We’re well into the 21st century and the music industry continues to evolve at breakneck speed. New platforms and media, along with the technology that puts creative tools at the fingertips of emerging artists, are creating opportunities for legions of aspiring singer-songwriters and performers. Along with that has been the trends of blending genres and of artists pairing with other performers to create hits. (Track the evolution of pop music over the decades with this list of the most popular song every year since 1970.)
To determine the 20 biggest pop hits of the last 20 years, 24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data on the Billboard Hot 100 song charts. Songs were ranked based on an inverse score wherein a week at No. 1 is worth 100 points, a week at No. 2 worth 99 points, and so on, up to a week at No. 100 worth one point. Chart data is current through the week of August 20, 2022.
Click here to see the 20 biggest pop hits of the past 20 years
Eight of the top singles over the last 20 years have been duets or collaborations. Among the more notable were the pairings of Canadian R&B singer-turned-pop-star The Weeknd with pop diva Arianda Grande on “Save Your Tears” and of Maroon 5 with Cardi B for “Girls Like You.” (These are the top musical collaborations that have hit No. 1.)
American acts were represented (sometimes in partnership) on 12 of the biggest pop hits of the past 20 years. As you might expect, the talent flowing from the United Kingdom to this country has continued. Ed Sheeran has three songs among the list’s greatest hits, and Adele and Glass Animals are heard from as well. All of the singles on this list were certified platinum, multi-platinum, or diamond by the Recording Industry Association of America.
20. Halsey, “Without Me”
> Entered Hot 100: Oct. 20, 2018
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 52
“Without Me” was Halsey’s second Billboard Hot 100 chart-topper (the first was “Closer” with The Chainsmokers in 2016). It was the first new song released by Halsey (née Ashley Nicolette
Frangipane) since her 2017 album, “hopeless fountain kingdom.” The song explores her personal feelings in the wake of a breakup with an ex-boyfriend, rapper G-Eazy. After the song topped the Billboard chart, she released a remix of the track featuring Juice WRLD. “Without Me” went 9x multi-platinum on Sept. 7, 2021.
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19. The Black Eyed Peas, “I Gotta Feeling”
> Entered Hot 100: June 27, 2009
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 56
The Los Angeles-based hip-hop rap group has pumped out 10 top-10 hits, including three chart-toppers. None was bigger than “I Gotta Feeling,” the party anthem of the 2000s, which was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks. The song also won the Grammy for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals in 2010, one of six Grammys that have been awarded to the group. On June 6, 2018, the RIAA certified the song 10x multi-platinum.
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18. Maroon 5 Featuring Cardi B, “Girls Like You”
> Entered Hot 100: June 9, 2018
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 52
Many songs that have reach the summit of the Billboard Hot 100 were performed by duets, like this one It was the fourth top-selling single for Maroon 5 and the fifth for Cardi B. The song was nominated for a Grammy. The RIAA certified the song 10x multi-platinum on Nov. 29, 2021.
17. Gotye Featuring Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used To Know”
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 21, 2012
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 59
From the lands down under, Australia and New Zealand, comes another chart-topping duo. This emotionally charged breakup song was certified 14x multi-platinum by the RIAA on May 6, 2021. The song won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Record of the Year in 2013, and the song was covered by cast members of the TV musical series “Glee.”
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16. Ed Sheeran, “Perfect”
> Entered Hot 100: March 25, 2017
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 56
British singer Ed Sheeran has had three of the biggest pop hits in the last 20 years, including two No. 1s in 2017. Following on the success of “Shape of You,” in January 2017, the four-time Grammy winner topped the Billboard Hot 100 with “Perfect,” which held the top spot for six weeks. The song went 10x multi-platinum as of Dec. 20, 2019.
15. Gabby Barrett Featuring Charlie Puth, “I Hope”
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 11, 2020
> Peak position on Hot 100: #3 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 62
Gabby Barrett, who was a finalist on “American Idol,” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 with “I Hope,” a collaboration with Charlie Puth. The song, about a woman’s anger over a messy breakup, was a 6x multi-platinum record as of April 22, 2022.
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14. Post Malone & Swae Lee, “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)”
> Entered Hot 100: Nov. 3, 2018
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 53
Post Malone has had four singles top the Billboard Hot 100, and all but one have been collaborations. “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse)” was performed with rapper-songwriter Swae Lee. Buoyed by the success of the Spider-Man film, the song was certified 11x multi-platinum on Nov. 9, 2020.
13. Adele, “Rolling In The Deep”
> Entered Hot 100: Dec. 25, 2010
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 65
British singer Adele has been a constant hitmaker in the 21st century and along the way has garnered 15 Grammy trophies out of 18 nominations. “Rolling In The Deep” was one of three of her singles that appeared simultaneously in the top 10, making Adele the first solo female artist in the history of the Billboard Hot 100 to accomplish that feat. It also was the Billboard Hot 100 song of the year in 2011, and was certified 8x multi-platinum on May 9, 2013.
12. Ed Sheeran, “Bad Habits”
> Entered Hot 100: July 10, 2021
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 56
“Bad Habits” was the lead single from Ed Sheeran’s fifth studio album. It did not quite hit No. 1 the Billboard Hot 100, but Sheeran’s single had staying power and remained on the chart for more than a year. One of Sheeran’s nine top-10 hits so far, “Bad Habits” it was certified platinum on Nov. 11, 2021.
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11. Mark Ronson Featuring Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
> Entered Hot 100: Nov. 29, 2014
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 56
British musician Mark Ronson has had only one top-10 hit, but it was a monster. He collaborated with pop-funk star Bruno Mars for this single, which was certified 11x multi-platinum on Oct. 18, 2016. At the 2016 Grammy Awards “Uptown Funk” won Grammys Award for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance and Record of the Year in 2016.
10. OneRepublic, “Counting Stars”
> Entered Hot 100: July 6, 2013
> Peak position on Hot 100: #2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 68
OneRepublic is a Colorado-based band that blends alternative rock, contemporary pop, and singer/songwriter sensibilities, enjoying single and album success in both the U.S. and international markets. “Counting Stars,” off the album “Native,” is its most successful single to date. Besides being lead vocalist for the group, frontman Ryan Tedder has written songs for and produced music for artists such as Adele, Beyoncé, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, and Paul McCartney, and won three Grammy Awards. “Counting Stars” was certified 10x multi-platinum Oct. 18, 2016.
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9. Ed Sheeran, “Shape Of You”
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 28, 2017
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 58
“Shape Of You” was Ed Sheeran’s first chart-topper on the Billboard Hot 100, and it was a big hit. The single was certified 10x multi-platinum on Jan. 24, 2019.
8. LMFAO Featuring Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, “Party Rock Anthem”
> Entered Hot 100: Feb.12, 2011
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 68
“Party Rock Anthem” was performed by American duo LMFAO with British singer Lauren Bennett and American music producer GoonRock. The single was a sensation in the summer of 2011 and topped charts in 13 countries. It is the best-selling single of all time in Australia and has been viewed more than two billion times on YouTube. The song has been heard on many U.S. television series, including “Two Broke Girls” and “Gossip Girl” and was certified 10x multi-platinum on June 6, 2018.
7. The Kid LAROI & Justin Bieber, “Stay”
> Entered Hot 100: July 24, 2021
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 57
Australian teen rapper The Kid LAROI teamed with Canadian heartthrob Justin Bieber for the hit “Stay.” The song marked Bieber’s eighth time atop the Billboard Hot 100, and was his 26th song to reach the top 10. “Stay” was certified 4x multi-platinum on Jan. 27, 2022.
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6. Jason Mraz, “I’m Yours”
> Entered Hot 100: May 3, 2008
> Peak position on Hot 100: #6 (for 1 week)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 76
Jason Mraz has cultivated a cheeky yet sincere songwriting image as a California musician though his roots are in Virginia. His 2008 single “I’m Yours” went 10x mult-platinum on June 24, 2019, despite only reaching No. 6 on the Billboard Hot 100. “I’m Yours” is one of his two top-10 hits, along with “I won’t Give Up.”
5. Post Malone, “Circles”
> Entered Hot 100: Sept. 14, 2019
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 61
Post Malone crafted one of the best driving songs of all time with the hit single “Circles.” One of three chart-toppers for the Syracuse, N.Y.-born rapper and songwriter, the hit was certified 4x multi-platinum on Aug. 28, 2020.
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4. The Weeknd & Ariana Grande, “Save Your Tears”
> Entered Hot 100: April 4, 2020
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 69
Two of the biggest pop performers over the past 20 years have been The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, who collaborated on this hit single. “Save Your Tears” is the most recent of The Weeknd’s six No. 1 singles on the Hot 100,. Grande, who successfully transitioned from child television star to pop princess, also had six No. 1s. “Save Your Tears went 3x multi-platinum on June 17, 2021.
3. Imagine Dragons, “Radioactive”
> Entered Hot 100: Aug. 18, 2012
> Peak position on Hot 100: #3 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 87
Imagine Dragons gained extensive airplay in the 2010s with their hooky pop choruses, and won their first Grammy in 2014 for this diamond-certified hit “Radioactive” from their album “Night Visions,” with 14 million units sold. The song’s 87-week tenure on the Hot 100 is the second longest on this list.
2. Glass Animals, “Heat Waves”
> Entered Hot 100: Jan. 16, 2021
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 82
“Heat Waves” became the first chart leader for the British quartet, reaching the summit on its 59th week in the Billboard Hot 100 – at the time the lengthiest climb to reach No. 1. Formed in Oxford, England, the group melds synth pop, indie, R&B, and hip-hop. “Heat Waves” was a single off of their acclaimed album “Dreamland,” going 3x multi-platinum on Nov. 23, 2021.
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1. The Weeknd, “Blinding Lights”
> Entered Hot 100: December 14, 2019
> Peak position on Hot 100: #1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total weeks on Hot 100: 90
Four-time Grammy-winning hitmaker The Weeknd has had six singles top the Billboard Hot 100. “Blinding Lights” was one of them, and its 90-week stay on the Billboard Hot 100 makes it the top pop single of the past 20 years. “Blinding Lights” was certified 10x multi-platinum on April 5, 2022.
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