The Top 15 Best Hit Songs of 2025
You know, I feel really relieved. Writing the worst list was a combination of funny and depressing. If you've read it, you know. I'd advise you to read that first before you read this. I put a lot of thought and time into it, and honestly think it's one of the best things I've ever written. The real question is whether I can follow it up. I'd like to think that I can, and I'll take it as a challenge.
2025's worst music was a combination of awful, depraved, comedic, and depressing. Meanwhile, the best music of the year was... really great. I can't say it was generational or anything, but there were some absolute bangers that made the charts, as well as songs that really hit me hard emotionally. This list contains a little bit of both. We had a ton of promising up-and-comers, as well as songs from already established artists. It's going to be a fun time, so I won't leave you here long.
Here are the rules, as stated in the last list.
1. A song cannot have charted for more than 18 weeks by the start of the year.
2. The song must have hit the Hot 100 at any point within 2025.
3. Only songs that hit the Top 35 count towards an album bomb's eligibility if 5 or more songs from the album bomb hit that mark.
4. If less than 5 songs from an album hit the Top 35, only the first 5 songs charting from the album will be eligible.
Now, if you're ready, I think it's time we take a look at the best stuff from this year. I hope you're as excited for this as I am. Let's get it started.
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I saw a lot of people claiming that this was a bad year for rap music. That... just straight up isn't true. There were a lot of great rap songs that came out this year. Freddie Gibbs, Tyler, the Creator, Dave, JID, and even Will Smith of all people had albums that I really enjoyed. However, there was one album I noticed that got all of the attention. I mean, this was for very good reason, but it left me in awe that, after everything was said and done, this was without question the biggest and best rap album of 2025.
Clipse, the duo of brothers Pusha T and Malice, released their first studio album in 16 years this year. It was released to widespread acclaim, with songs like "So Be It", "The Birds Don't Sing", and "P.O.V" being highlights. The best song on the album, however, was "Chains & Whips", which is also the most controversial song on the album. Both Clipse and Kendrick Lamar have storied histories with Drake, who had sued UMG for the release and promotion of "Not Like Us" last year. It is highly reported that Def Jam Recordings asked Clipse to drop the Kendrick verse on this song, with the reason being that the phrase "trump card" would potentially cause conflicts with President Donald Trump. Pusha T, however, claims that the real reason was the worry that collaboration between two of Drake's biggest rivals would create controversy, despite no reference to Drake in Lamar's verse.
The main theme of this song is the idea of chasing wealth while tearing down a system that has been built to oppress for years. All 3 artists on this song have thrived in a world where they would not have in any time before it, and they acknowledge that they "beat the system" with "chains and whips", a double meaning referring to both slavery and the combo of jewelry and cars. It's a very clever lyric that really embodies the entire point of the song. That chorus is one of the best I heard all year, and it's given to us with some amazing verses.
In the verses, Pusha T calls out Jim Jones and questions his credibility, while also bragging about how he can accomplish more. Malice criticizes those who make money the rot of their personality, and say that there's a spiritual battle in hip-hop with a really inspired reference to John 10:10. Kendrick discusses systemic racism and the betrayal he's faced from specific people in his life. Overall, it's a powerful message that conveys confidence and how to overcome risks.
"Chains & Whips" also just sounds incredible. That deep bassline just cuts, and the percussion completely accents it in every way. It all meshes together to form something truly great. Overall, this is a song I think should be remembered well. Every single artists performs with such purpose and intention that it turns into the perfect combination of what they all can be. The only reason this song isn't higher on this list is that it's so heavy and intense that I can't listen to it often. What a song.
I know it's only at #14, but let me be clear that I knew from the very moment I heard this song that Olivia Dean was going to be a star. She has that it factor that is needed, yet is so different from her peers at the top of the charts. "Man I Need" was the first song of Olivia's that really hit it big, and I'm very glad it did. This is the kind of song that I think has the potential to be a classic in popular music, and Dean has the potential to be one of the biggest artists of the next decade. Let's see why.
Let's start with how this sounds. The 80s vibe here is really poignant, and I love that. The piano intro is great, and everything after that sounds just as good. This kind of nostalgic, classic instrumental usually only works with an artist who can make it authentic. Trust me, Olivia Dean is the artist that can do that. Her voice fits the vibe of this song perfectly, and she shows both confidence and restraint in a way that shows she truly wants the man she's singing about. The "talk to me, talk to me" bit is one of the best things about the song, and adds another touch of personality to make it truly pop.
The story of this song is simple. Olivia wants to be with this guy, and she's giving him hints, but she doesn't know if he feels the same way. She wants him to tell her that he can be the man she needs. Olivia herself described it as "a song about knowing how you deserve to be loved and not being afraid to ask for it", and that's exactly how it feels to me. There's so much heart inside this performance that it feels like she's actually singing about a real person. I have no clue if she is or not, but I truly believe she is.
I listened to Olivia Dean's whole album The Art of Loving, and I will say that it's one of the best I've heard this year. There's so much talent shown within it, and I think Olivia has proven herself as one of the best breakout artists of the year. If she doesn't win "Best New Artist" at the 2026 Grammys, something is really, really wrong. This is such an amazing song. The fact it's not even in the top ten just tells you exactly why I expanded this list from 10 to 15. Keep it up, Olivia. I hope some of the other songs from that album get big.
One major downside of writing my lists in November last year is that I missed out on a couple songs that absolutely would have made this list. However, they still qualify by my rules for this year, so I'm rolling with it.
Tyler, the Creator released Chromakopia in October 2024, but most of it's songs lasted throughout 2025 as hits... until Tyler dropped another album in July 2025. That album was really good, but none of the songs really stood out to me enough to make this list. You know what did stick out to me, though?
"Sticky" by Tyler, the Creator is one of the most confusing experiences I've ever had listening to a song. The instrumental sounds like it came directly from a high school cafeteria with no restrictions. You have GloRilla, Sexyy Red, and Lil Wayne all joining here, and it's like a group project where everybody pulls their weight. I have no clue how someone even comes up with something like this, and yet it's one of the best rap songs of the year. I think I might as well just go through verse by verse and unravel why this works.
We are introduced through this song through whistling, and then Tyler starts rapping. After his first section, we get the "it's getting sticky" that continues throughout the song. Then, Tyler does another section with one of the best lines I heard all year in "give a fuck bout pronouns I'm that n***a and that bitch." That's just so funny to me. Then, we get another section of chants before GloRilla pops in. Her verse is about how she'll steal your man and then fight you if you want to fight her. Tyler does a verse afterwards and says that the people criticizing him must be smoking ketamine and that he's a "jack of all trades".
After that, we get Sexyy Red. When I saw her name on this, I was worried. I've never really liked her music, but I will say, I was impressed here. She does a really good job on this beat, and talks about how she's also going to fight people over their man. It's kind of funny how her and GloRilla say the same thing in different ways. The last main verse goes to Lil Wayne, who displays some great rhyming skills, as he rhymes "sticky situation" with "discombobulation" with "rosacea" and "ovation" and "occupation" and "condensation" and "conversations" which is actually insane if you ask me. Sneaking all of those words into 4 lines is just intense.
Overall, this song is just very fun. There are so many great moments that I didn't get to talk about here, like the "grab that mop" part, and Tyler's 3rd verse where he says he has allergies to "bum n***as", which is just a very funny line. The song is a chaotic mess in the best way. It's fun, energetic, and has a lot of charm to it. This feels to me like a precursor to what Don't Tap The Glass would end up being, and yet it takes the spot on this list over anything from that album. You ought to listen to the YouTube video where they keep adding features. It's absolutely hilarious.
Have... I ever talked about K-Pop on one of the best lists? It's not a genre I'm widely familiar with, or particularly fond of for that matter, but there had to have been something from the past few years that caught my attention in some way, right? Well, if I haven't, I guess it's finally time.
The biggest cultural event in music this year was the release of K-Pop: Demon Hunters, an animated movie about a K-pop girl group who are secretly demon hunters. One of the main emotional plot points in the movie is a secret relationship between one of the members of the group, Rumi, and the leader of the "demons" from the K-pop boy group, Jinu. This resulted in one of the best songs of the year.
While "Golden" was the big hit, "Your Idol" was the villain song, and "Soda Pop" was the most BTS-like, I'd argue that "Free" was easily the best song off the soundtrack of this movie. It occurs just before the main finale of the movie, and it's the perfect thing to introduce that climax. The chemistry between Rumi and Jinu [voiced by Ejae and Andrew Choi within the song] is fantastic. It truly feels like they're singing to each other, and it's the most emotionally compelling song the movie has to offer.
"Free" is a song about escaping your demons and finally being free from the roles the world places on them, overcoming being ashamed of who they are, and emphasizing the bond between them. There are some truly powerful lyrics in these songs, such as "I tried to sing, couldn't hit the notes", "I tried to smile, I was suffocating though", and "Let the past be the past 'til it's weightless". However, the best lyric in this song occurs in Jinu's verse, when he says "between imposter and this monster I've been lost inside my head", and that's where it clicked for me. This song brilliantly takes the story about demons and makes it an analogy for the real monsters that haunt the minds of people around the world.
What also helps is the fact that this song is brilliantly produced. The beginning piano intro has the exact dramatic flair that is needed, and the percussion doesn't kick in until the first chorus. Every moment in this song is intentional. Every aspect of what I'm hearing was made perfectly. Both characters sound like this song was made for them. This song isn't just great on it's own, but the context of the movie it's in makes it all the better. When Rumi hits that high note in the verse, you can hear the chains breaking. You can feel that they're starting to become free, but you also know before it ends that this isn't the end of the story.
I'm not going to spoil how this movie ends for you. If you want more context as to why this song isn't just powerful, but is also heartbreaking, the movie provides all of the context that is needed. Everything about this song just hits hard, though, and it completely captured my attention and made me interested in the movie it's from. This is one of the best songs of the year, and I'm all the happier for it.
As I was talking about in the Tyler section, I decided to make the idiotic decision last year to write my best lists in late November. I started writing them early in the month, and finished on the 20th. I decided to wait a week before I released them. I felt like an idiot 2 days later when Kendrick Lamar decided to drop GNX. The biggest hit off that album was "Luther", a collab with SZA that I honestly thought was overrated. I was not a fan of it. Then, there was "TV Off", which is mostly well known for Kendrick yelling "MUSTARD" at the top of his lungs in the middle. The best song, however, was this...
After the Drake-Kendrick feud last year, I fully expected Kendrick's success to continue. That it did. He had 4 of the 20 biggest songs of 2025, with "Luther" (#2), "TV Off" (#14), "Not Like Us" (#17) and, of course, "Squabble Up" at #20. This song debuted at #1 after release, which makes a lot of sense. It was one of the first songs on the album, and is also one of the catchiest. The bouncy production keeps you engaged, and Kendrick's clever lyricism and punchlines keep you coming back.
What is this song about? I'm not exactly sure. I don't think that's the point, though. This song is supposed to be fun. Kendrick is proving he can be just as mainstream and pop as other rappers, especially you know who. This song does call out fakeness in the industry, paying homage to his west coast roots while also standing his ground against the "haters". He tells people to get out of his face and to be ready to fight ("squabble up") if they don't. A lot of people actually took the song's title to mean "to dance/party" because of how danceable this song is. It even samples Debbie Deb's "When I Hear Music", which is about dancing.
Is "Squabble Up" Kendrick's best song? No. Is it the one I've listened to the most? Absolutely. This is an earworm. Once you hear it, you will never forget it. It pops up in my brain from time to time, and you'll see me smiling when it does. Kendrick proved himself to be the greatest rapper alive in 2024, but 2025 cemented that. Even the most mainstream song Kendrick has ever made will be one of the best songs of the year. That is an achievement in and of itself.
... I don't even know how to begin this one. I guess I'll try to come up with something. It's hard with this kind of song, though. The fact that this song is on this list at all is a miracle in and of itself. When I say that this is one of the best songs of the year, though, I mean it. There's so much I want to say and - wait, I appear to be receiving a call. I wonder... who's calling my phone?
This... is just insane. Out of all of the people who could appear on the list, it's Drake???? Well, I can't say I'm not honest. He's one of the most popular rappers in the world for a reason. Even if we did enjoy Kendrick making as much fun of him as possible, it was inevitable that Drake was going to return in some capacity. Is it ever going to be the same as it used to be? No. I think Drake's days of consistently getting to #1 are long over. Is he still going to have hits? Obviously. That's why he's on this list.
As much as I hated $ome $exy $ongs 4 U, I have to admit that there was one, and only one, standout track. "Nokia" is the best song Drake has made since, like, "Sicko Mode". The song opens with a high-pitched voice saying "who's callin' my phone?" over and over, before Drake names a bunch of women and asks if it's them. The beginning of the song is produced with this fast-paced, vibey beat that manages to sneak in the Nokia ringtone, making the name of the song make a lot of sense. It's a really fun and engaging start to the song that really hits it's peak in the second chorus.
The second half of this song is when things start to get really lit. Like most of Drakes songs these days, we get a beat change, but this is the first one since, well, "Sicko Mode", to really feel like it justifies itself. This part of the song has one of the catchiest melodies I heard all year, with some sharp synth and production that really sounds great. This half features vocals by Elkan, and his part is what makes the song. His voice is engaging, and it really feels like a sample of a classic rather than a new set of vocals. That's how good it is.
"Nokia" is the best solo song Drake has made in the 2020s. Is it close? No. His output has been so consistently awful since "Toosie Slide" that the fact he's on a best list this year is surprising to a very high degree. This is the song that made me understand why so many people were willing to defend Drake during the feud. While I don't think Drake won the feud, I do think he survived it, and that's all that matters for him in the end.
When I listened to Morgan Wallen's album I'm the Problem this year, I was very lukewarm on it. Yes, it had it's fair share of bad songs, with "Just In Case", "Miami", and "Kiss Her In Front of You" all making my worst list. However, the album had good songs, too, with "Kick Myself" being the best one. There's just something about this that sticks with you, like, well, a stick. It's a song that shows how good Morgan can be when he's at his best, and I'll explain why I chose it over other songs from the album.
First off, this song sounds great. The production reminds me of "Dangerous" in the best possible way. This is pop-country at it's finest. With some smooth guitar and percussion, it really makes this song pop and stand out next to all of the awful trap that Wallen decided to include on the album. This is easily the most fun song on the album from a musical standpoint, but I'm not putting this on the list for that alone, even if that is a very good aspect of it.
What is this about? "Kick Myself" is about how Morgan was able to get rid of all of the bad influences in his life, such as beer and Broadway, but he can't get rid of himself and he was probably better off before. It's such a weirdly introspective topic for a Morgan Wallen song considering everything else he writes about, but I just really enjoy how he handles it. This is what "I'm the Problem" should have been. He realizes that he's not perfect, but he also acknowledges that his faults are mostly because of himself. I know this isn't for everyone, but this is the kind of thing that I appreciate.
Morgan Wallen is not my favorite country artist, but he's the one I understand the appeal of the most. I constantly see people asking "who's listening to this guy? I can't name a single song" and it's like... there are 300 million people in America. Not everything is going to be on your radar. This was what was on my radar this year, and this is the kind of song that Morgan needs to keep making. No more "Kiss Her In Front of You"s. Make this.
2025 was the year I really developed my love for rock music. Whether that be pop-rock, metal, or country rock, it was my top genre of this year for a reason. A lot of people classify this band as rock, and I'd say that's only partially accurate. They mix so many different genres together that the idea of it seems bad, but... no. It's not bad at all. In fact, it resulted in one of my favorite songs of the year.
Out of all the things to happen in popular music this year, Sleep Token charting on the Billboard Hot 100 was not one of them. Although, when you really think about it, this happening makes a lot of sense. The charts were slow. A band that has a devoted following and is bubbling under the mainstream had a very good opportunity to chart this year. Songs could get on the chart simply by buying their way onto country radio, for crying out loud. Sleep Token took this opportunity when they released their album Even in Arcadia, which was somehow only 20 minutes shorter than Morgan Wallen's album despite having 27 fewer songs on it. Honestly, I really liked this album despite the bloated runtimes. There's something to it, especially this song, "Caramel", which was the biggest hit.
"Caramel" combines aspects of metal, R&B, hip-hop, reggaeton, and pop in one of the strangest songs I've ever put on this list. There's a lot of great elements here, though. The opening plucked instrumental introduces you into a softer song, before it builds up in the first chorus. You finally hear some percussion come in during the second verse, and the second chorus leans into the metal guitars that really build their foundation into the song. I will say that the percussion on this song is amazing. I know that Sleep Token's drummer is very well known in the rock community, having played in the tribute for Black Sabbath this year, so it's no surprise that I find this impressive. II has a lot of talent, but what brings it and the rest of the music together is Vessel, the lead singer, who puts together a great performance with some very emotive vocals.
The topic of "Caramel" is a very intriguing one. Sleep Token is a band that tries to keep themselves anonymous, which I think is cool. It really keeps the mystique of the band, with their cool costumes and creepy undertones they have in a lot of their subject matter. The song is about how Vessel struggles with the intensity of the band's growing fame, and the reflection of his conflicts inside his mind. It's a very attentive song, definitely making me wonder what is in store for this band and what they have planned. Verse one talks about how he's trying to prevent himself from being seen, and how he has to hide it every time someone takes a picture of him. The chorus, with the title line "stick to me like caramel" is a cry to the band's fans to finish the story. Verse two continues verse one with lyrics about how people call out his real name just to make him mad and how it stresses him out. Their identities were leaked after their last album, but out of respect I'm not going to try and find out. But, you can tell by the bridge that Vessel feels like he's not allowed to be upset. "Too blessed to be caught ungrateful" tells the whole story. While the fame has allowed him to spread his message, it's also cost him is anonymity.
"Caramel" is one of the best songs of the year simply because of what it is. It represents a man struggling within himself over how his fame has cost him the thing that made him stand out, and how he's ready to move forward with the people that care about him. When the song breaks down, you hear him questioning those people, but he knows deep down that they're meant to be there for him and the rest of the band. Even if this mainstream success doesn't continue, I know that Sleep Token is still going to maintain that cult following for as long as they want it.
Sam Barber and Avery Anna were two artists I was unfamiliar with before listening to this song, which made the Year-End Hot 100's top 50 despite never reaching any higher than 40 on the weekly chart. This is one of the cases where TikTok actually benefited the charts, as this is a song that needed to get popular. It's the kind of song that you feel emotionally, with so many heartbreaking parts to it. I've had a couple conversations with people who have said this song genuinely made them cry, and I can completely understand why.
"Indigo" is sung from the perspective of 2 ex-lovers, both of whom are struggling with the end of the relationship. Sam wonders if all of the pain is God teaching him a lesson, and discusses how everything has changed since they broke up. When he sings the chorus, you can feel that things truly have changed for the worse. "I used to shine like gold, now I'm all indigo" is a simple lyric, but it's one that I think can truly hurt somebody who's dealing with the end of a long-term relationship. Avery Anna's verse is similar, where she also asks God if this pain as a lesson while admitting that she gave up a piece of her heart while leaving. It all shows a devastating story for both characters, who feel they deserve better.
The instrumentation on this song is what puts it over the top, though. The acoustic guitar always gets me in this type of strum-heavy sense, but I think this is some top-notch stuff here that really compliments the emotional appeal of the song. After the second chorus, the guitar and piano both have their moments to shine, and it's one of the most beautiful sounds I heard in music this year. This solo is what captivated me towards this song. It adds an emotion of brightness in a song that otherwise would leave you more depressed, and lets you know there's hope on the other side.
When I sat down and decided the order of this list, deciding where to put "Indigo" was the hardest decision. I ultimately decided that the middle of the list made perfect sense. It's not a perfect song by any means, but it's one that meant a lot to me, and that's worth a spot here. Sam Barber hasn't seemed to have any more chart success, but hopefully he keeps making this kind of music, because he's very good at it. Same with Avery Anna for that matter, as she also has a lot of talent I'd love to see shine like gold. This is a song I'll remember, and for a lot of very good reasons. Good work, both of you.
The charts were, unfortunately, very stagnated this year. On the year-end Hot 100, only one of the ten songs in the Top 10 were released this year. That can be attributed to Billboard's idiotic decision to track data starting in October 2024, but another part is that the music of this year just didn't have the "hype" to it that last year's did. However, the one song that did make the top 10 from 2025... was "Ordinary" by Alex Warren. Everyone seemed to hate this song, and I'm not entirely sure I understand why. I've heard people say it sounds like Imagine Dragons, which I just don't hear. I've heard people say it's bad because it sounds like Christian music, which is subjective. Instead of talking about that, let me tell you about this...
I miss Avicii. His music was some of the best EDM out there, and songs like "Wake Me Up" and "Hey Brother" proved that. This song reminds me of a combination between those two. It's got the upbeat feel of "Wake Me Up" with the brotherly advice of "Hey Brother" that really feels like a tribute to the late artist. This song talks about overcoming generational trauma and not feeling like you have to fit in a mold given to you by your family. It's a powerful message that I'm surprised I haven't heard more songs about. It also helps that this song is complimented by a great instrumental that fills like it fits everything it needs to.
You know what song this reminds me a lot of, though? "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey. It's got the same "stomp-clap" feel of that song. Both also manage to not be too cliche or generic by creating a relatable sentiment in the lyrics. Warren and Jelly Roll both sing about how this unnamed person is struggling to separate themself from their family's expectations, but that they'll be there for this person. The lyrics are simple, but they carry so much meaning inside of them. It all comes to a peak in the bridge, where Warren says that despite how bad things can get, "God's not done with you yet", which... as a Christian, I found so much inspiration in.
Alex Warren's album You'll Be Alright Kid was pretty good, overall. "Bloodline" wasn't the only highlight, though, as there as another song I thought really stood out to me.
I was honestly shocked that this song wasn't bigger. You have the girl behind "APT.", one of the biggest hits of the decade from a global standpoint, and one of the biggest breakout stars of 2025 together on a song? That seems like a surefire hit, right? Especially when you consider that the song is actually really good, the fact that this song only hit #60 on the Hot 100 is a shock to me.
Unlike "Bloodline", "On My Mind" is more love-driven than family-driven. The song opens with a nice acoustic guitar, with the sound building up as the song progresses. Warren and Rosé both admit that they're being reminded of each other through what's happening around them, despite saying they never think about the other through the rest of their life. When they sing together on the chorus, they sound like everything's come together, and it's one of the most beautiful sounds I heard in pop music this year. Despite the fact that these two are not together, you hear some great synergy and connection between them that comes through as the song ends. When it's over, they feel triumphant and happy with each other.
"Bloodline" and "On My Mind" are two songs that show the true talent Warren has to offer, especially when he's working with other people that compliment his skills. While "Ordinary" was the big hit, these two songs were the ones that really connected with me. I'm intrigued to see what you have to offer next, Warren. Don't let me down.
The list so far has felt a bit strange to me. Honestly, that's not surprising. My taste in music is very adaptive. I like a lot of things. I'm open to try any kind of music someone throws at me. So, don't be surprised when music you aren't necessarily into makes this list. It may not be your thing, but it is mine.
What I'm trying to say is that there's a second Sleep Token song on the list.
Sleep Token has been widely criticized by metalheads as "fake metal", and to that I say, "who cares?" Just because it doesn't fit your definition of a genre doesn't mean the music isn't good. By far, "Emergence" is the most impressive song I've heard from Sleep Token, a band who's prog metal sound has never been my thing, but really impressed me throughout the year. This was one of my most listened to songs of the year, which is impressive considering it's not meant to be replayed. It's a 6-minute-long song with combinations of rap, rock, pop, metal, and even jazz that ends with a minute-long saxophone solo. Of course it's not meant to be replayed, yet it was. I was captivated by this.
What is this song about? I'm not entirely sure. It seems there's some sort of "emergence", as the song's title suggests, and Vessel may be talking to himself, telling his other half to come out of the darkness and embrace who he really is, fully becoming Vessel. There's also the factor of the deity that the band represents, known as Sleep. That's not something I can personally relate with, but it's an intriguing narrative to look at the song through, especially when it's this powerful from a musical standpoint. The song's standout lyric is "you might be the one to take away the pain and let my mind go quiet", and it just hits when it occurs in the final bridge, being behind some excellent instrumentation.
Let's be real, though. The reason this song is on the list is not because of any lyrical sentiment or profoundness. It's here because this is one of the best-sounding songs I've ever heard in my entire life. The creepy intro that leads into some blunt piano is one of the best use of dramatic tension I've heard in a song. Vessel's voice just fits the entire thing and makes it complete. The rap verses are also pretty cool, with some strange but fitting lyrics that mention different things that are compliments to each other, such as "carbide on my nano" and "sapphire on my white gold". The guitar kicks in on the second rap verse. The bridges are some of the best instrumentation I heard all year, with great metal guitars and drum skills from II, who continuously proves he's one of the best drummers in the game. It all clicks together on that final bridge, where he sings that standout lyric and it just pulls you in, before ending with an awesome saxophone solo coming from Gabi Rode, who works with Bilmuri on their live shows. Fun fact, Bilmuri is actually from Columbus, Ohio, which is where I go for college at Ohio State. That's a fun connection.
"Emergence" is Sleep Token's magnum opus. It's a song that displays all of their strengths while also bringing it all together in one big, beautiful piece of music. It clicked with me instantly. It's a song that I've listened to so many times, simply because it's that outstanding. Sleep Token is one of the most critically panned bands in music, and it's so confusing to me. They have this flair to them that makes them special, and I'll continue to enjoy it for as long as I can.
When I referenced Olivia Dean earlier, I mentioned that I think she's the clear frontrunner for best new female artist of the year. The reason I split it up like that is because it is too close to call between her and the best new male artist of the year. Another fun thing is that this is the first time I will ever have put an artist younger than me on a best list. Considering I'm only twenty years old, that feels pretty weird the more I think about it.
One of the main reasons for my love of "Back To Friends" is the vibe of it all. That opening piano goes into a really dramatic feel with some great percussion, all produced by Sombr himself. There's this neat filter on his voice that has a lot of grain to it, and it sound really cool next to the moody production. The electric guitar in the background sets everything together, and it all comes out as an equally balanced song with so many great moments. I'm legitimately impressed he managed to produce something like this himself for how young he is, and a lot of my love for it comes from that fact.
The song is pretty clear about what it is from the title. Sombr is confused about how he and this girl are going to recover from having a one-night-stand having started out as friends. The tone of the song is anxious, and you can feel how Sombr is worried they may not recover. It doesn't project that on to you, but it's more like a conversation where he wants to know what the girl thinks about the situation. There's the teenage bitterness of it all that really feels authentic. This song is real. How do you go back to being friends when you just shared a bed? That's the lifelong question that we all need to answer.
"Back To Friends" is one of the best first impressions I've ever heard. With what he has accomplished so far, Sombr has a chance to become of this generation's defining stars. Will he? Only time will tell. For now, though, he can celebrate the fact that he has created something truly special. With more people around to help him, who knows what he can achieve. Keep it up, Sombr. You're going to be great.
I will admit that this year's list was one of the hardest for me to put together. With so many songs eligible, there's obviously going to be some confusing choices, but none surprise me more than the song I put at #3. I've had a complicated history with this artist, but overall I think she's been pretty good. She had a weird start, but has come into her own as one of the newest real "pop stars" we have. This song, however, is different than anything else she's ever made.
This is exactly the song I've been waiting on Tate McRae to make. All of her last few big hits ("Greedy", "Exes", "Sports Car", "Just Keep Watching") are decent, but are missing that X factor that makes it perfect. "Revolving Door" has that X factor and then some, and Tate is the perfect person to accomplish it. Everything about this immediately stood out to me, with it's moody atmosphere and dramatic sound. It's a complete masterpiece from front to back, in every sense of the word.
Sound-wise, this is probably the best a Tate McRae song has ever sounded. The pulsating production really feels like Tate is struggling to make a decision. The percussion here has that bounce that compliments everything. The background synths sound beautiful, and the breakdown after the chorus feels like a mental breakdown in the best possible way. This is the second song in a row where a feeling of anxiety is presented but not projected. Instrumentally, "Revolving Door" is emotionally charged in every way that it needs to be. It's perfection in music form.
Lyrically, Tate McRae sings about the struggles with temptation in a relationship. She has responsibilities, but she also wants to be with this guy. You can feel that she knows it's a bad idea, but she does it anyway because that's what she wants rather than what she knows is right. It's a sentiment that feels very well-done and executed tremendously. There's melancholy in both the music and the lyrics, yet you know full way Tate is going to do what she wants and not what she needs. I could imagine this relating beautifully for someone in this situation. When you hit that bridge, everything comes together in one of the most climactic musical moments I've ever heard.
I don't have to explain to you why "Revolving Door" is one of the best songs of the year, but I did because I know it's what I need to do. This is the masterpiece I always knew Tate McRae had in her. Will she ever make anything this good again? God, I hope so. She's a very talented artist in both her music and her choreography, and the video for this song is proof of the latter. It's an excellent song in every way, and shows me the potential of what Tate can be if she's surrounded by the right people.
The choice for #1 on this list was always going to be difficult, and I feel bad that this song got left as the runner-up, but I think it suits the #2 spot perfectly. I've known about this song since last year, funnily enough, but I was waiting on it to hit the Hot 100 the entire year. I watched it rise up the Country Airplay chart every week, hoping that eventually it would be enough for it to hit the actual main chart. On the week of November 1st, 2025, it finally happened. It hit the Hot 100. It didn't stay long, but it made the impact it needed to.
I've had a good relationship with my father throughout my life. We've had our moments, but there's never been a second that I thought he wouldn't be there for me when I needed it. There are times, however, where I wonder what it would've been like if I hadn't had a great father in my life. However, I don't want to think about that. It's just the question that comes up when I listen to "Heavens To Betsy", one of the most powerful songs I've ever listened to in my life.
In "Heavens to Betsy", Jackson Dean portrays a father who has died and went to Heaven, looking down on his daughter and hoping he can watch after her while she's still alive, if she'll let him. In the first verse, he tells her that he finally quit drinking because he regrets letting that get to her. In the chorus, he belts out that he's surprised he was let into Heaven due to his sinful nature, and that he didn't do a good enough job watching over her while he was alive, but he'll do so until they reunite. The second verse reveals that he apparently left the family, leaving her in her "pink rain boots in the driveway" and asking what kind of person it would take to give up on them. The chorus repeats twice and you just feel heartbroken. You know he's lost his chance to raise her on Earth, but maybe he can receive forgiveness from her in Heaven.
What puts this song above and beyond being just a regular country ballad is how Jackson Dean uses country rock to emphasize how he feels. Everything builds up throughout the song to an epic guitar solo after the bridge. The acoustic guitar throughout the song accents the main lyrics with such profoundness. It's an absolutely beautiful song that haunts me. That guitar solo clinched it a spot this high, though. It's got an eccentric country rock flair with a lot of power and brilliance to it. The real emotion in Jackson's voice comes through on the last chorus, and it packs a punch so hard it almost knocked me on my feet.
What puts this song above and beyond being just a regular country ballad is how Jackson Dean uses country rock to emphasize how he feels. Everything builds up throughout the song to an epic guitar solo after the bridge. The acoustic guitar throughout the song accents the main lyrics with such profoundness. It's an absolutely beautiful song that haunts me. That guitar solo clinched it a spot this high, though. It's got an eccentric country rock flair with a lot of power and brilliance to it. The real emotion in Jackson's voice comes through on the last chorus, and it packs a punch so hard it almost knocked me on my feet.
"Heavens to Betsy" is the best country song to hit the Hot 100 in 2024, and it's not close whatsoever. The message behind it, the instrumentation, and the vocal performance are all amazing elements that come together to form something truly cohesive and wonderful. Jackson Dean caught my attention with this song, and we'll have to see where he goes from here. I'm hoping it's more thoughtful, emotional country like this.
Before I talk about the hit song I loved the most in 2025, here are some honorable mentions...
[HM1] The Largest - BigXthaPlug
BigXthaPlug is probably the most fun rapper to listen to on the charts, and this was his best contribution of the year. It's an instantly memorable chorus with some very catchy production that instantly gets stuck in your head. That percussion just hits so hard when you're driving down the highway. X's booming voice fills every moment of the song, and that is definitely a good thing.
[HM2] 12 to 12 - Sombr
While "Back to Friends" was the song that stuck for me, there's no denying that "12 to 12" is one of the catchiest songs you'll ever hear. The smooth piano production and bassline are just so infectious, and Sombr's voice works so well against the upbeat nature of the song. I love everything I've heard from the guy so far, so I'm hoping we get more of his music on the charts in upcoming years. A definite breath of fresh air in an underwhelming pop world.
[HM3] Pink Pony Club - Chappell Roan
I know this song came out in 2020 and started getting popular in 2024, and it wasn't eligible for the list by my rules, but honestly I didn't start really liking it until this year anyway. I'm not entirely sure why that took so long, since I should've known this would be one of the biggest songs of the decade from the first listen. This is what the modern "pop" song strives to be. The pianos at the beginning and the electric guitar solos at the end are obvious highlights. Chappell Roan is a good artist, and while she's not my personal favorite, I completely understand what everyone sees that makes her so popular.
[HM4] TV Off - Kendrick Lamar (feat. Lefty Gunplay)
The other one of Kendrick's gigantic pop hits from GNX, this one was very close to making the actual list, but it just missed out. The production here is pristine. Every moment of this song feels like it was made to go viral, especially the well-known "MUSTAAAAAARD" bit. This is "Not Like Us" if Drake wasn't involved, yet I didn't like it nearly as much as that song. This is still great, though. There's so many great moments that it's hard to list them all, but I will say Lefty Gunplay's part is really cool. Excellent track.
[DM5] Dracula - Tame Impala
Tame Impala finally getting a charting single was NOT on my Bingo card this year, but honestly I should've seen it coming. With how slow the charts have been, artists like Tame Impala, Sleep Token, and a bunch of Christian singers got their chance to hit the Hot 100 for the first time. "Dracula" is a pretty cool song, though, with Tame Impala putting in some weird but cool production choices that really accent it well. I will admit the lyrics are bit strange, but I'm here for the sound so I'm not going to worry about it.
[DM6] Denial Is A River - Doechii
See, I'm not just a mindless Doechii hater just because I didn't like "Anxiety". "Denial Is A River" is one of the more interesting songs I've heard this year, mostly because of the concept. It's a pretty cool conversation between her and her inner voice that goes through some real emotions that Doechii has gone through. It's an old-school style of hip-hop with a new-school story that really gives itself a lot of room to breathe (quite literally when you consider the end), and I've grown to like it a lot over the year.
[HM7] Good Credit - Playboi Carti (feat. Kendrick Lamar)
While I was not a particular fan of MUSIC, I will say it had a few standout tracks, "Good Credit" being one of them. I love the synth sounds throughout, and both Carti and Kendrick put in some pretty cool verses. It's easily my favorite song on the album, with Kendrick's verse here being an easy standout. It's such an interesting moment in an album I didn't really get, and I applaud it for that. The intro and outro are also kind of comical, having almost nothing to do with the rest of the song. Either way, it's cool.
[HM8] Weren't For The Wind - Ella Langley
Ella Langley had a really good year in 2025. Between this, her collab with Hardy "Never Met Anyone Like You", and "Choosin' Texas" (which I assume will be an even bigger hit in 2026 than it is now), I thought her output was very good overall. This song, about how things might be different in a different life between her and a man she left behind, hit all of the right spots. It's emotionally compelling, and Ella's voice is as beautiful as always. This is just some genuinely good country that we really needed right now.
[HM9] Hard Fought Hallelujah - Brandon Lake (feat. Jelly Roll)
I grew up on Christian music, and I've had a love for it for a long time. I know it's not the best genre artistically, but I grew up singing in church and still do from time to time. "Hard Fought Hallelujah" is a pretty good song that was made better with the addition of Jelly Roll, who adds to the country rock flair Brandon Lake is making here. The only complaint I have is that it's a slight bit too long, but it's cool to see more country artists working with Christian singers. That's a trend I've seen a lot lately, with artists like Thomas Rhett, Avery Anna (hey she showed up earlier!), Gabby Barrett, Walker Hayes, and.... um, for some reason, Mitchell Tenpenny working with CCM musicians. I'm fully expecting a Casting Crowns-Bailey Zimmerman collaboration soon. Make it happen, guys!
[HM10] Mystical Magical - Benson Boone
I bet a lot of people were wondering where this was after reading the worst list. Well, to be honest, I'm sick and tired of seeing all of the hatred being spread towards this song. Pop music needed a song like this. While I acknowledge the faults in it's lyrics (dancing at the movies, seriously?), I'm not at all worried about it. Pop music is supposed to be fun. "Mystical Magical" is the song for that. I would call this a "guilty pleasure", but I'm not at all guilty about listening to this. I love how this sounds. I think "moon beam ice cream" is a funny lyric. It's stupid fun and that's perfectly okay. Stop taking it so seriously.
[HM11] Broken Man - Eddie and the Getaway
I'm going to use these last two slots to talk about songs that weren't hits that still stuck with me. Eddie and the Getaway has quickly become one of my favorite artists over the year, with his single from last year, "Love Myself", being my most-listened-to song of 2025 according to Spotify, by a large margin. "Broken Man" is an emotional country ballad with some pretty cool rock production, and Eddie's vocals are just as powerful as ever. He's got a lot of potential if he works with the right people.
Also, fun fact, I posted my worst list last week, and the NEXT DAY, I see Eddie has posted a picture with none other than Chase Matthew, with the song "Darlin'" playing in the background. What a world we live in.
Also, fun fact, I posted my worst list last week, and the NEXT DAY, I see Eddie has posted a picture with none other than Chase Matthew, with the song "Darlin'" playing in the background. What a world we live in.
[HM12] Goodbye, Good Riddance - Taylor Acorn
When I say that very few artists have made as much an impact on my life as Taylor Acorn has, I absolutely mean it. "Goodbye, Good Riddance" was the lead single from Poster Child, her 3rd album and an absolutely great experience to listen to. Her pop-rock style is really cool, and she's got some great talent as both a singer and a song-writer. This song is about an ex that she's glad to see go, and it's just so upbeat and catchy in a fun way. I saw her in concert this month, and it was the single best concert I've ever been to. Every song hit. She was absolutely great, and that only made her music that much better. I'm excited to see what comes next for her, but I guarantee that it'll be great.
And now, the best hit song of the year.
There are very rarely cases where I struggle to decide what my favorite song of the year is. The only cases I can think of are 2021 ("Moth To A Flame" by the weeknd & Swedish House Mafia) and 2018 ("Slow Dancing In The Dark" by Joji), but this one feels different. I could make an argument for every single song on this list being the best of the year. What makes this specific song stand out above all of the rest? Well, I personally think it's pretty simple.
Would you rather receive a fancy meal or a soft blanket? A lot of people would pick the meal, but personally... I'd go with the blanket. It's comfortable. It's cozy. It makes my dog want to come sit with me. Previous songs on this list are the fancy meal.
2025's best hit song is the comfortable blanket I needed.
Olivia Dean is the best new artist of 2025. I just thought I'd put that out there. While "Man I Need" was the song that brought her into the spotlight, "Nice To Each Other" was the song that made me realize she would be a star. While I said that this was the "cozy blanket", I would also argue that everything here is pristine. It's controlled and calm in exactly the way it needs to be, and it feels intentional in every single little detail. The lead single off The Art of Loving, I'm surprised it hasn't received more attention. I think it's easily the best song off of the album, even surpassing the critically acclaimed "Man I Need", which feels bold, but knowing me, it isn't whatsoever.
I needed this song. With all of the struggles I've had throughout the year with loneliness, a song like this was exactly what I was looking for. The issues I've had with my mental health all slip into the back of my mind when I hear this song. Those catchy guitar strums throughout and Olivia's smooth voice all come together immediately to form something truly special. In the chorus, those soulful synths allow the song to breathe and open up, being one of the best musical moments I've heard all year. Every aspect of this song's production sounds amazing, with Olivia herself making it all click.
"Nice To Each Other" is about how Olivia doesn't want to find herself stuck in the cliches a romance brings to the table, saying that she's "done all the classic stuff, you know it", but she doesn't exactly seem to know what she wants. All she knows is that she wants to take advantage of the moment and find joy in being "nice to each other", which is just a great sentiment. She doesn't want to make the relationship official, saying "I don't want a boyfriend", but she also enjoys "talking all night" with this person and wants them to "meet [her] on the mountaintop". While it seems inconsistent, that's the thing with modern dating. It's hard to know what to look for, and even harder to know what you want.
One comparison I've seen for this song that I thought was interesting was Fleetwood Mac, specifically a sped-up version of the song "Dreams", and... I hear it. When I saw that comparison, I realized why this song clicked with me so much. It's timeless. This song sounds like it could have released at any point in the past 40 years. This song felt familiar, and the reason why is because it sounds like the classic of pop and soul that modern music needed. Every aspect of this song feels like it's always been here, despite the fact that it just came out this year.
While "Heavens to Betsy" was the song that hit me the most from an emotional standpoint, "Nice To Each Other" was the song that left me speechless. Olivia had 3 hit singles this year with this, "Man I Need", and "So Easy (To Fall In Love)", yet this was the one that didn't hit the top 20. However, I think, in due time, this will be remembered as the classic we all needed. Even Barack Obama listed it as the first song on his "Favorite Songs of 2025" list. I know that doesn't necessarily mean anything, but I'm just glad people are realizing just how spectacular this is.
Olivia Dean is going to be a star for the next decade. She has the "it factor" that we've been waiting for in pop music. No artist has made me think this since.... Olivia Rodrigo in 2021. Maybe it's just the name Olivia. I couldn't tell you. All I know is that I'm glad that she's getting the stars she deserves.
"Nice To Each Other" by Olivia Dean. The best hit song of 2025.
Thank you guys for reading. I've got some more projects coming up soon, with a Year-End Hot 100 ranking and another NFL Mock Draft in the works. This is Lando from the Landoman Experiment, signing off. Take care.
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