Your top songs of the year

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When I was younger, I was obsessed with the music charts.

Every week, I’d tune into Top of the Pops, the long-running U.K. TV show that would announce the bestselling singles.

I’d be on cloud nine if one of my favorite bands was climbing the charts — and scoff if some rubbish pop act like Whitney Houston sold more than music gods like The Clash.

These days, I look with great interest every year at Apple Music’s recaps of what I’ve been listening to during the previous 12 months.

Apple Music Replay lists your most-played artists, songs and albums, along with other music stats. You can dig into your favorite tunes by month, and Apple Music builds some interesting playlists and radio stations based on your tastes. And the best thing is, you can easily share your music stats on social media.

And what’s at the top of my queue this year? Argggh, it’s Whitney bloody Houston again! I got the same results last year! My wife loves to blast Houston’s horrible warbling all day on our HomePods. I’ve got to change that HomePod setting that uses me as the default account.

Here’s everything you need to know about Apple Music Replay. For instance, did you know your stats are actually available all year?

Also in today’s newsletter:

• Kickstarter tinkerers are trying to resurrect the MacBook Pro’s much-hated Touch Bar as a stand-alone strip that could finally deliver on its potential. I wish them the best of luck; it’s a very interesting project. (Dunno if I’ll back it, though!)

• Adding wireless CarPlay to your CarPlay-less vehicle is one of the best things you can do for it. And we have a solid discount on this 7-inch portable CarPlay screen.

• Apple TV+ continues to build on its great library of wonderful nature documentaries. The new and self-explanatory Secret Lives of Animals looks like a great addition.

• Apple selected Hysterical as the 2024 winner of the Apple Podcasts Award. No, it’s not a comedy: It’s a seven-part investigation into a mysterious illness among high school girls in upstate New York. Sounds pretty interesting.

— Leander Kahney, EIC.

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