There are some songs that stick in your head, no matter how long ago they came out. For many of us, our favorite songs were released when we were seniors in high school.
I graduated from my all-girls high school in 2014 and the number one pop song that year was "Happy" by Pharrell Williams. The singer wrote the song for the animated film, Despicable Me 2, and it became nothing short of an earworm.
Keep reading to see if you remember the top pop hit from your senior year of high school.
© Getty ImagesThe song was from the band's album, American Gigolo
1980 – "Call Me" by Blondie
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. "Call Me" was number one for six consecutive weeks on the Billboard Hot 100.
© Getty ImagesJoJo Siwa released a cover of this song in 2025
1981 – "Bette Davis Eyes" by Kim Carnes
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.
© Getty ImagesOlivia passed away in August 2022
1982 – "Physical" by Olivia Newton-John
Four years after starring as Sandy Olsson in the hit musical film Grease, Olivia Newton-John released "Physical" from 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.
© Getty ImagesSting left The Police in 1984
1983 – "Every Breath You Take" by The Police
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.
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© Getty ImagesPrince passed away from an accidental overdose in 2016
1984 – "When Doves Cry" by Prince
Prince landed the top song of the year in 1984 with "When Doves Cry," the lead single from Prince's sixth studio album, Purple Rain. Starting with a guitar riff, the song includes all the synth-beats-goodness that fans came to expect from the singer.
© WireImage via Getty ImagesGeorge and Andrew met in 1975 as students
1985 – "Careless Whisper" by Wham!
George Michael 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 memed all over the internet.
© Getty ImagesThe song started a trend of artists coming together for a cause
1986 – "That's What Friends Are For" by Dionne and Friends
This 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.
© Getty ImagesThe Bangles are still performing decades later
1987 – "Walk Like an Egyptian" by The Bangles
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 released "Walk Like an Egyptian." The song received some criticism, but regardless, it stayed at the top of the charts for four weeks.
© Getty ImagesGeorge passed away on Christmas Day in 2016
1988 – "Faith" by George Michael
George went solo in 1987 and landed another top pop song a year later. "Faith" catapulted the singer into stardom and its music video made him into a superstar.
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© VALERIE MACONDiane Warren penned the song and went on to be nominated for 17 Academy Awards
1989 – "Look Away" by Chicago
The American rock band, Chicago, came together in 1967. With a large group of current and past members, it released 26 studio albums. "Look Away" was written by Diane Warren and spent two weeks as the number one pop song.
© Getty ImagesThe girl group formed in 1989
1990 – "Hold On" by Wilson Phillips
Wilson Phillips includes Chynna Phillips (daughter of John and Michelle Phillips), Wendy Wilson, and Carnie Wilson (daughters of Brian Wilson). The girl group's song "Hold On" was the lead single from their debut studio album.
© Getty ImagesThe singer's nickname is the "Groover from Vancouver"
1991 – "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" by Bryan Adams
Canadian singer Bryan Adams released "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" in 1991. The song was written for the 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, won a Grammy, and was nominated for an Academy Award.
© Getty ImagesThe group hails from Philadelphia
1992 – "End of the Road" by Boyz II Men
Nathan Morris, Shawn Stockman, Wayná Morris, and Michael McCary formed Boyz II Men in 1985. By 1992, they had a top song. "End of the Road" set a record when it spent 13 weeks at number one on the charts.
© GettyWhitney Houston and Dolly Parton were good friends
1993 – "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston
Written by the late-Dolly Parton, "I Will Always Love You" by Whitney Houston is thought of as one of the most iconic songs of all time. It sold over 20 million copies and cemented Whitney as an icon.
© Getty ImagesAce of Base have never officially called it quits, but they’ve been largely inactive since the late 2000s
1994 – "The Sign" by Ace of Base
The Swedish band, Ace of Base, created a techno-pop ballad in "The Sign." The song was a global hit and helped the band receive a Grammy nomination at the 1995 awards.
© Getty ImagesThe rapper won a Grammy Award for the smash hit
1995 – "Gangsta's Paradise" by Coolio
Coolio, who passed away in 2022, was one of the first wildly successful rappers in history. "Gangsta's Paradise" became the first rap single ever to go straight to number one in Britain and is continually thought of as one of the best songs of all time.
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© Getty ImagesThe Macarena is a classic dance
1996 – "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" by Los del Rio
If you've been to a wedding, you've heard "Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)" by Los del Rio. It's now a cultural phenomenon, with its own dance and a legacy that is seemingly never ending.
© Redferns via Getty ImagesElton was knighted on February 24, 1998
1997 – "Candle in the Wind 1997" / "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" by Elton John
Elton John made history when he released the two songs together as a double A-side single, which became the best-selling chart single of all time. The British singer's "Something About the Way You Look Tonight" and "Candle in the Wind 1997" were dedicated to Princess Diana, who died that year.
© Getty ImagesNext's last single was released in 2002
1998 – "Too Close" by Next
Next was formed in 1992 by Robert "R.L." Huggar, Terry "T-Low" Brown, and Raphael "Tweety" Brown. Their hit song "Too Close" is a party hit that kept people on the dance floor.
© Getty ImagesThe hit single won the Grammy for Best Dance Recording and was nominated for Record of the Year
1999 – "Believe" by Cher
Cher is an American icon with five number one hits. "Believe" was from the singer's 22nd studio album and was one of the first songs to feature Auto-Tune.
© Getty ImagesFaith married fellow singer Tim McGraw in 1996
2000 – "Breathe" by Faith Hill
Faith Hill's "Breathe" spent six weeks at number one and was nominated for Song of the Year at the Grammys.




