TOP 20 GLOBAL HIT SONGS IN THE FIRST QUARTER 2025

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The first quarter of 2025 has delivered an impressive array of global hits spanning multiple genres and artist collaborations. From groundbreaking cross-cultural partnerships to solo breakout performances, these 20 tracks have defined the global music landscape in early 2025.

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1. "APT" - ROSE FT. BRUNO MARS

This unexpected collaboration merges K-pop star ROSE's ethereal vocals with Bruno Mars' funk-infused production. The bilingual track explores urban loneliness through vintage synths and cross-cultural musical elements, breaking streaming records across Asia while making significant inroads in Western markets.

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2. "UP" - INNA FT. SEAN PAUL

Romanian dance-pop artist INNA teams with dancehall legend Sean Paul on this infectious club anthem. Combining Euro-dance sensibilities with Caribbean rhythms, "UP" delivers an uplifting message through pulsating beats that have sparked numerous viral dance challenges across social media platforms.

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3. "DIE WITH A SMILE" - LADY GAGA FT. BRUNO MARS

This emotional power ballad marks the first collaboration between these pop titans. The track blends country and soul influences with traditional pop balladry, showcasing both artists' vocal prowess through stunning harmonies. The minimalist, dramatically lit music video has further elevated its critical acclaim.

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4. "NOT LIKE US" - KENDRICK LAMAR

Lamar's latest offering provides sharp commentary on cultural appropriation in music through complex lyrics over jazz-influenced production. The track features his signature technical skill with alternating flow patterns and has generated substantial critical discussion alongside commercial success.

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5. "BEAUTIFUL THINGS" - BENSON BOONE

This breakout ballad has established Boone as more than a social media sensation. Starting with simple piano accompaniment before building to gospel-influenced choruses, the track showcases his impressive vocal range while exploring themes of hope and resilience that have resonated widely.

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6. "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - BILLIE EILISH

Eilish continues her artistic evolution with this atmospheric track produced by brother FINNEAS. Featuring whispery vocals over delicate instrumentation that builds to an unexpected crescendo, the song explores themes of finding kinship in a disconnected world.

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7. "LUTHER" - KENDRICK LAMAR FT SZA

Named for the legendary Luther Vandross, this collaboration pairs Lamar's introspective verses with SZA's soulful hooks. The neo-soul influenced production creates a perfect backdrop for lyrics exploring legacy, influence, and artistic authenticity.

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8. "LOSE CONTROL" - TEDDY SWIMS

Swims' passionate vocals shine on this genre-blending track that incorporates soul, R&B, and pop elements. His raw delivery and the song's themes of emotional vulnerability have connected with listeners seeking authenticity, cementing his transition from cover artist to original hitmaker.

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9. "ORDINARY" - ALEX WARREN

Former social media personality Warren has found musical legitimacy with this indie-pop gem. The track's relatable lyrics about embracing imperfection and nostalgia-tinged production have particularly resonated with Gen Z audiences, proving Warren's successful pivot to music.

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10. "I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME" - ARTEMAS

This breakthrough hit combines retro synth-pop production with contemporary bedroom pop intimacy. Artemas' distinctive vocal delivery and the track's candid romantic lyrics have fueled its organic growth through streaming platforms and social media virality.

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11. "ESPRESSO" - SABRINA CARPENTER

Carpenter continues her ascent with this caffeine-inspired pop hit. Clever wordplay, double entendres, and an infectious chorus have made "Espresso" a commercial juggernaut, solidifying her transition from teen star to mature pop force.

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12. "MESSY" - LOLA YOUNG

Young's soulful vocals and raw emotional honesty shine on this jazz-influenced ballad. The minimalist production foregrounds her impressive vocal control and the song's exploration of personal imperfections has struck a chord with listeners seeking authenticity.

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13. "WHO" - JIMIN

The BTS member's solo venture showcases his distinctive vocal color and performance intensity. Blending K-pop production values with R&B influences, "WHO" features intricate choreography in its visual presentation while exploring themes of identity and perception.

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14. "BAD DREAMS" - TEDDY SWIMS

Swims' second entry in the top 20 demonstrates his versatility with more pronounced country influences. The track's exploration of haunting past relationships through vivid lyrical imagery has connected with listeners across demographic boundaries.

15. "SAILOR SONG" - GIGI PEREZ

This breakout indie-folk hit features nautical metaphors for life's journey over stripped-back acoustic instrumentation. Perez's warm vocal tone and the track's nostalgic production values have found a devoted audience seeking musical authenticity.

16. "YELLOW" - COLDPLAY

This classic track has found renewed popularity through a viral TikTok trend and inclusion in a major film soundtrack. Almost 25 years after its original release, the song's timeless melody and emotional resonance continue to captivate new generations of listeners.

17. "TIMELESS" - THE WEEKEND FT PLAYBOI CARTI

This collaboration merges The Weeknd's atmospheric R&B with Carti's experimental vocal approach. The track's futuristic production and themes of eternal fame have dominated streaming charts while pushing sonic boundaries.

18. "I DON'T WANNA WAIT" - DAVID GUETTA FT ONE REPUBLIC

Electronic production maestro Guetta teams with OneRepublic's pop sensibilities on this anthem about seizing the moment. The track blends EDM drops with rock-influenced verses, creating a crossover hit that's performed well across multiple radio formats.

19. "NO ONE NOTICED" - THE MARIAS

This bilingual indie-pop gem combines dream-pop atmospherics with subtle Latin influences. The track's exploration of overlooked emotional struggles has found particular resonance on college radio and alternative streaming playlists.

20. "ILLUSION" - DUA LIPA

Closing our list is Lipa's disco-influenced dance-pop track featuring her signature vocal hooks over pulsating production. The song's exploration of deceptive relationships through metaphoric lyrics has been enhanced by an elaborate visual presentation, maintaining Lipa's position as a pop innovator.

The first quarter of 2025 demonstrates music's continued evolution across genre boundaries, with artists increasingly willing to experiment with diverse sounds and unexpected collaborations. What unites these varied hits is authenticity and emotional resonance, proving that despite technology's growing influence, human connection remains the heart of musical success.

TOP 20 GLOBAL HIT SONGS IN THE FIRST QUARTER 2025

The first quarter of 2025 has delivered an impressive array of global hits spanning multiple genres and artist collaborations. From groundbreaking cross-cultural partnerships to solo breakout performances, these 20 tracks have defined the global music landscape in early 2025.

1. "APT" - ROSE FT. BRUNO MARS

This unexpected collaboration merges K-pop star ROSE's ethereal vocals with Bruno Mars' funk-infused production. The bilingual track explores urban loneliness through vintage synths and cross-cultural musical elements, breaking streaming records across Asia while making significant inroads in Western markets.

2. "UP" - INNA FT. SEAN PAUL

Romanian dance-pop artist INNA teams with dancehall legend Sean Paul on this infectious club anthem. Combining Euro-dance sensibilities with Caribbean rhythms, "UP" delivers an uplifting message through pulsating beats that have sparked numerous viral dance challenges across social media platforms.

3. "DIE WITH A SMILE" - LADY GAGA FT. BRUNO MARS

This emotional power ballad marks the first collaboration between these pop titans. The track blends country and soul influences with traditional pop balladry, showcasing both artists' vocal prowess through stunning harmonies. The minimalist, dramatically lit music video has further elevated its critical acclaim.

4. "NOT LIKE US" - KENDRICK LAMAR

Lamar's latest offering provides sharp commentary on cultural appropriation in music through complex lyrics over jazz-influenced production. The track features his signature technical skill with alternating flow patterns and has generated substantial critical discussion alongside commercial success.

5. "BEAUTIFUL THINGS" - BENSON BOONE

This breakout ballad has established Boone as more than a social media sensation. Starting with simple piano accompaniment before building to gospel-influenced choruses, the track showcases his impressive vocal range while exploring themes of hope and resilience that have resonated widely.

6. "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" - BILLIE EILISH

Eilish continues her artistic evolution with this atmospheric track produced by brother FINNEAS. Featuring whispery vocals over delicate instrumentation that builds to an unexpected crescendo, the song explores themes of finding kinship in a disconnected world.

7. "LUTHER" - KENDRICK LAMAR FT SZA

Named for the legendary Luther Vandross, this collaboration pairs Lamar's introspective verses with SZA's soulful hooks. The neo-soul influenced production creates a perfect backdrop for lyrics exploring legacy, influence, and artistic authenticity.

8. "LOSE CONTROL" - TEDDY SWIMS

Swims' passionate vocals shine on this genre-blending track that incorporates soul, R&B, and pop elements. His raw delivery and the song's themes of emotional vulnerability have connected with listeners seeking authenticity, cementing his transition from cover artist to original hitmaker.

9. "ORDINARY" - ALEX WARREN

Former social media personality Warren has found musical legitimacy with this indie-pop gem. The track's relatable lyrics about embracing imperfection and nostalgia-tinged production have particularly resonated with Gen Z audiences, proving Warren's successful pivot to music.

10. "I LIKE THE WAY YOU KISS ME" - ARTEMAS

This breakthrough hit combines retro synth-pop production with contemporary bedroom pop intimacy. Artemas' distinctive vocal delivery and the track's candid romantic lyrics have fueled its organic growth through streaming platforms and social media virality.

11. "ESPRESSO" - SABRINA CARPENTER

Carpenter continues her ascent with this caffeine-inspired pop hit. Clever wordplay, double entendres, and an infectious chorus have made "Espresso" a commercial juggernaut, solidifying her transition from teen star to mature pop force.

12. "MESSY" - LOLA YOUNG

Young's soulful vocals and raw emotional honesty shine on this jazz-influenced ballad. The minimalist production foregrounds her impressive vocal control and the song's exploration of personal imperfections has struck a chord with listeners seeking authenticity.

13. "WHO" - JIMIN

The BTS member's solo venture showcases his distinctive vocal color and performance intensity. Blending K-pop production values with R&B influences, "WHO" features intricate choreography in its visual presentation while exploring themes of identity and perception.

14. "BAD DREAMS" - TEDDY SWIMS

Swims' second entry in the top 20 demonstrates his versatility with more pronounced country influences. The track's exploration of haunting past relationships through vivid lyrical imagery has connected with listeners across demographic boundaries.

15. "SAILOR SONG" - GIGI PEREZ

This breakout indie-folk hit features nautical metaphors for life's journey over stripped-back acoustic instrumentation. Perez's warm vocal tone and the track's nostalgic production values have found a devoted audience seeking musical authenticity.

16. "YELLOW" - COLDPLAY

This classic track has found renewed popularity through a viral TikTok trend and inclusion in a major film soundtrack. Almost 25 years after its original release, the song's timeless melody and emotional resonance continue to captivate new generations of listeners.

17. "TIMELESS" - THE WEEKEND FT PLAYBOI CARTI

This collaboration merges The Weeknd's atmospheric R&B with Carti's experimental vocal approach. The track's futuristic production and themes of eternal fame have dominated streaming charts while pushing sonic boundaries.

18. "I DON'T WANNA WAIT" - DAVID GUETTA FT ONE REPUBLIC

Electronic production maestro Guetta teams with OneRepublic's pop sensibilities on this anthem about seizing the moment. The track blends EDM drops with rock-influenced verses, creating a crossover hit that's performed well across multiple radio formats.

19. "NO ONE NOTICED" - THE MARIAS

This bilingual indie-pop gem combines dream-pop atmospherics with subtle Latin influences. The track's exploration of overlooked emotional struggles has found particular resonance on college radio and alternative streaming playlists.

20. "ILLUSION" - DUA LIPA

Closing our list is Lipa's disco-influenced dance-pop track featuring her signature vocal hooks over pulsating production. The song's exploration of deceptive relationships through metaphoric lyrics has been enhanced by an elaborate visual presentation, maintaining Lipa's position as a pop innovator.

The first quarter of 2025 demonstrates music's continued evolution across genre boundaries, with artists increasingly willing to experiment with diverse sounds and unexpected collaborations. What unites these varied hits is authenticity and emotional resonance, proving that despite technology's growing influence, human connection remains the heart of musical success.