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In defence of our Spotify Wrapped results: Explaining our most listened-to songs of 2020

<p>What a year: Michael Bolton, Taylor Swift and The 1975 were all among our most-listened artists in 2020</p> (Getty Images)

What a year: Michael Bolton, Taylor Swift and The 1975 were all among our most-listened artists in 2020

(Getty Images)

Usually, sifting through your Spotify Wrapped — the streaming giant’s annual survey of our listening habits — is a reminder of a year well spent, bringing to mind some rosy memories. Remember that time we watched Mamma Mia 2 and binged ABBA for the rest of the year (a true story from the Standard’s Culture desk)? Or the other time, when England beat Sweden in the World Cup and we played Three Lions on repeat for the entire day (also a true story)?

However, in 2020 — an absolute wrong’un of a year, we can all agree — the memories are more along the lines of “remember that time we went slightly bonkers during lockdown and became obsessed with a Welsh crooner?” More on that below.

It’s only natural that across a cursed 12 months, our playlists have become increasingly wonky. Now, looking back, we’re taking stock of it all, whether we’re embarrassed, ashamed, amused, freaked out or just thoroughly confused.

Here, the Standard’s Features team confess our most listened-to songs of the year, and tries to explain how the bloody hell this happened.

Michael Bolton - It’s Only My Heart (Alternate Version)

“President Embley Disputes Spotify Wrapped Results,” reads the headline. “Claims Michael Bolton Victory Indicates Widespread Fraud.” But deep down, and much like the sad man in the White House, I know it’s true. It’s Only My Heart (Alternate Version) by Michael Bolton is my most listened to song of the year. I streamed it 37 times. Thirty-seven. Am I embarrassed? Yes. But is it a crime to find pandemic-proof comfort in a slice of top-tier soft rock with a perfectly executed key change? Most definitely not. Still, if anyone else mentions this, my lawyers will be in touch. Jochan Embley

Ava Max – Freaking Me Out (Bingo Players Remix)

Since nearly all of my music listening this year has been while out running, I’m actually not surprised my top song is by a bleepy bloopy pop remix by a lady I’ve never heard of. In fact, other than the presence of Blue by Joni Mitchell (very ‘u ok hun’), my entire 2020 playlist sounds like the soundtrack to a night out in Oceana. I swear last year I was cooler, but then last year I had more endorphins and didn’t have to regularly remind myself that I still have legs. Jessie Thompson

Lady Gaga – 911 (…and a lot of Tom Jones, actually)

Given that I’ve spent the majority of this year obsessively listening to the transition from Chromatica II into 911 (try it, it’s life-changing), I wasn’t surprised that Lady Gaga’s latest album reigns over my Spotify top 10. What was slightly more shocking, though, was how much Tom Jones I’ve inadvertently been listening to. Delilah, She’s a Lady AND It’s Not Unusual all crop up in my Top Songs playlist, irrefutably proving I am 28 going on 88. I blame one particularly cabin feverish lockdown Saturday evening when my housemate and I ended up getting really into Jonesy's Glastonbury Legends set, apropos of nothing. Katie Rosseinsky

Taylor Swift – exile

I had been completely apathetic towards Taylor Swift until this year, when she collaborated with Aaron Dessner of The National to produce the delicate Folklore. Being the type of person who practically follows The National round the world on tour, I had to fight the music snob in me when Dessner’s collaboration was announced with pop-chart-topping Taylor. Clearly, my snobbiness was uncalled for, as exile leads my Spotify top tracks… followed by another five Taylor Swift songs. Not a huge deviation though, with Spotify notifying me The National still reigned supreme artist-wise. (I definitely didn’t turn all the lights off and pretend I was at a National gig in lockdown. And I definitely didn’t do it three times). Helena Wadia

Nightcrawlers, MK – Push The Feeling On

It was another typical day in lockdown that I was scrolling through my meme-filled Instagram feed until a video caught my eye. The viral sensation was Mufasa sitting in a car and suddenly realising that it is, in fact, Friday. He gets out the car and does the most feel-good dance while singing a remixed version of this song with the lyrics "It's Friday then, then Saturday, Sunday". Ever since then, this song brings me so much joy, especially at the end of the week. Ellie Davis

Sincerity Is Scary – The 1975

Sincerity is Scary, according to the 1975. Apparently not that scary, given I played the track 63 times this year. Love at first listen – January it was on repeat – but a slow burn too, given its biggest outing was astonishingly not until October. The rather lamentable truth of it is, though, it’s the top track on my “easy to work to” playlist – a choice of easily ignored tracks that block out background noise – as were the other top cuts I spun most obsessively in 2020 (thanks Taylor, Bon Iver, Bryan Ferry). The remainder of my top 10 was filled out with songs I run to; apparently this year, I didn’t enjoy music, I used it. David Ellis

Eurythmics – There Must Be An Angel (Playing with My Heart)

Other than being just another mid-thirties woman listening to Harry Styles on repeat (Adore You is my particular favourite), the main song to power me through the quagmire of 2020 was by the legend that is Miss Annie Lennox. It was my lockdown party classic during evenings spent dancing round my kitchen quarantini in hand. It’s the most joyful song and never fails to cheer me up. Thank you to the Eurythmics, I really needed you. Suzannah Ramsdale