These Are The Hot 100’s All-Time 40 Biggest Hits

The Billboard Hot 100 chart started life in 1958 and, over six decades later, it is still the ultimate indication of what is making waves at any given time in American music. In 2018 Billboard released an epic list of the chart’s all-time top songs and it was a true Who’s Who of popular music. This is the Top 40: in other words, the 40 biggest-selling songs ever recorded.

40. “Silly Love Songs,” Wings (1976)

“Silly Love Songs” was Wings’ most successful single. It stayed at the top of the charts for five weeks in total, and also went to number two in Paul McCartney’s native U.K. The legendary Beatle told Billboard magazine in 2001 that he wrote the song in response to accusations he only wrote lightweight love songs. His retort, as the song’s lyrics state, was, “What’s wrong with that?”

39. “Truly Madly Deeply,” Savage Garden (1998)

While Australian duo Savage Garden’s “Truly Madly Deeply” is number 39 on this list, it topped another prestigious Billboard chart. In 2011 it was ranked number one on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Songs list. When asked how he felt about the song being so popular, singer Darren Hayes told Billboard, “I’m completely overwhelmed to be honest. I feel incredibly proud.”

38. “One Sweet Day,” Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men (1995)

“One Sweet Day” sat atop the Billboard Hot 100 chart for an enormous 16 weeks, making it the biggest single of both Mariah Carey’s and Boyz II Men’s careers. Carey wrote the song after David Cole, her friend and producer, died. The genuine, heartfelt tribute was widely praised by critics and the song holds a special place in the heart of Carey’s fans.

37. “The Battle of New Orleans,” Johnny Horton (1959)

This Johnny Horton classic, a recording of a tune originally written by Jimmy Driftwood, was Billboard’s number one song of 1959. The lyrics tell the tale of a soldier taking part in the eponymous conflict in 1815. Over the years the song has also been sung by country and western legends such as Johnny Cash and Dolly Parton, but it is most strongly linked with Horton.