The Most Popular Song When You Graduated High School

It’s always fun to find out what was popular the year you were born, from books to movies to songs. As you weren’t sentient enough to enjoy that content at the time, though, it can’t exactly evoke nostalgia for the early days of your life. What probably can transport you into your own past is whatever music topped the charts during formative teen milestones—say, the grand finale of your high school career. 

To that end, we’ve compiled a list of the most popular songs from every graduation season between 1960 and 2023. The methodology is simple: For each year, we identified the song that spent the most weeks at no. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 during May and June. The runner-up is the song (or, often, songs) with the second highest number of weeks at no 1. during those two months. 

The result is an eclectic journey through pop music that starts with The Everly Brothers and Del Shannon and deposits you at the doorsteps of Drake and BTS. It turns out that Paul McCartney is the MVP of graduation season song charts: He and his associated acts made the list five times (not including appearances as runner-up).

Selecting your high school graduation year (or any year) in the rundown below will take you to its full entry in the list, where you can listen to the winner and find out which other single or singles came in second place. Again, the stats you’ll see are not the total number of weeks a song was ever at no. 1—just the weeks that fall in May and June, when kids are typically graduating from high school.

1. 1960: “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers
2. 1961: “Runaway” by Del Shannon
3. 1962: “I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Ray Charles
4. 1963: “Sukiyaki” by Kyu Sakamoto
5. 1964: “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups
6. 1965: “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermits
7. 1966: “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & the Papas
8. 1967: “Groovin’” by The Young Rascals
9. 1968: “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel
10. 1969: “Get Back” by The Beatles with Billy Preston
11. 1970: (Tie) “American Woman”; “No Sugar Tonight” by The Guess Who
12. 1971: “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night
13. 1972: (Tie) “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack; “The Candy Man” by Sammy Davis Jr.
14. 1973: “My Love” by Paul McCartney & Wings
15. 1974: “The Streak” by Ray Stevens
16. 1975: “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” by Tony Orlando and Dawn
17. 1976: “Silly Love Songs” by Wings 
18. 1977: “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder
19. 1978: (Tie) “With a Little Luck” by Wings; “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb
20. 1979: “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb
21. 1980: (Tie) “Call Me” by Blondie; “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.
22. 1981: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes
23. 1982: “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
24. 1983: “Flashdance… What a Feeling” by Irene Cara
25. 1984: (Tie) “Hello” by Lionel Richie; “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams; “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper; “The Reflex” by Duran Duran
26. 1985: (Tie) “Everything She Wants” by Wham!; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears; “Heaven” by Bryan Adams
27. 1986: (Tie) “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston; “On My Own” by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald
28. 1987: “With or Without You” by U2
29. 1988: “One More Try” by George Michael
30. 1989: “Forever Your Girl” by Paula Abdul
31. 1990: “Vogue” by Madonna
32. 1991: “Rush Rush” by Paula Abdul
33. 1992: “Jump” by Kris Kross
34. 1993: “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson
35. 1994: “I Swear” by All-4-One
36. 1995: (Tie) “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan; “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” by Bryan Adams
37. 1996: “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
38. 1997: (Tie) “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G.; “MMMBop” by Hanson; “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans feat. 112
39. 1998: (Tie) “Too Close” by Next; “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica
40. 1999: “Livin’ la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin
41. 2000: “Maria Maria” by Santana feat. The Product G&B
42. 2001: “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and Pink
43. 2002: “Foolish” by Ashanti
44. 2003: “21 Questions” by 50 Cent feat. Nate Dogg
45. 2004: “Burn” by Usher
46. 2005: (Tie) “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani; “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey
47. 2006: “SOS” by Rihanna
48. 2007: “Umbrella” by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z
49. 2008: “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne feat. Static Major
50. 2009: “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas
51. 2010: “OMG” by Usher feat. will.i.am
52. 2011: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele
53. 2012: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra
54. 2013: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton
55. 2014: “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX
56. 2015: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth
57. 2016: “One Dance” by Drake feat. Wizkid and Kyla
58. 2017: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber
59. 2018: “Nice for What” by Drake
60. 2019: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
61. 2020: “Rockstar” DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch
62. 2021: “Butter” by BTS
63. 2022: “As It Was” by Harry Styles
64. 2023: “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen

1960: “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“Stuck on You” by Elvis Presley (3 weeks)

1961: “Runaway” by Del Shannon

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“Travelin’ Man” by Ricky Nelson (2 weeks)

1962: “I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Ray Charles

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles (3 weeks)

1963: “Sukiyaki” by Kyu Sakamoto

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March (2 weeks)
“If You Wanna Be Happy” by Jimmy Soul (2 weeks)
“It’s My Party” by Lesley Gore (2 weeks)

1964: “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“My Guy” by Mary Wells (2 weeks)

1965: “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermits

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys (2 weeks)

1966: “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & the Papas

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge (2 weeks)
“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones (2 weeks)

1967: “Groovin’” by The Young Rascals

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“Respect” by Aretha Franklin (2 weeks)

1968: “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro (2 weeks)
“Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & the Drells (2 weeks)
“This Guy’s in Love with You” by Herb Alpert (2 weeks)

1969: “Get Back” by The Beatles with Billy Preston

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by The 5th Dimension (3 weeks)

1970: (Tie) “American Woman”; “No Sugar Tonight” by The Guess Who

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Everything Is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens (2 weeks)
“The Long and Winding Road” / “For You Blue” by the Beatles (2 weeks)

1971: “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runners-up:
“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones (2 weeks)
“It’s Too Late” / “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King (2 weeks)

1972: (Tie) “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack; “The Candy Man” by Sammy Davis Jr.

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites (1 week)
“I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers (1 week)

1973: “My Love” by Paul McCartney & Wings

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runners-up:
“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder (1 week)
“Frankenstein” by The Edgar Winter Group (1 week)
“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” by George Harrison (1 week)

1974: “The Streak” by Ray Stevens

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“The Loco-Motion” by Grand Funk (2 weeks)
“Billy Don’t Be a Hero” by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods (2 weeks)

1975: “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” by Tony Orlando and Dawn

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille (2 weeks)

1976: “Silly Love Songs” by Wings 

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“Love Hangover” by Diana Ross (2 weeks)

1977: “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Hotel California” by the Eagles (1 week)
“When I Need You” by Leo Sayer (1 week)
“I’m Your Boogie Man” by KC and the Sunshine Band (1 week)
“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac (1 week)
“Got to Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye (1 week)

1978: (Tie) “With a Little Luck” by Wings; “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2
Runners-up:
“Night Fever” by the Bee Gees (1 week)
“If I Can’t Have You” by Yvonne Elliman (1 week)
“Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams (1 week)
“You’re the One That I Want” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1 week)

1979: “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer (3 weeks)

1980: (Tie) “Call Me” by Blondie; “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4 weeks
Runner-up:
“Coming Up” by Paul McCartney (1 week)

1981: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6
Runner-up:
“Morning Train (Nine to Five)” by Sheena Easton (2 weeks)

1982: “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7
Runners-up:
“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (1 week)
“Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis (1 week)

1983: “Flashdance… What a Feeling” by Irene Cara

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“Beat It” by Michael Jackson (2 weeks)

1984: (Tie) “Hello” by Lionel Richie; “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams; “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper; “The Reflex” by Duran Duran

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2
Runner-up:
“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins (1 week)

1985: (Tie) “Everything She Wants” by Wham!; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears; “Heaven” by Bryan Adams

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2
Runners-up:
“We Are the World” by USA for Africa (1 week)
“Crazy for You” by Madonna (1 week)
“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds (1 week)

1986: (Tie) “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston; “On My Own” by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer (1 week)
“West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys (1 week)
“Live to Tell” by Madonna (1 week)

1987: “With or Without You” by U2

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew (2 weeks)

1988: “One More Try” by George Michael

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“Anything for You” by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine (2 weeks)

1989: “Forever Your Girl” by Paula Abdul

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2
Runners-up:
“Like a Prayer” by Madonna (1 week)
“I’ll Be There for You” by Bon Jovi (1 week)
“Rock On” by Michael Damian (1 week)
“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler (1 week)
“I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” by New Kids on the Block (1 week)
“Satisfied” by Richard Marx (1 week)

1990: “Vogue” by Madonna

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor (2 weeks)
“It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette (2 weeks)

1991: “Rush Rush” by Paula Abdul

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runner-up:
“I Don’t Wanna Cry” by Mariah Carey (2 weeks)

1992: “Jump” by Kris Kross

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7
Runner-up:
“I’ll Be There” by Mariah Carey (2 weeks)

1993: “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7
Runner-up:
“Freak Me” by Silk (2 weeks)

1994: “I Swear” by All-4-One

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6
Runner-up:
“The Sign” by Ace of Base (2 weeks)

1995: (Tie) “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan; “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” by Bryan Adams

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
No runners-up

1996: “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7
Runner-up:
“Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey (2 weeks)

1997: (Tie) “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G.; “MMMBop” by Hanson; “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans feat. 112

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
No runners-up

1998: (Tie) “Too Close” by Next; “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“My All” by Mariah Carey (1 week)

1999: “Livin’ la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez (3 weeks)

2000: “Maria Maria” by Santana feat. The Product G&B

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6
Runners-up:
“Try Again” by Aaliyah (1 week)
“Be with You” by Enrique Iglesias (1 week)

2001: “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and Pink

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“All for You” by Janet Jackson (4 weeks)

2002: “Foolish” by Ashanti

Number of weeks at no. 1: 8
Runner-up:
“Hot in Herre” by Nelly (1 week)

2003: “21 Questions” by 50 Cent feat. Nate Dogg

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“Get Busy” by Sean Paul (3 weeks)

2004: “Burn” by Usher

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6
Runner-up:
“Yeah!” by Usher feat. Lil Jon and Ludacris (3 weeks)

2005: (Tie) “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani; “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
No runners-up

2006: “SOS” by Rihanna

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3
Runners-up:
“Ridin’” by Chamillionaire feat. Krayzie Bone (2 weeks)
“Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira feat. Wyclef Jean (2 weeks)

2007: “Umbrella” by Rihanna feat. Jay-Z

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“Makes Me Wonder” by Maroon 5 (3 weeks)

2008: “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne feat. Static Major

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis (2 weeks)

2009: “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas

Number of weeks at no. 1: 9
No runners-up

2010: “OMG” by Usher feat. will.i.am

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runners-up:
“Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B feat. Bruno Mars (2 weeks)
“California Gurls” by Katy Perry feat. Snoop Dogg (2 weeks)

2011: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6
Runner-up:
“E.T.” by Katy Perry feat. Kanye West (2 weeks)

2012: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye feat. Kimbra

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7
Runner-up:
“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen (2 weeks)

2013: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis feat. Ray Dalton

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runners-up:
“Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink feat. Nate Ruess (2 weeks)
“Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell (2 weeks)

2014: “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“All of Me” by John Legend (3 weeks)

2015: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa feat. Charlie Puth

Number of weeks at no. 1: 8
Runner-up:
“Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift feat. Kendrick Lamar (1 week)

2016: “One Dance” by Drake feat. Wizkid and Kyla

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“Panda” by Desiigner (2 weeks)

2017: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee feat. Justin Bieber

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runners-up:
“Humble” by Kendrick Lamar (1 week)
“That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars (1 week)
“I’m the One” by DJ Khaled feat. Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne (1 week)

2018: “Nice for What” by Drake

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“This Is America” by Childish Gambino (2 weeks)

2019: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus

Number of weeks at no. 1: 9
No runners-up

2020: “Rockstar” DaBaby feat. Roddy Ricch

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2
Runners-up:
“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd (1 week)
“The Scotts” by The Scotts (Travis Scott and Kid Cudi) (1 week)
“Say So” by Doja Cat feat. Nicki Minaj (1 week)
“Stuck with U” by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber (1 week)
“Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (1 week)
“Trollz” by 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj (1 week)

2021: “Butter” by BTS

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4
Runner-up:
“Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande (2 weeks)

2022: “As It Was” by Harry Styles

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5
Runner-up:
“First Class” by Jack Harlow (2 weeks)

2023: “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen

Number of weeks at no. 1: 8
No runners-up

Explore More Nostalgic Song Lists Here: