Pop music is more than just a genre; it’s the lifeblood of culture. It’s the universal language that connects people across generations, soundtracking our lives and defining eras. From joyous wedding receptions filled with strangers dancing together to karaoke nights that unexpectedly touch the soul, pop music is the ever-reliable, easily accessible sound of shared human experience. Even in the age of streaming, top 40 hits and classic pop radio stations remain cultural cornerstones, proving the enduring power of a great pop song.
Considering its pervasive influence, it’s surprising that pop music hasn’t been as thoroughly analyzed and celebrated as genres like rock, hip-hop, and country. While rock music has been extensively cataloged and honored for decades, and other genres are finally gaining similar recognition, pop music often seems to be missing its official hall of fame or definitive historical accounts. It’s almost paradoxical that the most popular music on the planet can sometimes feel overlooked in terms of critical appreciation and historical documentation.
This is why, on the 65th anniversary of the Billboard Hot 100 chart, a pivotal moment in music history, Billboard decided to embark on a significant project: compiling a list of the 500 best pop songs since the chart’s inception. This list isn’t simply a reflection of chart performance; instead, it represents the songs that Billboard’s staff felt were the absolute greatest and most timeless pop creations of the past 65 years. These are the songs that embody the essence of what pop music is and what it aspires to be. To ensure a diverse representation of artists and maximize the breadth of pop history covered, they limited the number of songs per lead artist to three.
But what exactly defines a “pop song”? The beauty and complexity of pop music lie in its elusive definition. Unlike genres defined by specific sounds or musical structures, pop music is primarily defined by its popularity. A pop song can originate from virtually any genre – rock, dance, R&B, country, rap, reggaeton, or any fusion thereof – as long as it achieves widespread popularity. For Billboard’s list, the primary criterion was that a song had to have appeared on the Hot 100 chart at some point. An exception was made for certain 90s hits that, due to chart rules at the time, weren’t eligible for the Hot 100 despite their immense popularity.
Ultimately, the selection process for Billboard’s 500 best pop songs list hinged on capturing the very spirit of “pop.” They sought songs that resonated with the core qualities of pop music: catchiness, tight songwriting, emotional resonance, masterful production, and instant memorability. Songs that didn’t immediately strike them as quintessential pop might have been ranked lower than in other “best of” lists, or even omitted entirely. Conversely, those songs that screamed “this is pop!” – even if not always critically acclaimed – were given special consideration. While the definition of pop remains subjective and open to interpretation, the aim was to curate a list that embodies the undeniable essence of pop music.
Billboard’s staff have meticulously curated their 500 favorite pop songs from the Hot 100 era, spanning from the early days of Lesley Gore to contemporary artists like Carly Rae Jepsen and SZA, and encompassing a vast range of sounds from The Kinks to The Chainsmokers. The unveiling of this monumental list was rolled out throughout a week, starting with songs ranked 500-301, followed by 300-101, and culminating in the reveal of the top 100 and accompanying articles, inviting everyone to explore and celebrate the expansive world of pop music.
Explore the full list and discover (or rediscover) your own favorite pop anthems:
Nos. 400-301
Nos. 300-201
Nos. 200-101
Nos. 100-1
