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The year-end noise cycle brought countless “best of” lists, but one new dataset asks a harsher question: which hits of 2025 are most likely to annoy listeners? A fresh analysis of viral tracks turns subjective annoyance into measurable factors. The results mix familiar pop stars with surprising entries and show how sonic choices can push songs from catchy to grating.
How the researchers turned annoyance into a score
SeatPick shared a dataset compiled by StudyFinds.org that ranks songs by an annoyingness index. The index is built from measurable audio traits. It predicts how likely a track is to irritate listeners.
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- Repetition (30%) — loops and recurring hooks that wear on the ear.
- Brightness (20%) — overly piercing or harsh frequency energy.
- Harmonic dullness (20%) — music that lacks movement or variation.
- Filler sounds (20%) — vocal tics like “yeah,” “uh,” “la,” and “ooh.”
- Baseline factor (10%) — a catch-all that nudges the final score.
The higher a song’s final number, the greater the model predicts its potential to annoy. The approach is quantitative, not taste-based.
Top tracks flagged as the most annoying in 2025
Big-name artists appear high on the list. The index singles out songs that combine repetitive hooks, harsh mixes, or heavy use of fillers.
- Sabrina Carpenter — “Sugar Talking” (around 46% chance of annoying listeners)
- Sabrina Carpenter — “Tears” (tied near 46%)
- Lady Gaga — “The Dead Dance” (≈45.8%)
- Jimin — “Who” (mid-45% range)
- David Guetta & Sia — “Beautiful People” (mid-45% range)
- Luke Dean & Omar+ — “Make Believe” (≈45% class)
- Tate McRae — “Just Keep Watching” (≈45%)
- Dom Dolla — “Dreamin” (≈44–45%)
- Ed Sheeran — “Azizam” (≈44%)
- Chrystal — “The Days” (≈44%)
These figures reflect the model’s outputs. They do not measure streaming totals or public approval.
Viral TikTok hits that the index flagged
Social clips can amplify a chorus until it grates. The study produced a separate list of TikTok-famous songs with high annoyingness scores.
- PinkPantheress — “Illegal” (≈44% chance)
- Sombr — “Undressed” (≈43.3%)
- Sabrina Carpenter — “Manchild” (≈42.1%)
- Nicki Minaj — “Beez in the Trap” (≈42.1%)
The TikTok list mixes modern releases with older tracks that regained traction. Viral repetition can inflate the perceived annoyance of a short loop.
Why certain production choices increase irritation
The index isolates audio traits that consistently bother listeners. Each one affects perception in a specific way.
- Excessive loops — repeated phrases or beats cause fatigue.
- Harsh treble — too much brightness makes hooks feel abrasive.
- Lack of harmonic motion — stagnant chord progressions feel boring or numbing.
- Vocal fillers — non-lyrical syllables break immersion and clutter the mix.
Producers and artists may lean on these elements to create immediate hooks. Yet the same tactics can alienate listeners over time.
What the data can and cannot tell us
The annoyingness index offers patterns, not definitive judgments. It is a tool for spotting trends in production and songwriting.
- The model does not replace personal taste. Individual reaction varies widely.
- Popularity was not a weighting factor. A widely loved song may still score high.
- Certain artists and genres appear more often due to dataset choices.
- Audio metrics can miss cultural context, lyrical nuance, and nostalgia.
Despite limits, the findings highlight how repetition, timbre, and filler elements shape listeners’ tolerance. The dataset gives a new angle on why some earworms grate over time.
Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for AEG
