It’s almost here! The 885 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century — as chosen by YOU, the XPN community — starts counting down this week. Here’s what you need to know.
When, Where
Beginning at 9 a.m. on Thursday 12/5, we’ll begin counting down from number 885 until we reach number 1. On weekdays the countdown runs from 9 a.m. to approximately 6 p.m.; on Saturday and Sunday we’ll begin at 10 a.m. and go until approximately 5 p.m. (Times are subject to change.) You can tune in on the radio at 88.5 FM in the Philadelphia area, 88.7 FM in Central Pennsylvania, 91.9 FM in North New Jersey, 104.9 FM in the Lehigh Valley, and 90.5 FM in Worton. Or, you can listen live from anywhere in the world, streaming here at XPN.org.
Follow Along
Miss any of the countdown? Keep track the list, which updates in real time at our countdown page at XPN.org
By The Numbers
Curious how your favorite artists performed this year versus countdowns past? Explore the countdown exploder at the 885 Greatest Songs of the 21st Century page.
Dive Deeper
Want to learn more? Explore the background and impact of select cuts from the countdown in a series of web-exclusive Song Stories. You can also hear your favorite XPN on-air personalities tell you about a highlight from their lists in our Host Picks.
Join The Conversation
Looking to connect on social media and chat about the countdown as it happens? Follow us at Bluesky at @wxpnfm.bsky.social — that’s the primary place our hosts will be connecting and chatting. You can also look for us on Threads at @wxpnfm, you can tag us in your Instagram stories at @wxpnfm, and you can join the conversation at facebook.com/885wxpn. We won’t be interacting on X / fka Twitter at this time.
Hopefully you’re as excited to experience the journey to number one as we are! Kick back, relax, and enjoy a Philly tradition — the WXPN Countdown, starting this Thursday!