What is the world's most translated song?

The world’s most translated song is a hotly debated topic and in truth a definitive answer is hard to pin down. However, here we present some of the frontrunners for the title of 'world’s most translated song.' 

Most translated pop song

"Ai Se Eu Te Pego" by Michel Teló is the world's most-translated song with 131 versions, while BTS from South Korea leads as the non-English act with the most translations, having 239 songs translated into 59 languages.

Most translated Christmas carol

"Silent Night," known as "Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht" in its original German, is the most translated Christmas carol globally, available in over 100 languages. Created by Austrian priest Joseph Mohr and organist Franz Xaver Gruber in 1816, this carol is celebrated worldwide, leading UNESCO to recognize it as an intangible cultural heritage, highlighting its universal reach and cultural significance.

Most translated hymn

Written by English clergyman and poet John Newton in 1779, Amazing Grace is known around the world. Biographer Jonathan Aitken has estimated that the song is performed around 10 million times every year. Over the years it has been translated into everything from German to Cherokee. YouTube includes a recording from 2010 of Amazing Grace being sung in 50 different languages, demonstrating the ability of music to transcend national boundaries. 

Most translated children’s song

At the request of UNICEF, It’s a Small World (After All) was the only Disney song to have never been copyrighted. Instead, the song has been designated as ‘a gift to the children of the world.’ Written by the Sherman brothers in 1963 and eventually assigned to the It’s a Small World attraction at Disneyland, the song has entertained generations of children, having been translated into countless languages and sung around the world for more than half a century.

Final thoughts

We'll keep a close eye on future songs that take off around the world. Some achieve success in their original language without translation, while others - the Baby Shark children's song that has become so popular in 2019, for example - enjoy success as a result of multiple translations.

Why do you think that certain songs resonate with people with vastly different cultures and languages? What is it that they have in common to achieve such popularity? Share your thoughts via the comments.