Katy Perry
Prism • Pop • December 17th, 2013
This sort of plays off the same darker vibe as E.T. did, and to great effect. The buildup in the chorus, similar to later 2014 problem, is genius and keeps you hooked before suddenly dropping. The production is on-point and despite the cliches abound, the song is lyrically decent as well. One thing - what the absolute hell is with that trashy ass cartoon single cover? Get your **** together, Katy. Lazy hoe.♥
Fun Fact: This is the only thing that Katy did this year that was remotely worth mentioning besides maybe the TIHWD vid. Unless we were doing a worst-of, in which case it would be upstaged by the Birthday vid hitting #1 on the "Worst Videos/Ideas/Things of 2014" chart.
Justin Timberlake
The 20/20 Experience - 2 of 2 • Pop • February 24th, 2014
This is kind of exactly what I was looking for from JT during the 20/20 eras; it's got his unique trademarks and sounds, but its digestible enough for pop radio without being basic or poor. By the way, this song is about Britney Spears. I don't care what you say. They will be a thing. ♥
Fun Fact: Justin did something right during the 2 of 2 era! Color me surprised. Unfortunately, while it's certainly not a bad thing, this is the only thing. Nothing else made it.
Ariana Grande
My Everything • Pop • August 22nd, 2014 (Promo Single)
Goddamn, this is my song. Like, every time I sing in the shower or in my car or alone at home, this is on my setlist. It's emotional, it's catchy, it's well produced, her vocals are on-point... there's really nothing I can think of that isn't done well on this song. ♥
Fun Fact: I seriously cannot hit the higher notes in this song. Trust me - you don't want to hear me try, and I don't want you to hear me try. Just imagine a cat in a frying pan.
The Neighbourhood
I Love You. • Indie Rock • November 3rd, 2013 (Re-Release)
Alright, so I know this was originally released like 2 years ago, but bear with me. This song was rereleased about 13 months ago and continued to to well, at least in the US and around me, in early 2014. My friend introduced me to the song around then and I fell in love with it, even though it's just slightly outside the realm of others on my countdown. ♥
Fun Fact: This is not the only song on here that's neither pop nor dance, I swear!!
Marina & the Diamonds
Froot • Pop • October 10th, 2014
This song really threw me off at first - I had no warning whatsoever of the release, so I just got on ATRL one day and there the song was! It's somewhere in between the sound of her last two albums, but better. It's insanely catchy and plagued my brain for weeks after release, and offers tons of promise for her album. ♥
Fun Fact: Marina has a personal friend in the industry who appears later on this singles countdown!
I'm really not sure how I feel about Marina and her rainbow fruit. I'm really sure how I feel about her intentional misspelling of the word "fruit," though. I mean, this and "Happy" were more immediate than most of Electra Heart for me... but something about it kinda rubs me the wrong way. The jury's still out on this project, I guess.
Foot completely blindsided me. I was preparing myself for her to have that era where everyone says "she totally sold out!" "she didn't stay true to her sound at all!" "I hate this new Marina!" but by God, she gave all of us exactly what we wanted. That sound we know and love with just enough injection of freshness and excitement.
Not A Bad Thing is great, too. It was an instant JT classic for me.
Mr Probz
Prayer • Dance • October 10th, 2014
Yet another slower song that's been given a dance remix and sent to radio - they even did the same thing with "All of Me." This is a song that I would hear on the radios this year as I drove, and it was always one I was happy to hear. Eventually I learned the whole song and began to connect with it - it's sincere and it's very enjoyable. ♥
Fun Fact: This is one of many songs on the countdown that was a lot bigger in the UK than in the US!
Paramore
Paramore • Pop Rock • October 10th, 2014
Someone go find Gabegabe. Paramore for a long time was not a band that impressed me. Aside from being a eternally faithful servant to Amy Lee and being leery of other female rockers, I felt that they never really lived up to the promise of Riot! afterward. This (and Still Into You) gave me a pleasant surprise - it's a brilliant song and it really resonated with me personally this year. ♥
Fun Fact: This is the only song on the countdown by a female-led rock act!
Eminem & Rihanna
The Marshall Mathers LP 2 • Hip Hop • October 29th, 2013
You know, my friend and I were recently talking about this song and how great it is. I mean, it's so great - or Rihanna's so great - that it - or its second artist - is singlehandedly keeping Eminem's career afloat! How cure is that. Anyway, BRILLIANT chorus and great vocals from Rihanna are what bring this song to the top and make it truly great.♥
Fun Fact: The only song that charted by either of these artists this year.
It was an instant JT classic for me.
