The Best Pop Songs Of All Time Ranked
The main medium of pop music is the song, often between two and a half and three and a half minutes in length, generally marked by a consistent and noticeable rhythmic element, a mainstream style and a simple traditional structure. The structure of many popular songs is that of a verse and a chorus, the chorus serving as the portion of the track that is designed to stick in the ear through simple repetition both musically and lyrically. The chorus is often where the music builds towards and is often preceded by “the drop” where the bass and drum parts “drop out”. Common variants include the verse-chorus form and the thirty-two-bar form, with a focus on melodies and catchy hooks, and a chorus that contrasts melodically, rhythmically and harmonically with the verse. The beat and the melodies tend to be simple, with limited harmonic accompaniment. The lyrics of modern pop songs typically focus on simple themes – often love and romantic relationships – although there are notable exceptions. Harmony and chord progressions in pop music are often “that of classical European tonality, only more simple-minded.” Clichés include the barbershop quartet-style harmony (i.e. ii – V – I) and blues scale-influenced harmony. There was a lessening of the influence of traditional views of the circle of fifths between the mid-1950s and the late 1970s, including less predominance for the dominant function.
Relive the music of one of the most music genre. Click below and listen to the songs of Pop!
15. Party In the U.S.A. – Miley Cyrus
“This song hails from a different era of Cyrus, before she transformed into a Robin Thicke-humping sexpot with a Gene Simmons tongue. This midway point between modern Miley and Hannah Montana is a ray of sing-along sunshine. Anyone who claims not to know the words (or belt them out and roll the windows down whenever the song’s on the radio) cannot be trusted.”
14. Enjoy the Silence – Depeche Mode
“Depeche Mode reached the pop top 10 in the U.S. for the first—and to date the only—time with this second single from the album “Violator.” The notable accompanying music video depicts lead vocalist Dave Gahan as a king wandering the Scottish highlands with a deck chair.”
13. Like a Prayer – Madonna
“Madonna’s classic “Like a Prayer” grew out of a concerted effort by the singer to record something more adult. She was inspired by the Roman Catholic belief in transubstantiation, by which the bread and wine in the Eucharist become literally the body and blood of Christ. The song and accompanying video generated controversy, but the anthemic sound of “Like a Prayer” and its gospel backing chorus were enthusiastically received by fans, who turned it into a No. 1 pop smash.”
12. Single Ladies – Beyoncé
“Sure, we could have picked ‘Crazy in Love’ instead, but there’s something even more transcendent about Queen Bey’s ode to flying solo. The super-sleek beats and naggingly catchy vocal hooks combine to create such an instant classic that even Liza Minnelli has covered it. And pretty well, too.”
11. Firework – Katy Perry
“Part dance floor anthem, part inspirational power song, ‘Firework’ was Katy Perry’s third release from 2010’s ‘Teenage Dream’ album and a huge elevation point in her career. It won MTV’s 2011 VMA for Video of the Year and earned two Grammy nominations, and all the hoopla around Seth Rogen and James Franco’s The Interview gave it another boost of publicity in 2014.”
10. Toxic – Britney Spears
“On this iconic 2003 single, Britney transforms into a stealthy femme fatale, her voice soaring and dipping over a deranged synth-string arrangement that wouldn’t seem out of place in a Hitchcock film. Even now, nearly two decades later and with the #FreeBritney movement having highlighted the horrific treatment she’s had to endure, it’s a disorienting stunner of a pop masterpiece.”
9. Poker Face – Lady Gaga
“Gaga’s entire catalogue is a celebration of individuality, allyship and letting your freak flag fly. ‘Poker Face’ remains a staple of the pop pantheon thanks to its grimy-glam melodies and bombastic vocal breaks. Plus, Gaga managed to sneak the line ‘f*ck her face’ onto radio for yeears without anyone noticing. If that’s not the mark of a queen, nothing is.”
8. Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen
“This song made 2012 the year of the cheesy pickup line after Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s lip-sync sesh catapulted this tune onto the radio. Jepson hasn’t had another equally huge hit since, but she has facilitated millions of hasty flirtations and phone number solicitations.”
7. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston
“Dolly Parton wrote, recorded, and topped the country chart with the original version of “I Will Always Love You.” But it was Whitney Houston’s dramatic rendition of the song for the soundtrack to the film “The Bodyguard,” in which she also starred, that became one of the biggest pop hits of all time. The song reached the top 3 of the Billboard Hot 100 once more after Houston died in 2012.”
6. Beautiful – Christina Aguilera
“Written by Linda Perry, Christina Aguilera’s single “Beautiful” has been adopted as an LGBT anthem. It received a Grammy Award for Best Female Pop Vocal Performance, was nominated for Song of The Year, and peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard Hot 100. It went all the way to No. 1 on the pop singles chart in the U.K.”
5. Rehab – Amy Winehouse
“‘Rehab’ was always a great pop song, but following Amy Winehouse’s tragic death in 2011, it’s acquired a hauntingly poignant quality, too. Mark Ronson’s doo-wop-inspired production swathes the singer’s soulful voice like a cashmere blanket, creating a timeless ode to defiance that hits hard with every last ‘no, no, no’. Rest in Power, Amy.”
4. … Baby One More Time – Britney Spears
“This song introduced the world to Britney Spears. It is also a landmark hit in the career of songwriter and producer Max Martin. Although Britney Spears was only 16 at the time of recording, the song has a decidedly salacious tone, which is enhanced by the sexy schoolgirl theme of the accompanying music video. “…Baby One More Time” has been widely covered by other artists, including Fountains of Wayne and Panic at the Disco. The song became a chart-topping hit in more than a dozen countries around the world.”
3. I Want It that Way – Backstreet Boys
“A great song. Much better than other songs of backstreet boys. It is a song that has changed pop music, it was much different from other male pop artists at that time and thus changed the way of singing style of pop male artists. But sadly this song is always under rated as it is a boyband song.”
2. Billie Jean – Michael Jackson
“A pulsing introductory bass line and Michael Jackson’s trademark “hiccup” vocals distinguish “Billie Jean,” a song about a patrimonial accusation that is apparently based on a real-life incident. “Billie Jean” almost missed the cut to be included on the “Thriller” album. It went straight to No. 1 and was a top 10 smash across Europe.”
1. Thriller – Michael Jackson
“The pop song which is considered by a lot of musicians and music producers as the cornerstone of the music industry… Indeed this album or song broke a lot of boundaries, made a lot of records and made HISTORY and gave us MAGIC… again a top spot for the KING OF MUSIC!”
