Summer 2009 was clearly the summer of the Black Eyed Peas. Producer RedOne did quite well, too. However some other genuine hits did manage to slip in. These are the 10 most successful pop songs based on chart performance for the summer of 2009.
1. Black Eyed Peas - "Boom Boom Pow"
Courtesy A&M Records
Black Eyed Peas returned with their first new single in over three years. "Boom Boom Pow" spent 12 consecutive weeks at #1. It first hit the top in April and didn't drop from the peak until mid July. The song has sold over six million digital copies and won a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Video.
2. Keri Hilson featuring Kanye West & Ne-Yo - "Knock You Down"
Courtesy Interscope
Keri Hilson did well with her single "Turnin' Me On," but this is her true breakthrough. She co-wrote the song and Danja put together an outstanding production job on this slick, melodic, instantly catchy R&B tune. "Knock You Down" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and topped the R&B chart.
3. Black Eyed Peas - "I Gotta Feeling"
Courtesy Interscope
After "Boom Boom Pow" relinquished control, the Black Eyed Peas spent the rest of the summer at #1 with this instant party classic. Ultimately "I Gotta Feeling" ruled the Billboard Hot 100 for an astonishing 14 weeks. It has sold more digital copies than any other song with over seven million sold. "I Gotta Feeling" is one of the biggest pop hit singles of all time.
4. Sean Kingston - "Fire Burning"
Courtesy Beluga Heights
Sean Kingston proved here he could overcome any sophomore jinx. Producer RedOne demonstrated there is life for him in the music industry beyond Lady GaGa. "Fire Burning" peaked at #5 on the Billboard Hot 100 and was a top 10 dance hit as well.
5. Pitbull - "I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)"
Courtesy The Orchard
Veteran Latin rapper Pitbull had reached the pop top 40 before, but nothing like this massive smash hit. A huge part of the hook is borrowed from the band Chicago's venture into the disco arena, "Street Player." "I Know you Want Me (Calle Ocho)" was a #2 pop hit in the US and reached the top 10 around the world.
6. Drake - "Best I Ever Had"
Courtesy FD Entertainment
Actor Aubrey Drake Graham decided to try his hand at being an R&B vocalist. A little assistance from the Cash Money label provided Drake a breakout smooth hip hop hit. It topped both the Rap and R&B charts while reaching #2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
7. Lady GaGa - "LoveGame"
Courtesy Interscope
Lady GaGa hovered near the top of the charts with her third consecutive pop smash. A little controversy about that "disco stick" line surrounded the song, but her momentum continues as the hottest new artist of the year.
8. Jeremih - "Birthday Sex"
Courtesy Def Jam
The debut hit from Jeremih is one of the hottest R&B grooves of the entire year. He has said he thought someone would have come up with this idea for a song in the past. Sometimes the simplest discoveries are among the best.
9. Taylor Swift - "You Belong With Me"
Courtesy Big Machine Music
Here is where Taylor Swift proves she is just as adept at creating pop as country hits. It's a classic tale of the ordinary girl wanting to prove she is truly extraordinary.
10. Katy Perry - "Waking Up In Vegas"
Courtesy Capitol Records
Katy Perry is the only artist who placed in the top 10 in both the summer of 2008 and of 2009. This hit is perhaps most notable for the accompanying colorful and supremely entertaining video.
