The Ultimate Pop Music List

A comprehensive list of the best pop songs of all time, including classics and new hits.

The Beatles – “Hey Jude”

Released in 1968 on the Beatles’ eponymous album (also known as the “White Album”), “Hey Jude” was written by Paul McCartney as a message of encouragement to John Lennon’s son, Julian, during his parents’ divorce. It quickly became a worldwide hit, topping charts in several countries and selling more than eight million copies. It has since been covered by numerous artists and is widely considered one of the greatest pop songs of all time.

Michael Jackson – “Billie Jean”

“Billie Jean” was the first single from Michael Jackson’s Thriller album. It was released on January 2, 1983, and went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for seven weeks, won two Grammy Awards, and became a cultural phenomenon.

Queen – “Bohemian Rhapsody”

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is a song by the British rock band Queen. It was written by Freddie Mercury for the band’s 1975 album A Night at the Opera. The song is a six-minute suite, consisting of several sections without a chorus: an intro, a ballad segment, an operatic passage, a hard rock part and a reflective coda. The single version was edited for time, omitting the intro and combining the ballad and hard rock sections.

The song is a classic example of Queen’s elaborate vocal and musical composition style. Although it was not released as a single in most countries until 1976, following its inclusion in the soundtrack to the film Wayne’s World in 1992, “Bohemian Rhapsody” reached number one on the UK Singles Chart for five weeks and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. It topped the charts in several other countries as well, including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and The Netherlands. In the United States, “Bohemian Rhapsody” peaked at number nine on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart in 1976. It has sold over 6 million copies there, making it one of Queen’s best-selling singles worldwide.

The accompanying music video for “Bohemian Rhapsody” was directed by Bruce Gowers and Queen drummer Roger Taylor served as producer. It was filmed in one continuous take at Elstree Studios near London and features just four shots that alternate between close-ups of Freddie Mercury singing into his microphone at center stage and wide shots of all four band members performing together on stage. Released on 31 October 1975 to coincide with the release of A Night at the Opera, “Bohemian Rhapsody” quickly became popular due to its innovative visuals and use of special effects. It won several awards for its technical achievements including two BAFTAs for Best Single and Best Editing in 1976 and an MTV Video Music Award for Best Cinematography in 1992. In 2004, Rolling Stone magazine ranked “Bohemian Rhapsody” number 136 on its list of The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time.

Madonna – “Like a Prayer”

From the moment the church bells toll and that funky bass line comes in, “Like a Prayer” is an instant pop classic. Madonna’s 1989 hit was produced by Patrick Leonard and features some of the singer’s most iconic lyrics. The song was released as the lead single from Madonna’s fourth studio album of the same name and went on to top charts around the world, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States.

Whitney Houston – “I Will Always Love You”

Few singers have achieved the level of success that Whitney Houston did in her lifetime. Among her many accomplishments, she holds the record for the most number-one hits by a female artist with 11 singles topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart throughout her career. “I Will Always Love You” was one of those hits, and it remains one of her most iconic songs to date.

The song was originally written and recorded by country music singer Dolly Parton in 1974. Parton’s version was a huge success, but it was Houston’s cover that truly made the song a pop culture phenomenon. Released in 1992, Houston’s version spent 14 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 chart and became one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song earned Houston several awards, including a Grammy for Record of the Year.

In addition to its commercial success, “I Will Always Love You” has been praised by music critics for its powerful vocal performance and emotional lyrics. The song has been covered by many other artists over the years, but Houston’s version remains the most popular and iconic.

Mariah Carey – “All I Want for Christmas Is You”

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” is one of the most enduring and popular pop songs of all time. Released in 1994, the song has since been covered by everyone from Justin Bieber to Michael Bublé, and has appeared in a number of films and TV shows. The song is so popular that it even has its own holiday: Mariah Carey Day, which is celebrated every year on December 25th.

Lady Gaga – “Bad Romance”

Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance” is a 2009 electronica/dance song that achieved massive success, topping the charts in over twenty countries and becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song’s success is largely due to its Gaga’s catchy hook and production by RedOne, who crafts a unique soundscape that is both accessible and avant-garde. “Bad Romance” is an excellent example of Gaga’s pop sensibilities and her willingness to experiment with different sounds and styles.

Rihanna – “Umbrella”

Rihanna’s “Umbrella” was released in 2007 and quickly rose to the top of the charts, becoming one of the biggest pop hits of the decade. The song features a catchy hook and an infectious beat, making it impossible to resist singing along. Rihanna’s own style and charisma help make this track an instant classic.

Katy Perry – “Firework”

Released in 2010, “Firework” is one of Katy Perry’s biggest hits. The song is an anthem for anyone who’s ever felt like they didn’t fit in, with a message that it’s okay to be different. The infectious pop tune topped charts around the world and won Perry a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance.

Justin Bieber – “Sorry”

“Sorry” is a song recorded by Canadian singer Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album, Purpose (2015). The song was released on October 22, 2015 as the second single from the album. “Sorry” was written by Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Sonny Moore, Michael Tucker and Bieber; with production being handled by Skrillex and Blood. Musically, “Sorry” is a tropical house and synth-pop song that contains elements of R&B. Lyrically, it is a remorseful apology for undelivering pleasurable moments to a lover.

The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Canadian Hot 100. It additionally topped the charts in Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Ireland and New Zealand; while reaching the top five in Belgium (Flanders), France and Sweden. “Sorry” became Bieber’s sixth consecutive top 10 hit in Australia and has since earned 6× Platinum certification there; it also became his seventh consecutive top 10 hit in New Zealand where it has been certified 5× Platinum.”Sorry” entered at number 3 on South Korea’s Gaon Digital Chart for the chart issue dated November 15–21, 2015. “Sorry” was nominated for Favorite Pop/Rock Song at the 2016 American Music Awards. The music video for “Sorry”, directed by Mark Romanek received criticism regarding its depiction of women as willing sexual objects. Despite this mass media attention surrounding its release, however,”Sorry” only managed to garner nominations for Best Male Video and Best Editing at the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards.”

Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

Bruno Mars – “Uptown Funk”

This song has been described as a feel-good, party anthem, and it definitely lives up to that reputation. Released in 2014, “Uptown Funk” quickly rose to the top of the charts and has remained there for months. The song features a fun, catchy beat that is impossible to resist dancing to. Bruno Mars’s smooth vocals add an extra layer of appeal to the track. If you’re looking for a song to get your party started, this is the one you need.

Ed Sheeran – “Shape of You”

Ed Sheeran’s lead single off ÷, “Shape of You” spent a staggering 33 weeks atop the Hot 100, making it the longest-running No. 1 by a male artist in Billboard history. It also became one of just three singles to have spent more than a year inside the top 10 (along with both of Maroon 5’s “Sugar” and Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars’ “Uptown Funk!”).

Taylor Swift – “ Shake It Off”

No matter what you think of Taylor Swift, it’s impossible to deny that she knows how to write a pop song. “Shake It Off” is the perfect example of her skill as a songwriter, with catchy hooks and relatable lyrics that resonate with listeners of all ages. The song was an instant hit when it was released in 2014, quickly climbing to the top of the charts and becoming one of Swift’s most iconic hits.