Which music videos have captured the eyes of millions and defined generations? From classic pop anthems to viral sensations, some videos have smashed records and set the standard for what global success looks like. This list looks at the record-breaking music videos across decades and platforms, offering a snapshot of the songs that shaped visual music history.
YouTube Titans: Breaking the Billion Barrier
The first wave of record-breaking views came with YouTube’s rise as the dominant platform for music videos.
- “Gangnam Style” by PSY (2012)
The first video to reach 1 billion views, creating a global dance phenomenon. - “Despacito” by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee (2017)
Still holds the record for the most-watched music video, with over 8 billion views. - “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran (2017)
One of the most-streamed and viewed tracks globally, with over 6 billion views. - “See You Again” by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth (2015)
A touching tribute to actor Paul Walker, reaching over 5 billion views. - “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (2014)
An irresistible throwback groove video with over 4.9 billion views.
Viral Sensations That Took Over the Internet
Some music videos went viral unexpectedly, often driven by memes or dance challenges.
- “Baby Shark Dance” by Pinkfong (2016)
The most viewed video of all time for children’s content, surpassing 14 billion views. - “Dance Monkey” by Tones and I (2019)
An indie hit that dominated charts and racked up over 2.9 billion views. - “Dame Tu Cosita” by El Chombo ft. Cutty Ranks (2018)
An alien dance video that fascinated millions with over 3.1 billion views. - “Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish (2019)
The quirky visuals helped this video exceed 1.3 billion views. - “Old Town Road” by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus (2019)
Blending country and hip-hop, it sparked viral dance trends with over 1 billion views.
Decade-Defining Music Videos
Certain videos reflect the visual and musical trends of their decade.
- “Thriller” by Michael Jackson (1983)
The most iconic music video of the ’80s, often cited as the greatest ever. - “Vogue” by Madonna (1990)
Defined the ’90s with bold fashion and dance, setting a high benchmark. - “…Baby One More Time” by Britney Spears (1998)
Britney’s schoolgirl outfit became a pop culture touchstone. - “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” by Beyoncé (2008)
Minimalist black-and-white visuals helped it become a viral dance hit. - “Rolling in the Deep” by Adele (2010)
Marked Adele’s global breakthrough, pairing haunting vocals with powerful imagery.
K-Pop Phenomena: Global Influence
K-pop has consistently produced videos with staggering view counts.
- “DNA” by BTS (2017)
The first K-pop group video to surpass 1 billion views. - “DDU-DU DDU-DU” by BLACKPINK (2018)
Became the highest-viewed video by a K-pop girl group with over 2 billion views. - “Boy With Luv” by BTS ft. Halsey (2019)
Broke the 24-hour YouTube record at the time with 74.6 million views. - “How You Like That” by BLACKPINK (2020)
Shattered records again with over 86.3 million views in 24 hours. - “LALISA” by Lisa (BLACKPINK) (2021)
Fastest solo K-pop video to hit 100 million views.
Latin Pop Explosions
Latin artists have embraced digital platforms to reach vast audiences.
- “Bailando” by Enrique Iglesias ft. Gente de Zona (2014)
One of the first Spanish-language songs to exceed 3 billion views. - “Taki Taki” by DJ Snake ft. Selena Gomez, Ozuna & Cardi B (2018)
A trilingual track that crossed 3 billion views globally. - “Mi Gente” by J Balvin & Willy William (2017)
Became a worldwide dance anthem, hitting over 3 billion views. - “Con Calma” by Daddy Yankee ft. Snow (2019)
Revived a 1990s hit and amassed over 2 billion views. - “Felices los 4” by Maluma (2017)
A reggaeton smash with over 1.9 billion views.
Most Downloaded and Saved Classics
Before streaming reached everywhere, fans often used a video downloader to keep their favorite music videos accessible offline.
- “Hello” by Adele (2015)
Its cinematic quality and haunting story drove fans to keep copies. - “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus (2013)
Controversial visuals made this one of the most downloaded videos of the decade. - “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift (2014)
A dark fairytale narrative that attracted over 3 billion views. - “Sorry” by Justin Bieber (2015)
The dance-centric video became his biggest YouTube hit with over 3.7 billion views. - “Sugar” by Maroon 5 (2015)
Surprise wedding performances pushed it past 3.9 billion views.
The Enduring Power of Music Videos
Music videos remain cultural milestones that blend art, music, and storytelling. They continue to evolve with new technologies and social media trends, captivating billions worldwide. As platforms shift and new records are set, the next generation of record-breaking videos is just around the corner.
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