Runner-up song: Kim Carnes – Bette Davis Eyes
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1982
> Most popular song: John Cougar – Hurts So Good
> Hot 100 debut: April 24, 1982
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 28
> Runner-up song: The Human League – Don’t You Want Me
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1983
> Most popular song: Irene Cara – Flashdance…What A Feeling
> Hot 100 debut: April 2, 1983
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 25
> Runner-up song: Bonnie Tyler – Total Eclipse Of The Heart
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Source: Marcin Wichary / Wikimedia Commons
1984
> Most popular song: Tina Turner – What’s Love Got To Do With It
> Hot 100 debut: May 19, 1984
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 28
> Runner-up song: Phil Collins – Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)
Source: Wikimedia Commons
1985
> Most popular song: a-ha – Take On Me
> Hot 100 debut: July 13, 1985
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 27
> Runner-up song: Kool & The Gang – Cherish
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Source: A1C Nancy Smelser / Wikimedia Commons
1986
> Most popular song: Patti LaBelle & Michael McDonald – On My Own
> Hot 100 debut: March 22, 1986
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 23
> Runner-up song: Level 42 – Something About You
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Source: Virginia Tehan / Wikimedia Commons
1987
> Most popular song: Debbie Gibson – Only In My Dreams
> Hot 100 debut: May 9, 1987
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 4
> Weeks on Hot 100: 28
> Runner-up song: Whitesnake – Here I Go Again
Source: National Park Service / Wikimedia Commons
1988
> Most popular song: Taylor Dayne – I’ll Always Love You
> Hot 100 debut: June 11, 1988
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 3
> Weeks on Hot 100: 30
> Runner-up song: Breathe – Hands To Heaven
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Source: Library of Congress / Wikimedia Commons
1989
> Most popular song: Bette Midler – Wind Beneath My Wings (From “Beaches”)
> Hot 100 debut: March 4, 1989
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 29
> Runner-up song: Young M.C. – Bust A Move
Source: Andrew Thomas / Wikimedia Commons
1990
> Most popular song: Maxi Priest – Close To You
> Hot 100 debut: June 30, 1990
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 30
> Runner-up song: Wilson Phillips – Hold On
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Source: U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
1991
> Most popular song: Boyz II Men – Motownphilly
> Hot 100 debut: June 15, 1991
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 3
> Weeks on Hot 100: 24
> Runner-up song: Bryan Adams – (Everything I Do) I Do It For You
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Source: Gary B. Edstrom / Wikimedia Commons
1992
> Most popular song: Jon Secada – Just Another Day
> Hot 100 debut: April 18, 1992
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 5
> Weeks on Hot 100: 37
> Runner-up song: TLC – Baby-Baby-Baby
Source: Official White House photograph / Wikimedia Commons
1993
> Most popular song: Tag Team – Whoomp! (There It Is)
> Hot 100 debut: May 29, 1993
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 45
> Runner-up song: Jade – Don’t Walk Away
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Source: Andrea Booher / FEMA / Wikimedia Commons
1994
> Most popular song: Ace Of Base – The Sign
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 1, 1994
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 41
> Runner-up song: Ace Of Base – Don’t Turn Around
Source: NASA / Wikimedia Commons
1995
> Most popular song: Blues Traveler – Run-Around
> Hot 100 debut: March 25, 1995
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 8
> Weeks on Hot 100: 49
> Runner-up song: Dionne Farris – I Know
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Source: Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons
1996
> Most popular song: The Tony Rich Project – Nobody Knows
> Hot 100 debut: Dec. 16, 1995
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 47
> Runner-up song: Gin Blossoms – Follow You Down/Til I Hear It From You
Source: Jeff J Mitchell / Getty Images
1997
> Most popular song: Jewel – Foolish Games/You Were Meant For Me
> Hot 100 debut: Nov. 30, 1996
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 65
> Runner-up song: Duncan Sheik – Barely Breathing
Source: Flickr user Kevin Jarrett / Wikimedia Commons
1998
> Most popular song: Savage Garden – Truly Madly Deeply
> Hot 100 debut: Dec. 6, 1997
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 52
> Runner-up song: Next – Too Close
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Source: Grj23 / Wikimedia Commons
1999
> Most popular song: 702 – Where My Girls At?
> Hot 100 debut: May 1, 1999
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 4
> Weeks on Hot 100: 42
> Runner-up song: Goo Goo Dolls – Slide
Source: Rob Boudon / Wikimedia Commons
2000
> Most popular song: Faith Hill – Breathe
> Hot 100 debut: Nov. 6, 1999
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 53
> Runner-up song: Joe – I Wanna Know
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Source: SFC Thomas R. Roberts / Wikimedia Commons
2001
> Most popular song: Lifehouse – Hanging By A Moment
> Hot 100 debut: Feb. 10, 2001
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 54
> Runner-up song: Train – Drops Of Jupiter (Tell Me)
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Source: Sergeant Joseph R. Chenelly, United States Marine Corps / Wikimedia Commons
2002
> Most popular song: Vanessa Carlton – A Thousand Miles
> Hot 100 debut: March 2, 2002
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 5
> Weeks on Hot 100: 41
> Runner-up song: The Calling – Wherever You Will Go
Source: National Archive Catalog / Wikimedia Commons
2003
> Most popular song: matchbox twenty – Unwell
> Hot 100 debut: March 22, 2003
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 5
> Weeks on Hot 100: 54
> Runner-up song: 3 Doors Down – When I’m Gone
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Source: Tech. Sgt. Jerry Morrison Jr., U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
2004
> Most popular song: Usher Featuring Lil Jon & Ludacris – Yeah!
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 10, 2004
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 45
> Runner-up song: Maroon 5 – This Love
Source: Jocelyn Augustino / Wikimedia Commons
2005
> Most popular song: Kelly Clarkson – Since U Been Gone
> Hot 100 debut: Dec. 18, 2004
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 46
> Runner-up song: Mariah Carey – We Belong Together
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Source: Kjetil Ree / Wikimedia Commons
2006
> Most popular song: Natasha Bedingfield – Unwritten
> Hot 100 debut: Dec. 10, 2005
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 5
> Weeks on Hot 100: 42
> Runner-up song: The Fray – Over My Head (Cable Car)
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Source: Ben Stanfield / Wikimedia Commons
2007
> Most popular song: Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats
> Hot 100 debut: Sept. 16, 2006
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 8
> Weeks on Hot 100: 64
> Runner-up song: Gwen Stefani Featuring Akon – The Sweet Escape
Source: CODEPINK Women For Peace / Wikimedia Commons
2008
> Most popular song: Leona Lewis – Bleeding Love
> Hot 100 debut: March 1, 2008
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 39
> Runner-up song: Sara Bareilles – Love Song
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Source: Master Sgt. Cecilio Ricardo, U.S. Air Force / Wikimedia Commons
2009
> Most popular song: Lady Gaga – Poker Face
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 3, 2009
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 40
> Runner-up song: Jason Mraz – I’m Yours
Source: U.S. Coast Guard / Wikimedia Commons
2010
> Most popular song: Train – Hey, Soul Sister
> Hot 100 debut: Oct. 17, 2009
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 3
> Weeks on Hot 100: 54
> Runner-up song: Lady Antebellum – Need You Now
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Source: David Shankbone / Wikimedia Commons
2011
> Most popular song: Adele – Rolling In The Deep
> Hot 100 debut: Dec. 25, 2010
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 65
> Runner-up song: Pitbull Featuring Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer – Give Me Everything
Source: New Jersey National Guard / Wikimedia Commons
2012
> Most popular song: Gotye Featuring Kimbra – Somebody That I Used To Know
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 21, 2012
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 59
> Runner-up song: Carly Rae Jepsen – Call Me Maybe
Source: White House / Sonya Hebert / Wikimedia Commons
2013
> Most popular song: Imagine Dragons – Radioactive
> Hot 100 debut: Aug. 18, 2012
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 3
> Weeks on Hot 100: 87
> Runner-up song: Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Featuring Wanz – Thrift Shop
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Source: TechCrunch / Wikimedia Commons
2014
> Most popular song: John Legend – All Of Me
> Hot 100 debut: Sept. 21, 2013
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 59
> Runner-up song: Pharrell Williams – Happy
Source: Difference engine / Wikimedia Commons
2015
> Most popular song: Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars – Uptown Funk!
> Hot 100 debut: Nov. 29, 2014
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 56
> Runner-up song: Fetty Wap – Trap Queen
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Source: Krassotkin, Gage Skidmore / Wikimedia Commons
2016
> Most popular song: The Chainsmokers Featuring Daya – Don’t Let Me Down
> Hot 100 debut: Feb. 27, 2016
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 3
> Weeks on Hot 100: 52
> Runner-up song: twenty one pilots – Stressed Out
Source: Wikimedia Commons
2017
> Most popular song: Ed Sheeran – Shape Of You
> Hot 100 debut: Jan. 28, 2017
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 58
> Runner-up song: Bruno Mars – That’s What I Like
Source: Photo by Clive Brunskill / Getty Images
2018
> Most popular song: Bebe Rexha & Florida Georgia Line – Meant To Be
> Hot 100 debut: Nov. 11, 2017
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 51
> Runner-up song: Ed Sheeran – Perfect
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Source: United States House of Representatives or Office of the Speaker of the House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
2019
> Most popular song: Post Malone & Swae Lee – Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)
> Hot 100 debut: Nov. 3, 2018
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 53
> Runner-up song: Post Malone – Wow.
Source: Spencer Platt / Staff / Getty Images
2020
> Most popular song: The Weeknd – Blinding Lights
> Hot 100 debut: Dec. 14, 2019
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 1
> Weeks on Hot 100: 85
> Runner-up song: Post Malone – Circles
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Source: Win McNamee / Staff / Getty Images
2021
> Most popular song (to Aug. 31): Dua Lipa Featuring DaBaby – Levitating
> Hot 100 debut: Oct. 17, 2020
> Peak Hot 100 position: No. 2
> Weeks on Hot 100: 42
> Runner-up song (to Aug. 31): The Weeknd & Ariana Grande – Save Your Tears
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