The Most Streamed Songs of Each Year – Ranked

It’s fascinating to me to see which songs have stood the test of time – i.e. which songs from decades ago still get Spotify streams, and how these songs compare to the popular songs of today.

I’ve gathered the top streamed song on Spotify from each year since 1960 (according to “DavesMusicDatabase” as of December 2025) and ranked them from least to most favourite. Let’s see which new songs can go toe-to-toe with the classics!

Before we begin, you can check out some of my related blog posts below:

20 Random Songs Ranked

My Top 20 Favourite Albums Of All Time

My Spotify Wrapped 2022 – Every Song Ranked

My Favourite Lyric On Every Bowie Song

Kill It With Fire

Nope. Nuh-uh. I never want to hear these songs again.

66 – All I Want for Christmas Is You (Mariah Carey – 1994)

I’m writing this list in September. I had enjoyed nine months of no Christmas songs. Mariah Carey has ruined my day.

Alright

There’s nothing inherently wrong with these songs … they just aren’t for me.

65 – I Want It That Way (Backstreet Boys – 1999)

Tell me wwhhyy-yy … this song is so shallow. I know this more as a joke from “Brooklyn Nine Nine” than as an actual song.

64 – Hey, Soul Sister (Train – 2009)

This is the kind of 2000’s guitar / ukulele Pop that can stay in the 00’s.

63 – Someone You Loved (Lewis Capaldi – 2018)

Lewis Capaldi has a hell of a voice, but it comes across a bit pretentious here.

62 – All of Me (John Legend – 2013)

Similarly to “Someone You Loved”, “All of Me” has good vocals but nothing else of substance.

61 – Love Yourself (Justin Bieber – 2015)

More stripped-back than most hits of the era. It’s heartfelt, maybe, but “Love Yourself” is quite boring.

60 – It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Andy Williams – 1963)

Better than the Mariah Carey abomination, but I’m still not in the mood for Christmas songs outside of December.

59 – Ordinary (Alex Warren – 2025)

2025’s entry is just as boring as I’d expect from a modern Pop song.

The vocals are nice. The arpeggiating strings are a neat touch. The choruses are big. In other words, there are some vague words of praise I can give.

58 – Flowers (Miley Cyrus – 2023)

The kind of generic Pop that makes me hate the music from this decade.

57 – One Dance (Drake feat. WizKid & Kyla – 2016)

“Hotline Bling” is way better and catchier.

56 – Drivers License (Olivia Rodrigo – 2021)

Olivia Rodrigo is one of the better artists of the last few years, but I’m still not a huge fan.

55 – I’m Yours (Jason Mraz – 2008)

Cheesy. Sentimental but forgettable.

54 – Thunderstruck (AC/DC – 1990)

AC/DC are quite a one-note band. By entension, “Thunderstuck” is quite a one-note song. Not one of my favourites of theirs.

53 – Espresso (Sabrina Carpenter – 2024)

I remember when “Espresso” came out I thought – “This song is quite catchy, I suppose … but how on earth is this the best song of the year?”.

2024’s place should’ve gone to “Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan.

52 – Yeah! (Usher feat. Lil’ Jon & Ludacris – 2004)

Iconic, I suppose, but I always found it boring.

Classics

These songs get a passing grade. I can see why lots of people streamed them.

51 – Wannabe (Spice Girls – 1996)

A Pop anthem.

50 – Levitating (Dua Lipa feat. DaBaby – 2020)

Dua Lipa’s Disco phase was quite fun, and “Levitating” was one of the better songs from that era.

49 – How to Save a Life (The Fray – 2005)

“Wheeeere did I goooo wroooooong …“

Belting chorus, but I’m not going to hang this song in the Louvre.

48 – Let Her Go (Passenger – 2012)

Sweet and harmless.

47 – Bring It on Home to Me (Sam Cooke – 1962)

Not the best Sam Cooke song, but still a classic.

46 – Livin’ on a Prayer (Bon Jovi – 1986)

The ultimate 80’s cheese. I don’t hate it but I imagine I would if I heard it more than three times in a row.

45 – As It Was (Harry Styles – 2022)

The central synth riff is almost too simple for my liking, but I don’t want to be a killjoy. “As It Was” hits all the beats it wants to.

44 – Highway to Hell (AC/DC – 1979)

An AC/DC staple.

43 – Free Fallin’ (Tom Petty – 1989)

I like “Free Fallin'”. I’m sure I’d like it more if I was American.

42 – Thinking Out Loud (Ed Sheeran – 2014)

A relic from a time when Ed Sheeran made heartfelt songs that he put his back into.

41 – Can’t Hold Us (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton – 2011)

Better than “Thrift Shop”. Is that a hot take?

40 – Sweet Child O’ Mine (Guns N’ Roses – 1987)

Guns N’ Roses famously wrote “Sweet Child O’ Mine” in a matter of minutes (I’m sure it took longer to record and mix, but that’s just how the legend goes).

It’s not complex at all but it’s catchy.

39 – Shape Of You (Ed Sheeran – 2017)

Probably the best Ed Sheeran song. I especially love the live version where he loops all the parts himself.

Iconic

Warning – absolute bangers ahead.

38 – [I Can’t Get No] Satisfaction (The Rolling Stones – 1965)

Keith Richards apparently heard the riff to “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” in a dream.

I can believe it – this riff is out of this world, and the song is a staple of 60’s Hard Rock.

37 – Don’t Stop Believin’ (Journey – 1981)

Yeah, it’s a little cheesy, but I maintain that “Don’t Stop Believin'” as as powerful an 80’s ballad as you can get.

They hold off on the chorus for so long, and when it hits it hits.

36 – Stand by Me (Ben E. King – 1961)

An oldie but a goodie.

“Stand by Me” is early sixties music at its best – heartwarming, sincere and with that old school charm.

35 – Wonderwall (Oasis – 1995)

Not necessarily my favourite Oasis song, but I can’t deny its cultural impact.

If there was ever a song to get a crowd of white people singing (other than “Mr. Brightside”), it’s “Wonderwall”.

34 – The House of the Rising Sun (The Animals – 1964)

A good ol’ fashioned sixties tune.

33 – Mr. Jones (Counting Crows – 1993)

Very fun. “Mr. Jones” is tongue-in-cheek and makes me extremely nostalgic for an era I didn’t even live through.

32 – Dream On (Aerosmith – 1973)

Steve Tyler’s vocals are what turn this from a Rock banger into a bonafide classic.

31 – Paint It Black (The Rolling Stones – 1966)

It’s crazy to think the Rolling Stones wrote this a mere year after “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”.

It’s confrontational, ominous and the songwriting is far more mature.

30 – Africa (Toto – 1982)

“Africa” is a bit of a meme song, but I think people forget about Toto’s talents these days – this is a very rousing, very well put together song.

29 – Wonderful World (Sam Cooke – 1960)

Sam Cooke songs are always a delight. “Wonderful World” is the kind of life-affirming love song I can get behind.

28 – Bitter Sweet Symphony (The Verve – 1997)

It’s a shame The Verve never got a penny from this song – even though they took the “Bitter Sweet Symphony” sample from The Rolling Stones, I still think they made it their own.

27 – Take on Me (A-ha – 1984)

The best kind of 80’s cheese.

The production is vibrant, the music video is iconic, and that high note in the chorus is the bane of karaoke enjoyers across the globe.

26 – Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd – 1974)

Again, I think the meme status of “Sweet Home Alabama” makes people forget just how great the song is.

It’s Southern Rock at its best. The only way it could be better was if Lynyrd Skynyrd sang about a bird you cannot change …

25 – Chop Suey (System of a Down – 2001)

I’m so glad System of a Down made it onto a list like this. I thought for sure 2001’s entry would’ve gone to like an Eminen or a Daft Punk, so this was a welcome surprise.

“Chop Suey” is definitely up there with their best songs. It’s aggressive, inflammatory, and it makes you thrash your head in time with the beat.

24 – Ain’t No Mountain High Enough (Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell – 1967)

One of the great duets.

Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell’s vocals are a match made in heaven. It’s such a sweet song through and through.

23 – In the End (Linkin Park – 2000)

Like System of a Down, I wasn’t expecting Linkin Park to appear on this list. Somehow “In the End” has almost 3 billion Spotify streams!

It’s a powerful song with an almighty chorus. The rapping in the verse maybe hasn’t aged well but I can look past that.

22 – Hips Don’t Lie (Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean – 2006)

I always forget just how much of a world-wide phenomenon Shakira was (and still is).

“Hips Don’t Lie” is her big one. It’s easy to dance to and gets stuck in your head all day.

21 – Fast Car (Tracy Chapman – 1988)

I didn’t realise “Fast Car” was an 80’s song – I thought it would be 90’s for sure.

Tracy’s vocals and lyrics are wonderful. This is a gorgeous ballad.

20 – Mr. Brightside (The Killers – 2003)

Oh look – it’s the only song I said could get a crowd of white people more excited than “Wonderwall”.

“Mr. Brightside” is a British anthem … so it’s weird The Killers are an American band.

19 – Stronger (Kanye West feat. Daft Punk – 2007)

One of the best uses of a sample I’ve ever heard.

Daft Punk’s original is fantastic, but “Stronger” is amazing for different reasons – it’s more commercial, arguably catchier, and Kanye’s confidence bleeds through every verse.

18 – Have You Ever Seen the Rain? (Creedence Clearwater Revival – 1970)

Creedence Clearwater Revival wrote some of the most provocative songs of the era. “Fortunate Son” proved they had their finger on the pulse, and “Have You Ever Seen the Rain?” is another example of their masterful lyrics.

It calls out all of those who cower behind their safe walls, scared of the potential pains ahead – a theme all too relevant today.

17 – Don’t Stop Me Now (Queen – 1978)

Any Queen song is guaranteed to be a good time.

“Don’t Stop Me Now” is an absolute thrill-ride of pure adrenaline. It’s both anthemic and energizing.

16 – Iris (Goo Goo Dolls – 1998)

There was a time in my life when I thought “Iris” was overrated and broad. Now whenever it comes on the radio I belt it at the top of my lungs.

There’s something so rousing about it – it’s like the Goo Goo Dolls cracked the code on how to make the ultimate stadium anthem.

15 – Blinding Lights (The Weeknd – 2019)

“Blinding Lights” was everywhere when it came out. I still hear it all the time – not many recent hits have had that kind of staying power.

It harkens back to the synth production of the 80’s, with one of the great riffs and choruses of the last ten years.

14 – Pumped Up Kicks (Foster the People – 2010)

Are the lyrics morbid? A little, but the dark subject matter only strengthens the mystique of the song.

“Pumped Up Kicks” is one of those songs that you feel bad for liking – it’s just too catchy to ignore.

Timeless

The best of the best. If they played on radios until the end of time, I wouldn’t complain.

13 – Another One Bites the Dust (Queen – 1980)

It’s mad to think Queen almost didn’t release “Another One Bites the Dust”, thinking it was too simple. That simplicity is what makes it a classic.

John Deacon’s bassline is one of the most recognizable of all time, and the rest falls into place around it.

12 – Everybody Wants to Rule the World (Tears for Fears – 1985)

Like “Iris”, I thought “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” was overplayed and overrated. I used to be an idiot.

The production still sounds sublime, and the chorus is thought-provoking yet intensely catchy.

11 – Creep (Radiohead – 1992)

The band themselves may have hated “Creep” but I absolutely bloody love it.

For me, this is no doubt their best song from their debut album. It’s Grungy, explosive and self-deprecating – the best of what the 90’s music scene had to offer.

10 – Dreams (Fleetwood Mac – 1977)

It’s only two chords and yet “Dreams” is one of the most powerful songs of all time.

It came at a tumultuous point in Lindsey Buckingham and Steve Nicks’ relationship, and Nicks turned that pain into the highest art.

9 – Every Breath You Take (The Police – 1983)

Is it creepy? Absolutely, but “Every Breath You Take” remains the stalking anthem.

The Police always had knack for making catchy hits and this was their catchiest one.

8 – Rocket Man [I Think It’s Gonna Be a Long Time] (Elton John – 1972)

Elton John has made some fantastic songs in his day, but I still think his best is the classic “Rocket Man”.

I love space-themed songs as it is, but Elton’s vocals and Bernie Taupin’s lyrics are a match made in heaven.

7 – Lose Yourself (Eminem – 2002)

Eminen rapped like the rent was due.

He lays it all on the line in “Lose Yourself” – a song that could get anyone pumped.

6 – Here Comes the Sun (The Beatles – 1969)

I was a little surprised that The Beatles didn’t dominate the 60’s streams – “Here Comes the Sun” was the only one of theirs to make this list. Luckily, it’s one of their best.

It’s one of George Harrison’s finest moments on tape. The songwriting is exceptional, and the joyous chorus gets stuck in your head.

5 – Hotel California (Eagles – 1976)

Few songs take you on as much of a journey as “Hotel California”.

It’s an allegory for addiction, I think that much is obvious, but the sombre lyrics and shredding guitar solos make it. I’ve heard this on radios hundreds of times and I’ll never get bored of it.

4 – Smells Like Teen Spirit (Nirvana – 1991)

The 80’s was very much a joyous, happy-go-lucky era for Pop and radio music … so I can only imagine how mind-blowing Nirvana’s Grunge must have been.

“Smells Like Teen Spirit” is nothing short of a milestone in music history. It’s a wall of noise and emotion that defined a generation.

3 – Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen – 1975)

Queen are the only artist in this list to have three of the most streamed songs. Their music has a worldwide reach that continues to appeal to every generation.

“Bohemian Rhapsody” is more than a song – it’s a sensation. Freddy Mercury and co. bend the rules of music itself to weave their tale, and the operatic experimentation is off the charts.

Above all else, I’m glad this is the kind of song that people got behind. It could’ve easily been a niche 70’s song but the power of good music won out in the end.

2 – All Along the Watchtower (The Jimi Hendrix Experience – 1968)

Though it was originally a Bob Dylan song, Hendrix made “All Along the Watchtower” his own – and then some.

It has some of my favourite lyrics courtesy of Dylan and some of the best guitar work courtesy of Hendrix. That final chorus hits like crack.

1 – Stairway to Heaven (Led Zeppelin – 1971)

55 years later, there aren’t many songs put to tape that can top “Stairway to Heaven.”

It’s the greatest song from one of music’s greatest bands. It starts slow and philosophical, builds in the middle, and then explodes in one of the most euphoric endings ever.

You almost can’t believe that four human beings came up with it. It’s the kind of musical skill which defies description.

Aaaand that’s my list! You can check out some of my latest blog posts below: