Determining the biggest song in history is no easy task. Music is highly subjective, and what constitutes a “big” song can be measured in various ways, from commercial success to cultural impact. In this article, we will examine songs that have a legitimate claim to being the “biggest” based on their worldwide sales, chart performance, longevity, and influence.
Commercial Performance
One way to quantify a song’s bigness is by looking at its commercial success. Based on certified units sold, the best-selling single of all time is “White Christmas” by Bing Crosby. The Guinness Book of World Records puts its global sales at over 50 million copies. It has topped the charts again and again since its original release in 1942. Other songs with claims to being the biggest commercially include:
- “Candle in the Wind 1997” by Elton John – 33 million copies sold
- “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” by Israel Kamakawiwoʻole – 26 million copies sold
- “Happy Birthday to You” by Patty and Mildred Hill – 25 million copies sold
- “Yesterday” by The Beatles – 25 million copies sold
In the digital era, tracks with the most certified downloads and streams also have a case for being the “biggest” based on sheer commercial ubiquity. Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” has topped charts for downloads and streams, as has Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee’s “Despacito” remix with Justin Bieber.
Chart Performance
Looking at chart metrics like weeks at #1 and total weeks on the charts can also help quantify a song’s far-reaching popularity over time. By these measures, major contenders for the biggest song include:
- “One Sweet Day” by Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men – 16 weeks at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100
- “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee – 56 weeks on the Hot 100
- “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons – 87 weeks on the Hot 100
- “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke feat. T.I. & Pharrell Williams – 12 weeks at #1 on the Hot 100
The all-time chart champion is Chubby Checker’s “The Twist,” topping Billboard’s Hot 100 in 1960 and again in 1962. It spent a combined 19 weeks at #1 and charted for 40 weeks total.
Cultural Impact
Measuring a song’s cultural imprint can be nebulous, but some tracks are inextricably woven into the fabric of society. For example:
- “(I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction” by The Rolling Stones has been endlessly covered, used in films, and become part of the rock lexicon.
- “Bohemian Rhapsody” by Queen is a genre-bending epic that influenced countless artists and remains a staple of pop culture.
- “Imagine” by John Lennon is widely regarded as one of the greatest songs of all time, becoming an international anthem of peace.
- “Hey Jude” by The Beatles is one of their most beloved songs, inspiring countless communal singalongs.
These songs and others have permeated culture and consciousness like few other tracks in history.
Staying Power
Part of what makes a song “big” is its ability to withstand the test of time. Standards like “Over The Rainbow” and holiday classics such as “White Christmas” remain cultural fixtures decade after decade. Chart-topping tracks may capture the zeitgeist in a moment, but true longevity points to a song’s bigness.
Some more contemporary songs show signs of having remarkable staying power as well. Adele’s “Rolling In The Deep” has remained influential and popular over a decade after its release. “Get Lucky” by Daft Punk became a wedding DJ staple. Drakes “One Dance” was inescapable upon its release and hasn’t left the public consciousness since. Only time will tell, but these songs have exhibited the kind of longevity that the biggest classics enjoy.
Conclusion
There are certainly good arguments to be made that many different songs have a claim to being the “biggest” ever. Ultimately there is no authoritative way to crown one song as definitively bigger than the rest. “White Christmas,” “Imagine,” “Hey Jude,” “Despacito,” and numerous others can all make a strong case based on commercial success, chart dominance, cultural influence, or sheer staying power. It may be impossible to objectively identify the single biggest song in history, but examining the top contenders offers a fascinating overview of some of the most impactful and important music ever created.