Decade-Defining Melodies

Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley & His Comets, released in 1954, is often credited as the first rock and roll hit, popularizing the genre and setting the stage for the rock and roll era.

I Want to Hold Your Hand by The Beatles, released in 1964, became an instant hit and remains one of the best-selling singles of all time, defining the British Invasion era.

Joy to the World by Three Dog Night, released in 1971, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for six weeks and became the defining song of the summer that year.

Thriller by Michael Jackson, released in 1982, became the best-selling album of all time and spawned several hit singles, including the title track, which topped the charts for several weeks.

Smells Like Teen Spirit by Nirvana, released in 1991, became a defining song of the grunge movement and is often considered to be the unofficial anthem of the 1990s.

We Belong Together by Mariah Carey, released in 2005, topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 14 weeks, becoming the longest-running number-one single of the 2000s.

Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen, released in 2012, became a global hit and was the best-selling single of that year, defining the summer of 2012.

Despacito by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee, released in 2017, became a global phenomenon, breaking records and becoming the most-streamed song of all time.

Blinding Lights by The Weeknd, released in 2019, gained renewed popularity during the COVID-19 pandemic, becoming a symbol of resilience and hope.

Old Town Road by Lil Nas X, released in 2019, broke records and became the longest-running number-one single in Billboard Hot 100 history.

As It Was by Harry Styles, released in 2022, topped the charts in several countries and became the defining song of the summer that year.

Flowers by Miley Cyrus, released in 2023, became a global hit, breaking records and topping charts worldwide.

Old Town Road by Lil Nas X, released in 2019, became a viral sensation on TikTok, propelling it to the top of the charts and defining the TikTok era.

Shape of You by Ed Sheeran, released in 2017, became a global hit, breaking records and becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time.

Butter by BTS, released in 2021, became a global hit, topping charts worldwide and defining the summer of that year.