As 2020 comes to a close, it’s time to reflect on the music that shaped the year. From chart-topping smashes to critical darlings, the Top 100 songs of 2020 provides a comprehensive look at the year’s best songs. This list represents a wide range of genres, from pop to hip-hop to indie rock, and highlights the originality and innovation that dominated the music world in 2020.
The songs on this list encapsulate the year’s zeitgeist, addressing the political and cultural themes that distinguished 2020, such as the COVID-19 epidemic, the Black Lives Matter movement, and the US presidential election. From epic pleas for justice to introspective meditations on mental health, these songs provide a glimpse into the emotions and experiences of a year that will live on in history.
With contributions from some of music’s biggest superstars as well as rising stars, the 100 Greatest Songs from 2020 highlights music’s ability to unite us all and provide a much-needed respite during difficult times.
1. Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy”
2. Lizzo, “Truth Hurts”
3. Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” (Remix)
4. 21 Savage feat. J. Cole, “A Lot”
5. Jonas Brothers, “Sucker”
6. Post Malone, “Circles”
7. Rosalía feat. J Balvin & El Guincho, “Con Altura”
8. Ariana Grande, “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored”
9. Taylor Swift, “Cruel Summer”
10. Vampire Weekend, “Harmony Hall”
11. Shaed, “Trampoline”
12. Frank Ocean, “In My Room”
13. Sharon Van Etten, “Seventeen”
14. Miley Cyrus, “Slide Away”
15. Lil Tecca, “Ransom”
16. Big Thief, “Not”
17. Daddy Yankee & Katy Perry feat. Snow, “Con Calma” (Remix)
18. Blake Shelton, “God’s Country”
19. MUNA, “Number One Fan”
20. Kygo & Whitney Houston, “Higher Love”
21. Sam Smith, “How Do You Sleep”
22. Tegan & Sara, “I’ll Be Back Someday”
23. Rosalía, “Aute Cuture”
24. Tame Impala, “Patience”
25. Maren Morris, “GIRL”
26. BLACKPINK, “Kill This Love”
27. Tierra Whack, “Only Child”
28. Beyoncé feat. Blue Ivy, SAINt JHN & Wizkid, “Brown Skin Girl”
29. Jenny Lewis, “Red Bull & Hennessy”
30. Sech feat. Darell, Nicky Jam, Ozuna & Anuel AA, “Otro Trago” (Remix)
31. Lana Del Rey, “The Greatest”
32. DaBaby, “Suge”
33. Maggie Rogers, “Light On”
34. Tyler, the Creator, “EARFQUAKE”
35. HAIM, “Summer Girl”
36. Billie Eilish, “Bury a Friend”
37. Halsey, “Nightmare”
38. Camila Cabello & Shawn Mendes, “Señorita”
39. Kacey Musgraves, “Rainbow”
40. Mustard & Migos, “Pure Water”
41. Future, “Crushed Up”
42. Charli XCX feat. Christine and the Queens, “Gone”
43. Aldous Harding, “The Barrel”
44. Charlie Puth, “Mother”
45. Megan Thee Stallion, Nicki Minaj & Ty Dolla $ign, “Hot Girl Summer”
46. Bad Bunny & Tainy, “Callaita”
47. Mabel, “Don’t Call Me Up”
48. Ambjaay, “Uno”
49. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Easier”
50. Camila Cabello, “Liar”
51. Burna Boy, “Anybody”
52. Dan + Shay feat. Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours”
53. Saweetie, “My Type”
54. Maxo Kream, “Meet Again”
55. Mura Masa feat. Clairo, “I Don’t Think I Can Do This Again”
56. Kehlani feat. Ty Dolla $ign, “Nights Like This”
57. Ozuna, Daddy Yankee, J Balvin, Farruko & Anuel AA, “Baila Baila Baila” (Remix)
58. Sir Babygirl, “Everyone Is a Bad Friend”
59. Young Thug, J. Cole & Travis Scott, “The London”
60. Tove Lo, “Glad He’s Gone”
61. Taylor Swift, “Lover”
62. Swae Lee & Post Malone, “Sunflower (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse)”
63. Selena Gomez, “Lose You to Love Me”
64. Luke Combs, “Beer Never Broke My Heart”
65. Katy Perry, “Never Really Over”
66. Blueface, “Thotiana”
67. Normani, “Motivation”
68. Ashley O, “On a Roll”
69. Khalid, “Talk”
70. Megan Thee Stallion feat. DaBaby, “Cash S–t”
71. Pronoun, “Stay”
72. James Blake feat. Andre 3000, “Where’s the Catch”
73. Coldplay, “Orphans”
74. Adam Lambert, “Superpower”
75. Lewis Capaldi, “Someone You Loved”
76. Koffee, “Rapture”
77. Lady Antebellum, “What If I Never Get Over You”
78. Sturgill Simpson, “Make Art Not Friends”
79. Lil Peep & iLoveMakonnen feat. Fall Out Boy, “I’ve Been Waiting”
80. Blanco Brown, “The Git Up”
81. Ariana Grande, “7 Rings”
82. FKA twigs, “Cellophane”
83. J Balvin & Bad Bunny, “Cuidao por Ahí”
84. Ava Max, “Sweet But Psycho”
85. Polo G feat. Lil Tjay, “Pop Out”
86. The Highwomen, “Redesigning Women”
87. BTS feat. Halsey, “Boy With Luv”
88. Sam Smith & Normani, “Dancing With a Stranger”
89. Summer Walker feat. Drake, “Girls Need Love” (Remix)
90. Jonas Brothers, “Only Human”
91. Dua Lipa, “Don’t Start Now”
92. Lana Del Rey, “Hope Is a Dangerous Thing For a Woman Like Me to Have – But I Have It”
93. Carly Rae Jepsen, “Now That I Found You”
94. Harry Styles, “Watermelon Sugar”
95. Jay Som, “Superbike”
96. Lizzo, “Juice”
97. Ed Sheeran feat. Justin Bieber, “I Don’t Care”
98. Clairo, “Bags”
99. Doja Cat feat. Tyga, “Juicy”
100. Ariana Grande, “Ghostin”
