Special Report

The Song That Defined Every Summer Since the 1950s

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

Every summer has a soundtrack. Not just the crash of waves at the beach, the cries of “Marco / Polo” from the pool, the sizzle of burgers on the grill, the crackling of the campfire, the scratchy din of crickets…but also the music – the songs of summer.

Every year, there’s a hit recording – sometimes several of them – suffusing the season’s atmosphere and at the same time somehow evoking its all-too-ephemeral spirit. (The French call these songs “tubes d’été” – more or less “conduits of summer.”) And chances are that these songs will remind you of their summers of success for the rest of your life. (Whatever the time of year, these are America’s favorite road-trip songs.)

To determine the song of the summer the year you were born, 24/7 Tempo reviewed performance data on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Songs were ranked based on chart performance from July through September in the year they were released using 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 July 1, 2023.

Though a few slow starters on this list initially hit the charts in February or March of their banner year (and one didn’t appear until August), the vast majority of them made their debut between April and June, before soaring to summerlong stardom. (Sometimes these songs have a second life after Labor Day. Here are some classic songs that have returned to the Billboard Hot 100.)

Tracking these hits over the past 64 years (it’s too early to know what songs will define the summer of ‘23) reveals the evolution of our musical tastes. The earliest entry, the Italian-language ballad “Nel Blu Di Pinto di Blu (Volare”) earned singer Domenico Modugno awards for both Record of the Year and Song of the Year at the first-ever Grammy Awards in 1959. The latest is the musically upbeat synth-poppish Harry Styles smash “As It Was,” which stayed at No. 1 for 15 weeks, becoming the longest-running Hot 100 topper by a U.K. act in Billboard history.

In between Modugno and Styles, you’ll find classic rockers like the Rolling Stones, the Beach Boys, and The Doors; soft-pop stars The Carpenters and Captain & Tennille; disco queen Donna Summer; a host of rap and rap-adjacent artists, including Sir Mix-a-Lot, Nelly, Drake, and Cardi B; and much more. 

Click here to see the song that defined every summer since the 1950s

One song you won’t find here is “The Boys of Summer” by Don Henley, whose lyrics mourn the passing of the season (“I feel it in the air / The summer’s out of reach”). But don’t worry: There’ll always be another summer, and like every other summer it will be full of song.

Keystone / Getty Images

1958: Domenico Modugno, “Nel Blu Dipinto di Blu (Volare)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: Aug. 11, 1958
> Other contenders: The Elegants, “Little Star”; The Everly Brothers, “Bird Dog”; Jack Scott, “My True Love”

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Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1959: Carl Dobkins, Jr., “My Heart Is an Open Book”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Entered charts: April 13, 1959
> Other contenders: Johnny Horton, “The Battle of New Orleans”; Paul Anka, “Lonely Boy”; Dinah Washington, “What a Diff’rence a Day Makes”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1960: Brenda Lee, “I’m Sorry”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: May 30, 1960
> Other contenders: Roy Orbison, “Only the Lonely (Know How I Feel)”; Hank Locklin, “Please Help Me, I’m Falling”; Connie Francis, “Everybody’s Somebody’s Fool”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1961: Bobby Lewis, “Tossin’ And Turnin'”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: April 24, 1961
> Other contenders: Chris Kenner, “I Like It Like That, Part 1”; U.S. Bonds, “Quarter to Three”; Brook Benton, “The Boll Weevil Song”

Public domain / Wikimedia Commons

1962: Bobby Vinton, “Roses Are Red (My Love)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: June 9, 1962
> Other contenders: David Rose and His Orchestra, “The Stripper”; Ray Charles, “I Can’t Stop Loving You”; Neil Sedaka, “Breaking Up Is Hard to Do”

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1963: Little Stevie Wonder, “Fingertips – Pt 2”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: June 22, 1963
> Other contenders: The Tymes, “So Much in Love”; The Surfaris, “Wipe Out”; Jan & Dean, “Surf City”

Hulton Archive / Getty Images

1964: The Beach Boys, “I Get Around”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: May 23, 1964
> Other contenders: Dean Martin, “Everybody Loves Somebody”; The Drifters, “Under the Boardwalk”; The 4 Seasons, “Rag Doll”

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Keystone Features / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1965: The Rolling Stones, “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Entered charts: June 12, 1965
> Other contenders: Four Tops, “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch)”; Jay & The Americans, “Cara, Mia”; Mel Carter, “Hold Me, Thrill Me, Kiss Me”

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1966: Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs, “Lil’ Red Riding Hood”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 14 weeks
> Entered charts: June 11, 1966
> Other contenders: Bobby Hebb, “Sunny”; Tommy James and the Shondells, “Hanky Panky”; Frank Sinatra, “Strangers In The Night”

Central Press / Getty Images

1967: The Doors, “Light My Fire”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: June 3, 1967
> Other contenders: Frankie Valli, “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You”; Stevie Wonder, “I Was Made to Love Her”; The Association, “Windy”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1968: The 5th Dimension, “Stoned Soul Picnic”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: June 1, 1968
> Other contenders: The Vogues, “Turn Around, Look at Me”; Herb Alpert, “This Guy’s in Love With You”; Cliff Nobles & Co., “The Horse”

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Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1969: Tommy James and the Shondells, “Crystal Blue Persuasion”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 15 weeks
> Entered charts: June 7, 1969
> Other contenders: Neil Diamond, “Sweet Caroline (Good Times Never Seemed So Good)”; Zager & Evans, “In the Year 2525”; Jr. Walker & The All Stars, “What Does It Take (To Win Your Love)”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1970: Carpenters, “(They Long To Be) Close to You”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 17 weeks
> Entered charts: June 20, 1970
> Other contenders: Freda Payne, “Band of Gold”; Bread, “Make It With You”; Eric Burdon And War, “Spill the Wine”

David Warner Ellis / Redferns via Getty Images

1971: John Denver, “Take Me Home, Country Roads”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: April 10, 1971
> Other contenders: The Raiders, “Indian Reservation (The Lament of the Cherokee Reservation Indian)”; Jean Knight, “Mr. Big Stuff”; Carole King, “It’s Too Late/I Feel the Earth Move”

Gems / Contributor / Getty Images

1972: Looking Glass, “Brandy (You’re a Fine Girl)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 16 weeks
> Entered charts: June 17, 1972
> Other contenders: Gilbert O’Sullivan, “Alone Again (Naturally)”; Luther Ingram, “(If Loving You Is Wrong) I Don’t Want to be Right”; The Hollies, “Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress)”

Michael Ochs Archives / Stringer / Getty Images

1973: Jim Croce, “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Entered charts: April 21, 1973
> Other contenders: Diana Ross, “Touch Me in the Morning”; Three Dog Night, “Shambala”; Stories, “Brother Louie”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1974: Blue Magic, “Sideshow”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 8 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Entered charts: May 18, 1974
> Other contenders: Mac Davis, “One Hell of a Woman”; John Denver, “Annie’s Song”; ABBA, “Waterloo”

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Bettmann / Getty Images

1975: Glen Campbell, “Rhinestone Cowboy”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: May 31, 1975
> Other contenders: Eagles, “One of These Nights”; The Captain & Tennille, “Love Will Keep Us Together”; Bee Gees, “Jive Talkin'”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1976: The Manhattans, “Kiss and Say Goodbye”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered charts: April 17, 1976
> Other contenders: Gary Wright, “Love Is Alive”; Seals & Crofts (ft. Carolyn Willis), “Get Closer”; Lou Rawls, “You’ll Never Find Another Love Like Mine”

Stuart Nicol / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1977: Andy Gibb, “I Just Want To Be Your Everything”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 31 weeks
> Entered charts: April 23, 1977
> Other contenders: Rita Coolidge, “(Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher and Higher”; The Emotions, “Best of My Love”; Peter Frampton, “I’m in You”

David Cairns / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1978: The Rolling Stones, “Miss You”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered charts: May 27, 1978
> Other contenders: Frankie Valli, “Grease”; Commodores, “Three Times a Lady”; Donna Summer, “Last Dance”

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Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

1979: Donna Summer, “Bad Girls”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered charts: May 26, 1979
> Other contenders: Anita Ward, “Ring My Bell”; Dr. Hook, “When You’re in Love With a Beautiful Woman”; Robert John, “Sad Eyes”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1980: Billy Joel, “It’s Still Rock and Roll to Me”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Entered charts: May 24, 1980
> Other contenders: Olivia Newton-John, “Magic”; The S.O.S. Band, “Take Your Time (Do It Right) Part 1”; The Manhattans, “Shining Star”

Mike Lawrie / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1981: Rick Springfield, “Jessie’s Girl”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 32 weeks
> Entered charts: March 28, 1981
> Other contenders: Joey Scarbury, “Theme from ‘The Greatest American Hero’ (Believe It or Not)”; Juice Newton, “Queen Of Hearts”; The Pointer Sisters, “Slow Hand”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1982: John Cougar, “Hurts So Good”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Entered charts: April 24, 1982
> Other contenders: Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger”; The Steve Miller Band, “Abracadabra”; Chicago, “Hard to Say I’m Sorry”

Fin Costello / Redferns via Getty Images

1983: The Police, “Every Breath You Take”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 22 weeks
> Entered charts: June 4, 1983
> Other contenders: Eurythmics, “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)”; Donna Summer, “She Works Hard for the Money”; Irene Cara, “Flashdance…What a Feeling”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1984: Prince, “When Doves Cry”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: June 2, 1984
> Other contenders: Bruce Springsteen, “Dancing in the Dark”; Tina Turner, “What’s Love Got to Do With It”; Ray Parker Jr., “Ghostbusters”

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1985: Paul Young, “Everytime You Go Away”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: May 11, 1985
> Other contenders: Corey Hart, “Never Surrender”; Sting, “If You Love Somebody Set Them Free”; Tears For Fears, “Shout”

Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

1986: Peter Cetera, “Glory of Love (Theme from ‘The Karate Kid Part II’)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 21 weeks
> Entered charts: June 7, 1986
> Other contenders: Belinda Carlisle, “Mad About You”; Peter Gabriel, “Sledgehammer”; Jermaine Stewart, “We Don’t Have to Take Our Clothes Off”

Hulton Archive / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1987: George Michael, “I Want Your Sex (from ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 20 weeks
> Entered charts: June 6, 1987
> Other contenders: T’Pau, “Heart and Soul”; Debbie Gibson, “Only in My Dreams”; Heart, “Alone”

1988: Breathe, “Hands to Heaven”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Entered charts: April 16, 1988
> Other contenders: Richard Marx, “Hold on to the Nights”; Eric Carmen, “Make Me Lose Control”; Steve Winwood, “Roll With It”

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Courtesy of Great White [Band] via Facebook

1989: Great White, “Once Bitten Twice Shy”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 5 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered charts: May 13, 1989
> Other contenders: Dino, “I Like It”; Bobby Brown, “On Our Own (from ‘Ghostbusters II’)”; Martika, “Toy Soldiers”

Michael Ochs Archives / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1990: Billy Idol, “Cradle of Love (from “Ford Fairlane”)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 24 weeks
> Entered charts: May 5, 1990
> Other contenders: Mariah Carey, “Vision of Love”; Snap!, “The Power”; En Vogue, “Hold On”

1991: Jesus Jones, “Right Here, Right Now”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Entered charts: April 13, 1991
> Other contenders: Amy Grant, “Every Heartbeat”; Lenny Kravitz, “It Ain’t Over ’til it’s Over”; The Escape Club, “I’ll Be There”

Christian Petersen / Getty Images

1992: Sir Mix-a-Lot, “Baby Got Back”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Entered charts: April 11, 1992
> Other contenders: Jon Secada, “Just Another Day”; Billy Ray Cyrus, “Achy Breaky Heart”; Tom Cochrane, “Life is a Highway”

Al Pereira / Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images

1993: Tag Team, “Whoomp! (There it Is)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 45 weeks
> Entered charts: May 29, 1993
> Other contenders: UB40, “Can’t Help Falling in Love”; SWV, “Weak”; Janet Jackson, “That’s the Way Love Goes”

Thos Robinson / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

1994: All-4-One, “I Swear”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 30 weeks
> Entered charts: April 23, 1994
> Other contenders: Lisa Loeb & Nine Stories, “Stay (I Missed You)”; Ace Of Base, “Don’t Turn Around”; Janet Jackson, “Any Time, Any Place/And On and On”

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Courtesy of Monica via Facebook

1995: Monica, “Don’t Take it Personal (Just One of Dem Days)”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 29 weeks
> Entered charts: April 29, 1995
> Other contenders: Boyz II Men, “Water Runs Dry”; TLC, “Waterfalls”; Blues Traveler, “Run-Around”

Bryan Bedder / Getty Images

1996: Tracy Chapman, “Give Me One Reason”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 39 weeks
> Entered charts: April 6, 1996
> Other contenders: Toni Braxton, “You’re Makin’ Me High/Let it Flow”; Quad City DJ’s, “C’mon N’ Ride It (The Train)”; Mariah Carey, “Always Be My Baby”

Jamie McCarthy / Getty Images

1997: Puff Daddy & Faith Evans ft. 112, “I’ll Be Missing You”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 11 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 33 weeks
> Entered charts: June 14, 1997
> Other contenders: Mark Morrison, “Return Of The Mack”; Robyn, “Do You Know (What It Takes)”

Larry Busacca / Getty Images

1998: Brandy & Monica, “The Boy Is Mine”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 13 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Entered charts: May 30, 1998
> Other contenders: Shania Twain, “You’re Still the One”; Next, “Too Close”; Sarah McLachlan, “Adia”

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Scott Gries / Hulton Archive via Getty Images

1999: Jennifer Lopez, “If You Had My Love”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 5 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 25 weeks
> Entered charts: May 15, 1999
> Other contenders: 702, “Where My Girls At?”; Backstreet Boys, “I Want It That Way”; Smash Mouth, “All Star”

2000: matchbox twenty, “Bent”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 39 weeks
> Entered charts: April 29, 2000
> Other contenders: Joe, “I Wanna Know”; Aaliyah, “Try Again”; ‘N Sync, “It’s Gonna Be Me”

Gabe Palacio / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2001: Lifehouse, “Hanging by a Moment”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 2 (for 4 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 54 weeks
> Entered charts: Feb. 10, 2001
> Other contenders: Eve ft. Gwen Stefani, “Let Me Blow Ya Mind”; Train, “Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)”; 112, “Peaches & Cream”

Robert Mora / Getty Images

2002: Nelly, “Hot in Herre”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered charts: May 4, 2002
> Other contenders: Vanessa Carlton, “A Thousand Miles”; Chad Kroeger ft. Josey Scott, “Hero”; Jimmy Eat World, “The Middle”

Vince Bucci / Getty Images

2003: Beyoncé ft. Jay Z, “Crazy In Love”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 8 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Entered charts: May 24, 2003
> Other contenders: matchbox twenty, “Unwell”; Lil’ Kim ft. 50 Cent, “Magic Stick”; Chingy, “Right Thurr”

2004: Juvenile ft. Soulja Slim, “Slow Motion”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 2 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 28 weeks
> Entered charts: May 1, 2004
> Other contenders: Usher, “Confessions Part II”; Alicia Keys, “If I Ain’t Got You”; Hoobastank, “The Reason”

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Daniel Barry / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2005: Mariah Carey, “We Belong Together”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 14 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 43 weeks
> Entered charts: April 16, 2005
> Other contenders: Kelly Clarkson, “Behind These Hazel Eyes”; Gwen Stefani, “Hollaback Girl”; The Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes, “Don’t Cha”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images

2006: Nelly Furtado ft. Timbaland, “Promiscuous”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 26 weeks
> Entered charts: May 20, 2006
> Other contenders: Cassie, “Me & U”; Gnarls Barkley, “Crazy”; Shakira ft. Wyclef Jean, “Hips Don’t Lie”

2007: Fergie, “Big Girls Don’t Cry”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 48 weeks
> Entered charts: May 5, 2007
> Other contenders: Rihanna ft. Jay-Z, “Umbrella”; Plain White T’s, “Hey There Delilah”; T-Pain ft. Yung Joc, “Buy U a Drank (Shawty Snappin’)”

Neil Lupin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2008: Katy Perry, “I Kissed a Girl”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 23 weeks
> Entered charts: May 24, 2008
> Other contenders: Coldplay, “Viva la Vida”; Chris Brown, “Forever”; Rihanna, “Take a Bow”

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Public Domain / Wikimedia Commons

2009: Keri Hilson ft. Kanye West & Ne-Yo, “Knock You Down”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 3 (for 3 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 31 weeks
> Entered charts: April 11, 2009
> Other contenders: The Black Eyed Peas, “Boom Boom Pow”; Sean Kingston, “Fire Burning”; Pitbull, “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)”

Christopher Polk / Getty Images

2010: Katy Perry ft. Snoop Dogg, “California Gurls”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 27 weeks
> Entered charts: May 29, 2010
> Other contenders: B.o.B ft. Hayley Williams, “Airplanes”; Usher ft. will.i.am, “OMG”; Travie McCoy ft. Bruno Mars, “Billionaire”

Andrew H. Walker / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2011: LMFAO ft. Lauren Bennett & GoonRock, “Party Rock Anthem”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 68 weeks
> Entered charts: Feb. 12, 2011
> Other contenders: Pitbull ft. Ne-Yo, Afrojack & Nayer, “Give Me Everything”; Nicki Minaj, “Super Bass”; Lady Gaga, “The Edge Of Glory”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2012: Carly Rae Jepsen, “Call Me Maybe”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 9 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 50 weeks
> Entered charts: March 10, 2012
> Other contenders: Maroon 5 ft. Wiz Khalifa, “Payphone”; Gotye ft. Kimbra, “Somebody That I Used To Know”; Katy Perry, “Wide Awake”

Larry Busacca / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2013: Robin Thicke ft. T.I. + Pharrell, “Blurred Lines”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 12 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 48 weeks
> Entered charts: May 4, 2013
> Other contenders: Daft Punk ft. Pharrell Williams, “Get Lucky”; Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Ray Dalton, “Can’t Hold Us”; Justin Timberlake, “Mirrors”

Courtesy of MAGIC! via Facebook

2014: MAGIC!, “Rude”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 41 weeks
> Entered charts: May 10, 2014
> Other contenders: Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy”; Ariana Grande ft. Iggy Azalea, “Problem”; Nico & Vinz, “Am I Wrong”

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Graham Denholm / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2015: OMI, “Cheerleader”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 6 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 35 weeks
> Entered charts: May 9, 2015
> Other contenders: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth, “See You Again”; Fetty Wap, “Trap Queen”; Silento, “Watch Me”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2016: Drake ft. WizKid & Kyla, “One Dance”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 10 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 36 weeks
> Entered charts: April 23, 2016
> Other contenders: The Chainsmokers ft. Daya, “Don’t Let Me Down”; Justin Timberlake, “Can’t Stop the Feeling!”; Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna, “This is What You Came For”

Sergi Alexander / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2017: Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, “Despacito”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 16 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 51 weeks
> Entered charts: Feb. 4, 2017
> Other contenders: Ed Sheeran, “Shape Of You”; Imagine Dragons, “Believer”; DJ Khaled ft. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper & Lil Wayne, “I’m the One”

Kevin Winter / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2018: Cardi B, Bad Bunny & J Balvin, “I Like It”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 51 weeks
> Entered charts: April 21, 2018
> Other contenders: Juice WRLD, “Lucid Dreams”; Ella Mai, “Boo’d Up”; Drake, “Nice For What”

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Rich Fury / Getty Images

2019: Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 49 weeks
> Entered charts: April 13, 2019
> Other contenders: Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road”; Khalid, “Talk”; Ed Sheeran & Justin Bieber, “I Don’t Care”

Paras Griffin / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2020: DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch, “Rockstar”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 7 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 42 weeks
> Entered charts: May 2, 2020
> Other contenders: SAINt JHN, “Roses”; Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez & Lil Wayne, “Whats Poppin”; Megan Thee Stallion, “Savage”

Mat Hayward / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2021: Olivia Rodrigo, “Good 4 U”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 1 week)
> Total time on Hot 100: 51 weeks
> Entered charts: May 29, 2021
> Other contenders: BTS, “Butter”; Doja Cat ft. SZA, “Kiss Me More”; Lil Nas X, “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”

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Rich Fury / Getty Images Entertainment via Getty Images

2022: Harry Styles, “As It Was”
> Peak position on Hot 100: No. 1 (for 15 weeks)
> Total time on Hot 100: 61 weeks
> Entered charts: April 16, 2022
> Other contenders: Lizzo, “About Damn Time”; Future ft. Drake & Tems, “Wait for U”; Jack Harlow, “First Class”

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