Popular Birthday Songs: Western Music Artist Rankings [2026]

BirthdayThe Beatles85rank/position

Birthday (Remastered 2009)

The Beatles, a British rock band that was hugely active from the 1960s to the 1970s, are said to be the greatest band of the 20th century, having influenced contemporary music, and they are even featured in Japanese textbooks.

Indeed, they have had an enormous impact on commercial music.

The birthday song I’d like to recommend from them is “Birthday.” It’s famous as a song co-written by Paul McCartney and John Lennon, and it gained popularity for its catchy melody and lyrics.

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Ryo

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Happy BirthdayThe Click Five86rank/position

Happy Birthday

The Click Five, a Boston rock band whose appeal extended beyond the boundaries of power pop.

They’re known for catchy melodies and a sound that modernly reinterprets pop from the ’60s to the ’80s.

From their album “Modern Minds and Pastimes,” here’s one track I’d recommend as a slightly different kind of celebratory song.

Contrary to its title, it’s a slightly bittersweet number that expresses regret and lingering feelings over forgetting someone’s birthday.

Released in 2007, it enjoyed strong popularity across Asia, including reaching No.

1 on a Singaporean radio station.

Its bright, bursting guitar riffs and exhilarating melodies are perfect for anyone wanting to soak in the sweet-and-sour mood of youth.

I Want A Boy For My BirthdayThe Cookies87rank/position

The Cookies – I Want A Boy For My Birthday

The Cookies were an American R&B girl group active from the 1950s to the 1960s.

“I Want A Boy For My Birthday” is a single released in 1963.

It’s a birthday song that takes you back to the good old days.

16 CandlesThe Crests88rank/position

The Crests – 16 Candles

Don’t you think it could be nice to set the mood for a birthday with a moody song? In that case, I’d like to recommend “16 Candles.” It’s a piece by the vocal group The Crests.

As the title suggests, the lyrics celebrate someone turning sixteen.

At first listen, it may sound like a lover is doing the celebrating, but there’s also an interpretation that it’s a father expressing love to his daughter.

And at this point, some of you might be wondering, “Why sixteen?” In the United States, sixteen is considered a gateway to adulthood, and it’s celebrated in a big way.

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yamamoto

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BIRTHDAYThe Lumineers89rank/position

BIRTHDAY

The Lumineers’ signature folk-tinged sound and heartwarming melodies shine in the song “BIRTHDAY,” which weaves in themes of self-love, loneliness, and deep affection for another person.

Despite struggling with low self-esteem, the protagonist strives to show they’re there for the other person, a sentiment symbolized by the line, “It’s okay, because today is your birthday.” Featured on the album BRIGHTSIDE, this track showcases a new facet of the band’s appeal.

It’s a gem especially for those who want to celebrate a loved one’s birthday from the heart.

BirthdayThe Sugarcubes90rank/position

Sugarcubes – Birthday

An experimental track released in 1987 by The Sugarcubes, the alternative rock band that represents Iceland.

While depicting an unusual relationship between a 50-year-old man and a 5-year-old girl, Björk’s ethereal vocals create a peculiar allure.

Included on the album “Life’s Too Good,” the song topped the UK indie chart and cemented its global acclaim.

It also garnered praise across media, being named Single of the Year by Melody Maker.

With lyrics where innocence and eroticism intersect in a finely tuned balance, this piece is sure to leave a lasting impression as a striking choice to color a loved one’s birthday.

Happy, Happy Birthday BabyThe Tune Weavers91rank/position

The Tune Weavers “Happy, Happy Birthday Baby”

This is the only hit song by The Tune Weavers, an American vocal group formed in 1956.

It was produced by Margo Sylvia and Gilbert Lopez.

The lyrics were inspired by the feelings Margo had after breaking up with her boyfriend.