Luminate, which tracks data across the music, film, and entertainment industries, has unveiled its year-end report, including a roundup of the most-listened-to tracks in the US from each of the last seven decades.
Through analysis of streaming numbers and the success of short-form video platforms, Luminate identified the most listened-to songs from the 1960s, ’70s, ’80s, ’90s, 2000s, 2010s, and 2020s (so far). In 2025, the top track from the 1960s was Creedence Clearwater Revival’s “Fortunate Son.” The 1970s were led by Fleetwood Mac’s “Dreams,” whose ubiquity has only grown thanks to TikTok and Reels — including that now-classic viral clip of TikTok user @420doggface208 skateboarding, drinking Ocean Spray, and lip-syncing to the song.
Meanwhile, the ’80s were represented by the karaoke favorite “Don’t Stop Believin'” from Journey, whose popularity has hardly faded since Glee played a role in its revival in the 2010s. The most streamed track of the 1990s was a similarly ubiquitous anthem, “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls; Luminate attributed its widespread popularity partly to the song’s use in 2024’s Deadpool V. Wolverine (and its subsequent viral streak on TikTok), though “Iris” has been a singer-songwriter staple for well over 25 years, even surpassing one billion streams on Spotify in 2022.
Moving into the 2000s, The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside” remained the most streamed song of the decade. The 2010s represented a slight left turn, however, with Chris Stapleton’s beloved track “Tennessee Whiskey” taking the top spot. Finally, the most streamed song of the 2020s actually came from 2025: Alex Warren’s “Ordinary” racked up enough streams in the last year to beat out every major hit from 2020 onwards. “Tennessee Whiskey” is a damn good song. “Ordinary,” on the other hand? Really?
See the full list below, and head over to Luminate to access their full year-end music industry report.
1960s – Creedence Clearwater Revival – “Fortunate Son ” (137.6M)
1970s – Fleetwood Mac – “Dreams” (387.4M)
1980s – Journey – “Don’t Stop Believin'” (263.0M)
1990s – The Goo Goo Dolls – “Iris” (337.9M)
2000s – The Killers – “Mr. Brightside” (272.1M)
2010s – Chris Stapleton – “Tennessee Whiskey” (306.7M)
2020s – Alex Warren – “Ordinary” (746.8M)
