Discover The Songs That Have Made The Biggest Profit Of All Time
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to write a perfect and successful song that could provide a life of royalty for its composer? Countless famous songwriters achieved this feat, yet still chose to continue creating music out of their passion for it. Even more remarkable is when a cover of a song outshines the original, yet still leads to high royalty payments!
If this seems fascinating to you, take a look at the most successful songs of all time through this gallery. Read on to learn more.
'Despacito' by Luis Rodriguez, Ramon Ayala, and Erika Ender
In 2017, the song 'Despacito' achieved remarkable success, becoming the third best-selling song of all time. The talented team behind its creation includes Luis Rodriguez, Ramon Ayala, and Erika Ender, while the original performers were Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. This sensational hit made a significant impact in Latin America.
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$18.2 million
Several months later, the song caught Justin Bieber's attention while he was at a nightclub in Colombia. Impressed, he made the decision to release a remix of the track. Unsurprisingly, his rendition became one of the most popular songs of the year. In 2017 alone, 'Despacito' managed to sell a staggering 24 million copies, making about $18.2 million from streaming.
'Happy Birthday' by The Hill Sisters
In 1893, two sisters from Louisville, Kentucky, Patty Hill and Mildred, collaborated to create the 'Happy Birthday' song. Patty, a school teacher, and Mildred, a musician and composer, were prominent figures in the national kindergarten movement. They composed this song with the intention of entertaining their young students.
$50 million
The song continues to resonate worldwide even after a hundred years have passed. Ownership of the rights has shifted multiple times, and it is currently under the ownership of Warner/Chappell Music. Generating an approximate daily income of $5,000 in royalties, it has amassed a staggering sum of around $50 million since its inception. Marilyn Monroe performed one of its most iconic renditions for President John F. Kennedy on his birthday in 1962.
'Stand by Me' by Ben E. King, Jerry Leiber, and Mike Stoller
The song 'Stand By Me' was composed in 1961 by Ben E. King and Mike Stoller, with lyrics by Jerry Leiber. It was popularly performed by Ben E. King and achieved significant success during the 1960s.
$27 million
The song experienced a significant resurgence 25 years later when it was featured in the 1986 film 'Stand by Me', which starred the late River Phoenix. Since then, it has been recorded by more than 400 artists and has reportedly generated around $27 million in earnings.
'Unchained Melody' by Alex North and Hy Zaret
In 1955, composers Alex North and Hy Zaret collaborated to create the song 'Unchained Melody' for the relatively obscure film 'Unchained'. Surprisingly, it gained immense recognition when The Righteous Brothers covered it in 1956, becoming an unprecedented hit. Its popularity continued to soar as numerous other artists also covered the song, further extending its reach.
27.5 million
The song 'Unchained Melody' was featured in the 1990 film 'Ghost,' which won an Oscar and starred Demi Moore and Patrick Swayze. It is estimated that the song has earned a staggering $27.5 million.
Shape of You' by Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid
Ed Sheeran's 2017 hit 'Shape of You' stands out as one of the highest-selling songs in history, despite its relatively recent release compared to other tracks on this list. Surprisingly, it hasn't even had the opportunity for a resurgence!
$6.6 million
'Shape of You', a collaboration between Ed Sheeran, Steve Mac, and Johnny McDaid, achieved a remarkable feat by selling a staggering 42 million copies. Additionally, Sheeran's talent was recognized as he won the prestigious Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance with this very song. 'Shape of You' has made over $6.6 million and continues to earn more with royalties.
'Oh Pretty Woman' by Roy Orbison and Bill Dees
The song 'Oh Pretty Woman' by Roy Orbison, co-written with Bill Dees, initially did not achieve significant commercial success upon its release in 1964. However, their fortunes changed when the song was prominently featured in the 1990 film Pretty Woman.
$100,000-$200,000 Annually
The song's value skyrocketed after the movie's success, reaching around $19.75 million. Bill Dees, the writer, revealed in 2012 that he continues to receive royalties ranging from $100,000 to $200,000 annually.
Candle in the Wind' by Elton John and Bernie Taupin
In 1973, Elton John and his writing partner, Bernie Taupin, collaborated on the song 'Candle in the Wind'. Initially inspired by the passing of Marilyn Monroe, the song underwent revisions when another beloved female figure, who happened to be a close friend, passed away.
Unknown
Princess Diana's tragic death in a car accident in 1997 prompted Elton John to rewrite the lyrics of a song as a tribute to her. This heartfelt dedication resulted in the song becoming the second-best-selling single in history. While the precise monetary value of the song remains unknown, it is estimated to have sold a minimum of 33 million copies globally.
'The Christmas Song' by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells
'The Christmas Song' by Mel Tormé and Bob Wells is another timeless holiday favorite that has been highly successful. The lyrics of this song evoke warm memories of "chestnuts roasting on an open fire" and continue to be heard every winter. Interestingly, it is not Mel Tormé's voice that we associate with this beloved tune.
$19 million
Nat King Cole's 1964 rendition of 'The Christmas Song' firmly established it as a timeless classic. The creators, Tormé and Wells, earned a staggering $19 million from their creation, which is quite ironic considering they composed it during a scorching Californian summer!
'Every Breath You Take' by Sting
In 1983, Sting, while performing with The Police, penned the popular song 'Every Breath You Take'. This track held a spot on the Billboard Top 100 chart for a continuous eight weeks and eventually became the source of inspiration for another immensely successful song.
$730,000 Annually
Sean Combs, formerly known as Puff Daddy, composed the song 'I'll Be Missing You' as a tribute to his late friend and rapper The Notorious B.I.G. This rendition of the song generated a staggering $7 million in revenue, while the original version by The Police continues to earn an estimated $730,000 annually.
'I Will Always Love You' by Dolly Parton
It is not widely known that the song 'I Will Always Love You' was originally written and performed by Dolly Parton. Dolly wrote and released the song in 1973, and it achieved the top spot on the Billboard Hot Country Songs Chart twice, once in 1974 and again in 1982.
$10 million
In 1992, Whitney Houston recorded a rendition of the song for the soundtrack of her film The Bodyguard. This version went on to achieve remarkable success, becoming one of the highest-selling singles in history with 24 million copies sold. Notably, it also brought substantial financial gains to Dolly Parton. Parton made approximately $10 million off of Houston's version.
'You’ve Lost That Feeling' by Barry Mann, Cynthia Weil, and Phil Spector
In 1964, the talented songwriting duo Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil, who were also married in real life, collaborated with renowned music producer Phil Spector. Together, they crafted the popular song 'You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin.' During the creative process, Spector proposed the addition of the line "and he is gone, gone, gone, Whoa, whoa, whoa," which Mann and Weil reluctantly accepted.
$32 million
The most memorable line from one of the most popular songs ever recorded belongs to The Righteous Brothers. This song achieved great success in the 1960s and experienced a resurgence in the 1980s when it was featured in the soundtrack of the film Top Gun (1986). Over 2,200 artists have covered this song, and it is estimated to have earned a staggering $32 million.
'White Christmas' by Irving Berlin
'White Christmas' is widely regarded as the ultimate Christmas song, despite its surprising origins. The renowned Russian composer, Irving Berlin, who happened to be Jewish, crafted this timeless melody. Remarkably, Berlin managed to capture the true essence of Christmas, despite not personally observing the holiday.
$36 million
There have been numerous renditions of the Christmas favorite, but Bing Crosby's rendition stands out as the most widely embraced (with over 50 million copies sold, making it the highest-selling single ever). Collectively, the various interpretations of 'White Christmas' have surpassed 100 million copies sold globally, generating an estimated $36 million in revenue.
'In the Summertime' by Mungo Jerry
'In the Summertime' is a popular song that was released by the British rock band Mungo Jerry. The track was written by Raymond Dorset, the band's lead singer. Upon its release in 1970, this lively skiffle tune sold an impressive 31 million copies.
Unknown
Raymond Dorset claims that he wrote the entire song in just 10 minutes, which is quite impressive considering its instant popularity and frequent appearances in film, TV, and advertising. Dorset ended up getting over $2 million in royalties but the total for the band is unknown.
'Yesterday' by John Lennon and Paul McCartney
The Beatles' renowned song 'Yesterday' was solely written by John Lennon. However, Lennon and Paul McCartney had an agreement to evenly share songwriting credits for all their compositions, resulting in both being acknowledged as writers.
$30 million
Yoko Ono, John Lennon's wife, inherited all the royalties from the ongoing popularity of the song. 'Yesterday' holds the record for being one of the most frequently played songs on radio and has generated an approximate sum of $30 million.
