Variety Unveils Hitmakers’ Top 25 Songs of 2025: ‘Ordinary,’ ‘Luther’ and More

The nature of a hit song continues to evolve. While music has always provided a personal soundtrack to our lives, today's hits also form the sonic backbone for countless social media videos and digital posts, amplifying their role in our shared cultural memory. This year's annual Hitmakers list, however, reveals a striking trend. Unlike 2024, which featured 13 songs from its own release year in the final Top 25, the 2025 tally includes only seven new tracks. A dominant 16 entries are carryovers from 2024, with four songs—"A Bar Song (Tipsy)," "Lose Control," "Beautiful Things," and "Not Like Us"—repeating their Top 10 status from the previous year.

The reasons behind this unusual chart persistence are multifaceted. A full analysis will be published online later this week, but the core explanation points to 2024 being an exceptionally strong year for pop music. Many songs, particularly those from emerging artists, demonstrated remarkable staying power. This is not to say 2025 lacked its own blockbuster moments. The year saw major impacts from acts like Alex Warren, Kendrick Lamar, and Morgan Wallen, alongside exciting new entries from artists such as the Marías, Bad Bunny, and Leon Thomas. The chart data itself is provided by Luminate, the definitive data partner for Variety and Billboard, ensuring its accuracy and industry authority.

This analysis is part of Variety's broader Hitmakers celebration, which includes online content all week and a live event in Los Angeles on Saturday. The honorees reflect the year's diverse musical landscape. The cover star and Hitmaker of the Year is Sabrina Carpenter, whose strategic singles and viral moments defined much of the pop conversation. She is joined by an array of talent including Tate McRae, blues legend Buddy Guy, country breakout Megan Moroney, and producers like Jack Antonoff and Sounwave. Other recognized artists range from K-pop star Rosé to viral rapper BigXThaPlug, showcasing the wide spectrum of success.

The selection of these honorees, apart from the strictly data-driven Top 25, is the result of editorial research and industry discussion. As music critic Anya Sharma noted in a recent panel, "We're witnessing a consolidation of cultural attention. When a song resonates across multiple platforms for over a year, it signifies a deeper, more sustained connection with the audience that transcends a typical release cycle." This year's list, blending enduring hits from 2024 with powerful new 2025 entries, ultimately underscores a single, clear conclusion: it was another phenomenal year for music, defined by both longevity and vibrant new energy.