Over the course of Thanksgiving, renowned pop group The Jonas Brothers performed some of their music during the big halftime show, to much excitement from the crowd. In honor of that, YEM curated a list of terrific music to listen to this holiday season, including Jonas Brothers songs like ‘Sucker’, about being head-over-heels in love, and their hit ‘Gotta Find You’ from the Camp Rock soundtrack, along with similar-sounding singles, such as Charli XCX’s ‘Boys’, about not subscribing to one type of masculinity, or Pharrell Williams’ ‘Happy’, about just being so joyful you can’t contain it.
1. ‘Sucker’ by The Jonas Brothers
Being in love is a beautiful thing, and this banger by The Jonas Brothers conveys that just as wonderfully. With irresistible instrumentals, and indelibly catchy lyrics, it’s a song you won’t want to stop listening to.
2. ‘Let It Ring’ by Reiley
Bad breakups are difficult, but this single by TikToker-turned-pop star Reiley is a great way to cope with them. With its infectious, rhythmic beat and earwormy lyrics, you won’t be able to stop tapping your toes to it.
3. ‘Only Human’ by Jonas Brothers
It’s totally natural when two people have feelings for each other, and unnatural to deny the chemistry. In fact, as the Jonas Brothers point out, we’re only human, after all.
4. ‘Slip Away’ by Perfume Genius
Just obeying the status quo is exhausting, and this soulful song by indie pop master Perfume Genius emphasizes that perfectly. Having been featured in everything from the trailer for Bo Burnham’s Eighth Grade (2018), and the Olivia Wilde comedy Booksmart (2019), it’s a terrific piece about coming of age and being your own person.
5. ‘What We Came Here For’ by Nick Jonas, Joe Jonas, Demi Lovato, Alyson Stoner & Anna Maria Perez de Tagle (from the ‘Camp Rock 2’ soundtrack)
Deciding where to go with your life might be uncertain, which makes it important to appreciate where you are in the now. This original tune from Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam was a perfect way for the sequel to one of Disney Channel’s biggest hit movies to get across this message.
6. ‘Break the Barrier’ by Miss Li
Having the courage to be different is often a way societal barriers are broken down, and Miss Li’s infectious, foot-stomping song encourages that with amazing lyrics like “It’s time for water to brawl/It’s time to follow your heart/It’s time for buildings to shake/It’s time for barriers to break.”
7. ‘Strangers’ by Sigrid
Swedish singer Sigrid made a splash with this sensational track, about a love that just isn’t what it was thought to be. However, with her soft, sensitive lyrics and music, it’s an unforgettable way to spend a few minutes.
8. ‘Gotta Find You’ by Jonas Brothers (from the Camp Rock soundtrack)
Finding people who understand you in life is one of the most universal and basic of needs, and what better song to convey that than this single from the original Camp Rock soundtrack? Performed by the then-up-and-coming Jonas Brothers, you won’t be able to stop listening.
9. ‘Runaway’ by Jonas Brothers
This collaboration between these musical siblings, as well as singers Sebastian Yatra, Natti Natasha and Daddy Yankee, is a thrilling narrative about a fictional guy convincing his great love to run away and start a life together with him. Full of dance-worthy beats and a mix of english and spanish lyrics, you’ll want to blast it at full volume.
10. ‘Mind is a Prison’ by Alec Benjamin
Self-consciousness can be crippling, but ironically, this Alec Benjamin song, despite its title, is an empowering narrative about not letting that get the better of you. It’s got empathetic lyrics, a fast-paced rhythm, and a surprisingly upbeat tone. What more could one ask for?
11. ‘1 True Love’ by 4 Town (written by Billie Eilish and Finneas O’Connell) from the Turning Red (2022) soundtrack
If you caught Pixar’s Turning Red on Disney+ this year, you’ll likely remember this original song, performed in the film by fictitious band 4 Town, who the main character Mei wanted to go to a concert for. With a contagious sound and feel, and positively romantic lyrics about finding that special soul mate, if you haven’t heard it yet, you’ll love it.
12. ‘Can’t Stop the Feeling’ by Justin Timberlake (from the Dreamworks film Trolls (2016))
This euphoric Justin Timberlake song from the hit film Trolls (2016) is a delightful narrative about the feeling of being in love. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, it’ll have you feeling that sunshine in your pocket, so to speak.
13. ‘Time For Me to Fly’ by The Jonas Brothers (from the Aquamarine soundtrack)
This awesome track, contributed by the Jonas Brothers to the hit 2006 film Aquamarine is an exciting piece about appreciating where you’ve been, while also needing to see the world and expand your horizons in order to figure out your identity. With memorable lyrics like “Time for me to live/It’s time for me to sing”, it’ll stay in your head forever.
14. ‘Happy’ by Pharrell Williams
The Oscar-nominated tune from Despicable Me 2 (2013) is just a plain-old amazing bit about those times when you’re just so jazzed up, you can’t even hide it.
15. ‘Sick of U’ by BoyWithUke
An irresistible track from the rising pop master BoyWithUke, this song about no longer dealing with people who aren’t good for you has unforgettable lyrics and instrumentals that will have you singing along throughout.
16. ‘Remember This’ by The Jonas Brothers
One of the more romantic songs in this group’s repertoire, this luminous piece about cherishing those special moments with a significant other is a fast-moving, fast-talking love anthem for the ages.
17. ‘Boys’ by Charli XCX
If you like Charli XCX, you’ll love this sweet, sympathetic tune from the British pop queen, which talks about guys being whoever they wanna be, and not conforming to society’s expectations and archetypes.
18. ‘I Will’ by Sky Ferreira
It’s never okay to take other people’s bs. Sometimes, you gotta just teach them a lesson, and this crazy good selection by Sky Ferreira is a confidently written, scored and performed track about that sentiment. And with a mix of great lyrics and vocals like that, how can you go wrong?
19. ‘Lost Stars’ by Adam Levine
If you’ve never heard of this song, you’ll want to rectify that soon. This Oscar-nominee from the 2013 film Begin Again is a lovely meditation on the need for people to relate to, so we don’t feel alone in the struggle that is the human experience. Plus, who can resist when it’s coming from the lead singer of Maroon 5?
20. ‘When There Was Me and You’ by Joshua Bassett, from the HSMTMTS soundtrack
