2014 has turned out to be a huge year in music. For one, this has been the year of blockbuster tours thanks to Beyoncé and Jay Z, Lady Gaga, Drake and Katy Perry. It’s the year of rising new talent like Iggy Azalea, Sam Smith and 5 Seconds of Summer.2014 is also shaping up to be the year of the baby as Ciara, Kelly Rowland, Kelly Clarkson and Christina Aguilera have all been pregnant this year. Katy Perry and John Mayer, Beyoncé and Jay Z, Ciara and Future, Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton and Rihanna and Drake made this the year of musical romance.
What’s really making this year a good year in music so far is the amount of quality singles put out by some familiar, and even a couple of new, faces. Collaborations between artists were all over radio in the first half of 2014 (and so was Iggy Azalea). Below, starts a complied list of the best songs of 2014 so far. Songs that really took of this year, such as “All of Me” and “Happy”, will not be on the list as they were originally released last year. Here are the best songs of 2014 so far.
Here we go!
Image Courtesy of INFphoto.com
[ new page = Don’t ]
10. “Don’t”- Ed Sheeran
The chorus, “Don't f- with my love" is instantly irresistible. Opposite of his first single “Sing,” “Don’t” has a more smooth sound to it. You have no choice but to rock with the beat.
[ new page = Am I Wrong]
9. “Am I Wrong”- Nico and Vinz
The reggae-ish pop record not only is a really catchy tune, but it has a really good message about following your dreams. “I ain't tryna do what everybody else doing/Just cause everybody doing what they all do/If one thing I know, I'll fall but I'll grow/I'm walking down this road of mine, this road that I call home,” they sing.
[ new page = Problem]
8. “Problem” featuring Iggy Azalea- Ariana Grande
It’s a pop song with some strong Jazz elements to it to create the perfect radio hit. The song immediately debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100, selling over 400,000 copies in the first week. An uncredited Big Sean delivers the catchy “I got one less problem” hook and Iggy gave the song a bit more flare with her quick rhymes.
[ new page = Partition]
7. “Partition”- Beyoncé
Beyoncé’s sex appeal oozes through the song more than ever. It’s assertive, yet submissive. The French voice inclusion at the end makes the song even sexier. Timbaland produced one of the best beats of the year with its old school hip hop taste fused with a bit of today’s electro-hop. The song was accompanied by an even more sexy music video.
[ new page = Somethin’ Bad]
6. “Somethin’ Bad”- Miranda Lambert & Carrie Underwood
Two of country’s leading ladies get in some trouble in the best way possible. “Stand on the box, stomp your feet, start clapping/Got a real good feeling something bad about to happen/Drinks keep coming, throw my head back laughing/Wake up in the morning, don't know what happened” Underwood and Lambert sing. Attitude is all over this song and it’s perfect.
[ new page = Stay With Me]
5. “Stay With Me” - Sam Smith
The British crooner has one of the most soulful voices in music today and it shows on this moving ballad. He showcases many sides of his voice (High, low, falsetto and grunts) all less than three minutes. Even with a full chorus to back him at the end, Smith exudes star power with his voice.
[ new page = Studio]
4. “Studio” featuring BJ the Chicago Kid- Schoolboy Q
Swiff D produced this immaculate beat that BJ The Chicago kid croons so perfectly over. Schoolboy Q delivers good verses in a manner that complements Swiff’s production. A catchy hook, a nice beat and a dope rapper, what more can you ask for?
[ new page = Do What You Want (Remix)]
3. “Do What You Want (Remix)” featuring Christina Aguilera- Lady Gaga
The original version with R.Kelly was miraculous in itself, but add Christina Aguilera then it goes to another level. Lady Gaga already was giving off Christina Aguilera with her vocals, but when Aguilera actually joined the song she proved that only Aguilera can give you Aguilera. Still, Lady Gaga held her own on this show stopping duet.
[ new page = Fancy]
2. “Fancy” featuring Charlie XCX- Iggy Azalea
Azalea has put out songs like “Work,” “Change Your Life,” “Murda Buziness,” and “Bounce” to minimal success. However, she struck gold when she released “Fancy” with Charlie XCX. Its trippy base line blended with Iggy’s “Ignorant Art” attitude and Charlie’s Gwen Stefani-style chants makes this an uber-addictive song.
[ new page = Ain't it Fun]
1. “Ain’t it Fun”- Paramore
Paramore have a little bit of something for everybody on their most successful song yet. It has a mixture of pop, rock, soul and even a bit of gospel in it. Hailey Williams’s voice shines bright through the empowering song, especially during the hook “Don't go crying to your mama 'cause you're on your own in the real world.” It’s a perfect song