2025 Year-End Hot 100 Ranking
I usually do this on a Google Doc or something, but this year I've decided to just put it on here. The 2025 Year-End Hot 100 was released in late 2025, and featured 100 songs popular within the year. I'm going to rank all of them from worst to best, and label them into tiers. Those tiers are ranked out of 5, with 8 of them existing. These tiers are: Abhorrent (-1/5), Terrible (0/5), Bad (1/5), Meh (2/5), Good (3/5), Great (4/5), Excellent (5/5), and Generational (6/5). It is very difficult for a song to enter either the Abhorrent or the Generational tier, but the other tiers are more lenient. For a song to enter the Generational Tier, it must go above and beyond what I expect music to be. For a song to enter the Abhorrent Tier, it must be bad in a way rarely seen in popular music.
Side note before we start... I will not be talking about the Christmas songs that made the Year-end Hot 100 for the umpteenth year in a row. That can be a job for someone else. Only 4 made it this year, so they have been replaced in the ranking by songs 101-104 from Talk of the Charts' calculations, those being "I'm A Little Crazy" by Morgan Wallen, "Amen" by Shaboozey and Jelly Roll, "Your Way's Better" by Forrest Frank, and "Yukon" by Justin Bieber. Let's begin.
2025 YEAR-END HOT 100 RANKING
Of course, just because I said it was difficult to get in this tier does not mean it wasn't going to happen. So, what song was so bad that I felt the need to give it the dreaded -1/5 ranking? Well... I think you might know if you read my worst list.
ABHORRENT TIER [-1/5]
100. the weeknd & Playboi Carti - Timeless
The more I think about it, the more my decision to call this the worst hit song of 2025 was correct. It encapsulates everything I hate about both of these artists, how stagnant and stale the charts were, and just how unbearable people can be at their worst. I'd like to remind you that this is the song where the weeknd says he would kill himself if he wasn't as famous as the person listening. Personally, I'm quite offended that somebody would say something that disgusting, but why am I surprised? Why would I be shocked that the guy who made The Idol would be an awful person? Everything about this song is awful. If you still feel the need to defend it, then that's your choice. I choose to condemn this.
That's the only song that was bad enough to make the Abhorrent Tier. It's reserved for songs this depressingly awful. So, how about we move on to..
TERRIBLE TIER [0/5]
99. Doechii - Anxiety
"Anxiety" is not a song made with any maliciousness. It was a song made by a 21-year-old girl who wanted to experiment with an instrumental she was familiar with. That does not stop it from being one of the most irritating listening experiences I've ever had. Doechii's rapping, while technically impressive, do not flow with this instrumental whatsoever. There's the awful second verse with her voice layered overtop of another voice. It conveys the feeling of anxiety perfectly, but not in a way that makes it relatable. Like "Wine Into Whiskey" in 2024, I'm not mad at Doechii for making this song. I'm glad she has an outlet. I just don't ever want to hear this again.
98. Jessie Murph - Blue Strips
Jessie Murph is an artist who I cannot understand the appeal of whatsoever. However, I know multiple people who are heavily into her. My coworker at my internship over the summer said she had already seen her twice, once before she even got big, and was planning to go see her a 3rd time. My friend's roommate tried to explain why "1965" was actually really good. While I respect their opinions, I just don't get it. Her voice makes nails against a chalkboard sound like music to my ears. This doesn't feel like music. It feels like a wood chipper. I can't believe a remix with Sexyy Red somehow actually made a song better. That's an achievement.
97. Forrest Frank - Your Way's Better
Forrest Frank became the punching bag for critics this season looking to bash Christian music for being obnoxious and preachy. I can't say I blame them. I grew up listening to Christian music, with artists like MercyMe, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Third Day being favorites. What's the difference between them and Forrest Frank? They actually made music that sounded like it was trying. Forrest instead takes the approach of trying to be trendy without putting meat around the bones. The beginning shows some potential, but it all falls apart when the AJR-with-a-cold-esque drop shows up and ruins everything. The fact this wasn't even the worst song to hit the Christian charts is embarrassing.
Would you like to know what that was??
I have no clue what we're doing here.
96. Morgan Wallen - Just In Case
95. Koe Wetzel (feat. Jessie Murph) - High Road
Koe Wetzel and Jessie Murph is like if you took barbeque sauce and mixed it with pinesol. You take something gritty but very good, and add something that completely ruins it. That's what happened here. I think Koe actually does a decent job on his part, with the dark guitar really standing out. In fact, the solo version of this would've been a solid 20 spots higher if they hadn't added country Bebe Rexha to this. Murph completely takes out every bit of momentum and highlights how wrong the sentiment of this is. They're so proud of the line "I don't need a ticket to your shit show" like it's something amazing. This song could've been fine, but they decided they needed a collaboration and it didn't work at all.
94. Benson Boone - Beautiful Things
You know what? I like Benson Boone. He seems like a good guy. He's trying his best to make emotive music that captures a feeling. His breakout hit may be the worst thing he could've started off with. His belting sounds like if a car alarm went off. He sounds like he's trying to be Dan Reynolds and Luke Combs at the same time, and it sucks. I just don't understand why you would listen to music like this. The improvement from this album is insane considering how much I love "Mr. Electric Blue" and "Mystical Magical", but we can all do better than this. The fact this was still so popular throughout 2025 shows me how desperate we are for big hits even if there's no materiality to it.
BAD TIER [1/5]
93. Justin Bieber - Yukon
This song would be a good 20 spots higher if it wasn't pitched up so much. I couldn't have even told you who this was if I didn't already see the artist. This may actually be the worst production decision of the entire year. His voice sounds like complete garbage. I have no clue what they were thinking. The song shoots itself in the foot from the first second you hear it. Disappointing.
92. Riley Green - Worst Way
Worst Way? More like one of the ten worst songs on this list! Ha!
I don't actually have anything to say about this that wouldn't be a rehash of the dishonorable mentions of my worst list, so instead I'll talk about the fact that Riley Green's song with Ella Langley, "Don't Mind If I Do" is actually really good and doesn't make me want to cringe like "You Look Like You Love Me" does, so I'd recommend checking it out!
91. Playboi Carti & the weeknd - Rather Lie
Maybe it's just residual anger from "Timeless", but man this song is bad. The synths sound like they're trying too hard to be profound, and the trap percussion makes it so stinted and awkward. The good thing about this song is that it doesn't tell you to kill yourself, so I'll take this over their other collaboration! The lyrics aren't nearly as bad. Although, he does say he's "diggin' deep like a plunger", so...
90. Gracie Abrams - That's So True
The thing about Gracie Abrams is that I can't exactly tell what she's trying to be. Not that she's not a Taylor Swift rip-off, but I can't tell what kind of person she's portraying. The mental inconsistencies this song portrays are compelling, but then the vindictive nature of the chorus chimes in and I just forget everything else. Usually I'd like a song instrumented like this, but the mood and vibes are just completely thrown off every few seconds, and it just leaves me feeling disappointed.
89. the weeknd - Cry For Me
The thing I'm learning about the weeknd from the 3 songs he has on the list so far is that he just seems to be completely miserable. "Timeless" painted the picture of a depraved man who would kill himself in anyone else's shoes. "Rather Lie" showed a man who's willing to be dishonest and manipulative to ensure his girl doesn't leave him. "Cry For Me" seems to be the magnum opus of this arc, and, while it is the best song, it just leaves you feeling... wrong. He wants this girl to be just as miserable as he is, crying after she seemingly left him. Maybe I'm misinterpreting it, but with the context of the other songs, it just feels icky.
88. Drake & PARTYNEXTDOOR - Somebody Loves Me
Drake tried so hard to change the tune this year, putting out a more upbeat album, but this was one of the bad ones. PARTYNEXTDOOR's singing voice isn't very good, and the beat is more dour than the other songs on the album. Drake actually does a better job, but it still isn't very good. It articulates itself a little too inconsistently to be any good. It seems that "Nokia" was a one-off, because I do not love this.
Alright, the next 5 songs are all by the same guy, so let's just make this quick.
87. Morgan Wallen - I'm The Problem
86. Morgan Wallen - 20 Cigarettes
85. Morgan Wallen - I'm A Little Crazy
84. Morgan Wallen - I Got Better
83. Morgan Wallen (feat. Tate McRae) - What I Want
Morgan Wallen chose to save the self-awareness for "Kick Myself" instead of the song entitled "I'm The Problem", which was just an extremely dumb choice.
He probably smoked 20 cigarettes before singing this song, which is what it sounds like. It's so miserable and ugly, just like the other 4 songs here.
Wallen writing a song about how crazy the world is when he's the guy who threw a chair off a balcony and also got caught screaming the n-word at someone is pretty ballsy, I've gotta admit.
Uh... you did not, in fact, get better, Morgan. You did not even come close to making an "I Wrote The Book" or "Me + All Your Reasons" level of song on this album. Sorry to tell you.
Morgan Wallen getting Tate McRae and not making a music video for the song reminds me of that time a guy gave BigXthaPlug helium and he thought his career was over for a solid second.
Anyway, on to the Meh Tier.
MEH TIER [2/5]
82. Hudson Westbrook - House Again
81. Oscar Maydon x Fuerza Regida - Tu Boda
I hate to say this, but foreign-language music is just going to have a harder time clicking with me. The instrumentation on this is doing most of the work in having it down this low. I just don't like the way that guitar clicks and moves about. The trumpets accenting it don't help whatsoever. Apparently, this is about how the singer is jealous of the guy that is with the girl he loves, and how he wants to kill that guy to dance with her in Heaven or Hell. Sure thing, buddy. At least they go back on that in the end.
80. Bad Bunny - EoO
This song played for like two seconds in the Super Bowl Halftime Show. As I expected, these synths go hard in live performances. Unfortunately, they sound like butt here. Then, the song switches into something else completely. I see that Bad Bunny is trying to become Latino Drake. How about.... NO.
79. Thomas Rhett - After All The Bars Are Closed
Thomas Rhett's floor seems to be mediocrity. He's made some music I love, like "Look What God Gave Her" and "Marry Me", but I can't think of anything he's made that I outright hate. He's always at least passable. That's exactly what this song is. It's a country trap fusion about him asking his girl where she wants to go after the bars close. My answer is... home. Go get some rest. You probably need it.
78. SZA - BMF
I feel like this is being unnecessarily mean to SZA, but her vibe isn't really my thing. She's a talented singer who's made some great songs, but this doesn't feel like it does anything better than average. I mean, the title and artist are both just letters. I like the little guitar riff that plays throughout, I guess. I don't have too many thoughts about this, though.
77. Don Toliver - No Pole
You're right Don! I don't have a pole. I need one to put a flag on outside my house, though. I think that'd be pretty neat. This song is about a stripper who doesn't want to strip no more. You know what this reminds me of?
Have fun.
76. Neton Vega - Loco
[muffled booing and throwing of chairs]
Yeah, I'll see myself out ...
75. Kendrick Lamar & SZA - Luther
Luther Burden III was a 5-star recruit coming out of high school, and played well in his career for the Missouri Tigers. He's fast, agile, and has excellent ball skills that make him an intriguing threat for the Bears this season. He had a pretty good rookie year, catching 47 passes for 652 yards and 2 touchdown- wait, this isn't the NFL Preview for next seas..wait, I'm supposed to be talking about music?
74. SZA & Kendrick Lamar - 30 for 30
I don't really get the acclaim for songs like this and "Luther", which I also don't really like. They're alright, but they're too slow and don't really suit the things I like about either of these artists. Also, what is up with this album cover? Is she supposed to be a bug or an alien? I wish they'd go back to making songs together like "All The Stars". At least she's not working with Drake anymore.
73. Cody Johnson & Carrie Underwood - I'm Gonna Love You
Do you guys remember that song "If I Didn't Love You" by Jason Aldean and Carrie Underwood? Yeah, this is like if that song didn't completely suck. It's a sentimental love ballad that can really hit the right spots if you are in the mood for it. Unfortunately, I am almost never in the mood to listen to this type of song, so it is kind of stuck in this tier by default. At least she decided to collaborate with a guy who isn't a complete loser this time.
72. Morgan Wallen - Smile
I'll give Morgan some credit, I don't hate this as much as I should. It's got a decent premise but the music is just so boring. It doesn't build up to anything satisfactory and feels like it should actually have a climax at some point, but it just tapers out at the end in a way that I don't understand. Not bad, but a little underwhelming.
71. Morgan Wallen - Love Somebody
70. The Marias - No One Noticed
The more time goes on, the more this one becomes less and less good in my mind. It's not bad. There's aspects to the instrumental I like, but the lack of substance in this song is just draining. I guess that's a musical choice, but I just don't like how I don't feel anything here. It's not catchy, and the emotions just aren't what they're trying to make them. I, myself, wouldn't have noticed it if it wasn't for writing this list.
69. ROSE & Bruno Mars - APT.
OH MICKEY YOU'RE SO FINE YOU'RE SO FINE YOU BLOW MY MIND
HEY MICKEY HEY MICKEY
OH MICKEY YOU'RE SO FINE YOU'RE SO FINE YOU BLOW MY MIND
HEY MICKEY HEY MICKEY
68. Bad Bunny - Nuevayol
"Nuevayol" is a dialectic translation of New York, which makes sense considering the music video's themes in the city. I rate this slightly higher than his other songs due to the instrumental, which is catchy and upbeat enough to make it interesting. The Drake-esque tend of switching up the instrumental completely in the 2nd half of the song is a little annoying, though.
67. Bad Bunny - Baile Inolvidable
One of Bad Bunny's 4 songs on this list, "Baile Inolvidable" is a six-minute-long salsa track with some really intriguing production choices that somewhat work, but they're drowned out by the fact that the song is just too long for it's own good. It's pretty decent, though. There's a good reason it's ahead of the others, which is mostly because the trumpets in this are pretty darn good.
66. Jimin - Who
One of my contributions to Sean Fay-Wolfe's Fall 2025 ranking video:
I somehow like this song significantly less than I did back then. Good to know!
65. Tate McRae - Sports Car
"I think you know what this is." Yeah, it's a mediocre song. Sorry to tell you this. Stop reheating the Pussycat Dolls' nachos and form your own identity, for goodness' sakes.
"We can uh-uh in it." You're also allowed to cuss, Tate.
At least the bridge to this is really good, because this would be in the Bad Tier if it wasn't.
64. Summer Walker - Heart of a Woman
The instrumental here is low-key and relaxing, and Walker delivers a good vocal performance that shines. So, why is this in the meh tier? Well, the main percussion line has one of the most distracting drums I've ever heard in my life, with the reverb being heard for a solid 2 seconds after it hits. It takes a decent song and makes it harder to listen to, thus being here.
I am very ashamed at where we're starting this next tier, but... here we go.
GOOD TIER [3/5]
63. Chris Brown - Residuals
You know what? A blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while. In this case, the squirrel's "controversial past" should be enough for me to hate this song, but nope. I hate that I'm saying this, but I like "Residuals" by Chris Brown. It's a well-produced R&B ballad with some good synth work. This is probably Chris' best vocal performance, because he's not trying to belt or be "fun", neither of which he's good at. Of any song on the list, this is the one I'm most ashamed of. I'm honest, though. A song can be bad because of who made it (for example, "Feel It" by D4vd), but it's not in this case.
Now, can this be the end? Can we finally kick you out of music since you finally made a good song?
62. Myles Smith - Stargazing
Myles Smith is not the most interesting artist in the world, but I like his music. It's like if Coldplay and Mumford & Sons combined into one. Don't just take that from me (or Todd in the Shadows who made this comparison before me), but his Wikipedia page mentions both of those artists back-to-back.
His follow-up, "Nice To Meet You", was very close to making my best list this year. I'll probably get to talk about that song in next year's version of this article, though.
Man, how was the song he did with Shaboozey so bad? I still don't understand that.
61. GloRilla & Sexyy Red - Whatchu Know Bout Me
I don't have much to say about this one. It's fun and catchy. Doesn't take itself seriously, so I won't.
Now HERE'S what I'm going to ask about. GloRilla had a few collaborations on her most recent album. One of them was Christian worship band Maverick City Music. How did this collaboration come about? Who approached who? I need clarification. This makes no sense to me. Country artists collaborating with Christian artists is normal. I've never seen this. Interesting.
60. Megan Moroney - Am I Okay?
Megan Moroney's "Tennessee Orange" was a breath of fresh air in country music during 2023, but I feel like "Am I Okay?" didn't live up as the hit follow-up to that one, even if it's a pretty good song. It's got a nice country pop vibe that really sounds fun with the percussion being the best part. She's got a compelling voice, which helps. There's a few moments of this song where the vocal mix doesn't sound the best, though (which isn't necessarily her fault), which is why it's lower than it probably should be.
59. Russell Dickerson - Happen To Me
Russell Dickerson somehow not being on the worst list this year is a miracle in and of itself. The fact that this song was ahead of 41 other songs? Inconceivable. That word may not mean what I think it means, but I'm not falling for the oldest trick in the book. I'm not going to go in against a Sicilian when death is on the line. "Happen To Me" is basically this year's "She Had Me At Heads Carolina", if it wasn't nearly as good as that song. It at least has something to it, even if that something is a.. Jonas Brothers remix? Man, they really just fell off immediately after coming back. My Lord.
58. Shaboozey & Jelly Roll - Amen
Shaboozey was the big breakout star of 2024, with "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" being the biggest smash hit we've seen in some time. How did he follow that up? Well, he did the obligatory song with Jelly Roll, and it was... fine. It's better than most of Jelly Roll's collaborations to be honest. If "Bloodline" and "Hard Fought Hallelujah" didn't exist, I'd probably think this was the best of his collaborations from this year.
57. Lady Gaga - Abracadabra
The amount of people I saw on Todd In The Shadows' best list saying it was criminal that this was left off honestly made me want to put this like 20 spots lower, but I'm not going to take it out on this song, which isn't anything special in Gaga's discography. I do think the chorus is mostly just gibberish, which is my main reason for having it this low, but I like how it sounds. It's classic Gaga, even if she's never been my thing. That bridge is my favorite part of the song by quite a lot. Good work.
56. Bad Bunny - DTMF
Down to make friends? Don't try meeting fish? Don't text Marcus Freeman? I've got nothing. It actually means "Debi tirar mas fotos", which means "I should've taken more photos"... ok
It's a very fun song with a lot of really fun moments that make it a step above all of the other Bad Bunny songs. That bass hits hard. Definitely one of the more interesting Bad Bunny instrumentals.
Okay, the next 3 songs are all by the same person, so let's just get them all done at once.
55. Sabrina Carpenter - Bed Chem
54. Sabrina Carpenter - Taste
53. Sabrina Carpenter - Please Please Please
Sabrina Carpenter's breakout year continued into 2025, with Man's Best Friend creating a lot more controversy than expected. However, I'm saving that talk for later. Instead, let's talk about 3 of the holdovers from Short n Sweet.
"Bed Chem" is a really fun little song where Sabrina talks about her and her lover's chemistry. The song has some clunky lyrics but the instrumental does most of the heavy lifting, with a nice little throwback sound that I really like.
"Taste" is the opening track from the album, and it's got a cool guitar lick that I think is cool. The music video featuring Wednesday actress Jenna Ortega is also pretty interesting. Sabrina has mastered the art of music videos, as this somehow isn't even her best.
"Please Please Please" is the song that proved to me that Dolly Parton is the precursor to Jelly Roll in country music. That is not an insult, for the record. I'm just saying she will collaborate with anyone who asks. The fact that I can link Sabrina Carpenter to multiple Christian artists in one move is hilarious.
I did like Short n' Sweet a lot better than I liked Man's Best Friend, even if the latter had my favorite Sabrina song on it (we'll get to that (: )
52. Gigi Perez - Sailor Song
This is the best-sounding acoustic guitar work of any song on this list. How is it all the way at 52? Well, to be simple, I do really like this song, but it's just extremely difficult for me to listen to for one very obvious reason in the chorus. I'll let you guess why. I'm going to say that I am really intrigued to see what Gigi does in the future, because I really think she has a lot of potential. I just.. feel uncomfortable when I listen to this. I'm sorry.
51. Teddy Swims - Lose Control
Teddy Swims is the one who caused Billboard to lose control of the charts. They had to make brand new rules specifically to get rid of this one song. I'm honestly impressed. A song that debuted the same week as Oliver Anthony's "Rich Men North of Richmond" somehow made it into late 2025 before being hunted down and executed. It's just a shame that it's easily the worst of his 4 main singles I've liked.
Now, we're at the halfway point. Go get a Mtn. Dew or something and lock in. We've got 50 songs to go.
50. Huntr/x - What It Sounds Like (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
I still have not watched K-Pop Demon Hunters. I do know what happens in the movie, so I have context for all of the songs, and this is unfortunately the worst of the ones that hit the Year-End Hot 100. Every single one of them made the Top 50, though, so that's a pretty good accomplishment! This has a nice emotional premise, and the music follows that up pretty well. The build-up is earned, and everything has a wonderful swell throughout. It's pretty good, but not as good as...
49. Huntr/x - How It's Done (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Yep, they nailed it. They have completely nailed how K-pop sounds and is. It's impressive, honestly. To me, this is the song from the movie that sounds the most like something I'd hear from BLACKPINK. It has that over-the-top feel that they're known for. This is exactly what I was expecting. Is it the best song here? Obviously not. It's got some issues that I'm not a fan of but that isn't enough to take it down at all. Oh, speaking of "taking it down"...
48. Huntr/x - Takedown (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Todd in the Shadows' worst list bumper music makes the list right in the middle. This one is fairly catchy and has the exact type of drop I'd expect from a BLACKPINK or BABYMONSTER song. This one has the added bonus of being about taking down demons within the movie, which is a very good help. All in all, it's a pretty catchy song that I like hearing from time to time. Its context in the movie gives it a good bonus, but I also genuinely like how this songs.
Alright, back to non K-Pop Demon Hunters songs for a bit...
47. Lola Young - Messy
Lola Young's "Messy" is just that - messy - but that's what it's trying to be. It's a compelling narrative that really works when you put it all together. I like the guitar sounds and the percussion, and I think Lola's vocal performance is pretty good, so that begs the question ... what is it doing this low? Well, frankly, this song reminds me too much of myself. I struggle a lot with my emotions, and can't deal with the inconsistent expectations placed on me. It's a good song, but it's hard for me to hear without struggling to listen.
46. Leon Thomas - Mutt
If the Chris Brown version of this song was the one that made the Year-End, this would be about 40 spots lower. Here's a fun fact about Leon Thomas: he was the singing voice for Austin from Backyardigans back in the late 2000s. That makes me very nostalgic. That was a show I loved watching growing up. Thomas is more known for his role in Victorious, but now he's making this kind of music. It's pretty good.
45. Sombr - Undressed
I can't hear this song and not think it's going to burst out into Kim Cesarion's song of the same name.
That is quite literally the only reason this song isn't in the next tier.
I'm sorry, but them's the rules. Neat song, tho. Way better than Cesarion's.
Anyway, onto the next tier...
GREAT TIER [4/5]
44. Huntr/x - Golden (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Of course, the biggest hit from K-Pop Demon Hunters is in the exact middle when it comes to songs from K-Pop Demon Hunters on this list. Yes, I know what that implies. Just stay tuned.
Also, this song is pretty dope. It's got one of the best vocal reaches I've ever heard in my life with Ejae's voice hitting an insane high note. Every part of this song does exactly what it's supposed to in the context of the movie. Even if I like 3 of the songs better, no song fit the climax better. Well done.
43. Ravyn Lenae - Love Me Not
This is definitely a nice addition to 2025's pop music. The filter over Ravyn's voice sounds great, with some nice production choices that really help elevate it to the Great Tier. That nice bridge with the "he loves me not, he loves me" is another great part. I do really like what she's going for with this. I'm intrigued to see if she gets anymore traction. She definitely deserves it.
42. Shaboozey - Good News
2025 was a very stressful year for a lot of people. I can imagine this song working really well as an anthem to overcoming sorrow and needing some good news. That's a great idea for a song, and I think Shaboozey pulls it off well. This is good as a follow-up to the smash that was "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", and for that it serves its purpose very well.
41. Teddy Swims - Bad Dreams
If Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" staying at the top of the charts was Good News, then Teddy Swim's "Lose Control" staying there was just a bunch of Bad Dreams. All objectively stupid jokes aside, this is better than his big hit ever was. It's catchier, his vocal performance is much more restrained, and everything about it shines. I'd say that this is the best use of Teddy's vocal talents between this, "The Door", and "Guilty".
40. Zach Top - I Never Lie
This guy isn't even 30 and he sounds like he came directly out of the neotraditional style of the 1980s. That's the kind of country we need nowadays to compensate for the garbage coming out of Jason Aldean and Sam Hunt. I like the humor in the title line and its setup, with him saying all sorts of things that aren't actually true, but coming to realize that he's lying the whole time and the "I never lie" title line is ironic. That's genuinely amazing songwriting. I'm intrigued to see if Zach Top and his style can become a mainstay in country music. I'd like that.
39. Kehlani - Folded
Does anyone remember that kid that had a song called "Kehlani" in 2024 that charted higher than anything the actual Kehlani had ever made at the time? Well, let's be glad that's over. This was the perfect song to end that depressing fact. A very catchy song with a cool looping line that really accents Kehlani's vocal performance, "Folded" somehow makes doing laundry sound romantic. That's an accomplishment itself.
(gulp) here we go...
(gulp) here we go...
38. Saja Boys - Soda Pop (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Can I say that none of the songs on this list accomplish their goal better than "Soda Pop" does? This song is designed to be a catchy, vapid song that is used to steal the souls of the listener. Yep. That's exactly what this is doing. I apparently no longer have a soul, so sorry if you were hoping I did. I'm not entirely sure why you would even be thinking "hey, does Lando have a soul?" but if you were, props! But, yes, I did put this higher than "Golden". I'm gonna stand by that, too.
I almost even put it ahead of this...
I almost even put it ahead of this...
37. Sabrina Carpenter - Espresso
If I had a nickel for every stupidly catchy song named after a drink in this ranking, I'd have two nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it happened twice. Also, the fact they're next to each other is complete coincidence but I'm glad it worked out this way so I don't actually have to say anything meaningful about this. Wait, what, I do? Why?
"Espresso" is summer in a nutshell. If summer was a song, it'd be this. I'm sorry Phineas and Ferb fans but "Summer (Where Do We Begin)" is not the answer. Also, if I had a nickel for every Phineas and Ferb ref—
36. Billie Eilish - Wildflower
Song of the Year. Billie Eilish's "Wildflower" won Song of the Year. Interesting. This would not have been my choice, but I can understand it. It's emotionally compelling but it just doesn't do anything interesting to make me love it more. Billie doesn't have very many bad songs and this obviously isn't one, but I don't know, man. There was one other song I would've picked from the nominees that we'll talk about later. At least it wasn't "Anxiety".
35. Benson Boone - Sorry I'm Here For Someone Else
This song needs a music video. It does not have a music video. Why does it not have a music video? I need to see Benson burst through those kitchen doors in triumph, running after this girl. Honestly, after how much I did not like "Beautiful Things", I actually really liked American Heart, the album which everyone else seemed to not like. Of course I have to be the guy defending Boone. You try learning how to backflip while also being an incredibly famous musician! It's not easy, obviously, since I'm not able to do either.
34. Kendrick Lamar (feat. AzChike) - Peekaboo
Why is every song Kendrick has on this list a banger except for the biggest one? This has some of the best production work of the year, with that bass being some of the most impressive. "Peekaboo" honestly feels like Kendrick just messing around, which is perfectly okay. He's having fun, and this works well. I also like AzChike's guest verse. They both have good flows that work well with what the song is doing.
33. Justin Bieber - Daisies
Justin Bieber. Justin... Bieber. Okay, then. I didn't think this album was anything special, but this was a pretty impressive single. I like a lot of the percussion work on this, and the instrumental really highlights, and Bieber's voice doesn't catapult this song down 20 pegs the way it did on "Yukon". This song is a miracle within Bieber's discography, because I don't think I ever remember liking anything I've heard from him this much. Also, there was apparently a second album he released in 2025 called Swag II, does anyone remember that?
32. Mariah the Scientist - Burning Blue
Mariah the Scientist randomly getting a big push in 2025 was not on my bingo card, but that's mostly because I did not know who she was before 2025. She's apparently Young Thug's fiancée, which is interesting. I do really like this, with the vocal performance being pretty impressive combined with the smooth, slow instrumental. I think it's a very well-executed song that shines as Mariah's first solo entry on the Hot 100. This was a good year for R&B.
31. Lil Tecca - Dark Thoughts
I would say that Tecca redeemed himself with this song, but this came out before "Owa Owa" did, so I can't. But, it does count as a 50/50 so I'll be grateful it wasn't two bad songs instead of just one. This one is very catchy and reminds me of Pharrell's work from the 2000s, just a little bit less put-together. Lil Tecca has found his groove here, and I love it. I'm glad Lil Tecca is staying around. Just don't sample The Buggles next time. Learn from your mistakes.
30. Jelly Roll - I Am Not Okay
I'm just going to be blunt here.
I like Jelly Roll.
He seems like a good guy. He's trying his best to be an uncontroversial figure who makes heartfelt music. He's lost a ton of weight in a very impressive way. I like him. This song is very good. I related a lot to it in 2024 and 2025. It's not anything special, but the emotional premise really gives it a boost.
Oh, and now for easily the most over-hated song of the year...
29. Alex Warren - Ordinary
I watched as thousands of people acted like this song was complete garbage. "It's boring" "It sounds like Christian music" "It's coworker music" were all quotes I saw this year. Well...
1. The same people who put "No One Noticed" (sorry if you're reading this, fans of The Marias) on the charts should not be allowed to call this one boring.
2. So? Christian music can be very good when executed right? Sounds like you're just biased...hmm
3. "Coworker music" has no meaning to me. I've had good experiences with coworkers. I've had bad experiences with coworkers. Maybe I am the coworker.
But, yeah. "Ordinary" is a good song. You're allowed to disagree, but these criticisms are invalid to me.
28. Tyler, the Creator (feat. Lola Young) - Like Him
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Tyler, the Creator's "Like Him" is a harrowing experience. It's a very powerful song. It's got a lot of emotions behind it and shows the depths behind Tyler's personality and history. The piano work is crazy, Tyler's performance here is spectacular, and Lola Young adds something special. The only reason it's not higher on this list is because I just can't listen to this often at all. You have to be in a specific feeling to really feel this song, and I just can't bring myself to be in that feeling. I respect this song a lot. It clearly means a lot to Tyler, and I hope he can feel peace having given this song to the world.
27. Saja Boys - Your Idol (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
Putting this in front of the last song is a very stupid choice, but this is one of the most interesting songs I've heard in quite some time. It executes exactly what it wants to do, with the dark, church-esque organ combined with the electronic drums and K-pop production building towards something sinister, which is reached in the chorus. Singing about wanting to be "your idol" is a very interesting double meaning with "idol" as in false god, and "idol" as in person you look up to. I love this.
26. Bailey Zimmerman & Luke Combs - Backup Plan
See the title of this song is funny because Bailey Zimmerman is actually the backup Morgan Wallen, you se— (gets shot)
Okay, that joke is getting old, guys. He's actually a good artist in his own right. "Backup Plan" is a nice country rock song with a feature from Luke Combs that really helps give it a lot of life. It's got a strong message about getting back up when knocked down, and I appreciate that a lot.
75% down. 25% to go. Let's finish this.
25. Jelly Roll - Liar
This is just a straight-up Christian country song. A lot of people would see that as an immediate bad thing, but being someone who grew up listening to Christian music, this is pretty darn good. I love the acoustic guitar throughout, with the strumming sounding especially neat. It's an interesting sentiment that I interpret to be about the Devil telling you to do things you know you're not supposed to, and Jelly here calling him out on it. I like that sentiment a lot as a guy who's struggled with self-control. Good work.
24. Chappell Roan - Good Luck, Babe!
But, I do love "Good Luck, Babe!" It has a throwback flair yet feels so progressive and modern. Chappell sings about a girl who leaves her for a guy, and she's completely torn by this and takes it out by saying that "[she'd] have to stop the world just to stop the feeling" which is a crazy thing to say, yet she makes it work. Honestly impressive if you ask me.
23. Morgan Wallen - Superman
Morgan Wallen in front of Chappell Roan. What has my mind come to? I don't know. I guess I just relate to this song more than "Good Luck, Babe" as a guy who looks up to his dad, but I do really appreciate "Superman" as a song. It's got some of Morgan's better trap percussion, and I like the guitar throughout. Morgan Wallen warning his son about the things the world is gonna throw at him, though? That's special. It wasn't his best, but I appreciate this song for what it is.
22. Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars - Die With A Smile
Alright, here's where the 2024 best list songs start pouring in. I'm going to be honest, I think 2024 is going to be the most overrated year for music for the rest of time. My early picks on that best list were great, but not in a personal way. Songs like this, "Like That", and "Pink Skies" all showed a great quality to them, which put them on that list because there wasn't really much depth to go off of. I still really like this song, but it being the #1 song of 2025 feels really weird, you know?
21. BigXthaPlug (feat. Bailey Zimmerman) - All The Way
BigXthaPlug can improve anything. He somehow made an entire country collaboration album and it was better than most of the actual country albums I heard this year. While the best song from that album, "Cold" with Post Malone, didn't make this list, this was the only one that did and it's a great one at that. The song has a very interesting premise. "If you're going to break up with me, just do it. Don't let me down easy" is a mature statement to make, and these two artists do it very well. BigXthaPlug's booming voice mixed with Bailey's raspiness make it really powerful.
20. Hozier - Too Sweet
Oh look, another 2024 best list song that barely cracks the top 20 on this ranking! That's insane. Turns out 2025 actually wasn't that bad of a year for music, believe it or not. The holdovers took their sweet time to leave, including this one. I still like that bassline, and the song's storyline is really intriguing, but I just stopped liking it as much as I did last year. That's not on Hozier, though. This song was resistant to overplay for the longest time, but 2025 kind of made it simmer out, the same way it did for this next song.
19. Post Malone (feat. Morgan Wallen) - I Had Some Help
This song was on Just Dance 2026. That is the only thing I really need to say about this song because I have absolutely no clue how that happened. A few add-ons:
1. Neither of these artists had never made Just Dance before
2. Morgan's controversies make him a really weird choice for a dance game
3. Post Malone has multiple songs better than this.
Yeah, I don't know why I felt I had to say this but I thought it was funny.
And now, for the song I think, out of the nominees, should've won the Grammy for Song of the Year...
18. Sabrina Carpenter - Manchild
Yep. My favorite Sabrina Carpenter song is the one where she calls out her boyfriend for being a "manchild". Honestly, this song was one really weird day away from me putting it on the best list. It was the last cut from my Honorable Mentions, but the fact that it's still better than my #5 from 2024 shows me just how strange of a year this was in music. Sorry you got robbed for both Song of the Year and Best Music Video (seriously, "Anxiety" won that? Idiocy). Hopefully you get them next time.
As for the next tier, let's get it going.
EXCELLENT TIER [5/5]
17. Ella Langley - Weren't For The Wind
Ella Langley is about to hit #1 on the Hot 100 with "Choosin' Texas" and I'm a bit sad, even as good as that song is, that it isn't this. This song makes me realize how much the butterfly effect can really change people. Things could've been different... if it weren't for the wind. Every action has consequences. I love that this is a hit song. It sounds great, the person performing it does an excellent job, and she seems to have a bright future. I'm excited for what's to come, Ella.
16. Doechii - Denial Is A River
My history with this song is weird. I hated this at first. I thought it was stuck-up, pretentious, and obnoxious. However, I realize that I was overthinking it. Doechii isn't trying to re-invent the wheel with this song. She's doing something unique and fun. It's an interesting look into the mind of an up-and-coming star who feels like she needs to do what she can to make music people can enjoy. I'm glad she's making good music now and not re-releasing demos from before she got big.
15. Chappell Roan - Pink Pony Club
Now, Chappell Roan? She can release however many old songs as she's like, as her biggest hit is the one that was released in 2020. This is pop music. This is what I'm looking for in pop music. It's a song that hits every mark exactly the way it wants to. Chappell sings from the perspective of a young girl who's leaving home to go be a dancer, and her mom doesn't like it. She turns a very personal premise into an anthem of independence. That's the most impressive part of the entire Chappell Roan story.
14. Kendrick Lamar (feat. Lefty Gunplay) - TV Off
MUSTAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARD!!!
[I don't have anything more to say about this than I did in my best list, if you want to see that, it's here]
13. Morgan Wallen (feat. Post Malone) - I Ain't Comin' Back
This song was a lock for my best list for the longest time. It was one of my most listened to songs of the year, and even appeared on my Top 100 Ranking for my 100 most played songs. Yet, it didn't even appear on my honorable mentions despite me liking it more than a few of them. I'd say that this is even better than "I Had Some Help", even if the title line is a bit flimsy. Not the best song on I'm The Problem, but definitely the 2nd best.
12. Brandon Lake (feat. Jelly Roll) - Hard Fought Hallelujah
The first Christian song to make the Year-End Hot 100 since "You Say" back in 2019, and I have to give these two credit for making a song that was way more overplay-resistant than that one was. The sentiment here of "I'm going to praise God no matter how hard it is for me to do" is a great one for a Christian-country ballad. It's executed quite well, with Jelly Roll's addition being a major highlight. Brandon Lake has proven himself to be much more worthy of the spotlight than the other Christian song on this list (which didn't actually make the Year-End but is here in spirit).
And to round out the last song before the top ten, my hottest take.
11. Benson Boone - Mystical Magical
I lied about "Ordinary". "Mystical Magical" is the most overhated song of the year by a ton. This song has been dragged, degraded, and discussed hundreds of times. I've seen it called "a Chappell Roan song put through conversion therapy" and "a hideous combination of romantic gobbledegook and an interpolation [of "Physical" by Olivia Newton John]". This reads like someone is reaching for reasons to be mean to this guy. I don't like it one bit. I will stick out my neck to defend this. It's one of the best examples of stupid pop music we have. If we can't embrace that, we've failed as a culture.
10. Tyler, the Creator (feat. GloRilla, Sexyy Red & Lil Wayne) - Sticky
I wish this song had gotten a full music video. My favorite song on Chromakopia, I have to say that I was disappointed that it didn't win Album of the Year, but I understand the committee's choice. "Sticky" is one of the most insane songs I've ever heard in my life, though, with it's cafeteria-esque instrumental being the main reason this song is this high. Tyler, Sexyy Red, GloRilla, and Lil Wayne all do great jobs with their verses, giving this a lot of flair and uniqueness. If it's gettin' sticky, you know what song to put on.
9. Rumi & Jinu - Free (from K-Pop Demon Hunters)
No song from K-Pop Demon Hunters hit me harder than "Free”, a song where one of the hunters duets with one of the demons about their differences. It’s one of the most emotionally compelling songs I’ve ever heard in my life. It’s truly the best thing to come out of K-Pop Demon Hunters. The lyrics tell the story of two people who feel like they don’t fit in, but it “feels right” when they’re together. This was the only song from the movie to make my best list, and it’s for a good reason.
8. Kendrick Lamar - Squabble Up
7. Drake - Nokia
I’m going to be completely honest I put this one spot above Kendrick on the best list for the comedic effect. I do actually really like this song, though, so… yeah. Drake made a good song the year after Kendrick tore him to shreds and I liked it better than any of the songs from GNX that made the Year-End Hot 100. Interesting.
6. Sam Barber (feat. Avery Anna) - Indigo
Sam Barber’s first ever year-end hit on the Hot 100 was one of the best country songs I heard all year. The acoustic guitar riff with the strumming audible was eccentric, and the rest of the instrumentation is just as great. Sam Barber and Avery Anna compliment each other well, with their voices paired in this poignant, desperate portrayal of their new selves, lost in the shade of what they have become compared to what they were. The piano solo is what makes this song, though. You can hear the emotion draining from it as the guitar joins in, making something truly powerful and anthemic. Great song.
And now... The Top 5
5. Billie Eilish - Birds of a Feather
4. Kendrick Lamar - Not Like Us
Either way, Kendrick won. Kendrick won 2024 by thoroughly destroying Drake and leaving him for dead. Drake revived himself with "Nokia", but it was a last-ditch effort that may be the last fond memories we have of him. "Not Like Us" is the pinnacle of 2020s rap music. It is one of the biggest cultural events we have ever seen, and capped off a run of diss tracks so legendary they will be talked about for years. Kendrick did it with such a simple DJ Mustard beat that was out-of-character, yet proved that he does fun rap better than Drake ever did. The song that won the biggest war of 2024, and yet it's only #4.
3. Shaboozey - A Bar Song (Tipsy)
Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" was in my Generational Tier when I did my 100-song ranking in the middle of 2025. After that, it just fell out of my rotation and wasn't as captivating as it was before. I still stand by it as the Best Hit Song of 2024, but I do not see it in the same light I used to. Either way, Shaboozey made one of the best drinking anthems I've ever heard, and it created one of the biggest hits of the century according to Billboard. It's a great song. I'll always have a fondness for it.
2. Sombr - Back To Friends
Sombr's "Back To Friends" is a miracle of modern music. A guy this young, who I had never heard of before this song, comes up with something this amazing. The piano intro leads you into something truly special, with the production on his voice instantly captivating everything around it. The idea of a song like this about teenage breakup melodrama really works with the instrumental surrounding it. "How can we go back to being friends when we just shared a bed?" is a question many people have asked. For a song this great to be so potentially relatable is insane. Sombr has a bright future ahead of him, as "12 to 12" and "Homewrecker" being great songs as well, with the latter having a pretty darn good chance of appearing on 2026's best list. We shall see.
And now, for the best song on the 2025 Year-End Hot 100.
1. Tate McRae - Revolving Door
Really? Tate McRae? An artist who I had written off as a Billie Eilish knock-off before she turned into a pretty decent Olivia Rodrigo rip-off the next year? The same girl who has been ripping off Britney Spears since 2023? SHE made the best song on this list? Well... let me explain.
Yes. Yes she did. "Revolving Door" was the best song on this list by a decently close margin against #2, but the difference between those 2 and everyone else was large. On my best list, the top 4 songs are what I would consider to be the 4 of the best charting hits of this decade. Why this song, specifically, though? What about "Revolving Door" was so special that I had to place it #1 on this list?
It's simple, really. Instead of using her talents to make something pop-esque and catchy, she did it to make the most emotionally compelling hit she's ever made. In a year where "Sports Car" and "Just Keep Watching" were two pretty okay hits, this was the one that really hit hard. You can feel the desperation in the lyrics and in the instrumental, which pulsates and is constantly moving the way a revolving door would. It's emotionally powerful as she builds up that she keeps coming back, and the tension rises into one of the most satisfying bridges I've ever heard. It's all falling apart at this moment, but she makes her decision. She's going to be with him. The song ends as she finally accepts that decision. It's a song that works because it's not emotionally constrained, but embraces what it's trying to be.
"Revolving Door" would have been #1 on my best list under my usual rules. I'm sorry I did that to you, Tate, but this year was abnormal in a lot of ways. I hope this makes up for it.
Thank you all for reading. I hope you've had a good time reading this. Please, let me know what you think. This is Lando from The Landoman Experiment, signing off.
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