These earworms are impossible to turn off. Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we’re counting down our picks for the most addictive songs with hooks so catchy, you’ll find yourself humming them whether you like it or not.
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00:00Welcome to WatchMojo, and today we're counting down our picks for the most addictive songs with
00:09hooks so catchy, you'll find yourself humming them whether you like it or not.
00:19Number 30. Mambo Number 5. A Little Bit Of.
00:22Lubega. Originally released by Cuban musician Damaso Perez Prado in 1950,
00:29this song received a Latin pop treatment from German singer Lubega that turned it into the
00:34ultimate earworm. This version is an upbeat, quirky tune with swingy brass riffs that make
00:46it instantly recognizable. Featuring a catchy trumpet-filled breakdown, a laundry list of
00:51women's names and its own dance craze, it was custom-made to get you hitting repeat.
01:02So it was no surprise that Mambo Number 5 became an immediate summer hit,
01:06topping the charts in several countries and reaching the number three spot in the US.
01:10Even decades later, there's still a little bit of Mambo Number 5 playing in the back of our heads.
01:16Number 29. Shake It Off. Taylor Swift.
01:27Taylor Swift's pivot from country to pop was solidified with this 2014 single that seemed to
01:33follow you everywhere no matter how fast you tried to run. Lyrically, the song talks about
01:38brushing off your haters, and the music itself practically dares you to ignore it.
01:49With a repetitive sing-along chorus, hand-clap bridge, and saxophone breakdown that are simply
01:55impossible to forget, this track was designed to lodge itself in your brain.
01:59Naturally, it became a hit all over the world, and is now Diamond-Certified in the US. Whether
02:06you're tapping your foot to it or rolling your eyes at it, one thing's for sure,
02:10you just can't shake this song off.
02:19Number 28. Dragosta Dente. Ozone. Moldovan pop group Ozone hit the jackpot
02:27in the summer of 2004 when their single, Dragosta Dente, became a global sensation.
02:40But that success came at a steep price. Our collective sanity. The song first exploded
02:45in Europe, then later gained popularity in the US due to the viral Numa Numa video.
02:50Its infectious hook is what really grabs you, basically forcing your
02:54brain to replay it on a loop. And the fact that you don't know what you're singing just makes it
03:00even more addictive. With over 12 million copies sold worldwide, Dragosta Dente seems to be the
03:06musical equivalent of glitter. You'll find traces of it long after you think it's gone.
03:14Number 27. I'm a Gummy Bear.
03:17The novelty genre is populated with songs that are made specifically to burrow their way into
03:22your head. And this one succeeds exceedingly at that mission. Inspired by the Gummy Bear candy,
03:28the song's bouncy, almost too happy techno beats feels like a sugar rush straight to your ears.
03:33And the lyrics are just simple and bizarre enough to stick on the first listen.
03:38So far, I'm a Gummy Bear has been translated into over 40 languages,
03:42ensuring that no matter where you live, you're still a Gummy Bear.
03:45Number 28. I'm a Gummy Bear.
03:48This song is a tribute to the Gummy Bear, but it's also a tribute to the Gummy Bear.
03:52It's a tribute to the Gummy Bear, but it's also a tribute to the Gummy Bear.
03:56It's a tribute to the Gummy Bear, but it's also a tribute to the Gummy Bear.
03:59This song has been translated into over 40 languages, ensuring that no matter where you live,
04:04no matter what you speak, you will never escape its relentless grip.
04:11Is it annoying? Of course. Nonsensical? Without a doubt. But will we go back for one more listen?
04:17Oh, you betcha.
04:22Number 26. Mickey, Tony Basil.
04:25consider Tony Basil a one-hit wonder, but when that one hit is as annoyingly enduring
04:30as this one, does it even matter?
04:38Mickey has all the necessary elements to get it stuck in your head.
04:41The rhythm is fast, the claps are infectious, and the energy just doesn't quit.
04:46Throw in Basil's peppy vocals, the punchy drumline, and the relentless cheerleader chants,
04:51and you've got the perfect recipe for an earworm.
05:00Just like The Flyer in any cheerleading pyramid, Mickey shot to the top of the charts in the
05:05US, Canada, and Australia, and was a top 10 hit in a few other countries.
05:10That's the magic, or curse depending on your perspective, of Mickey.
05:19The Hamster Dance Song – Hampton the Hamster
05:26Like many things in the early 2000s, the Hamster Dance song was born out of a desire to produce
05:31the most internet traffic.
05:33Canadian art student Deidre LeCarte created a website called The Hamster Dance, which
05:38eventually led to the making of this song that became a viral sensation.
05:46The track itself is basically a hyperactive remix of nonsensical squeaky vocals layered
05:51over a ridiculously upbeat melody.
05:54Listening to it feels like your brain is being tickled and tortured at the same time, and
05:58before you know it, you're tapping your feet and humming along.
06:01Love it or hate it, once it gets stuck in your head, good luck getting it out.
06:1224.
06:13Baby – Justin Bieber Feat.
06:15Ludacris
06:16Although Justin Bieber already had a mildly successful EP, it was Baby that truly launched
06:21his music career.
06:29The song shot to the top of the charts in a litany of countries, including the US, UK,
06:35and Canada, cementing Bieber as a teen pop sensation.
06:38Unfortunately, our ears were the collateral damage.
06:42This track is impossible to get away from, and the proof is in the musical pudding.
06:54Its simple, repetitive chorus combined with the super smooth doo-wop-inspired melody ensures
06:59that it sticks like glue.
07:01While only a few would openly admit to liking this song, with over 15 million units sold
07:06worldwide, it's obvious more people were bopping to it than they'd care to confess.
07:1123.
07:16Cotton Eye Joe – Rednecks
07:22Released in 1994, this bizarre fusion of techno and country music became an unlikely hit for
07:28the Swedish Eurodance group, Rednecks.
07:30Of course, the group's name, look, and sound were clearly a tongue-in-cheek parody of white
07:35rural America.
07:36In that vein, the song took the traditional American folk song, Cotton Eye Joe, and turned
07:41it on its head.
07:50It's a mashup of country fiddles, electronic beats, and absurdly twangy vocals that make
07:55no sense, but all somehow work together.
07:58The result is an irresistibly catchy tune that leaves you with no choice but to sing
08:02along.
08:04This quirky combo helped Cotton Eye Joe boogie its way up to number 25 on the Billboard Hot
08:08100.
08:1322.
08:14The Fox – What Does The Fox Say – Ylvis
08:18In 2013, Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis set out to release a song destined to fail.
08:30What they ended up creating, however, was a viral sensation that had everyone wondering,
08:35wait, what does the fox say?
08:42A surprise top 10 hit in the US, the track starts off relatively normal before diving
08:47into lyrics that could have been lifted straight out of a nursery rhyme.
08:50And let's not even mention the ridiculous music video featuring the duo in animal costumes
08:55dancing in a forest.
09:02There's no shortage of absurd sounds on this song, and that's probably why it's
09:06damn near impossible to get it out of our heads.
09:09In case you're still curious, the fox goes bark.
09:1421.
09:18Macarena – Los Del Rio – The secret to crafting an instantly catchy song is surprisingly
09:23simple.
09:24Step 1.
09:25Write a chorus that rhymes around one unforgettable word.
09:33Step 2.
09:34Throw in a call-and-response section.
09:36Step 3.
09:37Add an easy dance routine.
09:39Spanish pop duo Los Del Rio nailed all of these with Macarena.
09:44Originally released in 1993, the song got a second life when it was remixed by the Bayside
09:50Boys.
09:57This new version became an international dance anthem thanks to its playful Spanish lyrics
10:02and hypnotic beat.
10:04Even if you haven't heard it in years, the moment it starts playing, you're instantly
10:08hooked again.
10:09It's an annoyingly persistent song, and that's exactly why it became a global phenomenon.
10:1620.
10:18Party in the USA – Miley Cyrus – Originally written for English singer Jessie J, this
10:31pop-rock song about being an out-of-place newbie in Hollywood was an instant hit for
10:36the then-teen idol.
10:38Detailing Cyrus' move from Nashville, Tennessee to the land of fame excess, this song's lyrics
10:44have just the right combination of relatability, repetition, and good old nostalgia to keep
10:49it on a constant loop in your head.
10:58It peaked at number two and three in the U.S. and Canada, respectively, became Diamond certified,
11:04and also saw a resurgence in the U.S. after the demise of Osama bin Laden and the 2020
11:09presidential election.
11:15If there's ever a reason to celebrate, there's no question what jam we'll be nodding our
11:20heads and moving our hips to.
11:2519.
11:30Let It Go – Idina Menzel – If you had little kids around when this song was released,
11:35it's understandable if you now have very mixed feelings.
11:44This showtune track from the 2013 Disney animated film Frozen became a worldwide sensation,
11:50peaking in the top 20 of several countries.
12:00With uplifting lyrics about liberation and accepting oneself, it had kids around the
12:05adults alike shooting imaginary ice crystals from the tip of their hands and trying, but
12:11often failing, to hit the sky-high notes.
12:21This track perfectly blended pop and musical theater, eventually going on to win a Grammy
12:26and an Academy Award.
12:27When you got hit by the cold magic of this song, it was pretty hard to let it go.
12:3918.
12:40Nookie – Limp Bizkit – This hardcore rap-rock song was released as the lead single from
12:45the band's second album, becoming their first song to ever chart on the Billboard Hot 100.
12:57Complete with thrashing guitars, hard-hitting drums, and fourth-grade-level rhyming lyrics
13:02that roll off the tongue, this one will get you yelling responses from the top of your
13:06lungs before you even know it.
13:15Although it still receives a bad rep to this day for the chaos that ensued at the 1999
13:20Woodstock Festival, the track marked a turning point for the band, bringing them to the forefront
13:25of the rock scene.
13:32If you ever find out where we can stick that cookie, let us know.
13:3917.
13:43Hollaback Girl – Gwen Stefani – Gwen Stefani described her debut solo album,
13:55Love Angel Music Baby, as a, quote, silly dance record.
13:59It was certainly very different from the music she made with rock band No Doubt, but it became
14:04iconic even so.
14:05The third single from the album, Hollaback Girl, is a callback to 1980s hip-hop and dance
14:10music written with Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo.
14:21Fans were more enthusiastic than critics, who panned it despite it becoming the first
14:26digital download to sell one million copies.
14:35We can't help but love it, but if someone could let us know what a Hollaback Girl is,
14:39that would be great.
14:4416.
14:49Never Gonna Give You Up – Rick Astley – No, don't worry, you aren't being Rick-ruled.
15:02The debut single from British singer Rick Astley, Never Gonna Give You Up, quickly became
15:06a worldwide number one hit as well as becoming Astley's signature track.
15:19While the song was popular on initial release, it also saw a resurgence of popularity via
15:23the Rick Roll meme and spread across the internet like wildfire.
15:27Never Gonna Give You Up, Rick, rolled its way into our hearts and is not leaving any
15:31time soon.
15:3715.
15:41What Is Love – Hathaway – Trinidadian German singer Hathaway released this slick
15:53Eurodance song as the debut single from his very meta-album, The Album.
16:05The soulful lead vocals, a groovy synth line, and the classic oomph-oomph beats came together
16:12perfectly to elevate this track above the dance singles of its time and keep us coming
16:17back years later.
16:26It initially gained massive airplay worldwide, hitting number one in 13 countries and the
16:31top 20 in several others, then got a resurgence after being used in the popular
16:35SNL-Roxbury Guys sketches a few years later.
16:39If there's anything hurting as a result of this song, it's our legs from too much
16:42dancing.
16:4614.
16:51The Ketchup Song – Aceraje – Las Ketchup – You can't talk about worldwide phenomena
16:56without mentioning this one.
16:58Before the craze of the Harlem Shake and TikTok dance challenges, there was Aceraje.
17:09The debut single by the Spanish pop group, this flamenco song had all the makings of
17:14an annoying earworm.
17:16A repetitive, nonsense chorus?
17:18Check.
17:19A signature dance routine?
17:20Check.
17:21A music video with three beautiful women dancing on the beach?
17:24Check, check, check.
17:32It was the Macarena of the early 2000s, reaching number one in more than 20 countries and selling
17:38over 7 million copies worldwide.
17:47There wasn't a school party around the world that didn't have this song blasting through
17:51the speakers.
17:5213.
17:53Surf and Bird – The Trashmen – The Bird is most certainly the word.
18:04This song was originally released in 1963 by American surf rock group, The Trashmen,
18:10and peaked at number four on the Billboard Hot 100.
18:20In fact, Bird of the Word is actually a mashup of two songs by the Rivingtons, Bird is the
18:25Word and Papa Oom Mow Mow.
18:28Nonetheless, we can't help but just keep singing.
18:30Whether it's Peter Griffin's rendition of the song or the Ramones' cover, there's
18:34no way you won't have this song stuck in your head after just one listen.
18:3912.
18:41Mbop – Hanson – Admit it, you're already bobbing your head
18:50to this song.
18:58Inspired by the popular doo-wop, R&B harmonies of the 50s and early 60s, this bright-eyed
19:04and long-haired band of three teenage brothers put out this track as the lead single from
19:09their debut studio album.
19:17Its easily chantable lyrics and infectious, candy-coated instrumentation keep it lingering
19:22in the back of your head hours after you've heard it.
19:25Topping the charts in at least 12 countries and being nominated for two Grammys, it remains
19:30Hanson's most successful song to date.
19:3611.
19:41Sorry For Party Rocking – LMFAO – Time for a little bit of party rock.
19:53The fourth single off of LMFAO's second album, the track Sorry For Party Rocking is
19:58non-stop electronic and dance-pop anarchy.
20:08Red Foo, Sky Blue, Dancing Zebras, YouTubers Rhett and Link, and David Hasselhoff?
20:14Pure chaos.
20:16Sorry For Party Rocking is the perfect excuse for all millennials when someone asks them
20:20to turn the music down.
20:28Of course, it wasn't the album's only earworm, as singles also included Party Rock Anthem
20:33and Sexy and I Know It.
20:35Unfortunately, LMFAO went on hiatus shortly afterwards, so they may have rocked the party
20:39a little too hard.
20:4510.
20:49All About That Bass – Meghan Trainor – You don't get to displace Taylor Swift, the
20:54queen of heartbreak from the number one spot, without making an impression.
21:05After years working as an independent artist and songwriter, Trainor shot into the limelight
21:09with this bubblegum pop track about body positivity and self-acceptance.
21:20Expertly fusing retro doo-wop influences with modern hip-hop sounds, this song spread far
21:25and wide, connecting with a wide array of audiences and holding their ears hostage.
21:31It however received mixed reviews from critics, with some praising its message and others
21:35criticizing it for shaming thin women.
21:45Regardless of critical reviews, it dominated the charts worldwide, reaching number one
21:50in more than 50 countries and getting a diamond certification in the U.S. and two Grammy nominations.
22:009.
22:03Who Let The Dogs Out – Baha Men – Face it, if you were growing up in the 2000s, you've
22:13heard of this cover song by the Baha Men.
22:16Who Let The Dogs Out is a bouncy pop track that's synonymous with the warm weather and
22:20fun vibes of summer.
22:28The sunshine, the catchy beat, and plenty of dogs, it's all there.
22:31The song was one of the best-selling singles of the 2000s, although it never reached number
22:36one.
22:44It's also considered by many publications to be one of the most annoying songs of all
22:47time, and we would agree, although we would be lying if we said it wasn't catchy as hell.
22:538.
22:54Call Me Maybe – Carly Rae Jepsen – We may have just met her at the time, but my
22:58God did we all go crazy for this.
23:08Released in the summer of 2011, this upbeat teen pop track initially achieved moderate
23:13success in Canada, Jepsen's home country, but received worldwide attention after Justin
23:18Bieber tweeted that it was possibly the catchiest song he'd ever heard.
23:22And he was right.
23:31The song is structured to get you hitting the repeat button.
23:34With its simplistic, rhyming lyrics and an endless layer of musical hooks, you're bound
23:38to find yourself humming to it no matter how hard you try not to.
23:47Bieber's tweet may have brought attention to it, but it was the ridiculously infectious
23:51nature of this tune that made it stick with us.
23:597.
24:02Caramel Dancin' – Caramel – This was THE internet meme way before internet memes
24:08became a thing.
24:09Originally released in 2001, this song didn't gain international recognition until five
24:14years later when a 4chan user made flash loops featuring animated characters from a Japanese
24:19visual novel dancing to a sped-up version.
24:30Like every other thing we've come to know as an internet craze, this flash loop spread
24:34like wildfire as many people created their own versions of it, eventually reaching YouTube
24:40and becoming a worldwide phenomenon.
24:49The insanely upbeat hook and bubblegum dance production left people doing the caramel dancin'
24:54long after the song was over.
24:596.
25:03Sandstorm – Darude – Another song that became repopularized by the internet, Sandstorm
25:15showcases some of the best that late 1990s electronic music has to offer.
25:20Produced by Finnish DJ Darude, this trance track was a global hit after its release just
25:25before the new millennium.
25:34With a classic high-speed music video and a beat that will have you raving, what Sandstorm
25:38lacks in lyrics, it makes up for in pure nostalgia.
25:42Just remember, if you don't know the name of the song, it's probably Darude's Sandstorm.
25:515.
25:55Axl F – Crazy Frog – If this wasn't your ringtone at some point, then you were
25:59clearly doing something wrong.
26:09Released as a remix of the synthesizer theme music from 1984's Beverly Hills Cop, this
26:14novelty song became an instant summer hit across Europe.
26:24Featuring distorted, nonsensical ramblings of the Crazy Frog character interspersed with
26:29the synth-heavy production, this tune crept up the charts, reaching number one in more
26:33than ten countries.
26:35Not bad for a ringtone, huh?
26:44It turns out that to make an annoying earworm, all you need is an animated frog, an imitation
26:48of engine sounds, the words ring-ding, and you're good to go.
26:574.
27:00Gangnam Style – Psy – The world couldn't get enough of this catchy K-pop tune back
27:12when it was released in summer of 2012.
27:14Psy's 18th single, this song features an infectious beat, hilarious dance moves, and
27:20some playful vocals from the Korean superstar himself.
27:30We may hate getting this track stuck in our head with a fiery passion, but we still will
27:34sing and dance along.
27:43Inspiring flash mobs and dancers around the world, Gangnam Style is a defining song of
27:48the 2010s, all thanks to the power of the internet.
27:553.
27:59Barbie Girl – Aqua – Love it or hate it, you can't deny this song is 100% pure fun.
28:10Unlike most of the other novelty songs on this list, this Euro dance track by the Danish-Norwegian
28:15group received critical acclaim when it was released.
28:25The song went on to take the world by storm, topping the charts in several countries.
28:29Sadly, it also attracted copyright infringement claims by Mattel, resulting in a controversial
28:35lawsuit between Aqua's record label and the Barbie doll makers.
28:45Legal troubles be damned, this track's cartoonishly high-pitched vocals and bouncy dance beat
28:50made it an instant earworm.
28:59Life in plastic may not always be fantastic in these eco-friendly times, but for this
29:04song, we would not have it any other way.
29:062.
29:07Blue Dabba Dee – Eiffel 65 – We sincerely apologize for reminding you of this one.
29:20The Mona Lisa of annoying earworms, this song was released as the debut single from the
29:25Italian electronic group Eiffel 65.
29:34Widely noted for its heavily auto-tuned vocals layered over pulsating techno beats that are
29:39sure to get you tapping your feet, it remains the group's most popular single to date.
29:51It topped the charts in several countries across Europe, peaked at number 6 in the U.S.,
29:55and received a Grammy nomination for Best Dance Recording.
29:59You may have been singing the wrong lyrics all this while, but who cares?
30:03You're blue, I'm blue, we're all blue, Dabba Dee, Dabba Die.
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30:291.
30:30Baby Shark – Pinkfong – You'll need a restraining order against your kids and brain
30:35surgery to get this one out of your head.
30:44This song originated as a campfire chant in the 20th century, but only saw worldwide popularity
30:50after it was uploaded to YouTube by a South Korean entertainment company.
31:02Because it's a children's song, it possesses repetitive, easy-to-remember lyrics and familial
31:07characters that allow them to easily connect with the music.
31:18It's these features that have helped this tune burrow its way into the heads of kids
31:21and adults around the world, cracking the top 40 in the U.S. and becoming the most viewed
31:26YouTube video of all time.
31:28We'd like to have a stern word or two with whomever is responsible for this song.
31:40We apologize for reminding you of these annoying earworms, but which of them are you humming
31:45right now?
31:46Let us know in the comments!