Pop Songs, Ranked

Inside this ranking: 15 headline-making yachts, following the source's published order and reported estimates. Prices can change and should be read as editorial estimates rather than live appraisals.

• Be My Baby — The Ronettes — Be My Baby — The Ronettes. The opening drum pattern creates immediate depth, then piano, percussion, strings, and backing voices build a room around Ronnie Spector's lead.
• Respect — Aretha Franklin — Respect — Aretha Franklin. Franklin's performance turns every rhythmic accent into authority.
• “Dancing Queen” — ABBA — Dancing Queen — ABBA. A piano sweep seems to pull the listener into a chorus already in motion.
• I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston — I Wanna Dance with Somebody — Whitney Houston. The bright synthesizers and programmed rhythm signal celebration, but Houston's vocal performance gives the song dimension beyond pure exuberance.

Tap any name above to jump in, or start at entry #40 and count down to number one.