The #1 song of all time, according to Billboard's comprehensive ranking of Hot 100 chart performance from 1958 to 2021, is "Blinding Lights" by The Weeknd. This acclaimed track has achieved an unparalleled status based on its sustained success and longevity on the charts.
The Reigning #1 Song
Released in 2019, "Blinding Lights" by the Canadian artist The Weeknd (Abel Makkonen Tesfaye) swiftly rose to prominence, eventually securing its place at the top of Billboard's "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs" list. Its synth-pop sound, reminiscent of the 1980s, resonated globally, leading to significant commercial success and critical acclaim. The song spent a record-breaking number of weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, outperforming decades of chart-topping hits.
Understanding Billboard's "Greatest of All Time" Ranking
Billboard's "Greatest of All Time Hot 100 Songs" ranking is determined by a sophisticated methodology that calculates a song's performance on the weekly Hot 100 chart since its inception in 1958. This system awards points based on a song's peak position and its overall duration on the chart, emphasizing cumulative performance over decades. This approach allows songs that might not have spent the most weeks at #1 but maintained a strong presence for an extended period to rank highly, reflecting their enduring impact and popularity.
Top Songs in Billboard Hot 100 History
The following table highlights the top songs in Billboard Hot 100 history, as ranked by their all-time chart performance up to 2021:
| Rank | Single | Artist(s) |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Blinding Lights" | The Weeknd |
| 2. | "The Twist" | Chubby Checker |
| 3. | "Smooth" | Santana featuring Rob Thomas |
| 4. | "Mack the Knife" | Bobby Darin |
These songs represent monumental achievements in popular music, demonstrating remarkable chart longevity and cultural impact over many decades. For a detailed look into the criteria and a full list of these significant chart milestones and achievements, you can explore comprehensive Billboard Hot 100 chart records.
