YouTube is the world’s most popular video-sharing platform, where users can upload, watch, share, comment and like millions of videos every day. Some of these videos become viral sensations, attracting billions of views from people around the world. In this article, we will look at the top 20 videos with the most views in 2023 from YouTube all times, based on the data from Statista1, Wealthy Gorilla2 and BizApprise3.
1. “BABY SHARK DANCE” BY PINKFONG KIDS’ SONGS & STORIES
Views: 12.3 billion
The “Baby Shark Dance” is a catchy children’s song that features a family of sharks and their underwater friends. The song was released by Korean education brand Pinkfong in June 2016 and became a global phenomenon, especially after celebrities like James Corden, Ellen DeGeneres and Kylie Jenner joined the craze. In January 2021, “Baby Shark Dance” became the first YouTube video to surpass 10 billion views, and it is still going strong in 2023.
2. “DESPACITO” BY LUIS FONSI FEATURING DADDY YANKEE
Views: 8.1 billion
“Despacito” is a Spanish-language reggaeton-pop song that was released by Puerto Rican singer Luis Fonsi and rapper Daddy Yankee in January 2017. The song became an instant hit, topping the charts in more than 50 countries and breaking several records, such as the most-streamed song of all time and the most-liked video on YouTube. A remix version featuring Justin Bieber was also released in April 2017, boosting the song’s popularity even more.
3. “JOHNY JOHNY YES PAPA” BY LOOLOO KIDS
Views: 6.59 billion
“Johny Johny Yes Papa” is a nursery rhyme that depicts a conversation between a father and his son, who is caught eating sugar. The rhyme was popularized by LooLoo Kids, a Romanian YouTube channel that produces animated videos for children. The video was uploaded in October 2016 and has since become one of the most-viewed videos on YouTube, especially among young audiences.
4. “BATH SONG” BY COCOMELON - NURSERY RHYMES
Views: 5.96 billion
“Bath Song” is another nursery rhyme that was created by Cocomelon, an American YouTube channel that specializes in 3D animation and music for kids. The video shows a baby taking a bath with his toys and learning about hygiene and body parts. The video was published in May 2018 and has received almost 6 billion views so far.
5. “SHAPE OF YOU” BY ED SHEERAN
Views: 5.89 billion
“Shape of You” is a pop song that was written and performed by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his third studio album, Divide. The song was released in January 2017 and became one of the best-selling singles of all time, selling over 41 million copies worldwide. The song also won several awards, such as the Grammy Award for Best Pop Solo Performance and the Brit Award for British Single of the Year. The video features Sheeran meeting and falling in love with a female boxer.
6. “SEE YOU AGAIN” BY WIZ KHALIFA FEATURING CHARLIE PUTH
Views: 5.76 billion
“See You Again” is a hip hop ballad that was recorded by American rapper Wiz Khalifa and singer Charlie Puth for the soundtrack of the action film Furious 7. The song was released in March 2015 as a tribute to the late actor Paul Walker, who died in a car accident in November 2013. The song became a huge commercial and critical success, reaching number one in over 90 countries and receiving three Grammy nominations. The video shows clips from the film and scenes of Khalifa and Puth performing.
7. “PHONICS SONG WITH TWO WORDS” BY CHUCHU TV
Views: 5.12 billion
“Phonics Song with Two Words” is an educational song that teaches children how to pronounce different letters and words using phonics. The song was created by ChuChu TV, an Indian YouTube channel that produces animated videos for preschoolers. The video was uploaded in March 2014 and has since become one of the most-watched videos on YouTube, especially in Asia.
8. “WHEELS ON THE BUS” BY COCOMELON - NURSERY RHYMES
Views: 4.84 billion
“Wheels on the Bus” is another nursery rhyme that was made by Cocomelon, the same channel that produced “Bath Song”. The video shows a family of animals riding a bus and singing along to the classic song. The video was posted in May 2018 and has attracted over 4.8 billion views to date.
9. “UPTOWN FUNK” BY MARK RONSON FEATURING BRUNO MARS
Views: 4.82 billion
“Uptown Funk” is a funk-pop song that was co-written and co-produced by British musician Mark Ronson and American singer Bruno Mars for Ronson’s fourth studio album, Uptown Special. The song was released in November 2014 and became a worldwide smash hit, topping the charts in over 20 countries and winning two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. The video features Ronson and Mars dancing and partying in various locations, inspired by the 1980s.
10. “LEARNING COLORS - COLORFUL EGGS ON A FARM” BY MIROSHKA TV
Views: 4.8 billion
“Learning Colors - Colorful Eggs on a Farm” is an educational video that teaches children how to identify different colors using eggs and animals. The video was created by Miroshka TV, a Russian YouTube channel that produces videos for kids. The video was uploaded in February 2018 and has since amassed over 4.8 billion views on YouTube.
11. “GANGNAM STYLE” BY PSY
Views: 4.75 billion
“Gangnam Style” is a K-pop song that was performed by South Korean rapper Psy for his sixth studio album, Psy 6 (Six Rules), Part 1. The song was released in July 2012 and became a viral sensation, thanks to its catchy tune, humorous lyrics and iconic dance moves. The song also broke several records, such as the first video to reach one billion views on YouTube and the most-liked video on YouTube until 2017. The video shows Psy dancing and rapping in various locations in Seoul, parodying the lifestyle of the wealthy district of Gangnam.
Views: 4.07 billion
“Sugar” is a pop-rock song that was recorded by American band Maroon 5 for their fifth studio album, V. The song was released in January 2015 and became one of the band’s most successful singles, reaching the top 10 in over 30 countries and selling over 15 million copies worldwide. The video features the band crashing several weddings in Los Angeles and performing the song as a surprise for the newlyweds.
13. “SORRY” BY JUSTIN BIEBER
Views: 3.64 billion
“Sorry” is a tropical house song that was sung by Canadian pop star Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album, Purpose. The song was released in October 2015 and became a huge hit, peaking at number one in more than 15 countries and becoming one of the best-selling singles of all time. The song also received positive reviews from critics, who praised Bieber’s vocals and maturity. The video features a group of female dancers performing choreography by Parris Goebel.
14. “THINKING OUT LOUD” BY ED SHEERAN
Views: 3.56 billion
“Thinking Out Loud” is a romantic ballad that was written and performed by British singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran for his second studio album, X. The song was released in June 2014 and became one of Sheeran’s most successful singles, topping the charts in more than eight countries and winning two Grammy Awards, including Song of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance. The song also became the first single to spend a full year in the UK top 40. The video features Sheeran dancing with a woman in a ballroom.
15. “BAA BAA BLACK SHEEP” BY COCOMELON - NURSERY RHYMES
Views: 3.55 billion
“Baa Baa Black Sheep” is another nursery rhyme that was produced by Cocomelon, the same channel that made “Bath Song” and “Wheels on the Bus”. The video shows a baby meeting a black sheep on a farm, who changes its color due to various accidents. The video also teaches children how to name different colors using the lyrics of the song. The video was published in August 2018 and has received over 3.5 billion views so far.
Views: 3.48 billion
“Roar” is a pop-rock anthem that was sung by American singer Katy Perry for her fourth studio album, Prism. The song was released in August 2013 and became a massive success, reaching number one in more than ten countries and becoming Perry’s eighth number-one single on the Billboard.
17. “COUNTING STARS” BY ONEREPUBLIC
Views: 3.47 billion
“Counting Stars” is a folk-pop song that was sung by American band OneRepublic for their third studio album, Native. The song was released in June 2013 and became one of the band’s most successful singles, reaching the top five in over 20 countries and selling over 10 million copies worldwide. The song also received positive reviews from critics, who praised its catchy chorus and uplifting message. The video shows the band performing in a basement, while various scenes of people pursuing their dreams are intercut.
18. “SHAKE IT OFF” BY TAYLOR SWIFT
Views: 3.41 billion
“Shake It Off” is a pop song that was written and performed by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift for her fifth studio album, 1989. The song was released in August 2014 and became a huge hit, debuting at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and staying there for four consecutive weeks. The song also received several accolades, such as three Grammy nominations and a MTV Video Music Award for Best Female Video. The video features Swift dancing in various styles and costumes, while poking fun at her own image.
19. “LEAN ON” BY MAJOR LAZER AND DJ SNAKE FEATURING MØ
Views: 3.38 billion
“Lean On” is an electronic dance song that was produced by American group Major Lazer and French DJ Snake, featuring vocals from Danish singer MØ. The song was released in March 2015 and became a global smash hit, peaking at number four on the Billboard Hot 100 and topping the charts in several countries, such as Australia, Canada and France. The song also received critical acclaim, being named one of the best songs of 2015 by various publications. The video shows the artists dancing and partying in India, inspired by Bollywood films.
20. “FADED” BY ALAN WALKER
Views: 3.28 billion
“Faded” is an EDM song that was composed and performed by Norwegian DJ and producer Alan Walker, featuring vocals from Norwegian singer Iselin Solheim. The song was released in December 2015 and became a huge success, reaching the top 10 in over 20 countries and becoming one of the most-streamed songs on Spotify. The song also received positive feedback from critics, who praised its melody and atmosphere. The video shows a young girl exploring a post-apocalyptic world, while Walker appears wearing his signature mask and hoodie.
That’s it for the top 20 videos with the most views in 2023 from YouTube all times. Which one is your favorite? Let us know in the comments below!