Here you’ll find which songs topped the Billboard Hot 100 Chart in every decade since the 1950s! Whether you’re wanting to discover old classics from the ’70s or find a soothing folk song from the ’50s, I’ve got you covered.
- 1950s – “Goodnight, Irene” by the Weavers
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“Goodnight, Irene” was released on Aug. 19, 1950 and quickly rose to the top of the charts. It remained #1 on the Billboard Best Seller Chart for 13 weeks, holding the record for the decade for longest time spent at #1. “Goodnight, Irene” was originally written and recorded by Huddie ‘Lead Belly’ Ledbetter in 1933, but it became the first big hit for The Weavers in 1950! This song will give you a taste of true 1950’s folk music.
- 1960s – “Hey Jude” by The Beatles
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Spending nine weeks at #1, the classic “Hey Jude” was released on Sept. 28, 1968. The song was The Beatles’ first release on their newly signed Apple record deal, and quickly became a hit in a number of countries around the world. The record sold around eight million copies, and will always be considered a classic. The lyrics quite literally “take a sad song and make it better,” helping to find a positive view on a sad situation. Let this song motivate you through the tough times!
- 1970s – “You Light Up My Life” by Debby Boone
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Released on Aug. 16, 1977, “You Light Up My Life” was written by Joseph Brooks. The song was originally recorded by Kasey Cisyk for the score of the 1977 film of the same name. Debby Boone’s cover is now the most known version of the song, holding the #1 spot for 10 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in 1977. Boone also topped Record World magazine’s Top 100 Singles Chart for 13 weeks; another record for that time! This song is perfect to share with the meaningful people in your life!
- 1980s – “Physical” by Olivia Newton-John
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You might know her from Grease, but Olivia Newton-John’s 1981 single, “Physical” spent 10 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart. Newton-John switched up her goody-two-shoes image and came out with a sexy music video revolving around the ’80s work-out scene. “Physical” was released as the lead single from Newton-John’s album of the same name on Sept. 28, 1981. Give this spunky track a listen when you need motivation to hit the gym!
- 1990s – “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men
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Talk about pulling on your heart strings! “One Sweet Day” was released on Nov. 14, 1995 on Mariah Carey’s fifth album. The lyrics revolve around a loved one passing away and how much they are missed. Both Carey and Boyz II Men pulled from their personal lives to write this song, and also were inspired by those suffering from the AIDS epidemic. “One Sweet Day” spent a whopping 16 weeks in the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, and the reader’s poll in Rolling Stone ranked this song first for Best Collaboration of All Time. Give this song a listen if you want a touching ‘90s throwback.
- 2000s – “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
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Mariah Carey struck again in 2005 with “We Belong Together,” as the second single from her album The Emancipation of Mimi. The song spent 14 weeks at #1, and even tied with four other songs as the third longest running number one song in US chart history. “We Belong Together” climbed the charts in Spain, the UK, and Australia. This song is a classic Mariah throwback, and it totally redefined her career. Carey later set another record in the summer of 2005, becoming the first female artist to hold the first two spots on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
- 2010s – “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
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This one is definitely not a surprise! Released on Dec. 3, 2018, “Old Town Road” added to the genre of “country rap” and spent 19 weeks at #1. Lil Nas X originally released the single in 2018, but once the song gained popularity, he re-released the track on April 5th, 2019 with Billy Ray Cyrus. Lil Nas X bought the beat from producer YoungKio for only $30, and recorded “Old Town Road” in one day. The remix, featuring Billy Ray Cyrus, won two Grammy Awards: Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Best Music Video. Give Lil Nas X’s EP, 7, a listen!
2020s – ??? Let’s wait and see!! Judging by the compilation of these songs from the past seven decades, the future of music is a bright one. With artists like Lizzo, Billie Eilish, and Taylor Swift, women are making a huge presence in music, and we are just getting started.