It’s hard to believe it’s been this long since some of these songs. So much has happened in the last five years, the sound of 2017 feels like a distant era of popular music history. Here’s a list of representative songs from the year to refresh your memory.
The celebrated Compton rapper’s commercial peak.
A mid-album highlight from Jay-Z’s last album. Both the song and album received a Grammy nomination.
From the first album inspired by the death of singer/songwriter Phil Elverum’s wife, this song is one of the most heart-wrenching tracks of 2017.
Lorde used her second album to encapsulate a classic pop persona, announcing Melodrama with the stylish, unique yet familiar feeling of “Green Light.”
SZA hit graceful, moving creative heights with this thrilling track from her last album, Ctrl.
Love him or hate him, “Passionfruit” showcased all the strengths of Drake.
The pop hit that took the world by storm, “Shape of You” made Ed Sheeran the icon he is today.
Swift’s ventures into “adult” pop culminated in a shocking change of style with this single’s electropop trapping.
MASSEDUCTION remade the image of indie artist St. Vincent, with the sultry guitar-and-synth pop drive of “Los Ageless.”
Kesha’s emotional comeback lives on in the world’s memories thanks to her difficult years leading up to this recording.
With heavy bass, grinding beats, and an aggressive rapping performance from Tyler, “Who Dat Boy” was one of his strongest songs ever released at the time.
Harry Styles’ first solo single showcased a shift towards rock-influenced songwriting.
From the group’s last album, American Dream.
From the singer/songwriter’s Mercury Prize-winning debut album, Process.
Highlight from the indie band’s 2017 record.
Though overshadowed by the rapper’s other 2017 singles, his better album of the year HNDRXX featured this seamless blend of Rihanna-styled pop.
Khalid’s best-known solo song captures the sound of the time.
All of these songs are available on streaming services everywhere!