“Wellerman” and Co.
Despite the pandemic, these songs created a good atmosphere
Nathan Evans (left) and Ed Sheeran put everyone in a good mood in 2021.
© Universal Music / Warner Music Group / Daniel Martensen
Despite the pandemic, the music world ensured a good mood in the dark times in 2021. These songs got us through the year.
After the corona-ridden year 2020, the pandemic continued to dominate in 2021. A welcome distraction was the number of songs that put everyone in a good mood in 2021 despite the bad news. Among the mood makers were Ed Sheeran (30) and Nathan Evans (27).
Ed Sheeran – “Bad Habits”
Ed Sheeran came back successfully in 2021 after a lengthy hiatus. With “Bad Habits” he not only landed the summer hit in 2021, but also made it to the top in second place Official German annual charts, determined by GfK Entertainment. Both most streamed songs of the year on Spotify In Germany, Ed Sheeran made it to number 13 with the song. The hit is about bad habits – in Sheeran’s case about alcohol and parties.
Nathan Evans – “Wellerman”
Another hit of the coronavirus pandemic was “Wellerman” by Nathan Evans. The former postman became famous for his TikTok videos in 2020, his version of the old shanty “Wellerman” went viral and Evans became a star. In Germany, the song triumphed in the annual charts and took first place. Nathan Evans said: “Everything that happened last year was just overwhelming and changed my life. And to end the year like this is just crazy, I still can’t really believe it all.”
Lil Nas X – “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)”
Lil Nas X (22), who was an absolute newcomer at the beginning of 2019, has developed into an absolute superstar with his debut album “Montero” in 2021. The title song “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” put a lot of people in a good mood this year – and at the same time is about Lil Nas X’s own identity. The rapper and singer, whose real name is Montero Lamar Hill, has also sneaked into the hit lists of the year with his song. He made it to eighth place in Spotify’s Top Tracks 2021 in Germany and 13th in the German annual charts.
Riton x Nightcrawlers feat. Mufasa & Hypeman – “Friday (Dopamine Re-edit)”
The good mood song “Friday” not only caused catchy tunes, but also won the award for the longest song title including artist this year. The British DJ Riton (43) and the house project Nightcrawlers have teamed up with the dancing internet stars Mufasa & Hypeman. The mood also arises in the music video, because here too the dance moves are unpacked. The song took second place in Germany’s Top Tracks 2021 on Spotify and fourth in the German annual charts.
The Kid LAROI, Justin Bieber – “Stay”
The Kid LAROI (18), Justin Bieber (27) and their song “Stay” could not be ignored in 2021. Third place in the top tracks of the year on Spotify and sixth in the German annual charts underline the success of their hit. In the lyrics, The Kid LAROI asks his love to stay with him despite his mistakes. Meanwhile, Justin Bieber sings a declaration of love, which is most likely addressed to his wife Hailey (25): “You are the reason why I believe in love (…) and you know that I know that I cannot live without you can”.
Olivia Rodrigo – “good 4 u”
Olivia Rodrigo (18) delivered the heartbreak song 2021 with “good 4 u” – in the most positive sense. In the song, she settles accounts with her ex-partner, who quickly left their relationship behind without much heartache. “Maybe I’m too emotional or maybe I never cared about you,” is the chorus. The up-tempo song landed at number ten among the most streamed songs on Spotify in Germany, as well as in the annual charts.
Måneskin – “Beggin ‘”
Since winning the Eurovision Song Contest in 2021, the Italian rockers Måneskin have been on everyone’s lips. Even more successful than her winning song “Zitti e buoni” was her cover of “Beggin ‘” this year. Originally the song comes from the US-American band The Four Seasons from 1967. Relaunched, the song made it to number 14 in the annual charts and number eleven in the top tracks on Spotify.
The Weeknd – “Save Your Tears”
A long-running hit in the corona pandemic was “Save Your Tears” by The Weeknd (31). In 2020 the singer had already made it to number one in the annual charts with this title, this year it was still enough for fifth place. In the song The Weeknd brings back the sound of the 80s and sings about a broken relationship: “Save your tears for someone else.”