YouTube’s top 10 most viewed songs mix children’s favorites and global hits, showing how the platform shapes music and culture worldwide. Baby Shark Dance leads with over 16 billion views, followed by Despacito and Wheels on the Bus.
These videos prove that catchy tunes and shareable videos can outshine traditional marketing.
This article examines the success of each song, its viral factors, and how YouTube continues to transform music discovery and entertainment for millions worldwide.
Which Is Most Viewed Song On YouTube?
“Baby Shark” by Pinkfong became the first YouTube video to cross 10 billion views in January 2022, taking the top spot from Luis Fonsi’s “Despacito” as the platform’s most-watched video ever.
These massive view counts show how both kids’ songs and mainstream music now share the spotlight on YouTube, proving the platform’s power to entertain a global and diverse audience all at once.
Top 10 Most Viewed Songs On YouTube Rankings
This list showcases how YouTube features a diverse range of music, from catchy kids’ songs to global chartbusters. From nursery rhymes to pop hits, these videos have captured hearts (and billions of views) around the world.
| Rank | Song Title | Artist | Views | Year Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baby Shark Dance | Pinkfong | 16B+ | 2016 |
| 2 | Despacito | Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee | 8.63 billion | 2017 |
| 3 | Wheels on the Bus | Various | 7.6B | 2018 |
| 4 | Bath Song | Various | 7.1B | 2018 |
| 5 | Johny Johny Yes Papa | Various | 7B | 2016 |
| 6 | See You Again | Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth | 6.54 billion | 2015 |
| 7 | Shape of You | Ed Sheeran | 6.40 billion | 2017 |
| 8 | Phonics Song with Two Words | Various | 6.5B | 2014 |
| 9 | Gangnam Style | PSY | 5.43 billion | 2012 |
| 10 | Uptown Funk | Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars | 5.45 billion | 2014 |
These massive view counts demonstrate how YouTube has transformed the music industry today; a catchy tune and shareable video can matter more than traditional promotions.
Let’s take a look at the list and see what made these songs global favorites.
1. Baby Shark Dance (16B+)
A simple kids’ song that turned into a worldwide sensation. Its catchy tune, bright colors, and easy-to-follow dance moves helped it become the first video to hit over 10 billion views.
Loved by children and shared by adults, it inspired countless remixes, parodies, and viral challenges across social media platforms everywhere.
2. Despacito (8.63 billion)
“Despacito” changed Latin music forever by becoming the first Spanish song to top charts worldwide. Its infectious reggaeton beat, romantic lyrics, and vibrant Puerto Rican visuals captured listeners everywhere.
While it holds the second position in overall views, Despacito remains the most viewed music video on YouTube, considering only pure music videos, rather than children’s content.
The song proved language isn’t a barrier to success, bringing Latin culture to global audiences and inspiring countless covers and dance challenges around the world.
3. Wheels on the Bus (7.6B)
“Wheels on the Bus” is a classic nursery rhyme brought to life with bright animations, gathering billions of views online. It’s popular with parents because it teaches children about vehicles and sounds in a fun, easy way.
This educational and entertaining video makes learning enjoyable, keeping kids engaged while they sing along and explore the world.
4. Bath Song (7.1B)
This catchy tune makes bath time fun and enjoyable for kids. With a simple melody, it helps parents turn daily hygiene routines into a positive experience while teaching children about cleanliness.
Its practical, family-friendly approach has made it hugely popular, proving that easy-to-understand educational videos can reach millions worldwide.
5. Johny Johny Yes Papa (7B)
This simple question-and-answer song became a worldwide hit by teaching kids about honesty in a fun way. Bright animations and catchy, repetitive lyrics make it easy to follow and hard to forget.
Its universal message and playful style helped it cross cultures and languages, turning moral lessons into entertaining content for children everywhere.
6. See You Again (6.54 billion)
“See You Again” became a global hit as a tribute to Paul Walker in Fast & Furious 7. The song’s touching lyrics about friendship and loss, combined with emotional movie scenes, created a powerful connection with listeners.
The song’s heartfelt lyrics about friendship and loss, combined with movie clips, created a perfect blend of cinematic storytelling and musical expression.
7. Shape of You (6.40 billion)
“Shape of You” shows Ed Sheeran’s talent for blending pop and dancehall into a catchy hit. With romantic lyrics, a memorable guitar beat, and a boxing-themed video featuring Sheeran’s charm, the song connected with people everywhere.
Its phenomenal success isn’t limited to YouTube; discover its rank among the most streamed songs on Spotify as well.
The song’s broad appeal helped it reach billions of views, making it one of the most-watched videos on YouTube.
8. Phonics Song with Two Words (6.5B)
Phonics Song with Two Words shows how educational content can be fun and successful when done right. Different versions teach kids letter sounds and word formation using catchy tunes and colorful animations.
This mix of learning and entertainment has helped the videos gather billions of views, proving that education can be both enjoyable and effective.
9. Gangnam Style (5.43 billion)
“Gangnam Style” made history as the first YouTube video to reach 1 billion views in 2012, introducing K-pop to a global audience. PSY’s funny dance moves, catchy beat, and playful lyrics about Seoul’s Gangnam district sparked a worldwide dance craze.
Its unique style and humor helped the song cross cultural boundaries and gain massive popularity.
10. Uptown Funk (5.45 billion)
“Uptown Funk” brings pure energy with its funk-inspired beat and Bruno Mars’ lively vocals. The retro sound and colorful music video, full of synchronized dance moves, made it an instant party hit.
It topped charts and got people dancing worldwide, showing how YouTube features a mix of education, pop hits, and cultural moments all competing for attention.
This mix of videos shows how YouTube brings together educational songs, popular hits, and cultural sensations, all competing for viewers’ attention and keeping audiences entertained around the world.
What Makes A Song Go Viral On YouTube
Viral success happens when several factors come together to turn a regular song into a global hit that reaches billions of viewers from different backgrounds.
- Catchy melodies and memorable hooks make people recognize and remember the song easily, encouraging them to listen again and share it on social media.
- Music videos with strong storytelling add visuals that connect emotionally and make the song more memorable.
- The right timing helps songs become part of important moments or trends, making them more popular.
- Universal themes and cross-cultural appeal allow songs to overcome language barriers and connect with audiences worldwide.
- YouTube’s recommendation system boosts viral songs by showing them to users with similar interests, greatly increasing their reach.
- Children’s content gets extra advantage through repeated views and family-friendly algorithm preferences, helping these videos get more visibility.
All these factors work together to create viral hits where talent meets timing, producing cultural moments that define the digital age.
Why Kids Songs Dominate YouTube Views
Kids’ content is YouTube’s biggest hit category, driving massive views thanks to unique viewing habits that regular music can’t match. Understanding why kids’ videos rule gives us insight into today’s digital and family entertainment trends.
- Kids watch their favorite videos again and again, sometimes dozens of times a day making views multiply quickly.
- YouTube’s algorithm favors family-friendly videos, regularly recommending safe, educational content to keep kids engaged.
- Parents look for videos that both entertain and teach, so educational value keeps them coming back for more.
- Simple tunes and bright visuals easily cross language and culture, making kids’ songs loved worldwide.
- Parents use YouTube as a trusted “digital babysitter” to keep kids busy while they handle chores or work.
- Easy-to-remember songs invite kids to sing along, boosting engagement and repeat views.
Together, these factors show how YouTube’s system and viewer habits naturally push kids’ content to the top, making it the most-watched category globally.
How YouTube Changed Music Discovery
YouTube changed how people discover music by making global content easy to access. It lets artists connect directly with fans, skipping traditional barriers like big marketing budgets.
This opened the door for unknown musicians to reach worldwide audiences, while famous artists found new ways to engage fans with videos and interactive content that radio couldn’t offer.
YouTube created a new music scene where viral moments decide success and shape culture in today’s digital world.
Today’s creators can grow huge audiences on YouTube, with some turning into the highest earning creators by making the most of the platform’s monetization options.
Who Hit 1 Billion Views On YouTube First?
PSY’s “Gangnam Style” was the first video to reach 1 billion views on YouTube in December 2012. It hit this milestone just 159 days after it was uploaded.
The video once reached 14.9 million views a day and still gets around 900,000 daily views, showing its lasting impact beyond the viral rush.
Most Viewed Songs by Genre And Region
YouTube’s global reach shows interesting patterns in music tastes. Pop music still leads, while Latin rhythms and K-pop are strong challengers to traditional Western hits. Many viral TikTok songs also find huge success on YouTube.
The platform has also become a breeding ground for viral trends, with many hits from TikTok songs finding their way to YouTube and accumulating massive view counts.
| Genre | Top Songs (Examples) | Region/Origin | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pop | “Shape of You” (Ed Sheeran), “Uptown Funk” (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars) | Global (UK, USA) | Catchy hooks, broad global appeal |
| Latin | “Despacito” (Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee), “Tusa” (Karol G & Nicki Minaj) | Latin America | Reggaeton beats, Spanish lyrics |
| K-pop | “Gangnam Style” (PSY), “Dynamite” (BTS) | South Korea | Dedicated fandoms, streaming power |
| Kids Songs | “Baby Shark” (Pinkfong), “Wheels on the Bus” (CoComelon) | Global | Family-friendly, repeat viewing |
| Regional Hits | Various local hits popular in specific countries | Varies by region | Reflect cultural values and preferences |
These trends suggest that YouTube plays a significant role in fostering a truly global music culture, where geographical boundaries are becoming increasingly irrelevant to the success of artists.
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Conclusion: Baby Shark Dance Tops YouTube View Charts
Baby Shark Dance, followed by Despacito, and Gangnam Style, each with billions of views, show how YouTube creates global cultural moments that connect people everywhere.
This goes beyond just numbers; it proves how digital platforms allow kids’ songs and mainstream hits to compete for worldwide attention.
YouTube has transformed music discovery and sharing, turning every device into a stage for viral success. Explore more about how these trends shape the future of music and entertainment.
FAQs
Trending videos change daily based on recent uploads, current events, and viral content. The #1 trending spot typically features new music releases, breaking news, or viral moments rather than all-time view leaders.
Baby Shark took approximately 4 years to surpass Despacito, achieving the most-viewed status in November 2020 after being uploaded in 2016.
Recent releases by major artists, such as BTS, Taylor Swift, and other global superstars, typically achieve this milestone within 24-48 hours, although exact records change frequently.
YouTube employs sophisticated algorithms to filter out bot views, repeated views from the same IP address, and other artificial inflation methods, ensuring that view counts accurately represent genuine engagement.
While YouTube doesn’t release detailed country-specific data for individual videos, the United States, India, and Brazil typically generate the highest view counts due to large populations and internet penetration rates.
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