‘Wished I was deaf’: Aussies slam Spotify Wrapped results
Something isn’t lining up for Aussie music fans in 2025, but according to many, it might just be a sign of the times.
If you ask a certain section of the community why Australia had such a shocking year in Spotify Wrapped, the answer is plain and simple.
Music just isn’t what it once was, especially in the local market.
This week, Spotify released Wrapped, a feature that shows individual users their listening stats for the year.
It also announces the most-streamed artists, albums, and songs across its global market of users, and many Aussies were disappointed by the results from our own talent.
The most-streamed Australian song this year was Riptide by Vance Joy, which came out in 2013.
The second was Don’t Dream It’s Over by Crowded House, which came out in 1986.
Two of the most-streamed Australian albums for the year were Kick by INXS and Back in Black by AC/DC, which were released respectively in 1987 and 1980.
But when these results were put to the news.com.au audience in our recap here, it seemed that a preference for older Australian music still runs deep.
“I have no idea who any of those are besides AC/DC and INXS,” one commenter began.
“Last time I listened to the radio and heard all this new stuff, I kinda wished I was deaf.”
“This is no surprise after watching what was offered up at the ARIA awards this year,” shared another.
“That result is absolutely bang on the money. Current Australian music is complete garbage,” wrote a third.
Others still longed for the old days, but were realistic about the changes they’d witnessed when it came to the way music was promoted, with a particular soft spot for Molly Meldrum, the famed Australian journalist and critic.
“Molly’s Countdown was the revolution that inspired so many great Australians to create so much incredible music,” one reader shared.
“Sadly the Australian music industry has never been the same since Countdown shut down.”
“Such a shame. I’d watch Countdown over all the other reality-based crap in a heartbeat! Bring it on!” another person wrote.
Countdown was broadcast by the ABC from 1974 until 1987, and was one of the first programs to use music videos to promote international music.
The program also featured many live acts, who would often be interviewed by Meldrum.
The first show featured Australian acts Skyhooks, Sherbet, John Farnham, Daryl Braithwaite and Linda George.
Over the years, the likes of AC/DC, Olivia Newton John, INXS, Dragon, John Paul Young, Kylie Minogue, The Angels, Australian Crawl and many, many more would perform on the show.
“We used to be bombarded with local music as it was accessible to people via music stores and radio stations,” another user wrote about the lack of local talent among the numbers.
“Now, we have faster exposure to music produced internationally.”
Indeed, the top artist streamed by Australians for 2025 was Taylor Swift, with no Aussies making the top of the list.
As for Australia’s top local artists, The Wiggles topped the list as the international favourite.
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Originally published as ‘Wished I was deaf’: Aussies slam Spotify Wrapped results
