I like to start each new year by featuring the most popular songs of the previous year that I never got around to covering — a final round of ‘What the Kids are Listening To.’ And though 2026 doesn’t get here until Thursday, I’m kicking things off today.
First, a recap of the eight most popular songs of 2025 (according to the Billboard Hot 100), all of which did receive the Song of the Day treatment:
At #2 on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 is ‘Die with a Smile,’ the collab between Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars.
The song was released in August of 2024 and kicked around the top ten for months until finally reaching #1 in January of this year. It has been kept alive on the charts by the release of multiple alternate versions, a Grammy win, and inclusion on Gaga’s latest album, Mayhem.
I’m developing a theory that the Hot 100 over the last two decades has been a lot more stagnant than in previous years. In other words, fewer songs are spending a longer amount of time in the upper echelons of the chart.
I’m basing this admittedly half-baked idea on the fact that the 2013 edition of Throwback Thursdays has produced the most repeats by far. Just take a look at the chart on the week of July 27, 2013.
At the #2 spot on this week’s Billboard Hot 100 is ‘Leave the Door Open,’ a smooth R&B jam by Silk Sonic.
If you’re like me, this is the first you’ve heard of Silk Sonic, which you’ll quickly realize is a super-duo formed by Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak. Paak opened for Mars a few years ago and the two began a collaboration that culminated in the surprise drop of this song and a promise of a future album.
At #2 on Billboard’s Hot 100 this week is Bruno Mars with ‘That’s What I Like,’ the second single from 24K Magic.
I like this song better than the album’s title track, which aimed for ‘Uptown Funk’ status but fell short. This one is sweeter and catchier. It has a hell of a cool video, too.
Meet Me In Montauk 