Bridges Loc: Memphis, Charleston SC, now Nazareth PA

The link below will get you the top five worldwide hits from 1955 through 2021. There is just a snippet from each song, but the mention of the song and a few bars bring back some old memories. I found it surprising that not a single song made the top five by Fleetwood Mac and I thought they had some dynamite hits. Also not in the top five was anything by Jimmy Buffett (how could Margaritaville not be in there), nothing by Cosby/Stills/Nash and Young, nothing by Gordon Lightfoot ("Wreck of the Edmond Fitzgerald"), and where were songs like Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline". Also missing were any songs by The Moody Blues, Styx, Cream, The Association, The Beach Boys, Willie Nelson, and Frankie Valley amongst others. Hotel California and American Pie both came in at the #3 position for their respective years and as much as those two were played, I would have expected them to be #1s.

My guess is that this was a worldwide survey, not just the US. Some of the songs that scored lower or were off the list altogether would have been rated higher if it was just a US survey.



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vc2mgmU8kWw

fuminous Loc: Luling, LA... for now...

[quote=Bridges]The link below will get you the top five worldwide hits from 1955 through 2021.

That was pretty interesting- thank you Bridges- up until 1995 or so, every one of those songs had for me an associated and distinct memory - most were very good and pleasant- the memories that is- and I sat here in my chair rollin' like I once did... don't remember what happened in the middle of the 1990's that caused a shift... and, after 2000, only a couple of the songs and artists were of interest... maybe by then I'd started leaning toward C&W... two-steps and waltzes... I'll think on this...

Ernie1945 Loc: Oxford, Ohio

A lot of good memories through the years. Can't believe the Four Seasons and the Beach Boys didn't make the list. I was good up to a certain point in time but then I must have gone to sleep music wise and only listened to "oldies".

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Yeah, there's something fishy about that.

How many #1 hits did the Four Seasons have?
Sure, the majority of the 71 chart hits of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons (including 40 in the Top 40, 19 in the Top 10 and eight No. 1's) came during the 1960s, but the music didn't just disappear.

The Beatles have the most number one hits on the chart, with 20 songs having reached that position.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That was great, up to a point. It was playing it in the background, so I didn't play close attention. I loved the songs from the 50s and 60s, but beyond that it was hit or miss. I'll go through it more carefully later.

JimG1 Loc: Waxahachie, TX

Had to believe Clapton didn't have a song that made the list. Did I miss Rod Stewart?

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

That list is definitely not accurate.

Wait a minute! These aren't songs that went to #1. They are the most popular songs of each year. Okay. Got it! There's a difference between a song going to #1 and a song that was the most popular for the entire eyar.

Ernie1945 Loc: Oxford, Ohio

You got it Jerry. That puts my mind back at ease.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

Mine, too.

dave.speeking Loc: Brooklyn OH

Good music from beginning of video until 1975. Then it took 25 years to die.
Now I listen to PBS or Howard Stern.