First New Year's resolution: FINISH THE COUNTDOWN THIS YEAR.

 

No preamble, no messing about, this is solely based on points from my weekly charts. Comments are welcome.

 

100. LITTLE MIX - Little Me [uK Peak - 14] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Hanging over from 2013, this midtempo doesn't do much for me anymore and is quite lucky just to scrape in.

 

99. CHER LLOYD - Sirens [uK Peak - 41] [My Peak - 11]

 

 

Sirens was supposed to be Cher Lloyd's big comeback but unfortunately it didn't quite take off. Decent song though.

 

98. HAIM - If I Could Change Your Mind [uK Peak - 27] [My Peak - 7]

 

 

HAIM's big pop moment, this epitomises what made their debut album so great. Fingers crossed for a follow-up in 2015!

 

97. SAM SMITH - I'm Not The Only One [uK Peak - 3] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

One of the biggest stars in 2014, Sam's talent spoke for itself. Such a grower and the subtle R&B influences keep the track from being dated.

 

96. ELLA EYRE - If I Go [uK Peak - 16] [My Peak - 8]

 

 

After featuring on Rudimental's massive 'Waiting All Night', the girl with the best hair in pop launched her own solo career. Her best song will feature later in the chart.

I love all 5 of those :wub:

Sirens + if I go both deserved to be massive, INTOO is Sam's best and I adore if I could change your mind so so much :wub:

95. OLIVER $ & JIMI JULES - Pushing On [uK Peak - 15] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

2014 was the year that faceless dance music became huge on the charts. This insanely repetitive song has become hugely annoying now but I'm sure at the time I must have loved it.

 

94. ALUNAGEORGE - Supernatural [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 6]

 

 

Poor AlunaGeorge, their comeback single was overlooked by nearly everyone. Hopefully they can claw it back in 2015, as this was a good step forward in their sound.

 

93. MICHAEL JACKSON feat. JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE - Love Never Felt So Good [uK Peak - 8] [My Peak - 9]

 

 

Far better than it had any right to be, it capitalised on the disco comeback and it was wonderful to hear the King of Pop back on the radio.

 

92. WILL.I.AM feat. MILEY CYRUS & OTHERS - Feelin' Myself [uK Peak - 2] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

This is here purely for Miley's rap. What followed was infinitely worse and possibly my most hated song of 2014.

 

91. THE SATURDAYS - What Are You Waiting For [uK Peak - 38] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

The Saturdays' second worst song. This here just out of loyalty really. Time to call it a day, girls.

90. WAZE & ODYSSEY vs. R KELLY - Bump & Grind 2014 [uK Peak - 3] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Ridiculously addictive house song. You just can't help but sing along to those classic R Kelly vocals.

 

89. BANKS - Brain [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Brain is the perfect example of what Banks' album sounds like - emotional and seductive. If you don't find yourself screaming along, you're not doing it properly.

 

88. ONEREPUBLIC - Love Runs Out [uK Peak - 3] [My Peak - 7]

 

 

Proving once again that Ryan Tedder is one of the 21st century's best songwriter, this barnstorming belter is 'Counting Stars' worthy successor.

 

87. KATY B - Still [uK Peak - 116] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

Following the massive 'Crying For No Reason' (which weirdly peaked in 2013 on my chart and therefore isn't on this one), Katy went emotional once again. While it didn't prove to be a hit with listeners, it showcased her as a true singer.

 

86. KATY PERRY - This Is How We Do [uK Peak - 33] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Even with the best video from the Prism era, Katy couldn't get her usual hit with this song. Basically it should have been a huge summer anthem and it's a pop injustice that it wasn't.

85. LANA DEL REY - Shades Of Cool [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

I'm not even sure if this was an official "single" but it is undoubtedly one of the highlights from 'Ultraviolence'. It would also make a great Bond theme.

 

84. BANKS - Beggin' For Thread [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 6]

 

 

Banks' most pop-friendly single, this should have at least made the UK top 40. Oddly hypnotic.

 

83. PHARRELL - Happy [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

I would be HAPPY to never hear this song again.

 

82. SIGMA - Nobody To Love [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Using an inspired sample from Kanye's ludicrous 'Bound 2', this was one of the sounds of summer. Their better track will show a little later on.

 

81. JEREMIH feat. YG - Don't Tell 'Em [uK Peak - 5] [My Peak - 11]

 

 

For the second year in a row, 'Rhythm Is A Dancer' is used in a big hit. R&B was on the up in 2014 and this is one of the genre's best club jams.

80. JESSIE WARE - Tough Love [uK Peak - 34] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

Jessie's second album was one of my favourites of 2014 and the title track was an exquisite piece of subtle melancholic pop. She can literally do no wrong.

 

79. DUKE DUMONT - Won't Look Back [uK Peak - 2] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

A 2014 homage to 'Ride On Time' made it a hat-trick of 3 amazing singles for the Duke. I particularly love the vocals and the deep bass effect.

 

78. LITTLE MIX - Salute [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 7]

 

 

Proving once again that they are the UK's most credible girlband with a slick R&B number that could almost be Destiny's Child. I am perched for album 3.

 

77. NICK JONAS - Jealous [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

Who would have thought that in 2014 our best chance at a male popstar was a Jonas Brother? Bizarre.

 

76. CALVIN HARRIS feat. JOHN NEWMAN - Blame [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

At this point in Calvin's career he seriously needs to change a gear in production - every song seems to blend into one but it doesn't stop him scoring massive smash hits.

75. INDIANA - Solo Dancing [uK Peak - 14] [My Peak - 11]

 

 

There's something pretty seductive about this dance-pop number with more than a little 'I Feel Love' influence. Shame nothing Indiana has released since has been anywhere near this standard.

 

74. LA ROUX - Uptight Downtown [uK Peak - 63] [My Peak - 6]

 

 

I'm not sure where the La Roux campaign all went wrong. The songs were brilliant, the voice was less obnoxious and the singer actually appeared happy. Biggest pop injustice of 2015.

 

73. ARIANA GRANDE & THE WEEKND - Love Me Harder [uK Peak - 50] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Ariana's most seductive moment on 'My Everything', it is utterly bizarre that this only reached No.50 when it feels like a big hit.

 

72. LORDE - Team [uK Peak - 29] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

Lorde remained on everyone's lips this year with her superb curating of the Mockingjay soundtrack. 'Team' was another standout from her debut and proved she was way more than an one-hit wonder.

 

71. COLDPLAY - A Sky Full Of Stars [uK Peak - 9] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Coldplay go dance! And it's just about as euphoric as you might expect. Extra marks for the brilliant video as well.

70. SAM SMITH - Money On My Mind [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 7]

 

 

This song is pretty much insufferable now, bizarre for an artist to launch with their very worst single.

 

69. ROYKSOPP & ROBYN - Do It Again [uK Peak - 75] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

CAN WE HAVE A NEW ROBYN ALBUM NOW PLEASE? This will just about tide me over until then.

 

68. ED SHEERAN - Sing [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 8]

 

 

The ginger king of 2014 comes to an abrupt end in my personal charts. More of this would be great Ed, less 'Thinking Out Loud' ta. Extra points for the Muppet.

 

67. TEN WALLS - Walking With Elephants [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 8]

 

 

It's very rare that an instrumental does well in my charts but there's something just so unusual about this song that it struck a chord with me. And weirdly the rest of the British public as well.

 

66. SHAKIRA - Empire [uK Peak - 25] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

A classically eccentric Shakira song, unlike any other major pop release in 2014. It's a shame that the rest of the album didn't quite live up to this standard.

65. ONE DIRECTION - Steal My Girl [uK Peak - 3] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

I am unashamedly a 1D fan - as long as they keep releasing great pop songs like this. Although it doesn't hit the highs of some of their previous material, they still deserve the title of biggest boyband in the world.

 

64. KIESZA - No Enemiesz [uK Peak - 30] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

The fact that the public seem to have gone off Kiesza after just two singles is ridiculous. The breakdown in this is amazing.

 

63. LANA DEL REY - West Coast [uK Peak - 21] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Although 'Ultraviolence' ended up as my second favourite album of 2014, the singles as a whole didn't hit me as hard as Lana usually does. However this is still perfect to do the infamous Lana twirl to.

 

62. CALVIN HARRIS - Summer [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 6]

 

 

Calvin-by-numbers complete with trademark "authentic" Calvin vocals. Wore thin very quick.

 

61. SHAKIRA feat. RIHANNA - Can't Remember To Forget You [uK Peak - 11] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

When 2 Big Pop Girls collaborate you expect something huge. Instead we got a faux-lesbian video to garner hype for a song that was half-assed and didn't match either of the artists' styles. Disappointing.

60. KASABIAN - eez-eh [uK Peak - 22] [My Peak - 5]

 

 

Definitely helped by the "Glastonbury effect", this one of the weirdest but brilliant songs to make the countdown this year. Don't write it off as annoying immediately.

 

59. SIGMA feat. PALOMA FAITH - Changing [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

Oh wasn't it wonderful to see Paloma doing so well this year? It's basically the female version of 'Feel The Love', but there's nothing wrong with that.

 

58. OLIVER HELDENS feat. BECKY HILL - Gecko (Overdrive) [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

One of the year's best dance songs, featuring the amazing vocals Of Becky Hill. Also winner of the most disturbing music video award. Gross.

 

57. JACK U feat. KIESZA - Take U There [uK Peak - 63] [My Peak - 6]

 

 

When Skrillex and Diplo collaborate, you know things are going to get noisy. And that's exactly what happened with some extraordinarily odd breakdowns.

 

56. FOXES - Holding Onto Heaven [uK Peak - 14] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

It was nice to see Foxes get some amount of success this year, I just hope that she is not quickly forgotten.

55. TAKE THAT - These Days [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

What a great surprise this was. I was fully expecting a classic TT ballad but instead we got one of the most instant songs of the year. It's only so low on this countdown because it is still charting.

 

54. FOXES - Let Go For Tonight [uK Peak - 7] [My Peak - 6]

 

 

Here's Foxes again with another slice of melodic pop. Paint is always good in a music video also.

 

53. G.R.L. - Ugly Heart [uK Peak - 11] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

I'm sad to see this so low as it is one of my favourites of the year. The group had so much potential and I've just got my fingers crossed that they can keep the magic even after Simone's tragic passing.

 

52. LADY GAGA - G.U.Y [uK Peak - 115] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Strangely enough, you won't see anything from Cheek To Cheek on this countdown...

 

51. CHERYL COLE feat. TINIE TEMPAH - Crazy Stupid Love [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Apart from that infernal saxophone, this is actually a decent song. Shame about yet another lacklustre album though. She deserves the poor sales this time around.

50. ELLIE GOULDING - Goodness Gracious [uK Peak - 16] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Does Ellie ever take a year off? Far better than the bland 'Burn'. I'm nervous about how "pop" her new album will be.

 

49. PALOMA FAITH - Only Love Can Hurt Like This [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Don't pretend you've never wailed along to this melodramatically. Several years into her career this gave Paloma her biggest hit so far.

 

48. ELLA HENDERSON - Glow [uK Peak - 7] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

The follow-up to the mammoth 'Ghost' was always going to find it difficult, so it's a shame that 'Glow' didn't catch on with the public because it is still a massive, soaring song.

 

47. IGGY AZALEA feat. RITA ORA - Black Widow [uK Peak - 4] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Yes it's pretty much Dark Horse 2.0 but it's still amazing. Shame that everything from "Reclassified" is so awful.

 

46. NEON JUNGLE - Welcome To The Jungle [uK Peak - 7] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Basic trashy anthem of 2014. Their career is sadly pretty much over before it began.

45. ELLA EYRE - Comeback [uK Peak - 12] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

This song is basically the female, feistier and sweary version of John Newman's 'Love Me Again'. So why didn't it even get a quarter of its success?!

 

44. BEYONCE feat. JAY-Z - Drunk In Love [uK Peak - 9] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

My first number one of 2014, Beyonce scored herself yet another club staple. Now everybody grind!

 

43. CHERYL - I Don't Care [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Cheryl swears! Woo! A big proper pop song can do wonders around Buzzjack you know.

 

42. GRIMES feat. BLOOD DIAMONDS - Go [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

Claire love, I can't wait for the album much longer. This more mainstream take on Grimes' sound had one of the best drops of the year. Enchanting.

 

41. YEARS & YEARS - Desire [uK Peak - 22] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

The rightful winners of Sound of 2014 are already a big hit on this chart. Intelligent dance pop done right.

40. TOVE LO - Stay High (Habits) [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

The original rather the awful Hippie Sabotage remix which inexplicably seems more popular. Swedish pop is always a winner and Tove has proven herself to be one of the most interesting new artists and songwriters of 2014.

 

39. BECKY HILL - Losing [uK Peak - 56] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

That UK peak is seriously depressing. This girl's got pipes and they blend well with a electronic dance song. I don't really know why this is going wrong for her. (The Voice curse obv.)

 

38. ZHU - Faded [uK Peak - 3] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Never would I have imagined that something so dark and deep house could ever be a hit. It's spooky and threatening and brilliant.

 

37. GWEN STEFANI - Baby Don't Lie [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

This Gwen comeback is almost a complete disaster. I actually really like this song but everything Pharrell has touched is almost unlistenable.

 

36. THE VERONICAS - You Ruin Me [uK Peak - 8] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

FINALLY The Veronicas are back and they actually managed a top 10 hit! It's a softer side to the girls, but still has their trademark edge.

35. DJ FRESH feat. LITTLE NIKKI - Make U Bounce [uK Peak - 10] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

The only explanation I have for this being so high up is the long gap between premiere and release date. It's a decent song however and I would kill for Little Nikki to actually get some success.

 

34. KIESZA - Giant In My Heart [uK Peak - 4] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

The second of three appearances from the ginger one. Such an odd video and the vocals are just on the right side of annoying.

 

33. PALOMA FAITH - Can't Rely On You [uK Peak - 10] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

Paloma goes sexy! Teaming up with Pharrell, Paloma's vocals go wild over a background that sounds suspiciously like Blurred Lines.

 

32. NEON JUNGLE - Braveheart [uK Peak - 4] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

After 'Trouble' everyone had pretty much written off Neon Jungle but they surprised us with this amazing follow-up and scored an actually hit in the UK and Australia.

 

31. THE SATURDAYS - Not Giving Up [uK Peak - 19] [My Peak -1]

 

 

It may be 'All Fired Up' 2.0 but it's a stormer of a song that should have been released straight after 'What About Us'.

30. LILY ALLEN - Air Balloon [uK Peak - 7] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Looking back now, this is the song that derailed the Sheezus campaign. I think even Lily hates it now - it is bloody annoying and there are far better single choices on the album.

 

29. TAYLOR SWIFT - Blank Space [uK Peak - 4] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Given that I'm still charting this song shows how much of an achievement this placing is. There's no stopping Taylor and her ear for insanely catchy hooks. Long live the new Queen of Country-Pop (Soz Shania).

 

28. KLAXONS - There Is No Other Time [uK Peak - 42] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

You can tell how well their comeback went by the fact they have since split up. This is a genuinely great song as well. Shame.

 

27. NICKI MINAJ - Anaconda [uK Peak - 3] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Ridiculous and amazing in equal measures.

 

26. KYLIE MINOGUE - Into The Blue [uK Peak - 12] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

While 'Kiss Me Once' may be a sub par album, this song is classic Kylie. Euphoric and catchy, it's the natural successor to 'All The Lovers'. It deserved a far better UK Peak than the one it got.

25. ARIANA GRANDE feat. ZEDD - Break Free [uK Peak - 16] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

And this is when Ariana fully embraced being a pop star - Ridiculous campy video and dance-pop amazingness, Ariana can only get bigger from here.

 

24. MARK RONSON feat. BRUNO MARS - Uptown Funk [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

5 weeks at number one will help you get this high in the chart! Still on top of the world, you simply cannot deny this song. Amazing.

 

23. DAVID GUETTA feat. SAM MARTIN - Dangerous [uK Peak - 5] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

David Guetta in good song shocker! I mean really, who expected a big pop song like this? Shame the album didn't measure up.

 

22. JESSIE WARE - Say You Love Me [uK Peak - 22] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Easily the best thing Ed Sheeran was involved with this year. It even has a choir! This would be an amazing Winner's Single.

 

21. MARINA & THE DIAMONDS - FROOT [uK Peak - n/a] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Marina's back! With a song with at least three choruses! As usual the lyrics are brilliant and the slight 70s disco elements are all great too. Excited for April.

20. DUKE DUMONT feat. JAX JONES - I Got U [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

An inspired reworking of 'My Love Is Your Love', this instantly reminds me of tropical beaches and summer holidays. Buoyant.

 

19. BEYONCE - XO [uK Peak - 22] [My Peak - 3]

 

 

After the sleaziness of 'Drunk In Love', Beyonce was back in uplifting mode with this powerful midtempo. She looks beautiful in the video too.

 

18. NICOLE SCHERZINGER - Your Love [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Poor Nicole. Even though she proved popular on The X Factor, it didn't translate into success. Which is a shame as the production on this track is uniquely brilliant and it was a really brave single choice.

 

17. KATY PERRY - Birthday [uK Peak - 22] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Definitely helped by by being released around the time I saw her in concert, it's basically another great tongue-in-cheek pop song from Miss Perry. The video happens to be one of the worst of the year however.

 

16. CLEAN BANDIT feat. JESS GLYNNE - Real Love [uK Peak - 2] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Apparently this is a match made in heaven as following the incredible 'Rather Be' (still to come), they struck gold once more. A bit more dance-orientated and uptempo, I am still hopelessly addicted to this song.

15. JESS GLYNNE - Right Here [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Jess has a whopping 3 entries in the top 20 this year, quite the achievement. Here's hoping she can continue the momentum in 2015 and serve up a solid debut album.

 

14. SAM SMITH - Stay With Me [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 4]

 

 

He may be the male Emeli Sande, but you cannot deny this song, it stays in your head for hours. It's doomed to radio exposure forever and endless renditions on The X Factor so it's charm will doubtlessly fail.

 

13. JESSIE J, ARIANA GRANDE & NICKI MINAJ - [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 2]

 

 

Oh Jessie J's made a song I like? Shame it's actually nothing to do with her why I like it so much. Poor love.

 

12. FKA TWIGS - Two Weeks [uK Peak - 200] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

2014 has been all about Twigs for me. LP1 is my album of the year and this is probably my favourite song of the year. There's just something so interesting and sensual about her music. Time for the masses to catch on.

 

11. IGGY AZALEA feat. CHARLI XCX - Fancy [uK Peak - 5] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Endlessly quotable lyrics, genius video and a brilliant Charli XCX feature. This is Iggy's peak and I'm really not sure if she can ever match it.

10. CLEAN BANDIT feat. JESS GLYNNE - Rather Be [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Even now that it's ubiquitous and overplayed, I can still appreciate how unique this song is. The 90s inspired-sound works wonder, it has a hugely catchy chorus and the orchestral flourishes make the song sparkle. A worthy million-seller.

 

9. CHARLI XCX - Break The Rules [uK Peak - 35] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

It was amazing to see Charli do well this year and by God does she deserve it - she just oozes star power as is especially evident in this video. Roll on, Sucker!

 

8. TAYLOR SWIFT - Shake It Off [uK Peak - 2] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

It was a bit of a departure for Swifto but it remains an insanely catchy pop song. And she is selling IT. Unstoppable.

 

7. SIA - Chandelier [uK Peak - 6] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Chorus of the year.

 

6. RITA ORA - I Will Never Let You Down [uK Peak - 1] [My Peak - 1]

 

 

Will we ever get the second album? Calvin actually made an interesting song here so it's frustrating to see him ruin it for Rita.