As you’ll see in one of my recent articles, we’ve gotten some amazing songs in 2020 even though we’re just under 8 months in. Although, as I was writing that article, I realized that I've already forgotten some of the most iconic songs released in the past year, two years and even the past decade! I went to go back onto my iPod Shuffle and see what the world of pop music was like in the early 2010s - and I was shocked! So today, I’ll be sharing my favourite song from each year of the past decade and some runner-ups.
By the way, here's the "criteria" for this list: each of the songs are iconic and they defined the decade in terms of music. Also, to keep things diverse, I only let an artist have a “winning” song in one year. Without further ado, let’s begin!
2010: “Firework” by Katy Perry
I can’t think of a better way to start this list than with the woman who ran pop music for the first chunk of the decade: Katy Perry. While she released several chart-topping singles in 2010 including “Teenage Dream,” “E.T” and “Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F),” I chose to give “Firework” the winning title on this list for several key reasons. First of all, Perry’s vocals sound so raw and emotional on this song and it was even recorded in less than three takes. Secondly, the lyrics of the song are so impactful and still remain true to this day. Perry sings “You just gotta ignite the light and let it shine / Just own the night like the Fourth of July” in the pre-chorus. Overall, “Firework” still remains as one of Perry’s best songs to date and was an obvious choice as the best song of 2010.
Runner-ups: “Super Bass” by Nicki Minaj, “Grenade” by Bruno Mars, “Only Girl (In the World)” by Rihanna.
2011: “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga
If I learnt anything from this list it’s that meaningful lyrics make very good songs! “Born This Way” by Lady Gaga is a single off her 2011 album of the same name. The song has been praised several times for its empowering message of loving yourself no matter your gender, race or sexuality. The song quickly became an LGBTQ+ anthem and solidified Gaga’s place as a strong ally for the community and one of the main artists in pop music of the decade.
Runner-ups: “We Found Love” by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris, “Domino” by Jessie J, “Run the World (Girls)” by Beyonce.
2012: “Starships” by Nicki Minaj
Would it be a list of best songs of anything without Nicki Minaj? While the rapper released many amazing songs throughout the decade, including “Anaconda” and “Super Bass,” “Starships” managed to claw its way to the top of the list. The combination of Minaj’s singing and rapping over the upbeat production made for a perfect summer song and definitely caught the attention of the general public. While I’m sure many of her fans love Minaj for her rapping, it is impossible to deny that “Starships” won’t continue to be listened to in another 10 years.
Runner-ups: “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” by Taylor Swift, “Treasure” by Bruno Mars, “Diamonds” by Rihanna.
2013: “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
I won’t lie, this was an easy decision. While some of Miley Cyrus’ Bangerz era was a little messy (like when she twerked on Robin Thicke during a performance), “Wrecking Ball” was able to stand out as the power ballad of the decade. Cyrus’ vocal performance on the song is impeccable and you can hear the emotion in her voice in the bridge. Not to mention that the music video has Cyrus swinging on a wrecking ball… naked. Oh well.
Runner-ups: “Heart Attack” by Demi Lovato, “Suit & Tie” by Justin Timberlake ft. Jay Z, “Unconditionally by Katy Perry.
2014: “Blank Space” by Taylor Swift
While “We Are Never Getting Back Together” definitely secured Taylor Swift’s spot in the music industry, “Blank Space” marked Swift’s official transition to pop music and is one of the biggest F.U’s to the media (which Swift later topped with 2017’s reputation). Swift mockingly sings about being a “‘crazy, but seductive, but glamorous, but nuts, but manipulative’ woman that the media painted her as.” She sings “I get drunk on jealousy / But you'll come back each time you leave / 'Cause, darling, I'm a nightmare dressed like a daydream” in the second verse of the song. She's explained that (obviously) she doesn't do this in relationships, but the satirical lyrics help prove her point. When the media gives you lemons, make the song of the year!
Runner-ups: “Love Me Harder” by Ariana Grande & The Weeknd, “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX, “Chandelier” by Sia.
2015: “The Hills” by The Weeknd
2015 was 100% the year of The Weeknd. Not only had he released the insanely popular single for the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey “Earned It,” but he also released his massive album Beauty Behind the Madness, which featured the hit single “Can’t Feel My Face” and the winner on my list, “The Hills.” The incredibly dark R&B song definitely showed off a different side of The Weeknd compared to its predecessor single, but the distorted bass and intense vocals transport you to another world when you listen to it. Overall, I’m still a bit confused about how this song made it on the list, but my ears like what my ears like.
Runner-ups: “Run Away With Me” by Carly Rae Jepsen, “Hello” by Adele, “Hands to Myself” by Selena Gomez.
2016: “Hold Up” by Beyonce
Will the Beyhive attack me if I say that this is my favourite song on Lemonade? Queen Beyonce shocked us all in 2016 when she surprised dropped her visual album Lemonade, which discussed many important topics, such as cheating on “Hold Up.” She questions her partner's loyalty while reminding him that she loves him in the chorus, as she sings “Can't you see there's no other man above you? What a wicked way to treat the girl that loves you.” The revealing and shocking lyrics over the simple production make this one of the best songs on Lemonade and I would make another lemonade pun right now but I just did one a few paragraphs ago…
Runner-ups: “Into You” by Ariana Grande, “Million Reasons” by Lady Gaga, “Scars to Your Beautiful” by Alessia Cara.
2017: “Location” by Khalid
2017 was a pretty big year for music: Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and Demi Lovato were also releasing comeback albums filled with bold and high production singles. But ultimately, we had to strip it down and crown Khalid’s big debut single “Location.” The song immediately went viral because of its simple production and Khalid’s infectious voice. Not to mention that Kylie Jenner posted herself listening to it on her Snapchat story, which may or may not have boosted the song just a little bit. Regardless, “Location” still would’ve gotten the title of the best song of 2017 without the free promotion!
Runner-ups: “Sorry Not Sorry” by Demi Lovato, “I Did Something Bad” by Taylor Swift, “Chained to the Rhythm” by Katy Perry ft. Skip Marley.
2018: “God is a woman” by Ariana Grande
Ariana Grande indisputably dominated the music scene in 2018. Between Sweetener and her chart-topping single “thank u, next” released at the end of the year, it was practically impossible to choose what song by the pop star deserved this title. Ultimately, I chose “God is a woman.” The pop banger was praised for its sexually liberating lyrics and Grande’s impeccable (as always) vocal performance. She sings “And I can be all the things you told me not to be / When you try to come for me, I keep on flourishing … It’s all in me” in the pre-chorus of the song, further proving that she is unstoppable. The fact that this song almost wasn’t on Sweetener still shakes me.
Runner-ups: “thank u, next” by Ariana Grande, “no tears left to cry” by Ariana Grande, “Love Lies” by Khalid & Normani.
2019: “Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa
While several artists released huge hits in 2019 including Ariana Grande and Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa’s comeback single released in the last quarter of the decade deserves the title of the best song of 2019. Before the single, many of us knew Dua as a basic pop singer who released a few hits like “New Rules” and “IDGAF.” Although, the whole world was shocked when the singer came back with her disco-inspired era that started with “Don’t Start Now.” Lyrically, the song feels like a continuation of “New Rules,” as Lipa sings about her ex shouldn’t come back to her asking for forgiveness. But in terms of production, it’s a total 180 flip from her debut album. The basic tropical pop sound was replaced with disco drums and a funky bassline. Not to mention that Lipa sounds amazing on the song. What a way to end off the decade!
Runner-ups: “bad guy” by Billie Eilish, “fake smile” by Ariana Grande, “Cruel Summer” by Taylor Swift, “Never Really Over” by Katy Perry, “Motivation” by Normani.
That concludes our list of the top 10 songs from the past decade. See you next week for R&B Week!
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