Top 10 Songs of 2024

 The Top 10 songs of 2024!!

2024 has been a great year for fun pop songs getting into the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 Singles chart. Here's my Top 10 favorite songs of the year:

A Bar Song (Tipsy) - Shaboozey

The success of this HUGE smash hit is completely thanks to the amazing Beyonce who included new artists like Shaboozey on her outstanding and innovative album Cowboy Carter. She shined the spotlight on him and the crossover mainstream general public learned about this infectious song. We couldn't get enough of it!        

Yes, and... - Ariana Grande

We already know she's an all-around talent who excels at everything, but one of the reasons for that is because she has respect and knowledge about the amazing music and artists that paved the way. This song is a celebration of Madonna's Vogue with its throbbing dance beat and the video is a tribute to Paula Abdul's Cold Hearted. In addition, the remix includes Mariah Carey, the Queen of the Remix!!      

Water - Tyla 

While this song was a very big hit, it should have been even bigger. Tyla has everything it takes to be the next big thing with her catchy songs, great vocals and impressive visuals. The problem is that the industry is holding her back and boxing her into the limited Afro Beats category instead of giving her the full-on POP crossover mainstream push. With the proper promotion there would be no stopping her.         

Too Sweet - Hozier

This is that pop smash you'd hear in the background and ask "what is this?" and "will you play it for me again!" It's undeniably enjoyable music.             

Texas Hold Em - Beyonce

Beyonce is the #1 Pop Artist so far this century because she DELIVERS the crowd-pleasing smash hits. Everyone online was creating dance videos to this song and everyone else was watching them on repeat. She's so good at what she does and we are just lucky to be here and enjoy it. And on top of that, she truly has an important socio-political point of view that reaches far beyond her own personal success that uplifts and celebrates others.         

Espresso - Sabrina Carpenter

This little dynamo achieved unheard of success having THREE songs in the top ten at the same time for over a month. The secret was that the songs were just fun and catchy.          

Die With A Smile - Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga

Bruno Mars is truly a master at creating pop music. He knows what he's doing and it was so nice of him to bring Lady Gaga along for the ride on this one.      

Lose Control - Teddy Swims

The surprise success of the year is Teddy Swims getting more popular week after week all year long. This song just kept connecting with a bigger audience. That's what happens with great music.      

We Can't Be Friends - Ariana Grande

As we waited all year to finally see Ariana Grande show off her acting, singing and dancing in Wicked, we had this fantastic song to hold us over.     

I Had Some Help - Post Malone 

Post Malone proved this year that he's capable of handling any genre of music and making it into smash hit popular songs. His country album is jam-packed with strong collaborations like this one that you're not going to be able to resist no matter how hard you try.    

Top 10 Songs of 2021

  The Top 10 songs of 2021!!

2021 has been a great year for fun pop songs getting into the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 Singles chart. Here's my Top 10 favorite songs of the year:

Levitating - Dua Lipa

This completely infectious pop dance jam was at the top of the charts at the beginning of the year and it stayed there for the entire year!!! It's so good that you just wanted to keep hearing it again and again.     

Fancy Like - Walker Hayes

At first you started to hear it thinking it was just a fun commercial for Applebee's, but then you kept hearing it and realized it was an all-around country pop dance music sensation.   

Leave The Door Open - Bruno Mars and Silk Sonic 

Thank goodness the music industry has Bruno Mars saving the pop music scene with his retro R&B/funk stylings. He truly knows how to make great music like no others.       

Take My Breath - The Weeknd

His song last year officially became the biggest Hot 100 hit of all time and he followed it up this year with another hot song to illustrate that he is a master at crafting an amazing pop song.          

Bad Habits - Ed Sheeran

While his ballads are sweet and nice, it was very enjoyable that Ed came back with an uptempo pop song that added more range and versatility to his catalog to keep us tapping our toes.         

Kiss Me More - Doja Cat

She has turned out to be more than a one hit wonder coming back with another song that is pure pop music toe tapping pleasure.         

Save Your Tears - Ariana Grande and The Weeknd

He was the dominant force in pop music for two years now, but this song was stalling on the charts until the pop princess with the golden touch joined in for the remix causing it to shoot to #1.        

Heat Waves - Glass Animals

This is a song that I kept hearing in the background and slowly liked it more and more. It's subtle, yet catchy.    

Easy On Me - Adele

Adele is that rare artist who has undeniable crossover mainstream appeal with the general public unlike anyone else. While other artists can be love em or hate em polarizing, Adele brings all music fans together. Even when the song is simple and understated it's a smash hit.  

Butter - BTS 

This K-Pop super group is here to stay - or at least for another year. This hit was even bigger than their breakthrough song last year. Another slice of boy band magic that is keeping their army of fans happy.        

The Top 10 Songs of 2018

The Top 10 songs of 2018!!

2018 has been a great year for fun pop songs getting into the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 Singles chart. Here's my Top 10 favorite songs of the year:

No Tears Left To Cry - Ariana Grande

She has the best vocal range of anyone on the charts now. She is getting the best, catchiest songs and working with the best producers. When this song came out it was the clear front runner for song of the year and it simply had no competition.   

Meant To Be - Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha

The inescapable multi-format cross over smash hit of the year

The Middle - Maren Morris with Zedd

Bring a fresh young country artist to do vocals on a dance pop song and you've got yourself a huge hit!    

Finesse - Bruno Mars

He started out 2018 by winning all of the major awards at the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs and then he had another huge hit on his hands.      

Girls Like You - Maroon 5

Another example of the Recording Academy / GRAMMYs getting it right when they gave them the Best New Artist award in 2004. Here they are still cranking out the hits!     

God Is A Woman - Ariana Grande

She was by far the biggest star of the year delivering the catchiest songs with the best vocals. Every song she released was a contender for the best and biggest hits of the year, but I decided to be fair and allow for some other acts to get in.      

New Rules - Dua Lipa

It was already a big hit in 2017, but it kept getting bigger and reached it's peak in 2018.    

Happier - marshmello and Bastille

All of the music on the radio sounded exactly the same in 2018, and this is one of the good ones.

Shallow - Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper 

A Star is Born and a career is rejuvenated and reinvented to a new level and into a phase.    

Say Something - Justin Timberlake and Chris Stapleton

A wonderful fusion of Country and Pop that's both great to dance to as well as sing along with.  

2017 Year End Charts

The #1 album on the Billboard charts for all of 2017 is DAMN by Kendrick Lamar.

It was a slow year on all of the charts for the American Idol finalists in 2017. There isn't a single one of them who had an album rank in the Top 200 Albums for the year.

Over on the Top Country Albums chart for 2017 at least the Supreme Miss American Idol, Season Four Winner Carrie Underwood had her Storyteller land at #40 for the year while Greatest Hits: Decade #1 is at #35.  

The Top 5 singles for 2017 on the Billboard HOT 100 are: #1 Shape of You by Ed Sheeran, #2 Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber, #3 That's What I Like by Bruno Mars, #4 Humble by Kendrick Lamar and at #5 Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers and Coldplay.

There was only one Miss American Idol finalist who managed to squeeze her way on to the 2017 Top Billboard HOT 100 hits of the year. Coming in at #100 is The Fighter by Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood.

Over on the Billboard 2016 Top Country Artists of the Year chart the Supreme Miss American Idol, Season 4 winner Carrie Underwood, can be found at #23.

Top 10 Songs of 2016

The Top 10 songs of 2016!!
2016 has been a great year for fun pop songs getting into the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 Singles chart. Here's my Top 10 favorite songs of the year:

We Don't Talk Anymore - Selena Gomez with Charlie Puth

Selena is at her most likeable on this buoyant pop track. It's catchy and everything else you want to hear on repeat all year long. Perfect for dancing a west coast swing.     

Dangerous Woman - Ariana Grande

The title track from her outstanding third album is continuing her streak of delivering catchy hooks, and powerhouse vocals, but this time there is a new level of maturity and sophistication. Perfect for dancing a Viennese waltz. 

Can't Stop The Feeling - Justin Timberlake

Justin is a master at following the pop music formula and delivering an across the board crowd pleasing dance party anthem. Fun for all ages!!! Perfect for dancing a hustle.   

Cheap Thrills - Sia

She's still hiding her face, but for another year she is serving up strong vocals on a great song. Perfect for Dancing a samba.    

Cake By The Ocean - DNCE

The Jonas Brothers never gave us a pop anthem that was this good. And who doesn't want to dance and eat cake by the ocean!!! Perfect for Dancing a hustle.     

24K Magic - Bruno Mars

Bruno has taken his pop music sensibility and paired it with the classic 80's funk sound of Rick James and Teena Marie. This is a retro jam that is refreshing to hear back on the airwaves.    

Side To Side - Ariana Grande

This girl is just working with the best songwriters and producers because everything she releases is better than what everyone else is doing. This time there is a reggae bounce to the groove and it is infectious.    

Send My Love - Adele

Admittedly this is my least favorite track on her album 25, but compared to the rubbish that other artists are releasing this is a true gem of amazing vocals and musicality.    

Closer - The Chainsmokers

Everything on the radio in 2016 sounded exactly like this song. While most of those other songs are tiresome drivel, this one rose above the rest and didn't totally suck.   

7 Years - Lukas Graham

It's a good song. Nice vocals. Lyrics that you can understand and that aren't stupid. The rest of the songs that came out this year were really bad. 

The Top 10 Songs of 2015

The Top 10 songs of 2015!!
2015 has been a great year for fun pop songs getting into the upper portion of the Billboard HOT 100 Singles chart. Here's my Top 10 favorite songs of the year:

Shut Up And Dance - WALK THE MOON

When you are teaching people to dance there's a saying that goes, "less talking, more dancing". Why just stand around listening when you can take what you have learned and put it into action! This song brings that saying to life in the most wonderful way! Perfect for dancing a hustle.     

Focus - Ariana Grande

This first single from her third album is continuing her streak of delivering catchy hooks, great beats and powerhouse vocals. Ariana sure looks great doing it as well. Perfect for dancing a samba. 

Ex's and Oh's - Elle King

This song has a great beat, fun and sexy lyrics and who would have thought it would come from Rob Schneider's daughter??!!! Perfect for dancing an east coast swing.   

Can't Feel My Face - The Weeknd

This song sounds like it could be from a 1978 Steve Miller Band album, and that's a very good thing! Too bad the rest the "music" from The Weeknd is so unbearably awful. And things were looking so promising on his collaboration with Ariana Grande, Love Me Harder. He should have quit while he was ahead.   

Drag Me Down - One Direction

I don't care if the group has broken up or is taking a break. I am just happy to have all of the great pop songs they have given us!    

Cheerleader - OMI

The summer was filled with the tropical sounds of trumpets playing over a conga beat thanks to this refreshing song. And as a former cheerleader there is no way I could resist it!   

Lay Me Down - Sam Smith and John Legend

Of course something very good was going to result from John Legend, the Grammy winner for Best New Artist in 2005 teaming up with Sam Smith who won the Grammy for Best New Artist in 2014. This ballad is heartfelt and captivating and their voices sound amazing and pure.   

Hello - Adele

Q: Why did Adele cross the road? A: To say Hello from the other side!!!! And she came back to say it after being away for a few years with this outstanding song.   

Uptown Funk - Bruno Mars

Quite simply everything all in one place to satisfy the masses. Perfect for dancing a cha cha.  

What Do You Mean - Justin Bieber

Just forget how much you can't stand Justin Bieber and enjoy a very good pop song. Perfect for dancing a cha cha.