The year 2020 brought unprecedented challenges, but it also delivered some of the most memorable pop music that helped us navigate through difficult times. From The Weeknd’s chart-dominating synthwave masterpiece to breakthrough hits from rising stars, these 20 greatest pop songs of 2020 showcase the diversity and resilience of the music industry. Whether you experienced these tracks through your favorite headphones or discovered them while comparing earbudsfor the perfect listening experience, these songs left an indelible mark on pop culture and continue to resonate with listeners worldwide.
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”
The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” stands as the undisputed champion of 2020, claiming the number-one position on Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 chart after spending four weeks at the summit. This synth-pop masterpiece combines electropop, new wave, and synthwave elements with lyrics addressing the importance of a partner and the desire to see them at night. The song’s ’80s-inspired aesthetic became a cultural phenomenon, with The Weeknd explaining his admiration for the era that predated his birth, particularly citing influences from Siouxsie & the Banshees and Cocteau Twins.
Roddy Ricch – “The Box”
Roddy Ricch’s breakthrough single “The Box” dominated the charts for an impressive eleven weeks at number one, making it the longest-running number-one hit of 2020. The track’s minimalist production and Ricch’s distinctive vocal delivery created an instantly recognizable sound that defined the year’s hip-hop landscape. Its unexpected rise to prominence showcased the power of organic viral growth, as the song gained momentum through social media platforms and word-of-mouth before conquering mainstream radio.
Post Malone – “Circles”
Post Malone’s “Circles” secured the second position on Billboard’s year-end chart, demonstrating the artist’s continued dominance in the pop-rock crossover space. The melancholic yet infectious track perfectly captured the cyclical nature of toxic relationships through its hypnotic melody and introspective lyrics. Its extended chart run throughout 2020 proved that emotional vulnerability could coexist with commercial success, establishing Post Malone as one of the era’s most consistent hitmakers.
Dua Lipa – “Don’t Start Now”
Dua Lipa’s disco-inspired “Don’t Start Now” claimed the fourth spot on the year-end charts, signaling the artist’s evolution into a global pop superstar. The track’s sophisticated production blended retro elements with contemporary pop sensibilities, creating an irresistible dance floor anthem. Its empowering message about moving on from past relationships resonated with audiences worldwide, while the song’s polished craftsmanship demonstrated Lipa’s artistic maturity and commercial instincts.
DaBaby featuring Roddy Ricch – “Rockstar”
The collaboration between DaBaby and Roddy Ricch on “Rockstar” achieved massive success, securing the fifth position on Billboard’s year-end chart and representing one of the year’s most successful hip-hop crossovers. The track’s guitar-driven production provided a perfect backdrop for both artists’ distinct styles, creating a seamless blend of melodic rap and hard-hitting verses. Its commercial appeal transcended genre boundaries, proving that innovative collaborations could capture mainstream attention while maintaining street credibility.
Harry Styles – “Adore You”
Harry Styles’ “Adore You” earned the sixth position on the year-end charts, showcasing the former One Direction member’s successful transition into a sophisticated solo artist. The jaunty single from his album “Fine Line” featured impossibly smooth backing guitars and presented Styles as a believable lovesick puppy with his sweetly simple request to “just let me adore you.” The song’s accompanying music video, featuring a fictional island and a peculiar fish, demonstrated Styles’ commitment to creative storytelling beyond traditional pop presentations.
Taylor Swift – “Cardigan”
Taylor Swift’s “Cardigan” marked a significant artistic departure, representing one-third of an interconnected narrative trilogy from her surprise album “Folklore” that explores a love triangle between characters named Betty, James, and Augusta. This Hot 100 number-one hit, co-written with Aaron Dessner, delivers delicately evocative memories of young love through soft percussion and breathy vocals. The song’s mature songwriting approach and indie-folk aesthetic signaled Swift’s willingness to experiment with genre conventions while maintaining her narrative storytelling strengths.
Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande – “Rain on Me”
This superstar collaboration between Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande created one of 2020’s most memorable dance-pop anthems, with the particularly resonant lyric “I’d rather be dry but at least I’m alive” hitting especially hard during the pandemic year. The track combines a ’90s house beat with Ariana Grande’s angelic vocal runs and Lady Gaga’s extraterrestrial spoken-word interludes, creating a nightclub banger that waited patiently for dance floors to reopen. The song’s themes of resilience and survival through difficult times made it an unofficial anthem for 2020’s challenges.
BTS – “Dynamite”
BTS made history with “Dynamite,” their first English-language single that marked the first song by an all-South Korean group to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. The track features breezy disco elements, showcases all seven members’ undeniable vocal talents, and incorporates “a little funk and soul” to create every piece of the hit-making puzzle. Its uplifting summer energy helped maintain Saturday night fever throughout the remainder of the year, proving that language barriers couldn’t contain exceptional pop craftsmanship.
Doja Cat – “Say So”
Doja Cat’s “Say So” became a cultural phenomenon, achieving number-one status and establishing the artist as a major force in contemporary pop music. The track’s disco-funk influences and memorable choreography created a perfect storm for viral success, particularly on TikTok where dance challenges propelled the song to new heights. Its blend of retro musical elements with modern production techniques demonstrated how classic sounds could be reimagined for contemporary audiences.
Megan Thee Stallion featuring Beyoncé – “Savage”
The remix of Megan Thee Stallion’s “Savage” featuring Beyoncé represented a powerhouse collaboration that dominated both social media and traditional charts. The track’s confident lyrics and infectious beat created another TikTok sensation while showcasing both artists’ commanding presence and lyrical prowess. Beyoncé’s guest verse elevated the already popular song to new commercial heights, demonstrating the continued impact of strategic collaborations in the streaming era.
Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande – “Stuck with U”
Justin Bieber and Ariana Grande’s “Stuck with U” debuted directly at number one, creating one of 2020’s most significant charitable music moments. The song’s tender acoustic arrangement and romantic lyrics provided comfort during lockdown periods, while its charitable component raised funds for those affected by the pandemic. The collaboration demonstrated how established artists could use their platforms for social good while creating genuinely touching music.
Billie Eilish – “Therefore I Am”
Billie Eilish’s “Therefore I Am” delivered an existentialist approach to dismissing detractors, questioning their very existence rather than simply telling them to disappear. The track maintains the glitchy, DIY production aesthetic that earned Eilish and brother Finneas five Grammy Awards for their previous work, while throwing a digitized middle finger at anyone questioning her position in pop stardom. Its philosophical undertones elevated typical dismissal songs into more intellectually engaging territory.
Blackpink – “How You Like That”
Blackpink’s “How You Like That” served as the lead single for their long-awaited debut album, fusing pop, trap, and hip-hop elements with regal horn blasts and a braggadocious hook. The bilingual track’s grandiose music video accumulated more than 86.3 million views in its first 24 hours, breaking YouTube records and helping the group achieve their highest Billboard Hot 100 entry at number 33. The song’s global appeal demonstrated K-pop’s continued expansion into Western markets.
Ava Max – “Kings & Queens”
Ava Max’s “Kings & Queens” embraced over-the-top power-pop dynamics, combining chess metaphors with pounding electric guitars to create an unsubtle but effective anthem. The track features the cheeky boast “You might think I’m weak without a sword/ But if I had one, it’d be bigger than yours” over riotously fun beats that sound straight out of the hair-metal ’80s. Despite its bombastic approach, the song contains deceptively heartfelt elements as Max assures fellow queens they’re never alone.
Miley Cyrus – “Midnight Sky”
Miley Cyrus returned with “Midnight Sky,” a dreamy synth-pop-meets-arena-rock banger that found inspiration in Stevie Nicks’ 1982 hit “Edge of Seventeen.” The song’s title serves as a metaphor for the headspace Cyrus escaped to as an independent woman following her divorce, ultimately resulting in an official remix collaboration with Nicks herself. The track’s empowering message and sophisticated production marked another successful reinvention in Cyrus’s evolving career.
Glass Animals – “Heat Waves”
Glass Animals’ “Heat Waves” became one of 2020’s most unexpected success stories, gradually building momentum through streaming platforms and social media discovery. The track’s dreamy production and Dave Bayley’s distinctive falsetto vocals created an atmospheric pop experience that resonated with listeners seeking escapism. Its slow-burn commercial success demonstrated how organic word-of-mouth could still drive songs to mainstream prominence in the digital age.
24kGoldn featuring iann dior – “Mood”
The collaboration between 24kGoldn and iann dior on “Mood” represented the emergence of a new generation of genre-blending artists who seamlessly combined pop, hip-hop, and alternative rock elements. The track’s infectious hook and relatable lyrics about emotional instability struck a chord with young audiences navigating uncertain times. Its success highlighted the growing influence of artists who refused to be confined by traditional genre boundaries.
Ariana Grande – “Positions”
Ariana Grande’s “Positions” demonstrated her evolution into an unassailable purveyor of pop prowess, perfectly positioning itself as her quarantine intimacy anthem. The track features a skittering beat, finger-picked guitar, and a few woozy strings, representing the sound of making the most out of the least while keeping things interesting even as the world ground to a halt. Its sophisticated restraint showcased Grande’s artistic maturity and ability to find innovation within minimalism.
Dua Lipa – “Levitating”
Dua Lipa’s “Levitating” perfectly captured the otherworldliness of new love, making listeners feel like they’re floating into outer space because of how exciting and different everything seems. Despite the song’s overall cosmic vibe, the straightforward pre-chorus “You want me, I want you baby” removes all guesswork from will-they-or-won’t-they dynamics and takes the romance straight to the skies. The track’s disco influences and modern production created one of Future Nostalgia’s most sparkling singles.
Selena Gomez – “Rare”
Selena Gomez’s “Rare” represented the most patient, considered, and nuanced single of her career, featuring subtly jaunty bass, drumming-on-the-kitchen-table percussion, and gently assured vocal delivery. The track doesn’t overpower listeners or claim to dominate them, but maintains confidence in its own special quality through sophisticated restraint. Its understated approach demonstrated Gomez’s artistic growth and willingness to prioritize substance over immediate commercial impact.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the biggest pop song of 2020?
The Weeknd’s “Blinding Lights” was the biggest pop song of 2020, topping Billboard’s year-end Hot 100 chart and spending four weeks at number one during the year. The song’s 1980s-inspired synth-pop sound and record-breaking chart performance made it the definitive hit of the year.
Which artists had the most number-one hits in 2020?
Ariana Grande and BTS each scored three number-one hits in 2020, making them the artists with the most chart-toppers during the year. This achievement highlighted both artists’ consistent ability to connect with audiences during a challenging period.
What made 2020 unique for pop music charts?
2020 was unique because it had the most number-one hits on the Hot 100 since 1991, with twenty different singles reaching the top spot. For the first time since 1990, six songs topped the Hot 100 in six consecutive weeks, showing unusual turnover at the number-one position.
How did the pandemic affect pop music in 2020?
The pandemic significantly influenced pop music in 2020, with many artists creating songs that reflected themes of isolation, resilience, and hope. Artists like Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande created “Rain on Me” with lyrics that resonated with the year’s challenges, while collaborations like “Stuck with U” raised funds for pandemic relief efforts.
What were the biggest breakthrough artists of 2020?
Several artists achieved their first number-one singles in 2020, including Roddy Ricch, Doja Cat, Megan Thee Stallion, DaBaby, Harry Styles, and BTS. These breakthrough moments established new stars and demonstrated the year’s role in launching careers that would define the following decade.