My Top 100 Most Listened To Songs - Ranked Worst to Best

I know I just did my 2023 lists, but I've come up with another project that I think you'll find interesting. You see, stats.fm has this feature where you can see what songs you've listened to the most over the entire lifetime of your account. I think it's a cool and interesting feature to see how much your taste has evolved. For me, my taste has changed quite a bit since I started listening to music through Spotify. I had a really big EDM phase in late 2022-early 2023 when I first started the account. Then, it switched to country and rock, which I still listen to now. There's also a lot of contemporary Christian music that I grew up listening to and continue to listen to now. There's some rap, and even just regular ordinary pop. Mostly country, though. I'm pretty basic. 

That's not to say there won't be any variance in quality. Not all of the songs in my Top 100 most listened are songs that I like. There are songs that I once had appreciation for that I have grown to resent later on. I find it interesting just how my taste has evolved and changed, and I'm excited to share that with you through this list. 

And one more thing, below I've linked a playlist featuring every song on this list. It is in the order of the songs from my most listened to my 100th most listened as of May 31st, 2025. 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6skaQRPA9anTslK9UMN2l0?si=0e0e75ef0b164e96

Now, without further adieu, let's get this show on the road.

The Landoman Experiment is proud to present...

MY TOP 100 MOST LISTENED TO SONGS - WORST TO BEST

So, you would think that songs I've listened to this often wouldn't be anything less than good or excellent, but you'd be wrong. We're starting off with the worst of my most listened, and the worst song on this list is one that I've gone on a story with. This song is in what I've labelled the "Abhorrent Tier", meaning that these songs have genuinely had a negative impact on myself or other people. And, boy, do these songs deserve that label.

ABHORRENT TIER (-1/5)

[100] Wine Into Whiskey - Tucker Wetmore

RANK: #24 [294 minutes]

"Wine into Whiskey" by Tucker Wetmore is one of my least favorite songs of all time. It's a song that absolutely destroyed my mental health when I was at one of my lowest points. You see, in late 2024, I was dealing with a severe issue with my self-esteem that has lingered to this day. That's around the time I discovered this song. Listening to the lyrics about being a broken mess who pushed people away was like looking into a mirror. It resonated with me on a personal level. Then I listened to it, on repeat, for a few weeks, which was not a smart idea. I started to identify with this man, someone who made every situation worse just by existing there, and it started to hurt. This song broke me. Now, it's a song I immediately turn off every time I hear it. Just another reminder of how broken I've been in recent months and what I've been trying to overcome. I don't resent Tucker Wetmore for making it - he doesn't seem like a bad guy - but I do resent it for the simple reason that it reminded me of me, and that was too much for me to take. 

[99] 2+2 = 5 - Hi-Rez, Only For The Fans

RANK: #16 [337 minutes]

I’m genuinely embarrassed that this song ever made it onto my most-played list—let alone landing at #16. "2+2=5" by Hi-Rez is an absolute mess. There’s no subtlety, no depth, and definitely no sincerity. It's a collage of recycled internet clichés, the kind of buzzword-filled garbage grifters throw out to rile people up and sell faux rebellion. I might be more forgiving if I thought it believed in anything it said, but there’s no personality here—just algorithm-friendly outrage bait dressed up as a “statement.” It’s insufferable

And here’s the worst part: it didn’t even earn this spot. I only listened to it because someone recommended it, and then I left it on repeat by accident while I went out to get Subway. That’s not a joke. That’s the actual reason this thing made my list. So no, I don’t respect this song. I don’t like that it’s connected to my listening stats. And I definitely don’t want to hear it again. Into the trash it goes—right where it belongs, along with every other soulless, faux-deep clout-chasing track like it.

TERRIBLE TIER (0/5)

[98] Whiskey Whiskey - Moneybagg Yo feat. Morgan Wallen

RANK: #15 [342 minutes]

Ah yes, the song I once crowned the worst hit of 2024 and tore to shreds for being an embarrassing trainwreck. Funny how it ended up on my most-played list anyway. To be fair, I was probably too harsh on "Whiskey Whiskey." It’s still bad, but not Carnival-bad. Not Wild Ones-bad. The truth is, I kept coming back to it out of morbid curiosity. I took this song way too seriously the first time around. These guys clearly aren’t aiming for high art. If they were, they wouldn’t have sampled a nursery rhyme. It’s still one of the worst songs I heard last year. But not because it's offensive or unforgivable, but because it's just stupid. And sometimes stupid is worse than offensive - because it doesn't know any better.

[97] Last Night - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #70 [212 minutes]

Just a fair warning - Morgan Wallen is going to show up on this list a lot. When One Thing At A Time dropped, I was obsessed. It’s still my most played album in Spotify history. But being a fan doesn’t mean I’m blind, and yet I was blindsided by how bad his biggest hit ended up being. “Last Night” is the worst song on the album, yet somehow it became one of the biggest solo country songs of all time. It’s completely lackluster in every regard: the limp guitar loop, the awkward trap percussion, and lyrics that range from vaguely manipulative to just plain misogynistic. Take this lyric: "My friends say let her go, your friends say what the hell,  I wouldn’t trade your kind of love for nothin’ else.” Which roughly translates to: “You’re the problem, and I’m a saint for putting up with you.” Not exactly winning songwriting. As a lead single, it’s baffling. As a massive hit, it’s infuriating. Thank God another country song came along and took the #1 spot the next year—and don’t worry, we’ll get to that one later on.

BAD TIER (1/5)

[96] Stand By Me - Lil Durk feat. Morgan Wallen

RANK: #80 [196 minutes]

Surprise, surprise, we have a third Morgan Wallen song in a row. This is the follow-up to "Broadway Girls", and it waters that song down and boils it until we have an unrecognizable sludge. This is just pop-rap that fails at being either pop or rap. Most of the reason this is here is on Lil Durk, who doesn't do great at sticking to the flow that he should, but Morgan isn't great here either. This was produced by Dr. Luke... bleh. No wonder this sounds flimsy and unwarranted. Why do we let him keep doing things? Let's stop that now. This isn't the worst of Morgan's rap collaborations, but it's easily the most pointless. We already have "Broadway Girls". We didn't need this.

[95] Breaking Up Was Easy In The 90s - Sam Hunt

RANK: #90 [190 minutes]

Sam Hunt is a peculiar fellow. We already know about his sexual attraction to dirt roads, but he also has other issues. He spends too much time on his phone! This song talks about how he spends too much time sitting at home, stalking his ex on his phone after their breakup. The lyrics portray a man who has no self-control and struggles to make good decisions. At least this is a somewhat catchy pop-country track, but this lyrical sentiment is rough at best and reprehensible if you're in a bad mood. Sam, go see a therapist. It both might help you get over your pothole fetish and your uncontrollable urge to like every single one of your ex's photos when she's clearly over you. Gosh.

[94] Gave It Up - LECADE x Eddie and the Getaway

RANK: #49 [237 minutes]

This one just hurts to put this low, but I have to be somewhat objective and consistent when it comes to my issue with lyrical sentiments in songs. "Gave It Up" is a song where these two guys threaten to drive drunk, kill themselves, and do drugs to get rid of the memory of this girl after a breakup. Forgive me if I'm wrong, but that sounds like emotional blackmail. Don't do that. As I suggested for Sam Hunt, go see a therapist. What's worse is that the production on this is actually great. I love the hard trap production with the guitar instrumental, and both artists sing quite well on this. It's just... the subject matter is inherently uncomfortable. No wonder I was so depressed in January. Both of these artists have much better songs, so I'd recommend checking those out if you get a chance.

MEH TIER (2/5)

[93] Sunrise - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #37 [259 minutes]

Out of all the Morgan Wallen songs on this list, "Sunrise" is the one I’m most confused about. It’s not offensively bad—it just kind of exists. A country-trap song with a halfway clever title line and… not much else. It’s better than most of the garbage on I’m The Problem, but that’s a pretty low bar. The production’s flat, the lyrics don’t say anything interesting, and the whole thing feels like it was written in a half-sleep haze. There is a random shout-out to my home state, which earns it a tiny sliver of goodwill. But otherwise, I’ve got nothing. This song leaves as little of an impression as it makes. On to the next one!

[92] Woke Up In Love - Gryffin & Kygo feat. Calum Scott

RANK: #95 [188 minutes]

I remember "Woke Up in Love" really clicking with me back in 2023. It had that glossy, sunrise-on-the-beach kind of vibe that just felt good. At the time, it hit all the right notes—clean vocals from Calum Scott, some emotional weight in the lyrics, and that classic Kygo shimmer. Listening to it now, though, it’s just... okay. There’s still a lot to like here, but the magic’s kind of worn off. Part of it might be the production. You can feel the stylistic tug-of-war between Kygo’s tropical chill and Gryffin’s more cinematic energy. Instead of blending seamlessly, it ends up feeling a little off-balance—like a remix of two different songs that never quite mesh. It’s not bad by any stretch, and I wouldn’t skip it if it came on—but I also wouldn’t seek it out. Time hasn’t been unkind to it, just a little indifferent. I guess I’ve grown that way toward it too.

[91] Slide - The Goo Goo Dolls

RANK: #55 [223 minutes]

Here's another one that’s soured on me a little with time. "Slide" by the Goo Goo Dolls was one of my most played songs back in 2023, which makes sense. It’s catchy, energetic, and feels lighter than its subject matter suggests. Supposedly, it’s about a Catholic girl who gets pregnant and is faced with the choice between marriage and abortion. That’s a pretty heavy topic for a song that sounds this breezy, and in a way, that contrast is kind of cool. \That said, this has never been a personal favorite. The timing and pacing of certain sections feel a little clunky to me now, and when stacked against "Iris", which is practically untouchable, it just doesn’t hold up the same way. The Goo Goo Dolls are still a great band, and I’m glad one of their tracks made it onto my list. I just wish it had been one I connected with a bit more.

[90] Holiday Hills - Loud Luxury

RANK: #44 [244 minutes]

Loud Luxury is a group I’ve liked for a while, and "Holiday Hills" is a song that really depends on the mood. Catch it on the right day, and it’s a total vibe—sunny, upbeat, something you could blast with the windows down. But if you’re not in that headspace, it can get pretty irritating, pretty fast. That said, there are some genuinely cool elements here. The piano during the drop adds a nice melodic contrast, and the way the percussion ramps up in the second half gives it that much-needed lift. The production’s definitely doing most of the heavy lifting. Lyrically, it’s all about partying in the “holiday hills,” with the narrator offering some girl the time of her life. It’s not deep, and the vocalist doesn’t have the strongest presence, but this isn’t the kind of track where you come for the lyrics anyway. It’s a party song through and through—and sometimes, that’s all it needs to be.

[89] Alive - Gryffin feat. Calle Lehmann

RANK: #62 [217 minutes]

Gryffin’s 2022 album Alive is my second-most played record right behind Morgan Wallen’s One Thing At A Time, and for good reason. There’s a nice emotional tension in most of Gryffin’s production choices that really hits when the mood is right, and he brings in a wide variety of guest vocalists to keep things fresh. I didn’t know who Calle Lehmann was before this, but he handles his part well here. That said, this track isn’t my favorite Gryffin offering. It centers on the classic theme of being unable to live without someone’s love, which is a solid idea, but it’s a bit overplayed. The emotional depth doesn’t quite land for me, and some of the lyrics feel clunky and forced. It’s an okay listen overall, but it doesn’t break new ground or stand out much on the album. Still, Gryffin fans will probably find enough here to enjoy.

[88] Whiskey Glasses - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #77 [202 minutes] 

Morgan Wallen’s first big hit, “Whiskey Glasses,” is a fairly typical country song about drinking to forget a breakup. The main idea is that he needs “whiskey glasses” so he will not “see the truth,” which comes across as both a corny and unintentionally funny metaphor. Wallen sings about whiskey as if it were water, so it is not surprising that this song launched his career. The metaphor is the main reason this track ranks lower than many of his others. Looking back, it feels a bit silly. Even so, the song itself is solid. It is not great or bad, just a reliable example of country storytelling with a familiar twist.

[87] Don't Call Me - CVBZ

RANK: #41 [253 minutes]

"Don't Call Me" is a song I was randomly recommended by Spotify's DJ feature one day. I'll be honest, though, I much prefer the acoustic version of this. That has some nice acoustic guitar work. This is just a pretty basic EDM song. It also doesn't help that it's a very toxic and bitter song. CVBZ (pronounced "Cubs") is calling this girl out on her lies and telling her that "Karma is a bitch, give what you get". This feels like one of Morgan Wallen's songs if it was turned into a generic EDM track. I still like most generic EDM, so it's not bad, but it's not anything great.

[86] Best Is Yet To Come - Gryffin feat. Kyle Reynolds

RANK: #66 [216 minutes]

Gryffin is back, and this one is a little better, but I still don't think it's his best work. There are good moments in this, but the drop is lackluster with its simple piano line and the lyrics are pretty generic. I still think Kyle Reynolds has a nice voice, and Gryffin's emotional depth is hidden in there somewhere, but I don't know. This isn't one of the standout songs from Alive, and it hasn't gotten any better over time. I do think the ending with the guitar is pretty sweet, though.

[85] Thinkin' Bout Me - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #11 [390 minutes]

I saw so many people bashing this as one of the worst songs of 2023, and I have to disagree. I see this song more as Morgan gaslighting himself than anything morally reprehensible, and the production is... fine. This is what I consider a guilty pleasure. I can tell it's objectively not anything special, but sometimes its fun to kick back and not think about it too much. This list is not a time for me to not think too much. This isn't Morgan's best country trap song, and I think it can be a little jarring at points. I understand why people hate it, but I find it more mediocre than bad.

[84] Becoming - Jason Gray

RANK: #60 [219 minutes]

The first of many contemporary Christian songs I will discuss on this list, "Becoming" by Jason Gray isn't anything special within his discography, but it has a nice message and some interesting production choices. It's got a more drum machine-heavy build than most songs in the genre, so I respect it for that at the minimum. Gray is a good artist who's made a lot of songs I like, so the fact that this is my most listened to by him is a weird tidbit I found odd. Not terrible, but this isn't even close to my first choice if I'm looking through Jason's discography.

GOOD TIER (3/5)

[83] Home Run - Geoff Moore & the Distance

RANK: #81 [196 minutes]

This is easily the strangest song on the entire list. The idea of a CCM song about baseball just confuses me, but it's executed pretty well. It's got a catchy guitar rhythm and Geoff Moore has a good presence within the song. This is also a song I've been listening to since I was a little kid, so there's a lot of nostalgia associated with it. This was on the 1995 compilation WOW 1996, which was one of many of those I listened to in my free time. That album featured a lot of strange hits... such as "Shine" by Newsboys, which is a fever dream of a song. "Home Run" is a good song, though, even with its unusual premise. I miss this kind of silly, fun song that doesn't take itself seriously while also being good music. Some people have seemed to forget that the music itself is also important (looking at you Forrest Frank).

[82] 180 (Lifestyle) - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #9 [414 minutes]

Welcome back, Morgan. This is one of your boldest yet least interesting songs yet. "180 (Lifestyle)" samples the Rich Gang hit "Lifestyle", but it's just a pretty typical country-trap song. The premise of the song is that Morgan managed to completely change this girl's personality from city to country after being with her. It's got a catchy melody and is fun to sing along to, but there's nothing that separates it from the other tracks on One Thing At A Time apart from the sample. It's still really fun, so it gets a lot of listens from me from time to time, but on an objective level it's pretty basic and mediocre. Not the last example of a mid song that I still enjoy that we'll see. 

[81] What Would You Do? - Tucker Wetmore

RANK: #47 [241 minutes]

Glad to see Tucker Wetmore decided to make a good song this time instead of my least favorite song of all time. "What Would You Do?" is pretty similar to that other song, except it's faster and isn't nearly as self-hating. Instead, Wetmore directs his attention to his cheating S/O, asking her what she'd do to him if she caught him cheating to show perspective. I like the melody of this song, and it's got pretty good production, including a sleek guitar at the end. The only thing keeping this from being higher is Wetmore's voice. All the people calling him Diet Morgan Wallen were right. Even still, diet soda doesn't taste as bad as a lot of people make it out, so a diet Morgan Wallen would still be good. No wonder I listened to this so much.

[80] Back To Summer - Shift K3Y

RANK: #57 [221 minutes]

"Back To Summer" is a generic EDM/house song with good production and decent vocals. There's nothing overly special about it, but I like it for what it is. I'm a sucker for songs with this type of piano. The song is about how this girl wishes she could go back to the summer, when she was running away and having the time of her life with this other person. It really sounds like summer, as it has a warm, fun vibe that fits the season. This was a staple of my summer playlists back in 2023, and maybe it'll stay that way this year. Who knows? The summer is only beginning, so I guess we are truly going "back to summer" after all.

[79] Broadway Girls - Lil Durk feat. Morgan Wallen

RANK: #5 [447 minutes]

This is an example of what I'd like to call the "Midsterpiece". What I mean by this is that a song can be objectively mediocre and still bring me joy to listen to. I acknowledge that this song has a lot of faults. Morgan and Durk have no chemistry, the production isn't great, and Wallen sounds like a goose throughout the entire song, but I don't care. I turn my head off and have fun listening to this. Shouting the chorus in your car on the way to work is a lot of fun. Even though the controversy also kind of taints this one, I still don't care. Everything about it should raise alarms, but sometimes I can turn off my cynicism and listen to a song less as a cultural statement, and more as a fun little side quest.

[78] Ships In The Night - Mat Kearney

RANK: #91 [190 minutes]

Mat Kearney's got a pretty interesting voice for a CCM artist, and he's done a lot of good work over his long and relatively stable career. "Ships In The Night" is a good little tune about a relationship where there's a lot of disagreement. This is Mat's most popular song, and I can see why. It's catchy and has a pretty solid storyline. The production is nice on this, and I love how the piano-led instrumental sounds. It's very well-made. Not his best, but there's a reason why it's here and I appreciate it for what it has to offer.

[77] Remind Me Who I Am - Jason Gray

RANK: #78 [199 minutes] 

I gotta just say, I love the music video for this. Jason shows appreciation for each person he comes across and lets them know who they are in the sight of God. This has some good acoustic guitar work and Jason's voice lends itself well to the instrumental. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the production on the chorus with the background instruments, but everything else is really good.It's still a very solid CCM single with a good message behind it. For the music video specifically, I love how he puts all of the pictures on the guitar. He comes across as a genuine guy. Jason Gray's been one of my favorite Christian artists for a while, so I'm glad this is here. His presence is always welcome.

[76] Grand - Kane Brown

RANK: #59 [220 minutes]

It's funny that the only Kane Brown song on this list isn't any of his big country hits - it's the rap song. In all seriousness, "Grand" is another "midsterpiece", where it's obvious in its flaws but I really enjoy it. Kane Brown isn't a great rapper, but the production works pretty well and the lyrics aren't terrible. Catch me in the right mood and I might even tell you it's a great song. I'm not in that mood currently, but there are times where I really feel this. Kane Brown is a talented artist who's had a lot of success, even if I wouldn't call him excellent or anything. Honestly, I'm shocked that neither of his Marshmello collaborations made it onto this list, but, to be fair, I do listen to a lot of music. 

[75] Kinfolks - Sam Hunt

RANK: #96 [187 minutes]

If I'm not mistaken, I first heard this song in Todd In The Shadows' Worst of 2021 video when he talked about Dan + Shay's "Glad You Exist" (still can't believe he thought that was worse than "Fancy Like" lol). He played this song as an example of "boyfriend country" and I immediately searched it up because I liked how it sounded. It's a pretty typical song about this guy wanting to introduce this girl to his parents, which is a fine premise. It's done pretty well, and there's nothing unusually bad about it. This really clicked for me for a while, and I think it's a decently good song. For Sam Hunt, this is definitely a win. Now, go to therapy about your pothole fetish.

[74] AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM (REMIX) - Beyonce feat. Kendrick Lamar

RANK: #94 [188 minutes]

A collaboration with Beyonce and Kendrick Lamar probably should've been a much bigger hit than it was, but this is still a pretty good song. There's some awesome production choices and Kendrick is obviously just as good as ever, but it feels like there's something missing. I'm not the biggest fan of Beyonce's portion of the song, even if it is still fine. I will say that this is where I really started to get Kendrick, but so much of his discography has surpassed this for me that it's not even funny. I still think his part is awesome, though, and the lyrics about AI having to practice cloning him have aged surprisingly weird. Good song, and it had the potential to be great, but it's just kind of good for me now. 

[73] Pretty Little Poison - Warren Zeiders

RANK: #89 [190 minutes]

I'll be honest, this one's soured on me a bit since I did my best list back in November. This was a final cut, and now I'm not sure I would've even mentioned it. It's still good, with Zeiders' strange voice and solid instrumentation creating a good vibe. He's got much better songs, though, and this one's just kind of faded back into just being good, but nothing great. Also, I still have no clue how a guy can sing like this without hurting his throat. I can imagine Zeiders taking a bunch of lozenges after a concert. The dude is what would happen if you combined Nate Smith, Chad Kroeger, and Bear Rinehart of needtobreathe into one dude. I don't know if that's good exactly, but it works here I guess.

[72] I Deserve A Drink - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #84 [193 minutes]

"I Deserve A Drink" is a song about the temptation of a recurring relationship that, despite always ending badly, Morgan just can't resist. It's got good production and Morgan's voice is pretty decent on it, and I'd consider it one of the above-average songs on One Thing at a Time. I don't know if this would've been a good single, but I've listened to it quite a lot, and for good reason. It's a solid track that does all of the things the album does right in a way that sums the entire thing up pretty well. Does Morgan Wallen deserve a drink, though? That depends. Be careful, Wallen. The world is watching your every move. Don't do anything stupid. Either way, overall good song.

[71] You Were Loved - Gryffin feat. OneRepublic

RANK: #79 [197 minutes]

I miss OneRepublic. I know they're still active, but they had some pretty good hits when they were one of the biggest groups in music. "Counting Stars" is still a classic, "Love Runs Out" was a banger, and "Kids" is still their best song to date. This is also really good. This has some of Gryffin's most emotional production yet, which I think is easily his strong suit. The only thing holding this back from the Great Tier is that I don't know if Tedder sells the emotions as much as the production, but that's more of a nitpick than anything. This is still a strong entry in both discographies, even if Tedder has kind of tainted OneRepublic's with that awful David Guetta collaboration from last year. Gryffin still hasn't really had any duds, though, so that's a plus!

[70] If You Really Love Me (How Will I Know) - David Guetta & MistaJam feat. John Newman

RANK: #40 [254 minutes]

Oh, speaking of David Guetta, this is easily his best song that samples another song and makes it worse. The original "How Will I Know" would be about 20 spots higher, but this is still pretty good. I love the piano production and it's a very re-listenable song. It's super catchy and fun, and really makes good use of Guetta's production style, although I have to give some credit to MistaJam here as well. This was one of the first two songs I downloaded on Spotify for whatever reason, and I repeat listened to it a lot when I first downloaded the app. At least I can tell they tried here. John Newman has a pretty strong voice and carries this quite well, and this is so much better than "I'm Good (Blue)" that it's not even funny. Why was that the hit and this wasn't?

[69] All That's Left - Steven Curtis Chapman

RANK: #65 [216 minutes]

You know, for an artist as definitional to my life as Steven Curtis Chapman has been, this being my most-listened to song of his makes zero sense. This is still good, as his discography tends to be, but really? Over "Live Out Loud", "Dive", "All About Love" or even "Please Only You"? I'm not sure how this happened, to be honest. I will say that I have a lot of nostalgia for this album, as he personally sent me a signed copy of it when I was 5 years old. That's a defining memory right there. This dude is also the best guitar player I've ever seen in-person. Genuinely amazing. For as much as people dunk on Christian music, Steven Curtis Chapman is the real deal in every regard. Great dude, great musician, great lyricist. The whole package.

[68] Last Drive Down Main - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #68 [214 minutes]

The objectively better song from One Thing at a Time with the word "Last" in the title, "Last Drive Down Main" is a very catchy tune with a lot to offer. It's got some of the best drum work on the album, and the lyrics are pretty solid. Wallen definitely filled this album to the brim with good album tracks, that's for certain. It's not special in the context of the album, but it's still a pretty fun listen if you give it a chance. The song is about him leaving town after a breakup, taking "one last drive down main" to try to forget this girl. This would be higher, but there's another song about 49 spots higher that has this exact same premise and sound that's way better. But, yeah, that's a Morgan Wallen premise for sure.

[67] Run Into Trouble - Alok feat. Bastille

RANK: #34 [262 minutes]

This was the other of the first two songs I ever downloaded onto Spotify. Dan Smith is always an excellent presence, and the production from Alok is pretty neat also. Yeah, this works. I'm a sucker for EDM tracks with a thumping bass line and good drum machine work. This isn't anything special in the world of EDM, but I'm not going to turn it off when it comes on my playlists now. I hope Bastille gets another hit sometime soon. That's an energy we need in popular music. I run into trouble not listening to it on repeat whenever I hear it (get it). Bastille is a band I've had a lot of respect for since Pompeii, and this is one of my favorites by them.

And with that, we head into the great tier!

GREAT TIER (4/5)

[66] -- [DASH] - Crowder feat. tobyMac

RANK: #12 [353 minutes]

You know, for an artist as definitional to my life as Crowder has been, this being my most-listened to song of his makes zero sense. This is still good, as his discography tends to be, but really? Over "How He Loves", "All My Hope", "Run Devil Run" or even "I Am"? I'm not sure how this happened, to be... wait I already did this bit with Steven Curtis Chapman. Anyways, " - [DASH] " is a weirdly catchy song with a strangely out-of-beat rap verse that becomes the first Christian song for me to label a "midsterpiece". Despite it's flaws, it's still fun to listen to. That's all I can ask for with modern Christian music at this point. Not whatever Forrest Frank is doing. 

[65] Georgia Ways - Quavo, Luke Bryan & Teddy Swims

RANK: #33 [263 minutes]

Who thought up this collaboration? I immediately knew this would either be the worst thing ever or something truly special... and this was the latter. It's got an infectious groove and all 3 guys do their part in repping the Peach state. I personally think Teddy Swims' part is the highlight, as his voice is just so rough and awesome. Fun fact - I actually went to Georgia this year, and this was the first song I played when I entered the state. These artists seem like they wouldn't go well together, but they play off each other so well and it's incredibly fun. Love it.

[64] Relapse - Warren Zeiders

RANK: #43 [245 minutes]

The explosion of country rock into the mainstream has just been awesome to say the least. Warren Zeiders is one of my current favorite country rock artists, and "Relapse" is my most-listened to song by him for good reason. It's fast, upbeat, and is just fun to sing in your car on the way home from work. The song is about a relationship that failed that Zeiders is suggesting the two rekindle, comparing it to relapsing on a drug. It's a clever use of the "your love is like a drug" trope that I think works really well. Zeiders' Nate Smith/Chad Kroeger/Bear Rinehart voice works a lot better here than it did on "Pretty Little Poison", and I'm definitely happy that this is here. Keep up the good work, Warren.

[63] Look What God Gave Her - Thomas Rhett

RANK: #71 [211 minutes]

Thomas Rhett seems like a nice dude. I don't know him personally, but I get the vibe that he'd be a fun guy to hang out with. While this isn't as good as "Marry Me", I do think "Look What God Gave Her" is a lot more re-listenable since it isn't about such a heavy subject. A lot of people gave him flack for this song, but I personally love it. Rhett seems like he genuinely thinks this girl is beautiful, and there's a lot of sincerity in the corny lyrics that I find meshes surprisingly well. Also helps that the instrumental is very catchy and fun, with some really cool moments featured during the after-chorus. This is easily one of the most over-hated hits of the past decade.

[62] Bulletproof - Nate Smith

RANK: #72 [209 minutes]

As much as I like Warren Zeiders, my favorite country rock artist is Nate Smith. He has a lot of power in his voice that reminds me of Nickelback... in a good way. I said in my 2024 best list that this is Morgan Wallen's "You Proof" if it didn't suck, and I still agree with that. The song is about how Nate's tried every type of alcohol to try and get this girl off his mind, but nothing works, so her memory must be invincible (or "bulletproof" as the title suggests). Something tells me this would go off at karaoke. I thought for a while that the song would benefit from a guest feature on the 2nd verse, so I was glad to find out they did that on a redid version with Avril Lavigne. Then... I heard it. Yeah, if that was the version on this list, it'd be #97 behind "Last Night". I like Avril but she just does not fit this. Still like the original, though!

[61] All Or Nothing - Topic x HRVY

RANK: #36 [261 minutes]

There was a time where German producer Topic was probably my favorite EDM artist. His collaboration with A7S, "Breaking Me", was one of my favorite songs in 2020. "All Or Nothing" is similar to that in its dark style, combining dramatic production techniques with a fast rhythm to create an interesting sound. I love the piano hits throughout the song that really make it stand out. I also like singer HRVY on this, despite the fact that he looks absolutely nothing like he sounds. Seriously, this might be the biggest voice-to-face mismatch I've seen in my entire life. That's honestly kind of funny. Still a wonderful song, despite the thorough confusion I got when I saw him.

[60] Singles You Up - Jordan Davis

RANK: #99 [181 minutes]

I didn't realize Philadelphia Eagles defensive tackle Jordan Davis was also a musician! And a surprisingly good one, at that. All jokes aside, this is catchy as hell. This would probably be in the excellent tier if the premise wasn't "hey girl, if your boyfriend breaks up with you, I'll be here waiting". There's something off about that, in my opinion. I can't lie, though, I've sung this song at the top of my lungs in my car despite that. Jordan Davis is one of Nashville's most underrated stars, and while this isn't close to my favorite of his, it's still a fun little song. It's not even close to his best, but it's still a nice breath of fresh air if it comes on between downbeat songs.

[59] TRUCK BED - HARDY

RANK: #20 [311 minutes]

"Truck Bed" is what I would call one of my 3 quintessential "midsterpieces". I know I've already used that phrase a ton, but this is one of the songs that helped inspire it. Yeah, it's corny, the lyrics are dumb, yada yada yada. I don't care. This song is great. It's got a catchy rhythm that's easy to get stuck in your head, and the blowout at the end is awesome, don't attack me. There's obviously flaws to it, but this isn't trying to be high art. It's trying to make a fun song for people to sing along to. I suggest you don't overthink it. Or not. Your decision. Life is what you make it, and "Truck Bed" is also what you make it. 

Also, speaking of "midsterpieces"...

[58] Lovin On Me - Jack Harlow

RANK: #14 [343 minutes]

"Lovin On Me" by Jack Harlow is the "midsterpiece". Despite the fact that it's so obviously stupid and awful, it brings me joy every time I hear it. The minimalist beat, Jack's corny lyrics and flow, and the lazy sample should all be reasons I hate this. Well... I don't. I love this. The elements of this song should've added up to disaster, but instead they came together to form a fun, enjoyable little track that doesn't take itself too seriously. Cut your boy a little slack, it's Young Jack, and he's here to have fun. This is what pure fun looks like. Don't take this too seriously. Jack Harlow is not taking himself seriously, and that's okay. 

[57] Forever - Gryffin & Elley Duhe

RANK: #64 [216 minutes]

This is the best Gryffin song on this list, and I'd argue that this is one of his most emotional tracks. The idea of living with no fear and living life to the fullest combined with this instrumental just... hits. Elley Duhe is a talented vocalist who makes the most of the genuinely amazing production Gryffin gives her, and it comes together to form a song that can absolutely break you if you listen to it at the right time. While it's not as good as his songs "Cry" or "Just For A Moment", neither of which qualified for this list, it's still an awesome song that deserves recognition. Good job, y'all. Also, I need Elley Duhe to get another hit. After "Middle Of The Night", I haven't hear anything since. That's a shame.

[56] All My Praise - Selah

RANK: #82 [195 minutes]

I wonder whatever happened to this band. They were pretty big back in the early 2000s, and this is easily my favorite song of theirs. I used to have the album this was on downloaded on my phone when I was younger, so this is a very nostalgic song for me. It's also a song I've sung in church a few times, and I absolutely love it. It's got a cool opening and there are some surprisingly interesting chord progressions throughout. The lyrics are pretty standard for a Christian song, but it's still a very good listen if you're into worship music. Also, this album had a song in an African language I've never heard of, which is definitely something worthy of a mention here.

[55] COUNT 'EM (REMIX) - Brandon Lake feat. KB

RANK: #83 [194 minutes]

Brandon Lake has quietly become the biggest name in Christian music. He's had a lot of songs that have become ubiquitous in the worship music scene. He's even got a song with Jelly Roll ("Hard Fought Hallelujah") that's likely to make the year-end list this year. He also just seems like a genuinely cool guy who has a lot of cool musical ideas, not the least of which is incorporating rap music into his worship songs. He recruits KB here, who I actually saw in concert this year, and it's an awesome song. It has this dark, edgy feel to it that more draws the fear of God than any other song I've listened to. I personally think worship music could use more trap beats. Definitely would make it a lot more interesting.

[54] 2 Phones - Kevin Gates

RANK: #30 [268 minutes]

I GOT TWO PHONES, ONE FOR THE PLUG AND ONE FOR THE LOAD. I GOT TWO PHONES, ONE THAT WON'T CHARGE AND ONE THAT JUST BROKE. (Wait, those aren't the lyrics. Screw it, I'm rolling with it.) THINK I NEED TWOOO MORE, LINE BUMPING I'M RING RING RINGIN'. COUNTIN' MONEY WHILE IT RING RING RINGIN'. TRAP JUMPIN' I'M RING RING RINGIN'.

As someone who actually has two phones (one for the plug and one for the load), I approve.

[53] Fix What You Didn't Break - Nate Smith

RANK: #98 [182 minutes]

Nate Smith's "Fix What You Didn't Break" is an interesting look into the idea of a person "saving" another person during a relationship. She helped fix his heart after it was broken by somebody else, even though she had nothing do with that heartbreak. This is an excellent premise for a song, and I think it's done quite well here. Nate Smith has the voice to make this kind of rock-style ballad work, and it sounds awesome. Country rock has really started to grow on me so much, and this is one of the most popular examples at the current moment. However, I wish this was a bigger hit because this would probably make my 2025 best list if it was eligible.

[52] Am I Dreaming - Metro Boomin (feat. Roisee & A$AP Rocky)

RANK: #93 [188 minutes]

Letting Metro Boomin produce the Across the Spider-Verse soundtrack was an inspired decision. He's one of the best producers we have in the modern rap game, and this song is one of his best. "Am I Dreaming" is the perfect encapsulation of Miles Morales' life in the movie, with the line "am I dreaming? Is there more like us?" referencing both the fact that he meets other Spider-people. I like Roisee's voice on this, as the filter on it gives it some sort of gravitas. I also like A$AP Rocky on this more than I thought I would, and it overall comes together to form something special. Great song, and a great ending to an incredible movie.

[51] Wild As Her - Corey Kent

RANK: #35 [261 minutes]

I like Corey Kent. This dude needs some more chart success. Both "Something's Gonna Kill Me" and "This Heart" failed to chart on the Hot 100, but they're incredible songs that are just as deserving of the level of success this got. This is a cover of Canadian artist Tyler Joe Miller's song of the same name, and I like this version better. Kent puts a rock flair on it that's not really present in the original, and the slight lyrical and vocal changes he makes add up to an awesome song that I really like. This was on my 2023 best list, and (spoiler alert) I discussed it again on my revisited one. I tied it with "Don't Come Lookin'" by Jackson Dean, which is just as good of a song. Hopefully more stuff by those guys can hit it big.

[50] Fast Car - Luke Combs

"Fast Car" by Luke Combs is the perfect example of a cover that was made out of the love of music. You can tell he loves the original Tracy Chapman song with all of his heart, going so far as to not even change the lyrics to "I worked in the market as a checkout girl" when it would've been ridiculously easy for him to do so. One of the best covers in recent memory somehow became Luke's biggest hit. I don't think it's better than the original "Fast Car", but that's such a high bar I don't think anybody could clear it. Good work, Luke. I'm interested to see what you do for your next album. I have an idea - country version of "Broken Wings" by Mr. Mister. THAT would be something.

[49] East To West - Casting Crowns feat. Ben Fuller

RANK: #75 [204 minutes]

Casting Crowns is one of my favorite Christian bands of all time, and their tribute album Lifesongs was an excellent way to commemorate what's been an amazing career so far. This was the best song from that album, as this surpassed the original "East To West" in my opinion. Ben Fuller's voice works perfectly with this, and it really recaptures the magic that made 2000s Casting Crowns so special. The message about God casting away sin as far as the east is from the west really works wonders here, and it's absolutely one of the most special songs of their entire career. I also look forward to seeing what Ben Fuller does next, as I really love his big solo hit "Who I Am", and his other stuff is really good too. Keep up the good work.

[48] Mourning - Post Malone

RANK: #29 [275 minutes]

This was #5 on my original 2023 best list, and I'd still put it pretty high up on the list for that year. "Mourning" was the best song off Posty's album Austin, and the spacey vibe makes for one of the best-sounding songs of his entire career. The message about how people only love you if you have something to offer them is as relatable as it is sad. I find this to be an interesting look into the mentality of someone struggling with addiction and self-doubt. This is a song Post Malone clearly found special to him. I hope he's doing better now than he was when this came out. The country era has been upbeat and fun, so I think that's a sign that he is. Awesome.

[47] Hope That's True - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #92 [189 minutes]

"Hope That's True" is another album track from One Thing At A Time, and it has a beachy country vibe in the instrumental that I really enjoy. The premise of the song is essentially someone saying, "You will never meet someone as good as me," and the other person replying, "That is the point." It works surprisingly well in a country setting. This is one of the stronger non-singles from the album, and I genuinely wish it had been released as a single. One Thing At A Time was my favorite album of 2023, but the singles always felt underwhelming to me, aside from the title track. This song stands out. I think it is great, and I still love it a lot.

[46] Beautiful Love - The Afters

RANK: #46 [243 minutes]

Beautiful Love by The Afters is a classic early-2000s Christian rock song, and it makes perfect sense that it ended up on this list. The guitar work is solid, the melody is super catchy, and it has that uplifting, anthemic energy that defined a lot of Christian radio during that era. What is funny is that I re-discovered this song in April, listened to it on repeat for a week, and then barely touched it afterward. That is actually the case for a lot of songs on this list. I will latch onto something for a stretch of time and then just stop cold. This song was that for April. Still, it is a genuinely great little track that I would definitely recommend if you are ever in the mood for some contemporary Christian rock.

[45] Miracle of the Moment - Steven Curtis Chapman

RANK: #87 [191 minutes]

Do you guys remember the movie Meet the Robinsons? Well, it had that song "Little Wonders" by Rob Thomas at the end, which was a song about not taking life for granted and making the most of every moment. Well, this song is the Christian version of that. What's funny is that both of those songs came out in 2007, so it's somewhat plausible that maybe one of them ripped off the other. It would've been Chapman ripping off Thomas, but I don't think that's the case at all. Either way, this has become one of my favorite songs by Chapman. This was also the first song I listened to on my 20th birthday, so that's fun.

[44] God Gave Me You - Dave Barnes

RANK: #32 [264 minutes]

"God Gave Me You' by Dave Barnes is a beautiful expression of love and commitment, written as a heartfelt message to his wife. I might consider this song excellent if it felt more personally relatable, but even from a distance, it is easy to appreciate how sincere and genuine it is. I especially enjoy the instrumentation in this version. It feels more intimate and emotionally grounded than the more polished Blake Shelton cover that later became a hit. There is a real warmth in Barnes’s performance, and you can tell how much heart he puts into it. Barnes has been a longtime songwriter in the contemporary Christian music scene, and he seems like a genuinely kind and talented person. I truly hope the best for him and his wife, and I hope this song continues to be used as a sincere statement of love for years to come.

EXCELLENT TIER (5/5)

[43] Poland - Lil Yachty

RANK: #58 [221 minutes]

This song feels like a fever dream. The atmospheric beat, the auto-tuned vocals, the incomprehensible lyrics. I love every single bit of it. This is one of the best hit rap songs of the past 5 years, and it's one I like more out of irony than I do out of pure love for the genre, but I do actually think this is excellent. Yachty is not an artist I've listened to heavily (I mostly know him because he didn't know what a cello was), but I do think this is the best thing I've heard from him. It reminds me of that time I released a song called "wait, it's all Ohio?" thinking it'd be popular and then became the first search result afterward. That has since been fixed, sadly. 

[42] Big Dawgs - Hanumankind (feat. Kalmi)

RANK: #53 [225 minutes]

This is just such a fun song. It's got a vibe that doesn't take itself too seriously while also pumping you up. It's a fun song to sing along to when you're driving or showering, and it's a great workout song as well. I don't know who either Hanumankind or Kalmi are, but I'm glad they randomly broke out onto the scene with a song that seems built for TikTok. I was kind of shocked that this was this high, but I've listened to this so many times as I'm just walking outside and it puts me in a good mood. It's a very random hit that I did not see coming whatsoever, but it's absolutely an excellent song.

[41] Oh My Soul - Casting Crowns

RANK: #39 [254 minutes]

If you had told me back in 2017 that this would become my favorite Casting Crowns song instead of "One Step Away", I probably would have argued with you. But now, without question, this is the one that resonates with me the most. It is a beautiful, piano-led ballad about not being alone in times of trouble. Mark Hall wrote it after his battle with cancer, and you can really feel the depth of that experience woven into the lyrics and performance. It is the kind of song that comes from a place of real struggle and faith. For me, this song became incredibly important during a difficult period in 2023, when I was dealing with both Lyme disease and depression. It brought comfort at a time when I needed to feel seen and supported. Casting Crowns has been a major influence in my life, and their music has often been a source of hope and inspiration. This song, especially, is one I will always hold close.

[40] The Motions - Matthew West

RANK: #88 [190 minutes]

Ranked one spot ahead of "Oh My Soul" on my Top Ten Christian Songs list, "The Motions" manages to edge it out once again here. Matthew West is an artist I have actually seen in concert, and I found him to be genuinely impressive live. This is, in my opinion, his most powerful song. The message about refusing to live passively and choosing instead to fully engage with life has always stuck with me. It has served as a real inspiration, especially during times when I needed a push to break out of routine and actually strive for something more. We need more music like this. The 2000s era of Christian music offered some of the best the genre has ever seen. Unfortunately, with the current wave of popularity surrounding artists like Forrest Frank, I do not see that style making a comeback anytime soon.

[39] Money For Nothing (Single Edit) - Dire Straights

RANK: #13 [348 minutes]

"Money For Nothing" is a classic song with one of the most easily identifiable guitar riffs of all time. It's the oldest song on this list, and it's also a very important song due to its 3D music video being the first of its kind. There's still the controversy about the f-slur being said in the 2nd verse, but luckily the version I listened to is NOT the version with that. I actually didn't even know about that until I looked up the lyrics one day and saw it. Insanity. I have zero clue how they got away with that even with the context of the time period it came out, but, yeah. Dire Straights is a great band and this is their best single, in my opinion. Excellent song.

[38] Like I Love You - Nico Santos (feat. Topic)

RANK: #100 [181 minutes]

The song that's ranked #100 on this list somehow ends up much higher than its actual rank within the list. I should not like this song nearly as much as I do. The lyrics are basically a diet version of "Treat You Better" by Shawn Mendes, which is a very bad song. The difference is - this guy isn't trying to convince this girl to leave her partner for him, a new guy. He's an ex who's still remorseful about how the past relationship ended and is consoling himself by saying that he loved her more. Still not a great message, but the production more than makes up for it by being the catchiest song by German producer Topic, who we've already seen once on this list. I'm honestly surprised his biggest hit "Breaking Me" isn't here. That was my jam back in 2020.

[37] Iris - The Goo Goo Dolls

RANK: #48 [240 minutes]

I found out recently that this is still in Spotify’s Top 50 to this day. That absolutely blew my mind, but the more I thought about it, the more it makes sense. This is an incredible song, with beautifully layered acoustic guitar and one of the most iconic hooks of the past few decades. The bridge might be my favorite part. Instead of going with a traditional lyrical bridge, the song leans into a soaring guitar solo that elevates the entire track. It is a bold choice, and it works perfectly. That moment always hits. There is a reason "Iris" became one of the most successful songs of all time. It speaks for itself—and at this point, I am not sure there is much more I can add beyond just appreciating how timeless it still feels.

[36] Life Is A Highway - Rascal Flatts

RANK: #31 [264 minutes]

It is funny because I actually prefer the Tom Cochrane original version of this song, but you would never know that from my listening history. The Rascal Flatts cover is the one that made this list, while the original did not even come close. That said, this version is still great. The guitars are slick, and Gary LeVox brings a strong vocal performance that gives the track its own charm. I also have a lot of nostalgia tied to Cars, a movie I watched all the time growing up, and this song became a great part of that experience. Maybe now it is time to start binge-listening the Cochrane version until it breaks into my Top 100.

[35] HAPPY - NF

RANK: #67 [215 minutes]

NF was my introduction to rap music when his song "I'll Keep On" was featured on the compilation WOW Hits 2016, and all these years later, I still think he's got it. Sure, I hated the title track from HOPE, but "HAPPY" was an instant banger that I've felt emotionally connected to for a long time. The idea that you can only be comfortable being miserable is a compelling take, and something I've had to think deeply about in my own life. I've always seen myself in NF, so it makes sense that something this personal to him would also feel personal to me. I'm surprised he doesn't have any other songs on this list, but I guess I've more spread out my listens to his songs throughout my time listening on Spotify.

[34] Too Sweet - Hozier

RANK: #21 [306 minutes]

I don't know if I've ever talked about it, but I absolutely hate "Take Me To Church" by Hozier. I find it dour and ugly in a way I can't really explain right now, but needless to say, I did not expect a 2024 Hozier hit to be a song I'd listen to this much. "Too Sweet" is an absolute gem, though. It was my pick for the 8th-best hit song of 2024, and I'd still call it that if I remade the list today. The dark bass guitar mixed with these lyrics creates something special. Maybe I should re-listen to "Take Me To Church". Maybe I'd see it differently now.

UPDATE: Nope. Still hate it. Stay tuned for "The Top Ten Worst Hit Songs of 2014" on that one.

[33] Don't Think Jesus - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #56 [223 minutes]

This is the closest thing Morgan Wallen has to a Christian song, so I think it makes sense that this is here. The lyrical conceit of "I hate myself and I'd throw myself in Hell if I got the chance, but Jesus probably wouldn't do that, so I shouldn't" is personal and compelling, despite the fact that he didn't even write the song. A lot of people hated this since it came the year after the n-word controversy, but I still think we should say our peace about that. If all of these people who cancelled Wallen heard my old basketball teammates, they'd probably collapse of shock. Welcome to Rural Ohio, people. That's just unfortunately how it is around here. I also see way too many Confederate flags for my liking. We're not even in the South! Why? Just why?

[32] Drip Too Hard - Lil Baby x Gunna

RANK: #51 [233 minutes]

I have been accused of hating rap music before, mostly because I once said "We Paid" by Lil Baby and 42 Dugg sucks. I still stand by that opinion, mostly because of Dugg, but that does not mean I dislike Lil Baby as an artist. In fact, I enjoy quite a few of his songs. "Drip Too Hard" is one of the best-produced rap tracks I have ever heard, and both Baby and Gunna deliver performances that go well above the average. Their chemistry and energy elevate the song and helped make it one of my favorite hits of 2019. Good work, boys.

[31] I Have Been There - Mark Schultz

RANK: #76 [203 minutes]

I don't know how many people actually remember this song, since it's barely on YouTube, but it's been one of my favorites the past few months and has risen itself to the ranks of my Top 100 most played in that timespan. The song goes through the lives of different people who are having struggles and pray to God, only for him to respond that he has gone through the same thing and will be there for them through it. It's a truly powerful song that I absolutely love. I wish we still had music like this instead of whatever garbage Forrest Frank song they're playing on the radio now.

[30] You Are Here - NEEDTOBREATHE

RANK: #86 [191 minutes]

Christian rock band NEEDTOBREATHE has become one of my favorites over the past decade, with their combination of hard rock and country making them one of the more unique groups in the genre. They've also collaborated with the likes of Gavin DeGraw, Carly Pearce, and Jordan Davis, so they're not complete outsiders to the secular market. "You Are Here" is my favorite song by them. It's from their early days when they were more just a rock band, and it's got some of their best guitar work to this day. I also love the music video where a guy chases down a robber in the most over-dramatic sequence ever. This is from that WOW Hits 2007 compilation DVD I raved so much about in my Top Ten Christian Songs list, so it makes sense that it's here.

[29] Your Heart - Stephen Stanley

RANK: #25 [293 minutes]

I'm going to make a very bold statement here. If the Christian music genre is going to survive artistically, it's going to be because of guys like Stephen Stanley. "Your Heart" is a masterpiece. Stephen Stanley's falsetto works incredibly over this smooth emotional rock instrumental, and it works to create a song that instantly captivated me. Everything about this is awesome. It really grasps at your heartstrings and only gets better over time.

Push this, Christian radio. Not Forrest Frank or Elevation Worship. This.

[28] FE!N - Travis Scott (feat. Playboi Carti)

RANK: #73 [206 minutes]

FEIN. FEIN. FEIN. FEIN FEIN FEIN. FEIN. FEIN. 

My favorite story with this song comes from the 2024 Ohio State - Tennessee playoff game, which I attended. It was the 4th quarter, and I noticed they hadn't played this song. I look at my friend and say, "Now would be a great time for them to play FE!N". Not even 2 seconds later, the opening riff plays. Imagine the look on everyone's faces around me while it plays. It was insane.

I swear on my life I'm not making this up.

Okay, so I tied these two songs in my 2024 best list, so I might as well tie them again here, right?

[26/27] World On Fire - Nate Smith

RANK: #18 [325 minutes]

[26/27] Ain't No Love In Oklahoma - Luke Combs

RANK: #17 [334 minutes]

It's funny to me that these songs have had such close parallels in my mind. They were both big country rock hits in 2024. They tied on my best list. They're also one spot off from each other on the actual ranking. #17 and #18. That's incredible. The guitar work on both of these songs is awesome and combines with some effectively hard drumming that creates two truly special pieces of music. I'm waiting on a collaboration from these two. That would surely be a country rock masterpiece if it ever came to fruition. Get to it, boys.

And we've made it to the top 25! Let's keep this going strong.

[25] Home Team - Lakeview

RANK: #45 [243 minutes]

From two country rock songs to another, Lakeview brings a taste of heavy metal with "Home Team", a song about how people make sacrifices for the people they love and have to earn what they get. It's got a very catchy chorus that transitions into a metal guitar solo drop that I absolutely love. If anybody from my NFL Draft Discord is reading this, I actually found this song after listening to a week of Album of the Week in 2023, with this song being the auto-recommended song after those were over. I've definitely listened to this more than any of the other songs I've heard from there (although "Six Feet" by Real Friends was a fun choice that I still listen to).

[24] Feel It (from Invincible) - d4vd

RANK: #69 [213 minutes]

If I'm correct, d4vd is the youngest artist on this list. He's only 4 days older than me, which is insane to me. I guess it shouldn't be now that I'm 20 and young artists like him, sombr, and (no) Jessie Murph are taking over the charts. He's already amassed a large following, with his singles "Romantic Homicide" and "Here With Me" both earning over a billion streams. "Feel It" is my favorite of his big hit singles, though. It's got a very catchy rhythm that gets stuck in your head every time you listen to it. It's from Invincible, which I haven't watched, so I hope watching it makes this even better.

[23] Never Really Over - Katy Perry

RANK: #85 [192 minutes]

I'm shocked that a Katy Perry song made this list at all, much less this high. This makes sense, though. I listened to this song a lot while writing my 2019 best list, and this grew on me even after I was done with that. I've got to give most of the credit to this song's success in my mind to Zedd, who uses dance-pop production to its fullest extent here. I kind of wish the Dagny song I mentioned in this song's segment, "Somebody", made this list. It'd be in the top 15, probably. "Never Really Over" is still a banger, though, and I'm glad it was the perfect send-off for Katy, who did nothing after this. Nothing at all. Absolutely nothing.

[22] When I'm Dead - Eddie and the Getaway

RANK: #27 [288 minutes]

I got really into this band in early 2025, and it is easy to see why. Eddie Eberle, who performs under the name Eddie and the Getaway, brings a unique country-emo-rock blend to his music. That alone caught my attention, but what really made it resonate with me is how openly he addresses mental health and self-hatred—two things I struggle with every day. "When I'm Dead" is a brutally honest track where Eddie questions his ex about whether she ever truly loved him, and whether she would even care if he were gone. It is emotionally heavy, but delivered through a strong country rock sound that hits hard in all the right ways. This song plays directly to the emotions, and I absolutely love it. One of my favorite discoveries in recent memory.

And, just before we break into the top 20, we've got the biggest question mark on this entire list.

[21] Rich Men North of Richmond - Oliver Anthony Music

RANK: #7 [425 minutes]

I just talked about this song in my 2023 best list, and you can go read that if you want more detail, but this song is an interesting case. It was almost generational, but the Fudge Rounds bit knocked it off from that pedestal. It's still an excellent song that I enjoy listening to, mostly due to the emotive acoustic guitar and his screamy singing clicking my ears in the right way, but there are some problematic things you have to consider. Even despite its political nature, I choose to view this song as an artifact of 2023 culture, and how we don't really know what we're doing. It's more enjoyable that way.

[20] Come and Go - Juice WRLD (feat. Marshmello)

RANK: #74 [205 minutes]

I miss Juice WRLD. I honestly feel ashamed at the way the music industry milked him for so long after his death, with his most recent posthumous album being the most prominent example. "Come and Go" was a song you could feel his fashion for music and love in, though. He doesn't want to ruin this chance, because love doesn't always come and go. The Marshmello drop is polarizing, but I love it. Hard rock always makes a drop better in my opinion, unless you do something horrifically wrong. This is not that case. I love this song, and it has a special place in my heart. When I heard about his death, it hit me hard. Rest in peace, Juice. Love ya man.

[19] Next Town Over - LECADE

RANK: #52 [232 minutes]

This is that song I compared to "Last Drive Down Main" earlier. I first heard of LECADE through that Eddie and the Getaway collaboration I mentioned earlier, and this was the only solo song of his that really clicked with me. This reminds me of a better version of Morgan Wallen's "Last Drive Down Main". I prefer the trap production on this and think it sounds great. LECADE's voice is also pretty nice, and makes for a compelling song. The double meaning of "next town over" within the song is what really makes this, though. She's not only in the next town over, but she's also in the next town, over him. Clever wordplay. Love it.

[18] I Ain't Comin' Back - Morgan Wallen (feat. Post Malone)

RANK: #63 [217 minutes]

I'm just gonna say it - this is better than "I Had Some Help". While I hated most of I'm The Problem (stay tuned to December on that one), I did love this. I'm not going to say too much about this now since I'll absolutely be talking about it again later, but I will say this. Post Malone and Morgan Wallen need to make an album together. Both of their big songs have been absolutely great, and they have some real chemistry. I wish Morgan Wallen would make more stuff like this instead of the sour, ugly songs he made on most of the album. Either way, I still love "I Ain't Comin' Back", and think it's easily the best song on that album and a great single choice. Now, film a music video. You did one for "Smile". Why not this?

[17] Tall Boy - Shaboozey

RANK: #97 [186 minutes]

Shaboozey's rise into stardom was a sight to experience. "Tall Boy" is a straight-up rap song made before the album that made him famous, and it's one of his best songs. It's got nice production, a nice flow, and a catchy hook. This dude is one of the best new stars we have, and his music is always a welcome presence. I hope to God he doesn't end up a 1-hit wonder, because he is so much more than that. It seems that "Good News" is going to be on the Year-End list, so that fate is not going to happen luckily, but he deserves more than that too. Maybe we should pull a "Cruel Summer" and make this an unexpected hit a few years after it released? All us Shaboozey fans could pull that off. I'm sure of it.

[16] Self-Sabotage - Eddie and the Getaway

RANK: #26 [292 minutes]

When I say I had an Eddie and the Getaway moment, I mean it. I discovered him on December 27th, 2024 (yes, I remember the date, don't judge), and he's got multiple songs in my top 30 most played already. I actually think he has the potential to get really big if he's discovered by the right people, and its songs like this that make me think so. He's got a rough rock voice that works wonders over this catchy as hell instrumental. The guitar playing is excellent and the vibes are just there. The lyrics about messing up every situation where you fall in love are also super relatable.

[15] Squabble Up - Kendrick Lamar

RANK: #42 [252 minutes]

I've talked a lot about Kendrick Lamar on this blog, but this is the only song of his in my Top 100. I also have to spoil something - yes, this song will be eligible for my 2025 best list. I know it came out in 2024, but my dumb self decided to write the lists in November instead of waiting like normal people. Not making that mistake this year. This is a very catchy song that shows Kendrick's talent as a pop rapper, despite how much he's focused on being a lyrical activist over the year. He's got a lot of versatility. Make something this good, Drake. I honestly don't know if he's capable of that.

[14] One Thing At A Time - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #2 [648 minutes]

I've said everything I need to about this one in my 2023 best list revisited, but let me sum it up here. "One Thing At A Time" is one of the catchiest country songs I've ever heard, full stop. The lyrical sentiment isn't great, but the instrumental and catchy melody more than makes up for that in every way. One Thing At A Time succeeds where I'm The Problem failed as both the album and the title track, and it's pretty clear what the difference between them is. This is a fun song to sing along to. The other one isn't. Clear as day. This is an excellent song that shows how Morgan Wallen can not only do personal tracks, but can also pull off upbeat ones.

[13] Dial Drunk - Noah Kahan (feat. Post Malone)

RANK: #10 [397 minutes]

Critic Mark Grondin (Spectrum Pulse) compared the Post Malone verse on this to the guest verse by Krayzie Bone  on the Chamillionaire song "Ridin'" and, yeah. That tracks. This is great. Post Malone fits this like peaches fit with cream. Noah Kahan has not outdone this yet, and I honestly don't know if he ever will, which is a shame. He's a likable guy and I really want him to make something as good as this again, but considering this wasn't nearly as big of a hit as "Stick Season" was, I don't know. All I know is that "Dial Drunk" is one of the best songs of the decade so far. The combo of these two is flawless, and it makes an already great song even better.

[12] From The Outside - Eddie and the Getaway

RANK: #61 [218 minutes]

Most of the reason I love Eddie and the Getaway's music is because his messages always hit the right spot for me emotionally. That's no different with this song here. People see me as this funny guy who's always cracking jokes, while the reality is I feel like a depressed nobody who's always running out hope and time. Eddie feels the same way. People see him as the life of the party, but they don't see the pain that he's fighting. He just wants to lash out at something (like the mirror), but can't because it'd ruin the way people see him and would reveal the pain that he's hiding. It also helps that the guitar work on this is amazing and sounds brilliant with Eddie's voice attached. Keep up the good work, Eddie. I'm loving what you've done so far. 

[11] Show Me Your Glory - Third Day

RANK: #50 [233 minutes]

Christian Southern rock band Third Day is one of my favorite bands of all time. They have so many amazing singles that are both powerful and catchy, and "Show Me Your Glory" is probably their best. I tied this with "Cry Out To Jesus" on my Best Christian Songs list and, while that song is more powerful, I've come to the conclusion that this is their best. The acoustic guitar work at the beginning is what drew me in. I love acoustic guitar where you can hear the strumming, and this is some of the best I've ever heard in that regard. Just an all-around amazing song that deserves to be remembered better.

And now for the top ten.

We're going to do this in a bit of an interesting manner. We're going to count down the top ten in the style of one of my top ten lists, with a precursor before each entry. Each song in this top ten is one of my favorite songs of all time and is here for a reason, considering I've listened to all of them a ton. This is going to be my most personal list to date, and I'm excited for you to read it.

Now, without further adieu, the Landoman Experiment presents...

LANDO'S TOP TEN FAVORITE SONGS
(in my Top 100 most streamed songs)

#10.

I'm just gonna flat out say it - there's going to be a LOT of country music in this top ten. It's my favorite genre, and has been for the last 2.5 years, so it makes sense that it would be represented well within the top ten. The first song on the list is a country song, and it's been one of my favorites for a long while. It's a song that's been around for a long time, albeit in different variations, but one artist managed to turn it into something truly special. 

[10] Wagon Wheel - Darius Rucker

RANK: #19 [316 minutes]

Darius Rucker's cover of Old Crow Medicine Show's "Wagon Wheel" has become a country radio staple. It also features band Lady Antebellum on backing vocals, which elevates it to a higher level than it would've been without it. "Wagon Wheel" is about a man who hitchhikes from New England to Raleigh, North Carolina in hopes of meeting with the lady he's in love with. It's got some brilliant references to places along the way and gives some details of what he does along the way, like going with a trucker from Philly, and how he plays the banjo while his lover plays guitar. It's a compelling story throughout the verses, and Rucker's voice complements it quite well, creating a soothing sound that I really love.

The Bob Dylan-written chorus is what sets this apart. It's an earworm that really sticks in there and just sounds amazing. "Rock me mama like a wagon wheel, rock me mama any way you feel" just soothes the mind. This is an amazing song to relax to. The acoustic guitars are wonderful, and both the fiddles and percussion complement it extremely well, making this one of the best-sounding country hits I've ever heard. It also became the 4th country song to be certified diamond by the RIAA in 2021, showing that not only is it amazing, it's also incredibly popular. It's even been banned from a lot of karaoke spots because of just how overused it is. That's how you know you've captivated people. I present the "Stairway to Heaven" of country music - "Wagon Wheel" by Darius Rucker. What a wonderful song. 

#9.

I already went pretty in-depth on this song on my 2023 best list, but I'll rehash what I said there. This is a song that is very sentimental to me. It focuses on how fast time passes, and the beauty of the overall story of life. I didn't expect this artist of all people to be someone who'd get me emotional, but he managed to do it. 

[9] Next Thing You Know - Jordan Davis

RANK: #22 [302 minutes]

As I said in that best list, this is one of my favorite country songs of the past decade. Jordan Davis may not be an artist who I've appreciated a lot, but he managed to create something special when this song released. An acoustic guitar ballad about the passage of time and how quickly we move from one thing to another, it's been a staple of my playlists the past couple years and has remained a favorite. I'm glad this became one of his biggest hits. It's more than deserving of it. The acoustic guitar sounds great and the lyrics are a nice story about a man who meets his future wife and then lives a full life with her.

This isn't "things are fine the way they are" music. No. This is "look on the bright side" music. There's not enough time on Earth for us to be cynical. Enjoy the things you have while they have them. Live life to the fullest. Take chances. Do whatever you need to do in your life to be able to enjoy it. Don't waste it on things that won't bring you joy. This is music for the soul. "Next Thing You Know" shows me that life is a journey. It doesn't matter what the destination is, but the journey. This is a song I'll look back on fondly of in 20 years. I'm glad to exist at a time when it does.

#8.

I ranked this at #8 on my "Top Ten Christian Songs" list, and that was mostly because, while I do really love it, I don't think it has enough blatantly Christian imagery and message to be worthy of a higher spot. That being said, as a song, this is one of my favorites of all time. It's become my most played Christian song of all time, and I'm more than glad to discuss it again here. Gosh, I wish this band had been more popular. They absolutely deserved it. 

8. The Real - nevertheless

RANK: #8 [423 minutes]

While bands like Stellar Kart and Relient K were more popular within the same Christian pop-rock genre, I'd argue that nevertheless hit the genre's artistic peak with this song. This has one of the best instrumentals I've listened to within Christian music, with sharp electric guitar and percussion that really elevate this to being one of the most re-listenable songs I've ever heard. Lead singer Joshua Pearson has a nice voice, and it really complements the sound. The lyrics aren't anything special, but this song is here because it, sonically, sounds exceptionally awesome. 

I miss the 2000s era of Christian rock. Songs like this made that genre awesome. Bands like The Afters, Kutless, and Third Day had some awesome hard rock bangers that were both catchy and powerful. Now, it's all watered down and just doesn't hit the same as it used to. I guess that could be the nostalgia talking, but I genuinely think the genre has just not been good recently. I suppose guys like Stephen Stanley are doing their part of making it better, but we need something like this. Relient K comeback anybody? Let's hope so.

#7.

Now, I said that "The Real" was catchy, but let's be real (no pun intended). The song I put at #7 is arguably the catchiest song on this list. It's the only EDM song in the top ten, which is surprising considering there are a lot of EDM songs on this list. So, of course, it's the only EDM song with a country singer on it because that pretty much sums up my taste in music.

[7] I Like It - Alesso (feat. Nate Smith)

RANK: #3 [563 minutes]

The combination of country and EDM has been rolling around my mind for a while. Cheat Codes did an entire country album called One Night in Nashville, and Smith has done previous EDM collaborations both on that aforementioned album and on a Frank Walker song. That being said, this is... different. This doesn't really feel like a country song in any regard, mostly because it's, instead, a rock-EDM hybrid. With that, it's one of the best ones I've ever heard. I love how the guitar sounds like this, with an awesome loop that makes this super catchy. The drum percussion is loud and awesome.

I heard this song played at an outdoor hockey game in early March of this year, and I was struck by just how well it fit with the other songs they were playing. This is a song made for an environment with a lot of people. Nate Smith's raspy voice combines with the hyper-catchy instrumental to make something incredibly powerful - forcibly, not emotionally. This song just smacks you upside the head with the drums and then keeps going throughout the entire runtime. It's one of my favorite dance songs of all time, and for good reason. Can't believe this is the same guy who did that awful Katy Perry collab they advertised at the national championship a few years ago.

#6.

I referenced this song briefly in my 2023 best list, and that's mostly because I was sad that this isn't a bigger hit. This is a song that's become really special in my mind, and I think it should've been the biggest country song of this year. Instead, it didn't even hit the Hot 100 and charted in the mid-20s on the Country Airplay charts, leaving me to wonder what could've been. One of my favorite songs of all time just was not the success it should've been.

[6] Heavens To Betsy - Jackson Dean

RANK: #54 [225 minutes]

Country singer Jackson Dean is surprisingly young when you go based on this song. I would've assumed he was in his mid-30s just based on this song. This song is about a father who has passed away, and is in Heaven. He communicates with his daughter (presumably named "Betsy") in a nice twist on the classic phrase. He talks about his failures as a dad and how he wishes he could've been better, and that he's surprised a sinner such as him even made it to Heaven at all. I love the premise of this song, and think it's very well-executed.

I'll most definitely be talking about this song in December, so I won't go into too much detail about just what makes it one of my favorite songs ever, but I'll say this. "Heavens To Betsy" is one of the best country rock songs I've ever heard in my entire life. The guitar solo is immaculate. Every single thing about this just hits every single spot that I look for in a song. Jackson Dean proves himself as an incredibly talented artist, and his music keeps growing in my opinion every single day I listen to it. Keep up the good work, Jackson. I'm excited to see what's coming next.

And, before we get into the top 5, we have one last tier break.

GENERATIONAL TIER (6/5)

The Generational Tier are for songs that have either been a positive influence on music, the world, or my personal life (mostly this). They're songs that go above and beyond just being music, but instead being something that activates something inside to me where I can tell they are not just excellent, but also definitional to something important. Whether that be changing the mold of genres, becoming a cultural phenomenon, or compelling me on an emotional level, these songs are all ones I'd call important to me. Not just excellent, but generational.

#5.

This is going to be the most obvious entry ever. If you know me, you know I've praised this song to death. I've talked about it a lot, to the point where it's probably gotten very annoying. So, don't worry. This one won't take long.

[5] A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey

RANK: #6 [430 minutes]

"A Bar Song (Tipsy)" is the greatest country song of all time and anyone who doesn't like it is a racist who doesn't know what real music is.

That's a joke, obviously. I don't actually think that. It's not even the highest-ranked country song on this list (spoilers, lol). It is one of my favorite songs of all time, though. The acoustic guitars have a perfect feel to them where you can hear the strumming, the stomp-clap element is fun and infectious, and the idea to turn "Tipsy" by J-Kwon into a country drinking anthem is both outrageous yet clever. Shaboozey is also wearing a Carhartt jacket in the music video, and while that doesn't change my enjoyment of the song, it is a fun note considering I quite literally only wear Carhartt shirts nowadays.

This song is still in the Top Ten to this day. As I write this, it's sitting at #7. Due to how bland and boring music has been this year, I don't see that changing any time soon. As much as I love this song, I think it's time for something else to take its place. Maybe "Heavens To Betsy" could take a spot in the Top Ten? It's new and interesting! Give it a chance, fellas. This song has helped me through a lot of my worst times, giving me positive energy when I'm down and being a source of enjoyment during depressing moments. Thank you, Shaboozey. You made a song that gave me joy when I needed it the most. 

#4.

We've finally hit the last country song in the top ten. Geez, this took forever. Anyway, my pick for the best country song on this list is also the song I've listened to the most on Spotify over the 3 years I've had an account. It helped me through 2023 and has continued to be a song I listen to quite frequently, giving it an over 100-point lead over my 2nd most played song ("One Thing At A Time"). What's funny is - it's by the same guy.

[4] I Wrote The Book - Morgan Wallen

RANK: #1 [811 minutes]

In my opinion, "I Wrote The Book" is where Morgan Wallen peaked. He was at the top of the world, releasing the biggest country album of the year, which is still in the Top Ten of the Billboard 200. While this wasn't released as a single, this was still big enough to make the Year-End Hot 100. This was easily my favorite hit of 2023, and I don't have any regrets about that decision whatsoever. Morgan may not be a saint, but his song about lack of faith was compelling to me due to the issues I've had in that same department.

Love him or hate him, you have to acknowledge that Morgan Wallen is the face of country music in America. His music conquers the charts and stays there for a long time. I was happy with that when it came to One Thing At A Time, but his new music has just not been to that level apart from "Superman" and "I Ain't Comin' Back". I guess you can count on Morgan to be good when his songs begin with the word "I", I guess. I don't know, to be honest. I couldn't tell you what the future holds for Wallen. Artistically, I don't think he ever makes anything this good again. Commercially, I think he's going to continue to be the biggest name in country music, but there's a part of me that wonders if the hype is fading. We'll see. All I know for certain is that this is the best song he's ever released.

#3.

I've talked about a lot of Christian music on this list. 22 out of the 100 songs on this list are of that genre, and this is the highest-ranking of them. I discussed this song on my Top Ten Christian Songs list, where I put it at #2 and gave it very high praise. If I'm being honest, this would go at #1 if I made that list now. This has continued to be a song that I have a lot of love and nostalgia for, and it would not be a stretch to say that this song has my favorite musical moment of all time. So, of course, it comes from a band I've seen in concert and that has been a defining force in my life from a musical standpoint.

[3] A Million Miles Away - MercyMe

RANK: #28 [283 minutes]

MercyMe's "A Million Miles Away" is a song I've known since I was a little kid. It was on the first iPod my dad ever gave me, and I've listened to it for quite a long time. What puts this in the generational tier? Well, as I said before, there's one element of this song that is personally my favorite ever. That would be the guitar solo after the 2nd chorus. Every time I hear it, I unironically get cheers up my spine. It's not complex or drawn out, but it's got a lot of emotional depth packed into it that really gets me. I'm never in a bad mood after listening to this song, and that's worth something to me.

This is my favorite Christian song of all time now. "How He Loves" is still an exceptional song, and would likely be right above this if it has made my top 100 most played, but this is where its at. MercyMe is a band I've had a lot of respect for over the years. I own every album they've ever made on CD, and have listened to them on repeat numerous times over the past decade. Out of all of their songs, this is the best, and it's not particularly close. That's not saying the other songs are bad, they're just not this. The fact that this wasn't a single baffles me. Excellent work from a band who I expect no less from.

#2.

On an objective level, the song I put at #2 is the best song on this list. I didn't put it at #1 because I don't have the personal connection to it I do with my #1, but this is objectively the most impressive song here. This is an artist who I'm surprised wasn't on here more, considering he's my 2nd most played artist of all time behind Morgan Wallen. Actually, now that I think about it, he was on here 4 times, so that's more than I originally thought. So.. who is it? Well...

[2] Take What You Want - Post Malone (feat. Travis Scott & Ozzy Osbourne)

RANK: #23 [295 minutes

Post Malone is one of the most successful artists of our generation, and he's an artist I've come to appreciate a lot. His collaborations with Morgan Wallen are awesome, "Dial Drunk" is a masterpiece, and his solo work... excellent. Most of the time. His work is genuinely great on so many levels, but this. This is perfection. In fact, this is better than perfection. This is the song that made me love pop music. The song that changed my perception of artists like Post Malone back when I was in high school.

Back when I was 14 or so, I had a very narrow view of hip-hop and popular music as a whole. I was raised on Christian music and old 80s rock, and my dad was (and still is) very anti-rap. Even Christian rap. Some sort of cultural thing, I suppose. I don't know. I was raised with that same view, which I kept for the first 14 years of my life. Then, I heard this song on the bus on the way to a basketball game, and I was fundamentally intrigued by it. I asked my friend, and they said it was by Post Malone, so I looked up his music until I found it. That was the moment that I fell in love with popular hip-hop, rock, and pop all at the same time.

"Take What You Want" changed my perception of music as a whole. That alone makes it one of my favorite songs of all time and puts in the generational tier. The great production, the combination of rock and rap, and an amazing guitar solo all work together and form something truly exceptional. Hollywood's Bleeding is one of my favorite albums of all time, and this was the best song from it. I named it my favorite hit song of 2019, and that's understating how good it is. One of my favorite songs of all time, without question.

And now, before we get to my pick for the best song within my top 100 most streamed, I've picked out 10 songs from spots 101-200 that I think are worth a mention here too.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

[HM1] Something In The Orange - Zach Bryan

RANK: #166 [149 minutes]

My pick for the best hit song of 2022, Zach Bryan's "Something In The Orange" continues to be my favorite of his works. An acoustic guitar ballad about Zach's emotions after a bad breakup. It's got a nice sound to it and is emotionally captivating. I think Zach Bryan is one of the best stars we have in country music, and his music is always a welcome presence. I wonder if he's got a new album in the works - his last one was pretty darn good.

[HM2] Never Give Up - Tors

RANK: #183 [143 minutes]

See, I'm not opposed to corporate-sounding, upbeat, happy music the way a lot of other people are. "Never Give Up" may sound like it's designed to be played in a JC Penney, but it's got enough positive energy that I think it's a nice little song. It may not be anything special, but heh, neither are a lot of the songs I've talked about previously. I thought it'd be worth a mention here since this isn't a very big band and they seem like genuinely good people. See, Forrest Frank? This is how you make happy-sounding music without sounding inauthentic and bored.

[HM3] Tunnel - Third Day

RANK: #128 [166 minutes]

I remember listening to this in my dad's old Ford truck back when I was like 5. This is just a banger. It's got the hard rock edge Third Day was known for in a lot of their songs. This is what Christian music should be. Not only spreading a good message, but sounding good while doing it. A lot of artists in the genre today have forgotten that. I'm glad Third Day didn't neglect that. Their blend of southern rock is probably my favorite of any Christian artist ever, even over nevertheless or Stellar Kart. I also think Mac Powell's solo stuff is really good, so at least he's still going. It's not as "rock-y" as Third Day's old stuff, as it's got more of a country vibe, but it's still really good.

[HM4] Not Like Us - Kendrick Lamar

RANK: #145 [157 minutes]

The experience of the Kendrick-Drake feud in 2024 was one of the strangest things I've ever experienced. "Not Like Us" is the best song to come out of that feud, with a catchy Mustard beat and some of the best lyrics of Kendrick's career. I talked about it heavily in my 2024 best list, considering it was both one of the best and most important songs of the year, and... yeah. This is still awesome. Drake lost that battle harder than anyone has ever lost anything before. I mean, he got called a pedophile by the fans at the Super Bowl. What could be more embarrassing than that?

[HM5] HUMBLE. - Kendrick Lamar

RANK: #164 [151 minutes]

The other Kendrick Lamar song to get in the top 2 of my best lists, "HUMBLE." has some of the best production and flows I've ever heard in a modern rap song. I love the hard pianos, the trap percussion is excellent, and the lyrics are something truly special. I don't have too much more to say that I didn't already say in the 2017 best list. This is just one of the best rap songs to ever hit the charts and there's nothing more I can add to it that hasn't already been said before. The music video is also awesome (as Kendrick videos tend to be), so that makes it even more special. 

[HM6] Down Under - Men At Work

RANK: #114 [174 minutes]

What a splendidly fun little song about the stereotypes of Australians. Luckily, this band is Australian, so they have every right to this. It's got a catchy melody sampled from an old song called "Kookaburra", which is a children's song. Despite its excellent utilization as a sample, it still caused a lawsuit, which makes me sad. If it's that old, just let them use it. It doesn't denigrate it or anything, it makes it sound awesome and gives it some backing to make it really special. I love this song. It's got a lot of nice moments that make me really happy.

[HM7] Say - John Mayer

RANK: #173 [147 minutes]

I don't know a lot about John Mayer. I know he was a really big deal in the 2000s, but really hasn't done anything on the pop charts since then. I also know he's had a lot of songs that people hate. This song was from the film The Bucket List, and has been a song I've known since I was a kid. It was one of very few modern popular songs my dad played in the car when I was a kid, so I've had a lot of time to listen to it. It's a very good song with a nice ukulele and guitar melody that I really love. The message of not being afraid of saying what you need to say is nice, as well.

[HM8] Million Dollar Baby - Tommy Richman

RANK: #105 [180 minutes]

This song feels like a fever dream to me. It came out of nowhere, by an artist no one had really heard of, to be one of the biggest hits of 2024. How in the world did that happen? The answer is, obviously, Tik-Tok. That app can be used for some great music sometimes, who knew? "Million Dollar Baby" is a fun song with a catchy melody that I called the 4th best song of last year - and I stand by it. It's great. The production is awesome and Tommy's falsetto is surprisingly good. It's harmless fun that you absolutely do not get sick of. Even if WingStop tries their best. 

[HM9] Come With Me Now - Kongos

RANK: #179 [144 minutes]

"Come With Me Now" by KONGOS is a very special song. I will eventually be talking about it (the Best of 2014 list is still a ways away lol), but I will say something here. The accordion mixed with the kwaito production is insanely catchy, powerful, and awesome all at once. The anger in this guy's voice is insane, and there are so many great moments that you can't just help but be captivated by it. I'm shocked it didn't make it in the top 100 at all, and being this far away is just crazy to me. Excellent song, but not quite as excellent as....

[HM10] How He Loves - David Crowder*Band

RANK: #160 [152 minutes]

It takes a truly special song to make me cry. I've only talked about two on this site (the other being "Ceilings" by Lizzy McAlpine), and this was the first. It was #1 on my Top Ten Christian Songs list, and I'd say I was 100% justified in that even if I don't necessarily agree anymore. While I talked about Luke Combs' "Fast Car", Corey Kent's "Wild As Her", Rascal Flatts' "Like Is A Highway" and Darius Rucker's "Wagon Wheel" on this list, this is the best cover I've ever heard. David Crowder*Band takes a perfectly good John Mark McMillan original and transforms it into a powerful masterpiece. It's got some of the best-sounding pianos I've ever heard, it blows out in the final chorus, and it just hits you right in the feels. Amazing song, and one I'll never forget. Ever.

And finally, it's time I reveal what I personally picked as my favorite song of all time.

#1.

When writing this list, I asked myself numerous times what my #1 would be. I considered all 5 songs in the Generational Tier as candidates to be this spot. All 5 songs are worthy of being called one of my favorites of all time. I spent weeks thinking about what I'd pick, but, at the end of the day, there could only be one. I think I'm pretty satisfied with the song I ended up picking. But, before I make that reveal, I feel that I should give some backstory as to why this song is what I put at the top.

I've talked about this before, but I have severe mental health issues that I've been struggling to get straightened out. I keep having these self-defeating thoughts that tell me I'm worthless, that I'm nothing, and that I'll never be loved. So, it's made it very difficult for me to love myself. My self-esteem hit an all-time low in December 2024, during Christmas break. There was one specific night where, after spending some time with my older brother and his family, I had a severe mental breakdown. This was a bad one. It hurt, and I just collapsed. I couldn't sleep, and I was having rough panic attacks throughout the night. Not a night I would relive if given the chance, to be sure.

At one point, I decided to listen to some music to calm myself down. I figured I'd just use Spotify's AI DJ feature, which has been a pretty cool thing that I've found a lot of great songs on it. I listened for a little while. About an hour or so after I started listening, it recommended me some songs by artists I hadn't listened to before. The first few were fine, but I didn't think much of them. Then, the 4th song came on. It was by an artist I had never heard of before, but I was immediately captivated by the title and sound and decided to give it a full listen. I'm very glad I did, because that song has since become my favorite song of all time. 

[1] Love Myself - Eddie and the Getaway

RANK: #4 [555 minutes]

I like to think that I found "Love Myself" at the exact perfect time. It's a song about having low self-esteem, so of course it would appeal to me. Eddie and the Getaway's pop-rock sound immediately appealed to me, with some excellent guitar instrumentation and drum percussion that just sound awesome when put together. Is that all it takes, though? Is having a relatable topic and sounding awesome enough to put a song at the top of this list? Of course not. It's not just that it's a relatable topic, but it's also what that relatable topic was that put it there for me.

"Love Myself" is asking the question "how can I love you if I can't even love myself?", referring to a romantic partner. While I've never been in a relationship, I feel like a lot of that has to do with my lack of confidence. Why would someone else love me if I don't even love myself? It's the same thing with Eddie here. He doesn't know how this girl would love him with all of his insecurities. He doesn't know where he belongs. He doesn't know where else to go. He's struggling and feels like he's at the end of the road. This all connects back with the chorus, where he screams that phrase in desperation, wondering what he's supposed to do. 

I'd like to bring this back to the first song I discussed on this list - "Wine into Whiskey". Why am I bringing it up? Well, these two are oddly similar for songs at the polar opposite end of this list. Both songs discuss how the artist is aware of their flaws and how they push potential lovers away with them. There's one key difference that prevents "Love Myself" from being down there with Tucker Wetmore, though. Eddie isn't just saying what his flaws are - he's asking for help to fix them. Wetmore doesn't do that. He just whines and self-deprecates himself the entire song, leaving a sour and ugly taste in your mouth after listening. Eddie is actively trying to fix the problem, and that's what makes it so powerful.

Of course, another difference between those two songs is that "Love Myself" is an upbeat, catchy song despite the emotional topic. The rock guitars work excellently, and it's just an active earworm that sticks in your head after you listen. It inspired me to try and become a better person. To actively fix the problem. While I wouldn't say I'm close to where I want to be, I will say I'm better than I was in December 2024, and the grind is part of the process.

No song has ever had the positive impact on me that this song has. Eddie and the Getaway may not know how special of a song they created, but I do. I may still struggle with self-worth, and I know there is a long road ahead. But "Love Myself" gave me something that no other song ever has—a reason to believe that change is possible. That I’m not alone in feeling broken. That maybe, just maybe, I can learn to love myself too. That’s why it sits at number one.

Thank you all for reading. I know it's been a really, really long read, but I genuinely appreciate everybody who takes the time to read this. It's a lot of fun writing articles like this, and I think it's been so much fun going through my most played songs and figuring out which ones I liked and disliked the most. I hope you all have a wonderful day. I love you all.