PLAYLIST: So, you miss 2015 already?

2015 was a big year for music. There were twitter battles and diss tracks. There were “controversial” music videos and calls for the industry to respect and appreciate the accomplishments of artists of color. There were SNL parodies and ugly christmas sweaters. There was Justin Bieber, who suddenly is no longer a tween.

On the other hand, music in 2016 hasn’t really picked up yet (isn’t it time for another Adele single yet?), and we’re still waiting for that song that “defines” 2016. Maybe you miss 2015 already – maybe 2015 was your best year ever and you want to relive the tunes from that golden year. Maybe you’re still writing “2015” when writing the date, and still forget what year it is, and haven’t really gotten “closure” on 2015. Or maybe you’re like me – a chronic nostalgic who still listens to “Pop, Lock, and Drop It” when getting ready for the day. Or maybe you’re not. Either way, you clicked this link so you must have a reason for wanting to listen to these songs.

Honestly, a lot of the list below is subjective. I really only put “Watch Me” on this list because there’s a video of my 4-year-old niece singing/dancing to this song, and she calls the stanky leg the “stinky leg.”* But I believe that these 15 songs defined 2015 – whether it was through breaking records or viral videos or just by being in every single movie trailer this summer (seriously). Here’s your not-so-throwback playlist to have some closure and finally say goodbye to 2015, or to reminisce on a year of some pretty great music.

“Hello” – Adele

“Cheerleader” – OMI

“Hotline Bling” – Drake

“Good For You” – Selena Gomez

“The Hills” – The Weeknd

“No Type” – Rae Sremmurd

“Cool for the Summer” – Demi Lovato

“Sorry” – Justin Bieber

“Back to Back” – Drake

“I Don’t F*ck With You” – Big Sean

“Watch Me (Whip/Nae Nae)” – Silento

“Hey Mama” – David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj and Bebe Rexha

“679” – Fetty Wap ft. Remy Boys

“Feeling Myself” – Nicki Minaj & Beyonce

“B*tch Better Have My Money” – Rihanna**

*I show it to everyone I meet who shows even a remote interest in my life. It’s probably the reason I’m single. But I mean come on, she’s waaaaaay cuter than Riley Curry.

**Some of you may be wondering why Taylor Swift is conspicuously missing from this list. You may be saying, “Mayura, for shame! How could you do a “Best songs of 2015” roundup and not include ‘Bad Blood’ or ‘Wildest Dreams’?!” Well, for one, I do not like either of these songs (and honestly the video for “Bad Blood” was pretty uninspired – she just had her friends walk around with explosions and stuff) – I prefer “Blank Space” or “Style”. Second, these songs are unfortunately not available to stream on Spotify – but rest assured, they are on this playlist in spirit.