All Songs Considered

Our No. 1 songs: 2022

December 14, 2025

Key Takeaways Copied to clipboard!

  • The hosts of "All Songs Considered" are revisiting their favorite music from past years as part of a series celebrating the show's 25th anniversary, focusing specifically on 2022 in this segment. 
  • Stephen Thompson found it nearly impossible to select a top 10 list for 2022 because hosting "New Music Friday" led him to love too much music that year. 
  • The discussion highlights several significant songs and artists from 2022, including Wet Leg's "Chaise Longue" (despite its 2021 single release), Muna's "What I Want," and Sunlux's "This Is a Life" from the film *Everything Everywhere All at Once*. 

Segments

2022 Recap Introduction
Copied to clipboard!
(00:00:18)
  • Key Takeaway: The “All Songs Considered” 25th-anniversary series is revisiting the number one songs from each year, reaching 2022.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson are reviewing their top picks for the year 2022 as part of a recurring series celebrating 25 years of the podcast. Stephen Thompson noted he did not create a top 10 list for 2022 because he was consuming too much music via hosting “New Music Friday.”
Wet Leg Song Selection
Copied to clipboard!
(00:01:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Wet Leg’s “Chaise Longue” is selected for 2022 because its debut album was released that year, even though the song was a single in 2021.
  • Summary: The first song played is “Chaise Longue” by Wet Leg. Stephen Thompson acknowledges that NPR Music ranked Lil Nas X’s “Montero (Call Me By Your Name)” higher in 2021, but he is choosing the Wet Leg track because its self-titled album dropped in 2022. The band’s follow-up album, Moisturizer, is also praised as phenomenal.
Muna Song Choice
Copied to clipboard!
(00:04:02)
  • Key Takeaway: Muna’s “What I Want” is presented as a favorite song from what Robin Hilton considers his favorite album of 2022.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton chooses Muna’s “What I Want,” noting it comes from his favorite album of the year. He expresses surprise at only recently discovering the song and praises the band as phenomenal live. The song’s lyrics reflect a newfound clarity on personal desires after years of uncertainty.
Alex G and Porridge Radio
Copied to clipboard!
(00:07:37)
  • Key Takeaway: Alex G’s “Runner” and Porridge Radio’s “Back to the Radio” are highlighted as essential, emotionally resonant tracks from 2022.
  • Summary: Alex G’s song “Runner” is mentioned as a significant track from that year. Porridge Radio’s “Back to the Radio” is played, which comes from their album Waterslide, Diving Board, Ladder to the Sky. The hosts express sadness that Porridge Radio announced they were breaking up after a period of burnout.
Mitski and Film Music
Copied to clipboard!
(00:10:46)
  • Key Takeaway: Mitski and David Byrne’s song “This Is a Life” from Everything Everywhere All at Once is cited as a favorite cultural artifact of 2022.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton names the film Everything Everywhere All at Once as his favorite cultural artifact of 2022, noting its blend of fun, strangeness, and heartfelt emotion. The accompanying song, “This Is a Life,” features Mitski and David Byrne, with Robin noting Mitski’s falsetto occasionally resembles Ryan Lott’s.
Other Notable 2022 Music
Copied to clipboard!
(00:12:20)
  • Key Takeaway: Ethel Kane’s Preacher’s Daughter and Strome’s Multitude are cited as beautiful, frequently revisited albums from 2022.
  • Summary: Ethel Kane’s album Preacher’s Daughter is mentioned as a record the host still revisits often. Strome’s Multitude is described as a gorgeous and beautiful record from the same year. Deanna Petkoff’s song “Devastatingly Mediocre” is recommended as a great kiss-off song for breakups.
Rosalía and Noah Kahan
Copied to clipboard!
(00:13:33)
  • Key Takeaway: Rosalía’s Motomami and Noah Kahan’s “Stick Season” represent the expansive musicality and regional storytelling of 2022.
  • Summary: Rosalía’s album Motomami is noted for its perfectionism and expansive musical mind, contrasting with the hosts’ earlier picks. Noah Kahan’s title track “Stick Season” is played, featuring lyrics about being stuck between anger and blame while dealing with local limitations like COVID-19 travel restrictions.