51 Pvris – What’s Wrong?

52 Lorde – Perfect Places

53 Anne-Marie – Ciao Adios

54 Hailee Steinfeld – Let Me Go

55 Kamferdrops – Jag trodde anglarna frans

56 Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley – Chained To The Rhythm

57 Sigrid – Strangers

58 Taylor Swift – Gorgeous

59 Katy Perry – Bon Appetit

60 Kesha – Learn To Let Go

 

Learn To Let Go is the second single from Kesha's triumphant return Rainbow. This song is so huge and powerful, yet happy and catchy and hopeful, and her vocals are every bit as strong and impressive as Praying, just in a different way.

Bon Appetit was the follow-up to a quite triumphant lead to the Witness era in Chained, but failed to live up to its commercial success. It was far from instant love for me, but it kept growing and I appreciated it being something totally different for her. Her vocal fits this really well and makes it a bit playful and sexy, and the video while a bit creepy is amazing.

Gorgeous is a Reputation track that gets wa too much hate <3 As the second promo single, the lyrics to this grabbed me straight away. The themes of putting this new crush on a pedestal hark back to the early Swift days, but this is written so cleverly as a brilliant pop song which makes it easily fit amongst her new pop material. It is a bit of an odd single choice though if it is indeed the new single, but who knows with the mess going on rn? :lol:

Strangers is the final appearance from new pop starlet Sigrid, and her most recent single. This is an absolute BOP, with perfect pop production and an irresistible melody, her best yet.

Chained To The Rhythm is the second and final appearance from Katy! This made me so excited for a new era, as an exciting woke pop anthem tat was huge and so catchy. It did very well chart wise, and it looked like this could be a huge era for Katy. We'll ignore the rest of the era bar the aforementioned Bon Appetit and maybe like 3 tracks on the album....

Jag trodde anglarna frans was a huge BJSC hit, coming top 3. A covr of an old Kikki Danielsson song, this mysterious dance outfit is now set to face the original singer in semi 1 of Melodifestivalen 2018. This breathes new life in an 80s schlager ballad with bang on trend production, an epic sax instrumental chorus and breathy vocals that combine to make a winner.

Let Me Go narrowly missed top 40 for Hailee n the UK, but should've been huge! Whilst it's nothing revolutionary with its EDM esque production, Hailee's vocals as always lift this up, the chorus is amazing! Even Florida Georgia Line can't ruin this :o

Ciao Adios is one of the catchiest pop songs of the year surely? AS the follow-up to her Christmas number 1 with Clean Bandit Rockabye, Ciao Adios triumphed as a dancehall-pop tune with a massive chorus, sass and attitude, as Anne-Marie was taking no shit and waved off a cheating ex. Still waiting for that album :drama:

Perfect Places brings us back to Lorde after a while! This is such an anthemic song, and seeing it live was SUCH a moment. You cant help but sing along to the chorus <3

What's Wrong ends this section on a rocky note as the highest track from Pvris! This has a bit of an 80s vibe I always felt, but never sacrifices that power and stadium ready anthemic rock sound that makes Pvris one of the best bands on earth.

What’s Wrong?: Great track

Perfect Places: What a fantastic song and why wasn't this a hit in the US?

Ciao Adios: Catchy, great and Anne-Marie nails it! I can't wait for her album, if she releases it someday!

Let Me Go: Yeah, Florida Georgia Line didn't ruin this, what a good song!

Chained To The Rhythm: Not a good song for Katy, I have to say it sadly, but not her worst.

Bon Appetit: I've included this in my worst songs of 2017 list, just because the food puns just make me feel nauseous and the music video... just no. But if you like it, that's great.

Strangers: Great song, fantastic singer, future #1 in my chart!

Gorgeous: Decent song, but Taylor has done much better.

Learn To Let Go: I really like this song and I'm happy that Kesha returned!

Jag Trodde Anglarna Fanns! A real grower for me, a great reworking and I think the video just topped the cake :lol:

 

Nice to see Ciao Adios here as well! Whilst it was a shame to see her venture from her roots this was still an amazing song, so catchy :heart:

What’s Wrong?: Great track

Perfect Places: What a fantastic song and why wasn't this a hit in the US?

Ciao Adios: Catchy, great and Anne-Marie nails it! I can't wait for her album, if she releases it someday!

Let Me Go: Yeah, Florida Georgia Line didn't ruin this, what a good song!

Chained To The Rhythm: Not a good song for Katy, I have to say it sadly, but not her worst.

Bon Appetit: I've included this in my worst songs of 2017 list, just because the food puns just make me feel nauseous and the music video... just no. But if you like it, that's great.

Strangers: Great song, fantastic singer, future #1 in my chart!

Gorgeous: Decent song, but Taylor has done much better.

Learn To Let Go: I really like this song and I'm happy that Kesha returned!

Sadly for Anne-Marie that feels like a big if, so long waiting but I'm sure it'll come :P

Perfec Places wasn't really a hit anywhere sadly </3 Well, apart from good old New Zealand.

 

Jag Trodde Anglarna Fanns! A real grower for me, a great reworking and I think the video just topped the cake :lol:

 

Nice to see Ciao Adios here as well! Whilst it was a shame to see her venture from her roots this was still an amazing song, so catchy :heart:

Their videos seem to be consistently odd yet amazing judging by what they've put out so far :lol:

Nice to see Thumbs log in a spot here! What did you think about “Why”? (or did that come already)

Nice to see Thumbs log in a spot here! What did you think about “Why”? (or did that come already)

I don't think I ever really went back to Why after release week </3

Caio Adois and Chained To The Rythm are both bops :wub:

 

Not tottally sure why Gorgeous is the next single but I must admit it has been growing on me a lot maybe that was their intention? idk :lol:

 

Shoutout to Perfect Places, Strangers, Bon Appetit and Learn To Let Go as well!

41 Lorde – Sober

42 Taylor Swift ft. Ed Sheeran & Future – End Game

43 Charli XCX ft. Cupcakke – Lipgloss

44 SZA ft. Travis Scott – Love Galore

45 Jessica Mauboy – Then I Met You

46 Jax Jones ft. Demi Lovato & Stefflon Don – Instruction

47 Charli XCX ft. MO – 3am (Pull Up)

48 Demi Lovato – Tell Me You Love Me

49 Selena Gomez – Fetish

50 Lady Gaga – The Cure

 

The Cure is a strong return dance-pop for Gaga, after the country/rock leaning Joanne and of course the infamous jazz venture Cheek to Cheek. It was released as a total surprise, I remember waking up at like 1pm that day to frantic group messages, texts etc that Gaga had dropped and I went on Buzzjack to see her at number 1 on iTunes *.* This isn't anything new and kind of feels like a step backward rather than her growing as an artist, but my 2010 self is bursting out and not caring, this is a TOTAL bop.

Fetish was the second solo single Selena released in 2017 and was yet another grown up sexy jam from her. The trap-pop production is so hypnotic melded with her unique breathy voice, for a song so sexually charged she is perfect vocally and it all just plays to her strengths so much - how was this not bigger?

Tell Me You Love Me is easily the highlight of Demis second album, and easily outstrips the preceding single Sorry Not Sorry in this list. This being so huge and soulful is kind of a detriment to the album, its emotion, power and longing nails the sound that runs through the album, so you can kind of listen jut to this and getthe album in one :lol: The video is incredible too, her best video to date!

3am (Pull Up) is an all out pop bop *.* Two pop queens combine with some dancehall vibes to make possibly one of the year's catchiest songs. Seeing this live was such a moment, and this is definitely one of her best tracks to date.

Instruction brought Jax Jones from strength to strength as this was even better than You Don't Know Me! Demi brings a soulful sass to this summery tune, and Stefflon keeps up with her with a stellar (if too short) guest verse.

Then I Met You is MUCH more like it for Jessica, whilst Fallin' was go I really fell for this one. It's very much classic Jess, it could've been on Get 'Em Girls or Been Waiting but that's not a bad thing at all, it actually feels like her rather than her Secret Daughter character :lol:

Love Galore is a stellar example of he smooth and soulful R&B that SZA nailed on her debut! Travis Scott is a welcome addition but it's the smooth vocals, the relatable lyrics that nail such complex feelings as if they're nothing, that really make this track.

Lipgloss is the second and final of Charli's appearances in this both this section and the whole of this countdown, with a bit of help from Cupcakke ofc. The filthy queen of a rapper almost outshines Charli but its the prouction of this song that really makes it the highlight it is, sampling Lightning Lipgloss Life by Life Sim. With very suggestive sexual lyrics, but a sugary sweet PC Music audio aesthetic with a glossy finish, this is a bloody great pop song.

End Game is yet another Reputation track, and a huge hit in waiting I'm sure! On paper, I was really unsure about this song given th features names (I don't hate Ed like many do but he was an uninspiring feature) but within seconds of hearing it for the first time I was sold. It just sounds so huge, radio ready and hit ready without trying too hard or being stupidly generic.

Sober is the final song to bow out before the top 40 </3 The minimal beats that consistently underpin the wonderful instrumental really remind me of Bjork for some reason, and they're juxtaposed with tribal drum beats and a subtle yet powerful vocal performance, that all makes for yet another perfectl written pop track on the masterpiece that is Melodrama.

Caio Adois and Chained To The Rythm are both bops :wub:

 

Not tottally sure why Gorgeous is the next single but I must admit it has been growing on me a lot maybe that was their intention? idk :lol:

 

Shoutout to Perfect Places, Strangers, Bon Appetit and Learn To Let Go as well!

I have no idea either, love it but End Game is right there :lol:

Generous instantly reminded me of Thumbs the first time I heard it (both having a cool mix of retro melodies and modern production I suppose?) so interesting to see them back to back here!

 

Sober is such a highlight from Melodrama, Lorde's vocals are incredible and I wasn't expecting her to bring us HORNS *.*

Generous instantly reminded me of Thumbs the first time I heard it (both having a cool mix of retro melodies and modern production I suppose?) so interesting to see them back to back here!

 

Sober is such a highlight from Melodrama, Lorde's vocals are incredible and I wasn't expecting her to bring us HORNS *.*

Yeah they are quite similar actually!!

40 Sam Hunt – Body Like A Back Road

 

UK peak: N/A

US peak: #6 (4x Platinum)

 

Sam Hunt kicks off the top 40, the second year in a row that he has propelled one of his crossover hits into my top 40, following Break Up In A Small Town. This hasn't got a great crtical reception from some country critics who feel he's abandoning country too much, but for me his R&B and hip-hop influences make him by FAR the most excting country male amongst the genric likes of Luke Bryan and Blake Shlton singing about nothing but beer, trucks and girls for the same 15 songs each album. The guitar rhythm of this makes it, at its core, country, but as always there's a lot of R&B rhythm and sensibility that makes this unique among country. It ended up being a huge crossover hit, peaking at number 6 on the Hot 100 which was the highest peak for a country song in 5 years. It was also the country number 1 for a record breaking 34 weeks (taking the record from the aforementioned hideous "song" by FGL), I know country radio moves slow but good lord, imagine one song taking up well over half the year in the chart over here? :lol:

 

39 OG3NE - Lights & Shadows

 

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

This was easily one of the highlights of Eurovision this year :wub: With more than a hint of classic Wilson Phillips, these Dutch sisters provided a colossal power ballad for this year's contest, which initially didn't do much for me and had little to no hype at Eurovision so itlooked like this would flop. However this was one of those songs that's a HUGE grower, and built up a bit of momentum smashing the semi performance. Eventually, theycame 11th - which was bloody annoying as I had a bet on them being top 10 -_- The vocals are incredible on this and prove exactly why they won The Voice in their home country and the power ballad track lent itself well to a striking stage performance.

 

38 Paramore - Hard Times

 

UK peak: #34

US peak: #90

 

This new-wave track brought Paramore back with a bang, teasing their new album perfectly. They'd previously gone in a more pop direction with Ain't It Fun and Still Into You, both of which were huge hits, so a whole album was a natural fit. Rather than selling out or anything, they kept the same uniquely brilliant vibe they always had, with a new aural aesthetic that makes them feel fresher than ever. The video is amazing too, so bright and colorful and chaotic which fits the song so well.

 

37 Little Mix - No More Sad Songs

 

UK peak: #15 (Gold)

US peak: N/A

 

The first entry from the undisputed biggest girl group in the world is their 3rd single from Glory Days, a subtle tropical influenced club banger. After two huge pop songs in Shout Out To My Ex and Touch, this was a different direction as the melodies are more subtle, they worm their way into your head but still have huge impact, with lush production. The remix with Machine Gun Kelly was great too, although I do miss the Jesy middle 8 from the original </3

 

 

36 Rita Ora - Anywhere

UK peak: #2 (Silver)

US peak: N/A

 

Your Song was one of the biggest songs of the summer, so it was only a matter of time before Rita got another smash. This is a glorious shimmering pop song, as huge as anything a blog or "the gays" fave could release, except this is by a mainstream popstar who scored a smash with it *.* The drop feels bang on trend withoutbeing generic or try hard, and this is just such a special song, I wish it had been #1 but it's been one of the biggest hits of the last little bit of the year regardless!

Katy with a lot of songs :lol:

 

Tell Me You Love Me is a very good song, much better than Sorry Not Sorry :cheer:

 

Nice to see No More Sad Songs and Anywhere in the Top40, I didn't really like NMSS at first but then I started liking a lot :P

Anywhere was so unfortunate to miss #1 :( Very refreshing from her, just hope it doesn't spend another year in the charts so I become sick of it :P

Katy with a lot of songs :lol:

 

Tell Me You Love Me is a very good song, much better than Sorry Not Sorry :cheer:

 

Nice to see No More Sad Songs and Anywhere in the Top40, I didn't really like NMSS at first but then I started liking a lot :P

Katy's all done out now though :lol:

 

Anywhere was so unfortunate to miss #1 :( Very refreshing from her, just hope it doesn't spend another year in the charts so I become sick of it :P

As long as she finally gets her album out I'm not bothered :kink:

35 Clean Bandit ft. Julia Michaels – I Miss You

UK peak: #6 (Silver)

US peak: #121

 

This is the newest song in the top 40, by a week so sorry Rita Ora you don't get that record :kink: A bit of a departure from their chart topping million selling bangers Symphony and Rockabye, I Miss You is a more mellow and reserved song that lets the melody and Julia's vocal shine. Because of that, it wasn't as instant as the aforementioned for me, but it just growing and growing on me! You couldn't put these together, but the intricacies in the melody and bang-on lyrics, typical o Julia's writing, present something new with virtually every listen, and this is perfectly complimented by the soaring string production that Clan Bandit are so known and loved for.

 

34 Miranda Lambert – Tin Man

UK peak: N/A

US peak; #75

 

Probably the most emotional and raw song n this top 40 is a country ballad from one of my favourite country artists <3 This song is straight from the heart, written to the Tin Man from Wizard Of Oz telling him why he'd never want a heart - they just break. The lyrics to this are just stunning, believed to inspired by the divorce of Miranda and her ex-husband Blake Shleton, but they'd be nothing without perhaps her best vocal performance ever. She has one of those voices where you can feel every little bit of what she's been through even if you personally can't relate and that's never clearer than in her career defining award show performances of this.

 

33 easyfun ft. Noonie Bao – Monopoly

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

This is the highest BJSC entry that wasn't sent by me :o The first winner of the year was a landslide and it's no wonder. PC Music is always a good shout for being amazing and this is a shining example of all the aesthetics in their music that make them so good, while being super accessible with a real pop sensibility, even more than usual, thanks to Noonie Bao's vocals.

 

32 Kygo & Selena Gomez – It Ain’t Me

UK peak: #7 (Platinum)

US peak: #10 (Platinum)

 

This was released on my birthday and decimated me tbh *.* Selena's husky vocals really suit the folky acoustic production of the verses and the drop might be a bit generic but I love it, it doesn't go too far to ruin the rest of the song. The lyrics are quite dark, focusing on a broken relationship that failed due to hedonism.

 

31 SZA – Drew Barrymore

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

Rounding off this section is the best song from SZA's debut album, and the highest of her crop of entries in this! Better than any song on the album, this showcases the warm melodies and perfect lyrics that make Ctrl one of the best albums of the year. This song deals flawlessly with feelings of not being good enough - "am i warm for you?" - that anyone can relate to really. Eveything about this as a package is fittingly warm, so yes you are warm enough x

30 Sigala & Ella Eyre – Came Here For Love

UK peak: #6 (Platinum)

US peak: N/A

 

Kicking off this section is the only chart hit in it :lol: This is an absolute BANGER, so huge and summery and just hearing it makes you want to be off your face screaming the chorus <3 Ella's voice is perfect for stuff like that with all its soul and power, there's such a joy to it. I was thrilled to see it take off so much in the charts as by far Sigala's best to date.

 

29 Carly Rae Jepsen – Cut To The Feeling

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

ROBBED QUEEN. Honestly it's beyond ridiculous and quite frankly a homophobic hate crime that didn't even chart. One of those undeniably huge pop songs, the chorus of this could cause a storm to ravage entire CITIES. I have no idea how she manages such universal praise on the internet yet is being paid dust commercially, why does the Spotify using Ed Sheeran rimming demographic who controls the charts hate the gays so much??

 

28 Blanche - City Lights

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

This actually went top 40 on downloads, but of course in 2017 you need streaming </3 Belgium's entry to this year's Eurovision Song Contest was my personal winner, although there are two would be entries that would have toppled it, more of those later. This really stood out to me in the contest, being a darkly arresting and cool indie-pop song, with moody synths and a deep, controlled and calm vocal performance. This could easily be a Lorde song and felt totally real and authentic on stage, she botched the semi performance a bit but totally made up for it in the final and came 4th *.*

 

27 Loreen – Statements

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

This is truly the section of robbed queens - Loreen and Blanche at Eurovision and Carly Rae Jepsen in charts :lol: Not only did Loreen not make it to Eurovision, she didn't even make it to the Melodifestivalen final, a far cry from winning both that and Eurovision in 2012 with the greatest entry ever Euphoria... This artsy industrial-pop track was far less commercial than a trance influenced banger, but it was an incredible package that builds and builds and was of course performed flawlessly, that only Loreen could have delivered. She is, fittingly, making a statement with this that people should speak up on what's right,; this song is her own voice (both her metaphorical one of opinions and beliefs, and her physical singing one) manifesting itself in the most powerful way.

 

26 Just Us - Cloudbusting

 

UK peak: N/A

US peak: N/A

 

Making this section a dance banger sandwich is a re-working of one of my favourite songs of all time by Just Us. Kate Bush's Cloudbusting is a stunningly string-led track that delves into the disappointment a child feels when they first realise that the adults they look up to (in this case a father) are fallible. While the original is a thing of beauty and wonder that weaves a magical story, there's no reason why it couldn't be made into a banger. The unique melodies and tones of Kate Bush mixed with production to amp up the volume and bring out those inimitable strings makes this a winner, which is something I rarely say about anything that tampers with Kate Bush, normally she's an artist that shouldn't be touched!

I find it weird that the Maddie Ziegler fans who were circlejerking to her appearances with Sia didn’t catch onto CTTF despite it being featured in a movie she was in

Ciao Adios is EVERYTHING, what an anthem :wub:

 

Lots of love for I Miss You, It Ain't Me and of course Anywhere too :heart:

I find it weird that the Maddie Ziegler fans who were circlejerking to her appearances with Sia didn’t catch onto CTTF despite it being featured in a movie she was in

If bloody Sia sang it it'd have been top 10 for months lmao

 

Ciao Adios is EVERYTHING, what an anthem :wub:

 

Lots of love for I Miss You, It Ain't Me and of course Anywhere too :heart:

We just need the album now :lol Ciao adios me waiting for it is done x