Results: This survey is about songs that made the most money, hopefully for the person or persons who actually wrote the song.
Published on 08/19/2025
I have written many hit songs in my head while in the shower or while sitting in the parking lot while my wife and daughter went shopping. If only I had published them I may have made $millions like these top 10 most popular songs did (for someone - not necessarily the person who wrote the song). It's important to note that these are estimates, and the actual earnings can vary based on different factors like licensing, performance rights, and ongoing sales and streams
QUESTIONS
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Comments
1.
1.
Here are the songs in the 10, 9, 8 slots. Which of them do you like? #10. "The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire)": Written by Mel Torme, this song is estimated to have earned $19 million.
43%
857 votes
#9. "Oh! Pretty Woman": Written by Roy Orbison & Bill Dees, this song is estimated to have earned $19.75 million.
52%
1037 votes
#8. "Every Breath You Take": Written by Sting, this song is estimated to have earned $20.5 million.
48%
951 votes
None
7%
133 votes
Not Interested
17%
330 votes
2.
2.
In the 7 thru 5 slots we have the ones below. Which of them do you like? #7. "Santa Claus is Coming to Town": Written by Haven Gillespie & Fred J. Coots, this song is estimated to have earned $25 million.
39%
782 votes
#6. "Stand By Me": Written by Ben E. King, Leiber & Stoller, this song is estimated to have earned $27 million.
53%
1055 votes
#5. "Unchained Melody": Written by Alex North & Hy Zaret, this song is estimated to have earned $27.5 million.
46%
914 votes
None
8%
152 votes
Not Interested
16%
320 votes
3.
3.
The excitement is building. Here are the 4th, 3rd and 2nd most profitable songs.. Which ones do you like? #4. "Yesterday": Written by Paul McCartney (credited as Lennon/McCartney), this song is estimated to have earned $30 million.
47%
939 votes
#3. "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'": Written by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil & Phil Spector, this song is estimated to have earned $32 million.
50%
998 votes
#2. "White Christmas": Written by Irving Berlin, this song is estimated to have earned $36 million and is the best-selling single of all time, with over 50 million copies sold.
45%
902 votes
None
7%
141 votes
Not Interested
16%
316 votes
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4.
I must admit, I didn't know someone actually owned the rights to the song in the #1 spot or that it was a money maker. Here is the #1 most lucrative song and some other songs of note. Did any of them surprise you? #1. "Happy Birthday": Written by the Hill Sisters, this song's estimated earnings are around $50 million, primarily from its widespread use in birthday celebrations.
33%
666 votes
Honorable mention #1. Globally, Elvis has sold over one billion records, more than any other artist. His American sales have earned him gold, platinum or multi-platinum awards for 150 different albums and singles.
29%
572 votes
Honorable mention #2. The most recorded song of all time is "Summertime" by George Gershwin, DuBose Heyward, and Ira Gershwin. It is an aria from the 1935 opera "Porgy and Bess". Guinness World Records has reported that it has been recorded over 67,591 times.
27%
549 votes
None
22%
433 votes
Not Interested
18%
362 votes
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