Top 10 Pop Songs of All Time

While Spanish speakers were already warm to Shakira's form back in 2006, “Hips Don't Lie” made everyone fall in love with the Colombian star. The song became one of the most popular tracks of the entire decade thanks to Shakira's distinctive vocals, that melodious chorus, and the blistering Latin music, a lively and thumping mix never before heard. This tune is the true definition of a worldwide hit, and it reached number one in a staggering fifty five countries and set the record for the fastest selling single to reach one million digital downloads. It's a well-deserved reward, as the song is original, fresh, and a whole lot of fun.

Love or hate Lady Gaga, you can't deny that she creates some wickedly memorable tunes. After a strong debut with “Just Dance”, Gaga released “Poker Face” and we fell in love all over again. While you can certainly dance to the song, it also highlights Gaga’s darker sound, something, which makes her stand out from the other pop stars. Complete with Europop synthesizers, robotic-sounding vocals, and a memorable chorus, the track’s music video also introduced the world to Gaga’s obsession with the bizarre. Having sold over thirteen million copies, it is now one of the best-selling singles of all time, a claim that it certainly deserves.

You know what everyone wanted in 1997? More Spice Girls. Already a summer hit in Europe in 1996, this song washed up on North American shores in the winter of ‘97 and spread across North America like a plague. The lyrics evoke themes of independence and it quickly became a Girl Power anthem throughout the world even if no one knew what the hell “zigazig-ing” was. While the Spice Girls never quite matched this level of success again, they didn't need to, as they had successfully entered the zeitgeist and left a lasting impression. Seriously though, what is zigazig-ing!?

By the end of the 2000s, Katy Perry wasn’t the most famous pop star in the world, but she was well on her way. Once “California Gurls” dropped in May of 2010, the lead single effectively demonstrated that a new star had emerged. Of course, the vibrant music video bolstered Perry’s image, but for the music itself, “California Girls” functions as the quintessential summer hit featuring one of the most commercially viable hip-hop artists in Snoop Dogg. While “Firework” offered a message of inspiration and “Teenage Dream” catered to a younger demographic, Katy’s ode to California invited viewers in for a collective party and reminded that classic pop songs are all about having fun.

Released just days into the new century, “Bye Bye Bye” was a bit of a holdover from the teen pop craze that rocked the world in the late '90s. Complete with its earworm of a chorus and unforgettable music video, “Bye Bye Bye” was one of NSYNC’s best songs, and it solidified them as contenders for the boy band crown. Two years later *NSYNC was no more, but the breakup lead to Justin Timberlake’s fantastic solo career where massive tracks like “SexyBack” proved the singer as a legendary musical talent.

While Lauper’s version was renowned for its feminist approach, this song was actually written and performed by a man named Robert Hazard in 1979. After altering some lyrics with Hazard’s approval, Lauper’s debut single shot her to instant fame. With the help of its classic music video, this song reached the top spot in ten countries and became a feminist anthem. It's an instantly recognizable piece from its very first synthesized notes, and Lauper’s energetic vocals carry a sense of fun throughout the entire song while still retaining a powerful stance. It was a tricky balancing act, but Lauper pulled it off perfectly, creating one of the most memorable songs of the 1980s!

First released as a country single in the '70's by its writer, Dolly Parton, Whitney Houston's R&B infused version became one of the greatest cover songs in music history. Houston showcases her powerhouse vocals throughout the song, reaching heights that other singers can only dream of, proving herself to be one of the greatest vocalists of all time. The song was a massive commercial success, spending a then-record fourteen weeks at number one and was certified 4x platinum only two months after its release in 1992.

By the end of the 1990's Britney Spears was just an ambitious 16-year-old former Mouseketeer in the age of pop groups like Backstreet Boys, Spice Girls, and NSYNC. But that all changed for the Princess of Pop with the release of this solo powerhouse of a song. It reached number one in every country that it charted and singled out Britney as a cultural phenomenon, helping to pave the way for other successful teen pop solo artists like Mandy Moore and Christina Aguilera. Her powerful vocals complement the energetic sound of the production to create a true ' classic, filled with catchy hooks and a memorable chorus that made her a superstar in the process.

The Queen of 80s pop proved that her transition to the new decade would be as smooth as butter. The Material Girl vogued her way into the '90s dropping this single in March of 1990 and watched as it peaked at the top of the charts in over thirty countries. Influenced by the disco styles of the 1970s, Madonna created a fantastic dance-house track that helped establish what dance music would become throughout the decade. Madonna not only brought “vogueing” and house music into the mainstream, she briefly made disco cool again and created one of the best music videos of all time.

Honorable Mentions

“I Gotta Feeling” (2009)
The Black Eyed Peas

“Rolling in the Deep” (2010)
Adele

“Shake It Off” (2014)
Taylor Swift

“I Want It That Way” (1999)
Backstreet Boys

“Barbie Girl” (1997)
Aqua

“Bootylicious” (2001)
Destiny’s Child

Admit it. Even if you're not a fan of Michael Jackson, you love this song. "Billie Jean" just screams "classic" from the title, with the groovy opening notes of the bass transitioning to the sharp sounds of the synthesizer. It's instantly recognizable, and insanely memorable. Michael commands the song, from the powerful chorus to his signature vocal hiccups spread throughout the song. There's truly something here for everyone, whether it be the stellar production, Michael himself, the wicked guitar solo, or the confident, dominating lyrics. Often considered to be one of the best pop songs of all time, "Billie Jean" is a true, timeless classic and arguably one of Michael's greatest achievements.

So do you agree with our selections? What’s your favorite pop song of all time? For more musical top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to MsMojo.