The Cultural Values of 2022’s Top Songs
Around the world, music holds a cultural significance and power like no other. The songs we listen to define so much of who we are and what we believe. Because of that, looking at the most listened to songs tells us a lot about our culture.
One of the first articles I wrote on Entertainment Values was analyzing the top 3 streamed songs of 2021. So, I thought I would do the same for 2022’s top Spotify streamed songs.
#1 - As It Was by Harry Styles
To be honest, I’ve never really been a huge Harry Styles fan. But, I did get the chance to see him perform this year, and he has a fantastic stage presence. “As It Was,” the most streamed song of 2022, has never been one I’ve particularly loved or listened to. I think I just heard the hook (“you know it’s not the same as it was”) on TikTok 10 million times and got sick of it. Putting that aside, it’s not a bad song.
“As It Was” is about a lot of things, including Harry’s relationship with fame as well as longing for the past and how things once were. What I like most about this song is how vulnerable it is. The second verse is a great example of this:
Answer the phone
"Harry, you're no good alone
Why are you sittin' at home on the floor?
What kind of pills are you on?"
As you can see, Harry uses a catchy, light-hearted melody to explore really deep struggles. To me, that’s the best thing a pop hit can do.
#2 - Heat Waves by Glass Animal
This is a song I have never listened to on my own time, but I have heard the chorus a million times on TikTok and out in the world:
Sometimes, all I think about is you
Late nights in the middle of June
Heat waves been fakin' me out
Can't make you happier now
“Heat Waves” is about missing someone from your past and feeling like you can’t be good enough: “You just need a better life than this/You need somethin' I can never give.”
What I like about this song is that it’s super catchy and it’s very honest. This guy is admitting that he misses someone and also that he isn’t good enough for this person. It’s a pretty self-deprecating song, which I find to be the most challenging form of honesty.
“As It Was” and “STAY” are both under 3 minutes long, which to me is usually too short. Pop music is getting shorter, and as it loses time, it often loses depth.
“Heat Waves” is actually 3:59 seconds, but unfortunately it is an incredibly repetitive song. So, although I’m glad to see a longer song on this list, there isn’t even enough content to fill that time. The chorus part I have above is repeated 8 times throughout the song.
#3 - STAY by The Kid Laroi & Just Bieber
STAY was also the third most streamed song of 2021, so it’s pretty impressive it has kept its spot in 2022!
Although his music isn’t really my style, The Kid LAROI is a great artist who writes really emotional, meaningful lyrics. I love his songs “TRAGIC” and “WITHOUT YOU.”
STAY is quickly labeled as nothing more than a catchy pop song (I’ve labeled it as that) but it actually accomplishes the truest and rarest level of honesty. STAY is about admitting that you mess up and have treated someone bad, but you still want them and you want them to forgive you. Like “Heat Waves,” it’s a pretty self-deprecating song, which proves how honest it is.
I do the same thing I told you that I never would
I told you I’d change even when I knew I never could
Know that I can’t find nobody else as good as you
I need you to stay
Let’s talk about themes across all 3 songs.
All 3 songs are just incredibly similar. They are all male, pop songs with clear, repeated hooks. Compared to 2021’s top songs, (“driver’s license,” “MONTERO (Call Me By Your Name),” and “STAY”) 2022’s top songs are pretty similar in style and vocals.
Each of these songs explores nostalgia, longing, and regret. “As It Was” is literally about feeling nostalgic about the past and wishing things were different. “STAY” is about longing for somebody and wishing you did things differently. “Heat Waves” is missing a past love and knowing you aren’t good enough for them.
What I love about these songs is their sad honesty. As I said, being honest about your flaws, mistakes, and regrets is the toughest type of honesty. But, I also think this theme reveals a key issue in today’s society.
Particularly in “STAY” and “Heat Waves” (and a little in “As It Was”) we hear a male voice stuck in regret over mistakes they can’t seem to stop making. They want what they used to have, but they failed to be good enough. They failed to make the right choices. They chose selfishness over selflessness.
From what I see in the world and online, so many people are following this pattern. In romantic relationships, people are failing to commit and be good partners and so they’re lonely. People are unhappy with where they are and aren’t sure how to fix it. People are stuck in regret over past mistakes.
So, I think it’s important for us, especially young people, to learn the importance of making good, selfless decisions, particularly in relationships. These songs are examples of the pain and regret that can come if you don’t.
I can’t wait to see what songs top the list for 2023!
Written by Peyton Price
