Remember belting out "Rolling in the Deep" or trying to learn the "Uptown Funk" dance moves? The music from the 2010s soundtracked a decade of change, growth, and some seriously catchy tunes. But with so many hits, how do you separate the truly iconic from the fleetingly popular?
At a glance:
- Discover the defining trends that shaped the music from the 2010s, from EDM to Latin crossover.
- Understand how streaming and social media impacted which songs became massive hits.
- Identify the artists who dominated the decade and their signature sounds.
- Get a curated list of must-listen tracks that represent the best of the 2010s.
- Learn how to analyze the lasting appeal of these songs.
The Rise of Genre-Bending Sounds
The 2010s blew up genre boundaries. No longer were artists confined to neat little boxes. This fusion is one of the defining characteristics of the best music from the 2010s.
- Country Trap: Lil Nas X's "Old Town Road" is the prime example, blending country twang with hard-hitting trap beats. The remix with Billy Ray Cyrus solidified its place in history.
- Folk-EDM: Avicii's "Wake Me Up" mixed folk melodies with electronic drops, creating a sound that dominated festivals and radio waves.
- Hip-Hop/Pop-Rock: Eminem and Rihanna's "Love the Way You Lie" combined Eminem's intense rapping with Rihanna's powerful vocals over a rock-infused beat.
This mixing of styles wasn't just a trend; it reflected a broader cultural shift towards inclusivity and breaking down barriers. This pushed the boundaries of what "popular" music could be.
The Streaming Revolution and its Impact
The 2010s saw the rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music. This fundamentally changed how music was consumed and, consequently, how hits were made.
- From Sales to Streams: Artists now earned revenue based on the number of streams, leading to an increased focus on creating songs that people would play repeatedly. Ed Sheeran's "Thinking Out Loud" was the first song to reach 500 million streams on Spotify, a testament to this shift.
- Accessibility & Discovery: Streaming made it easier for listeners to discover new artists and genres. This broadened musical tastes and allowed niche artists to gain mainstream recognition.
- Playlist Power: Playlists became kingmakers. Landing a spot on a popular playlist could catapult a song to viral status.
Viral Hits: The Social Media Explosion
Alongside streaming, social media platforms like YouTube, Vine, and later TikTok played a massive role in creating viral hits. Songs could explode overnight, fueled by memes, challenges, and user-generated content.
- "Call Me Maybe" by Carly Rae Jepsen: This song's popularity was amplified by a viral video featuring Justin Bieber, Selena Gomez, and Ashley Tisdale lip-syncing to the track. It showcases the importance of celebrity endorsements in the world of music from the 2010s.
- "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X: Gained traction on TikTok through the #Yeehaw challenge, demonstrating the power of user-generated content to drive a song's popularity.
- "Harlem Shake" by Baauer: While not technically a "song" in the traditional sense, this instrumental track became a global phenomenon thanks to a viral dance meme.
Social media democratized the music industry, giving artists a direct connection to their fans and allowing them to bypass traditional gatekeepers.
Pop's Reign: Anthems of Empowerment and Emotion
Pop music remained a dominant force in the 2010s, evolving to reflect the changing times. Two key themes emerged: empowerment and raw emotion.
- Empowerment Anthems: Katy Perry's "Firework" and Meghan Trainor's "All About That Bass" celebrated self-acceptance and confidence. These songs resonated with listeners who were looking for messages of positivity and empowerment.
- Emotional Ballads: Adele's "Someone Like You" touched hearts with its raw vulnerability and relatable lyrics about heartbreak. Similarly, Sam Smith's "Stay With Me" captured the ache of loneliness and longing. Freya Ridings' "Lost Without You", a late-decade entry, continued this trend.
- Dance-Pop Crossovers: Lady Gaga pushed boundaries with her avant-garde style and catchy dance-pop anthems like "Edge of Glory," influencing a generation of artists.
EDM's Electrifying Era
Electronic Dance Music (EDM) exploded in the early 2010s, taking over airwaves and music festivals. This was a golden age for DJs and producers.
- Festival Culture: Swedish House Mafia, David Guetta, and Avicii became household names, headlining massive festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland.
- Pop Collaborations: EDM artists frequently collaborated with pop stars, creating hybrid tracks that appealed to a broader audience. Rihanna's "We Found Love" (produced by Calvin Harris) is a classic example.
- High-Energy Beats: EDM tracks were characterized by their infectious rhythms, soaring synths, and build-ups that created an atmosphere of exhilaration. LMFAO's "Sexy and I Know It" is the epitome of this high-energy sound.
Want to dive back into the biggest songs of the decade? Relive 2010's Biggest Anthems to hear the tracks that defined a generation.
Hip-Hop's Continued Dominance
Hip-hop maintained its cultural relevance in the 2010s, evolving with new subgenres and lyrical styles.
- Trap Music: Artists like Future, Migos, and Travis Scott popularized trap music, characterized by its heavy basslines, complex hi-hat patterns, and often dark, introspective lyrics.
- Conscious Hip-Hop: Kendrick Lamar emerged as a leading voice in conscious hip-hop, tackling complex social and political issues in his music.
- Mainstream Appeal: Drake became a global superstar, blending hip-hop with R&B and pop elements to create music that appealed to a wide audience.
Latin Music's Crossover Moment
The 2010s marked a significant crossover moment for Latin music, with Spanish-language songs breaking into the U.S. mainstream.
- "Despacito" by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee: This global phenomenon shattered records, becoming one of the most-streamed and viewed songs of all time. "Despacito" spent 16 weeks at No. 1.
- Reggaeton's Rise: Reggaeton artists like J Balvin, Ozuna, and Bad Bunny gained international recognition, paving the way for other Latin artists.
- Cultural Impact: The success of "Despacito" and other Latin hits helped to break down cultural barriers and celebrate diversity in music.
Practical Ranking: A Tiered Approach to the Decade's Best
Creating a definitive, objective ranking is impossible. Music is subjective. But, here’s a tiered system to help you appreciate the breadth of the best music from the 2010s:
Tier 1: The Undeniable Icons
- "Rolling in the Deep" - Adele: A powerhouse vocal performance and timeless songwriting.
- "Uptown Funk" - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars: A funky, infectious throwback that revitalized disco and funk.
- "Somebody That I Used to Know" - Gotye ft. Kimbra: A hauntingly beautiful breakup song with a unique arrangement.
- "Happy" - Pharrell Williams: An irresistibly cheerful anthem that spread joy worldwide.
- "Shape of You" - Ed Sheeran: A genre-bending pop song with a catchy melody and relatable lyrics.
- "Despacito" - Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee: The song that brought Latin music to the forefront of the global stage.
Tier 2: Genre-Defining Tracks - "We Found Love" - Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris: The epitome of the EDM-pop crossover.
- "XO Tour Llif3" - Lil Uzi Vert: a cornerstone of the late-decade emo-rap sound.
- "Bad Guy" - Billie Eilish: A dark, quirky pop song that broke all the rules.
- "Thinking Out Loud" - Ed Sheeran: A classic wedding song that captured the hearts of romantics.
- "Royals" - Lorde: A minimalist pop song with a haunting melody and sharp social commentary.
- "Old Town Road" - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus: The unlikely hit that blended country and trap.
Tier 3: Critically Acclaimed Gems - "Nights" - Frank Ocean: A genre-bending masterpiece with a complex structure and introspective lyrics.
- "Love It If We Made It" - The 1975: A politically charged anthem with a catchy chorus and thought-provoking lyrics.
- "Lost Without You" - Freya Ridings: A heartbreaking piano ballad that showcases Ridings' powerful vocals.
- "Ultralight Beam" - Kanye West: A gospel-infused track with a powerful message of hope and redemption.
Quick Answers About 2010s Music
Q: What was the biggest musical trend of the 2010s?
A: Genre fusion was a huge trend. Artists were blending different genres, like country and trap, to create innovative sounds. Streaming services also had a great impact on how fans all over the world find and listen to music.
Q: Who was the most influential artist of the 2010s?
A: It's tough to pick just one, but Adele, Drake, and Taylor Swift all had a huge impact. Adele's vocal prowess and emotional ballads resonated with millions, Drake dominated the hip-hop scene with his catchy hooks and relatable lyrics, and Taylor Swift evolved from country sweetheart to pop superstar.
Q: Why did EDM become so popular in the 2010s?
A: EDM's high-energy beats and festival-friendly atmosphere made it a perfect fit for the era. The rise of music festivals like Coachella and Tomorrowland helped to propel EDM into the mainstream.
Q: How did social media change the music industry in the 2010s?
A: Social media gave artists a direct connection to their fans and allowed them to bypass traditional gatekeepers. Viral trends and memes could catapult songs to the top of the charts. The power of social media definitely played a part in the growth of music from the 2010s.
Your 2010s Music Playbook: Time to Explore
Ready for a deep dive? Here’s your quick-start roadmap:
- Pick a trend: Choose one of the trends discussed (genre fusion, EDM boom, Latin crossover, etc.).
- Explore the examples: Listen to the songs highlighted in this article that represent that trend.
- Go deeper: Use streaming services to find similar artists and tracks from the same era.
- Share your discoveries: Create a playlist of your favorite 2010s songs and share it with your friends.
The music from the 2010s was diverse, innovative, and deeply reflective of the era's cultural shifts. By understanding the trends, artists, and songs that defined the decade, you can gain a deeper appreciation for its lasting impact on the music world. Now it’s your turn to explore and decide your own definitive ranking.