74. Heather - Conan Gray

Peak: 03 Chart run: 33 - 14 - 9 - 3 - 4 - 29 - X

A deserved hit at last for Conan! This is a really beautiful slow song - I wish either Maniac or Checkmate had been the ones to do it for him but it's still great he's getting that recognition and hopefully it'll lead to more success in the future.

 

73. Julien - Carly Rae Jepsen

Peak: 09 Chart run: 20 - RE - 23 - RE - 23 - 9 - 17 - 27 - 30 - RE - 22 - 24 - 34 - X

This is a runover from last year - I didn't have a chart then but judging from my last.fm this would've been an even bigger hit than it was this year, coming in at #11 on my most-streamed of 2019. It's a great song with a funky backing and the most amazing shimmery synths.

 

72. Peach - Oscar Scheller

Peak: 05 Chart run: 8 - 8 - 17 - 5 - 9 - 38 - X

This is a cute little indie-pop track about self-love. A lot of the time songs like that can come across a bit fake and preachy, but this one takes a more interesting self-aware angle - I especially like the pre-chorus: "Who's that, he's not too bad looking / Don't know his name but he's a king / It's me, oh ****, I'll do my thing"

 

71. Watch Me While I Bloom - Hayley Williams

Peak: 05 Chart run: 5 - 22 - RE - 27 - X

Don't let the intro put you off, this soon turns into a great pop song with a very funky chorus (apologies for the amount of times I've used funky to describe a song here).

 

70. Roses/Lotus/Violet/Iris - Hayley Williams

Peak: 01 Chart run: 1 - RE - 13 - 11 - RE - 21 - 15 - X

Yikes at that chart run, but despite what it might suggest I genuinely did like this song! It's from the more "alternative" part of Hayley's album, with really nice production and a good message about not comparing yourself to others.

Hey Ansel! Some great songs here so far - Say Something, Easy and The Key to Life on Earth are my favourites, can't wait to see what else is coming!

Hi Joseph! Those 3 are great - unfortunately none of those artists have anything else left to come, but hopefully there's some others you'll like. I think you'll approve of #74 at least!

Hi Joseph! Those 3 are great - unfortunately none of those artists have anything else left to come, but hopefully there's some others you'll like. I think you'll approve of #74 at least!

You're spot on there, absolutely love Conan and seeing Heather become a hit was so pleasing! :wub: I still lowkey hope for a Maniac re-release where it goes on to become the smash it deserves to be :(

69. Never Get to Hold You - Carly Rae Jepsen

Peak: 02 Chart run: 3 - 2 - 2 - 3 - 13 - 40 - X

This song is actually a bonus track from Carly's Emotion album which came out in 2015, but it only became available on streaming this year! The other bonus track Love Again was my favourite at first but this has overtaken it now - it's Carly at her best.

 

68. The Feelings - Boye & Sigvardt ft. Kiesza

Peak: 02 Chart run: 19 - 4 - 2 - 8 - 2 - 14 - 31 - X

MASSIVE banger. The drop on this is great and Kiesza sounds incredible.

 

67. cardigan - Taylor Swift

Peak: 01 Chart run: 1 - 4 - 9 - 10 - 23 - X

The lead from Folklore is shockingly Taylor's only song in this countdown! Really, 'the last great american dynasty', 'invisible string' and maybe 'the 1' should also be here somewhere. It's gorgeous, maybe one of her best of all time. I get chills every time I hear "When you are young, they assume you know nothing" and then later "I knew everything when I was young."

 

66. Sour Candy - Lady Gaga ft. BLACKPINK

Peak: 03 Chart run: 3 - 5 - 3 - 12 - 30 - X

At #66 we enter Chromatica for the first time - it's a highlight from the album, even if it does feel more like Blackpink ft. Gaga than the other way round.

 

65. Babylon - Lady Gaga

Peak: 02 Chart run: 8 - 2 - 2 - 11 - 29 - 27 - 35 - X

At 65 we have VogueBabylon by Lady Gaga! This might be my favourite from the album - I think it's got to be a single at some point, but that's looking less and less likely.

Giving The Feelings a listen now, agreed that the drop really is a moment! Broken Flowers is as great as it ever was as well, not heard that one in a few years.

64. Only Time Makes It Human - King Princess

Peak: 05 Chart run: 13 - 15 - 22 - 8 - 5 - 7 - 15 - X

This is not the type of song I'd expect from King Princess - it's a great, disco-y pop song, although lyrically it's more on the sad side.

 

63. Taken - Hayley Williams

Peak: 03 Chart run: 3 - 21 - X

Yes you're reading that correctly - this song really only managed 2 weeks on my chart. Oops? Anyway it's quite a low-key song before the absolute whiplash of Sugar On The Rim (more on that later).

 

62. Can I Believe You - Fleet Foxes

Peak: 03 Chart run: 32 - 21 - 13 - 3 - 4 - 3 - 16 - 33 - X

More Fleet Foxes - this is textbook from them, with an absolute anthem of a chorus.

 

61. Think About Things - Daði Freyr

Peak: 08 Chart run: 9 - 8 - 15 - 14 - 8 - 14 - X

My favourite of 2020's ill-fated Eurovision entries, runners-up being Fall From The Sky, Tears Getting Sober, and Yes. I'm so glad this turned out to be a hit - some Europop is always welcome in the charts!

 

60. Never-ending Summer - CYN

Peak: 10 Chart run: 36 - 27 - 11 - 10 - 32 - 34 - RE - 27 - 29 - RE - 29 - X

This song, predictably, was big for me during the summer. It's a very chill song with a trap-style beat over which Cyn sings about, well, a never-ending summer, which I think we could all do with!

Giving The Feelings a listen now, agreed that the drop really is a moment! Broken Flowers is as great as it ever was as well, not heard that one in a few years.

Yeah it's not what I would've expected the first time I listened! Broken Flowers is another bizarre older song that I probably shouldn't be including in a 2020 countdown but I did end up listening to it a lot this year, it just doesn't get old for me.

Think About Things :wub: So glad that managed to crack the Top 40 after years of waiting for another Eurovision entry to do it!

 

Never-ending summer is sounding nice, I sent Cyn to Unknown Pleasures many a year ago but not really kept up with her recent stuff, maybe I should after eharing this though.

Sour Candy and Babylon are two big Chromatica highlights for me! :wub: Love Think About Things too, the Eurovision winner that never was! :(

59. This Love Isn't Crazy - Carly Rae Jepsen

Peak: 03 Chart run: 3 - 13 - 4 - 5 - 10 - RE - 30 - X

The lead from Carly's Dedicated Side B - well, lead of sorts, as the whole album dropped at once. It's not the best performing track from the album, those 2 are yet to come. This is clearly another attempt at a big euphoric Cut To The Feeling moment, but doesn't quite reach the same heights.

 

58. Without You - Perfume Genius

Peak: 06 Chart run: 6 - 38 - RE - 18 - 9 - 21 - 35 - 23 - X

Perfume Genius has absolutely outdone himself this year - Without You is one of 3 tracks here, and as with the others it's got a nice retro-ish vibe that just doesn't get old.

 

57. Cayendo - Frank Ocean

Peak: 03 Chart run: 3 - 9 - 13 - 30 - 17 - 39 - RE - 30 - 32 X

Frank Ocean is always great, but Spanish Frank Ocean? Even better!

 

56. Rain On Me - Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande

Peak: 01 Chart run: 4 - 1 - 7 - 11 - 16 X

Rain. On. Me. This was a deserved SMASH and probably one of Gaga's best! It's also the only #1 I shared with the official charts in 2020 (that's changed now thanks to 'drivers license').

 

55. God, This Feels Good - Isaac Dunbar

Peak: 02 Chart run: 6 - 11 - 2 - 9 - 9 - 25 X

This is from the Love Victor soundtrack, although I've not actually watched the series! It was my introduction to Isaac and I'm now a big fan.

 

54. Leave It Alone - Hayley Williams

Peak: 04 Chart run: 20 - RE - 4 - 10 - 29 - 14 - RE - 14 X

One of Hayley's first releases as a solo artist, this really establishes the sound to expect from her album. Slow and moody but gorgeously produced.

Think About Things :wub: So glad that managed to crack the Top 40 after years of waiting for another Eurovision entry to do it!

 

Never-ending summer is sounding nice, I sent Cyn to Unknown Pleasures many a year ago but not really kept up with her recent stuff, maybe I should after eharing this though.

It really was long overdue, even if it was probably because people didn't know it was from Eurovision!

Never-ending Summer is actually the only Cyn song I've listened to, I might have to have another look too!

 

Sour Candy and Babylon are two big Chromatica highlights for me! :wub: Love Think About Things too, the Eurovision winner that never was! :(

Taste! And I'll be hoping for a Daði victory this year, we need justice :(

I've not done well at keeping up with this for a bit, but time to move into the top 50!

 

53. So Heavy I Fell Through The Earth - Grimes

Peak: 06 Chart run: 12 - 9 - 8 - 6 - 27 - 17 - X

The first of a few Grimes songs - I have to admit I'd never listened to her before Miss Anthropocene, but this was a real revelation and now I'm hooked.

 

52. Houston Dubai - Vampire Weekend

Peak: 04 Chart run: 4 - 6 - 15 - 31 - 21 - X

A slightly random one perhaps? This was originally a Japanese bonus track but dropped on streaming during 2020, it's not

particularly a highlight from the album but it's the best of the bonus tracks for sure.

 

51. got it like that - Jae Stephens

Peak: 15 Chart run: 30 - RE - 33 - 15 - 21 - 38 - RE - 36 - X

This is a song which deserved a far higher peak. It's a nice chill R&B song which reminds me a bit of Motivation by Normani in the chorus. Jae's EP 'f**k it, i'll do it myself' is a great listen and I'd really recommend it!

 

50. Pure Love - Hayley Williams

Peak: 01 Chart run: 1 - 11 - RE - 26 - X

Another Hayley track with a terrible chart run! This was a #1 when the album dropped but looking back I would've probably put a different song there - that one is still to come!

 

49. You'll miss me when I'm not around - Grimes

Peak: 03 Chart run: 14 - 7 - 3 - 10 - 28 - 18 - X

More Grimes, this is a definite highlight from Miss Anthropocene. It's got a very catchy chorus despite the trademark dark lyrics.

 

48. Do It - Chloe x Halle

Peak: 05 Chart run: 19 - 5 - 8 - 5 - 7 - 23 - RE - 29 - X

Yes it did well in my chart, but why wasn't this huge in the real charts? Chloe x Halle are amazing artists and they deserve to smash - a shame that's not quite happened yet.

Rain On Me is my favourite from the last few for sure, gonna feature very high in my own countdown! :wub:

47. Want You In My Room - Carly Rae Jepsen

Peak: 07 Chart run: 26 - RE - 7 - 24 - 27 - 18 - 10 - 9 - 28 - 31 - RE - 23 - 25 - X

Uh oh, another old Carly song - this is from 2019's Dedicated but smashed nevertheless in 2020! Its success can be partly put down to my very poor taste coronavirus playlist, from very early on before it seemed to be a genuine threat. Other songs on that playlist included Where The Hell Are My Friends by LANY, Stayaway by MUNA, In My Room by Frank Ocean, and So Far Away by Charli XCX. Looking back... yikes?

 

46. Kyoto - Phoebe Bridgers

Peak: 07 Chart run: 7 - 16 - 12 - 12 - 31 - X

Kyoto is such a gorgeous song. It's got quite upbeat production but the lyrics are the opposite, about impostor syndrome and the singer's relationship with her parents. Despite that, it's just a really warm, comforting song to listen to.

 

45. Levitating - Dua Lipa

Peak: 04 Chart run: 4 - 10 - 7 - RE - 29 - 34 - 38 - RE - 32 - RE - 38 - 16 - 33 - RE - 29 - 26 - X

Levitating has been a thoroughly deserved smash hit! It's maybe my 3rd or 4th favourite from the album, and despite all its various different versions the original still wins for me, even if it feels a bit empty now that I've got used to the DaBaby version.

 

44. Same Cloud - Rose Gray

Peak: 06 Chart run: 26 - 22 - RE - 16 - 6 - 6 - 9 - 25 - X

One of my favourite random discoveries from this year, Same Cloud sounds like the sort of thing that would've been big around the end of the 00s. It's a bit Amy Winehouse at times, a little bit Lily Allen at one point, and slightly True Romance-era Charli XCX on the bridge. I'd definitely recommend a listen!

 

43. Tokyo Love Hotel - Rina Sawayama

Peak: 07 Chart run: 26 - 7 - 9 - 25 - 25 - X

Rina's admitted her love for Carly Rae Jepsen (how could I not stan) and on this one the influences feel most obvious. It's a slower, synthier song than some, but a nice contrast.

 

42. Paradisin' - Rina Sawayama

Peak: 08 Chart run: 25 - 14 - 8 - 21 - 24 - 40 - X

At the opposite end is Paradisin', an upbeat song where Rina sings about growing up. I've seen some people say it sounds like the sort of Disney Channel pop-rock stuff that used to come out, but that can be a compliment!

 

41. 4ÆM - Grimes

Peak: 02 Chart run: 6 - 5 - 2 - 18 - 26 - 16 - X

Banger. 4ÆM ranges from weird, slow, ethereal wailing to drum n bass - because why not, I guess? Call me controversial but this is my favourite from Miss Anthropocene.

Rain On Me is my favourite from the last few for sure, gonna feature very high in my own countdown! :wub:

Glad to hear it! Definitely my favourite official #1 of last year ^_^

Playing the Vampire Weekend song a listen now, an interesting little tune, I never got round to hearing the album in full although I feel like I should to see how this would fit into it.

 

Levitating didn't too much for me initially but it really did grow, DaBaby's rap really adds something to it for me even if I was skeptical of him being on a pop song initially!

I adore Levitating, it's going to be SUCH a moment when Dua's tour finally goes ahead :wub: it's settled as my favourite single from her now!

40. Physical - Dua Lipa

Peak: 01 Chart run: 1 - 6 - 9 - RE - 24 - RE - 10 - RE - 11 - X

I remember just before this came out, people thought it was going to be a surefire instant #1 and it... wasn't, but at least it was on my chart! The first for Dua of 3 now, it's a high energy bop.

 

39. i finally understand - Charli XCX

Peak: 05 Chart run: 30 - 7 - 5 - 16 - 25 - 13 - 18 - 28 - X

We absolutely need more Charli songs like this. The 3rd single from Charli's lowercase era, it's a fast-paced banger with a great beat.

 

38. Describe - Perfume Genius

Peak: 06 Chart run: 6 - 18 - 13 - 20 - 12 - RE - 33 - X

This was the song that kicked off Perfume Genius's latest era, and what a song to start it with. It's a heavy, crashing, shoegaze-y rock song, though ironically enough probably one of the more accessible on the album!

 

37. Cool - Dua Lipa

Peak: 02 Chart run: 2 - 9 - 6 - 4 - 19 - 15 - 37 - RE - 29 - 31 - RE - 31 - X

The mid-summer single that should've been, Cool is a breezy pop track which is, as the title might suggest, pretty cool.

 

36. Break My Heart - Dua Lipa

Peak: 01 Chart run: 1 - 8 - 16 - 20 - 11 - 14 - RE - 23 - X

With this and Cool next to each other, we've got Dual Dua / a Dua Duo, whichever is the best pun. Break My Heart was another #1 for Dua (her most recent, Love Is Religion, flopped a bit and isn't even in this countdown) and comes with a brilliant music video!

 

35. People, I've been sad - Christine and the Queens

Peak: 02 Chart run: 39 - 3 - 2 - 2 - 23 - 17 - 31 - 32 - RE - 35 - X

I remember coming across this on my Release Radar on Spotify by surprise, and didn't expect it to turn into one of my favourite Christine songs! It's a sad one, obviously, but Chris sounds so knowing and wise, it's also a very comforting one.

Playing the Vampire Weekend song a listen now, an interesting little tune, I never got round to hearing the album in full although I feel like I should to see how this would fit into it.

 

Levitating didn't too much for me initially but it really did grow, DaBaby's rap really adds something to it for me even if I was skeptical of him being on a pop song initially!

I'd really recommend Vampire Weekend's album! Probably my favourite album of 2019 actually. The best songs imo are Harmony Hall, Unbearably White, Flower Moon, Sympathy and Hold You Now - its all over the place in terms of genre but there's a few country-esque songs featuring Danielle Haim which sound a bit like Houston Dubai.

 

I adore Levitating, it's going to be SUCH a moment when Dua's tour finally goes ahead :wub: it's settled as my favourite single from her now!

Definitely, her Royal Albert Hall performance was incredible with her flying around the stage so I know she'll deliver!

A very Dua-heavy section there! Break My Heart is I think my favourite of the singles from her last album all things considered. I've heard People, I've been sad a few times as well and it's always sounded pretty nice even if I never added it to my own playlist.