In an era where many pop stars are manufactured through years of media training and studio grooming, Benson Boone stands out as a wonderfully organic breath of fresh air. He possesses the kind of raw, room-shaking vocal power that feels like a throwback to classic 1970s rock, mixed with a deeply vulnerable modern pop sensibility.
To say his early twenties have been a whirlwind would be a massive understatement. Fresh off the massive success of his sophomore 2025 album American Heart, Boone has spent the last few years transitioning from a viral internet curiosity into a bona fide stadium-status rockstar. To honor his big day, we are diving into his unexpected journey to the top of the charts and ranking the 5 songs you absolutely need on your playlist.
The Untraditional Path
What makes Benson Boone’s rise to fame so fascinating is that he didn’t even realize he could sing until his junior year of high school. Growing up in Monroe, Washington, Boone was primarily focused on sports, competing heavily as a star member of his high school’s competitive diving team.
When a friend randomly asked him to sing and play piano for a local battle of the bands in 2019, Boone shocked everyone—including himself—by unleashing an incredibly soulful, powerful voice.
His path to fame moved at lightning speed from there:
- The ‘American Idol’ Gamble: In early 2021, Boone auditioned for American Idol. The judges were completely floored, with Katy Perry openly predicting he could win the entire show. However, after making it to the Top 24, Boone made a highly risky, gutsy decision: he voluntarily withdrew from the competition because he didn’t want his artistic identity to be boxed in by a reality TV contract.
- The TikTok Explosion: He pivoted to TikTok, sharing raw, unfiltered videos of himself singing original piano ballads. Within months, he amassed millions of followers.
- The Rockstar Co-Sign: His viral clips caught the ear of Imagine Dragons frontman Dan Reynolds. Recognizing a generational talent, Reynolds immediately signed Boone to his own Night Street Records (under Warner Records), giving the young artist the creative freedom he craved.
Ranking His 5 Best Hits
5. “Ghost Town” (2021)
The track that started it all. As his debut single under Dan Reynolds’s label, “Ghost Town” was a massive statement of intent. A sweeping, emotional ballad about realizing a relationship has become toxic and choosing to leave, the song beautifully showcases his ability to transition from a quiet whisper to a booming, cinematic chorus. It quickly went platinum and proved he was far more than just a 15-second social media trend.
4. “Slow It Down” (2024)
Serving as a major highlight from his debut full-length album, “Slow It Down” perfectly balances Boone’s dual musical personalities. It starts as a gentle, rhythmic piano track before exploding into a fast-paced, drum-heavy pop-rock anthem. The song perfectly captures the anxious, exhilarating feeling of falling in love too fast and trying to catch your breath.
3. “In the Stars” (2022)
If you want to understand the pure, empathetic heart of Boone’s songwriting, look no further than this devastatingly beautiful tribute to his late great-grandmother. “In the Stars” became an absolute streaming juggernaut because it deals with the universal, raw ache of grief and loss. The acoustic-driven track remains a staple of his live shows, often resulting in entire stadiums singing the emotional chorus back to him through tears.
2. “Sorry I’m Here for Someone Else” (2025)
The definitive standout from his 2025 album American Heart, this track shows a much more mature, sonically adventurous version of Boone. Leaning heavily into a rootsy, alternative-rock landscape, the song tells a narrative-rich story of unrequited love and missed connections. His vocal performance here is arguably the most controlled and technically impressive of his career.
1. “Beautiful Things” (2024)
There was simply no other option for the number-one spot. “Beautiful Things” wasn’t just a hit; it was a bona fide global cultural phenomenon. Entering the charts at lightning speed in early 2024, the track spent weeks dominating the number-one spot globally.
The song’s structure is absolute genius—lulling the listener into a cozy, folk-pop verse before unexpectedly dropping into a screaming, stadium-sized rock chorus where Boone begs the universe not to take away the happiness he has finally found. It is the definitive song of his career and the track that permanently sealed his spot in pop history.
