Music has likely existed for 40,000 to 50,000 years, around the same time modern humans began developing culture, art, and language. Archaeologists have found ancient instruments such as bone flutes, showing that early humans valued creativity as well as survival.
2025 stood out as one of the strongest years for modern music. The 2025 charts were a powerhouse mix of legendary anthems from stars like Lady Gaga and Kendrick Lamar, alongside viral breakouts like Alex Warren, Lola Young, and Myles Smith. Driven by TikTok trends and cinematic production, the year proved that classic star power and internet-fueled hits now dominate the Top 100. It was the ultimate era of genre-blurring, where nostalgic ballads and AI-enhanced pop lived side by side.
The top five songs of 2025 were
“Die With a Smile”—Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars
“Luther” —Kendrick Lamar and SZA
“Debí Tirar Más Fotos” — Bad Bunny
“Birds of a Feather” — Billie Eilish
“Lose Control” — Teddy Swims
The top artists of 2025 were Bad Bunny, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish.
Here are the top five hits of three students and two teachers here at Oakmont.
Beckett Gaspar is a ninth grader here at Oakmont. He states, “I love music and couldn’t live without it.”
His choices in music are:
- “Sticky” — Tyler, The Creator
- “Beef” — Playboi Carti
- “RIP” — Lucki
- “A Lot” — 21 Savage
- “PUNK ROCKY” — A$AP Rocky
Shay Kelly is also a ninth grader here at Oakmont, and his musical taste is very hip-hop-focused. “Without these songs, I would be lost.” His top five are:
- “Love Me” — Lil Tecca
- “734” — Juice WRLD
- “The Night We Met” — Lord Huron
- “Margiela Pink” — Lil Mosey
- “Northern Redneck” — Aaron Lewis
Colby Hanks is a senior who has a wonderful taste in music. “These are the best songs of all time. I listened to these all of 2025.” His music includes:
- “Dead!” — My Chemical Romance
- “Mama” — My Chemical Romance
- “Duality” – Slipknot
- “Father” — Sabaton
- “Can’t Hold Us” — Macklemore
Ms. Dubovick has been a guidance counselor here at Oakmont for 26 years. “Students try to give me music recommendations all the time. Most of them are rap and hip-hop, and sometimes I do listen to them.” Here are her top five hits:
- “Luther” — Kendrick Lamar
- “Killing Me Softly With His Song” — Lauryn Hill
- “Blue” — Joni Mitchell
- “Eyes of the World” — Grateful Dead
- “Magdalena” — Goose
Mr. Dewhurst has been here at Oakmont for eight years. He is a teacher at Oakmont. “ Students try to give me recommended songs.” These are his top five hits of 2025:
- “I’ll Make a Man Out of You” — Mulan
- “Father and Son” — Cat Stevens
- Lofi hip hop
- “Messy” — Lola Young
- “Circles” — Post Malone
Obviously, the top five hits worldwide and the music tastes of Oakmont Regional High School students and teachers differ. But that doesn’t mean they have to stay divided. Music could actually bring us together. Here’s why:
A study with 97 teenagers found that when groups believed they shared similar musical tastes, they reported more positive attitudes toward one another and expected better evaluations from others, highlighting music’s role in reducing social bias.
Some scientists argue that music evolved as a social bonding system, helping early humans coordinate, cooperate, and survive as groups. Music provides structure for synchronized behavior, which supports prosocial (helping) actions. Overall, research suggests that music isn’t just entertainment — it’s a social tool that helps individuals cooperate and feel connected, strengthens relationships across age groups and cultures, encourages shared emotional experiences, and can reduce social divisions when used positively.
Now, whether you agree or disagree with today’s music tastes, there’s no denying that music can be loved, appreciated, and studied all around the world, and its impact continues to grow. Every song has the power to connect people across cultures, evoke memories, and express emotions that words alone cannot capture. Even trends that seem fleeting can influence future artists and shape the sound of music for years to come. Ultimately, music is a universal language that keeps evolving, inspiring, and bringing people together. So whether you’re a T-Swizzle fan or an OFWGKTA fan, music can bring everyone together, no matter where you are or what you do.
