1. ‘What a Wonderful World’ By Louis Armstrong
Recorded in Las Vegas in 1967
This song quickly became a number one hit in the UK but was unpopular in the US, selling less than a thousand copies. It didn’t gain wide acclaim in the US until being featured in the 1987 film ‘Good Morning, Vietnam!‘
2. ‘All of Me’ By John Legend
2013
John Legend wrote this song as a ballad to his then-fiance and now-wife, Chrissy Tiegen. The couple recorded the music video together just days before their wedding. Sing it to your partner, your dog, or your cheesecake, and remind them of your deepest love.
3. ‘Body Like a Backroad’ By Sam Hunt
Recorded in Nashville in 2017
Few country songs gain popularity like this one did. It broke records spending 34 weeks as the number one song on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart and even ranked #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
4. ‘…Baby One More Time’ By Britney Spears
Recorded in New Jersey in 1998
Britney was just 16 when she released this top hit. The iconic music video was filmed in the same school that the film “Grease” was set in and was voted the best music video of the 90s by Billboard.
5. ‘All Star’ By Smash Mouth
Recorded in Redwood City, California in 1999
Not all songs can gain notoriety through movie use, internet memes, and remixes, but ‘All Star‘ does it all. Whether you’re getting ready to get the game on or the show on, this is the perfect hype song.
6. ‘No Scrubs’ By TLC
Recorded in Atlanta, Georgia in 1998
Every girl knows to avoid that scrub hanging out the passenger side of his best friend’s ride. What better song to unite women in making better choices than men with no drive or ambition?
7. ‘Country Roads’ By John Denver
Recorded in New York City in 1971
Country Roads can create nostalgia for the state of West Virginia, even if you’ve never been there. Although the song has been adopted by West Virginia as a state anthem, it was actually inspired by a drive through Maryland!
8. ‘U Can’t Touch This’ By MC Hammer
1990
Can anyone name a better song for taunting your friend with the last brownie you just snagged? You’re likely to hear it during a Netflix binge since it’s been used in over a dozen movies including ‘The Proposal’ and ‘White Chicks’.
9. ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ By Justin Timberlake
2016
Can’t Stop the Feeling was a summer 2016 sensation, drumming up excitement for the ‘Trolls’ movie. Most either love or detest the song. Either way, it’s sure to be stuck in your head for a few hours.
10. ‘I Will Always Love You’ By Whitney Houston
Recorded in 1992
While Dolly Parton’s rendition of the song is breathtaking, Whitney Houston’s is unforgettable. We may never be able to hit the high notes, but we’ll keep serenading everything and everyone we love with this hit.
11. ‘Sweet Caroline’ By Neil Diamond
1969
A staple at any wedding reception, Neil Diamond was rumored to have written this song for Caroline Kennedy, but has stated that he wrote it in honor of his wife at the time: Marsha. It’s ‘so good, so good, so good!’
12. ‘Stacy’s Mom’ By Fountains of Wayne
2003
Songwriter Adam Schlesinger found inspiration from this song in a childhood memory. As a preteen, a close friend commented on how hot his grandmother was. In the music video, ‘Stacy’s mom’ is played by a New Zealand supermodel who was a fan of the band.
13. ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ By Alabama
1974
The memorable first line “Turn it up” in ‘Sweet Home Alabama‘ was not originally part of the song. Band member Ronnie Van Zant needed the sound turned up in his headset as they recorded, and the band liked it so much they left it in.
14. ‘Sk8er Boi’ By Avril Lavigne
2002
From hook to chorus, ‘Sk8er Boi‘ provides catchy lyrics that are easy to sing along with. Teens all over the world can relate to the feeling of not being good enough for someone. This song’s relatability and appealing tune makes it an unforgettable hit!
15. ‘Let It Go’ By Idina Menzel (Disney’s Frozen)
2015
This Disney hit was written by a husband and wife duo. It landed Idina Menzel her first ever hit single and has been recorded in 42 different languages for various foreign releases of the ‘Frozen‘ film.
16. ‘Gold Digger’ By Kanye West
Now I ain’t saying it’s the best song, but with this beat it’s not wrong. How many of us sat around with our friends trying to rap to every word in the song?
17. ‘Irreplaceable’ By Beyonce
Recorded in New York City in 2006
Although Ne-Yo originally wrote and recorded this song, he and the recording company agreed the song would be more empowering if a woman sang it. And what woman is more empowering than Queen B herself?
18. ‘Thrift Shop’ By Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
Recorded in 2010, released in 2012
‘Thrift Shop‘ is the perfect contrast to every song we hear with high designer and high cost labels. The music video was filmed in Seattle thrift stores with just a $5,000 budget and released on a personal YouTube channel.
