My 24 most listened to songs of 2024

 This is my fourth year in a row doing this kind of list and like my previous three years, I'm pretty damn sure that the 24 songs with the highest listening count for me are going to be all from the k-pop genre... but I haven't checked yet.  We'll learn if my prediction is true together.

For stats, I use volt.fm which is linked to my spotify account.  Yes, I know it doesn't log my listens from TikTok, CDs, concerts, YouTube or any other formats, but I would say that 85 - 90% of all my full song listen throughs are from streaming on Spotify these days..  Even if no one reads them, I have too much fun making these lists and seeing my music preferences of the year in statistics.  So here we go!

#24 - Yay

Artist: Onew  Album: Yay (single) & Connection

Release Date: December 12, 2024

Language: Korean

Key: G Minor Time Signature: 4/4 BPM: 125

This is a pre-release single for Onew's 2025 album that just came out called Connection, so you can find the song easier by looking up the new album.  With how late in the year that this song came out, it's super surprising to see how much I listened to it - but I just LOVE it and it really suited my energy level and mood through this holiday season - so it got a LOT of play.  It helps that it's a good beat to clean to, to wrap presents to, to decorate to, to do dishes to.... to basically do everything to that I was doing through the month of December.

Also - it's a really fun and upbeat song without being too loud.  It's upbeat, but mellow at the same time.

#23 - Black Rose

Artist: The Rose Album: Black Rose (single)

Release Date: August 23, 2020

Language: English / Korean

Key: F Minor Time Signature: 4/4 BPM: 136

This is a song that The Rose wrote for their fans who they call Black Roses.  It was written back in 2020 when they had finally gotten free of their old label and they wanted to give a song to their fans as a thank you for sticking around and supporting them through the difficult legal battles and forced hiatus their struggles with their label had caused.  It's so interesting to me musically because I can hear in this song the beginnings of the new sound they found after leaving their old label which appears in their Heal and Dual albums at different points in their musical evolution.  I consider it a bridge song between their old catalog and their new stuff.  

The second half of my year was pretty mellow in terms of my overall mood.  I've done a lot of reading and home based activities that I thought called for mellower music.  This song being in my top 24 is solid evidence of that.

#22 - Fallen Star

Artist: The KingDom Album: History of Kingdom: Pt. III. Ivan

Release Date: October 21,2021

Language: Korean/English

Key: C Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 120

I got to see The KingDom live in concert for the second time in two years.  This song is on MULTIPLE playlists for me.  I love the build, the harmonies, the ethereal background, the soaring vocals....

When I listen to this song, I find myself closing my eyes, breathing deep and just.... quieting inside.

#21 - I Will Go To You Like the First Snow

Artist: AILEE Album: Guardian (Original Television Soundtrack), Pt. 9

Release Date: January 7, 2017

Language: Korean

Key: F Minor Time Signature: 4/4 BPM:  134

I have a playlist that I created in May when I was sick in Michigan called "Softer K-Pop" which I have been listening to a LOT since its creation.  This is one of the songs on that playlist.  Of course, this song is also on my "Coastal driving montage", "My Top K-Pop", "Favorite K-Pop/J-Pop", "Read", "Winter K-Pop", and "Cozy Autumn K-Pop" playlists... so it's not all that surprising that it's gotten a lot of play this year.  It is one of my favorite songs off the Goblin soundtrack - which is saying something considering all the amazing songs that came from that show.

Anyway, this song puts me in my feels and relaxes me at the same time.

#20 - Let Go

Artist: BTS Album: FACE YOURSELF

Release Date: April 4, 2018

Language: Japanese/English

Key: E Major Time Signature: 4/4 BPM: 174

Another song off my new "Softer K-Pop" playlist.  Honestly, while I have always loved the BTS Japanese releases, I've been feeling Japanese language K-Pop even more this year than usual.  Something about the brighter vowels and sharper consonants has fallen easier on my ear with the slower and more mellow music that I've been favoring.  This particular song flips pretty quick from soft and gentle vocals to a light rap, back to the gentle vocals and then into a heavier (yet still soft) beat with the group vocals.  It keeps changing and keeps me from getting bored of the slower tempo.  It also makes me take deep breaths which is always a good thing.

#19 - ILYSB

Artist: Woosung/ 디폴/ Mellow Kitchen/ 김형우 Album: JTBC SuperBand Episode 7

Release Date: May 25, 2019

Language: English

Key: F Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 81

This is a cover of a LANY song... and I can honestly say that I've never listened to the original.  I've only ever listened to this version and other solo performances that Woosung has done at music festivals.  I'm not sure I could handle this song with vocals by anyone besides Woosung.  This is HIS song in my head.  Anyway, it's off of a band competition show that I never watched.  It is again in that mellow soft reading sort of music that dominated the second half of my year in music listening choices.  I love it so much.

#18 - Crystal Snow

Artist: BTS Album: FACE YOURSELF

Release Date: April 4, 2018

Language: Japanese / English

Key: D# Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 114

Another mellow Japanese language offering from BTS.  I didn't listen to many of my BTS standards this year.  It hurt too much to listen to the happier songs from their discography with all of them in the military at the beginning of the year.  After Jin came back, I did start to listen to more of their stuff - but it was mostly stuff like this - mellow with more than a hint of yearning.  This one also ended up on my Winter K-Pop playlist cause, well, Crystal SNOW.  So, yeah.

#17- Wander

Artist: Hoppipolla Album: And Then There Was Us

Release Date: January 20, 2021

Language: Instrumental

Key: A Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 89

This is on multiple soft playlists for me.  The soaring cello is beyond beautiful.  I fall asleep to this song, I read, I cry, I lay on my bed and let my thoughts wander while I take deep breaths.... Seriously though - if I do nothing but focus on this song I WILL be crying by the end of it.

I wish Hoppipolla would put out more albums.... but I think they may have quietly disbanded.

#16 - Yawn

Artist: Seventeen Album: SEVENTEEN 11th Mini Album 'SEVENTEENTH HEAVEN'

Release Date: October 23,2023

Language: Korean

Key: A# Major Time Signature: 3/4  BPM: 172

This is the new Circles. (If that last sentence doesn't make sense, don't worry - that was a comment for my other fellow Carats - just move on.) This song was written by Woozi to comfort his fellow group member Seungkwan upon the death/suicide of Seungkwan's best friend Moon Bin.  If I listen to the song too closely, I WILL cry.  The strings in the backing track are stunning.  The sorrow in all of their voices is heartbreaking.  The very last chorus ending is translated "What made me breathe / It was all filled with you/ My heart is lacking without you / It's like a hole with pain in it."

Oh dear... what does it say about me that so many of the songs I listened to this year are songs that make me cry.

#15 - Light On Me (1101)

Artist: Catch The Young Album: Catch The Young: Fragments of Odyssey

Release Date: April 3, 2024

Language: Korean/ English

Key: D Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 168

Catch the Young only debuted in 2023 and this was the only mini album that they put out in 2024.  When this album came out, my friend Kristin and I were OBSESSED with another track called Voyager.  We both thought it sounded like Summer in a song.  Thing is, I can't listen to summer music all year long - but this mellower track isn't at all seasonal - it's a quality song in any season.  The guitar, the vocals.... chef's kiss.

#14 - NA

Artist: HWASA Album: O

Release Date: September 19, 2024

Language: English / Korean

Key: B Minor Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 127

This album came out right around the time of the year when I was emerging from one of my health lows and was ready again for some more upbeat music.  I love this whole album.  I don't collect HWASA albums, but I bought this one.  I love it that much.  This is my favorite song off the album.  HWASA is sorta my go-to artist in K-Pop for female empowerment feeling songs.  I'd file this song in that catagory.

#13 - Falling (feat. Taka)

Artist: Jin, Taka Album: Falling (feat. Taka) (single)

Release Date: November 25, 2024

Language: Japanese / English

Key: B Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 128

This is a song that Taka (from One Ok Rock) wrote for Jin for his solo album.  Jin sings the Korean solo version on his album Happy - and I was enjoying it on that album.... but then THIS version came out and now there is no other version that will ever exist for me.  Jin and Taka singing together on this track is perfection in the JRock KPop fusion music style.  Jin (who is one my least favorite members when it comes to him as a member of BTS) is quickly becoming one of my FAVORITE soloists who happen to come from BTS.  This song, and his Happy album are a big part of that shift.

I have unabashedly had this song on repeat pretty regularly since it came out in November.  Like Lethe from Oneus last year, and Priceless from Xeed, it feels too short if I only listen to it once.  As a result, I tend to listen to it at least twice whenever the randomizer pops it up in my playlist.

#12 - Day That I Died

Artist: WOOSUNG Album: Day That I Died (single) & 4444

Release Date: August 28,2024

Language: English

Key: G# Minor Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 82

Woosung is a genius - both as a composer & performer.  Another of those songs that will make me cry if I listen too close, this was a pre-release single to tease his 4444 album.  This song made me pre-order the album blind - no regrets.  The entire album is a thing of wonder, but this song in particular captured my heart. The song is only 3:27 in length, but volt.fm says that I've listened to it a total of 2 hours and 7 min since it came out in August.  Honestly, that doesn't feel like enough, then I remember that some of my all time most played songs of all time since I joined Spotify back in 2012 only have around 5 hours of play time.  So yeah, 2 hours in 4 months feels about right.

#11 - Your Ocean - Instrumental

Artist: Hoppipolla Album: And Then There Was Us

Release Date: January 20, 2021

Language: Instrumental

Key: D# Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 128

I read and slept and relaxed to this song quite a bit this year.  There's a version of this song with vocals too, but the instrumental of it itches a different part of my brain.  Not much to say about it other than the cello and violin parts are brilliant - as is the electric guitar solo in the middle.  Simply a beautiful song.

TOP TEN!!!!

#10 - Rupert's drop

Artist: ONEUS Album: Rupert's drop (single)

Release Date: December 9, 2024

Language: Korean

Key: B Minor Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 127

ONEUS didn't release much last year - Probably because they were on tour for so much of the year (the concert was AMAZING by the way!  Third row tickets are absolutely the way to go!) So, not a lot of new music from them in 2023 but I am happily anticipating their new album which releases in the next few days.  The leaked tracklist lets us know that this single will be on the new album too.  This song is one of those glorious songs that neither fast nor slow and is thus mellow and a bop at the same time.  I love it so much.  It's a definite growth in their sound.  Doing Road to Kingdom: Ace of Ace was good for them.

#9 - Horizon

Artist: TAEMIN Album: ETERNAL

Release Date: August 19, 2024

Language: Korean/ English

Key: D# Minor Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 165

Did this song really only come out in mid-August???? I swear, it already feels like a classic that's been around for YEARS.  Also.... I get to see him perform this live next month and I CAN NOT WAIT!!!  *ehem*  Anyway... this is so classic Taemin in sound... and I don't even know how to explain that statement.  It just is.  This is one of those songs that makes me feel like I can face anything - as such I've used it for the last 4.5 months to get myself going when facing an awful task like laundry or dishes.  It's magic.

#8 - Your Ocean

Artist: Hoppipolla Album: And Then There Was Us

Release Date: January 20, 2021

Language: Korean

Key: D# Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 127

Well THIS song should look familiar.  I told you there was a version with vocals!  Clearly, this was one of my anthems of the year.  Again, a song that can absolutely make me cry.  The vocals make the cello and violin parts that much more full of yearning and makes the electric guitar solo soar even more.  This song hasn't made my list of all time most played songs.... but it is working hard to get there.

#7 - 44 (Forget Forever)

Artist: WOOSUNG Album: 4444

Release Date: October 4, 2024

Language: English

Key: F Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 130

Second song from this immaculate album on this list!  This is a hybrid between electronica and ethereal ballad and I simply can not get enough of it. "If Heaven and Hell were to collide would you choose darkness over light?" is just ONE of the genius lyrics in this song.  It also happens to be one of those songs that when I listen to it, I can't help but remember what it was like seeing him perform this live since I saw him sing this on stage a mere 13 days after the album released!

#6 - WAYO

Artist: BANG YEDAM Album: WAYO (single)

Release Date: June 5, 2020

Language: Korean

Key: G# Minor Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 100

Even though this song released in 2020, I didn't discover it until last year.  And BOY HOWDY was addicted at the very first listen.  It only took a week for this song to end up on my playlist for my top K-Pop.  As is the obvious theme of my year, it is on the mellower side but I think the composer but crack cocaine in the backing track with those flutes and snaps.  I can go for days without listening to this song, but once I hear it than I have to listen to it several times the day that I hear it and it may pop unbidden into my brain demanding to be heard for days afterwards.  It is an ear worm.  I love it.

#5 - Angel (feat. Trevor Daniel)

Artist: The Rose Album: DUAL

Release Date: September 22, 2023

Language: English

Key: G Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 152

Did you think that songs from DUAL weren't gunna be on my list year since they were featured last year?  HA!  Nope, I'm still not over this album.  Not sure I ever will be.  Ethereal with just a pinch of electronica... mmmmm so good.  Also, on the mellow side of course - but in all the best ways.  No crying here, just floating in the good vibes.

#4 - Before We Die

Artist: WOOSUNG Album: 4444

Release Date: October 4, 2024

Language: English

Key: F Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 126

Yup, it's ANOTHER song off of the 4444 WOOSUNG album and the one I listened to the most this year.  Paper Cuts might be my favorite off the album, but it can hit me too hard in the feels.  THIS song can bring me out of a mellow slightly depressed mood and get me up and going.  For that alone, it is magic.

#3 - One More Light

Artist: Hoppipolla Album: JTBC SuperBand Episode 14

Release Date: July 16, 2019

Language: English

Key: A# Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 94

This is a Linkin Park cover by Hoppipolla.  I can't listen to the original anymore.  This one is better.

Once again, a song that can bring me to tears with its beauty.  This song didn't end up in the top 5 because of it being on too many playlists (though it is), or the randomizer gravitating to it.  Nope, this song was in my blood this year and I just kept seeking it out and listening to it over and over.  It's one of the songs I listened to standing on the summit of Mt. Pilatus in Switzerland feeling small and insignificant and overwhelmed with the beauty of nature.  It went really well with the majestic view.  The harmonies tickle my brain in all the right places.  I won't be surprised if this song is on next year's list as well.  I'm nowhere near tired of it and still seeking it out to loop play too.

#2 - Circles

Artist: Seventeen Album: SEVENTEEN 4th Album Repackage 'Sector 17'

Release Date: July 18, 2022

Language: Korean

Key: C# Major Time Signature: 4/4  BPM: 182

Remember Yawn?  Remember when I said it was this year's Circles?  Well here we are at Circles.  Yawn may be the new version of this song - but the original is still better for me.  Like Yawn, Woozi wrote this song to comfort a band mate on the loss of a loved one.  In this case, it was written for Wonwoo to help him cope with the loss of his mother.  Woozi still can't sing this song without crying and it's been over 2 years since it came out.  As sad as the story is behind the song, the song itself lifts me up because it reminds me that I am not alone - I have people who love me - people who are willing to sing/ play/ laugh/ cry with me.  I live a pretty solitary life.  Reminders like this are important to me.

Like One More Light on the list before this - I actively sought out this song a LOT this year to listen to it - when I was having a hard time, when I needed to be reminded to smile, when the scenery was nice, when a friend did or said something that touched my heart and I wanted to remember it or heighten the feeling, or just when I was driving and the weather was nice.

Alright - the number 1 song for the last three years has been ひとりじゃない by SEVENTEEN.  So let's see if the Queen keeps her crown for year 4.....

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#1 - What kind of future

Artist: Woozi Album: What kind of future

Release Date: January 25, 2024

Language: Korean

Key: E Major Time Signature: 3/4  BPM: 154

ひとりじゃない loses the crown for the first time in 4 years!!!  Hell, she didn't even MAKE THE LIST!

Ok, like Yawn, this song was released because of the suicide of Moon Bin.  Moon Bin was very close with many members of SEVENTEEN, including Woozi who wrote and performed this song.  Unlike Yawn, this song was not written for Moon Bin or even because of him.  This song was first performed in 2018 by Woozi as a solo feature at a Seventeen concert.  He performed it again at a BUMZU concert a few years later in 2002 - but he never released it.  His friend Moon Bin LOVED the song and kept begging Woozi year after year to release the song.  After Moon Bin died, Woozi promised his deceased friend that he would honor his wish and finally release the song as a gift to Moon Bin on his birthday.  So, thank you Moon Bin for loving this song so much that Woozi gifted it to you and the world because it is a think of beauty both in composition and execution.  

This is one of those songs that I can leave on repeat and listen to 10 times in a row before I feel like I'm done with it.  My only regret is that Woozi only released this digitally because I would LOVE to own a physical copy of this masterpiece.

Alright - so, now that I've gone through the list, lets do a little bit of song stat review just for fun!

10 of the 24 songs on this list were released in 2024

22 songs are in 4/4 time, and only 2 songs are in 3/4 time

16 are in the Major mode and 8 are in the Minor mode

The key of F was the most popular with 5 different songs in that key (same as last year)

0 songs were in a flat key, but 9 were in a sharp key

The lowest BPM on the list is 81 (WAYO) (1bpm up from last year)

The highest BPM on the list is 182 (Black Rose) (2bmp up from last year)

The most common BPM on the list is 127 with three different songs at that bpm

The average of the list's BPM is 131 (8bpm up from last year)- the song closest to this average is Woosung's's 44 (Forget Forever)  at 131 BPM

The most common language for songs on this list is English (which is NOT what I was expecting!!)

The least common languages are the 2 instrumental songs and the 3 Japanese/English songs

The oldest song on this list is I Will Go To You Like the First Snow released in 2017 

The average year of release is 2020 which I find hilarious since only WAYO was released in 2020

At any rate, if you've made it this far in my little ramble - thanks for sticking with me through the nonsense.  See you again next year for the top 25 of 2025!