The Best Songs of 2025: a Personal Ranking

Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything.

- Plato

Music brings people togther and at the moment everyone is wondering "What really are the best songs of 2025?" Well, lucky for you, I am here to help. After conducting a lot (and I mean a lot) of research, these songs were concluded to be the "best of 2025." But are they actually? Well, let's find out.

Photo by Marcela Laskoski on Unsplash

Top Hits and Chart Toppers

Many songs have reached the "top hits" category, but only five were considered among the best of 2025. These five include:

• "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
• "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
• "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar
• "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter
• "APT." by ROSE and Bruno Mars

All of these are great songs, I do have to admit. Each has many strentghs and I can see why so many people love them, making them reach the Top Hits, but some are arguably better than others. To start, "Not Like Us" was alright. It served its time and pourpuse but I believe as the Kendrick X Drake beef died down, many people either forgot about the song or just started to cringe about it (I know I did as well as many kids from school) For this reason I am going to rank it last in this section, it did what it needed to it just didn't stick out to me.

Next, we have "APT." Okay! I actually really liked this song. It was catchy and not too annoying.

But after having to do Zumba to it for Color Guard practice in the blistering Texas heat, I just lost my love for it. This song I will put as number four in the section, mostly for the trauma I have associated with it, which is NOT the song's fault.

My queen Sabrina. Oh, how I love her. I have been a Sabrina Carpenter fan since she starred in "Girl Meets World" all those years ago, but since she has so many good songs, I feel like "Espresso" just didn't do it for me.

Don't get me wrong, I love the song, and I will jam out to it every time it plays. I just think Sabrina has done so much better before, so this one is going to have to be my number three.

Lastly, we have "Die With A Smile" and "Luther." Now this was a really hard decision because I love both of these songs so much. They each have their own strengths, and such rich, beautiful tones within them. Chef's Kiss.

Nevertheless, one has to win over the other. Now this is a personal decistion so no one come after me about what I am about to say... but I would give the number one spot to "Luther." (Sorry Drake Fans) This song is so rich, and the way the vocals of Kendrick and SZA blend and layer together is so beautiful. Now, of course, as I said, I love "Die With A Smile," and I love the way Mars' and Gaga's voices blend as well, but there's just something about SZA that she makes everything better, so "Die With A Smile" is going to have to take second in this round. But not to fret! We have more songs and rankings coming up.

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Critically Acclaimed Tracks

(from publications such as Rolling Stone, USA Today, and NPR)

So what songs have the papers buzzing? Well, you're about to find out.

• "End of Beginning" by Djo
• "The Fate of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift
• "The Subway" by Chappell Roan
• "Westerburg" by Blood Orange
• "Sugar On My Tongue" by Tyler, The Creator
• "Lost in Translation" by Carin Leon and Kacey Musgraves
• "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" by Bad Bunny

Bottom of the list i'm going to have to give it to "Westerburg." Honestly, I did really like this one; it almost reminded me of Frank Ocean, but against these competitors, I'm going to have to put it last. Don't worry, though, maybe it will make it higher on the list at the end.

Next at number six, is our Super Bowl Halftime performance with Bad Bunny with "BAILE INoLVIDABLE." I liked this one, but it didn't stick out to me as much as I thought it would. I really had high hopes for this one, and it didn't quite reach my expectations.

Now I am very sorry, Swifies, but I have to put "Fate of Ophelia" at number five! I don't know this song just wasn't my favorite. It was alright, but nothing too special about it. Granted i'm not a huge Taylor fan anyway, but from what I have heard from her, I think her older Eras are just so much better.

"Sugar On My Tounge" takes the spot for number four. I love Tyler, The Creator, and this song is no different, another masterpiece, honestly. And the fact that this album came out only a few months after Chromakopia is crazy! No one was expecting it.

Chappell Roan is a fan favorite. Not only is she a gay icon and super insipiring but all her music hits, so it's no surprise "The Subway" is talked about so much. Roan's voice blends perfectly with the actual music of the piece, and the lyrics are so relatable. Once again, another masterpiece by this diva.

Number two: "Lost in Translation." I hadn't heard this song before researching for this article, but once I listened to it, my jaw dropped, and I immediately fell in love with it. Leon's and Musgraves voices blend and layer perfectly together. And the mix of Spanish and English? Pure perfection, this is definitely going to be on repeat for me.

Lastly, of course, taking number one, we have "End of Beginning" by none other than the icon Steve Hearrington. Just kidding! Well, sort of, since it was written and sung by the actor who played Steve.

I have loved this song since the first time I heard it. Djo's vocals are amazing, and the lyrics are perfection. I also love the way that the song builds during the "You can take the man out of the city, not the city out the man" part.

I think music in itself is healing. It's an explosive expression of humanity. It's something we are all touched by. No matter what culture we're from, everyone loves music.

-Billy Joel

Photo by Mark Cruz on Unsplash

Popular Tracks and Playlist Staples

• "Ordinary" by Alex Warren
• "CHANEL" by Tyla
• "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars
• "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish
• "That's So True" by Gracie Abrams
• "Manchild" by Sabrina Carpenter

I know you guys are probably getting bored with me talking so much, so I will try to make this section go fast.

Last I am going to put "Ordinary". It was good the first few times I heard it, but after everyone started playing it, I felt like I couldn't escape it, and it just got annoying. That's how I feel about "CHANEL" as well. It was good, but once it got played a lot, it got annoying; for that reason, it gets number five.

At number four, we have "That's So True." I didn't mind this song; it just wasn't my favorite. Number three is going to "I Just Might"; there's something about Bruno Mars that always makes me want to get up and dance. So thank you, Mr. Mars, for this amazing song.

Sabrina Carpenter's "Manchild" is going in my number two spot. This song makes me laugh, and she's speaking the truth throughout the entire song, plus it has a pretty good music video with all the funny different cars. And my number one spot is going to "BIRDS OF A FEATHER".

I love this song; it always reminds me of my two long-distance best friends (who I miss very much). Eilish's vocals always sound amazing, and this music video is really fun to watch as well!

Photo by Paige Cody on Unsplash

The Final Rank

Now, the moment you all have been waiting for... my final rank of all these songs together!

1. "End Of Beginning" by Djo
2. "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish
3. "Luther" by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
4. "Manchild" By Sabrina Carpenter
5. "Lost in Translation" by Carin Leon and Kacey Musgraves
6. "The Subway" by Chappell Roan
7. "Die With A Smile" by Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
8. "Sugar On My Tounge" by Tyler, The Creator
9. "I Just Might" by Bruno Mars
10. "Esspresso" by Sabrina Carpenter
11. "That's So True" by Gracie Abrams
12. "APT." by ROSE and Bruno Mars
13. "Westerburg"
14. "The Fate Of Ophelia" by Taylor Swift
15. "BAILE INoLVIDABLE" by Bad Bunny
16. "CHANEL" by Tyla
17. "Ordinary" by Alex Warren
18. "Not Like Us" by Kendrick Lamar

Yes, yes, I know many people are going to disagree with my ranking, but I believe this is the best ranking of the "Best Songs of 2025". But be honset do you agree with this? If not, how would you rank these songs? Now, ladies and gentlemen, that's a wrap on 2025 music ranked.

Remember the first time you went to a show and saw your favorite band. You wore their shirt, and sang every word. You didn't know anything about scene politics, haircuts, or what was cool.

All you knew was that this music made you feel different from anyone you shared a locker with. Someone finally understood you. This is what music is about.

-Gerard Way