Music

Canciones pop y R&B más influyentes

Explore a collection of the most impactful and transcendental songs across the pop and R&B genres. This ranking celebrates music that has defined generations, influenced countless artists, and left an indelible mark on global music culture. From timeless classics to contemporary hits, discover the tracks that have shaped the sound of pop and R&B. Dive into the evolution of these genres and vote for the songs you consider truly influential.

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  1. 1

    Crazy In Love - Beyoncé (2003)

    399 Global Votes
    • Combines R&B, pop, and hip-hop influences

      (+2)

    This song redefined what a pop and R&B single could achieve, proving that a track could be both commercially successful and artistically innovative. Its cultural impact and critical acclaim, including multiple Grammy Awards, solidified its status as a landmark in contemporary music.

  2. 2

    Billie Jean

    0 Global Votes
    • Blends post-disco, R&B, funk, and dance-pop

      (+4)

    This song revolutionized the music industry by breaking racial barriers on television and transforming the music video into an art form. Its cultural impact redefined expectations for live music and pop performance, turning MTV into a cultural institution. Jackson's Motown 25 performance of this song is considered one of the most important pop culture moments.

  3. 3

    Like a Prayer by Madonna

    0 Global Votes
    • One of the most influential pop songs ever made

      (+4)

    This song is influential for its bold blend of religious and sexual imagery, which challenged social and religious conventions of its time. Its music video generated massive controversy, leading Pepsi to cancel its sponsorship, demonstrating Madonna's power to spark cultural debate and redefine the boundaries of pop.

  4. 4

    I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me)

    0 Global Votes
    • Pop perfection for Whitney

      (+2)

    This song is a timeless dance-pop and R&B anthem that encapsulates the energy and optimism of the 1980s, distinguished by its vibrant production and Whitney Houston's unparalleled vocal power. Its cultural impact and global success established it as a genre benchmark, influencing countless artists and maintaining its relevance in popular culture.

  5. 5

    Confessions Part II

    0 Global Votes
    • Crowned the greatest R&B song of the 21st century by Rolling Stone

      (+2)

    This song made an impact with its bold and personal narrative, exploring themes of infidelity and regret with a raw honesty that resonated deeply with audiences. Its confessional style and Usher's ability to transform an intimate story into a timeless hit solidified it as an influential piece in pop and R&B.

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  7. 6

    Fallin'

    0 Global Votes
    • Blended soul, R&B, gospel, and classical influences

      (+2)

    The song is distinguished by its profound exploration of emotional relationship dynamics, offering an honest narrative about love and vulnerability. Its fusion of R&B, soul, and gospel, coupled with Alicia Keys' powerful vocal performance, established it as a cultural and musical benchmark of the early 21st century.

  8. 7

    Say my name

    0 Global Votes

    This song revolutionized R&B and pop with its innovative production and complex vocal harmonies, setting a new standard for the genre. Its themes of suspicion and trust resonated widely, making it a cultural anthem that remains relevant today.

  9. 8

    Blinding Lights

    0 Global Votes
    • Named #1 Top R&B/Hip-Hop song of 21st Century by Billboard

      (+4)

    This song became the best-selling global single of 2020, accumulating billions of streams. Its distinctive fusion of 80s synth-pop with modern R&B established it as a cultural benchmark and a massive hit that defined the sound of its era.

  10. 9

    Kill Bill (SZA)

    0 Global Votes
    • Offered a dark twist to typical R&B-pop

      (+3)

    SZA's "Kill Bill" became a cultural and commercial phenomenon, dominating charts worldwide and breaking historical records on Billboard's R&B/Hip Hop charts. Its bold narrative about heartbreak and revenge, combined with its pop and R&B fusion, resonated deeply with a massive audience, demonstrating its lasting impact on the music landscape.

  11. 10

    Bruno Mars - "That's What I Like"

    0 Global Votes
    • Climbed to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100

      (+3)

    This song stands out for its masterful fusion of R&B, pop, and funk, creating a fresh, danceable sound that resonated globally. Its commercial success, including reaching number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and winning multiple Grammy Awards, demonstrates its broad appeal and influence on contemporary music.

  12. 11

    Umbrella (Rihanna ft. Jay-Z)

    0 Global Votes
    • Career-defining hit for Rihanna

      (+4)

    This song is a cultural landmark that redefined the pop and R&B sound of the late 2000s, establishing Rihanna as a dominant force in global music. Its innovative production and catchy chorus made it a massive hit, influencing countless artists and the direction of contemporary pop.

  13. 12

    Rolling in the Deep

    0 Global Votes
    • Was a stark contrast to the day's top pop

      (+2)

    This song redefined the sound of pop and R&B in the early 2010s with its fusion of soul, blues, and gospel, showcasing Adele's immense vocal prowess. Its global impact and commercial success demonstrated the enduring relevance of music with emotional depth and exceptional vocal performance.

  14. 13

    Thinkin Bout You

    0 Global Votes
    • Defining track from Channel Orange

      (+3)

    This song marked a turning point in modern R&B, introducing a cinematic vulnerability that transformed private emotions into something universal. Its atmospheric production, Frank Ocean's falsetto, and lyrical ability were widely praised by critics, noting its possible bisexual undertones.

  15. 14

    Kiss Me More

    0 Global Votes
    • Cultural phenomenon

      (+3)

    This song fuses pop, R&B, and disco with impeccable production and a standout collaboration from SZA, creating a fresh, danceable sound that resonated globally. Its chart success and pop culture influence demonstrate its lasting impact on the genre, setting a benchmark for contemporary music.

Frequently asked questions

This ranking evaluates pop and R&B songs that have had a significant cultural impact and influenced modern music. It considers both classic hits and more recent tracks that have redefined the genres.
Influence is determined by its ability to shape culture, set new musical trends, and how it has been adopted or referenced by other artists and genres, as seen in the context of how R&B has revitalized pop music.
Currently, song selection is based on the provided context of influential hits and artists who have defined an era in pop and R&B. Community participation options may vary.
The results reflect a curation of songs that have demonstrated lasting influence and cultural impact within the pop and R&B genres, highlighting tracks that have been fundamental to music's evolution.

How we built this ranking and what to consider when choosing

The methodology for this ranking focuses on identifying and highlighting pop and R&B songs that have left an indelible mark on musical culture. It considers their impact over time, their relevance in the evolution of the genres, and their ability to inspire future generations of artists.

  • Each song's relevance within the context of pop and R&B music is evaluated, looking for those that have been milestones in their era or have maintained their popularity and influence over the years.
  • Reasons for a song's influence are considered, such as its sonic innovation, lyrical impact, or its contribution to redefining the boundaries between R&B and pop, as mentioned in pop's absorption of R&B.
  • Attention is paid to each track's strengths, including its commercial success, its presence on popularity charts for extended periods, and its recognition by critics and the public.
  • The selection draws from a broad context that includes songs that changed pop music forever, 90s and 2000s hits that impacted current artists, and tracks that have demonstrated significant cultural impact.
  • Lasting Cultural Impact: Songs are selected based on their significant ability to shape trends, inspire other artists, and resonate with audiences over time, such as Michael Jackson's 'Billie Jean'.
  • Sonic and Stylistic Innovation: Priority is given to tracks that introduced new sounds, production techniques, or genre fusions that were fundamental to the evolution of pop and R&B, leading R&B to revitalize pop music.
  • Historical Relevance and Chart Success: Songs that were significant commercial successes and had a prominent presence on popularity charts are considered, reflecting their massive acceptance and influence in the music industry.
  • Influence on Subsequent Artists: Songs that have been cited or recognized by contemporary artists as a source of inspiration or a reference point in their own work are highly valued.