I can't monetize my videos because I review copyrighted music. If you enjoy what I do here, please consider supporting me on Patreon, starting at just $1 (literally just 4 quarters) per video: (https://bit.ly/3mt5AKb)
Chappell Roan might be one of the most incredible artists in recent memory, and I mean that in the best way possible. Her music has a power to it that emphasizes why I love pop music so much. It’s the combination of catchy hooks, anthemic nature, and emotional power that give her music so much to latch onto. Even with how amazing all her hits have been, Pink Pony Club is the easy favorite for damn good reason!
Honestly, watching a 2024 list in December 2025 feels pretty on theme for this year. Great writing as always – with a few tweaks, you probably could've released it as this year's list considering how the charts have barely moved.
I'm chronically late to the party most of the time but one of my proudest "I knew them before they were big" moments was getting into Chappell Roan and Magdalena Bay round about the same time. Pink Pony Club popped up in my Discover Now round about 2022 and I was hooked from the first dramatic-ass "GOOOOOD, what have you done????"
When Rise and Fall came out, I remember thinking "In a just world she would be a superstar but we live in this one sadly." Watching her go from slept on to gay famous to actual mainstream my-mom-knows-who-she-is famous in the space of a few months was surreal.
Earlier this year, I was staying at a hotel next to a venue where there was a massive party going on. At one point, Pink Pony Club started playing before the sound cut out and there was this collective audible groan. I half thought I imagined it. Then it starts playing again and suddenly there's a hall full of people singing along at the top of their lungs. Legit felt like a proud aunt. 🦄
Some fantastic observations this list. Here's my thoughts. 10) Well of course. 9) Eh, it's good, but I prefer "Pink Pony Club". 8) I don't get it. 🙁 7) Well of course! 6) Some fantastic analysis on this one. I gotta check out that Tyler the Creator album. 5a) I'm not sold, sorry. Reason why: I don't "buy" Luke Combs of all people as the voice of the generation who'll never own a house. 5b) …And aside from that, I'm just not a big Luke Combs fan. 4) It's REALLY good, but I prefer "Pink Pony Club". 3) Ugh. Don't tell me even Zach Bryan, who made my favorite song of 2023, is just another abusive personality in music? That's genuinely disheartening. Anyway, great song. 2) Well of COURSE! 1) It's fantastic, but I prefer "Pink Pony Clu -" oh wait, never mind! One other thought: Even before the inevitable Kendrick section, there is a sly dig at Drake. I have absolutely no basis for this assumption but I feel like saying "I taught you well, my student." Happy holidays everyone!
Your thoughtful analysis and humorous approach to pop criticism is always well worth the wait. And of course it’s always a delight to see Wally the Wally the Lizard 😊
Well, I’m reminded why I don’t listen to pop, as there’s maybe two songs here I wouldn’t turn off. (I genuinely wish I liked Chappell Roan. She’s clearly very talented. She just doesn’t work for me.)
But, as always, I’ve really enjoyed your thoughts and analysis. I especially appreciated your segment on Euphoria. I’ve listened to Not Like Us more, but Euphoria is a better song. I’ve also noted similarities between Drake and The Orange One more than once.
I remember on the first listen of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, I thought that Pink Pony Club was annoying. But after a couple more listens, it brought me to tears consistently. It truly is an amazing song.
1:03:32 yes he fucking did lmao euphoria is absolutely choosing violence even if it's not physical and meet the Graham's is one of the most violent songs I've ever heard
If you want a great example of Pink Pony Club's power, I highly recommend looking up the video "Queer Cinema – Pink Pony Club" by filmbrolesbian. It's a compilation of clips from various queer films and TV shows throughout the years set to this song, and it is seriously one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen on this website. I literally can't get through it without tearing up, and I've watched it dozens of times.
Great list as always! Even though it's late, for the most understandable reasons, it's just… nice to hear your analysis of pop music of the prior year now. I'm not an adventorous music listener, while also not always being keen on what's playing on the radio… But I greatly appreciate having you (and Todd) as windows into what pop music in America is like.
You are a great storyteller. I agree that Pink Pony Club is a fantastic song. this is why normally when music critics bring up this song on their best of list, I skip it as I find there is nothing new to add to the discussion. However, the way you lead into the Pink PonyClub segment in describing there were some artists you have heard before becoming popular, transitioning smoothly into discussing how Pink pony club stuck out differently to you from all other songs performed by this artist that you first heard of in July 2024, and then tying it all together when you describe your realization that you heard this song in 2020, I found to be absolutely engaging. Which is why, I did not skip this segment, unlike I would have done with most other music critics.
As a gay woman, I was stuck in a backwards, homophobic town until the age of 27, so repressed and afraid that I couldn't even admit my sexuality to myself, let alone the people around me. I'm 34 now, and I still can't listen to Pink Pony Club without crying. And when critics – even straight men like you and Todd – heap praise upon it, I get teary-eyed again. The song feels like hope, but fuck, does it also feel like mourning.
No, I get it on the Fast Car bit. It feels like someone telling a story of someone else's struggle, and at that token of storytelling, it can feel crushing not knowing if that person made it or not, and Luke Combs makes you feel that part of it.
Explaining the hectic schedule you've been under for the past few years, while One Little Slip from Chicken Little plays in the background, is exactly why I'm subscribed.
Never a fan of the same artist having more than 2 spots on a top 10 list, kind of makes the video boring. Outside of that great vid, happy to see you posting consistently again.
Felt like that one yakuza gif when learning that surround sound didn't make the list, but in all fairness I don't know if I'd sub out any of the ones that made the list for it. The year was that damn good
As someone who was, at best, neutral on Luke Combs’ Fast Car prior to now, your explanation of why his version hits so hard literally brought me to tears.
Man…it's a testament to how much this year has felt more like five, because I'm looking back at all these and going "Surely that wasn't only a year ago." (Also. God, yeah, being 28 is really like that huh.)
On a happier note, I really felt the joy of experiencing music while watching this, both from the commentary and within myself. Maybe it's because I've reconnected more with my own musical background this past year, but I WAS reminded through this video of why art is so transformative and awesome, so thank you for that.
I've made more than 100 countdowns/rankings just like this one, check them out here if you're interested: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLauo745QVvas5UNSvDPD4xHjW1SvbaWK9
I can't monetize my videos because I review copyrighted music. If you enjoy what I do here, please consider supporting me on Patreon, starting at just $1 (literally just 4 quarters) per video: (https://bit.ly/3mt5AKb)
The ability of anyone to listen to Kendrick Lamar continues to baffle me to my core
Wait wasn’t Dial Drunk your most listened to song of 2024
Chappell Roan might be one of the most incredible artists in recent memory, and I mean that in the best way possible. Her music has a power to it that emphasizes why I love pop music so much. It’s the combination of catchy hooks, anthemic nature, and emotional power that give her music so much to latch onto. Even with how amazing all her hits have been, Pink Pony Club is the easy favorite for damn good reason!
Honestly, watching a 2024 list in December 2025 feels pretty on theme for this year. Great writing as always – with a few tweaks, you probably could've released it as this year's list considering how the charts have barely moved.
I'm chronically late to the party most of the time but one of my proudest "I knew them before they were big" moments was getting into Chappell Roan and Magdalena Bay round about the same time. Pink Pony Club popped up in my Discover Now round about 2022 and I was hooked from the first dramatic-ass "GOOOOOD, what have you done????"
When Rise and Fall came out, I remember thinking "In a just world she would be a superstar but we live in this one sadly." Watching her go from slept on to gay famous to actual mainstream my-mom-knows-who-she-is famous in the space of a few months was surreal.
Earlier this year, I was staying at a hotel next to a venue where there was a massive party going on. At one point, Pink Pony Club started playing before the sound cut out and there was this collective audible groan. I half thought I imagined it. Then it starts playing again and suddenly there's a hall full of people singing along at the top of their lungs. Legit felt like a proud aunt. 🦄
One day you’ll see Like Him needed to be above Fast Car!
Some fantastic observations this list. Here's my thoughts.
10) Well of course.
9) Eh, it's good, but I prefer "Pink Pony Club".
8) I don't get it. 🙁
7) Well of course!
6) Some fantastic analysis on this one. I gotta check out that Tyler the Creator album.
5a) I'm not sold, sorry. Reason why: I don't "buy" Luke Combs of all people as the voice of the generation who'll never own a house.
5b) …And aside from that, I'm just not a big Luke Combs fan.
4) It's REALLY good, but I prefer "Pink Pony Club".
3) Ugh. Don't tell me even Zach Bryan, who made my favorite song of 2023, is just another abusive personality in music? That's genuinely disheartening. Anyway, great song.
2) Well of COURSE!
1) It's fantastic, but I prefer "Pink Pony Clu -" oh wait, never mind!
One other thought: Even before the inevitable Kendrick section, there is a sly dig at Drake. I have absolutely no basis for this assumption but I feel like saying "I taught you well, my student."
Happy holidays everyone!
Your thoughtful analysis and humorous approach to pop criticism is always well worth the wait. And of course it’s always a delight to see Wally the Wally the Lizard 😊
Well, I’m reminded why I don’t listen to pop, as there’s maybe two songs here I wouldn’t turn off. (I genuinely wish I liked Chappell Roan. She’s clearly very talented. She just doesn’t work for me.)
But, as always, I’ve really enjoyed your thoughts and analysis. I especially appreciated your segment on Euphoria. I’ve listened to Not Like Us more, but Euphoria is a better song. I’ve also noted similarities between Drake and The Orange One more than once.
I remember on the first listen of The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, I thought that Pink Pony Club was annoying. But after a couple more listens, it brought me to tears consistently. It truly is an amazing song.
1:03:32 yes he fucking did lmao euphoria is absolutely choosing violence even if it's not physical and meet the Graham's is one of the most violent songs I've ever heard
If my counting is correct, the 2025 Billboard Year End List has:
16 songs that were on last year’s Billboard list
Another 16 songs that were on last year’s V30
And 4 Christmas songs
That leaves 64 songs (less than 2/3 of the list) that (by my definition) count as 2025 hits.
Thank god for the V30, man.
Are there any actually good pop songs released in 2025?
If you want a great example of Pink Pony Club's power, I highly recommend looking up the video "Queer Cinema – Pink Pony Club" by filmbrolesbian. It's a compilation of clips from various queer films and TV shows throughout the years set to this song, and it is seriously one of the most beautiful things I've ever seen on this website. I literally can't get through it without tearing up, and I've watched it dozens of times.
Great list as always! Even though it's late, for the most understandable reasons, it's just… nice to hear your analysis of pop music of the prior year now. I'm not an adventorous music listener, while also not always being keen on what's playing on the radio… But I greatly appreciate having you (and Todd) as windows into what pop music in America is like.
Much love from Germany!
Wait surround sound is like way before 2024 also that song fucks insanely hard should've been on the list jid is amazing
You are a great storyteller. I agree that Pink Pony Club is a fantastic song. this is why normally when music critics bring up this song on their best of list, I skip it as I find there is nothing new to add to the discussion. However, the way you lead into the Pink PonyClub segment in describing there were some artists you have heard before becoming popular, transitioning smoothly into discussing how Pink pony club stuck out differently to you from all other songs performed by this artist that you first heard of in July 2024, and then tying it all together when you describe your realization that you heard this song in 2020, I found to be absolutely engaging. Which is why, I did not skip this segment, unlike I would have done with most other music critics.
As a gay woman, I was stuck in a backwards, homophobic town until the age of 27, so repressed and afraid that I couldn't even admit my sexuality to myself, let alone the people around me. I'm 34 now, and I still can't listen to Pink Pony Club without crying. And when critics – even straight men like you and Todd – heap praise upon it, I get teary-eyed again. The song feels like hope, but fuck, does it also feel like mourning.
No, I get it on the Fast Car bit. It feels like someone telling a story of someone else's struggle, and at that token of storytelling, it can feel crushing not knowing if that person made it or not, and Luke Combs makes you feel that part of it.
Explaining the hectic schedule you've been under for the past few years, while One Little Slip from Chicken Little plays in the background, is exactly why I'm subscribed.
Never a fan of the same artist having more than 2 spots on a top 10 list, kind of makes the video boring. Outside of that great vid, happy to see you posting consistently again.
OH YEAH BABY IM READY TO ENTER THE SEANNISANCE. ONE OF MY FAVORITE YOUTUBERS BOUTTA BE BLESSING US WITH TONS OF GREAT VIDS
1:00:40 those fucking Bells. The thing that lives in my brain are those bells that turn the beat into Dragon Ball Z boss music.
Felt like that one yakuza gif when learning that surround sound didn't make the list, but in all fairness I don't know if I'd sub out any of the ones that made the list for it. The year was that damn good
39:14 I didn’t particularly like this song until I saw this performance and saw how excited he was to be performing with Tracy
As someone who was, at best, neutral on Luke Combs’ Fast Car prior to now, your explanation of why his version hits so hard literally brought me to tears.
Based shadow of the colossus intro…
So…2025 will be on time this year right……right?……RIGHT?!!!!
GREAT VIDEO BTW SEAN
Man…it's a testament to how much this year has felt more like five, because I'm looking back at all these and going "Surely that wasn't only a year ago." (Also. God, yeah, being 28 is really like that huh.)
On a happier note, I really felt the joy of experiencing music while watching this, both from the commentary and within myself. Maybe it's because I've reconnected more with my own musical background this past year, but I WAS reminded through this video of why art is so transformative and awesome, so thank you for that.