23 Songs That Defined The Madness And Badness Of 2023

#1 "The Christmas Duck Song" — then he waddled away (waddle, waddle)

From dancing through the house with Troye Sivan's "Rush" on repeat to soothing your existential breakdown with "Falling Behind" by Laufey, the highs and lows of 2023 have been eloquently mirrored by tracks from our favourite artists.

Laufey / Via Youtube/Giphy

Every emotion, heartache and joy has had a soundtrack and the sheer volume of bangers has taken over playlists, car rides and mental space in our brains.

@fxcnjank9xd

bangers #drake #fyp #foryou #foryoupage #4days #christmas #music #sza #richbabydaddy #dancing #dj #goodsongs #christmasday #willferrell #funny

♬ original sound - ❄️

@fxcnjank9xd / Via tiktok.com

It's okay that you only memorised SZA's part in "Rich Baby Daddy", you have a place here.

This year, we’ve seen collaborations from unexpected pairings, and bangers from new and household names alike, proving that the songs of the year don’t necessarily have to be trending sounds.

Troye Sivan / Via youtu.be

To narrow the list down, we took it to the group chats with a simple question: “Which songs sum up your life in 2023?”

In no definitive order, here are the songs that defined us this year.

1. "adore u" by Fred again.. and Obongjayar

Fred again.. / Via youtube.com

"I first came across him when everyone who'd never used their Instagram status before suddenly started using it to share that they were at his Sydney concert. It's such a feel-good song! And I love the bits from Nigerian musician, Obongjayar on it." — Sangeeta Kocharekar

2. "Rich Baby Daddy" by Drake, Sexyy Red and SZA

Drake / Via youtube.com

3. "So You Are Tired" by Sufjan Stevens

Sufjan Stevens / Via youtube.com

4. "(It Goes Like) Nanana" by Peggy Gou

Peggy Gou / Via youtube.com

5. "Jordan 1s" by Vv Pete and UTILITY

TRACKWORK / Via youtube.com

6. "Prada" by Cassö, Raye and D Block Europe

Cassö / Via youtu.be

7. "Counterfeit" by Amaarae

Amaarae / Via youtube.com

8. "Cruel Summer" by Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift / Via youtube.com

"I know it came out 2019 but it blew up this year." — Hameda Nafiz

9. "PADAM PADAM" by Kylie Minogue

Kylie Minogue / Via youtube.com

10. "Not Strong Enough" by boygenius

boygenius / Via youtube.com

11. "Something In The Orange" by Zach Bryan

Zach Bryan / Via youtube.com

"I was feeling nostalgic this year — a wistful affection for the past. People think it’s a sad song, but you know those sad songs that make you happy? This is it for me." — Natasha Bazika

12. "Dance the Night" by Dua Lipa

Dua Lipa / Via youtube.com

13. "1x1" by Ninajirachi and Raveena Golden

Ninajirachi / Via youtube.com

14. "Lovin On Me" by Jack Harlow

Jack Harlow / Via youtube.com

15. "Beaming" by FRIDAY*

FRIDAY* / Via youtube.com

16. "Eat Your Man" by Dom Dolla and Nelly Furtado

Dom Dolla / Via youtube.com

17. "Unholy" by Sam Smith and Kim Petras

SAM SMITH / Via youtube.com

18. "Nothing On (But The Radio)" by Addison Rae

Addison Rae / Via youtube.com

19. "Rush" by Troye Sivan

Troye Sivan / Via youtube.com

20. "My Love Mine All Mine" by Mitski

Mitski / Via youtube.com

21. "Energy" by Beyoncé and Beam

Beyoncé / Via youtube.com

22. "A&W" by Lana Del Rey

Lana Del Rey / Via youtube.com

23. "Dive" by Olivia Dean

Olivia Dean / Via youtube.com

What were your top 5 songs of the year?

Leave them in the comments below!

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