Let’s be honest. Nobody woke up in 2025 thinking, “I wonder what the Prime Minister listens to on Spotify.”
And yet… here we are.
Surprised. Mildly impressed. Slightly shook.
When Lawrence Wong’s Spotify top artists list surfaced, it didn’t scream policy briefings or late-night budget spreadsheets. Instead, it blasted electric guitars, heartbreak anthems, and singalong classics. Suddenly, politics felt a bit more human. Less podium. More playlist.
A Playlist Nobody Expected (But Everyone Needed)
Here’s the top artists list that caught Singapore off guard:
- AC/DC
- Oasis
- Roy Orbison
- The Proclaimers
- Creedence Clearwater Revival
No K-pop. No TikTok hits. No viral remixes.
Just pure, old-school, “turn the volume up and don’t apologise” energy.
And honestly? Respect.
AC/DC: Starting Strong, Literally
First up, AC/DC.
Straight away, this tells you a lot.
This is power music. Riffs that don’t ask for permission. Songs that sound like they were built to survive decades. It’s the kind of music you play when things get heavy. Or when you need to remind yourself to keep going.
Also, it’s loud.
Which makes it even funnier coming from a Prime Minister known for calm speeches and composed delivery.
Low-key iconic.
Oasis: Emotional Chaos, British Edition
Then comes Oasis.
Because of course.
Every Oasis fan believes in confidence. Maybe even delusion. But also deep feelings buried under swagger. Songs that sound simple but hit hard when you least expect it.
This choice feels relatable.
Like, “Yes, I make big decisions. But also, sometimes I just want to stare out the window and think about life.”
Very millennial-coded.
Very “Don’t Look Back in Anger” energy.
Roy Orbison: Feelings, No Filter
Now this one surprised people.
Roy Orbison isn’t trendy. He’s timeless.
Big voice. Big emotions. Zero shame about it.
This is music for reflection. For quiet moments. For nights when the city is asleep but your brain refuses to be.
It shows depth.
And maybe a soft side people don’t usually see on the news.
Also, bonus points for taste.
The Proclaimers: Walking the Talk
Next up, The Proclaimers.
Yes, that song.
The walking one.
But beyond the meme, their music is about commitment. About going the distance. About stubborn loyalty. Which, let’s be real, is kind of on-brand for leadership.
Plus, it’s catchy.
And slightly cheesy.
Which makes it even better.
Creedence Clearwater Revival: Old Souls, Good Vibes
Rounding out the list is Creedence Clearwater Revival.
This is road-trip music.
This is “life isn’t perfect, but we move” music.
There’s grit here. There’s history. There’s a sense of grounding. Songs that don’t rush you. They just roll along.
It feels steady.
Comforting.
Very dad-rock, but in a cool way.
Why This Hits Different in Singapore
Here’s the thing.
Singapore politics has often felt distant. Formal. Very “please refer to paragraph 3 subsection b.”
This playlist changes the vibe.
Music is personal. It’s messy. It doesn’t come with footnotes. By sharing something this human, Lawrence Wong connects without trying too hard. No forced youth slang. No awkward “hello fellow kids” moment.
Just vibes.
And honestly, that’s how you reach younger people now.
Not with slogans.
With authenticity.
My Take: This Is Smart, Whether Planned or Not
Let me be real for a second.
This isn’t about being “cool.”
It’s about being real.
Showing taste that isn’t trendy tells people you’re comfortable with who you are. That you don’t need to chase relevance. And ironically, that makes you more relatable.
Also, classic rock fans? Loyal. Passionate. Opinionated.
Sound familiar?
In a time when politics feels noisy and exhausting, this kind of moment feels refreshing. It reminds us that leaders are people too. People who probably unwind the same way we do. With music that’s seen some life.
And yeah, never thought I’d say this, but…
Singapore politics just got a little more rock ’n’ roll.
At the end of the day, this Spotify list isn’t a policy statement.
It’s not a campaign slogan.
It’s just a playlist.
But sometimes, that’s enough.
Enough to spark conversation. Enough to bridge generations. Enough to remind us that leadership doesn’t always need to feel stiff.
Sometimes, it just needs a good soundtrack.
