Birthday songs are led of course by "Happy Birthday To You" sung just before you blow out the candles on the birthday cake. However, there are 10 other great pop options to help you celebrate your special day.
1. Beatles - "Birthday" (1968)
Courtesy Apple
The song "Birthday" marked a return to more traditional rock and roll for the Beatles. It first appeared as a track on the album The Beatles (known widely as The White Album). "Birthday" is played by countless radio stations when celebrating famous birthdays or listing birthdays of their listeners.
2. Stevie Wonder - "Happy Birthday" (1981)
Courtesy Motown
Originally, Stevie Wonder recorded "Happy Birthday" as part of the campaign to have Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthday celebrated as a national holiday. That campaign succeeded, and now the song is used much more widely for other birthday celebrations. It was a #2 pop hit single in the UK.
3. Altered Images - "Happy Birthday" (1981)
Courtesy Portrait Records
Altered Images were one of the most promising new wave acts in the UK in the early 1980s. Produced by Martin Rushent, best known for his work with the Human League, "Happy Birthday" became the group's biggest hit peaking at #2 on the UK pop singles chart.
4. The Crests - "16 Candles" (1958)
Courtesy Rhino Records
This doo-wop classic is best known as the title song from the 1984 film of the same name directed by John Hughes. It is the quintessential slow dance track for any 16th birthday celebration.
5. The Smiths - "Unhappy Birthday" (1987)
Courtesy Rough Trade
In the case that you need to wish an unhappy birthday to a mortal enemy, the Smiths have your song. "Unhappy Birthday" was included on the band's final studio album Strangeways, Here We Come.
6. Neil Sedaka - "Happy Birthday, Sweet Sixteen" (1961)
Courtesy RCA
This another option for that special 16th birthday celebration. It is the uptempo counterpart to "16 Candles."
7. Jeremih - "Birthday Sex" (2009)
Courtesy Def Jam
It is a wonder no one really thought of this type of birthday song before. Jeremih had a breakthrough smash celebrating the art of making love on your birthday.
8. Kathy Young with the Innocents - "Happy Birthday Blues" (1961)
Courtesy Indigo
Kathy Young was a promising teen pop singer of the early 1960s. This is one of her four top 40 pop hits with the Innocents. Once in a while there is a sad birthday to live through, and this is the theme song.
9. The Click Five - "Happy Birthday" (2007)
Courtesy Lava
This single from Modern Minds and Pastimes, the second album by power pop group The Click Five, was a major pop hit single in Asia.
10. Destiny's Child - "Birthday" (1998)
Courtesy Columbia Records
Destiny's Child lets you know it is your birthday, and you don't have to do anything but lie back and enjoy it. This track is included on the group's self-titled first album.
