Top 10 Songs that Most Perfectly Describe the Year 2020

It's the year that asked us, "What's next?" and then promptly answered with another curveball. It was a rollercoaster of emotions, with the coronavirus pandemic gripping the world, social unrest and protests in the wake of George Floyd's death shaking the US, and various statues around the world getting a one-way ticket to oblivion. Amid this whirlwind of events, music has been a constant companion -offering solace, sparking contemplation, and even fueling the fires of change.

But which songs, you might ask, have been able to distill the essence of 2020 into melodies and lyrics? Which anthems have resonated with our collective experience, reflecting the tumultuous waves of the pandemic, the stirring quest for justice, and the echoes of history being rewritten? That's where this dynamic list comes in - songs that most perfectly describe the year 2020.
The Top Ten
Don't Stand So Close to Me - The Police
Help! - The Beatles

Put it in whatever context you want, but Help! seems fitting for every social issue mentioned in this list.

We Didn’t Start the Fire - Billy Joel
20/20 - Survivor

I figured I'd start out with a simple song that's kind of ironically formatted as "20/20 - Survivor." At this point, surviving 2020 is a miracle.

2020 has been awful so far, so I'm grateful I survived it.

Unless you're describing the rating.

Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi
The End - The Beatles

Don't freak out. I'm just saying the year is almost done. I'm by no means implying Armageddon.

Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi
It's the End of the World as We Know It (And I Feel Fine) - R.E.M.

This seems pretty likely due to inflation and the riots.

Doom and Gloom - The Rolling Stones

At this point, this song sums up 2020 in three words. The Rolling Stones are so optimistic.

I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

I don't even like this song, but we need to stay positive.

The Contenders
Social Disease - Bon Jovi
American Idiot - Green Day

Those rioters were exactly this. I envy you if you live elsewhere.

Both sides see each other as this.

Hey God - Bon Jovi

Although I don't have the pent-up anger Jon does in this song, I am thinking, "Hey God! Remember us? A little help? Please? Amen."

Misery - Maroon 5

It's funny that this album is called Hands All Over, since that's exactly what we're trying to avoid, but I agree.

A pretty universal feeling in 2020. I don't think I know a single soul who wasn't in misery during quarantine.

Keep Holding On - Avril Lavigne

True, because this year has been crazy, but we should keep holding on.

Hold On - Wilson Phillips

For when the world is properly reunited with their loved ones.

The Wild Boys - Duran Duran
Don't Stop Believin' - Journey

I considered ending my top 10 songs with "Welcome to Hell," but I decided to end this list on a high note and some optimism. So, "Don't Stop Believin'" it is.

True, this year was awful, but we should still believe in it and stay positive.

Thanks for having at least some optimism at the end.

Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Harder to Breathe - Maroon 5
Slipped Away - Avril Lavigne
Everything Sux - Descendents

Everything sucks because the same people who were whining about 2020 also whined about 2019. I bet they'll whine about 2021 too.

Yeah, everything kind of does suck, to put it bluntly.

Exactly. Couldn't describe it better.

Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day
Another One Bites the Dust - Queen
We are Warriors - Avril Lavigne

I think that's why Avril Lavigne made this song in the first place.

Did anyone know Avril got this song from her album Head Above Water, where it was called Warrior? A fact, just in case no one knew.

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