10 Iconic Pop Stars Pick Their Greatest Song

10 Iconic Pop Stars Pick Their Greatest Song

Welcome to MsMojo, and today we’re diving into the rare and fascinating moments when pop heavyweights singled out their personal favorites from their own catalogs.

Miley Cyrus

“Flowers” (2023)

Some artists cherish their deep cuts, others highlight the one hit that changed everything for them. Miley Cyrus comfortably sits in the latter category. During an interview with Zane Lowe for Apple Music, Cyrus revealed that “Flowers” sits at the top of her own catalog. She explained that sharing a song millions of people love creates an almost spiritual feeling, and its overwhelming success gave her the confidence to finally make the music she'd wanted to create for years. It's easy to understand why. “Flowers” debuted at number one on the Hot 100, became the world's best-selling single of 2023, and earned Cyrus her first Grammy Awards, for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.

Billie Eilish

“Your Power” (2021)

Billie Eilish has never shied away from uncomfortable truths and that's exactly why “Your Power” means so much to her. In a 2021 interview with Rolling Stone, Eilish admitted she was terrified to release the song because she considered it her favorite she'd ever written. The haunting acoustic ballad confronts emotional manipulation and abuse of power, themes that resonated deeply with listeners upon release. Seeing fans connect with the lyrics, particularly women sharing their own experiences, only reinforced its impact. Eilish wasn't chasing another blockbuster single with this one; she simply wanted to tell an honest story. Ironically, that honesty helped turn “Your Power” into one of her most impactful hits.

Kylie Minogue

“Love at First Sight” (2001)

After more than three decades of serving pop perfection, picking just one song couldn't have been easy. Yet when the hosts of Australia's “Ricki-Lee & Tim” radio show asked Kylie Minogue to choose a favorite from her enormous catalog, she landed on “Love at First Sight.” The third single from her landmark “Fever” album, this sparkling dance-pop anthem helped cement Minogue’s early-2000s comeback and remains one of her signature hits. The pop diva explained that the track feels like it has her DNA in it, making it the song that best captures her identity as an artist. Considering how effortlessly joyful it still sounds today, it's hard to argue with that choice.

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Ed Sheeran

“Perfect” (2017)

Ed Sheeran has written enough wedding staples to soundtrack an entire generation, but one rises above the rest in his own eyes. Sheeran has named the 2017 track “Perfect” as his favorite song from his catalog, even suggesting it surpassed “Thinking Out Loud.” Speaking with GQ, Sheeran stated that he believes it's the song people will remember him for, and the numbers certainly support that prediction. The romantic ballad became one of the biggest hits of his career, topping the charts in over two dozen countries around the world and becoming a first-dance favorite for countless couples. For Sheeran, it represents his songwriting at its most timeless and emotionally direct.

Adele

“When We Were Young” (2015)

For Grammy-winning pop icon Adele, the answer to this question isn't necessarily her biggest hit, but the one song that instantly transports her back to its creation. During an interview with ABC News, she revealed that “When We Were Young” is her favorite song she's written because every performance reconnects her with the emotions she felt while composing it. She originally imagined the song from the perspective of someone attending a reunion at the age of 50, watching old friends briefly become their younger selves again. Adele even described it as simply a great song on its own merits. Considering how beautifully it captures nostalgia, that emotional attachment makes perfect sense.

Britney Spears

“Get Naked (I Got a Plan)” (2007)

Britney Spears has surprised fans with her answer more than once. She initially told her Instagram followers that the deep cut “The Hook Up” from 2003’s “In the Zone” was her favorite song she'd recorded. Later, however, she changed her mind. In a now-deleted Instagram post featuring herself dancing to “Get Naked (I Got a Plan),” Spears declared that the “Blackout” track had become her favorite song she'd ever made. She admitted she'd listened to it again and appreciated it in a completely new way. It's certainly an unexpected pick, but “Blackout” is widely regarded as her boldest and most influential album, so it’s not entirely surprising it contains her favorite track.

Lady Gaga

“Born This Way” (2011)

When BBC World Service's “The Interview” asked Lady Gaga how she'd like to be remembered, she said she hoped her legacy would be making the world a happier place. Naturally, the conversation turned to “Born This Way,” a song that has done exactly that for millions of people. Gaga didn't hesitate to call it her favorite song she's ever released, even suggesting it may be the most important thing she's accomplished in her career. That's a remarkable statement from someone with countless Grammy Awards, an acclaimed acting career and one of pop music's most celebrated catalogs. Since its 2011 release, the anthem has become a lasting symbol of self-acceptance, especially within the LGBTQIA+ community, making it the defining centerpiece of Gaga's legacy.

Taylor Swift

“All Too Well (10 Minute Version)” (2021)

Ten minutes of storytelling so precise it could make a grown adult sob in a parking lot. Of course, everyone, including Taylor Swift herself, agrees it’s her best work. During a 2025 appearance on “The Late Show with Stephen Colbert,” Swift revealed that the extended version of “All Too Well” currently stands as the number-one song she's ever written. She explained that she usually needs time before fully appreciating her own work, but this epic version had already earned that distinction. Originally a fan favorite from “Red,” the extended recording became an event in itself when it was released in 2021. It topped the Billboard Hot 100 and further cemented Swift's reputation as one of pop's greatest storytellers.

Madonna

“Frozen” (1998)

By the late 1990s, Madonna had already reshaped pop music multiple times over. But “Frozen,” the haunting lead single from her 1998 magnum opus “Ray of Light,” represented something more personal. Over the years, she’s cited the song as a personal favorite, partly because it showcased the vocal control she developed after intensive training for her starring role in the 1996 film “Evita.” That newfound technique allowed her to explore a richer tone and expanded upper register, giving the haunting ballad an elegance unlike anything she’d recorded before. Combined with William Orbit’s atmospheric production, “Frozen” marked a creative turning point, proving Madonna could evolve artistically while remaining unmistakably herself.

Whitney Houston

“Greatest Love of All” (1985)

There is no shortage of pop classics in Whitney Houston’s discography, but one song always held a particularly special place in her heart. During a 1999 interview with Oprah Winfrey, Houston revealed that her favorite recording was “Greatest Love of All,” her soaring interpretation of George Benson's 1977 original. She included the song on her self-titled debut album, and upon its release as a single in 1986, it became one of the defining tracks that launched her into global superstardom. Beyond its breathtaking vocal showcase, Houston clearly connected with its uplifting message of self-worth and resilience. Decades later, it's still regarded as one of the greatest vocal performances ever committed to tape.

What is your favorite song from these pop icons? Let us know in the comments below.