Here at Met Radio, we’re closing out 2025 with a new round of year-end favourites! To cap off the year, our volunteers and staff are sharing their personal top-ten lists, highlighting the music, media, and gems that defined the past twelve months. New lists to explore and enjoy will be dropping on the Met Radio website every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this December!
Hi! I’m Meyhar, Sponsorship & Advertising Coordinator at Met Radio. One thing I’ve always loved is music that transcends borders; songs that mix languages, cultures, and styles to create something universal. For this list, I’ve chosen my Top 10 Songs That Cross Borders, presented as a countdown, featuring tracks that speak multiple languages and bring cultures together.
10. Despacito (JB Remix) – Luis Fonsi, Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber
This song was a global phenomenon. It broke records everywhere it played. Justin Bieber’s English remix brought the song to international audiences, while the original Spanish verses still gave it that irresistible Latin rhythm. I still remember being obsessed with this song throughout middle school, and knowing the lyrics to the Spanish part instantly gave you an unlimited aura.
9. Boy With Luv – BTS ft. Halsey
This song features BTS’s catchy Korean verses and Halsey’s smooth English hooks. The main reason this song made it to this list is not even because of the song itself, but the nostalgic memories it holds for me. This used to be my childhood best friend’s favourite song, and she made me listen to it so much that I started liking it. The upbeat vibe makes it a perfect feel-good track.
8. Bora Bora – AP Dhillon & Ayra Starr
Punjabi rapper AP Dhillon and Nigerian popstar Ayra Starr created this smooth Afrobeats-infused track. The Punjabi verses mixed with English hooks make this an international banger and a true example of cross-continental collaboration. It’s one of those tracks you can play at any party, anywhere, and everyone would vibe with it.
7. Chaudhary – Mame Khan, Amit Trivedi, Shellee (Coke Studio India)
This Coke Studio India track is a masterclass in blending regional Rajasthani vocals with Hindi lyrics and contemporary instrumentation. Mame Khan’s rustic voice, Amit Trivedi’s composition, and Shellee’s poetry create a vibrant song that honours tradition while reaching modern audiences. It’s a beautiful example of India’s linguistic and musical diversity.
6. Should I Stay or Should I Go – The Clash
This punk-rock classic gets an unexpected multilingual twist with small Spanish lines. I admit it, I only got to know about this song through Stranger Things, but that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate it. The mix of languages and rebellious energy just works.
5. Chammak Challo – Akon
Bollywood meets global pop: Akon’s vocals bring an international flavour to this Hindi-Tamil hit. I think every Indian kid has been obsessed with this song at some time in their lives, and rightly so, because the song has an iconic, catchy rhythm and cross-cultural appeal. It shows that language barriers are no match for a great beat.
4. Habibi – Ricky Rich (and remixes)
This song has multiple remixes featuring different languages, including Albanian and German. It’s a fun, versatile track with a catchy hook that demonstrates how multilingualism can give a song a worldwide reach.
3. Who You Are – KRSNA & Aitch
This hip-hop collaboration blends Indian rap and British rap seamlessly. KRSNA delivers his signature sharp Hindi verses, Aitch adds English punchlines, and the hook is a mix of both languages, creating a track that’s raw, global, and energetic.
2. Hass Hass – Diljit Dosanjh & Sia
Sia singing alongside Diljit Dosanjh is unexpected, bold, and addictive. I remember listening to it for the first time and absolutely losing my mind over Sia singing in Punjabi. The track showcases the power of cross-continental collaborations, mixing Punjabi hooks with English pop sensibilities. It’s fun, surprising, and impossible not to groove to.
1. Kaho Na Kaho – Amir Jamal & Anu Malik
Topping the list, this song blends Hindi/Urdu with Arabic, creating a mesmerising, cinematic vibe. This song is such a classic. We still see it being used or mentioned in recent Bollywood shows and movies simply because it’s so iconic. Amir Jamal’s smooth vocals and Anu Malik’s iconic composition make it a multilingual masterpiece. The mix of languages gives it a global feel that perfectly represents the theme of music without borders.