After last week’s discussion on the best-selling artists and Eurovision Junior winners, we’re continuing our musical journey. Today’s topic? The most popular singles in Portugal, one for each year since the start of the millennium. To compile this list, we used an estimate based on the number of days spent at the top of music charts, since only from 2017 onwards is there an official entity releasing annual results in this field.

1 – 2000: Santamaria – Castelos na Areia

Let’s start with a real “Throwback Thursday” with the Portuguese band Santamaria, who released the single “Castelos na Areia” in 2000. This song is not only one of the most beloved by the Portuguese, but it was also the most played and popular in 2000, making history in the national music scene.

2 – 2001: Shakira – Whenever, Wherever

In 2001, global star Shakira conquered Portugal with “Whenever, Wherever”. The song was not only a global success but also reached the top of the charts in several Portuguese radio stations, solidifying her presence in the global music market.

3 – 2002: Las Ketchup – The Ketchup Song (Aserejé)

Who hasn’t danced to “Aserejé”? This Spanish song became a real phenomenon in 2002, not only because of its catchy melody but also because of its lyrics, which nobody understood, but that didn’t stop it from being the most popular song of the year in Portugal.

4 – 2003: Tribalistas – Já Sei Namorar

In 2003, Brazil invaded the Portuguese charts with the Tribalistas and their hit “Já Sei Namorar”. The theme became one of the most listened-to songs, and its engaging beat made it a classic that still resonates in the memories of the Portuguese.

5 – 2004: O-Zone – Dragostea Din Tei

“Dragostea Din Tei” was undoubtedly the anthem of 2004. The Romanian song by O-Zone made the dance floors of Portugal move, and although we didn’t understand the words, nobody could resist its captivating beat.

6 – 2005: D’ZRT – Para Mim Tanto Me Faz

Who doesn’t remember D’ZRT? The Portuguese group conquered the radio with “Para Mim Tanto Me Faz”, a real hit in 2005, which was constantly played on several radio stations, becoming the most popular song of the year.

7 – 2006: Tony Carreira – A Vida Que Eu Escolhi

In 2006, it was Tony Carreira who dominated the charts with “A Vida Que Eu Escolhi”. The song, which talks about love and choices, was one of the biggest successes of Portuguese romantic music and was marked as the most popular of that year.

8 – 2007: Nelly Furtado – Say It Right

In 2007, Nelly Furtado conquered Portugal with “Say It Right”, a theme that became unbeatable in the charts and which, even today, is recognized as one of the greatest international successes of that decade.

9 – 2008: Per7ume with Rui Veloso – Intervalo

With “Intervalo”, the band Per7ume, along with Rui Veloso, reached the top of the charts in 2008. The fusion of pop and rock made this song one of the most memorable of that year, which stayed in many people’s memories.

10 – 2009: Inna – Hot

In 2009, the Romanian Inna reached the charts with “Hot”, a single that dominated the Portuguese radios. Although few knew her, her presence in the success rankings was undeniable, making it the most popular song of the year.

11 – 2010: Inna – Amazing

The following year, Inna repeated the feat with “Amazing”, which, although not as popular as her previous single, still conquered a large audience in Portugal, solidifying her name in the country.

12 – 2011: KeeMo with Cosmo Klein – Beautiful Lie

“Beautiful Lie” by KeeMo and Cosmo Klein was one of the biggest successes of 2011. The contagious rhythm and captivating melody made it the most popular song of that year, dominating the Portuguese radios and dance floors.

13 – 2012: Pablo Alborán with Carminho – Perdóname

In 2012, Pablo Alborán and Carminho joined forces to create the beautiful duet “Perdóname”, which became one of the greatest Iberian successes of that year. The fusion of the emotional voices and the touching melody conquered the hearts of the Portuguese.

14 – 2013: Ana Malhoa – Sube La Temperatura

In 2013, Ana Malhoa asked us to turn up the temperature, and that’s exactly what she did. The song “Sube La Temperatura” became an absolute success, reaching the top of the charts and becoming the most popular song of the year.

15 – 2014: Ana Malhoa with D Snow & DJ True Love – Tá Turbinada

Ana Malhoa remained at the top of the Portuguese preferences in 2014 with “Tá Turbinada”, a single that continued her rise in the music scene, conquering the radios and playlists of the country.

16 – 2015: Ana Malhoa with D Snow & DJ True Love – Encaixa Baby Encaixa

Ana Malhoa repeated the success in 2015 with “Encaixa Baby Encaixa”, maintaining the partnership with D Snow and DJ True Love. The song became the most popular of the year, confirming that the singer continued to dominate the Portuguese music charts.

17 – 2016: Nelson Freitas with Richie Campbell – Break of Dawn

In 2016, Nelson Freitas and Richie Campbell joined forces to launch “Break of Dawn”, a single that mixed reggae and R&B, and which quickly reached the top of the charts. This Luso-Angolan collaboration was one of the biggest successes of the year, and the Portuguese public applauded.

What will be the most popular song in 2017?

Now, the question that won’t be silenced: what will be the most popular single in 2017? Let us know your opinion in the comments!

---

This article presents a nostalgic journey through the most popular music in Portugal from 2000 to 2016. Each song represented a distinct era of Portuguese and international music. Over the years, international and national artists dominated the charts, and their songs were etched in the memory of the Portuguese.

Want to read more articles? Visit our homepage to read our latest articles, but don’t forget to also visit Trove Vault, the sponsor of today’s article.