Spencer Platt/Newsmakers // Getty Images1990: 'Hold On' by Wilson Phillips | Wilson Phillips was an all-woman band that took the world by storm in 1990. Started by sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, and childhood friend Chynna Phillips, the band's debut album "Wilson Phillips" sold 10 million copies. "Hold On," the album's most popular song, hit #1 on the charts in June of 1990. The band made a cameo at the end of the comedy "Bridesmaids," playing "Hold On" at the wedding reception.
Oleg Golovnev // Shutterstock1955: 'Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White' by Pérez Prado | "Cherry Pink and Apple Blossom White" is the English translation of the original French title "Cerisier Rose et Pommier Blanc," composed by Louiguy ("La Vie en Rose"). The version that topped the charts in 1955 was released by Dámaso Pérez Prado, who recorded it for the soundtrack of the 1955 RCA film "Underwater!" In the film, the actress Jane Russell dances to the mambo hit.
Hulton Archive // Getty Images1983: 'Every Breath You Take' by The Police | Written by Sting in the wake of the dissolution of his first marriage, the Police frontman explained "Every Breath You Take" as a "nasty little song" about a stalker wanting to reclaim his love. The song was rarely read as dark as by the band's frontman, instead becoming a breakaway hit, and spent eight weeks at #1. It was the band's only #1 hit; they broke up in 1984.
Fernando Leon // Getty Images2006: 'Bad Day' by Daniel Powter | Canadian musician Daniel Powter's "Bad Day" was a perfect earworm and became inescapable in 2006. The song became the theme for Coca-Cola's ad campaign in Europe and became a recurring bit on "American Idol's" fifth season. The song spent five weeks on the top of the charts in spring of 2006. Unfortunately for Powter, he was also named "The One-Hit Wonder Artist of the Decade" at the end of 2009.
celebrityabc // FlickrBad Day' by Daniel Powter | Written by Ne-Yo and producers Stargate, "Irreplaceable" was initially conceived as a country song, with Faith Hill or Shania Twain in mind. But when Beyoncé heard the demo, she wanted it, and made it all her own. The song was the third single off her second solo album ("B'Day") and spent 10 weeks in the top spot on the Billboard charts. It's hard to even imagine another singer delivering the song's iconic "To the left, to the left."
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images1965: 'Wooly Bully' by Sam the Sham and the Pharaohs | The British invasion hit American pop charts like a hurricane, but, amazingly, Sam the Sham (a.k.a. Domingo Samudio) and a group of musicians dressed as Egyptian pharaohs dominated the airwaves in 1965 with party rock anthem "Wooly Bully." Samudio left music by the 1970s and retired into anonymity, spending years working on the crews of ships, and also never missing Chicago Bulls games when Michael Jordan was playing. The song was sung by Sean Penn as Spicoli in "Fast Times at Ridgemont High," by Meryl Streep in "Ricki Flash," and is used to great effect in the Stanley Kubrick classic "Full Metal Jacket."
Larry Busacca // Getty Images2000: 'Breathe' by Faith Hill | Faith Hill was already a major country star, but the success of "Breathe" turned her into a mainstream pop star in her own right. The song, which peaked at #2 on the charts in April 2000, was an enduring hit through the year, spending 53 weeks on the Billboard charts. Later that year, Hill hit the road with husband Tim McGraw on their Soul2Soul Tour. The 63 shows brought in $50 million.
Paul Natkin // Getty Images1981: 'Bette Davis Eyes' by Kim Carnes | The song "Bette Davis Eyes" was originally recorded by Jackie DeShannon for her 1975 album "New Arrangement." But it was another new arrangement, by Kim Carnes for her 1981 cover of the song, that made "Bette Davis Eyes" a hit. Carnes' "Bette Davis Eyes" hit #1 in May 1981, and spent 26 weeks on the chart, with nine weeks at the top.
Hulton Archive // Getty Images1970: 'Bridge over Troubled Water' by Simon and Garfunkel | "Bridge over Troubled Water" is the title track on Simon & Garfunkel's final studio album, and though it was recorded at a tense time for the folk duo, you'd never know it listening to their legendary harmonies. The song spent an incredible 85 weeks on the Billboard charts, with 10 weeks in the #1 spot. It won song of the yea at the 1971 Grammy Awards.
Hulton Archive // Getty Images1985: 'Careless Whisper' by Wham! | Released by Wham!—the name of George Michael and Andrew Ridgeley's English pop duo—"Careless Whisper" was far from Michael's favorite song. Part of the reason for his disdain was that the song was written by Michael and Ridgeley when they were just 17, and came to define much of their career. Michael put out eight #1 hits, but none bigger than "Careless Whisper." Whatever his feelings, the public disagreed—the song hit #1 in 25 countries, and made George Michael a global star.
ROBYN BECK // Getty Images2018: 'God's Plan' by Drake | In the age of streaming, Drake is king. The Toronto rapper mixes addictive beats, quotable lyrics, and meme-worthy videos with great finesse, leading him to the top of the music industry. In 2018, his album "Scorpion" was streamed 8.2 billion times on Spotify. It also delivered two iconic videos: "In My Feelings" (which launched a viral dance meme) and "God's Plan." During the latter, Drake gives out $1 million in cash. "God's Plan" spent 11 weeks at #1 on the Billboard charts.
Erin Cadigan // Shutterstock1968: 'Hey Jude' by The Beatles | Written by Paul McCartney, "Hey Jude" has become arguably the most popular Beatles song of them all. As of late last year, it was #1 on Apple Music; when it hit American airwaves, it spent a record nine weeks on the top of the charts. Just a few months after its release, R&B legend Wilson Pickett recorded a legendary cover. A young Duane Allman, of the not yet formed Allman Brothers Band, played guitar on the track.
Kevin Winter // Getty Images2004: 'Yeah!' by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris | Usher's "Confessions," the iconic record that has sold more than 10 million copies, nearly went to the presses without its most popular song: "Yeah!" Producer L.A. Reid told Usher that his album lacked a single, and sent him back to the studio with fellow Atlantans Lil Jon and Ludacris; the three returned with one of the great club hits of all time. The song hit #1 at the end of February and stayed there for 12 weeks. In May, "Burn" also topped the charts with an eight-week run.
Private Stock Records // Wikimedia Commons1980: 'Call Me' by Blondie
Frazer Harrison // Getty Images for Stagecoach2019: 'Old Town Road' by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus | To date, Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus' "Old Town Road" holds the title of longest reigning #1 single of all time, spending 19 weeks in the Billboard Hot 100 top spot. The country rap song became an internet phenomenon thanks to a viral dance routine, which then translated into real-world, monetary success. There were a number of remixes of the song featuring various notable artists, but none were quite as successful as the original.
Hulton Archive // Getty Images1986: 'That's What Friends Are For' by Dionne and Friends | Originally written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager, the song "That's What Friends Are For" took on new meaning when it was recorded by Dionne Warwick, Elton John, Gladys Knight and Stevie Wonder. The song was released as a charity single to raise money for AIDS research and became a massive hit, reaching the top of the charts in January 1986, and eventually raising more than $3 million for the cause. It also won the Grammy for Song of the Year.
Michael Loccisano // Getty Images2011: 'Rolling in the Deep' by Adele | When Adele's "Rolling in the Deep" started playing on the radio, it was a revelation. The young singer's voice was powerful, and her second album, "21" proved to be both a critical and commercial force. "Rolling in the Deep"—called "one of the biggest crossover hits of the last quarter-century" by The New York Times—spent seven weeks at #1 during an incredible 65-week run on the charts. Her album "21" sold a nearly unprecedented 31 million copies worldwide; a mark even more impressive in the age of YouTube.
picture alliance // Getty Images1994: 'The Sign' by Ace of Base | Swedish pop band Ace of Base burst onto the scene in an unprecedented fashion. Its debut album (sold in America as "The Sign") featured three top-five Billboard hits, including "The Sign," which grabbed the #1 spot for six weeks beginning in March 1994. The Swedish quartet—Ulf Ekberg and three siblings: Jonas, Linn and Jenny Berggren—arrived right at the moment Sweden would become a force in pop music. Swedish songwriter and producer Max Martin, who has gone on to write 22 #1 hits, worked with Ace of Base on its less-successful second album.
AFP // Getty Images2010: 'Tik Tok' by Kesha | The first single from Ke$ha's first album, "Tik Tok" was a sensation. The dance song tells the story of a wild party girl and is best remembered for the iconic image of brushing her teeth with Jack Daniels. The song spent nine weeks at #1 in 2010, making Ke$ha a star. It should be said that the song was a collaboration with Dr. Luke, who Ke$ha sued in 2014, alleging sexual, physical, and emotional abuse.
Kevin Winter // Getty Images1984: 'When Doves Cry' by Prince | Prince's second album, the self-titled "Prince," went platinum in 1979, but it was his 1984 "Purple Rain" (which coincided with his feature film debut) that helped create the Prince legend. "When Doves Cry" was the first single off the album, reaching #1 on the charts in July and spending five weeks in the top spot. In 2016, it was reported that "Purple Rain" had sold 3.1 million copies since SoundScan began tracking in 1992. The song "When Doves Cry" had been bought online nearly 1.3 million times as of 2016.
Randy Miramonte // Shutterstock1989: 'Look Away' by Chicago | Chicago's producers tapped legendary songwriter Diane Warren to help write this hit. She did just that with "Look Away," which hit #1 in December 1988 and stayed on the charts for 24 weeks. Warren is an incredible behind-the-scenes figure in pop music; she's penned #1 hits for Toni Braxton, Celine Dion, Milli Vanilli, Aerosmith and Brandy, among others.
Brad Barket // Getty Images1995: 'Gangsta's Paradise' by Coolio featuring L.V. | "Gangsta's Paradise" was released as part of the soundtrack for the 1995 Michelle Pfeiffer film "Dangerous Minds," as well as on rapper Coolio's album "Gangsta's Paradise." The song tells the story of regret and anger from a narrator stuck in a life of crime, and features singer L.V. It topped the Billboard charts for three weeks starting in September of 1995; the film came out the month before. "Gangsta's Paradise" was the first-ever rap song to land atop Billboard's year-end Hot 100 list.
Kevin Winter // Getty Images2016: 'Love Yourself' by Justin Bieber | Initially written by Ed Sheeran for his own hit album "Divide," the English singer instead gave the song to Justin Bieber, who released it as a single. Bieber was in the midst of a string of bad-boy behavior and run of public relationships, so "Love Yourself" quickly took on new meaning (and became a favorite target for internet detectives). "Love Yourself" hit #1 on Feb. 13, 2016, right on the heels of another #1 hit from the same album: "Sorry."
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images1975: 'Love Will Keep Us Together' by Captain and Tennille| Daryl Dragon was a classically trained pianist who preferred rock 'n' roll and the blues. He backed up Fats Domino and The Beach Boys, and earned his nickname "Captain" because of the hat he liked to wear on stage. He and wife Toni Tennille put out their biggest hit in 1975: "Love Will Keep Us Together." The song hit the charts in June, and stayed at # for four weeks.
Kevork Djansezian // Getty Images2015: 'Uptown Funk' by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars | Though many remember "Uptown Funk" as a Bruno Mars megahit, it was a song by the producer Mark Ronson that featured Mars. Whatever the case, the throwback beat and pop production made "Uptown Funk" a sensation—it held the top spot for 14 weeks, and the video has been viewed on YouTube 3.48 billion times. Ronson has worked with Lady Gaga, Amy Winehouse, Adele, and Miley Cyrus, among many others. Over his career, he's won Grammys for both "Uptown Funk" and Winehouse's "Rehab." This year, he won an Oscar and a Grammy for "Shallow," his collaboration with Lady Gaga.
R. McPhedran // Getty Images1962: 'Stranger on the Shore' by Mr. Acker Bilk | It was British singer Acker Bilk, not the Beatles or the Rolling Stones, that was the first musician from the United Kingdom to invade the Billboard charts in the 1960s. The jazz clarinet player's instrumental "Stranger on the Shore" was an unexpected hit in 1961 and 1962, and was even brought to space as part of the soundtrack of the 1969 Apollo 10 mission around the moon. The song's popularity spike came when it was used as the theme song for the BBC show of the same name. Bilk was sick of playing it by the end of his life.
Kevin Winter // Getty Images2002: 'How You Remind Me' by Nickelback | "How You Remind Me" was the single off the Canadian band's third studio album, and it changed everything. It skyrocketed to the top of the charts and stayed there for four weeks. Nickelback has since become somewhat of a punchline, but it should not be forgotten that Nickelback was a big deal in the early aughts. Recently, the song was the star of a memorable "Saturday Night Live" skit.
ERIC SCHWAB // Getty Images1951: 'Too Young' by Nat King Cole | With music by Sidney Lippman and lyrics by Sylvia Dee, Nat King Cole's "Too Young" sold more than a million records and stayed at #1 on the charts for five weeks. Incredibly, in 1956, Cole became the first black man to host a network TV show when "The Nat King Cole Show" premiered on NBC that November. Cole died of lung cancer at the age of 45 in February 1965.
Michael Ochs Archives // Getty Images1952: 'Blue Tango' by Leroy Anderson | When Leroy Anderson released "Blue Tango" on a 45, it was paired with "Belle of the Ball," which the composer expected to be the bigger hit. He was very wrong. "Blue Tango" sold more than 1 million records, becoming the first instrumental to reach gold record status. Mitchell Parish wrote lyrics for the song later in 1952.
Evan Agostini // Getty Images1996: 'Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)' by Los del Río | Perhaps no song is as unlikely to grab the top pop song of the year mantel than "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)." The original version of the Latin dance megahit was written and recorded by aging Spanish pop duo Los del Río (Antonio Romero Monge and Rafael Ruíz Perdigones) in 1993. But it was a 1996 remix by the Bayside Boys (Mike Triay and Carlos de Yarza) that took the world by storm. Incredibly, the song, with its built-in dance routine, hit #1 in August 1996 and stayed there for 14 weeks. The "Macarena" was danced at weddings and bar mitzvahs for years to come.
Philip Barr/TNSSelena Quinanilla performs during the Seventh Annual Tejano Music Awards on March 23, 1987, in San Antonio. (Philip Barr/San Antonio Express-News/Zuma Press/TNS)
Spencer Platt/Newsmakers // Getty Images
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1990: 'Hold On' by Wilson Phillips | <p>Wilson Phillips was an all-woman band that took the world by storm in 1990. Started by sisters Carnie and Wendy Wilson, and childhood friend Chynna Phillips, the band's debut album "Wilson Phillips" sold 10 million copies. "Hold On," the album's most popular song, hit #1 on the charts in June of 1990. The band made a cameo at the end of the comedy "Bridesmaids," playing "Hold On" at the wedding reception.</p>
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If Selena Day wasn’t marked on your calendar already, now is the time to do so. The celebration honors the late singer Selena Quintanilla’s birthday; born April 16, 1971, she would have turned 50 on Friday.
Selena, as she was simply known, rose to fame in the early 1990s as a driving force in Tejano music, a male-dominated genre that she helped launch into the mainstream. At age 23, she was murdered March 31, 1995, by Yolanda Saldivar, the president of her fan club.
Twenty-six years after her death, the Tejano icon is still remembered and revered for her legacy, especially for what she meant to the Latino community.
“Happy Birthday to Selena Quintanilla-Perez. The Queen of Tex-Mex music wouldve turned 50 years old today. Her legacy and the doors she opened for latino artists in the music industry will always be remembered!” one Twitter user wrote.
Admirers of the “Como la Flor” singer, who was immortalized in a 1997 film starring Jennifer Lopez and more recently in a new Netflix series, are looking for other ways to cement her legacy.
In Texas, the bipartisan House Bill 1250, which would officially designate April 16 as Selena Quintanilla-Perez Day, was referred to the House Culture, Recreation and Tourism committee in March.
“April 16 is Selena Quintanilla Perez Day in memory of the contributions to Tejano music of Selena Quintanilla Perez, an award-winning singer and recording artist,” the legislation reads. “Selena Quintanilla Perez Day may be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities.”
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Coinciding with Selena’s birthday, the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History recently acquired 18 images of the singer that will be added to a collection of photographs taken by Texas-based photographer Al Rendon.
The museum also plans to release a video showcasing different objects and images from its Selena collection; it already has Selena’s leather outfit gifted by her family in 1998.
Selena was honored with the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award last month amid controversy surrounding the brief tribute shown during the telecast. Last year also marked the 25th anniversary of her hit crossover album, “Dreaming of You,” which a LA Times roundtable discussion recently deemed “an unfinished masterpiece.”
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