The annual phenomenon of online spaces buzzing about “Spotify Wrapped Day,” an event that reveals Spotify listeners’ top songs and listening statistics, occurred on Dec. 4.
Wrapped began in 2015 as a simple “Year in Review” but has since grown to a yearly event that generates memes, discussion, and — best of all — contributes to community-building.
The statistics shared in 546,000 brightly-colored Instagram posts and through classmates’ stories builds community, because Spotify Wrapped is more than just a simple post: it reflects our personality and interests.
Siena Codekas (’27), president of BOHS’s Line Dancing Club, said that when her Wrapped data revealed she was in the top 0.01% of country artist Megan Maroney, “it was like an affirmation” that revealed her passion for the singer and for the country genre.
Madison Hogeboom (’26) was in the top 0.001% of listeners for Corianne Bailey Raye, and had other artists like Amy Winehouse and Julie London in her top five. With her affinity for soulful, jazzy music, she wanted to share it with everyone because she saw it as a “representation of myself.”
Not only does Spotify Wrapped reveal personal tastes, it compels connections with others.
“Music is integral to my feelings and personality so I wanted to have more insight into [it] as a whole and share it with others who want to know me,” Lauren Rodriguez (’16) said. Rodriguez had artists Angus & Julia Stone in her top five, which felt “very special” to her, since she has been a fan of the duo since childhood.
Erin Kim (’25) appreciated her Wrapped because artists like Anointing and Elevation Worship reflect her commitment to her Christian faith. Kim thinks it’s fun to see other people taking interest in the same things she does. “I get excited seeing other people listening to the music I do,” Kim said. “It makes me feel more connected to them.”
Azilynn Fuerte (’27) says that she felt proud to know she was supporting her favorite artists, like Juice WRLD and SZA, through her statistics. “The pride comes from the amount of people that like an artist. When I see that I’m in the top percentage, I’m excited to know I’m one of their supporters, too,” Fuerte said.
Natalia Zamora (’26) agrees. Zamora shared her Wrapped to her Instagram account because she was “proud” to be in the top 1% of listeners of her favorite artist, Lana Del Rey.
Music is essential to self-reflection and feelings of connection with others. According to Percussion Play, music can coordinate emotions and also “help important messages to be communicated and motivates individuals to identify with and to support other members within their community.”
Spotify Wrapped is, ultimately, a reflection of each user’s interests and values. Whatever album, artist, or song that a user streamed enough to make it to the very top of a person’s statistics — amongst millions of other competitive choices — reflects something valuable about the listener’s life.
Wrapped is more than a superficial trend to get momentarily excited about music during the holidays. The event has cultural impact and allows users to analyze what was important to them that year, and to consider what was important to others.
Wrapped has the ability to bring people together in celebration of our individuality, but also commonalities.
