2021’s Top 10 Pop Songs
While plenty of artists have done their part in keeping the charts interesting in recent months, the most conspicuous thing is how the pop world has gravitated towards its most reliable pop stars over the past year. We are leaning more towards artists who are not in it for just one smash but as many as three or four in a row.
The most incredible part is how all these pop stars find new and creative ways to breathe life into their most recent hits. For that reason, their presence has been very reassuring during these times of turmoil.
Listen to this year’s hits on Stingray Music!
10. BTS - Butter
Hands down, “Butter” is the unquestioned song of the summer. It has been immovable at number one since its release in May 2021. In this boastful and bouncy single, these winter-issue cover guys know just the right amount of cocky to put in to show us they know they are killing it. At the same time, they name-check the Army to let us know we still got them here.
9. Doja Cat ft. SZA – Kiss Me More
Listeners have been drawn into “Kiss Me More,” and from the moment Doja Cat delivers her first line, you immediately want to fall in love with this pop song. Once you hit the play button on this jam, you are stuck! And the icing on the cake is that we have a rare feature from SZA
8. Ed Sheeran – Shivers
“Shivers” is another punchy track of lovestruck pop. This track has Ed Sheeran humming over plucky strings, crisp handclaps, and his guitar’s chipper strum.
7. Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon – Peaches
Justin Bieber has been a prominent presence in pop since the decade started. This was the ideal track to begin heating the spring with its general warm weather vibes.
6. Kali Uchis – Telepatia
“Telepatia” was written before the pandemic, but we love how it captures that nostalgic essence of 2020. The highlight has to be the ultra-melancholic hooks about telepathic lovemaking. The track is essentially built around hooks that make every verse memorable and TikTok friendly.
5. The Weeknd – Take My Breath
“Take My Breath” is a disco-infused synth-wave track that hinges on themes of relationships, infidelity, and passion. As usual, The Weeknd covers the darker subjects in a very anthemic way in this track.
4. Lil Nas X – Montero (Call Me By Your Name)
The release of “Montero” has to be a major highlight in 2021. Something about this jam makes it such an unapologetic romp. Is it the blood-filled shoes, the twerking pole to hell, or the expert trolling on social media? You will love just how Lil Nas X captures that spirit of breaking free, especially after months of isolation.
3. Dua Lipa – Levitating
Levitating feels like that one gift that keeps giving. People enjoy its infectiously exuberant nature, especially after DaBaby revitalized this disco-fueled track with a new verse.
2. Silk Sonic – Leave the Door Open
“Leave the Door Open” flips the title of Teddy Pendergrass' “Close the Door,” a bedroom classic in 1978. Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak homage hits all the right notes, and the video's imagery has emphasized the nostalgia with '70s fashion. This is the one track that confirms that Mars is the savviest pop music revivalist.
1. Olivia Rodrigo – Driver's License
This debut single made waves immediately after its release in early 2021. In this track, Rodrigo proves herself as a songwriter and vocalist. She hit a nerve by capturing specific emotions so eloquently- from betrayal to insecurity. This jam has had fans reliving the devastation of their failed first loves.
And there you have it! Listen to these songs and other great pop legends on our Stingray Music mobile app. We have more than 2,000 music channels, all curated by music experts. So, what are you waiting for?
