NPR Music critics reflect on the lyrics that captured the year's mood, sparked emotions and stayed with them long after the music stopped. Lyrics of a song can reach us in ways that no other speech ...

When I listen to a song, I listen for the lyrics. The words put images in my head, if they're good, like a Springsteen line. (Singing) The screen door slams. Mary's dress waves. Or they convey an ...

As we approach the halfway mark of 2025, among the things we have yet to find out are how many weeks Morgan Wallen’s “I’m the Problem” will spend at No. 1, when Lana Del Rey’s supposed country album ...

Country music had a banner year in 2025. In the past almost 12 months, artists like Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Luke Combs, and more have reigned in the top spot on the charts. But while a lot of songs ...

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From tear-jerkers to mic-drops, NPR's music critics share the 2025 lyrics that made them laugh, cry and hit replay. Right about now, music critics are sharing their favorite albums of the year or ...