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. These are the songs that most perfectly describe the year 2020.

The Top Ten

Bad Medicine - Bon Jovi
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
Don't Stand So Close to Me - The Police

Another Coronavirus anthem. What a great year 2020 is.
The End - The Beatles

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

A friend of mine played this song during that year.
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.
Screaming Goats - Cotton and Gin

As silly as this may be, it sums up my feelings for this year without actually using lyrics.

I played the sample, and here are my thoughts: This is perfect. How ain't this #1?
I Will Survive - Gloria Gaynor

I don't even like this song, but we need to stay positive.
Livin' On a Prayer - Bon Jovi

Much like Help!, Livin' On a Prayer is fitting for COVID-19, the riots, and so on.

The Newcomers

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People=S*** - Slipknot

This describes the whole decade so far because humanity seems to be getting worse.
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F2020 - Avenue Beat

This should be #1. The song is literally about how much 2020 sucks.

The Contenders

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.
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.
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."
Who's Crying Now - Journey

A lot of people over a lot of things.
Stairway to Heaven - Led Zeppelin
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.
Complicated - Avril Lavigne
Harder to Breathe - Maroon 5
Doom and Gloom - The Rolling Stones

At this point, this song sums up 2020 in three words. The Rolling Stones are so optimistic.
Social Disease - Bon Jovi

This is what coronavirus literally is.
American Idiot - Green Day

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

Both sides see each other as this.
Slipped Away - Avril Lavigne
Wake Me Up When September Ends - Green Day

Wake me up when 2020 ends.
But if - and God forbid this - 2021 sucks as much as 2020 has, let me sleep my life away.
I Want to Hold Your Hand - The Beatles

I'm sure plenty of people want to hold hands but are afraid to do so.