What would our lives be on a daily throughout the year without some good sounds?

Regardless of what genre tickles your fancy, music serves as a vehicle that transports us to a transcendental planet. The music streaming app (Spotify) ascertains that we have access to every song there is in the world. As music consumers, we are always eager to discover new tunes. This year was no different, artists cooked some delectable tunes that will forever be imprinted in our hearts and as per usual, Spotify steadily dished them up for us. Now, in as much as we hold our different and diverse tastes, it’s always intriguing to see which genre takes the cake. For the sake of reminiscing & reflecting, let us take a trip down memory lane to what I would call a nail-biting yet thrilling moment when Spotify released the list on December 1st as well as some background on the songs & the artists. Now buckle up and let us see how it unravelled. 

Drivers Licence by Olivia Rodrigo 

Fiercely driving the bunch on the number 1 spot is none other than the 18-year-old Olivia with her pop ballad “Drivers licence” which was released early this year & garnered 1.1 billion streams. This came as no surprise because it debuted at No 1 on the US-based Billboard 100 chart in a matter of just a single week. Pouring her heart out about witnessing her ex-lover move on, this tune was found relatable by a multitude of teenagers who encounter similar struggles during this phase of their lives because not only did it have them singing along but it also propelled them to speculate the “drama” which involves a love triangle – an apparent reason behind the heartfelt lyrics. Talk about connecting with your listeners through an honest & compelling story! 

MONTERO by Lil Nas X 

Taking the runner-up spot is no stranger to the music scene, Lil Nas who has been causing a solid stir in the game with his controversial & bold character which he unapologetically infuses & displays in his music. He made the headlines back in September on BBC News where he was declared as one of the defining stars of his generation & I couldn’t agree more with this statement; it’s quite unusual that one stays true to themselves when in the Entertainment industry. In his hit song “Montero” he describes an encounter he had when he realized that he likes someone. Now haven’t we all been through that? What is more striking is the fact that he is adamant to drive the queer narrative forward in his content & the way he presents himself when performing, regardless of the controversy! 

Stay by Justin Bieber & The Kid LAROI

They say “two is better than one” & these two hip & current musicians decided to put their heads together & remind all of us why that phrase rings true. This is the second time they are collaborating & they remained consistent in producing a top-notch quality production which earned them a spot at number 3.  We certainly hope that they keep them coming because we cannot get enough of their brilliant artistry. 

good 4 u by Olivia Rodrigo

Because appearing once on the Top 5 list is not enough right? Olivia claimed another spot with her other bop called “good for you”. In it, she wishes the very same EX she mentioned on “Drivers Licence” well after he moved on swiftly & very quickly after their breakup. Well, if you listen to the song carefully though you pick up that she is being sarcastic about it (Miss smarty pants!). The song is accompanied by an electrifying music video which is intended to pay homage to a film called “Jennifer’s body”; I suppose that is another element that got the masses very much intrigued & constantly streaming it. 

Levitating by Dua Lipa 

Okay, that’s it – I’m concluding that love makes the world go round because it seems like only love songs made it to this gigantic & coveted list. Last but certainly not least is “Levitating” which paints a vivid picture of those “goose-bumps-inducing” sceneries you encounter when you meet someone & you think that they are the one & you’ve met at just the perfect time. 

Bravo to every artist! Continue telling those stories through music – we love to hear it. 

Published by HOLR Magazine.