10. “Sugar” – Maroon 5 (4.4+ Billion Views)
Maroon 5’s 2015 hit Sugar features the band crashing real weddings, capturing genuine reactions. Its romantic lyrics and disco-pop vibe made it a wedding playlist staple. The video’s spontaneity and feel-good factor contributed to its massive streaming numbers.
9. “Uptown Funk” – Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (4.9+ Billion Views)
This 2014 retro-funk banger pays homage to 1980s R&B. Bruno Mars’ charisma and Mark Ronson’s slick production created a party anthem that dominated weddings and radio. The video’s vibrant street dance and colorful suits mirror the song’s playful energy.
8. “Gangnam Style” – PSY (4.9+ Billion Views)
The original viral sensation, PSY’s 2012 K-pop hit, was the first video to hit 1 billion views. Its satirical take on Seoul’s elite, paired with the horse-riding dance, became a global meme. Gangnam Style introduced K-pop to Western audiences and exposed YouTube’s potential for globalizing niche genres.
7. “Bath Song” – Cocomelon (5.9+ Billion Views)
Cocomelon’s Bath Song turns toddler bathtime into a musical adventure. With 3D animation and cheerful lyrics (“This is the way we take a bath”), it’s a parenting tool disguised as entertainment. Released in 2018, its success propelled Cocomelon to a $3B valuation, highlighting YouTube’s role in modern childhood development.
6. “Johny Johny Yes Papa” – LooLoo Kids (6.1+ Billion Views)
Another children’s juggernaut, this nursery rhyme about a sneaky child eating sugar became a YouTube algorithm favorite. Its bright animation, repetitive structure, and moral lesson (“Always tell the truth”) made it a preschooler obsession. Debuted in 2016, it reflects how simple, loopable content thrives on YouTube, with channels like Cocomelon and ChuChu TV leveraging similar formulas.
5. “Masha and the Bear – Recipe for Disaster” (6.3+ Billion Views)
This Russian animated series’ episode, not a song, surprisingly ranks high due to its toddler audience. The 2012 viral episode features Masha’s chaotic attempt to make porridge, resonating with young kids through slapstick humor. Its popularity underscores YouTube’s shift toward family-friendly content and the rise of “co-viewing,” where parents and children watch together.
4. “See You Again” – Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth (6.8+ Billion Views)
A heartfelt tribute to Paul Walker after his death in 2015, See You Again anchored the Furious 7 soundtrack. Charlie Puth’s soulful chorus and Wiz Khalifa’s reflective verses struck an emotional chord globally. The video, interspersed with clips of Walker’s Fast & Furious journey, turned it into a memorial anthem. It topped charts in 20+ countries and remains a go-to song for farewells, funerals, and tributes. Its success highlights music’s power to heal and unite during grief.
3. “Shape of You” – Ed Sheeran (6.1+ Billion Views)
Ed Sheeran’s 2017 electro-pop hit dominated charts with its infectious tropical-house rhythm and flirtatious lyrics. Written in under an hour, Shape of You became Sheeran’s signature track, blending R&B influences with his signature storytelling. The video, featuring Sheeran in a boxing gym and dance club, mirrors the song’s duality of vulnerability and confidence. It spent 14 weeks atop the UK Singles Chart and became Spotify’s most-streamed song at the time. Critics credit its minimalist production and relatable theme of attraction for its cross-generational appeal.
2. “Despacito” – Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee (8.3+ Billion Views)
This 2017 reggaeton-pop fusion broke language barriers, becoming the first Spanish-language song to top the Billboard Hot 100 in over two decades. Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee crafted a sultry anthem about passion, amplified by Justin Bieber’s remix contribution. The music video, shot in Puerto Rico’s vibrant La Perla neighborhood, radiates Caribbean energy. Despacito shattered records, holding the “most-streamed song” title for years and paving the way for Latin artists like Bad Bunny and J Balvin. Its blend of slick production, dancehall beats, and romantic lyrics made it a summer staple worldwide.
1. “Baby Shark Dance” – Pinkfong (12.3+ Billion Views)
The undisputed king of YouTube views, Pinkfong’s Baby Shark started as a children’s educational song and exploded into a global phenomenon. Originally released in 2016, its repetitive lyrics (“Baby shark, doo-doo-doo-doo”) and danceable choreography made it a hit with toddlers and parents alike. The song’s success lies in its simplicity, with schools, sports arenas, and even political campaigns adopting its catchy tune. Its viral spread on TikTok and YouTube Kids cemented its status as a cultural reset, proving that children’s content can dominate streaming platforms. Critics argue it’s “annoying,” but its universal appeal and merchandising empire (toys, games, TV shows) showcase its unparalleled reach.