Nine songs by Canadian artists earned spots on the Billboard list of “The 100 Best Songs of 2020.”
Leading the way is The Weeknd – whose album After Hours ranked third on the Billboard list of "The 50 Best Albums of 2020" – with two tracks that made the cut.
At No. 2 (behind “Rain On Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande) is “Blinding Lights,” which writer Josh Glicksman said “oozes with ‘80s-inspired glitz, guided by an entrancing production loop that feels fresh yet warmly familiar even upon first listen.”
The Weeknd’s “In Your Eyes” is at No. 54 on the list thanks to its “sparkling synth hook and a creamy, melodic chorus,” according to Paul Grein.
The Weeknd is featured on the No. 34 pick, “Hawái (Remix)” by Maluma.
A pair of Justin Bieber collaborations were chosen as among the year’s best – “Holy” ft. Chance the Rapper (No. 41) and “Intentions” ft. Quavo (No. 73).
“Delete Forever,” by B.C. native Grimes, is described as “a downbeat, deeply felt meditation on creative souls racked by mental health issues leaving the world far too soon” that earned the No. 37 spot.
Drake’s “Laugh Now Cry Later” ft. Lil Durk is No. 45 on the list and the Toronto rap star is featured on the Future track “Life Is Good” (No. 36).
“Wonder” by Shawn Mendes is ranked 56th (“The drums! The crescendo! The choir!”) and Orville Peck’s “Summertime” is 60th (“Peck’s finest moment yet”).
In the No. 85 spot is “Death Bed (Coffee for Your Head)” by Vancouver’s Powfu featuring a sample of Beabadoobee’s 2017 track “Coffee.” It was “the type of melancholy earworm that made it perfect for the strangeness that was 2020,” opined writer Dan Rys.