Top 50 Songs of 2020

Would you look at that, another end of year ranking! This one only includes title tracks (+ the Road to Kingdom singles, those kinda count as title tracks right?)

And yes, I ranked my top 50 because I wanted to include as many of my favorites as possible. I had to narrow it down from 200+ and it was very very difficult, so take the ranking aspect with a grain of salt (ESPECIALLY in the lower ranks, which I switched around at least 20 times). I adore all of these songs regardless of the number I gave them, but eventually I just had to stop changing my mind before I drove myself crazy.

To prevent this blog from being three years long, I will only be giving my thoughts on the top 20. This is really for your benefit, because some of these choices I should really be defending (you’ll know them when you see them)

And you already know this is all my opinion and blah blah blah

Now with all that out of the way, let’s get into the ranking!

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50. La Di Da by Everglow

49. Tag Me (@Me) by Weeekly

48. God’s Menu by Stray Kids

47. Holo by Lee Hi

46. Puma by TXT

45. Mmmh by Kai

44. Wannabe by Itzy

43. Ice Cream by Blackpink & Selena Gomez

42. Ice Age by MCND

41. Ridin’ by NCT Dream

40. Boy by Treasure

39. Mago by Gfriend

38. Gunshot by Kard

37. Wayo by Bang Yedam

36. Pump It Up by Golden Child

35. One (Monster & Infinity) by SuperM

34. Dun Dun by Everglow

33. The Stealer by The Boyz

32. Sacrifice by Han Seungwoo

31. Play by Chungha feat. Changmo

30. Boca by Dreamcatcher

29. Candy by Baekhyun

28. Dumhdurum by Apink

27. Soul by H&D

26. Helicopter by CLC

25. Black Mamba by aespa

24. Dr. BeBe by Pentagon

23. Lupin by Dongkiz

22. Nonstop by Oh My Girl

21. Spring by MCND

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20

Scream

Dreamcatcher

Dreamcatcher is still going strong with their epic horror concepts. I think the songwriters were really smart in adding the deep demonlike growls, high wails, and ghost noises into the choruses, which prevented the empty feeling that some instrumental choruses have. The final chorus gives a really powerful payoff to what the whole song was building to, creating an overall satisfying comeback.

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19

Apple

Gfriend

I didn’t listen to Gfriend much before this comeback, but Apple really intrigued me. I probably listened to it on repeat the whole week after it was released. I love the fairytale elements and the slightly eerie vocals. They took some aspects of their usual style and built something really unique and memorable.

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18

THANXX

Ateez

I feel like most songs that have this concept or sound would have taken the easy way out and stuck in an instrumental chorus, but Thanxx went the extra mile and gave us one of the most powerful, satisfying choruses of the year. I listen to these songs a few times while writing my thoughts to make sure I get everything I want to say, and this song really made it difficult because every time the chorus came on I had to drop everything and have a mini dance party. The rest of the song is really good too, but like… the chorus :sob:

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17

R.o.S.E BLUE

Dreamcatcher

This wasn’t technically an official comeback, but it has a music video so I’m counting it. While I do enjoy the new direction the girls have been taking, this is classic Dreamcatcher and I’m obsessed. I adore the power vocals, especially the way Yoohyeon sings “rose blue” in the second chorus. The strings in the bridge leading up to JiU’s angelic vocals and the electric guitar make the last chorus hit even harder. I’m very happy that we got this special single, even if no one paid attention to it.

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16

More & More

Twice

I don’t care if some people thought this song was basic or boring or forgettable. I love all of it. I swear I couldn’t get the chorus out of my head for a month straight. I think their light vocals match the vibe of the song, and of course the dance break is iconic. All in all, it was a great summer bop.

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15

Daisy

Pentagon

Even though Pentagon’s first win is way overdue, if it had to come this late, I’m glad it was with this song. Out of their countless bops, Daisy truly stands out. Overall, it has a sincerity that feels similar to Violet, my favorite Pentagon song. The chorus hit me like a truck the first time I heard it. And at the end of the bridge, when the music stops and Yanan has the whole spotlight, I feel my heart lurch every single time.

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14

Can’t You See Me?

TXT

I didn’t know that loneliness could be captured so perfectly in an upbeat pop song, but here we are. Even without the isolation of the pandemic, I can relate to this song a lot. The way TXT handles raw emotion so elegantly through their music is inspiring, but this one is especially impressive.

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13

Nun Nu Nan Na

cignature

This is hands down my favorite debut song of the year. It has everything I love in a song: bright vocals, energetic verses, tension-building prechorus, a sprinkle of quirkiness, and a great chorus. Oh my god, THIS CHORUS. It’s so explosive, using both the instrumental and the vocals to create the musical equivalent of a glitter bomb. I know that a lot of people might find the second part of the chorus annoying, but I think it’s catchy. Since it came out in February, it’s probably one of my most listened to songs of 2020.

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12

Dazzle Dazzle

Weki Meki

This song gets me so hyped, you have no idea. It’s so bubbly and bold, just like the title might suggest. Elly and Suyeon’s bright vocals were an amazing choice for the chorus, which matches the energy of the rap line in the verses. My girls really outdid themselves this year.

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11

We Lost The Summer

TXT

Blue Hour’s chill complement didn’t grab me right away, but I found myself listening to it consistently. The boys’ vocals really get to shine in this song. It’s catchy and interesting without being too high energy or cluttered, which is a nice change of pace.

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10

Where the sea sleeps

Day6 (Even of Day)

This song is absolutely stunning. Day6 always delivers masterpieces, even while missing two (still miss Jae and Sungjin though). The instrumental is so soothing, and the vocals blow me away every time. That harmonized high note in the last chorus? I’m speechless, ESPECIALLY when they do it live. And don’t even get me started on them singing “don’t you leave me” while staring into my soul. My heart is broken. I’ll never leave you boys, I promise🥺

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9

eight

IU feat. Suga

This is the only song IU released this year, but it’s so good I can’t be upset. Her vocals are full and sweet, and Suga’s rap doesn’t feel out of place at all. Bittersweet songs always seem to hit me the hardest, but knowing the inspiration behind eight makes it even stronger.

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8

Stand by You

A.C.E

To be completely honest, I wasn’t sure about this song as a single when it first came out, but now it has a very special place in my heart. Its purpose was to comfort us, and it accomplished that beautifully. The way they sing “I will stand by you” sounds so earnest that I have to believe them.

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7

Checkmate

The Boyz

While the Road to Kingdom performance is incredible, this song can stand on its own. I’m obsessed with the slightly strained and haunting vibe. I always enjoy choruses like this, smooth but not monotone, with no extra noise. Tbz really killed it with everything they did this year, but I think this song has a little something special to it.

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6

Oopsy

Weki Meki

You’d think a song titled Oopsy would be silly and childish and weird but it’s the opposite. Seriously, this song is an amazing, sophisticated, bright, sexy, bubbly, satisfying, sassy, catchy bop that needs more attention. The melodies always get stuck in my head, and sitting still while listening to it is nearly impossible. So in conclusion, STOP SLEEPING ON WEKI MEKI ALREADY.

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5

Zombie

Day6

I absolutely adore everything about this song. Some might call it boring, I call it tastefully slow. But despite how gentle it is compared to some of Day6’s other title tracks, Zombie still cuts me to the core. The steady drums keep the song grounded as it weaves a story that most of us know all too well. The ’ voices hold so much emotion, but even the part without singing (the second half of the first chorus) still feels emotional with the wailing instruments and lonely echoes. No matter what style they take on, Day6 always finds a way to worm their way into my heart.

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4

Bad Guy

1the9

This song has slowly but surely climbed this list over the months since it was released, which I think is fitting for such a strong, steady song. The way the tension builds is nothing short of expert. Every part has its purpose, and makes the chorus that much more impactful. It’s too bad it was 1the9’s last real comeback, but they went out on their strongest note yet.

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3

Goblin (Favorite Boys)

A.C.E

THE POWER. I’m never bored while listening to this song. It grabs me right from the first note, and every single second that follows makes me want more, yet it still doesn’t leave me hanging at the end. To quote queen Mera, Favorite Boys is an absolute masterpiece.

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2

Blue Hour

TXT

I will it that I am (possibly unfairly) partial to this song. It came out at a time that I was feeling very vulnerable. I was stressed because of my responsibilities, and somewhat hopeless because of the state of the world. Then this song dropped and revived my soul. Everything about this comeback, from the music video, to the styling, to the album, to the live stages, it all gave me so much joy, light, and hope during the darkest part of my year. Whenever I was feeling sad, I just turned on the MV and let the weight of the world fall away, if only for a few minutes. It’s hard to describe the happiness this song brings me. So without all that emotional attachment, this song might have ranked a bit lower on this list (although not by much, it’s still a great song). But as it stands, this song means a lot to me, so I believe this spot is justified.

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Honorable Mentions

We have a few different categories of honorable mentions this time!

General

Cool by Weki Meki

I Can’t Stop Me by Twice

Beautiful-x by Verivery

Fiesta by Iz*one

Basquiat by Pentagon

Obliviate by Lovelyz

Given-Taken by Enhypen

Cravity

Break All The Rules

Cloud 9

Flame

Ohh Ahh

Yes that’s all of their releases. I couldn’t decide on an order between them alone so I just omitted them from the list entirely lol

OSTs

Show Your Heart by Chan (A.C.E)

Into the I-Land by IU

Ballads

Cause you don’t really listen to ballads the same way as bops, but I’d still like to acknowledge them

From Home by NCT U

First Love by Hong Chang Woo feat. Jun, Donghun, & Chan (A.C.E)

When We Were Us by Super Junior K.R.Y.

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1

Answer

Ateez

This was one of, if not the first, song I ed in 2020, and I haven’t stopped listening to it. Everything about it masterfully crafted. The vocals are breathtaking, the instrumental is spectacular, and the pacing is impeccable. It is proud and grand and victorious, exactly the anthem I needed throughout this year. I don’t have much more to say about it. I think it can speak for itself.

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Congratulations! You made it to the end!

As horrible as 2020 was, we did get countless amazing songs, so I’m very curious to hear your thoughts on which ones ended up on my list, whether you agree or disagree. So please let me know, and thank you for reading!