This is a compilation of the songs that spent the most weeks on the charts, making them the most popular of the year. They start in 1940.
It turns out I know more songs from well before I was born than I do of the top songs of the 21st century.
49 Comments on Never Thought This Could Happen- Right Around 2000 I Never Heard of Half of the Year’s Most Popular Songs
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I think my knowledge or awareness of popular songs ended sometime in the early 90’s. lol
But now I know all the stanzas of the Star Spangled Banner.
Americans WERE ACTUALLY CREATIVE 60 YEARS AGO. Last few decades we are like kids in a sand box (are there any such thing in the post GHWB ?) on rates occasions something new is done, but mostly its “monkey see-monkey do”. Not really creative.
OK I admit toeing old!
See my moniker
I am familiar with most of these songs up until the late 70’s to mid 80’s after that not so much. I think I quit listening to popular music about that time because to me most of it sucked. My late wife was born the day after Elvis’s first appearance on The Ed Sullivan Show in Sept. 1956, that’s how old we are to remember most of the old music even the music from the 40’s. And who still doesn’t like Ghost Riders In the Sky by Vaughn Monroe or Les Paul and Mary Ford etc. The only song I totally disagree with is In The Year 2525 by Zager & Evans from the late 60’s, I hate that song.
Wow. The nineties really sucked.
But even the nineties didn’t suck as bad as the 2000s.
I know none of the people from the 2010s.
And who the hell is Rhianna?
Radio Sucks. Always did, apparently always will.
You mean, “THIS” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ didn’t make the cut?!?
I aggree with you geoff, “In The Year 2525” is a terrible song, but it got so much air-play that when you hear it today you know it’s 1969, so in that respect it is iconic.
I admit I’m a little brokenhearted that Badfinger didn’t make the cut. “Day After Day” “Baby Blue”
Those were my favorite songs EVER.
The progression: increasingly morally cruder (from romantic to sexually suggestive to explicit), brasher, louder, more simplistic and beat-driven. There’s a reason for that.
BTW – for anyone interested Oldies Paradise out of Toronto is an interesting Internet radio station that I listen to every now and then. I am always hearing something that I never heard before.
I was born in 51 when music was still music. I could not get past 1990 in this vid. Anything past 1990 was not music but noise. This vid just illustrates how the business and the performances has deteriorated in the last twenty years. I guess that’s why I listen to the golden oldies channels on Sirus.
I can’t tell you just how many times I reflexively reached over to my right to change the radio station…
Have you noticed how all of todays singers sound alike. They all sound like they’re singing into a tin can. And please stop warbling like a turkey.
Didn’t recognize a thing after 1997, and didn’t like anything after 1987. There were a few from the 40s and early 50s that I had forgotten about. I wonder if the ol’ reel-to-reel will still work.
Sturge – If the deck has rubber parts (idler wheels and or belts) they can be replaced. Most of that is all still available out there. Some decks are all motors (no belts or wheels) that just keep truckin along for decades. My Akai is about 45 years old and still works like the day it was new.
We think pop music is bad, what happened to the classical composers?! The only recent one I can think of is John Williams, and I wouldn’t consider him classical.
I’m sensing a pattern here. I was doing good until we got to 1990. After that, I only recognized one or two songs. Music used to be better. Now it all sounds the same to me. I know – I’m old.
In the 80’s I started listening to more and more outlaw country. That video reminded me of why.
I’m old enough to remember the Beatles and the Doors appearances on the Ed Sullivan Shew. Also American Bandstand, Top Gear and Shebang, King Biscuit Flour Hour, Midnite Special and Don Kirschner’s Rock Concerts. Oh, yeah MTV too.
I quit listening to AM radio in the early ’70s, went to FM stations for a wider selection of music.
Dubbed my own playlists to cassette for playback in the car and at home and only occasionally checked the airwaves for updates.
More recently I converted these to digital files on a portable device about the size of a Zippo lighter.
I haven’t watched TV since the advent of HDTV.
I am no longer at the mercy of the broadcasting conglomerates’* one-size-fits-all playlists, fake news and heavy advertising.
* Well, YT. It is a huge resource that continue to mine despite its connection to goggle. Thanks to a tip from Bad_Brad I now use Hooktube frequently.
I still refuse to visit farcebook or twatter.
Long Live Rock!
Daryl Hall (of Hall & Oates) has Daryl’s House does some really good renditions of older music with other musicians. The place is miked right, mixed right and done right – like this one with the OJs doing Love Train – enjoy!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSlO_g6-ZXM
I thought it was just me, but I checked out my kids’ iTunes playlist a couple of years ago. A lot of late 1960s, one boy was into Frank Sinatra, a lot of 1970s, quite a bit from the 1980s, and not a whole lot after 2000. Some of the more contemporary bands did some terrific remakes of much earlier songs. (For example, Metallica did a remake of Bob Seger’s Turn the Page and Disturbed did a very good version of Sounds of Silence; both of which I like).
I’m not a big fan of the modern music; I don’t care for hip hop or rap, and the pop tunes seem pretty generic. My tastes can vary from week to week and are pretty eclectic, but it’s difficult finding later music I like.
I’m in good company here. I recognized maybe 6 songs/artists after 1988 (the year we got married). Officially a happy, oblivious to pop culture, old broad. Don’t know of and don’t care about the folks I see in ‘US Weekly’ when I sit under the dryer at the beauty shop getting the grey covered. I just look at the ridiculous outfits they wear and chuckle.
AA,
I believe John Williams started out as an accomplished jazz musician before he began doing scores in the ’60s.
Now I know why we stopped buying vinyl with the exception of classical, discs of The Tenors, Pavarotti, etc. in the late 80s and stopped listening to radio. The only music in this compilation after the 80s that could be considered music is Santana. Janis Jackson sealed the fate of music.
I do remember playing My Sharona over and overagain while stripping and sanding both sides of 8 doors and woodwork. Invigorating.
“When doves cry” is where the disconnect took place
“We are the world” and “That’s what friends are for” couldn’t be avoided as they were crammed down our throats
2001 forward I’ve so far heard 4 songs … Heard…
I actually liked “Happy”
We do have the more classic rock like Stones, Metalica, Floyd, Zep, etc.
The death of radio and the rise of mp3s means we have no musical touchstones anymore.
Pretty sure I was conceived in the backseat of a ’51 Buick (My memory is kinda hazy.)
I reckon the 40 lb tube radio with Civil Defense stations marked on the tuner dial was playing either Classical, Swing or C/W. Maybe Arthur Feidler and Paul Montovani.
My parents were shook up by Elvis, they didn’t like pop rock. They didn’t mind Tony Bennet, Paul Anka or the other crooners, and eventually came to accept the Beatles.
Like my parents, I have little use for the music of generations younger than myself. The product that passes for music these days is bland, soulless, overproduced swill. (Rap and hip hop isn’t music.)
It’s not all bad news however.
Some of the Geezers of Rock are still active, though many have passed away. Their recordings remain to inspire those of us old enough to appreciate their legacy.
Some new stuff is worth a listen. Feast your ears on this for instance:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o1MU1os6psQ
These youngsters have done their homework.
Topics of Top Songs…
1940: Love and Marriage
Now: Killing cops & snitches and raping white chicks in the ass after murdering their boyfriends & stealing his drugs.
Marxists ruin everything.
Why do wealthy families prefer classical music?: https://www.quora.com/Why-do-wealthy-families-prefer-classical-music
Musical taste differs between rich and poor: https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/magazines/panache/musical-taste-differs-between-rich-and-poor/articleshow/47542221.cms
“Poorer, less-educated people tended to like country, disco, easy listening, golden oldies, heavy metal and rap. Their wealthier and better-educated counterparts preferred genres such as classical, blues, jazz, opera, choral, pop, reggae, rock, world and musical theatre, researchers found.”
Dr. Jay – Why do wealthy families prefer classical music?
When they use music as a status symbol or a tool.
If it weren’t for grandchildren anything in the current century would be lost to me. I remember being pretty alarmed at hearing my 3 or 4 year old granddaughter singing all the words to Tik Tok (sp?) she has turned out ok anyway – so far.
Here is my “heard it” “never heard of it” list —
I’ll never smile again- yes
Amapola- nope
Moonlight cocktail – nope
I’ve heard that song before- yes
Swinging on a star- yes
sentimental journey – yes.
the gypsy – no
heartaches- no
Manana- yes
Riders in the sky- yes
goodnight irene- yes
how high the moon- yes
cry – yes
vaya con dios – yes
little things mean a lot- yes
cherry pink – yes
don’t be cruel – yes
hound dog- yes
all shook up- yes
purple people- yes
battle of new orleans- yes
a summer place – yes
tossin and turnin- yes
can’t stop loving you- yes
sugar shack – yes
I want to hold you hand – yes
satisfaction – yes
ballad of green berets – yes
I’m a believer- yes
hey jude- yes
in the year 2525- yes
bridge over TW – yes
joy to the world – yes
first time Ever I saw… – yes
my love – yes
the streak – yes
love will keep us 2gether- yes
tonight’s the night- yes
you light up my life – yes
night fever- yes
my sharona- yes
call me – yes
endless love – yes
ebony and ivory – yes
every breath u take – yes
when doves cry- yes
we are the world – yes
That’s what friends r 4- yes
livin’ on a prayer- yes
roll with it- yes
miss you much – nope
vision of love – nope
Anything I do – yes
end of the road- nope
I will always love you – yes
I’ll make love to you- yes
fantasy – nope
macarena – yes
candle in the wind- yes
the boy is mine- nope
smooth – yes
maria maria – nope
all for you – nope
foolish- nope
in da club – nope
yeah! – nope
we belong together- nope
sexyback – nope
umbrella – nope
low- nope
I gotta feeling – yes
tik tok – nope
we found love – nope
call me maybe – yes
blurred lines- yes
happy – yes
uptown funk – yes
closer- nope
despacito – nope
Wasn’t that SexyBack song about Moochelle?
Oh wait, that was Silverback…
One of my mom’s favorites songs was Swinging On A Star by Bing Crosby from the mid 40’s. Of course at the time she was all of about 18 or 19 years old. It’s too bad none of Tennessee Ernie Ford’s songs like Sixteen Tons didn’t make the list, he was her favorite singer. Although I did catch her once liking one of my Mason Proffit songs back in the 70’s. Woodstock never, I got my myself slapped silly by her when I didn’t turn Country Joe and The Fish singing the Fish Cheer real loud when she walked into the door after work and I didn’t turn it down fast enough. I learned not to piss her off with my music after that, she packed quite an unexpected wallop all of which I deserved.
This is why I stopped listening: The millennial whoop!
Once you notice the pattern you can’t un notice it and it wrecks all of today’s billboard music. *end warning*
There’s still plenty of great music out there, but ya gotta look past the crap that’s being pushed…mainly hip hop and rap.
Gov’t Mule is a good place to start…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rsc0mZHbLWA
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Zager and Evans had the top hit of 1969
Wow! What planet was i living onin 1969
this list reminds me of the post a few nights ago about the Best Selling Albums of all-time … as I commented then, there is no accounting for the tastes of the masses … I actually have only bothered to buy very few of the songs on this list … & when most of them come on the radio I immediately switch the channel
of today’s ‘artists’ I usually tend to go w/ Gov’t Mule (ht to BluesJunky), Counting Crows & the incomparable John Hiatt (a truly, underrated American icon still going strong)
I’m a big ABB junkie, but, sadly they’ve been gone since 2014
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_BOp4luu40o
I concur.
@ BluesJunky
Wow, loved the link. I like different types of music and I love good rock but I don’t know where to find something that isn’t the same old, same old. I’ll definitely check out more from gov’t mule. Any other suggestions for rock?
I’ll check out counting crows and John Hiatt, too, Molon Labe. Who is ABB?
@ Guiness Girl….have you explored Tom Waits? Here’s another you need to look at…Valerie June https://youtu.be/8ywuF-N8xXQ I think you might like these just based on your TV show titles…LOL https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuRfJDYl6Ts
@ willysgoatgruff
loved the valerie june link, thank you. I’m making a list and now she’s on it. I have a like/dislike with tom waits but I liked the link you left and it made me want to listen to more of him so I’ll check him out. I like rickie lee jones a lot so I guess I should’ve tried tom waits before now.
Who knew my tv titles would reveal so much? haha
“Sentimental Journey” was my mother’s favorite song. I wish I could tell Doris Day how much she loved it.
This one’s for you, Mom:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUw125JMVFI
Guinness Girl
First off, ABB is the Allman Bros. Band, and I agree with Molon Labe…check out John Hiatt. As far as I’m concerned, he’s one of the best, if not THE best, lyricists in music. Here he is with Sonny Landreth, when Sonny was part of his back up band, The Goners. (Check out Sonny, too…)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGt0uAC9FIE
BTW, I think Tom Waits is an acquired taste, but I absolutely love “Goin’ Out West”. Gov’t Mule does a great cover, too…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGSppvqbHo
Tedeschi Trucks Band is one of my favorite “newer” bands…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j97zxM2nsSM
Also love Gary Clarke, Jr…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFjMeOnqAPI
And one of my all time favorite albums is Little Feat’s “Waiting for Columbus”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WeIOxZdnw
That oughta keep ya busy for a while! Now, I need more coffee…
Almost forgot…one of my favorite blues tunes…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB6OlJqV1rQ
Guinness Girl
I just finished a long post with a bunch of links in it, but it didn’t post…it just vanished. So let’s try this again…
First off, ABB is the AlLman Bros. Band…always a great choice. And I also agree with Molon Labe about John Hiatt. As far as I’m concerned, he’s one of the best, if not THE best lyricists in music. This is with Sonny Landreth (check him out, too) when Sonny was part of Hiatt’s back up band, The Goners…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGt0uAC9FIE
I think Tom Waits is a bit of an acquired taste, but I love “Goin’ Out West”. Gov’t Mule does a great cover…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFGSppvqbHo
Love Tedeschi Trucks Band…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j97zxM2nsSM
Gary Clarke, Jr…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CFjMeOnqAPI
One of my all time favorite live albums is Little Feat’s “Waiting for Columbus”…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y0WeIOxZdnw&t=710s
Ok, that oughta keep ya busy for a while! Now, I need more coffee…
BluesJunky
Many thanks for the suggestions and for taking the time to post them. I’m looking forward to listening. Appreciate the answer on ABB, too. I like the allman bros, it just didn’t click seeing the initials.