The top song that came out the year you were born
- What was the biggest song that came out the year you were born?
- INSIDER looked at Billboard's year-end No. 1 singles since 1940 to help determine our roundup.
- The list consists of Prince's "When Doves Cry," Whitney Houston's "I Will Always Love You," and Beyoncé's "Irreplaceable."
If you're looking to make the ultimate music playlist, your search is over.
INSIDER looked at Billboard's year-end No. 1 pop and R&B singles going back to the 1940s along with their Hot 100 list to collect the top singles. For songs prior to 1946, before the year-end list existed, we looked at the singles that stayed at No. 1 on the Billboard charts the longest.
Keep reading to see the songs you should add to your playlist of classics.
SEE ALSO: The most popular summer song every year you were born
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1940: "I'll Never Smile Again" — Tommy Dorsey
Frank Sinatra performed vocals for the song along with the Pied Pipers. The song spent a dozen weeks at No. 1 on Billboard's singles chart.
You can listen to the song here.
1941: "Amapola (Pretty Little Poppy)" — Jimmy Dorsey
Originally written by Spanish-American composer José Maria Lacalle Garcia, Dorsey's popular version of the song that stayed at number one on the Billboard charts for 10 weeks.
Glenn Miller's "Chattanooga Choo Choo" was a close second. It spent nine weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard singles chart.
You can listen to "Amapola" here.
1942: "White Christmas" — Bing Crosby
Crosby's version of the Irving Berlin song holds the record for being the best-selling single ever since 2012. According to Guinness World Records, it has sold an estimated 50 million copies. Crosby's song was featured in the film "White Christmas."
Listen to the holiday classic here.
1943: "I've Heard That Song Before" — Harry James
The song appeared on the 1942 film "Youth on Parade" and was nominated for best original song at the Oscars. It lost to Bing Crosby's "White Christmas."
1944: "Swinging on a Star" — Bing Crosby
The song appeared in 1944's "Going My Way" and won an Academy Award for best original song. Listen to the song here.
1945: "'Till the End of Time" — Perry Como
The song was No. 1 for nine weeks on the Billboard charts. Les Brown and Doris Day's "Sentimental Journey" also spent the same amount of weeks as No. 1.
You can listen to the song here.
1946: "The Gypsy" — The Ink Spots
Perry Como's "Prisoner of Love" may have been Billboard's year-end top single of the year, but the magazine voted "The Gypsy" as the year's top tune.
1947: "Near You" — Francis Craig
The Francis Craig hit was the year's top disk jockey record, according to Billboard. You can listen to it here.
1948: "Buttons and Bows" — Dinah Shore
Though Pee Wee Hunt's "Twelfth Street Rag" was the year-end No. 1 Billboard single of the year, Billboard magazine named Dinah Shore's "Buttons and Bows" No. 1 on "the honor roll of hits" and the top "disk in the nation's jukeboxes."
"I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover" is another notable mention.
You can listen to the song here.
1949: "Riders in the Sky (A Cowboy Legend) — Vaughn Monroe
Numerous recordings of the country/western song have been made over the years by the likes of Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, and even Sesame Street.
You can listen to the original song here.
1950: "Goodnight, Irene" — Gordon Jenkins and The Weavers
The version by The Weavers is a cover of the original song. It was released a year after the death of Lead Belly who sang the song first. Listen to the song here.
1951: "Too Young" — Nat King Cole
The song was originally written by Sidney Lippman and Sylvia Dee. You can listen to "Too Young" here.
1952: "Blue Tango" — Leroy Anderson
Anderson's instrumental recording was the top Billboard song and seller of the year. You can listen to the song here.
1953: "The Song From Moulin Rouge (Where Is Your Heart)" — Percy Faith
Featured in 1952's "Moulin Rouge," starring Zsa Zsa Gabor, the song topped the Billboard singles of the year and was a No. 1 single on the Billboard charts for 10 weeks.
1954: "Little Things Mean A Lot" — Kitty Kallen
Kallen's version of the 1953 hit is the most popular version of the song. It was ranked as the top song of the year by Billboard.
You can listen to the song here.
1955: "Cherry Pink (and Apple Blossom White)"— Pérez Prado
Prado made a version of the original 1950 song. You can listen to it here.
1956: "Heartbreak Hotel" — Elvis Presley
Though "Heartbreak Hotel" was the No. 1 single of the year, Presley's songs "Hound Dog" and "Don't Be Cruel" were on the Billboard No. 1 for 11 weeks, three weeks longer than "Heartbreak Hotel."
You can listen to the song here.
1957: "All Shook Up" — Elvis Presley
The song was so popular that the Beatles and Billy Joel have done their own renditions of the song. Listen to the song here.
1958: "Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)" — Domenico Modugno
It received both song of the year and record of the year at the first Grammy Awards in May 1959. You can listen to the song here.
1959: "The Battle of New Orleans" — Johnny Horton
The song was the No. 1 pop and country single of the year. You can listen to it here. Horton died a year later in a car crash.
"Stagger Lee" was the No. 1 R&B single of the year, which you can listen to here.
1960: "Theme From a Summer Place" — Percy Faith
The song was featured in the 1959 film "A Summer Place" staring Richard Egan, Dorothy McGuire, Troy Donahue, and Sandra Dee. Listen to the song here.
1961: "Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby Lewis
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the R&B chart for several weeks. Listen to the song here.
1962: "Big Girls Don't Cry" — Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons
The song was on the Billboard Hot 100 for five weeks during the holiday season. Listen to the song here.
1963: "Surfin' U.S.A." — The Beach Boys
Billboard ranked the Beach Boys' summer track the No. 1 song of the year. Listen to the song here.
1964: "I Want to Hold Your Hand" — The Beatles
The Beatles' song hit No. 1 in the US, UK, Norway, Sweden, Netherlands, and Australia. Listen to the song here.
1965: "I Can't Help Myself" — Four Tops
The song has inspired covers by The Supremes, Donnie Elbert, and more. Listen to it here.
1966: "The Ballad of the Green Berets" — Staff Sergeant Barry Allen Sadler
Written by Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler, the song was No. 1 in the United States for five weeks in 1966. Listen to the song here.
1967: "Respect" — Aretha Franklin
A different version of the song was originally released by Otis Redding before becoming a hit song for Franklin. She won two Grammys for "Respect" in 1968. Listen to the song here.
1968: "Hey Jude" — The Beatles
Paul McCartney originally wrote the song "Hey Jules" for John Lennon's son during his parent's divorce. It eventually became "Hey Jude." Rolling Stone has called it the eighth greatest song of all time. Listen to the song here.
1969: "Sugar, Sugar" — The Archies
The song first appeared in the cartoon "The Archie Show" with the popular comic characters. It ended up spending four weeks at the top of the US Billboard Hot 100 chart. Watch the music video here.
1970: "Bridge Over Troubled Water" — Simon & Garfunkel
The song won several awards at the Grammys, including best contemporary song and song of the year. Listen to the song here.
1971: "Joy to the World" — Three Dog Night
The song was released on the band's fourth studio album, 1970's "Naturally." It's featured on the soundtrack of 1983's "The Big Chill." Listen to it here.
1972: "Let's Stay Together" — Al Green
The song has been used in numerous movies and TV shows, from "Pulp Fiction" to "Parks and Recreation." Listen to it here.
1973: "Let's Get It On" — Marvin Gaye
The song helped mark Marvin Gaye as a sex icon and is one of the singer's most popular singles. Listen to it here.
1974: "The Way We Were" — Barbra Streisand
The song won the Golden Globe for best original song in 1974 and Grammy song of the year the following year. Listen to it here.
1975: "Love Will Keep Us Together" — Captain & Tennille
Dragon and Tennille won record of the year for "Love Will Keep Us Together" at the 1976 Grammys. Listen to the song here.
1976: "Silly Love Songs" — Wings
McCartney wrote the song after critics criticized the former Beatle of only writing love songs.
"The song was, in a way, to answer people who just accuse me of being soppy," McCartney told Billboard. Listen to it here.
1977: "Tonight's The Night (Gonna Be Alright)" — Rod Stewart
"Tonight's the Night" is on Stewart's 1976 album, "A Night on the Town." It's has been covered by numerous artists including Janet Jackson. Listen to it here.
1978: "Shadow Dancing" — Andy Gibb
The song reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks in 1978. It was Gibb's final hit. Listen to the song here.
1979: "My Sharona" — The Knack
The song was the debut single of the band and was certified gold. It appeared in the game "Rock Band" and the movie "Super 8." Listen to the song here.
1980: "Call Me" — Blondie
"Call Me" was the theme song of 1980s movie "American Gigolo." Listen to it here.
1981: "Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim Carnes
This was a close one because it's the same year "Endless Love" from Diana Ross and Lionel Richie also rose to the top of the Billboard charts. Carnes' version of "Bette Davis Eyes" won the Grammy for record of the year and song of the year. Listen to it here.
1982: "Physical" — Olivia Newton-John
"Physical" is the lead single on Newton-John's 12th album. Watch the music video here.
1983: "Every Breath You Take" — The Police
Sting's song from the 1983 album "Synchronicity" was a hit in both the US and UK. Watch the music video here.
It's also worth giving a shout-out to Marvin Gaye's "Sexual Healing" from the same year.
1984: "When Doves Cry" — Prince
The song was the lead single on Prince's iconic album "Purple Rain." Watch the music video here.
1985: "Careless Whisper" — George Michael
The song was Michael's first solo single. You can listen to it here.
1986: "That's What Friends Are For" — Dionne Warwick featuring Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder
Warwick, Wonder, and Knight, along with composer Elton John, won the Grammy for best pop group performance that year at the 29th annual awards show. You can listen to it here.
1987: "Walk Like An Egyptian" — The Bangles
The song was the third single from their album "Different Light." The group has said it's one of their least favorite songs. Watch the music video here.
1988: "Faith" — George Michael
The song was featured on Michael's debut solo album. Watch the music video here.
1989: "Look Away" — Chicago
The ballad was Chicago's top single. Watch the music video here.
1990: "Hold On" — Wilson Phillips
The song won the Billboard Music Award for hot 100 single of the year in 1990. Watch the music video here.
1991: "(Everything I Do) I Do It For You" — Bryan Adams
The song appeared on the soundtrack of "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" and became an international hit. It won the Grammy for best song written for a motion picture or television. Watch the music video here.
1992: "End Of The Road" — Boyz II Men
The song won best R&B performance by a duo or group at the 1993 Grammys. Watch the music video here.
1993: "I Will Always Love You" — Whitney Houston
Whitney Houston recorded her own version of the Dolly Parton song for her movie, "The Bodyguard." The song won the 1994 Grammy record of the year. It is the best-selling single by a female artist ever. Listen to it here.
1994: "The Sign" — Ace of Base
"The Sign" is one of three singles from the Swedish band's 1993 album of the same name. Watch the music video here.
1995: "Gangsta's Paradise" — Coolio featuring L.V.
The song was featured on the soundtrack of Michelle Pfeiffer's 1995 movie "Dangerous Minds." Listen to it here.
1996: "Macarena" — Los del Rio
The ubiquitous dance song of the '90s is a go-to song at parties and weddings. Watch the music video here.
1997: "Something About The Way You Look Tonight" — Elton John
The same year, John's "Candlelight in the Wind" rose to the top of the chart after performing a new version of his 1973 hit at Princess Diana's funeral. Billboard named both of them the year-end pop songs of the year.
You can listen to "Something About The Way You Look Tonight" here.
1998: "Too Close" — Next
"Too Close" is one of the great one-hit wonders of the '90s. It was featured on the soundtrack for "Save the Last Dance" and ended up topping Billboard's end-year chart for 1998. Watch the music video here.
1999: "Believe" — Cher
The dance-pop song was the lead single from Cher's 22nd album. It has appeared in episodes of "Friends," "Grey's Anatomy," and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer."
Watch the music video for "Believe" here.
2000: "Breathe" — Faith Hill
The song never made it to the top of the Billboard Hot 100, but it was named the number one single of 2000. Watch the music video here.
2001: "Hanging By A Moment" — Lifehouse
The song was the first single released from the alternative band's first album. Watch the music video here.
2002: "How You Remind Me" — Nickelback
According to Nielsen Soundscan, the song was the most-played song on the US radio in the 2000s. Watch the music video here.
2003: "In Da Club" — 50 Cent
The song was the rapper's first No. 1 single. The song's music video won best rap video at 2003's MTV Video Music Awards. Watch the music video here.
2004: "Yeah!" — Usher featuring Lil' Jon and Ludacris
The only song that overthrew Usher's "Yeah!" from the top of the Billboard chart was his next single, "Burn." Plus, it made Lil' Jon's "Yeah!" meme-worthy and the topic of a famous Dave Chappelle bit. Watch the music video here.
2005: "We Belong Together" — Mariah Carey
The song came when some critics thought Carey's career was coming to an end. "We Belong Together" won best R&B song and best female R&B vocal performance at the 48th annual Grammys. Watch the music video here.
2006: "Bad Day" — Daniel Powter
The song has been parodied and used extensively in ads and TV shows. It's been used so much since its release that Powter said he felt "detached from the song" because it's essentially in the public domain. Watch the music video here.
2007: "Irreplaceable" — Beyoncé
The song was on Beyoncé's second album, "B'Day." Watch the music video here.
2008: "Low" — Flo Rida featuring T-Pain
It was the biggest No. 1 single of 2008. Listen to it here.
2009: "Boom Boom Pow" — The Black Eyed Peas
It was the group's first No. 1 single in the US and won the Grammy for best short form music video. Watch the music video here.
2010: "TiK ToK" — Kesha
The song was Kesha's debut single. The song has been parodied by Weird Al in a verse of "Polka Face" and appeared on "The Simpsons." Watch the music video here.
2011: "Rolling In The Deep" — Adele
Adele's music video for "Rolling in the Deep" is one of the few to cross one billion views. Watch it here.
2012: "Somebody That I Used To Know" — Gotye featuring Kimbra
The song won Grammys for best pop duo/group performance and record of the year. Watch the music video here.
2013: "Thrift Shop" — Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
The song won the Grammy for best rap performance and best rap song. Watch the music video here.
2014: "Happy" — Pharrell Williams
Pharrell delivered the perfect feel-good song of the summer in 2014. It was recorded for the "Despicable Me 2" soundtrack and wound up being that break-out song that just instantly puts you in a good mood and makes you want to get up and dance. Watch the music video here.
2015: "See You Again" — Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth
The song was made as a tribute for Paul Walker for the "Furious 7" soundtrack and spent 12 weeks at the top of Billboard's Hot 100 list. Until this summer, the video was the most-watched one on YouTube with more than three billion views. Watch the music video here.
Bruno Mars' "Uptown Funk" was at the top of the Billboard pop chart for the end of the year.
2016: "Love Yourself" — Justin Bieber
"Love Yourself" was one of the best-selling songs of 2016. Its music video has over 1.2 billion views on YouTube. Watch it here.
2017: "Despacito" — Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
This is near toss up between Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber. Sheeran's "Shape of You" was the top Billboard single of the year; however, Fonsi and Daddy Yankee's infectious club banger with Bieber was No. 1 on Billboard's Hot 100 chart for 16 consecutive weeks throughout summer 2017. That's longer than "Shape of You's" 11 weeks at the top of the chart.
The original song's music video was the first to reach five billion views on YouTube.
2018: "God's Plan" — Drake
Drake's "God's Plan" was Billboard's year-end No. 1 single and it probably made as much impact as it did because the rapper said he took the budget for the music video, $996,631.90, and gave it all away.
The entire music video shows Drake giving out money. He surprises fans with scholarships, free groceries, toys, cars, and wads of cash on the street. You can watch the emotional video here. Drake had a second big hit in 2018 when his song "In My Feelings" became a meme.