For our first Torch Tunes of the year, a small group of our editorial staff has decided to share their favorite song of 2025, or a song they feel represents 2025. Below is the list of song recommendations from our playlists to yours.
Nolan Matthews | Sports Editor: Bad News by Zach Bryan
My top song of 2025 is a song that most people can relate to in this political and social climate, and that song is Bad News by Zach Bryan. In this day and age, where everyone is nervous about what they are going to see next on the news, such as the ICE raids. There is a line he wrote saying, “I heard the cops came, cocky motherf*****s, ain’t they, and ICE is gonna come bust down your door.”
This country is in a tumultuous time, America is seeming to stray further and further from what this country is supposed to be. Bryan encapsulates this perfectly with the line, “I got some bad news, the fading of the red, white, and blue.”
I am one of those people who are nervous about what is to come next, and I am happy that there is someone whose music I have been a massive fan of for years who agrees with me. As there aren’t many people in the country music business who write songs like these and I can relate to a song like this.
Tate Zellman | Culture Editor: Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne
My top song is Crazy Train by Ozzy Osbourne. I have always enjoyed listening to that song, but I chose to listen to it more this year due to the passing of Osbourne himself. It is one of his most famous songs, and I chose to listen to it more to honor his memory. But the song is general is just so good. Its hard rock and upbeat tempo are good motivators to get my day going, and the song pumps me up to do more if I’ve been lazy. It’s still an amazing song, and I know I’ll continue to listen to it for a while.
Blase Gapinski | Editor in Chief: Luther by Kendrick Lamar Feat. SZA
“Luther,” by Kendrick Lamar featuring SZA, is my top song of 2025 because of how beautifully it captures the idea of finding meaning and beauty in imperfection. Lines like “In this world, concrete flowers grow, heartache, she only doin’ what she know,” stayed with me and reminded me that love can exist and even thrive in harsh conditions. The song feels like two people confiding in one another, choosing trust and vulnerability despite the pain the world brings. I’m also a sucker for classic samples, and I enjoyed Kendrick’s use of Cheryl Lynn and Luther Vandross’ “If This World Were Mine.” I feel like it’s the perfect blend with Kendrick and SZA’s vocals harmonizing so well and their modern perspective. It made the track feel both timeless and deeply personal.
Harmony Goodman | Production Manager: The View Between Villages by Noah Kahan
“The View Between Villages” by Noah Kahan was a song I really connected with this past year. This song is about the love for your small hometown, which holds both beautiful and painful memories. In the extended version of this song, Kahan features two voice memos from elderly locals from his hometown, discussing why they have such a strong affection for their hometown and the people they grew up with there. A song like this is endearing, and I found myself listening to it when my great-grandpa was sick during the summer. It helped me process the emotions I couldn’t. It’s a great reminder that no matter how far I go, I will always have my hometown.