Ah pop music was good in 2014 wasn't it? The latter quarter didn't really offer anything particularly revolutionary other than an amazing collaboration between Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars (not in the countdown although it should be shouldn't it?) and of course amazing future popstar Fleur East who will no doubt become huge in the coming year(s). However, the early to middle parts of 2014 contained some pretty incredible stuff. Katy B had her biggest hit to date. Ella Eyre hit the top 15 without a DJ holding her hand. Taylor Swift made a spectacular comeback, almost pipping Britney Spears' Oops! I Did It Again for the highest first week sales of all time by a female artist (she lost out by like 8000 copies or so). There were huge hits from Ella Henderson, One Direction, and Jessie J. There were also career takeoffs from the likes of Iggy Azalea who had Rita Ora clinging on for dear life, British singer of lovely song Sam Smith who couldn't let go of his one night fumble (could be about a bag of chips after a night out) and of course teeny tiny Ariana Grande who is older than anyone thought making many men feel a lot less guilty about their sordid fantasies.
This year's countdown is from 30 to 1. I've gone for 30 this year because when I tried to do 25 again I struggled like Lindsay Lohan in Boots Pharmacy. So many great songs didn't make it through no fault of their own. Well, if they'd been a bit better then sure they'd have made it, so it is their own fault really. I'm sure there will be some controversy in here. If you have a complaint about a song not being here or not being placed high enough or too high then please send this grievance to poppilgrim@couldntgiveafck.com. Enjoy!
30
Ella Eyre - Comeback
At 20 years old she's featured on Rudimental's behemoth number one 'Waiting All Night', collaborated with Naughty Boy and Wiz Khalifa, cowritten 'Changing' by Sigma and Paloma Faith and won a MOBO award. Not bad going. I've only got a few silvers from my primary school sports days and writing credits include, well, everything on this blog. Anyway, her third (but really first because I can't recall the other two) solo single 'Comeback' launched to number 12 in September. It's a thumping pop track with a retro soul vibe and an enormous singalong chorus.
29
Katy B - Crying For No Reason
Katy's sophomore album Little Red didn't get the same rush of applause her debut On A Mission received. It's not a bad album, it just lacked the punch of her first outing. That being said, it did offer it's own fair share of brilliance. '5 AM', a wonderful, heady dance number and of course the album track 'Aaliyah' which featured Jessie Ware, was the strongest song on offer. In the spirit of keeping this countdown about singles, I have to relegate the wonderful 'Aaliyah' and opt for another amazing song 'Crying For No Reason'. This is kind of a 'cool' power ballad with an escalating arrangement which erupts in the final chorus with thudding synths and an array of electronic bleeps and shudders. It proved to be Katy's biggest single success to date and is the most emotive and vocally powerful she's ever sounded. Now, back to 'Aaliyah'.
28
Indiana - Heart On Fire
Her debut single 'Solo Dancing' hit number 14 in 2014. An array of synth shakes and rumbles below a half-spoken vocal arrangement, the song proved a hit with the more 'alternative' radio listeners out there. However, the follow up 'Heart On Fire' is where the magic happens and if this song were two people, sparks would fly. Things start of slow but once the chorus kicks in, an uptempo marvel is unveiled and the vocals burst into a sumptuous falsetto that sticks in your head for days. If British pop continues on this track we're in for a treat.
27
Kiesza - Hideaway
Not many had heard of Canadian born Kiesza before her debut single shot to number one in April. It's a solid debut, establishing her sound as a 90s dance influenced electro-pop artist. Her throaty vocals couldn't be more distinct and the trend continues on the follow up single 'Giant In My Heart', which is also brilliant. How enjoyable a full album with her vocal tones would be, I am yet to discover. However, Kiesza couldn't have burst onto the scene with a more infectious, well produced track than 'Hideaway' and it looks like in ten years it'll be an Ibiza classic, propelling people to make involuntary pops and slides.
26
Foxes - Let Go For Tonight
You may not know this but Louisa Rose Allen AKA Foxes was the featured vocalist on Zedd's hit single 'Clarity' in 2013. Her second solo single became her biggest hit to date, 'Let Go For Tonight' is an upbeat, exhilarating pop ride with a gorgeous piano intro followed by an escalating pre-chorus. It's that chorus that pulls you in though, an explosion of electronic synths, keys and a stunning vocal performance as Foxes questions "Let love in your life baby, Who needs sleep tonight?". It's wonderful and whether she can trump this release remains to be seen, but for now let's just soak up the awesomeness.
25
Ed Sheeran - Thinking Out Loud
The success of his sophomore album X was predictable given how popular his debut + was. He launched the album campaign with 'Sing', a huge hit and extremely good. However, it's 'Thinking Out Loud' that garnered the most sales and public attention, with its sentimental lyrics, Marvin Gaye melody and Ed's emotive vocals. I'm sure a well performed and produced XFactor performance had nothing to do with the single's success. I do have one concern though. Ed sings "Darling I will be loving you til we're 70". What happens after 70?!
24
Marina And The Diamonds - Happy
Two years since her last album Electra Heart, Marina is preparing for the release of her 2015 album Froot. 'Happy' is the second single release and it's one of the most exposed performances of her career; haunting, emotive vocals layered above a simple piano arrangement and some lovely vocal layered harmonies towards the end. It echoes Feist's more stripped tracks and the chorus has a gorgeous melody that compliments the material perfectly as she sings about finding happiness in herself rather than in the arms of someone else. It's a great track if you're single this Christmas and you need that push to stop comfort eating your own body weight in mince pies and Stollen. *Puts pie down*.
23
One Direction - Steal My Girl
One Direction never fail to provide a hook. Sorry, the well paid names behind One Direction never fail to provide the boys with a hook to sing. That's more like it. Although, a little harsh considering their latest hit 'Steal My Girl' features writing credits from two out five 1D-ers. It continues where their last album Midnight Memories left off, shades of classic rock (I swear I can hear Journey influences in there) layered with an infectious "na na na na" vocal riff. It's not the most incredible song they've ever released ('Story Of My Life' holds that trophy) but it is one of 2014's most recognisable, most memorable pop moments and love them or hate them, One Direction always come up with the goods.
22
Royal Blood - Figure It Out
British pop was on fire in 2014, selling mounds of records on both sides of the Atlantic. British duo Royal Blood stepped in to make sure Rock didn't get left out of the mix though and their self-titled debut album went on to be a smash. It helps that as an album it's incredible from start to finish and that's coming from a pop fan. It's on par with the brilliance of Linkin Park's Hybrid Theory, probably better, but has a more raw production throughout with exposed, rough guitar riffs and drum rumbles. 'Figure It Out' is the fourth single from the album and is a perfect example of what this band brings to the table. A pulsating guitar riff opens the track, leading to a thumping drum beat that pulls you toward a huge chorus that could induce whiplash after one play.
21
Iggy Azalea - Fancy (Featuring Charli XCX)
"First things first, I'm the realest" became the tag line on thousands of social media profiles in 2014, all because the mediumly talented Iggy Azalea rapped it in the opening line of her amazing song 'Fancy'. As questionable as her gift is, Iggy nailed it with this track, a huge number one in the US. The featured artist, Charli XCX, brings the track to life on the glam-life ode chorus where she sings about tasting Gold, being in the "fast lane" from LA to Tokyo and demands "remember my name". I hope she's not driving from LA to Tokyo. There's also something about trashing a hotel. It's all a little cliché but so brilliant because of it.
20
Jessie Ware - Say You Love Me
Ed Sheeran pops up again here as the co-writer on Jessie Ware's biggest hit so far, 'Say You Love Me'. Sheeran's influence is clear as this is the most commercial and stripped back Jessie has sounded. It's lifted as the second single from her romantic sophomore album Tough Love, which wasn't as incredible as her debut but still lovely. Jessie's vocals are at their most exposed without her trademark 80s synth vocal tweeks and even without the added electronics her voice is stunningly soulful. Her voice floats above a soft synth beat and a smooth acoustic guitar riff but there's still a retro element here as subtle synthery is at play intermittently on each chorus. Although not the best Jessie Ware track, it's a simple, well written and beautifully performed love song that really deserved a lot more success than it had.
19
Meghan Trainor - All About That Bass
I wanted to hate this song so much when it erupted onto radio. What the heart wants it doesn't always get. As far as debuts go, Meghan Trainor nailed it. This is a retro soul explosion and its butt shaking pop fun with perhaps one of the best hooks ever. Cleverly using musical range as a metaphor for having a voluptuous figure, it seems millions of people worldwide related to the message and it's now sold well into the millions and hit number one, seemingly, everywhere. There's the chance she could be a one trick pony, but what a trick this is.
18
Sam Smith - Stay With Me
The British success story of 2014, his debut album In The Lonely Hour has already sold millions around the world. He hit number one in early 2014 with his second single 'Money On My Mind' but it was his next release, 'Stay With Me' that took his career into the stratosphere. It's destined for a mauling in future series of The Voice and X Factor (a la 'Listen') but let's enjoy it while we still can! Simple piano driven production and those vocals combine to make a heartbreaking tale of loneliness. that millions of people seem to love and relate to given how long its sat in the Top 40. We've all had post one night stand comedown; it's not pretty.
17
Ariana Grande - Problem (Featuring Iggy Azalea)
Here's "Iggy Iggy Too Biggy" again, only this time she's not taking the lead which many will be happy about. 'Problem' served as the lead single from Ariana Grande's latest album My Everything. Although at numerous times during the song it's nigh on impossible to understand a word she's singing, this is one of 2014's most identifiable songs and one of its biggest hits. It jumped on the retro horn section bandwagon and rode it like a mother f*cker and the result is pretty impressive, catchy and just bloody great fun.
16
Jessie J, Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj - BANG BANG
Instantly annoying, this track wasn't a favourite of mine the first time it 'graced' airwaves. However, once I'd been forced to soak it up for a few days I realised it's actually a pretty genius pop track with one of the year's most infectious choruses. Had this been a solo effort it wouldn't have been as interesting, but the collaboration of three of the year's most talked about artists makes this a must listen. Jessie's vocals are on point, as always, and Ariana sounds great as she mumbles her way through her high notes. It's Nicki Minaj who steals the show though with a sassy, rapid fire rap middle eight that might be one of the best parts of any song this year. The Max Martin production flaunts a heavy retro soul influence and it all builds to the final chorus where there are lots of Mariah stylings and bit of standard Minaj banter. Love it or hate it, you have definitely sung along to this at some point.
15
Florrie - Little White Lies
Florrie is one of those artists who enjoys hovering under the radar, releasing amazing EPs and soaking up the love from her underground fanbase. I appreciate that approach because she could have harnessed the pop power of Xenomania, Girls Aloud hit factory whom she works for as a drummer, songwriter and all round amazing artist in the making (she played drums on 'The Promise'). There is talk of an album next year (it's about bloody time!) and if it's brimming with brilliance a la 'Little White Lies' then it's guaranteed to be a five star affair. LWL is an uptempo synth powered electro-pop track with a chorus that explodes into existence, backed by a powerful drum beat. Florrie's vocals float elegantly across the production and every electronic wave comes together in one great big gorgeous affair.
14
Lorde - Yellow Flicker Beat
Opening with that trademark haunting huskiness, this track featured on the soundtrack for the most recent Hunger Games movie. It could slip into her debut album as a bonus track, however that's not meant as an insult. This is more synth 'heavy' than said album material. Heavy metallic synths and thumps litter the chorus as her wispy tones flick intricately inbetween. It's metaphor and quirk heavy, slotting into Lorde's catalogue with ease. It won't be a number one hit as its hook isn't instantly identifiable, but it asserts itself as one of 2014's most interesting tracks.
13
HAIM - If I Could Change Your Mind
I was delighted, filled with glee, dancing on the ceiling (etc) when this was announced as a single from HAIM's amazing debut album, Days Are Gone, this year. It's burgeoning with 80s influence, sentimental lyrics about failing to hold onto a lover because you've been a dick (basically) and a stunning chorus. For me, this was the album highlight and of course, as you can see, a single highlight from 2014.
12
Taylor Swift - Shake It Off
If you watched Beyoncé's medley at the VMA's this year you will have learned two things: Beyoncé is incredible and Taylor Swift dances like a dad. She harnesses her inability to cut shapes on the dancefloor in the video for her single 'Shake It Off' which slips in at number 28 on the countdown. Really, this is one of Swifty's most instantly enjoyable tracks. It's frivolous and a bit twee like 'We Are Never Getting Back Together', but it's also brilliant like 'Trouble'. Clever lyricism and a sax led arrangement, a convincing vocal performance and an incredibly catchy chorus make this one of 2014's standout tracks and the most likely song by Swifty to make you frolic manically.
11
George Ezra - Budapest
2014 was George Ezra's year. His career took off on spectacular scale when he release this hit single at the end of 2013, but it didn't really gain momentum until this year. Lifted from his debut album Wanted On Voyage, 'Budapest' is a beautiful love song lifted with Ezra's epic soul tones and modest guitar led production; it's hard to believe he's only 21. It's one of the most uplifting, optimistic moments of the year and everytime it plays I defy you to crack a smile, yes even the cold hearted should feel a slight warming in their chest cavity. I expect this to feature heavily on indie movie soundtracks until the end of time.
10
.Ariana Grande - Break Free (featuring Zedd)
'Break Free' is the campest romp you'll have, ever, without being judged. This track is everything a pop song should be and as we've already checked off camp what else is there? The production is thumping euro inspired electro pop with a ridiculously infectious chorus perfect for a gym session. Imagine the irony of blasting this while bench pressing 120kg. Ariana continues her trend of mumbling her way through her lines, but her voice is impressive when she manages to rectify her diction. It's the hit Lady Gaga dreamed of in 2014 and unfortunately Zedd didn't manage to give her that with her own collaboration 'G.U.Y'.
09
Janelle Monae - Electric Lady (Featuring Solange)
Janelle Monae is wonderful, a musical marvel, a goddess with dancing feet and a knack for penning some of the best songs you'll ever hear. One such song is 'Electric Lady', the title track from her album of the same name, obviously. It's one of the standout moments from the album and Solange's presence makes it all the more exciting. Retro funk-soul vibes aplenty with perfectly executed vocal layers and harmonies build up to a body swaying, finger snapping chorus. It didn't gain much, if any, commercial success but her track record proves that often fantastic music doesn't always get the acknowledgment it deserves.
08
Tove Lo - Habits (Stay High)
Sweden rarely fails to provide an amazing pop star. Look at Robyn, Lykke Li, Abba! My first encounter with Tove Lo was this very song prior to its release in 2014. It opens like it was written for Ke$ha as she sings over bare synths "I eat my dinner in the bathtub, Then I go to sex clubs, Watchin' freaky people getting it on...". It's a darker 'Tik Tok' was my first thought, then when the chorus kicks in it becomes clear this is a heartbreak anthem with a controversial drug reference (some people found it offensive), "You're gone and I gotta stay high all the time to keep you off my mind". I actually think it's genius and with its heady melody surely all can be forgiven?
07
Lana Del Rey - West Coast
Lana Del Rey will always polarize opinion. Some love her quirky half spoken ways and some cannot bear her in any shape or form. The fact is though, she's one of the decade's most interesting pop stars. She doesn't do 'interesting' in the same way as say Lady Gaga where spectacle often overtakes art. No, what Lana Del Rey does is she retreats into obscurity, teasing us with the notion she'll never record again and then BAM, she's back with a brilliant second album titled Ultraviolence that is the perfect brooding soundtrack. The lead single 'West Coast' is a revelation, a step forward sonically for Lana and the hypnotic production and unconventional arrangement is, at times, revolutionary considering the offerings in the pop world at the moment.
06
Jessie Ware - Tough Love
It's no secret I'm an enormous Jessie Ware fan. Her debut album Devotion filled the majority of my music listening time in 2012, 2013 and "OK" 2014 too. Her follow up, Tough Love wasn't as mesmerising as her debut, but it is still a beaut. She hit number 20 on the countdown with 'Say You Love Me', but it's the lead single, also called 'Tough Love', that inspired great expectations from her sophomore opus. It continues the 80s flavour of her debut, her voice gliding through in an almost permanent state of perfect falsetto. Wobbly synths and vocal layers abound and when everything is slotted together you've got one of the most artistic moments of the year and of Jessie Ware's career.
05
Royksopp & Robyn - Do It Again
Longtime onoff Scandinavian collaborators Royksopp and Robyn has made some impressive music in the past, 'The Girl And The Robot' being the most noteable. It's been five years since that amazing song graced our lives and in 2014 they released a brand new collaborative EP with five brilliant electro dance tracks. The lead single, also the title song, features Robyn singing about restarting a relationship. It's all done very stylishly with Robyn's vocals soaring gloriously above a heavy electronic arrangement of thudding drum beats, throbbing synths and electronic wobbles. When it hits the chorus the experience is nothing short of euphoric and that sensation is furthered by Robyn's vocal performance. Now, what I'd really love is an LP collaboration. That would be good.
04
Charli XCX - Boom Clap
I am a big fan of Charli XCX. Her proper debut album True Romance was a wonderfully dark electro-pop fest and the likes of single 'You (Ha Ha Ha)' established her as an edgy pop artist, far apart from her no substance peers. 'Boom Clap' gained recognition when it featured on the soundtrack to the (supposed) tear jerker movie The Fault In Our Stars and thank God for that. Aside from a shaky cover by Only The Young on this year's X Factor, this is a punchy, synth shudder romp with a glorious chorus that wills you to sing along and finally gained this artist the recognition she's deserved for years.
03
Sia - Chandelier
This is an incredible song. It stands as Sia's most commercially successful and accessible singles to date and for some I'm sure that's a problem. It was only a matter of time following on from the string of hits she has had a songwriter that her solo material would gain recognition although it remains a shame that her earlier and better music still remains only in the open arms of her loyal fanbase (or is it a shame?). Sia's penwomanship is solid. Her ear for a hook is also, solid. 'Chandelier' provides intricate lyricism and intense beat filled production that thrashes in sonic splendour below an escalating vocal full of adhoc breaks and cracks that make the whole experience very Sia and very authentic. It's an honest, confessional song about her struggles with alcohol and drug abuse, both of which were brought on by her commercial success as a songwriter and the subsequent fame that carried along with it. Maybe this isn't ironic, maybe it is in fact a feature of commercial strategy along with her faceless album campaign. In the end, who cares?
02
Clean Bandit - Rather Be
'Rather Be' has sold just under 1.5 million copies in the UK alone. Need I say more? I probably should because Gangnam Style did pretty well too and that was a shit show of grand proportions. This is the debut single from both Clean Bandit and Jess Glyne who collaborate on this wonderful track. It became my song of the summer, with its cute lyricism, Glynne's smoky emotive vocals, synth-classical production and that stunning, spiritually elevating chorus. I'm not sure what it is, but this song has a magic that surpassed all others in 2014, a magic they haven't been able to replicate in their follow up singles or on any other moment on their debut album.
01
Ella Henderson - Ghost
Last year I positioned Justin Timberlakes's 'Mirrors' as the number one song of 2013. I feel satisfied that this year I can assertively position Ella Henderson's 'Ghost' as the best song of the year because it's about time it was given to a fellow Briton! I didn't expect that Briton to be an X Factor alumni though; how shocked and equally impressed I was/am. When I first heard 'Ghost' I thought, "f*ck off, no way this can be Ella Henderson" and thus I was shut right up. This is a song that comes along once in a lifetime, instantly memorable, instantly infectious and instantly brilliant. The talents of Ryan Tedder (Leona's 'Bleeding Love') are clearly unparalleled as he and Ella's song writing skills masterfully created a masterpiece of contemporary pop music. The bluesy soul production elements coupled with the incessant drumbeat in the chorus stick in your mind and I doubt they'll ever leave. "I keep going to the river to pray, Cos I need something that can wash out the pain" she blasts tremendously over said beat, never sounding more convincing, authentic or confident before this moment in her career. It'll be hard for her to top this single, but thankfully her album Chapter One ended up being entirely amazing.
You can listen to the countdown here (minus Swifty because she's a Spotify ditcher):
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