APRA Song of the Year top 25 announced for centenary year
Peer-voted shortlist features two songs by Tame Impala plus first-time appearances from Ecca Vandal, Emily Wurramara, Ninajirachi and Ocean Alley
The final five nominees, along with all genre category nominees for the 2026 APRA Music Awards, will be revealed on Tuesday 31 March
The top 25 songs in the 2026 Peer-Voted APRA Song of the Year have been announced, nominated by thousands of APRA members ahead of this year’s APRA Music Awards on Wednesday 29 April.
As part of APRA’s 100-year celebrations, this year’s awards will be the biggest yet and will be held for the very first time at Sydney’s Hordern Pavilion.
The centenary year saw the highest number of votes ever cast by APRA members and showcases the diversity and strength of Australian songwriting. The shortlist spans from genre‑bending genius Genesis Owusu’s punk-edge hit “PIRATE RADIO” to Keli Holiday’s Hottest 100 topping dancefloor filler “Dancing2” and Amyl and the Sniffer’s unrelenting banger “Jerkin’”.
Paul Kelly’s follow up to “How To Make Gravy”, “Rita Wrote A Letter”, also features in the top 25, alongside favourite NT rockers King Stingray’s “Light Up The Path” and the unstoppable Ninajirachi with “iPod Touch”. Kevin Parker, aka Tame Impala, is the only songwriter with two songs in the shortlist - the Grammy-winning “End Of Summer” and “Loser” from his latest album Deadbeat.
This year’s list features over 40 debutant shortlisted artists including Ecca Vandal, Emily Wurramara, Folk Bitch Trio, Liam Bell (Playlunch), Nina Wilson (Ninajirachi) and Ocean Alley.
They join previous Song of the Year shortlist alumni like Angie McMahon, Bernard Fanning, Hiatus Kaiyote, Kasey Chambers, Missy Higgins, Nick Cave, Paul Dempsey and Troye Sivan.
The final five nominees for Peer-Voted Song of the Year, along with all genre category nominees for the 2026 APRA Music Awards, will be revealed on Tuesday 31 March. Winners will be announced at the awards ceremony on Wednesday 29 April.
The APRA Music Awards celebrate excellence in contemporary music, honouring songwriters and publishers who have achieved artistic excellence and outstanding success in their fields.
View the top 25 shortlist here
