The 100 Best Songs of 2020

Music gives us so much—an escape, a salve, a reflection of the world in which we live. But in 2020, it felt vital in a new way. Consider the joys of Dua Lipa’s “Break My Heart,” KAYTRANADA's “10%,” or Loud Luxury's “Aftertaste,” tracks that—outside of the countless clubs and parties for which they're still ultimately destined—reminded us to keep dancing, especially in quarantine. Or the courage of Toronto poet-singer Mustafa, who, in the midst of a global reckoning with systemic racism, drew on his community's experiences for “Stay Alive,” a quiet protest anthem for a new generation. All across Canada—from Ali Gatie and Tate McRae to JJ Wilde and Brett Kissel, to William Prince, FouKi, and The OBGMs—music of different styles and perspectives brought us closer together at a time when many of us have been forced apart. That’s the story of the year, and these are the songs and sounds that defined it, as chosen by Apple Music’s team of editors.