The Top Hit During Your High School Graduation Year

Discovering what was trending the year you were born—whether it’s books, movies, or songs—is always entertaining. Since you weren’t conscious enough to appreciate those cultural moments back then, they might not spark nostalgia for your earliest years. However, the music that dominated the charts during your teenage milestones, like your high school graduation, can instantly take you back to those unforgettable days.

With that in mind, we’ve curated a list of the biggest hits from every graduation season between 1960 and 2023. Our approach was straightforward: For each year, we pinpointed the song that held the no. 1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for the most weeks during May and June. The second-place song (or songs) is the one with the next highest number of weeks at the top during those months.

This compilation offers a fascinating trip through pop music history, starting with The Everly Brothers and Del Shannon and ending with modern icons like Drake and BTS. Interestingly, Paul McCartney stands out as the graduation season chart champion, appearing five times on the list (not counting his runner-up placements).

By choosing your high school graduation year (or any specific year) from the list below, you’ll be directed to its detailed entry. There, you can listen to the winning song and discover which singles secured the runner-up position. Note that the statistics shown reflect only the number of weeks a song held the no. 1 spot during May and June—the typical graduation period—not its total weeks at the top.

1960: “Cathy’s Clown” by The Everly Brothers

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5Runner-up:“Stuck on You” by Elvis Presley (3 weeks)

1961: “Runaway” by Del Shannon

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“Travelin’ Man” by Ricky Nelson (2 weeks)

1962: “I Can’t Stop Loving You” by Ray Charles

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5Runner-up:“Soldier Boy” by The Shirelles (3 weeks)

1963: “Sukiyaki” by Kyu Sakamoto

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“I Will Follow Him” by Little Peggy March (2 weeks)“If You Wanna Be Happy” by Jimmy Soul (2 weeks)“It’s My Party” by Lesley Gore (2 weeks)

1964: “Chapel of Love” by The Dixie Cups

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“My Guy” by Mary Wells (2 weeks)

1965: “Mrs. Brown, You’ve Got a Lovely Daughter” by Herman’s Hermits

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“Help Me, Rhonda” by The Beach Boys (2 weeks)

1966: “Monday, Monday” by The Mamas & the Papas

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“When a Man Loves a Woman” by Percy Sledge (2 weeks)“Paint It Black” by The Rolling Stones (2 weeks)

1967: “Groovin’” by The Young Rascals

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runner-up:“Respect” by Aretha Franklin (2 weeks)

1968: “Mrs. Robinson” by Simon & Garfunkel

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro (2 weeks)“Tighten Up” by Archie Bell & the Drells (2 weeks) “This Guy’s in Love with You” by Herb Alpert (2 weeks)

1969: “Get Back” by The Beatles with Billy Preston

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5Runner-up:“Aquarius/Let the Sunshine In” by The 5th Dimension (3 weeks)

1970: (Tie) “American Woman”; “No Sugar Tonight” by The Guess Who

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“Everything Is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens (2 weeks)“The Long and Winding Road” / “For You Blue” by the Beatles (2 weeks)

1971: “Joy to the World” by Three Dog Night

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runners-up:“Brown Sugar” by The Rolling Stones (2 weeks)“It’s Too Late” / “I Feel the Earth Move” by Carole King (2 weeks)

1972: (Tie) “The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face” by Roberta Flack; “The Candy Man” by Sammy Davis Jr.

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“Oh Girl” by The Chi-Lites (1 week)“I’ll Take You There” by The Staple Singers (1 week)

1973: “My Love” by Paul McCartney & Wings

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runners-up:“You Are the Sunshine of My Life” by Stevie Wonder (1 week)“Frankenstein” by The Edgar Winter Group (1 week)“Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” by George Harrison (1 week)

1974: “The Streak” by Ray Stevens

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“The Loco-Motion” by Grand Funk (2 weeks)“Billy Don’t Be a Hero” by Bo Donaldson and The Heywoods (2 weeks)

1975: “He Don’t Love You (Like I Love You)” by Tony Orlando and Dawn

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“Love Will Keep Us Together” by Captain & Tennille (2 weeks)

1976: “Silly Love Songs” by Wings 

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runner-up:“Love Hangover” by Diana Ross (2 weeks)

1977: “Sir Duke” by Stevie Wonder

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“Hotel California” by the Eagles (1 week)“When I Need You” by Leo Sayer (1 week)“I’m Your Boogie Man” by KC and the Sunshine Band (1 week)“Dreams” by Fleetwood Mac (1 week)“Got to Give It Up” by Marvin Gaye (1 week)

1978: (Tie) “With a Little Luck” by Wings; “Shadow Dancing” by Andy Gibb

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2Runners-up:“Night Fever” by the Bee Gees (1 week)“If I Can’t Have You” by Yvonne Elliman (1 week)“Too Much, Too Little, Too Late” by Johnny Mathis and Deniece Williams (1 week)“You’re the One That I Want” by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John (1 week)

1979: “Reunited” by Peaches & Herb

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runner-up:“Hot Stuff” by Donna Summer (3 weeks)

1980: (Tie) “Call Me” by Blondie; “Funkytown” by Lipps Inc.

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4 weeksRunner-up:“Coming Up” by Paul McCartney (1 week)

1981: “Bette Davis Eyes” by Kim Carnes

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6Runner-up:“Morning Train (Nine to Five)” by Sheena Easton (2 weeks)

1982: “Ebony and Ivory” by Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7Runners-up:“I Love Rock ‘n’ Roll” by Joan Jett and the Blackhearts (1 week)“Chariots of Fire” by Vangelis (1 week)

1983: “Flashdance… What a Feeling” by Irene Cara

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5Runner-up:“Beat It” by Michael Jackson (2 weeks)

1984: (Tie) “Hello” by Lionel Richie; “Let’s Hear It for the Boy” by Deniece Williams; “Time After Time” by Cyndi Lauper; “The Reflex” by Duran Duran

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2Runner-up:“Against All Odds (Take a Look at Me Now)” by Phil Collins (1 week)

1985: (Tie) “Everything She Wants” by Wham!; “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” by Tears for Fears; “Heaven” by Bryan Adams

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2Runners-up:“We Are the World” by USA for Africa (1 week)“Crazy for You” by Madonna (1 week)“Don’t You (Forget About Me)” by Simple Minds (1 week)

1986: (Tie) “Greatest Love of All” by Whitney Houston; “On My Own” by Patti LaBelle and Michael McDonald

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“Addicted to Love” by Robert Palmer (1 week)“West End Girls” by Pet Shop Boys (1 week)“Live to Tell” by Madonna (1 week)

1987: “With or Without You” by U2

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“(I Just) Died in Your Arms” by Cutting Crew (2 weeks)

1988: “One More Try” by George Michael

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“Anything for You” by Gloria Estefan and Miami Sound Machine (2 weeks)

1989: “Forever Your Girl” by Paula Abdul

Number of weeks at no. 1: 2Runners-up:“Like a Prayer” by Madonna (1 week)“I’ll Be There for You” by Bon Jovi (1 week)“Rock On” by Michael Damian (1 week)“Wind Beneath My Wings” by Bette Midler (1 week)“I’ll Be Loving You (Forever)” by New Kids on the Block (1 week)“Satisfied” by Richard Marx (1 week)

1990: “Vogue” by Madonna

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runners-up:“Nothing Compares 2 U” by Sinéad O’Connor (2 weeks)“It Must Have Been Love” by Roxette (2 weeks)

1991: “Rush Rush” by Paula Abdul

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3Runner-up:“I Don’t Wanna Cry” by Mariah Carey (2 weeks)

1992: “Jump” by Kris Kross

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7Runner-up:“I’ll Be There” by Mariah Carey (2 weeks)

1993: “That’s the Way Love Goes” by Janet Jackson

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7Runner-up:“Freak Me” by Silk (2 weeks)

1994: “I Swear” by All-4-One

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6Runner-up:“The Sign” by Ace of Base (2 weeks)

1995: (Tie) “This Is How We Do It” by Montell Jordan; “Have You Ever Really Loved a Woman?” by Bryan Adams

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4No runners-up

1996: “Tha Crossroads” by Bone Thugs-n-Harmony

Number of weeks at no. 1: 7Runner-up:“Always Be My Baby” by Mariah Carey (2 weeks)

1997: (Tie) “Hypnotize” by The Notorious B.I.G.; “MMMBop” by Hanson; “I’ll Be Missing You” by Puff Daddy and Faith Evans feat. 112

Number of weeks at no. 1: 3No runners-up

1998: (Tie) “Too Close” by Next; “The Boy Is Mine” by Brandy and Monica

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runner-up:“My All” by Mariah Carey (1 week)

1999: “Livin’ la Vida Loca” by Ricky Martin

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5Runner-up:“If You Had My Love” by Jennifer Lopez (3 weeks)

2000: “Maria Maria” by Santana feat. The Product G&B

Number of weeks at no. 1: 6Runners-up:“Try Again” by Aaliyah (1 week)“Be with You” by Enrique Iglesias (1 week)

2001: “Lady Marmalade” by Christina Aguilera, Lil’ Kim, Mýa, and Pink

Number of weeks at no. 1: 5Runner-up:“All for You” by Janet Jackson (4 weeks)

2002: “Foolish” by Ashanti

Number of weeks at no. 1: 8Runner-up:“Hot in Herre” by Nelly (1 week)

2003: “21 Questions” by 50 Cent feat. Nate Dogg

Number of weeks at no. 1: 4Runner-up:“Get Busy” by Sean Paul (3 weeks)

2004: “Burn” by Usher

Weeks leading the charts: 6Second place:“Yeah!” by Usher featuring Lil Jon and Ludacris (3 weeks)

2005: (Tie) “Hollaback Girl” by Gwen Stefani and “We Belong Together” by Mariah Carey

Weeks at number one: 4No close competitors

2006: “SOS” by Rihanna

Weeks at the top: 3Runners-up:“Ridin’” by Chamillionaire featuring Krayzie Bone (2 weeks) and “Hips Don’t Lie” by Shakira featuring Wyclef Jean (2 weeks)

2007: “Umbrella” by Rihanna featuring Jay-Z

Weeks at the top: 4Second place:“Makes Me Wonder” by Maroon 5 (3 weeks)

2008: “Lollipop” by Lil Wayne featuring Static Major

Weeks leading the charts: 5Runner-up:“Bleeding Love” by Leona Lewis (2 weeks)

2009: “Boom Boom Pow” by The Black Eyed Peas

Weeks at number one: 9No close competitors

2010: “OMG” by Usher featuring will.i.am

Weeks leading the charts: 4Runners-up:“Nothin’ on You” by B.o.B featuring Bruno Mars (2 weeks) and “California Gurls” by Katy Perry featuring Snoop Dogg (2 weeks)

2011: “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele

Weeks at the top: 6Runner-up:“E.T.” by Katy Perry featuring Kanye West (2 weeks)

2012: “Somebody That I Used to Know” by Gotye featuring Kimbra

Weeks at number one: 7Runner-up:“Call Me Maybe” by Carly Rae Jepsen (2 weeks)

2013: “Can’t Hold Us” by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton

Weeks leading the charts: 5Runners-up:“Just Give Me a Reason” by Pink featuring Nate Ruess (2 weeks) and “Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke featuring T.I. and Pharrell (2 weeks)

2014: “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX

Weeks at the top: 4Runner-up:“All of Me” by John Legend (3 weeks)

2015: “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth

Weeks leading the charts: 8Runner-up:“Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift featuring Kendrick Lamar (1 week)

2016: “One Dance” by Drake featuring Wizkid and Kyla

Weeks at number one: 5Runner-up:“Panda” by Desiigner (2 weeks)

2017: “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber

Weeks at number one: 5Runners-up:“Humble” by Kendrick Lamar (1 week), “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars (1 week), and “I’m the One” by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper, and Lil Wayne (1 week)

2018: “Nice for What” by Drake

Weeks leading the charts: 5Runner-up:“This Is America” by Childish Gambino (2 weeks)

2019: “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus

Weeks at number one: 9No close competitors

2020: “Rockstar” by DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch

Weeks leading the charts: 2Runners-up:“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd (1 week), “The Scotts” by The Scotts (Travis Scott and Kid Cudi) (1 week), “Say So” by Doja Cat featuring Nicki Minaj (1 week), “Stuck with U” by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber (1 week), “Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande (1 week), and “Trollz” by 6ix9ine and Nicki Minaj (1 week)

2021: “Butter” by BTS

Weeks at the top: 4Runner-up:“Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd and Ariana Grande (2 weeks)

2022: “As It Was” by Harry Styles

Weeks at number one: 5Runner-up:“First Class” by Jack Harlow (2 weeks)

2023: “Last Night” by Morgan Wallen

Weeks leading the charts: 8No close competitors

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