If Iowa had Spotify Wrapped, it would have Caitlin Clark's favorite and a controversial song

Some Midwestern cities are learning a lot about their population’s listening habits thanks to Spotify Wrapped, which launched Wednesday.

The music and podcast streamer brings its users information about their top artists, top songs, top genres and more for the year.

Basically, you get to learn that out of all the Taylor Swift songs you listened to this year, it was actually “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” that was your No. 1. Or, you can have a midlife crisis when you realize all you listen to is dad rock.

With Spotify Wrapped Mapped, users can see some of the top songs in cities across North America since Jan. 1. Though no cities in Iowa make Wrapped Mapped, we couldn’t help but wonder, what would the top songs be for our state?

Here’s what Iowa’s Spotify Wrapped (Des Moines Register's version) would look like for top 5 songs:

Song: 'Try That in A Small Town' by Jason Aldean

Here’s why: Whether you loved it, hated it or listened to it purely to understand all the chatter surrounding it, the Des Moines connection means this controversial hit song has to make the list. Jason Aldean’s Billboard Hot 100 chart topper was co-written by a writing quartet that includes Kurt Allison, an Iowan who grew up on the southside of Des Moines. Some people criticized the song and its music video for what they believed contained elements of lynching and racist undertones. In the music video, Aldean sang at a courthouse in Tennessee that was the site of a 1927 mob lynching. The music video was released in July. In late August, Aldean performed at the Iowa State Fair Grandstand to a crowd of 12,581, where he addressed criticisms of the song.

Song: 'I’m In Love' by Hailey Whitters

Here’s why: Iowans are a proud bunch. How could we not show some love for Hailey Whitters, the Grammy-nominated country singer from Shueyville. The “Everything She Ain’t” singer has had a busy year: She won New Female Artist of the Year at the ACM Awards, released her six-song EP “I’m In Love,” and it was announced she’d open for country star Jason Aldean’s 2024 “Highway Desperado” tour.

Song: 'Hive Mind' by Slipknot

Here’s why: Though the song was released in 2022 as part of their album "The End, So Far," the music video for it dropped in October, featuring heads that are sliced open in a rather stylish music video (sounds odd, right?). Of course, them being a beloved Iowa band doesn’t hurt their chances at making Iowa’s Spotify Wrapped.

Song: 'Boys Of Faith' (featuring Bon Iver) by Zach Bryan

Here's why: The Oklahoma singer-songwriter behind “Something in the Orange” and “Heading South” is coming to the Wells Fargo Arena in April. He also performed at the Hinterland Music Festival in August. You know who also performed at the Iowa festival? Noah Kahan, the breakout star behind “Hurt Somebody" and "Dial Drunk" and Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Bon Iver. Then, in late September came Bryan’s five-song EP “Boys Of Faith” that featured both Iver and Kahan. Even Hinterland Music Festival had something to say about the EP on social media. “Zach Bryan just released a new EP, news that's already very exciting by itself, but then you realize one song features Noah Kahan and another one features Bon Iver!?”

As one commentor put it, “Thanks to Hinterland.” Whether we can credit Hinterland or not for those collabs, we can thank the festival for bringing Bryan to Madison County.

Song: 'Fast Car' by Luke Combs

Here's why: Let’s take a cue from Caitlin Clark, folks. In an interview with sports podcast Iowa Everywhere published to YouTube in May, Clark said she listens to country music to warm up for games. Who is her favorite country artist? Luke Combs, she said. While Combs isn’t hurting for any fans as a Grammy-nominated performer and CMAA Entertainer of the Year, it doesn’t hurt that one of college basketball’s biggest stars dropped his name. Unfortunately, we don’t know which songs Clark likes best. So, let's revisit his discography with this 2023 Billboard chart topper, "Fast Car."

Paris Barraza covers entertainment, lifestyle and arts at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at PBarraza@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.

This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: If Iowa had Spotify Wrapped, it would have Luke Combs, Jason Aldean