Top Pop Music of 2021
Contents
A mix of hits from the past and present, these are the top pop songs of 2021.
Introduction
It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone, but here we are again at the end of 2020 and looking ahead to 2021. And what a year it’s been! We’ve seen some great new music from established artists, as well as some breakout hits from newcomers.
As we try to put 2020 behind us, let’s take a look at some of the top pop songs of 2021 that are sure to get us dancing into the new year.
1. “Good Times” by Alessia Cara – This feel-good anthem is the perfect way to start off 2021 on a positive note.
2. “Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – These two superstars team up for an irresistible dance track that will have you ready to take on anything that comes your way in 2021.
3. “I Wish I Knew How It Would Feel to Be Free” by Billie Eilish – This haunting ballad from one of the biggest names in music is sure to resonate with listeners of all ages.
4. ” Levitating” by Dua Lipa – Dua Lipa delivers another catchy pop song that will have you hooked from the first listen.
5. “Toosie Slide” by Drake – Drake dropped this infectious club track just in time for us to get our groove on as we head into 2021.
Taylor Swift – “Willow”
Willow is a song by American singer-songwriter Taylor Swift. It was released on December 11, 2020, through Republic Records, as the lead single from her ninth studio album, Evermore (2020). Swift wrote and produced the song with Aaron Dessner of the National. “Willow” is a synth-pop and chamber pop ballad with indie folk influences. The lyrics describe an “endless love story” between two people.
Chart performance
“Willow” debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 dated December 26, 2020, giving Swift her ninth US number-one single. It also became Swift’s seventh consecutive lead single to top the chart. The song simultaneously debuted at number one on the Rolling Stone Top 100 chart and at number two on the Radio Songs chart with 85 million audience impressions. In doing so, Swift became the first artist in history to debut at least three songs in the top two of the Radio Songs chart in a single week. In its second week on the Hot 100, “Willow” remained at its peak position.
Justin Bieber – “Anyone”
“Anyone” is a song by Canadian singer Justin Bieber. It was released as a single on January 1, 2021, through Def Jam Recordings. The song was written by Bieber, Jason “Poo Bear” Boyd and Johan Karlsson, with production handled by Karlsson. “Anyone” is a pop and EDM track that lyrically talks about being okay after a break-up.
Critical reception of the song was positive, with many critics complimenting Bieber’s vocal performance and the song’s production. Commercially, “Anyone” debuted at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart, becoming Bieber’s 24th top-ten entry in the country. The song also debuted at number two on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, marking Bieber’s ninth top-ten entry on the chart. Internationally, “Anyone” peaked inside the top ten in Canada, Hungary and Scotland. An accompanying music video for “Anyone” premiered on Bieber’s YouTube channel on January 4, 2021. It features footage of Bieber swimming underwater in various slow-motion shots
Dua Lipa – “Levitating”
Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” is one of the top pop songs of 2021. The song peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been certified platinum in the United States. “Levitating” is a dance-pop song with influences from house music and disco. The song features a guest verse from rapper DaBaby.
The music video for “Levitating” was directed by Dave Meyers and was released on August 27, 2020. The video features Lipa dancing in various locations, including an abandoned warehouse, a pool party, and a roller rink.
“Levitating” was nominated for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 63rd Grammy Awards.
Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am”
“Therefore I Am” is a song recorded by American singer Billie Eilish. It was released on November 12, 2020, through Interscope Records as the lead single from her upcoming second studio album, Happier Than Ever (2021). The track was written by Eilish and Finneas O’Connell, her brother and frequent collaborator. It is an uptempo synth-pop and trap song with lyrics about careless spending and hedonism.
The song received positive reviews from music critics, many of whom praised its production and lyrics. “Therefore I Am” debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming Eilish’s second chart-topping single in the country following “Bad Guy” (2019). Additionally, it topped the charts in Australia, Canada, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Lebanon, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia and the United Kingdom.
Ariana Grande – “Positions”
“Positions” is a song recorded by American singer Ariana Grande. It was released on October 23, 2020, through Republic Records as the lead single from her sixth studio album of the same name. The song was written by Grande, Tayla Parx, Tommy Brown, Charles Anderson and its producers Mike Dean and Parker Ighile. “Positions” is a mid-tempo pop and R&B track that features a trap beat. Lyrically, it finds Grande seducing her partner over the course of a day as she assumes different “positions”.
The song received generally positive reviews from music critics, who praised its production and likened it to Grande’s previous work. Commercially, “Positions” debuted at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving Grande her fifth US number-one single and making her the only artist in 2020 to have multiple songs reach the top spot. The song also debuted atop the charts in Canada and Scotland, and reached number one in Australia, Greece, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Poland and Spain.
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”
“Blinding Lights” is a song by Canadian singer The Weeknd from his fourth studio album After Hours (2020). The song was released on November 29, 2019, as the album’s second single. Written and produced by The Weeknd and Max Martin, the song reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming The Weeknd’s fourth US chart topper and second consecutive number-one single following “Heartless”. It also peaked at number one in Canada, Denmark, Finland, Greece, Ireland, Lebanon, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Slovakia, Sweden and the United Kingdom. Internationally, it became The Weeknd’s most successful single to date.
Doja Cat – “Kiss Me More”
Doja Cat kiss me more is a certified bop and we can’t get enough of it. The music video for this track has already been viewed over 30 million times on YouTube, and it’s easy to see why. It’s catchy, sexy, and empowering all at the same time. We can’t wait to see what Doja Cat has in store for us next!
Pop Smoke – “What You Know Bout Love”
Pop Smoke’s “What You Know Bout Love” is one of the top pop songs of 2021. The song peaked at number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). The song is Pop Smoke’s highest-charting single in the United States and was included on his posthumous debut studio album, Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon.
Conclusion
As we reflect on the past year, there are many pop songs that will go down in history as some of the most iconic and memorable of all time. From Billie Eilish’s “Bad Guy” to Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts,” these are the songs that dominated the charts and our hearts in 2021.
