Yesterday, I showed you guys my 11 through 6 picks of my top 11 best hit songs of 2014. So today is the final conclusion. But before I continue, let me say that these next 5 songs are songs that I absolutely loved and adore listening to last year. So without wasting any more time, here are my top 5!
You know, I been hard on Calvin Harris throughout his whole career. I don't consider him to be a bad EDM artist, but most of his songs that he produced; I just can't stand listening to. With his loud production that gives me a major headache after I listen to them and his horrendous vocals that just makes me cringe every time I hear him sing, I couldn't find one song of his that I could fully enjoy without being annoyed or feeling cringy. But there was one song he released this year that I felt he did something right.
5. Calvin Harris's "Blame" ft. John Newman
[Peak: #19/Year-end list: N/A]
Without the exception of "Summer", Calvin Harris really did approve last year and this song was the best thing he ever made so far in career. The song starts off slow to match in with John Newman's regretful sounding vocals then it starts building up until the beat drops. So when that beats drop, it is just filled with a whole lot of energy that doesn't comes out as annoying and it also brings some emotion to it after the pain that John Newman is facing right now. Speaking of John Newman, he is just spectacular in this song. He gives a really emotional performance after feeling regretful for what I guess cheating on his girlfriend or wife (if he's married). This song is basically like John Newman's other hit single "Love Me Again", but this time with an EDM beat. Even though I really enjoy "Love Me Again", that song did kind of worn off of me. But with this song, I don't think I will never get tired of hearing it. It's just an fantastic song with a great performance from John Newman, awesome production from Calvin Harris, and a whole lot of fun & energy to it. If Calvin Harris makes more songs like this, "Outside", "Let's Go", & "I will never let you down"; I will definitely be a fan of his. Also special thanks to my good pal
Halston Wirt for introducing me to this awesome song!
If "Royals" was the song that got Lorde a whole lot of attention, then this song right here turned her into an mega superstar.
4. Lorde's "Team"
[Peak: #6/Year-end list: #18]
When this song reached the top 40 last year, I was surprised that Lorde had a 2nd hit. I thought that Lorde was only going to be a one hit wonder with just "Royals". But I'm glad that she had 2nd hit and Lorde made excellent decision releasing this as her single. Now I'm not going to lie, this song is just like "Royals" with its message about going against the media. But I think she did a better job portraying that message here than "Royals". Don't get me wrong, I enjoy "Royals" and all but she does kind of contradict herself by saying she doesn't want to live that lifestyle but she want to be called the queen bee and rule people (I don't know if that was her intention, but that just how I feel). But with this, she doesn't contradict herself or even trash talk the media all that much. This song is basically about how Lorde doesn't want to get too caught up with her success and focus more about where she came from & reminiscing the good times she had in her hometown (That is just my interpretation, if you think the song is about something else then that's fine). Not only that I could relate to what she's saying, but everything in this song is just great. Her vocals is on point, the production (even though it does sound basic) is enjoyable, and the song have a really great message. I don't really have that much to say about this song other than it's great and I hope that Lorde music career could last for a very long time.
All I got to say about this next one is that I love it more than the artist in question loves himself.
3. Kendrick Lamar's "I"
[Peak: #39/Year-end list: N/A]
Even though that this song wasn't that big of a hit last year, I still love it even if it was a hit or not. Kendrick Lamar gives another excellent performance. Now I know that this song is about loving yourself and all, but it's more deeper than that. Kendrick Lamar tells a story about how much crime and pain is happening in his neighborhood and the world, so he just ignore it and focus on being happy. But when the bridge comes, all his emotions start to build up and he just snaps. Now some people say that this song is his response to the whole Ferguson situation that happened last year and I do see what those people are talking about. But to me, it's just Kendrick Lamar going through a lot of pain and he just wants to find happiness so that he could love himself and the people around him. Also the funky production fits the tone perfectly in this song. Great work with this song Kendrick, can't wait for that new album!
Now these next 2 are the hit songs I listened to the most last year, so that means either of these 2 could have been easily be my number 1 choice of the best hit song in 2014. So just remember that!
2. Aloe Blacc's "The Man"
[Peak: #8/Year-end list: #58]
The first time I heard this song, I definitely knew that song was going to be on my top 5 list. Like what's not to love about this. The smooth funky production that mix in all the instruments together perfectly, Aloe Blacc's fantastic vocals, relate-able lyrics about making mistakes in your life but still feeling confident about yourself, and just being a really great & fun song. Now I will say that he doesn't really explain all that much about why he wants everybody to call him "The Man". But I forgive him for that because if he could make awesome music like this, I would definitely say he is the man. Not only that this song is great but it's one of my personal favorite hit songs from last year. But even though it is my favorite song in 2014, it's not the best though.
So ladies and gentlemen, here is my number #1 choice of the best hit song I heard in 2014!
1. Tove Lo's "Habits (Stay High)"
[Peak: #3/Year-end list: #32]
Now the first time I heard, I never thought that this song was going to #1 pick of the best hit song in 2014. But after listening to it more, the song just got better and better each time I listened to it. Let me start by saying that Tove Lo is an excellent singer. Yeah, she does have a strong voice and all but I enjoy her vocals in this song and her other songs as well. Not only she have great vocals but she brings a lot of emotion in this song. Now this song is about Tove Lo being all depressed because of a guy or someone that left her in life so she's living the fast lane that she could forget about that person and find some happiness. Then when the bridge comes she breaks down and says that even though that she is pretending to find some happiness in her life, she still needs someone to make her feel fully happy again. Now some of you guys maybe thinking, "Why is this song your number 1 choice? Her decision isn't right and she's need to get over it". Yes, I do agree that her decision isn't right and she does indeed need to get over with. But the only real reason why this song is my number 1 choice is because I been through the same situation just like her. Now I didn't get all depressed about losing a girlfriend, but there was one point in my life where I actually wanted to try illegal substances to forget about the fact I lost my little sister because of sickness so that I could feel happy again. Yeah, when my sister died; me and my family going through some tough times especially me because I didn't really pay too much attention to her and I felt ashamed for not being there for her and acting like a big brother. But even if I didn't relate to this song, I still would find this song to be great. The production fits the sad and depressing tone in this song, Tove Lo's vocals are strong and powerful, the song is extremely catchy, and this song is just great all around. That's why Tove Lo's "Habits (Stay High)" is my number 1 choice of the best hit song in 2014.
That's my list everybody! Tell me what do think about it; was it good, lame, too obvious, & etc. Just let me know. Thank you guys so much for a great 2014 and I know that 2015 will be an even better year. Now I don't know what song I'm going to review or when it's going to come out, but let's hope that it doesn't frustrate me!
Here are some songs that I would have put on this list only if they touched the top 40 last year or even charted at all last year (Also check these songs out so they could become hit songs this year maybe):
- Amplify Dot's "Get Down"
- Calvin Harris's "Outside"
- Rita Ora's "I will never let you down"
- Olympic Ayres's "Magic"
- Bastille's "Bad Blood"
- Tove Lo's "Got Love"
- Nicki Minaj's "Get on your knees" ft. Ariana Grande
- J. Cole's "Wet Dreamz"
- T-Pain's "Up Down (Do this all day)" ft. B.O.B.
- Classified's "Higher" ft. B.O.B.
- Duck Sauce's "NRG"
- Birdie's "Words as Weapons"
- Iggy Azalea's "Work"
- August Alsina's "Numb"
- Kid Ink's "Body Language" ft. Usher & Tinashe
- Usher's "She came and give it to you" ft. Nicki Minaj
- Foster The People's "Best Friends"
- Jhene Aiko's "The Worst"
- Misterwives's "Reflections"
- Boregeous's "Invincible"
- Elliephant's "Revolusion"
- Eminem's "Headlights"
- Childish Gambino's "3005"
- Charli XCX's "Break The Rules"
- Hozier's self-titled album ( No really, check out that album. That album is great!).
