27 Best Songs From 2020
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“21st Century U.S.A.” by The Drive-By Truckers
Song Year: 2020
The Drive-By Truckers were the loudest band on earth between 1999 and 2005. Though the outlaw country pioneers have turned the volume down a bit, they remain as sharp as ever on “21st Century U.S.A.”.
Patterson Hood’s acerbic lyrics skewer the brutality of capitalism in small-town America. He details the numerous chain stores and products that make millions while poorly paying their workers.
“21st Century U.S.A.” captures the mood and essence of The Unraveling, the Truckers’ twelfth studio recording.
“34+35” by Ariana Grande
Song Year: 2020
Ariana Grande has never shied away from explicit subject matter, and “34+35” may be her filthiest song to date. While the song is undeniably adult, it approaches its content with a wink and a nudge.
Ari spends “34+35” propositioning her partner in a variety of ways. Some of her come-ons are extremely direct, while others rely on puns and plays on words—the r&b track slinks along pleasantly over synth orchestration.
“Levitating” by Dua Lipa
Song Year: 2020
“Levitating” is a bright, disco confection of a song. Dua Lipa composed the song for her second album Future Nostalgia.
“Levitating,” a retro dance song about the joy of falling in love, broke records with its infectious beat. Lipa’s hit spent 77 weeks on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart, making it the longest charting song by a female artist.
The tune inspired a notable remix featuring Madonna and Missy Elliott. “Levitating” earned Lipa raves and landed her on multiple best-of-year-end lists.
“Damage” by H.E.R.
Song Year: 2020
H.E.R., the stage name of multi-hyphenate Gabriella Wilson, has a generation-defining voice. She set the music world ablaze with her pure vocals in 2020 with her debut album, Back of My Mind.
She released “Damage” as the second single off the album. The delicate r&b anthem explores the singer’s caution and fear in entering a new relationship. The lyrics dive into her concerns and the risks of being vulnerable.
The song earned H.E.R. two Grammy nominations and nods from several other awards. It performed modestly well on the charts, landing on four lists.
“Faith Healer” by Julien Baker
Song Year: 2020
Julien Baker followed in the footsteps of her bandmate, Phoebe Bridgers, by breaking through to the mainstream in 2020. Aided by the single “Faith Healer,” Baker’s album Little Oblivions earned the singer critical recognition and a larger fanbase.
Baker maintains her signature erudite melancholy on “Faith Healer.” The song expresses a desire for a mystical solution to impossible problems.
It was the first single off Little Oblivions. The song reached number 14 on the Billboard Adult Alternative Airplay chart.
“Girls in the Hood” by Megan Thee Stallion
Song Year: 2020
Megan Thee Stallion dominated our hearts and minds in 2020. With her cool-girl swagger and limitless confidence, Megan was a cross-genre success.
The lyrics celebrate knowing your worth. Megan’s self-assured rapping expresses her comfort with her hotness and certainty of her value. The driving beat and playful bars established “Girls in the Hood” as a serious contender for the song of the summer.
The song helped launch Megan’s debut album, Good News, to worldwide acclaim. It was a bonafide hit, charting globally.
“Here Comes the End” by Gerard Way
Song Year: 2020
Gerard Way’s glam rock influences always bubbled below the surface of My Chemical Romance’s discography. With “Here Comes the End,” the singer-songwriter fully indulged in his Bowie impulses.
Way wrote the song for the second season of The Umbrella Academy. The rollicking number sings joyously about armageddon. Whether the apocalypse is personal or global is open to interpretation. Despite the heavy subject matter, “Here Comes the End” has a bright, fun sound, elevated by Judith Hill’s backing vocals.
“Midnight Sky” by Miley Cyrus
Song Year: 2020
Few child stars have charted more interesting courses into adulthood than Miley Cyrus. The singer-songwriter transitioned from a young pop starlet into an experimental musician, dabbling in dance, folk, and new-wave sounds.
“Midnight Sky” is a declaration of independence. The singer asserts her confidence and solo status over a synth beat.
Miley released the song as the first single off her album Plastic Hearts. Critics and listeners alike loved the song, which landed on charts in multiple countries.
“Husavik” by Molly Sanden and Will Ferrell
Song Year: 2020
Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga is a sweet, silly movie with an astounding soundtrack. “Husavik” is about being content where you are, which is the beating heart of said soundtrack.
The lyrics delve into love and being appreciative of your roots. “Husavik”s impact wasn’t limited to the film; the powerful anthem earned an Academy Award nomination for “Best Original Song.”
“Slow Dancing” by Aly & A.J.
Song Year: 2020
Ay & A.J. have been making music for most of their lives. The sisters began their careers as Disney channel starlets, but their greater musical ambitions always shone through. Though the pair haven’t received the widespread recognition of some of their peers, they’ve been quietly releasing some of the most interesting pop music on the scene for years.
“Slow Dancing” is a mature, grounded song about comfortable love. The lyrics express a desire for simple happiness. The pair harmonize over an alternative country melody.
