IF 2025 had a diary, these songs would be scribbled across its pages, underlined, circled and replayed until the feelings finally made sense.
Some were there for the quiet mornings, others carried us through late-night drives, gym sessions, break-ups, glow-ups and moments we did not know would matter until much later.
This was the year playlists felt personal again.
Not just background noise but music that stayed, lingered and followed us from one mood to the next.
Here is a look back at the songs that shaped 2025, not ranked, just remembered.
Golden – Huntrix (2025)
This song felt like stepping into sunlight after a long stretch of grey.
Performed by the fictional K-pop trio Huntrix for the KPop Demon Hunters soundtrack, Golden blended English and Korean lyrics with powerhouse vocals to create an anthem of empowerment and self-discovery.
The song soared to number one on the Billboard Global 200 and marked a rare moment when a film soundtrack dominated charts worldwide.
For sure it was one everyone's wrap-up list!
Like Jennie – Jennie (2025)
Cool, controlled and unmistakably Jennie.
South Korean singer and rapper Jennie from the band Blackpink released Like Jennie as part of her debut studio album Ruby.
A mix of hip-hop, Brazilian funk and phonk influences, the song captured bold self-confidence and became one of the most streamed K-pop tracks globally, peaking high on charts in Asia and beyond.
Gabriela – Katseye (2025)
English-Spanish pop and R&B fusion characterised this track by girl group Katseye from their Beautiful Chaos EP.
Written and produced by Andrew Watt and John Ryan and featuring lyrics by Ali Tamposi and Charli XCX, Gabriela combined sultry emotion with Latin-tinged rhythms and earned critical acclaim and award nominations.
It was most likely the anthem for all the wives and girlfriends to their rivals - 'Gabriela'.
Ordinary – Alex Warren (2025)
Ordinary by American singer-songwriter Alex Warren mixed heartfelt lyrics with chamber pop influences, exploring deep feelings of love turning the everyday into something extraordinary.
The song topped the Billboard Global 200 for weeks, proving its resonance with listeners worldwide.
The song was definitely anything but ordinary!
Manchild – Sabrina Carpenter (2025)
Released as a single during 2025, Manchild found its voice exploring emotional maturity with playful honesty.
The song connected deeply with Gen Z listeners for its witty, self-aware lyrics and catchy melodies, often sparking social media trends and memes.
Manchild also feels like the perfect sonic companion to the "boyfriend-as-an-embarrassment" phenomenon described by Vogue that captured a specific cultural tension: the desire for companionship clashing with the realisation that the "prize" of partnership often comes with the burden of managing a partner's emotional immaturity.
Where Is My Husband – Raye (2025)
British singer-songwriter Raye captivated fans in 2025 with this expressive pop number that blended humour and heartbreak in equal measure.
Listeners praised its bold lyricism and strong vocal delivery, qualities that made the song one of the year’s stand-out tracks.
So, where's your husband?
The Fate of Ophelia – Taylor Swift (2025)
Poetic and haunting, this song felt like reading a novel in four minutes.
From Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era, this dramatic pop-orchestral piece reflected her signature storytelling, exploring themes of love, consequence and reflection.
The immersive lyrics and sweeping production helped it find a place on many international playlists and radio rotations.
So Easy (To Fall in Love) – Olivia Dean (2025)
British singer Olivia Dean offered tender romance with So Easy (To Fall in Love), a track embraced for its soulful vocals and subtle pop-R&B rhythms.
The song became a quiet favourite for moments of introspection and connection.
Fashion – Cortis (2025)
Emerging artist Cortis turned heads with Fashion, a stylish pop-electronic track full of attitude and flair.
Cool and experimental, this song felt like walking through the city with headphones on, feeling slightly untouchable. It blurred lines between sound, style and attitude.
DTMF – Bad Bunny (2025)
Latin superstar Bad Bunny kept listeners moving with DTMF, a bold blend of reggaeton and electro-infused beats that showcased the artist’s signature style of boundary-pushing production and infectious rhythm, making it a club staple in 2025.
Building on the success of "DTMF," Bad Bunny is set to dominate the cultural conversation once again in early 2026 as he will be performing at the Super Bowl half-time show performer on Feb 6 next year.
Daisies – Justin Bieber (2025)
Soft and reflective, Daisies felt like a letter written after everything had settled.
Daisies marked a return to heartfelt pop for Justin Bieber, blending acoustic warmth with reflective lyricism about love and resilience.
The song’s emotive chorus and gentle production made it a feel-good favourite throughout the year.
Spaghetti – Le Sserafim (2025)
South Korean group Le Sserafim continued to push creative boundaries with Spaghetti, a playful, genre-blending track that mixed catchy refrains with bold production.
It became a dance-floor favourite among fans.
Looking back, 2025 sounded like a contrast. Soft and loud. Heartbroken and hopeful. These songs did more than top charts, they lived with us, grew with us and became part of our everyday moments.
And maybe that is what made them hits. Not just because everyone listened, but because everyone felt something while doing so.