Each December, best-of lists spring from every corner of music journalism. Naturally, each critic has their own collection of favorites, a unique set of tastes they bring to the conversation.
For the four years I've been writing Business Insider's yearly music rankings, I've sought to approach the task with a mix of critical and personal sensibilities. I comb through my playlists for the year-defining gems — songs that don't just befit the current vibe but will continue to stand the test of time.
This year, I enforced a new rule to avoid overlap in the song ranking and the album ranking, to celebrate a wider array of music.
Therefore, every selection for the list below is a true standout in the artist's catalog, one that transcends the borders of a tracklist and holds up alone.
Keep reading to see my top 20 songs of 2023, ranked from worst to best.