18 Pop Hits of All Time: The Toe-Tapping, Head-Bobbing Hall of Fame
Let’s take a tantalizing trip down the melody lane where each stop is more pop-tastic than the last. If your go-to move is belting out pop hits in the shower (admit it, we’ve all been there), then this is YOUR list.
Here we go, diving into the bubbly, infectious world of the greatest pop hits ever!
Table of Contents
The Golden Oldies: When Pop Was Young
Remember the days when jukeboxes were the Spotify of the world? Let’s rewind:
- “Billie Jean” by Michael Jackson – Moonwalk magic every time. MJ proved here why he’s the King of Pop.
- “Like a Virgin” by Madonna – Controversial? Yes. Iconic? Absolutely.
- “Dancing Queen” by ABBA – If you didn’t dance to this at a family wedding, were you even there?
90s Pop: The Age of Boy Bands & Pop Princesses
The 90s was THE era of frosted tips, baggy jeans, and pop hits that never fade:
- “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears – The princess of pop landed and how!
- “Wannabe” by Spice Girls – The song that gave us “Zig-a-zig-ah” and we’re still not sure what it means, but we love it!
- “I Want It That Way” by Backstreet Boys – Every 90s kid’s anthem. (Backstreet’s back, alright!)
21st Century Bops: Hello, Digital Age
MP3 players, early days of YouTube, and these gems:
- “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean – Fact: It’s impossible to sit still during this song.
- “Happy” by Pharrell Williams – Because I’m… You know the drill.
- “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele – This song made heartbreak sound so darn good!
The Age of Virality: Social Media Takes the Wheel
When TikTok, Twitter trends, and viral challenges started dictating the charts:
- “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran – Looping on radio stations and playlists for what felt like forever (in a good way)!
- “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee – A pop hit with Latin vibes that took over the summer…and the year.
- “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd – TikTok dance challenges galore with this synth-heavy banger!
Collaborations: Two (or More) is a Party!
Some hits are so big they need more than one superstar:
- “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars – Funk and pop had a baby, and this was it.
- “Senorita” by Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello – Steamy and catchy, the best combo.
- “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish (with a remix featuring Justin Bieber) – When the eerie met mainstream pop, and it was a match made in heaven.
Pop Goes Global: World Pop
Pop’s not just an English affair. The world chimed in with:
- “Gangnam Style” by Psy – Bet you just did the dance in your head!
- “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias ft. Sean Paul, Descemer Bueno, Gente de Zona – Fusion at its finest.
- “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna, Cardi B – A spicy blend of pop and reggaeton.
Through each era, one thing’s clear: Pop music is the heartbeat of generations. It’s ever-evolving, always current, and eternally catchy. But here’s the thing – with the world of music always churning out hits, this list is bound to expand.
