When curating any list of great music, the letter “B” quickly emerges as a powerhouse. From classic rock tracks to genre-defining pop smashes, the songs starting with this letter are consistently some of the most memorable and influential of the modern era. This list spotlights thirteen tracks that not only dominated global charts but also shaped popular culture, whether through groundbreaking music videos, record-breaking sales, or becoming the soundtrack to viral phenomena. These selections prove that “B” truly stands for boundary-pushing brilliance.
Black Beatles – Rae Sremmurd & Gucci Mane
This 2016 track became an immediate cultural phenomenon. It was the unofficial theme song for the Mannequin Challenge, a viral video trend where groups of people froze in dramatic poses. The massive attention from the trend propelled the song to number one on the Billboard Hot 100, cementing its place in internet history.
Born This Way – Lady GaGa
This 2011 track is an iconic statement for self-acceptance and love. Its message of empowerment resonated instantly worldwide. The song’s immediate success made it the fastest-selling single in iTunes history at the time, demonstrating GaGa’s powerful global influence.
Butter – BTS
This 2021 dance-pop single further proved BTS’s dominance in the Western market. As the group’s second English-language single, it shattered records. The song debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and went on to become the most-streamed song globally in 2021.
Bad Blood – Taylor Swift & Kendrick Lamar
The star-studded music video for this 2015 remix was nearly as famous as the song itself. The high-budget, action-packed short film featured an ensemble cast of Swift’s celebrity friends. It broke the Vevo record by accumulating 20.1 million views in its first 24 hours and won the Grammy Award for Best Music Video.
Boom Boom Pow – The Black Eyed Peas
This futuristic electro-hop track marked a major sonic shift for the group in 2009. The song was a massive commercial success, spending 12 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100. It also earned the band a Grammy Award for Best Short Form Music Video.
Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m – Ariana Grande
Taken from the 2019 album Thank U, Next, this catchy track quickly became a fan favorite. The music video generated major buzz for its compelling narrative. The clip ends with a surprising plot twist, suggesting the main character was pursuing the girl, not the boyfriend.
Beautiful Liar – Beyoncé & Shakira
This powerhouse collaboration merged R&B and Latin pop in 2007. The track was a huge international hit, peaking at number one in over 30 countries across the globe. The mirrored choreography in the music video has since become an iconic visual moment.
Burn – Usher
This R&B slow jam from 2004 was a centerpiece of Usher’s landmark Confessions album. It was a dominant force on the charts, holding the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 for eight non-consecutive weeks. Coupled with “Yeah!”, Usher held the top spot for 19 consecutive weeks that year.
Bad Habits – Ed Sheeran
For his 2021 return, Ed Sheeran swapped his typical acoustic sound for a synth-heavy dance-pop vibe. The music video was directed by Dave Meyers and featured Sheeran with a vampire alter-ego. This visual concept was chosen to explore the nature of negative habits in a fun, fantastical way.
Bad Guy – Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish’s minimalist electro-pop hit defined her artistic identity when it came out in 2019. The track swept the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, winning both Record of the Year and Song of the Year. When it reached number one on the Hot 100, Eilish became the first artist born in the 21st century to achieve this feat.
Bad Romance – Lady GaGa
Released in 2009, this iconic track showcased GaGa’s extravagant visual style. The cinematic music video, which was praised for its fashion and choreography, won two Grammy Awards. It is famous for its avant-garde fashion, including the razor-blade sunglasses and the exploding bra.
Boulevard Of Broken Dreams – Green Day
This rock power track from 2004 is a key part of the American Idiot rock opera narrative. The melancholy song is the figurative ‘hangover’ following the rowdy events of the previous track, “Holiday.” The music video won six awards at the 2005 MTV VMAs, including the coveted Video of the Year award.
Bye, Bye, Bye – ‘N Sync
Released in 2000, this smash hit became one of the most recognizable pop songs of the era. The video is famous for the group’s puppet-like choreography and its high-octane car chases. It earned the boy band two MTV Video Music Awards, including Viewer’s Choice.
This collection clearly shows that tracks beginning with the letter “B” have powered decades of pop, hip-hop, and rock success. Whether you prefer a booming beat or a beautiful melody, there is a certified hit waiting to be added to your playlist.