The 100 Best Songs of 2021

While 2021 was a year of reawakening for many, it was also a year of looking inward—a rejiggering of life’s priorities and an examination of oneself. That was definitely the case with some of Canada’s biggest and most up-and-coming stars: Justin Bieber found healing in love, faith, and self-care. Drake explored what he called "toxic masculinity and acceptance of truth.” Vancouver singer-songwriter JESSIA went viral with the body-positive “I’m Not Pretty.” And Montrealer Charlotte Cardin tapped a deep source of empowerment with the soulful ballad “Anyone Who Loves Me.” But there was a whole lot of looking outward and upward as well, whether it was Toronto rapper Northsidebenji taking the “30,000 ft” view, Tenille Arts hitting No. 1 on country radio with “Somebody Like That,” or Majid Jordan showing off their poppier side with “Waves of Blue.” And just when we thought we’d heard the last from The Tragically Hip, the band unveiled “Ouch”—and more buried treasures from 1991’s Road Apples sessions—blessing us with another chance to hear Gord Downie’s immortal voice in its prime.