IDOLTHREAT International Top 20 of 2020
This is the eighth year I’ve put together this list; each year there’s an International List and an Australian list.
This is the International list; the top 20 songs that originated outside of Australia.
You don’t need me to tell you it’s been a rubbish year. But what we’ve all learned is that it’s music that is always there for us, at the highs and at the heartbreaking lows. This year’s list is a list of songs that helped people process what we were feeling, songs that lifted spirits during lockdowns, and songs that stood out as special, unforgettable moments.
For the IDOLTHREAT Australian Top 20 of 2020, click here.
BUT FIRST, A VERY IMPORTANT 22 AND THEN 21:
22. SIX FEET APART — Alec Benjamin
when you’re right outside my window / but can’t ride inside my car
21. MANIAC — Conan Grey
so why do you call me and tell me you want me back / you maniac!
(This was released in 2019, but became a radio hit in 2020.)
20. THE BADDEST — K/DA
look at the gold, call it a flex
19. HEAD & HEART — Joel Corry and MNEK
’cause I’m frozen in motion and my head tells me to stop / but my heart goes…
18. DYNAMITE — BTS
’cause I-I-I’m in the stars tonight
17. PEOPLE I DON’T LIKE — UPSAHL
so let’s pretend we like each other
16. EDGE OF MIDNIGHT — Miley Cyrus and Stevie Nicks
I was born to run / I don’t belong to anyone
15. THINK ABOUT THINGS — Daði Freyr
baby I can’t wait to know / what do you think about things?
14. I DISAPPEAR IN YOUR ARMS — Christine and the Queens
you say you love me / and now I doubt it
13. OFF MY MIND — BLOXX
I can get you off / but never get you off my mind
12. THEREFORE I AM — Billie Eilish
alright stop / what the hell are you talkin’ about? / get my pretty name outta your mouth
11. LEVITATING — Dua Lipa and, optionally, DaBaby
I got you / moonlight / you’re my starlight
10. WONDER — Shawn Mendes
I wonder what it’s like to be loved by you
9. SPACE — Becky Hill
well maybe we need space
8. NIGHT GARDEN — BENEE, Kenny Beats, and Bakar
feels like someone’s watchin’ me
7. STUPID LOVE — Lady Gaga
all I ever wanted was love
6. HEAD SHOULDERS KNEES & TOES — Ofenbach, Quarterhead, and Norma Jean Martine
your music gets me through the highs and lows
5. HYPNOTIZED — Purple Disco Machine and Sophie & The Giants
but I’m coming home / I’m coming back down tonight
4. LIFETIME — Romy
once in a lifetime / something matters
3. LUCID — Rina Sawayama
hey girl, you are what I’ve been looking for
2. KNOW YOUR WORTH — Khalid and Disclosure
find someone who loves you at your worst
1. SWITCHBLADE — NIKI
the winds of change have nothing on this switchblade faith
