Will Fenton
Even if you don’t class yourself as a music know-it-all, there are certain songs that everyone has heard.
Songs are a universal language, and this list covers all of the genres.
Here is my list of songs everyone knows and loves, that I’m sure you’ll grow to love too (if you haven’t heard them already!)
1. “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
“Rolling in the Deep” is a song recorded by English singer-songwriter Adele for her second studio album, 21 (2011).
The song was written by Adele and Paul Epworth, and the singer herself describes it as a “dark blues-y gospel disco tune”.
In 2011 it was reportedly the biggest crossover hit in the United States since 1985!
The lyrics describe the emotions of a scorned lover.
2. “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd
“Blinding Lights” was met with widespread acclaim – it went on as the song with most weeks spent in the top 5 and 10, as well as the first song to hold a spot in the top 10 for an entire year.
It is the longest charting song by an artist on the Hot 100 of all time, spending 90 weeks on the chart.
The song finished 2020 as the year’s top Billboard Hot 100 song.
3. “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen
This song that everyone knows is by the British rock band Queen, released as the lead single from their fourth album, A Night at the Opera (1975).
The song is a six-minute suite, notable for its lack of a refraining chorus, written by lead singer Freddie Mercury.
It is one of the few progressive rock songs of the 1970s to achieve widespread commercial success and appeal to a mainstream audience.
4. “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion
This song that everyone knows serves as the soundtrack to the blockbuster film Titanic, based on the transatlantic ocean liner which sank in 1912 after colliding with an iceberg in the North Atlantic Ocean.
“My Heart Will Go On” is considered to be Dion’s signature song.
With sales of over 18 million copies, it is the second best-selling single by a woman in music history, and one of the best-selling physical singles of all time.
5. “Lose Yourself” by Eminem
“Lose Yourself“, by rapper Eminem, is from the soundtrack to the 2002 motion picture 8 Mile.
The song’s lyrics explicitly sum up the background of Eminem’s character in 8 Mile, B-Rabbit, with the first verse summing up much of the plot of the movie.
The song has several aggressive themes, largely dealing with the struggles dealt with by B-Rabbit, and how he eventually overcomes his problems and obstacles to gain the respect of other rappers.
6. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
“Shape of You” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran.
The dancehall-infused pop song interpolates “No Scrubs” by TLC, and in 2018 it became the first song to hit 2 billion streams on Spotify.
It is currently the most streamed song on the service since 2017 when it surpassed “One Dance” by Drake as the most streamed song on Spotify.
7. “Here Comes The Sun” by The Beatles
This is a song that everyone knows by the rock band the Beatles from their 1969 album Abbey Road.
George Harrison wrote the song at the country house of his friend Eric Clapton, where Harrison was playing truant for the day to avoid attending a meeting at the Beatles’ Apple Corps organization.
The lyrics reflect his relief at the arrival of spring and the temporary respite he was experiencing from the band’s business affairs.
8. “Chandelier” by Sia
This song that everyone knows is an electro pop song, featuring electronica, R&B and reggae influences.
Lyrically, the song has a melancholic theme, detailing the rationalization of alcoholism through looking into the thought process of a “party girl”.
More broadly, the song speaks to the feelings of release and abandon that intoxication brings, as well as the pain, guilt and emptiness that come with addiction, alcoholism and excess.
9. “Wonderwall” by Oasis
“Wonderwall” is a song that everyone knows by English rock band Oasis, written by Noel Gallagher in 1995.
According to Gallagher, the song describes “an imaginary friend who’s gonna come and save you from yourself”.
“Wonderwall” topped the charts in Australia and New Zealand, and reached the top 10 in 13 other counties.
The single was also certified sextuple platinum by the British Phonographic Industry and gold by the Recording Industry Association of America.
10. “Bad Romance” by Lady Gaga
Following an illegal demo leak, Gaga premiered the “Bad Romance”’s final version during the finale of Alexander McQueen’s 2010 Paris Fashion Week show in 2009 and released it as the lead single from her album “The Fame Monster” later that month.
It is an electro-pop and dance-pop song, inspired by German house and techno.
Gaga drew from the paranoia she experienced while on tour and wrote about her attraction to unhealthy romantic relationships.
11. “Sweet Child O’ Mine” by Guns N’ Roses
Sweet Child o’ Mine” is a song by American rock band Guns N’ Roses.
In the US, the song that everyone knows was released in 1988 as, topping the Billboard Hot 100 chart and becoming the band’s only US number-one single.
In the United Kingdom, the song was released in August 1988, reaching number 24 on the UK Singles Chart the same month.
It was then re-released in 1989, peaking at number six.
12. “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee
“Despacito” (English “Slowly”) is a song by Luis Fonsi featuring rapper and singer Daddy Yankee as the lead single from Fonsi’s 2019 studio album Vida.
A version featuring Justin Bieber was released in 2017, which helped to improve the chart performance of the song in numerous countries, including various number-one positions.
“Despacito” has been widely credited by music journalists as being instrumental in popularizing Spanish-language pop music in the mainstream market again.
13. “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)” by Whitney Houston
This song that everyone knows was recorded by American singer Whitney Houston for her second studio album, Whitney (1987).
Despite its mixed critical response, the song became a worldwide success, topping the charts in eighteen countries including Australia, Italy, Germany and the UK.
It became Houston’s fourth consecutive chart topper in the United States and is certified 6× platinum with sales of over 6 million copies.
14. “Girls Like You” by Maroon 5
This song was recorded by the band Maroon 5 from their sixth studio album Red Pill Blues in 2017.
A second version, co-written by American rapper Cardi B, was released in 2018 as the album’s final single.
It achieved great commercial success, spending seven weeks at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, making it Maroon 5’s fourth and Cardi B’s third chart-topper, which extended her record for most number-ones among female rappers.
15. “Imagine” by John Lennon
“Imagine” is a song by English rock musician John Lennon from his 1971 album of the same name.
The best-selling single of his solo career, the lyrics encourage listeners to imagine a world of peace, without materialism, without borders separating nations and without religion.
Shortly before his death, Lennon said that much of the song’s lyrics and content came from his wife, Yoko Ono, and in 2017 the process to give Yoko co-writing credit (while not yet confirmed), was already under way.
16. “Smells Like Teen Spirit” by Nirvana
“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is a song that everyone knows and the opening track and lead single from the rock band Nirvana’s second album, Nevermind (1991).
The unexpected success of the song propelled Nevermind to the top of several albums charts at the beginning of 1992, an event often marked as the time when grunge entered the mainstream.
It was Nirvana’s biggest hit, charting high on music charts around the world.
17. “It’s My Life” by Bon Jovi
“It’s My Life” is a song that everyone knows was written and released by American rock band Bon Jovi in 2000.
It peaked at number one in eight different countries while charting within the top 10 across several other countries.
The song is Bon Jovi’s most well-known post-1980s hit single, with the different sound helping to introduce the band to a new, younger fanbase.
18. “Space Oddity” by David Bowie
After the commercial failure of his self-titled debut album in 1967, Bowie’s manager commissioned Love You till Tuesday, a film that was intended to introduce Bowie to a larger audience.
For the film, Bowie wrote “Space Oddity”; it was partly inspired by Bowie’s feelings of alienation at that point in his career.
Musically, “Space Oddity” marked a change from the music-hall influence of his debut to a sound that was inspired by the Bee Gees.
19. “Roar” by Katy Perry
This song that everyone knows was released by Katy Perry in 2013.
It is a power pop song containing elements of arena rock and lyrics in the theme of standing up for yourself and self-empowerment.
To promote the song and get everyone excited, Perry performed under the Brooklyn Bridge at the end of the 2013 MTV Video Music Awards, on The X Factor Australia, and at the Sydney Opera House.
20. “Don’t Stop Believin’” by Journey
This mid-tempo rock anthem is memorable for its distinctive opening keyboard riff, making it a song that everyone knows.
At the dawn of the 80s, Journey was on the way to becoming one of the most successful rock acts of the era.
Writer Cain had kept the song title from encouragement his father gave him as a struggling musician living on Los Angeles’ Sunset Boulevard, lending to this inspirational tune.
21. “Hotel California” by the Eagles
This song is considered the best known by the Eagles, and in 1998 its long guitar coda was voted the best guitar solo of all time by readers of Guitarist.
It was even awarded the Grammy Award for Record of the Year in 1978!
The Eagles themselves describe the lyrics as their “interpretation of the high life in Los Angeles”.
Henley said that the song was about “a journey from innocence to experience … that’s all”.
22. “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen
This popular song was written by Leonard Cohen, originally released on his album Various Positions in 1984.
Following its increased popularity after being featured in the film Shrek (2001), many other arrangements have been performed in recordings and in concert, with over 300 versions known.
The song that everyone knows experienced renewed interest following Cohen’s death in 2016 and entered the American Billboard Hot 100 for the first time.
23. “Zombie” by The Cranberries
This song that everyone knows is a protest song by alternative rock band the Cranberries, written in memory of Johnathan Ball and Tim Parry, who were killed in the 1993 Warrington bombings.
It was released in 1994 as the lead single from their second studio album.
Many music critics have recognised “Zombie” as “a masterpiece of alternative rock”, as well as a grunge number unique compared to the band’s previous work.
24. “Poker Face” by Lady Gaga
This Lady Gaga song that everyone knows was released in 2008 and is a synth-pop song, following in the footsteps of her previous single “Just Dance”, but with a darker musical tone.
The main idea behind the song is bisexuality and was a tribute by Gaga to her rock and roll boyfriends, with lyrics featuring various sexual innuendos.
The song attained worldwide success, topping the charts in 20 countries and receiving excellent critical acclaim.
25. “Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepson
“Call Me Maybe” is a song that everyone knows, recorded by Canadian singer-songwriter Carly Rae Jepsen.
It was written by Jepsen and Tavish Crowe as a folk song, but it was modified to pop following the production by Josh Ramsay.
Musically, “Call Me Maybe” is a teen pop, dance-pop and bubblegum pop track that speaks to the love at first sight brought to a girl who hopes for a call back from a new crush.
26. “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson
“Billie Jean” is a song that everyone knows, released in 1983 from Jackson’s studio album, Thriller.
The popular hit blends post-disco, rhythm and blues, funk, and dance-pop to create a funky, upbeat tune.
The lyrics describe a woman who claims that the narrator is the father of her newborn son, which he denies.
Jackson said the lyrics were based on groupies’ claims about his older brothers when he toured with them as the Jackson 5.
27. “We Will Rock You” by Queen
This song that everyone knows placed at number 146 on the Songs of the Century list in 2001, and, in 2009, “We Will Rock You” was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
Other than the final 30 seconds, which contains a guitar solo by Brian May, the song is generally set in a cappella form, using only stomping and clapping as a rhythmic body percussion beat.
28. “Gangnam Style” by PSY
Gangnam Style” is a popular K-pop song that everyone knows by South Korean rapper Psy, released in 2012.
The term “Gangnam Style” is a Korean coinage that refers to a lifestyle associated with the Gangnam District of Seoul.
The song received mixed to positive reviews, with praise for its catchy beat and Psy’s amusing dancing and during live performances in various locations around the world.
29. “Who Let The Dogs Out” by Baha Men
“Who Let the Dogs Out” is a popular song performed by Bahamian junkanoo band Baha Men.
Producer Jonathan King brought the song to the attention of his friend Steve Greenberg, who then had the Baha Men cover the song.
It became the band’s first and only hit in the United Kingdom and the United States, and it gained massive popularity after appearing in Rugrats in Paris: The Movie and its soundtrack album.
30. “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
This song that everyone knows was written by Paul McCartney and credited to the Lennon–McCartney partnership.
Its nine-week run at number one tied the all-time record in 1968 for the longest run at the top of the US charts, a record it held for nine years.
It has sold approximately eight million copies and is frequently referred to as one of the greatest songs of all time.
31. “Havana” by Camila Cabello ft. Young Thug
“Havana” is a song that everyone knows, recorded by Cuban-American singer Camila Cabello featuring guest vocals from rapper Young Thug.
Due to its rising success and popularity, the hit later became the official lead single of Camila, replacing “Crying in the Club”.
In 2017, a remix version of the song with Puerto Rican rapper Daddy Yankee was uploaded to Cabello’s YouTube page, which also gained large amounts of popularity.
32. “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys
The pop song that everyone knows speaks of a relationship strained by matters of emotional and physical distance.
It was met with a positive reception from critics and fans, with many enjoying its catchiness and calling it the pop ballad of the year.
The song was nominated for three Grammy Awards, including Song and Record of the Year, and has been included in lists by Blender, MTV, Rolling Stone and VH1.
33. “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé
“Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” is a song that everyone knows, recorded by Beyoncé for her third studio album, I Am… Sasha Fierce.
Columbia Records released it in 2008, as a double A-side alongside “If I Were a Boy”, highlighting the contrast between Beyoncé and her sassy onstage alter ego Sasha Fierce
The song explores men’s unwillingness to propose or commit, and the female protagonist is in a club celebrating her being single.
34. “American Pie” by Don McLean
American Pie” is a song that everyone knows, recorded and released in 1971 on McLean’s album of the same name.
The song was listed at number 5 on Songs of the Century.
At 8 minutes and 42 seconds, it also held the record for almost 50 years for being the longest song to reach number one.
“American Pie” has been described as “one of the most successful and debated songs of the 20th century”.
35. “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears
“…Baby One More Time” is the debut single of Britney Spears’, and one of her best-known songs.
Released in 1998, it became a worldwide hit, topping charts in at least 22 countries.
This includes the United Kingdom where it earned triple-platinum certification from the British Phonographic Industry and was the country’s best-selling single of 1999.
This song that everyone knows is one of the best-selling singles of all time, with over 10 million copies sold!
36. “I Write Sins Not Tragedies” by Panic! At The Disco
This song that everyone knows by rock band Panic! at the Disco was released in 2005 from their debut studio album.
“I Write Sins Not Tragedies” was the band’s only top 40 hit until the release of “Hallelujah” in 2015.
The song’s success on Mainstream Top 40 charts was what made it one of the biggest modern rock hits of 2006, and it is still one of the band’s most-played songs to this day.
37. “I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor
This top-selling song that everyone knows, by Gloria Gaynor, is a popular disco anthem and is certified Platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
The song’s lyrics describe the singer’s discovery of personal strength following an initially devastating breakup.
In 1979 it spent three weeks on top of the Billboard Hot 100 and also topped the UK Singles and Irish Singles Chart.
The song is often recalled as a symbol of female empowerment.
38. “Mr. Brightside” by The Killers
Written by band members Brandon Flowers and Dave Keuning, it was one of the first songs the Killers ever wrote and remains as one of their signature songs.
Two music videos were released for the song that everyone knows: the first was shot in black and white and features the band performing in an empty room.
The second one was based on the popular 2001 film “Moulin Rouge!”.
39. “Hello” by Adele
Written by Adele and with its producer, Greg Kurstin, this song that everyone knows is a piano ballad with soul influences and lyrics that discuss regret and nostalgia.
“Hello” was a massive global success for Adele, topping the records charts in a record-setting 36 countries!
By the end of 2015 the song had sold 12.3 million units globally, standing as one of the best-selling digital singles of all-time.
40. “Dancing Queen” by ABBA
This Europop and disco song, by the Swedish group ABBA, was a worldwide hit and one that will remain in listeners’ hearts and heads forever.
It became ABBA’s only number one hit in the United States, and topped the charts in a whopping 14 other countries!
“Dancing Queen” also reached the top five in many other countries, partly due to its feature in the popular movie “Mamma Mia”.
41. “Barbie Girl” by Aqua
This 1997 hit was written after Søren Rasted saw an exhibit on kitsch culture in Denmark that featured Barbie dolls.
The song topped charts worldwide, particularly in European countries such as the United Kingdom, where it was a number-one hit for four weeks and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time.
It is by far Aqua’s most popular work and was also performed as the interval act in the Eurovision Song Contest 2001.
42. “All Star” by Smash Mouth
“All Star” is a song that everyone knows by rock band Smash Mouth, from their second studio album “Astro Lounge”.
Written by Greg Camp and produced by Eric Valentine, the song was released in 1999.
Camp said he drew musical influence from contemporary music by artists like Sugar Ray and Third Eye Blind, and sought out to create an “anthem” for outcasts.
The song shot to popularity after its use in the movie “Shrek”.
43. “Party In The U.S.A.” by Miley Cyrus
“Party in the U.S.A.” is a song recorded by Miley Cyrus for her first EP “The Time of Our Lives”.
It was originally intended for Jessie J, but after deciding it was not edgy enough for her, it got passed to Cyrus and adjusted to fit her persona.
Not identifying with “Party in the U.S.A.”, Cyrus chose it for her EP partially due to a need for tracks.
44. “Hey Ya” by Outkast
This popular hit song was performed by the hip-hop duo Outkast, specifically group member André 3000, who wrote and produced the song.
The song that everyone knows quickly became a commercial success, reaching number one in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Czech Republic, Norway, and Sweden.
“Hey Ya!” received positive critical acclaim and is consistently ranked as one of the greatest songs of the 2000s, remaining incredibly popular still today.
45. “Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)” by Jay-Z
This song by rapper Jay-Z was released in 1998, featuring a sample of the song “It’s a Hard-Knock Life” from the 1977 musical Annie.
The RIAA certified it as a gold single in March 1999, reaching platinum status in 2015.
Additionally, it was nominated for Best Rap Solo Performance at the 41st Grammy Awards in 1999.
Outside of the United States, the song peaked within the top ten of the charts in 10 other countries!
46. “Shallow” by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
“Shallow” is a beautiful song that everyone knows, performed by Lady Gaga and actor and filmmaker Bradley Cooper.
It was released as the lead single from the soundtrack to the 2018 musical romantic drama film, A Star Is Born.
The song is showcased three times in the film, most prominently during a scene when Cooper’s character Jackson Maine invites Gaga’s character Ally to perform it onstage with him.
47. “Girls Just Want To Have Fun” by Cyndi Lauper
This song was originally written, recorded and performed by musician Robert Hazard, who released it as a single in 1979.
The best known version, though, is by Cyndi Lauper, who covered the song in 1983.
Lauper’s version gained recognition as a feminist anthem and was promoted by a Grammy-winning music video.
This popular song that everyone knows has been covered by many other artists, with versions released by over 30 others!
48. “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani
Hollaback Girl draws influence from 1980s hip-hop and dance music.
It was written by Stefani, Pharrell Williams, and Chad Hugo, with the latter two handling production as the Neptunes.
The song was one of 2005’s most popular songs, reaching the top 10 of the majority of charts it entered.
It reached number one in Australia and the US, where it became the first digital download ever to sell one million copies!
49. “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
Following an unsuccessful period between 2001 and 2004, critics dubbed “We Belong Together” as Carey’s musical comeback, as many had considered her career over.
This song that everyone knows interpolates lyrics from Bobby Womack’s “If You Think You’re Lonely Now” and the Deele’s “Two Occasions”, and the lyrics chronicle a woman’s desperation for her former lover to return.
This song shot to popularity thanks to Carey’s excellent vocal performance.
50. “I Will Always Love You” by Whitney Houston
Originally written by Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston recorded this song in 1992, with her version peaking at number one for a record-breaking 14 weeks.
It was Houston’s first Diamond single, making her the third female artist who had both a Diamond single and a Diamond album, and becoming the best-selling single by a woman in the US!
With 20 million copies sold it became the best-selling single of all time by a female solo artist.
51. “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls
This song is the debut single by English girl group the Spice Girls, and is a moderately paced dance-pop song which features Mel B and Geri Halliwell rapping.
Lyrically, it addresses the value of female friendship over relationships and became an iconic symbol of female empowerment, emblematic of the group’s Girl Power philosophy.
“Wannabe” won Best British-Written Single at the 1997 Ivor Novello Awards and British Single of the Year at the 1997 Brit Awards.
52. “Shake It Off” by Taylor Swift
An uptempo dance-pop hit, this song is about Swift’s indifference to her haters and their negative view of her image.
Contemporary critics found the song catchy, but some believed the lyrics to be weak.
On the other hand, many consider “Shake It Off” to be the song which transformed Swift’s sound and image from country to pop.
Whether you love it or aren’t a fan, this is one of the best songs that everyone knows!
53. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond
“Sweet Caroline” is a song written and performed by Neil Diamond, released in 1969.
In a 2007 interview, Diamond stated the inspiration for his song was John F. Kennedy’s daughter, Caroline, who was eleven years old at the time.
Diamond famously sang the song for her at her 50th birthday celebration in 2007.
The song has become incredibly popular and, as of 2014, has sold over two million digital downloads in the United States alone.
54. “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
First released independently in 2018, Lil Nas X also recorded an incredibly popular remix with country singer Billy Ray Cyrus, which was released in 2019.
The song has been labeled as country rap, a genre that had not often reached the mainstream prior to “Old Town Road”.
At the time, Lil Nas X had been living with his sister after dropping out of college; his real-life struggles were an influence on some of the lyrics.
55. “Stacy’s Mom” by Fountains of Wayne
“Stacy’s Mom”, by Fountains of Wayne, was inspired by a friend of bassist Adam Schlesinger’s when he was young, who was attracted to Schlesinger’s grandmother.
It is a power pop song, in which the group hoped to recreate the sound of the rock band the Cars.
The song that everyone knows and loves was the only mainstream hit from the band, and is for sure their signature song.
56. “I’ll Make Love To You” by Boyz II Men
This song that everyone knows, which was written by Babyface, was the lead single from Boyz II Men’s second album, II (1994).
“I’ll Make Love to You” was the third best performing song in the 1990s on Billboard, as well as ranking on their Greatest of All-Time chart.
It even won them the Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and was nominated for Record of the Year.
57. “Rocket Man (I Think It’s Going to Be a Long, Long Time)” by Elton John
This song that everyone knows, written and recorded by Elton John, was originally released in 1972 as the lead single to John’s album Honky Château.
In 2022, the song was certified double platinum by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) for sales and streams of 1,200,000 digital downloads and streaming sales!
With sales of 3 million in the US the song was certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
58. “I Gotta Feeling” by the Black Eyed Peas
This song that everyone knows debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100, making the group one of 11 artists who have occupied the top two positions at the same time (alongside their single “Boom Boom Pow”).
“I Gotta Feeling” was nominated for Record of the Year at the 52nd Grammy Awards and won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals.
59. “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
“Uptown Funk” is a song by record producer Mark Ronson, featuring singer-songwriter Bruno Mars.
The song that everyone knows was written by Ronson, Mars, Jeff Bhasker, and Philip Lawrence, and produced by the former three.
Its composition came during a freestyle studio session when they worked on a jam Mars and his band played on tour.
The song had great success, but copyright controversies arose, resulting in multiple lawsuits and amendments to its songwriting credits.
60. “One Dance” by Drake
This song that everyone knows by rapper and singer Drake features guest vocals from Nigerian afrobeats artist WizKid and British singer Kyl, and was co-written by all three artists.
“One Dance” reached number one in 15 countries, becoming Drake’s first number-one single in all 15 countries as the lead artist.
It became the second dancehall song of 2016 to top the Billboard Hot 100 after Rihanna’s “Work”, which also featured Drake.
61. “Macarena” by Los del Río
“Macarena” is a song that everyone knows and loves to dance to by Spanish pop duo Los del Río, about a woman of the same name.
The popular song got the group ranked the “No. 1 Greatest One-Hit Wonder of All Time” by VH1 in 2002 and, in 2012, it was ranked number 7 on Billboard’s All Time Top 100.
It also ranked at number 1 on Billboard’s All Time Latin Songs!
62. “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias
“Bailando” (in English: ”Dancing”) is a song by Spanish singer-songwriter Enrique Iglesias.
The song spent 41 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Latin Songs chart.
Iglesias also released two alternative Portuguese versions of the song: one version destined for the Brazilian market with additional vocals by singer Luan Santana, and the other for the Portuguese market featuring vocals of the singer Mickael Carreira.
63. “Umbrella” by Rihanna ft. Jay-Z
This song that everyone knows features American rapper Jay-Z, who co-wrote the song with its producers Tricky Stewart and Kuk Harrell, with additional writing from The-Dream.
It was originally written with Britney Spears in mind, who rejected the song.
It then got passed on to Mary J. Blige (who also rejected it due to Grammy Awards scheduling).
Lyrically, it refers to a romantic and platonic relationship and the strength of their bond.
64. “When I Get Where I’m Going” by Brad Paisley
“When I Get Where I’m Going'” is a song written by George Teren and Rivers Rutherford, and recorded by American country music artist Brad Paisley.
It was released in October 2005 as the second single from his album Time Well Wasted and is his 14th career single (not counting album cuts).
The song features harmony vocals from Dolly Parton.
The song was Parton’s 25th Billboard No. 1, and Paisley’s fifth.
65. “Hot In Herre” by Nelly
Released in 2002 by Universal Records, this song that everyone knows was written by Nelly, Charles Brown, and producers the Neptunes.
It features additional vocals by former labelmate Dani Stevenson and incorporates its hook from Chuck Brown’s 1979 single “Bustin’ Loose”.
The song won Nelly the Grammy Award for Best Male Rap Solo Performance at the 45th Annual Grammy Awards in 2003.
66. “California Gurls” by Katy Perry
“California Gurls” was recorded by singer Katy Perry (featuring verses from rapper Snoop Dogg) and served as the lead single for her third studio album, Teenage Dream (2010).
According to Perry, it’s an answer song to “Empire State of Mind” (2009), by Jay-Z and Alicia Keys.
The song has influences of new wave and electropop, and the lyrics are an ode to California, in which both Perry and Snoop Dogg were born and raised.
67. “Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones
This song that everyone knows was recorded in 1966 by the popular English rock band the Rolling Stones.
A product of Mick Jagger and Keith Richards’ songwriting partnership, it is an uptempo song with Indian, Middle Eastern and Eastern European influences and features lyrics about grief and loss.
Reviews at the time were mixed and some music critics believed its sitar sound was an attempt to copy the Beatles – nevertheless, everyone loves this great song!
68. “(Everything I Do) I Do it for You” by Bryan Adams
This power ballad was the lead single for both the soundtrack album from the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves and Adams’s sixth studio album, Waking Up the Neighbours (1991).
The single was released on June 17, 1991 and was an enormous chart success worldwide.
It reached the number-one position on the music charts of at least nineteen countries internationally, reaching all continents!
69. “What’s Up?” by 4 Non Blondes
“What’s Up?” is a song that everyone knows by American rock group 4 Non Blondes, released as the second single from their 1992 debut album, Bigger, Better, Faster, More!.
The song quickly gained popularity in the United States and in several European countries, peaking at number one in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Sweden, and Switzerland.
70. “Baba O’Riley” by The Who
This song that everyone knows by the English rock band the Who, and the opening track to their fifth album Who’s Next (1971).
“Baba O’Riley” appears in Time magazine’s “All-Time 100 Songs” list, Rolling Stone’s list of “The 500 Greatest Songs of All Time”, and the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as one of the 500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll.
71. “Three Little Birds” by Bob Marley & The Wailers
This is one of Marley’s most popular songs and has been covered by numerous other artists, becoming a hit worldwide.
The song is often thought to be named “Don’t Worry About a Thing” or “Every Little Thing is Gonna Be Alright”, because of the prominent and repeated use of these phrases in the chorus.
Either way, it’s a beautiful and uplifting funeral song and will bring a smile to your service!
72. “Teenage Dirtbag” by Wheatus
This song that everyone knows, written by guitarist and vocalist Brendan B. Brown, is said to be inspired by a childhood experience of his.
The song was successful in Australia, being certified 3× Platinum, and becoming the second-best-selling single of 2000.
It also reached number one in Austria and Flanders while peaking at number two in the United Kingdom, where it was certified 2× Platinum.
It has sold 5 million copies worldwide as of 2014!
73. “What Dreams Are Made Of” by Norman Greenbaum
“What Dreams Are Made Of” is a song that was recorded for The Lizzie McGuire Movie.
It was performed at the end of the Iconic teen movie by Hilary Duff, as the character Lizzie McGuire, as well as her identical celebrity counterpart Isabella.
Everyone who loves disney has heard of this upbeat song! Definitely one of the best disney songs.
74. “Survivor” by Destiny’s Child
“Survivor” is a song that everyone knows, recorded by Destiny’s Child in 2001.
The song is said to be inspired by a joke that a radio station had made about the fact that three members had already left the group, comparing the band to the reality game show Survivor.
Beyoncé was inspired to take the negative comment and turn it into a positive by writing a song out of it – good for her!
75. “All I Want for Christmas Is You” by Mariah Carey
“All I Want for Christmas Is You” is a song recorded by the queen of christmas, Mariah Carey, for her fourth studio album and first holiday album, Merry Christmas (1994).
The track is an uptempo love song that includes bell chimes, backing vocals and synthesizers.
The song has become a Christmas standard and continues to surge in popularity each holiday season – it is definitely a song that everyone knows come the holiday season!
Songs Everyone Knows – Final Thoughts
With a range and variety of genres to pick from, this list is a great starting point if you want to buff up on your music knowledge.
I bet that you knew at least one song on that list – if you didn’t, make sure to give them a listen!
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