Throughout December, I'll be counting down my 100 favorite songs of the year. This was a hard list to make & I tried to make it as accurate as possible.
#100-81 revealed. What will be the rest?
#90-81
90 Wiz Khalifa - Work Hard, Play Hard
Wiz has always been an artist I'm pretty much neutral about. His discography is very mixed in terms of quality. That being said, this single is great jam. It's produced by StarGate and obviously has a radio-friendly crossover appeal to it, but the commercial aspect of it works. It's very catchy and cocky, but every rapper has their cocky anthem. Wiz's flow has improved since his debut, and the song should have been bigger than it's predecessor Black & Yellow.
89 Usher - Looking 4 Myself (featuring Luke Steele)
The album this song serves as title track to is so amazing, and I can't believe Usher had a such a lackluster year in terms of success. L4M is his most diverse album, and this song perfectly showcases the diversity Usher shows on the record. At the perfect time, Usher has decided to let alternative style permeate into his music. He was correct in describing it as slightly similar to Somebody that I Used to Know, specifically during the verses. The beat is soothing and the track is definitely one of the best. Make it a single, please.
88 Melanie Fiona - Bones
I love myself some good r&b. Melanie's album The MF Life really caught my attention this year, specifically because of her powerful, raspy voice. The song is reminiscent of the legendary "I Put a Spell On You", with Melanie crooning her heart out over an engaging instrumental. The song is unique and offers a unique perspective on Melanie. Best female r&b album of the year, and this is a highlight. Get into those vocals!
87 Trey Songz - Heart Attack
Trey's previous album, one of my favorites of 2010 (Passion, Pain & Pleasure) was not very electronically based, so I was surprised when this single was so synthy and full of electronic noises. But, it works. Trey sings about hurting over love in this strong first single that shows his artistic growth, rather than the stagnancy he could've turned to simply repeat triple P's success. It should have crossed over to pop.
86 Kanye West - Mercy (featuring Big Sean, Pusha T &
This song is really strange, but it has grown on me a lot. Big Sean's verse is definitely the most memorable and the standout of the track. This is also the one track I can tolerate 2 Chainz.
85 Melanie Fiona - 6Am (featuring T-Pain)
What kind of B0P? This song reminds why I used to love T-Pain back in the day, and definitely takes me back to the mid-00s. Melanie does a wonderful job of course, but there's not to much to say on this song besides that it's fun to listen to.
84 Chris Brown - Turn Up the Music
*ahem*
So, this is a very good dance pop song. And even though I detest him at this point, this is a strong single. It's just a shame he messed it up.
Yeah.
83 Lana Del Rey - Dark Paradise
This is definitely one of Lana's best songs, and she tries her hand at beat-driven pop music. The song has a dark mood to it like the rest of her music, and I think her vocals add greatly to the mood. She sounds lost and heartbroken, and the best thing about her is that she's a paradox : a light girly voice who sings very dark lyrics. I'm a sucker for paradox.
Best line : "I wish I was dead". Well then, Lana. Let it out girl.
82 Alicia Keys - Girl On Fire (featuring Nicki Minaj)
I love Alicia's new album, and this is such a refreshing first single from her. The beat immediately draws me in, sounding like the wardrums ready for a girl willing to fight. Alicia's vocals absolutely soar, and who can resist singing with her "this girl is on FIYAAAAAHHHH" (even if you are a 17 year old boy). It is also Nicki's best bars of the year, and should be the direction she goes for the next album.
81 P!nk - True Love (featuring Lily Rose Cooper)
Queen The other Alicia's album is excellent as well, and this is a true highlight. The chorus is absolutely euphoric and by far one of the best pop choruses of the year. Lily's part is short yet sweet, adding to the great satire and guess what...? paradox of the song. P!nk is so good at serving sweetness and sass. Best line : "I wanna wrap my hands around your neck".
Work Hard Play Hard is such an odd song for me. I don't think he's a very talented rapper but he does well enough on the verses and the beat really compliments his rapping.... but that chorus is just the PITS, I just cannot stand that part. It has Poker Face syndrome.