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.