Let us take a trip back in time 10 years. Picture hoverboards catching on fire, selfie sticks everywhere you turn and the viral debate over the blue-and-black or white-and-gold dress. While 2015 had a fair share of influencer drama and cringe-worthy trends, you might find yourself missing the year of the Snapchat puppy dog filter. This week’s 13 Beats features some of the year’s most iconic releases:
1. “Hello” – Adele
Boasting over one billion streams on Spotify, “Hello” has cemented its place as a favorite pop ballad. “Hello from the other side, I must’ve called a thousand times,” Adele sings to an ex-lover she no longer speaks to.
2. “Hotline Bling” – Drake
“You used to call me on my cellphone late night when you need my love,” Drake sings, reminiscing on moments with his former lover. The song inspired many fans to create memes of Drake dancing in the music video.
3. “Sorry” – Justin Bieber
Hearing “Sorry” all over the radio in 2015, I must confess that I bought the entire “Purpose” album for my music library. Justin Bieber begs a past lover to forgive him in this catchy pop hit.
4. “Lean On” – Major Lazer, DJ Snake, MØ
In this dance track, MØ sings about the importance of having people in your life you can count on: “What will we do when we get old? Will we walk down the same road? Will you be there by my side?” This pop/EDM sound helped lay the groundwork for the now-trending house music.
5. “Trap Queen” – Fetty Wap
I would give anything to hear “Trap Queen” play at its peak popularity, blasting at a 2015 frat party. Fetty Wap also released a handful of year-defining bangers like “679” and “Again.”
6. “Here” – Alessia Cara
“But really I would rather be at home all by myself, not in this room with people who don’t even care about my wellbeing,” Alessia Cara sings about feeling overwhelmed at a party. Her alto range gives the song a rich and sultry feel.
7. “Perfect” – One Direction
2015 represented a pivotal year for One Direction. After Zayn Malik announced his departure from the band, the group released this upbeat anthem. “If you like to do the things you know that we shouldn’t do, then baby I’m perfect for you,” Harry Styles sings, pitching himself to a potential lover.
8. “Stitches” – Shawn Mendes
Shawn Mendes’s debut album is full of earworms that get stuck in your head, most notably the catchy pop track “Stitches.” Mendes sings about the overwhelming feelings of sadness and loss after a breakup: “Now that I’m without your kisses, I’ll be needing stitches.”
9. “One Last Time” – Ariana Grande
“One last time, I need to be the one who takes you home,” Ariana Grande croons in this emotional song about not wanting a relationship to end. Grande’s signature high ponytails became one of 2015’s most popular styles.
10. “Roses” – The Chainsmokers, Rozes
Another iconic EDM track to come out in 2015, the hit song “Roses” put The Chainsmokers on the map. “Roses” is perfect for a drive with the windows down in the summer, sparking nostalgia.
11. “Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars)” – Mark Ronson
Even though I have mixed feelings about this track because of how much it was played on the radio, it nevertheless was a defining song. Against a fun and danceable beat, Bruno Mars repeats “Uptown funk you up.”
12. “Flashlight – From ‘Pitch Perfect 2’ Soundtrack” – Jessie J
From an all-time favorite comfort movie, “Pitch Perfect 2,” Jessie J sings about someone being a good partner and guiding her through life. Lyrics like “I got all I need when I got you and I look around me and see a sweet life” emphasize how happy she is to have found her person.
13. “Colors” – Halsey
“Everything is gray: his hair, his smoke, his dreams,” Halsey sings in this track about watching someone go through changes that you don’t like. “Colors” has recently re-surfaced on TikTok, maybe paying homage to the 10 years it has been since it came out.
