The first set of 2017's top tracks have already been revealed. Songs from The Killers, Sharon Needles, Shania Twain and Fly By Midnight were deserving of inclusion. For the next ten masterpieces, the mami with the sexiest body, an Academy Award winner, a Eurovision 2017 contestant and a few pop heavyweights each impress in their own unique ways! Enjoy!
Honorable Mentions:
"Hymn" by Kesha: Structured as a rousing mid-tempo ballad, the standout Rainbow track was a dedication to Kesha's devoted fan base, to those who feel stuck in the middle of rejecting religion and embracing their true identity. Vulnerability and appreciation fuels authenticity.
"Life's About to Get Good" by Shania Twain: Twain was unfortunately forced to reminisce on her troubled past in 2017. The Now lead single was her therapeutic way of pushing all the negative out of the way to make room for the joy and happiness she clearly deserves.
#40. "Stay" by Zedd feat. Alessia Cara
“Stay” was another unlikely collaboration between two diverse artists. While Canadian-native Cara is primarily known for her soulful pop/R&B-influenced sleeper hits, she gave her best dance diva impersonation to incredibly successful results, supported by Zedd’s precise ear for infectious beats. The single found Cara unable to let go of a deteriorating relationship. Though she realized the end was approaching early on, she couldn't help but reminisce on the good times with her significant other. “All you have to do is stay a minute, just take your time, the clock is ticking, so stay,” the songstress belts on the shining, radio-ready chorus. The emotive performance and build up to the hook is pop craftsmanship at its finest.
#39. "Switch" by Iggy Azalea feat. Anitta
So much unnecessary hate seems to flow Iggy Azalea's way (she was not responsible for the "Pretty Girls" flop. Sorry Brit.). Thankfully, in 2017, she stayed focused and showcased why she's on the music scene with an infectious taste of now-scrapped Digital Distortion. Teaming up with Brazilian songstress Anitta, the pair released the rap/pop-influenced "Switch". A dance track on the surface, the personal importance of the effort is revealed when listeners peel back the layers of the songwriting. Maintaining confidence even when naysayers come out in full force, pulling yourself out of the pit of despair, looking good and fierce, all touched on in trademark Iggy style. "This is 'bout that time you recognize that I'm that bitch," they command.
So much unnecessary hate seems to flow Iggy Azalea's way (she was not responsible for the "Pretty Girls" flop. Sorry Brit.). Thankfully, in 2017, she stayed focused and showcased why she's on the music scene with an infectious taste of now-scrapped Digital Distortion. Teaming up with Brazilian songstress Anitta, the pair released the rap/pop-influenced "Switch". A dance track on the surface, the personal importance of the effort is revealed when listeners peel back the layers of the songwriting. Maintaining confidence even when naysayers come out in full force, pulling yourself out of the pit of despair, looking good and fierce, all touched on in trademark Iggy style. "This is 'bout that time you recognize that I'm that bitch," they command.
#38. "Sexy Body" by Pitbull feat. Jennifer Lopez
Miami-based rapper Pitbull has also received an equal amount of love and hate throughout his impressive career. However, there's no denying the magic he can create when linking up with a female pop force. For "Sexy Body", off his tenth studio album Climate Change, he called on frequent collaborator Jennifer Lopez and the pair scored another sizzling hit to add to their ever-growing list of collaborations. Building off a sample of "I Would Like" by Zara Larsson, which in fact sampled "Dat Sexy Body" by Sasha, the Latin duo released an uptempo jam for the 90s dancefloor. "These boys act like they're ballers, but they ain't, I definitely do the things that they can't," the rapper brags. The vocal chemistry showed Lopez agreed.
#37. "Mama Say" by Betty Who
Australian artist Betty Who surprised all with the release of "Mama Say", fourth single off The Valley. She traded the dreamy, synthpop creations of her debut album in exchange for a slightly more aggressive pop beat that carried subtle hip-hop influence. Flirtatious and sexual, the artist detailed the apparent desire from a potential suitor, wondering how his mother would react to a pretty girl with a twisted mind. Not only was the subject matter uncharted territory for the "All Of You" songstress, but so was the catchy production and entertaining, 90s dance-like bridge change-up. "Come with me, I'm what you need, I light you up, 'cause I can see the fire in your eyes," she conceitedly and confidently sings on the opening verse.
#36. "Kitty Girl" by RuPaul
In 2017, the legendary RuPaul released American, her politically-charged and uplifting eleventh studio album. For should-have-been single “Kitty Girl”, the sassy, inspirational and fierce runway jam was everything we’ve already come to expect from the drag artist, but still so much more. An anthem encouraging one to embrace their own uniqueness and strength, the artist was able to make every listener feel special with a dance/pop beat to get them moving. “Gone tomorrow, but you're here for today, cat walkin', like the world is your run-run-runway,” RuPaul chanted on the opening verse with an endearing and calming vocal performance. It was a carefree album highlight, guaranteed to put a smile on anyone’s face.
#35. "Don't Come Easy" by Isaiah
After winning the eighth season of The X Factor Australia, mentored by Adam Lambert, 17-year-old Isaiah Firebrace was chosen to represent Australia in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest, unveiling the dramatic and soaring "Don't Come Easy" as his song submission. The track was fitting for Eurovision's evident love of theatrics and spectacle, and found the young artist hesitant about casually jumping into a new relationship, still reeling from the pain and heartbreak seemingly caused by a previous lover. "No, it don’t come easy, no, it don’t come cheap, been burned too many times to love easily," the artist perfectly belted on the heartfelt, golden chorus, one that the likes of Adele or Sia would have fought to have.
#34. "Too Good at Goodbyes" by Sam Smith
For the lead single off sophomore studio album The Thrill of it All, Sam Smith shared the soaring and emotional “Too Good at Goodbyes”, a heartbreaking revelation of one knowing their loving relationship is quickly coming to an end. Because his heart has been shattered multiple times before, Smith acknowledged he leaves his new romances at an early disadvantage, failing to completely open up due to understandable reservations. He refused to let the one he cares for the most to ever get too close, he worried more about his own emotional well-being than the future of his relationship. As a new mantra, the artist sounds to have now moved on from constant loneliness that plagued him in the beginning, instead making the effort to focus on himself for a change.
#33. "Roulette" by Katy Perry
Whoever chose the mediocre Witness singles should be fired. “Roulette” was the first track on the album to effectively hit the target of "purposeful pop" and show that Katy Perry had not completely lost her touch. Co-written with the help of Max Martin, the artist let her hair down as she succumbed to a problematic one-night affair with a former flame, never really contemplating the consequences. Dark, 80s- influenced production amped up the drama, highlighted the internal conflict and provided a radio-ready platform for the song to succeed. "They say everything in moderation, and sometimes, you got to give in to temptation, so I drop a pin to my location, let's roll the dice," she sings on the worry-free, adventurous second verse.
#32. "New Rules" by Dua Lipa
Everyone was talking about Dua Lipa in 2017. Rightfully so. Her breakout single "New Rules", off her self-titled debut album, became an anthem of empowerment for the scorn, confused lovers of the world. While she delivered helpful advice to her friends in their time of need, now the artist must herself learn from those very same rules as she deals with the aftermath of a breakup. With an addictive blend of EDM, electro-pop and tropical influence at the forefront, the song became a horn-driven warning to stay away from an ex, or fear being dragged back into the trouble and dysfunction. "Don't be his friend, you know you're gonna wake up in his bed in the morning, and if you're under him, you ain't gettin' over him," she sings.
#31. "Daddy Issues" by Demi Lovato
In 2017 it sounded as if Demi Lovato finally found her groove, a sound to call her own. Using throwback influences to her advantage, "Daddy Issues" found Lovato unapologetic about her love for an older man on the Tell Me You Love Me standout. Fearless in her hunt, the singer prematurely admitted to wanting the man's child, getting his name tattooed on her wrist and being a bit obsessive. Too bad, the potential suitor is neither available or ready to commit. "You're the man of my dreams, cause you know how to leave, but I really believe that you'd change it for me," she sings with a glimmer of hope and head full of delusion. It's a fun, flirty effort, with serious underlying meaning, given the artist's rocky relationship with her own father.
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