That's right: I prefer Black Widow over Fancy (a hybrid can withstand these things ). While both have amazing replay value, I tend to gravitate more towards Black Widow. The production is impressive and obviously draws comparison to the mood and sound of Dark Horse, since, after all, Black Widow and Dark Horse were created by the same team of people (Katy, Luke, Sarah Hudson, Cirkut, etc.). Although not quite on the same level as Dark Horse, it's still a high quality hip-pop song, packed with easily understood, catchy and well structured verses by Iggy and an ear candy pop chorus by Rita. It's easily one of my favorite moments by Rita in a song that I've heard to date. Back to Iggy, her lyricism here is my favorite that she's offered to date, as she tells an entertaining story of a woman who seeks vengeance from a man who does her wrong. If I want Iggy to look anywhere for her 2nd album, stylistically and lyrically, its Black Widow's way.
19 Usher - She Came to Give It to You (featuring Nicki Minaj)
This song flopped ridiculously hard on the charts this past summer, and I honestly think it was undeserved. I can see why it flopped, but I still really love it. Its retro throwback music done right. It has a great beat to dance to and Usher hasn't lost any of his vocal skills over the past 10 years. He sounds sexy and convincing, effortlessly switching between his falsetto and deeper voice. This type of sound fits him so perfectly, but sadly I doubt he'll be going back to it. We can't talk about this song without mentioning Nicki, though. Her verse is one of the best she's ever done, and easily one of her most underrated. She apparently had written it before she ever heard this song, but you can't tell because the lyrical content fits the theme so well (throwback mentions of MJ early curl, Sterly Sterl, OJ, etc.). Her rapid fire spitting will have you replaying her verse multiple times after you hear it. She may be a lot of the reason I love this song, but everything else, from the verses to the chorus to the beat, is also well thought-out, FUN, consistent, and addicting.
18 Tinashé – 2 On (featuring ScHoolboy Q)
DJ Mustard released a LOT of productions this year, and a few of them tended to sound the same and cannibalize each other. 2 On, however, always stood out from his other work. It has the classic Mustard sound with the beat snaps and synthy, modern vibe, but it's really Tinashé that gives this song that x factor that it has. Her soft and smooth vocals sound totally effortless and sexy on a track like this. Honestly, someone oversinging on this beat would've totally ruined the song. Her flow over this beat is almost like she's rapping, even though her voice is hitting all the right notes too. While she shows off her great voice more on other songs on Aquarius, that's not the point of this song. She does her purpose of getting everyone to have a good time as soon as this song comes on. ScHoolboy Q's verse is a little unnecessary, but I see why he was featured since a lot of people like him.
Another ***flawless collaboration from the most exciting collaborative music pair of 2014: Onika and Giselle. In terms of the type of song, Feeling Myself follows the same formula as ***Flawless. Both are feminist confidence anthems where Nicki and Bey play off each other and throw out punchlines and crazy flows. Both do it really well, and are top form. It's clear Bey is having more fun with herself ever since she had her first baby, as evident on her self-titled (DIL, 7/11, Yoncé, Partition, ***Flawless). It's also clear she's embracing her hip hop side more than she ever has, and no surprise, the Queen can rap amazingly! Nicki is clearly giving 110% to her songs whenever Bey is in the studio, as Nicki here delivers punchline after punchline and switches from flow to flow (4 flows in one song, according to Nicki herself). The best part of the song is when the beat changes up and Nicki goes IN as the beat goes harder and harder. Here, the best line of the song is given, and it's the line I want to end this description on since it sums up the song so perfectly: "bitches ain't got punchlines or flow. I have both, and an empire also".
16 Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
Like Eternal Sunshine (#15), Thinking Out Loud instantly makes me happy and think of someone who brings out the best in me. Its an intentionally simplistically done song; it's literally just a guitar, a piano, and Ed's voice. And of those three instruments, Ed's is the one that definitely sticks out the most. Ed sounds the strongest he ever has, hitting some impressive notes during the chorus especially! He also sounds convincingly emotional and like the lyrics really mean something to him. I'm not surprised this is currently smashing, not just because Ed's been having a great year, but because it's a song that millions of people can relate to. It brings people together with its message of love, something people could definitely use at this time of year and ANY time of the year.
15 Jhené Aiko – Eternal Sunshine
If I had to describe this song in one word, it would automatically be: BEAUTIFUL. I remember the first time I heard a little snippet of this, and felt at peace with myself within the first 10 seconds. Whenever I get stressed, I now instantly turn Eternal Sunshine on. This is what I want my paradise and heaven to sound like, to be honest. There's something so simultaneously happy and reminiscent about ES that helps me to picture the happiest moments of my life as soon as it comes on. All the best aspects of Jhené's underappreciated voice are highlighted here, gorgeous in its restraint and balance. When a song is peaceful enough to shift your mood instantly, you know it has to be one of your favorite songs of the year.
14 Nicki Minaj - The Crying Game (featuring Jessie Ware)
While Four Door Aventador expressed the fun, confident, straight rapping side of Onika I wanted to see on TPP, The Crying Game represented the other side of Onika I wanted to hear: the personal, unfiltered side of her that we hadn't seen a lot of before. I don't know if she's ever been this personal on any track before, maybe besides All Things Go two tracks before. Nicki is on point and paints a picture in our heads of where she was exactly in these situations she's describing. It's a dark and deeply personal picture of a relationship that is clearly toxic for both parties. To complete this foreboding vibe is a sorrowful pre-chorus, sung well by Nicki, and then an amazing and unexpected chorus by Jessie Ware. Jessie was completely the perfect fit for this type of song, and I'm so glad Nicki contacted her to do it. Most people on ATRL probably already see this as a standout from Pinkprint, and I'm happy to say I'm one of those people as well!
13 Ariana Grande - Best Mistake (featuring Big Sean)
It's fitting for this song to be right next to The Crying Game on the countdown, as they're extremely alike in their theme and lyrical content. Best Mistake isn't quite as intense or confessional as The Crying Game, but it's just as sorrowful, remorseful, and hopeless sounding. It's a good hopeless, though, lol, since the final product is amazing. I read somewhere that Best Mistake is Ariana's favorite song on her own album, and I can see why: it features her current boyfriend and the song has an easy listening vibe to it. It's definitely one of the vocal highlights of My Everything, with Ariana's natural knack for R&B music really shown off to her advantage here. And while many people complain about Big Sean's verse, I think his verse here is appropriate and adds an even more personal touch the song. Ariana and Big Sean clearly have natural chemistry in the studio since both Right There and Best Mistake are highlights on her two albums. I wouldn't mind another collaboration on her 3rd album at this point.
12 Azealia Banks - Ice Princess
This is the last song from Broke With Expensive Taste that will appear on the countdown - it's my favorite song on the album! It's a sound from Azealia that I haven't quite heard from her, giving it a unique place (and in my opinion, pedestal) in her current discography. It's one of her absolute finest moments as an MC, as she effortlessly owns the hot beat throughout the entire song. One moment, you think the song is going to be an urban banger, but then it switches to a house music inspired chorus! The house music aspect is more classic 1991 EP Azealia, so it kind of gives the song its identifying stamp for her. It's a song that you never know where it's quite heading to, making it constantly exciting no matter how many times you may listen to it. There is NO other song currently like it out there.
I've been waiting for an amazing three-way collaboration between the royalty of YMCMB since the beginning of the 2010s... so Truffle Butter was a long time coming. I have no idea why this isn't a single but the bad Only is. Truffle Butter is more fresh, current, well-rounded, and quality from the three MCs, but I digress. All 3 bring their A game to their verses and are consistent with each other, with no one outshining anyone else and making it a balanced domination of the beat. It's both a song you can dance to and be impressed by. Lil Wayne's verse has the best punchlines, but Nicki rides the beat the best. Drake, as usual, is consistent with his quality, which has always been the reason I love him. They all deliver with what they're best known for doing, and when it all comes together in one song, you can't do anything less than turn it up.
I love She Came To Give It To You. The song is so funky. It's competently done, but not really flashy which is why I think it really didn't catch on; a shame though, I really think it's one of Usher's best.
I like Black Widow, but the ridiculous clapping in the video turned me off the song a little bit (I can't help but think of it whenever I hear the song)
Truffle Butter is I accidentally bought the clean version though
And yes to seeing Best Mistake so high! I love everything about it. I think it might be in the exact same spt on my countdown.
I'll be honest in saying that I wasn't really looking out for a DK comeback. The only song of theirs I had liked prior to Lemonade was Damaged. However, when I heard Lemonade, I thought it was unique, new, fresh, and HOT. It's extremely modern and electronic, with a mix of R&B & hip hop as well. It's extremely genre-bending and a huge risk coming from a band who is making a comeback after a long hiatus. It's a risk that paid vastly well for me, at least. The chorus is instantly quotable and fun to sing along to with a tongue-in-cheek "these haters so thirsty, might just need a drink, lemonade, lemonade", among other lines. The verses are equally as much of a blast, and even Tyga's verse contributes to the hectic, unpredictable atmosphere. It was one of the most unexpected JAMS of the year for sure, and I was obsessed for a while.
9 Ariana Grande - Hands On Me (featuring A$AP Ferg)
I'm going to go ahead and call this the most underrated song of Ariana's career so far. Is it a song that showcases her songwriting or lyrical abilities? Not really, but is it her most unapologetic and in-your-face ANTHEM to date? YES! It sounds like nothing else she's ever done, hugely thanks to a stellar job by Darkchild with a beat that recalls the urban jams of the mid-2000s. The song never slows down & features a sexy & teasing vocal by Ariana. A$AP Ferg is completely perfect in adding needed hype to a beat that demands it. The club potential for this one is absolutely crazy. Overall, I can't help but dance & admire the booming bass on this everytime I hear it. It's a bona-fide banger, & an extremely well done one. Turn up!
8 Taylor Swift - Blank Space
There's always one song that instantly clicks with me on any Taylor Swift album. On Red, it was Treacherous. On 1989, it's Blank Space. It's no surprise this song is totally dominating everything right now, as it's addicting and the best song, lyrically, on 1989. It's a satirical and direct dig at Taylor's detractors who criticized her songwriting about past relationships. Those who aren't aware of the song's humor won't truly appreciate the song, but the video couldn't make it more obvious that Taylor is entirely making fun of her own persona. I think it's refreshing for Taylor to take an outside look at herself and find her own way of giving a G-rated middle finger to her critics. While the lyrics are the main selling point of the song, the production by Max and the huge chorus all compliment Taylor's abilities as well. It's one of Taylor's best crafted songs to date, and shows how far she's come as an artist since all the way to her debut 8 years ago now.
7 Ariana Grande & The Weeknd - Love Me Harder
Songs from Ariana's albums are all over my Top 10, so prepare yourselves. The second of four is the current single and should've-hit-#1-but-is-struggling-to-sell-decently, Love Me Harder. It's Ariana's most sexy and mature song to date, a smartly written song with help from Max Martin and a worthwhile feature from The Weeknd. Ariana and The Weeknd play off each other well, and The Weeknd couldn't have been more perfect for this song. The beat is a moody synthy piece that combines R&B and pop into so that it sounds very modern sounding and booming behind Ariana, who sounds as good as ever. A lot of people have said Ariana can't pull off sexy, but they just need to directed to this song to learn otherwise. In my opinion, this is the most well-done "sexiest" song of 2014.
6 Ella Henderson - Yours
I feel like everyone will know this song by heart by the time 2015 is over, as Ella is about to make it big in the US (I hope... I really hope). In what might be the best song on her debut album, Chapter One, Ella keeps it simple with a piano ballad that recalls Adele's Someone Like You. This girl isn't even 20 years old, & she already sounds like a vocal goddess! She carries this song on her own with nothing but THAT voice and somber yet sweet lyrics. Her voice hits all the right notes and tugs at all the right emotions for me, and it's one of those songs that could make even the stiffest person feel something by the end. It's that piano ballad that I feel could really become an anthem for everyone if it gets the right promotion. Besides Yours, Ella is incredible overall, so please buy her debut when it comes out in the US mid-January!
I honestly nearly had a heart attack when I first that one of my dream collaborations had finally happened... Bey and Nicki. I always knew that this combination would commit a total massacre of a slay, and I've obsessed with ***Flawless remix since it blessed us with its presence back in August. Bey spits like fire in the beginning, shocking everyone with her openness about her personal life and her intensity. She continues on with the parts of ***Flawless that we already loved from the first version. Finally, Nicki comes in and gives the SECOND best verse of her entire career, only second to Monster. Her verse is deservedly longer than most of her other features, because when you do Bey, you have to do big. Nicki gives one epic punchline after another, even playing off Bey at one point. It's clear these two legitimately love each other. It's amazing to finally hear these two amazing women come together to create an anthem for women in the best way possible. It's not ***, it's *****.
4 Ryn Weaver - OctaHate
I need this song to be a #1 in 2015 or I'll be left unsatisfied with the world's taste in pop music. I'm shocked that a new artist produced a pop single as strong and incredible as OctaHate. It has a powerful beat, a powerful chorus, powerful verses, AND a powerful bridge, clearly showing that Ryn is, you guessed it, a powerful songwriter from the getgo. With the help of Benny Blanco, Charli XCX, and other big names in pop music, I expect Ryn to explode in 2015 and become the next it girl. Either that, or she'll become the next go -to songwriter behind the scenes. The girl clearly has a talent for knowing exactly what people want to hear and how it can fit in the current pop mold. OctaHate couldn't be more ahead o the curve and innovative, providing a potential fresh sounding smash for the upcoming year before it even begins.
3 Maroon 5 - It Was Always You
V may not be as good as Maroon 5's other two albums this decade, but It Was Always You is absolutely one of the best things they've done in their entire career. It's better than anything on Overexposed, & it might even challenge Moves Like Jagger in being their best song this entire decade. Not sure on that yet, though, since MLJ is a pretty perfect pop song. Back on topic, It Was Always You is a new and exciting on an otherwise pretty predictable album, making it by far the biggest standout. I have no idea why it hasn't been released as a single yet, but it needs to be released immediately. It's kind of a throwback with the synths and Phil Collins-esque sound, but it doesn't fit into any other decade but the one we're in right now. I'm hoping that, somehow, even though I'm reaching, that It Was Always You becomes a future M5 classic in the leagues of MLJ, SWBL & This Love. I have a bad feeling it will be left underappreciated, though.
2 Ariana Grande - Break Your Heart Right Back (featuring Childish Gambino)
It's kind of the sibling to Problem; equally sassy, about a boy that's a problem, heavy with elements of both R&B & pop, with a fun guest verse from a rapper, & a huge chorus with a hip hop like beat breakdown. BYHRB is even more R&B than Problem, however, & heavily samples Diana Ross' I'm Coming Out, since the song is literally about finding your man is down deep in the closet. It's another tongue-in-cheek anthem and one of the most humorous songs on my entire countdown. I love the song for its creative concept and subject matter, all handled extremely well by an in-on-the-joke Ariana who sounds incredible and mature on this beat. She's sexy, she's strong, and she's gonna step all over any man that messes with her. Childish Gambino finishes off what Ariana started and plays a conversational role with her, offering her playful advice on how to deal with her two-timing man. The song then goes into the final chorus where the beat just absolutely explodes into epicness. But, the production and everything is epic the entire 4 and a half minute song, so all you should do is download and enjoy this pop/r&b gem of 2014, one of the many underappreciated album tracks on My Everything.
1 Ariana Grande - Problem (featuring Iggy Azalea)
There was no other song that could be #1 on my 2014 countdown. I've been totally obsessed with this song ever since I first heard it in the Spring, & it was the song that took my love for Ariana to the next level of HUGE fan. I had already really liked Yours Truly, but upon hearing Problem, I knew her 2nd album would be a huge step above. Problem is a song that throws together so many random things and somehow makes it work - the horns, the irregularly structured chorus and the Iggy feature. The first verse is instantly ear candy with Ariana's heavenly vocals, complimented by the way she totally RIDES the beat quick-paced and on point. The chorus than builds up into a great "head in the clouds, got no weight on my shoulder", with all the energy climaxing into a worthy "one less problem without ya" payoff that always stops me in my tracks. Iggy's feature was well chosen, since she's so well-equipped for pop beats, & she adds yet another part of the song to get hyped about. And, like BYHRB, the conclusion to the song is explosive and appropriate for a song that deserves it! My play count for Problem is absolutely shameless, but there's really no shame since it's one of the best done pop songs of the past five. Congrats Ariana for having BOTH of my top two favorite songs of 2014!
). While both have amazing replay value, I tend to gravitate more towards Black Widow. The production is impressive and obviously draws comparison to the mood and sound of Dark Horse, since, after all, Black Widow and Dark Horse were created by the same team of people (Katy, Luke, Sarah Hudson, Cirkut, etc.). Although not quite on the same level as Dark Horse, it's still a high quality hip-pop song, packed with easily understood, catchy and well structured verses by Iggy and an ear candy pop chorus by Rita. It's easily one of my favorite moments by Rita in a song that I've heard to date. Back to Iggy, her lyricism here is my favorite that she's offered to date, as she tells an entertaining story of a woman who seeks vengeance from a man who does her wrong. If I want Iggy to look anywhere for her 2nd album, stylistically and lyrically, its Black Widow's way.
That beat 
Nicki's verse 
The song is so funky. It's competently done, but not really flashy which is why I think it really didn't catch on; a shame though, I really think it's one of Usher's best.
and the top two 
