The Vindi staff shares their favorite and most streamed songs of 2022.
Written by: Sophie Farrar
It’s the most wonderful time of the year: Spotify Wrapped season. As the end of the year approaches, Spotify users across the world impatiently await the notification from the streaming service announcing the release of their annual Spotify Wrapped. This highly anticipated playlist consists of the user’s Top 100 streamed songs of the year, along with a presentation of other statistics such as most-streamed artists and genres. If you’re one of the many people waiting to see their end-of-year streaming stats, the Vindi staff hopes this playlist can help satiate you. The “Vindicator Wrapped” playlist consists of each Vindi staff member’s favorite song and most streamed song of 2022. Read on to find out what songs our staff was loving this year and to find some new music to bring into 2023 with you.
Find The Vindicator on Spotify @vindi_csu or listen to the playlist here:
Cara Robbins, Editor-in-Chief
Favorite Song: “Birdhouse in Your Soul” by They Might Be Giants
Why: “Ever hear a song from way back in your past and it feels like a fresh burst of air? That’s this song for me.”
Most Streamed Song: “Goodmorning” by Bleachers
Why: “Gritty vocals, soaring instruments and an artist who has way too much fun playing around with soundscape. It managed to worm its way onto every playlist I made this year. I could just never bear to hit skip on this gem whenever it came on.”
Megan Mullaly, Managing Editor
Favorite Song: “I Like You (A Happier Song)” by Post Malone ft. Doja Cat
Why: “My friend and I both turned 22 recently and we kept making up different lyrics to it about being 22.”
Most Streamed Song: “Kingdom Come” by Jon Bellion
Why: “I’ve been running a lot this year and this song has the perfect tempo to run to, so I've been listening to it on repeat while running!”
Katherine Justiniani, Art Director
Favorite Song: “Mystery Lady” by Masego and Don Toliver
Why: “It’s about being in love with someone that’s in your head. They speak so passionately about how intoxicating the idea of someone is when they might not exist. The ‘mystery lady’ they talk about is the kind of cool cat I’m trying to be ;).”
Most Streamed Song: “Quantum Leap” by John Maus
Why: “It’s kind of a creepy, hypnotic sound that could fit into an old 80s sci-fi movie. A lot of times this year, things were so chaotic it felt like nothing was real. This song feels like being lost or falling into madness, but in a way that seems like someone else feels it too.”
Jakob Roberts, Assistant Art Director
Favorite Song: “Chainsaw the Door” by The Garden
Why: “The Garden has quickly become one of my favorite bands this year following their latest album release, and this song is my favorite off of it. I love how weird and expressive their music is; you can just hear how much fun they are having while recording it!”
Most Streamed Song: “Glory Box” by Portishead
Why: “It is just such a beautiful song I think it is physically impossible for me to get tired of it. That guitar riff especially sends me to another dimension.”
Riley Roliff, Multimedia Manager
Favorite Song: “British Bombs” by Declan McKenna
Why: “The line, ‘get real kid, your country’s been at war since birth now,’ really digs in at what it’s like to be anti-war in the U.S., a country that’s been at war during most of its existence, and gives half of every federal tax dollar to the military.”
Most Streamed Song: “Hiding tonight” by Alex Turner
Why: “Alex Turner and acoustic poems are a great mix. Not much else to say.”
Sheila Kiss, Arts Editor
Favorite Song: “Good Days” by SZA
Why: “I loved this song because it made me feel happy and grateful for literally the ‘good days’ I had throughout the year.”
Most Streamed Song: “Late Night Talking” by Harry Styles
Why: “I enjoyed listening to this song often, especially while driving around in my car during the summer!”
Cael Shaw, Culture Editor
Favorite Song: “Africa” by Toto
Why: “‘Africa’ has always been my favorite song of all time. I listen to it at least twice every week (but I mainly listen to it daily). Who DOESN’T love this song?!?!”
Most Streamed Song: “Pursuit of Liberty” by Bad Cop, Bad Cop
Why: “It’s a punk song about the hatred, bigotry and xenophobia that immigrants and refugees receive once they come to the United States to pursue the American Dream. Lowkey a banger.”
Emma Smallwood, Features Editor
Favorite Song: “Chiquitita” by ABBA
Why: “Not only was this the only song I listened to for the entire summer, but it brings me an instant level of joy that is unmatched.”
Most Streamed Song: “Rhinestone Eyes” by Gorillaz
Why: “I couldn’t stop listening to this song because it makes me feel like I am in an early-2000s teen mystery TV show.”
Lynn Nichols, Copy Editor
Favorite Song: “The Foundations of Decay” by My Chemical Romance
Why: “Do you remember where you were when MCR dropped a new song in 2022? I was on the bus! And I started crying!”
Most Streamed Song: “Guilty Pleasure” by Cobra Starship
Why: “I love upbeat ‘00s electropop! The lyrics are a real confidence booster, and the beat is perfect for writing essays. Cobra Starship saved my self-image, and also, my midterm grade.”
Abigail Jarvis, Social Editor
Favorite Song: “Take My Hand” by 5 Seconds of Summer
Why: “It’s a bop about friendship, love and connecting with each other. At this point in the pandemic it was just needed.”
Most Streamed Song: “Overdrive” by Maggie Rogers
Why: “It is off of her new album from this past summer and really encompasses her strength in style and connecting with her listeners. It’s a jam for sure.”
Sophie Farrar, Fashion & Wellness Editor
Favorite Song: “Fool” by Djo
Why: “I simply cannot get enough of Joe Keery and the music he makes under the pseudonym ‘Djo.’ This song unlocks something in me that makes me go absolutely feral.”
Most Streamed Song: “Music For a Sushi Restaurant” by Harry Styles
Why: “I had no choice but to listen to Harry Styles’ newest album ‘Harry’s House’ on repeat once it was released this past spring. Not only is ‘Music For a Sushi Restaurant’ the leading track off the album, but also one of my favorite songs on it. This dangerous combo led to me playing it constantly throughout the year.”
Abigail Preiszig, Online Content Editor
Favorite & Most Streamed Song: “Helmet” by Steve Lacy
Why: “The song fits any mood. I can happily dance around my room to this song or scream the lyrics in my car after a bad day.”