Well, it’s that time of year again, it’s Spotify-wrapped season! I love getting to see everyone’s top songs of the year. You can tell so much about a person by the music that they listen to. So, today I plan on telling you about 10 songs from my Spotify wrapped playlist and just how much they meant to me this year. I know you all are dying to know my top song, but it is so embarrassing so I’m just going to tell you and get it over with. My number 1 song of the year was "Driver’s License" by Olivia Rodrigo… yes that’s right, I’ve had my license for 7 years, yet this was my top played song. It was a rough start to the year okay, heartbreak can make us delirious! Don’t hold it against me. It’s not a bad song, just a little embarrassing that I played it enough to be my top song. I promise I’ll do better next year.
My Spotify wrapped playlist consisted of mostly Greta Van Fleet and worship music, with some country, indie, and classic rock mixed. I have a very oddly diverse collection of music and so many of them hold special memories or meanings to me. I hope this inspires you to listen to some or all of these songs.
To kick us off, I’ll start with my number 2 song of the year, "Heat Above" by Greta Van Fleet. This song brought a euphoric and cosmic element to my life that I didn’t know was missing. When I play this song, I truly escaped the world for 5 minutes and 41 seconds. This song really felt like a magical gospel tune being played and it is so difficult to describe the way my heart feels when I play this song.
Next, we have "Promises" by Maverick City Music. Now this song, wow, just wow. The lyrics are beautiful, and the voices of this group are truly heavenly. I played this song anytime I was feeling defeated or stuck in a place where it seemed like I would never escape. I was reminded of the promises God made to us and how He is Faithful even when we are faithless.
Up next is the beautiful "Flower Power" by Greta Van Fleet. This song truly makes me feel like sunshine. It gives me the feeling that I am riding in a VW van blaring the speakers in the middle of summer. It makes me feel like I’m heading to a music festival in the ’70s with flowers in my hair. In a way it makes me feel closer to the earth. This song just feels so nostalgic and peaceful and it was actually in my top 10 this year.
Now for another worship song, "Grace To Grace" by Hillsong Worship. This song was another song I had on repeat during difficult times. It is a song that so frequently reminds me how I am so unworthy and undeserving of a God who loves me so abundantly. The lyrics talk about how God could see joy beyond the cross and the grave, and He was right. Though there are many things in this world that seem to tear us down and the world seems to be falling apart, there is hope in Jesus and His grace is sufficient for us.
I know you might be rolling your eyes by now, but another beautiful song from my Spotify wrapped is "Light My Love" by Greta Van Fleet. I know what you’re thinking, another Greta Van Fleet song, but they are such amazing artists, and their music has changed me so much since I first discovered them. This song, oh man this song will be played at my wedding, cliché I know. One specific lyric in this song stuck out to me the most. “Hate bound by fear will unwind.”
When we show hatred because we are scared, it can hurt people, but eventually, we will see the beauty in people, the world, etc. and that hate will dissolve. The lyrics of this track are like a love poem. So elegantly written and conveyed in such an effortlessly heartfelt way.
Another worship song coming in hot is "Graves Into Gardens" by Elevation Worship. This song right here gets me so hyped up. It is a song about how we are all a grave, but God turns us into a garden when we let Him into our lives. He gives us beauty for ashes. He makes us new, and this is such a beautiful promise to us. This song reminds me each day that I was once dead and now I am alive, and it makes me so excited to see God do this for others.
Now, I wish this had been my number one song: "The Barbarians" by Greta Van Fleet. The instruments in this track come together so seamlessly to create a true rock track. Something about The Barbarians just sends electricity through my body. Anytime I listen to this in the car, I catch myself speeding a little because I get so lost in this song. The mellotron adds such a medieval element and it gives me the image of knights going to battle. Definitely, give this song a listen if you get a chance.
Okay, this is the last worship song on my list. "Mercy" by Elevation Worship, Maverick City, and Chris Brotrack is one that brought me to tears. It tells the story about how good the mercy of God is and how we don’t deserve it, yet His mercies are new every morning. It speaks about how knowing someone before they knew Jesus and seeing them now and how different their life became because of God. Again, this track was one I played when I felt so low and stressed about the struggles of life.
Next up, "Swallow The Sun" by Corrina. This song I discovered through TikTok. I was very skeptical at first because some songs on TikTok are a little iffy, but this one is pure beauty. The story of this song is basically expressing how much you love someone and see their beauty. Listening to this song gives me hope for how I might feel about someone one day. The artist's voice matches the title and feels truly like the sun. This is one I highly recommend when you are in a lovey-dovey mood.
Finally, "She’s Mine" by Lauren Weintraub. As I mentioned earlier, I went through a rough breakup at the beginning of the year. I played this song on repeat when I found out I had been cheated on. Sometimes people try and forget the heartbreak, but I tend to try and feel it until I am tired of feeling it, and then I move on. I am one of those people that sometimes play sad songs even when I am not that sad. Anyway, this track talks about the struggle of comparing yourself to the girl that guy left you for and what you would ask about her. At the end of the chorus, it says, "We all got reasons we can’t sleep at night, and she’s mine.” This was something so true for me at that point in my life and I truly believe this song helped me get over that.
All of these songs played an important role in my 2021. Whether it was relating to how I currently felt or bringing me hope to how I could feel, these tracks truly touched my soul in a significant way. I believe music can truly be a form of therapy, whether you are making it or enjoying it. I cannot wait to continue to find new songs next year and continue to listen to some of these gorgeous songs. I hope you all have a very Happy New Year!
KEEP UP WITH GRACE
A wonderful selection of songs. I really liked it. I've been listening to your playlist all day. By the way, I also have my own songs, and I used Spotify Playlist placement to popularize them.