Attempting to crown the year's top five songs is a notoriously subjective task, much like debating the best ice cream flavour. Yet, 2025 delivered an undeniable array of global smashes, from chart-topping pop anthems to viral TikTok sensations and culturally defining moments. Based on streaming dominance, chart performance, and sheer cultural impact, here are the tracks that defined the year.
Pop Powerhouses & Breakout Stars
Sabrina Carpenter cemented her status as a pop heavyweight in 2025. Fresh off a massive 2024 touring with Taylor Swift and winning a Grammy, she released her seventh studio album, Man's Best Friend, in August. The lead single, "Manchild," co-crafted with 11-time Grammy-winner Jack Antonoff, became an instant fan favourite. Its catchy chorus and playful, cheeky tone followed the winning formula of her earlier hit "Espresso," solidifying her place alongside modern pop definers like Chappell Roan and Taylor Swift.
Meanwhile, English singer Olivia Dean experienced a meteoric rise. Her catchy jazz-pop tune "Man I Need" led the charge for her second album, The Art of Loving, released in September. Dean made history by becoming the first artist to have four singles simultaneously in the UK top 10. She performed the hit at the ARIAs in November for her new Australian fans and is set for a national tour in October 2026, though Western Australia is unfortunately not yet on the itinerary.
Global Phenomena & Viral Sensations
One of the year's most unexpected success stories came from an animated film. Kpop Demon Hunters (HUNTR/X), a movie featuring a fictional K-pop group, became the most-watched original title in its streaming service's history. Its infectious electronic track "Golden" was a monumental hit, landing in the Billboard Hot 100's top 10 and amassing over 1.1 billion streams on Spotify. Korean-Australian singer Dami Im noted in September that it felt like "every toddler parent in Australia" had discovered it, dubbing it the new Frozen. The track's TikTok trendiness underscores K-pop's deepening roots in Western culture.
Emerging American talent Alex Warren found global success with his deeply emotional single "Ordinary." The song, showcasing his deep vocals and lyrical vulnerability, peaked at number one on the Billboard Global 200 chart in May. It featured on his debut album You'll Be Alright, Kid, released in July. His popularity was evident in Australia, where his Cheaper Than Therapy tour sold out nationally. Demand in Perth was so high the show was moved from the Astor Theatre to the larger HPC, where he performed on August 28.
The Return of a Pop Icon
Pop legend Lady Gaga made a triumphant return to her dance-pop roots with "Abracadabra." Released as part of her March album Mayhem, the track is a dark, dramatic, and fun blend of electropop and synth, famously sampling Siouxsie and the Banshees' "Spellbound." It's everything her Little Monsters have come to expect. Australian fans got to experience the spectacle live during her The MAYHEM Ball tour earlier in the summer, her first major concert tour since 2014, complete with her latest iconic choreography.
While stats from Spotify and the charts tell one story, these five songs of 2025 also resonated for their ability to define moments, cross cultural boundaries, and dominate playlists from Perth to the global stage. They represent a year where established stars held their ground, new voices broke through, and even animated K-pop demons found a permanent place on the family stereo.
