What were the most played songs on rock radio in 2025?

According to the Mediabase chart for Active Rock’s year-to-date tracking of radio spins from January 2025 to the present, it has been determined that Papa Roach’s “Even If It Kills Me” had the most airplay of any song this past year.

The song benefited from a long shelf life, first arriving as a single back in January 2025 while compiling spins for most of the calendar year. As of December 30, 2026, the song has achieved 47,987 plays at active rock radio for the year. It also held the title at the year’s mid-point.

Which Late Year Song Had the Biggest Push and Which Fell the Most?

When we previously shared data for the most played songs of the year back in August, Papa Roach was still going strong at No. 1 with “Even If It Kills Me.” But which song has seen the biggest gain since that point?

The honor goes to Architects, who were just getting started back in August with “Everything Ends.” Since then, the song has risen from No. 21 to No. 4 for the year. On the flip side, both Wage War’s “Blur” and Nothing More’s “House on Sand” took a tumble. Wage War fell six notches from No. 6 to No. 12 while Nothing More dropped seven spots from No. 16 to No. 23.

Which Bands Doubled Up?

Some bands had a significant year at rock radio by placing more than one song in the Top 25 for the year. Most notably, you’ll find Papa Roach with both the song with the most plays at No. 1 (“Even If It Kills Me”) and the last song to make the cut of the Top 25 (“Braindead”).

READ MORE: Loudwire’s Best Rock Song of 2025 – Mammoth’s “The End”

Linkin Park also doubled up at No. 6 and No. 8 with “Heavy Is the Crown” and “Up From the Bottom.” Three Days Grace were the third band with two songs, placing at No. 7 and No. 17 with “Mayday” and “Apologies.”

So what songs and what artists finished where for the year? Take a closer look at the most played active rock songs of 2025 listed below.

Now, take a look at the 51 rock and metal songs Loudwire named the best of 2025.