Ah, music… A topic that no one can agree on. In this category filled with so many genres, it’s unsurprising that the entire world is so split on it. But this article is not on the top songs and artists of 2024 – we already covered that. But rather, what’s the song that’s stuck in your head 24/7? The song that you find yourself randomly humming throughout the day or the track that refuses to leave your Tiktok FYP or Instagram Reels?
I’m sure that a couple of songs have instantly started playing in your brain. Love them or hate them, you can’t disagree that these songs are so catchy that they’ve subconsciously ingrained themselves into your brain – well, that’s the case for me at least. From ballads to pop, this year had all kinds of songs go viral so let’s check out the earworms of 2024!
Can’t Stop Hearing It!
You may not know the titles – hell, you might not even know the lyrics – but you’ve gotta at least have heard these choruses at least once! Don’t believe me? I bet I can make you go “Oh, it’s that song!”.
Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
An omniscient hit that still floats around on Tiktok. Chill and vibey, this song had a grip on people before they even knew it! Well, that’s how it went for me at least. For weeks, this song – or rather, a part of the song – occupied my TikTok For You Page, and I didn’t even realise it was this until someone played it for me.
Despite not being on that side of TikTok, the song permeated through the algorithm anyway, eventually making itself known to all sides of the app and beyond. So much so that even Saturday Night Live made a parody of it. While the song was already extremely well-known, the skit by SNL propelled it to the stars.
Personally, while this is not a song I would like, I can see why so many people do. After all, it is chilling as Singapore’s global top song. Great as background music to get work done, Espresso is just like its namesake – not everyone’s cup of tea, but still addictive!
Not Like Us – Kendrick Lamar
It’s not often we get celebrity beef, but boy was this one spicy. Kendrick Lamar’s feud with Drake was the talk of the internet, but perhaps the most intriguing aspect was how the diss tracks kept escalating. But the track that really encapsulated the fight was Not Like Us.
The song sounds simple on first hearing, with a repetitive three-beat tune underscoring the entire track. However, it is the lyrics that truly capture the attention. To say that what was written was unsubtle would be an understatement, but the combination of the aggressive tune alongside the songwriting made for a contagious song to listen to.
Even if you aren’t a hip-hop fan like I was, it was impossible to not hear Kendrick Lamar’s seminal diss track be talked about. There’s a reason why it was also nominated for Record of the Year at the upcoming Grammys.
Touch – KATSEYE
Add a touch of R&B and dance-pop to your life with the viral Touch by KATSEYE. Released alongside their debut song Debut, its dance challenge exploded on TikTok. Soon enough, the song was catapulted into the charts as well as everyone’s FYPs – and honestly, I am not complaining. Out of the 10 earworms on this list, Touch has to be my favourite.
Deviating from the stronger sound of their debut single, Touch highlights the members’ vocals through a melodic drum and bass. However, the part that captivated me the most was how they weaved the members’ vocals with their spoken beats, playing around with the flow of the song without making anything too abrupt or too one-note.
Born from the reality competition “Dream Academy”, the global girl group has already shown the world their talents and charm – their first EP just solidifies their vocal and dance prowess. It’s unsurprising that Touch became so popular everywhere. In fact, a version of the song features TOMORROW X TOGETHER member YEONJUN!
Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
Ah, yes. I’m sure we all know someone who embodies the lyrics of this song to a tee. We’ve all heard horror stories about toxic relationships and blindingly red flags, yet is it just me or do they often stem from one or two individuals? Another hit by Sabrina Carpenter, this bright, synthpop track presents the narrative from those individuals’ perspectives, capturing the conflict of wanting to stay in a relationship despite the fears and doubts of what their partner would do and how they would be perceived.
With relatable lyrics – ‘cause let’s be honest, we’ve all judged our friends’ significant other before – as well as an upbeat melody, the contrast of the song is what makes it humorous and so earworm-y. Showcasing her saccharine sweet vocals, the chorus definitely had me off guard!
The slow tune combined with the harsh yet funny lyrics caught my eyes (well, ears) during the first listen. Successfully blending the sense of pleading and frustration, that section of the song is arguably the most well-known part that keeps playing in everyone’s heads – and for good reason!
Good Luck, Babe! – Chappell Roan
Another track by Chappell Roan, Good Luck, Babe! is completely unlike the hyped HOT TO GO! A beautiful medley of genres, this track consists of synth-pop, baroque pop, new wave, and soft rock influences, creating a unique listening experience beyond just its themes and lyrics. Despite how effortlessly she does it, this song is also by no means easy to sing. The longer chorus and higher notes already create a strain when singing – having to exude completely different vibes in the two sections of the chorus is even more challenging.
Themed around compulsory heterosexuality and presenting the narrative of being in a situationship with a woman denying her sexuality, this song doesn’t lean into the usual heartwrenching balladesque style many heartbreak songs adopt. Instead, Good Luck, Babe! is filled with resigned acceptance as seen through the vocal journey of the singer. Her vocals start gentle and soft but slowly grow more intense, before reaching that point of acceptance.
However, the most visceral part of the song for me is undoubtedly the bridge. In an explosion of 80s-inspired tunes, this bridge is one of the best I’ve heard this year. The image that the bridge’s lyrics create is extremely poignant. She paints a life built on lies and denial, where the person addressed in this song is left facing the consequences of their avoidance.
The build-up of tension from the start to the bridge is immaculate, misleading listeners when it drops to a quiet lull. Then the song picks right back up to the climax of the bridge, and is so charged with emotion that you can’t help but keep listening!
Die With A Smile – Lady Gaga & Bruno Mars
A love song with a classic and timeless style, this is a comeback single for both artists who haven’t released any music for a couple of years – of course, it’s gonna be stuck in people’s heads. Leaning nearer to a soft-rock-esque vibe, the ballad powerfully encompasses longing for a loved one in the face of the unpredictability of change and life, best displayed when the melody and music crest at the chorus.
Beyond just the longing displayed through the lyrics and backing track, the sense of solace invoked by the song creates the idea of being at peace even when death comes. Rather than the sense of desperation and fear of time running out that many songs embody for themes like these, this song goes down the route of acceptance instead where the idea of ‘it’s okay if it’s with you’ is heavily expressed, making it stand out from other songs that talk about a similar idea and narrative.
we can’t be friends (wait for your love) – Ariana Grande
A haunting melody accompanies relatable and introspective lyrics in this synth-pop track with Europop influences. The opening verse showcases the softness of Ariana Grande’s soft vocals before the song builds to its simple yet memorable chorus. The music video that comes with the song is quite a masterpiece as well. Heavily inspired by the 2004 film Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, the song’s music video plays into the idea of erasing memories of your previous relationship
While there isn’t any fixed interpretation of we can’t be friends (wait for your love), many agree that it’s about the relationship between Ariana Grande and the media. With that perspective in mind, most, if not all the lyrics fit perfectly with that narrative.
However, regardless of what the song is intended to be about, we can’t be friends (wait for your love) is versatile in terms of how relatable it is, which in my opinion is what makes it special. Whether it’s the chorus that hits deeply or the verses, you are still able to connect with it in some way. Like many songs, my favourite section is the bridge as it perfectly encapsulates the idea of knowing that your understanding of yourself is enough, even if others perceive you differently.
Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
When someone first recommended this to me, I was expecting something chill or balladesque. But listening to the song, whew… the emotions that this track holds is through the roof! I don’t know what I expected when I first saw the title of the song but it certainly wasn’t this. The contrast between the verses and the chorus is spine-chilling, in a good way.
The deceptively gentle verses and the guttural and raw choruses write a desperate and extremely vivid image of being terrified of losing the ones you love. The desperation is superbly echoed by the hard-hitting beats of the chorus that emphasise specific words while the lyrics of the verses narrate just how important the people in question are to the singer.
Everyone has something they are terrified to lose. Whether it’s a person, an object or maybe a pet, we all have something that we hold close to our hearts and can’t imagine life without. This fear is illustrated extremely well not just through the lyrics but the vocals and tone of the track as well. While some people might say that this song is disjointed and too loud, I can see why this song hits certain spots perfectly.
BIRDS OF A FEATHER – Billie Eilish
A favourite of many, BIRDS OF A FEATHER brings about a whole host of emotions while listening. The whole-hearted enduring love that is painted in this track is breathed to life by the 23-year-old singer. The nonchalant devotion that bleeds from every section of this song is so potent that even without dramatic choruses or extreme switch-ups, the idea of a persevering love that’s basically second nature is communicated.
This gentle track creates a dreamy soundscape that showcases Billie Eilish’s breathy vocals at the forefront. The reverb adds distance to her voice, creating an atmosphere where you’re not quite sure to smile or cry to the song. This mimics the themes of loving so intensely and overwhelmingly. This track is something that you have to experience and reflect on by yourself as everyone would have a personalised version and understanding of it.
APT. – ROSÉ ft Bruno Mars
There’s no way you haven’t heard it – even if you were living under a rock! After its release in mid-October this year, APT. took the internet by storm. Born from ROSÉ’s favourite drinking game back in South Korea, this catchy hit has resided on the charts as well as everyone’s FYPs. With a bright and playful melody and a nostalgic sound, it was a pretty fresh concept from the BLACKPINK member.
The song was extremely hyped from the beginning and it’s easy to see why. While I did enjoy APT. at the start, it got a little repetitive after hearing it over 10 times nearly every single day. However, there is a part in the track an exception. While the verses and chorus followed a bright and peppy beat, it was the pre-chorus that secured this track’s place in my brain. Reminiscent of something that came from the 2010s, that part is the one that I can’t help but sing when the track comes on.
And it wasn’t just us who got hooked on the song – so many idols were too. Not even exaggerating, my TikTok FYP and Instagram Reels were filled. One after the other, I just watched as different idols and groups put their own twist on the challenge. Hands down, this was one of the most viral songs and challenges that I’ve ever seen. Hate it or love it, this song has most definitely infiltrated your socials in some form or another.
Special Mentions: The Songs That Got Stuck In My Head
Don’t get me wrong, the songs above definitely made rounds in my head. But they aren’t the ones that start playing automatically. People who know me personally know that I almost exclusively listen to K-pop – specifically ATEEZ, SEVENTEEN, TOMORROW X TOGETHER and BOYNEXTDOOR.
However, 2024 saw me uncovering all kinds of songs – from freshly debuted groups as well as older ones. Let’s find out which songs had me humming 24/7! And to make this a bit more fun, I won’t be adding songs from my ult groups!
Igloo – KISS OF LIFE
One of the best B-sides of the year, Igloo brings KISS OF LIFE away from the summery vibes of Sticky. Falling primarily in the hip-hop and R&B genres, the English track presents a darker, more confident side of the group. Blowing away the media showcase while blowing up TikTok with the song, my TikTok was filled with edits from that particular stage for a while.
Exploring an edgier pop sound that gives something from the 2000s, the beats of this track will embed themselves into your subconscious before you even realise it. Balancing heavy beats with smoother melodic lines, Igloo creates a unique and well-rounded listening experience. With short verses and smooth transitions from each section, the dreamy vocals and teasing nature of the lyrics keep listeners hooked and wanting more. Overall, it’s a really chill song that smoothly blends different genres without any abrupt switch-ups.
From the styling of simple yet eye-catching clothing to the self-assured nature of the lyrics, the quartet is dripping with edginess in their live stages as well. With sharp clean lines and quick moves, accuracy is the key. At the same time, displaying the nonchalance and easy confidence of the song is crucial. Filled with small movements and details that complete the sassy vibe, there are many things to consider. However, the KISS OF LIFE members make it look easy.
Cherish (My Love) – ILLIT
In line with their adorable concept that gave birth to the addictive Magnetic – that chorus was stuck in my head for months – ILLIT now returns with Cherish (My Love). Despite being similarly coded to the previous title, Cherish (My Love) is more fluid and flowy in its melody as well as its choreography.
While still keeping the cute and whimsical concept of ILLIT, the song has an undercurrent of softness, making it more grounded. Rather than dive straight in and open with a bright and peppy melody, the track opens slowly with a gentle tune that emphasises the vocals of the members.
As the song progresses, the beat speeds up as well, leading listeners to the earworm in the chorus. More assertive and bold, the lyrics present a very innocent approach to expressing affection. While some criticise that the song is pretty simple and lacks depth, it is living rent-free in my head so… it’s got something that’s pulling people in, right?
Double Take – TWS
The most recent addition to the rotation of songs that my brain cycles through, Double Take was not something I had expected out of a group like TWS. With many songs aligning with their bright and pure concept of boyishness, this track was a refreshing deviation. Despite only being hooked on the song due to the Melon Music Awards, it became one of the most played songs on my playlist.
It would’ve been very easy for this track to fall into the annoying noise music category of boy group songs if they had added in extra elements. This hip-hop track blends catchy hooks and addictive basslines – coupled with the energy of this rookie boy group and you’ve got a perfect recipe.
Despite the repetition of the title throughout the song, there is no urge to skip the choruses even when I know what’s coming. The repetition allowed the members to showcase their unique flairs through the same lyric, playing around with the intonation and style of the lyrics – this was what had me captivated!
Earworms of 2024
Well, that’s about it! Let’s hit pause and take a moment to look back on all the insane songs that all kinds of artists have brought us listeners in the past 12 months. I’m sure we all have those couple of songs that seem to always be playing on our shuffle. Did we mention your earworms? Let us know if we missed anything via our socials on Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok!
