What was the most popular song the year you were born?

1977 was an iconic pop culture year. The first installment of the Star Wars series, Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope, was released. Elvis Presley died at just 42-years-old. And Rod Stewart released his eighth studio album, Foot Loose & Fancy Free.

The hottest song of the year was "Tonight's the Night (Gonna Be Alright)." The soft rock jam was banned by the BBC due to its suggestive lyric: "C'mon angel, my heart's on fire/Don't deny your man's desire/You'd be a fool to stop this tide/Spread your wings and let me come inside."

After Rod's reign in 1977, he went on to have a legendary career. These days, the 81-year-old singer lives with his wife Penny Lancaster. He was set to perform in Las Vegas, but abruptly cancelled his shows, following "his doctor's advice."

"My apologies to my family of fans," Rod told the Las Vegas Review Journal. "I am on vocal rest as I recover from a sinus infection. I look forward to seeing you at a future show at Caesars Palace or on tour this summer."

Andy Gibb gave 1978 its hit song. "Shadow Dancing" was written by Andy and his brothers, Barry, Maurice and Robin Gibb, while they were working on Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band film.

It's a sweet song that didn't necessarily become a legacy hit. Unfortunately, ten years after "Shadow Dancing" was released, Andy died at just 30 from heart failure, exacerbated by years of drug use.

The Knack was an American pop band founded in 1978. Its members, Doug Fieger, Berton Averre, Prescott Niles, and Bruce Gary. "My Sharona" was their debut single. The song was inspired by a real life interaction.

The then 25-year-old met 17-year-old Sharona Alperin and "fell in love with her instantly." The two dated for four years, even getting engaged before splitting.

"My Sharona" was The Knack's biggest hit. The band split up in 1981 before reuniting five years later. But they never found the success of their debut single.

Blondie formed in 1974, led by singer Debbie Harry, who was of course, a blonde. The new wave band released their first album, Blondie, in 1976 and were immediately beloved. By 1980, Debbie was somewhat of a household name.

"Call Me" was number one or six consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. "When I was writing it, I pictured the opening scene, driving on the coast of California," Debbie explained.

46 years later, Debbie is still making news. On Saturday, May 2, she returned to Saturday Night Live for the first time since 1981 to introduce Olivia Rodrigo's performance of her third album's lead single "drop dead."

Kim Carnes broke through with her hit song "Bette Davis Eyes." The song was originally written by Donna Weiss and Jackie DeShannon before being made popular by Kim. It referenced the actress Bette Davis, who was the first person to accrue ten Academy Award nominations, winning the Academy Award for Best Actress twice.

"Bette Davis Eyes" made news again in 2025 after singer and reality star JoJo Siwa released a version of it, dedicating her rendition to her boyfriend, Chris Hughes. Kim shared her thoughts to TMZ, saying: "The phrasing, the tone, even the little inflections – it all felt a bit too close."

Four years after starring as Sandy Olsson in the hit musical film Grease, Olivia Newton-John released "Physical," on her eleventh studio album. The punchy song was an immediate smash hit, shipping two million copies in the United States, where it was certified Platinum. 

The music video for "Physical" is almost as iconic as the song. In it, Olivia wore a tight leotard and encouraged men to exercise. While the singer was already a star, "Physical" just reaffirmed that.

A decade later, Olivia was diagnosed with breast cancer for the first time. In 2017, she announced it had returned and metastasized to her lower back. After battling the disease for five years, Olivia passed away on August 8, 2022 at 73.

The Police were a rock band that defined the 80s. Led by Sting, the band, including Andy Summers and Stewart Copeland, formed in 1977 and released several songs that stood the test of time. "Every Breath You Take" was the best performing single on the band's fifth and final studio album, Synchronicity.

It was written by Sting after he fled to the Caribbean to escape the public eye. When reflecting on the song, the singer told BBC Radio 2 in 2009: "I think the song is very, very sinister and ugly and people have actually misinterpreted it as being a gentle little love song, when it's quite the opposite."

Sting is still rocking. He went solo in 1985 and has since sold a combined total of more than 100 million records. Outside of the spotlight, the 74-year-old is married to wife Trudie Styler, 72, and is a dad-of-six.

Prince rose to fame after he released his fifth studio album, 1999, in 1982. But it wasn't until 1984 when he landed the top song of the year. "When Doves Cry" was the lead single from Prince's sixth studio album, Purple Rain, and his first Billboard Hot 100 number one single.

Starting with a guitar riff, "When Doves Cry" includes all the synth-beats-goodness that fans came to expect from the singer. After this success, Prince continued to rise. He went on to release 35 studio albums, win an Oscar and seven Grammys, and mentor a new class of musicians.

Tragically, on April 21, 2016, Prince died at 57 from an accidental overdose of fentanyl.

George Michael is a pop culture icon and one of the best-selling recording artists of all time. The singer was part of the pop duo Wham! with Andrew Ridgeley and is known for dozens of songs that are still popular today.

When George was 17, he wrote "Careless Whisper" while riding the bus. The saxophone riff that starts the song is now iconic and ever memeified. George was one of the first pop stars who came out as gay. Throughout his life, he was active in the LGBTQ+ community and fundraised actively to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.

On Christmas Day in 2016, George passed away at home at 53 from heart failure and fatty liver disease.

The now iconic song was first recorded by Rod Stewart for the film Night Shift, but fans probably know the Dionne Warwick version better. In 1985, the singer recorded "That's What Friends Are For" with Elton John, Gladys Knight, and Stevie Wonder and was released as a charity single for HIV/AIDS research and prevention, raising more than $3 million.

At 85, Dionne is enjoying her twilight years. The six-time Grammy Award-winning singer is active on social media, chiming in on recent trends. And, she's involved in the lives of her two sons, David, 57, and Damon Elliott, 53.

The Bangles was one of the first girl groups to make waves. Formed in 1981 by Susanna Hoffs and sisters Vicki and Debbi Peterson, the band worked closely with Prince. In 1987, they released "Walk Like an Egyptian" after debating whether it would be a success.

The song received some critics, but regardless, it stayed at the top of the charts for four weeks. In 1989, The Bangles broke up, with several members starting solo careers. But less than a decade later, they reformed in 1998 and are still together today.