This song is what single-handedly persuaded me to get hyped for J. Cole's great sophomore album, Born Sinner. There's a throwback, laid-back vibe to the track, but at the same time, it feels modern, original and forward-thinking. Cole's lyrics are dark and thought-provoking, and prove how much he's grown as an artist in the short time between his debut album and the new one. Miguel adds a perfect final touch to the chorus, topping off one of the best lead singles of the year.
Yet another great song from Dawn Richard this year. Thematically and sonically, this song is kind of similar to a song that was previously in my countdown, Break of Dawn. However, Ode to You sticks with me just a little more. They're both fantastic and original, thoroughly displaying Dawn's talent, beautiful voice and lyrical talent. She is also one hell of a chorus writer, as the chorus to this is quite simply incredible. A simple line "I owe it all to you" became one of the best choruses of the year.
What kind of pop euphoria? Everything about this is happy, bright, summery, and bliss. I will always feel cheered up whenever I hear that chorus. Ellie sounds perfect on this, as usual, providing her unique vocal. I've seen some complaints this is "too mainstream", who cares? It's mainstream pop done right! Hope this smashes in 2014 to follow up Burn.
I remember when this song first premiered in March 2013, and I was listening to it not expecting very much. What I heard was instantly addictive and fantastic. It's throwback, it's bright, it's r&b/pop... essentially, it's the perfect formula for me to be obsessed with it. It has a very Emancipation-era Mariah feel to it, but this is a compliment to Ariana. Those notes in the final chorus are some of the best vocals showcased this year period. All in all, what a great debut single. Ariana will go far in her career.
Absolutely one of the best songs on Gaga's new album ARTPOP, and honestly it's one of the best songs she's done thus far in her career. First, I think it's important to understand that this song is obviously satirical and meant to be kind of funny. The intro honestly made me laugh the first time I heard it. Besides that, the song is an explosion of EDM and grinding electronic courtesy of Zedd. Gaga & Zedd are epic together and I hope they continue to work together on future projects. The chorus is EXPLOSIVE. The privileged rich girl lyrics are very, very Fame-esque, but the beat is more elaborate than any of the production on The Fame. This song gets some flack, but oh well. Dawn-uh-tel-uh!
29 Sevyn Streeter - It Won't Stop (featuring Chris Brown)
I ended up buying Sevyn's entire Call Me Crazy, But... EP, but this is the very first song I heard from her. I probably heard this first back in like October, and I remember playing it non-stop for DAYS. There's something so addictive about Sevyn's cool, haunting Aaliyah-styled vocals over that amazing beat. Her falsetto is absolutely gorgeous. My personal favorite part of the song is the bridge where she and Chris Brown sing together, and it's where Sevyn's voice shines the most in the song. I gotta admit... Chris sounds really great in this chorus, and his voice mixes perfectly with Sevyn's. Beautiful song.
Literally the definition of a grower track for me. I kind of skimmed over this track when her album first came out, but I was obsessed with it about a week after I recovered from the shock of Bey's new album This is Bey's We Are Young: an anthem meant to be played everywhere, meant to be played when you feel alone and need your spirits lifted, meant to be played when you're sharing a beautiful moment in your life with someone. It needs to EVERYWHERE this year and if it isn't a 5 million selling #1, I'm gonna be a bit pressed. This song deserves the best of the best on the charts. Ryan Tedder did an excellent job with the production, and it has the "Tedder" touch and you can tell it's him behind the track. I also love the video and think it fits the song perfectly. Anyway, Queen. I have to sing this at the top of my lungs in a stadium at a Bey concert during some point in my life.
Ciara is a really underrated artist, and her album had a bunch of gems that did not get treated as they deserved. I never see people mention this song on here, when it's the best album track on her album. I still listen to this a lot, and the replay value is insane. Her vocals are light and relaxed, riding over the kind of ominous beat. The "driving under the influence of your love" bit is one my favorite choruses of the year. I think DUI really showcases Ciara at her best, and proved to me why Ciara deserves way better.
Like XO, I kind of grazed over this on the tracklist until one day, it hit me out of nowhere. From then on, I was obsessed. The Prince influence on her vocals is godly, and she really does sounds like an angel. She sings this entirely in her head voice, and that makes it really stand out to me. I would say this is one of the most experimental albums on her album, and its a risk that turns into an instant classic in her discography. The production on this is SICK. Overall, she really blew me away with this one, as usual.
Easily my favorite country song of the year, and probably one of my instant favorite country songs of all time. The lyrics to this are beautifully personal and real, and everything she says is accurate as to how people judge others. This is an inspirational anthem without being preachy, and perfectly balances between humor, honest advice, and country twang. I instantly gravitated to this song the first time I heard her album, and it also instantly became my favorite. I feel she will continue to grow as a songwriter, but if this what she's writing on her debut... woo we're in for an epic discography.
One of my favorite Britney songs in her entire 16-year career. The most important thing about Work Bitch is to not take it seriously and have fun with it. It's so campy and over the top, but everything just works. The production is literally insane,and I start moving everytime. It sounds like something that would be played on a runway in the year 3005 where everyone is being put to #werkQ and doing some Janet-level choereography. Anyway, I don't care about anything, this song is amazing. Now let me werq. Bitch.
Ellie Goulding & Ryan Tedder are back! I'm obsessed with this, and it's my favorite track from Halcyon Days. I'm really glad it ended up being a hit for her (and the video has 150 million views! ). It's insanely catchy and a radio earworm, yet it remains true to Ellie's sound and artistry, even though I know that this song wasn't originally hers but Leona Lewis's. Ryan Tedder's sound is also all over this one, but seeing as I love his work, that's no problem. Perfect song for Fall/Winter.
Probably my second favorite Katy song to date (my absolute favorite is coming up later in this countdown). It's a really unexpected sound from her, but she pulls off in an amazing way. Katy's vocals are really sexy & light here, and the chorus is kind of subdued for her. But, that makes it perfect and fitting for a "dark horse". It's such an atypical sounding song and I feel like that's why everyone loves it. Not to mention, that beat... THAT BEAT. YES. Katy really shines on this track, and it's one of the many examples on PRISM of how much her music has grown since Teenage Dream. PRISM is definitely her best album.
21 Justin Timberlake - Suit & Tie (featuring JAY Z)
If I'm being honest, I was so disappointed with Suit & Tie at first. I was super hyped for a JT-dancepop comeback that I didn't look for any other possibility. It took about a day for this to click with me though, and I felt like a fool after I'd trashed it. It's a very elegant and experimental song, but the mood of it is why it's such a phenomenal track on The 20/20 Experience. His falsetto and voice sounds perfect, and the Timbaland production is top of the line. I absolutely love the breakdown at the end and the standard JT "slow it down" moment. People tend to look over this song in preference of Mirrors, but I prefer this way more than Mirrors.