Top 10 Best Songs of 2024

Tinashe
How could we not start with a shoutout to the viral hit that basically defined 2024? Nate Di Winer’s legendary TikTok started a trend that (thankfully) introduced the rest of us to Tinashe’s playful club banger. But beyond that, you have to remember that the true appeal of Di Winer’s moves lies within “Nasty” itself. “Nasty” exemplifies all the hottest musical trends we’ve seen in recent years — and then elevates them to an art form all its own. And to think, it all started off with one simple question: Isn’t anyone gonna match her freak?

Rosé & Bruno Mars
The former Blackpink member’s first solo single in over three years, did not disappoint. Enlisting Bruno Mars’ help ended up being a wickedly smart move — the singer-songwriter brings his personal, genre-spanning touch to “Apt.,” following up his belt-out-loud Lady Gaga collab “Die with a Smile.” And you can definitely hear it: “Apt.” is a little ‘60s, a little ‘80s, a little 2020s, and a lot of sheer, pulse-pounding fun. Fun fact: “Apt.” finds its origins in a Korean drinking game. Said Rosé, “One night in the studio, I taught my crew how to play the game. Everyone was fascinated, especially when I started the chant, [...] and I said we should make a song out of it.”

Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone
Does anyone do “yearning” quite like Taylor? As the first song on her smash hit album “The Tortured Poets Department,” “Fortnight” sets the gorgeously heartbreaking tone for the songs to follow. A left-field collaboration with Post Malone, “Fortnight” finds both artists testing out new sonic palettes. Malone fans may not be hugely shocked, given his recent genre-spanning efforts — have you heard “I Had Some Help?” Building on the themes explored on “Folklore” and “Evermore,” “Fortnight” spins a juicy yarn about an illicit affair brought on by painfully suburban struggles. Does this song make anyone else want to escape to Florida, or is it just us?

Shaboozey
Shaboozey came out of nowhere in the early months of 2024 to deliver an all-time country anthem. This Woodbridge, Virginia native started his musical career making trap music, before undergoing a pretty noticeable genre shift. And don’t get us wrong, we’re not complaining — otherwise, we wouldn’t have gotten this irresistible sing-along. “A Bar Song” captured listeners’ hearts for the relatable struggles at its core, and an understandable yearning to escape the monotony of the day-to-day. The longest-running Billboard Hot 100 #1 of 2024, “Tipsy” is pure, infectious fun. Wait a minute… does it kind of sound like “Wonderwall” to you, or is it just us?

Beyoncé
Queen Bey’s “Cowboy Carter” album marked a significant stylistic departure for the Houston native, becoming her first to feature… well, maybe you’ve already guessed it: her take on country music. Acclaimed by critics for its successful genre-bending (just as everyone surely predicted), it was tough to go with a single pick, but we’ve narrowed it down to the Fleetwood Mac homage “Bodyguard.” This breezy, undeniably summery jam embodies the album’s conceptual themes about the role Black people played in the historical American West. Produced by R&B mainstay Raphael Saadiq, “Bodyguard” stands out for feeling, at once, totally familiar and totally authentic… once again, as if anyone expected anything else from Beyoncé.

Charli XCX featuring Lorde
There’s a lot to unpack in “Girl, So Confusing.” Hyperpop innovator Charli XCX had earned considerable critical acclaim and cult status in the years since her bubblegum breakthrough hit “Boom Clap.” However, commercial success proved difficult to attain, with her intense, often cerebral take on pop music seeming to alienate mainstream audiences. That changed with 2024’s “Brat,” which finally saw XCX elevated to that elusive next level. “Girl, So Confusing” nicely fits into “Brat’s” overarching themes, which include the artist’s reckoning with her level of fame, and sees her (and featured artist Lorde) break that feeling down. Crucially, it also finds the two burying the hatchet after years of rumored feuding.

Billie Eilish
Pop music fans may have initially been caught off-guard by “Birds of a Feather,” the second single from alt-pop icon Eilish’s album “Hit Me Hard and Soft.” Specifically, they might not have been expecting the song’s sweet, gentle tone, which critics noted recalls ‘80s new wave music. However, Eilish’s trademark darkness simmers just below the surface of “Birds of a Feather,” which details the singer’s undying love for her partner… which may not be as reciprocal as Eilish might wish. Co-written and produced by the singer’s brother (and frequent collaborator) Finneas O’Connell, “Birds of a Feather” finds Eilish exploring different sonic textures to dazzling effect.

Kendrick Lamar
Is this scathing Drake takedown the most successful diss track of all time? While the jury may still be out on that one, it’s pretty safe to say that “Not Like Us” functions as both a no-holds-barred, all-out slugfest… and a certified smash hit. And we’re not kidding about that last part — “Not Like Us” went viral, hitting #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and giving Lamar a significant upper hand in his feud with the Canadian hip hop star. Unanimously acclaimed by critics and music fans alike, “Not Like Us” is a callout, no doubt about that — but it also manages to be an effusive celebration of the West Coast.

Sabrina Carpenter
It took cheeky pop songstress Carpenter 9 years and 6 studio albums to hit the big time, but when she showed up on the global music scene, it was like she’d been there the whole time. The massively successful (and seemingly inescapable) “Espresso” hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100, and its bouncy, disco-inspired sound turned Carpenter into an overnight superstar. “Espresso” serves as a fitting showcase for Carpenter’s unique songwriting POV, with its breezy, lighthearted tone giving way to the playful teasing at its core. Simply put, only Sabrina Carpenter could’ve made “Espresso” — and made it work.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

The TikToker Sheds Her Image With This Catchy Lana Del Rey Homage

Bringing the ‘70s Back With Indie Charm

The Second Single From Grande’s “Eternal Sunshine” Is Perfect For Crying in the Club

Formerly of Little Mix, Her Solo Debut Blends ‘90s R&B With Hyperpop

We’re Not Crying… Okay, Yeah, We’re Crying. Thanks A Lot, Maggie.

Chappell Roan
Yeah, maybe you saw this one coming. But can you blame us? It seemed like no one else, save for maybe Sabrina Carpenter, had as good of a year (or as meteoric of a rise) as the Midwest Princess herself. Roan, who had long struggled to break through in a seemingly cruel and indifferent music industry, hit it bigger than anyone could’ve imagined with “Good Luck, Babe!” This rousing, belt-out-loud queer synthpop anthem singlehandedly propelled Roan to the A-list, and it’s easy to see why. Produced by frequent collaborator Dan Nigro, Roan’s groundbreaking take on compulsory heterosexuality opened hearts and minds, while also delivering a chorus for the ages.


What was your favorite song of 2024? Be sure to let us know in the comments below!