My Spotify Wrapped 2022 – Every Song Ranked

One of the things I look forward to most at the end of each year is my Spotify Wrapped – I usually have no idea which songs were my most-played, so it’s always an eye-opening experience.

Since I’ve gotten into the habit of ranking things on this blog, I thought it would be fun to give my entire Wrapped playlist a go! If anything, it’ll be a fun showcase of some of my favourite songs. WARNING – there are a lot of David Bowie, Muse and Talking Heads songs ahead!

Before we begin, here are a few of my related blog posts:

100 – Compliance (Muse)

When “Compliance”, the second lead single to Muse’s latest album, came out, I wasn’t a fan. After many repeat listens, that still remains the case.

It’s far too poppy and cliché for my liking, and you can’t help but feel that Muse are past their best when listening to this. Luckily, this is the only song from my Spotify Wrapped that I don’t like.

99 – Will Of The People (Muse)

The opening song from the latest Muse album, and it’s alright.

98 – You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween (Muse)

I’m on the fence when it comes to “You Make Me Feel Like It’s Halloween”.

On the one hand it’s another tacky Muse song, but on the other it’s a fun seasonal track with a funky bassline and cool vibes.

97 – Won’t Stand Down (Muse)

This is the last Muse song for a while, I promise!

For as much as I listened to “Won’t Stand Down” (and the rest of the recent Muse album), I could never quite get into it. This track is decent, but it doesn’t wow me.

96 – M1 A1 (Gorillaz)

An underrated Gorillaz track – I think it’s a great way to end their debut album.

95 – Paddling Out (Miike Snow)

A couple of classic Fifa songs made my top 100, and “Paddling Out” is one of my favourites. The chorus is catchy as hell.

94 – Welcome To Los Santos (Oh No)

I’m not exactly sure why the GTA V opening song made it onto my Wrapped, but oh well.

I love the bassline, and the rest of the groove really gets you in the mindset for a Los Santos rampage.

93 – Release Party (James Righton)

I went to see LCD Soundsystem in Brixton a few months ago, and James Righton was the opening act.

He did a really good job of getting the crowd pumped all by himself, and my favourite one from his set was easily “Release Party”.

92 – WTFIGO (Bo Burnham)

I loved Bo Burnham’s “Inside” Netflix special, so imagine my surprise when he suddenly released all of the outtakes.

“WTFIGO” is one of my favourites to not make the cut, and if it was longer it would be a proper banger. “The Chicken” was also an exceptional outtake.

91 – Never as Tired as When I’m Waking Up (LCD Soundsystem)

“Never as Tired as When I’m Waking Up” is completely different to every other LCD Soundsystem song, but that’s why I love it.

It’s moody and depressive, with a really slick Beatles-esque guitar outro riff to really hammer the point home.

90 – The Next Day (David Bowie)

A great opener / title track to Bowie’s 2013 comeback album, “The Next Day” is fully of energy and provocative lyrics.

89 – Fade (Kanye West)

2022 was the year I got into Kanye West a little more … So yeah, I didn’t exactly pick a great year to do it.

“Fade” is a song I kept replaying for the synth bassline, and the breakdown near the end is really strong.

88 – Watermelon Sugar (Harry Styles)

I thought “As It Was” was a little repetitive and one-note, but it did lead me to revisit some of Harry Styles’s older works.

“Watermelon Sugar” is easily my favourite song of his, with its chic instrumentation and hella catchy chorus.

87 – Looking for Water (David Bowie)

“Reality” is a Bowie album that I could never get into, but the more I listen to it the more I start to appreciate some of the deeper cuts.

“Looking for Water” is a great little rock number, with a slick bassline to boot.

86 – The Killing Moon (Echo & The Bunnymen)

There’s a darkness to “The Killing Moon” that I really love – it sounds unlike any 80’s song I’ve heard.

The bridge is a real highlight, with some fantastically dramatic guitar riffs.

85 – The Weight (The Band)

These kinds of country / American rock ballads aren’t usually my favourites, but the vocal harmonies on “The Weight” keep me coming back again and again.

84 – Omen (Disclosure feat. Sam Smith)

A banger of a FIFA track, and bonus points for somehow rhyming “relocating” in a song.

83 – Talk Show Host (Radiohead)

An underrated Radiohead deep-cut, “Talk Show Host” has great lyrics and some really haunting production.

82 – Charlemagne (Blossoms)

A catchy chorus and a brilliant bridge, “Charlemagne” still remains one of my favourite modern tracks.

81 – One Touch (LCD Soundsystem)

“One Touch” has one of the best build-ups in any LCD Soundsystem song, and the thumping beats are like an adrenaline shot to the veins.

80 – There’d Better Be A Mirrorball (Arctic Monkeys)

Arctic Monkeys came out with a really unique sound in 2022, and their first single “There’d Better Be A Mirrorball” feels like a warm bath.

79 – Hush (Deep Purple)

60’s songs don’t get much more frantic than this.

78 – Cat People (Putting Out Fire) (David Bowie)

It’s the non-album version of “Cat People (Putting Out Fire)” that I love most – Bowie’s vocals sound sensual and personal.

77 – Wide Open Space (Mansun)

I caught this song on the radio by chance, and have loved it ever since. The melodies and lyrics are top-notch.

76 – Bennie And The Jets (Elton John)

An Elton John classic.

75 – Grace (Jeff Buckley)

“Grace” was one of the songs I had to study during my Music classes in school, and it has stuck with me ever since. Buckley’s vocals are mesmeric.

74 – Young Folks (Peter Bjorn and John)

That whistling melody is one of the catchiest things I’ve ever heard.

73 – Bound 2 (Kanye West)

For as controversial as the guy is, Kanye West is a songwriting genius. “Bound 2” has one of the best samples I’ve ever heard.

72 – You Wanted a Hit (LCD Soundsystem)

LCD Soundsystem’s record label forced them to make a hit song, and this is what they gave them. Genius.

71 – Woke Up This Morning (Alabama 3)

Despite never having seen The Sopranos, its opening song “Woke Up This Morning” make me want to binge the series next chance I get.

70 – Space Lion (SEATBELTS)

Accompanying one of the saddest scenes in Cowboy Bebop, “Space Lion” is a saxophone masterclass followed by some uplifting chanting.

69 – Be Careful (KAYTRANADA feat. Thundercat)

What a bass sound!

68 – Heavyweight Champion of the World (Reverend And The Makers)

I knew Reverend And The Makers from their FIFA song “Shine The Light”, but I’m now inclined to say that “Heavyweight Champion of the World” is their best song.

67 – Crystal Express (Raury)

One of my best finds of the year, “Crystal Express” is a perfect example of storytelling in song done right.

66 – call the police (LCD Soundsystem)

A cracking bassline, and a chorus that makes me want to get up and scream.

65 – Runaway (Kanye West feat. Pusha T)

Sometimes the simple songs are the ones that affect you the most.

64 – Strobelite (Gorillaz feat .Peven Everett)

Alongside “Andromeda”, “Strobelite” is easily the best song on Gorillaz’s “Humanz” album.

63 – Kill Or Be Killed (Muse)

The second-best song from Muse’s latest album, “Kill Or Be Killed” is the kind of frantic rock I wish they did more of.

62 – Call Me Call Me (Steve Conte)

A power ballad to accompany one of my favourite (and one of the saddest) Cowboy Bebop scenes.

61 – I Can’t Sleep (The La’s)

A deep cut from The La’s, “I Can’t Sleep” is simple but effective with its songwriting.

60 – tonite (LCD Soundsystem)

My favourite song from “american dream”, “tonite” has all the electronic goodness I can ask for from an LCD Soundsystem song, as well as some of their best lyrics.

59 – Alright (Jamiroquai)

That disco bassline is phenomenal, and the spacey synths really give this song its own unique vibe.

58 – Black Gold (Flying Lotus feat. Thundercat)

The Netflix show “Yasuke” was hardly anything special, but it did cement me as a Thundercat fan.

The opening, Flying Lotus’s “Black Gold”, is the dictionary definition of short but sweet.

57 – Tank! (SEATBELTS)

From one opening to another, Cowboy Bebop’s opener “Tank!” is the best anime theme song ever. Period.

56 – Thru’ These Architects Eyes (David Bowie)

One of Bowie’s most underrated songs, “Thru’ These Architects Eyes” has a bassline and general groove that most other artists could only dream of.

55 – Nightcall (Kavinsky)

I went through a phase of listening to “Nightcall” almost non-stop – it ended up being my 4th most-played track of 2022!

It’s electric music done right, with a fascinating lyrical story to boot.

54 – Imperium (Madeon)

Madeon songs always get me pumped up, and “Imperium” is one of his best.

53 – Work This Time (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard)

I’ve never heard a song like “Work This Time” before – the production is so zany and out-there that I couldn’t help but fall in love. Also, the lyrics really hit home on some days.

52 – Reptile (Nine Inch Nails)

Despite releasing in the 90’s, Nine Inch Nails’ “Reptile” sounds like it could have been released today. Some of the best production I’ve ever heard.

51 – Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1 (Kanye West)

That opening drop is so gnarly that I played it on repeat all year – that was enough to make “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” my 2nd most-played song of 2022!

Also, the part in the final chorus where it all overlaps and comes together is immensely satisfying.

50 – The Last Remaining Light (Audioslave)

Audioslave is a fairly slept-on band in general, but I think most rock fans are familiar with the hits.

What they aren’t familiar with, however, is the closer from their debut album – “The Last Remaining Light” has a fantastic bassline, and one of Chris Cornell’s best vocal performances.

49 – Reckoner (Radiohead)

“In Rainbows” is a banger of an album from start to finish, and “Reckoner” is one of those tracks that gets better with every listen.

48 – A Certain Romance (Arctic Monkeys)

I’ve listened to Arctic Monkey’s debut album many times, but I always lost interest by the final few tracks. One of the biggest mistakes of my life.

The final track, “A Certain Romance”, rivals “I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor” for being the band’s best early effort.

47 – Icky Thump (The White Stripes)

It’s chaotic, it’s disorganised, but I still love “Icky Thump” for its rock riffs and gnarly solos.

46 – The Back Seat Of My Car (Paul / Linda McCartney)

Even though “Ram” as an album is a little too unfocussed for my liking, the closer “The Back Seat Of My Car” remains one of McCartney’s most bombastic and endearing solo tracks.

45 – Heat Waves (Glass Animals)

The feel-good song of 2022, I couldn’t help but be swept up in the mellow vibes of “Heat Waves” alongside everybody else.

44 – Hallo Spaceboy (Moonage Daydream Remix) (David Bowie & Pet Shop Boys)

I was a little nervous when I sat down to watch the “Moonage Daydream” Bowie documentary, but all my fears were washed away during the opening sequence.

The first scene – accompanied by the remixed version of “Hallo Spaceboy” – was etched in my mind for the rest of the year, and will be for the rest of time.

43 – Aries (Gorillaz feat. Peter Hook and Georgia)

I was a little late on the “Aries” train, but now I can see why Gorillaz fans loved it so much. One of the best choruses they’ve ever done.

42 – Kinky Afro (Happy Mondays)

My 5th most-played song of the year, “Kinky Afro” isn’t the most technical song, but my god is it a blast to listen to.

41 – Intrasport (King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard)

“Work This Time” seems to be everyone’s favourite King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard song, but that’s only because they haven’t heard “Intrasport”.

It’s the kind of frantic chaos that gets under your skin, and the chanted choruses always give me goosebumps.

40 – Untitled No. 1 (David Bowie)

Easily one of Bowie’s most underrated songs, “Untitled No. 1” feels ahead of its time whilst also evoking nostalgic memories of sunny beaches.

39 – Smokin Out The Window (Silk Sonic)

Silk Sonic was a band that came out of nowhere, and I never expected to fall in love with their music as much as I did.

The clear favourite has to be “Smokin Out The Window” for its funny lyrics and masterful groove.

38 – Perfect Strangers (Deep Purple)

“Perfect Strangers” is clearly a “Kashmir” ripoff, or at least a heavy-handed homage, but I just can’t help but love the heavy, melodramatic rock riffs.

37 – 505 (Arctic Monkeys)

Arctic Monkey’s power ballad for the ages, “505” is simple and yet I can’t help but belt the chorus.

36 – Houses in Motion (Talking Heads)

Talking Heads fully embraced the funk on “Remain in Light”, and “Houses in Motion” may just be their funkiest effort of all.

35 – Fashion (David Bowie)

“Fashion” sums up Bowie’s style perfectly – catchy enough to enter the mainstream, but artsy and unsettling enough to keep you coming back for repeat listens.

34 – Friend Zone (Thundercat)

I adore the groove that Thundercat lays down on “Friend Zone” – so much so that it ended up being my 3rd most-played song of the year. Some amazing lyrics as well.

33 – O B 1 (Jagwar Ma)

I went back through some old FIFA classics, and I completely forgot about this gem – “O B 1” is one of the greatest electronic bops I’ve ever heard.

32 – Alone Again Or (Love)

With a bizarre structure and some amazing solos, “Alone Again Or” set a new standard for songwriting back in the 60’s.

31 – No Plan (David Bowie)

Being a Bowie fan for so long, I can’t believe it took me until 2022 to first hear “No Plan”.

It has all the genius lyrics, instrumentation and songwriting that you’d expect, with a phenomenal vocal performance that really displays Bowie’s aged maturity.

30 – Live And Let Die (Wings)

One of the best Bond songs ever, McCartney and Wings couldn’t have come up with a more bombastic show-stopper to celebrate the famous spy.

29 – Them Changes (Thundercat)

My first exposure to the genius of Thundercat, I was immediately hooked by the bass tone of “Them Changes”, as well as the odd musical changes throughout.

28 – Any Colour You Like (Pink Floyd)

I’ve always maintained that “Any Colour You Like” is one of the best songs on “Dark Side of the Moon”.

It’s an exploration of sound, boasting all of the techniques that Pink Floyd became famous for, and the instrumental beginning at 1:20 is a true highlight of the album.

27 – Theme Vision (Bruno Pernadas)

One of my favourite songs from 2021, “Theme Vision” by Bruno Pernadas sounds nostalgic whilst also sounding like it came from a century in the future.

Probably the least-known song on this list, so check it out!

26 – Giorgio by Moroder (Daft Punk)

Wider audiences know “Giorgio by Moroder” for its insane drop, but I find the rest of the song to be even better.

Jazz instrumentals don’t get much better than this, and the various spoken interludes do a great job of breaking up the sections and adding some flair.

25 – Crosseyed and Painless (Talking Heads)

One of the most aggressive grooves Talking Heads ever laid down, “Crosseyed and Painless” has all the bitter musicality that made “Remain in Light” stand out so much. Bonus points for an early rap section, too.

24 – We Are Fucking Fucked (Muse)

Muse fans bent over backwards for “Kill Or Be Killed”, but it’s the album closer “We Are Fucking Fucked” that I truly resonated with.

The opening verse has some of the best Bellamy lyrics in years, the chorus is catchy, and the final minute is bombastic to the point of self-parody – but I love every second.

23 – Fantastic Voyage (David Bowie)

I’d heard “Fantastic Voyage” was one of Bowie’s personal favourites, but I didn’t connect with it until only recently.

It has an amazing chord sequence that goes against the usual musical conventions, and one of the greatest vocal performances of all time.

22 – Get Innocuous! (LCD Soundsystem)

The opener to LCD Soundsystem’s “Sound of Silver”, “Get Innocuous!” is a slow-burn that erupts into life for the choruses.

21 – Face to Face (Daft Punk)

“Discovery” is an album I’ve always loved, but mainly for the hits. As a result, “Face to Face” ended up being criminally overshadowed.

It’s one of Daft Punk’s most uproarious and fun tracks, with one of the most danceable riffs too.

20 – Time to Pretend (MGMT)

One of the greatest indie songs of all time, “Time to Pretend” has an iconic riff and a set of lyrics that really resonate with me.

19 – Feeling Myself (Wolf Alice)

A corker from 2021, Wolf Alice hadn’t been on my radar until “Feeling Myself” came along.

The lyrics are downbeat and mature, the vocals are sensible and emotive, and the choruses are unbelievably massive and awe-inspiring.

18 – You Know My Name (Chris Cornell)

The best Bond song from the best Bond film, Chris Cornell really knocked it out of the park with his rock powerhouse “You Know My Name”.

17 – Moonage Daydream (David Bowie)

I’ve grown a new appreciation for “Moonage Daydream” after seeing the documentary of the same name – it’s a clear stand-out from his famous 1972 album, even rivalling some of the more iconic titles on that tracklist.

16 – Master Of Puppets (Metallica)

I’d be lying if I said “Master of Puppets” making my Wrapped wasn’t purely thanks to Stranger Things reminding me of its awesomeness.

The metal riffs are bonkers, and the various sections mean that eight-minute runtime flies by.

15 – Life During Wartime (Talking Heads)

One of the first Talking Heads songs I fell in love with, and it remains a classic. The groove and lyrics are phenomenal.

14 – Stockholm Syndrome (Muse)

Muse’s heaviest song, with choruses and an outro that make me want to belt the lyrics at the top of my lungs.

13 – Parabol / Parabola (TOOL)

The one-two combo of “Parabol” followed by “Parabola” may be my favourite two-track continuation in music history.

That drop into the real heavy stuff is mesmeric, the riffs never disappoint, and the lyrics are surprisingly in-depth and intricate.

12 – Strangers When We Meet (David Bowie)

A year ago, “Strangers When We Meet” would have barely made the top 90 on this list. Nowadays, it’s one of my favourite Bowie love songs.

There’s a sincerity to Bowie’s words that I absolutely love, and Brian Eno’s production turns it from a great track into a masterpiece.

11 – Somebody That I Used To Know (Gotye)

A rare case of a popular song also being one of my favourites, “Somebody That I Used To Know” is pop at its most intelligent.

The instrumentation is unique, the lyrics are tender, and the chorus is one of the catchiest of the 2010’s.

10 – Young Americans (David Bowie)

Bowie himself called this style of music “plastic soul”, but “Young Americans” still remains his best homage to soul music.

9 – The Heart Part 5 (Kendrick Lamar)

I’m neither a rap fan nor a Kenrick Lamar fan, but I was blown away by “The Heart Part 5” when it released.

It has one of the best uses of a sample I’ve ever heard, with the catchiest chorus and the best set of lyrics of the year. A modern masterpiece.

This was my most-played song of the entire year, and my favourite. The rest of this top 10 is made up of classic songs, so you can consider this the greatest song of 2022!

8 – Teenage Wildlife (David Bowie)

When I first reviewed “Scary Monsters” just over a year ago, I said “Teenage Wildlife” was merely “OK”. One of the biggest mistakes I’ve made on this blog so far.

It’s a song of epic proportions, with varying sections and lyrical ideas that never get stale. Bowie at his most adventurous, and yet still mainstream enough that I’d recommend it to anybody.

7 – Space Oddity (David Bowie)

The song that put Bowie on the map, and it remains one of his very best.

Even after a hundred listens, I’m still blown away by the quality of the lyrics and songwriting. How can a song over 50 years old still sound so fresh and unique?

6 – Dance Yrself Clean (LCD Soundsystem)

My favourite LCD Soundsystem song, “Dance Yrself Clean” is ten minutes long and yet I still want more of it.

It’s one of the most danceable songs I’ve ever heard, with a drop that I feel blessed to have experienced live in my lifetime.

5 – Midnight City (M83)

Step aside Daft Punk – this is the greatest electronic song of all time.

“Midnight City” has that perfect blend of mainstream appeal and indie niche-ness, with choruses that I’m always inclined to blast out of my speakers.

4 – Let’s Dance (David Bowie)

Arguably Bowie’s most famous song, and yet it still has an artistry that most modern pop songwriters would kill for.

It’s an intelligent dance tune, with some fantastic arrangements and production by Nile Rodgers of all people.

3 – Closer (Nine Inch Nails)

It’s approaching ten years since I first heard “Closer”, and yet it still remains in my top 100 most-listened songs of the year. If that’s not a sign of an amazing song, I don’t know what is.

The sensual beats and promiscuous lyrics fit perfectly on the concept album story that Nine Inch Nails are trying to tell, and the bridge is one of the best in all of music.

2 – Ashes to Ashes (David Bowie)

My second favourite Bowie song (somehow “Heroes”, his best, didn’t make my Wrapped …), I’ve always loved “Ashes to Ashes”.

The bassline is iconic, the lyrics really speak to me, and it’s a sort of unofficial sequel to Major Tom’s story. All in all, a real homerun of a song.

1 – Once in a Lifetime (Talking Heads)

“Heroes” could certainly give it a run for its money nowadays, but I’d still say that “Once in a Lifetime” remains my favourite song of all time.

This is Talking Heads at their catchiest, Byrne at his most erratic and preachy, and music in its purest form. The best.

Aaaaand that’s my colossal list! Blimey, that was longer than I thought … If you enjoyed this marathon, you can check out my latest blog posts below: