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MusicTalker's #1 Song of 2010-2014 is...
Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 8,118
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Titanium and Radioactive 
Wrecking Ball is the best here  
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Member Since: 2/16/2010
Posts: 69,775
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Half-Decade Special: Top 100 Songs of 2010-2014
100-91
90-81
80-71
70-61
60-51
50-41
40-31
30-21:
30 Katy Perry - Dark Horse (featuring Juicy J) 2013
Before ever hearing Dark Horse, it was hard to imagine that Katy could pull off a song like this, so influenced by hip hop & R&B. In fact, the song essentially has a Dr. Luke-helmed trap beat, which is something we wouldn't have expected from him other. Both musicians were beginning to get accused of doing the same thing for every song, and while working together once again isn't new for either of them, everything else about this song definitely is. The chorus is unusually restrained for a Katy song, instead allowing the beat drops to be the climatic moments. The verses have even more energy and replay value than the chorus, but this gives the song a nice balance. Katy sings with a sexy, teasing voice, and sounds totally in control of the beat. Juicy J's verse is kind of unnecessary and rent-a-rapper, but he does give some intentional/unintentionally funny lines. I never minded hearing Dark Horse nonstop on my radio last year because its one of those songs most people universally agree is a really good song. It's inspired a new wave of sound in mainstream pop AND hip hop in the past year alone (Black Widow, Get On Your Knees, Nick Jonas' Numb, etc.), showing that, not to overuse the word again, the song had an actual impact and left an impression on pop music. I personally love this direction for Katy and hope she pursues a bit further on the third album. Her best music is when she does more moody and mysterious (LL, DH).
29 Eminem - Love the Way You Lie (featuring Rihanna) 2010
It's been almost FIVE years since this smashed now, which is actually really scary. I still remember that feeling of excitement when I first heard that Rihanna was going to be on an Eminem song. Then, I remember that feeling of listening for the first time and immediately having the reaction that "this song has so much potential". Indeed, it did, and it fulfilled its full potential. This is an almost definite classic hit from this decade, and it's already stayed well remembered since the time of 2010, a year that was full of otherwise more forgettable hits. Eminem gives out passionate, direct, and super personal lyrics regarding domestic violence and a tumultuous relationship, proving once again why he's such a respected and legendary rapper. As usual, he tells an entire story and tells it with incredible conviction. Rihanna was a perfect choice to sing the chorus as gorgeously as she does, both in terms of it being clear that these lyrics are very personal to here, and for the fact that her voice takes the chorus to new heights. Shoutout to Skylar Grey as well for the awesome chorus lyrics, which clearly have her artistic print on them. It's a touching, intense song that I will always have fondness for, both for nostalgic and for reasons of stellar song quality.
28 Lady Gaga - Do What U Want (featuring R. Kelly) 2013
Of all Gaga songs I heard this decade, none hit me quite as hard on first listens as Do What U Want did. Actually, I first heard a snippet of DWUW during some type of Beats commercial and I was replaying that alone for a ridiculous amount of times. However, I still wasn't prepared for the whole thing. This is by far DJWS's most adventurous and genre-bending production to date, and it's so awesome to finally hear Gaga do an R&B/Pop beat. I'd been wanting her to dabble in the sound for YEARS, so it was really satisfying to hear it done so incredibly. Gaga's voice is powerful and soulful here, elevating it above what other artists could've done with this song. R. Kelly sounds really good, too, but honestly, I would've loved to hear Usher do the 2nd verse. Nonetheless, this is undoubtedly an underappreciated Gaga gem that was not treated with the respect or integrity it deserves, both by its maker (Gaga) and the spectators. It deserved an amazing video, not one that grabbed for controversy. Like most of the ARTPOP, it was a diamond lost in a rough exterior of disorganized planning and confusion regarding artistic direction. More songs like DWUW on her 4th album are highly advised by me, personally.
27 P!nk - Just Give Me a Reason (featuring Nate Reuss) 2012
I love all of P!nk's last album, The Truth About Love. But since Day 1 of release, Just Give Me a Reason has always been my favorite. It was super easy to predict that this one would become a #1 hit, since it just sounds like everything a multi-week Hot 100 #1 should be: catchy, moving, replayable, current, refreshing, and something millions of people can bond over. P!nk starts off the song with attention-grabbing and vulnerable vocals moving into that instantly emotional chorus (really love the lyrics during the chorus, especially "we're not broken, just bent, we can learn to love again"). Nate Reuss is one of the most surprising collaborations of P!nk's career, but he fits the sound of this song really well. It sounds like something that would've fit just fine on Some Nights, so it's clear he helped a lot with this song even more than just his verse. P!nk & Nate sing some really gorgeous harmonies in the best moments, especially the 2nd verse. In terms of pop duets, this is one of the finest in the past 5, or even 10 years. It's something new for both artists, and it was especially refreshing in 2013 after just years before when songs like JGMaR would've flopped upon release.
26 Rihanna - Stay (featuring Mikky Ekko) 2012
Speaking of piano ballads, remember the 1-2-3 punch that Just Give Me a Reason, When I Was Your Man, & Stay all committed in Spring of 2013? That was easily one of favorite musical times of the decade since all 3 piano ballads were well done. That time was the antithesis of 2010 when a piano ballad single release meant an automatic flop (see: You Lost Me, criminally robbed of a decent chart performance). Stay was a ripple effect of the piano ballad revival that Someone Like You ignited in late 2011, and it continued the movement stronger than ever. Stay is now a key highlight moment of Rihanna's discography thanks to simply haunting and relate-able message of wanting someone to stay who isn't right for you. Rihanna's first verse is show-stopping and head-turning, automatically turning the song into a special moment for everyone involved. I think Stay really helped Rihanna gain more respect in the music industry, and it's been noticeable since 2013. Mikky Ekko is a fitting, simple puzzle piece to complete the dynamic of Stay, and it fits his kind of alternative/pop style. Stay is purposefully simple and a change of pace for Rihanna; it follows the blueprint Diamonds created and treads a new path for Rihanna to follow if she wants to become the musical legend she's easily on her way to being.
25 Azealia Banks - 1991 2012
After all these piano ballads, it's time to speed things up again, this time with the best song Azealia has done to date, 1991! It's quite an epic introduction into not just the 1991 EP, but Azealia's career as a whole. It has that classic 90s house vibe along with the super impressive verses Azealia lays out for line after line. Her flow is absolutely INSANE and its amazing the speed at which she can deliver the great lyrics that she does. Not only is no one riding ANY beat like her, but no one is riding HOUSE beats like she does. 1991 is one of the freshest and exhilarating songs of the 2010s, never slowing down and never letting the listener doze off with its relentless pacing. Besides all of that, the only thing I can tell you to do is: DANCE! And also, the entire 1991 EP is amazing!
24 Justin Timberlake - Cabaret (featuring Drake) 2013
As I previously mentioned, 2 of 2 was filled with some career highlight gems that were severely overlooked and ignored for other more overrated options on 1 of 2. One song that was never given its due, as a single or an album track, was the smooth sexy R&B cut Cabaret. The beat is weirdly paced and a bit strange overall at first, but once you get it, it hits incredibly hard on anything you have that has decent to excellent bass. JT shows off his R&B chops really well & shows off his more flirtatious side. This beat would be really difficult for a lot of people to conquer, but JT handles it suave as ever. Finally, we need to talk about how excellent Drake's guest verse is. I had always wanted a JT & Drake collaboration, and Cabaret was the best thing I could've imagined. Drake's verse is long, equally as smooth as JT's parts, and fill of cool flows and easily understandable punchlines. It's certainly not a rent-a-rapper guest verse, & it's clear both artists made sure the inclusion of Drake was well thought-out and worth the listener's expectations. Why wasn't this unleashed as a single?!  I know I've said that about a lot of songs on here, but Cabaret might bother me the absolute most.
23 Lady Gaga - Heavy Metal Lover 2011
I always liked this song from first listen, but I didn't expect to still love so many years after Born This Way had already come out. It's actually become my favorite from that album and it's easily aged the best of any song from that album. It fits the vibe of TFM/BTW Gaga really well: it's dark, it's off-base and left-of-center for any popstar of that time period, and it clearly recalls some type of negative experience for Gaga that invoked a great piece of songwriting. The lyrics are odd, but apparently they're about an ex who told Gaga she would fail and never make it big, so it all makes sense that she recalls it with some bitterness. The most haunting part of all is the most melodic and grabbing part of the song when she sings "I could be your girl, but would you love me if I ruled the world?" This was the line that won me over and made the investigate the lyrics more, since I now wanted to know what she was singing about. It's a song that has all the pieces there, but requires the listener to put them all together AFTER you listen for the first time. In many ways, it made HML more exciting and intriguing for me than before. It's a song that stands out in her later discography and is more the type of music she should be doing now.
22 Ryn Weaver - OctaHate 2014
Already on my 2014 YE list at #4, but summary: it's a HUGE pop song that has a ton of smash potential in 2015. It's both written and sung well by Ryn, with contributions from Charli XCX and Benny Blanco as well. It was created to be huge and will likely fulfill its purpose sometime in the near future. Ryn is one of the most promising new artists period to come out in 2014, and I hope she releases a full album in 2015 so I can see if she has more OctaHates on there. I recommend her whole Promises EP!
21 Maroon 5 - It Was Always You 2014
Also on my 2014 YE list at #3, summary: one of M5's best songs to date and their 2nd best of the decade (guess the 1st!). Like OctaHate, it deserves to be huge at some point in 2015. Can we just sigh at Sugar being the current single from V instead of IWAY? SMH. It's synthy and recalls Phil Collins, sounding different from anything on Overexposed while being as pop as anything else they've done recently. It's like a perfect middle point between Hands All Over & Overexposed, & is a perfect bridge between the old M5 & the new M5. I think this song would gain them a bit more respect by the GP again.
Previously Done Countdowns:
 Top 100 Songs of 2014
Top 10 Albums of 2014
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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9/10 love all of them except Heavy Metal Lover 
I checked out OctHate when you had it on your previous countdown. She's talented but I think she needs something with more punch.
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Member Since: 2/5/2014
Posts: 29,111
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I agree, Cabaret definitely should have been a single. It would've worked so much better than Take Back The Night 
It Was Always You is the redeeming point of V, but it's so high!
Do What U Want, Dark Horse, Heavy Metal Lover, and Stay are all great and personal favorites. I've never been a huge fan of Love The Way You Lie though.
See, I think R. Kelly was perfect for DWUW and nobody else could take spot. I always saw the song as kind of about media and fame and R. Kelly is the smooth talker that is really skeevy underneath all the gloss. I think he was brilliantly cast.
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 13,761
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i only recently realised that heavy metal lover is in gaga's top three songs. still great
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 12,760
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Without You, Dark Horse, Latch, OctaHate, Stay 
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Member Since: 10/8/2009
Posts: 8,118
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Member Since: 2/16/2010
Posts: 69,775
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Half-Decade Special: Top 100 Songs of 2010-2014
100-91
90-81
80-71
70-61
60-51
50-41
40-31
30-21
20-11:
20 Ariana Grande - Break Your Heart Right Back (featuring Childish Gambino) 2014
Already #2 on my 2014 YE list, but summary: a sexy R&B/pop song that infuses funk, hip hop, and a huge variety of genres. It has a unique, funny, and tongue-in-cheek subject matter that makes the song play out like a well-done romantic comedy. Childish Gambino's excellent humorous verse is the finishing touch, as he plays the role "I'm your friend telling you your BF is wrong for you" friend. Ariana plays vocal acrobatics and goes all over the place with her vocals while always sounding more than on point. This may be really high on my list, but according to my ridiculous replay counts of this song, it deserves to be Top 20.
19 Adele - Someone Like You 2011
There was no way I could mention the revival of piano ballads in the 2010s without giving a shoutout to the classic that started it all: the stunning Someone Like You. On an album that has no bad tracks, Someone Like You ends the album with a fitting bang despite its lack of a backing beat, drums, of any type of dramatic production effect. It's literally just Adele and a piano, but Adele's voice is an instrument enough to fill your head with tons of pleasant sounds. She sounds like heartbreak itself and gives one of the most universally acclaimed vocal performances of the past 5 years. It's a track that anyone with heartbreak can turn up and weep to... alright, that's a bit dramatic, but this song is deservedly dramatic and emotion-invoking. I really do think this song made pop listeners stop in their tracks and re-evaluate the music they were coming: hence the "minimalism" movement of the past couple years now. Everyone, no doubt, has had this by now, so just listen and enjoy once again!
18 Nicki Minaj - Catch Me 2010
I'm as shocked as you that this is Top 20 on my YE... I definitely didn't expect it to be. But as I was compiling this list, I came across this song and started to think to myself that whenever I was in the mood to play Nicki, I always referred back to this particular bonus track. Yep, elusive deluxe version chanteuse strikes again, this time with a bonus track that's not quite as well known as Super Bass. In fact, it was only available on the Best Buy deluxe for a long time. It's truly a hidden gem in her discography: sonically, it sounds slightly similar to Save Me, but unlike Save, it has two rap verses instead of sung verses. The rap verses are the two of the best she's ever done, which lead into the simple and restrained chill of the chorus. It's very much a winter song and I always play it a lot especially at this time of year. This is the side of Nicki I love the most - the one that raps, sings, lyrically kills it, and shows everyone why she's so talented. I'm so glad that the majority of The Pinkprint recalled personal elements such as Catch Me. It's a step in the right direction and way better than some of her recent singles.
Also possibly her best opening lines to date: "extracurricular, parallel to none, I am perpendicular". Nothing too groundbreaking, but immediately memorable and delivered with conviction (as is the rest of the song).
17 Rihanna - Jump 2012
No idea why this wasn't a single in 2013. It would've been a bit left-field on radio, but it was a risk that totally worth taking with such a high quality song lying on an album. Like a lot of Unapologetic, the vibe of the song is really dark and foreboding, as if Rihanna is singing about something she probably shouldn't be telling you. The song is so well done and a highlight moment in this decade's pop/R&B that I couldn't just ignore this song, and nothing about this song wants to hide anything from you. It was instant highlight from Unapologetic & really showed how her music had involved even since TTT just a year prior: the bass was bigger, the mood was more full-sounding, her vocals had more range, the production was more detailed, and there was simply more to every element of the song. The bass drop is the one of most addicting I've ever heard and one of the best heart-pounding moments on any Rihanna record. Even though there's not much mystery to be had about the song, something about the song is mysterious and draws you in again and again. Jump is to Rihanna as Dark Horse is to Katy or Heavy Metal Lover to Gaga: the seductive pop/R&B song that usually ends being (one of) the highlights of their discography.
16 Kanye West - Power 2010
To announce an album like MBDTF from Katy, it's only fitting that it would require a huge announcement in the form of the first single. Power was really overlooked when it first came out in 2010, and people were quick to get on Kanye for it and worry about the album. However, there was no reason to worry, since Power is an incredible, exhilarating listen even five years after it first premiered. With its tribal, chant-like beat that turns into Kanye giving some conflicted and lyrically impressive verses, it always feels like there's no room to breathe throughout the duration of the song. Kanye has no mercy and is absolutely relentless with his lyrics, not holding back anything from anyone. He's often a polarizing figure, so this song won't win him any new fans. But it will certainly remind his millions of devoted fans why he's often called the best modern rapper.
15 Beyoncé - Drunk In Love (featuring JAY Z) 2013
I ranked this criminally low on my 2013 YE countdown... I think it was somewhere in the 80s. I guess this song wasn't immediate to me, but almost right after I finished my YE last year, I became obsessed with this song at the same time everyone else was. I'd be walking to & from classes and blasting this like no tomorrow, constantly putting it on repeat and distracting me from the freezing outside temperatures I was walking through. There was no time throughout 2014 that I didn't play this song at least once every week, and it's because the song is like that movie you know every line to. Indeed, every line here is an instant iconic quote in her discography, from sufborT to watermelon to "call that reverend" to "i've been dranking, I've been dranking" to, well... pick and choose any of them honestly. My friends and I would always blast this and have a lot of fun with it, so on top of already loving it, I now have college memories to hold on to it with, too. It's an instant repeat play & feel good anthem, so I'm hoping it becomes a classic in Bey's discography from an incredible album.
14 Kanye West - Monster (featuring Rick Ross, JAY Z, Nicki Minaj & Bon Iver) 2010
I knew MBDTF would get its fair due on my YE countdown, but I always had a gut feeling that Monster would reign supreme as my favorite track. Still, it was hard picking whether Power or Monster should be higher. I ultimately chose Monster to be higher because it feels even grand-scale than Power with all the big names attached, if this feels possible. Everyone brought their best to this excellent beat that really serves as the centerpiece for MBDTF. They all talk about various monster-related metaphors and similes cleverly, showing off their skills and that they all still have it together in terms of flow. We have to mention Nicki's verse, though... I'm still not quite sure she'll ever top it. It's bipolar, it's demented, it's wicked, and it's wickedly great. While her voices have at times been overused, they are used perfectly on her verse here and elevate everything she says to the next level. Without her, this track would not be the Monster that it is. I'm not sure if this song as a whole is a hip hop classic, but her verse undoubtedly is a classic 2010s verse.
13 Ariana Grande - Problem (featuring Iggy Azalea) 2014
Already #1 on my 2014 YE! This is the last song that will appear from 2014. It's a euphoric and highly energetic pop number that was helped with by the pop god himself Max Martin. This is the song that took Ariana to the next level and made her an official player in the realm of 2010s pop music. Ariana sounds in control and well practiced while delivering the best pop chorus of 2014 with its slightly odd structure. Iggy's guest verse is one of her best and equally fun. Unlike other Summer 2014 smashes, Problem has remained the one with by far the most replay value to me. It gave me the chance to really like Ariana's music and buy My Everything, my favorite album of 2014!
12 Rihanna - Loveeeeeee Song (featuring Future) 2012
I don't even know what it is about this song... it's simply R&B magic. I normally don't love Future, but I absolutely love his contribution to Lov7 and think it fits perfectly. Rihanna's voice has a deep, natural, smooth, and even surprisingly powerful tone for a song with such a calm beat. Something about this song just has a lot of depth and meaning for me. It's romantic, while at the same time being slightly sad, almost as if they're pleading with one another to show love and affection. It's a song with a lot of emotional and sonic layers to it. Rather than ever getting old, it just gets better and better.
11 Rihanna - What's My Name? (featuring Drake) 2010
This got the dreaded #11 position, and this was the most painful of all to see not make the Top 10. This list was too competitive to get on. especially the Top 10. Like Lov7 song, there's a certain R&B magic to WMN? that Rihanna handles with master and an individuality like no one has. Her tone on this particular ear candy is gorgeous and nostalgic, always giving me good memories of friends in Fall 2010. This song will always make think of Fall. It's super catchy, super light, and everything a pop song should be. + she & Drake have amazing chemistry. I will always instantly feel good and get a smile on my face as soon as I hear "oh na na", because I'll immediately know that one of the songs to define my teenage years will be playing. I will be playing this one for any future friends of mine. 
Previously Done Countdowns:
Top 100 Songs of 2014
Top 10 Albums of 2014
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Member Since: 10/13/2003
Posts: 48,022
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What's My Name?,Drunk In Love,Someone Like You,Just Give Me a Reason & Love the Way You Lie
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Member Since: 6/2/2009
Posts: 7,105
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Someone Like You, Power, Monster 
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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Monster is FLAWLESS 
What's My Name, Drunk In Love, Someone Like You
Heavy Metal Lover wow 
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Member Since: 4/7/2009
Posts: 34,961
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Love your write ups MT!
I like the set, Cabaret good to see some 20/20 love.
1991 so low though.
HML, Jump, Someone Like You, Drunk In Love, Power, Monster, What's My Name to name a FEW
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 13,761
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power, monster, problem, drunk in love, what's my name are all great choices
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Member Since: 1/1/2014
Posts: 43,973
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10/10
Drunk In Love
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Member Since: 2/16/2010
Posts: 69,775
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Half-Decade Special: Top 100 Songs of 2010-2014
100-91
90-81
80-71
70-61
60-51
50-41
40-31
30-21
20-11
10-6:
10 Beyoncé - Partition 2013
When BEY first dropped her self-titled unexpectedly, we were all left at her mercy. What are you to do, in your state of shock, when you desperately want to listen to her album in full iTunes quality, but don't happen to have the money on your iTunes account right then to purchase it right there? For the first night this album was out, all I could do was listen to the snippets on a loop until like 24 hours into the mayhem. Of course, snippets don't give the full scope of this record whatsoever, but I immediately started picking out favorites, including (if I remember correctly)... Blow, No Angel, PARTITION, Mine, ***Flawless, & Heaven. Emphasis on Partition: the one snippet that I could not stop playing for the duration of the night and the one that made this album a must buy. I was initially shocked at the lyrics Bey was singing: unnaturally forceful and blunt for her usual work, and more risky. It starts with an album highlight, the sick two-minute rap epic that is the Yoncé intro, and then turns into a dark and atmospheric hip hop & r&b croon about... well, you know. In most hands, this song would've been a lyrical disaster and an awkward delivery, but Bey gives the perfect balance of fun, mystery, hip hop, pop, r&b, & best of all, a sense of control and power. The lyrics may not be something I would usually like, but I can't deny that Bey's power as a performer and all around entertainer is more apparent than ever on Partition. She set out to make a point and she did, whether the delivery was meant to be graceful or not.
9 Maroon 5 - Moves Like Jagger (featuring Christina Aguilera) 2011
When I throw out the term "pop perfection", I usually reserve it for tracks that I know were made with the main intention of being a hit on pop radio. These tracks are unapologetic-ally pop and perfection in the process. Sometimes, pop perfection is what an artist needs to save their career when it needs it the most. Before Jagger, Maroon 5 was going through a huge slump of a third era, and it was pretty disastrous. It wasn't until The Voice that they gained greater access to a larger audience and to more collaborators such as Max Martin and Legend X. This is the first of many Max-penned M5 tracks to come, but it still remains the best. This track is a fusion of M5's 2nd album with what was new territory for them in 2011: dance pop (or just this blatantly pop in general). It was by far more "on trend" and modern than anything else on Hands All Over, making it only fitting that it would be the one to take off and literally revive their mainstream career. Not only was it a huge hit, but it's also still constantly charting in the iTunes Top 1500 and it gets a lot of recurrent airplay. It's not a flash-in-the-pan and forget it pop confection: it's one that you'll dance to now, ten years from now, and maybe even twenty years from now. Or if you won't dance, you should at least sing the chorus and try to hit those notes. This song is just a blast.
8 Adele - Rolling In the Deep 2010
THE quintessential smash hit of the 2010s. The one that will stand the test of time and become that song your children know without you even trying. It's the one that we all still talk about and literally changed the face of pop music this decade. It started a movement towards more soulful, alternative & more "natural/organic" music and started the shift away from dancepop (that would still be prominent for another two years, but ultimately fizzle out once the movement RItD started got stronger in 2012 and 2013). This song marks a turning point for me, and at the age of 15, it forced me to expand my musical horizons. I became more open-minded for other genres and began to explore more styles of music, especially from the past. Most specially, I began to explore Adele's discography and become fascinated with an incredible, heart-numbing voice. We all know this song for a damn good reason, and we're not going to forget it. You love it, your mom loves it, and maybe your grandma has heard it and liked it too. The cycle will only continue for years to come.
7 Gotye - Somebody that I Used to Know (featuring Kimbra) 2011
Speaking of the Rolling In the Deep and 21 movement, Somebody that I Used to Know would not have happened in the US without Rolling In the Deep coming before it. I've always compared these two in my head and put them together as partners. They were both a bit unusual to smash in the early 10s, but they both ended up eclipsing everything else that came during their time. One of the things that made Somebody so special was how much impact the song, emotionally and sonically, with a hugely simple but haunting verse from Gotye, and another from Kimbra, and a cry of a chorus. The "haunting" part is what's always drawn me to Somebody the most; something about the chill and clear disconnect relayed by Gotye and Kimbra that truly makes the listener feel their sorrow and pain. It's like a couple arguing, building up tension, and then finally releasing it in a shouting match of a chorus for the world to witness. It's a really sad song, but one I actually learned something from as a teenager: that relationships are hard, and they hit really low points where you end up being with a different person than you started out with. People change: sometimes for better, and sometimes for worse.
6 Rihanna - Diamonds 2012
Earlier, I mentioned Sia was involved with a song that was one of my favorite musical moments of recent memory. I was referring to her penning of Diamonds, a Rihanna-sung hit from about 2 years ago. It feels like this song has been around forever now, but that just goes to show its now huge presence in Rihanna's discography thanks to the awesome quality of the song. It's actually rather sparse and repetitive lyrically... it doesn't have an actual bridge. What's important to pay attention to here is Rihanna's vocal and the emotions she's trying to convey. Since this song is about the loss of a loved one, it's becomes clear that Rihanna's pain is easy to hear. I can tell that she genuinely connected with the lyrics Sia wrote with her in mind. She also simultaneously sounds happy and hopeful about her loved one's prospects in the life beyond. Whether dealing with relationships or death, this is another song about some type of loss. Diamonds is a great portrayals of how humans deal with such loss: with conflicted emotions, with a seeking out of loved ones, and with a sense of vulnerability that we might not always show. While the Top 40 potential to smash was always here as well thanks to Sia's amazing ability to balance hit potential with real emotion, it's never too sappy or too formulaic. Instead, Diamonds was a refreshing change of pace for Rihanna from TTT, and it set the tone beautifully for what has become her current career.
Previously Done Countdowns:
Top 100 Songs of 2014
Top 10 Albums of 2014
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Member Since: 9/17/2010
Posts: 2,592
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What's My Name missing the top ten 
Dark Horse, Love the Way You Lie, Do What U Want, Just Give Me a Reason, and Stay
Someone Like You, Drunk In Love, Problem, Moves Like Jagger, & Somebody That I Used to Know
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Member Since: 8/19/2013
Posts: 27,248
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Wooo Partition is in the top 10
Diamonds, Moves Like Jagger. RITD
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ATRL Senior Member
Member Since: 9/26/2001
Posts: 22,475
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Ungh, "****** In Paris". "Hold On, We're Going Home". "Do What U Want". "Heavy Metal Lover". "Someone Like You"(!). "Power". "Monster"(!). "Rolling in the Deep". "Somebody That I Used To Know". It's all so good. 
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ATRL Contributor
Member Since: 4/3/2014
Posts: 34,134
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Moves Like Jagger, Rolling in the Deep and Somebody That I Used to Know 
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Member Since: 4/19/2008
Posts: 12,553
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Soembody That I Used To Know is the best from that set!
Moves Like Jagger, Problem and Diamonds
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