2021 was a year of incredible music, a vibrant tapestry woven from diverse genres and unforgettable sounds. But with so much amazing music released, how do you sift through the noise and find the best songs 2021 had to offer? That's where this list comes in! We've curated a selection of the year's most impactful, innovative, and simply enjoyable tracks, songs that dominated airwaves, fueled dance floors, and resonated deeply with listeners. Whether you're a seasoned music aficionado searching for hidden gems or simply looking for your next favorite playlist addition, our definitive guide to the best songs 2021 has to offer will have you tapping your feet and singing along in no time. Prepare to rediscover some old favorites and uncover some thrilling new additions to your musical landscape. Get ready to dive into a sonic journey filled with chart-toppers, critical darlings, and unforgettable anthems.
| Song | Artist | Album | Listens |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Butter | BTS | 986M+ | |
| 2. STAY |
Justin Bieber The Kid LAROI | My World 2.0 | 928M+ |
| 3. Levitating | Dua Lipa | Future Nostalgia | 895M+ |
| 4. Blinding Lights | The Weeknd | After Hours | 849M+ |
| 5. Leave The Door Open |
Anderson .Paak Bruno Mars Silk Sonic | An Evening With Silk Sonic | 784M+ |
| 6. Peaches |
Justin Bieber Daniel Caesar Giveon | Justice | 753M+ |
| 7. Heat Waves | Glass Animals | 737M+ |
1. Butter (BTS)
Sound: Butter's smooth, infectious beat and undeniable groove cemented its place as a summer anthem, instantly recognizable and undeniably catchy.
Vocals: BTS's polished vocal harmonies blend seamlessly with the track's upbeat tempo, creating a highly listenable and enjoyable experience that feels both polished and effortless.
Pop Culture Impact: The song's global success and memorable choreography made it a viral sensation, contributing significantly to its widespread popularity and making it a quintessential example of a chart-topping hit from 2021.
2. STAY (My World 2.0)
Vocal Synergy: Justin Bieber and The Kid LAROI's contrasting yet complementary vocal styles create a powerful and memorable dynamic, perfectly showcasing the emotional depth of the lyrics.
Emotional Resonance: The song's raw emotion and relatable themes of heartbreak and longing resonated deeply with listeners, solidifying its place as a defining track of 2021.
Production Quality: STAY's masterful blend of mellow melodies and impactful beats resulted in a sophisticated yet accessible sound that helped propel it to widespread popularity.
3. Levitating (Future Nostalgia - 2025)
Infectious Beat: Levitating boasts an undeniably catchy rhythm that propelled it to the top of the charts in 2021, solidifying its place among the best songs of the year.
Effortless Vocals: Dua Lipa's smooth and powerful vocals perfectly complement the track's upbeat tempo, creating a truly unforgettable listening experience.
Nostalgic Vibe: Its disco-infused sound evokes a feeling of carefree fun, making it a perfect addition to any 2021 best-of playlist.
4. Blinding Lights (After Hours - 2025)
Synthwave Soundscape: Blinding Lights masterfully blends 80s-inspired synth sounds with a modern, pulsating beat, creating an instantly recognizable and undeniably catchy sonic landscape that defined a significant part of 2010s pop.
The Weeknd's Vocals: Abel Tesfaye's distinctive vocals are both vulnerable and powerful, perfectly conveying the yearning and intensity of the lyrics.
Unforgettable Hook: The song's chorus is irresistibly catchy, solidifying its status as a modern classic and a staple on numerous "best of" lists from 2020.
5. Leave The Door Open (2021)
Smooth Vocals: Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars' velvety vocals blend seamlessly, creating an irresistibly smooth and soulful sound perfectly suited for a "best of 2021" list.
Infectious Groove: The song boasts an undeniably catchy rhythm and groove, making it instantly memorable and highly replayable – a key ingredient for a successful track in any year's best-of list.
Nostalgic Vibe: "Leave The Door Open" masterfully evokes a classic R&B feel, giving it a timeless quality that transcends its 2021 release and ensures its continued relevance among the best songs of the era.
6. Peaches (Justin Bieber ft Daniel Caesar ft Giveon)
Smooth Vocals: Justin Bieber, Daniel Caesar, and Giveon's blend of vocal styles creates a luxuriously smooth and soulful soundscape, perfectly suited for a relaxed yet sophisticated listening experience.
R&B Groove: The song boasts a captivating R&B groove that's both catchy and undeniably cool, making it a standout track among 2021's best.
Enduring Appeal: "Peaches" transcended its initial release, maintaining its popularity and relevance, solidifying its place among the best songs of 2021 and beyond.
7. Heat Waves - 2025
Sound: Heat Waves' hazy, layered production creates a hypnotic soundscape that's both dreamy and infectious, making it perfect for relaxed yet engaging listening experiences.
Vocals: Dave Bayley's smooth, emotive vocals are a standout, delivering a melancholic yet captivating performance that resonates deeply.
Rhythm: The song's mellow yet subtly driving rhythm keeps the listener hooked, creating an ideal balance of energy and chill vibes for the best of 2021.
8. Bad Habits (Ed Sheeran - 2025)
Catchy Melody: Ed Sheeran's "Bad Habits" boasts an instantly recognizable melody that hooks you from the first listen, making it a perfect addition to any 2021 best-of playlist.
Production Quality: The song's crisp, modern production perfectly complements Sheeran's vocals, showcasing his artistic growth and ensuring its continued relevance in 2021 and beyond.
Enduring Appeal: Its blend of catchy pop sensibilities and Sheeran's signature vulnerability creates a timeless quality ensuring its place among the best songs of 2021.
9. positions (Positions)
Production: Ariana Grande's "positions" boasts a slick, minimalist R&B production that perfectly complements her vocals, making it instantly memorable and highly replayable.
Vocal Performance: Grande's vocal delivery is both sultry and confident, showcasing her impressive range and control, a hallmark of her artistry that solidifies its place among the best.
Catchiness: The song's infectious hook and simple yet effective melody ensure it sticks in your head long after the song ends, contributing to its widespread popularity in 2021.
10. Montero
Sound: Montero's instantly recognizable beat blends trap and pop elements, creating a catchy and dynamic soundscape that perfectly encapsulates 2021's musical landscape.
Vocals: Lil Nas X's confident and charismatic vocals deliver a powerful performance, showcasing both his vocal range and artistic growth.
Pop Culture Impact: The song's provocative music video generated significant conversation and cemented Lil Nas X's status as a boundary-pushing artist, making it a defining moment in 2021 pop culture.
11drivers license
Olivia Rodrigo
2021
SOUR
12good 4 u
Olivia Rodrigo
2021
SOUR
13Whoopty
CJ
2020
14Mood
iann dior,24kGoldn
2020
El Dorado
15INDUSTRY BABY
Jack Harlow,Lil Nas X
2021
Stoney (Deluxe)
16Kiss Me More
Doja Cat,SZA
2021
Aquarius
- 17
deja vu
Olivia Rodrigo
2021
SOUR
18Astronaut In The Ocean
Masked Wolf
2019
The Woman In Me
19Easy On Me
Adele
2021
21
20Up
Cardi B
2021
21You Broke Me First
Tate McRae
2021
22Save Your Tears
The Weeknd,Ariana Grande
2020
thank u, next
23Calling My Phone
6LACK,Lil Tjay
2021
24Therefore I Am
Billie Eilish
2020
Happier Than Ever
25RAPSTAR
Polo G
2021
Hall of Fame
26Go Crazy
Young Thug,Chris Brown
2020
Slime & B
27Forever After All
Luke Combs
2020
28What You Know Bout Love
Pop Smoke
2020
Shoot For The Stars Aim For The Moon
29Without You
Miley Cyrus,The Kid LAROI
2021