YouTube is the most popular platform to house video content.
From groovy songs to beauty tutorials and funny videos, YouTube has it all. Since its creation in 2005, viral videos like Chocolate Rain, Evolution of Dance, Nintendo 69 or Charlie Bit My Finger were among the most viewed content.
However, now, the YouTube scene is dominated by music videos.
Here is a list of the most popular YouTube videos of all time:
1. Despacito (Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee)
Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee created magic with their song Despacito. Released in 2017, it gained over one billion views in just 97 days. Now, this Spanish hit song has more than 6.15 billion views.
Shot in a Puerto Rican club with a catchy rhythm, beautiful models, and steamy choreography, no wonder this video became number one in more than 47 countries.
2. Shape of You (Ed Sheeran)
Shape of You is one of the best songs by Ed Sheeran. It’s the second most watched song on YouTube with nearly 4.2 billion views. This pop song tells the story of a boxing couple.
With its unique music, this 4-minute song stayed on the number-one spot in 34 different countries. It features an ex-sumo wrestler Yamamotoyama Ryuta and an American dancer named Jennie Pegouskie.
3. See You Again (Wiz Khalifa ft. Charlie Puth)
See You Again is a song from the Fast and Furious movie series. It was released in 2015 and has gained about 4.1 billion views. It is basically a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who suddenly and tragically died in a car crash in 2013 before the completion of the film.
Throughout the song, you can see Paul Walker’s clips from his pervious Fast and Furious movies. Maybe it’s the sad and emotional tone of the song that makes it so popular.
4. Episode 17 – Recipe for Disaster (Masha and the Bear)
Masha and The Bear is a Russian cartoon which is immensely popular both in and outside Russia. NBC Universal and Netflix have also broadcasted it. It is the only non-music video to reach the top five most watched YouTube videos list. Released in 2012, it now has 3.55 billion views.
Although it makes no sense for adults, with children, it’s a big win. It is about a little girl named Masha and her bear who go through adventures in the forest while trying to avoid trouble. In this particular episode, Masha makes way too much porridge that causes trouble in the forest.
5. Uptown Funk (Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars)
Uptown Funk has a 1980s feel to it, which makes it unique from other music videos. It was released in 2014 and since then, it has reached 3.53 billion views.
The video has two Grammy awards and a BRIT award under its belt. It is a happy funky tract, but sadly, it is plagued with plagiarism and copyright problems. Both Bruno Mars and Mark Ronson have been sued multiple times due to this song.
6. Gangnam Style (Psy)
Anybody who dislikes Psy’s Gangnam Style is clearly insane. It’s full of entertainment with ridiculously hilarious dance moves, an electro-pop beat and colorful costumes.
What’s not to like? This South Korean song was a worldwide sensation when it was released in 2012.
It claimed the number one position in over 30 countries. In YouTube’s most watched history, it is the first song to garner more than a billion views in six months or less.
Now, it stands with 3.3 billion views. Psy’s famous dance was performed by many people, including sports personalities and political leaders like the US President Barack Obama and British Prime Minister David Cameron.
7. Sorry (Justin Bieber)
Justin Bieber’s Sorry toppled Baby in YouTube’s top 10 videos of all time. At number seven, it is the most watched video with 3.1 billion views. Released in 2015, it led music charts in 13 countries and sold almost 10 million copies worldwide by 2016.
The tone of the song is depressing and apologetic, as the title of the song suggests. However, simple dance moves and neon-colored costumes make up for it. Perhaps what makes it special are the professional female dancers who Justin Bieber recruited from New Zealand.
8. Sugar (Maroon 5)
Maroon 5’s Sugar holds the number eighth spot on the list. Released in 2015, it has 2.94 billion views. The concept of the video is very innovative, unlike other music videos.
It is based on the concept of crashing a wedding. It shows Adam Levine and his bandmates going around Los Angeles to crash, more like surprise, couples on their big day.
It’s a pleasure to watch this song as couples and their guests show different reactions, from happiness and surprise to shock and even anger. It’s a genuine video, although some people believe it to be fake.
9. Roar (Katy Perry)
Roar is another great song by Katy Perry. It was released in 2013 and now has 2.8 billion views. The song is a combination of stunning and colorful visuals, animated animals and skimpy dressing.
It shows Katy Perry surviving on her own in a jungle as she is stranded due to a plane crash. The lyrics are motivational as it portrays courage, determination and facing your fears.
Good visuals and lyrics made it a super-hit. It nearly sold 10 million copies and was number one in 12 countries.
10. Shake It Off (Taylor Swift)
Know anyone who doesn’t love Taylor Swift? This country queen is a master of producing great songs, and Shake It Off is definitely one such song.
It was released in 2014 and now has 2.76 billion views. Various dancing styles like lyrical, ballet, jazz, hip-hop and cheer leading turn it into an awesome video. Although it was criticized for being controversial, it still managed to stay on the charts for a straight 50 weeks.
Conclusion
The world of YouTube is mostly occupied by music. New and unique music videos are viewed by thousands of people every minute. This top 10 youtube videos list will keep changing with time, but it seems it will mostly be occupied by music videos in the future as well.