The 20 Most Popular Songs of All Time

Music can trigger our memories immediately. The most popular song when you were a senior in high school can immediately take you back to that heinous peach taffeta cummerbund you wore to match your date — or the smell of Charlie, Love’s Baby Soft, or Tweed.
It can also drive us batty! Some of Billboard’s top 20 best selling songs of all time will make you smile…and some will make you seek out your favorite ear worm repellant.
So, do you love or hate the world’s most favorite songs?

20. “I’ll Make Love To You”, Boyz II Men
Now that this is stuck in your head just reading the title, you are probably having flashbacks to junior high school boys singing this at you while you cringed and prayed your dad wouldn’t kill anybody, embarrassing you at school forever.

19. “(Everything I do) I Do It For You”, Bryan Adams
Yes, it’s schmaltzy. Yes, it’s from that awful movie. And you belt out the bridge in your car every time it comes on. Don’t lie. I see you gripping the steering wheel, shouting “THERE’S NO LOVE/LIKE YOUR LOVE…”

18. “Foolish Games/You Were Meant For Me”, Jewel
The only song on the planet that is actually worse than this one is “What’s Going On” by 4 Non Blondes. Who is buying this music?

17. “Tonight’s the Night (Gonna Be Alright)”, Rod Stewart
One assumes this was purchased en masse by the Adult Contemporary crowd after a couple of bottles of chardonnay and a twentieth wedding anniversary.

16. “Endless Love,” Diana Ross and Lionel Ritchie
This takes you right back to couple skates and making out at the drive-in before getting home in time for “Love Boat.”

15. “Bette Davis Eyes,” Kim Carnes
This gravelly vocal gripped people of all ages in every English-speaking nation. It also familiarized the public with synthesized clapping.

14. “Yeah!” Usher featuring Lil John and Ludacris
Yes, you’re sick of this song. Yes, you get up on the floor when it comes on in the club like you were programmed by the CIA. It is scientifically irresistible.

13. “Un-break My Heart”, Toni Braxton
This is the song you sing melodramatically at your significant other when they have eaten the last of the ice cream or used the last Keurig pod.

12. “Uptown Funk!”, Mark Robson featuring Bruno Mars
Even if you hate this song (which is psychologically impossible, FYI), you crack a smile when he sings “smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy.” You know you do. Don’t even try to act like you don’t.

11. “We Belong Together,” Mariah Carey
Because Wentworth Miller. That’s why everyone likes this song. Look at him. LOOK.

10. “Hey Jude”, The Beatles
See? Just seeing the title, don’t you immediately “start to make it better better better better better ARRRGHHH!”?

9. “You Light Up My Life”, Debby Boone
This is the last time the world got this excited about a song about loving Jesus, mostly because people thought it was just about some dude.

8. “Physical”, Olivia Newton John
This one inspired girls from 4-44 to get leg warmers, though we all felt a little uncomfortable emulating the 1980’s version of slutty Sandy from “Grease”.

7. “Macarena (Bayside Boys mix)”, Los Del Rio
You got sick of this song the fifth time you heard it, but your Uncle Earl gets up and does it on every Carnival Cruise he’s sailed.

6. “I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
I can’t speak for everyone, but every time I’ve heard this song on the way to a night out, it ended being the actual worst night. Ever.

5. “Party Rock Anthem,” LMFAO Featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
One assumes this ascended around the time people started giving children iPods.

4. “How Do I Live,” LeAnne Rimes.
Well, according to the exes of most of your boyfriends, by going out with other ladies’ dudes.

3. “Mack the Knife,” Bobby Darin
This charming and catchy song about murder made your grandparents’ eyes twinkle. Aww.

2. “Smooth,” Santana Featuring Rob Thomas
I took a poll of the entire known universe, and everyone who bought this song now deeply regrets it.

And at number 1. “The Twist,” Chubby Checker
This song is 57 years old and still the most beloved tune in the history of humanity (well, since Billboard charts, anyhow). In addition to being heckin’ fun, this number is also a good workout (consult with your physician before undertaking any Chubby Checker related activities).