27 Best Songs by Year: 27 Must-Listen Hits

27 Best Songs by Year: 27 Must-Listen Hits

Welcome to our latest blog post, “27 Best Songs by Year.” We’ve embarked on a melodious journey through time, handpicking the top tunes from each year.

Get ready to be immersed in the vibrant world of music, as we explore iconic tracks that defined eras and inspired generations.

So, whether you’re a DJ seeking inspiration or just a passionate fan, join us in celebrating these timeless masterpieces! Let the musical adventure begin!

Here are the best songs by year that you can check out:

List Of Best Songs by Year

Best songs by year in a list format:

1995: “Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio

Gangsta’s Paradise is a captivating hip-hop track by Coolio, featured on his album Gangsta’s Paradise and the soundtrack for the film Dangerous Minds. This iconic song showcases thought-provoking lyrics and a memorable beat, making it an instant classic.

1996: “Wonderwall” by Oasis

British rock band Oasis made waves with their hit Wonderwall from their second album, (What’s the Story) Morning Glory?. With its heartfelt lyrics and memorable melody, this anthemic song continues to resonate with audiences worldwide.

1997: “Bitter Sweet Symphony” by The Verve

The Verve’s Bitter Sweet Symphony is a standout track from their third album, Urban Hymns. Blending orchestral arrangements with alternative rock, this song offers a unique and unforgettable listening experience.

1998: “My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

Celine Dion’s My Heart Will Go On is the powerful ballad featured in the movie Titanic and on her album Let’s Talk About Love. With soaring vocals and an emotional melody, this track captures the hearts of listeners everywhere.

1999: “Smooth” by Santana ft. Rob Thomas

Smooth is a fusion of rock and Latin sounds, featuring Rob Thomas on vocals. This infectious track comes from Santana’s album Supernatural and dominated the charts for months.

2000: “Bye Bye Bye” by NSYNC

Pop sensation NSYNC delivered a catchy and energetic hit with Bye Bye Bye, featured on their album No Strings Attached. This dance-pop track became an anthem for a generation.

2001: “Fallin'” by Alicia Keys

Alicia Keys burst onto the scene with her soulful debut single Fallin’, from her album Songs in A Minor. This powerful piano-driven song showcases her incredible vocal talent and songwriting skills.

2002: “Lose Yourself” by Eminem

Eminem’s Lose Yourself is an inspiring rap anthem from the movie 8 Mile and his album The Eminem Show. With its compelling narrative and iconic beat, this song remains a cultural touchstone.

2003: “Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z

Beyoncé’s debut solo single, Crazy in Love featuring Jay-Z, is an electrifying R&B hit from her album Dangerously in Love. The track is an unforgettable blend of infectious beats, powerful vocals, and undeniable chemistry.

2004: “Yeah!” by Usher ft. Lil Jon & Ludacris

Usher’s Yeah! is an energetic dance hit from his album Confessions. Featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris, this song combines infectious beats and catchy lyrics to create an unforgettable party anthem.

2005: “Feel Good Inc.” by Gorillaz

Gorillaz’s Feel Good Inc. is an innovative and genre-defying track from their album Demon Days. With a blend of alternative rock, hip-hop, and electronic elements, this song showcases their unique sound.

2006: “Crazy” by Gnarls Barkley

Gnarls Barkley’s Crazy is an alternative soul track from their debut album, St. Elsewhere. The song’s distinctive sound, featuring CeeLo Green’s powerful vocals and Danger Mouse’s production, made it an instant hit.

2007: “Umbrella” by Rihanna ft. Jay-Z

Rihanna’s *Umbella* featuring Jay-Z is an iconic pop and R&B hit from her album Good Girl Gone Bad. With its catchy chorus and infectious beat, this song became a global phenomenon.

2008: “Viva la Vida” by Coldplay

Coldplay’s Viva la Vida is a grand and sweeping anthem from their album Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The track combines powerful lyrics, a memorable melody, and an orchestral arrangement, making it a fan favorite.

2009: “I Gotta Feeling” by Black Eyed Peas

The Black Eyed Peas’ I Gotta Feeling is an uplifting dance-pop hit from their album The E.N.D. This energetic song is a celebration of life, and its infectious chorus has made it a staple at parties and events worldwide.

2010: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

Adele’s Rolling in the Deep is a powerful and soulful track from her album 21. With its stirring vocals, heartfelt lyrics, and driving beat, this song resonated with audiences and solidified Adele’s status as a global superstar.

2011: “Someone Like You” by Adele

Another gem from Adele’s 21 album, Someone Like You is a poignant and emotional ballad. Featuring just piano and vocals, this heartfelt song showcases Adele’s incredible talent and vulnerability.

2012: “Gangnam Style” by PSY

South Korean artist PSY took the world by storm with his viral hit Gangnam Style from the album PSY 6 (Six Rules), Part 1. This catchy K-pop track, combined with its entertaining music video, captured the attention of millions worldwide.

2013: “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams & Nile Rodgers

Get Lucky, by electronic duo Daft Punk, features Pharrell Williams on vocals and Nile Rodgers on guitar. This groovy disco-infused track, from their album Random Access Memories, redefined modern dance music.

2014: “Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams’ uplifting and infectious Happy, from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack and his album G I R L, brought smiles to faces everywhere. With its feel-good melody and positive message, this song became an instant classic.

2015: “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Mark Ronson’s Uptown Funk, featuring Bruno Mars, is a funky and energetic track from his album Uptown Special. With its irresistible groove and catchy lyrics, this song dominated the charts and dance floors alike.

2016: “Formation” by Beyoncé

Beyoncé’s powerful and politically charged Formation is a standout track from her album Lemonade. This song blends elements of trap, bounce, and Southern hip-hop, showcasing Beyoncé’s versatility as an artist.

2017: “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran

Ed Sheeran’s Shape of You is a catchy and romantic pop hit from his album ÷ (Divide). With its infectious melody and relatable lyrics, this song quickly became a chart-topping favorite.

2018: “This Is America” by Childish Gambino

Childish Gambino’s This Is America is a powerful and thought-provoking song that addresses social and political issues. With its captivating music video and poignant lyrics, this track made a lasting impact on popular culture.

2019: “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish

Billie Eilish’s Bad Guy is a genre-defying hit from her debut album, When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go? This track combines a catchy melody, innovative production, and Eilish’s unique vocal style, making it a standout in the world of pop music.

2020: “Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s Blinding Lights is a synth-pop masterpiece from his album After Hours. With its 80s-inspired sound and unforgettable melody, this song quickly became a global sensation and a chart-topping hit.

2021: “drivers license” by Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo’s debut single, drivers license, is a heartfelt and emotional ballad from her album SOUR. This song, with its raw lyrics and powerful vocals, captured the attention of millions and launched Rodrigo’s career as a rising star in the music industry.

2022: “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” by Lil Nas X

Lil Nas X’s Montero (Call Me By Your Name) is a genre-blending hit from his debut album, Montero. This song showcases his versatility as an artist, combining elements of hip-hop, pop, and R&B. With its catchy melody, provocative lyrics, and groundbreaking music video, this track made a significant impact on the music scene.

2023: “Kiss Me More” by Doja Cat ft. SZA

Doja Cat’s Kiss Me More, featuring SZA, is a sultry and infectious pop track from her album Planet Her. This song features a catchy chorus, smooth vocals, and an irresistible groove, making it a favorite among fans and a chart-topping success.

Fun Facts: Best Songs by Year

“Gangsta’s Paradise” by Coolio

Fun Fact: The haunting chorus of Gangsta’s Paradise is a reworking of Stevie Wonder’s song Pastime Paradise from his iconic 1976 album Songs in the Key of Life. Stevie Wonder actually gave Coolio permission to use the sample, which became one of the most recognizable hooks in hip-hop history.

“My Heart Will Go On” by Celine Dion

Fun Fact: Celine Dion initially didn’t want to record My Heart Will Go On because she didn’t like the song. However, her husband and manager, René Angélil, convinced her to give it a chance. The song went on to become one of the best-selling singles of all time and an unforgettable movie anthem.

“Crazy in Love” by Beyoncé ft. Jay-Z

Fun Fact: The horn sample used in Crazy in Love is taken from a 1970s funk song called Are You My Woman? (Tell Me So) by the Chi-Lites. The song’s producer, Rich Harrison, had been saving the sample for the perfect opportunity, and it ultimately became the foundation for Beyoncé’s debut solo single.

“Gangnam Style” by PSY

Fun Fact: Gangnam Style was the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views, breaking records and setting a new standard for online video popularity. The song’s catchy beat and entertaining dance moves, combined with PSY’s distinctive style, made it a global sensation.

“Happy” by Pharrell Williams

Fun Fact: Happy was initially written for CeeLo Green, but the record label decided not to release it as a single for him. Pharrell Williams then recorded the song himself, and it went on to become a massive worldwide hit, topping the charts in over 20 countries.

“Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars

Fun Fact: The writing process for Uptown Funk took over seven months, with Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars struggling to perfect the song. They recorded and re-recorded the track multiple times, working tirelessly to create the catchy hit we know today.

And that’s a wrap on our musical journey through the years, showcasing 27 unforgettable songs that have shaped the soundtrack of our lives. Keep grooving and until next time!

Thanks for reading.

TBone