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The 100 Best Songs Of 2021

December 2, 2021 • Think of the best songs of 2021 as a playlist catering to the most basic human urges. Within it, booties were called, muffins were buttered and bloody revenge was contemplated. It was quite a year.

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Playlists

Hand-picked songs curated by the NPR Music staff

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NPR Music's 100 Best Songs of 2021

Lean into our 7-hour playlist on Spotify, Apple Music and other streaming providers.

Stephen Sondheim, photographed in 1962. Michael Hardy/Getty Images hide caption

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Michael Hardy/Getty Images

To mark the passing of Stephen Sondheim, try these ten essential tracks from Company, Sweeney Todd, A Little Night Music and Into the Woods, plus Sondheim himself sings "Losing My Mind" from Follies.

Comic book artist Daniel Warren Johnson (Murder Falcon, Extremity) illustrates the music of Viking's Choice. Horns up! Daniel Warren Johnson hide caption

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Daniel Warren Johnson

Viking's Choice

This week: Scowl's brusing hardcore, Jeremiah Lockwood's Chanukah guitar soli, Stormkeep's outrageously fun black metal. Throwbacks to Brainiac, Eric's Trip.

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NPR Music's 50 Best Albums of 2021

Listen to the more than 600 songs that make up our favorite albums of 2021.

More playlists

Editors' picks

Essential stories and videos from npr music

Jazmine Sullivan unspools her 'Heaux Tales,' NPR Music's album of the year

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Myesha Evon Gardner/Courtesy of the artist

Jazmine Sullivan unspools her 'Heaux Tales,' NPR Music's album of the year

The singer reveals the stories and inspiration behind her breathtaking album. Released in January, Heaux Tales held our gaze throughout the year, becoming NPR Music's pick for the best album of 2021.

Paramore's Brand New Eyes is earnest in its expression, like someone proud of having chosen the right words for what they wanted to say. Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR; Getty Images; Courtesy of Fueled by Ramen hide caption

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Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR; Getty Images; Courtesy of Fueled by Ramen

How Paramore's 'Brand New Eyes' Helped Me Envision A Future For Myself

When you're young, the choice between meeting others' expectations and making your own way can feel all-consuming. Along the way, it helps to have a soundtrack that draws equally from rage and wisdom.

'From Staircase to Stage': Raekwon on growing up in N.Y. and the Wu-Tang Clan

Steve Inskeep spoke to Raekwon about the new book, the difficulties of his upbringing and the trappings of success. Sebastian Duncan/Courtesy of the artist hide caption

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Sebastian Duncan/Courtesy of the artist