Viral hit Apt. performed live for first time: 10 other earworms to add to your playlist

SINGAPORE - K-pop girl group Blackpink’s Rose and pop star Bruno Mars

performed their chart-topping single Apt. live for the first time

on Nov 22, unleashing renewed frenzy over the tune online.

With its upbeat tempo and catchy lyrics, the smash hit - inspired by a South Korean drinking game - has lingered in the minds of many since its release on Oct 18.

Known as earworms, these songs are often repetitive, with simple ups and downs that make it memorable to listeners.

Here are 10 other earworms from across the decades to add to your playlist.

1. 360 by Charli XCX (2024)

360, the opening track of British singer-songwriter Charli XCX’s album, Brat, took the world by storm earlier this year with its iconic beat.

Released on May 10, the song blends the genres of electro-pop, synth-pop and hyperpop, with lyrics that celebrate one’s self-assurance and individuality.

Its music video also features a star-studded crew of internet it-girls, including actresses Julia Fox and Rachel Sennott, and influencer Emma Chamberlain.

We’re bumpin’ that.

2. Nonsense by Sabrina Carpenter (2022)

Before American singer-songwriter Sabrina Carpenter’s summer runaway hit, Espresso, there was Nonsense.

Touted as Carpenter’s claim to internet fame, the playful bop captures the myriad of emotions which come with a new relationship.

But most popular among listeners are the song’s tongue-in-cheek outros, which Carpenter reworks for every live performance.

As she says, this song is catchier than chickenpox is.

3. Bad Guy by Billie Eilish (2019)

Beyond its melodic musical arrangement, American singer-songwriter Billie Eilish’s breakout hit Bad Guy boasts an interesting fact that boosted its popularity further.

Its chorus was sampled from the sounds of Sydney’s traffic lights, which Eilish had recorded on her phone during a trip to Australia.

The song was so catchy, it even toppled American rapper Lil Nas X’s Old Town Road from its 19-week reign at the top of the Billboard Hot 100.

4. Despacito (Remix) by Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee, ft. Justin Bieber (2017)

This Spanish tune by Puerto Rican singers Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee achieved worldwide popularity in 2017 for its upbeat blend of reggaeton and Latin pop.

A remixed version, which incorporates the smooth vocals of Canadian singer Justin Bieber, shot to the top of international music charts in 47 countries.

5. Gangnam Style by Psy (2012)

“Oppa, Gangnam Style!”

Sung almost entirely in Korean, this unexpected hit by home-grown South Korean rapper Psy was widely known as one of the songs that propelled K-pop into the mainstream consciousness.

The music video, which features Psy’s signature horse-riding dance moves, also sent the world “galloping” along to its catchy hook.

The viral hit further opened the doors to international fame for the 46-year-old artiste, who subsequently released the songs Gentleman in 2013, and Daddy in 2015. Both songs entered global music charts.

6. Bad Romance by Lady Gaga (2009)

This party anthem of the late 2000s has today become synonymous with American singer and actress Lady Gaga.

But what few may know is that she wrote Bad Romance while riding through the streets of Norway on her tour bus.

The first single on her second studio album, The Fame Monster, the song has achieved lasting, widespread acclaim. In 2018, it was named by the Rolling Stone magazine as one of the 100 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century.

7. Blue (Da Ba Dee) by Eiffel 65 (1999)

The lead single of Italian music group Eiffel 65’s debut album was a resounding hit when it was released in 1999, topping music charts in at least 18 countries.

While a group of blue aliens are the stars behind the song’s famed music video, some listeners believe the tune alludes to deeper themes, such as depression and melancholy.

Twenty-three years later in 2022, it was reworked into a new single by French DJ David Guetta and American singer-songwriter Bebe Rexha. Titled I’m Good (Blue), it swept the charts in 20 countries upon its release.

8. Barbie Girl by Aqua (1997)

“I’m a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world. Life in plastic, it’s fantastic.”

The dance-pop song by Danish-Norwegian group Aqua, based off Mattel’s eponymous doll, topped global music charts for four weeks upon its release. It remains one of the world’s best-selling singles of all time.

In line with the release of the 2023 Barbie movie, the original jingle was sampled in the composition of Barbie World, performed by American rappers Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice.

9. Macarena by Los Del Rio (1993)

This earworm, which sparked a global dance phenomenon, was originally released by Spanish pop duo Los del Rio in 1993.

However, a fresh take on the song by Miami-based producers The Bayside Boys, which incorporates lyrics in English, catapulted it to success when it was dropped in 1995. The newly revamped remix sat at the top of the Billboard Top 100 chart between August and November 1996.

10. Take On Me by A-ha (1985)

Rounding off the list is this 1980s classic by Norwegian synth-pop band A-ha, which has been the go-to karaoke song for many over the years.

The single topped the Billboard Hot 100 charts in 1985, and was lauded for its innovative music video, which depicts the band alongside pencil-sketched animations.