Popular song of the recent past (9)

I believe the answer is:

yesterday

I'm a little stuck... Click here to teach me more about this clue!

This could be a double definition.

'popular song' is the first definition.
'yesterday' can be an answer for 'song' (I've seen this before). I am not sure about the 'popular' bit.

'recent past' is the second definition.
(I've seen this before)

'of the' is the link.

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for yesterday that I've seen before include "Much-recorded song" , "of most recent history" , "Song about break-up" , "Lennon and McCartney classic" , "recently crossed off the calendar?" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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