Here's the best list. I used up all my preamble on the worst list. Enjoy.
- Revolving Door by Tate McRae (#82): I don't like Tate McRae. But this song hits.
- "Backup Plan" by Bailey Zimmerman and Luke Combs (#80): This song tackles a clichéd topic: getting back up again. Luckily, Bailey and Luke can sell this topic and be inspirational.
- hey now by Kedrick Lamar feat Dody6 (#114): This is a fun deep cut from Kendrick's album, GNX, that barely made my list. Dody6 can match Kendrick in flow and lyricism.
- BMF by SZA (#76): SZA sounds infatuated with this gangsta. She is also aware that this relationship won't last long; he's a poser. She is, however, enjoying the ride.
- Sorry, I'm Here For Someone Else by Benson Boone (#37): I like this production. This song uses the 80s synthesizers that sound like they're from Bleachers, Jack Antonoff's side project. Benson also sounds much better than he did on "Beautiful Things."
It's been over a decade since Bruno Mars discovered throwbacks. This discovery was for the better. He is really good at being other people. This time, he threw it back to a genre I love. I respect his efforts, but I am not a fan of 90s R&B or Philly soul. I do like post-punk, however. This reminds me of a Blondie song from the 70s. He also has great chemistry with his co-performer, Rosé, as they sing about a rocking apartment party. Apartment is a Korean drinking game. My favorite part is the bridge where Rosé belts that she is on her way. This song is exciting, energetic, and everything you want from a throwback.
It's good to revisit these guys. They were on my 2024 alternative list for "Run Your Mouth." Now they give us a much dreamier cut. In this song, the female lead singer longs for a man who has moved far away. She longs for him to call her or FaceTime her. She feels so desperate that she sings about flying to go see him on the bridge. This song works because she sounds sincere. The minimalist dream-pop production is also good.
8) Bed Chem by Sabrina Carpenter (#45)
Comedy songs rarely chart on the Hot 100, so I feel obligated to point out when they do. In all seriousness, this song is silly and stupid as hell. And Sabrina sells the joke with her goofy personality. No one else can make the line "Where art thou? Why not uponest me?" work. Plus, she has the correct production to back her. It is intentionally sleezy and cheaply sounding to add to the comedy.
7) Sticky by Tyler, the Creator feat. Glorilla, Sexxy Red, and Lil Wayne (#41)
This song is a journey in itself. Tyler starts with some whistling and goes into his femme voice (or his higher register). In it, he makes a pronoun joke that was surprisingly unoffensive. Then comes the guest verses. Glorilla flexes her chops effortlessly. Mediocre rapper Sexxy Red rises to the occasion and raps the best bars of her career so far. Finally, Lil Wayne has a brief verse that he kills, as well. Most posse cuts are uneven with good guest verses and bad guest verses, but in this case, every rapper brings quality to the song. It's an enjoyable listen all the way through.
6) Like Him by Tyler, the Creator feat. Lola Young (#62)
As great as Tyler's party side is, he is also good at showing his serious side. In this song, Tyler explores his relationship with his absent father. To do this, he talks to his mom. This song has great production. It really shows off his confusion and fear. As well, Tyler sells these emotions in his singing. The best part is at the end. His mother explains why he doesn't know his father. And it's her fault. His dad wanted to be there during his childhood, but his mom wouldn't let him. Lola Young also does backing vocals. I didn't notice her. We will talk about her later, though.
5) All The Way by BigXthaPlug feat. Bailey Zimmerman (#33)
Now this is how you make a country rap song. Most of the time, country producers will add a trap beat to the song, and it will sound jarring. They weren't trained to do this. Putting a guitar line over the trap beat makes it sound better than it has any right to be. Also, BigXtha Plug is talented. He can flow over both the guitar and the trap beat with ease. The lyrics are good. This breakup song could have devolved into insults and name-calling. Instead, they just want more clarity when the relationship is over. BigX even shows real vulnerability throughout his verses. I feel like Bailey Zimmerman should have Morgan Wallen's career. He is much better at country than Wallen is.
4) Messy by Lola Young (#28)
This song has the best songwriting of the year. Lola Young says her boyfriend is a hypocrite who is hard to please, and she actually explains how. And I do not want to meet this guy in the slightest. He sounds pushy, self-centered, and ignorant of how much Lola cared about his feelings. She can sell it. There is no display of singing prowess, but it works as a fun, little indie pop song. I look forward to what she has next.
Another new artist I look forward to is this man. First, he is a good producer. He wrote this song himself. This song has a decent piano with a solid guitar line. Second, he is a good performer. This song is very melodramatic. He had sex with his friend, and she said "no" to a relationship. Sombr is left confused and in anguish about this. On the song, he strikes the right balance of over-the-top sadness to convey the emotions effectively. The lyrics are melodramatic, as I said earlier, but they work with the song.
2) Denial is a River by Doechii (#75)
Doechii has a solid up-and-coming career, despite the mediocre big hit, "Anxiety," that features her old sound (Hopefully, she doesn't revert to that formula). This, however, is an improvement. This is her come-up story. I like how the success and the party do not make her happy. It's not as empowering as she thought it'd be. Mostly, I like the personality. She is silly, fun, and genuine as she talks to her friend (or herself) about everything she's been through.
Since this year was slow, here is a list of songs that should've been hits:
- Born With a Broken Heart by Damiano David: Harry Styles sadly did not release any music until the end of December. In the meantime, this guy does a good Harry Styles impression.
- Sally, When The Wine Runs Out by ROLE MODEL: this song is just fun. It's loose, catchy, and deserves more love.
- One Thing by Lola Young: We could have given Young a second hit. This song might be better than "Messy."
- Dancer by Claire Rosinkranz: This is the great underground popstar of the time. She deserves more attention.
- Rein Me In by Sam Fender and Olivia Dean: This is the thumbnail. Olivia Dean is having her moment. Let's give her duet with Sam Fender the same love.
- The Subway by Chappell Roan: This beautiful song about heartbreak should have been bigger.
- The End of the World by Miley Cyrus: Miley made the best music of her career, and it's being slept on.
In the end, the meme won out (The meme is 2:04). This song has way too many hooks. Kendrick plays the cocky attitude like a grand master. I can't say anything about the lyrics; it's all bragging. But it's good bragging. Kendrick can believably play that character. His yelling "Mustard!! " is fun, as is the beat switch that follows it. He is killing the party, so he can throw one that is 10 times better. It's "crazy, scary, spooky, hilarious." This is my top hit song of 2025.
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