A catchy song has the ability to make or break your day. It can get stuck in your head, amp you up, or make you feel a little crazy! One thing is for sure though, when you hear one of these top hits, you have no choice but to sing along. Some are one-hit-wonders while others make great track after great track. These are the absolute catchiest songs ever produced. Be warned though, you might have these tunes on repeat after reading!
Don't Stop Believing- Journey
This is one of the most popular karaoke song choices. “Don’t Stop Believing” by Journey is an inspirational rock classic. Whether alone in your car or jamming out with friends, this is a certified crowd-pleaser. And hey, maybe you can get your hair to look like that, too--just an added bonus.
Royals- Lorde
Lorde was only a teenager when this song dropped, but it was clear she’d be around for a long time. The New Zealand native hit number eight on the Billboard Top 20 Hits of the 2010s chart, and for good reason. It’s also hailed for ushering in the new wave of “whisper pop” vocals. Sadly, we’ll never be royals...
Old Town Road- Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus
“Old Town Road” quickly became one of the world’s favorite songs. The track was written originally by artist Lil Nas X but reached peak popularity with its feature by Billy Ray Cyrus. It blew up even more on the app TikTok, where users could play the song while performing a dance alongside it. The music video had a guest appearance from Vince Staples, Rico Nasty, and Chris Rock, as well as many others. Though some people didn’t love the combination of country and rap, you have to admit, it’s pretty catchy.
I'm Blue- Eiffel 65
Be prepared to have this song in your head all day long. Though the lyrics are pretty mind-numbing, that doesn’t take away from how catchy this beat really is. “I’m blue da ba dee da ba da” might mean absolutely nothing, but it sure is fun to sing, or in some cases, scream at the top of your lungs.
Work- Rihanna ft. Drake
“Work” made waves with its danceability and impressive Drake feature. She mixed some reggae-pop tunes from her native Barbados with the signature R&B hip hop that the singer is known for. It became Rihanna’s fourteenth number-one single, setting a record of being the artist with the fourth most number one hits behind the Beatles, Mariah Carey, and Elvis Presley.
Can’t Stop the Feeling- Justin Timberlake
“Can’t Stop the Feeling” is by no means the best song by this Hollywood heartthrob, but it’s one of his most upbeat tunes, for sure. This song is a toe-tapping treat. It has reached over a billion views on YouTube and won a Grammy. Additionally, did you know it was written for the Trolls movie?
My Heart Will Go On- Celine Dion
“My Heart Will Go On” might seem like a weird choice, but hear me out. Put this song on in any room across the country at any time. Everyone knows the words, everyone wants to sing it, and everyone gets super into it. This was the main theme of the super famous Titanic film and is one of the best selling songs of all time, winning countless awards.
Stay With Me- Sam Smith
“Stay With Me” by Sam Smith isn’t exactly a party song, but it’s memorable nonetheless. The song is the singer’s most successful song to date, even more so than "Latch". In the lyrics, Sam begs a one-night stand to turn into something more, but that’s often easier said than done. It ranked number 12 on the Rolling Stone list of best songs from that year.
Truth Hurts- Lizzo
I just took a DNA test, turns out, Lizzo is 100% one of the best new artists of the past decade thanks to this fan favorite. Released in 2017, this song didn’t gain traction with listeners until 2019 when TikTok users made it popular and it was featured in the Netflix film, "Someone Great." The hook and chorus made it a female empowerment anthem and asked the big questions like “Why men great 'til they gotta be great?”
Teenage Dream- Katy Perry
“Teenage Dream” was the absolute peak of Katy Perry’s career. This 2010 era pop song hit the radio at full force, and it wasn’t long before everyone knew every word to this insta-hit. She went on to perform the song at the Super Bowl XLIX HalfTime Show. It topped many charts, and for good reason.
Baby- Justin Bieber
“Baby” might be the best or worst song of the decade, depending on who you ask. At one point it was the most disliked video on YouTube and had over 2.1 billion videos. However, you can’t help but sing along to the repetitive lyrics like “baby, baby, baby, OH!” Bonus points to everyone who knows the Ludacris rap verse!
Call Me Maybe- Carly Rae Jepsen
Hey...I just met you...and this is crazy, but...here’s my number so...call me maybe? Carly Rae Jepsen smashed onto the pop music scene with this debut single. It was kind of a meme, kind of a hit, but since then, Carly Rae has become a central voice of the pop world. Nothing ever lived up to that first single about being single, though.
Don't Cha- The Pussycat Dolls
Don’t Cha wish this song was playing all the time? The Pussycat Dolls had a huge hit on their hands in 2005. Their song was featured in films like Easy A, Alvin and the Chipmunks, Norbit, Date Movie, and G-Force. I mean, really… don’t cha wish your girlfriend was hot... like this song?
Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
Whenever you hear “Uptown Funk”, you have no choice but to sing along. Written by Mark Ronson in collaboration with Bruno Mars, this pop hit had everybody dancing to the sounds of the 80s in 2016. The track was an instant hit and remains super popular.
Bohemian Rhapsody- Queen
Could you imagine a catchy songs list without including this orchestra of the greatest music? British rock group Queen coined this iconic hit that is still relevant so many years later. It’s the UK’s third best selling single of all time and was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2004. Generations to come will surely be singing their Galileo’s for years to come.
Hey Soul Sister- Train
When Train released “Hey Soul Sister,” it became an instant radio favorite. The mild-tempered track achieved critical acclaim and is the band’s best performing song to date. It sold over 6 million copies in the US alone! It was performed by Train on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Live with Regis and Kelly, and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Shape of You- Ed Sheeran
“Shape of You” was literally everywhere in early 2017. Ed Sheeran is no stranger to a top track, but this dancehall diddy had an infectious hook and house music vibes that skyrocketed him to the top of the charts. It’s the ninth most successful song in the UK charts. It also won Best Solo Performance in 2017, and Ed's dance skills in the music video were honestly not too shabby.
Thank U, Next- Ariana Grande
Thank you, but you won’t be hitting ‘next’ on this song. The starlet took from her broken engagement, deceased ex Mac Miller, and other hardships to create an inspirational power anthem. The song empowers women to be grateful for past loves, but move on and learn from them, just like she did. The music video was also inspired by famous chick-flick movies.
Baby Shark
Hide your kids or else you’ll be hearing this song all day long. “Baby Shark” took the world by storm seemingly overnight. It was first popularized in places like Korea and Asia before coming to the West in 2018. It was also very big in summer camp settings. Now, you can buy your kids a bunch of Baby Shark related merchandise like bedsheets and T-Shirts.
...Baby One More Time- Britney Spears
Who better to ring in the catchiest songs than the pop princess herself? Britney Spears’ song “...Baby One More Time” was a debut single that took off quickly. It sold 10 million copies worldwide, and it’s easy to remember why. This 90s classic has been covered and redone so many times, and it still holds up.
Rolling in the Deep- Adele
Adele described her smash hit “Rolling in the Deep” as a “dark blues, gospel, disco tune” which might be the perfect way to highlight this track. The piano, the vocals, and the powerful chorus...it’s too much to handle! It won Record of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best Short Form Music Video of the Year at the 2012 Grammys.
Genie In a Bottle- Christina Aguilera
“Genie in a Bottle” adds a little mysticism to pop hits of the era. The sultry hit emphasized Aguilera’s powerful voice under an infectious beat. It’s often credited with redefining the sound of the late 90s, as many artists tried to replicate Christina’s aggressive but gentle vocals. It will always be a favorite...
Friday- Rebecca Black
That’s right, we’re digging up this one from 2011. The “Friday” song by Rebecca Black became a viral meme with everyone celebrating their favorite day of the week. Though it’s not technically a, what’s the word…”good” song, it still got trapped in everyone’s heads for that entire year. Gotta get down on Friday!
Bodak Yellow- Cardi B
“Bodak Yellow” by Cardi B was released in 2017 but has since become a hit at any party. “These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes” can make anyone feel like the baddest chick in the room. It topped the Billboard Top 100 chart for three weeks in a row and has become one of the rapper's most successful songs.
Hey Ya- OutKast
“Hey, Ya!” is the lead single from OutKast’s double album. Andre 3000 blends funk, groove, electronic beats and soul music in this party classic. Everyone dances to this song, getting people up off their seats and shaking it like a Polaroid picture!
Bye Bye Bye- NSYNC
NSYNC has given us countless classics, but none hit quite as hard as “Bye Bye Bye”. The lyrics are easy to remember and fun to sing, what more could you want? Though this boyband is now grown up and split up, it did give us this certified banger. It was the most radio added pop song of all time, not too bad for a boyband.
Single Ladies- Beyonce
If you like it then you should have put a ring on it! When Beyonce released “Single Ladies”, every single lady (no pun intended) adopted it as their anthem. Maybe more memorable than the chorus was the dance that went along with it. It’s since become a favorite play at weddings, dances, and nightclubs.
Happy- Pharrell Williams
Want a song to put you in a good mood instantly? So does Pharrell Williams, and that’s why he wrote “Happy”. Everyone loved this song. Young or old, it didn’t matter when this track came on the radio. The positive message and hoppy beats made this a go-to playlist favorite throughout the years. It was the most successful song of 2014.
In My Feelings- Drake
“In My Feelings” by Drake dropped during the summer of 2018, and within a week, everyone was asking KiKi if she loved them. It also spawned a dance craze challenge! Celebrities everywhere participated, but things got a little out of hand when people started jumping out of cars to perform the choreography.
Livin' On A Prayer- Bon Jovi
“Living on a Prayer” could not be a catchier song if it tried. The band released the song in 1986, but it’s been their biggest hit to date, and it’s obvious why. No matter where or when, everyone loves to belt out the classic chorus “Oh, we’re halfway there!” It ranked 45 on the list of Billboard’s Top 100 Rock Songs of All Time.
Bad Romance- Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga has tons of hits, but when she debuted with “Bad Romance”, fans were hooked. The chorus was so catchy that people thought various parts of the song could be considered the hook. The thumping drumline and the repetitive lyrics made this one of her biggest hits and paved the way for her long-lasting career.
MMMBop- Hanson
“MMMBop” by Hanson was an important one-hit wonder of the 1990s. The boys were young, carefree, and only thought about one MMMBop to the next. For a few months, the entire world was singing along to complete gibberish, but it was a perfect radio hit.
Like A Prayer- Madonna
Madonna has made quite a name for herself over the years of pop music. She’s released hit after hit, but none of them were quite as powerful as “Like a Prayer.” Imagine listening to this song without singing and clapping along. It’s almost impossible!
I Will Survive- Gloria Gaynor
“I Will Survive” by Gloria Gaynor is maybe the grooviest break-up song ever written. She has a knack for making heartbreak seem like the most fun part of any relationship. This power-pop chorus makes its way onto every empowerment playlist, and I totally understand why!
Don't You Want Me- The Human League
“Don’t You Want Me” by The Human League has made its way into the karaoke favorite circuit. Lyrically, it’s pretty straightforward, but still super catchy. The chaotic array or various instruments with relatively simple vocals make this a surprise hit, but one that still holds up all these years later.
Sweet Caroline- Neil Diamond
If you want to hear this song, just go to any sports game since it’s release. “Sweet Caroline” is a sports fan favorite for its implicit call and response lyrics. The words “Sweet Caroline” will always elicit a “bah, bah, bah!” from the crowd. Neil Diamond never expected this crude song to become so popular, but he was pleasantly surprised.
Since U Been Gone- Kelly Clarkson
After crushing it on American Idol, the whole country was excited to see what Kelly Clarkson would do next, and the singer did not disappoint. “Since U Been Gone” is the result of a collaboration of Max Martin and Dr. Luke into this anthemic hype song. This breakup didn’t break up Kelly!
Stayin' Alive- Bee Gees
This track has absolutely no trouble “Stayin’ Alive!” This song embodies the era of disco, bringing John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever to mind. The music grabs at you until you’re up on your feet dancing along. Though released in 1977, it’s still a favorite for fans everywhere.
Hound Dog- Elvis Presley
Who better to make a catchy hook than the king of rock n’ roll himself! Elvis’s “Hound Dog” is a certified classic hit, with words like “You ain’t nothing but a hound dog, crying all the time!” He makes every word sounds so suave and cool, you have no choice but to sing along. Warning though: you probably can’t do the dance half as well!
Believe- Cher
Well, do you “Believe” in life after love? Cher certainly does! Before autotune was mastered by T-Pain or curated by Future, Cher was the sole robot behind these kinds of songs. The hook is strong, but there’s nothing like getting a group of friends trying to hit Cher’s impossible vocals or emulate her bionic voice.
YMCA- The Village People
The “YMCA” song is sure to be played at any wedding, birthday bash, prom, dance, or celebration! All you need are four letters and four notes to get people out of their seats and making letters with their arms. This fun song starts every party, guaranteed!
Under Pressure- Queen ft. David Bowie
When you combine Queen and David Bowie, a good song is inevitable. Hey, it even worked for Vanilla Ice! This hook is pretty straightforward and simple, but 'simple' doesn’t mean bad! That Under Pressure sound has been replicated in many songs since it’s release, for example, Ice Ice Baby! It’s just a good hook!
Good Vibrations- The Beach Boys
The Beach Boys know a hit when they make one, and “Good Vibrations” is no exception. Every generation knows this hit thanks to constant replaying and new covers by upcoming artists. This peppy track will put you on a shore in California as soon as you hear it, just chill out and relax.
Respect- Aretha Franklin
R-E-S-P-E-C-T! Find out what it means to me! As soon as you hear that first beat, everyone in the room knows what song is about to play, and they’re excited about it. Spelling has never been so catchy! It’s a request, a lesson, and a hook all in one! That’s just good songwriting.
The Twist- Chubby Checker
Chances are you’ve heard “The Twist” before, even though it’s from back in the 1960s. The song, paired with the hit dance, premiered on the Dick Clark Show in 1960, and from there, everyone wanted to get on their feet and try the twist! Chubby Checker wrote the song that’s incredibly timeless.
She Loves You- The Beatles
The Beatles wrote so many hits, but none of them were as catchy and memorable as “She Loves You." Audiences got the words right away and the story kept them intrigued. History was made with this release, and you know, all of the releases after it. It’s The Beatles, after all!
Stop! In The Name of Love- The Supremes
“Stop! In the Name of Love,” by the Supremes is another one of those songs that probably came out before you were listening to Spotify playlists, but there’s a reason everyone knows all the words. Diana Ross brought extreme powerhouse vocals to The Supremes, and the world is forever grateful. And they were doing the choreography way before teens on Twitter were!
ABC- Jackson 5
Leave it to the Jackson 5 to give the people a song they wouldn’t be able to get out of their heads. Any kindergartener could sing along to this classic kid anthem. This innocent and exuberant single is one of history’s most pure-hearted. “ABC”... it’s easy as 1, 2, 3!
Dancing Queen- ABBA
No surprise here, ABBA is known for their pop hits. The Swedish power-pop group had tons of hits (enough to make a musical!) but “Dancing Queen” is the shining star among them all. This song was popular all over the world, and everyone understands why. Dancing Queen, young and sweet, only seventeen…
Beat It- Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson gave the world countless hits before his death, but “Beat It” might have been his best work. The man knew how to combine visuals, fashion, and music to create something truly special, and it really paid off. The song has been covered by countless singers and shows. No one has come close to the King of Pop.
I Want to Hold Your Hand- The Beatles
“I Want to Hold Your Hand” might be John Lennon and Paul McCartney's catchiest hook ever written, which is really saying something. It became the band’s first number one hit and set a precedent for music that is still being held to this day. Now that’s a powerful hook!
Cheerleader- OMI
“Cheerleader” by OMI took over the summer soundtrack for a short period of time, but you still know every word, right? “Oh I think I found myself a cheerleader, she is always right there when I need her” was played on every radio station that year. Though OMI hasn’t made a big hit since. This one was big enough for a lifetime!
Wannabe- Spice Girls
If you “Wannabe” my lover you have to get with this banger! For everyone who wants to ziga-zig-ah, this song is one of the catchiest girl power songs ever written. Just put this on any party playlist and watch the crowd join in—it’s infectious. The Spice Girls always know a good tune.
I'm Gonna Be (500 Miles)- The Proclaimers
The Proclaimers' biggest hit was all about...walking...sort of. ”I’m Gonna Be (500 Miles)” had English and German verses, but this rock track has no true language. It’s for everyone who can dance or is willing to walk 500 miles (and then 500 more!).
What Makes You Beautiful- One Direction
One Direction was the biggest band in the world from 2012-2017. People were comparing them to the Beatles and other boy bands, but did John Lennon ever coin “What Makes You Beautiful” the way Harry Styles and Co. did? No? Then there is simply no comparison.
Eye of the Tiger- Survivor
“Eye of the Tiger” is on every exercise playlist because it gets you in the zone! There’s no better song to put on your fighting face. This is the perfect pick to play when you need to get amped up and ready for a big game, tough workout, or long day. It’s the eye of the tiger, it’s the thrill of the fight!
All About The Bass- Meghan Trainor
When Meghan Trainor came out with “All About The Bass”, people everywhere knew the chorus almost immediately. With such a memorable hook, the song was bound to make a big splash on the airwaves. People hailed her for the fun song that also praised body positivity. Since, though, it has been criticized for skinny shaming.
Barbie Girl- Aqua
I’m a “Barbie Girl”, in a Barbie world! This song instinctively activates my flight or fight response. The high pitched voices and boppy beats can get stuck in your head if you let them. Though the chords are repetitive, it’s also pretty catchy...oh no, it’s getting stuck in my head again!
Mickey- Toni Basil
Who was “Mickey”, and was he really so fine? Toni Basil sang this cheerleader-esque anthem. To this day, no song has hit quite the same niche, though many have tried (Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off” for example). Still, though, this one-hit-wonder was certainly wonderful!
Hollaback Girl- Gwen Stefani
“Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani was both a smash single and also a spelling lesson. With the hard drum beat that you can stomp your feet to, every kid from the early 2000s learned how to spell “B-A-N-A-N-A-S” thanks to Gwen. Can it get any better than that?