2021 may have been hell on Earth in a lot of ways for so many people, but it was pretty damn good for music. Perhaps all that time alone, in quiet contemplation, during quarantine was good for musical artists’ souls, resulting in unparalleled creative output and songs we couldn’t stop singing along to.
From sexy rap collabs to moody indie tunes to bittersweet breakup anthems, there were earworms aplenty in rotation this year. But we managed to narrow down the 21 best tunes and ranked them for your listening pleasure. Add ’em to your playlist and listen until you simply can’t stand ’em anymore.
Cover Photo: Rich Fury / Staff (Getty Images)
Best Songs 2021
-
21. Cardi B – ‘Up’
-
20. Megan Thee Stallion – ‘Thot Shit’
-
19. Doja Cat, ft. SZA – ‘Kiss Me More’
-
18. Wet Leg – ‘Chaise Longue’
-
17. Olivia Rodrigo – ‘déjà vu’
-
16. Lil Nas X – ‘Montero’
-
15. Lorde — ‘Stoned at the Nail Salon’
-
14. Billie Eilish — ‘Your Power’
-
13. Jazmine Sullivan — ‘Pick Up Your Feelings’
-
12. SZA – ‘Good Days’
-
11. Muna ft. Phoebe Bridgers — ‘Silk Chiffon’
-
10. Japanese Breakfast – ‘Be Sweet’
-
9. Lucy Dacus – ‘VBS’
-
8. Low – ‘Days Like These’
-
7. Sharon Van Etten and Angel Olsen – ‘Like I Used To’
-
6. Snail Mail – ‘Valentine’
-
5. Mitski – ‘Working For the Knife’
-
4. Lana del Rey – ‘White Dress’
-
3. Tyler, The Creator – ‘Lumberjack’
-
2. Caroline Polachek – ‘Bunny Is a Rider’
-
1. Phoebe Bridgers – ‘That Funny Feeling’
