NME Single of the Year

Logo for NME. The capitals letters N, M and E are spelled out close together in a large, red font.

Every December, British music magazine NME compiles a list of what it considers the best singles or tracks of the year. It was started in 1975. The list is usually published in one of the issues sold before Christmas – in 2006 it was published in the issue for 9 December. The companion list is NME album of the year

The NME Single of the Year list is compiled by the music reviewers and independent journalists who work for the magazine and for NME.com. Each picks his or her top 20 singles of the year and hands them in to the editor. An album marked at Number One gets 20 points, Number Two gets 19 points and so on until the 20th, which gets one point. All of the points from the various top 20s are then gathered together and the overall favourites are worked out and ranked for publication in the official list. The single or track with the most points overall is Number One in the list, the one with the second most points is Number Two and so on. There have been, to date, four artists who have won Album and Single of the Year in the same year: Joy Division in 1980, Klaxons in 2007, MGMT in 2008 and Lorde in 2017. Cecil Womack and Bobby Womack also won Single & Album of the Year respectively in 1984.

Singles of the Year

File:Sex Pistols i Norge, 1977 (6263353228).jpg

"Pretty Vacant" by the Sex Pistols topped the listing in 1977.

File:Thejam.gif

NME named "Eton Rifles" by The Jam as the best single of 1979.

File:Prince Brussels 1986.jpg

Prince was the only artist to top the list more than once, until 2022.

File:Stone Roses-17-07-2012 Milan.JPG

The Stone Roses' "She Bangs the Drum" was named the single of the year in 1989.

File:Primal Scream at Summercase 2008.jpg

"Higher than the Sun" by Primal Scream was voted the greatest single of 1991.

File:Blur Newcastle 2009 Coxon Albarn.jpg

NME voted "Girls & Boys" by Blur as the number-one song of 1994.

File:MGMT.jpg

MGMT had three songs in NME's top five singles of 2008.

Year	Artist	Single	Top five
1975	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"No Woman No Cry"	2nd: 10cc – "I'm Not in Love"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Shirley & Company – "Shame Shame Shame"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Queen – "Bohemian Rhapsody"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Amazing Rhythm Aces – "Third Rate Romance"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1976	Thin Lizzy	"Script error: No such module "Sort"."	2nd: Eddie & the Hot Rods – Live at the MarqueeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Sex Pistols – "Anarchy in the UK"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Blue Öyster Cult – "Don't Fear the Reaper"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Nick Lowe – "So It Goes"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1977	Sex Pistols	"Pretty Vacant"	2nd: Elvis Costello – "Watching the Detectives"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Ian Dury – "Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Sex Pistols – "God Save the Queen"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The Ramones – "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1978	Buzzcocks	"Ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn't've)"	2nd: Public Image Ltd – "Public Image"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Ian Dury – "What a Waste"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Rolling Stones – "Miss You"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Elvis Costello – "Radio Radio"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1979	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Eton Rifles"	2nd: The Specials – "Gangsters"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Clash – "London Calling"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Gloria Gaynor – "I Will Survive"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The Jam – "Strange Town"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1980	Joy Division	"Love Will Tear Us Apart"	2nd: The Jam – "Going Underground"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Beat – "Mirror in the Bathroom"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Joy Division – "Atmosphere"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: David Bowie – "Ashes to Ashes"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1981	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Ghost Town"	2nd: Grandmaster Flash – "The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Coati Mundi – "Me No Pop I"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Heaven 17 – "Fascist Groove Thang"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The Human League – "Love Action"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1982	Grandmaster Flash	"Script error: No such module "Sort"."	2nd: Marvin Gaye – "Sexual Healing"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Robert Wyatt – "Shipbuilding"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Jam – "Town Called Malice"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: ABC – "The Look of Love"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1983	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Billie Jean"	2nd: James Brown – "Bring It On, Bring It On"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Imposter – "Pills and Soap"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Birthday Party – The Bad SeedScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: New Order – "Blue Monday"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1984	Womack and Womack	"Love Wars"	2nd: Elvis Costello – "I Wanna Be Loved"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Special AKA – "Free Nelson Mandela"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Dennis Edwards – "Don't Look Any Further"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Staple Singers – "Slippery People"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1985	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Never Understand"	2nd: The Jesus & Mary Chain – "Just Like Honey"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Kate Bush – "Running Up That Hill"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Smiths – "How Soon Is Now?Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Nick Cave – "Tupelo"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1986	Prince	"Kiss"	2nd: Cameo – "Word Up"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Ciccone Youth – "Into the Groove(y)"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Run D.M.C. – "Walk This Way"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The Real Roxanne – "Bang Zoom (Let's Go-Go)"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1987	Prince	"Sign o' the Times"	2nd: Eric B & Rakim – "Paid in Full"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: That Petrol Emotion – "Big Decision"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Public Enemy – "Rebel Without a Pause"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: M/A/R/R/S – "Pump Up the Volume"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1988	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Script error: No such module "Sort"."	2nd: Morrissey – "Every Day Is Like Sunday"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Prince – "Alphabet Street"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Morrissey – "Suedehead"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The House of Love – "Destroy the Heart"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1989	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"She Bangs the Drums"	2nd: The Stone Roses – "Fools Gold"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Sundays – "Can't Be Sure"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Stone Roses – "Made of Stone"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: 808 State – "Pacific State"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1990	Deee-Lite	"Groove Is in the Heart"	2nd: Happy Mondays – "Step On"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Sinéad O'Connor – "Nothing Compares 2 U"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Betty Boo – "Where Are You Baby"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Primal Scream – "Loaded"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1991	Primal Scream	"Higher than the Sun"	2nd: The KLF – "Justified & Ancient"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: R.E.M. – "Losing My Religion"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Teenage Fanclub – "Star Sign"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Teenage Fanclub – "The Concept"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1992	Suede	"Script error: No such module "Sort"."	2nd: PJ Harvey – "Sheela-Na-Gig"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Manic Street Preachers – "Motorcycle Emptiness"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Radiohead – "Creep"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: R.E.M. – "Drive"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1993	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Cannonball"	2nd: Credit to the Nation – "Call It What You Want"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Leftfield – "Open Up"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Suede – "Animal Nitrate"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Rage Against the Machine – "Killing in the Name"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1994	Blur	"Girls & Boys"	2nd: Oasis – "Cigarettes & Alcohol"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Oasis – "Live Forever"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Elastica – "Connection"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Sabres of Paradise – "The Theme"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1995	Black Grape	"Reverend Black Grape"	2nd: Supergrass – "Alright"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Pulp – "Sorted for E's & Wizz"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Oasis – "Some Might Say"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Foo Fighters – "This Is a Call"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1996	Underworld	"Born Slippy"	2nd: Manic Street Preachers – "A Design for Life"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Beck – "Where It's At"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Prodigy – "Firestarter"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Orbital – "The Box"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1997	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Bitter Sweet Symphony"	2nd: Blur – "Song 2"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Verve – "The Drugs Don't Work"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Embrace – "All You Good Good People"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Primal Scream – "Kowalski"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1998	Beastie Boys	"Intergalactic"	2nd: Super Furry Animals – Ice Hockey HairScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Stardust – "Music Sounds Better with You"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Mercury Rev – "Goddess on a Hiway"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Manic Street Preachers – "If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
1999	Aphex Twin	"Windowlicker"	2nd: TLC – "No Scrubs"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Super Furry Animals – "Northern Lites"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Flaming Lips – "Race for the Prize"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Eminem – "My Name Is"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2000	Eminem	"Script error: No such module "Sort"."	2nd: Coldplay – "Yellow"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Kelis – "Caught Out There"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Queens of the Stone Age – "The Lost Art of Keeping a Secret"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Lambchop – "Up with People"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2001	Missy Elliott	"Get Ur Freak On"	2nd: Kylie Minogue – "Can't Get You Out of My Head"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Strokes – The Modern AgeScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Andrew W.K. – "Party Hard"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The White Stripes – "Hotel Yorba"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2002	Doves	"There Goes the Fear"	2nd: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – Yeah Yeah YeahsScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Hives – "Hate to Say I Told You So"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Coral – "Dreaming of You"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Queens of the Stone Age – "No One Knows"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2003	Beyoncé	"Crazy in Love"	2nd: The White Stripes – "Seven Nation Army"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Outkast – "Hey Ya!"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Libertines – "Don't Look Back into the Sun"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Franz Ferdinand – "Darts of Pleasure"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2004	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Can't Stand Me Now"	2nd: Franz Ferdinand – "Take Me Out"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Streets – "Dry Your Eyes"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Jay-Z – "99 Problems"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The Killers – "Mr Brightside"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2005	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Hounds of Love"	2nd: Arcade Fire – "Rebellion (Lies)"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Arctic Monkeys – "I Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Kanye West – "Gold Digger"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The White Stripes – "My Doorbell"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2006	Hot Chip	"Over and Over"	2nd: Peter Bjorn and John – "Young Folks"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Gossip – "Standing in the Way of Control"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Muse – "Supermassive Black Hole"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Gnarls Barkley – "Crazy"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2007	Klaxons	"Golden Skans"	2nd: Glasvegas – "Daddy's Gone"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Cribs – "Men's Needs"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The Teenagers – "Homecoming"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Rihanna – "Umbrella"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2008	MGMT	"Kids"	2nd: Glasvegas – "Geraldine"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Mystery Jets – "Two Doors Down"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: MGMT – "Time to Pretend"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: MGMT – "Electric Feel"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2009	Yeah Yeah Yeahs	"Zero"	2nd: The Horrors – "Sea Within a Sea"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Big Pink – "Dominos"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Dizzee Rascal – "Bonkers"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Animal Collective – "My Girls"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2010	Foals	"Spanish Sahara"	2nd: M.I.A. – "XXXO"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Janelle Monáe – "Tightrope"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Kanye West – "Power"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Arcade Fire – "We Used to Wait"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2011	Script error: No such module "Sort".	"Video Games"	2nd: Tyler, the Creator – "Yonkers"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: The Horrors – "Still Life"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: PJ Harvey – "The Words That Maketh Murder"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Wild Beasts – "Bed of Nails"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2012	Palma Violets	"Best of Friends"	2nd: M.I.A. – "Bad Girls"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Blur – "Under the Westway"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Haim – "Forever"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Plan B – "Ill Manors"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2013	Daft Punk	"Get Lucky"	2nd: Arcade Fire – "Reflektor"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Arctic Monkeys – "Do I Wanna Know?"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Disclosure – "White Noise"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Yeah Yeah Yeahs – "Sacrilege"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2014	Future Islands	"Seasons (Waiting on You)"	2nd: Caribou – "Can't Do Without You"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Fat White Family – "Touch the Leather"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: The War on Drugs – "Red Eyes"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Run the Jewels – "Blockbuster Night, Pt. 1"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2015	Skepta	"Shutdown"	2nd: The Weeknd – "Can't Feel My Face"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Justin Bieber – "What Do You Mean"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Foals – "What Went Down"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: The 1975 – "Love Me"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2016	Rihanna	"Work"	2nd: The 1975 – "Somebody Else"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Chance the Rapper – "All Night"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Iggy Pop – "Gardenia"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Christine & the Queens – "Tilted"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2017	Lorde	"Green Light"	2nd: Charli XCX - "Boys"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Paramore - "Hard Times"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Kendrick Lamar - "Humble"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Stormzy - "Big For Your Boots"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". ^[1]
2018	Ariana Grande	"No Tears Left to Cry"	2nd: The 1975 - "Love It If We Made It"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Parquet Courts - "Wide Awake!"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Arctic Monkeys - "Four Out of Five"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Childish Gambino - "This Is America"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2019	Mura Masa featuring Slowthai	"Deal Wiv It"	2nd: Billie Eilish – "Bad Guy"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Georgia – "About Work the Dancefloor"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Lil Nas X – "Old Town Road"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Fontaines D.C. – "Big"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2020	Cardi B featuring Megan Thee Stallion	"WAP"	2nd: Dua Lipa – "Physical"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: IDLES – "Grounds"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Arlo Parks – "Black Dog"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Romy – "Lifetime"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2021	Olivia Rodrigo	"Good 4 U"	2nd: Self Esteem – "I Do This All The Time"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Wet Leg – "Chaise Longue"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Sam Fender – "Seventeen Going Under"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Lil Nas X – "Montero (Call Me by Your Name)"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2022	Beyoncé	"Cuff It"	2nd: Paramore – "This Is Why"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 3rd: Harry Styles – "As It Was"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 4th: Eliza Rose & Interplanetary Criminal – "B.O.T.A. (Baddest of Them All)"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". 5th: Arctic Monkeys – "There'd Better Be a Mirrorball"Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".
2023	Lana Del Rey	"A&W"	2nd: NewJeans – "Super Shy" 3rd: Kylie Minogue – "Padam Padam" 4th: Olivia Rodrigo – "Vampire" 5th: The Last Dinner Party – "Nothing Matters"
2024	Chappell Roan	"Good Luck, Babe!"	2nd: Kendrick Lamar – "Not Like Us" 3rd: Fontaines D.C. – "Starburster" 4th: Charli XCX & Lorde – "Girl, So Confusing featuring Lorde" 5th: Jade – "Angel of My Dreams"

References

↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

External links

NME End of year critic lists Template:Category handler^{[<span title="Script error: No such module "string".">usurped]}Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".

Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates

[1] Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

[1]

NME Single of the Year

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Singles of the Year

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NME Single of the Year

Singles of the Year

See also

References

External links

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