Music

"Rock Around the Clock" hit the top

Bill Haley and His Comets took rock ’n’ roll to number one, announcing a new era to British teenagers.

The Beatles released Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Released on 1 June 1967, it changed what a pop album could be.

Procol Harum released "A Whiter Shade of Pale"

The organ-driven single became the sound of the summer of 1967.

Engelbert beat the Beatles

"Release Me" kept The Beatles’ "Strawberry Fields Forever" off the top of the charts.

"San Francisco (Be Sure to Wear Flowers in Your Hair)"

Scott McKenzie’s anthem became the calling card of the Summer of Love.

Queen released "Bohemian Rhapsody"

Nearly six minutes long, opera-obsessed and unmistakable, it landed in October 1975.

Wham! ruled the charts

"Careless Whisper" was one of the year’s biggest songs, alongside Madonna’s "Into the Groove".

Dire Straits released Brothers in Arms

In May 1985, the album that would define mid-80s CD-era listening arrived.

Madonna vogued

"Vogue" topped charts in spring 1990, one of the year’s defining singles.

Sinéad O’Connor’s "Nothing Compares 2 U"

The Prince-written ballad spent weeks at number one at the start of 1990.

Wet Wet Wet spent 15 weeks at number one

"Love Is All Around", from Four Weddings and a Funeral, refused to leave the top of the charts all summer.

Britney’s "...Baby One More Time"

Released in late 1998, it made Britney Spears the biggest pop star on earth within months.

Cher’s "Believe"

The Auto-Tuned single arrived late in 1998 and gave Cher a number one 35 years into her career.

"My Heart Will Go On" ruled the year

Céline Dion’s Titanic ballad was everywhere in the first months of 1998.

James Blunt’s "You’re Beautiful"

The ballad soundtracked the summer of 2005 whether you liked it or not.

Crazy Frog beat Coldplay to number one

"Axel F" out-charted "Speed of Sound" in May 2005. Truly a different era.

Tinie Tempah’s "Pass Out"

The debut single kicked off 2010’s British pop-rap moment.

Eminem and Rihanna topped charts

"Love the Way You Lie" was one of 2010’s biggest singles.

"Blinding Lights" was everywhere

The Weeknd’s single, released late in 2019, became the defining — and most-streamed — song of 2020.