Carly Rae Jepsen, the Canadian pop star known for her catchy hooks and emotional depth, has delivered a decade of music that balances heartfelt lyrics with unforgettable melodies. From the global smash Call Me Maybe to experimental B-sides, her work continues to resonate with fans and critics alike. As Carly Rae Jepsen’s landmark album Emotion turns 10, her catalogue shows a versatile artist unafraid to explore feelings, desire, and playful musical experimentation. Here’s a ranking of 20 of her best songs, illustrating why she remains a defining voice in modern pop.
Opening The Loveliest Time, Jepsen embraces her B-side tendencies with funky guitar riffs, playful percussion, and breathy falsetto. The lyrics capture the intensity of longing and devotion, traits that define her unique approach to pop storytelling. From the album Kiss, This Kiss blends EDM synths and bold vocals to explore forbidden desires. It demonstrates Jepsen’s early ability to balance dreamy melodies with emotional intensity. A track from Emotion Side B, Cry skips specific love interests and dives into raw emotion. Jepsen’s lyrics cut straight to feelings of vulnerability and longing, making this song a standout ballad.
From Dedicated, No Drug Like Me showcases Jepsen’s mastery of intimate, seductive pop. Her gasped promises and muted boogie rhythm create a compelling, intoxicating mood. A collaboration with Ariel Rechtshaid and Dev Hynes, All That adds a touch of avant-garde sparkle to her catalogue. It blends devotion with subtle experimentation, highlighting Jepsen’s range beyond mainstream pop. On The Loneliest Time, Joshua Tree builds tension with sharp anticipation and releases it in a euphoric chorus. Its fragmentary lyrics evoke strobe-lit nights and emotional highs. The quirky, self-aware anthem Boy Problems from Emotion became a gay icon favorite. The catchy chorus and playful lyrics turn messy love life complaints into an addictive celebration.
Originally meant for her scrapped album Curiosity, Tiny Little Bows transforms whimsical lyrics into polished Scandi-pop bliss. Its playful nature contrasts perfectly with Jepsen’s refined vocal delivery. Featuring a creative solution to clear a Popeye sample, Jepsen’s Disneyland-approved track Everything He Needs mixes flirty energy with ascending, cinematic choruses, proving her inventiveness extends beyond songwriting. From Emotion, Gimmie Love captures oscillating desire. Jepsen lunges toward romance and pulls back, amplified by vibrant, bass-heavy production and cheerleader-like vocal chants. A track rich in gothic emotion, Julien recounts a formative romance with enveloping, disco-inspired bass. It shows Jepsen’s ability to blend intimacy with pop sophistication. Rarely angry, The Sound expresses frustration over an unpredictable lover. Abrupt beats and tender piano work highlight Jepsen’s range in capturing complex emotions.
With a bold, feral energy reminiscent of early Madonna, Want You in My Room explores desire over a bass-driven, playful production that nods to Daft Punk’s electronic influence. A dusky, introspective lead single from The Loneliest Time, Western Wind swaps bangers-first strategies for subtle beauty. The track reflects on memory and longing with understated elegance. From the Pop 2 mixtape, Backseat shows a more vulnerable, desolate side of Jepsen. Auto-Tuned vocals float over minimalist, tweaky production, highlighting emotional complexity. Commanding and cheeky, Shy Boy mixes playful desire with intricate vocal bridges. Jepsen channels Kylie-like charisma while delivering irresistible pop charm.
Originally for a kids’ animated film, Cut to the Feeling became quintessential Jepsen. Euphoric, raw, and energetic, it channels unrestrained desire and joyous abandon. Her global breakout, Call Me Maybe, pairs innocent crushes with powerful pop hooks. Its infectious beat and melodic strings cemented Jepsen’s place in mainstream pop culture. A bold, emotion-driven song from Emotion, Run Away With Me delivers pure feeling without subtext. Its iconic sax riff and direct lyrics resonate with fans seeking pop authenticity. Capturing the thrill of a new crush, Warm Blood combines subtle, feverish passion with rhythmic drive. Jepsen and Rostam create a delicate tension that lingers long after the song ends, showing her gift for evoking intimate moments in pop music.
