For tonight’s #FridayNightMusicFun, I’m going to go, year by year, picking the Best Pop Hit Single of each year & runners up. You may disagree/add your own. But remember, this isn’t Pitchfork or Village Voice—these are Pop Hit Singles. Anyone ready to begin?
Best Pop Single 2021:
Olivia Rodrigo- Good for U
Runners-up:
Dua Lipa/ DaBaby- Levitating
Doja Cat/SZA- Kiss Me More
Bieber- Peaches
BTS- Butter
Adele- Easy on Me
Kid Laroi/Bieber- Stay
Olivia Rodrigo- Driver’s License
Best Pop Single 2020:
The Weeknd- Blinding Lights
Runners up:
Harry Styles- Watermelon Sugar
Megan/Beyoncé- Savage
Roddy Ricch- The Box
Dua Lipa- Don’t start now
Doja Cat- Say So
24KGoldn- Mood
Best Pop Single 2019:
Ariana Grande- Thank U, Next
Runners up:
Lizzo- Truth Hurts
Lil Nas X- Old Town Road
Billie Eilish- Bad Guy
Mendes/ Cabello- Senorita
Gaga/Cooper- Shallow
Best Pop Single 2018:
Ed Sheeran- Perfect
Runners up:
Cardi B- I Like it Like That
Drake- God’s Plan
Ariana Grande- No Tears Left to Cry
Camila Cabello- Havana
Best Pop Single 2017
Luis Fonsi/DaddyYankee/ Justin Bieber- Despacito
Runners up:
Bruno Mars-24k Magic
Ed Sheeran- Shape of You
Bruno Mars-That’s what I like
Migos- Bad & Boujee
Rae Sremmurd- Black Beatles
Best Pop Single 2016:
Drake-Hotline Bling
Runners up:
Justin Bieber- Love Yourself
Drake- One Dance
Adele- Hello
Sia- Cheap Thrills
Rihanna- Work
Adele- Hello
Timberlake- Can’t Stop the Feeling
Best Pop Single 2015:
Taylor Swift- Blank Space
Runners Up:
The Weeknd-Can’t Feel My Face
Walk the Moon- Shut Up and Dance
Ronson/ Mars- Uptown Funk
Ed Sheeran- Thinking Out Loud
Wiz Khalifa- See You Again
Best Pop Single 2014:
Sia-Chandelier
Runners up:
Swift- Shake it off
Azalea- Fancy
Pharrell- Happy
Smith- Stay with Me
DJ Snake/ Lil Jon- Turn Down for What
Trainor- All About That Bass
Best Pop Single 2013
Daft Punk- Get Lucky
Runners Up
Macklemore- Thrift Shop
Robin Thicke- Blurred Lines
Katy Perry- Roar
J. Timberlake- Mirrors
Lorde-Royals
Bruno Mars- Locked Out of Heaven
Pink/Nate Ruess- Just Give me a Reason
Best Pop Single 2012
Carly Rae Jepsen- Call Me Maybe
Runners Up:
One Direction- What Makes You Beautiful
Kelly Clarkson-Stronger
Calvin Harris/Rihanna- We Found Love
Fun- We are Young
Gotye- Somebody that I used to know
Taylor Swift- We are Never..
Best Pop Single 2011
Adele- Rolling in the Deep
Runners Up
Adele- Someone Like You
Lady Gaga- Edge of Glory
Bruno Mars- Grenade
Lady Gaga- Born this Way
Best Pip Single 2010:
Lady Gaga- Bad Romance
Runners up:
Bruno Mars- Just the Way You are
Rihanna/Eminem- Love the way you lie
Kesha- Tik Tok
Katy Perry- Teenage Dream
Best Pop Single 2009
Beyoncé - Single Ladies
Runners Up
Black Eyes Peas- I Gotta Feeling
Lady Gaga- Poker Face
Black Eyed Peas- Boom Boom Pow
Lady Gaga- Just Dance
Taylor Swift- Love Story
Jason Mraz- I’m Yours
Taylor Swift- You Belong with Me
Best Pop Single 2008
Katy Perry- I Kissed a Girl
Runners Up
Rihanna- Take a Bow
Katy Perry- Hot n Cold
T.I.- Whatever You Like
Jordin Sparks- No Air
Flo Risa - Low
Best Pop Single 2007:
Rihanna- Umbrella
Runners up
Amy Winehouse- Rehab
Beyoncé- Irreplaceable
Gwen Stefani- Sweet Escape
Plain White T’s- Hey There Delilah
Soulja Boy- Crank That
Best Pop Single 2006
Shakira- Hips Don’t Lie
Runners up:
Justin Timberlake- SexyBack
Nelly Furtado- Promiscuous
James Blunt- You’re Beautiful
Pink- Who Knew
Natasha Bedingfield- Unwritten
Best Pop Single 2005
Kelly Clarkson- Since U Been Gone
Runners up
The Killers- Mr Brightside
Mariah Carey- We Belong Together
Gwen Stefani- Hollaback Girl
Kanye West- Gold Digger
Best Pop Single 2004
Outkast- Hey Ya
Runners Up
Usher- Yeah
Maroon 5- This love
Terror Squad- Lean back
Usher- burn
Usher/ Alicia Keys- my boo
Best Pop Single 2003
Beyoncé- Crazy in love
Runners Up
50 Cent- In Da club
Eminem- Lose yourself
R. Kelly- Ignition
Evanescence-bring me to life
Nelly/Diddy/ Murphy Lee- shake your tail feather
Best Pop Single 2002
Nelly- Hot in Herre
Runners up:
Avril Lavigne- Complicated
Jimmy Eat World- The middle
Sheryl Crow- Soak up the sun
Avril Lavigne Sk8ter boi/
Kelly Rowland/ Nelly-dilemma
Linkin Park- in the end
Best Pop Single 2001
Missy Elliott- Get ur freak on
Runners up
Destiny’s Child- Independent Women
Train- Drops of Jupiter
Alicia Keys- Fallin’
Lifehouse- Hanging by a moment
Britney Spears- Oops I did it Again
Best Pop Single 2000
U2- Beautiful Day
Runners up
Destiny’s Child- Say my name
Coldplay- Yellow
Outkast- Ms Jackson
Aaliyah- Try again
N Sync- bye bye bye
Christina Aguilera -what a girl wants
Best Pop Singles 1999:
Britney Spears- ...Baby one more time
Runners Up:
TLC- No scrubs
Backstreet Boys- I want it that way
Christina Aguilera- Genie in a bottle
Ricky Martin- Livin la Vida loca Cher- believe
Blink 182- all the small things
TLC- Unpretty
Best Pop Single 1998:
Chumbawumba- Tubthumping
Runners up
Shania Twain- You’re still the one
Aerosmith- I don’t wanna miss
LeAnn Rimes- How do I live
Celine Dion- My heart will go one
Barenaked Ladies- one week
Will Smith- gettin jiggy with it
Best Pop Single 1997
Hanson- MMMBop
Runners Up
Natalie Imbruglia- Torn
Toni Braxton- Un-break my heart
Third Eye Blind- semi charmed life
Spice Girls- wannabe
Puff Daddy- I’ll be Missing You
Jewel- You were Meant for Me
Best Pop Single 1996:
Mariah Carey- Always be my baby
Runners up:
Los del Rio- Macarena
Mariah/ Boyz II Men- One sweet day
Alanis Morissette- You oughta know Blackstreet-no Diggity
Celine Dion- it’s all coming back to me
Alanis Morissette-ironic
No Doubt- don’t speak
Best Pop Single 1995:
TLC- Waterfalls
Runners Up:
Seal- Kiss from a rose
TLC- Creep
Coolio- Gangstas paradise
Blues Traveler- Run Around
Best Pop Single 1994:
Green Day-Basket Case
Runners up:
Ace of Base-The sign
Lisa Loeb- Stay
John Mellencamp-Wild night
Weezer- Buddy Holly
All-4-One- I swear
Ace of Base- don’t turn around
Mariah Carey- all I want for xmas is you
Best Pop Single 1993:
Whitney Houston- I Will Always Love You
Runners Up:
Counting Crows- Mr. Jones
Peabo Bryson/ Regina Belle- A whole new world
Spin Doctors- Two princes
Duran Duran-Come undone
Ace of Base- All that she wants
Best Pop Single 1992:
Kris Kross- Jump
Runners up:
Vanessa Williams- Save the best for last
Sir Mix-a-Lot- Baby’s got back
RHCP- Under the bridge
House of Pain- jump around
Best Pop Single 1991:
Nirvana- Smells Like Teen Spirit
Runners Up:
Bryan Adam’s- Everything I do
R.E.M. Losing my religion
EMF- Unbelievable
C +C -gonna make you sweat
Naughty By Nature- OPP
Best Pop Single 1990:
Wilson Phillips- Hold on
Runners Up:
Madonna- Vogue
Sinead O’Conner- Nothing compares 2 U
Dee-Lite- Groove is in the heart
Billy Idol- cradle of love
Vanilla Ice- ice ice baby
MC Hammer- u can’t touch this
Best Pop Single 1989:
Madonna- Like a Prayer
Runners Up:
Paula Abdul- Straight up
Tone Loc- Funky Cold Medina
Bette Midler- Wind beneath my wings
Fine young Cannibals- She drives me crazy
Young MC- bust a move
Milli Vanilli- blame it on the Rain
Best Pop Single of 1988:
George Michael- Faith
Runners Up:
Guns ‘n Roses- Sweet child o’ mine
INXS- Need you tonight
George Harrison- Got my mind set on You
Cheap Trick- The Flame
Belinda Carlisle- Heaven is a place
Tracy Chapman- fast car
Traveling Wilburys- Handle with Care
Best Pop Single 1987:
Whitney Houston- I wanna dance with somebody
Runners Up:
Bon Jovi- Livin on a prayer
Suzanne Vega- Luka
Whitesnake- Here I go
Heart- Alone
Tiffany- I think we’re alone
Los Lonos- La Bamba
Best Pop Single 1986:
Berlin- Take My Breath Away
Runners Up:
P. Simon- You can call me Al
Steve Winwood-Higher love
Lionel- Say you say me
Whitney- How will I know
Pet Shop Boys- West end Girls
Prince-kiss
P. Gabriel-sledgehammer
Cameo- word up
R. Palmer- Addicted to Love
Best Pop Single 1985:
A-ha- Take on me
Runners Up:
Madonna-Like a Virgin
Wham- Wake me up
Chaka Khan- I Feel for you
Dire Straits- money for nothing
Simple Minds- don’t you forget
Katrina & Waves-walking on sunshine
Wham- careless whisper
Best Pop Single 1984:
Prince-When doves cry
Runners Up:
Springsteen-Dancing in the dark
Van Halen-Jump
Lauper-Girls just wanna
Loggins-Footloose
Collins-Against all odds
Lauper- time after time
Madonna-borderline
Turner- what’s love
Henley-boys of summer
Williams-let’s hear it
Best Pop Single 1983:
Michael Jackson-Billie Jean
Runners Up:
Prince-Little red corvette
Police-Every breath
MJ-Beat it
Men at Work-down under
Cara-flashdance
Eurythmics-sweet dreams
Dexy’s-Eileen
CC-do you really
Tyler-total eclipse
Bowie-let’s dance
Men w/o-safety dance
Best Pop Single 1982:
Human League-Don’t you want me
Runners Up:
Joan-I love rock & roll
Olivia-Physical
Soft Cell-Tainted love
JCM-hurts so good/
Tutone-Jenny
Pretenders-back on chain gang
Duran-hungry Like
JCM-Jack & Diane
Willie-always on my mind
Phil-you can’t hurry love
Best Pop Single 1981:
Rick Springfield-Jessie’s girl
Runners up:
Lennon-Just like starting over
Carnes-Bette Davis eyes
ABBA-The winner takes it
Journey-don’t stop Believin’
J. Geils-centerfold
Queen/Bowie-under pressure
GoGo’s-we got the beat
Hall & Oates-you make my dreams
Best Pop Single 1980:
Diana Ross- I’m Coming Out
Runners Up:
Blondie- Call me
Billy Joel- It’s still Rock n roll
Queen- Crazy little thing
Paul McCartney- Coming up
Diana Ross- upside down
Queen-another one bites the dust
Best Pop Single 1979:
The Knack- My Sharona
Runners Up:
Blondie-Heart of glass
Chic- Le freak
Donna Summer- Bad girls
Gloria Gaynor- I will survive
Sister Sledge- we are family
Village People- YMCA
Bee Gees- Tragedy
Doobie Brothers- what a fool believes
Best Pop Single 1978:
Bee Gees-Stayin’ alive
Runners Up:
Travolta/Olivia-You’re the one that I want
Bee Gees-Night fever
Andy Gibb-Shadow dancing
Gerry Rafferty-Baker St.
Billy Joel-only the good
Dire Straits-sultans of swing
ELO-mr blue sky
Rolling Stones-Miss You
Best Pop Single 1977:
Abba- Dancing Queen
Runners Up:
Fleetwood Mac- Dreams
Emotions- Best of my love
Andy Gibb- I just want to be your
Rod Stewart- Tonight’s the night
Stevie Wonder- sir Duke
Eagles- hotel California
Fleetwood Mac- go your own way
Best Pop Single 1976:
Elton John/Kiki Dee-Don’t go breaking Heart
Runners Up
4 Seasons-December 1963
Hall & Oates-Sara smile
Silver Connection-Fly Robin fly
Queen-bohemian rhapsody
Bee Gees-You should be dancing
Boston-More than a feeling
Starland Vocal Band-Afternoon Delight
Best Pop Single 1975:
Glen Campbell- Rhinestone Cowboy
Runners Up:
Elton John- Philadelphia freedom
Captain & Tennille- Love will keep us Together
Labelle-Lady marmalade
Earth Wind & Fire- shining star
Bruce Springsteen- Born to Run
Van McCoy- The Hustle
Bee Gees-Jive Talkin
Best Pop Single 1974:
Abba- Waterloo
Runners up:
Bo Donaldson & the Heywoods-Billy don’t be a hero
Barbara Streisand-The way we were
Elton John-Bennie and theJets
Terry Jacks-Seasons in the sun
Charlie Rich-most beautiful girl
Jackson 5-Dancing machine
Wings-Band on the Run
Best Pop Single 1973:
Stevie Wonder- Superstition
Runners Up:
Tony Orlando-Tie a yellow ribbon
Jim Croce- Bad bad Leroy Brown
O’Jays-Love train
Roberta Flack-Killing me softly
Marvin Gaye-let’s get it on
Elton John- crocodile lock
John Denver-Rocky Mountain high
Best Pop Single 1972:
Don McLean- American Pie
Runners up:
Looking Glass- Brandy
Al Green- Let’s Stay Together
Gilbert O’Sullivan-Alone again Naturally
Roberta Flack- First time ever I Saw Your Face
Staples Singers-I’ll take you there
Neil Diamond- song song blue
Best Pop Single 1971:
Rod Stewart- Maggie May
Runners Up:
The Osmonds- One bad apple
Tony Orlando- Knock three times
Three Dog Night- Joy to the world
Carole King- It’s too late
Bee Gees- how can you mend a broken heart
Elton John- tiny dancer
Best Pop Single 1970:
Jackson 5-I want you back
Runners Up:
Jackson 5-ABC
Gaye/Terrell-Ain’t no mountain
Thomas-Raindrops keep falling
Edison Lighthouse-love grows
Beatles-let it be
Mungo Jerry-In the summertime
Elton-your song
Partridge- I think I love you
S & G-bridge over
Best Pop Single 1969:
The Foundations- Build me up buttercup
Runners Up:
The Archies- Sugar Sugar
Fifth Dimension- Aquarius
Sly & Family Stone- Everyday People
Neil Diamond- Sweet Caroline
Elvis Presley- suspicious minds
Best Pop Single 1968:
The Grassroots- Midnight Confessions
Runners Up:
Beatles- Hey Jude
Simon & Garfunkel-Mrs Robinson
Tommy James- Mony Mony
Bobby Goldsboro-Honey
Sly & Family Stone-dance to the music
Merrilee Rush- Angel of the morning
Supremes- Love Child
Best Pop Single 1967
Aretha Franklin- Respect
Runners Up
Monkees-I’m a believer
Van-Brown eyed girl
Buckinghams-Kind of a drag
A. Conley-Sweet soul music
Turtles-happy together
Box tops-the letter
Stones-Ruby Tuesday
Doors-light my fire
Bee Gees-to love somebody
Best Pop Single 1966
Supremes-You can’t hurry love
Runners Up:
M&P-California dreaming
Rascals-Good Lovin
Cyrkle-Red rubber ball
Sinatra-these boots
Raiders-kicks
Monkees-last train
Beatles-we can work it
B. Boys-god only knows
B. Boys-good vibrations
Beatles-paperback writer
Best Pop Single 1965
Bob Dylan-Like a Rolling Stone
Runners Up
Miracles-Tracks of my tears
Royal-boondocks
Stones-Satisfaction
Beatles-Ticket to ride
We 5-you were on my mind
Clark-downtown
Supremes-stop in the name
Byrds-mr tambourine man
4 Tops-I can’t help
Beatles yesterday
Best Pop Single 1964
The Beatles- I want to hold your hand
Runners Up
Beatles-She loves you
Beatles- A hard days Night
Wilson-Last kiss
Beach Boys-I get around
Supremes-where did our love go
Warwick-walk on by
DC5-glad all over
Everett-shoop shoop song
Temptations-my girl
Best Pop Single 1963
The Ronettes- Be My Baby
Runners Up
Stevie Wonder-Fingertips
Miracles-You’ve really got a hold on me
Beach Boys-Surfin USA
Chiffons-He’s so fine
4 Seasons- Walk like a man
The Crystals- then he kissed me
Darlene Love-Christmas baby please
Best Pop Single 1962:
The Crystals- He’s a Rebel
Runners Up:
Little Eva- Locomotion
Bruce Channel- Hey baby
Sam Cooke- Twistin the night away
The Shirelles- baby it’s you
Elvis Presley can’t help falling in Love
Best Pop Single 1961:
Del Shannon- Runaway
Runners Up:
Bobby Vee-Take good care of my
Bobby Lewis- Tossin and turning
Patsy Cline- I fall to pieces
Rick Nelson- Traveling man
Rick Nelson- hello Mary Lou
Dion- runaround sue
Henry Mancini- moon River
Ben E King- stand by me
Best Pop Single 1960:
The Drifters- Save the Last Dance for Me
Runners Up:
Every Brothers- Cathy’s clown
Mark Dinning- Teen Angel
Elvis Presley- It’s now or never
Chubby Checker- The Twist
Roy Orbison-only the lonely
The Ventures-walk don’t run
Bobby Darin-beyond the sea
Best Pop Single 1959:
The Platters- Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Runners Up:
Phil Phillips-Sea of Love
Ritchie Valens- Donna
Bobby Darin- Mack the knife
Frankie Avalon-Venus
Santo & Johnny- sleep walk
Dion- A teenager in love
Best Pop Single 1958:
Ricky Nelson- Poor Little Fool
Runners Up:
Everly Brothers-All I have to do
Modugno-Volare
Monotones-Book of love
Danny & Juniors-At the hop
Berry-Sweet little 16
Little Anthony-tears on my pillow
Holly-Peggy Sue
JLL-great balls
Freeman-do you wanna dance
Best Pop Single 1957:
Everly Brothers- Bye Bye Love
Elvis Presley- All shook up
Sam Cooke - You Send Me
Elvis Presley-Teddy bear
Elvis Presley- jailhouse rock
Everly Brothers- Wake up little susie
Paul Anka-Diana
Buddy Holly- that’ll be the day
Best Pop Single 1956:
Elvis Presley- Don’t Be Cruel
Runners Up:
Elvis Presley- Heartbreak hotel
Doris Day- Que sera
Elvis Presley-Hound dog
Platters- Great pretender
Elvis Presley- love me tender
Carl Perkins-blue suede shoes
Gene Vincent-be bop
Fats Domino- blueberry hill
Best Pop Single 1955
Bill Haley & the Comet- Rock around the clock
Runners up:
Les Baxter- Unchained melody
Four Aces- Love is a many splendored
Ernie Ford-sixteen tons
Chordettes- mr sandman
Mitch Miller- yellow rose of Texas
Best Pop Single 1954:
The Crew-Cuts- Sh-Boom
Runners Up:
Dean Martin- That’s amore
Bill Haley & his Comets-Shake rattle and Roll
Best Pop Single 1953:
Tony Bennett- Rags to Riches
Runners Up:
Patti Page- How Much is that Doggie in the Window
Nat King Cole- Pretend
June Valli- Crying in the Chapel
Joni James- Your Cheatin’ Heart
Eddie Fisher- I’m Walking Behind You
Best Pop Single 1952:
Johnny Ray- Cry
Runners Up:
Rosemary Clooney- Half as Much
Eddie Fisher- Wish You Were Here
Al Martino- Here in My Heart
Jo Stafford- Jambalaya
Vera Lynn- Auf Wiederseh’n
Kay Starr- Wheel of Fortune
Best Pop Single 1951:
Les Paul & Mary Ford- How High the Moon
Runners Up:
Nat King Cole- Too Young
Rosemary Clooney- Come On-a My House
Perry Como-If
The Weavers-On Top of Old Smoky
Tony Bennett- Because of You
All done. 70 years. Thanks for playing. I totally blanked on some- Smooth, Start Me Up, Why Do Fools Fall in Love come to mind. But all in all, I hope it’s a decent overview of pop music history in America. I might do Best Rock Songs by Year in the near future. 🙏
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