My most listened to songs in 2024

I think of this blog mostly as a journal for myself. A way to explore and process and possibly share if someone happens on it and finds something interesting, entertaining, or useful.

That’s why I thought I would share some of my most-played songs on Spotify from 2024. It’s an opportunity for reflection. It’s been a challenging and somewhat overwhelming time, which is reflected in this music. Most of this music is spirited and/or chill and/or atmospheric. Since I tend to listen to full albums, most artists have several songs on the playlist.

I made a curated version with a few favorites added in and minus some that didn’t fit the general feel of the playlist. The original is here.

What I listen to changes from year to year. Sometimes, it’s music from around the world. Sometimes, it’s “modern classical” music like Arvo Pärt, Philip Glass, John Adams, and others. Or ordinary classical music, usually early music and baroque, and especially anything performed by Jordi Savall.

1. Khwaab – Niraj Chag, Swati Natekar
2. New Dawn – Anoushka Shankar
3. Kamakumba – Mop Mop
4. From Gagarin’s Point of View – Esbjörn Svensson Trio
5. Adhara – Mop Mop
6. Tive Razão – Seu Jorge
7. Mu eadni – Mari Boine
8. Easy to Love – Mari Boine, Hver gang vi møtes
9. Solidarité – Matthieu Chedid, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Fatoumata Diawara
10. Gambia – Sona Jobarteh
11. Kind Of Latin Rhythm – The Juju Orchestra
12. Manitoumani – Matthieu Chedid, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Fatoumata Diawara
13. Bal de Bamako – Matthieu Chedid, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Fatoumata Diawara
14. Mama África – Chico César
15. Mango – Club des Belugas Bossa Remix – Bahama Soul Club, Arema Arega, Club des Belugas
16. The Beat Is Rhythm – Instrumental – Club des Belugas
17. Run Around – Renegades Of Jazz Remix – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph, Fred Wesley, Renegades Of Jazz
18. Kanya – Niraj Chag, Gauri Tripathi
19. Totem – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph
20. Manitoumani – Lamomali, -M-, Toumani Diabaté, Sidiki Diabaté, Fatoumata Diawara
21. Moods – Jojo Effect
22. Mondo Mas – Club des Belugas
23. Cabriolet Tour – Club des Belugas
24. A Quiet Moment – Club des Belugas, Lene Riebau
25. Skies – Club des Belugas, Karlos Boes
26. I Warned You Baby – The Bahama Soul Club, Spanky Wilson
27. Charade – Nicola Conte
28. Chega de Saudade – Club des Belugas, Maya Fadeeva
29. Like A Gypsy – Kojato
30. Yachts – A Man Called Adam mix – Coco Steel Lovebomb
31. Ain’t Nobody’s Biz-Ness If I Do – The Bahama Soul Club
32. Kothbiro – Ayub Ogada
33. Zara Zara – Bombay Jayashri
34. Nagumomo – Susheela Raman
35. Muévelo Papi – The Bahama Soul Club, Olvido Ruiz
36. Feel Sexy – Kojato, Tina Lux
37. Indian Summer – Chicha Libre
38. In The Night – Childish Gambino, Jorja Smith, Amaarae
39. Hustle Bump – Radio Mix – Club des Belugas
40. Rose rouge – St Germain
41. Three Times Bossa – Mop Mop
42. Chiqui Tiqui – Club des Belugas
43. Spaceship: Earth – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph
44. Plain Gold Ring (Mop Mop Rework) – Mop Mop
45. Evanescent – Axiom Of Choice
46. What the Butler Heard – Club des Belugas
47. Supreme – Mop Mop, WAYNE SNOW
48. Loa Chant feat. Sara Sayed – Mop Mop, Sara Sayed
49. Nritya – Niraj Chag, Gauri Sharma Tripathi, Tarini Tripathi
50. Feeling Good – The Mighty Bop
51. Saya – Sona Jobarteh
52. Bang Up To The Elephant – CINTA
53. Parvaz (Flight) – Axiom Of Choice
54. Locomotive – Mop Mop
55. Broken Bridge – Armenian Navy Band, Arto Tunçboyac?yan
56. Ash – Mop Mop
57. A Walk By The Lake – Axiom Of Choice
58. Let I Go feat. Anthony Joseph – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph
59. Color Of Dreams – Axiom Of Choice
60. Dreamers In The Field – Huun-Huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, Dhani Harrison
61. Brass Des Belugas – Jojo Effect, K. Boes, P. Schug, L. Kuklinski
62. Mystics And Fools – Axiom Of Choice
63. Let I Go – Mop Mop Soundsystem Remix – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph
64. Where We Used to Live – Esbjörn Svensson Trio
65. Everywhere You Go Now, Kuti – Kojato
66. Boidus – Huun-Huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, Dhani Harrison
67. Jazzdancer – Mop Mop
68. Remembering Ulatay River – Huun-Huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, Dhani Harrison
69. Summertime Magic – Childish Gambino
70. No Words – Suonho Radio Edit – The Bahama Soul Club
71. Mr. Know It All – Mop Mop
72. Koop Island Blues – Koop, Ane Brun
73. One – Sheila Chandra
74. Habanera 80 – Mop Mop
75. No Excuses (feat. Ludwig Göransson & Kamasi Washington) – Childish Gambino, Ludwig Göransson, Kamasi Washington
76. Here Comes the Rain Again – Remastered Version – Eurythmics, Annie Lennox, Dave Stewart
77. Wordplay – CINTA
78. Song Of The Caravan Riders – Huun-Huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, Dhani Harrison
79. Naked – Anoushka Shankar
80. No Inspiration – Club des Belugas Remix – Maya Fadeeva, Club des Belugas
81. Blue Soul – Mop Mop
82. Feels Like Summer – Childish Gambino
83. Afro Jojo Part One – Mop MopValeh – Axiom Of Choice, Ramin Torkian, Mamak Khadem, Pejman Hadadi, Shahram Hashemi
84. Kaigal-ool prayer – Huun-Huur-Tu, Carmen Rizzo, Dhani Harrison
85. Heritage – SoulParlor Remix – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph, Soulparlor
86. Prelude – Axiom Of Choice
87. Heritage feat. Anthony Joseph – Mop Mop, Anthony Joseph
88. Good to Go – Club des Belugas, Iain Mackenzie
89. The Lowered Flag – Mop Mop
90. Interl’Oud – Dhafer Youssef
91. Zabou – Amine Bouhafa
92. Living Beat – Mop Mop
93. Pulse – Axiom Of Choice, Ramin Torkian, Pejman Hadadi
94. Ain’t It Just – CINTA
95. Mirando al Mar – Club Des Belugas Remix – Bahama Soul Club, Club des Belugas
96. Réquiem – Vicente Amigo, Niña Pastori, Arcángel, Miguel Poveda, Rafael de Utrera, Pedro el Granaíno
97. Sowa – Fatoumata Diawara
98. LETONDO – Pamela Badjogo
99. Palea – Dobet Gnahoré
100. Guovssahasaid ájagáttis – Mari Boine
101. Boadan nuppi bealde – Mari Boine
102. Comme s’il en pleuvait – Mayra Andrade
103. Bissa – Fatoumata Diawara
104. Silence – CINTAA’rabti – Cheb Mami
105. Afro Shigida – The Bahama Soul Club, Kojato
106. Bossa Corcovado – The Bahama Soul Club, A. Secret
107. Mercy Me – The Bahama Soul Club, Josephine Nightingale
108. Mango (Club Des Belugas Bossa Remix) – The Bahama Soul Club, Arema Arega, Club des Belugas
109. Boadan Nuppi Bealde – Mari Boine
110. Adiós Morena – Rio Mira
111. Jarabi – Sona Jobarteh
112. Sowa – Fatoumata Diawara
113. Santiago – Newen Afrobeat
114. Bolero a Marcos (Canción de Amor) – Vicente Amigo
115. O Pato – Gilberto Gil
116. Gwyra Mi – Ramiro Musotto
117. Alone Again – Tok Tok Tok
118. Bongo Bong – Manu Chao
119. Mindjer dôce mel – Eneida Marta
120. Samba De Uma Nota So (One Note Samba) – Antônio Carlos Jobim
121. La Seine – Vanessa Paradis, -M-
122. Moaners – The Bahama Soul Club, Bessie Smith
123. O Morro Nao Tem Vez – Antônio Carlos Jobim
124. Águas De Marco – Elis Regina
125. Redbone – Childish Gambino
126. Nyandolo – Ayub Ogada
127. Desafinado – João Gilberto
128. El Cuarto De Tula – Buena Vista Social Club
129. Didn’t Cha Know – Erykah Badu
130. Dis-lui oui – Bénabar
131. La vie en rose – Zaz
132. Sous le ciel de Paris (feat. Pablo Alborán) – Zaz, Pablo Alborán
133. Je veux – Zaz
134. Siempre me quedará – Bebe
135. Capoeira Vai – Sabrina Malheiros
136. Bobeira – Sabrina Malheiros

THE STYLES

I asked ChatGPT 4o to describe the playlist:

This playlist is a rich and eclectic blend of global fusion, featuring elements of nu jazz, electro swing, acid jazz, world music, Latin rhythms, Afrobeat, bossa nova, sufi influences, and soulful grooves. It combines deep, atmospheric instrumentals with vibrant, rhythmic, and uplifting tracks, weaving together traditional sounds with modern production. The result is a sophisticated yet dynamic selection perfect for chilled listening, cultural exploration, and immersive musical storytelling.

TO EXPLORE

I also asked for similar music, not on this playlist:

Nu Jazz / Electro Swing / Acid Jazz

• Bossa Per Due – Nicola Conte (classic acid jazz with a smooth, cinematic feel)
• Catgroove – Parov Stelar (electro swing with a playful, high-energy groove)
• To Build a Home – The Cinematic Orchestra (orchestral jazz meets electronic elements)
• Sure Thing – St. Germain (deep house meets jazz with Afro influences)
• Look Around the Corner – Quantic & Alice Russell (soulful jazz with Latin touches)

World Fusion / Afrobeat / Global Jazz

• Yèkèrmo Sèw – Mulatu Astatke (Ethiopian jazz with deep grooves)
• Never (Lagos Never Gonna Be the Same) – Tony Allen & Hugh Masekela (Afrobeat meets jazz)
• Go My Heart, Go to Heaven – Shabaka and the Ancestors (Afro-jazz with spiritual energy)
• Meu Maracatu Pesa Uma Tonelada – Nação Zumbi (Brazilian maracatu with funk influences)
• Blackbird – Fat Freddy’s Drop (New Zealand fusion of reggae, jazz, and electronic)

Bossa Nova / Brazilian Jazz / MPB

• Estrelar – Marcos Valle (classic funky Brazilian jazz-fusion)
• Bom Sinal – Celso Fonseca (smooth, dreamy MPB)
• Everybody Loves the Sunshine – Seu Jorge & Almaz (psychedelic Brazilian cover of a Roy Ayers classic)
• Tarde em Itapoã – Vinícius de Moraes & Toquinho (gentle bossa nova with poetic depth)
• Mas Que Nada – Sérgio Mendes & Brasil ’66 (classic Brazilian groove)

Latin Jazz / Cuban / Cumbia / Flamenco

• Construção – Chico Buarque (intellectual, dramatic Brazilian storytelling)
• Ultra-Funk – Los Amigos Invisibles (Venezuelan Latin funk with jazzy elements)
• Quimbara – Celia Cruz & Johnny Pacheco (classic salsa energy)
• No Habrá Nadie En El Mundo – Buika (flamenco-meets-soul)
• Coplita – Chancha Via Circuito (Argentinian electronic cumbia fusion)

Sufi / Middle Eastern / Indian Fusion

• Dance of the Invisible Dervishes – Dhafer Youssef (ethereal oud and jazz fusion)
• Astrakan Café – Anouar Brahem (traditional oud with deep, cinematic jazz)
• Homelands – Nitin Sawhney (Indian classical fusion with electronica and jazz)
• Once I Wished a Tree Upside Down – Trilok Gurtu (percussive Indian jazz fusion)
• 800 – Mercan Dede (mystical Sufi sounds mixed with electronic beats)

Other Unique Additions

• Tisnant an Chatma – Tamikrest (desert blues with a Tuareg rock sound)
• Sastanàqqàm – Tinariwen (Malian desert blues with hypnotic rhythms)
• Süpürgesi Yoncadan – Altin Gün (psychedelic Turkish folk-funk)
• Tama-Tama – Omar Sosa & Seckou Keita (West African kora meets Cuban jazz piano)
• De Cara a la Pared – Lhasa de Sela (haunting Latin folk with poetic depth)

This selection stays within the vibe of your playlist while adding more global fusion, rare grooves, and cultural influences.

MIRROR

Out of curiosity, I asked what this playlist says about me. It’s flattering as always.

Your playlist reflects a rich, cosmopolitan taste and an open-minded approach to music and culture. Here’s what it suggests about you:

1. You Have a Global Perspective

Your selection spans genres from all over the world—nu jazz, Afrobeat, Latin jazz, Indian fusion, flamenco, sufi, desert blues, and Brazilian MPB. This suggests you’re deeply interested in diverse cultures, traditions, and musical histories. You likely enjoy discovering how different musical styles blend and evolve across borders.

2. You Appreciate Deep, Layered Sounds

From the rich textures of Dhafer Youssef’s oud to the psychedelic Brazilian grooves of Marcos Valle, your choices indicate a love for intricate, atmospheric music. You likely appreciate music as an art form, not just background noise.

3. You Seek Emotional & Intellectual Depth

Songs like Construção (Chico Buarque) and Homelands (Nitin Sawhney) tell stories that go beyond simple melodies. You seem drawn to music that has meaning, depth, and emotional power—whether it’s poetic lyrics, social commentary, or a rich historical background.

4. You Have an Adventurous, Eclectic Taste

You don’t just stick to one genre—you explore. Whether it’s electro swing, flamenco, Indian classical fusion, or Ethiopian jazz, you embrace unconventional and boundary-pushing sounds. You likely enjoy mixing the old with the new, the traditional with the experimental.

5. You Value Groove, Rhythm, and Danceability

Many of your tracks have strong rhythms—Afrobeat, cumbia, nu jazz, and swing. This suggests that you enjoy music that moves the body as much as the mind. You may not be a club-goer, but you appreciate music with energy and flow, whether it’s for dancing, working, or just feeling immersed.

6. You’re Drawn to the Mystical and Timeless

Your interest in sufi music, Middle Eastern sounds, and deep jazz fusion suggests a love for the mystical, the spiritual, and the contemplative. This aligns with your broader interests in philosophy, deep ecology, and spirituality—music as a way to connect with something beyond the everyday.

7. You Love Organic & Acoustic Elements, but Also Electronic Innovation

From the live instrumentation of Tinariwen to the electronic remixes of Mop Mop, you enjoy the best of both worlds—the warmth of real instruments, but also the innovation of modern sound design.

What Your Playlist Says About You, In One Sentence

You are a deeply curious, globally-minded explorer of sound, someone who appreciates both rhythm and thoughtfulness, tradition and innovation, spirituality and groove. Your taste in music mirrors your love for diverse cultures, intellectual exploration, and the natural flow of life.

TOOLS TO EXTRACT PLAYLIST

I used Exportify to retrieve the playlist from Spotify, which I then uploaded to ChatGPT 4o to make the list with links to the songs on Spotify.