The Top Music Singles From Every Decade

Songs that make you bob your head, tap your toes, and wiggle your way around the room are the reasons why people love music. Every year, a new song tops the charts, plays on repeat on your favorite radio station, and makes people love music all over again.

While there’s no definitive “these songs are the best ever” compendium that everyone agrees on, the Billboard Hot 100 is often held as the standard by which the world rates music singles. Using this standard as a reference, here are the very top of the songs and singles from the Billboard Hot 100 for every decade dating back to the 1950s.

Top Music Singles From the 1950s

Nat King Cole, Elvis Presley, and Johnny Horton — the 1950s were full of songs that defined a generation.

1950: “Goodnight Irene” by Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers
1951: “Too Young” by Nat King Cole
1952: “Blue Tango” by Leroy Anderson
1953: “The Song from Moulin Rouge” by Percy Faith
1954: “Little Things Mean a Lot” by Kitty Kallen
1955: “Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White” by Perez Prado
1956: “Heartbreak Hotel” by Elvis Presley
1957: “All Shook Up” by Elvis Presley
1958: “Volare” (“Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu”) by Domenico Modugno
1959: “The Battle of New Orleans” by Johnny Horton

Top Music Singles From the 1960s

The 1960s were a tumultuous decade for both politics and music, and artists like The Beatles helped many see through the tough times.

1960: “Theme from ‘A Summer Place’” by Percy Faith
1961: “Tossin’ and Turnin’” by Bobby Lewis
1962: “Stranger on the Shore” by Mr. Acker Bilk
1963: “Sugar Shack” by Jimmy Gilmer and The Fireballs
1964: “I Want to Hold Your Hand” by The Beatles
1965: “Wooly Bully” by Sam The Sham and The Pharaohs
1966: “The Ballad of the Green Berets” by Sgt. Berry Sadler
1967: “To Sir With Love” by Lulu
1968: “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
1969: “Sugar, Sugar” by The Archies

Top Music Singles From the 1970s

Fashion trends and over-the-top expression were the name of the game in the 1970s. The likes of Simon and Garfunkel and Barbra Streisand made the decade one to remember.

1970: “Bridge Over Troubled Water” by Simon and Garfunkel
1971: “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night
1972: “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack
1973: “Tie A Yellow Ribbon ‘Round the Ole Oak Tree” by Tony Orlando and Dawn
1974: “The Way We Were” by Barbra Streisand
1975: “Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille
1976: “Silly Love Songs” by Wings
1977: “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)" by Rod Stewart
1978: “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb
1979: “My Sharona” by Knack

Top Music Singles From the 1980s

Another unbridled decade of upheaval, the 1980s were full of punks being punks and Prince being Prince.

1980: “Call Me” by Blondie
1981: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes
1982: “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John
1983: “Every Breath You Take” by The Police
1984: “When Doves Cry” by Prince
1985: “Careless Whisper” by Wham!
1986: “That’s What Friends Are For” by Dionne and Friends
1987: “Walk Like an Egyptian” by The Bangles
1988: “Faith” by George Michael
1989: “Look Away” by Chicago

Top Music Singles From the 1990s

The 1990s were a decade of "dirty design," evolving tastes, and the public trying to find their place in the world. Bryan Adams wooed and Whitney Houston wailed like no one else could.

1990: “Hold On” by Wilson Phillips
1991: “(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" by Bryan Adams
1992: “End of the Road” by Boyz II Men
1993: “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
1994: “The Sign” by Ace of Base
1995: “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio
1996: “Macarena” (Bayside Boys Mix) by Los Del Rio
1997: “Candle in the Wind 1997” by Elton John
1998: “Too Close” by Next
1999: “Believe” by Cher

Top Music Singles From the 2000s

The Pew Research Center defines the 2000s as a decade where millennials ended and Generation Z began. More hip-hop, heartfelt alternative rock, and, of course, Beyoncé, topped the charts.

2000: “Breathe” by Faith Hill
2001: “Hanging by a Moment” by Lifehouse
2002: “How You Remind Me” by Nickelback
2003: “In Da Club” by 50 Cent
2004: “Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris
2005: “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
2006: “Bad Day” by Daniel Powter
2007: “Irreplaceable” by Beyoncé
2008: “Low" by Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
2009: “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas

Top Music Singles From the 2010s

The 2010s are barely over, but songs that rocked the world in some way or another were big hits. Also, it was an evolving decade for films and television.