Only a handful of songs in music history have ever reached the level of 10 million equivalent units in sales and streams — a milestone known as Diamond certification. Handed out by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), this award is one of the rarest honors a song can receive.
From pop anthems to hip-hop bangers, the songs on this list crossed that incredible finish line and proved their lasting power. Get ready to revisit some of the biggest hits of the past few decades.
1. Something About The Way You Look Tonight / Candle in the Wind by Elton John
History was made on October 9, 1997, when Elton John became the very first artist to earn a Diamond certification. His double A-side single honoring Princess Diana broke records almost overnight. “Candle in the Wind 1997” alone sold over 33 million copies worldwide.
The emotional weight of the song connected with millions grieving the loss of Diana. No other song before it had sold so fast in such a short time.
Elton John had already been a legend, but this certified him as truly one of a kind.
2. Baby by Justin Bieber featuring Ludacris
Back in 2010, a 16-year-old kid from Canada took the internet by storm with a song that would go on to earn Diamond status by May 2013. “Baby” featuring Ludacris was one of the most-streamed songs of its era and became a pop culture moment. Love it or hate it, you knew every word.
The track helped launch one of the biggest careers in modern music. Bieber went from YouTube sensation to global superstar almost overnight.
Diamond certification only confirmed what the world already knew.
3. Not Afraid by Eminem
“Not Afraid” hit like a thunderbolt when Eminem dropped it in 2010 as a comeback anthem after years of personal struggles. Certified Diamond on June 10, 2014, the song resonated with fans who had followed his journey through addiction and recovery.
It debuted at number one in multiple countries.
Lyrically raw and emotionally charged, the track reminded the world why Eminem is considered one of rap’s greatest. It was more than a hit — it was a declaration.
Few comeback songs have ever matched its impact.
4. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga had already built a devoted fanbase before “Bad Romance” dropped in 2009, but this track sent her into a completely different stratosphere. The song’s theatrical music video racked up hundreds of millions of views, making it one of the most iconic visuals of the decade.
Diamond certification followed in 2015.
“Ra-ra-ah-ah-ah” — those opening syllables are instantly recognizable to just about anyone who was alive in the late 2000s. Gaga blended pop hooks with artistic weirdness in a way nobody else could pull off.
Truly, a one-of-a-kind anthem.
5. Radioactive by Imagine Dragons
Dark, anthemic, and impossible to ignore — “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons spent a record-breaking 87 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100, a feat that had never been done before. Certified Diamond in 2015, the track became the soundtrack to everything from movie trailers to sports highlights.
Its thundering drums gave it an almost cinematic quality.
Imagine Dragons went from playing small venues to filling arenas largely because of this song. The track’s blend of rock energy and electronic production felt fresh and timeless at once.
Even years later, it still hits hard.
6. Thrift Shop by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz
Who knew a song about buying used clothes could become one of the biggest hits of 2012? “Thrift Shop” by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Wanz was quirky, funny, and somehow deeply catchy. Earning Diamond certification in 2015, it stood out as one of the rare independent rap releases to hit that milestone.
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis released it without a major label — a truly remarkable achievement in the streaming age. The song encouraged thrifting before it was trendy.
Fun, fresh, and totally unforgettable.
7. Poker Face by Lady Gaga
Released in 2008, “Poker Face” was the track that transformed Lady Gaga from a promising newcomer into a full-blown pop phenomenon. With its pulsing dance beat and mysterious lyrics, the song became inescapable on radio and in clubs worldwide.
It earned Diamond certification in 2015 alongside her other massive hit.
Gaga became only the second artist ever to have two songs certified Diamond at the same time, which says everything about her cultural dominance. The song still pops up in playlists, commercials, and karaoke nights everywhere.
Timeless does not even begin to cover it.
8. Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepsen
Summer 2012 belonged to Carly Rae Jepsen and her ridiculously infectious single “Call Me Maybe.” Certified Diamond in 2016, the song was boosted early on when Justin Bieber tweeted about it and turned it into a global phenomenon. Suddenly everyone — from celebrities to sports teams — was making their own versions.
The hook is deceptively simple, yet completely impossible to shake once it gets in your head. Jepsen became an overnight sensation thanks to those three little words.
Few songs have captured summer joy quite so perfectly.
9. Uptown Funk by Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars
“Uptown Funk” spent 14 consecutive weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 — a record-setting run that felt like the whole world was dancing at the same time. Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars crafted something timeless when they channeled old-school funk into a modern pop banger.
Diamond certification came in 2016.
Bruno Mars brought every ounce of charisma he had to the track, making it feel like a live performance even on a speaker. The brass section, the attitude, the swagger — all of it clicked perfectly.
A modern classic, no question.
10. Roar by Katy Perry
Katy Perry has always had a gift for empowerment anthems, but “Roar” hit differently when it dropped in 2013. Built around themes of finding your voice and standing tall, the song became a go-to for sports events, graduation ceremonies, and motivational moments everywhere.
Diamond certification arrived in 2017.
The music video, set in a colorful jungle, matched the song’s bold energy perfectly. Perry had already scored massive hits, but “Roar” connected on a deeper, more personal level for many listeners.
Sometimes a pop song is exactly what someone needs to hear.
11. Royals by Lorde
A teenager from New Zealand wrote a song that called out the excess of pop culture — and the world loved her for it. “Royals” by Lorde was stripped back, cool, and completely unlike anything else on the radio in 2013. Earning Diamond certification in 2017 cemented its legendary status.
Lorde was just 16 years old when the song topped charts across the globe. The minimalist production made every lyric land harder. “Royals” proved that sometimes less really is more, especially when the songwriting is sharp enough to carry the whole track.
12. All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor
Meghan Trainor burst onto the scene in 2014 with a body-positive anthem wrapped in a catchy doo-wop package. “All About That Bass” climbed to number one and stayed there for eight weeks on the Billboard Hot 100. Diamond certification followed in 2018, confirming its massive reach.
The song sparked real conversations about body image and self-confidence at a time when social media pressure was growing fast. Trainor delivered her message with a smile and a dance move.
Uplifting, fun, and undeniably catchy from the first note to the last.
13. Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
“Despacito” broke the internet in ways few songs ever have. The original Spanish-language version by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee was already a smash, and adding Justin Bieber to the remix pushed it into record-breaking territory.
Diamond certification came in 2018, making it the first predominantly Spanish-language song to hit that milestone.
The song shattered streaming records and introduced millions of English-speaking fans to Latin pop. Its reggaeton rhythm was absolutely impossible to resist on any dance floor.
A cultural crossover moment that genuinely changed the music industry.
14. Firework by Katy Perry
Few songs have been played at more graduation parties and pep rallies than “Firework” by Katy Perry. Released in 2010, the soaring ballad told listeners they were special and capable of lighting up the world.
Certified Diamond in 2018, it remains one of Perry’s most emotionally resonant tracks.
The music video featured real stories of people overcoming personal battles, which gave the song an extra layer of meaning. Perry’s vocal delivery was pitch-perfect, matching the grand orchestration note for note.
Inspirational pop at its absolute finest.
15. Lose Yourself by Eminem
Originally written for the 2002 film “8 Mile,” “Lose Yourself” is widely considered one of the greatest rap songs ever recorded. Eminem reportedly wrote the entire track in one sitting, channeling every ounce of hunger and desperation into the lyrics.
It earned Diamond certification in 2018, over 15 years after its release.
The song also won the Academy Award for Best Original Song, making Eminem the first rap artist to claim that honor. Its opening guitar riff is one of the most recognizable in modern music.
A masterclass in motivation wrapped in four minutes of pure fire.
16. Love the Way You Lie by Eminem featuring Rihanna
Combining Eminem’s razor-sharp verses with Rihanna’s haunting chorus, “Love the Way You Lie” tackled the painful cycle of toxic relationships with unflinching honesty. Released in 2010, the track hit number one in 26 countries and earned Diamond certification in 2018.
Few collaborations have packed this much emotional weight.
Rihanna’s delivery on the hook was raw and vulnerable in a way that felt deeply personal to many listeners. Eminem’s storytelling on the verses painted a vivid, uncomfortable picture.
Together, they created something that was hard to hear and impossible to turn off.
17. Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell and T.I.
Love it or debate it, “Blurred Lines” was absolutely inescapable during the summer of 2013. The Robin Thicke track featuring Pharrell and T.I. topped the Billboard Hot 100 for 12 consecutive weeks and became one of the best-selling singles of that year.
Diamond certification arrived in 2018.
Pharrell’s production gave the song a loose, feel-good groove that made it feel like a warm-weather party starter. The song also stirred up significant cultural conversation around its themes and lyrics.
Musically undeniable, the track left a complicated but undeniable mark on pop history.
18. I Gotta Feeling by The Black Eyed Peas
If you were at any party, wedding, or sporting event between 2009 and 2012, you almost certainly heard “I Gotta Feeling” blasting through the speakers. The Black Eyed Peas crafted the ultimate feel-good anthem, and it spent 14 weeks at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
Diamond certification came in 2018.
The song has a universal quality that makes people want to celebrate no matter what the occasion is. will.i.am and Fergie led the charge on a track that felt bigger than just a pop song. Pure, unfiltered good vibes from start to finish.
19. Party Rock Anthem by LMFAO featuring Lauren Bennett and GoonRock
Every so often, a song comes along that defines an entire era of dancing, and “Party Rock Anthem” was exactly that for 2011. LMFAO’s wildly energetic banger introduced the “shuffling” dance craze to millions and spent six weeks at number one.
Diamond certification followed in 2018.
The song was built for maximum fun — no deeper meaning required, just pure movement and noise. LMFAO brought an almost cartoonish level of excitement to everything they did.
Everyday I’m shufflin’ became one of the most quoted phrases of the year.
20. Counting Stars by OneRepublic
“Counting Stars” snuck up on the world in 2013 with a slow-building intensity that turned into one of the most streamed songs of the decade. OneRepublic blended folk-inspired verses with a massive rock chorus, creating something that felt both intimate and stadium-sized.
Diamond certification came in 2018.
Ryan Tedder wrote the song in just a few hours, drawing on personal reflections about chasing dreams over money. The track’s message resonated with young people navigating big life decisions.
Sometimes the most honest songs end up becoming the biggest ones.