Music’s Power Play: The Top Commercial Songs of 2025 Are Here
The year 2025 is proving to be a watershed moment for the intersection of music and advertising. Forget jingles – brands are leveraging the emotional resonance of established hits and emerging artists to connect with consumers on a deeper level. New data from Spotify, analyzed by Reason.Why, reveals the songs that have soundtracked the most successful ad campaigns this year, and the results are fascinating. This isn’t just about catchy tunes; it’s about tapping into feelings, memories, and cultural moments. For those following Google News SEO best practices, the strategic use of music in advertising is a trend to watch.
Miley Cyrus Reigns Supreme: A Nostalgia-Fueled Comeback
Miley Cyrus dominates the charts, appearing twice in the top three. Gap’s Christmas ad, featuring a soulful reimagining of “The Climb” by emerging artist Sienna Spiro and a diverse choir (accumulating a staggering 809,359,251 views), is a masterclass in inclusive branding. The campaign isn’t just selling clothes; it’s selling a feeling of belonging. El Corte Inglés also tapped into Cyrus’s appeal with “River” from her “Endless Summer Vacation” album, racking up 150,809,277 reproductions in their autumn campaign, starring supermodels Alessandra Ambrosio, Candice Swanepoel, and Jon Kortajarena. This demonstrates a clear trend: advertisers are betting big on established artists with strong emotional connections to their audiences.
Beyond the Blockbusters: Emerging Artists and Unexpected Choices
While established stars shine, 2025’s ad landscape also showcases a willingness to embrace new talent and unexpected musical choices. Spanish singer Guitarricadelafuente’s “Conticinio” provides the emotional backbone for Apple’s “Someday” ad, featuring Pedro Pascal and directed by Spike Jonze, garnering 60,520,045 reproductions. This pairing highlights the power of music to elevate storytelling and create a memorable brand experience. Similarly, FKA Twigs’ “Eusexua” soundtracked El Corte Inglés’ spring campaign (27,980,190 reproductions), demonstrating a willingness to experiment with more avant-garde sounds.
From Confetti Explosions to Space Waltzes: Diverse Campaigns, Diverse Sounds
The variety of musical choices reflects the diversity of advertising campaigns themselves. Citroën’s vibrant “Wanna Play?” ad, promoting the Ami model, explodes with the energy of “Tukuntazo” by El Cherry Scom, Haraca Kiko, and Tokischa (25,464,618 views). In stark contrast, Burberry’s “Festival” campaign leans into British cultural heritage with Liquid’s electronic classic “Sweet Harmony” (20,027,277 views), featuring Liam Gallagher and Goldie. Even a classic got a modern twist: Vienna Tourism’s “Waltz into space” campaign, celebrating the bicentenary of Johann Strauss II’s birth, playfully attempts to add “The Blue Danube” to the Voyager Golden Records (3,047,181 views). And who could forget Calvo Tuna’s revival of Chimo Bayo’s “That’s how I like it” (11,254,309 reproductions), a brilliant nod to a beloved, and slightly quirky, past campaign.
The Power of Nostalgia and Reimagining
A recurring theme throughout the year’s most successful ad songs is the power of nostalgia. Calvo’s campaign is a prime example, but the reinterpretation of Miley Cyrus’s “The Climb” also speaks to this trend. Brands are tapping into shared memories and emotions to create a sense of connection with consumers. Back Market’s campaign, using Ganges’ “Fotolog Nostalgia” (39,272 views), cleverly leverages the nostalgia for early social media to promote reconditioned technology, highlighting the idea of “doing more with what you already have.” This is a smart move, as consumers are increasingly drawn to brands that offer both value and a sense of authenticity.
The success of these campaigns underscores a fundamental truth: music isn’t just background noise in advertising; it’s a powerful storytelling tool. As brands continue to seek innovative ways to connect with audiences, expect to see music play an even more central role in shaping the future of marketing. For marketers looking to stay ahead of the curve, understanding the emotional impact of music and strategically incorporating it into campaigns will be crucial for success. Stay tuned to archyde.com for the latest insights into the evolving world of advertising and its intersection with popular culture.
