Music has an arguably unmatched ability to evoke strong emotions and stir meaningful memories. A favorite song often transports us back to the time when we first heard it, proving the well-studied connection between music and memory. Similar to the way we learned to memorize the alphabet by singing the ABC song, music helps us “memorize” moments in time, especially early in our life, when so many experiences and emotions are new.
Of course, the biggest hits of the time are often the songs we know by heart, forming the soundtrack of our lives. Billboard magazine has tracked these hits since July 27, 1940, when the first No. 1 single, Tommy Dorsey’s “I’ll Never Smile Again,” topped the Billboard chart, where it stayed for 12 weeks. The Billboard Hot 100 chart debuted in 1958 with Ricky Nelson's "Poor Little Fool" at the top, and remains the music industry standard to this day.
From the invasion of rock ’n’ roll to the ’80s power ballads to the catchy beats of today, here are some of the most memorable and moving lyrics from No. 1 songs through the decades.
I’ll be seeing you in all the old familiar places / That this heart of mine embrace all day through“I’ll Be Seeing You,” Bing Crosby, 1944
And while they were dancing / My friend stole my sweetheart from me“The Tennessee Waltz,” Patti Page, 1950
People see us everywhere / They think you really care / But myself I can’t deceive / I know it’s only make believe“It’s Only Make Believe,” Conway Twitty and Loretta Lynn, 1958
(I can’t stop loving you) / I’ve made up my mind / To live in memory of the lonesome times“I Can’t Stop Loving You,” Ray Charles, 1962
Remember to let her into your heart / Then you can start to make it better“Hey Jude,” The Beatles, 1968
All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go / I’m standing here outside your door / I hate to wake you up to say goodbye“Leaving on a Jet Plane,” Peter, Paul and Mary, 1969
When you’re weary / Feeling small / When tears are in your eyes / I will dry them all“Bridge Over Troubled Water,” Simon & Garfunkel, 1970
When you wish upon a star / Your dreams will take you very far / But when you wish upon a dream / Life ain’t always what it seems“Shining Star,” Earth, Wind & Fire, 1975
Look in my heart / And let love keep us together“Love Will Keep Us Together,” Captain & Tennille, 1975
Once upon a time, I was falling in love / But now I’m only falling apart / There’s nothing I can do / A total eclipse of the heart“Total Eclipse of the Heart,” Bonnie Tyler, 1983
Maybe I’m just too demanding / Maybe I’m just like my father, too bold / Maybe you’re just like my mother / She’s never satisfied“When Doves Cry,” Prince, 1984
Well, I need someone to hold me / But I’ll wait for somethin’ more / Yes, I gotta have faith“Faith,” George Michael, 1988
It’s been seven hours and fifteen days / Since you took your love away / I go out every night and sleep all day / Since you took your love away“Nothing Compares 2 U,” Sinéad O’Connor, 1990
And I’m wishing you joy and happiness / But above all this, I wish you love“I Will Always Love You,” Whitney Houston, 1993
Fool, death ain’t nothin’ but a heartbeat away / I’m livin’ life do or die, what can I say?“Gangsta’s Paradise,” Coolio featuring L.V., 1995
You got the kind of loving that can be so smooth / Gimme your heart, make it real, or else forget about it“Smooth,” Santana featuring Rob Thomas, 1999
And suddenly, I’m melting into you / There’s nothing left to prove / Baby, all we need is just to be“Breathe,” Faith Hill, 2000
Gotta change my answering machine, now that I’m alone / ‘Cause right now it says that “We can’t come to the phone” / And I know it makes no sense, ‘cause you walked out the door / But it’s the only way I hear your voice anymore“So Sick,” Ne-Yo, 2006
You must not know ’bout me / You must not know ’bout me / I could have another you in a minute“Irreplaceable,” Beyoncé, 2007
Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof / (Because I’m happy) / Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth“Happy,” Pharrell Williams, 2014
Hello from the other side / I must’ve called a thousand times / To tell you I’m sorry / For everything that I’ve done“Hello,” Adele, 2015
Yeah, I got boy problems, that’s the human in me / Bling bling, then I solve ’em, that’s the goddess in me“Truth Hurts,” Lizzo, 2019
I saw you dancing in a crowded room / You look so happy when I’m not with you / But then you saw me, caught you by surprise / A single teardrop falling from your eye“Save Your Tears,” The Weeknd and Ariana Grande, 2021
When my depression works the graveyard shift, all of the people / I’ve ghosted stand there in the room“Anti-Hero,” Taylor Swift, 2022
Photo credit: Michael Ochs Archives via Getty Images
