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The songwriters on this list have reaped the financial rewards of penning one perfect song that has generated enough income to allow them to live like royalty for the rest of their lives. Yet rather than simply retiring and enjoying their success, these talented individuals continue, or continued, to work and create music simply because of the love for their art. And even when a cover version of a composition ends up surpassing the popularity of the original, the author still collects a substantial annual royalty check. So, what are the most commercially-successful songs in music history?
Click through and find out for the record.
Sting composed the popular song 'Every Breath You Take' during his time with the Police in 1983. The track held a place on the Billboard Top 100 chart for a continuous period of eight weeks and was subsequently used in sampling for another immensely successful song.
Sean Combs, also known as Puff Daddy at the time, composed the track 'I'll Be Missing You' as a tribute to his assassinated friend, the rapper The Notorious B.I.G. This rendition of the song earned a substantial US$7 million. The Police's original version, on the other hand, continues to generate an estimated US$730,000 annually.
Paul McCartney wrote the lyrics for The Beatles' renowned track 'Yesterday', yet he and John Lennon shared songwriting credits, resulting in both being acknowledged as co-authors.
After Lennon's death his widow, Yoko Ono, become the sole beneficiary of the share of royalties generated by the Beatles' back catalog. The enduring popularity of 'Yesterday,' one of the most frequently played songs on the radio, generates annual royalties of approximately US$30 million, an amount distributed between Paul McCartney and Yoko Ono.
'White Christmas' remains the classic festive song. Surprisingly, the song was penned by Irving Berlin, a Russian composer of Jewish heritage. It is remarkable how Berlin captured the essence of Christmas without personally observing the holiday.
Bing Crosby's rendition of 'White Christmas', is widely acclaimed and has gained immense popularity. With over 50 million copies sold, it holds the title of the best-selling single of all time. Additionally, the collective sales of different versions of this timeless song have surpassed 100 million copies globally, generating an estimated US$36 million in revenue.
The 'Happy Birthday' song was penned in 1893 by two sisters from Louisville, Kentucky. Patty Hill, a school teacher, and Mildred, a musician and composer, were both prominent figures in the national kindergarten movement. They conceived the song as a form of entertainment for their young students.
More than 100 years later, their song continues to be sung worldwide. The ownership of the rights has shifted multiple times, and currently Warner/Chappell Music hold them. 'Happy Birthday' generates an estimated US$5,000 per day in royalties and has accumulated approximately US$50 million in total since its creation. Its most renowned rendition was performed by Marilyn Monroe in 1962 for President John F. Kennedy on the occasion of guess what, his birthday.
Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' from 2017 ranks among the biggest-selling songs ever. This feat is noteworthy given its recent release and absence of any cover or re-release.
'Shape of You' was co-written by British musicians Steve Mac and Johnny McDaid and sold an impressive 42 million copies. Ed Sheeran's talent was further recognized with a Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance.
In 1973, Elton John and his collaborator Bernie Taupin composed the song 'Candle in the Wind'. Its lyrics mourned the 1962 passing of Marilyn Monroe. Many years later John tweaked the words to honor another cherished celebrity female figure who passed away, and who was also a close friend.
Following the tragic car accident that claimed the life of Princess Diana in 1997, Elton John made revisions to the song's lyrics and dedicated it to her memory. This heartfelt tribute soon soared in popularity, and eventually became the second-best-selling single ever. Although the precise worth of the song cannot be determined, it is estimated to have sold at least 33 million copies globally.
In 2017, 'Despacito' achieved huge success as the third top-selling song ever. Composed by Luis Rodriguez, Ramon Ayala, and Erika Ender, it was originally sung by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, becoming a major hit in Latin America.
Later, Justin Bieber heard the track in a Colombian nightclub and decided to record and release a remix. His version became one of the most popular songs of the year, selling 24 million copies in 2017.
The song 'Stand By Me' was written in 1961 by Ben E. King and Mike Stoller, with lyrics by Jerry Leiber. It was sung by Ben E. King and gained significant popularity during the 1960s.
Twenty-five years later the song again garnered international popularity when it was featured in the 1986 film 'Stand by Me' starring the late River Phoenix. It has been recorded by more than 400 artists and generated an approximate US$27 million in sales.
Composers Alex North and Hy Zaret wrote the song 'Unchained Melody' in 1955 for the obscure movie 'Unchained'. The Righteous Brothers' rendition in 1956 propelled it to unparalleled triumph. The song's popularity grew exponentially through countless covers by various artists.
The song 'Unchained Melody' was featured in the Oscar-winning film 'Ghost' from 1990, starring Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. It has reportedly generated around US$27.5 million.
Roy Orbison and Bill Dees co-wrote the song 'Oh Pretty Woman,' which wasn't initially a major hit in 1964. However, their luck changed when the song was prominently featured in the movie 'Pretty Woman' in 1990.
The song's value significantly rose to approximately US$19.75 million due to the movie's success. Bill Dees, the writer, remarked in 2012 that he was still receiving royalties totaling between US$100,000 and US$200,000 annually.
'The Christmas Song' by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells is a popular seasonal classic that has garnered significant financial success. Its comforting lyrics, evoking memories of "chestnuts roasting on an open fire," continue to be heard every winter. Interestingly, it is not Mel Tormé's voice that resonates with us!
Nat King Cole's rendition of 'The Christmas Song' in 1964 solidified its status as a timeless classic. Tormé and Wells earned approximately US$19 million from their composition, have written it, somewhat ironically, during a scorching hot Californian summer.
Songwriting power couple (and real-life married couple) Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil teamed up with famous music producer (and later convicted murderer) the late Phil Spector to write a song in 1964. They came up with the hit song 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.' Spector suggested adding the line "and it's gone, gone, gone, whoa, whoa, whoa-oh," which Mann and Weil grudgingly agreed to.
The iconic line from one of the most successful songs ever recorded by The Righteous Brothers has garnered immense popularity. The song gained massive success during the 1960s, and its popularity further increased in the 1980s when it was featured in the soundtrack to 'Top Gun' (1986). Over 2,200 different artists have covered this song, including Elvis Presley, leading to an estimated return of US$32 million.
It is not widely known that Dolly Parton is the original writer and performer of the song 'I Will Always Love You.' She composed it in 1973, achieving two number one rankings on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart, first in 1974 and then in 1982.
Whitney Houston performed a rendition of the song for the film 'The Bodyguard' in 1992. The cover achieved great commercial success, selling 24 million copies and generating significant royalty profits for Dolly Parton.
'In the Summertime' is a song that British rock band Mungo Jerry released in 1970. The track, written by the band's lead singer Raymond Dorset, sold 31 million copies and is notable for its upbeat skiffle rhythm.
Raymond Dorset claims he composed the entire song in just 10 minutes. A remarkable feat considering its continued popularity in movies, television, and commercials.
The popular song 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town' was written by Haven Gillespie and Fred J. Coots in 1954. Shortly after its release, over 400 copies of the sheet music were ordered, reflecting its immediate popularity. Throughout the years, numerous artists have covered this song, but the versions by Bing Crosby, Mariah Carey, and Bruce Springsteen stand out as particularly successful. In total, 'Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town' has earned an estimated US$27 million.
Sources: (TheRichest) (All Top Everything) (History by Day)
Sea also: The highest-earning songwriters of all time
How the popularity of one song can make millions
What are the most commercially successful compositions in music history?
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The songwriters on this list have reaped the financial rewards of penning one perfect song that has generated enough income to allow them to live like royalty for the rest of their lives. Yet rather than simply retiring and enjoying their success, these talented individuals continue, or continued, to work and create music simply because of the love for their art. And even when a cover version of a composition ends up surpassing the popularity of the original, the author still collects a substantial annual royalty check. So, what are the most commercially-successful songs in music history?
Click through and find out for the record.