By: Jacob Elyachar, jakes-take.com
It is hard to believe that 2025 is coming to an end! Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Best of 2025 starts here!
Here are the 40 original and cover songs that made an impact on me during the year:
Resilience
Three of my favorite songs of 2025 focused on resilience. Zac Brown Band’s goosebump-inducing “The Sum” tugged at my heartstrings. Meanwhile, Israeli artist Yuval Raphael, who survived the horrific October 7 attacks, stood tall against the antisemitism and anti-Zionism that were presented at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest and declared that “A New Day Will Rise.” While Tristan launched the “We Are Dancing Again” movement with “Take You Dancing” to platform Jewish and allied artists.
Country Time
For the first time in years, Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar’s Best of playlist features 12 country songs! Like the Zac Brown Band, both Blake Shelton and Whey Jennings focus on faith with “Let Him in Anyway” and “Take His Hand,” respectively. Morgan Wallen declared, “I’m the Problem,” while Jessica Simpson warns potential suitors not to “Use Her Heart Against Me.” Drake Milligan showed his romantic side with “Tumbleweed,” and Kat Velasco sang about the downfalls of being the “Show Pony” in a relationship. Orville Peck wanted his fans to “Drift Away” with him, and Jake’s Take with Jacob Elyachar friend Laura Bryna celebrated Independence Day with “Blue Jean Crazy.”
Superstar Collaborations
2025 featured several superstar duets that I played on repeat. Barbra Streisand and Sir Paul McCartney tackled “My Funny Valentine,” Ciara and Latto delivered an epic R&B dance track “This Right Here.” Sir Elton John and Brandi Carlile introduced us to “Little Richard’s Bible,” as Miley Cyrus reunited Lindsey Buckingham and Mick Fleetwood for “Secrets,” a song dedicated to her father, Billy Ray Cyrus. Miranda Lambert and Chris Stapleton delivered “A Song to Sing,” while Calum Scott teamed up with the late Whitney Houston’s estate for a powerful cover of “I Wanna Dance with Somebody,” which is one of 2025’s best covers.
What were your favorite songs of 2025?
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