Top 20 Songs of 2013
20. American Girl
Bonnie McKee is the woman behind many of your favorite Katy Perry songs, and this year she finally broke out and released her solo music. 'American Girl' was one of my favorite songs this summer and showed that on her own she is a force to be reckoned with. Watch out 2014, Bonnie's comin' for ya!
19. Wrecking Ball
Miley ruled 2013 with tongue-wagging and twerking, but it was really her 'Wrecking Ball' video that riled people up with her riding naked on a wrecking ball and licking a sledge hammer. But her antics have paid off as she is one of the most talked about celebs of the year, and her phenomenal music has smashed records. 'Wrecking Ball' shows off her fantastic voice and is one of the most beautiful and emotional songs to be released this year.
18. Wake Me Up
Avicii went mainstream this year as he began prepping the release of his debut album. His Mumford and Sons bluegrass-inspired 'Wake Me Up' has been one of the biggest hits of the year and has influenced many artists in redefining their sound. I still jam out to this one on a daily basis.
17. Carry You
2012 X Factor UK boy band Union J released one of my most highly anticipated albums of the year and they did not disappoint. Their debut single 'Carry You' is insanely catchy and gave a breath of fresh air in an over-polluted music scene. These boys are off to bigger and better things in 2014.
16. Story of My Life
Ever since competing on The X Factor UK, One Direction have been working non-stop and have arguably become the biggest boy band since Backstreet Boys back in the day. They release hit after hit, and their new album Midnight Memories showed tremendous growth on their part, in particular 'Story of My Life', another bluegrass inspired tune. Even my brother who hates Top 40 music secretly jams out to this one.
15. Get Lucky
'Get Lucky' was one of the biggest smash hits earlier this year. Daft Punk ruled the summer as I heard the song at least four to five times a day on the radio. They brought the funk back with their album Random Access Memories with help from Pharrell and Nile Rodgers. There's not a person on this planet who can't sing you this infectious hook.
14. All-American Boy
My man Steve Grand went viral this year when he released his self-funded tune 'All-American Boy' on the Fourth of July and became the most talked about man in the country as the first out male singer in country music. He's just a wholesome homo that makes phenomenal music, and he's one to watch out for in 2014.
13. Royals
Lorde. No one has not heard 'Royals' and cannot say that she is a genius for a girl of seventeen. Her left-of-center music has taken over radio this fall and she has been heralded as the savior of pop music. How long will she last? Only time will tell, but one thing's for sure: Lorde was the breakout star of the year.
12. I Love It
Icona Pop were making rumblings last year as the Swedish duo released their EP, but it was late Spring when their song 'I Love It' blew up and became one of those songs that you got sick of simply because it was played every hour on every radio station. No matter how many times you've heard it you can't deny that it's a sick tune that makes you scream the lyrics at the top of your lungs.
11. Thrift Shop
Macklemore and Ryan Lewis have seen unbelievable success in 2013. They are the kind of people that restore your faith in music because they self-produced everything they created and it wasn't until their cheeky tune 'Thrift Shop' went viral that they broke out. Then they delivered another fun one, 'Can't Hold Us', before seeing their biggest success with 'Same Love' which has touched people's hearts everywhere and has been a huge celebration of all the progress the U.S. has seen with gay rights this year.
10. Applause
2013 saw the return of many pop divas, and Lady Gaga was one of those. She unveiled her first single 'Applause' right before the MTV Video Music Awards and then went on to blow everyone's minds with the video and the rest of ARTPOP. 'Applause' still gives me chills every time I listen to it. The opening chords are basically iconic now.
9. Work Bitch
Britney Spears also made her triumphant return this year with Britney Jean and its lead single 'Work Bitch'. While it was met with lukewarm reviews, the song has really grown on me and I still jam out to it everyday. Plus, the video is one of the hottest we've seen from Brit Brit in years and now the choreography is iconic with it being the most popular performance at her Piece of Me Vegas residency show. And let's face it, it's basically the most motivational song you've ever heard. You want a hot body? You better work, bitch!
8. Holy Grail
Jay Z and Justin Timberlake are a powerful duo, and their collaboration on Jay's album was one of my favorite songs of the year. 'Holy Grail' is an insanely epic song, and between JT's silky smooth vocals and Jay Z's rapping this song is a force to be reckoned with.
7. Young and Beautiful
Lana Del Rey had a huge year in 2013 compared to largely being bashed in 2012. Her song 'Young and Beautiful' for The Great Gatsby soundtrack became a standout hit and garnered her some support. It's hauntingly beautiful and really set the tone of the film.
6. Bridges
5. Do What U Want
Arguably even more popular than 'Applause', Gaga's 'Do What U Want' has been smashing radio. Thanks to R. Kelly, the R&B infused jam is a huge F U to the media and it's just a downright sexy tune. But not only is it one of my favorites of the year, tomorrow we are being treated to the official remix featuring none other than Christina Aguilera whose helping hand on The Voice caused a meltdown of epic proportions with fans everywhere. I don't think 2014 is ready to handle this earth shattering collabo.
4. Same Love
Macklemore's 'Same Love' has affected people everywhere, transcending discrimination and showing people that love is love. It's become not only an anthem for gays, but people of all races, ethnicity, etc. My dad sings this song at the top of his lungs every time it comes on which makes me so happy. The performances of the song have been exhilarating, and it's incredible to see an artist bringing people together in such a positive way.
3. Summertime Sadness
Lana Del Rey, mainly thanks to Cedric Gervais, took her fame to new heights when she released 'Summertime Sadness' and it became one of my favorite tunes to jam out to over the summer. The remix is euphoric. Dance music doesn't get much better than this. And the original song is just as flawless but in a completely different way.
2. Crying For No Reason
Katy B stole my heart this fall with her song 'Crying For No Reason' quickly becoming my go to song. Pop music really doesn't get more perfect than this. It makes you dance and cry at the same time, and Katy's vocals are pure euphoria. I'm hoping in 2014 she'll really blow up with her new album.
1. We Can't Stop
And we've once again made it back to Miley Cyrus. I really don't need to say much except that 'We Can't Stop' marked the re-birth of Miley and was the moment that 2013 changed course. This is my song of the year because it's a loaded piece of pop culture that carries with it so much. This song has redefined Miley's career forever, and without it 2013 would have been bleak and boring.
And for convenience sake, here's all 20 songs in video form for your viewing pleasure!
Definitely agree with the majority of this list! And thanks for the insight! There were a few songs I had never heard of and now I am absolutely in love with them! "Bridges" is fantastic! I need more BROODS in my life ASAP.
ReplyDeleteThanks! I posted BROODS new song a day or two ago so you should check that out.
DeleteHappy to see two Miley songs on the list! I enjoyed your reviews right through the year. Keep it up. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
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