The Top Songs of 2009, from Boom Boom Pow to Empire State of Mind

What was the number one song of 2009?

"Boom Boom Pow" by the Black Eyed Peas was the number one song of 2009 on Billboard's year-end Hot 100. Lady Gaga's "Poker Face" was second and her "Just Dance" third. The Black Eyed Peas' "I Gotta Feeling" spent fourteen weeks at number one, the longest run of the year and of the decade.

The top 20 songs of 2009

1. "Boom Boom Pow", the Black Eyed Peas: a futuristic, electro-hop number one.
2. "Poker Face", Lady Gaga: the dance-pop smash that made her a superstar.
3. "Just Dance", Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis: her debut single.
4. "I Gotta Feeling", the Black Eyed Peas: the party anthem of the year.
5. "Love Story", Taylor Swift: her fairy-tale crossover hit.
6. "Right Round", Flo Rida: a six-week number one.
7. "I'm Yours", Jason Mraz: a breezy ukulele hit with a record-setting chart run.
8. "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)", Beyoncé: the song and dance that took over the world.
9. "Heartless", Kanye West
10. "Gives You Hell", the All-American Rejects
11. "You Belong with Me", Taylor Swift
12. "Dead and Gone", T.I. featuring Justin Timberlake
13. "You Found Me", the Fray
14. "Use Somebody", Kings of Leon
15. "Knock You Down", Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West and Ne-Yo
16. "Blame It", Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain
17. "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)", Pitbull
18. "Live Your Life", T.I. featuring Rihanna
19. "Kiss Me thru the Phone", Soulja Boy Tell 'Em featuring Sammie
20. "Down", Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne

More top songs of 2009 (21 to 35)

21. "The Climb", Miley Cyrus
22. "Best I Ever Had", Drake
23. "My Life Would Suck Without You", Kelly Clarkson
24. "Halo", Beyoncé
25. "Hot n Cold", Katy Perry
26. "Second Chance", Shinedown
27. "Circus", Britney Spears
28. "Day 'n' Nite", Kid Cudi
29. "Party in the U.S.A.", Miley Cyrus
30. "Don't Trust Me", 3OH!3
31. "Run This Town", Jay-Z featuring Rihanna and Kanye West
32. "Let It Rock", Kevin Rudolf featuring Lil Wayne
33. "Fire Burning", Sean Kingston
34. "Whatcha Say", Jason Derulo
35. "LoveGame", Lady Gaga

Every number one song of 2009

These songs were number one on the Billboard Hot 100 during 2009, in order: "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" (Beyoncé), "Just Dance" (Lady Gaga featuring Colby O'Donis), "My Life Would Suck Without You" (Kelly Clarkson), "Crack a Bottle" (Eminem, Dr. Dre and 50 Cent), "Right Round" (Flo Rida), "Poker Face" (Lady Gaga), "Boom Boom Pow" and "I Gotta Feeling" (the Black Eyed Peas), "Down" (Jay Sean featuring Lil Wayne), "3" (Britney Spears), "Fireflies" (Owl City), "Whatcha Say" (Jason Derulo) and "Empire State of Mind" (Jay-Z and Alicia Keys).

The Black Eyed Peas' record run

In 2009 the Black Eyed Peas replaced themselves at number one: "Boom Boom Pow" spent twelve weeks at the top, and "I Gotta Feeling" followed it with fourteen more. Their 26 consecutive weeks at number one set a record, and "I Gotta Feeling" became one of the most played party songs of the century, a staple at weddings, graduations and sports events. For more 2009 party hits, see our Flo Rida songs, whose "Right Round" was a six-week number one that year.

Lady Gaga arrives

Lady Gaga's debut album, The Fame, made her the breakout star of 2009. "Just Dance" and "Poker Face" both went to number one, "LoveGame" followed them into the top 40, and her bold costumes and performances made her the most talked-about pop star in the world by the end of the year.

Records and surprises

Kelly Clarkson's "My Life Would Suck Without You" jumped from number 97 to number one in a single week, the biggest leap to the top in Hot 100 history. Britney Spears' "3" debuted at number one, and Jay-Z scored his first number one as a lead artist with "Empire State of Mind", his love letter to New York with Alicia Keys. Jason Mraz's "I'm Yours" spent a record-setting 76 weeks on the Hot 100.

Songs of 2009 for a party or an anniversary

For a throwback party, "I Gotta Feeling", "Poker Face", "Just Dance", "Party in the U.S.A." and "Single Ladies" fill the dance floor. For a 2009 wedding anniversary, "I'm Yours", "Love Story", "Halo" and "You Found Me" bring back the year. For more, see our wedding dance songs.

Top songs of other years

For more year-by-year hits, see our top songs of 1985, 1988, 1991, 1993, 1999, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2012 and 2013.

A song as unforgettable as 2009

Every year has its soundtrack, and so does every love story. A personalized song can bring back the year you met, married or welcomed a child: their name, your memories and a sound inspired by the late 2000s. It makes a great gift for an anniversary or a milestone birthday.

How to create a personalized song

1. Choose a style from 14 genres: pop, electronic, hip-hop and more.
2. Add their name.
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5. Listen to 4 free 45-second previews and choose your favorite.

The full 3 to 4 minute song costs $35.99, or $40.99 for Premium with four full versions and editable lyrics. You get the MP3, a gift page and the lyrics as a PDF.

Give them a song of their own: create a song and hear four previews for free.