Here are the 30 most timeless songs of all time according to Spotify users

Publish date: 2024-07-06
2015-08-24T16:17:00Z

Popular songs come and go — but the true test of a song is how many years later people are still listening to it. 

In a new data study, Polygraph's Matt Daniels takes a closer look at these patterns. He compiled all the Billboard Top 100 song lists from the 1950s to today and cross-referenced each song with its play count on Spotify to gauge present popularity. 

Only one of Michael Jackson's many hits makes the cut. Getty Images / Kevin Mazur

And the results are pretty surprising. For example, Linkin Park's popularity is enduring more than many of us might have expected.

Still, the list shows what could be considered classics among Spotify's 75 million users. 

While jams like Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" make the cut, some of the other tracks are surprising. Though it's only really relevant one month of the year, Mariah Carey's "All I Want for Christmas is You" has a spot othe list. 

It's worth noting that several top artists, including The Beatles and Taylor Swift, are not available on Spotify, so they aren't factored into the data. 

Keep reading to find out the 30 most timeless songs on Spotify. 

30. "In Da Club" by 50 Cent, 2003

 Spotify playcount: 29,193,048

29. "Sweet Child O' Mine" by Guns N' Roses, 1988

 Spotify playcount: 29,245,122

28. "With Or Without You" by U2, 1987

 Spotify playcount: 29,652,694

27. "Livin' On A Prayer" by Bon Jovi, 1986

 Spotify playcount: 29,693,538

26. "Still D.R.E." by Dr. Dre, 1999

 Spotify playcount: 30,309,920

25. "Come As You Are" by Nirvana, 1992

 Spotify playcount: 30,368,401

24. "No Diggity" by Blackstreet, 1996

 Spotify playcount: 30,911,317

23. "The Next Episode" by Dr. Dre, 2000

 Spotify playcount: 31,793,183

22. "Fast Car" by Tracy Chapman, 1988

 Spotify playcount: 32,092,736

21. "Gold Digger" by Kanye West, 2005

 Spotify playcount: 32,113,198

20. "Crazy In Love" by Beyonce, 2003

 Spotify playcount: 32,150,597

19. "Bohemian Rhapsody" by Queen, 1975

 Spotify playcount: 32,298,690

18. "Boulevard Of Broken Dreams" by Green Day, 2004

 Spotify playcount: 32,343,283

17. "Under The Bridge" by the Red Hot Chili Peppers, 1992

 Spotify playcount: 33,625,240

16. "Eye Of The Tiger" by Survivor, 1982

 Spotify playcount: 34,225,439

15. "Wonderwall" by Oasis, 1996

 Spotify playcount: 34,352,877

14. "Iris" by the Goo Goo Dolls, 1998

Spotify playcount:35,669,952 

13. "Mockingbird" by Eminem, 2005

 Spotify playcount: 36,065,242

12. "All I Want For Christmas Is You" by Mariah Carey, 2000

Spotify playcount: 36,253,472

11. "Californication" by Red Hot Chili Peppers, 2000

 Spotify playcount: 38,190,230

10. "Fix You" by Coldplay, 2005

 Spotify playcount: 38,912,539

9. "Seven Nation Army" by The White Stripes, 2003

 Spotify playcount: 39,559,321

8. "Billie Jean" by Michael Jackson, 1983

 Spotify playcount: 40,732,708

7. "Hey Ya!" by OutKast, 2003

 Spotify playcount: 41,296,582

6. "In The End" by Linkin Park, 2001

 Spotify playcount: 43,025,894

5. "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana, 1991

 Spotify playcount: 50,657,282

4. "Don't Stop Believin'" by Journey, 1981

 Spotify playcount: 50,855,135

3. "Numb" by Linkin Park, 2003

 Spotify playcount: 52,969,898

2. "Mr. Brightside" by The Killers, 2005

 Spotify playcount: 54,367,533

1. "Lose Yourself" by Eminem, 2002

 Spotify playcount: 59,039,765

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