WHY ARE WE REMINISCING THE THE 2015 - 2020 MUSIC ERA?

Story by Arden Vale

18/12/2025

As 2026 draws near, a wave of nostalgia is sweeping through our generation, which many longing for the 2015-2020 music era - a time when songs felt raw, personal and undeniably monumental. Songs from icons like Ariana Grande, Drake, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift weren’t just ear worms - they were anthems full of emotions, stories that hit close to home, and melodies that stayed with you long after the music stopped. While today’s hits can explode overnight, there’s something about those unforgettable tracks that still feel bigger, more personal and impossible to forget.

Whilst the 2020 - 2025 music era has given us plenty of big hits, the 2015 - 2020 era felt different - song were personal, memorable and carried weight that went beyond just going viral. Let’s take a look back at each year and revisit the tracks that defined this unforgettable period in music. Let’s start with 2015. In 2015 we were introduced to two incredible songs with two completely different music genres. “Uptown Funk”, by Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars, was impossible to escape - but beyond its infections beat, it captured the carefree, celebratory spirit of the year. It’s retro-inspired funk made people dance, laugh and sing along, creating shared moments that felt timeless. More than a decade on, “Uptown Funk” is still filling dance floors, soundtracking parties and popping up on playlists everywhere - proof that energy and appeal haven’t faded with time. 2015 also brought another fan favourite that is making a come back today, “Lush Life”, by Zara Larsson, brought a sense of independence and self-expression to pop music. It’s playful, confident lyrics about enjoying life resonated with a generation finding their voice and navigating young childhood. Today, “Lush Life” is finding a new life as a symbol of stress-free summers and simpler times, often resurfacing in nostalgic playbacks and throwback videos. It’s carefree energy reminders listeners of a period where life felt lighter, spontaneous and full of possibility. 2016 brought two songs which topped charts, created new trends and were inspiring to those who listened. “3 Strikes”, by Terror Jr, stood out for its dreamy, alternative-pop sound and emotionally detached lyrics - capturing the quieter, more introspective side of 2016’s music scene. It also gained extra intrigue at the time due to widespread rumours that Kylie Jenner was secretly involved in the song during her ‘King Kylie’ era, adding to it’s mystique and cult-like appeal among fans. Less than a decade later, “3 Strikes” is still played on TikTok videos about remembering 2016’s style, trends and the celebrities at the time. 2016 also brought another song which created a viral trend at the time, and is still played today. “Black Beatles”, by Rae Sremmurd ft. Gucci Mane, became a cultural snapshot of 2016. Beyond it’s viral Mannequin Challenge moment, it represented how music, social media and youth culture collided to created shared experiences that felt spontaneous and unforgettable. Today, “Black Beatles stands as a time capsule of the mid-2010s, symbolising a moment when music, youth culture, and social media perfectly collided. What began as the soundtrack to the Mannequin Challenge has aged into a broader of carefree creativity, internet-driven community and a period when songs felt tied to shared experiences rather than algorithms. In 2017, we were introduced to two songs which changed social media forever. “Shape of You”, by Ed Sheeran, dominated 2017 with its stripped-back beat and instantly recognisable rhythm - the song stood out for its intimacy. It captured desire, connection and vulnerability in a way that felt personal, making it one of the most replayed and emotionally familiar tracks of the era. Today, “Shape of You” represents the height of mid-2010’s pop dominance, a song that became impossible to escape yet deeply woven into everyday life. It now carries a sense of nostalgia, instantly transporting listeners back to a time when music felt universally shared and culturally unavoidable. “Despacito”, by Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber, became more than just a hit; it was a global moment. By bringing Latin pop into the mainstream, it united audiences across languages and borders, turning the song into a celebration of rhythm, summer and worldwide connection. Today, “Despacito” stands as a symbol of a global music shift, proving that a language was no longer a barrier to worldwide success. It represents a moment when social media united listeners across cultures, turning one song into a shared international experience. In 2018, we were introduced to two songs which became cultural moments. “God’s Plan”, by Drake, became a defining moment by pairing chart-topping success with a message of generosity and purpose, amplified by its viral music video. It showed how music could spark real-world impact while still dominating popular culture. Today, “God’s Plan” represents a moment when music felt purposeful as well as popular. It’s remembered not for its chart success, but for showing how a song could inspire reflection, community connection and a sense of shared responsibility beyond the music itself. “Thank U, Next”, by Ariana Grande, stood out for its honesty and empowerment, turning personal heartbreak into a message of growth and self-reflection. It resonated widely as an an anthem of healing, maturity and moving forward. Today, “Thank U, Next” represents a cultural moment of reflection and self-awareness. Its seen as a song that captures the spirit of owning one’s experiences and celebrating personal evolution in a relatable, empowering way. In 2019, were were introduced to two songs that captured the years spirit - one blending genres with playful, viral energy and rebellion and the other expressing raw, universal heartbreak that resonated deeply with the listeners. “Old Town Road”, by Lil Nas X, was more than a meme; it challenged music boundaries and sparked conversations about identity, inclusion and creativity in the digital era. It’s playful, rebellious energy made it unforgettable. Today, “Old Town Road” stands as a symbol of genre-blending creativity and musical experimentation. It’s remembered for how it brought people together through viral energy and playful defiance, redefining what a hit song could be. “Someone You Loved”, by Lewis Capaldi, captured raw, emotional ballad in its purest form. Its vulnerability allowed listeners to process their own emotions, proving that a song could connect universally without needing a viral gimmick. Today, “Someone You Loved” is seen as an intimate ballad that captures the wright of emotional struggles. It resonates with listeners for its honesty and the way it mirrors personal experiences of love and separation. In 2020, we were introduced to to two songs which defined the year by blending nostalgia with energy and empowerment, giving listeners both a sense of escape and confidence during uncertain times. “Blinding Lights”, by The Weeknd, evoked nostalgia while feeling completely modern. With its retro synth-pop sound and cinematic feel it made the perfect anthem for the uncertainty and isolation of 2020. Today, “Blinding Lights” represents nostalgic energy and excitement, remembered as a modern anthem that still feels timeless. “Don’t Start Now”, by Dua Lipa, was about moving on and self-empowerment. Its infections beat and confident lyrics gave listeners a sense of control and joy during a year defined by disruption and distance. Today, “Don’t Start Now” represents resilience and self-assurance, encouraging listeners to move on and celebrate their own strength. Many music lovers today look back on the 2015 - 2020 era either nostalgia because it was a time when songs felt authentic, memorable and deeply relatable. Hits from that period weren’t just catchy - they told stories, sparked shared experiences, and created cultural moments that went beyond fleeting trends, leaving a lasting impact that’s often missing in today’s fast paced, viral-driven music landscape.