2021 has come to an end, and we will just say this: it was a rollercoaster ride. 2021 was full of good music, one hit after the other, with us bopping our heads with each one of them. New artists emerged, and some old ones prevailed, but each song was unique, fun, and full of the oomph we look for while searching for our new favourite song to obsess over.
Just so this relay of good songs never stops, we bring you this list of the most famous songs of 2021, so you can go back to Spotify or YouTube and catch up to these hits.
1. Call Me by Your Name by Lil Nas X
"Call Me by Your Name" is probably one of the first songs that come to mind when we think of 2021. It is not just known for its graphical music video but also its amazing lyrics. Nas X wrote this song for his past self, talking of how he has embraced his gay identity and his past self doesn’t have to be afraid any longer, and hoping some kind of technology would help his past self see this video and gain confidence in himself.
2. Kiss Me More by Doja Cat ft. SZA
A list for popular music cannot be complete without Doja Cat. In 2021, she released her album Planet Her with a bang and "Kiss Me More" was probably one of the first songs that gained popularity in this album, for good reason! From the lyrics to the video and the collaboration with SZA, everything about this song will keep you enamoured like every other song by this wonderful artist.
3. Raataan Lambiyan by Jubin Nautiyal and Asees Kaur
This song by none other than Jubin Nautiyal narrates how hard it is to spend nights alone and away from the person one loves. Featuring in the hit movie Shershaah, this song was also included in the BillBoard Global Excl US charts. So, now you know what you’re missing out on!
4. Nadiyon Paar by Sachin-Jigar
The Nadiyon Paar remake brought us old memories mixed with new ones, giving us a whole lot of good vibes. This dance anthem of 2021 is a must-listen and features Jhanvi Kapoor, also the main character in the movie, Roohi. If you are looking for a new year resolution, learning the dance moves of this song can be the first one.
5. Good 4 U by Olivia Rodrigo
After Rodrigo’s "drivers license" and "deja vu", "good 4 u" was one of the most popular releases of 2021. Written by the artist herself, it teases the teenage feelings of jealousy leading to inferiority, all packed into one. If you haven't heard this 2021 go-to teenage song, then you are missing out on one of the best songs of the year. Rodrigo is Lorde and Billie Eilish packed into one, so if you’re into that, you know what your next choice of artist should be. Olivia has also been named the Breakout Artist of the Year.
6. Bad Habits by Ed Sheeran
Another hit by the Irish singer from his newest album '=', "Bad Habits" is a social commentary on how we keep going back to our bad habits even after we try to run from them time and again. The song is brilliant in itself, but the video has captured the attention of various music critics as well. It stayed on the first rank of the Billboard chart for a whopping eleven weeks: so don’t wait anymore and listen to this song, because FOMO is a real thing.
7. Param Sundari by A.R. Rahman
Even if you don’t know the name, we are pretty sure you’ve heard this song booming on the radio stations tons of times. This masterpiece is composed by none other than A.R. Rahman and sung by Shreya Ghoshal. The music video starring Kriti Sanon will surely compel you to show your dance moves or move your feet to the catchy tune. Like every song on this list, this song too is hard to forget after you listen to it merely once. On top of that, this is yet another song you can learn the dance moves to in order to show off your talent to your friends.
8. Milaa Yun by Abhay Jodhpurkar and Yashita Yashpal Sharma
Taking a step back from all the dance songs of the year, "Milaa Yun" narrates how there’s light at the end of every tunnel and love at the end of each despair. This song about hope will make you look forward to this new year and reminisce about all the good moments of the past year. This song may be the best way to end your best of 2021 playlist, all the while looking forward to the new year which surely will be full of surprises, both good and bad.
So that wraps up our list of the top Hindi and English songs that shone most in the rankings and also in our hearts in 2021. After reading about all these wonderful compositions, are you also inspired to make your own music? If yes, then we've got some great news for you. Check out these fantastic live courses to learn singing, music composition, or various instruments including guitar and piano.
We wish you a musical new year!
