How was 2023 for me? Well, I’ve ranked the top 5 letdowns … | Emma Beddington

From the things I have shouted, to the people I have envied, let's look back on another year of highlights and - most of all - lowlights

I feel a bit left out by the whole Spotify Wrapped thing, where the music streamer reveals what you have been listening to this year. I use my spouse's family" subscription - a (highly effective) bargaining chip to make our sons speak to us occasionally - so I don't get the personalised rundown. Mine would only be Peaceful Piano", a dirge-like playlist I use to drown out men on trains holding forth on how Dan handled the deck at the year-end steering committee.

How revealing is our musical taste anyway? Mine says nothing - it's hardly news I prefer silence to any sound - so I have been wondering if there are other rankings that might prove more revealing about our year and our states of mind. Here are some more illuminating top fives.