I’m gonna guess you guys didn’t expect this and trust me, I didn’t either. As you may know, this blog has mostly been shoved to the side since I moved to do YouTube reviews, but since I still look at it every once in a while, I’ve been trying to think of some ways to continue using this alongside my YouTube reviews. And, at least for now, I’ve found a way to bring it back.
Ever since 2017, when I first started writing reviews on this blog, before I even had a fleeting thought of turning these reviews into YouTube videos, I’ve made yearly lists where I would rank every Billboard Hot 100 Top 10-peaking song, in my opinion, from worst to best. Generally, it seemed like quite a few people really liked these videos, and I’ve enjoyed doing them.
This year, though, things have gotten very busy, to the point where I didn’t even really get to pay attention to the Hot 100 as much as I would’ve liked to. Furthermore, these videos are often the ones that take the longest to edit, and with how busy I’ve been over the final months of 2020 with video reviews, as well as videos in my “TEN YEARS LATER” series, it’s been a little tough to cobble together this list. So, to reduce a bit of my stress, I’ve decided to make this list a written piece, as opposed to a video.
As usual, the songs will be divided into five different “tiers” as determined by how I feel about them, and each song will feature a few quick sentences summing up why I placed the songs where I did. Keep in mind, of course, that this list is just my opinion. I acknowledge that I tend to be a more positive critic than some others, which means there are going to be a lot of songs I enjoy more than others. It’s totally fine if you don’t agree, just keep your comments respectful. With that out of the way, let’s jump right into the list:
I HATED THESE!!!
81. Yummy by Justin Bieber
Here I thought Justin Bieber was just doing a good deed by releasing one of the worst songs of the decade on its third day to lower the bar for everyone. Little did I know he was just foreshadowing the shitshow of a year that was 2020 by releasing a hideous pop single with one of the more abhorrent choruses I’ve ever heard. And then he had the nerve to release a country remix later in the year...
80. Life Is Good by Future ft. Drake
Genuinely, with the fact that this and “Yummy” came out in the first two weeks of 2020, I’m impressed this year actually ended up having so much good music. Drake and Future’s collaborations have never been all that exciting to me, and this just sounds like two throwaways pasted together (and pretty poorly, at that).
79. Dance Monkey by Tones and I
This song hit the Top 10 so late into 2019 that I hesitantly placed it in the “Okay” tier because I needed more time with it. I wish I didn’t give it more time: I regret ever saying Tones and I’s vocals were interesting, they just sound so annoying and pretty much kill the song.
78. TROLLZ by 6ix9ine ft. Nicki Minaj
I guess it’s not as hideous as “FEFE,” but there’s genuinely nothing exciting about the song; 6ix9ine’s performance is boring, Nicki’s verse is bland, it’s another track that reeks of desperation. I’ve never seen a song carried so heavily by its visuals (read: Nicki Minaj in the music video).
I DIDN’T LIKE THESE!
77. Roses by Saint Jhn
I liked the original song when I gave it a listen, but the electronic remix was the one that hit the charts, and oh my goodness, it’s bad. It sounds like the most generic electronic club track ever, and it feels like the perfect example of why sometimes, you should just leave a good thing alone.
76. Rockstar by DaBaby ft. Roddy Ricch
I totally see how this song got so popular, but I just personally don’t really care much for it. The light guitar strums on the production are okay, but neither DaBaby nor Roddy Ricch’s vocals really wow me or feel all that memorable.
75. Silly Watch by Lil Uzi Vert
Compared to much of what else is on “Eternal Atake,” I’m not really all that crazy about Uzi’s offbeat, repetitive flow, and the dark instrumental feels pretty generic, as if he’s just trying to make a DaBaby song.
74. We Paid by Lil Baby ft. 42 Dugg
Don’t really care all that much for the instrumental here, and 42 Dugg’s verse is more annoying than charismatic. Lil Baby carries the song, but even his performance doesn’t really feel like anything amazing.
73. I Hope by Gabby Barrett ft. Charlie Puth
Very generic single that, unfortunately, almost sounds like a Carrie Underwood impression. And honestly, the Charlie Puth remix doesn’t really help it out at all, I don’t think Charlie proves to have much more of a presence than Gabby Barrett does on this one.
72. Come & Go by Juice WRLD ft. Marshmello
Unfortunately, one of the few tracks on Juice WRLD’s posthumous album that I didn’t really love. Juice himself kills it vocally, and the chorus is definitely catchy, but Marshmello’s production just feels like it was made to sound like radio filler.
THESE WERE OKAY
71. GOOBA by 6ix9ine
Ironically, this is probably the only 6ix9ine song that doesn’t feel like a complete earsore to me. It’s severely flawed (especially given that he really thought he could slide back into his character and not come across as desperate), but for once, his screaming energy and the beat actually flowed together nicely. Still a terribly stupid song, but at least it’s more tolerable than the rest of his awful library.
70. FRANCHISE by Travis Scott ft. Young Thug and M.I.A.
Despite having a great cast of stars, this song ends up being a crushing disappointment. The beat carries the song heavily: it’s probably one of the hardest beats I’ve ever heard Travis on top of. The hook is also occasionally catchy, but it’s unfortunate that none of Travis, Thug, or M.I.A. come across as being all that interesting on it.
69. Forever After All by Luke Combs
While a few sweet things are going on in this track, it’s pretty much your standard country fare. Luke’s vocals are nice, and the chorus is kinda catchy at points, but it doesn’t really stand out a ton to me. Decent easy listening, but that’s about it.
68. Pain 1993 by Drake ft. Playboi Carti
Playboi Carti’s verse ruined this shit. I know that’s something you’ve probably heard a lot, and yeah...it’s a shame because Pi’erre’s beat is smooth as are Drake’s vocals, but Carti...I don’t even know what the hell was going on there.
67. Holy by Justin Bieber ft. Chance the Rapper
I mean...it’s sweet and it sounds pretty. Justin sounds good, but the chorus is really clumsy, and honestly, as cheesy as the lyrics are, Chance is the best part of the song to me. Yeah, I don’t hate this as much as everyone else does, but I just don’t particularly care about it.
66. GREECE by DJ Khaled ft. Drake
This is the perfect example of a song that could’ve been great but wasn’t. The beat is hard, and the actual flow and hook from Drake are catchy, but Christ, what is this voice he’s using? Having heard a version where his vocals are pitched down (which actually sounds good), I have no clue what Drake and Khaled were thinking letting that vocal filter fly.
65. THE SCOTTS by THE SCOTTS, Travis Scott and Kid Cudi
Sadly, this is another track that I feel underutilizes its stars. It does feel about as wavy as you’d expect out of a collaboration like this, but the flow is just a bit too repetitive for my liking at points. Can’t say that I’m too upset about it being excluded from Man on the Moon III.
64. Savage Love (Laxed - Siren Beat) by Jawsh 685 and Jason Derulo (Remix also features BTS)
This song is dumb, but for some reason, it’s way too catchy. As mediocre and repetitive as it is, for some stupid reason I came back to it more than I should’ve. Jason sounds decent on it, and I think Jawsh 685 will produce better beats as he gets older and gains more experience. Though, while I very much like BTS, I could do without their remix of it. It doesn’t really add all that much to the original version, sadly.
63. Before You Go by Lewis Capaldi
Structurally, this track feels a bit messy to me, but I think it’s lifted heavily by its emotional lyrical themes and the catchiness of the chorus. I feel like it could grow on me a bit with more listens, though.
62. WHATS POPPIN by Jack Harlow ft. DaBaby, Tory Lanez and Lil Wayne
While I very much enjoy the original version of this song for its catchy pianos and Jack’s great flows, it was the remix that made the Top 10, so I have to specifically judge that. And personally, I could do without the remix. Jack and DaBaby do well on it, but I feel like it would be a better track if those two were the only ones on it. Neither Tory Lanez nor Lil Wayne’s verses (especially Wayne’s verse) did all that much for me.
61-56. All The Christmas Songs (Feliz Navidad by José Feliciano / It’s The Most Wonderful Time of the Year by Andy Williams / Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives / Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree by Brenda Lee / All I Want For Christmas Is You by Mariah Carey / Jingle Bell Rock by Bobby Helms)
For the first time on these lists, I’m gonna give a “tie” (there’s gonna be one more later), because literally, you could arrange these songs in any order you want. I feel like I say this every year about Christmas songs, but I personally only really enjoy them during the Christmas season. And honestly, Christmas is a holiday that’s stopped feeling as special to me, and with that, I feel like I’ve grown away from a lot of Christmas songs.
55. Memories by Maroon 5
I’m honestly surprised I still enjoy this. Yeah, it’s still quite a sentimental song, and it’s far more simple and stripped back than Maroon 5’s other material, but there’s a certain sweetness to it. I honestly don’t mind it.
54. 10,000 Hours by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber
I’m also surprised I still like this, too. It’s not much more than some standard pop-country stuff, but there’s a certain sweetness to it and I think the vocal interplay is decent. Another one I don’t mind.
53. Conversations by Juice WRLD
One of the many Juice WRLD tracks off of his great posthumous album to hit the Top 10, this track has some slick Ronny J production and very good verses, though I do think the chorus is a bit bland. Definitely a pretty solid track, though, even if it’s not the best song to come out of Legends Never Die.
I LIKED THESE!
52. Lemonade by Internet Money and Gunna ft. Don Toliver and NAV
This was a bit of a surprise to me: it’s a simple, accessible track with a killer Don Toliver hook and, to my surprise, NAV actually sounding not half bad! I’d say it doesn’t have the best verse I’ve heard out of Gunna, but it’s decent enough and the song still works with it.
51. For The Night by Pop Smoke ft. Lil Baby and DaBaby
While I didn’t get to listen to Pop Smoke’s posthumous record, I’m glad this track managed to hit the charts. It’s got a very solid, emotional vibe with one of the catchiest hooks of the year. Pop Smoke and Lil Baby come through with the goods on the song, though I could definitely do without the DaBaby verse. Definitely an enjoyable track, though. R.I.P. Pop Smoke.
50. Someone You Loved by Lewis Capaldi
I totally get why people have dragged this song through the mud over the last year, and I get all the memes about Lewis’s vocals, but honestly...I don’t mind it. The song is definitely a bit derivative, and I actually liked Lewis’s passionate tone of his vocals. I know I’m in the minority, but hey, I enjoy the track, I can’t help it.
49. Good as Hell by Lizzo
Like last year, I think Lizzo is an entertaining performer on this song, and the instrumental is great, but I didn’t really give it that many repeat listens, unfortunately. It’s still a pretty fun song, though.
48. Lose You to Love Me by Selena Gomez
Much of my thoughts haven’t changed since last year. It’s a solid track with some great raw emotion, even if the hook can feel a bit clumsy. I did enjoy it a little bit more when I got to hear it with the rest of Selena’s album, too.
47. Mood by 24kGoldn ft. iann dior
While I didn’t quite love this track as much as a lot of others did, it’s still plenty enjoyable. It succeeds at being a simple, fun, catchy emo trap song with colorful production and energetic performances from 24kGoldn and iann dior.
46. Intentions by Justin Bieber ft. Quavo
Lyrically, the song is a bit cheesy at times, but it’s far and away one of the better tracks on Bieber’s new album. I really like the vocal interplay between him and Quavo, along with the mellow feel of the instrumental. I’ll also admit this one grew on me a good bit as I heard it more this year.
45. Toosie Slide by Drake
I’m well aware that I liked this song way more than anyone else on the planet, and yes, it does feel like Drake going on autopilot a bit and just trying to make a TikTok jam, but there’s something stupidly catchy that made me come back to it even after the dance craze died down. It probably could’ve been great with a bit more effort, but hey, I enjoy the track as it is.
44. Roxanne by Arizona Zervas
Gotta admit this one grew on me a good deal. Does it still sound like a Post Malone demo? Sure, but it’s too damn catchy and I got a good amount of mileage out of it this year.
43. Smile by Juice WRLD and The Weeknd
Honestly, I feel like I didn’t love this song as much as I wanted to, but it has grown on me with a few repeat listens. Juice’s hook is really catchy, and I think Abel’s appearance fits nicely over the mellow emo trap instrumental. There’s still something that feels a bit off about it, but it’s an enjoyable song.
42. DÁKITI by Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez
Nice reggaeton track with a good futuristic, wavy vibe, and solid interplay by Bad Bunny and Jhay Cortez, even if it feels like Bad Bunny does some of the lifting here. Is it the best song that I’ve heard from Bad Bunny? Probably not, but it’s got a contagious enough soundscape to make it worth returning to.
41. HIGHEST IN THE ROOM by Travis Scott
I would still hesitate to call this one of Travis’s strongest singles, and I still wish it built into something a bit more near the end, but it’s still a solid, hazy banger that surprisingly got more repeat listens out of me than I expected.
40. 7 Summers by Morgan Wallen
What’s this? A country song I like? Yeah, I’m surprised to say it too, but this is one I enjoy a bit. It does work in a lot of established country formula, but I’m a sucker for some sweet, sentimental songs like this that carry such a relaxed, almost beachy vibe, and this one just really grabbed me. Quite a pleasant surprise, I’d say.
39. Lo Mein by Lil Uzi Vert
While the beat is a bit simple on this one, I do think Uzi proves to have some really catchy flows and interesting autotuned sing-rapping as well. It’s far from being one of Eternal Atake’s best, but it’s got enough energy to be appealing.
38. Go Crazy by Chris Brown and Young Thug
I genuinely did not think this would be a collaboration that would work, but this was a very nice surprise. It’s a solid, smooth piece of R&B that has far better vocal interplay than I ever could’ve imagined. It didn’t leave me begging for more collaborations between the two, but it was definitely a fun track.
37. Stuck with U by Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber
I definitely understand some of the disdain with this song, especially given that it can come across insensitive as a “rich people in lockdown” song, but I’ll handily take this over celebrities singing “Imagine.” At the very least, “Stuck with U” has a sweet doo-wop instrumental, a good retro vibe, and good vocal interplay. The criticism is definitely valid, but as a song on its own, it’s solid stuff.
I LOVED THESE!!!
36. Monster by Shawn Mendes and Justin Bieber
A solid collaboration that featured a slick acoustic instrumental and solid introspective lyrics. I particularly liked Justin’s contribution to the song and the way he discussed what it was like growing up in the spotlight. I really hope he continues in that direction with his future music.
35. Blueberry Faygo by Lil Mosey
This was a track I really didn’t expect to get as many listens out of in 2020. Even though it’s a pretty simple turn-up jam, the song is just unbelievably catchy and the sunny, carefree vibe makes it hard for me to resist. Did it suddenly turn me into a Lil Mosey fan? Not really, but yeah, I’m definitely glad this one became a hit.
34. Dynamite by BTS
A very cute, fun, bubbly, and danceable song from the boys at BTS. My only problem with it is that the autotune can go a bit overboard, but there is too much fun to be had with this one. It’s got a great old-school vibe to it, the boys flow smoothly on it, and it’s another great single from them.
33. Life Goes On by BTS
BTS took a bit of a change of pace with this track, but still gave us something great with it. It’s a simple, lovely acoustic track that feels much lighter than a lot of BTS’s music, but still works on the strength of the group’s vocal interplay. I’m happy to see them continuing to get chart hits, and I’m happy the songs are as good as they are.
32. Runnin by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin
If you thought “I Am > I Was” was a fluke or that there would be difficulty following up on something like “a lot,” look no further than this track. KILLER sample flip of “I Thought It Took a Little Time (But Today I Fell in Love)” by Diana Ross, the beat and performances are super cutthroat...21 and Metro killed this one.
31. Mr. Right Now by 21 Savage and Metro Boomin ft. Drake
And guess what, it gets better! Metro’s production on this one is fire, with a bright celebratory vibe, and 21 and Drake have strong, natural chemistry, too. It’s been great to see how much 21 Savage and Metro Boomin have grown since the first “Savage Mode” album, and they continue to make great music.
30. positions by Ariana Grande
While I’m not sure I’d call “positions” one of Ariana’s best singles, this is definitely one that really grew on me. I love the guitar plucks in the background, and the hook is absolutely killer here. It’s also a testament to Ariana’s quality as an artist that a song this solid is not one of her best singles.
29. POPSTAR by DJ Khaled ft. Drake
I definitely enjoyed this more than most others did: admittedly, I thought the beat went really hard, and Drake’s performance definitely oozes charisma. It’s easy to doubt Drake these days, but this is a track I have way too much fun with it, and I still really enjoy giving it repeat listens.
28. Rain On Me by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande
While Lady Gaga’s latest album did disappoint me a bit, I can’t deny that this was a very fun collaboration. It was a solid throwback to Gaga’s older music, and I think that the combination of vocals between her and Ariana worked as well as I hoped for. This was also one that really grew on me throughout the year, and I’m glad it did.
27. 34+35 by Ariana Grande
Very groovy, sex-driven song with some pretty fun lyrics and a bouncy feel that I have a lot of fun with. Much like many of Ariana’s best songs, this one also has an extremely catchy hook that helps sell it, and honestly...I think hearing Ariana ask to be “fucked ‘till the daylight” is pretty fun.
26. cardigan by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s pivot into folk music turned out to be a roaring success this year, and there are a lot of great Taylor songs we’re gonna be talking about here. This track, one of the three parts of the “love triangle” story on the album, features some solidly layered writing, and Taylor’s vocals fit the mellow vibe perfectly.
25. the 1 by Taylor Swift
The intro to Taylor’s new sound is a very sweet, plucky, piano-driven song that feels minimal yet beautiful. The track is also lifted by Taylor’s nostalgic reminiscing and wonderful vocals that help sell this new direction.
24. exile by Taylor Swift ft. Bon Iver
2020 taught me that Taylor Swift and Justin Vernon are literally a perfect musical combination. These two create a very bare song with some beautiful contrasting vocals, and they work amazingly together. This single and the title track from “evermore” have made me hope that we get more collaborations between the two in the future.
23. willow by Taylor Swift
This track, the only one from “evermore” to hit the Top 10, keeps the folk vibes of previous cuts but also has a bit of nice bounce and one of the catchiest hooks I’ve heard out of Taylor. It’s easily my favorite of the Taylor Swift tracks that have charted in the Top 10, and it’s great to see the creative hot streak Taylor’s been on.
22. Hate The Other Side by Juice WRLD ft. Marshmello, Polo G and The Kid LAROI
I was initially worried when I saw how many artists were jumping on this posthumous Juice song, but it really sounds like every party really put their heart into making this a special song. It works in Juice’s usual emotional style, and the features help turn this into a genuine banger.
21. Life’s A Mess by Juice WRLD ft. Halsey
One of the most heart-wrenching songs on Juice’s new album, this love-centric song features one of the more emotional beats on the record, and Juice’s vocals and lyrics can be enough to bring tears to your eyes. Even though Halsey has a smaller presence here, she sounds great alongside Juice and you can definitely feel the love that went into her performance.
20. Wishing Well by Juice WRLD
I’m honestly a bit sad that “Righteous” didn’t hit the Top 10 this year because that could’ve possibly topped this list, but I’ll gladly accept “Wishing Well” as the best Top 10-peaking track from Juice WRLD’s posthumous album. This was one of the more hard-hitting cuts on the album, with some of the most relatable lyrics and easily one of Juice’s catchiest hooks. Juice’s vocals are also some of the most broken here, and it adds to the pain of the song. R.I.P. Juice WRLD.
19. The Bigger Picture by Lil Baby
A much different direction than I could’ve ever expected out of Lil Baby, this track is an excellent mission statement during what was a very important and difficult time. As much as Lil Baby has mentioned that he doesn’t want to make further political music in the future, I think he delivered a vulnerable, impassioned performance and a powerful message that’s worth saluting. I hope he continues on into this more mature direction in the future because this is honestly going to be one of the crowning moments in his career.
18. Savage Remix by Megan Thee Stallion ft. Beyoncé
Still as catchy as ever, this track features one of the most memorable hip-hop beats and exciting choruses of the year. Megan establishes herself as a brilliant performer here, though Beyoncé definitely has a solid performance as well, proving to be a great addition to a song that was already pretty awesome.
17. everything i wanted by Billie Eilish
This track grew on me a lot over 2020: it’s extremely light and emotional, and I definitely think it sounded like Billie just testing the waters of new ideas, but it still sounds great, and I’m happy it got better with more listens.
16. my future by Billie Eilish
Another track from Billie that carries a very light vibe, I do love the gentle instrumentals and Billie’s delicate vocal performance on the song. It’s a track that feels very twisty as well, with an instrumental that balances perfectly between being minimal and snappy, and it’s another reminder of the immense talent that she possesses.
15. Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish
This is honestly my favorite of the recent loose singles Billie has dropped: it carries a lot of her usual dark vibes, but also has a lot of bounce and one of Billie’s best hooks thus far. Also, this doesn’t influence my placing but the music video is one of the most entertaining things I’ve ever seen.
14. Baby Pluto by Lil Uzi Vert
While “Eternal Atake” was quite a disappointment, you wouldn’t have thought it would be one after hearing the opening track “Baby Pluto.” This song is an ecstatic banger filled with incredible energy, and it’s probably one of the few tracks on the album that matches the space vibes that the record was clearly trying to go for.
13. Stupid Love by Lady Gaga
I honestly wasn’t sure what to think of this song when I first heard it, but damn, what an intoxicating pop banger! This is a joyful track with an unbelievably catchy beat built on a great repetitive vocal sample, and it nails just being an extremely fun song. It’s an absolute blast to listen to, and I’m glad it ended up growing on me a lot.
12. WAP by Cardi B ft. Megan Thee Stallion
I’m honestly a bit surprised this ended up so high on my list, but I couldn’t get enough of this song in 2020. I get that not everyone is going to be in love with how sexual it is, but I think the lyrics are absolutely hilarious, the beat and sample work is fantastic, and the chemistry between Cardi and Megan is really something.
11. Say So by Doja Cat (Remix also features Nicki Minaj)
An excellent throwback jam that perfectly blends disco and hip-hop, Doja Cat really tapped into something special on this track. Her vocal charisma shines regardless of whether she’s singing or rapping, and it makes for one of the year’s most fun songs (though I could absolutely do without the Nicki Minaj remix: the beat switch kills the song, and Nicki’s performance is not as exciting, either).
10. Adore You by Harry Styles
If Harry Styles didn’t establish it before, he’s a bonafide star! This track is a clever, groovy jam that’s relaxed and carefree while being lifted by his natural vocal charisma. It’s hard not to want to get up and dance to this one.
9. Watermelon Sugar by Harry Styles
And if that wasn’t enough, Harry had another great one up his sleeve. Even though I had several people around me that hated this song, I personally couldn’t get enough of it. The sunny vibes, the slick guitar riffs, Harry’s incredible vocals...what a song! This is a funky jam that honestly gets better with every listen!
8. Circles by Post Malone
I can’t deny that I listened to this track way too many times in 2020. It’s as contagious and intoxicating as it was a year ago, and it reminds me of Post’s knack for creating catchy, memorable hit songs.
7. ON by BTS
BTS really surprised me with this track: I love the almost marching band-esque feel of the instrumental, and the way it mixes with the group’s typical poppy sound is honestly perfect. This is an extremely twisty song that also features the same vocal chemistry the group’s always shown, and it’s easily one of the best tracks that I’ve heard from this group. And honestly, I’m sure it’s only going to go uphill from here!
6. Godzilla by Eminem ft. Juice WRLD
I know, I’m just as surprised as you are. Even as an Eminem fan, I didn’t think this song would land so high on my list. Hell, when I first reviewed “Music To Be Murdered By,” I didn’t even consider this one of my favorite tracks on the album. As it turned out, it really grew on me: Eminem’s fast flows ended up being catchier than I’d previously thought, and Juice WRLD’s chorus is one of the best, most cutthroat hooks that I’ve heard from him. This was a collaboration that initially left me skeptical, but yep, it definitely worked out.
5. The Box by Roddy Ricch
One of 2020’s catchiest surprise hits, this was a huge grower for me. Even though a lot of the early hype was over the fact that this (thankfully) stopped “Yummy” from hitting #1, the song itself just became unbelievably catchy. The beat is stellar, that “EEE ERR” is one of the most iconic things I’ve heard on a song this year, and Roddy Ricch is an incredible presence on the song. It’s easy to see why this guy broke out so hard this year: this song still bangs.
4. Laugh Now Cry Later by Drake ft. Lil Durk
A lot of people might be surprised by how high this is on my list, but to me, this is Drake’s best single since “Nice for What.” I love the celebratory feel of the instrumental and Drake’s performance, the hook is one of the catchiest that I’ve heard out of him in a very long time (which is an accomplishment because he comes through with great hooks pretty often), and Lil Durk is an excellent addition to the song. This track feels like a modern-day version of “Headlights,” and it’s pretty amazing.
3. Don’t Start Now by Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa steps into an old-school sound and sticks the landing. It’s honestly bonkers just how catchy this song is. The bass groove is one of the hardest things I’ve heard in a pop song in a while and Dua’s vocal presence is absolutely stunning. I’ve loved Dua Lipa’s music for a while now and I’d always been excited to see where she’d go from her debut album. With this track, Dua more than came into her own. This is gonna be a pop song that will be remembered for a very long time.
2-1. Heartless by The Weeknd / Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
That’s right, that other tie I was talking about earlier? I reserved it for my top spot. Last year, “Heartless” took first place on my list (even though it came out hella late in the year), and it’s still a track that’s as exciting as before, with the same amazing Metro Boomin beat and incredible vocal charisma that made it shine in the first place. And as for “Blinding Lights,” the track is literally pop perfection. The Weeknd took a sample flip of “Take On Me” and made it his own with an incredible synthwave track that glistens in its 80s influence. It’s constructed perfectly, and Abel’s charisma is second to none. I went with a tie here just because I loved both songs so much and couldn’t pick one over the other. “Heartless” almost got the edge just because I gave it a few more listens this year, but then I listened to “Blinding Lights” again and...come on, the song is incredible. I can’t pick one or the other, so I’m gonna go with both. Whichever one you prefer, I think we can all agree on one thing: The Weeknd made 2020 his year.
And that’s where I’m going to leave it for this list. Thank you guys for checking this out! Hopefully, I’ll be able to use this blog a bit more again in the future. I’d like to give it some purpose to sit alongside the YouTube channel, so we’ll see how that goes. Until then, what were your favorite and least favorite tracks out of these Top 10-peaking singles? Let me know down in the comments section!
