2024 was the 'year of pop music.' These are the 5 songs Vancouverites streamed most
Taylor Swift named global top artist by multiple streaming services, but wasn't in Vancouver's top 5 list
It's no surprise to those in Vancouver, especially after a recent weekend of Taylor Swift mania, that pop music, particularly by female artists, dominated global music charts in 2024.
Streaming service data highlights how Swift's music is part of a broader trend, with upbeat, catchy, and sometimes emotional pop songs becoming increasingly popular worldwide. Vancouver mirrored this trend, with local listeners embracing the edgy vibes and country influences in the latest hits by pop artists.
David Metzer, a music professor at the University of British Columbia, remarked, "I think this was the year of pop music."
Top 5 Most-Played Spotify Songs in Vancouver:
- Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter
- A Bar Song (Tipsy) by Shaboozey
- Beautiful Things by Benson Boone
- I Had Some Help by Post Malone ft. Morgan Wallen
- Birds of a Feather by Billie Eilish
Vancouver's favorite Spotify tracks aligned closely with the global top five, which also included Espresso, Beautiful Things, and Birds of a Feather in the top three spots, with Gata Only by FloyyMenor and Cris MJ and Lose Control by Teddy Swims rounding out the global top five.
Apple Music also placed Espresso, Beautiful Things, and A Bar Song (Tipsy) in its top five, along with Not Like Us by Kendrick Lamar and Cruel Summer by Swift.
Billie Eilish was named the 2024 artist of the year by Apple Music, while both Spotify and Amazon Music awarded the honor to Swift.
Metzer observed that the pop music of 2024 is quite different from what people knew in past decades. He explained that young female artists this year have used traditional pop elements like catchy melodies and bright vocals to tell more sincere and personal stories than earlier stars like Britney Spears, Katy Perry, and Justin Timberlake.
Metzer mentioned that artists like Swift, Eilish, and Chappell Roan have moved beyond typical songs about romance and happiness, offering listeners a glimpse into their real lives. "It's an exuberance that sees beyond the exuberance in many ways, to the larger world around it," he said, attributing this authenticity to the kind of music that audiences have been craving.
Top 10 Most-Borrowed CDs in Greater Victoria Public Library in 2024:
- Hackney Diamonds by The Rolling Stones
- 1989 (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift
- The Tortured Poets Department by Taylor Swift
- Midnights by Taylor Swift
- Speak Now (Taylor's Version) by Taylor Swift
- Live at the Fillmore, 1997 by Tom Petty
- Evermore by Taylor Swift
- One Deep River by Mark Knopfler
- 1962-1966 by The Beatles
- Visions by Norah Jones
While Taylor Swift's presence dominated, the list indicates that B.C. residents aren't just focused on modern pop. Metzer noted that borrowing a CD or vinyl offers a different experience than streaming music, where algorithms often recommend songs based on past listening habits.
He added, "The reality of it is it's a medium that will homogenize music, that will aim to create a similarity, because the goal of it is to keep you streaming."
For those in B.C. looking to explore new music in 2025, Metzer suggests actively seeking out different genres and new artists. "My friends always call it a bumpy ride, but I like the bumpy rides," he said. "I mean, it keeps you awake, it makes you appreciate each song."
