Yahoo Lifestyle We Ranked 2024’s Best Songs and It Was Actually Very Difficult
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Not to slight all the other years, but it feels like in 2024, musically, we're all having fun again (word to Abby Lee Miller). At least, that's what the biggest hits of the year-to-date might indicate. This year's music has been dominated by gripping rap beef, plus the return of public appreciation for the classic pop star (thank you, Ms. Carpenter.) And, we've seen a roster of names that were unrecognizable this time last year become chart staples. This leaves us with a wealth of choices in the "best of" decision-making process.
What are the metrics that determine whether a bop's done enough to define a year? For one, there's cultural impact. The tracks that managed to edge their way into everything from presidential campaign commercials to sorority recruitment reels are def viable for "song of the year" status. Then there are the oh-so-fickle chart rankings—this year, we saw a handful of top-of-the-chart mainstays and a few gradual risers. Then obviously, quality's got to be called into question. So based on all three boxes, we went ahead and ranked the very best tracks. Ready to discover who earned the top spot? Read ahead.
13. "Girl, so confusing featuring lorde" by Charli XCX
Legendary collabs materialize when you work it out on the remix. No one anticipated that Lorde would hop on the brat track that Charli XCX wrote about their complicated relationship. But when she did? Legions of frenemies worldwide felt represented by the miscommunication and underlying tensions both artists addressed in the song.
12. "HISS" by Megan Thee Stallion
I'd like to give Megan Thee Stallion full credit for tipping off the great Kendrick vs. Champagne Papi War of 2024. Her January single featured bars that allegedly took shots at both Drake and Nicki Minaj, and it opened up the beef floodgates. If we're assessing impact, "Hiss" was the little chaos agent that could.
11. "BIRDS OF A FEATHER" by Billie Eilish
On a friendlier note, Billie's sweet ode to companions really had Instagram Reel audios in a chokehold. And for good reason. Everyone's rotation needs an earnest and endearing mood-booster, and Billie oh-so-dutifully provided 2024's.
10. "Diet Pepsi" by Addison Rae
Some of this song's magic lies in how surprising it is to come from TikTok legend Addison Rae—but a lot more of it lies in its well-executed synth beats and overall sultriness. This release (and its video) felt pretty courageous, and also marked Addison's highly-anticipated graduation from her previous sound (sending all of my respect to "Obsessed"though.) Here's to hoping there are more Rae bangers to come.
9. "Risk" by Gracie Abrams
Try to hear this and not get it stuck in your head for 7-10 business days. If you succeed, congrats on possessing true mental fortitude. Dramatic yearning anthems are the best sort of anthems. Gracie obviously got that memo and acted accordingly. ("I Love You, I'm Sorry,"anyone?)
8. "Drifting" Omar Apollo
Should there be a "Most Romantic 2024 Songs" subcategory, this sweet tune would rank very high—the lyrics are very much wedding vow material. It's a gem on Omar's July 2024 God Said No album, one that's only elevated by a gorgeous and well-choreographed music video.
7. "A Bar Song (Tipsy)" by Shaboozey
If this song's Billboard Hot 100 ranking is any indicator, the people have been *deeply* craving a little honky tonk action. "A Bar Song" earned true star status this month, becoming one of only 45 songs in Hot 100 history to spend more than 10 weeks at number one. (Harry Styles' "As It Was," and Adele's "Easy On Me," are fellow club members.)
6. "we can't be friends (wait for your love) [acoustic (live from jungle studios)]" by Ariana Grande
Ari's strongest moments are A) her autobiographical ones and B) when she can flex her vocal prowess. Hence why this live acoustic remix is such a two-pronged gift. The original song was already a marvel on eternal sunshine, so the added drama that Ariana's runs and live vocal gymnastics provide makes this version even more fun.
5. "euphoria" by Kendrick Lamar
Quiet as it's kept, given all of the hype and dance challenges that "Not Like Us" generated, "euphoria" was the true star of this year's inescapable rap beef. Little did we know that this drop would be far from the end of Kendrick's torment...
4. "II MOST WANTED" by Beyoncé & Miley Cyrus
There's no world in which a Beyonce/Miley collaboration would be anything short of excellent. But this song's nostalgic, "end-of-the-movie," Fleetwood Mac energy makes it both excellent and a fun little departure for Bey. (Miley doesn't feel as new to this. Shoutout to "The Climb.") It's truly a standout on the Cowboy Carter record.
3. "Taste" by Sabrina Carpenter
One hit's lucky. A second signals that people should probably start paying attention, but a third? All in one year? That's a truly historic run. Post "Espresso" and "Please Please Please" we knew she was here to stay. But when Sabrina's feeling smug, bops are made—the wildly catchy taunting on this single is just proof.
2. "Juna" by Clairo
Clairo was bedroom pop's final boss this summer. After the July 2024 release of "Juna," this jazzy single made its rounds on TikTok and rode its way up to chart-topping hit status not even a full month later. The little mouth trumpet section in it is frankly iconic.
1."HOT TO GO!" by Chappell Roan
Nothing fosters a strong sense of community quite like a cutesy little dance (see: the Macarena, the Cupid Shuffle, the Wobble et. al.) That being the case, Chappell Roan's "HOT TO GO" and its choreo have managed to gleefully unite the masses in 2024. Play it at weddings, frat parties, or dive bars—witness how it triggers the same sleeper agent activation reaction in every type of fan. That's pop perfection!
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