Conan Gray is an American singer-songwriter who has captivated audiences with his unique blend of indie-pop and alternative music. With his heartwarming lyrics and emotive vocals, Gray has garnered a massive following of fans who resonate with his raw and relatable music. Over the years, Gray has released a multitude of songs, each with its own distinct charm and appeal, but some stand out as fan favorites. In this article, we take a look at the top 10 best Conan Gray songs of all time, highlighting the tracks that have resonated most with fans and critics alike.
The list includes some of Gray’s most popular hits, such as “Maniac,” “Heather,” and “Wish You Were Sober,” as well as lesser-known gems like “Greek God” and “The Other Side.” Each song on the list showcases Gray’s unique talent as a songwriter and performer, touching on themes of love, heartbreak, and self-discovery in a way that is both intimate and universal. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a newcomer to Gray’s music, this list is sure to have something for everyone, offering a comprehensive overview of his best work to date.
10. Maniac
“Maniac” is one of Conan Gray’s most popular and critically acclaimed songs. Released in 2019, the song features Gray’s signature indie-pop sound with a touch of electronic influence. The track tells the story of a tumultuous and obsessive relationship, with Gray’s haunting vocals conveying the intense emotions of the lyrics. The song’s catchy chorus and driving beat have made it a fan favorite and a staple of Gray’s live performances. In addition to its commercial success, “Maniac” has received widespread critical acclaim, with many reviewers praising its emotional depth and Gray’s unique musical style. The song’s music video, which features Gray in a variety of surreal and dreamlike settings, has also garnered attention for its striking visuals and artistic direction. Overall, “Maniac” is a standout track in Gray’s discography, showcasing his talent as a songwriter and performer and cementing his place as one of the most exciting young artists in the music industry today.
9. Checkmate
“Checkmate” is a powerful and emotional song by Conan Gray that explores the themes of heartbreak and moving on. Released in 2019 as part of his debut EP “Sunset Season,” the song features a mix of indie-pop and electronic elements that perfectly complement Gray’s introspective lyrics and soaring vocals. In the track, Gray addresses a former lover who betrayed him and left him broken-hearted, singing lines like “I don’t wanna be the one to say it, but I think you should know, you’re a wreck, you’re a mess, and that’s why we broke.” The chorus of the song, with its anthemic melody and catchy hook, has become a fan favorite and a staple of Gray’s live performances. Overall, “Checkmate” is a standout track in Gray’s discography, showcasing his ability to write deeply personal and relatable songs that resonate with listeners around the world.
8. The Story
“The Story” is a poignant and introspective ballad by Conan Gray that showcases his exceptional songwriting skills and emotive vocals. The song was released in 2018 as part of Gray’s debut EP “Sunset Season,” and has since become a fan favorite and a staple of his live performances. The track is a reflective and personal account of Gray’s journey as an artist, with lyrics that explore themes of self-doubt, perseverance, and the pursuit of one’s dreams. Gray’s vocals on the song are particularly noteworthy, with his raw and emotive delivery adding an extra layer of depth and emotion to the already powerful lyrics. The track’s stripped-down instrumentation, featuring just Gray’s vocals and a simple piano accompaniment, further highlights the intimacy and vulnerability of the song. Overall, “The Story” is a standout track in Gray’s discography, showcasing his ability to write deeply personal and relatable songs that touch the hearts of listeners around the world.
7. Wish You Were Sober
“Wish You Were Sober” is a captivating and emotionally charged track by Conan Gray that explores the pain of unrequited love and the longing for someone who is unable to reciprocate those feelings. Released in 2020 as part of Gray’s debut album “Kid Krow,” the song features a blend of indie-pop and electronic elements, with Gray’s distinctive vocals and emotive delivery taking center stage. The track’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of the heartache and confusion that comes with loving someone who is unable to love you back, with Gray singing lines like “You make me happy, it’s kinda crappy, wish you were sober.” The song’s chorus, with its catchy melody and relatable lyrics, has made it a fan favorite and a standout track in Gray’s discography. Overall, “Wish You Were Sober” is a powerful and emotional track that showcases Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer, and further solidifies his place as one of the most exciting young artists in the music industry today.
6. Generation Why
“Generation Why” is a poignant and thought-provoking song by Conan Gray that tackles the complexities and challenges of growing up in the digital age. Released in 2017 as part of Gray’s debut single, the song features a blend of indie-pop and electronic elements, with Gray’s emotive vocals and introspective lyrics taking center stage. The track’s lyrics touch on themes of anxiety, social media, and the pressure to conform, with Gray singing lines like “Every time I open up my mouth, I wonder what they’re gonna say now, they’re never gonna get the best of me.” The song’s catchy melody and relatable lyrics have made it a fan favorite and a standout track in Gray’s discography. Additionally, the music video for the song, which features Gray in a variety of colorful and surreal settings, has garnered attention for its striking visuals and artistic direction. Overall, “Generation Why” is a powerful and introspective track that speaks to the experiences of a generation, and highlights Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer.
5. People Watching
“People Watching” is a charming and upbeat track by Conan Gray that captures the feeling of spending a lazy afternoon observing the world around you. Released in 2018 as part of Gray’s debut EP “Sunset Season,” the song features a blend of indie-pop and folk elements, with Gray’s bright vocals and catchy melodies taking center stage. The track’s lyrics paint a vivid picture of a quiet day spent people-watching in a park, with Gray singing lines like “I see two best friends, laughing as they pass, while a homeless man is picking through the trash.” The song’s infectious chorus and whimsical instrumentation have made it a fan favorite and a standout track in Gray’s discography. The music video for the song, which features Gray wandering through a park and interacting with the people around him, has also garnered attention for its charming and relatable portrayal of everyday life. Overall, “People Watching” is a delightful and relatable track that showcases Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer.
4. Crush Culture
“Crush Culture” is a sassy and empowering track by Conan Gray that takes a bold stance against the toxic culture of dating and relationships. Released in 2018 as part of Gray’s debut EP “Sunset Season,” the song features a blend of indie-pop and electronic elements, with Gray’s confident vocals and catchy hooks taking center stage. The track’s lyrics confront the pressures and expectations that come with modern dating, with Gray singing lines like “I don’t wanna be somebody’s crush, wanna be somebody’s need.” The song’s upbeat tempo and infectious chorus have made it a fan favorite and a standout track in Gray’s discography. Additionally, the music video for the song, which features Gray in a series of bold and stylish outfits, has garnered attention for its striking visuals and fashion-forward direction. Overall, “Crush Culture” is a powerful and empowering track that speaks to the experiences of a generation, and highlights Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer.
3. Overdrive
“Overdrive” is an electrifying and energetic track by Conan Gray that showcases his unique blend of indie-pop and alternative music. Released in 2021 as part of his sophomore album “Kid Krow,” the song features Gray’s distinctive vocals and a driving beat that keeps the listener hooked from start to finish. The track’s lyrics are a reflection on Gray’s journey as an artist and the challenges he has faced along the way, with Gray singing lines like “Can’t believe how far we’ve come, feels like yesterday we were so young.” The song’s anthemic chorus and soaring guitar riffs have made it a fan favorite and a standout track in Gray’s discography. The music video for the song, which features Gray performing in a variety of colorful and surreal settings, has also garnered attention for its striking visuals and artistic direction. Overall, “Overdrive” is a dynamic and powerful track that showcases Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer and solidifies his place as one of the most exciting young artists in the music industry today.
2. Idle Town
“Idle Town” is a haunting and nostalgic track by Conan Gray that explores the bittersweet memories of growing up in a small town. Released in 2017 as part of Gray’s debut single, the song features a mix of indie-pop and folk elements, with Gray’s emotive vocals and introspective lyrics taking center stage. The track’s lyrics touch on themes of nostalgia, longing, and the passage of time, with Gray singing lines like “In the idle town of your heart, there’s a closed down movie theatre, and I wanna go where the neon goes.” The song’s stripped-down instrumentation, featuring just Gray’s vocals and a simple guitar accompaniment, further highlights the intimacy and vulnerability of the song. The track’s captivating melody and poignant lyrics have made it a fan favorite and a standout track in Gray’s discography. Overall, “Idle Town” is a powerful and introspective track that speaks to the experiences of a generation, and highlights Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer.
1. Heather
“Heather” is a heart-wrenching and beautiful track by Conan Gray that has become one of his most popular and beloved songs to date. Released in 2020 as part of his debut album “Kid Krow,” the song features Gray’s emotive vocals and a haunting piano melody that perfectly complements the lyrics. The track tells the story of unrequited love and the pain of watching someone you care about fall for someone else, with Gray singing lines like “I wish I were Heather, and you would call me baby.” The song’s poignant lyrics and powerful emotions have resonated deeply with fans around the world, making it a chart-topping hit and a standout track in Gray’s discography. The music video for the song, which features Gray wandering through a forest and encountering the titular Heather, has also garnered attention for its striking visuals and artistic direction. Overall, “Heather” is a stunning and emotional track that showcases Gray’s talent as a songwriter and performer, and cements his place as one of the most exciting young artists in the music industry today.
Darren Jamison is a frequent contributor to Singers Room. Since 2005, Singersroom has been the voice of R&B around the world. Connect with us via social media below.
