Top 100 Songs of 2014
Jan. 8th, 2015 09:56 am![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
tabular_rasaTime for my commentary on the Top 100 Songs of 2014!
Important note: This is not my own personal ranking of songs, but taken from a pop radio station's official list based on airplay and requests or whatever. (I used iHeartRadio ranking this year, which Jessica and I actually did listen to the last 8 songs of during our drive on New Year's Day). I just like to go through and provide commentary on the official list as a way to reflect upon the year's music, since I enjoy listening to pop music in major part because of how it's so connected to a certain place in time. The songs are on for a limited period of time, so when I listen to them I am brought back to that point in my life. And the lists are always interested to go back and look at, too, to see which songs I have remembered vs. forgotten and which ones I change my feelings about as they're played more or less.
Plus, so much pop music is fucking hilarious. I am not a snob. The worst pop music is often the best just because of how ridiculous it is.
If you have any strong feelings about songs you heard this year, I'd love to hear them!
1 Dark Horse - Katy Perry
Omg I'm so glad this is #1. What an excellently ridiculous song.
I already liked it for the minor key, main simile that doesn't make any sense in the context of the song, and laughable rap interlude ("She can be my Sleeping Beauty/I'mma put her in a coma"). I sang it at karaoke on my birthday and it was great. Then it got even better when while she was actually making her Thor and Loki comics, my sister observed that the song sounds like it should be sung literally by Loki when he's seducing Svadalfari, which is just perfect. I even made a post on her comic Tumblr about it and it got a little love:
Also, 2014 was the Year of the Horse, so it's extra appropriate!
2 Counting Stars - OneRepublic
Well, no denying this ranking, as I did hear it a lot this year. I wasn't obsessed with it but I didn't hate it, either.
3 Talk Dirty (feat. 2 Chainz) - Jason Derulo
I liked this song for a while before it wore out its welcome through repeated play, but I thought it was fun in a kitschy sort of way, like an updated Travelin' Man. I liked the saxophone bits. Brandy remembers this song as "The song Theo was almost born to" because it was on her birthing playlist, but then Theo was born too fast for her to turn the music on XD
4 Timber - Pitbull feat. Ke$ha
I really only heard this song a few times at the end of 2013 when my sister pointed it out to me, so I'm surprised it got this far up the rankings. However, I'm glad to see that the ridiculous songs prevail as chart-toppers.
5 All Of Me (Album Version) - John Legend
I liked this one, I thought it was really sweet. I have to hand it to John Legend for fairly consistently writing songs with romantic yet mature and honest (ie: acknowledging flaws in people and relationships, not painting the person as perfect or "addicting," talking about giving and working together) lyrics. I think it was overplayed to a point, but credit to how much I liked it that I never got sick of it.
6 The Monster - Eminem
I continue to enjoy Eminem and Rihanna's collaborations. What I particularly liked about this one was its fairly unusual take on "crazy" and monsters in one's head. While in music mental illness is often glorified, it's only desirable in a self-destructive, "beautiful mess" kind of way; however, this was basically saying "I know I'm fucked up but I'm dealing with it, so let me continue to deal with it in the best way I can rather than trying to 'fix' me." Most of the verses are just Eminem soliloquizing about his own experiences with fame and public image and whatever, but I really liked the chorus.
7 Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
I wasn't crazy about this song but I do have a memory attached to it. After going on my meh date this year, this came on the radio as soon as I got in the car. Am I wrong, for thinking that we could be something for real? it sang. "Yes, yes you are wrong," I replied.
8 Team - Lorde
I liked this song, though I can't put my finger on why. I think I just like Lorde.
9 Pompeii - Bastille
I liked this as well. The ey-ey-o ey-o chant was cool and fun to sing (reminded me a little bit of ooga-chucka and boom-shaka-laka-laka, lol), and I liked how the lyrics were vague enough to apply to a wide range of situations. I started off thinking of it in terms of a story I was writing but also applied it to my breakup and whatnot, too. Video was a little cliche, but whatever.
Fun mondegreen for this song is "How am I gonna be an octopus about this?"
However, I liked Bastille's Bad Blood even better and I heard it on the radio for a while, but I guess it wasn't popular enough to break the top 100. It's a great song to apply to any rivalry-being-repaired situation. Hell, maybe I'll request it at my 10-year reunion next summer, lol.
10 Rude - MAGIC!
This song was okay. It was catchy, but it also got annoying. I did like all the parody response videos it inspired, though, implying that the father has good reason to deny his blessing.
I also just think it's funny that the accusation he comes up with is "rude." Not "unfair" or "unreasonable" . . . Rude. Like farting without saying excuse me, lol.
I also do have to wonder where the girl fits in with all of this. Shouldn't she be the one who makes the call about their marriage? Or persuade her father if his blessing really matters so much to them?
11 Happy - Pharrell
One of those songs that was fun to have on when I was actually happy, but annoying as fuck when I wasn't.
12 Burn - Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding's music is all just very . . . pleasant. Like I'm never super obsessed with it, I don't bust out singing along with it, but I keep it on and enjoy it.
13 Stay With Me - Sam Smith
I liked it, but I am an angst muffin. And apparently I missed a glorious moment when Mikel and Jessica were discussing about her staying on a friend's couch during the week in order to save gas money on her commute to school and he just busted out singing this song. I wish I had been there.
14 Fancy - Iggy Azalea
The first time I heard this song I thought the Charli XCX part was Gwen Stefani, lol. I don't really care for Iggy Azalea, but she's been undeniably successful this year. My biggest thoughts with this song were:
1) there is no highway (and thus no fast lane) between LA and Tokyo. Do you even geography?
2) what is this try hard accent
3) stop being on the radio so damn much
15 Latch - Disclosure feat Sam Smith
I don't remember hearing this song at all? Either I missed it somehow or it flew majorly under my radar. Listening to it now, it does remind me of something much older than it is.
16 Problem - Ariana Grande
I kind of liked this song in spite of myself, lol. I think it was mostly just that sax hook.
17 Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake
I guess I do remember this song, but it mostly escaped my notice.
18 Story of My Life - One Direction
I cannot for the life of me figure out what this song is about? She breaks up with him? He is distant towards her? He is desperately trying to win her back? It sounded all right (standard minor-key pop music appeal) but it frustrated me I couldn't figure out what the story of One Direction's life actually is.
19 Wake Me Up - Avicii
This was a key song I remember from 2013 but I got sick of it from overplay into 2014. I liked Hey Brother better.
20 Ain't It Fun - Paramore
I didn't hear this as much as its #20 ranking would suggest, but it was okay.
Also HOLY SHIT in the video, for a split second Hayley is holding a pile of stuffed animals including my Piggy doll I've had since I was a baby. I don't think I've ever seen another one besides my own!
Not gonna lie, that's a little weird in a song about "living on your own in the real world," lol.
21 Summer - Calvin Harris
Oh, this was annoying. Those electronic keyboard violins, yikes.
22 Demons - Imagine Dragons
Nothing special but it was catchy-- and it's a four chord song, so go figure.
23 Boom Clap - Charli XCX
I don't remember hearing much of this song, actually, but I liked it well enough.
24 All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
I cited some thoughts about this song earlier in the year. Given my own body shape I feel like it can only come off as bitter and defensive or something, but I'm not a fan of how the song denigrates thin and worked-on ("silicone") bodies in the name of "body acceptance" and whatnot, nor some aspects of the video. I'm sure it's well-intentioned and a lot of the lyrics are good-- and it's certainly catchy!-- but there's enough in the lyrics and video that are problematic that I'm just kind of /: about it.
25 Black Widow - Iggy Azalea
Probably the Iggy Azalea song I liked most this year, music-wise. Though the video . . . apparently Iggy is an equal-opportunity appropriator? I guess if I squint it's just a rip-off of Kill Bill. (Though I'm not exactly sure why a song about persistently forcing yourself on a guy until he can't stand it anymore gets a revenge-on-male-pigs music video?).
26 Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
Fun and inoffensive. I wasn't always in the mood for it but I liked it overall. The video with the little monster companion was cute. (Also, totally weird and dorky but given the band is a foursome and the line about howling at the moon with friends and it being the best day of my life kind of made me think of Remus Lupin and his acceptance with the Marauders. Maybe the little monster companion is a shadow of his werewolf self? Lol).
27 Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
I was honestly expecting this song to be #1 or at least in the top 5, given from the time I moved to St. Louis in September on through December I swear every single time I was in the car this song would play at least once. Maybe it benefited from being played on multiple broadcast genres, or the St. Louis metro area was particularly obsessed with it, but I got really sick of it. Normally I like Taylor Swift, though, and I think it's cool she's developing a self-aware sense of humor about herself and her public image.
28 Maps - Maroon 5
I've talked in these countdowns before how I alternately love vs. hate every Maroon 5 single in pretty consistent order. This was one I liked. I had it on my traveling playlist for the road trip this year because of the driving beat and some of the "I was there for you; where were you for me?" sentiments, though I was doing pretty much the opposite of following the map that leads to Robert, lol.
(Just watched the video, which is like an unnecessarily graphic Memento ripoff that doesn't really suit the song?).
Also, this song was popular around Halloween and when they say "Following following following" I kept wanting to say "Halloween Halloween Halloween," lol.
29 Classic - MKTO
I swear I have never heard this song before in my life?
30 Turn Down for What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Oh Lil Jon, I am glad you are still making music. I actually thought this song was really catchy and enjoyable, lol. And the video is both hilariously absurd (albeit a little disturbing) and surprisingly well-produced. Like a modern Dancing Plague! (And I kind of appreciated that everyone was kind of scummy and average and just in shitty urban apartments).
31 Bang Bang - Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
This song was like a musical representation of (sexually charged) schoolyard trash talk, and actually not bad as far as clever turn of phrase. I thought it was kind of fun.
32 Break Free - Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
The song was okay, not terrible but not particularly memorable. But what the fuck is this video? Sometimes I feel like Ariana Grande is like a cartoon stereotype of a pop star, where everything is so mass-produced and her videos are all just cheesy backdrops for her kind of mugging and looking cute and not really dancing or anything, and is kind of unnecessarily diva-ish to boot. (And then the protagonist of the TV show realizes she is all just marketing and no substance and is horrified at this disillusionment of her hero or whatever).
33 Stay The Night - Zedd feat. Hayley Williams
I thought this was kind of annoying; it sounded like a bunch of etudes or something, not a real tune.
34 Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne) - Clean Bandit
It wasn't a super favorite but I enjoyed this song. However, I'm confused as fuck by the video, which is like a more cryptic version of the video to Pompeii by Bastille, just set in Japan?
35 Neon Lights - Demi Lovato
I don't remember hearing this song, but maybe it just flew under the radio for being fairly predictable EDM-sounding.
36 Me And My Broken Heart - Rixton
Oh, the song that was literally the chorus of Rob Thomas's Lonely No More but with a different fourth line of the stanza?
37 Royals - Lorde
I think of this more as last year's song, but I continued to like it.
38 Let Her Go - Passenger
I paired this song with Cups (When I'm Gone) on my post-breakup playlist, lol.
39 Hold On, We're Going Home - Drake
Drake is like the male equivalent of Ellie Goulding to me, just sort of pleasant and inoffensive without really arousing strong feelings either way.
40 Habits (Stay High) - Tove Lo
I love this song. (I thought the video was surprisingly effective for such a simple concept, too).
And I like that my post-breakup coping habits are a million times healthier than hers, lol. Binging and purging twinkies into a bathtub? Hooking up with married men? Sleeping with whomever because I ~just can't spend the night alone~? I just took a couple weekend trips to see close friends, started a new novel, and wrote a bunch of shitty fanfiction . . .
41 Say Something - A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
The very first time I heard this song in December 2013 I remember thinking, ironically enough, that "It's so nice I will probably never have to relate to a song like this again." You know, because Robert and I were happy, supposedly. Welp. I remember this was on a lot in the immediate aftermath of the breakup. Actually, I have to hand it to pop music; early 2014 was full of really miserable songs that suited my recent experiences, lol.
42 Don't Tell 'Em - Jeremih
First thought about this song, which is a general thought about many songs: Why do so many songs just make up random names for people that have probably never been used as names?-- especially when there's so much emphasis on the name in the song? I've never met a Windy, Sloopy, Chewy (unless?), or Rio. Meanwhile, there's a lot of girls in the world who have never had a song sung about them. I guess at least Rhythm makes sense as a dancer's stage name . . .
I'm also failing to see how this song would ever be successful in its intended purpose. Hey girl, why don't you do all these exhausting sex acts for me that I enjoy, and in return I'm going to hide you like a shameful secret? I guess maybe there's a market for that, but I don't get it, personally.
43 Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus
I will shamefully admit I listened to and enjoyed this song at the beginning of the year post-breakup, if for nothing else than the "Don't you ever say I just walked away" line, since Robert basically thwarted all possibility of working on improving.
But also the internet did some glorious things with the video:
44 Don't - Ed Sheeran
I liked this song and its vindictive honestly, especially the irony of him getting so butthurt about a girl doing exactly what she said she was going to do and they agreed upon in the first place.
The video apparently has the same Dancing Plague theme as Turn Down For What, lol.
45 Chandelier - Sia
Love this song. It's one of those songs I just sort of wish would keep going on and on for at least twice as long as it does. (It's also one of those songs I wish I could just belt out singing, but I don't have the range). Though, like Habits, it's yet another song about coping mechanisms I thankfully don't relate to.
I also liked the really wacky video, which was not just oddly fascinating in its own right but reminds me of this weird habit I had as a kid I called "running around and thinking," where I would just spend hours sort of dance-hop-twirling around my living room (and occasionally outside) while focusing my mind on various imaginary scenarios. For some reason-- and I think this does make physiological sense-- I found that my imagination was far more vivid and immersive when my blood was flowing and I was moving, especially if I was imagining something particularly active or intense. (I guess it's also similar to how when I'm writing emotional scenes, I tend to make faces that reflect the characters' emotions, and sometimes people walk in on me looking supremely pissed or about to cry and are like "Uhhh what is wrong with you?"). It drove my mother absolutely crazy. But I actually wonder sometimes if I'm less creative as an adult because I no longer do this; maybe now that I live in a house rather than an apartment, I should pace around more often, lol. Unfortunately, it's not something I could just replace with going for a run or something because I can't just be running straight; it involves like a bunch of hopping and spinning around and really crazy-looking shit-- like the video, just with less flexibility and actual gymnastics. (And I realize I sound like a crazy person, but so far I've met at least two other people who do/did this as kids, so at least I'm not alone in my crazy!).
46 Hey Brother - Avicii
It did reach an overplay moment for me, but otherwise I liked this song.
I also liked that it was the first song that came on as the between-movie music after seeing Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which I thought was appropriate. (Would also have been appropriate for Thor: The Dark World, lol).
47 Sing - Ed Sheeran
I remember hearing this song a few times, but it mostly flew under the radar for me. However, the video with muppet Ed Sheeran is cute, lol.
48 Bailando - Enrique Iglesias
I like how Enrique Inglesias just chose a different conjugation of the same verb that gave him a hit in 1998 and got another one. I have to admit I prefer Bailamos (which was one of my favorite songs in 5th grade, lol), but hey, you keep dancing, Enrique.
49 The Man - Aloe Blacc
Oh yeah, the one with the Elton John sample(ish), lol. I didn't find this song particularly memorable but I did really like the video of him taking on different eras and figures in civil rights and black pop culture.
50 Roar - Katy Perry
Same thoughts as last year; it wasn't bad, but it was pretty bland, and I just wish it had been played about 1.5x faster than it actually was.
51 La La La - Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith
I don't remember hearing this song at all, but listening to it now I like it alright. Video is cool and apparently references a Bolivian legend, as well as The Wizard of Oz? (Of course, half of YouTube thinks it's the Illuminati, of course).
52 Really Don't Care (feat. Cher Lloyd) - Demi Lovato
Song is pretty forgettable. Not entirely sure how I feel about the video centering around Pride when the song isn't really about it and I don't think Demi is LGBT herself? (Is she?), so it seems a bit like a ploy for attention or some kind of "cred," but I suppose at the same time we could always use more visible and positive portrayals of LGBT people in media.
Oh and Cher Lloyd is still a thing?
53 Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood
My thoughts on this song haven't changed from last year, except WOOHOO I LEFT CALIFORNIA.
54 Cool Kids - Echosmith
I've never been a cool kid nor desired to be one, but I liked this song.
55 Animals - Martin Garrix
There were two songs called "Animals" this year? Lol. The one I remember is the Maroon 5 one, probably because it actually has lyrics. But now that I'm listening to this through, I'm recognizing that I did hear it and I really liked it, although due to the style (reminds me a little of some '90s/'00s techno?) I think I presumed it was an older song being brought back for some party mixes rather than a new release.
56 Love Runs Out - OneRepublic
I didn't hear this song much, but I quite like it. Though it also reminds me a lot of Kanye West's Love Lockdown.
57 Take Me Home (feat. Bebe Rexha) - Cash Cash
I don't remember this song at all?
58 Love Me Again - John Newman
I don't remember this song, either, and the guy's voice in this song is really weird. Is there like a sheep-ify autotune setting?
59 Animals - Maroon 5
Oh hey, I liked both Maroon 5 singles this year. I didn't like this one as well as Maps, but I kept it on and sang along with it.
60 Slow Down - Selena Gomez
I remember hearing this song but no strong opinions about it. Pretty bland and forgettable.
61 Waves (Robin Schulz Radio Edit) - Mr. Probz
I remember hearing this, but it flew under the radar. Inoffensive, no strong feelings.
62 Blame - Calvin Harris feat. John Newman
I heard this song a few times with no particular opinion on it, but then my sister pointed out this guy sounds like a duck and now that's all I can hear and see.
63 Wiggle (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Jason Derulo
Oh god I forgot about this song, lolololol. I'm not surprised it didn't get super popular, but lmao "How d'you fit all that in them jeans? You know what to do with that big fat butt," patty-cake, "your booty like two planets; go ahead and go ham sammich," wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle as a chorus, and the little whistle-y hook thing . . . it's almost iconic. But just almost. (Seeing as how I forgot about it, lol).
64 Red Lights - Tiësto
I don't remember this song at all. But please people, don't run red lights.
65 A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
I found this kind of annoying. *Shrug.*
66 Show Me - Kid Ink feat. Chris Brown
Yeah, I remember hearing this. It was whatever. I ask this every year, though; why does Chris Brown still have a career?
67 Come Get It Bae - Pharrell Williams
We're using "bae" in song titles now? Okay.
I can't remember if I heard this song or not? It's not especially memorable to me so maybe I just didn't notice it.
68 Trumpets - Jason Derulo
Omg this song. If my SO were to hear those shitty keyboard-programmed trumpets every time I got naked, I'd be a nevernude to spare the poor fucker.
69 Wild Wild Love - Pitbull feat. G.R.L.
I'm a bit tired of Pitbull, so if this was on I probably just changed channels.
70 Unconditionally - Katy Perry
Blah. On the whole, I don't like slowed-down ballad Katy Perry.
71 Come With Me Now - KONGOS
I never really acknowledged this song as either good or bad, but I'm realizing now that I usually ended up keeping it on and enjoying it, so I guess it's one for the good pile.
72 Jealous - Nick Jonas
I only heard this a few times near the end of the year, but it's alright. I don't endorse the sentiment, but I liked the music.
73 Drunk in Love (Explicit Version) - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
This was kind of a weird song with how slowed-down and not particularly melodic it was, but I could dig it; it was sexy.
Also, weird to realize that Single Ladies came out just as I started 5 years of dating in succession (Andrew, immediately followed by Robert) but as soon as I break up Beyonce is all OMG I LOVE BEING IN LOVE.
I'm surprised Partition wasn't on this list, though? I think I heard it more than Drunk in Love. (And the whole thing-- lyrics and video both-- reminded me a lot of Chuck and Blair's post burlesque club limo sex scene in Gossip Girl, lol). I'm not sure which I preferred.
74 She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer
I don't remember hearing this, but I probably thought it was One Direction. Very boy band-y.
75 Shower - Becky G
Never heard this, but it's cute.
76 Brave - Sara Bareilles
This song was still around this year? I liked it but I don't remember hearing much of it this year.
77 Fireball - Pitbull feat. John Ryan
No more Pitball plz thnx.
78 Sleeping With A Friend - Neon Trees
It wasn't a big favorite but I liked this well enough. I have no personal experience with the hooking-up-with-a-friend thing but this seems like a worthwhile topic to have a song about.
79 2 On - Tinashe feat. Schoolboy Q
I never paid too much attention to this song but it's catchy and enjoyable. For a while I was thinking "2 On" (I'd love to get 2 on) was about initiating a threesome-- especially since she keeps mentioning her hot girlfriends-- but apparently not.
80 Hideaway - Kiesza
I don't remember hearing this song but I dig this chick's voice.
81 This Is How We Do - Katy Perry
I have some vague recollection of hearing this song but I didn't hear it often and it didn't stick out to me.
82 Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson
I liked this; it was never overplayed for me, it was cute and made a good point (post-breakup: life goes on). Also, I made a point to listen to see if they mentioned girls chasing girls and boys chasing boys, and they do!
83 Na Na - Trey Songz
Not particularly memorable but I liked it enough.
84 Blank Space - Taylor Swift
I was meh about this one from Taylor Swift, too, though I did like the video as a parody of her previous romantic videos crossed with how people stereotype her in regards to her numerous failed relationships. (Also, I'm with everyone who definitely thought she was talking about "Starbucks lovers," lol).
85 Anaconda - Nicki Minaj
Not my favorite from Nicki. Baby Got Back is just too iconic to be anything other than distracting ("Why am I not listening to the actual song?") as a sample, especially cropped mid-line, and the rhythm/cadence of some of her verses were almost identical to Tik Tok. Also, again with the denigrating "skinny bitches," sigh. (Good thing I don't go to the club anyway, lol).
86 Heroes (we could be) - Alesso feat. Tove Lo
I'd prefer to be Immortals, honesty.
87 In Your Arms - Nico & Vinz
I feel like I heard this a lot? It's okay. Sometimes I'm in the mood for it, sometimes I'm not. The video is sweet and sad, though.
88 This Is How We Roll - Florida Georgia Line
Oh lol it's the band that collaborated with Nelly on Cruise. (Side note, I love when Nelly collaborates with country artist, because WELCOME TO THE URBAN MIDWEST: HICKS AND HIP HOP).
I don't really remember this song. Maybe it wasn't as present on LA pop stations, since it sounds pretty ~country~. But I also didn't hear it in St. Louis, either. I guess it depends on when it was popular?
89 L.A.LOVE (la la) - Fergie
Don't remember this song at all, which is okay, since I have very little love for LA, lol. I guess she took a note out of the Pitbull playbook and just lists a bunch of random cities. However, props to her for pronouncing Tokyo as two syllables (to-kyo) rather than three like most English speakers (to-ki-o).
90 Centuries - Fall Out Boy
I preferred Immortals (which I heard much later in the year and was associated with the Big Hero 6 movie so I'm not sure it will ever get as big) but I liked this okay. I ended up associating it with the third Hobbit movie (like from Thorin's perspective or something) because I heard it a lot around the end of the year, and what with all the lines about legends and gold and going down in history, lol.
91 I'm Not The Only One - Sam Smith
I liked Stay With Me but now that he has a few singles out I have to agree with ONTD's assessment with Sam Smith as a dementor, lol. Dude, you do love you some downer songs.
92 Love Me Harder - Ariana Grande
Haven't heard it much, but it's okay. Is this being used in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie by any chance? Because with the bit about biting her lip, "if you know about me and choose to stay," "take the pleasure with the pain," love me harder . . . ?
93 Wait On Me - Rixton
Don't remember this song at all.
94 Dangerous (feat. Sam Martin) - David Guetta
At first I was thinking this song was this Dangerous, which I heard way more . . . but apparently not? I don't remember hearing this song this year, but the video reminds me of Rush. (Especially since they specifically mention Lauda and Hunt, lol).
95 Do What U Want - Lady Gaga
Don't remember this at all. I feel like there was some lingering Applause into the beginning of the year, but I don't remember hearing this at all. Was it just released?
96 Lips Are Movin - Meghan Trainor
I haven't heard this song much (yet), but it strikes me as a very one hit wonder followup kind of song . . . a little too close to the original to be a breakthrough. (She even says "I gave you bass" . . . ).
97 Birthday - Katy Perry
I don't think I heard this, but the video is cute.
98 Young Girls - Bruno Mars
Only time I heard this was when the countdown Jessica and I was listening to started over from 100 again. I'm glad the chorus specifies "young wild girls" because I think the song is a very specific portrayal of what young girls are and want, lol.
99 Beg For It - Iggy Azalea
I guess this one is on the rise because I've begun hearing it quite a bit lately. I'm meh about it so hopefully I'm not stuck hearing it too far into 2015.
100 Steal My Girl - One Direction
Catchy, but "A couple billion in the whole wide world" <- Really? I don't think your girl has even been seen by that many people, let alone desired by them, lol.
Looking back, overall it was a pretty good year for pop music. Or maybe I have finally stopped expecting pop music to be good and just expect it more to be entertaining, lol. This year was interesting since the list wasn't as dominated by a few big established names and there were a lot of random newcomers.
However, there were a few songs I'm surprised didn't make the list, or I wish would have.
Bad Blood - Bastille - Mentioned above that I liked it a lot, probably even better than Pompeii, and it was on the radio for a little while.
Partition - Beyonce - Mentioned above how I heard this even more than Drunk in Love.
Dangerous - Big Data ft. Joywave - Mentioned above that I heard this far more than the other Dangerous on this list.
#SELFIE - The Chainsmokers - How could we forget this iconic song of 2014? It's the zeitgeist of the year encapsulated in a really obnoxious song!
Stolen Dance - Milky Chance - I remember this being randomly popular (though maybe only on an alt station I was listening to in LA) for like a month, but I liked it. Also lol @ the band name rhyming with the song name; that's just asking for a one-hit wonder.
Doses and Mimosas - Cherub - Another one that was probably centered more on the alt stations, but I liked it especially back when I thought the lyrics were dosas and mimosas-- like, getting some Indian pancakes with brunch. (I maintain the song is better my way).
Human - Christina Perri - I continue to like most Christina Perri stuff that ends up on the radio (though I haven't bothered to look up her other work). I heard this a few times but I guess it just never gained traction. I think she's singing about the agony of being in entertainment and expected to go beyond the normal expectations, but of course I just ended up applying the song to everything from Marvel fanfiction to one of my novels >.<
Take Me to Church - Hozier - I was hearing this for a little bit before I left LA, wondered if it was just an alt station thing, and then started hearing it in the past couple of months on a pop station in St. Louis, so maybe this one is on the rise. The video is super dark but I think it works for a song comparing/contrasting love, sex, and lust to religion. (And it's on my writing playlist for my novel involving a conspiracy of pseudo-gods, for obvious reasons, lol).
Previous years: 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
Important note: This is not my own personal ranking of songs, but taken from a pop radio station's official list based on airplay and requests or whatever. (I used iHeartRadio ranking this year, which Jessica and I actually did listen to the last 8 songs of during our drive on New Year's Day). I just like to go through and provide commentary on the official list as a way to reflect upon the year's music, since I enjoy listening to pop music in major part because of how it's so connected to a certain place in time. The songs are on for a limited period of time, so when I listen to them I am brought back to that point in my life. And the lists are always interested to go back and look at, too, to see which songs I have remembered vs. forgotten and which ones I change my feelings about as they're played more or less.
Plus, so much pop music is fucking hilarious. I am not a snob. The worst pop music is often the best just because of how ridiculous it is.
If you have any strong feelings about songs you heard this year, I'd love to hear them!
1 Dark Horse - Katy Perry
Omg I'm so glad this is #1. What an excellently ridiculous song.
I already liked it for the minor key, main simile that doesn't make any sense in the context of the song, and laughable rap interlude ("She can be my Sleeping Beauty/I'mma put her in a coma"). I sang it at karaoke on my birthday and it was great. Then it got even better when while she was actually making her Thor and Loki comics, my sister observed that the song sounds like it should be sung literally by Loki when he's seducing Svadalfari, which is just perfect. I even made a post on her comic Tumblr about it and it got a little love:
Also, 2014 was the Year of the Horse, so it's extra appropriate!
2 Counting Stars - OneRepublic
Well, no denying this ranking, as I did hear it a lot this year. I wasn't obsessed with it but I didn't hate it, either.
3 Talk Dirty (feat. 2 Chainz) - Jason Derulo
I liked this song for a while before it wore out its welcome through repeated play, but I thought it was fun in a kitschy sort of way, like an updated Travelin' Man. I liked the saxophone bits. Brandy remembers this song as "The song Theo was almost born to" because it was on her birthing playlist, but then Theo was born too fast for her to turn the music on XD
4 Timber - Pitbull feat. Ke$ha
I really only heard this song a few times at the end of 2013 when my sister pointed it out to me, so I'm surprised it got this far up the rankings. However, I'm glad to see that the ridiculous songs prevail as chart-toppers.
5 All Of Me (Album Version) - John Legend
I liked this one, I thought it was really sweet. I have to hand it to John Legend for fairly consistently writing songs with romantic yet mature and honest (ie: acknowledging flaws in people and relationships, not painting the person as perfect or "addicting," talking about giving and working together) lyrics. I think it was overplayed to a point, but credit to how much I liked it that I never got sick of it.
6 The Monster - Eminem
I continue to enjoy Eminem and Rihanna's collaborations. What I particularly liked about this one was its fairly unusual take on "crazy" and monsters in one's head. While in music mental illness is often glorified, it's only desirable in a self-destructive, "beautiful mess" kind of way; however, this was basically saying "I know I'm fucked up but I'm dealing with it, so let me continue to deal with it in the best way I can rather than trying to 'fix' me." Most of the verses are just Eminem soliloquizing about his own experiences with fame and public image and whatever, but I really liked the chorus.
7 Am I Wrong - Nico & Vinz
I wasn't crazy about this song but I do have a memory attached to it. After going on my meh date this year, this came on the radio as soon as I got in the car. Am I wrong, for thinking that we could be something for real? it sang. "Yes, yes you are wrong," I replied.
8 Team - Lorde
I liked this song, though I can't put my finger on why. I think I just like Lorde.
9 Pompeii - Bastille
I liked this as well. The ey-ey-o ey-o chant was cool and fun to sing (reminded me a little bit of ooga-chucka and boom-shaka-laka-laka, lol), and I liked how the lyrics were vague enough to apply to a wide range of situations. I started off thinking of it in terms of a story I was writing but also applied it to my breakup and whatnot, too. Video was a little cliche, but whatever.
Fun mondegreen for this song is "How am I gonna be an octopus about this?"
However, I liked Bastille's Bad Blood even better and I heard it on the radio for a while, but I guess it wasn't popular enough to break the top 100. It's a great song to apply to any rivalry-being-repaired situation. Hell, maybe I'll request it at my 10-year reunion next summer, lol.
10 Rude - MAGIC!
This song was okay. It was catchy, but it also got annoying. I did like all the parody response videos it inspired, though, implying that the father has good reason to deny his blessing.
I also just think it's funny that the accusation he comes up with is "rude." Not "unfair" or "unreasonable" . . . Rude. Like farting without saying excuse me, lol.
I also do have to wonder where the girl fits in with all of this. Shouldn't she be the one who makes the call about their marriage? Or persuade her father if his blessing really matters so much to them?
11 Happy - Pharrell
One of those songs that was fun to have on when I was actually happy, but annoying as fuck when I wasn't.
12 Burn - Ellie Goulding
Ellie Goulding's music is all just very . . . pleasant. Like I'm never super obsessed with it, I don't bust out singing along with it, but I keep it on and enjoy it.
13 Stay With Me - Sam Smith
I liked it, but I am an angst muffin. And apparently I missed a glorious moment when Mikel and Jessica were discussing about her staying on a friend's couch during the week in order to save gas money on her commute to school and he just busted out singing this song. I wish I had been there.
14 Fancy - Iggy Azalea
The first time I heard this song I thought the Charli XCX part was Gwen Stefani, lol. I don't really care for Iggy Azalea, but she's been undeniably successful this year. My biggest thoughts with this song were:
1) there is no highway (and thus no fast lane) between LA and Tokyo. Do you even geography?
2) what is this try hard accent
3) stop being on the radio so damn much
15 Latch - Disclosure feat Sam Smith
I don't remember hearing this song at all? Either I missed it somehow or it flew majorly under my radar. Listening to it now, it does remind me of something much older than it is.
16 Problem - Ariana Grande
I kind of liked this song in spite of myself, lol. I think it was mostly just that sax hook.
17 Not A Bad Thing - Justin Timberlake
I guess I do remember this song, but it mostly escaped my notice.
18 Story of My Life - One Direction
I cannot for the life of me figure out what this song is about? She breaks up with him? He is distant towards her? He is desperately trying to win her back? It sounded all right (standard minor-key pop music appeal) but it frustrated me I couldn't figure out what the story of One Direction's life actually is.
19 Wake Me Up - Avicii
This was a key song I remember from 2013 but I got sick of it from overplay into 2014. I liked Hey Brother better.
20 Ain't It Fun - Paramore
I didn't hear this as much as its #20 ranking would suggest, but it was okay.
Also HOLY SHIT in the video, for a split second Hayley is holding a pile of stuffed animals including my Piggy doll I've had since I was a baby. I don't think I've ever seen another one besides my own!
Not gonna lie, that's a little weird in a song about "living on your own in the real world," lol.
21 Summer - Calvin Harris
Oh, this was annoying. Those electronic keyboard violins, yikes.
22 Demons - Imagine Dragons
Nothing special but it was catchy-- and it's a four chord song, so go figure.
23 Boom Clap - Charli XCX
I don't remember hearing much of this song, actually, but I liked it well enough.
24 All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor
I cited some thoughts about this song earlier in the year. Given my own body shape I feel like it can only come off as bitter and defensive or something, but I'm not a fan of how the song denigrates thin and worked-on ("silicone") bodies in the name of "body acceptance" and whatnot, nor some aspects of the video. I'm sure it's well-intentioned and a lot of the lyrics are good-- and it's certainly catchy!-- but there's enough in the lyrics and video that are problematic that I'm just kind of /: about it.
25 Black Widow - Iggy Azalea
Probably the Iggy Azalea song I liked most this year, music-wise. Though the video . . . apparently Iggy is an equal-opportunity appropriator? I guess if I squint it's just a rip-off of Kill Bill. (Though I'm not exactly sure why a song about persistently forcing yourself on a guy until he can't stand it anymore gets a revenge-on-male-pigs music video?).
26 Best Day Of My Life - American Authors
Fun and inoffensive. I wasn't always in the mood for it but I liked it overall. The video with the little monster companion was cute. (Also, totally weird and dorky but given the band is a foursome and the line about howling at the moon with friends and it being the best day of my life kind of made me think of Remus Lupin and his acceptance with the Marauders. Maybe the little monster companion is a shadow of his werewolf self? Lol).
27 Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
I was honestly expecting this song to be #1 or at least in the top 5, given from the time I moved to St. Louis in September on through December I swear every single time I was in the car this song would play at least once. Maybe it benefited from being played on multiple broadcast genres, or the St. Louis metro area was particularly obsessed with it, but I got really sick of it. Normally I like Taylor Swift, though, and I think it's cool she's developing a self-aware sense of humor about herself and her public image.
28 Maps - Maroon 5
I've talked in these countdowns before how I alternately love vs. hate every Maroon 5 single in pretty consistent order. This was one I liked. I had it on my traveling playlist for the road trip this year because of the driving beat and some of the "I was there for you; where were you for me?" sentiments, though I was doing pretty much the opposite of following the map that leads to Robert, lol.
(Just watched the video, which is like an unnecessarily graphic Memento ripoff that doesn't really suit the song?).
Also, this song was popular around Halloween and when they say "Following following following" I kept wanting to say "Halloween Halloween Halloween," lol.
29 Classic - MKTO
I swear I have never heard this song before in my life?
30 Turn Down for What - DJ Snake & Lil Jon
Oh Lil Jon, I am glad you are still making music. I actually thought this song was really catchy and enjoyable, lol. And the video is both hilariously absurd (albeit a little disturbing) and surprisingly well-produced. Like a modern Dancing Plague! (And I kind of appreciated that everyone was kind of scummy and average and just in shitty urban apartments).
31 Bang Bang - Jessie J ft. Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj
This song was like a musical representation of (sexually charged) schoolyard trash talk, and actually not bad as far as clever turn of phrase. I thought it was kind of fun.
32 Break Free - Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
The song was okay, not terrible but not particularly memorable. But what the fuck is this video? Sometimes I feel like Ariana Grande is like a cartoon stereotype of a pop star, where everything is so mass-produced and her videos are all just cheesy backdrops for her kind of mugging and looking cute and not really dancing or anything, and is kind of unnecessarily diva-ish to boot. (And then the protagonist of the TV show realizes she is all just marketing and no substance and is horrified at this disillusionment of her hero or whatever).
33 Stay The Night - Zedd feat. Hayley Williams
I thought this was kind of annoying; it sounded like a bunch of etudes or something, not a real tune.
34 Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne) - Clean Bandit
It wasn't a super favorite but I enjoyed this song. However, I'm confused as fuck by the video, which is like a more cryptic version of the video to Pompeii by Bastille, just set in Japan?
35 Neon Lights - Demi Lovato
I don't remember hearing this song, but maybe it just flew under the radio for being fairly predictable EDM-sounding.
36 Me And My Broken Heart - Rixton
Oh, the song that was literally the chorus of Rob Thomas's Lonely No More but with a different fourth line of the stanza?
37 Royals - Lorde
I think of this more as last year's song, but I continued to like it.
38 Let Her Go - Passenger
I paired this song with Cups (When I'm Gone) on my post-breakup playlist, lol.
39 Hold On, We're Going Home - Drake
Drake is like the male equivalent of Ellie Goulding to me, just sort of pleasant and inoffensive without really arousing strong feelings either way.
40 Habits (Stay High) - Tove Lo
I love this song. (I thought the video was surprisingly effective for such a simple concept, too).
And I like that my post-breakup coping habits are a million times healthier than hers, lol. Binging and purging twinkies into a bathtub? Hooking up with married men? Sleeping with whomever because I ~just can't spend the night alone~? I just took a couple weekend trips to see close friends, started a new novel, and wrote a bunch of shitty fanfiction . . .
41 Say Something - A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera
The very first time I heard this song in December 2013 I remember thinking, ironically enough, that "It's so nice I will probably never have to relate to a song like this again." You know, because Robert and I were happy, supposedly. Welp. I remember this was on a lot in the immediate aftermath of the breakup. Actually, I have to hand it to pop music; early 2014 was full of really miserable songs that suited my recent experiences, lol.
42 Don't Tell 'Em - Jeremih
First thought about this song, which is a general thought about many songs: Why do so many songs just make up random names for people that have probably never been used as names?-- especially when there's so much emphasis on the name in the song? I've never met a Windy, Sloopy, Chewy (unless?), or Rio. Meanwhile, there's a lot of girls in the world who have never had a song sung about them. I guess at least Rhythm makes sense as a dancer's stage name . . .
I'm also failing to see how this song would ever be successful in its intended purpose. Hey girl, why don't you do all these exhausting sex acts for me that I enjoy, and in return I'm going to hide you like a shameful secret? I guess maybe there's a market for that, but I don't get it, personally.
43 Wrecking Ball - Miley Cyrus
I will shamefully admit I listened to and enjoyed this song at the beginning of the year post-breakup, if for nothing else than the "Don't you ever say I just walked away" line, since Robert basically thwarted all possibility of working on improving.
But also the internet did some glorious things with the video:
44 Don't - Ed Sheeran
I liked this song and its vindictive honestly, especially the irony of him getting so butthurt about a girl doing exactly what she said she was going to do and they agreed upon in the first place.
The video apparently has the same Dancing Plague theme as Turn Down For What, lol.
45 Chandelier - Sia
Love this song. It's one of those songs I just sort of wish would keep going on and on for at least twice as long as it does. (It's also one of those songs I wish I could just belt out singing, but I don't have the range). Though, like Habits, it's yet another song about coping mechanisms I thankfully don't relate to.
I also liked the really wacky video, which was not just oddly fascinating in its own right but reminds me of this weird habit I had as a kid I called "running around and thinking," where I would just spend hours sort of dance-hop-twirling around my living room (and occasionally outside) while focusing my mind on various imaginary scenarios. For some reason-- and I think this does make physiological sense-- I found that my imagination was far more vivid and immersive when my blood was flowing and I was moving, especially if I was imagining something particularly active or intense. (I guess it's also similar to how when I'm writing emotional scenes, I tend to make faces that reflect the characters' emotions, and sometimes people walk in on me looking supremely pissed or about to cry and are like "Uhhh what is wrong with you?"). It drove my mother absolutely crazy. But I actually wonder sometimes if I'm less creative as an adult because I no longer do this; maybe now that I live in a house rather than an apartment, I should pace around more often, lol. Unfortunately, it's not something I could just replace with going for a run or something because I can't just be running straight; it involves like a bunch of hopping and spinning around and really crazy-looking shit-- like the video, just with less flexibility and actual gymnastics. (And I realize I sound like a crazy person, but so far I've met at least two other people who do/did this as kids, so at least I'm not alone in my crazy!).
46 Hey Brother - Avicii
It did reach an overplay moment for me, but otherwise I liked this song.
I also liked that it was the first song that came on as the between-movie music after seeing Captain America: The Winter Soldier, which I thought was appropriate. (Would also have been appropriate for Thor: The Dark World, lol).
47 Sing - Ed Sheeran
I remember hearing this song a few times, but it mostly flew under the radar for me. However, the video with muppet Ed Sheeran is cute, lol.
48 Bailando - Enrique Iglesias
I like how Enrique Inglesias just chose a different conjugation of the same verb that gave him a hit in 1998 and got another one. I have to admit I prefer Bailamos (which was one of my favorite songs in 5th grade, lol), but hey, you keep dancing, Enrique.
49 The Man - Aloe Blacc
Oh yeah, the one with the Elton John sample(ish), lol. I didn't find this song particularly memorable but I did really like the video of him taking on different eras and figures in civil rights and black pop culture.
50 Roar - Katy Perry
Same thoughts as last year; it wasn't bad, but it was pretty bland, and I just wish it had been played about 1.5x faster than it actually was.
51 La La La - Naughty Boy feat. Sam Smith
I don't remember hearing this song at all, but listening to it now I like it alright. Video is cool and apparently references a Bolivian legend, as well as The Wizard of Oz? (Of course, half of YouTube thinks it's the Illuminati, of course).
52 Really Don't Care (feat. Cher Lloyd) - Demi Lovato
Song is pretty forgettable. Not entirely sure how I feel about the video centering around Pride when the song isn't really about it and I don't think Demi is LGBT herself? (Is she?), so it seems a bit like a ploy for attention or some kind of "cred," but I suppose at the same time we could always use more visible and positive portrayals of LGBT people in media.
Oh and Cher Lloyd is still a thing?
53 Sweater Weather - The Neighbourhood
My thoughts on this song haven't changed from last year, except WOOHOO I LEFT CALIFORNIA.
54 Cool Kids - Echosmith
I've never been a cool kid nor desired to be one, but I liked this song.
55 Animals - Martin Garrix
There were two songs called "Animals" this year? Lol. The one I remember is the Maroon 5 one, probably because it actually has lyrics. But now that I'm listening to this through, I'm recognizing that I did hear it and I really liked it, although due to the style (reminds me a little of some '90s/'00s techno?) I think I presumed it was an older song being brought back for some party mixes rather than a new release.
56 Love Runs Out - OneRepublic
I didn't hear this song much, but I quite like it. Though it also reminds me a lot of Kanye West's Love Lockdown.
57 Take Me Home (feat. Bebe Rexha) - Cash Cash
I don't remember this song at all?
58 Love Me Again - John Newman
I don't remember this song, either, and the guy's voice in this song is really weird. Is there like a sheep-ify autotune setting?
59 Animals - Maroon 5
Oh hey, I liked both Maroon 5 singles this year. I didn't like this one as well as Maps, but I kept it on and sang along with it.
60 Slow Down - Selena Gomez
I remember hearing this song but no strong opinions about it. Pretty bland and forgettable.
61 Waves (Robin Schulz Radio Edit) - Mr. Probz
I remember hearing this, but it flew under the radar. Inoffensive, no strong feelings.
62 Blame - Calvin Harris feat. John Newman
I heard this song a few times with no particular opinion on it, but then my sister pointed out this guy sounds like a duck and now that's all I can hear and see.
63 Wiggle (feat. Snoop Dogg) - Jason Derulo
Oh god I forgot about this song, lolololol. I'm not surprised it didn't get super popular, but lmao "How d'you fit all that in them jeans? You know what to do with that big fat butt," patty-cake, "your booty like two planets; go ahead and go ham sammich," wiggle wiggle wiggle wiggle as a chorus, and the little whistle-y hook thing . . . it's almost iconic. But just almost. (Seeing as how I forgot about it, lol).
64 Red Lights - Tiësto
I don't remember this song at all. But please people, don't run red lights.
65 A Sky Full of Stars - Coldplay
I found this kind of annoying. *Shrug.*
66 Show Me - Kid Ink feat. Chris Brown
Yeah, I remember hearing this. It was whatever. I ask this every year, though; why does Chris Brown still have a career?
67 Come Get It Bae - Pharrell Williams
We're using "bae" in song titles now? Okay.
I can't remember if I heard this song or not? It's not especially memorable to me so maybe I just didn't notice it.
68 Trumpets - Jason Derulo
Omg this song. If my SO were to hear those shitty keyboard-programmed trumpets every time I got naked, I'd be a nevernude to spare the poor fucker.
69 Wild Wild Love - Pitbull feat. G.R.L.
I'm a bit tired of Pitbull, so if this was on I probably just changed channels.
70 Unconditionally - Katy Perry
Blah. On the whole, I don't like slowed-down ballad Katy Perry.
71 Come With Me Now - KONGOS
I never really acknowledged this song as either good or bad, but I'm realizing now that I usually ended up keeping it on and enjoying it, so I guess it's one for the good pile.
72 Jealous - Nick Jonas
I only heard this a few times near the end of the year, but it's alright. I don't endorse the sentiment, but I liked the music.
73 Drunk in Love (Explicit Version) - Beyoncé feat. Jay-Z
This was kind of a weird song with how slowed-down and not particularly melodic it was, but I could dig it; it was sexy.
Also, weird to realize that Single Ladies came out just as I started 5 years of dating in succession (Andrew, immediately followed by Robert) but as soon as I break up Beyonce is all OMG I LOVE BEING IN LOVE.
I'm surprised Partition wasn't on this list, though? I think I heard it more than Drunk in Love. (And the whole thing-- lyrics and video both-- reminded me a lot of Chuck and Blair's post burlesque club limo sex scene in Gossip Girl, lol). I'm not sure which I preferred.
74 She Looks So Perfect - 5 Seconds Of Summer
I don't remember hearing this, but I probably thought it was One Direction. Very boy band-y.
75 Shower - Becky G
Never heard this, but it's cute.
76 Brave - Sara Bareilles
This song was still around this year? I liked it but I don't remember hearing much of it this year.
77 Fireball - Pitbull feat. John Ryan
No more Pitball plz thnx.
78 Sleeping With A Friend - Neon Trees
It wasn't a big favorite but I liked this well enough. I have no personal experience with the hooking-up-with-a-friend thing but this seems like a worthwhile topic to have a song about.
79 2 On - Tinashe feat. Schoolboy Q
I never paid too much attention to this song but it's catchy and enjoyable. For a while I was thinking "2 On" (I'd love to get 2 on) was about initiating a threesome-- especially since she keeps mentioning her hot girlfriends-- but apparently not.
80 Hideaway - Kiesza
I don't remember hearing this song but I dig this chick's voice.
81 This Is How We Do - Katy Perry
I have some vague recollection of hearing this song but I didn't hear it often and it didn't stick out to me.
82 Girls Chase Boys - Ingrid Michaelson
I liked this; it was never overplayed for me, it was cute and made a good point (post-breakup: life goes on). Also, I made a point to listen to see if they mentioned girls chasing girls and boys chasing boys, and they do!
83 Na Na - Trey Songz
Not particularly memorable but I liked it enough.
84 Blank Space - Taylor Swift
I was meh about this one from Taylor Swift, too, though I did like the video as a parody of her previous romantic videos crossed with how people stereotype her in regards to her numerous failed relationships. (Also, I'm with everyone who definitely thought she was talking about "Starbucks lovers," lol).
85 Anaconda - Nicki Minaj
Not my favorite from Nicki. Baby Got Back is just too iconic to be anything other than distracting ("Why am I not listening to the actual song?") as a sample, especially cropped mid-line, and the rhythm/cadence of some of her verses were almost identical to Tik Tok. Also, again with the denigrating "skinny bitches," sigh. (Good thing I don't go to the club anyway, lol).
86 Heroes (we could be) - Alesso feat. Tove Lo
I'd prefer to be Immortals, honesty.
87 In Your Arms - Nico & Vinz
I feel like I heard this a lot? It's okay. Sometimes I'm in the mood for it, sometimes I'm not. The video is sweet and sad, though.
88 This Is How We Roll - Florida Georgia Line
Oh lol it's the band that collaborated with Nelly on Cruise. (Side note, I love when Nelly collaborates with country artist, because WELCOME TO THE URBAN MIDWEST: HICKS AND HIP HOP).
I don't really remember this song. Maybe it wasn't as present on LA pop stations, since it sounds pretty ~country~. But I also didn't hear it in St. Louis, either. I guess it depends on when it was popular?
89 L.A.LOVE (la la) - Fergie
Don't remember this song at all, which is okay, since I have very little love for LA, lol. I guess she took a note out of the Pitbull playbook and just lists a bunch of random cities. However, props to her for pronouncing Tokyo as two syllables (to-kyo) rather than three like most English speakers (to-ki-o).
90 Centuries - Fall Out Boy
I preferred Immortals (which I heard much later in the year and was associated with the Big Hero 6 movie so I'm not sure it will ever get as big) but I liked this okay. I ended up associating it with the third Hobbit movie (like from Thorin's perspective or something) because I heard it a lot around the end of the year, and what with all the lines about legends and gold and going down in history, lol.
91 I'm Not The Only One - Sam Smith
I liked Stay With Me but now that he has a few singles out I have to agree with ONTD's assessment with Sam Smith as a dementor, lol. Dude, you do love you some downer songs.
92 Love Me Harder - Ariana Grande
Haven't heard it much, but it's okay. Is this being used in the Fifty Shades of Grey movie by any chance? Because with the bit about biting her lip, "if you know about me and choose to stay," "take the pleasure with the pain," love me harder . . . ?
93 Wait On Me - Rixton
Don't remember this song at all.
94 Dangerous (feat. Sam Martin) - David Guetta
At first I was thinking this song was this Dangerous, which I heard way more . . . but apparently not? I don't remember hearing this song this year, but the video reminds me of Rush. (Especially since they specifically mention Lauda and Hunt, lol).
95 Do What U Want - Lady Gaga
Don't remember this at all. I feel like there was some lingering Applause into the beginning of the year, but I don't remember hearing this at all. Was it just released?
96 Lips Are Movin - Meghan Trainor
I haven't heard this song much (yet), but it strikes me as a very one hit wonder followup kind of song . . . a little too close to the original to be a breakthrough. (She even says "I gave you bass" . . . ).
97 Birthday - Katy Perry
I don't think I heard this, but the video is cute.
98 Young Girls - Bruno Mars
Only time I heard this was when the countdown Jessica and I was listening to started over from 100 again. I'm glad the chorus specifies "young wild girls" because I think the song is a very specific portrayal of what young girls are and want, lol.
99 Beg For It - Iggy Azalea
I guess this one is on the rise because I've begun hearing it quite a bit lately. I'm meh about it so hopefully I'm not stuck hearing it too far into 2015.
100 Steal My Girl - One Direction
Catchy, but "A couple billion in the whole wide world" <- Really? I don't think your girl has even been seen by that many people, let alone desired by them, lol.
Looking back, overall it was a pretty good year for pop music. Or maybe I have finally stopped expecting pop music to be good and just expect it more to be entertaining, lol. This year was interesting since the list wasn't as dominated by a few big established names and there were a lot of random newcomers.
However, there were a few songs I'm surprised didn't make the list, or I wish would have.
Bad Blood - Bastille - Mentioned above that I liked it a lot, probably even better than Pompeii, and it was on the radio for a little while.
Partition - Beyonce - Mentioned above how I heard this even more than Drunk in Love.
Dangerous - Big Data ft. Joywave - Mentioned above that I heard this far more than the other Dangerous on this list.
#SELFIE - The Chainsmokers - How could we forget this iconic song of 2014? It's the zeitgeist of the year encapsulated in a really obnoxious song!
Stolen Dance - Milky Chance - I remember this being randomly popular (though maybe only on an alt station I was listening to in LA) for like a month, but I liked it. Also lol @ the band name rhyming with the song name; that's just asking for a one-hit wonder.
Doses and Mimosas - Cherub - Another one that was probably centered more on the alt stations, but I liked it especially back when I thought the lyrics were dosas and mimosas-- like, getting some Indian pancakes with brunch. (I maintain the song is better my way).
Human - Christina Perri - I continue to like most Christina Perri stuff that ends up on the radio (though I haven't bothered to look up her other work). I heard this a few times but I guess it just never gained traction. I think she's singing about the agony of being in entertainment and expected to go beyond the normal expectations, but of course I just ended up applying the song to everything from Marvel fanfiction to one of my novels >.<
Take Me to Church - Hozier - I was hearing this for a little bit before I left LA, wondered if it was just an alt station thing, and then started hearing it in the past couple of months on a pop station in St. Louis, so maybe this one is on the rise. The video is super dark but I think it works for a song comparing/contrasting love, sex, and lust to religion. (And it's on my writing playlist for my novel involving a conspiracy of pseudo-gods, for obvious reasons, lol).
Previous years: 2013 2012 2011 2010 2009 2008 2007
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Date: 2015-01-08 04:24 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-08 05:34 pm (UTC)Weird Al's album this year was awesome.
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Date: 2015-01-09 02:03 am (UTC)RE: number 1
Date: 2015-01-09 02:08 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-09 04:55 pm (UTC)I agree about the Meaghan Trainor song. It verges on body-shaming and that's something I'm very uncomfortable with. But she says "I'm only playing" so that makes it okay?
I found Lorde hugely bland with her sing-songy, nursery-rhyme simple songs, until I heard the Mockingjay soundtrack one, which I love.
Chandelier is my song of the year. I only have the range for it sometimes, but it's a fun sometimes! I'll have to check out the video. I don't think I ever deliberately twirled around my living room but I still do sometimes, sometimes I'm standing and dancing involuntarily before I really realise it's happening!
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Date: 2015-01-09 05:52 pm (UTC)Ha, I didn't put much thought into how simplistic Lorde's songs are, but you're right XD I think when Royals came out the fact it was so minimalist and simple compared to most of the overprocessed EDM on the radio with it made it feel really refreshing at the time. I do like most of her stuff overall, though. Yellow Flicker Beat is particularly good.
I so wish I could sing it, it seems like it would be really fun and awesome! Haha. The video is definitely weird, but I like it in a sort of artsy, free conceptual way and because of how it reminds me of that weird habit of mine. (Though apparently she just recently got a lot of flack for using the same dancer in the same outfit in a video with an older man-- Shia LeBouf, lol-- wearing a similarly conceived outfit, though. People were like OMG PEDOPHILIA-- though I watched it and although it's definitely weird I got wild animal and father/daughter vibes from it, not really anything sexual).
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Date: 2015-01-09 06:05 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-09 06:11 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-09 06:17 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-09 06:47 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-09 06:53 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2015-01-10 09:34 pm (UTC)I heard Fancy only because I wanted to see the Clueless inspired video. I became obsessed with this song. (And I don't think she's speaking about an actual highway, more like she's on the fast track..)
I heard Boom Clap because it was on the The Fault Of Our Stars soundtrack, and it's a good song.
I did initially download All About That Bass, but now I am so over Meghan Trainor. I just want her to go away.
For me, when I first heard Shake It Off I thought it was stupid. Then I played it for my sister later that day and liked it when I played it the second time, and then I became obssesed with it and still am.
Sweater Weather is an intriging title, I'll have to check that one out.
I still have Blank Space on repeat and I adore the video!
I didn't know Lady Gaga was still around.
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Date: 2015-01-11 12:12 am (UTC)I think Shake it Off is fairly cute but it was just completely ruined for me with overplay. Maybe I will like it in a year or so when it's not on the radio all the time.
Yeah, Lady Gaga had an album come out last year but I think it kind of flopped. I remember Applause being on the radio last year but nothing else off that album.