See what the best songs of 2026 are so far, according to Billboard

Billboard rankings, known as charts, determine the popularity and success of songs and albums in the music industry. In the first six months of this year, 10 tracks topped the Hot 100, with names like Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande and BTS.

For this reason, the American magazine chose the 50 best tracks released between January and June 2026, including tracks that stood out or were released during the period. It is worth noting that two singles for films were included: "Runaway", by Lady Gaga and Doechii, for "The Devil Wears Prada 2"; and "I Knew It, I Knew You", performed by Taylor Swift, for "Toy Story 5".

Check out the list of songs chosen by Billboard critics:

1. "The Cure", Olivia Rodrigo
First place went to Olivia Rodrigo and the single "The Cure", released shortly before the debut of her third studio album, "You Seem Pretty Sad for a Girl So in Love", which reached the public on June 12.

According to the vehicle's analysis, the album's track selection tells a story and upon reaching "The Cure", "there is an impressive turn for our passionate narrator". Aware that a happy relationship is not capable of being a cure for her pain, the composer exposes her heart and speaks angrily throughout the verses until she appears vulnerable in the climax, combined with a simple riff, acoustic guitar and the closing with an orchestra, seen by the magazine as "her most visceral song to date".

Olivia Rodrigo - the cure (Official Music Video)

2. "Hate That I Made You Love Me", Ariana Grande
For the magazine, the 11th time that the artist reaches the top of the charts is with a song that talks about the troubled relationship with fans and stardom, "who seem incapable of letting go of past versions - even imaginary - of themselves and their art". "'Hate' synthesizes almost all of Grande's previous musical inclinations into one addictive anthem," he adds. The track is the lead single from her upcoming album, "Petal", which arrives on July 31st.

Ariana Grande - hate that I made you love me (official lyric video)

3. "Stateside", PinkPantheress feat. Zara Larsson (Remix)
The remix version gives a more funky and pulsating feel to the Pink Pantheress track, which has new verses and the voice of Zara Larrsson. With the duo on the scene in the music video, the song gained a striking visual identity - so much so that it was used by Alysa Liu on the ice at the 2026 Winter Olympics.

PinkPantheress - Stateside + Zara Larsson (Official Video)

4. "So Easy (To Fall In Love)", Olivia Dean
In the analysis of Billboard critics, the light and smooth melody "is due to bossa nova giants such as Antonio Carlos Jobim and Sergio Mendes", as well as inspirations from Bacharach and David. The artist's latest album, "The Art Of Loving", "is the perfect mix between paying homage to pop traditions and sounding fresh and current".

Olivia Dean - So Easy (To Fall In Love)

5. "Dry Spell", Kacey Musgraves
Critics rate the song as a "perfect single" that combines a music video about a suggestive trip to a grocery store, while the narrator makes insinuations about her disappointing sex life, all to the sound of upbeat country music.

Kacey Musgraves - Dry Spell (Official Music Video)

- "iloveitiloveitiloveit", Bella Kay
- "Roots Picnic Freestyle", Jay-Z
- "Be Her", Ella Langley
- "Streets Of Minneapolis", Bruce Springsteen.
- "I Knew It, I Knew You", Taylor Swift
- "Homewrecker", Sombr
- "Aperture", Harry Styles
- "Girl, Get Up", Doechii feat. SZA
- "I Fell So Free", Madonna
- "Dracula", Tame Impala & Jennie
- "Click, Clack Symphony", Raye feat. Hans Zimmer
- "Dancing on the Wall", Muna
- "Shabang", Drake
- "Dying For You", Charli Turizo
- "Swim", BTS
- "Hit The Wall", Gracie Abrams
- "Dance...", Slayyyter
- "Drop Dead", Olivia Rodrigo
- "L.U.C.K.Y.", Fcukers
- "Motion Party", Bossman Dlow
- "Sleepless in a Hotel Room", Luke Combs
- "E85", Don Toliver
- "Brunette", Tucker Wetmore
- "Going Shoppin", The Strokes
- "Friends Again", Baby Rose feat. Leon Thomas
- "Good Flirts", Baby Keem feat. Kendrick Lamar & Momo Boyd
- "I Just Might", Bruno Mars
- "Más Cara", Bad Gyal
- "Stay Here 4 Life", A$AP Rocky feat. Brent Faiyaz
- "Chance to Bleed", Kurt Vile
- "Change My Mind", Riley Green
- "La Buena", Carin Léon
- "BBB", Juvenile feat. Megan Thee Stallion
- "Idea 1", Kelela
- "Pinky Up", Katseye
- "Never Really Mine", Kaitlin Butts
- "White Feather Hawk Tail Deer Hunter", Lana Del Rey
- "The Wave", Jungle
- "Sudaka Style", Trueno
- "Runaway", Lady Gaga & Doechii

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Source: CNN