When it comes to the best Carly Rae Jepsen songs, few pop artists have delivered such a consistent, heartfelt, and sonically diverse catalog. The Canadian singer-songwriter and actress first exploded onto the global music scene in 2012 and has since built a devoted fanbase that spans continents and generations. Whether you’re a long-time listener or just discovering her music through a viral moment, this list covers her greatest hits alongside some of her most celebrated deep cuts and new releases. If you enjoy exploring great music across genres, be sure to check out our collection of the best songs across all genres for more inspiration.
Carly Rae Jepsen was born on November 21, 1985, in Mission, British Columbia, Canada. She rose to fame after finishing third on the fifth season of Canadian Idol in 2007, but her global breakthrough came with “Call Me Maybe” in 2012. Since then, she has released critically acclaimed albums including Kiss (2012), Emotion (2015), Dedicated (2019), The Loneliest Time (2022), and The Loveliest Time (2023). Her music is known for blending 80s synth-pop influences with modern production, emotionally raw lyricism, and irresistibly catchy hooks. This article ranks the 20 best songs in her career to date.
Call Me Maybe
Released in 2012 as part of her album Kiss, “Call Me Maybe” became one of the best-selling singles of all time and the song that introduced Carly Rae Jepsen to the entire world. The track was co-written by Jepsen, Tavish Crowe, and Redfoo, and was famously boosted by Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez who tweeted about it. Its infectious chorus, swooping strings, and universally relatable theme of crushing on someone made it an era-defining pop anthem that still resonates over a decade later.
Run Away With Me
Widely regarded as the crown jewel of her 2015 album Emotion, “Run Away With Me” opens with one of the most iconic saxophone riffs in modern pop history. The song perfectly encapsulates Jepsen’s ability to blend emotional urgency with euphoric, danceable production. Music critics and fans alike have consistently praised this track as not just her best song, but one of the best pop songs of the entire decade, and it continues to top “best of Emotion” polls every year.
I Really Like You
From the Emotion era in 2015, “I Really Like You” is a bubbly, bright, and completely endearing pop track that showcases Jepsen’s gift for capturing the butterflies of new romance. The music video, featuring Tom Hanks lip-syncing to the song, became a viral sensation that amplified the track’s reach across social media platforms. The song’s production, handled by Shellback and Peter Svensson, delivers a punchy, radio-friendly sound while Jepsen’s vocal performance is warm, playful, and absolutely infectious.
Emotion
The title track of her landmark 2015 album, “E•MO•TION” is a maximalist pop song that leans heavily into 1980s synth-pop influences with cascading synthesizers, driving percussion, and Jepsen’s soaring vocals front and center. It stands as a statement of artistic intent for the album and for Jepsen’s evolving identity as a songwriter who prioritizes emotional authenticity over commercial convenience. The song has become a live favorite and a go-to reference point for critics discussing the best synth-pop of the modern era.
The Loneliest Time
Released in 2022 as the title track of her fifth studio album, “The Loneliest Time” features a stunning collaboration with Rufus Wainwright and represents one of the most emotionally mature moments of Jepsen’s career. The song builds from a quiet, introspective opening into a sweeping, disco-tinged ballad that explores themes of isolation, connection, and vulnerability. Its layered production and the interplay between Jepsen and Wainwright’s voices give the song a cinematic grandeur that sets it apart from anything she had released before.
Your Type
One of the standout tracks on Emotion, “Your Type” is a gut-punch of unrequited longing that strips away the album’s glossier moments to deliver something rawer and more confessional. Jepsen co-wrote the song with Ariel Rechtshaid, and the sparse production perfectly mirrors the emotional isolation of wanting someone who simply doesn’t want you back in the same way. Its honesty, combined with Jepsen’s understated vocal delivery, has made “Your Type” a fan favorite and a defining example of her songwriting depth.
Want You in My Room
From her 2019 album Dedicated, “Want You in My Room” is an unapologetically sensual synth-pop track that showcases a bolder, more confident side of Jepsen as a performer and songwriter. Produced by Rostam Batmanglij, the song features a shimmering, retro production style that feels simultaneously nostalgic and completely modern. Its direct lyrical content and hypnotic groove made it an instant fan favorite upon release and one of the defining songs of the Dedicated era.
Boy Problems
Another essential track from Emotion, “Boy Problems” is a delightfully self-aware pop song that playfully addresses the frustration of being consumed by romantic feelings when your friends just don’t get it. The song is bright, slightly bittersweet, and has a conversational lyricism that makes it feel like a diary entry set to a perfect pop beat. It’s one of the tracks that best demonstrates Jepsen’s ability to take everyday emotional experiences and elevate them into something universal and utterly singable.
Cut to the Feeling
Originally recorded during the Emotion sessions but released in 2016 for the animated film Ballerina, “Cut to the Feeling” is a breathless, exhilarating pop song that many fans consider the pinnacle of Jepsen’s synth-pop era. The track was produced by Tavish Crowe and its explosive chorus delivers one of the most satisfying pop moments she has ever recorded. Its inclusion in the film introduced her music to a new audience, and its reputation has only grown over the years as one of the definitive feel-good songs in her entire discography.
Party For One
Released in 2018 as the lead single from Dedicated, “Party For One” marked a powerful artistic pivot for Jepsen as she delivered a self-empowerment anthem about embracing solitude and self-love. The song’s production, overseen by Leland and Tavish Crowe, is sleek and danceable, but it’s the emotional undertone of reclaiming your own happiness that gives the track its lasting resonance. “Party For One” received widespread critical praise and demonstrated that Jepsen could evolve her sound while maintaining everything fans love about her music.
Now That I Found You
One of the most irresistible songs on Dedicated, “Now That I Found You” channels the joyful, breathless energy of falling in love with an effervescent production style that recalls the best moments of early 2000s pop. The song was co-written with John Hill and its relentlessly upbeat, forward-propelling rhythm makes it impossible to listen to without smiling. It became one of the most streamed songs from the Dedicated album and serves as a perfect example of how Jepsen handles romantic optimism with equal skill as romantic heartbreak.
Good Time (feat. Owl City)
A collaborative single released in 2012 from the Midsummer Station, “Good Time” with Owl City became a massive summer anthem that highlighted Jepsen’s natural gift for breezy, feel-good pop music. The song reached the top 10 in multiple countries and its cheerful, carefree production style suited Jepsen’s voice beautifully. It remains one of the most recognizable songs from her early career and a fan-favorite throwback that holds up remarkably well as a piece of pure, uncut summer pop fun.
Tonight I’m Getting Over You
From her 2012 album Kiss, “Tonight I’m Getting Over You” is a disco-inflected breakup anthem that showed audiences early on that Jepsen was far more than a one-hit wonder. The track’s production blends 80s-inspired synths with a pounding dance beat, and Jepsen’s vocal performance is confident and assured in a way that suggested the artistic ambition that would fully bloom on Emotion. It remains one of the most underrated songs in her discography and a satisfying emotional release for anyone going through the end of a relationship.
Talking to Yourself
One of the most emotionally resonant tracks on The Loneliest Time (2022), “Talking to Yourself” explores the strange, disorienting experience of losing touch with someone whose presence once defined your world. The song features a quietly devastating lyrical perspective and a restrained production style that allows Jepsen’s vocal performance to carry the full emotional weight. It represents the more introspective, mature dimension of her songwriting and has earned particular praise from fans who consider Jepsen at her best when she strips back the pop gloss.
Surrender My Heart
Also from The Loneliest Time (2022), “Surrender My Heart” is a propulsive, synth-driven track that brings together everything Jepsen does best: immaculate production, emotionally charged lyricism, and a vocal performance that feels both vulnerable and triumphant. The song builds with steady, irresistible momentum toward a chorus that is among the most euphoric moments on the album. It stands as proof that Jepsen continues to push her sound forward without abandoning the sonic DNA that made her a fan-favorite artist in the first place.
Let’s Be Friends
Released in 2020 as part of Dedicated Side B, “Let’s Be Friends” is one of the most warmly received B-side tracks Jepsen has ever released, featuring a laid-back, groovy production style that contrasts beautifully with its emotionally complicated subject matter. The song addresses the aftermath of a romantic relationship transitioning into friendship, and Jepsen handles the nuance with her characteristic emotional intelligence. Its easygoing, retro-leaning sound made it an immediate fan favorite and further cemented the Dedicated Side B project as more than just an afterthought in her discography.
Psychedelic Switch
From her 2023 companion album The Loveliest Time, “Psychedelic Switch” represents one of the more adventurous sonic experiments Jepsen has committed to on record, featuring swirling, kaleidoscopic production that pushes her sound in a notably more textured and experimental direction. The track demonstrates her willingness to evolve and explore beyond the confines of straightforward synth-pop, while still maintaining the melodic sensibility that defines her best work. It quickly became a fan favorite from The Loveliest Time and is regularly cited as evidence of Jepsen’s continued artistic growth in her most recent chapter.
Shy Boy
Also from The Loveliest Time (2023), “Shy Boy” is a playful, flirtatious new entry in Jepsen’s catalog that showcases her lighter side while delivering a genuinely catchy, well-crafted pop song. The track leans into a coy, slightly cheeky dynamic between attraction and hesitation, and its production is warm and inviting with a subtle retro charm. As one of her newer releases, “Shy Boy” reflects how effortlessly Jepsen continues to produce quality pop music that feels fresh and alive while honoring the sonic identity she has cultivated across more than a decade.
Sweetie
From her debut album Kiss (2012), “Sweetie” is a hidden gem that longtime fans have championed as one of her most endearing early recordings, featuring a lighthearted pop sensibility and a sweetly sincere vocal performance that captures the innocent excitement of a new crush. The track may have been overshadowed by the juggernaut of “Call Me Maybe” at the time of its release, but in retrospect it reveals the warmth and emotional authenticity that would become hallmarks of Jepsen’s artistry throughout her career. To fully enjoy songs like this with the detail they deserve, pairing your listening with quality audio equipment makes a real difference, and exploring the best headphones for music can elevate the experience significantly.
Hurt So Good
Closing out our list is another beloved track from Kiss (2012), “Hurt So Good” is a punchy, confidently performed pop-rock song that showcases the early, raw energy Jepsen brought to her major label debut. Its slightly harder edge and direct lyrical approach gave fans an early glimpse of her range as a vocalist and songwriter beyond the soft romantic pop she was initially associated with. The song remains a fan-favorite live track and a satisfying reminder that Jepsen has always had more stylistic range than casual listeners might assume, making it the perfect note to end this list and encourage you to dig deeper into everything her catalog has to offer. If you want to experience her full range at its finest, finding the right earbuds to match her layered production can be just as important as the playlist itself, so take a look at our guide to the best earbuds for music lovers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Carly Rae Jepsen’s most famous song?
“Call Me Maybe” is undoubtedly Carly Rae Jepsen’s most famous song. Released in 2012, it became one of the best-selling singles in history and introduced her to audiences worldwide. The song reached number one in multiple countries and was certified multi-platinum in many markets, cementing her status as a global pop star almost overnight.
What albums has Carly Rae Jepsen released?
Carly Rae Jepsen has released several studio albums throughout her career, including Tug of War (2008), Curiosity (2012), Kiss (2012), Emotion (2015), Dedicated (2019), Dedicated Side B (2020), The Loneliest Time (2022), and The Loveliest Time (2023). Each album has showcased her evolving sound and deepening artistry, with Emotion in particular earning widespread critical acclaim as one of the best pop albums of the 2010s.
What genre is Carly Rae Jepsen’s music?
Carly Rae Jepsen’s music primarily falls under synth-pop and electropop, with strong influences from 1980s pop music. Her work also incorporates elements of dance-pop, indie pop, and occasionally soft rock. Her Emotion era is most closely associated with the 80s synth-pop revival, while her more recent albums have explored slightly more experimental and eclectic sonic territories.
Is Carly Rae Jepsen still releasing new music?
Yes, Carly Rae Jepsen continues to release new music. Her most recent studio album The Loveliest Time was released in 2023 as a companion piece to The Loneliest Time (2022). Both projects were well received by critics and fans, and Jepsen has shown no signs of slowing down creatively, continuing to tour internationally and tease new material through her social media channels.
Why do fans love Carly Rae Jepsen so much beyond “Call Me Maybe”?
While “Call Me Maybe” remains her most commercially successful song, fans of Carly Rae Jepsen are deeply devoted to her deeper catalog for its emotional honesty, sophisticated pop production, and the consistent quality of her songwriting. Albums like Emotion have developed a near-cult following for their perfect fusion of catchy hooks and genuine emotional depth. Many music critics and devoted listeners consider her one of the most underrated and underappreciated pop artists of her generation, and her loyal fanbase, affectionately known as “Carly stans,” actively champion her work across social media platforms.