Our No. 1 songs: 2023

Summary

Podcast Summary: All Songs Considered – "Our No. 1 Songs: 2023"

Date: December 22, 2025
Host: Robin Hilton with Stephen Thompson
Theme: Looking Back at the Most Meaningful Songs of 2023

---

Overview

In this special anniversary episode, Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson celebrate 25 years of NPR's "All Songs Considered" by revisiting their personal top songs from 2023. Rather than focusing on chart hits, the hosts highlight tracks that resonated with them and encapsulated the spirit and musical landscape of the year. The conversation is warm, candid, and rich with personal reflections on music, artistry, and the shifting trends of the music industry.

---

Key Discussion Points & Insights

What Defines the No. 1 Song?

• The hosts clarify their criteria: these are not the Billboard No. 1s but tracks most meaningful to the NPR Music team and emblematic of the year.
  • Robin Hilton: "These are just the songs that meant the most to us from that year, or take us back to that time or really... speak to the identity of All Songs Considered." (00:31)

---

Chapel Roan’s Meteoric Rise

[01:15-03:42]

• Stephen’s Pick: "Red Wine Supernova" by Chapel Roan

  • The hosts discuss how the album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess became a slow-burn favorite, eventually catapulting Chapel Roan to pop stardom in 2024.
  • Stephen Thompson: "Streaming had made it so it would be impossible for us to get any new stars... but Chapel Roan ended up having that giant pop star rise." (02:18)
  • The NPR Tiny Desk performance is credited as a pivotal moment in Roan’s mainstream breakthrough.
  • Discussion of her artistry, persona, and vocal prowess, with Stephen expressing pride in NPR’s early championing of her.

• In-House Lingo:

  • Robin Hilton: "I've noticed some people on the music team sort of using her name as a shorthand for anytime they want an artist to have a successful art... Can we Chapel Roan them?" (03:43)

---

Songs of Grief, Isolation, and Connection

[04:17-08:37]

• Robin’s Pick: "Christine" by Ben Folds

  • Described as a deeply affecting song about grief, disconnection, and the yearning for human contact.
  • Ben Fold’s unique storytelling and emotion are highlighted, with a poignant lyric excerpted:
    • "Are you the same Christine I knew from seventh grade? ... I just don't reply because I'm not really sure what to say." (05:01)
  • Robin Hilton: "It's so affecting to me because it speaks so much to why are we even here if we're not going to connect with each other?" (06:22)
  • The song is praised for addressing how isolation can "break our minds in a way and turn us against one another," yet ends with the hopeful refrain:
    • "The world is really actually a pretty beautiful place." (07:40)
  • Personal Anecdote: Robin admits the song brings him to tears almost every time.

• Stephen’s Playful Response:

  • "This is not a video podcast, thank God. But Robin, that entire excerpt...Robin's head was buried in his hands. And I thought to myself, there is a 30 to 50% chance that Robin is currently weeping." (06:02)

---

Other Standout Tracks of 2023

[11:05-17:41]

Quickfire Highlights:

• Japanese House – In the End It Always Does
  • Stephen describes this record as a personal repeat listen.
• boygenius – Giant breakthrough in 2023.
• Fen Lilly – Another NPR favorite.
• Wednesday – Marked their breakout year.

---

Luke Combs Covers Tracy Chapman: "Fast Car"

[11:39-13:05]

• The hosts discuss the success and cultural ripple of Luke Combs' soulful rendition.
  • Stephen Thompson: "That created a big Tracy Chapman renaissance. And what could possibly be better?" (13:05)

---

The Beaches – "Blame Brett"

[13:19-15:35]

• A witty, energetic song celebrated for its humor and candor about breakups.
• Stephen Thompson: "Don't blame me. Blame Brett. Blame my ex...When you have an ex named Brett, this song hits just that much harder." (14:42)

---

Olivia Rodrigo – "bad idea right?"

[15:35-17:41]

• Robin spotlights Olivia Rodrigo's hit as an anthem of the year.
  • Robin Hilton: "Oh God, this song so good from the album Guts. ...This was the album for me that really, yeah, it represented something of a leveling up." (16:50)
  • Stephen and Robin agree Rodrigo's growth as an artist is remarkable, noting her transition from child star to pop icon, and speculate with excitement about her future work.
  • Stephen Thompson: "So much more of her personality comes through in this record and in that song. ... She has, think about how many great records she has ahead of her." (17:04)

---

Notable Quotes

• Stephen Thompson on Chapel Roan:
  • "A pop star who wasn't afraid to lean into some of the artier sides of a pop music persona, and still blow up." (03:39)
• Robin Hilton on Ben Folds’ “Christine”:
  • "What are we even doing if we’re not going to connect with our neighbors and our friends and share in this human experience together?" (06:22)
• Stephen Thompson on Personal Taste:
  • "I think the fact that you really relate to that song, speaks to the fact that that's very much your worldview. And I think that's why it's just never done it for me." (08:27)
• On Olivia Rodrigo:
  • "I'm greedy. Give me more." (17:39) – Stephen Thompson

---

Key Segment Timestamps

• [00:18] Introduction and setup of episode
• [01:04] Stephen’s No. 1: Chapel Roan, “Red Wine Supernova”
• [04:18] Robin’s No. 1: Ben Folds, “Christine”
• [11:05] Stephen’s Shortlist: Japanese House, boygenius, Fen Lilly, Wednesday, Luke Combs
• [11:39] Luke Combs “Fast Car” cover discussion
• [13:19] The Beaches “Blame Brett”
• [15:40] Olivia Rodrigo “bad idea right?”
• [17:41] Closing and outro

---

Memorable Moments

• Robin’s visible emotional connection to "Christine" by Ben Folds, eliciting laughter and empathy from Stephen.
• The in-joke about "Chapel Roaning" an artist as office slang (03:43).
• The playful tension between Robin’s earnest, emotional choices and Stephen’s picks that often skew more playful.
• The lingering excitement about Olivia Rodrigo’s future output, evidencing the show’s continued enthusiasm for new music discovery.

---

Tone and Takeaways

• Tone: Warm, nostalgic, sometimes humorous, occasionally poignant.
• Takeaway: The episode isn’t about objective “bests,” but about celebrating the songs and artists that left their mark on the All Songs Considered team—and listeners—by shaping 2023’s musical and emotional landscape.

---

Transcript

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

This message comes from NPR sponsor Rosetta Stone, an expert in language learning for 30 years. Right now, NPR listeners can get Rosetta Stone's lifetime membership to 25 different languages for 50% off. Learn more at rosetta stone.com NPR all right.

[Robin Hilton]

All Songs Considered. I'm Robin Hilton. Stephen Thompson here to talk about our number one songs from the past 25 years of the show.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's good to be here, Robin.

[Robin Hilton]

So we are almost done. We've just got a couple more years that we're going to talk about, starting with the year 2023 now. And, you know, as we're getting into the final stretch here, I'll just remind people these are not The Billboard Hot 100 Hits, the number one songs like that. These are just the songs that meant the most to us from that year or take us back to that time or really, you know, sort of speak to the identity of all songs considered. Since we are celebrating the show's 25th.

[Stephen Thompson]

Anniversary, since we are here celebrating ourselves.

[Robin Hilton]

Celebrating, it's all about, what do you think of when you think of music in 2023? I've got a handful of things here, but I'll let you go first.

[Stephen Thompson]

Well, when I think of 2023, I think of an album that had a little bit of a slow burn and really blew up in 2024. I'm gonna go with this.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

She was a playboy, Brigitte Bardot. She showed me things I didn't know. She did it right there out on the deck Put her K deep in the side of my neck.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, it's Chapel Roan, but it's not the song I thought you were gonna.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's not. It's not necessarily the biggest hit single.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

I just wanna get to know ya. Cause I didn't quite think it through. Fell in love with the thought of you. Now I'm choked up Face down Bur baby, why don't you come over? Red Wine.

[Stephen Thompson]

This is Red Wine Supernova from Chapel Ron and her album the Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. This album kind of came along at a point where a lot of the discussions around pop stars and pop music were that, like, streaming had made it so it would be impossible for us to get any new stars because streaming algorithms feed people the music they've already played. It's gotten harder and harder for new artists to break through, but Chapel Roan ended up having that giant pop star rise. This album came out in like September of 2023, kind of perfectly timed right at the beginning of the window of Grammy eligibility, which was a very smart move because she had about a six month rise to mega stardom. And I'm so pleased and proud of the fact that a part of her rise was her performance at the tiny desk, you know, which. Which helped kind of introduce her to the world as somebody who was not just somebody who had a bunch of bubblegum pop songs, but somebody who had visuals, Somebody who had thought out her Persona, like her Persona in a kind of a 360 degree way and had these intense and immense vocal chops. And so for me, this was kind of my favorite story of music in 2023 and 2024. A pop star who wasn't afraid to lean into some of the artier sides.

[Robin Hilton]

Of a pop music Persona and still blow up.

[Stephen Thompson]

And still blow up.

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah. It's actually gotten to the point where that's such a special thing now. It didn't always used to be that way, but it's such a special thing that I've noticed some people on the music team. Team sort of using her name as a shorthand for anytime they want an artist to have a successful art.

[Stephen Thompson]

Like, I want them to be Chapel Roan.

[Robin Hilton]

Can they just. Can we Chapel Roan them? Yeah. So, you know, again, I. I feel like every time you play something like that, I end up having the complete opposite song to play. But when I think of 2023, here's.

[Stephen Thompson]

A song about grief.

[Robin Hilton]

I just can't give you anything that I think is better for me personally from that year than this.

[Stephen Thompson]

Oh, this is. Is this ben folds?

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah, ben fold.

[Stephen Thompson]

This is a great song. And I know you. I do know you love this song. You've played this song for me before.

[Ben Folds (or voice actor reading Ben Folds lyrics)]

Are you the same Christine I knew from seventh grade? No, it's definitely you. Just with a new last name. Someone who laughed a lot is what I remember the most. But the face in your profile suggests maybe not so much anymore. I got the emails these last two years every day, and I just don't reply because. Because I'm not really sure what to say. Christine. From the seventh grade.

[Stephen Thompson]

So listeners at home, they can't see us. This is not a video podcast, thank God. But Robin, that entire song, the entire excerpt of the song that we played, Robin's head. Head was buried in his hands. And I thought to myself, there is a 30 to 50% chance that Robin is currently weeping.

[Robin Hilton]

Much higher than that. I thought you were gonna say 30 to 50% chance he's not gonna get through this. Because this song does crush me. Like, it's so such an incredible song. The story that he unspools. You really need to listen to the whole thing. But it's just, I think it's so affecting to me because it's speaks so much to why are we even here if we're not going to connect with each other? Why are we even here if we're not going to find joy in small ways? What are we even doing if we're not going to connect with our neighbors and our friends and share in this human experience together? And what happens to us when we don't do that and we withdraw and we become more and more isolated?

[Stephen Thompson]

I think it's a was here saying that song spoke to you in 2023.

[Robin Hilton]

It continues to speak to me, you know, yes, it's definitely a song for the times. I think it's a song that would resonate at any time, but maybe especially now because it also does talk about how when we withdraw and become isolated, the way it can kind of break our minds in a way and turn us against one another. And the refrain that he keeps repeating through the song is, you know, the world is really actually a pretty beautiful place.

[Ben Folds (or voice actor reading Ben Folds lyrics)]

There's a break in the rain.

[Stephen Thompson]

A.

[Ben Folds (or voice actor reading Ben Folds lyrics)]

Perfect time for a walk. The smell of wet leaves, warm smiles and hellos. These things exist in the real world, you know. Oh, what a shame, Christine. This disease that makes strangers of friends. But if these days it's really us's and thems, maybe you should just take me off both of those lists. Cause it's such a short and sad and beautiful life. Do you ever see it that way?

[Stephen Thompson]

I think the fact that that song really, that you really relate to that song, you know, speaks to the fact that that's very much your worldview. And I think that's why it's just never done it for me.

[Robin Hilton]

You're fine with the isolation.

[Stephen Thompson]

I know you're beautiful song.

[Robin Hilton]

So let's just take a quick break here and when we come back, we can talk about some of the other songs we Remember most from 2023.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

This message comes from BetterHelp. As a dad, Better help President Fernando Madera relates to needing flexibility when it comes to scheduling therapy.

[Robin Hilton]

They have kids under 18, so like time is very limited. That's why at BetterHelp, our therapists try to have sessions, sometimes at night, depending on the therapist or during the weekend. So I think that's what we need to tell the parents. You're not alone. We can help you out.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

If a flexible schedule would help you visit betterhelp.com NPR for 10% off your first month of online therapy. This message comes from Schwab. Everyone has moments when they could have done better. Same goes for where you invest. Level up and invest smarter with Schwab. Get market insights, education and human help when you need it.

[Sponsor Narrator (various sponsors)]

This message comes from Dignity Memorial and Memphis Funeral Home, one of their nationwide providers. Funeral director Mike Perry and retired football coach Bill Muir share their experience working together to create a celebration of life for Bill's wife, Barbara.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

We as the funeral directors will only have one time to do this and to get it right. Even like the little small details. That stuff matters to the families that we deal with. They may not remember all the words that are shared, but they're always going to remember how you made them feel. So those details are very important because it can capture the family's heart.

[Stephen Thompson]

I can't tell you exactly how much.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly related to Tracy Chapman cover)]

Time he spent with me asking me.

[Stephen Thompson]

Any number of questions about my wife and our relationship. Actually, I felt like he was my best friend by the time we were done.

[Sponsor Narrator (various sponsors)]

Find a provider near you like Memphis funeral [e-mail] this message comes from Progressive Insurance and the name your price tool. It helps you find car insurance options in your budget. Try it [e-mail] progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates price and coverage match limited by state law. Not available in all states.

[Stephen Thompson]

There were a ton of great records. Obviously these are never definitive. We're talking about a small handful of songs each time. But that Japanese house put out a record in 2023 called in the End it always does That I just listened to again and again. Boy genius had their giant breakthrough that year. Fen Lilly put out this beautiful record, but I don't want us to Wednesday. Wednesday kind of broke in 2023. Big, big NPR Music favorite, rightfully so. Luke Combs did a cover of Fast actually really deeply love you got a.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly related to Tracy Chapman cover)]

Fast car and I got a plan to get us out of here Been working at the convenience store Managed to save just a little bit of money Won't have to drive too far just to cross the border and into the city and you and I can both get jobs finally see what it means to be living. See my old man's got a problem living the bottle that's the way it is Said his body's too old for working his body's too young to look like his so mama went off and left him she wanted more from life than he could give I said somebody's gotta take care of him so I quit school and that's What I did. You got a fast car Is it fast enough so we can fly away? Still gotta make a decision Leave tonight or if it die this way.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

So.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly related to Tracy Chapman cover)]

I remember when we were driving driving in your car speed so fast I felt like I was drunk City lights lay out before send your humphill lights wrapped around my shoulder and I had a feeling that I belong high.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

A.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly related to Tracy Chapman cover)]

Feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone.

[Stephen Thompson]

I mean, that created a big Tracy Chapman renaissance. And what. What could possibly be better? But honestly, I want to play this song.

[Robin Hilton]

Also not what I thought you were gonn.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

Like in my button. Hey. You could be my baby, baby, baby you could be my baby boy lady you could be my baby, baby, baby I'm sorry I'm only going to treat you d I'm probably going to let you down I'm probably going to sleep for hours. Before you take off your pants I wouldn't let me knew your friends I would have let you knew you d. But don't blame me, baby Blame my expl. That's why I'm.

[Robin Hilton]

I'm sorry, man. I don't know.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

It's.

[Stephen Thompson]

This is blame Brett.

[Robin Hilton]

Oh, you were telling me about this song. The beaches.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

The beaches.

[Stephen Thompson]

Oh, yeah.

[Robin Hilton]

You were telling me about. And it sounded so funny and I kept. I meant to go back and discover a bit. Oh, yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

I mean, I'm only gonna let you down. I'm probably gonna sleep around. Don't blame me. Blame Brett. Blame my ex. Blame my ex. Blame my ex. Such a great record. The album is called blame my ex. The song is called Blame Brett, which is just. I talked to a friend recently about how much I love this song, and they were like, yeah, when you have an ex named Brett, this song hits just that much harder.

[Robin Hilton]

So funny.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

You die. But don't blame me, baby. Blame my ex. Blame my ex. Blame my ex.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, I can't believe that neither of us have mentioned this one yet.

[Stephen Thompson]

All right.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

Hey.

[Stephen Thompson]

Oh, bad idea, right?

[Sponsor Narrator (various sponsors)]

Yeah.

[Robin Hilton]

Olivia Rodrigo.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

Haven't heard from you in a couple of months, But I'm out right now and I'm all webped up and you're calling my phone. You're all alone and I'm sensing some undertones and I'm right here with all my friends. But you're sending me your new address and I know we're done. I know we're through with God. When I look at you my brain goes up can't hear myself, I cannot hear my sound. Seeing you tonight it's a bad idea, right? Seeing you tonight. It's a bad idea, right? Seeing you tonight, It's a bad idea. Be all right. Sing it tonight, Whatever.

[Sponsor Narrator (various sponsors)]

It's fine.

[Robin Hilton]

Oh, God, this song so good from the album Guts. We we talked a little bit about Olivia R. Rodrigo earlier in this run as we were looking through the years. But this was, this was the album for me that really, yeah, it represented.

[Stephen Thompson]

Something of a leveling up. You know, she came out so fully formed, you know, great live performer. You know, she comes by it honestly. You know, she comes from she was a child star, you know, before she was a pop star and, you know, seemed to have just been trained from birth to be this really, really dynamic presence. But so much more of her personality comes through in this record and in that song. And you just get a sense like, man, she's still so, so young. She has think about how many great records she has ahead of her.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, and this has already been now a couple years since Guts came out. So maybe in the next year or so we'll get something new.

[Stephen Thompson]

I'm greedy. Give me more.

[Robin Hilton]

But we'll go out on this. And until next time, Stephen, and it will be the last year that we're doing in this series. Thanks as always.

[Stephen Thompson]

Thank you, Rob.

[Robin Hilton]

And for NPR Music, I'm Robin Hilton. It's All Songs Considered.

[Guest Musician or Artist (possibly Chapel Roan or related artist)]

I just tripped Fallon to his bed.

[Sponsor Narrator (various sponsors)]

This message comes from Saatva, the official mattress and restorative sleep provider for the U.S. olympic and Paralympic teams. U.S. olympic cross country skiing athlete and Saatva brand ambassador Jesse Diggins talks about the importance of sleep. Every night I aim for about nine to 10 hours, and I realize that sounds like a lot, but I train really hard and so I need a lot of sleep in order to recover. Sattva believes you deserve that kind of restorative sleep, too. Visit saatva.com NPR to save $200 on $1,000 or more. This message comes from NPR sponsor Viori, featuring the performance jogger. Visit viori.com NPR for 20% off your first purchase on any U.S. orders over $75 and free returns. Exclusions apply. Visit the website for full terms and conditions.

[NPR Sponsor Announcer]

This message comes from REI Co Op. Don't be surprised when you're this season's best gift giver. REI's curated outdoor gear takes the guesswork out of gifting, so you won't be surprised, but they will give without guessing. Shop in store [e-mail].