“When you’re picking your favorite songs of the year, it can be helpful to just think about what you wanted to blast while you showered or cooked. What songs helped motivate you to clean your house? What made that workout seem less challenging or traffic less annoying? Here is the list of songs that helped”, — write: www.hollywoodreporter.com
1. Kendrick Lamar, “Not Like Us”
“Not Like Us” might have started off as a Drake diss track, but it evolved into a worldwide, prolific anthem that needs to be celebrated. The songwriting is sharp and the beat is fire — it’s so good it should earn this rap god another Pulitzer Prize.
2. Beyoncé featuring Miley Cyrus, “II Most Wanted”
Standing next to Queen Bey isn’t easy for anyone, but Cyrus holds her own on “II Most Wanted.” And you’ll want to give her even more credit when you learn that the “Flowers” singer was the one who brought the track to Beyoncé. I’d call it a gift. It’s a remarkable duet full of country, rock and pop elements — genres both artists can tackle — and leaves you wanting more music from the both of them, separately and together.
3. Tinashe, “Nasty”
The fact that this song didn’t garner a single Grammy nomination feels, well, nasty. And mean! “Nasty” is a slick track that forces your bones to dance, even if you don’t have rhythm. It showcases a confident, mature Tinashe and begs the question, “Can anybody match her freak?” Not on the dance floor.
4. Charli XCX, “360”
This has been the year of Charli XCX, and “360” only solidified it. The edgy, bold electronic bop is full of memorable one-liners, including “I went my own way and I made it” — the opening lyric — as well as “legacy is undebated.” She’s telling no lies.
5. Benson Boone, “Beautiful Things”
TikTok might have helped Boone boom with “Beautiful Things” — but this special song is more than a social media hit, thanks to this rising singer’s beautiful, rocking vocals and reflective songwriting. Those backflips during his live performances don’t hurt, either.
6. GloRilla featuring Sexyy Red, “Whatchu Kno About Me”
This beat-laden anthem immediately activates your inner bad bitch, especially when Glo spits out: “It’s giving hair, face, ass, titties!” Though she already marked a breakthrough in 2022, this year really put GloRilla on the map, proving she’s not going anywhere but up.
7. Sabrina Carpenter, “Espresso”
Even if you aren’t a coffee lover, there’s no way you could escape “Espresso.” And please don’t act like you wanted to live without it; like the drink it’s named after, the song is tasty and addictive. I predict it will become a karaoke staple for years — I mean, how could you resist yelling out, “I’m working late / ‘Cause I’m a singerrrrrrrrrrr”?
8. Summer Walker, “Heart of a Woman”
Press play on “Heart of a Woman” and you’re instantly transported to the late ‘90s, when R&B dominated pop radio — this song feels like it could be a companion to 702’s nearly three-decade-old hit “Get It Together.” With a groove satisfying for those of us stuck in the past, Walker continues to lead R&B’s contemporary class.
9. Taylor Swift featuring Post Malone, “Fortnight”
Post Malone is proving to be the king of collaborations: His album F-1 Trillion is full of great ones, and he and Beyoncé trading verses on “Levii’s Jeans” sounds like magic. But his joining of forces with Taylor might be even more superior, in stature and in song. “Fortnight” is mellow and downtempo but also bold and direct, putting Swift’s skilled songwriting in the driver’s seat with a shining assist from Malone.
10. Megan Moroney, “No Caller ID”
If you haven’t listened to Moroney’s music, start with “No Caller ID.” The song is about moving on from a dusty ex who won’t let you go, and Moroney’s brilliant songwriting and cool vocal delivery capture the feeling perfectly. “I’m two months deep in therapy / Been finally getting sleep,” she sings at the top. Good for you, girl, and good for making a great song out of this.
Honorable mentions (in alphabetical order by artist): Ayra Starr featuring Giveon, “Last Heartbreak Song”; Blake Whiten, “Rollin’ Stone”; Doechii, “Nissan Altima”; Flo featuring GloRilla, “In My Bag”; Megan Thee Stallion, “Bigger In Texas”