It's been a great year for music. Here are some of NPR's favorite songs of 2025

By Ann Powers

Published December 22, 2025 at 5:53 PM EST

From a song by a certified superstar that came out in the very first week of January to breakthroughs from lesser-known indie acts, here are selections from NPR Music's list of the best songs of 2025.

Ann Powers

Ann Powers is NPR Music's critic and correspondent. She writes for NPR's music news blog, The Record, and she can be heard on NPR's newsmagazines and music programs.

See stories by Ann Powers

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