"Iris" and "Mr. Brightside" Among Most-Listened to Tracks By Decade in 2025

"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),"

"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."

Luminate used streaming data and the impact of short-form video platforms to identify the most-listened-to U.S. tracks from each decade spanning the 1960s through the 2020s. The list names Creedence Clearwater Revival's "Fortunate Son" for the 1960s and Fleetwood Mac's "Dreams" for the 1970s, boosted by TikTok and Reels virality. Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" represents the 1980s while the Goo Goo Dolls' "Iris" leads the 1990s, aided by film placement and TikTok. The Killers' "Mr. Brightside" tops the 2000s, Chris Stapleton's "Tennessee Whiskey" leads the 2010s, and Alex Warren's "Ordinary" claims the 2020s.

Read at Consequence