Recap:
100 to 91 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2rOGBq9)
100 – Woman Like Me by Little Mix featuring Nicki Minaj
99 – 2002 by Anne-Marie
98 – Natural by Imagine Dragons
97 – Babe by Sugarland featuring Taylor Swift
96 – Have It All by Jason Mraz
95 – Breathin by Ariana Grande
94 – Look Alive by Blocboy JB featuring Drake
93 – Without Me by Halsey
92 – Lights Down Low by MAX featuring gnash
91 – Want You Back by 5 Seconds of Summer
90 to 81 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2QLXlx3)
90 – 1999 by Charli XCX and Troye Sivan
89 – Stir Fry by Migos
88 – Venice Bitch by Lana del Rey
87 – Don’t Matter to Me by Drake featuring Michael Jackson
86 – Solo by Clean Bandit featuring Demi Lovato
85 – Space Cowboy by Kacey Musgraves
84 – Changes by XXXTentacion
83 – Be Careful by Cardi B
82 – Sit Next to Me by Foster the People
81 – Mine by Bazzi
80 to 71 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2CvDIRk)
80 – The Way I am by Charlie Puth
79 – Shotgun by George Ezra
78 – Born to be Yours by Kygo and Imagine Dragons
77 – I’ll Be There by Jess Glynne
76 – With You by Mariah Carey
75 – The Joke by Brandi Carlile
74 – All Mine by Kanye West
73 – Lullaby by Sigala featuring Paloma Faith
72 – Nobody by Mitski
71 – Ball for Me by Post Malone featuring Nicki Minaj
70 to 61 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2EMO1lh)
70 – Electricity by Silk City and Dua Lipa
69 – Fall in Line by Christina Aguilera featuring Demi Lovato
68 – I Like That by Janelle Monae
67 – Say Something by Justin Timberlake featuring Chris Stapleton
66 – Nevermind by Dennis Lloyd
65 – God is a Woman by Ariana Grande
64 – Pink Lemonade by James Bay
63 – Chun-Li by Nicki Minaj
62 – OTW by Khalid featuring 6LACK and Ty Dolla $ign
61 – Dance to This by Troye Sivan featuring Ariana Grande
60 to 51 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2TfCqQ1)
60 – FRIENDS by Marshmello and Anne-Marie
59 – Done for Me by Charlie Puth featuring Kehlani
58 – Delicate by Taylor Swift
57 – Familiar by Liam Payne featuring J Balvin
56 – Youngblood by 5 Seconds of Summer
55 – Taki Taki by DJ Snake featuring Cardi B, Ozuna and Selena Gomez
54 – Sad! by XXXTentacion
53 – Party for One by Carly Rae Jepsen
52 – I Like Me Better by LAUV
51 – Lucid Dreams by Juice WRLD
50 to 41 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2Rmc9C4)
50 – These Days by Rudimental featuring Dan Caplen, Jess Glynne and Macklemore
49 – Love Lies by Khalid featuring Normani
48 – The Good Side by Troye Sivan
47 – Sicko Mode by Travis Scott featuring Drake
46 – New Light by John Mayer
45 – Lazy Boy by Franz Ferdinand
44 – Missing U by Robyn
43 – Always Remember Us This Way by Lady Gaga
42 – When You Die by MGMT
41 – It’s Not Living (If It’s Not With You) by the 1975
40 to 31 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2GF3NRU)
40 – Nice for What by Drake
39 – If You’re Over Me by Years & Years
38 – Boo’d Up by Ella Mai
37 – Unlonely by Jason Mraz
36 – Happier by Marshmello featuring Bastille
35 – Four out of Five by Arctic Monkeys
34 – Lost in Japan by Shawn Mendes
33 – Remind Me to Forget by Kygo featuring Miguel
32 – Psycho by Post Malone featuring Ty Dolla $ign
31 – Promises by Calvin Harris featuring Sam Smith
30 to 21 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2GO120H)
30 – Hearts Ain’t Gonna Lie by Jonas Blue and Arlissa
29 – Never be the Same by Camila Cabello
28 – Apeshit by the Carters
27 – The Middle by Zedd featuring Grey and Maren Morris
26 – Call Out My Name by the Weeknd
25 – Dancing by Kylie Minogue
24 – I Like It by Cardi B, Bad Bunny and J Balvin
23 – Sanctify by Years & Years
22 – High Horse by Kacey Musgraves
21 – One Kiss by Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa
20 to 11 (Link to the article: https://bit.ly/2AldvDo)
20 – No Tears Left to Cry by Ariana Grande
19 – In My Feelings by Drake
18 – IDGAF by Dua Lipa
17 – Girls Like You by Maroon 5 featuring Cardi B
16 – Meant to Be by Bebe Rexha and Florida Georgia Line
15 – Pray for Me by Kendrick Lamar and the Weeknd
14 – Honey by Robyn
13 – In My Blood by Shawn Mendes
12 – Paradise by George Ezra
11 – Better Now by Post Malone
10 – My My My! by Troye Sivan
The amazing thing about some of Troye Sivan’s music is that nothing else on the radio sounds like it. That’s partially why I have a hard time putting my finger on what I love about “My My My”. It’s definitely not the lyrics. I don’t even know what the song is about. But the answer lies somewhere in the production, the arrangement, the melody, the beat and the vibe. They are part of what makes this piece of work special.
9 – High Hopes by Panic! at the Disco
Panic! at the Disco’s resurgence reminds me of Fall Out Boy’s comeback a few years ago. In fact, the style is similar that the track can easily be mistaken as a Fall Out Boy record. That’s not a shade by the way. Having said that, at a time when our generation experiences one setback after another (real or perceived), I’m not surprised “High Hopes” took off and gave us another anthem to help face life head on.
8 – All the Stars by Kendrick Lamar and SZA
A lot of soundtrack singles are garbage. I believe the reason is because most artists draw on experience for inspiration. And when you try to derive art from another piece of art, the ties are barely there and you end up creating new art for the sake of it. But if you’re Kendrick Lamar, maybe trash is not in your vocabulary. Maybe inspiration is easy. “All the Stars” blend well with the movie and is a good addition to Kendrick’s rich catalog.
7 – God’s Plan by Drake
At this point, I am not surprised that I fall in love with Drake’s records easily. He makes hip-hop accessible. His beats are understated but his attitude isn’t. And “God’s Plan” just continued on this path. Just when I didn’t think I could like the song more, I saw the video. He spent the entire amount allocated for the clip to give back to the community. Now, if that doesn’t fill your heart, then you don’t have one.
6 – This is America by Childish Gambino
Not much time has passed since “Redbone” and Childish Gambino created another piece of work that demonstrates his genius. “This is America”, especially the video, resonated with the public for its timely commentary on the racial dynamics in the USA. And not to undermine the subject, but I mostly love the song for its groove. It’s the kind of music you can’t help but move your body parts to every time you hear it (even if it’s just nods).
5 – Finesse (Remix) by Bruno Mars featuring Cardi B
I thought the retro funk sound that Bruno Mars has been going for will get old. But up to now, I’m barely sick of his style and I’m consuming his music in full. Too bad his Grammy wins and performance were overshadowed by the narrative surrounding Kendrick Lamar’s loss. But his album, containing this gem, and his performance, which introduced the world to the version with Cardi B, are some of this decade’s finest works.
4 – Make Me Feel by Janelle Monae
If I ever needed a song that will make me feel sexy but at the same time classy, “Make Me Feel” will be my pick. The track is sensual, the energy builds up and the beat lets you put your guard down. The production feels like a tease and leaves me wanting more. Many people have said it exudes Prince and Tom Jones vibes. I feel that’s a good comparison. That sound has been missing and it’s time someone brought it back.
3 – Shallow by Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper
I have to admit. I never thought I would see Lady Gaga’s name near the top of the charts again. But this movie did her well. In my view, the film could be better. But I did fall in love with Lady Gaga as a musician again. A Star is Born is proof that artists don’t have to create or follow trends. If created beautifully, music, even in its rawest form, will make an artist shine. “Shallow” is as cliche as you can get. But I’m a cliche so whatever.
2 – TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME by the 1975
“It wasn’t striving to be bold. It was avoiding being bored.” Those were Matty Healy’s words when he asked about this record and that perfectly describes the song. I could listen to him all day but I would rather spend my time proclaiming his good work. I am not able to name a lot of records catchier than “The Sound” but this one definitely is. I admire the honesty. I embrace the experimentation. I love everything about it.
1 – thank u, next by Ariana Grande
I’m certain no other song in 2018 created as much impact on pop culture as “thank u, next”. Let’s run down all the amazing reasons. The mantra is genius. The introspection is timely. The shade is perfect. And her outlook just makes you feel at peace. Guess what else? The music and the production are great and delivered side by side a great concept. Ariana Grande said the most when her vocal chords exerted the least effort.
Playlist
https://open.spotify.com/user/onemananthem/playlist/1HUnG5MTtoQGhI8JanNuee?si=8LHlKuVSS8ydiSqXnpF80g
One Man Anthem 