Readers Pick the Songs That Defined Their 2025
The New York Times••entertainment
Key Points:
- The first playlist of 2026 features songs submitted by listeners, including both new releases from 2025 and classic tracks, reflecting a broad temporal range.
- The playlist highlights how music serves as a marker of time and a connector across generations and personal experiences.
- The editor usually avoids featuring submissions from friends and family to prevent favoritism but made an exception for the final track due to its special significance.
- One highlighted submission is Billy Joe Shaver’s “Live Forever,” which resonated deeply with a listener reflecting on life, loss, and family connections over the past year.
- The playlist is available for streaming on Spotify, Apple Music, and YouTube for listeners to enjoy alongside the stories behind the songs.
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