{"id":5408,"date":"2026-05-21T01:24:54","date_gmt":"2026-05-21T01:24:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/interspacemusic.com\/blog\/100-greatest-pop-songs-of-the-streaming-era\/"},"modified":"2026-05-21T01:24:54","modified_gmt":"2026-05-21T01:24:54","slug":"100-greatest-pop-songs-of-the-streaming-era","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/interspacemusic.com\/blog\/100-greatest-pop-songs-of-the-streaming-era\/","title":{"rendered":"100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era"},"content":{"rendered":"

Click on album artwork to view additional details<\/p>\n

Spotify CLASSICS<\/b><\/a> is our flagship program dedicated to celebrating the catalog music that continues to shape culture long after its release. Focused on the streaming era\u2014defined here as 2015 to today\u2014the program highlights albums and songs whose influence extends beyond charts, trends, and momentary success.<\/p>\n

Earlier this month, we unveiled our selection of Classic Pop Albums of the Streaming Era, featuring timeless releases like Carly Rae Jepsen<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Emotion<\/i><\/a>, Charli xcx<\/b><\/a>\u2019s brat<\/i>, Justin Bieber<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Purpose<\/i><\/a>, and Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a>\u2019s reputation<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Now, we\u2019re turning to the songs that have defined pop in this period with our list of the 100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era. A cross-disciplinary team of Spotify editors, including Cecilia Winter<\/b> (Editorial Lead, Global Hits), Talia Kraines<\/b> (Editorial Lead, Pop), JJ Italiano <\/b>(Head of Global Music Curation & Discovery, Editorial), and Carl Chery<\/b> (Creative Director, Head of Urban Music), selected these tracks from a pool of thousands, guided by qualitative criteria including cultural impact, musicality, artist storytelling, and more.<\/p>\n

Pop music has been an omnipresent force for decades, but streaming allowed it to flourish as a space for artistic expression rather than solely commercial success. Once measured by a single metric\u2014popularity\u2014the landscape now embraces new influences and styles while staying grounded in pop sounds. Pop is its own genre, but also a sponge, absorbing influences from across music culture, and refracting them back in ways that are accessible and immediately recognizable.<\/p>\n

This list is an opportunity to celebrate pop as a space distinct from hits, united by shared sonic qualities rather than mass appeal. While many of the tracks here did become hugely popular, a high stream count was not required to make the list. Together, these songs capture everything we love about pop: the big hooks, the big feelings, and the immediacy of emotion that draw one of the largest music audiences in the world.<\/p>\n

Note: All songs were released on Spotify after January 1, 2015. The Spotify streams are current as of <\/i><\/b>February 16, 2026<\/i><\/b>.<\/i><\/b><\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Max Martin, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Demi Lovato<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cCool for the Summer<\/a>\u201d earned critical acclaim as one of Demi Lovato<\/b><\/a>\u2019s most confident and self-assured tracks. \u201cFor so many years, I cared too much about what people thought,\u201d Demi told Billboard<\/i> at the time. \u201cNow I can just be who I am. I can be open.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Julian Bunetta, Niall Horan, John Ryan, Tobias Jesso Jr., Alexander Izquierdo, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Julian Bunetta, Afterhrs, and Mark \u201cSpike\u201d Stent<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Niall Horan<\/b><\/a> was a surprise guest at the London stop of Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Reputation Stadium Tour, where the pair performed this song together. We deserved to be there!<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Inspired by a real-life earthquake in Los Angeles in 2019, the song later became a global anthem when the COVID pandemic gave its lyrics a profound, unexpected new resonance.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Jade Thirlwall, Michael Sabath, Steph Jones, Pablo Bowman, Bill Martin, and Phil Coulter<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This was JADE<\/b><\/a>\u2019s debut single after more than a decade with British girl group Little Mix<\/b><\/a>. It was inspired by her tumultuous experience navigating the music industry as a young pop star.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ilya Salmanzadeh, Savan Kotecha, Max Martin, Ariana Grande, Normani Kordei Hamilton, and Sh\u00e9yaa Bin Abraham-Joseph<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The music video for \u201cMotivation<\/a>\u201d earned widespread acclaim for its show-stopping, fence-climbing, basketball-bouncing choreography, brought to life by Normani<\/b><\/a>\u2019s impressive dance skills.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, BloodPop\u00ae, Burns, Nija Charles, Rami Yacoub, Martin Bresso, Alexander Ridha, Jeremiah Burden, Lynn Williams, and Betty Wright<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The song won Best Pop Duo\/Group Performance at the 2021 Grammys, becoming the first all-female collaboration to win the award.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Alexander Crossan, Michael Thomas Kinsella, PinkPantheress, Stephen Michael Holmes, and Steven Joseph Lamos<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Under two minutes long, this was one of the first songs to become famous for its sped-up version before the original, thus making it even shorter!<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ryan Tedder, Tate McRae, Grant Boutin, and Julia Michaels<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
In true pop-star fashion, the \u201cSports car<\/a>\u201d music video features Tate McRae<\/b><\/a> in 12 different outfits.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Grimes<\/b><\/a> self-produced and engineered not just this song, but her entire acclaimed 2015 album, Art Angels<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Olivia Dean, John Ryan, Max Wolfgang, and Amy Allen<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Zach Nahome, Max Wolfgang, and Amy Allen<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Olivia Dean<\/b><\/a>\u2019s middle name is Lauryn, after acclaimed \u201990s artist Lauryn Hill<\/b><\/a>. Both performed at the 2026 Grammys: Olivia as part of the Best New Artist medley, and Lauryn in tribute to her late collaborator D\u2019Angelo<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Selena Gomez, Mattias Larsson, and Robin Fredriksson<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cLose You To Love Me<\/a>\u201d is Selena Gomez<\/b><\/a>\u2019s first and so far only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ravyn Lenae, Anderson .Paak, Sarah Aarons, Dacoury Dahi Natche, Brent Reynolds, Craig Balmoris, Spencer Stewart, Jaelen Irizarry, Christian Farlow, Julian Nixon, and Dominic Angelella<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Dahi, Ritz Reynolds, Craig Balmoris, and Spencer Stewart<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This was Ravyn Lenae<\/b><\/a>\u2019s first chart hit, becoming one of the songs of the summer in 2025, more than a year after its initial release.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Teddy Geiger, Shawn Mendes, Nate Mercereau, and Scott Harris<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cLost In Japan<\/a>\u201d was inspired by an actual dream Shawn Mendes<\/b><\/a> had of being, well, lost in Japan.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Speaking to DIY Mag<\/i>, Chloe Qisha<\/b><\/a> described this song as \u201can ode to my teenage self, who treated every day like I was in some \u201990s rom-com.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Amala Zandile Dlamini, David Sprecher, Rog\u00e9t Chahayed, Gerard A. Powell II, Carter Lang, Sol\u00e1na Rowe, \u0141ukasz Gottwald, Terry Shaddick, and Stephen Kipner<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Rog\u00e9t Chahayed, Yeti Beats, and tizhimself<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The song won Best Pop Duo\/Group Performance at the 2022 Grammys, marking the first Grammy win for both Doja Cat<\/b><\/a> and SZA<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Alida Garpestad Peck, Kevin Hickey, and Deborah Dawson<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The world was first introduced to Debbii Dawson<\/b><\/a> on America\u2019s Got Talent<\/i> with an unexpected cover of ABBA<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cDancing Queen<\/a>,\u201d and \u201cHappy World<\/a>\u201d channels that same ABBA-inspired energy.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ella Yelich-O'Connor and Jack Antonoff<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Lorde, Jack Antonoff, and Joel Little<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Lorde<\/b><\/a> has called \u201cSupercut<\/a>\u201d a \u201csister song\u201d to \u201cRibs<\/a>,\u201d a fan-favorite track from her debut album Pure Heroine<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This was Lewis Capaldi<\/b><\/a>\u2019s debut single and the first song he ever wrote on the piano.<\/p>\n

Label:<\/strong> Independently released; re-released by Virgin (both 2015)<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Clarence Coffee Jr., DaBaby, Dua Lipa, Sarah Hudson, and Stephen Kozmeniuk<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This became one of the longest-running Billboard Hot 100 hits by a female artist, spending 41 weeks in the Top 10, a record at the time.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
benny blanco, Julia Michaels, Tor Erik Hermansen, Justin Tranter, and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This was Julia Michaels<\/b><\/a>\u2019 breakout hit as a solo artist after years of writing for others. In fact, she wrote five more songs on this list: \u201cSorry<\/a>,\u201d \u201cBad Liar<\/a>,\u201d \u201cIf the World Was Ending<\/a>,\u201d \u201cLose You To Love Me<\/a>,\u201d and \u201cSports car<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Emanuel Abrahamsson, Mack, Linn\u00e9a S\u00f6dahl, Fridolin Walcher, Christoph Bauss, and Iman Conta Hult\u00e9n<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cLush Life<\/a>\u201d returned to the charts in 2026, more than a decade after its release, thanks to a fan who went viral for performing a choreo-perfect routine onstage with Zara Larsson<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The title \u201cStick Season\u201d refers to the visually bleak period in New England after the leaves have fallen but before the first snowfall arrives\u2014a time Vermont native Noah Kahan<\/b><\/a> knows well.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Addison Rae, Luka Kloser, and Elvira Anderfj\u00e4rd<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfj\u00e4rd<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The music video stars Addison Rae<\/b><\/a> as a cashier in Iceland who escapes the monotony of her day-to-day through music and was filmed on-location in Reykjav\u00edk.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Adam Novodor, Alex Chapman, Troye Sivan Mellet, Brett McLaughlin, Kevin Hickey, and Kaelyn Behr<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Styalz Fuego, NOVODOR, and Zhone<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Named for the poppers brand Rush, this club-ready track from Troye Sivan<\/b><\/a>\u2019s acclaimed Something To Give Each Other<\/i><\/a> arrived with a high-energy music video filmed in Berlin.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Sia Furler, Greg Kurstin, and Sean Paul Henriques<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Originally written for Rihanna<\/b><\/a>, the song was ultimately kept by Sia<\/b><\/a>, becoming her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The \u201che never thinks of me, except when I\u2019m on TV\u201d lyric featured prominently in the Midnights<\/i><\/a> section of the Eras Tour setlist, with Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a> using the moment to send signals to her fans on the jumbotron.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Charlotte Aitchison, Alexander Guy Cook, Ella Yelich O\u2019Connor, and James Harmon Stack<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Lorde<\/b><\/a> herself suggested joining the remix, which explores her complicated relationship with Charli xcx<\/b><\/a>. Completed in just three days, it went on to become a standout moment of brat<\/i> summer.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Danielle Haim, Alana Haim, Este Haim, Rostam Batmanglij, and Ramesh Srivastava<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Danielle Haim, Rostam Batmanglij, and Ariel Rechtshaid<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson<\/b>, the video for \u201cNow I\u2019m In It<\/a>\u201d follows Danielle Haim <\/b>through a series of disorienting scenes that mirror the song\u2019s depiction of depression.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Kim Petras, \u0141ukasz Gottwald, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Aaron Aguilar, and Henry Walter<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Aaron Joseph, Cirkut, and MADE IN CHINA<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Blondie<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cHeart of Glass<\/a>\u201d and The Cardigans<\/b><\/a>\u2019 \u201cLovefool<\/a>\u201d\u2014two tracks that combine emotional depth with a bouncy pop sound\u2014served as inspiration for \u201cHeart to Break<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Eric Frederic and Melissa Jefferson<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Released in 2016, this track later reemerged as a sleeper hit in 2019.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Joseph Patrick Mount and Robin Carlsson<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Speaking to Pitchfork about \u201cEver Again<\/a>,\u201d the glimmering closing track of Honey<\/i><\/a>, Robyn<\/b><\/a> said the song is \u201cdefiant,\u201d embracing the idea that her heart may break again, but that she won\u2019t let it destroy her.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Kacey Musgraves, Natalie Hemby, and Shane McAnally<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, and Kacey Musgraves<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Kacey Musgraves<\/b><\/a> debuted \u201cRainbow<\/a>\u201d with a stunning live performance at the 2019 Grammy Awards, the same night she won Album of the Year for Golden Hour<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, and Joe Alwyn<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Though never a single, this folklore<\/i><\/a> gem makes an annual return to the Spotify charts every August, as listeners gravitate toward its wistful, end-of-summer storytelling.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Mark Ronson, Thomas Brenneck, Miley Cyrus, Conor Szymanski, Ilsey Juber, Maxime Picard, and Cl\u00e9ment Picard<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Mark Ronson and The Picard Brothers<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The memorable music video for this \u201csad banger,\u201d as described by Mark Ronson<\/b><\/a>, is packed with Miley Cyrus<\/b><\/a> Easter eggs, including a wrecking ball, props from past videos, and Tennessee license plates.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The additional female vocals here are performed by Carly Holt<\/b>, who is married to The 1975<\/b><\/a>\u2019s lead guitarist, Adam Hann<\/b>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Katy Perry, Daniel James, Gino Barletta, Leah Haywood, Anton Zaslavski, Dagny Norvoll Sandvik, Hayley Warner, Jason Gill, and Michelle Buzz<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This song builds on a sample from Norwegian pop singer Dagny<\/b><\/a>\u2019s 2017 track \u201cLove You Like That<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Chae Young Park, Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rog\u00e9t Chahayed, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Theron Thomas, Henry Walter, Michael Chapman, and Nicholas Chinn<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Bruno Mars, Cirkut, Rog\u00e9t Chahayed, and Omer Fedi<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cAPT.<\/a>\u201d draws inspiration from the Korean drinking game \u201capateu,\u201d which ROS\u00c9<\/b><\/a> introduced to her collaborators during the recording process.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This became one of the go-to wedding first-dance songs of the 2010s and 2020s, frequently topping lists of the most popular wedding songs year after year.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson, and Josette Maskin<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson, and Josette Maskin<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Lead singer Katie Gavin<\/b> has described this as a \u201cwork song,\u201d imagining a more utopian world for queer people through continued effort and progress.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The Seeb<\/b><\/a> remix turned an introspective folk-pop song into a global dance hit, a rare case where the remix eclipsed the original.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Tobias Jesso Jr. and Adele Adkins<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cWhen We Were Young<\/a>\u201d was written on a piano inherited by producer Tobias Jesso Jr.<\/b><\/a>, which once belonged to renowned minimalist composer Philip Glass<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Charli xcx, Amanda Lucille Warner, Noonie Bao, and Samuel Long<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The Vroom Vroom EP<\/i><\/a> represented a major sonic shift for Charli xcx<\/b><\/a> at the time; in collaboration with producer SOPHIE<\/b><\/a>, she leaned into a hyperpop sound that laid the groundwork for future efforts like Pop 2<\/i><\/a> and brat<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo, Josh Farro, and Hayley Williams<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Olivia Rodrigo<\/b><\/a> told Variety<\/i> that writing \u201cgood 4 u<\/a>\u201d (the pop-punk jolt on SOUR<\/i><\/a>) was \u201creally satisfying\u201d because it proved she could deliver an upbeat, danceable hit without sacrificing her authentic voice.<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cLover<\/a>\u201d is one of three tracks on the album of the same name that Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a> wrote entirely solo, alongside \u201cDaylight<\/a>\u201d and \u201cCornelia Street<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Daniel Nigro and Kayleigh Rose Amstutz<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
For the \u201cHOT TO GO!<\/a>\u201d music video, Chappell Roan<\/b><\/a> returned to her roots, filming across various iconic spots in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Selena Gomez, Ian Kirkpatrick, Julia Michaels, David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Justin Tranter, and Christopher Frantz<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
That irresistible bassline features a prominent sample of Talking Heads<\/b><\/a>\u2019 1977 classic, \u201cPsycho Killer<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Performed by<\/strong>
benny blanco, Halsey, and Khalid<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Nathan Perez, Khalid Robinson, Halsey, Ed Sheeran, and benny blanco<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Andrew Watt, benny blanco, and Cashmere Cat<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
After a decade as a pop producer for the likes of Maroon 5<\/b><\/a>, Ed Sheeran<\/b><\/a>, and Rihanna<\/b><\/a>, this marked benny blanco<\/b><\/a>\u2019s first release as an artist.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Tommy Brown, Michael Foster, Charles Anderson, Ariana Grande, Tayla Parx, Victoria McCants, Njomza Vitia, and Kimberly Krysiuk<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Tommy Brown, Michael Foster, and Charles Anderson<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The phrase \u201cthank you, next\u201d was inspired by an expression Ariana Grande<\/b><\/a> and fellow singer-songwriter Victoria Mon\u00e9t<\/b><\/a> would use when talking about their personal lives.<\/p>\n

Performed by<\/strong>
The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Justin Bieber, Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, Charlie Puth, Charlton Howard, Magnus H\u00f8iberg, Michael Mule, Isaac DeBoni, and Subhaan Rahmaan<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, Charlie Puth, and Cashmere Cat<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
It goes down in the DMs. Justin Bieber<\/b><\/a> and The Kid LAROI<\/b><\/a> first connected on Instagram, which led to their first collaboration, \u201cUnstable<\/a>,\u201d from Justin\u2019s Justice<\/i><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Aynzli Jones, Amala Zandile Dlamini, David Sprecher, Aaron Horn, Linden Jay, Lydia Asrat, and Jidenna Mobisson<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Linden Jay, Yeti Beats, and Crate Classics<\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Best known for his hit \u201cClassic Man<\/a>,\u201d Jidenna<\/b><\/a> is one the song\u2019s co-writers and also lends his voice for the track\u2019s background vocals.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Olmo Zucca, Tyla Seethal, Ariowa Irosogie, Imani Lewis, Corey Marlon Lindsay-Keay, Samuel Awuku, Rayan El-Hussein Goufar, Jackson Paul Lomastro, and Tricky Stewart<\/p>\n

The first international breakthrough for Tyla<\/b><\/a>, \u201cWater<\/a>\u201d brought the well-established South African sound of Amapiano to the world with the sonic signature of the log drum helping create a song that was instantly hypnotic and intimate yet danceable. It won the inaugural Grammy for Best African Music Performance and Tyla became a new artist on the brink of superstardom.
\u2014Talia Kraines<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cWater\u201d became the first song by a South African solo artist to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years. The last was \u201cGrazing In The Grass<\/a>\u201d by Hugh Masekela<\/b><\/a>, which charted in 1968.<\/p>\n

The ultimate piece of pop music fan fiction, the long-rumored 10-minute version of Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cAll Too Well<\/a>\u201d finally came to life with Red (Taylor\u2019s Version)<\/i><\/a>. Defying every conventional rule about what a pop song is allowed to be, it arrived as a sprawling, unedited emotional epic\u2014the full story fans had mythologized for nearly a decade. In the streaming era, Taylor was no longer bound by radio length, giving her the space to tell her heartbreak in its entirety, without compromise or restraint.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The song\u2019s original 10-minute version emerged from a jam session during rehearsals for Taylor\u2019s Speak Now Tour, a decade before its official release in 2021.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Ilya Salmanzadeh<\/p>\n

Built around a throbbing four-to-the-floor beat, \u201cInto You<\/a>\u201d remains one of Ariana Grande<\/b><\/a>\u2019s most beloved fan favorites\u2014a staple of queer club culture and a song we still think should have gone No. 1 in the 2010s. Anchored by classic Max Martin<\/b><\/a> production, it fits seamlessly into the lust-soaked world of Dangerous Woman<\/i><\/a>. Intoxicating and unapologetically sexy, the track finds Ariana fully in control, poised and ready to make the first move.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cInto You\u201d wasn\u2019t initially planned as a single, but was added to Dangerous Woman<\/i> at the last minute after Ariana and the label kept returning to it.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Camila Cabello, Adam Feeney, Pharrell Williams, Kaan G\u00fcnesberk, Brittany Hazzard, Ali Tamposi, Brian Lee, Andrew Wotman, and Louis Bell<\/p>\n

\u201cHavana<\/a>\u201d marked Camila Cabello<\/b><\/a>\u2019s major breakout after leaving Fifth Harmony<\/b><\/a>, becoming her most commercially successful single and topping charts across the globe. Sultry and cheeky, the track spotlights her distinctive voice and playful delivery, helping set her apart as a solo artist. With a smooth feature from Young Thug<\/b><\/a>, \u201cHavana\u201d also reflected the growing influence of Latin sounds on pop at the end of the 2010s.
\u2014Cecilia Winter<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The cities referenced in this earworm chorus aren\u2019t just there for rhyme; Camila was born in Havana, and Young Thug is from East Atlanta.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Beyonc\u00e9, Nile Rodgers, Raphael Saadiq, Morten Ristorp, Terius \u201cThe-Dream\u201d Gesteelde-Diamant, Denisia \u201cBlu June\u201d Andrews, Brittany \u201c@Chi_Coney\u201d Coney, Mary Christine Brockert, and Allen McGrier<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Beyonc\u00e9, Raphael Saadiq, Terius \u201cThe-Dream\u201d Gesteelde-Diamant, NovaWav, and Rissi<\/p>\n

A standout from Beyonc\u00e9<\/b><\/a>\u2019s dance album RENAISSANCE<\/i><\/a>, \u201cCUFF IT<\/a>\u201d is a disco-funk anthem that quickly became a wedding staple. Though not initially released as a single, it shot up the charts on fan enthusiasm alone, proving once again that listeners know a hit when they hear one. Playful, flirty, and irresistibly groovy, the song showcases a carefree side of Beyonc\u00e9\u2019s music, reminding us she can command the dance floor as easily as she does a stadium stage.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The song\u2019s co-writer and co-producer, Raphael Saadiq<\/b>, revealed it was originally intended for his legendary R&B group, Tony! Toni! Ton\u00e9!<\/b><\/a>. He held onto it for a year or two before deciding to send it to Beyonc\u00e9. The rest is history.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, and Natalie Hemby<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, and Kacey Musgraves<\/p>\n

Released on Golden Hour<\/i><\/a>, now counted among our selection of classic pop albums, \u201cButterflies<\/a>\u201d captures the grounding effect of unexpected love. The song was inspired by Kacey Musgraves<\/b><\/a>\u2019 then-romance with her now ex-husband. Minimal and weightless, it drifts on gentle acoustic guitar, twinkling synths, and warm harmonies\u2014mirroring the feeling of having butterflies. Though it won the Grammy for Best Country Solo Performance, its airy production and emotional intimacy resonated beyond genre boundaries, placing Kacey firmly in the pop conversation.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Kacey recorded much of Golden Hour<\/i>, including \u201cButterflies,\u201d in a studio above fellow singer Sheryl Crow<\/b><\/a>\u2019s horse barn.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Anton Zaslavski, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha, Sarah Aarons, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, and Jordan Johnson<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Zedd, Grey, and The Monsters & Strangerz<\/p>\n

By 2018, the \u201cdance-pop track featuring a rising female vocalist\u201d formula was everywhere\u2014but \u201cThe Middle<\/a>\u201d proved there was still magic in the setup. In peak form, Zedd<\/b><\/a> teamed with country star Maren Morris<\/b><\/a> and production duo Grey<\/b><\/a>, resulting in a dance-pop collab that stood out from the crowd. Marren\u2019s formidable vocals cut through the glossy beats, elevating the track\u2019s irresistible earworm hook. It was one of the year\u2019s most memorable crossover hits, reinforcing Zedd\u2019s hitmaking streak and introducing Maren to a whole new pop audience.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Thirteen different vocalists recorded demos for \u201cThe Middle\u201d before Maren landed the final version.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Mike Sabath, Danielle Balbuena, and Rachel Keen<\/p>\n

Initially known for her vocals on EDM and dance tracks, RAYE<\/b><\/a> had recently been dropped by her label and was ready to reinvent herself. With \u201cEscapism.<\/a>,\u201d she dove headfirst into a darker side of pop. Eerie, nihilistic, and unpredictable, the song invites listeners into the blur of club lights and bad decisions. Midway through, it flips, 070 Shake<\/b><\/a>\u2019s murky, magnetic verse drawing us deeper into the haze. With its gritty mood and shape-shifting structure, \u201cEscapism.\u201d announced RAYE\u2019s arrival in a striking new phase of her career.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Despite its city feel, RAYE wrote \u201cEscapism.\u201d in a remote log cabin in Utah.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Digital Farm Animals, Jack Tarrant, and Lucy Taylor<\/p>\n

Long before she became a household name, Dua Lipa<\/b><\/a> released her second-ever single, \u201cBe the One<\/a>,\u201d in 2015, an early sign she wasn\u2019t just a fleeting pop girl. Her now-familiar cool-girl rasp glides over an early streaming-era tropical synth line as she pleads for redemption with an ex on this romantic pop gem. In hindsight, it offers a first glimpse of the superstar who would go on to dominate the 2020s.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cBe the One\u201d was Dua\u2019s first top-ten single on the U.K. charts, peaking at No. 9.<\/p>\n

Performed by<\/strong>
DJ Khaled, Rihanna, and Bryson Tiller<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Bryson Tiller, Jahron Brathwaite, Khaled Khaled, Robyn Fenty, Jerry \u201cWonda\u201d Duplessis, Wyclef Jean, David McRae, High Moore, and Santana<\/p>\n

Arriving during an unstoppable run for DJ Khaled<\/b><\/a>, \u201cWild Thoughts<\/a>\u201d exemplified his talent for assembling some of the biggest artists of the moment to create unassailable party bangers. The song is animated by a sultry, electric performance from Rihanna<\/b><\/a>\u2014one of the last features we\u2019d get from her for years\u2014alongside a smooth counterpoint from Bryson Tiller<\/b><\/a>. Built around a Santana<\/b><\/a> sample, \u201cWild Thoughts\u201d also signaled an upcoming shift in pop, pointing toward Latin influences that would soon shape the genre more broadly.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cWild Thoughts\u201d samples Santana\u2019s \u201cMaria Maria<\/a>,\u201d featuring The Product G&B<\/b><\/a>, and Santana has praised the track for preserving the original\u2019s groove and spirit.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lydia Asrat, \u0141ukasz Sebastian Gottwald, and David Sprecher<\/p>\n

\u201cSay So<\/a>,\u201d from Doja Cat<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Hot Pink<\/i><\/a>, is one of the first clear examples of an album track breaking through thanks to a viral TikTok dance. Its ascent underscored a defining feature of the streaming era: fans using social media to effectively determine which songs become hits. A gloriously catchy disco romp, \u201cSay So\u201d situated Doja as more than a novelty rapper, revealing her knack for crafting polished pop hits. She\u2019d go on to make many more in this vein across later releases.
\u2014Carl Chery<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Though it wasn\u2019t originally released as a single, \u201cSay So\u201d became Doja\u2019s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a remix<\/a> featuring Nicki Minaj<\/b><\/a>\u2014making them the first female rap duo to top the chart.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Louis Bell, Austin Post, Kaan Gunesberk, Adam Feeney, and Billy Walsh<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Post Malone, Frank Dukes, and Louis Bell<\/p>\n

Following earlier hints at stylistic range, \u201cCircles<\/a>\u201d saw Post Malone<\/b><\/a> leaning into a midtempo, \u201990s-tinged indie pop sound\u2014an unpredictable move for an artist still best known for hip-hop at the time. Mournful and yearning, the track foregrounds Post\u2019s signature vibrato while showcasing his hook-crafting instincts in a very different setting. It marked a distinct new sound, establishing him as a more versatile artist and setting the stage for the genre fluidity that would follow.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cCircles\u201d stayed in the Billboard Hot 100\u2019s top 10 for a record-breaking 34 weeks.<\/p>\n

After the massive success of 21<\/i><\/a>, <\/i>\u201cHello<\/a>\u201d marked Adele<\/b><\/a>\u2019s highly-anticipated return, serving as the lead single and opening track on her record-breaking album 25<\/i><\/a> (counted among our selection of classic pop albums). A cathartic post-heartbreak anthem, the song finds Adele trying desperately to reach an ex-lover from \u201cthe other side,\u201d her voice straining with emotion as she belts the chorus. Immediately inescapable, it resonated with audiences worldwide, even inspiring an SNL<\/i> parody that spoke to its unifying reach.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cHello\u201d was the first music video ever filmed with IMAX cameras.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Harry Styles, Tyler Johnson, and Kid Harpoon<\/p>\n

Released as the lead single from Harry\u2019s House<\/i><\/a>, \u201cAs It Was<\/a>\u201d emerged as a post-pandemic anthem, with the line \u201cyou know it\u2019s not the same as it was\u201d taking on added meaning for a world reshaped by COVID. The song helped further establish Harry Styles<\/b><\/a> as a solo artist with a truly unique voice. Originally written at a slower tempo, it was reworked with the addition of synths and drum patterns, a shift that helped elevate it into one of the defining hits of his career.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cAs It Was\u201d became the longest-running U.S. No. 1 by a U.K. act after spending 15 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Fredrik Ball, Joseph Angel, and Robyn Fenty<\/p>\n

Initially overlooked, Rihanna<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cLove On The Brain<\/a>\u201d has become a true sleeper hit and one of her defining songs. Heart on sleeve, she snarls through a tale of love and bad relationships on this old-school, Motown-esque ballad. She uses her voice as the lead instrument: a raspy, theatrical performance that feels lifted from a smoky \u201960s blues-club basement. It\u2019s Rihanna at her most raw and electrifying, delivering one of the greatest vocal performances of her career.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Though it wasn\u2019t originally released as a single, the song grew in popularity over time, eventually becoming Rihanna\u2019s 22nd top-five hit.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Bruno Mars, Dernst \u201cD\u2019Mile\u201d Emile II, Lady Gaga, Andrew Watt, and James Fauntleroy<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Bruno Mars, Dernst \u201cD\u2019Mile\u201d Emile II, Lady Gaga, and Andrew Watt<\/p>\n

The first collaboration between Lady Gaga<\/b><\/a> and Bruno Mars<\/b><\/a>, \u201cDie With A Smile<\/a>\u201d frames its romance against an apocalyptic backdrop, telling a story about holding tight to the person you love as everything else falls away. Fittingly, the song leans into a vintage feel\u2014one that has already proven timeless, continuing to rack up millions of daily streams 18 months after release. Neither artist is a stranger to classic sounds; Gaga is an accomplished jazz musician while Bruno dabbled in \u201970s soul on An Evening With Silk Sonic<\/i><\/a>. Here, those sensibilities come together seamlessly.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cDie With A Smile\u201d was Spotify\u2019s most-streamed track of 2025.<\/p>\n

Performed by<\/strong>
Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber, Erica Ender, and Marty James<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Mauricio Rengifo and Andr\u00e9s Torres<\/p>\n

Originally released by Latin pop star Luis Fonsi<\/b><\/a>, \u201cDespacito<\/a>\u201d became his first international breakthrough before the remix<\/a> featuring Justin Bieber<\/b><\/a> rocketed it to the next level. At a moment when language barriers were beginning to matter less and less in pop, the song captured a wider cultural shift, with the dance floor serving as a gateway to music many listeners might not otherwise have encountered. Its success foreshadowed the rise of Latin music in the mainstream, helping pave the way for artists working across genres to find real traction in the hits space and real influence in pop.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cDespacito – Remix\u201d became the first song primarily in Spanish to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since Los Del Rio<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cMacarena<\/a>\u201d in 1996.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
FINNEAS, Mark Ronson, and Andrew Wyatt<\/p>\n

The song that earned Billie Eilish<\/b><\/a> her second Oscar, \u201cWhat Was I Made For?<\/a>\u201d was written for Barbie<\/i>, serving as the film\u2019s emotional core as Barbie confronts her purpose and girlhood. More than a soundtrack contribution, it captures Billie at her most vulnerable and understated, with her typically evocative production stripped back to little more than voice and piano. Fragile and exposed, the song is defined by quiet breaths and deliberate silences, moments that feel intentional and utterly devastating.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Billie won her first Oscar in 2022 for \u201cNo Time To Die<\/a>,\u201d written as the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Kandi Burruss, Kevin Briggs, Steve Mac, and Tameka Cottle<\/p>\n

A late-2010s pop juggernaut, \u201cShape of You<\/a>\u201d blends tropical house textures with Caribbean-influenced rhythms. Originally written with Rihanna<\/b><\/a> in mind\u2014which explains its dancehall-informed foundation\u2014the song marked a turning point for Ed Sheeran<\/b><\/a>, shifting him from an artist whose work was centered on acoustic guitar into a global pop star unafraid of incorporating wide-ranging influences into his sound. One of the most commercially successful songs of all time, its minimalist yet highly distinctive production made it an instant earworm, fueling both its massive popularity and the inevitable backlash that comes with saturation. The track won the Grammy for Best Pop Solo Performance and ranks among the most-streamed songs in Spotify history.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cShape of You\u201d was the first song to reach two billion streams on Spotify.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Louis Bell, Amy Allen, Halsey, Delacey, Justin Timberlake, Tim Mosley, and Scott Storch<\/p>\n

One of the biggest hits of the first half of the streaming era, \u201cWithout Me<\/a>\u201d transformed Halsey<\/b><\/a> from a quirky alternative-pop girl into a household name. A diaristic rebuttal to her ex-boyfriend\u2014following a relationship that had unraveled publicly\u2014the song helped usher in a wave of emotionally direct, midtempo pop, satisfying a growing appetite for intimate confessionals over big productions. It paved the way for Manic<\/i><\/a>, Halsey\u2019s commercial peak and\u00a0 most successful album to date.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The bridge of \u201cWithout Me\u201d features an interpolation of Justin Timberlake<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cCry Me a River<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Carly Rae Jepsen, Simon Wilcox, and Nolan Lambroza<\/p>\n

Released as one of Carly Rae Jepsen<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Emotion<\/i> B-sides, \u201cCut To The Feeling<\/a>\u201d was instantly embraced by fans. Over time, those B-sides have come to feel just as essential to popheads as the original album<\/a>, a legacy underscored by its later 10th-anniversary edition<\/a>. \u201cCut To The Feeling\u201d itself is pure, breathless, glittering euphoria, and a consistent standout in Carly\u2019s live shows. Anchoring it all is one of the most indelible hooks on this list: \u201cI want to cut to the feeling!\u201d Is there any greater pop manifesto than this?
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Carly was gifted a sword while performing this song at Lollapalooza 2018, sparking a longstanding fan tradition of presenting her with one at live shows.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Selena Gomez, Amanda Ibanez, Divine Ikubor, Michael Hunter, and Alexandre Uwaifo<\/p>\n

Rema<\/b><\/a>\u2019s original \u201cCalm Down<\/a>\u201d was already a hit, but Selena Gomez<\/b><\/a>\u2019s contribution pushed it to another level. Flirty, warm, and sun-drenched, the pairing of Rema\u2019s mischievous charm and Selena\u2019s easy self-assurance turned the song into a true global crossover. In the process, it helped introduce Nigerian pop to an even wider audience, especially in the U.S., where \u201cCalm Down<\/a>\u201d became the most successful Afrobeats single in Billboard chart history.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cCalm Down (with Selena Gomez)\u201d was the first African artist-led track to reach one billion streams on Spotify.<\/p>\n

Label:<\/strong> Mavin\/Jonzing World\/SMG Music\/Interscope<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Charlotte Aitchison and Finn Keane<\/p>\n

The lead single from brat<\/i><\/a>, \u201cVon dutch<\/a>\u201d is brash, in-your-face, and unapologetically bratty to its core. It set the stage for the album\u2019s unprecedented cultural dominance and commercial success, standing out as one of the most striking lead singles of this decade so far. Built around the polarizing Von Dutch brand\u2014cult classic yet unmistakably pop, garish and mainstream but still tastemaker-approved\u2014the song reflects the lane Charli xcx<\/b><\/a> had carved out for herself. Finn Keane<\/b>\u2019s\u00a0explosive production, which sounds like a jet taking off and landing in quick succession, pushes it into overdrive.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The instantly iconic \u201cVon dutch\u201d music video was filmed at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Mitch Rowland, Harry Styles, Thomas Hull, and Tyler Johnson<\/p>\n

Now one of Harry Styles<\/b><\/a>\u2019 biggest hits, \u201cWatermelon Sugar<\/a>\u201d wasn\u2019t initially planned as a single, but fan response pushed it into focus. Leaning into one of pop\u2019s signature magic tricks\u2014wrapping explicit imagery in a winking, family-friendly tune\u2014the song arrived as Harry was settling into a more adult artistic lane outside of One Direction<\/b><\/a>. That timing proved perfect: \u201cWatermelon Sugar\u201d earned him his first Grammy, for Best Pop Solo Performance, as well as his first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Harry told NPR\u2019s Tiny Desk the song was inspired by the 1968 novel In Watermelon Sugar<\/i>, where the inhabitants of a commune live under a sun that changes color every day and creates different colored watermelons.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Jack Antonoff, Sabrina Carpenter, and Amy Allen<\/p>\n

This melodramatically playful follow-up to \u201cEspresso<\/a>\u201d marked Sabrina Carpenter<\/b><\/a>\u2019s first collaboration with Jack Antonoff<\/b><\/a>, now a key creative partner. Filled with Jack\u2019s trademark blend of vintage and minimal pop, \u201cPlease Please Please<\/a>\u201d introduces new flourishes that Sabrina wears easily: a subtle country lilt and a touch of ABBA<\/b><\/a>-esque sparkle in its harmonies and keys. And, of course, the song knowingly winked at her real-life relationship at the time, with a simple plea: don\u2019t embarrass me.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Noteworthy at the time as one of Sabrina\u2019s more country-leaning tracks, it was later remixed with a feature<\/a> from country legend Dolly Parton<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Rob Bisel, Sol\u00e1na Rowe, and Carter Lang<\/p>\n

The sophomore jinx has long haunted even the most promising artists, but SZA<\/b><\/a>\u2019s SOS<\/i><\/a> put any such doubts to rest. Released seven years after her debut, Ctrl<\/i><\/a>, the album\u2019s success was fueled in large part by its breakout single, \u201cKill Bill<\/a>.\u201d Loosely inspired by Quentin Tarantino<\/b>\u2019s movies of the same name, the track blends pop, R&B, and hip-hop as SZA fantasizes about deadly revenge on an ex. The song earned her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and marked her leap from R&B star to pop juggernaut.
\u2014CC<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cKill Bill\u201d stands as SZA\u2019s most-streamed solo song on Spotify.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren, and Ian Kirkpatrick<\/p>\n

The breakout single from Dua Lipa<\/b><\/a>\u2019s eponymous debut album, \u201cNew Rules<\/a>\u201d was paired with a viral music video that helped push it to global prominence. Produced by Ian Kirkpatrick<\/b><\/a>, the track draws from bashment and tropical house, sounds that were surging in popularity at the time. Lyrically, \u201cNew Rules\u201d reflected a growing trend toward themes of independence and empowerment in the pop space. Together, its sound and message helped establish Dua as a fresh new pop star to watch.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The \u201cNew Rules\u201d music video made Dua the youngest female artist to have a video surpass one billion views on YouTube.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Annie Clark<\/p>\n

After the breakout success of \u201cdrivers license<\/a>,\u201d \u201cdeja vu<\/a>\u201d quickly proved Olivia Rodrigo<\/b><\/a> was anything but a one-hit wonder. It also made it clear that angst might be her specialty. Heartbreak and jealousy, rendered in hyper-specific detail, reveal Olivia as a delightfully petty and sharply funny songwriter who brings teenage diaries to life. This time, she trades the power-piano ballad of her debut for an almost grunge-pop chorus. Honestly, who among us hasn\u2019t listened to Billy Joel<\/b><\/a> with someone we wish we could forget?
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Olivia and producer Daniel Nigro<\/b><\/a> wrote \u201cdeja vu\u201d in a single day in August 2020.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Finneas O\u2019Connell and Billie Eilish O\u2019Connell<\/p>\n

\u200b\u200bReleased on Billie Eilish<\/b><\/a>\u2019s debut full-length album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?<\/i><\/a>, \u201cbad guy<\/a>\u201d was the perfect manifesto for pop\u2019s newest disruptor. She tells us loud and clear: \u201cI\u2019m the bad guy.\u201d With its twitchy beats, rubbery bassline, and dynamic shifts, the track marked a sharp departure from Billie\u2019s earlier singles, ratcheting up the energy while retaining the dark intimacy that had defined her sound.<\/p>\n

Where her previous songs felt hushed, \u201cbad guy\u201d punched through with playful menace, leaning into swaggering, unconventional production. The result proved iconic, earning Grammy wins for Record and Song of the Year while cementing Billie as an artist capable of redefining the pop\u2019s boundaries.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The rhythmic clicking heard in the song\u2019s intro and chorus was sampled from a percussive crosswalk sound Billie and her brother\/collaborator FINNEAS<\/b><\/a> encountered in Sydney, Australia.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
A. Graham, Paul Jefferies, and Timmy Thomas<\/p>\n

\u201cHotline Bling<\/a>\u201d wasn\u2019t meant for singledom. Initially announced as an unofficial remix of DRAM<\/b><\/a>\u2019s internet hit \u201cCHA CHA<\/a>,\u201d Drake<\/b><\/a> premiered it as a loosie on his OVO Sound Radio show. But the track quickly took on a life of its own, becoming one of the biggest hits of his career and a bona fide pop smash.<\/p>\n

A modern marketer\u2019s dream, the song\u2019s lyrics were endlessly repurposed as Instagram captions, while a screenshot from the video\u2014Drake in a red bubble coat, mid\u2013Heisman-like pose\u2014became an instantly iconic meme. Both viral moments fueled the song\u2019s momentum, helping it dominate playlists and charts alike.<\/p>\n

\u201cHotline Bling\u201d also inspired countless remixes and covers, along with new originals that put their own spin on its tropical feel.
\u2014CC<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Released as a single in 2015, \u201cHotline Bling\u201d wasn\u2019t submitted for Grammy consideration until it later appeared on Drake\u2019s Views<\/i><\/a>. Nearly a year and a half after its debut, the song won Best Rap Song and Best Rap\/Sung Performance at the 2017 Grammys.<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, and Gregory Aldae Hein<\/p>\n

Few female empowerment songs land as cleanly as Miley Cyrus<\/b><\/a>\u2019 \u201cFlowers<\/a>.\u201d The lead single from Endless Summer Vacation<\/i><\/a> came out swinging, breaking records as the most-streamed song on Spotify in a single week. A post-divorce story of resilience and self-worth, it feels both personal and universally cathartic. Now in the third decade of her career, Miley reminded us, and maybe herself, what a true pop powerhouse she is.<\/p>\n

The streaming era\u2019s equivalent to \u201cI Will Survive<\/a>\u201d (complete with disco-inspired strings), \u201cFlowers\u201d became an instant singalong anthem. Its success was capped by a dazzling, self-assured Grammy performance, and Miley taking home Record of the Year.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cFlowers\u201d was the best-selling global single of 2023 and earned Miley her first Grammys, for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, and Steph Jones<\/p>\n

There\u2019s a particular thrill in watching a long-beloved artist finally get their moment. Sabrina Carpenter<\/b><\/a> had been quietly stacking sharp, addictive pop songs for more than a decade when \u201cEspresso<\/a>\u201d arrived, landing just ahead of her sixth album and signaling a clear turning point.<\/p>\n

Instantly and unmistakably, \u201cEspresso\u201d became the<\/i> song of summer 2024. It leans into all of pop\u2019s favorite quirks: idiosyncratic lyrics, giddy production, and Sabrina\u2019s now-signature cheeky charm. It\u2019s Sabrina distilled: short n\u2019 sweet, bubbly, unbothered, irreverent, and funny. More than a hit, \u201cEspresso\u201d marked the moment Sabrina stepped into her destiny as one of the decade\u2019s newest A-listers. The definition of a pop star who gets it. She\u2019s working late, \u2019cause she\u2019s a singer.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Sabrina got the idea for \u201cEspresso\u201d while visiting a cr\u00eaperie in France during a break from her opening slot on Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Eras Tour.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Max Martin, Ahmad Balshe, Abel Tesfaye, Oscar Holter, and Jason \u201cDaHeala\u201d Quenneville<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Max Martin, The Weeknd, and Oscar Holter<\/p>\n

The Weeknd<\/b><\/a> had crossed into pop long before \u201cBlinding Lights<\/a>,\u201d but he still sometimes sat in the shadows, framed by mystery and lyrical themes of emotional chaos. With this song, he reconciled the two sides of his persona: the anti-hero intent on cool detachment and the pop star aiming for total domination.<\/p>\n

Released in late 2019, the song surged just as the pandemic forced the world indoors. Its comforting \u201980s shimmer and night-drive energy felt like an escape during a time of isolation, while the early lockdown TikTok boom helped turn it into a viral phenomenon. How many of us still have a long-forgotten \u201cBlinding Lights\u201d challenge buried somewhere in our phones?<\/p>\n

What emerged was a version of The Weeknd the world embraced all at once\u2014a song that made him not just cool, but delivered the biggest hit of his career and became the most-streamed song in Spotify history.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cBlinding Lights\u201d is Spotify\u2019s most-streamed song of all time, with more than five billion streams and counting.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Andrew Taggart, Shaun Frank, Frederic Kennett, Halsey, Isaac Slade, and Joseph King<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
The Chainsmokers and Jordan \u201cDJ Swivel\u201d Young<\/p>\n

The summer of 2016 was huge for dance-pop, and few tracks captured the moment quite like The Chainsmokers<\/b><\/a>\u2019 \u201cCloser<\/a>.\u201d The song cemented the duo as bona fide hitmakers, setting the stage for their dominance of the late-2010s EDM scene. It felt distinct from other party-ready EDM hits of the era, with vivid, intricate storytelling of two ex-lovers who reconnect in a moment of youthful impulsiveness.<\/p>\n

For Halsey<\/b><\/a>, who is featured on the track, it was a breakout moment, vaulting her from rising alt pop artist toward chart-mainstay status. Together, The Chainsmokers and Halsey delivered a festival-ready anthem tinged with melancholy, one of the defining pop hits of the decade.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This was the first time Andrew Taggart<\/b>\u2014one half of The Chainsmokers\u2014took on lead vocals for the DJ duo.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Max Martin, Ariana Grande, and Ilya Salmanzadeh<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Ariana Grande, Max Martin, and ILYA<\/p>\n

A quintessential cry-on-the-dancefloor song, \u201cwe can\u2019t be friends (wait for your love)<\/a>\u201d marked one of the first times Ariana Grande<\/b><\/a> was prominently credited as a producer. Fans even caught glimpses of her mixing the track<\/a> in her home studio. Minimalist and intimate, the song sounds almost bruised, pairing a soft house beat with twinkling synths that feel like shooting stars over a love she knows she has to let go of. And that short moment of silence? Perfection.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cwe can\u2019t be friends (wait for your love)\u201d was Ariana\u2019s seventh No. 1 debut, the most ever by a female artist.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Max Martin, Shellback, and Taylor Swift<\/p>\n

A standout single from Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a>\u2019s 2017 reputation<\/i><\/a>,<\/i> \u201cDelicate<\/a>\u201d revealed a markedly different side of the era. An intimate portrait of the fragile beginnings of a relationship, the song gave listeners a glimpse behind the curtain during a period when Taylor was unusually withdrawn from public view. Set against an album defined by some of her loudest, boldest work, \u201cDelicate\u201d moves in the opposite direction, pairing sparse, minimal production with stylistic experimentation.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cDelicate\u201d is reputation<\/i>\u2019s fifth track, a slot Swifties know as the home for her albums\u2019 most revealing, vulnerable songs.<\/p>\n

Billie Eilish<\/b><\/a> was just 14 when she released \u201cocean eyes<\/a>\u201d on SoundCloud in 2015. It would become her breakthrough track, introducing the world to the minimalist vocals and restrained, haunting production that would define Billie\u2019s early career.<\/p>\n

Fans immediately latched onto the wandering dream pop sound built on spare synths and deep, resonant bass, conveying the feeling of a whispered secret passed between friends. Introspective, hypnotic, and intimate, the song stood in stark contrast to the uptempo, EDM-infused pop music that dominated the charts at the time.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cocean eyes\u201d was written by her brother and producer FINNEAS<\/b><\/a> for his band, before he decided it was better suited for Billie.<\/p>\n

Label:<\/strong> Independently released (2015); re-released by Darkroom\/Interscope (2016)<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Carter Lang, Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, Louis Russel Bell, Austin Post, William Walsh, and Carl Rosen<\/p>\n

Released for the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse<\/i>, \u201cSunflower<\/a>\u201d paired Post Malone<\/b><\/a> with Swae Lee<\/b><\/a>, whose melodic style is central to the song\u2019s appeal. For Post, better known at the time for hip-hop and rhythmic music, the track represented a clear shift, positioning him as a genre-bending artist capable of moving comfortably into pop and foreshadowing later stylistic pivots.\u00a0<\/p>\n

More broadly, \u201cSunflower\u201d reflected the biggest stylistic integration to date of bedroom pop sensibilities into the contemporary pop sound. The blending of mainstream and left-field production styles helped make this track a chart mainstay for months.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
This was Swae Lee\u2019s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 outside of Rae Sremmurd<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Ali Payami, Max Martin, Peter Svensson, Abel Tesfaye, and Savan Kotecha<\/p>\n

The Weeknd<\/b><\/a> first gained attention with a moody strain of R&B that complemented his mysterious aesthetic. His debut, Kiss Land<\/i><\/a>, was met with a lukewarm response, but he regained momentum through a standout appearance on Ariana Grande<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cLove Me Harder<\/a>\u201d and his own \u201cEarned It<\/a>\u201d from the Fifty Shades of Grey<\/i> soundtrack. His sophomore album, Beauty Behind the Madness<\/i><\/a>, was a full pivot toward pop.<\/p>\n

The album\u2019s third single, \u201cCan\u2019t Feel My Face<\/a>,\u201d is a Michael Jackson<\/b><\/a>-coded drug metaphor built for the dance floor, standing in sharp contrast to the sounds of his early mixtapes. Released just two weeks after \u201cThe Hills<\/a>,\u201d the song showcased The Weeknd\u2019s ability to juggle dark downtempo and colorful uptempo palettes. Both singles reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and he\u2019s been a chart-topping mainstay ever since.
\u2014CC<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cCan\u2019t Feel My Face\u201d earned Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Daniel Nigro, Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, and Justin Tranter<\/p>\n

\u201cGood Luck, Babe!<\/a>\u201d was released the same weekend as Chappell Roan<\/b><\/a>\u2019s breakout Coachella performance, where she famously delivered the spoken-word line \u201cI\u2019m your favorite artist\u2019s favorite artist\u201d as a tribute to drag queen Sasha Colby<\/b>. The song sounds bright and chipper on the surface, but that lightness is undercut by its lyrical perspective. \u201cGood Luck, Babe!\u201d tells a story of bitterness and rejection, with the title phrase landing as a sarcastic send-off rather than a sincere wish.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s notable for describing a specifically queer experience\u2014still rare in mainstream pop\u2014while achieving massive commercial success, due in no small part to Chappell\u2019s commanding vocal performance.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Chappell and producer Dan Nigro<\/b><\/a> first began working on what would become \u201cGood Luck, Babe!\u201d in 2022, under the working title \u201cGood Luck, Jane!\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Ariana Grande, and Savan Kotecha<\/p>\n

\u201cno tears left to cry<\/a>\u201d is Ariana Grande<\/b><\/a>\u2019s declaration of resilience. The lead single from her fourth album, Sweetener<\/i><\/a>, the song opens with an ethereal vocal over faint instrumentation before dropping into a bouncy, \u201990s R&B-inflected groove that makes one thing clear: Ariana is choosing joy.<\/p>\n

That choice carried particular weight in 2017, after her tour ended in a tragic terrorist attack at her Manchester concert, a watershed moment in her career that left the world wondering how, or even if, she would return. \u201cno tears left to cry\u201d was her answer: hopeful, defiant, and forward-looking.<\/p>\n

The growing up she was forced into after the attack reshaped how she was seen. Long underestimated, as many female pop artists are, she had often been framed primarily as a talented vocalist making fun bops. \u201cno tears left to cry\u201d disrupted that narrative. Bold, surprising, and even a little strange, it marked a shift toward deeper creative involvement, from composition to arrangement. It\u2019s the song that prompted a reappraisal of Ariana as an artist, marking the moment she stepped into her own identity.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Producer Savan Kotecha<\/b><\/a> cited Lauryn Hill<\/b><\/a> and En Vogue<\/b><\/a> as inspiration for the chord changes between the verses and the chorus.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Billie Eilish O\u2019Connell and Finneas O\u2019Connell<\/p>\n

By her third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT<\/i><\/a>, Billie Eilish<\/b><\/a> had already proven herself a reliable hitmaker. Following her 2017 breakout, tracks like \u201cocean eyes<\/a>,\u201d \u201cbad guy<\/a>,\u201d and \u201cHappier Than Ever<\/a>\u201d had helped define her brand of dark, alternative pop and shape the mainstream in her image. But she hadn\u2019t yet explored the area most pop songwriters reach for first: the straightforward romantic love song. With \u201cBIRDS OF A FEATHER,<\/a>\u201d she finally did, and it was well worth the wait.<\/p>\n

\u201cBIRDS\u201d proved Billie could craft both timeless, universal love songs as well as the darkly personal anthems she\u2019d built her career on. She doesn\u2019t abandon her signature aesthetic entirely, though; subtle morbid flourishes creep into the lyrics, adding tension beneath the tenderness. Vocally, it\u2019s among her most ambitious performances to date, particularly on the soaring bridge.<\/p>\n

\u201cBIRDS\u201d also showcases what Billie and her brother\u2014and closest collaborator\u2014FINNEAS<\/b><\/a> do best: take deceptively simple elements (here, a repeating three-note piano riff) and layer them into richly textured music that sounds unlike anything else. It\u2019s to 2024 Billie what \u201cbad guy\u201d was to 2019 Billie: a twist in her evolution, and a hint at where she might go next.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cBIRDS OF A FEATHER\u201d is the most-streamed song by a solo female artist in Spotify history.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Paul Jefferies, A. Graham, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Kyla Smith, Errol Reid, Noah \u201c40\u201d Shebib, Luke Patrick Reid, and Corey Bruce Johnson<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Nineteen85, Wizkid, and Noah \u201c40\u201d Shebib<\/p>\n

Drake<\/b><\/a> is one of the most influential tastemakers of his generation. Over the years, he\u2019s strategically borrowed sounds, co-signed artists, and raised up burgeoning scenes, minting stars and introducing new trends to mainstream audiences. He started incorporating Afrobeats into his music before the genre went fully global, first with his unofficial remix of Wizkid<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cOjuelegba<\/a>,\u201d and later on Views<\/i><\/a>\u2019 second single, \u201cOne Dance<\/a>,\u201d featuring Wizkid and Kyla<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOne Dance\u201d primarily functions as a pop song, with Drake narrating a Hennessy-soaked vision of romance on the dance floor. But its African and Caribbean DNA is unmistakable. The drums draw directly from Afrobeats and dancehall, creating a rhythm built for movement.<\/p>\n

The song quickly became a club staple and pushed Drake to new commercial heights. Views<\/i> sold over one million unit-equivalent albums in its first week, and \u201cOne Dance\u201d earned Drake his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist, following earlier chart-toppers with Rihanna<\/b><\/a> (\u201cWhat\u2019s My Name?<\/a>\u201d and \u201cWork<\/a>\u201d).<\/p>\n

Just as importantly, the song signaled the emergence of Afrobeats in the U.S. and other countries, paving the way for Wizkid, Burna Boy<\/b><\/a>, Rema<\/b><\/a>, and many more to find worldwide audiences.
\u2014CC<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cOne Dance\u201d is the eighth most-streamed song in Spotify history. It previously held the top spot until Ed Sheeran<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cShape of You<\/a>\u201d surpassed it in 2017.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Jack Antonoff, Ella Yelich-O\u2019Connor, and Joel Little<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Lorde, Jack Antonoff, and Frank Dukes<\/p>\n

\u201cGreen Light<\/a>,\u201d the lead single from Lorde<\/b><\/a>\u2019s second album Melodrama<\/i><\/a>, marked her first release since the breakout success of Pure Heroine<\/i><\/a> four years earlier. In the time between, Lorde had lived a very different life than the one she captured on her debut\u2014grappling with late-adolescent growing pains, the disorienting effects of sudden superstardom, and her first major heartbreak. Those experiences became foundational in shaping this extraordinary return.<\/p>\n

The song opens on a bitter, raw note, its venomous first verse underscored by spare, dissonant piano chords. Early on, it plays like a heartbroken ballad; but as the track builds toward the chorus, it pivots entirely. Bright piano stabs, sprawling synths, and insistent, heartbeat-like drums usher in a shift from rumination to release, as Lorde lunges toward the future and the \u201cgreen light\u201d she knows is coming.<\/p>\n

Few pop songs swing so effectively between opposing emotional states. The contrast between sour verses and euphoric chorus mirrors the chaotic, non-linear process of grief. Working with new collaborator Jack Antonoff<\/b><\/a>, Lorde resisted recreating the sound that defined her debut, instead crafting something immediate and expansive. Its fearless execution earned widespread critical acclaim upon release and marked her entry into a new phase of pop stardom.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
The song\u2019s driving, instantly recognizable piano chords were inspired by a pianist Lorde and producer Jack Antonoff heard at a Florence + The Machine<\/b><\/a> concert.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Julia Michaels, Justin Bieber, Michael Tucker, Sonny Moore, and Justin Tranter<\/p>\n

Evolving from child star to credible pop icon is a transition few artists navigate gracefully. By the mid-2010s, Justin Bieber<\/b><\/a>\u2019s music\u2014especially the introspective Journals<\/i><\/a>\u2014had expanded his appeal beyond teen pop, even as his offstage life began to draw outsize public attention.<\/p>\n

In 2015, Justin emerged from a three-year stretch of intense tabloid scrutiny to release his best music yet: Purpose<\/i><\/a>. Its second single, \u201cSorry<\/a>,\u201d landed at a crucial moment. Released on the heels of the redemptive smash \u201cWhere Are \u00dc Now<\/a>\u201d and the chart-topping \u201cWhat Do You Mean?<\/a>,\u201d it played a key role in winning over some of his most persistent skeptics.<\/p>\n

Drawing on the tropical sounds popularized by Drake<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cHotline Bling<\/a>,\u201d Justin delivered a track that doubled as a romantic plea and a public apology. The song\u2019s unmistakable pop sheen is paired with dancehall-inspired drums that made it an immediate party favorite, crossing over to find an audience among hip-hop and R&B listeners. The Bieber-less music video, built around striking choreography, became a viral phenomenon that added to the frenzy.<\/p>\n

While JB has continued to add new milestones to his career, \u201cSorry\u201d is the triumph that set him on a path toward lasting pop stardom.
\u2014CC<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cSorry\u201d is one of four Purpose<\/i> tracks to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, alongside \u201cLove Yourself<\/a>,\u201d \u201cWhat Do You Mean?,\u201d and \u201cWhere Are \u00dc Now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Shellback, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mattias Larsson, Oscar Holter, Robin Fredriksson, and Jonnali Parmenius<\/p>\n

Produced by<\/strong>
Mattman & Robin and Shellback<\/p>\n

The opening notes of a pop song can change everything. They can make you gasp, rush to the dancefloor, stop dead in your tracks, shift your mood, or transport you somewhere else entirely.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Now imagine some of pop\u2019s most iconic opening notes introducing an entire album. Carly Rae Jepsen<\/b><\/a>\u2019s third album, Emotion<\/i><\/a>, established her as far more than the \u201cCall Me Maybe<\/a>\u201d girl, while also quietly shifting the entire landscape of the genre and laying the groundwork for a new era of critically adored pop. It did so in its first seven seconds, opening with the instantly recognizable, slightly wonky synth-sax riff of \u201cRun Away With Me<\/a>.\u201d It doesn\u2019t so much begin as grab you by the hand and take off running.<\/p>\n

What follows captures the early rush of an overwhelming crush at a cinematic scale. Carly softly coos through the verse until the saxophone returns like a rallying cry. Then the chorus hits, throwing all hesitation to the wind with drums snapping and synths shimmering. It feels like the kind of day that starts with breakfast at 10 a.m. and ends wandering city streets at 3 a.m., chasing one more adventure simply because you\u2019re with someone who makes you feel alive.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Euphoric, overwhelming, and transformative, \u201cRun Away With Me\u201d is the pop song even people who \u201cdon\u2019t like pop\u201d believe in.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Upon hearing the saxophone demo of \u201cRun Away With Me\u201d in the studio, Carly told her producers, \u201cOkay, we haven\u2019t even written it yet\u2014but that Celtic saxophone is how I want to open the album.\u201d<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Emily Warren, and Ian Kirkpatrick<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t Start Now<\/a>\u201d is the kind of song that resets the room the second it comes on. It also helped cement Dua Lipa<\/b><\/a> in the top tier of pop stardom. Arriving as the second single from the soon-to-be world-dominating Future Nostalgia<\/i><\/a>, it blasted past the polite reception to lead single \u201cPhysical<\/a>\u201d and signaled a new level of confidence for Dua.<\/p>\n

Released the same year Dua won Best New Artist at the Grammy Awards, expectations were sky high, and she met them head-on. Sharpening her movements, presence, and performance, this new Dua emerged self-assured, effortlessly cool, and in total command. \u201cDon\u2019t Start Now\u201d wasn\u2019t just another good song; it was the moment everything clicked.<\/p>\n

A pure hit of dopamine, it\u2019s a song of confident rebirth built on a nu-disco groove with an irresistibly funky bassline, nodding to peak Nile Rodgers<\/b><\/a> and French-disco modernism \u00e0 la Daft Punk<\/b><\/a>. From its opening notes, it takes control of your body, sending you straight to the dancefloor in joyful surrender.<\/p>\n

At a time when pop had leaned downtempo, this track brought the fun back and changed its sound\u2014reintroducing upbeat disco and delivering, perhaps, the best cowbell in pop history.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
\u201cDon\u2019t Start Now\u201d was inspired by a disco night at a cowboy bar in Wyoming. Songwriters Ian Kirkpatrick<\/b><\/a>, Caroline Ailin<\/b>, and Emily Warren<\/b><\/a> danced to Gloria Gaynor<\/b><\/a>\u2019s \u201cI Will Survive<\/a>\u201d and set out to make a song that felt just as good.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, and Annie Clark<\/p>\n

It took a long time for \u201cCruel Summer<\/a>\u201d to live up to fans\u2019 belief that it was the defining hit of Taylor Swift<\/b><\/a>\u2019s Lover<\/i><\/a> era.<\/p>\n

Written by Taylor, Jack Antonoff<\/b><\/a>, and St. Vincent<\/b><\/a>, \u201cCruel Summer\u201d is Grease<\/i>\u2019s \u201cSummer Nights<\/a>\u201d reimagined for the Swiftie generation. It captures the heightened, cinematic rush of a summer romance, anchored by a standout bridge that feels like a panic attack\u2014flashing with rage, desperation, and obsession.<\/p>\n

Fans have always known best. For years, the pop audience has begged their idols to turn beloved album cuts into singles, but it wasn\u2019t until the streaming era that listeners had the power to make it happen. After her Lover Fest tour was canceled due to the pandemic, Taylor opened the Eras Tour with the Lover<\/i> era, nodding to what might\u2019ve been. \u201cCruel Summer\u201d was placed early in the set, giving the fan favorite its overdue spotlight.<\/p>\n

Three years and five albums later, \u201cCruel Summer\u201d is finally the hit Swifties always knew it could be. Its eventual rise to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 stands as proof of what\u2019s possible in music\u2019s fan-driven landscape.
\u2014TK<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Taylor, St. Vincent, and Jack Antonoff weren\u2019t planning on writing a song together, but in this case, an impromptu jam session at the studio resulted in one of the biggest pop hits of the streaming era.<\/p>\n

Written by<\/strong>
Daniel Nigro and Kayleigh Rose Amstutz<\/p>\n

Released in 2020, perhaps the worst year in history to release a track about going to a club with your friends, \u201cPink Pony Club<\/a>\u201d risked withering in the should\u2019ve-been-hits archive. But thanks to the fluid timelines of success enabled by the streaming era (and what some might call destiny), the song finally found its moment in summer 2024.<\/p>\n

Queer nightlife has long been central to pop music, and this track is an ode to the home Chappell Roan<\/b><\/a> found there. Unlike many gay club hits that resonate musically but remain lyrically vague, \u201cPink Pony Club\u201d speaks directly to queer audiences. Its small-town-to-West Hollywood journey, paired with high drama, anthemic, just-this-side-of-musical-theater execution, reads as a love letter to the queer community.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Most people haven\u2019t been to the song\u2019s real-life inspiration, The Abbey in West Hollywood, but with Chappell\u2019s masterfully universal songwriting, that hardly matters. The \u201cPink Pony Club\u201d thrives as fiction, a fluorescent gay bar and a stand-in for the freedom to be unapologetically yourself. It\u2019s about the joy of dancing on a raised platform, yes, but also the resolve to keep dancing wherever you are.<\/p>\n

In the summer of 2024, as Chappell smashed festival attendance records, a fan video went viral. It was an old clip of Chappell performing \u201cPink Pony Club\u201d solo with a keyboard in a park to an audience of about four people, intercut with scenes from her Lollapalooza set, complete with a full band, pyrotechnics, and thousands screaming along. This is the dream: An artist with something to say finding an audience greater than they ever imagined. Nearly half a decade after its release, pop listeners made it happen with \u201cPink Pony Club.\u201d
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
After its release, it took a label change and more than five years for the song to peak on the charts at No. 4 in April 2025. It\u2019s now certified five-times platinum in the U.S.<\/p>\n

In January 2021, the pop landscape was in a lull. The pandemic had stalled the development and promotion of new pop artists, leaving the charts dominated by pre-COVID mainstays. Then \u201cdrivers license<\/a>,\u201d Olivia Rodrigo<\/b><\/a>\u2019s first major release outside the Disney machine, arrived to widespread acclaim. As it whipped through pop music discourse, the song reminded us what it felt like to watch a star be born in real time.<\/p>\n

\u201cdrivers license\u201d subverted expectations for a Disney alum\u2019s debut. Rather than an upbeat declaration of independence, Olivia introduces herself with a deceptively simple, evocative ballad that distills the core elements of great pop songwriting. The song leans into timeless themes\u2014heartbreak, melodrama, and coming of age\u2014anchored by the parallel milestones of getting your driver\u2019s license and losing your first love. It nods to late-2010s whisper-pop while layering in unexpected lyrical specificity, with lines like \u201cguess you didn\u2019t mean what you wrote in that song about me\u201d becoming instant classics. A soaring bridge delivers the long-awaited catharsis, offering a release that resonated deeply in a moment defined by isolation and uncertainty.<\/p>\n

The response was overwhelming and largely organic. Propelled by word of mouth in an increasingly fragmented pop culture landscape, \u201cdrivers license\u201d became inescapable, setting the stage for an album that would dominate the summer that followed and sketching a new blueprint for the streaming-era pop star.
\u2014CW<\/i><\/p>\n

Fun fact<\/strong>
Upon release, \u201cdrivers license\u201d broke Spotify\u2019s record for the most streams in a single day for a non-holiday song, then topped that record again the following day.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Click on album artwork to view additional 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