The Most Popular Music Video on YouTube, Ranked
Voting rules: Choose the music video you think is the most popular!
Updated on May 1, 2024 06:44
In the dynamic world of online music videos, understanding which clips capture the hearts of audiences globally helps illuminate trends and shifts in music tastes. By ranking the most popular music videos from YouTube, fans gain insight into what resonates with viewers around the planet. This not only reflects current musical fashions but also highlights emerging artists or genres climbing the popularity charts.
Having a place where your votes directly influence the rankings empowers you to support your favorite artists and help determine tomorrow's music trends. This opportunity to actively participate in shaping the musical landscape makes each vote an exciting way to engage with the music community. Moreover, seeing how your choices stack up against others provides a real-time snapshot of collective musical preferences.
What Is the Most Popular Music Video on YouTube?
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145votes
"Baby Shark Dance" by Pinkfong
PinkfongThis catchy children's song has over 7.3 billion views and has become a viral sensation.The 'Baby Shark Dance' is a popular children's song and dance video that went viral on YouTube. It features a catchy tune, simple lyrics, and an easy-to-follow choreography, making it a hit among young kids. The video showcases various colorful animations of sharks and other sea creatures, along with a family of singers and dancers performing the dance moves.- Title: Baby Shark Dance
- Release Year: 2016
- Genre: Children's song
- Language: English
- Duration: 2:17
"Baby Shark Dance" by Pinkfong in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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239votesThis Spanish-language hit has over 7.1 billion views and broke the record for the most viewed video on YouTube."Despacito" by Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular song in Spain
- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Reggaeton song
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
- Position 2 of 10 in Most popular song in Chile
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317votes
"Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran
Ed SheeranThis upbeat pop song has over 5.1 billion views and was a major hit in 2017.Shape of You is a music video by Ed Sheeran, released on January 30, 2017. It is one of the most popular clips on YouTube, with over 5 billion views as of September 2021. The video features Ed Sheeran participating in a boxing match and falling in love with a woman practicing capoeira. It follows their blossoming relationship from training together to spending time together outside the gym. The video captures a mix of energetic dance moves and romantic moments, all set to the catchy pop song Shape of You.- Release Date: January 30, 2017
- Views: Over 5 billion (as of September 2021)
- Duration: 4 minutes and 24 seconds
- Genre: Pop
- Director: Jason Koenig
"Shape of You" by Ed Sheeran in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular song on Spotify
- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular song among 11-year-olds
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular song among Gen Z
- Position 6 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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419votes
"See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
Atlantic RecordsThis emotional tribute to actor Paul Walker has over 4.8 billion views and was featured in the movie "Furious 7."The music video for "See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth is a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who was a part of the Fast & Furious film franchise. The video features emotional scenes from the movie series, intercut with shots of Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth performing the song. It aims to showcase the bond between the cast members and pay homage to Paul Walker's impact on the franchise.- Title: See You Again
- Artist: Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth
- Release Date: April 6, 2015
- Genre: Pop hip-hop
- Views: over 4.9 billion
"See You Again" by Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth in other rankings- Position 4 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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518votesThis funky tune has over 3.9 billion views and won several awards, including a Grammy for Record of the Year."Uptown Funk" by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars in other rankings
- Position 1 of 10 in Most fun song
- Position 5 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
- Position 10 of 10 in Most fun Karaoke song
- Position 10 of 10 in Most popular song among 11-year-olds
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611votesThis Korean pop song has over 3.8 billion views and was the first video to reach one billion views on YouTube.Gangnam Style is a music video by South Korean artist PSY that became a global phenomenon. Released in July 2012, it quickly gained unprecedented popularity on YouTube for its catchy tune, humorous lyrics, and distinctive dance moves. The song satirizes the flashy lifestyle of Gangnam, a trendy district in Seoul, with PSY's energetic and eccentric performance. Gangnam Style broke multiple records and became the most-watched video on YouTube at the time.
- Release Date: July 15, 2012
- Genre: K-pop, dance-pop
- Duration: 4 minutes and 13 seconds
- Views: Over 3.9 billion
- Likes: Over 18 million
"Gangnam Style" by PSY in other rankings- Position 1 of 10 in Most popular Korean song
- Position 3 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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77votes
"Sugar" by Maroon 5
Maroon 5This romantic music video has over 3.5 billion views and features the band crashing real weddings to surprise the couples.The music video for 'Sugar' by Maroon 5 features the band surprising couples on their wedding day with impromptu performances. The clip showcases the band setting up their equipment and surprising couples at various wedding venues, resulting in heartwarming reactions from the newlyweds and their guests.- Title: Sugar
- Artist: Maroon 5
- Release Date: January 14, 2015
- Genre: Pop
- Length: 5 minutes and 2 seconds
"Sugar" by Maroon 5 in other rankings- Position 8 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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88votes
"Roar" by Katy Perry
Katy PerryThis empowering anthem has over 3.4 billion views and features Perry as a jungle explorer.Roar is a music video by Katy Perry, released on September 5, 2013. The video was directed by Grady Hall and Mark Kudsi, and features Katy Perry stranded in a jungle after a plane crash, embracing her inner strength and independence. The video conveys a message of empowerment and self-discovery, as Perry goes on a journey to find herself. It has garnered over 3 billion views on YouTube, making it one of the most popular clips on the platform.- Release Date: September 5, 2013
- Directors: Grady Hall, Mark Kudsi
- Views: 3+ billion
- Duration: 4 minutes, 30 seconds
- Genre: Pop
"Roar" by Katy Perry in other rankings- Position 7 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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911votes
"Bath Song" by Cocomelon
Cocomelon - Nursery RhymesThis cute children's song has over 3.1 billion views and features animated characters singing about bath time.The "Bath Song" by Cocomelon is a popular music video for children that teaches about the importance of bathing and hygiene in a fun and catchy way. The video features colorful animations of children and various bath-related objects, along with an engaging melody and simple lyrics that are easy for young kids to sing along to.- Video duration: 2 minutes and 53 seconds
- Release date: June 29, 2018
- Genre: Children's music
- Views: Over 5.9 billion views
- Likes: Over 10 million likes
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103votesThis catchy pop song has over 3.1 billion views and features Bieber dancing with a group of backup dancers."Sorry" by Justin Bieber in other rankings
- Position 9 of 10 in Most popular clips on YouTube
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Discussion
Ranking factors for popular music video
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View countThe number of times the music video has been watched by users can be a primary factor in determining its popularity. A higher view count generally indicates a more popular music video.
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Likes and DislikesThe number of likes and dislikes can also help gauge the popularity of a music video. A higher number of likes as compared to dislikes usually indicates a positive audience response to the video.
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Number of commentsThe number of comments on the music video can also provide an idea of its popularity. A high number of comments usually shows that the video has generated interest and discussion among viewers.
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Engagement rateEngagement rate, which is calculated by taking the total number of likes, comments, and shares divided by the number of views, can also serve as a metric to determine the popularity of a music video.
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Social media sharesThe number of times the music video has been shared on various social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, etc.) can provide insight into its popularity and reach.
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Time since the releaseThe amount of time since the music video was released can impact its popularity. A newer video may have fewer views but could still be more popular if it's generating more engagement in a shorter time compared to an older video.
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Awards and RecognitionIf the music video has received any awards or recognition from the music industry or critics, it can be an indicator of its popularity and influence.
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Artist's popularityThe overall popularity and fan base of the artist(s) featured in the music video can also play a role in the video's popularity.
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Chart performanceIf the song associated with the music video has performed well on music charts, it's a good indication that the music video is also popular.
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Cultural impactLastly, the overall cultural impact of the music video (dance trends, fashion, meme-ability, etc.) can be a contributing factor to its popularity.
About this ranking
This is a community-based ranking of the most popular music video on YouTube. We do our best to provide fair voting, but it is not intended to be exhaustive. So if you notice something or video is missing, feel free to help improve the ranking!
Statistics
- 1906 views
- 178 votes
- 10 ranked items
Movers & Shakers
Voting Rules
A participant may cast an up or down vote for each video once every 24 hours. The rank of each video is then calculated from the weighted sum of all up and down votes.
More information on most popular music video on youtube
Background:
YouTube has become a major platform for music videos, allowing artists to showcase their creativity and reach a wider audience. With millions of views and millions of subscribers, it's no surprise that YouTube has become the go-to source for music video streaming. In fact, some of the most popular music videos on YouTube have even surpassed one billion views.
As the popularity of music videos on YouTube continues to grow, it's interesting to explore which videos have made the biggest impact. From classic hits to new releases, there is a wide range of music videos that have captured the attention of viewers around the world. So, what is the most popular music video on YouTube? Let's take a closer look.
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