Olivia Dean claims No. 1 in Triple J Hottest 100
British singer-songwriter Olivia Dean has won Triple J’s annual Hottest 100 of 2025 with her hit single “Man I Need,” earning the most listener votes — more than 2 million submissions — in the yearly audience-voted Australian music countdown. It’s a major milestone: she’s the first British solo artist ever to top the chart. (Amnplify)
- “Man I Need” was voted the No. 1 track of the year, making it the most popular choice among listeners across Australia (and beyond) in Triple J’s flagship annual list. (ABC)
- Olivia Dean had multiple songs in the Hottest 100: besides “Man I Need,” her tracks “Nice To Each Other,” “So Easy (To Fall In Love),” and “Lady Lady” also made the countdown, showing broad support across her releases. (Amnplify)
Her win reflects both her mainstream appeal and strong fan engagement, boosted by chart success and heavy radio play. (Amnplify)
Who came close: Abbie Chatfield’s boyfriend
While Olivia Dean took the top spot, the train of runner-ups included other favourites from the year’s music landscape.
- Keli Holiday, the solo project of Australian producer and artist Adam Hyde, finished at No. 2 with “Dancing2.” (The Guardian)
- Adam Hyde is also known in pop culture circles as the boyfriend of Australian media personality Abbie Chatfield, which made his high placing in the chart a talking point among fans online as the countdown unfolded. (Wikipedia)
So while Hyde didn’t beat Olivia Dean for the top vote, his strong performance behind her No. 1 finish added extra interest to the results — especially among audiences who follow both the Hottest 100 and Australian entertainment news. (The Guardian)
What the win means
Industry reaction and broader significance:
Cultural impact:
Olivia Dean’s win isn’t just personal success — it highlights how international artists can resonate deeply with Australian audiences and compete with local favourites in Triple J’s highly democratic format. (Rolling Stone Australia)
Trend continuation:
Her No. 1 continues a recent pattern of solo female artists topping the Hottest 100, following similar wins in prior years — underscoring a moment of strong representation for women in Alternative/Indie music. (Rolling Stone Australia)
🇦🇺 Local music scene strength:
Although an international act won the chart, Australian artists dominated overall — with dozens of local acts appearing throughout the countdown — reflecting robust domestic support from Triple J listeners. (ABC)
Comments from Olivia Dean
After the announcement, Dean said she was “really grateful” and somewhat surprised by how far the song had reached, noting “Man I Need” had a special, almost effortless creative spark. She described it as a joy to create — and clearly it resonated with listeners far and wide. (ABC)
Final snapshot — Top of the 2025 Triple J Hottest 100
No. 1 — Man I Need · Olivia Dean
No. 2 — Dancing2 · Keli Holiday (Adam Hyde)
No. 3 — Dracula · Tame Impala
No. 4 — Keith · Playlunch
No. 5 — WHERE IS MY HUSBAND! · RAYE (ABC)
It was one of the most watched and discussed Hottest 100 countdowns in recent years, blending global pop influence with passionate local support and celebrity interest. (Amnplify)
Here’s a detailed, case-study–style look at Olivia Dean’s big win on the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2025 — including the context of Abbie Chatfield’s boyfriend’s high placement and reactions from listeners and the industry
Case Study: Olivia Dean’s Historic Hottest 100 Win
The Result
- Olivia Dean’s song “Man I Need” was voted No. 1 in the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2025 — the annual audience-voted countdown from Australian youth radio station Triple J.
- This win came from more than 2.1 million votes, showing widespread listener support. It marked a standout year for Dean, who also had multiple other songs in the countdown. (ABC)
Performance Highlights
- “Man I Need” dominated the poll and also topped the Australian ARIA Singles Chart for many weeks, showing both radio and commercial success.
- Dean had five total entries in the countdown — tying with Australian bands like Spacey Jane for the most appearances. (Rolling Stone Australia)
Why It Was Notable
- Her No. 1 marked the third consecutive year a solo female artist topped the Hottest 100 — reflecting strong global and Australian engagement with her music. (Rolling Stone Australia)
- For many voters, the song’s blend of catchy hooks, soulful vibe and wide play on radio and streaming platforms helped elevate it above other popular tracks. (ABC)
Case Study: Keli Holiday (Adam Hyde) – Runner-Up and Chatfield Connection
Who He Is
- Keli Holiday is the solo moniker of Australian artist Adam Hyde, known also as one half of Peking Duk.
- His track “Dancing2” placed No. 2 in the Hottest 100, just behind Dean’s winner. (ABC)
The Personal Angle
- Hyde openly credits his girlfriend, Abbie Chatfield — an Australian media personality and radio host — as a big inspiration behind his music, including “Dancing2.”
- In award show contexts (such as the ARIA Awards), he dedicated performances and wins to Chatfield, and she has publicly shared support for his music and career. (7NEWS)
This personal connection raised extra interest in how his song performed in the countdown, especially among fans who follow both the music poll and Australian pop culture. (Celebrity Nine)
Listener & Fan Reactions
Positive Commentary
- Many fans celebrated Dean’s win as a reflection of her global breakout and engaging songwriting, especially given her strong touring presence in Australia and extensive radio play. (Amnplify)
- Some listeners enjoyed the diversity in the top of the list — mixing international pop, viral hits, and local Australian music. (Rolling Stone Australia)
Debate and Division
- The result also sparked discussion and some division online:
- Some long-time Triple J fans expressed frustration that a pop-leaning international track topped the countdown, feeling the station’s alternative identity wasn’t represented at the very top.
- Critics argued that pop influence — boosted by broad streaming and TikTok popularity — might be shifting the sound of the Hottest 100 away from its traditional indie/alternative focus.
- Others defended the outcome, noting that the voting reflects current listener tastes, especially among the key 15–29 demographic. (News.com.au)
Broader Trends from This Year’s Countdown
What the Dean win and overall results suggest:
- Female solo artists are having a moment, with Olivia Dean becoming the third consecutive woman to top the Hottest 100. (Rolling Stone Australia)
- Australian artists were well-represented, with more than half the songs in the countdown by local acts, showing strong domestic support even if an international artist took the top spot. (Wikipedia)
- Listener interest continues to be shaped by a mix of radio play, streaming activity, and social platforms, which can influence how songs rise in visibility across the year. (Rolling Stone Australia)
Summary — Key Takeaways
Olivia Dean’s win
- Took No. 1 with “Man I Need” in the Triple J Hottest 100 of 2025. (ABC)
- Multiple entries across the countdown signal broad support. (Rolling Stone Australia)
High placement for Keli Holiday
- Finished No. 2 with “Dancing2”, and his personal connection to Abbie Chatfield added cultural buzz. (ABC)
Reactions
- Fans celebrated the win’s energy and year of strong music.
- Some debate over pop vs. alternative representation highlighted how listener expectations vary. (News.com.au)