Intro | 100-91 | 90-81 | 80-71 | 70-61 | 60-51 | 50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1
30. Boom Clap - Charli XCX
Peak: 8 (October 4); Weeks on chart: 25; December 27 position: NR
The voice behind the chorus of "Fancy" brought forth another annoyingly catchy tune in the second half of 2014. "Boom Clap" was the featured track from the teen lovey-dovey book-turned-movie The Fault In Our Stars. Naturally, with the tumblr and fangirl communities behind it, "Boom Clap" soared into the top 10 in late August. The beat went on (na na na na na) for 11 top-15 weeks.
Don't Tell 'Em - Jeremih feat. YG
Peak: 6 (October 25-November 1); Weeks on chart: 25; December 27 position: 29
"Don't tell 'em, don't tell 'em, you ain't e'en, don't tell 'em, you ain't e'en, you ain't e'en gotta tell 'em, don't tell 'em, don't tell 'em." "On my late night thirsty, 'cause it was late night and I was thirsty." Enough said, Jeremih and YG. Enough said.
28. Break Free - Ariana Grande feat. Zedd
Peak: 4 (August 30); Weeks on chart: 22; December 27 position: NR
Ariana broke free from her TV past and into pop stardom into 2014. "Break Free" perfectly encapsulates this ride, complete with a nasty dance breakdown courtesy of DJ Zedd. The song debuted at No. 15, spending all but two of its first 17 weeks in the Hot 100 as a Top 20 song. "Break Free" also notched eight weeks in the top 10.
27. Summer - Calvin Harris
Calvin Harris's 2014 hit makes the most obvious case for "Song of the Summer," after all "Summer" is its title and a predominant lyric throughout the song. What makes "Summer" such a good record, however, is the excellence of the EDM elements in the instrumental track. The song spent nine weeks in the top 10, you guessed it, from June 14 to August 9.
26. Story Of My Life - One Direction
Peak: 6 (one week in 2013); Weeks on chart: 32; December 27 position: NR
Abandoning their original poppy sound for a more acoustic-type feel was a superb choice for One Direction last year. "Story Of My Life" shows the band's vocal skills and directs focus to the lyrics. The song was part of the top 10 to begin the year and remained a top 20 entry through mid-April.
25. Let Her Go - Passenger
Peak: 5 (February 22); Weeks on chart: 43; December 27 position: NR
"Let Her Go" was one of the bigger hits of the winter. After its first top 10 appearance last December, the Passenger song spent the first nine weeks of the year in the Top 10. It registered such massive success that it was featured in a Budweiser Super Bowl ad in February. "Let Her Go" remained in the top 20 through June 21 and in the top 30 through July 19. Jasmine Thompson's cover of the track remains one of Pandora Radio's favorite songs.
24. Drunk In Love - Beyonce feat. Jay-Z
Peak: 2 (February 15); Weeks on chart: 20: December 27 position: NR
The debut single from Beyonce's surprise eponymous album skyrocketed all the way to No. 2 in February before spending seven more weeks in the top 10. Three weeks after falling from the top 30, "Drunk In Love" left the Hot 100 altogether. Now excuse me as I go listen to "Crazy In Love" to remind myself of what Beyonce once was.
23. Maps - Maroon 5
Peak: 6 (August 9); Weeks on chart: 22; December 27 position: NR
"I was there for you in your darkest times; I was there for you in your darkest nights. But I wonder where were you when I was at my worst down on my knees" This lyric spoke strongly to me this year. I appreciate Maroon 5 for voicing one of my own thoughts at a time when I needed my thoughts to be vocalized.
22. Say Something - A Great big World feat. Christina Aguilera
Peak: 4 (December 28, 2013-January 4, February 1-8, February 22-March 1); Weeks on chart: 26; December 27 position: NR
I heard an interview with Christina Aguilera in which she said upon hearing the original "Say Something", there was an obvious harmony; this was the harmony she added in the version that sailed into the top five at the start of the year. Similarly, there is a third part harmony that is screaming to be sung in the popular version of the song. That is the primary reason I enjoy the track so much.
21. Habits (Stay High) - Tove Lo
My cousin and I were listening to this song long before it was one of the five biggest songs in America. Even now "Habits" is an entrancingly captivating track. The musical tone perfectly portrays the deep desolation and lack of emotional attachment described in the song's lyrics. The video, in which Tove Lo mindlessly makes out with anything with a tongue, is further illustration of the furthest depths of despair.
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