One of my favourite tracks from Lily Allen's 3rd album Sheezus, this takes a gorgeous bassline and glittery synths and turns it into a sarcastic rant on the nature of the media. It almost seems to poke fun at Jessie J's Price Tag, with Lily declaring she's here to make money.
62) One Woman Army Porcelain Black
#62
This pop-rock anthem with a marching beat and huge, earworm chorus is so underrated. The production here isn't exactly original, but it's RedOne's best work in a while, and Porcelain's confident, violent vocals soar above and create a pounding pop song. This was done so wrong.
63) All My Love (feat. Ariana Grande) Major Lazer
#63
This cut from The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1 - Original Soundtrack is a Major Lazer produced, trap-infused pop song with Ariana Grande's cooing vocals. It's a stange pairing, but it works very well, and the chorus is catchy as hell. This is a much better EDM experiment for Ari than Break Free was. Sad it probably won't get much attention.
64) I Will Never Let You Down Rita Ora
#64
This chilled pop song by Rita Ora serves as the lead single to her so-far elusive second LP. With a calm bassline running throughout and a huge, sing-along chorus, this deserved way more success and it's sad that Calvin sabotaged it's success in the US.
65) Chasing The Sun Sara Bareilles
#65
This was meant to be released as a single earlier this year but was seemingly cancelled. From The Blessed Unrest, this is an uplifting alternative pop-rock ballad that to me, encapsulates the feeling of late summer and how you never feel satisfied in life. Sara deserves way more attention as does this song.
66) Boss Ass Bitch (Remix) Nicki Minaj
#66
This original of this song is pretty tragic, but the hook and beat are iconic, simple and deserved way more credit. So when Nicki took this viral hit and added some of her best verses and flow, the song was elevated. If officially released, this would have been a hit, and I remember this made me so excited for The Pinkprint.
67) Happy Little Pill Troye Sivan
#67
I don't usually support YouTubers becoming singers if that's not what they have become famous for (despite me watching YouTube a lot), but this song is so great. I didn't think the rest of his EP was particularly special, and I see the Lorde/Lana comparisons on this, but I think it's an incredible record and his vocals are really great. It's also a testament to how powerful the audiences of teenage YouTubers are, that they can get a song into the Top 40 with little to no radio support.
68) My Gun Tove Lo
#68
From Tove Lo's debut LP, this is the first of a few entries from her on my Top 100 songs. A great song with an operatic intro that opens the album after the short The Sex (Intro). The verses have a guitar slap instrumentation, with synths, a choir and gunshots as well as light percussion accentuating. Her enticing vocals help to lead up to the atmospheric chorus. It's exciting, everything an album opener should be.
69) Million Miles Kylie Minogue
#69
This song is so amazing. After all these years, Kylie still has the skill to make pop records that stick out in your mind for certain times in your life. Kiss Me Once is an incredible record and the guitar based, nostalgic, sing-a-long Million Miles helps set the tone for an infectious album.
70) Break The Rules Charli XCX
#70
Many people dislike this for 'flopping' or being generic - even for sabotaging the success of Sucker - but I really love it. Sure, it's nothing too exciting, but Charli's delivery is so engaging and once you listen to it on full blast you can't deny that it's so ****ing catchy and would have been the perfect summer smash. Boom Clap and Fancy prevented that though and by the time of release it went under the radar a little.
71) West Coast Lana Del Rey
#71
Like Break The Rules, on first listen many were disappointed by the hazy guitar and unclear vocals of the lead single from Ultraviolence. They wanted the Lana they fell in love with back, with her anthemic choruses and hip-hop infused beats. But they were kind of missing the point. Lana deliberately put out this beautiful but uncommercial song as lead to show fans that she had completely changed. This song is such a grower but it's an absolutely stunning piece of work and reminds me of summer even now. Amazing
72) A Place With No Name Michael Jackson
#72
This funky track from the King of Pop's second posthumous release includes a groovy chorus with soulful vocals. It's a dynamic song with most of the vocal acrobatics occurring during the verses and the chorus keeping it simple and chill with beautiful harmonies.
73) Miss Camaraderie Azealia Banks
#73
The closing track to the incredible Broke With Expensive Taste is Azealia Banks' favourite track she has ever recorded - and I can see why. It's not my favourite personally, but with her soulful vocals, the crazy house beat over house beat, the horns at the end, the melodic flow she delivers at speed and the characteristic lyrics all display the multiple facets of Banks' artistic identity. A fitting end to a stunning album.
74) Glow Ella Henderson
#74
The follow up single to the incredible Ghost, Glow by Ella Henderson had a lot to live up to. Hearing it at first, I'll admit I was disappointed, but after repeated listens and live performances, the power and scope of this song is undeniable. The huge chorus is amazing and the instrumental - while not exactly innovative - is vital in adding to the magic. Ella's vocals are (as always) incredible.
75) Uptown Funk (feat. Bruno Mars) Mark Ronson
#75
I first became aware of this from Fleur East's performance on The X Factor UK, and while I still think her version is the best, Bruno's is incredible too. He's really become my one to watch, as such, and if his next album is as good as this feature, I'll be stanning. This and Treasure are really the only songs I've enjoyed from the disco/funk revival. It seems Bruno is the only one that can pull it off.
76) Anything Goes Tony Bennett & Lady Gaga
#76
This swinging big-band duet between Tony & Gaga was surprise released on iTunes back in July to serve as the first taste of Cheek to Cheek. Gaga's enthusiastic vocals combine with Tony's small nuances to create the right balance of subtlety and extravagance. The perfect introduction for anyone questioning the validity of the pair. After all: anything goes.
77) Empire - Shakira
#77
This huge, power ballad served as the second single from Shakira. earlier this year. With a huge, Tedder-esque chorus and huge percussion, Shak serves Laundry Service era writing, and lyrics that are a cross between classic Shakira and Alanis Morisette.
78) Dedicated (feat. Nas) Mariah Carey
#78
This 90s hip-hop throwback includes an amazing chorus and instrumental that recalls hazy summer night parties and sunsets. It's such a warm record and it sees Mariah staying true to her roots while keeping things fresh, modern and interesting. Nas delivers a great verse and Jermaine Dupri's intro and outro is laughable and lovable at the same time. Would have smashed 20 years ago.
79) All Things Go Nicki Minaj
#79
This retrospective, insightful look into Nicki's relationships with her family and loved ones is not only very telling, but heartbreaking at points. Over an ever-changing beat - from airy, to heavy, to both - she tells of her cousin's killing, her relationship with her mother, the loss of her unborn child and her tense relationship with her brother. Her flow and lyrics are great and she delivers some great, soulful vocals on the chorus too.
80) Illuminati Madonna
#80
This experimental track from Madonna's upcoming 13th LP Rebel Heart is produced by Kanye West, and is a diss at all the conspiracy theorists that believe contemporary celebrities are part of the Illuminati. With otherworldly synths, a dark bassline and spoken-word name drops, this indeed feels like a fitting tribute to the chilling conspiracies around today.
Discuss this set and stay tuned tomorrow for the next set of results. Thanks!
*West Coast & IWNLYD also You have great taste by the way. Couple of entries from Em coming up on the list. Was raised on him but I'm not a full-time stan, at least not right now.
#61
