The year 2024 brought a remarkable collection of iconic songs that left a lasting impact on music lovers and pop culture alike. From chart-topping anthems to viral sensations, these tracks shaped the soundscape of the year and became more than just background music. They became the soundtrack to shared experiences, resonating deeply through platforms like TikTok, late-night drives, and moments of emotional reflection. These songs captured the spirit of 2024 with their unforgettable beats, poignant lyrics, and undeniable appeal. Here’s a closer look at the defining tracks of the year and what made them resonate so universally.
“Apple” by Charli XCX
Charli XCX kicked off the summer with a bang. “Apple” is a sassy, synth-packed masterpiece that came straight off her BRAT album, which by the way, might just be her most iconic work yet. With its infectious beat and unapologetically playful lyrics, it was made for TikTok. Like, it literally birthed its own dance challenge, and suddenly every other video was people twirling and snapping in their bedrooms.
This song didn’t just live on social media, though. It hit 250 million streams on Spotify and scored huge moments at Charli’s live shows, where everyone in the pit screamed the lyrics like it was their personal anthem. Charli’s cool-girl energy combined with this track’s playful vibe? Ugh, so unmatched.
“Birds of a Feather” by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish struck again with “Birds of a Feather,” a track so raw and haunting that it felt like it was pulled straight from everyone’s lingering heartbreak. It’s moody yet powerful, with her signature vocals delivering gut-punch lyrics. And listen… this song owned the Grammy buzz this year, racking up three nominations. Casual, right?
Where “Birds of a Feather” really took over, though, was TikTok. Gen Z ate up those slow, dramatic edits of relationships (and yeah, even some “me and my friends in 2018” montages) soundtracked to this gem. The emotional depth, combined with its brooding aesthetic, had us all feeling so seen. By the end of the year, it surpassed a billion streams on Spotify. Queen vibes only.
“Espresso” by Sabrina Carpenter
Sabrina Carpenter said caffeine has nothing on her because her song “Espresso” brought all the energy this year. This was the undisputed soundtrack for anyone living their main character life. Whether you were catching feelings, chasing goals, or just pretending you were in a rom-com montage, this track was the vibe.
“Espresso” was one of those songs that followed you everywhere—in the car, at coffee shops (on repeat, duh), and of course, all over TikTok. Shoutout to the dance trend where people literally pretended to sip coffee while transitioning into serving looks. Oh, and don’t even get me started on her music video. It was peak aesthetic goals with moody lighting and killer outfits. No surprise this pop masterpiece soared past a billion Spotify streams.
“Good Luck, Babe!” by Chappell Roan
Chappell Roan owned 2024, plain and simple. “Good Luck, Babe!” was the breakup anthem we didn’t know we needed. It was both empowering and cathartic, perfect for screaming-into-your-pillow moments or blasting while blocking your ex on socials. (Pro tip.)
This track exploded online, partly because it was so insanely relatable. The snarky-yet-sentimental lyrics found their way onto quotes in Instagram captions and into endless TikTok lip-sync videos. Chappell’s ability to make us feel angst, sass, and triumph all in one song? An art form. Plus, props to her live performances where fans sang every lyric back like it was therapy.
“Magnetic” by ILLIT
K-POP fans, rise! ILLIT’s “Magnetic” debut track firmly planted this girl group at the top of our playlists. It wasn’t just a K-POP obsession; it broke boundaries and brought their catchy beats into the Western market too. Trust me, everyone had these sweet vocals stuck in their head at some point.
TikTok basically crowned it the sound of the year, with dreamy FYP videos transitioning between stunning makeup looks, aesthetic montages, or “a day in my life as a CEO” fake-daily-logs. We love multifunctional bops! With millions of streams and a fanbase that feels like it’s growing by the second, ILLIT has all of us counting down to 2025.
Why These Songs Hit Differently
Here’s the thing about viral hits in 2024. It’s no longer just about the track itself. It’s about how the music makes us feel and the communities it creates. Songs like “Birds of a Feather” or “Good Luck, Babe!” resonated emotionally, while fun bangers like “Espresso” and “Apple” gave us permission to loosen up and just vibe.
Thanks to platforms like TikTok, Spotify, and YouTube, these songs didn’t just live on our playlists; they became the background music to our lives. Whether we were crying over our latest situationship, prepping for hot girl walks, or socially oversharing, viral music in 2024 hit every beat (pun intended).
