100 Greatest Pop Songs of the Streaming Era
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What Is a Pop CLASSIC?
Spotify CLASSICS is our flagship program dedicated to celebrating the catalog music that continues to shape culture long after its release. Focused on the streaming era—defined here as 2015 to today—the program highlights albums and songs whose influence extends beyond charts, trends, and momentary success.
Earlier this month, we unveiled our selection of Classic Pop Albums of the Streaming Era, featuring timeless releases like Carly Rae Jepsen’s Emotion, Charli xcx’s brat, Justin Bieber’s Purpose, and Taylor Swift’s reputation.
Now, we’re 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 (Editorial Lead, Global Hits), Talia Kraines (Editorial Lead, Pop), JJ Italiano (Head of Global Music Curation & Discovery, Editorial), and Carl Chery (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.
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—popularity—the 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.
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.
Note: All songs were released on Spotify after January 1, 2015. The Spotify streams are current as of February 16, 2026.
Cool for the Summer
Performed by
Demi Lovato
Written by
Max Martin, Ali Payami, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Demi Lovato
Produced by
Max Martin and Ali Payami
Release date
July 1, 2015
Fun fact
“Cool for the Summer” earned critical acclaim as one of Demi Lovato’s most confident and self-assured tracks. “For so many years, I cared too much about what people thought,” Demi told Billboard at the time. “Now I can just be who I am. I can be open.”
Label: Hollywood
Spotify streams: 1,030,342,409
Slow Hands
Performed by
Niall Horan
Written by
Julian Bunetta, Niall Horan, John Ryan, Tobias Jesso Jr., Alexander Izquierdo, and Ruth-Anne Cunningham
Produced by
Julian Bunetta, Afterhrs, and Mark “Spike” Stent
Release date
May 4, 2017
Fun fact
Niall Horan was a surprise guest at the London stop of Taylor Swift’s Reputation Stadium Tour, where the pair performed this song together. We deserved to be there!
Label: Capitol
Spotify streams: 1,065,695,896
If the World Was Ending (feat. Julia Michaels)
Performed by
JP Saxe and Julia Michaels
Written by
Julia Michaels and JP Saxe
Produced by
FINNEAS
Release date
November 15, 2019
Fun fact
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.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 797,198,660
Angel Of My Dreams
Performed by
JADE
Written by
Jade Thirlwall, Michael Sabath, Steph Jones, Pablo Bowman, Bill Martin, and Phil Coulter
Produced by
Mike Sabath
Release date
July 19, 2024
Fun fact
This was JADE’s debut single after more than a decade with British girl group Little Mix. It was inspired by her tumultuous experience navigating the music industry as a young pop star.
Label: RCA
Spotify streams: 75,262,410
Motivation
Performed by
Normani
Written by
Ilya Salmanzadeh, Savan Kotecha, Max Martin, Ariana Grande, Normani Kordei Hamilton, and Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph
Produced by
ILYA
Release date
August 16, 2019
Fun fact
The music video for “Motivation” earned widespread acclaim for its show-stopping, fence-climbing, basketball-bouncing choreography, brought to life by Normani’s impressive dance skills.
Label: Keep Cool/RCA
Spotify streams: 412,003,952
Rain On Me (with Ariana Grande)
Performed by
Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
Written by
Lady Gaga, Ariana Grande, BloodPop®, Burns, Nija Charles, Rami Yacoub, Martin Bresso, Alexander Ridha, Jeremiah Burden, Lynn Williams, and Betty Wright
Produced by
BloodPop® and Burns
Release date
May 22, 2020
Fun fact
The song won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2021 Grammys, becoming the first all-female collaboration to win the award.
Label: Interscope
Spotify streams: 1,218,931,743
Just for Me
Performed by
PinkPantheress
Written by
Alexander Crossan, Michael Thomas Kinsella, PinkPantheress, Stephen Michael Holmes, and Steven Joseph Lamos
Produced by
Mura Masa
Release date
August 13, 2021
Fun fact
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!
Label: Parlophone
Spotify streams: 219,743,396
Sports car
Performed by
Tate McRae
Written by
Ryan Tedder, Tate McRae, Grant Boutin, and Julia Michaels
Produced by
Ryan Tedder and Grant Boulin
Release date
January 24, 2025
Fun fact
In true pop-star fashion, the “Sports car” music video features Tate McRae in 12 different outfits.
Label: RCA
Spotify streams: 739,762,016
California
Performed by
Grimes
Written by
Grimes
Produced by
Grimes
Release date
November 6, 2015
Fun fact
Grimes self-produced and engineered not just this song, but her entire acclaimed 2015 album, Art Angels.
Label: 4AD
Spotify streams: 39,344,140
So Easy (To Fall In Love)
Performed by
Olivia Dean
Written by
Olivia Dean, John Ryan, Max Wolfgang, and Amy Allen
Produced by
John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Zach Nahome, Max Wolfgang, and Amy Allen
Release date
September 26, 2025
Fun fact
Olivia Dean’s middle name is Lauryn, after acclaimed ’90s artist Lauryn Hill. Both performed at the 2026 Grammys: Olivia as part of the Best New Artist medley, and Lauryn in tribute to her late collaborator D’Angelo.
Label: Capitol UK/Polydor
Spotify streams: 475,441,525
Lose You To Love Me
Performed by
Selena Gomez
Written by
Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Selena Gomez, Mattias Larsson, and Robin Fredriksson
Produced by
Mattman & Robin, FINNEAS
Release date
October 23, 2019
Fun fact
“Lose You To Love Me” is Selena Gomez’s first and so far only No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100.
Label: Interscope
Spotify streams: 1,442,992,589
Love Me Not
Performed by
Ravyn Lenae
Written by
Ravyn Lenae, Anderson .Paak, Sarah Aarons, Dacoury Dahi Natche, Brent Reynolds, Craig Balmoris, Spencer Stewart, Jaelen Irizarry, Christian Farlow, Julian Nixon, and Dominic Angelella
Produced by
Dahi, Ritz Reynolds, Craig Balmoris, and Spencer Stewart
Release date
August 9, 2024
Fun fact
This was Ravyn Lenae’s first chart hit, becoming one of the songs of the summer in 2025, more than a year after its initial release.
Label: Atlantic
Spotify streams: 907,201,148
Lost In Japan
Performed by
Shawn Mendes
Written by
Teddy Geiger, Shawn Mendes, Nate Mercereau, and Scott Harris
Produced by
Teddy Geiger and Shawn Mendes
Release date
March 23, 2018
Fun fact
“Lost In Japan” was inspired by an actual dream Shawn Mendes had of being, well, lost in Japan.
Label: Island
Spotify streams: 619,693,261
21st Century Cool Girl
Performed by
Chloe Qisha
Written by
Chloe Qi Sha Lim and Rob Milton
Produced by
Rob Milton
Release date
January 21, 2025
Fun fact
Speaking to DIY Mag, Chloe Qisha described this song as “an ode to my teenage self, who treated every day like I was in some ’90s rom-com.”
Label: VLF/Are You Serious?
Spotify streams: 7,639,853
Kiss Me More
Performed by
Doja Cat
Written by
Amala Zandile Dlamini, David Sprecher, Rogét Chahayed, Gerard A. Powell II, Carter Lang, Solána Rowe, Łukasz Gottwald, Terry Shaddick, and Stephen Kipner
Produced by
Rogét Chahayed, Yeti Beats, and tizhimself
Release date
April 9, 2021
Fun fact
The song won Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the 2022 Grammys, marking the first Grammy win for both Doja Cat and SZA.
Label: Kemosabe/RCA
Spotify streams: 2,331,611,417
Happy World
Performed by
Debbii Dawson
Written by
Alida Garpestad Peck, Kevin Hickey, and Deborah Dawson
Produced by
Zhone
Release date
April 19, 2024
Fun fact
The world was first introduced to Debbii Dawson on America’s Got Talent with an unexpected cover of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen,” and “Happy World” channels that same ABBA-inspired energy.
Label: RCA
Spotify streams: 5,212,661
Supercut
Performed by
Lorde
Written by
Ella Yelich-O'Connor and Jack Antonoff
Produced by
Lorde, Jack Antonoff, and Joel Little
Release date
June 16, 2017
Fun fact
Lorde has called “Supercut” a “sister song” to “Ribs,” a fan-favorite track from her debut album Pure Heroine.
Label: Universal Music New Zealand
Spotify streams: 461,335,954
Bruises
Performed by
Lewis Capaldi
Written by
James Earp and Lewis Capaldi
Produced by
James Earp
Release date
March 30, 2017
Fun fact
This was Lewis Capaldi’s debut single and the first song he ever wrote on the piano.
Label: Independently released; re-released by Virgin (both 2015)
Spotify streams: 1,376,551,792
Levitating (feat. DaBaby)
Performed by
Dua Lipa and DaBaby
Written by
Clarence Coffee Jr., DaBaby, Dua Lipa, Sarah Hudson, and Stephen Kozmeniuk
Produced by
Koz and Stuart Price
Release date
October 1, 2020
Fun fact
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.
Label: Warner
Spotify streams: 2,516,540,527
Issues
Performed by
Julia Michaels
Written by
benny blanco, Julia Michaels, Tor Erik Hermansen, Justin Tranter, and Mikkel Storleer Eriksen
Produced by
Stargate and benny blanco
Release date
January 13, 2017
Fun fact
This was Julia Michaels’ breakout hit as a solo artist after years of writing for others. In fact, she wrote five more songs on this list: “Sorry,” “Bad Liar,” “If the World Was Ending,” “Lose You To Love Me,” and “Sports car.”
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,348,077,441
Lush Life
Performed by
Zara Larsson
Written by
Emanuel Abrahamsson, Mack, Linnéa Södahl, Fridolin Walcher, Christoph Bauss, and Iman Conta Hultén
Produced by
Freedo and Shuko
Release date
June 5, 2015
Fun fact
“Lush Life” 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.
Label: TEN/Epic
Spotify streams: 2,070,246,530
Stick Season
Performed by
Noah Kahan
Written by
Noah Kahan
Produced by
Noah Kahan and Gabe Simon
Release date
July 8, 2022
Fun fact
The title “Stick Season” refers to the visually bleak period in New England after the leaves have fallen but before the first snowfall arrives—a time Vermont native Noah Kahan knows well.
Label: Mercury/Republic
Spotify streams: 1,738,000,304
Headphones On
Performed by
Addison Rae
Written by
Addison Rae, Luka Kloser, and Elvira Anderfjärd
Produced by
Luka Kloser and Elvira Anderfjärd
Release date
April 18, 2025
Fun fact
The music video stars Addison Rae as a cashier in Iceland who escapes the monotony of her day-to-day through music and was filmed on-location in Reykjavík.
Label: Columbia
Spotify streams: 92,856,851
Rush
Performed by
Troye Sivan
Written by
Adam Novodor, Alex Chapman, Troye Sivan Mellet, Brett McLaughlin, Kevin Hickey, and Kaelyn Behr
Produced by
Styalz Fuego, NOVODOR, and Zhone
Release date
July 13, 2023
Fun fact
Named for the poppers brand Rush, this club-ready track from Troye Sivan’s acclaimed Something To Give Each Other arrived with a high-energy music video filmed in Berlin.
Label: EMI Australia
Spotify streams: 545,266,710
Cheap Thrills (feat. Sean Paul)
Performed by
Sia and Sean Paul
Written by
Sia Furler, Greg Kurstin, and Sean Paul Henriques
Produced by
Greg Kurstin
Release date
December 17, 2015
Fun fact
Originally written for Rihanna, the song was ultimately kept by Sia, becoming her first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Label: Monkey Puzzle/RCA
Spotify streams: 948,260,043
Midnight Rain
Performed by
Taylor Swift
Written by
Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff
Produced by
Taylor Swift and Jack Antonoff
Release date
October 21, 2022
Fun fact
The “he never thinks of me, except when I’m on TV” lyric featured prominently in the Midnights section of the Eras Tour setlist, with Taylor Swift using the moment to send signals to her fans on the jumbotron.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 83,818,5724
Girl, so confusing featuring lorde
Performed by
Charli xcx and Lorde
Written by
Charlotte Aitchison, Alexander Guy Cook, Ella Yelich O’Connor, and James Harmon Stack
Produced by
A.G. Cook
Release date
June 21, 2024
Fun fact
Lorde herself suggested joining the remix, which explores her complicated relationship with Charli xcx. Completed in just three days, it went on to become a standout moment of brat summer.
Label: Atlantic
Spotify streams: 268,551,104
Now I'm In It
Performed by
HAIM
Written by
Danielle Haim, Alana Haim, Este Haim, Rostam Batmanglij, and Ramesh Srivastava
Produced by
Danielle Haim, Rostam Batmanglij, and Ariel Rechtshaid
Release date
October 30, 2019
Fun fact
Directed by Oscar-nominated filmmaker Paul Thomas Anderson, the video for “Now I’m In It” follows Danielle Haim through a series of disorienting scenes that mirror the song’s depiction of depression.
Label: Columbia
Spotify streams: 92,652,360
Heart to Break
Performed by
Kim Petras
Written by
Kim Petras, Łukasz Gottwald, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, Aaron Aguilar, and Henry Walter
Produced by
Aaron Joseph, Cirkut, and MADE IN CHINA
Release date
February 14, 2018
Fun fact
Blondie’s “Heart of Glass” and The Cardigans’ “Lovefool”—two tracks that combine emotional depth with a bouncy pop sound—served as inspiration for “Heart to Break.”
Label: Amigo/Republic
Spotify streams: 87,321,886
Good as Hell
Performed by
Lizzo
Written by
Eric Frederic and Melissa Jefferson
Produced by
Ricky Reed
Release date
March 8, 2016
Fun fact
Released in 2016, this track later reemerged as a sleeper hit in 2019.
Label: Atlantic/Nice Life
Spotify streams: 706,163,913
Ever Again
Performed by
Robyn
Written by
Joseph Patrick Mount and Robin Carlsson
Produced by
Joseph Patrick Mount
Release date
October 26, 2018
Fun fact
Speaking to Pitchfork about “Ever Again,” the glimmering closing track of Honey, Robyn said the song is “defiant,” embracing the idea that her heart may break again, but that she won’t let it destroy her.
Label: Konichiwa/Interscope
Spotify streams: 41,245,068
Rainbow
Performed by
Kacey Musgraves
Written by
Kacey Musgraves, Natalie Hemby, and Shane McAnally
Produced by
Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, and Kacey Musgraves
Release date
February 11, 2019
Fun fact
Kacey Musgraves debuted “Rainbow” with a stunning live performance at the 2019 Grammy Awards, the same night she won Album of the Year for Golden Hour.
Label: MCA Nashville
Spotify streams: 255,890,340
august
Performed by
Taylor Swift
Written by
Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Produced by
Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, and Joe Alwyn
Release date
July 24, 2020
Fun fact
Though never a single, this folklore gem makes an annual return to the Spotify charts every August, as listeners gravitate toward its wistful, end-of-summer storytelling.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,729,234,535
Nothing Breaks Like a Heart (feat. Miley Cyrus)
Performed by
Mark Ronson and Miley Cyrus
Written by
Mark Ronson, Thomas Brenneck, Miley Cyrus, Conor Szymanski, Ilsey Juber, Maxime Picard, and Clément Picard
Produced by
Mark Ronson and The Picard Brothers
Release date
November 29, 2018
Fun fact
The memorable music video for this “sad banger,” as described by Mark Ronson, is packed with Miley Cyrus Easter eggs, including a wrecking ball, props from past videos, and Tennessee license plates.
Label: RCA
Spotify streams: 1,202,274,681
About You
Performed by
The 1975
Written by
Matthew Healy and George Daniel
Produced by
Matthew Healy and George Daniel
Release date
October 14, 2022
Fun fact
The additional female vocals here are performed by Carly Holt, who is married to The 1975’s lead guitarist, Adam Hann.
Label: Dirty Hit
Spotify streams: 920,923,146
Never Really Over
Performed by
Katy Perry
Written by
Katy Perry, Daniel James, Gino Barletta, Leah Haywood, Anton Zaslavski, Dagny Norvoll Sandvik, Hayley Warner, Jason Gill, and Michelle Buzz
Produced by
Zedd and Dreamlab
Release date
May 31, 2019
Fun fact
This song builds on a sample from Norwegian pop singer Dagny’s 2017 track “Love You Like That.”
Label: Capitol
Spotify streams: 756,157,296
APT.
Performed by
ROSÉ and Bruno Mars
Written by
Chae Young Park, Amy Allen, Christopher Brody Brown, Rogét Chahayed, Omer Fedi, Philip Lawrence, Bruno Mars, Theron Thomas, Henry Walter, Michael Chapman, and Nicholas Chinn
Produced by
Bruno Mars, Cirkut, Rogét Chahayed, and Omer Fedi
Release date
October 18, 2024
Fun fact
“APT.” draws inspiration from the Korean drinking game “apateu,” which ROSÉ introduced to her collaborators during the recording process.
Label: The Black Label/Atlantic
Spotify streams: 2,308,122,899
Perfect
Performed by
Ed Sheeran
Written by
Ed Sheeran
Produced by
Ed Sheeran and Will Hicks
Release date
March 3, 2017
Fun fact
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.
Label: Asylum/Atlantic
Spotify streams: 3,839,834,956
I Know A Place
Performed by
MUNA
Written by
Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson, and Josette Maskin
Produced by
Katie Gavin, Naomi McPherson, and Josette Maskin
Release date
February 3, 2017
Fun fact
Lead singer Katie Gavin has described this as a “work song,” imagining a more utopian world for queer people through continued effort and progress.
Label: RCA
Spotify streams: 44,890,223
I Took A Pill In Ibiza (Seeb Remix)
Performed by
Mike Posner and Seeb
Written by
Mike Posner
Produced by
Mike Posner and Martin Terefe
Release date
July 24, 2015
Fun fact
The Seeb remix turned an introspective folk-pop song into a global dance hit, a rare case where the remix eclipsed the original.
Label: Island
Spotify streams: 2,335,178,616
When We Were Young
Performed by
Adele
Written by
Tobias Jesso Jr. and Adele Adkins
Produced by
Ariel Rechtshaid
Release date
November 20, 2015
Fun fact
“When We Were Young” was written on a piano inherited by producer Tobias Jesso Jr., which once belonged to renowned minimalist composer Philip Glass.
Label: XL/Columbia
Spotify streams: 1,615,136,077
Vroom Vroom
Performed by
Charli xcx
Written by
Charli xcx, Amanda Lucille Warner, Noonie Bao, and Samuel Long
Produced by
SOPHIE
Release date
February 26, 2016
Fun fact
The Vroom Vroom EP represented a major sonic shift for Charli xcx at the time; in collaboration with producer SOPHIE, she leaned into a hyperpop sound that laid the groundwork for future efforts like Pop 2 and brat.
Label: Vroom Vroom Recordings/Atlantic
Spotify streams: 145,291,489
good 4 u
Performed by
Olivia Rodrigo
Written by
Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo, Josh Farro, and Hayley Williams
Produced by
Daniel Nigro and Alexander 23
Release date
May 14, 2021
Fun fact
Olivia Rodrigo told Variety that writing “good 4 u” (the pop-punk jolt on SOUR) was “really satisfying” because it proved she could deliver an upbeat, danceable hit without sacrificing her authentic voice.
Label: Geffen/Interscope
Spotify streams: 2,587,196,158
Lover
Performed by
Taylor Swift
Written by
Taylor Swift
Produced by
Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Release date
August 16, 2019
Fun fact
“Lover” is one of three tracks on the album of the same name that Taylor Swift wrote entirely solo, alongside “Daylight” and “Cornelia Street.”
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,980,243,076
HOT TO GO!
Performed by
Chappell Roan
Written by
Daniel Nigro and Kayleigh Rose Amstutz
Produced by
Daniel Nigro
Release date
August 11, 2023
Fun fact
For the “HOT TO GO!” music video, Chappell Roan returned to her roots, filming across various iconic spots in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri.
Label: Amusement/Island
Spotify streams: 865,455,255
Bad Liar
Performed by
Selena Gomez
Written by
Selena Gomez, Ian Kirkpatrick, Julia Michaels, David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Justin Tranter, and Christopher Frantz
Produced by
Ian Kirkpatrick
Release date
May 18, 2017
Fun fact
That irresistible bassline features a prominent sample of Talking Heads’ 1977 classic, “Psycho Killer.”
Label: Interscope
Spotify streams: 540,461,412
Eastside (with Halsey & Khalid)
Performed by
benny blanco, Halsey, and Khalid
Written by
Nathan Perez, Khalid Robinson, Halsey, Ed Sheeran, and benny blanco
Produced by
Andrew Watt, benny blanco, and Cashmere Cat
Release date
July 12, 2018
Fun fact
After a decade as a pop producer for the likes of Maroon 5, Ed Sheeran, and Rihanna, this marked benny blanco’s first release as an artist.
Label: Friends Keep Secrets/Interscope
Spotify streams: 2,059,259,591
thank u, next
Performed by
Ariana Grande
Written by
Tommy Brown, Michael Foster, Charles Anderson, Ariana Grande, Tayla Parx, Victoria McCants, Njomza Vitia, and Kimberly Krysiuk
Produced by
Tommy Brown, Michael Foster, and Charles Anderson
Release date
November 3, 2018
Fun fact
The phrase “thank you, next” was inspired by an expression Ariana Grande and fellow singer-songwriter Victoria Monét would use when talking about their personal lives.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 2,178,232,454
STAY (with Justin Bieber)
Performed by
The Kid LAROI and Justin Bieber
Written by
Justin Bieber, Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, Charlie Puth, Charlton Howard, Magnus Høiberg, Michael Mule, Isaac DeBoni, and Subhaan Rahmaan
Produced by
Blake Slatkin, Omer Fedi, Charlie Puth, and Cashmere Cat
Release date
July 9, 2021
Fun fact
It goes down in the DMs. Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI first connected on Instagram, which led to their first collaboration, “Unstable,” from Justin’s Justice.
Label: Grade A/Columbia
Spotify streams: 3,805,337,321
Woman
Performed by
Doja Cat
Written by
Aynzli Jones, Amala Zandile Dlamini, David Sprecher, Aaron Horn, Linden Jay, Lydia Asrat, and Jidenna Mobisson
Produced by
Linden Jay, Yeti Beats, and Crate Classics
Release date
June 25, 2021
Fun fact
Best known for his hit “Classic Man,” Jidenna is one the song’s co-writers and also lends his voice for the track’s background vocals.
Label: Kemosabe/RCA
Spotify streams: 2,081,821,005
Water
Performed by
Tyla
Written by
Olmo Zucca, Tyla Seethal, Ariowa Irosogie, Imani Lewis, Corey Marlon Lindsay-Keay, Samuel Awuku, Rayan El-Hussein Goufar, Jackson Paul Lomastro, and Tricky Stewart
Produced by
Sammy Soso and Rayo
Release date
July 28, 2023
The first international breakthrough for Tyla, “Water” 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.
—Talia Kraines
Fun fact
“Water” became the first song by a South African solo artist to appear on the Billboard Hot 100 in 55 years. The last was “Grazing In The Grass” by Hugh Masekela, which charted in 1968.
Label: Fax/Epic
Spotify streams: 1,321,212,023
All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From The Vault)
Performed by
Taylor Swift
Written by
Taylor Swift and Liz Rose
Produced by
Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Release date
November 12, 2021
The ultimate piece of pop music fan fiction, the long-rumored 10-minute version of Taylor Swift’s “All Too Well” finally came to life with Red (Taylor’s Version). Defying every conventional rule about what a pop song is allowed to be, it arrived as a sprawling, unedited emotional epic—the 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.
—TK
Fun fact
The song’s original 10-minute version emerged from a jam session during rehearsals for Taylor’s Speak Now Tour, a decade before its official release in 2021.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,163,851,780
Into You
Performed by
Ariana Grande
Written by
Ariana Grande, Max Martin, Savan Kotecha, Alexander Kronlund, and Ilya Salmanzadeh
Produced by
Max Martin and ILYA
Release date
May 6, 2016
Built around a throbbing four-to-the-floor beat, “Into You” remains one of Ariana Grande’s most beloved fan favorites—a staple of queer club culture and a song we still think should have gone No. 1 in the 2010s. Anchored by classic Max Martin production, it fits seamlessly into the lust-soaked world of Dangerous Woman. Intoxicating and unapologetically sexy, the track finds Ariana fully in control, poised and ready to make the first move.
—TK
Fun fact
“Into You” wasn’t initially planned as a single, but was added to Dangerous Woman at the last minute after Ariana and the label kept returning to it.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,888,485,932
Havana (feat. Young Thug)
Performed by
Camila Cabello and Young Thug
Written by
Camila Cabello, Adam Feeney, Pharrell Williams, Kaan Günesberk, Brittany Hazzard, Ali Tamposi, Brian Lee, Andrew Wotman, and Louis Bell
Produced by
Frank Dukes
Release date
August 3, 2017
“Havana” marked Camila Cabello’s major breakout after leaving Fifth Harmony, 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, “Havana” also reflected the growing influence of Latin sounds on pop at the end of the 2010s.
—Cecilia Winter
Fun fact
The cities referenced in this earworm chorus aren’t just there for rhyme; Camila was born in Havana, and Young Thug is from East Atlanta.
Label: Epic/Syco
Spotify streams: 2,423,867,645
CUFF IT
Performed by
Beyoncé
Written by
Beyoncé, Nile Rodgers, Raphael Saadiq, Morten Ristorp, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, Denisia “Blu June” Andrews, Brittany “@Chi_Coney” Coney, Mary Christine Brockert, and Allen McGrier
Produced by
Beyoncé, Raphael Saadiq, Terius “The-Dream” Gesteelde-Diamant, NovaWav, and Rissi
Release date
July 29, 2022
A standout from Beyoncé’s dance album RENAISSANCE, “CUFF IT” 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 Beyoncé’s music, reminding us she can command the dance floor as easily as she does a stadium stage.
—CW
Fun fact
The song’s co-writer and co-producer, Raphael Saadiq, revealed it was originally intended for his legendary R&B group, Tony! Toni! Toné!. He held onto it for a year or two before deciding to send it to Beyoncé. The rest is history.
Label: Parkwood/Columbia
Spotify streams: 945,601,527
Butterflies
Performed by
Kacey Musgraves
Written by
Kacey Musgraves, Luke Laird, and Natalie Hemby
Produced by
Ian Fitchuk, Daniel Tashian, and Kacey Musgraves
Release date
February 23, 2018
Released on Golden Hour, now counted among our selection of classic pop albums, “Butterflies” captures the grounding effect of unexpected love. The song was inspired by Kacey Musgraves’ then-romance with her now ex-husband. Minimal and weightless, it drifts on gentle acoustic guitar, twinkling synths, and warm harmonies—mirroring 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.
—TK
Fun fact
Kacey recorded much of Golden Hour, including “Butterflies,” in a studio above fellow singer Sheryl Crow’s horse barn.
Label: MCA Nashville
Spotify streams: 223,284,909
The Middle
Performed by
Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey
Written by
Anton Zaslavski, Kyle Trewartha, Michael Trewartha, Sarah Aarons, Stefan Johnson, Marcus Lomax, and Jordan Johnson
Produced by
Zedd, Grey, and The Monsters & Strangerz
Release date
January 23, 2018
By 2018, the “dance-pop track featuring a rising female vocalist” formula was everywhere—but “The Middle” proved there was still magic in the setup. In peak form, Zedd teamed with country star Maren Morris and production duo Grey, resulting in a dance-pop collab that stood out from the crowd. Marren’s formidable vocals cut through the glossy beats, elevating the track’s irresistible earworm hook. It was one of the year’s most memorable crossover hits, reinforcing Zedd’s hitmaking streak and introducing Maren to a whole new pop audience.
—CW
Fun fact
Thirteen different vocalists recorded demos for “The Middle” before Maren landed the final version.
Label: Interscope
Spotify streams: 1,729,451,573
Escapism.
Performed by
RAYE and 070 Shake
Written by
Mike Sabath, Danielle Balbuena, and Rachel Keen
Produced by
Mike Sabath
Release date
October 12, 2022
Initially known for her vocals on EDM and dance tracks, RAYE had recently been dropped by her label and was ready to reinvent herself. With “Escapism.,” 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’s murky, magnetic verse drawing us deeper into the haze. With its gritty mood and shape-shifting structure, “Escapism.” announced RAYE’s arrival in a striking new phase of her career.
—CW
Fun fact
Despite its city feel, RAYE wrote “Escapism.” in a remote log cabin in Utah.
Label: Human Re Sources
Spotify streams: 1,211,726,800
Be the One
Performed by
Dua Lipa
Written by
Digital Farm Animals, Jack Tarrant, and Lucy Taylor
Produced by
Digital Farm Animals
Release date
October 30, 2015
Long before she became a household name, Dua Lipa released her second-ever single, “Be the One,” in 2015, an early sign she wasn’t 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.
—TK
Fun fact
“Be the One” was Dua’s first top-ten single on the U.K. charts, peaking at No. 9.
Label: Dua Lipa Limited
Spotify streams: 801,779,690
Wild Thoughts (feat. Rihanna & Bryson Tiller)
Performed by
DJ Khaled, Rihanna, and Bryson Tiller
Written by
Bryson Tiller, Jahron Brathwaite, Khaled Khaled, Robyn Fenty, Jerry “Wonda” Duplessis, Wyclef Jean, David McRae, High Moore, and Santana
Produced by
DJ Khaled
Release date
June 16, 2017
Arriving during an unstoppable run for DJ Khaled, “Wild Thoughts” 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—one of the last features we’d get from her for years—alongside a smooth counterpoint from Bryson Tiller. Built around a Santana sample, “Wild Thoughts” also signaled an upcoming shift in pop, pointing toward Latin influences that would soon shape the genre more broadly.
—CW
Fun fact
“Wild Thoughts” samples Santana’s “Maria Maria,” featuring The Product G&B, and Santana has praised the track for preserving the original’s groove and spirit.
Label: We The Best/Epic
Spotify streams: 1,363,497,874
Say So
Performed by
Doja Cat
Written by
Amala Zandile Dlamini, Lydia Asrat, Łukasz Sebastian Gottwald, and David Sprecher
Produced by
Dr. Luke
Release date
November 7, 2019
“Say So,” from Doja Cat’s Hot Pink, 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, “Say So” situated Doja as more than a novelty rapper, revealing her knack for crafting polished pop hits. She’d go on to make many more in this vein across later releases.
—Carl Chery
Fun fact
Though it wasn’t originally released as a single, “Say So” became Doja’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 with a remix featuring Nicki Minaj—making them the first female rap duo to top the chart.
Label: Kemosabe/RCA
Spotify streams: 1,365,609,520
Circles
Performed by
Post Malone
Written by
Louis Bell, Austin Post, Kaan Gunesberk, Adam Feeney, and Billy Walsh
Produced by
Post Malone, Frank Dukes, and Louis Bell
Release date
August 30, 2019
Following earlier hints at stylistic range, “Circles” saw Post Malone leaning into a midtempo, ’90s-tinged indie pop sound—an unpredictable move for an artist still best known for hip-hop at the time. Mournful and yearning, the track foregrounds Post’s 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.
—CW
Fun fact
“Circles” stayed in the Billboard Hot 100’s top 10 for a record-breaking 34 weeks.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 3,081,232,268
Hello
Performed by
Adele
Written by
Adele Adkins and Greg Kurstin
Produced by
Greg Kurstin
Release date
October 23, 2015
After the massive success of 21, “Hello” marked Adele’s highly-anticipated return, serving as the lead single and opening track on her record-breaking album 25 (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 “the other side,” her voice straining with emotion as she belts the chorus. Immediately inescapable, it resonated with audiences worldwide, even inspiring an SNL parody that spoke to its unifying reach.
—CW
Fun fact
“Hello” was the first music video ever filmed with IMAX cameras.
Label: XL/Columbia
Spotify streams: 1,792,548,880
As It Was
Performed by
Harry Styles
Written by
Harry Styles, Tyler Johnson, and Kid Harpoon
Produced by
Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson
Release date
April 1, 2022
Released as the lead single from Harry’s House, “As It Was” emerged as a post-pandemic anthem, with the line “you know it’s not the same as it was” taking on added meaning for a world reshaped by COVID. The song helped further establish Harry Styles 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.
—CW
Fun fact
“As It Was” became the longest-running U.S. No. 1 by a U.K. act after spending 15 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100.
Label: Erskine/Columbia
Spotify streams: 4,259,814,070
Love On The Brain
Performed by
Rihanna
Written by
Fredrik Ball, Joseph Angel, and Robyn Fenty
Produced by
Fredrik Ball
Release date
September 27, 2016
Initially overlooked, Rihanna’s “Love On The Brain” 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 ’60s blues-club basement. It’s Rihanna at her most raw and electrifying, delivering one of the greatest vocal performances of her career.
—TK
Fun fact
Though it wasn’t originally released as a single, the song grew in popularity over time, eventually becoming Rihanna’s 22nd top-five hit.
Label: Westbury/Roc Nation
Spotify streams: 2,081,001,122
Die With A Smile
Performed by
Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
Written by
Bruno Mars, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, Lady Gaga, Andrew Watt, and James Fauntleroy
Produced by
Bruno Mars, Dernst “D’Mile” Emile II, Lady Gaga, and Andrew Watt
Release date
August 16, 2024
The first collaboration between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars, “Die With A Smile” 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—one 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 ’70s soul on An Evening With Silk Sonic. Here, those sensibilities come together seamlessly.
—CW
Fun fact
“Die With A Smile” was Spotify’s most-streamed track of 2025.
Label: Interscope
Spotify streams: 3,442,143,544
Despacito - Remix
Performed by
Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, and Justin Bieber
Written by
Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, Justin Bieber, Erica Ender, and Marty James
Produced by
Mauricio Rengifo and Andrés Torres
Release date
April 17, 2017
Originally released by Latin pop star Luis Fonsi, “Despacito” became his first international breakthrough before the remix featuring Justin Bieber 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.
—CW
Fun fact
“Despacito – Remix” became the first song primarily in Spanish to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 since Los Del Rio’s “Macarena” in 1996.
Label: Universal Latin
Spotify streams: 1,868,825,419
What Was I Made For?
Performed by
Billie Eilish
Written by
Billie Eilish O'Connell and Finneas O'Connell
Produced by
FINNEAS, Mark Ronson, and Andrew Wyatt
Release date
July 13, 2023
The song that earned Billie Eilish her second Oscar, “What Was I Made For?” was written for Barbie, serving as the film’s 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.
—TK
Fun fact
Billie won her first Oscar in 2022 for “No Time To Die,” written as the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name.
Label: Darkroom/Interscope
Spotify streams: 1,546,117,689
Shape of You
Performed by
Ed Sheeran
Written by
Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid, Kandi Burruss, Kevin Briggs, Steve Mac, and Tameka Cottle
Produced by
Steve Mac and Ed Sheeran
Release date
January 6, 2017
A late-2010s pop juggernaut, “Shape of You” blends tropical house textures with Caribbean-influenced rhythms. Originally written with Rihanna in mind—which explains its dancehall-informed foundation—the song marked a turning point for Ed Sheeran, 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.
—TK
Fun fact
“Shape of You” was the first song to reach two billion streams on Spotify.
Label: Asylum/Atlantic
Spotify streams: 4,780,344,929
Without Me
Performed by
Halsey
Written by
Louis Bell, Amy Allen, Halsey, Delacey, Justin Timberlake, Tim Mosley, and Scott Storch
Produced by
Louis Bell
Release date
October 4, 2018
One of the biggest hits of the first half of the streaming era, “Without Me” transformed Halsey from a quirky alternative-pop girl into a household name. A diaristic rebuttal to her ex-boyfriend—following a relationship that had unraveled publicly—the 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, Halsey’s commercial peak and most successful album to date.
—TK
Fun fact
The bridge of “Without Me” features an interpolation of Justin Timberlake’s “Cry Me a River.”
Label: Capitol
Spotify streams: 2,447,309,714
Cut To The Feeling
Performed by
Carly Rae Jepsen
Written by
Carly Rae Jepsen, Simon Wilcox, and Nolan Lambroza
Produced by
Sir Nolan
Release date
May 26, 2017
Released as one of Carly Rae Jepsen’s Emotion B-sides, “Cut To The Feeling” was instantly embraced by fans. Over time, those B-sides have come to feel just as essential to popheads as the original album, a legacy underscored by its later 10th-anniversary edition. “Cut To The Feeling” itself is pure, breathless, glittering euphoria, and a consistent standout in Carly’s live shows. Anchoring it all is one of the most indelible hooks on this list: “I want to cut to the feeling!” Is there any greater pop manifesto than this?
—CW
Fun fact
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.
Label: School Boy/Interscope
Spotify streams: 166,323,081
Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)
Performed by
Rema and Selena Gomez
Written by
Selena Gomez, Amanda Ibanez, Divine Ikubor, Michael Hunter, and Alexandre Uwaifo
Produced by
London and Andre Vibez
Release date
August 25, 2022
Rema’s original “Calm Down” was already a hit, but Selena Gomez’s contribution pushed it to another level. Flirty, warm, and sun-drenched, the pairing of Rema’s mischievous charm and Selena’s 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 “Calm Down” became the most successful Afrobeats single in Billboard chart history.
—TK
Fun fact
“Calm Down (with Selena Gomez)” was the first African artist-led track to reach one billion streams on Spotify.
Label: Mavin/Jonzing World/SMG Music/Interscope
Spotify streams: 1,824,783,264
Von dutch
Performed by
Charli xcx
Written by
Charlotte Aitchison and Finn Keane
Produced by
Finn Keane
Release date
February 29, 2024
The lead single from brat, “Von dutch” is brash, in-your-face, and unapologetically bratty to its core. It set the stage for the album’s 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—cult classic yet unmistakably pop, garish and mainstream but still tastemaker-approved—the song reflects the lane Charli xcx had carved out for herself. Finn Keane’s explosive production, which sounds like a jet taking off and landing in quick succession, pushes it into overdrive.
—CW
Fun fact
The instantly iconic “Von dutch” music video was filmed at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris.
Label: Atlantic
Spotify streams: 366,412,262
Watermelon Sugar
Performed by
Harry Styles
Written by
Mitch Rowland, Harry Styles, Thomas Hull, and Tyler Johnson
Produced by
Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson
Release date
December 13, 2019
Now one of Harry Styles’ biggest hits, “Watermelon Sugar” wasn’t initially planned as a single, but fan response pushed it into focus. Leaning into one of pop’s signature magic tricks—wrapping explicit imagery in a winking, family-friendly tune—the song arrived as Harry was settling into a more adult artistic lane outside of One Direction. That timing proved perfect: “Watermelon Sugar” earned him his first Grammy, for Best Pop Solo Performance, as well as his first-ever No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100.
—CW
Fun fact
Harry told NPR’s Tiny Desk the song was inspired by the 1968 novel In Watermelon Sugar, where the inhabitants of a commune live under a sun that changes color every day and creates different colored watermelons.
Label: Erskine/Columbia
Spotify streams: 3,207,947,642
Please Please Please
Performed by
Sabrina Carpenter
Written by
Jack Antonoff, Sabrina Carpenter, and Amy Allen
Produced by
Jack Antonoff
Release date
June 6, 2024
This melodramatically playful follow-up to “Espresso” marked Sabrina Carpenter’s first collaboration with Jack Antonoff, now a key creative partner. Filled with Jack’s trademark blend of vintage and minimal pop, “Please Please Please” introduces new flourishes that Sabrina wears easily: a subtle country lilt and a touch of ABBA-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’t embarrass me.
—TK
Fun fact
Noteworthy at the time as one of Sabrina’s more country-leaning tracks, it was later remixed with a feature from country legend Dolly Parton.
Label: Island
Spotify streams: 1,768,403,311
Kill Bill
Performed by
SZA
Written by
Rob Bisel, Solána Rowe, and Carter Lang
Produced by
Rob Bisel and Carter Lang
Release date
January 10, 2023
The sophomore jinx has long haunted even the most promising artists, but SZA’s SOS put any such doubts to rest. Released seven years after her debut, Ctrl, the album’s success was fueled in large part by its breakout single, “Kill Bill.” Loosely inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s 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.
—CC
Fun fact
“Kill Bill” stands as SZA’s most-streamed solo song on Spotify.
Label: Top Dawg/RCA
Spotify streams: 2,726,839,793
New Rules
Performed by
Dua Lipa
Written by
Caroline Ailin, Emily Warren, and Ian Kirkpatrick
Produced by
Ian Kirkpatrick
Release date
July 7, 2017
The breakout single from Dua Lipa’s eponymous debut album, “New Rules” was paired with a viral music video that helped push it to global prominence. Produced by Ian Kirkpatrick, the track draws from bashment and tropical house, sounds that were surging in popularity at the time. Lyrically, “New Rules” 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.
—CW
Fun fact
The “New Rules” music video made Dua the youngest female artist to have a video surpass one billion views on YouTube.
Label: Warner
Spotify streams: 2,498,274,409
deja vu
Performed by
Olivia Rodrigo
Written by
Daniel Nigro, Olivia Rodrigo, Taylor Swift, Jack Antonoff, and Annie Clark
Produced by
Daniel Nigro
Release date
April 1, 2021
After the breakout success of “drivers license,” “deja vu” quickly proved Olivia Rodrigo 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’t listened to Billy Joel with someone we wish we could forget?
—TK
Fun fact
Olivia and producer Daniel Nigro wrote “deja vu” in a single day in August 2020.
Label: Geffen/Interscope
Spotify streams: 2,184,481,652
bad guy
Performed by
Billie Eilish
Written by
Finneas O’Connell and Billie Eilish O’Connell
Produced by
Finneas O'Connell
Release date
March 29, 2019
Released on Billie Eilish’s debut full-length album, WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO?, “bad guy” was the perfect manifesto for pop’s newest disruptor. She tells us loud and clear: “I’m the bad guy.” With its twitchy beats, rubbery bassline, and dynamic shifts, the track marked a sharp departure from Billie’s earlier singles, ratcheting up the energy while retaining the dark intimacy that had defined her sound.
Where her previous songs felt hushed, “bad guy” 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’s boundaries.
—CW
Fun fact
The rhythmic clicking heard in the song’s intro and chorus was sampled from a percussive crosswalk sound Billie and her brother/collaborator FINNEAS encountered in Sydney, Australia.
Label: Darkroom/Interscope
Spotify streams: 2,875,765,802
Hotline Bling
Performed by
Drake
Written by
A. Graham, Paul Jefferies, and Timmy Thomas
Produced by
Nineteen85
Release date
July 31, 2015
“Hotline Bling” wasn’t meant for singledom. Initially announced as an unofficial remix of DRAM’s internet hit “CHA CHA,” Drake 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.
A modern marketer’s dream, the song’s lyrics were endlessly repurposed as Instagram captions, while a screenshot from the video—Drake in a red bubble coat, mid–Heisman-like pose—became an instantly iconic meme. Both viral moments fueled the song’s momentum, helping it dominate playlists and charts alike.
“Hotline Bling” also inspired countless remixes and covers, along with new originals that put their own spin on its tropical feel.
—CC
Fun fact
Released as a single in 2015, “Hotline Bling” wasn’t submitted for Grammy consideration until it later appeared on Drake’s Views. Nearly a year and a half after its debut, the song won Best Rap Song and Best Rap/Sung Performance at the 2017 Grammys.
Label: Cash Money/Young Money/Republic
Spotify streams: 1,611,586,077
Flowers
Performed by
Miley Cyrus
Written by
Michael Pollack and Miley Cyrus
Produced by
Kid Harpoon, Tyler Johnson, and Gregory Aldae Hein
Release date
January 12, 2023
Few female empowerment songs land as cleanly as Miley Cyrus’ “Flowers.” The lead single from Endless Summer Vacation 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.
The streaming era’s equivalent to “I Will Survive” (complete with disco-inspired strings), “Flowers” became an instant singalong anthem. Its success was capped by a dazzling, self-assured Grammy performance, and Miley taking home Record of the Year.
—TK
Fun fact
“Flowers” was the best-selling global single of 2023 and earned Miley her first Grammys, for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Label: Columbia
Spotify streams: 2,785,486,609
Espresso
Performed by
Sabrina Carpenter
Written by
Amy Allen, Julian Bunetta, Sabrina Carpenter, and Steph Jones
Produced by
Julian Bunetta
Release date
April 11, 2024
There’s a particular thrill in watching a long-beloved artist finally get their moment. Sabrina Carpenter had been quietly stacking sharp, addictive pop songs for more than a decade when “Espresso” arrived, landing just ahead of her sixth album and signaling a clear turning point.
Instantly and unmistakably, “Espresso” became the song of summer 2024. It leans into all of pop’s favorite quirks: idiosyncratic lyrics, giddy production, and Sabrina’s now-signature cheeky charm. It’s Sabrina distilled: short n’ sweet, bubbly, unbothered, irreverent, and funny. More than a hit, “Espresso” marked the moment Sabrina stepped into her destiny as one of the decade’s newest A-listers. The definition of a pop star who gets it. She’s working late, ’cause she’s a singer.
—TK
Fun fact
Sabrina got the idea for “Espresso” while visiting a crêperie in France during a break from her opening slot on Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour.
Label: Island
Spotify streams: 2,818,037,632
Blinding Lights
Performed by
The Weeknd
Written by
Max Martin, Ahmad Balshe, Abel Tesfaye, Oscar Holter, and Jason “DaHeala” Quenneville
Produced by
Max Martin, The Weeknd, and Oscar Holter
Release date
November 29, 2019
The Weeknd had crossed into pop long before “Blinding Lights,” 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.
Released in late 2019, the song surged just as the pandemic forced the world indoors. Its comforting ’80s 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 “Blinding Lights” challenge buried somewhere in our phones?
What emerged was a version of The Weeknd the world embraced all at once—a song that made him not just cool, but delivered the biggest hit of his career and became the most-streamed song in Spotify history.
—TK
Fun fact
“Blinding Lights” is Spotify’s most-streamed song of all time, with more than five billion streams and counting.
Label: XO/Republic
Spotify streams: 5,289,081,352
Closer
Performed by
The Chainsmokers and Halsey
Written by
Andrew Taggart, Shaun Frank, Frederic Kennett, Halsey, Isaac Slade, and Joseph King
Produced by
The Chainsmokers and Jordan “DJ Swivel” Young
Release date
July 29, 2016
The summer of 2016 was huge for dance-pop, and few tracks captured the moment quite like The Chainsmokers’ “Closer.” 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.
For Halsey, 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.
—CW
Fun fact
This was the first time Andrew Taggart—one half of The Chainsmokers—took on lead vocals for the DJ duo.
Label: Disruptor/Columbia
Spotify streams: 3,607,799,869
we can't be friends (wait for your love)
Performed by
Ariana Grande
Written by
Max Martin, Ariana Grande, and Ilya Salmanzadeh
Produced by
Ariana Grande, Max Martin, and ILYA
Release date
March 8, 2024
A quintessential cry-on-the-dancefloor song, “we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” marked one of the first times Ariana Grande was prominently credited as a producer. Fans even caught glimpses of her mixing the track 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.
—TK
Fun fact
“we can’t be friends (wait for your love)” was Ariana’s seventh No. 1 debut, the most ever by a female artist.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,836,783,371
Delicate
Performed by
Taylor Swift
Written by
Max Martin, Shellback, and Taylor Swift
Produced by
Max Martin and Shellback
Release date
November 10, 2017
A standout single from Taylor Swift’s 2017 reputation, “Delicate” 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, “Delicate” moves in the opposite direction, pairing sparse, minimal production with stylistic experimentation.
—CW
Fun fact
“Delicate” is reputation’s fifth track, a slot Swifties know as the home for her albums’ most revealing, vulnerable songs.
Label: Big Machine
Spotify streams: 1,290,794,830
ocean eyes
Performed by
Billie Eilish
Written by
Finneas O’Connell
Produced by
Finneas O’Connell
Release date
November 18, 2016
Billie Eilish was just 14 when she released “ocean eyes” 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’s early career.
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.
—CW
Fun fact
“ocean eyes” was written by her brother and producer FINNEAS for his band, before he decided it was better suited for Billie.
Label: Independently released (2015); re-released by Darkroom/Interscope (2016)
Spotify streams: 2,106,479,133
Sunflower - Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse
Performed by
Post Malone and Swae Lee
Written by
Carter Lang, Khalif Malik Ibn Shaman Brown, Louis Russel Bell, Austin Post, William Walsh, and Carl Rosen
Produced by
Louis Bell and Carter Lang
Release date
October 18, 2018
Released for the animated movie Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, “Sunflower” paired Post Malone with Swae Lee, whose melodic style is central to the song’s 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.
More broadly, “Sunflower” 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.
—CW
Fun fact
This was Swae Lee’s first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 outside of Rae Sremmurd.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 4,129,686,146
Can't Feel My Face
Performed by
The Weeknd
Written by
Ali Payami, Max Martin, Peter Svensson, Abel Tesfaye, and Savan Kotecha
Produced by
Ali Payami and Max Martin
Release date
June 8, 2015
The Weeknd first gained attention with a moody strain of R&B that complemented his mysterious aesthetic. His debut, Kiss Land, was met with a lukewarm response, but he regained momentum through a standout appearance on Ariana Grande’s “Love Me Harder” and his own “Earned It” from the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. His sophomore album, Beauty Behind the Madness, was a full pivot toward pop.
The album’s third single, “Can’t Feel My Face,” is a Michael Jackson-coded drug metaphor built for the dance floor, standing in sharp contrast to the sounds of his early mixtapes. Released just two weeks after “The Hills,” the song showcased The Weeknd’s ability to juggle dark downtempo and colorful uptempo palettes. Both singles reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100, and he’s been a chart-topping mainstay ever since.
—CC
Fun fact
“Can’t Feel My Face” earned Grammy nominations for Record of the Year and Best Pop Solo Performance.
Label: XO/Republic
Spotify streams: 2,121,710,560
Good Luck, Babe!
Performed by
Chappell Roan
Written by
Daniel Nigro, Kayleigh Rose Amstutz, and Justin Tranter
Produced by
Dan Nigro
Release date
April 5, 2024
“Good Luck, Babe!” was released the same weekend as Chappell Roan’s breakout Coachella performance, where she famously delivered the spoken-word line “I’m your favorite artist’s favorite artist” as a tribute to drag queen Sasha Colby. The song sounds bright and chipper on the surface, but that lightness is undercut by its lyrical perspective. “Good Luck, Babe!” tells a story of bitterness and rejection, with the title phrase landing as a sarcastic send-off rather than a sincere wish.
It’s notable for describing a specifically queer experience—still rare in mainstream pop—while achieving massive commercial success, due in no small part to Chappell’s commanding vocal performance.
—CW
Fun fact
Chappell and producer Dan Nigro first began working on what would become “Good Luck, Babe!” in 2022, under the working title “Good Luck, Jane!”
Label: Amusement/Island
Spotify streams: 1,998,218,301
no tears left to cry
Performed by
Ariana Grande
Written by
Max Martin, Ilya Salmanzadeh, Ariana Grande, and Savan Kotecha
Produced by
Max Martin and Ilya Salmanzadeh
Release date
April 20, 2018
“no tears left to cry” is Ariana Grande’s declaration of resilience. The lead single from her fourth album, Sweetener, the song opens with an ethereal vocal over faint instrumentation before dropping into a bouncy, ’90s R&B-inflected groove that makes one thing clear: Ariana is choosing joy.
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. “no tears left to cry” was her answer: hopeful, defiant, and forward-looking.
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. “no tears left to cry” disrupted that narrative. Bold, surprising, and even a little strange, it marked a shift toward deeper creative involvement, from composition to arrangement. It’s the song that prompted a reappraisal of Ariana as an artist, marking the moment she stepped into her own identity.
—TK
Fun fact
Producer Savan Kotecha cited Lauryn Hill and En Vogue as inspiration for the chord changes between the verses and the chorus.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 1,539,773,814
BIRDS OF A FEATHER
Performed by
Billie Eilish
Written by
Billie Eilish O’Connell and Finneas O’Connell
Produced by
FINNEAS
Release date
May 17, 2024
By her third studio album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, Billie Eilish had already proven herself a reliable hitmaker. Following her 2017 breakout, tracks like “ocean eyes,” “bad guy,” and “Happier Than Ever” had helped define her brand of dark, alternative pop and shape the mainstream in her image. But she hadn’t yet explored the area most pop songwriters reach for first: the straightforward romantic love song. With “BIRDS OF A FEATHER,” she finally did, and it was well worth the wait.
“BIRDS” proved Billie could craft both timeless, universal love songs as well as the darkly personal anthems she’d built her career on. She doesn’t abandon her signature aesthetic entirely, though; subtle morbid flourishes creep into the lyrics, adding tension beneath the tenderness. Vocally, it’s among her most ambitious performances to date, particularly on the soaring bridge.
“BIRDS” also showcases what Billie and her brother—and closest collaborator—FINNEAS 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’s to 2024 Billie what “bad guy” was to 2019 Billie: a twist in her evolution, and a hint at where she might go next.
—CW
Fun fact
“BIRDS OF A FEATHER” is the most-streamed song by a solo female artist in Spotify history.
Label: Darkroom/Interscope
Spotify streams: 3,495,126,602
One Dance
Performed by
Drake, Wizkid, and Kyla
Written by
Paul Jefferies, A. Graham, Ayodeji Ibrahim Balogun, Kyla Smith, Errol Reid, Noah “40” Shebib, Luke Patrick Reid, and Corey Bruce Johnson
Produced by
Nineteen85, Wizkid, and Noah “40” Shebib
Release date
April 5, 2016
Drake is one of the most influential tastemakers of his generation. Over the years, he’s 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’s “Ojuelegba,” and later on Views’ second single, “One Dance,” featuring Wizkid and Kyla.
“One Dance” 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.
The song quickly became a club staple and pushed Drake to new commercial heights. Views sold over one million unit-equivalent albums in its first week, and “One Dance” earned Drake his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 as a lead artist, following earlier chart-toppers with Rihanna (“What’s My Name?” and “Work”).
Just as importantly, the song signaled the emergence of Afrobeats in the U.S. and other countries, paving the way for Wizkid, Burna Boy, Rema, and many more to find worldwide audiences.
—CC
Fun fact
“One Dance” is the eighth most-streamed song in Spotify history. It previously held the top spot until Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You” surpassed it in 2017.
Label: Young Money/Cash Money/Republic
Spotify streams: 4,052,520,623
Green Light
Performed by
Lorde
Written by
Jack Antonoff, Ella Yelich-O’Connor, and Joel Little
Produced by
Lorde, Jack Antonoff, and Frank Dukes
Release date
March 2, 2017
“Green Light,” the lead single from Lorde’s second album Melodrama, marked her first release since the breakout success of Pure Heroine four years earlier. In the time between, Lorde had lived a very different life than the one she captured on her debut—grappling 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.
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 “green light” she knows is coming.
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, 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.
—CW
Fun fact
The song’s driving, instantly recognizable piano chords were inspired by a pianist Lorde and producer Jack Antonoff heard at a Florence + The Machine concert.
Label: Universal/Lava/Republic
Spotify streams: 724,430,956
Sorry
Performed by
Justin Bieber
Written by
Julia Michaels, Justin Bieber, Michael Tucker, Sonny Moore, and Justin Tranter
Produced by
BloodPop® and Skrillex
Release date
October 23, 2015
Evolving from child star to credible pop icon is a transition few artists navigate gracefully. By the mid-2010s, Justin Bieber’s music—especially the introspective Journals—had expanded his appeal beyond teen pop, even as his offstage life began to draw outsize public attention.
In 2015, Justin emerged from a three-year stretch of intense tabloid scrutiny to release his best music yet: Purpose. Its second single, “Sorry,” landed at a crucial moment. Released on the heels of the redemptive smash “Where Are Ü Now” and the chart-topping “What Do You Mean?,” it played a key role in winning over some of his most persistent skeptics.
Drawing on the tropical sounds popularized by Drake’s “Hotline Bling,” Justin delivered a track that doubled as a romantic plea and a public apology. The song’s 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.
While JB has continued to add new milestones to his career, “Sorry” is the triumph that set him on a path toward lasting pop stardom.
—CC
Fun fact
“Sorry” is one of four Purpose tracks to surpass one billion streams on Spotify, alongside “Love Yourself,” “What Do You Mean?,” and “Where Are Ü Now.”
Label: Def Jam
Spotify streams: 2,759,286,485
Run Away With Me
Performed by
Carly Rae Jepsen
Written by
Shellback, Carly Rae Jepsen, Mattias Larsson, Oscar Holter, Robin Fredriksson, and Jonnali Parmenius
Produced by
Mattman & Robin and Shellback
Release date
July 17, 2015
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.
Now imagine some of pop’s most iconic opening notes introducing an entire album. Carly Rae Jepsen’s third album, Emotion, established her as far more than the “Call Me Maybe” 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 “Run Away With Me.” It doesn’t so much begin as grab you by the hand and take off running.
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’re with someone who makes you feel alive.
Euphoric, overwhelming, and transformative, “Run Away With Me” is the pop song even people who “don’t like pop” believe in.
—TK
Fun fact
Upon hearing the saxophone demo of “Run Away With Me” in the studio, Carly told her producers, “Okay, we haven’t even written it yet—but that Celtic saxophone is how I want to open the album.”
Label: School Boy/Interscope
Spotify streams: 188,916,367
Don't Start Now
Performed by
Dua Lipa
Written by
Caroline Ailin, Dua Lipa, Emily Warren, and Ian Kirkpatrick
Produced by
Ian Kirkpatrick
Release date
October 31, 2019
“Don’t Start Now” is the kind of song that resets the room the second it comes on. It also helped cement Dua Lipa in the top tier of pop stardom. Arriving as the second single from the soon-to-be world-dominating Future Nostalgia, it blasted past the polite reception to lead single “Physical” and signaled a new level of confidence for Dua.
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. “Don’t Start Now” wasn’t just another good song; it was the moment everything clicked.
A pure hit of dopamine, it’s a song of confident rebirth built on a nu-disco groove with an irresistibly funky bassline, nodding to peak Nile Rodgers and French-disco modernism à la Daft Punk. From its opening notes, it takes control of your body, sending you straight to the dancefloor in joyful surrender.
At a time when pop had leaned downtempo, this track brought the fun back and changed its sound—reintroducing upbeat disco and delivering, perhaps, the best cowbell in pop history.
—TK
Fun fact
“Don’t Start Now” was inspired by a disco night at a cowboy bar in Wyoming. Songwriters Ian Kirkpatrick, Caroline Ailin, and Emily Warren danced to Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” and set out to make a song that felt just as good.
Label: Warner
Spotify streams: 3,159,585,665
Cruel Summer
Performed by
Taylor Swift
Written by
Jack Antonoff, Taylor Swift, and Annie Clark
Produced by
Jack Antonoff and Taylor Swift
Release date
August 23, 2019
It took a long time for “Cruel Summer” to live up to fans’ belief that it was the defining hit of Taylor Swift’s Lover era.
Written by Taylor, Jack Antonoff, and St. Vincent, “Cruel Summer” is Grease’s “Summer Nights” 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—flashing with rage, desperation, and obsession.
Fans have always known best. For years, the pop audience has begged their idols to turn beloved album cuts into singles, but it wasn’t 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 era, nodding to what might’ve been. “Cruel Summer” was placed early in the set, giving the fan favorite its overdue spotlight.
Three years and five albums later, “Cruel Summer” 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’s possible in music’s fan-driven landscape.
—TK
Fun fact
Taylor, St. Vincent, and Jack Antonoff weren’t 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.
Label: Republic
Spotify streams: 3,249,714,672
Pink Pony Club
Performed by
Chappell Roan
Written by
Daniel Nigro and Kayleigh Rose Amstutz
Produced by
Daniel Nigro
Release date
April 3, 2020
Released in 2020, perhaps the worst year in history to release a track about going to a club with your friends, “Pink Pony Club” risked withering in the should’ve-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.
Queer nightlife has long been central to pop music, and this track is an ode to the home Chappell Roan found there. Unlike many gay club hits that resonate musically but remain lyrically vague, “Pink Pony Club” 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.
Most people haven’t been to the song’s real-life inspiration, The Abbey in West Hollywood, but with Chappell’s masterfully universal songwriting, that hardly matters. The “Pink Pony Club” thrives as fiction, a fluorescent gay bar and a stand-in for the freedom to be unapologetically yourself. It’s about the joy of dancing on a raised platform, yes, but also the resolve to keep dancing wherever you are.
In the summer of 2024, as Chappell smashed festival attendance records, a fan video went viral. It was an old clip of Chappell performing “Pink Pony Club” 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 “Pink Pony Club.”
—CW
Fun fact
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’s now certified five-times platinum in the U.S.
Label: Atlantic
Spotify streams: 1,116,118,375
drivers license
Performed by
Olivia Rodrigo
Written by
Daniel Nigro and Olivia Rodrigo
Produced by
Daniel Nigro
Release date
January 8, 2021
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 “drivers license,” Olivia Rodrigo’s 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.
“drivers license” subverted expectations for a Disney alum’s 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—heartbreak, melodrama, and coming of age—anchored by the parallel milestones of getting your driver’s license and losing your first love. It nods to late-2010s whisper-pop while layering in unexpected lyrical specificity, with lines like “guess you didn’t mean what you wrote in that song about me” 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.
The response was overwhelming and largely organic. Propelled by word of mouth in an increasingly fragmented pop culture landscape, “drivers license” 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.
—CW
Fun fact
Upon release, “drivers license” broke Spotify’s record for the most streams in a single day for a non-holiday song, then topped that record again the following day.
Label: Geffen/Interscope
Spotify streams: 2,752,765,740