- 4 weeks ago
From disco anthems to modern chart-toppers, we’re celebrating the pop songs that defined generations and ruled the airwaves. Join us as we count down the most unforgettable hits in the genre, featuring iconic tracks from Michael Jackson, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and more. Which pop classic still lives rent-free in your head?
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00:07Welcome to Ms. Mojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the greatest offerings from the genre of pop,
00:13taking into account commercial success, songwriting and production quality, as well as cultural impact.
00:28No. 30. No Tears Left to Cry, Ariana Grande.
00:40The strongest comeback is sometimes wrapped in the brightest melody.
00:44Released as Ariana Grande's first single following the Manchester Arena tragedy of 2017,
00:49No Tears Left to Cry struck a delicate balance between resilience and celebration.
01:00On the track, Grande chooses healing instead of dwelling on heartbreak,
01:05as she sings about reaching a point where there's simply no sadness left to shed.
01:08The song constantly shifts between airy pop, dance and R&B influences,
01:13mirroring the emotional highs and lows behind its message.
01:16It was praised by critics not only for its ambition, but also for perfectly executing its objective.
01:29More than anything, it reminded listeners that joy can be an act of courage.
01:34I just want you to come with me, we are another mentality.
01:41Number 29. Levitating, Dua Lipa.
01:44If you wanna run away with me, I know a galaxy and I can take you for a ride.
01:49I had a premonition that we fell into a rhythm.
01:51It takes a phenomenal song to have this kind of staying power.
01:55Dua Lipa's disco-drenched anthem spent an extraordinary 77 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100,
02:00where it peaked at number 2.
02:01I got you, moonlight, you're my starlight.
02:06I need you all night.
02:09Built around a sparkling disco groove with touches of funk and dance pop,
02:13levitating sounds like it was designed to make people smile before they even reached the chorus.
02:17Lipa delivers playful lyrics about feeling so in love that she's practically floating through space.
02:22You want me? I want you, baby.
02:24My sugar boo, I'm levitating.
02:26The Milky Way, we're really getting ready.
02:29Although released during the pandemic, it found an audience that only seemed to grow bigger over time.
02:34With timeless production and an irresistible hook,
02:37this song has already earned its place among this century's most unforgettable pop anthems.
02:42You can fly away with me tonight.
02:44You can fly away with me tonight.
02:46Baby, let me take you for a ride.
02:59Say what you want about Ed Sheeran, but the numbers on this one are genuinely staggering.
03:04Shape of You peaked at number 1 in over 30 countries and became the first song to surpass 3 billion
03:09streams on Spotify.
03:11Boy, let's not talk too much.
03:13Grab all my waist and put that body on me.
03:16Come and now follow my lead.
03:18Released in January 2017, it is a tropical pop earworm built around a marimba loop and a rhythm that refuses
03:25to leave your skull.
03:26Sheeran originally wrote Shape of You for another artist, but he soon became convinced that it needed to be sung
03:31by him.
03:40When it dropped, the song took the world by storm.
03:43Sheeran had stepped away from his acoustic comfort zone and delivered a tropical-inspired tune that is still nearly impossible
03:50to escape even years later.
03:52I'm in love with your body.
03:54We'll be discovering something brand new.
03:57I'm in love with the shape of you.
03:59Number 27.
04:00Royals.
04:01Lorde.
04:02I've never seen a diamond in the flesh.
04:07I cut my teeth on a wedding.
04:09Luxury cars, designer brands, champagne dreams.
04:13Lorde wasn't buying any of that.
04:15At just 16 years old, she flipped mainstream pop on its head with Royals,
04:19a minimalist anthem that questioned the glamorous lifestyles dominating popular music.
04:31Instead of flashy production, the song relies on finger snaps, sparse beats, and Lorde's smoky vocals to deliver its message
04:38with quiet confidence.
04:40That simplicity made every lyric land even harder than she probably intended.
04:44And we'll never be royals.
04:47Royals.
04:47It's a one in our blood that kind of locks to...
04:51Across the world, many listeners connected to the song's message instantly,
04:56sending it to the top of charts in several countries and earning Lorde two Grammy Awards.
05:00If there was any proof that sometimes less is more, you are listening to it.
05:06And baby, I'll rule, I'll rule, I'll rule, let me live that fantasy.
05:12Number 26.
05:13Since You've Been Gone.
05:14Kelly Clarkson.
05:15Here's the thing, we started our friends.
05:19It was cool, but it was all pretend.
05:22After winning the first season of American Idol in 2002,
05:26Kelly Clarkson needed a song to establish her as a genuine pop superstar.
05:30She found it two years later in Since You've Been Gone.
05:33Co-written and co-produced by Max Martin,
05:36the song crackles with raw energy,
05:38building from something almost quiet into one of the most cathartic choruses you have ever heard.
05:42But since you've been gone,
05:46I can't breathe for the first time.
05:50Clarkson's vocals are ferocious,
05:51as she channels the exact feeling of finally exhaling after a toxic relationship ends.
05:56Its punchy guitars and irresistible hooks influenced a wave of pop artists who followed.
06:07The song won two Grammy Awards,
06:10including Best Female Pop Vocal Performance,
06:12and was named one of the greatest songs ever made by Rolling Stone.
06:20Number 25, Stayin' Alive, Bee Gees.
06:30Whether you're simply walking down the street or learning CPR,
06:34chances are this song pops into your head eventually.
06:37Stayin' Alive became inseparable from the disco era thanks to its unmistakable falsettos,
06:42infectious groove, and unforgettable bass line.
06:45Whether you're a brother or a wife or you're a nothing,
06:47stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
06:50Feel the city breaking and everybody shaking,
06:52but we're stayin' alive.
06:53Written for the 1977 film Saturday Night Fever,
06:56it perfectly captured the swagger and resilience associated with nightlife in the late 70s.
07:01Beneath the dancefloor sparkle,
07:02the lyrics tell the story of someone determined to keep pushing through life's struggles,
07:06giving the song surprising emotional weight.
07:15It's disco rhythm clocks in at precisely 100 beats per minute,
07:19which is why doctors actually use it to teach CPR timing.
07:23The cultural footprint this song has left on music, film, and apparently medicine is unmatched.
07:29Ah, ah, ah, ah, stayin' alive, stayin' alive.
07:34Ah, ah, ah, ah, ah.
07:36Number 24.
07:37Umbrella.
07:38Rihanna featuring Jay-Z.
07:40Who have my heart,
07:41and we'll never be worlds apart.
07:44Maybe in magazines.
07:47For Rihanna, there is a before and after Umbrella.
07:51Prior to the song's release,
07:53she was seen as a promising teenage singer,
07:55but it was this song that transformed her into a global superstar.
08:06With Jay-Z's confident opening verse paving the way,
08:10Rihanna delivers a promise of unwavering loyalty through a chorus so catchy
08:13it's still being referenced to this day.
08:15The song's stripped-back beat gives her voice room to shine,
08:18while the repeated chant in the chorus remains one of pop's most recognizable hooks.
08:28It dominated charts worldwide,
08:31racked up major awards,
08:33and marked the beginning of Rihanna's reign as one of music's defining hitmakers.
08:37Gonna let the rain pour,
08:40I'll be all you need and more.
08:44Number 23.
08:46Uptown Funk.
08:47Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars.
08:57Over the years,
08:58plenty of artists have tried to revive classic funk,
09:01but few have managed to execute it so perfectly.
09:04Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars borrowed the swagger of 70s and 80s funk,
09:08polished it with modern pop production,
09:10and made it feel completely fresh.
09:12Girl, I'll sit you hallelujah,
09:14cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you,
09:16cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you,
09:18cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you,
09:19cause Uptown Funk gon' give it to you,
09:19Mars is in rare form on the track,
09:22showcasing such a magnetic charisma that shines through from the very first beat.
09:26Critics drew comparisons to Prince,
09:28James Brown,
09:29and The Gap Band,
09:30and for good reason.
09:31Saturday night and we in the spot,
09:33don't believe me,
09:34just watch,
09:35come on.
09:38Uptown Funk went on to spend 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100,
09:43becoming one of the best-selling singles in history.
09:46It also earned the Grammy for Record of the Year.
09:56Number 22,
09:57Can't Get You Out of My Head,
09:59Kylie Minogue.
10:07The song's title is basically a warning label.
10:11Kylie Minogue unleashed this hypnotic synth-pop masterpiece in 2001
10:14and immediately colonized every radio station,
10:17club,
10:18and living room on the planet.
10:24Built around a pulsing electronic beat and that unforgettable refrain,
10:28the track is almost architectural in how perfectly it's constructed.
10:32Lyrically,
10:33it captures obsessive,
10:34all-consuming attraction with surgical precision.
10:43It became Minogue's biggest global hit,
10:46reaching number one in over 40 countries
10:48and selling over 5 million copies worldwide.
10:51Music producers still study the song's arrangement to this day.
10:55Decades later,
10:56it sounds no less fresh,
10:57which tells you everything about how well-crafted it really is.
11:07Number 21,
11:09Escapade,
11:10Janet Jackson.
11:15If Happiness had a soundtrack,
11:18Escapade would be a strong contender.
11:20Janet Jackson invites listeners to leave their worries behind
11:23and embrace a carefree adventure,
11:24delivering pure joy from the very first note.
11:32Produced and written by Jackson herself,
11:34alongside Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,
11:36the song blends bright pop melodies with danceable rhythms
11:39that practically demand movement.
11:41Jackson's effortless charm makes every lyric feel like an invitation to join the party,
11:45which helped the track become another chart-topping hit
11:48from her landmark Rhythm Nation 1814 album.
11:57While most of the tracks on the album
11:59had a more socially conscious and political slant,
12:02this song offered listeners a chance to simply let loose.
12:12Number 20,
12:14California Girls,
12:15Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg.
12:17By the late 2000s,
12:19Katy Perry had brought a fun energy back to pop music.
12:21She was ready to take her success to new heights,
12:24and that is exactly what happened when she released California Girls.
12:33In her tribute to the Golden State,
12:36Perry delivers equal parts disco and funk.
12:38With a bubbly production,
12:40the singer creates the perfect song for a summer dance party.
12:43To put the final stamp on the track,
12:45famous California resident Snoop Dogg raps his own enjoyable verse.
12:55Originally intended as a response to Empire State of Mind,
12:59California Girls stands on its own
13:01as one of the defining pop statements of 2010.
13:11Number 19,
13:12We Belong Together,
13:13Mariah Carey.
13:14Starting in the early 90s,
13:16Mariah Carey maintained a consistent run of number one songs
13:20that shattered pop records and expectations.
13:30Some questioned if the singer could maintain that success into the 2000s,
13:34but We Belong Together silenced her critics.
13:36Proving she could compete with the newest pop stars,
13:39Carey delivered a song tailor-made for her inimitable voice.
13:47With one of the widest vocal ranges in the business,
13:51the performer created a timeless pop and R&B performance.
13:55Securing yet another number one single,
13:57the record-breaking vocalist staked her claim
13:59as one of the most vital and enduring artists of her generation.
14:03It's gonna take your place therein' nobody's bad.
14:06Oh, baby, baby,
14:08we belong together.
14:10Number 18,
14:11Blinding Lights,
14:13The Weeknd.
14:13Steadily building a following through the 2010s,
14:16The Weeknd ended the decade at the height of his powers.
14:19You don't even have to do too much.
14:22You can turn me on with just a touch,
14:25baby.
14:27Released in late 2019,
14:29Blinding Lights was a runaway success
14:31that kept gaining traction in the months that followed.
14:34Trying out a radically different image and sound,
14:36the artist blazed a new pop trail
14:38with one of the catchiest songs of its kind.
14:40I can never see it on the floor
14:43We'll never let you go
14:46This time
14:48Always one to push his vocals to the limit,
14:50his towering range gets the ultimate workout
14:53on the song's many high notes.
14:55Featuring a throwback sound and amazing melody,
14:57Blinding Lights secured the artist's place in pop history.
15:01I'm blinded by the lights
15:03Though I can't sleep in
15:05Till I feel your touch
15:07Number 17,
15:09Girls Just Wanna Have Fun,
15:11Cyndi Lauper
15:12From the Billboard charts to Broadway,
15:14Cyndi Lauper has conquered popular music several times over.
15:18I wanna be the one to walk in the sun
15:21Oh, no,
15:22I wanna have fun
15:24Among her most successful tracks,
15:26Girls Just Wanna Have Fun made the artist a formidable force in the 80s music scene.
15:31Combining a powerful message and a fun-loving sound,
15:34the singer created a definitive song from the new wave and synth-pop era.
15:44Little do people know the single was actually a cover,
15:47further demonstrating the performer's ability to turn silver into gold.
15:51While Lauper has gone on to give us many other great hits,
15:54few pieces can ever compete with Girls Just Wanna Have Fun.
16:02Number 16,
16:04Bad Guy,
16:05Billie Eilish.
16:06Through the mid to late 2010s,
16:08then-teenager Billie Eilish began emerging as a unique artist.
16:13Working with her brother and producer Phineas,
16:15the singer unleashed the number one single,
16:17Bad Guy.
16:18I do what I want when I'm wanting through my soul,
16:23so cynical.
16:25Lighting up the charts,
16:27the complex track and the performer's idiosyncratic delivery
16:30pushed the boundaries of pop music,
16:32a breakthrough hit for the artist.
16:34The song's multi-genre hooks and tempo changes
16:36blew the minds of listeners everywhere.
16:39Bad type,
16:40make your girlfriend mad type,
16:42might seduce your dad type.
16:44I'm the bad guy.
16:47I'm the bad guy.
16:48As a precocious figure in the industry,
16:51the young vocalist revolutionized the genre with this work of art.
16:54It charted a course for the future music legend,
16:56who has since gone on to do great things,
16:59like slay a James Bond theme.
17:02Never seen me cry.
17:06There's just no time to die.
17:09Number 15,
17:10Dynamite,
17:11BTS.
17:12While a number of groups and solo artists paved the way for BTS,
17:15the boy band has emerged as one of the most successful artists in K-pop history.
17:28Combining all the signature elements of a hit song,
17:31Dynamite signaled a changing tide for the genre.
17:34BTS's first all-English track connected with a new and very large audience,
17:39especially in the United States.
17:47And the talented group seemed more than ready for the spotlight.
17:51While their track Butter is also iconic,
17:54Dynamite is the hit that helped make them the international superstars they are today.
17:58As they continue to spread amazing music,
18:00it remains a shining example of the band's cultural hold on pop.
18:12Number 14,
18:14Believe,
18:15Cher.
18:15Whether it's her days with former partner Sunny,
18:18or her decades of solo pop dominance,
18:20Cher has been a cultural institution since the 1960s.
18:24So it's only fitting that she would end the century with one of her greatest hits.
18:35Becoming one of the first pop singers to use auto-tune,
18:38the artist reinvigorated her music career,
18:41and proved that she could still surprise us.
18:43She reminded everyone that she was a multi-generational talent,
18:47a style icon,
18:48and a pop ambassador.
18:49I don't need you anymore.
18:53No,
18:53I don't need you anymore.
18:56To this day,
18:58Believe has a spot on playlists,
19:00thanks to its endearing and inviting message,
19:02that still feels fresh and innovative.
19:04Do you believe in life after love?
19:10Number 13,
19:11My Heart Will Go On,
19:13Celine Dion.
19:14It will forever be known as the song from Titanic,
19:17but this iconic love song by the powerful Canadian vocalist Celine Dion,
19:21is so much more than Jack and Rose's theme.
19:29It's a song that won many accolades,
19:32including several Grammys,
19:34as well as the Oscar and Golden Globe for best original song.
19:38It's one of the best-selling singles of all time,
19:41and it is the signature song of one of the most iconic voices of our generation.
19:53My Heart Will Go On is a reminder of the power of a great movie theme.
19:58The good ones reinforce the film's message.
20:01The best ones transcend their films to become a cultural phenomenon all their own.
20:06And just think,
20:07Celine didn't want to record it at all.
20:09My Heart Will Go On,
20:19When Adele entered the entertainment world,
20:22it was abundantly clear that she was going to be one of the next great vocalists in pop music.
20:27Her second album, 21,
20:28reminded people that she was here to stay with its massive single,
20:32Rolling in the Deep.
20:33There's a fire starting in my heart.
20:37What became the defining hit of her career,
20:40captured the star in complete control.
20:43Vocally unparalleled,
20:44the track carried a gravitas rarely seen in modern pop music.
20:48We could have had it fine,
20:51We could have had it fine,
20:51We could have had it fine,
20:53We could have had it fine,
20:53We could have had it fine,
20:56We could have had it fine,
20:57Bombastic and well-produced,
20:59The performer dished out a flawless performance that honored her many musical influences.
21:04Selling millions of copies,
21:06Rolling in the Deep was so well-regarded that it made the artist a household name.
21:10But you played it,
21:12You played it,
21:13You played it,
21:14You played it to the beat.
21:17Number 11.
21:18Single Ladies Put a Ring On It,
21:20Beyonce.
21:21Beyonce has created dozens of indelible songs throughout her amazing career.
21:25And Single Ladies made sure the few remaining earth lights who hadn't yet heard her music would know her name.
21:38Creating a feel-good anthem for bachelorettes,
21:41The singer brought a magnetic presence to this iconic recording.
21:44There's no telling what the world would be like without this powerful pop number.
21:53And that's without considering the hugely successful video and dance.
21:57Crazy In Love was a spectacular solo debut,
22:00But the artist made an even bigger splash with this pop song.
22:03Securing her place in music history,
22:05Beyonce shook up pop culture and music with Single Ladies.
22:09Like it thinks you should've put a ring on it.
22:11So hold me, man, I want you to see it.
22:12That's what you want it.
22:13And it's like it thinks you should've put a ring on it.
22:16Oh, oh, oh.
22:17Number 10.
22:18I Want It That Way,
22:19Backstreet Boys.
22:20Among the most successful and enduring boy bands ever,
22:24The Backstreet Boys rightfully conquered the charts with this pop ballad.
22:28Some may even argue that it's the definitive song of its kind,
22:32Setting a high bar for those that came after.
22:34Am I,
22:36You're the fire.
22:39The 1999 hit was proof that the late 90s pop craze was not just a flash in the pan.
22:44After all, the group was making fans swoon and cheer with their lyrics and presence.
22:49I don't wanna hear you.
22:51I don't wanna hear you.
22:55With powerful vocal performances and a relatable story,
22:58The band arguably beat out their contemporaries in terms of style and quality.
23:03Although we know if you were an NSYNC fan, those are fighting words.
23:07Needless to say, we'll never get tired of hearing the Backstreet Boys sing their hearts out on I Want It
23:13That Way.
23:13I never wanna hear you sing.
23:17I want it that way.
23:21Number 9.
23:22Hips Don't Lie.
23:23Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean.
23:26Colombian music star Shakira became a sensation after Hips Don't Lie.
23:30Elevated by rapper Wyclef Jean's contributions,
23:32The song blends Latin flavor and expert production to create a tremendous cocktail of pop magic.
23:38I'm on tonight, you know my hopes don't lie, I'm starting to feel it's right.
23:42With a simple yet effective title,
23:45The artist took the best of her local and international influences
23:48And turned them into a huge smash hit.
23:51Reaching a massive audience,
23:52The pop sensibilities of Hips Don't Lie never fail to put people in a dancing mood.
24:04Nobody has forgotten it,
24:05And it stands as a brilliant example of Shakira's brilliance,
24:09Hitting number 1 all around the world.
24:11The undisputed reggaeton hit is a sensational pop listen.
24:16Attention, attention, baby like this is perfection.
24:20Number 8.
24:21Wannabe, Spice Girls.
24:22Pop groups could chase, but never catch the Spice Girls in their heyday.
24:31Their lasting girl power anthem,
24:33Wannabe, delivered an encouraging and powerful message to female listeners.
24:37What's more, the undeniable dance track features an infectious combo of hip-hop and pop.
24:43The world would never be the same after hearing that iconic opening and insanely catchy chorus.
24:48If you wanna be my lover,
24:50You gotta get with my friends.
24:52Make it last forever.
24:54Housing a progressive mission statement,
24:56The track became a sort of calling card for a new brand of girl groups.
25:01The Spice Girls brought their positivity to the industry with this game-changing song,
25:05And revolutionized pop music in the process.
25:08Tell me about it, what it's all about.
25:10Tell me about it, I'm as good as it is.
25:12Number 7.
25:13Shake It Off.
25:14Taylor Swift.
25:15After years of delivering amazing hits,
25:18This singer-songwriter shed her country roots with Shake It Off,
25:21Which presented her as an undisputed pop star.
25:24I got this music in my mind,
25:28Saying it's gonna be alright.
25:31Beyond its success,
25:32The track also represented a shift in Swift's sound amid her 1989 era.
25:37The song's positive theme carried a universal feeling,
25:40While also allowing the singer to respond to the negative press and tabloid stories about her.
25:51From the first beat,
25:53The self-aware hit was an odyssey of experimentation and artistry.
25:56Defiant of her critics,
25:58Swift confronted the haters in a winning pop formula,
26:01That ushered in the next great phase of her career.
26:10Number 6.
26:12Dancing Queen.
26:12ABBA.
26:13Few music groups were as captivating or successful as ABBA was in the 1970s.
26:19Their most famous and catchy song, Dancing Queen,
26:22Outlived disco and still has the same vitality of its initial release.
26:26With a beat of rock music,
26:29Everything's fine,
26:30So you're in the mood for a day.
26:33Describing a dance hall scene with fun-loving lyrics,
26:36The track goes for raw pop power and wins.
26:39The group brought a beautiful melody and exciting lyrics together,
26:42And it just worked.
26:44You can dance,
26:46You can dance,
26:49Having the time on your own.
26:52In many ways,
26:53The greatness of modern pop can be traced to acts like ABBA,
26:56Whose songs like Dancing Queen crossed borders and barriers.
27:00To this day,
27:01It's hard not to get up or at least smile at the intro of this beloved single.
27:13Number 5.
27:14Poker Face.
27:15Lady Gaga.
27:16Since her meteoric climb to the top,
27:19Lady Gaga has had a firm hand in pop music and culture.
27:22Poker Face was arguably the track that made audiences realize pop music would never be the same.
27:35A synth-pop number off her debut album,
27:38The single quickly became her most recognized work.
27:41Later winning a Grammy,
27:42The song achieved critical and commercial notice thanks to its mix of throwback influences and futuristic vocal sounds.
27:48Can't read my,
27:49Can't read my,
27:50No it can't read my,
27:52Poker Face.
27:54She's got me with my body.
27:56Bold and unafraid.
27:58The hit's salacious and interpretive lyrics only made it more intriguing.
28:02Capturing her artistry and vision in its purest form,
28:05Poker Face ensured that Gaga's new hold on pop music was only just beginning.
28:09Oh, oh, oh, oh, I'll get him high,
28:13Show him what it got.
28:15Number 4.
28:15I Will Always Love You.
28:17Whitney Houston.
28:18With the release of The Bodyguard,
28:20Singer Whitney Houston made her first appearance on film.
28:23More importantly,
28:25the movie's soundtrack featured her magnum opus,
28:27I Will Always Love You.
28:29I hope you have all you dreamed of.
28:36It's hard to compete with a master at the top of her game.
28:39And this song truly encompassed her talents from every angle.
28:43Her every breath, inflection, and impeccable range took pop vocals to another level.
28:56It's fair to say that the Dolly Parton written song,
28:59which has been widely covered by artists,
29:01will never be sung the same way.
29:03There was only one Whitney Houston.
29:05And her earth-shattering rendition of I Will Always Love You is as memorable as they come.
29:17Number 3.
29:18Baby One More Time.
29:19Britney Spears.
29:21Britney Spears pushed pop music across the millennium divide,
29:24conquering the landscape to claim a top spot among the industry's plethora of artists.
29:30And her talents were particularly apparent on her breakthrough hit,
29:34Baby One More Time.
29:40It was a fully formed and perfect encapsulation of her many talents.
29:44It only took the hitmaker Max Martin's songwriting and Spears' charming vocals
29:49to generate the ultimate late-90s pop song.
29:57There were many more Britney masterpieces to come,
30:01like the fantastic Toxic.
30:02But this track marked the beginning of the star's storied career.
30:06From the song's iconic video to its classic hook,
30:09Baby One More Time remains one of the best pop debuts ever.
30:13And give me a sign.
30:17Hit me, baby, one more time.
30:20Number 2.
30:21Vogue.
30:22Madonna.
30:23Madonna didn't get the Queen of Pop moniker for nothing.
30:26As the face of female pop music for decades,
30:29the singer's release of Vogue completely changed the game.
30:32Come on, Vogue.
30:35Let your body move to the music.
30:39Taking inspiration from the Harlem ballroom scene,
30:41she brought a variety of cultural influences into this dance hit.
30:45Accompanied by a memorable house music sound,
30:47the artist threw out the names of a number of early Hollywood icons.
30:58Putting a spotlight on many of her musical influences,
31:01Madonna walked into 1990 and completely owned the year with this acclaimed record.
31:06Never one to slow down.
31:08This song's compelling rhythm makes for one of the artist's greatest achievements.
31:21If you love games,
31:22be sure to check out WatchMojo's new game, Terrible Influence.
31:26Just launched for purchase at TerribleInfluence.com.
31:29Terrible Influence is a satirical board game about the dark side of fame
31:32from the writer of the most popular girls in school and us, WatchMojo.
31:36Boom.
31:37I can make an apology video.
31:39Oh, you so would.
31:40Click on the link in the description to check out the game
31:42and be the first to play Terrible Influence.
31:46Number one, Billie Jean, Michael Jackson.
31:49If you look up pop music in the dictionary,
31:52you'll probably see Michael Jackson's name.
31:54Maybe not literally, but you know what we mean.
31:56There's no denying the impact the singer had on the genre
31:59with the release of his thriller album.
32:01And Billie Jean remains one of the work's artistic centerpieces.
32:05I still dream of being the one
32:08Who would dance on the floor every round
32:12The scandalous lyrics float over top of a perfectly constructed track.
32:16There are few pop songs where the bass line is as recognizable as the vocals.
32:21It's a testament to the care and attention to detail
32:32that went into crafting the song at every level.
32:35Thus, Jackson delivered what might just be his signature hit
32:38and an unbeatable pop masterpiece.
32:49What do you consider to be the greatest pop song ever made?
32:52Let us know in the comments.
32:58We'll see you next time.
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