All Songs Considered Our No. 1 songs: 2021
Dec 8, 2025
The hosts debate personal favorites versus songs that define the pandemic era. Jasmine Sullivan's haunting R&B track 'The Other Side' stands out, while Bo Burnham's 'That Funny Feeling' perfectly captures feelings of isolation. Stephen praises E's intimate 'Together Alone' and highlights the emotional depth in Olivia Rodrigo's breakout hits. The discussion also touches on indie artists like Girl in Red and Dodie, delving into mental health themes, alongside Joel Ortiz's vivid neighborhood storytelling. A celebration of 2021's rich musical landscape ensues.
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Music As Pandemic Mirror
- 2021 music reflected pandemic aftershocks, with works made during isolation surfacing widely.
- Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson highlight songs that both embody and emerged from pandemic experience.
Favorite: Jasmine Sullivan's Haunting R&B
- Robin names Jasmine Sullivan's "The Other Side" as a favorite and praises its haunting phrasing.
- He calls it one of the best R&B records of the 21st century and kept returning to it.
Bo Burnham Captures The Moment
- Robin highlights Bo Burnham's "That Funny Feeling" from Inside as the song that most embodied 2021.
- He calls it a towering example of pandemic isolation entertainment created of and for that moment.