Gathering friends and family around a candlelit cake to sing “Happy Birthday to You” has been a birthday tradition in English-speaking households for over a century. In 1998, Guinness World Records even named it the most recognized song in the English language, more than a century after it was first written by sisters Mildred and Patty Smith Hill for their 1893 book titled Song stories for kindergarten.
Love it or hate it, it's safe to say that the tune and its many extended versions and comedic renditions aren't going anywhere… but it doesn't have to be the only song that defines your big day. Artists from Lesley Gore in the 60s to Stevie Wonder in the 80s to Katy Perry in the 21st century have all reinvented the long tradition of the birthday song, with new and inventive tunes of their own.
It's definitely a good thing there's such an abundance of birthday-themed music, because let's face it — birthdays can be complicated. Along with all the cake, candles, streamers and presents come bittersweet, complicated feelings about turning a year older, from nostalgia for birthdays past to unbridled dread for the future, sadness for youth, confusion about what to do we then and utter happiness at the opportunity to live life to the fullest for one more trip around the sun. The musicians on this list were able to capture all of these hyper-specific yet universally felt emotions, and then some.
From classic tracks that will make you want to “party like it's your birthday” even when it's not (a la 50 Cent), to deep tracks that will make you question your own mortality (we're looking at you, Sufjan Stevens “Happy Birthday”), see the Billboard rankings for the 30 the best birthday songs below.
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The Beatles, “Birthday”
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One of the Fab Four's heaviest rock tracks, “Birthday” from 1968's White album is timeless. Its electric riff and backing vocals from Pattie Harrison and Yoko Ono will have kids and adults on the dance floor. Listen here.
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Stevie Wonder, “Happy Birthday”
Stevie Wonder's “Happy Birthday” is the kind of funky track that could (and should) replace the traditional birthday tune. The one-chorus track also has a long history—when it was released in 1980, it served as an unofficial call to the creation of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Listen here.
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Rihanna, “Birthday Cake”
Despite what his name implies, Rihanna is not singing about “Birthday Cake” on this her sixth studio album. It may not contain the singer's most heart-pounding lyrics, but its hypnotic beat will have you on your feet and clapping along. Listen here.
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50 Cent, “In Da Club”
Grab that bottle of Bacardi because no list of the best birthday songs would be complete without 50 Cent's “In Da Club.” The track that spent nine weeks at No.1 Billboard The Hot 100 continues as one of the party favorites. Listen here.
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Katy Perry, “Birthday”
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Katy Perry creates some of the most memorable beats in pop music today — and “Birthday” is no exception. The dance-inducing track does exactly what it says: it makes us wish every day was our birthday. Listen here.
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2 Chainz feat. Kanye West, “Birthday Song”
2 Chainz and Kanye West's birthday collaboration reminds us to be greedy on our birthdays — whether you want a designer car, a luxury car, or “a big booty ho.” Listen here.
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Twista, “Birthday”
Twista spits out birthday bars while calling out every zodiac sign in “Birthday.” Get your party DJ to queue up this track as you pop bottles and cheer before hitting the dance floor. Listen here.
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Jeremih, “Birthday Sex”
It's hard to imagine a world without Jeremih's “Birthday Sex” — which only came out in 2009. Your crush doesn't need a cake or a party to have a good birthday if they have you. Listen here.
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Madonna feat. MIA, “B-Day Song”
Replace your morning alarm with Madonna and MIA's upbeat collaboration to start your big day with a bang. Even if you don't like birthdays, “B-Day Song” is the anthem that will turn that frown upside down. Listen here.
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The Click Five, “Happy Birthday”
Click Five's “Happy Birthday” is the head-banger that every party playlist should have. Its sound is quintessentially pop-punk – and even first-time listeners will be singing along to the end of the song. Listen here.
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Selena Gomez, “Birthday”
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Released around her 21st birthday in 2013, Selena Gomez's “Birthday” is the kind of party track you'd dance to in a club before waking up the next day with a pounding headache and great memories (that you'll remember in the end). Listen here.
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Destiny's Child, “Birthday”
Grab the aux cable and blast Destiny's Child's “Birthday” when it's time to slow things down for your boo on their big day. The song from the power trio's debut album is an ideal end to an evening with good cake and even better company. Listen here.
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Kings of Leon, “Birthday”
“Birthday” by Kings of Leon is the kind of birthday love song that makes you wish every day was your birthday. All we're saying is, if you're ever in a situation where your significant other is singing this to you, lock it down. Listen here.
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The Smiths, “Unhappy Birthday”
We couldn't write this list without sharing a piece that recognizes the people you really don't want to wish happy birthday to. It's probably not the best idea to send your enemies The Smiths' “Unhappy Birthday” — but listening to it might help you get over those frustrations. Listen here.
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Drake, “Ratchet Happy Birthday”
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Drake's “Ratchet Happy Birthday” packs a punch, but it might not be the hype-up song you'd expect for your big day (especially from Drake). The track away Scorpio it's the understated opener for any festive mix. Listen here.
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Loretta Lynn, “Happy Birthday”
If you happen to find out your significant other is cheating on you on or near their birthday, send them Loretta Lynn's top birthday/space piece as a final goodbye. You were better off without them (trust us). Listen here.
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Pet Shop Boys, “Birthday Boy”
Pet Shop Boys' “Birthday Boy” is a birthday song, but it's also kind of a Christmas song — and it sounds like it could be about the Second Coming (of… yes, Jesus Christ). As one of the English pop duo's darker tracks, it probably has as many fans as it does haters. Listen here.
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Frankie Cosmos, “Birthday Song”
Frankie Cosmos' beat-changing “Birthday Song” comes as a reminder that age is nothing but a number. The slightly disappointed look at the world goes beyond 68 seconds. Listen here.
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Moby, “Sunday (The Day Before My Birthday)”
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There's a reason the word “birthday” isn't sung in Moby's catchy birthday track. He sings about waking up on September 11, 2001 in Lower Manhattan, exactly 36 years after he came into the world: “Sunday was a bright day yesterday/ The dark cloud came into the street.” Listen here.
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“Weird Al” Yankovic, “Happy Birthday”
Does growing up fill you with dread? Be sure to add Weird Al's even weirder birthday track to your big day playlist. This punk-rock cover of the classic birthday song lists everything that's wrong with the world… but wishes you a happy birthday. Listen here.
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Kygo feat. John Legend, “Happy Birthday”
Put Kygo and John Legend's first and only collaboration on your pre-game playlist before a night out and you won't be disappointed. “Happy Birthday” effortlessly blends Legend's bold vocals with Kygo's carefree dance beats. Listen here.
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Migos, “Birthday”
Migos' “Birthday” is as functional as it is fun, giving birthday girls everywhere an excuse to relate to hearing “Aye who birthday?/ Put your hand up” in the club. Listen here.
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Taylor Swift, “22”
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OK, “22” only fully works as a birthday song when the listener is actually 22 — but its demographic impact is so huge, it's worth including. For example, how many times has a young 22-year-old written “I don't know about you, but I feel 22” in an Instagram caption? So many.
Besides, the festive track wouldn't look out of place on any birthday playlist, no matter how many years you subtract from how old Swift was when she wrote it Red anthem. Listen here.
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Sufjan Stevens, “Happy Birthday”
You might not sing Sufjan Stevens' “Happy Birthday” huddled around a candlelit cake, but it could be the perfect post-birthday lullaby. The poetic, softly sung track feels like a gentle embrace and a follow-up. Listen here.
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New Kids On The Block, “Happy Birthday”
NKOTB's birthday ballad sounds like the slow dance song at an '80s dance, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. Whether you dedicate the song to your child or loved one on their big day, it will definitely show how much you care. Listen here.
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Anne-Marie, “Birthday
In her festive piece, Anne-Marie lays out a birthday checklist that includes eating whatever you like, kissing whoever you like and partying tonight — because if there's one day a year to be selfish and forget your worries you, it must be your birthday. Listen here.
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Lesley Gore, “It's My Party”
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“It's my party and I'll Cry if I want to” might be the most iconic birthday line ever, and it's all because of daughter Lesley Gore's tearful reaction when her grandparents were invited to her 16th birthday party her. Listen here.
from our partners at https://www.billboard.com/lists/best-birthday-songs/