So we're halfway through the decade now so I though it was best to do a mega countdown of some form (hopefully I finish at some point before 2020). This all based purely on opinion, as the points from my charts did not give an accurate representation of my taste. So let's begin, and I'll try to do 5 a day!

 

200. KLAXONS - There Is No Other Time

 

 

So we kick off with the Klaxons comeback single that led them precisely nowhere. Still their first album remains a favourite of mine and this Gorgon City-produced single renewed my interest in the band.

 

199. CALVIN HARRIS - Feel So Close

 

 

Super-producer extraordinaire Calvin pops up a few times on this countdown, but this is one of the rare instances he actually sings. This will forever remind me of a summer at university and the drop is one of his most natural and euphoric.

 

198. MAGNETIC MAN feat. KATY B - Perfect Stranger

 

 

Katy is another repeat offender on this list. You've got to love a bit of drum & bass and her voice just rolls perfectly over the top.

 

197. FOXES - Youth

 

 

Yes, it's the soundtrack to the Debenham's adverts. There is something quite special about Foxes' debut and it was a lovely surprise to see it achieve some success.

 

196. HOZIER - Take Me To Church

 

 

Still smashing charts everywhere, this is a rare instance of a mega hit that I actually like! The macabre lyrics and the morose delivery make this the perfect song for doom and gloom.

195. ALEXANDRA BURKE feat. PITBULL - All Night Long

 

 

Burkey's best single and proof that X Factor can produce a proper popstar. It's such a shame how the second album and her subsequent career have turned out as she has heaps of potential.

 

194. ELLIE GOULDING - Lights

 

 

Weirdly starting off life as a bonus track on the album of the same name, this song never really took off in the UK. At least the US showed some sense, I suppose they have to sometimes.

 

193. THE VACCINES - Teenage Icon

 

 

Not many bands make indie as ramshackle and fun as this in the 2010s - The Vaccines are pure joy and a breath of a slightly rough-round-the-edges air.

 

192. KATY PERRY - Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F)

 

 

It's the first of a mammoth SIX entries for Katy Perry. This was single number five from the Teenage Dream campaign that created the legendary Kathy Beth Terry. Her videos were so on point during this era, it's hard to believe she ever served up a turd like Birthday.

 

191. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - Cosmic Love

 

 

Oh Florence come back soon. Nobody makes music quite like you.

190. THE NAKED & FAMOUS - Young Blood

 

 

Like a successor to MGMT, there is something about this particular brand of synth indie that just strikes a cord with me.

 

189. CHARLI XCX - Break The Rules

 

 

Bad ass Charli brings some much-needed attitude into the rather vanilla UK pop scene of 2014. And she has a knack for writing a catchy melody too.

 

188. CLEAN BANDIT feat. JESS GLYNNE - Real Love

 

 

The 90s dance revival is one of my favourite trends of the last few years and this is one of the most soulful interpretations of it.

 

187. DISCLOSURE feat. ELIZA DOOLITTLE - You And Me

 

 

Who knew Eliza Doolittle could make something remotely cool? Thirsty for the second Disclosure album already.

 

186. JAY-Z & KANYE WEST feat. FRANK OCEAN - No Church In The Wild

 

 

Kanye remains the most inventive rapper of the decade and the 'Watch The Throne' collaboration contains some of his most impressive work yet. This, like the rest of the album is richly textured and menacing. I still don't rate Jay, but he sounds fine on this record.

185. FRIENDLY FIRES - Live Those Days Tonight

 

 

Where has this band disappeared to? Their unique brand of tropical indie was always a ray of sunshine to the ears and you cannot mistake the euphoria in this song.

 

184. EMELI SANDE - Heaven

 

 

It's strange to think this song once made me think that Emeli Sande would be an interesting popstar. How wrong I was... More of this and less of the terminally dull ballads for album 2 please.

 

183. SAM SMITH - Stay With Me

 

 

Oh look it's the male Emeli Sande. There is still something quite touching about this song, no matter how much we've had it shoved down our throats. He just needs to go away for a long time now...

 

182. SELENA GOMEZ & THE SCENE - Naturally

 

 

Gotta love a Disney electro-bop. Despite her lack of talent, Selena has actually put her name to a lot of good songs. This chorus is amazing.

 

181. BEYONCE - Love On Top

 

 

Oh hello B. The key changes in this song are amazing. So much fun to attempt to sing along with.

180. P!NK - Blow Me (One Last Kiss)

 

 

Oh it's a typical P!nk lead single. Upbeat, bold and brash but it's still got an undeniable hook. The shtick is getting a little old now though.

 

179. GABRIELLA CILMI - On A Mission

 

 

Severely underrated, this song is so individual and silly, it's amazing. Gabriella could have just stayed a boring singer-songwriter so this risky move paid off for me, if not for her career.

 

178. GIRL'S DAY - Expectation

 

 

I discovered K-Pop shortly before PSY took over the world. Beyond that irritating song, there is some absolute corkers. The South Koreans have a knack for amazing girlbands and although this sounds a little bit like Nicki's 'Pound The Alarm', it's an almighty stomper.

 

177. MARINA & THE DIAMONDS - FROOT

 

 

This is the latest of 6 Marina singles that pop up on this countdown and it is a welcome return. It has 3 choruses for goodness sake! Too damn excited for the album.

 

176. SWEDISH HOUSE MAFIA feat. TINIE TEMPAH - Miami 2 Ibiza

 

 

Back in the summer where Tinie was everywhere, this was his EDM assault on the clubs. It's a great dance track and it established Swedish House Mafia as dance music giants.

175. CHRISTINA AGUILERA - Your Body

 

Oh Christina. Once you ruled the charts, but no matter how good the comeback single is (this is awesome) you can't seem to get back on top. At least you remain as tacky as ever. God bless you.

 

174. JOHN NEWMAN - Love Me Again

 

 

Are John Newman and Sam Smith the same person? Love Me Again remains a monster though, those rave pianos elevate the song from standard soulful pop fare.

 

173. SCISSOR SISTERS - Fire With Fire

 

 

Undoubtedly the gayest act on the countdown, Scissor Sisters were an important part of the musical landscape in the 2000s but have kind of lost it this decade. Their music remains amazing however. (Except Let's Have A Kiki of course).

 

172. TAKE THAT - These Days

 

 

More infectious than a STI, I did not expect to fall in love with this so much. Never doubt the Barlow, terrible solo album aside.

 

171. KE$HA - Take It Off

 

 

Another song that instantly reminds me of uni. Everyone needs a bit of glitter and sleaze like our good sis Ke$ha. Come back soon please, dear.

170. RIHANNA feat. DRAKE - What's My Name

 

 

The first of 6 entries from RiRi. This midtempo came from the golden Loud era and harks a little bit back to her dancehall days. Drake is a welcome addition also.

 

169. KATY B - Broken Record

 

 

The queen of UK dance goes for a garage feel for this single from her debut. I wasn't keen on her first two singles until I heard this corker and revisited them.

 

168. THE SATURDAYS - Disco Love

 

 

And in this video we play "let's hide Frankie's bump in many ridiculous ways". Extra points for the Donna Summer and Bee Gees references.

 

167. ARCTIC MONKEYS - Don't Sit Down 'cause I Moved Your Chair

 

 

They love their long song titles don't they? Although 'Suck It And See' remains a disappointing album, it gave us this 60s inspired slice of Rock n Roll.

 

166. EXAMPLE - Kickstarts

 

 

Back before Example made common denominator "dance" music, he was actually an interesting (and unlikely) popstar. This proves it.

165. JESSIE WARE - Say You Love Me

 

 

This the only song that Ed Sheeran had anything to do with in the entire countdown. Jessie's soulful voice + gospel choir = pop bliss.

 

164. FOALS - My Number

 

 

I prefer Foals when they are firmly in uptempo mode as some of their more experimental stuff is a chore to get through. This however is destined to be an indie disco classic now.

 

163. BRUNO MARS - Grenade

 

 

Chart terrorist Bruno Mars is responsible for some of the most annoying hits of this decade (The Lazy Song, Just The Way You Are), but also some of the great ones like this amazing ballad.

 

162. ARIANA GRANDE feat. ZEDD - Break Free

 

 

This is a true pop moment. Hugely addictive and with a hilariously awful video to go with, this showed that Ariana is a true Big Pop Girl.

 

161. MACKLEMORE & RYAN LEWIS feat. RAY DALTON - Can't Hold Us

 

 

And that right there is how to do an epic rap video. The song is so frantic, I'm really intrigued to see where they go for the next album.

160. THE DRUMS - Let's Go Surfing

 

 

Instant summer jam by a largely forgotten indie band.

 

159. TINASHE feat. SCHOOLBOY Q - 2 On

 

 

I'm still patiently waiting for this to smash in the UK. She's the new Rihanna guys, what's taking so long?!

 

158. M.I.A - Bad Girls

 

 

Probably the best video on the whole list. M.I.A is so god-damn cool, she more than deserves the hype.

 

157. NO DOUBT - Settle Down

 

 

Gwen, please just go back to the band as your latest solo work is nowhere near as amazing as 2012's 'Push And Shove'.

 

156. BEYONCE - Countdown

 

 

It's weird to think that I hated this the first time I heard it. It's also weird to think how many awful videos Bey has made.

155. YEAH YEAH YEAHS - Sacrilege

 

 

Absolutely stellar. A far cry from their punky beginnings, this is almost a gospel track. Shame it's parent album was so dreadful.

 

154. SCISSOR SISTERS - Only The Horses

 

 

Proof that a Calvin Harris production doesn't have to mean a generic dance song. I still love this song and it's a shame the band are on hiatus now.

 

153. RIHANNA - Where Have You Been

 

 

Rihanna in dance routine shocker! Even if that does include her famous genital patting. The song itself should have been the template for the otherwise patchy 'Talk That Talk' - the breakdown is particularly insane.

 

152. OLIVER HELDENS feat. BECKY HILL - Gecko (Overdrive)

 

 

Seriously disturbing video. One of the best dance number ones of the last few years and proof that Becky Hill deserves to be a big star with THAT voice.

 

151. JESSIE J - Do It Like A Dude

 

 

She may have become one of my most hated singers but every now and then she pops out a brilliant pop song. This is one of them.

150. LADY GAGA - Applause

 

 

Expect to see quite a lot of this Lady. At first I was disappointed in this as a comeback single but it's worked its magic over time.

 

149. LANA DEL REY - Video Games

 

 

Little did I know when I first heard this song that the singer would end up one of my favourite of the decade. What a breath of fresh air.

 

148. CHVRCHES - Recover

 

 

You just can't fault a female vocal over an icy synth. The whole album is completely amazing.

 

147. THE VACCINES - If You Wanna

 

 

As guitar music isn't my preference, it has to be catchy or something special which is what The Vaccines are great at. If you don't want to go mad to this is a sweaty, dingy bar then you're mad.

 

146. LANA DEL REY - Ride

 

 

Ooh a double dose of Lana. The middle 8 is one of her most exhilarating and the scene of her swinging on the tyre in the video is now iconic.

Edited March 12, 201510 yr by Rogue

145. F(X) - Red Light

 

 

Time now for my favourite K-Pop song of 2014. It's just so loud and unique. The UK girlbands could never make something this interesting.

 

144. ALUNAGEORGE - Attracting Flies

 

 

The production on this is amazing, especially the squeaky door noise at the beginning. Absolutely gagging for a second album and their urban interpretation of fairytales in the video is fun too.

 

143. MUMFORD & SONS - I Will Wait

 

 

GET YOUR BANJOS OUT! They may be mum music, but they can certainly write a crowd-rousing chorus.

 

142. SUB FOCUS feat. ALPINES - Tidal Wave

 

 

Such a melodically beautiful piece of drum & bass. Major props to the vocalist who elevates the song and transforms it into something special.

 

141. CL - The Baddest Female

 

 

If you can sing along to a refrain that isn't even in your language, then you know it's a great song. Fergie, Gwen... hell even Cher Lloyd, THIS is how you do it.

140. FOXES - Let Go For Tonight

 

 

Beautiful video. There's something very Marina about Foxes and that's very good for me. I just need a bit more diversity in her music now.

 

139. MARINA & THE DIAMONDS - Hollywood

 

 

Speaking of Marina, here she is. "Oh my God she looks just like Shakira. No, no, it's Catherine Zeta. Actually, my name is Marina" remains one of the best lyrics ever.

 

138. LABRINTH feat. TINIE TEMPAH - Earthquake

 

 

The production on this is INSANE. Who knew Simon Cowell could sign something so cool. Shame nothing he does since has come anywhere close.

 

137. ONEREPUBLIC - Love Runs Out

 

 

I've said it many a time but Ryan Tedder knows his way round a hit song. This is the very definition of "barn-storming".

 

136. AMELIA LILY - You Bring Me Joy

 

 

Oh Amelia. We had such high hopes for you & Xenomania. Unfortunately, this is the only track you produced worth anything. See you on Celebrity Big Brother anytime soon.

135. FOSTER THE PEOPLE - Pumped Up Kicks

 

 

The sound of summer distilled in a pop song, with a nice juxtaposition of dark lyrics. Indie club staple.

 

134. KATY B - Katy On A Mission

 

 

The song that launched the career of the Queen of UK Dance subgenres. At first I wasn't a huge fan, but there's something about her and her music that's just effortlessly cool.

 

133. CRYSTAL CASTLES - Plague

 

 

Time for something a bit less conventional now. There's something so disorientating and apocalyptic in this song and it's one of Crystal Castles best darker songs.

 

132. ALICIA KEYS - Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart

 

130. OLLY MURS feat. RIZZLE KICKS - Heart Skips A Beat

 

 

It's actually surprising how many great songs Olly has to his name. He may not be the most original popstar around but his management have a knack for choosing great singles.

 

129. ADAM LAMBERT - Whataya Want From Me

 

 

If P!nk had released this song, I wouldn't have liked it so much. Adam's powerhouse vocals shine through. He deserves to be a much bigger star.

 

128. GRIMES - Genesis

 

 

Contender for video of the decade right here. I love the weirdness, Grimes' girly vocals and the generally hypnotic production. Fab.

 

127. BLOOD ORANGE - Chamakay

 

 

Better known as Dev Hynes, superproducer, Blood Orange's album is packed with chilled out nostalgic r&b. This is so brilliant at capturing a certain subdued mood and he uses guest vocalists to brilliant effect.

 

126. CHASE & STATUS feat. MOKO - Count On Me

 

 

While their main forte is Drum & Bass, Chase & Status have shown that they are influenced by every genre of dance music, with this song brilliantly featuring elements of 90s house. Moko is also incredible and deserves more recognition.

125. LYKKE LI - Gunshot

 

 

Yes, it's that song from the advert. After Lana, Lykke Li is my go-to girl for depressing anthems.

 

124. KANYE WEST - Black Skinhead

 

 

That video is bloody terrifying. He may be the most hated artist of the decade but he is a true icon of innovation. I can't wait for Glastonbury.

 

123. FLORENCE + THE MACHINE - Shake It Out

 

 

Once again Florence takes us to church. I love the gospel feel of this song and her powerhouse vocals are recognisable a mile off. It's so good to have her back.

 

122. EMINEM feat. RIHANNA - Love The Way You Lie

 

 

While both artists are no longer at their best, this was a year-defining song and Eminem's last great hurrah. Rihanna, sort your **** out.

 

121. MARK RONSON feat. BRUNO MARS - Uptown Funk

 

 

An absolute triumph. You can tell if a song is truly good if you don't hate it after incessant radio play and this is one of the rare examples.

120. SELENA GOMEZ - Come & Get It

 

 

She may be queen of the paper-thin vocal, but Selena can turn out a great pop song when she wants to. I love the Bhangra influence and the video is stunning.

 

119. EMPIRE OF THE SUN - Alive

 

 

Basically the male version of I Love It, which is obviously a GOOD THING. They continue to have perhaps the best visual identity in pop.

 

118. MARINA & THE DIAMONDS - Power & Control

 

 

Probably Marina's most underrated song. From the slightly haunting beginning to the thundering electronic production, this needs more respect.

 

117. CRYSTAL CASTLES feat. ROBERT SMITH - Not In Love

 

 

As much as Alice Glass is an integral part of Crystal Castles (contrary to recent reports), Robert Smith elevates this song to a whole new level. Their most melodic and powerful.

 

116. ROYKSOPP feat. ROBYN - Do It Again

 

 

While the song itself might be more generic than what you would expect from this collaboration, it is still a monster. RELEASE A NEW ALBUM PLEASE ROBYN.

115. LORDE - Royals

 

 

The teenager from New Zealand who managed to conquer the world. Her brand of songwriting is so unique and this isn't even the best song from the album. Very eager to see what she creates next.

 

114. PALOMA FAITH - Picking Up The Pieces

 

 

Paloma's strength is definitely making songs that tug on the ol' heartstrings. See if you can stop yourself from wailing along to this.

 

113. NICKI MINAJ - Pound The Alarm

 

 

Contender for the most ridiculous breakdown in a pop song ever. God I miss Nicki doing LOLpop.

 

112. HAIM - Falling

 

 

HAIM are one of the best bands to breakthrough this decade. The Fleetwood Mac comparisons are completely deserved are the melodies are so tight and infectious.

 

111. MARINA & THE DIAMONDS - Radioactive

 

 

Marina's budget version of a Calvin Harris production overachieves by filling it with Marina's usual lyrical quirks. Oh and Rihanna nabbed the video for We Found Love.

110. BANKS - Brain

 

 

Alt-R&b has been one of my favourite resurgences this decade and this is a great example of it. Hypnotic and sensual, when Banks begins wailing you will as well.

 

109. RUDIMENTAL feat. JOHN NEWMAN - Feel The Love

 

 

Drum & bass breaking into the mainstream has also been a nice surprise, especially when it's as euphoric as this.

 

108. VAMPIRE WEEKEND - Diane Young

 

 

Over 3 albums Vampire Weekend have made some of the most unique and bouncy indie around. They are almost always guaranteed to put a smile on my face and this is no exception. The vocal effects are spectacular.

 

107. GOTYE feat. KIMBRA - Somebody I Used To Know

 

 

Although it's now been tainted by overexposure, think back to the first time you heard this song and the way it instantly hooked you. It's a masterclass in writing an universal hit.

 

106. THE BLACK KEYS - Fever

 

 

Yet another indie club staple from the Black Keys who enhanced their usual blues-rock with some killer synths. Shame about the parent album which was largely a bore.

105. JENNIFER LOPEZ feat. PITBULL - On The Floor

 

 

The first of a trio of ludicrous Europop stompers from this pair. Have you ever played the game where you drink everytime they say "on the floor"? Carnage.

 

104. LADY GAGA feat. R KELLY - Do What U Want

 

 

There's no official video for this (which, considering the leaked scenes is probably a blessing) so I've gone for the rather magnificent AMAs performance. This is the best ARTPOP single, but Sexxx Dreams would be higher than this if it was released.

 

103. KASABIAN - eez-eh

 

 

What an absolutely bonkers song.

 

102. KATY PERRY - Teenage Dream

 

 

Far more effective at capturing the sound of summer than 'California Gurls' ever was. One of Katy's greatest singles.

 

101. THE WANTED - Glad You Came

 

 

The Wanted were a pretty useless boyband but at least they gave us this Ibiza-influenced banger. I still can't forgive them for 'Walks Like Rihanna' though.