2019 Year-End Post #4: My Top 45 Songs of 2019

2019, similar to years past, has been a pretty average year for music. There was a lot of bad, but there was also a lot of good. This year we had songs that were full of emotion. We had guilty pleasures. We had songs that were full of energy. We had songs that had beautiful messages. We had stupid songs that were undeniably catchy. I don't know about you, but I enjoyed many, many types of music this year that have personally resonated with me in some sort of manner. The list that you are about to witness is composed of my personal favorite forty five songs of the year. But, there are some rules that outlined eligibility for this list. We will go over those rules right now. 

1. The only songs that are eligible for this list are the songs that spent at least one week on the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown in 2019. Any song that was on another Hits 1 show and did not appear on the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown is not eligible for this list.

2. No song that I listed on a previous year's list is eligible for this list. I like to keep my list of top 45 songs fresh each year--just like the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown does every week. I think I made some pretty good choices last year, so I don't regret putting this regulation in place.

3. Any song that debuted on the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown after the date of December 14, 2019 are unfortunately not eligible for this year's list. The final songs that were eligible for this year's list are as follows.

• Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar
• Sofi Tukker - Purple Hat
• Hot Chelle Rae - I Hate LA
• Arizona Zervas - Roxanne
• Panic! At The Disco - Into The Unknown
• Harry Styles - Adore You

The songs that debuted after the cutoff date and are not eligible for this year's list are as follows. However, these songs will be looked at first for consideration for my Top 45 Songs Of 2020.

• Lil Nas X - Panini
• OneRepublic - Wanted
• Ed Sheeran/Camila Cabello/Cardi B - South Of The Border
• Dua Lipa - Don't Start Now

With these guidelines out of the way, I would like to go though a list of songs that almost made the cut for this year's list. But, unfortunately they had to be left off.

• Ariana Grande - 7 Rings
• Ariana Grande & Social House - Boyfriend
• Ava Max - Sweet But Psycho
• Avril Lavigne/Nicki Minaj - Dumb Blonde
• Billie Eilish - All The Good Girls Go To Hell
• Harry Styles - Watermelon Sugar
• Kesha/Big Freedia - Raising Hell
• Marshmello/CHVRCHES - Here With Me
• Marshmello/Kane Brown - One Thing Right
• Miley Cyrus - Mother's Daughter
• Panic! At The Disco - Roaring 20s
• Post Malone - Cirlces
• P!nk - Walk Me Home
• Sam Smith & Normani - Dancing With A Stranger
• SHAED - Trampoline
• Shawn Mendes & Camila Cabello - Señorita
• Selena Gomez - Look At Her Now
• Travis Scott - Sicko Mode
• Twenty One Pilots - The Hype
• Why Don't We - What Am I
• Zara Larsson - All The Time

With this list, I am hopeful that I am able to rank a few of these songs in 2020. There are several good tracks in this jumble, and a good number of them are still on the Hits 1 Weekend Countdown--meaning that they can be ranked next year. 

Anyways, let's flashback to last year's list before we get started. The following are my top 5 picks from 2018.

5. Troye Sivan - My My My!
4. Ariana Grande - No Tears Left To Cry
3. Camila Cabello - Consequences
2. Ariana Grande - Breathin
1. Camila Cabello - Never Be The Same

 

I think that I have gone over everything at this point. I am ready to share with you my Top 45 Songs of 2019. This was a hard list to put in order, but I was able to do it. These are my favorites of the year. That being said, these are also my opinions. There is no need to argue with me over the songs that I decided to place on this list. There has been a lot of argument over opinions lately, and I do not want that with this post, respectfully. With that, let's get started.

45. NF - Time

I am glad that NF has gotten some recognition with his music over the years. He makes quality work that I really enjoy from time to time. Time is one of those songs that I enjoy from NF--a radio friendly, yet sad pop-rap influenced track. Time sounds sonically similar to his breakthrough hit Let You Down, which really made my ability to come to enjoy it that much easier. Time truly is just one of those songs that you need to listen to when you're in a bit of a sadder mood, but still need a little something to "bop" to--as they say it today. This song has wonderful production and a fantastic deliverance from NF, making it all the more easy for me to make sure that it landed a spot on my list. 

44. SZA, The Weeknd, & Travis Scott - Power Is Power

SZA did such a good job with All The Stars from the Black Panther soundtrack, that I was only expecting good things when I heard that Power Is Power was to be featured on the Game of Thrones soundtrack. Production-wise, All The Stars and Power Is Power have the same vibe. While I do prefer the former over the latter, Power Is Power was surely an enjoyable listen for me--and it sure as hell didn't deserve just a mere one week on the weekend countdown when there were plenty of other tracks that were far more deserving of the shortest tenured song of 2019 on the countdown. Despite all of that, this track harnesses great performances from all three artists that it is credited with. SZA and The Weeknd deliver good vocals, while admittedly not their best by any means and Travis Scott delivers a quite bearable verse. In all, this song is certainly not any of their bests, but it is quite good for a single off of a soundtrack--that's for sure.

43. Ariana Grande - Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored

Okay, okay...listen. I know radio really, really strung this song out for a damn long time...but to be honest, I never really got sick of it. I know that my placement of this song on this list may be a bit of an unpopular opinion, but I enjoyed it for what it was. It had a seriously catchy hook, and Ariana did pretty good here. Despite how good they sound, it is nice to hear her on a song where she isn't belting out high notes all the time...and I felt that this type of vocal content was pretty consistent throughout her Thank U, Next era. Conclusively, it was nice to hear some lower-register vocals from Ariana Grande and to see her be a little more experimental with her music, which makes Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I'm Bored much more appreciated and unique to her discography in my book. 

42. Shawn Mendes - If I Can't Have You

I am pretty much always prone to liking any single Shawn Mendes puts out, and If I Can't Have You is no exception. While, If I Can't Have You isn't Mendes's top-notch work, it is still quite an enjoyable listen. Starting off, Mendes offers some enjoyable vocals that blend perfectly with the lyrics of this track to produce quite the catchy song. The addition of the guitar and subtle percussion here also add a little bit of pizzazz to the track that proves to be in the end, another radio-friendly, top notch single for the pop star who continues to rise in the ranks of popularity. 

41. Billie Eilish - Bad Guy

Billie Eilish, since the start of her career, has been known to break the boundaries of what it means to be a young music star. Many of her earlier songs featured her singing flawless falsetto notes that could not be matched by any other up-and-comer. It seemed that many people loved that about her; her effortless, mature voice at such a young age and her desire to think outside the box when it came to her music. Bad Guy was without a doubt not uniform to what we were traditionally used to hearing from her before the release of her debut album, but it was certainly another experiment for Billie within her own element. Bad Guy harnesses an intriguing listen throughout with a unique and distinctive low-register voice from Billie that is shrouded in mysteriously enchanting production and an extreme level of confidence presented through the song's lyrics.

40. Kygo & Whitney Houston - Higher Love

I'm very glad that Kygo decided to produce a Whitney Houston cover of Steve Winwood's 1980's hit Higher Love to give her the credit she deserves and to gain her some well-deserved posthumous recognition. Whitney shines vocally here, just like she did on everything she put her mind to. Kygo also does an incredible job satisfying the vocal offerings of Whitney on this track, which makes it all the more enjoyable in the long run. Whitney lived an incredible life and had an incredibly fulfilling career and I pride Kygo in releasing some of her music that was once not able to be shared in American music culture. 

39. Harry Styles - Lights Up

Harry Styles has been having a wicked good year in my opinion. His music has always been good, but the stuff he released with Fine Line was just incredible. Lights Up was truly indicative of the quality of music we were to receive when his second album dropped--because boy, was it good. Lights Up, being the debut single from Styles's second album was very different from the debut single we received from Styles's debut album. This one boasted bright, retro, and sleek production paired with stellar vocals from Styles. This song is quite expressive and very experimental when it comes to the traditional song from a man destined for pop stardom. In all, this was very nicely executed and I commend it for all that it does. 

38. Niall Horan - Nice To Meet Ya

Ah, another former One Direction member who has also been proving to have good year with his music. Niall Horan's Nice To Meet Ya is a very fun, flattering track that at least hasn't gotten old for me yet despite its constant loop on the radio. It certainly seems to indicate that Niall's next album is going to be a good one, and I already find this much more enjoyable over most of the stuff he gave us with Flicker. That one honestly just was not my favorite if we are being honest, but I'm liking the vibe he is giving off with this one. Nice To Meet Ya boasts a high level of confidence paired with top-notch production and a good-enough vocal presentation from Horan. In all, to reiterate, this one is a win and I am excited to see where it leads us on the road to his sophomore album. 

37. Lauv & Anne-Marie - Fuck, I'm Lonely

I'm not usually a fan of Anne-Marie...but fuck, this was good (pun intended). She really sounds great here and Lauv and her have such great chemistry on this track. Lauv stays true to his roots, making a sad bop of a track that has me feeling some type of way each time I take a listen, and Anne-Marie proves to be a nice-collaborator. Lauv continues with his delicate, smooth vocals and Anne-Marie follows suit here. Anne-Marie comes across as a bitter lover forced to depart from a toxic relationship while Lauv is portrayed as the lonely, vulnerable man who is just trying to depart from the relationship that broke his heart. Both of them join forces on the bridge of the song, and it truly marks a peak for this collaboration that always has me feeling lonely even when I may not be in that mood. 

36. Charli XCX & Troye Sivan - 1999

Charli XCX and Troye Sivan are a duo that I never expected to see hit the radiowaves, especially because I credit them both with very different sounds, and if there ever was a collab from them I would have expected it to be lackluster--but 1999 is far from that. With a subdued synth-pop influence, Charli XCX and Troye Sivan sing about the good-old-days, giving homage to 1999--a year that was apparently integral to each of their respective childhoods. Conceptually, this puts a new twist on an old favorite. Reminiscing on the "better times" has always been a popular spectacle of pop music, but these two truly make the most out of it. Both shine vocally here, and don't miss a single note. They lay out a fun, nicely-produced pop track that makes you want to get out all of your old keepsakes and just be a normal preteen blind to the worries of the world for just one day longer.

35. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Easier

5 Seconds Of Summer really brought some jams this year, and Easier was certainly one of them. This single is very different from what the band has embarked on in previous endeavors, at least in terms of sound--and it worked out very well for them in my opinion. I am incredibly thankful for the amount of falsetto we received in this song, because it sounds so good. There is a lot of synth influence here and it pairs nicely with the falsetto vocals and the overall pretty relaxed production. Not to mention, the chorus is so infectiously catchy that there were countless times this summer where I just could not stop reciting "Is it easier to stay? Is it easier to go?...". Here's to hoping these guys keep it up this year, because this is leaning in a direction that I am liking. 

34. Fletcher - Undrunk

I am so glad that Hits 1 decided to pick up on this track after it began to gain some well-deserved recognition in the world of pop music. Fletcher is incredibly underrated and Undrunk is incredibly indicative of why more people need to recognize her talent. Undrunk is a top-notch song that reels about a painful heartbreak with impeccable lyrical sense and vocal offerings from this young woman. It is incredibly delicate and intricate that it is incredibly hard not to get lost in all that it offers. It is so dazzlingly wonderful that I cannot wait to see what else she has in store. It is sad that it is looking like Fletcher is gonna shape up to be a one-hit wonder, but I am glad that she was able to garner some sort of recognition and I will definitely be keeping a careful eye out for anything she feels the need to release in the future.

33. Twenty One Pilots - Chlorine

This is a bit of an experimental track for Twenty One Pilots, which stays true to the trend we saw with a lot of the music we were presented with this past year. A lot of artists began to break out of the shell that surrounded their traditional sounds, and Twenty One Pilots did that with Chlorine. This track worked out very well, seeing as it blended a wide variety of sounds and genres throughout, and it turned out to be a surprisingly cohesive work. Tyler Joseph gives a fantastic vocal performance with hints of falsetto here to pair with the allured vibe the song gives off, and it works quite well. In all, a good, top-notch, experimental work that deserved the recognition it got. 

32. Taylor Swift - You Need To Calm Down

This one really blew up...and it had a bunch of people annoyed because it wasn't Taylor's "best"...and to that I say: you need to calm down (pun intended, again). While it certainly isn't Taylor's best, I can enjoy it for being a song cognizant of issues present in the modern era and being represenative to those who face oppression in the current society we live in. Taylor is really pushing for love, acceptance, and appreciation here and that is very admirable...so why should we denounce that simply because it is "not sonically up to par". I really appreciate the dazzling, bright, and poppy production on this song alongside the typical good vocals from Taylor. While I can confidently say that this is certainly nothing sonically amazing about You Need To Calm Down, the lyrics really advocate for something more people should be passionate for: inclusion. So, you know, that is a win in my book. 

31. Stephen Puth - Sexual Vibe

I almost forgot this was the year that we head the breakout of Charlie Puth's brother Stephen Puth--and his music was just as delightful as his brother's. Stephen has a much lower register than his brother, making him a much more distinctive artist and not just someone out to be a copycat to make themselves successful, which I can appreciate. This song also stays pretty true to its title, as Puth pushes to give a traditional sound of the alluring suitor with this one, which adds a bit of a theatric element to this song, adding to the list of high points it possesses. Those other high points include his bass-toned voice, of course, paired with a laid-back effort with the production, and has casual, yet distinctive lyrics. In all, this one is a major win, and he just kept up this act as the year progressed, which leads me to my next point.

30. Stephen Puth - Look Away

What comes in just a notch better than his debut single, was the next one that I came to listen to by the title of Look Away. Stephen Puth keeps up the act here, with a bit more of a slicker production and a more traditional pop-influenced feel. He keeps it up with the deep, intricate vocals and the lyrical content continues to stay pretty casual. In its entirety, this song is an incredibly pleasureable listen that gave me another good song to listen to this summer. Its both equal parts sad and happy, which seems to be a trend that most music has been following. You know, we may want to enter sad boy/girl hours, but we just want to bop too. Look Away is the best of both worlds if we are going to look at it from that angle, and I love it. Hopefully he keeps up the good work, becuase it has proven to be rewarding thus far. 

29. Lizzo - Good As Hell

Lizzo has had a damn good year, especially considering that her biggest hits this year have spawned from songs that she released several years ago. While Truth Hurts may have been a bit over-done in my opinion, I don't think Good As Hell ever reached that point for me. I mean, it is just so undeniably catchy, I find it hard to find reasons that you would not find this at least somewhat enjoyable. Lizzo really lifts up the spirits with this one, while continuing to showcase the vocals that everyone fell in love with in the first place. The production here is big to match the real big energy this one gives off, and it completely elevates the good qualities this song possesses. Listen, guys, I know this song may be a bit girly, but god damn, how could you resist that chorus, I mean it could very well infect you if you didn't sing along. All in all, I'm feeling good as hell every time this one comes on the radio, and here's to hoping that Lizzo keeps that up...but you know...maybe with some actual (for a fact) new music this time. 

28. The Chainsmokers & Bebe Rexha - Call You Mine

I was only expecting good things when this one came out. The Chainsmokers always know how to make a good electronic-pop track with popular female artists, and the fact that Bebe Rexha was on here just seemed like it was destined to be good. Call You Mine has some catchy as hell lyrics even if they are not that deep whatsoever, and the drop here is pretty decent as well. Bebe Rexha has some nice moments vocally here, and it was just a fun, catchy summer song for me. It just serves as further proof that The Chainsmokers are destined to make hits when they partner with pop's biggest people. I am hoping they continue to follow this trend in the new year, they have been having some good stuff lately.

27. Lil Peep & iLoveMakonnen/Fall Out Boy - I've Been Waiting

 

 

Ah, another posthumous song on this list. I'm glad Lil Peep got some quality recognition with this song, because this song is really good, in contrast to some of his other stuff. Everyone makes great contributions on I've Been Waiting, and it turned out a lot differently than what I had initially expected going in. There is some nice production here and the chorus is very nicely orchestrated in my opinion. Lil Peep delivers some surprisingly decent vocals here that I was pleasantly surprised by, and iLoveMakonnen and Patrick Stump sound good here as well. I don't know if this was just a fluke, but there is some sort of "x factor" about this song that really just drew me to finding it as an enjoyable listen. 

26. Jonas Brothers - Only Human

While I was expecting something good for a follow up to the catchy as hell massive hit that Sucker was, Cool did not meet that expectation in my book, but what came after that--Only Human--did. It is no question that the Jonas Brothers had a pretty good year in wake of their big comeback, and Only Human is another big example of that. This song has some super sick production and gives off some really nice, fun vibes. All three of them make great contributions here--both vocally and instrumentally--and while not as good as their biggest hit this year, it is hard not to find something to like with the infectiously enjoyable Only Human. My only wish is that it got a little bit bigger, because this one was easily the most overlooked of the three singles they released from Happiness Begins this year.

25. Billie Eilish - Bury A Friend

Leave it to Billie to make an oddly intriguing, yet kind of creepy song, with a weird/kind of terrifying music video. Well, Bury A Friend really accomplishes all of that. I mean, seriously, guys. The lyrics here are quite a bit horrifying but so mysteriously intriguing. This was certainly a step out of Billie's comfort song vocals and production-wise, which makes Bury A Friend all the more appreciative for what it is as an experimental single. Time and time again, Billie Eilish proves herself to be an extremely innovative up-and-comer that is not afraid to challenge the boundaries that build up the traditional pop track. Bury A Friend is quite a captivating example of that in it being just too hard to look away. 

24. Dominic Fike - 3 Nights

I am so glad that Hits 1 decided to pick up on this, because otherwise I don't believe I would have ever came across it. 3 Nights by Dominic Fike served as an inredibly enjoyable listen for me due to its unique sound and vocal offerings. Dominic Fike provides a bit of a fresh sound here, mixing between a number of genres including alternative and pop with a splash of rap influence. Sure, the lyrics aren't inherently anything special but Fike sings them with such ease and casual composure that I find it hard not to be in such a relaxed, fun mood when I'm hearing this one. 

23. Bebe Rexha - Last Hurrah

Here's Bebe Rexha's second song on this list, and it is another win for her in my opinion. Sure, Last Hurrah isn't her top-notch work but it certainly is quite enjoyable. She delivers some solid, stellar vocals on Last Hurrah that pair nicely with the electric guitar that is part of the captivation that pulls you in with this song's incredible intro. The song only continues to push forward with formidable force, reaching the high point of this track--its chorus which features the peak of Rexha's vocals in conjunction with the production that were both inherent on this track. It's a pretty short track, in reality, but it accomplishes what it sets out to do--a radio-friendly poppy single that further corroborates that more people need to be listening to her music, because she deserves more than the title of a one-hit wonder.

22. Harry Styles - Adore You

Leave it to Harry Styles to have his song just released, yet still be able to make the upper half of my list of my favorite songs for the year (even if it is based solely off of Hits 1 music [but still]). This one seems to bounce off of the vibe given off by Lights Up, but incidentally takes it to another level. Adore You feels like you've half been transported to some other dimension yet half still dancing on the club floor under the neon lights. It's production kind of brings it to a whole other level and Harry Styles's "ahhhhhh" feels like you're lifting off into the maximum euphoria that pairs with the adoration this one seems to use as its target point. In all, this one certainly gets right to the point with its straightforward message, unique production, and stellar vocal performance--adding yet another delightful record to Styles's discography. 

21. YUNGBLUD & Halsey/Travis Barker - 11 Minutes

This would have been an otherwise hidden gem if Hits 1 didn't pick up on it, because it really didn't extremely take off anywhere else. This was my first introduction to YUNGBLUD and I found it a very impressive imprint on my opinion of him, considering that I went on to listen to more of his stuff as the year progressed. 11 Minutes embodies a fantastic, captivating lead-in that really makes you interested in what the rest of the song contains. Halsey and YUNGBLUD both provide nice vocals that grace unique and rather sad-in-nature lyrical content. This song's lyrics basically tell a story which also is a contribution to my overall enjoyment, as both lead vocalists do an amazing job performing as lovers who long to be close to one another even with the distant nature of their relationship--characterizing a rather interesting narrative. Travis Barker also does a nice job with his contributions to the overall production of the track that make it much more enjoyable in the long run. In all, 11 Minutes is a total win for me. 

20. Billie Eilish - When The Party's Over

With that, we are now entering the top 20 territory, starting off with another Billie Eilish song (her third on this list). I found it rather odd that Hits 1 picked up on this so long after this song achieved its peak success, but hey, I'm not complaining because this is yet another example of why I respect and admire Billie Eilish so much as an aspiring up-and-comer. When The Party's Over stays true to her unique style, with more captivating vocals that really just draw you into it here. This song keeps it a bit more simplistic on the production side of things, but the vocals here hit more of Billie's higher register, which is where I find her vocals the most enjoyable. When The Party's Over also features some revealing lyrics to some extent, that may be a reflection on some true experiences that Billie has endured. In all, this one is incredibly cohesive and proves to be quite an enjoyable listen. 

19. Camila Cabello - Liar

This was one of the lead-ins to Camila Cabello's most recent album, Romance, which both had its good and bad moments, but Liar was really a high note for me. There is certainly some influence here that she pulled from some older songs, which really added to the enjoyment I possessed for this track. This one certainly portrays some influence from multiple genres in addtion to the pop, pulling a bit from some latin and R&B/jazz. There is an inherent groove here that makes the song all the more of a catch while Camila dishes out some seriously frisky and fun vocal offerings paired with some nice layering as the track pushes forward. Camila is not lying to herself when she's performing here, and it makes Liar come across as more satisfying when all is said and done. 

18. Post Malone - Goodbyes

While this may have came across to most as just another ordinary Post Malone song, it really hit another chord with me. The lyrics on Goodbyes are much more progressive as a I see it in comparison to what Post Malone used to give us with his music. It seems to me that for the most part, after each song he releases, there seems to be more of an improvement. It certainly comes across with Goodbyes, that his style is most sonically satisying when he is in the pop-rap element. There is a nice, fitting production here that shines through as Post Malone continues to flow through the verses up until we reach the point of Young Thug's feature. Sadly, Hits 1 cut him off, becuase he had a really nice little addition here. Sometimes features feel unnecessary, but I found it really enjoyable that Young Thug was able to visually break apart from his traditional rap-influenced roots to give us a nice, melodic verse that fits perfectly into the song's style.

17. Lauren Jauregui - Expectations

Lauren Jauregui's first completely solo endeavor with Expectations turned out pretty good. I'm not really sure where she was for the rest of the year, because I was really hoping for a follow-up to what we heard with this one. There is a whole lot about this one that really strikes a good note. There is some incredibly good usage of guitar and bass in this song which is probably my favorite part other than Jauregui's signature scratchy, prominent vocals. Her vocal musings are a great addition to the soulful, sultry content of this song that pulls you in in the first place. The chorus really serves as a high point here, offering quite a catchy hook that comes coupled with some superbly written lyrics that are seriously unique to what we are used to hearing from other artists in the popular scence. Here's to hoping we hear some more from Lauren Jauregui this year.  

16. Alessia Cara - Out Of Love

Alessia Cara released some pretty underrated music this past year, and Out Of Love is just one example of that. This song is a typical ballad, but it just has that "it factor" that draws you in. Captivating and delicate, Out Of Love boasts soft vocals from Cara that grace the sad, lonely lyrical content that the song is paired with. There was also quite a good call here to add the strings, because it seriously amplifies the message of heartbreak that this song was aiming for. The production is so simplistic, yet so drawing that I find it so hard not to come back for another listen after each time I hear it. I just wish more people appreciated Alessia Cara for the talent that she is, because she is looked over far too often--and this is just the first song on this list that is an example of that. 

15. Taylor Swift/Brendon Urie - ME!

It was honestly kind of a shock seeing such a bright song like this stemming out of Taylor's super dark-in-natue Reputation era, but it was delightful to say the least. ME! certainly marks a new peak in the energy that Taylor has been able to present in her music with a driving, rhythmic beat that keeps you hooked throughout the entire runtime. She starts the song with a verse that is easily able to hook you in to deliver you to the first taste of what makes this track so infectiously good--the chorus. Sure, it lacks depth...but what is depth when you've got a good ass beat and a lot of "eeee--eeee--eeees" and "oooh--oooh--oohs" thrown into the mix. Then after that really damn catchy chorus, she brings in the Brendon Urie feature and he adds to the high points of the song. In all, I see that these two are the duo that pop didn't know they needed so bad, and ME! is yet another example of how Taylor Swift has figured out the formula for making a hit. 

14. Katy Perry - Never Really Over

Never Really Over served as a false hope for Katy Perry's musical revival. This one was good, but after its release we just got some pretty subpar music that seemed really reminiscent of what we heard in her Witness era, which was essentially garbage. Small Talk and Harleys In Hawaii nowhere near met the level that Never Really Over did and that is just a shame. Katy's music has been on a downhill trend for years now, so it seems needless to say that I was pleasantly surprised when we received Never Really Over earlier this year. Katy just sounds so great hear that it almost seems forgettable that she had that really shitty time she had with her music. This is simply, in short, everything that Katy Perry was missing in her absence from the proper hit-making formula--catchy, undeniably fun, and really nicely produced (hey thanks, Zedd).

13. Zara Larsson - Ruin My Life

Zara Larsson seriously knows how to make a jam, and Ruin My Life is just that. She constantly bangs out fun, memorable songs that are simply forgotten about everywhere else--which is such a shame. Ruin My Life had a little moment on radio this year, but was then just brushed out of the minds of most people when it was rather quicky, as it seems, pulled from the airwaves. All that set aside, though, Zara Larsson speaks on the risk of loving someone who may just end up hurting you later this one and she does a damn good job with it. Her vocals continue to stun me here, with high notes left and right that pair perfectly with the top-notch rhythms that accompany them. The lyrics here really live up to what they were trying to do and the production was executed rather nicely. In all, another noteable moment amongst Zara's discography.

12. Lewis Capaldi - Someone You Loved

Someone You Loved was the real breakthrough for Lewis Capaldi this year, and I am extremely glad he got the recognition, because he has a lot of talent. His voice is very, very good, and it is showcased rather nicely. This was also a majorly played song on the radio this past year, which made me go in and out of liking it, but ultimately I possess an incredible love for this song. The emotions it presents are so raw and tangible and the way Capaldi is able to project them through his dazzling vocal abilities, increases my liking towards it tenfold. Every fragment of this song is as good as the next, with each piece being written so beautifully. I certainly belive that this is a very cohesive work in terms of the story it is telling. Not to mention guys, that piano is really just the selling point here. I certainly commend Capaldi for this one, and I cannot wait to see what he has in store for the upcoming year. 

11. Avril Lavigne - Tell Me It's Over

Ah, Avril Lavigne. She deserves all the recognition in the world for her music. While her true hay day may have been years and years ago, she has continued to put in effort to her music, even if she does not have the audience she once had. Sure, she has had a bit of a shift in her content, but what I find most admirable is that she continues to perservere even if she knows that her original audience isn't listening as much anymore. That shows dedication, which makes me respect her so much more as an artist. This year, we got Head Above Water, which was an incredibly good body of work that I wish more people were aware of. Tell Me It's Over is one of the high points of that album, and I am so glad that at least Hits 1 was able to give it some recognition. Here, Avril has a nice sound that accompanies the soulful vibe this one gives off as a song characterizing an individual who is choosing to rise above the toxicity a past relationship presented. Avril boasts incredibly in-tact vocals on the chorus that come along so nicely, that I find it really hard not to be drawn in. The production here is big and powerful to fit the energy that this song emulates. In all, a good bout for Avril, and I'm hoping she continues to release in the coming years. 

10. Camila Cabello - Shameless

PSA: You are now entering the top 10. We are starting this off with miss Camila Cabello and her second song on this list--the electrifying Shameless. This one arguably has a more dramatic and intense vibe than what we are used to hearing from Camila, and I am here for it. She effectively combines elements from a number of genres here which include alternative and electronic, which is very appreciative and seems to work out rather nicely for her. What I gather is the most enjoyable part of this song is the intense build up to the chorus with that rather dramatic drop that pushes me in begging for more from this one. There is some nice harmonization here, especially on the final chorus, which make Camila's vocal efforts all the more admirable here. In all, it is nice to hear a bit of a contrast to what we are used to hearing from Camila, and even if she didn't continue to pursue this sort of vibe with the rest of the music she released in her latest era, I can appreciate this one little moment for what it is. 

9. Sabrina Carpenter - Sue Me

It is songs like this that make me more and more angry about how much Sabrina Carpenter has been slept on as an artist. She has been releasing bop after bop for years now and barely getting any recognition, which is kind of sad. At least Sue Me, had a little moment on Hits 1, which I am quite thankful for, seeing as I was able to include it on my list here. Sabrina keeps up with the act she does on her other songs, by delivering some quality vocals to grace some quality lyrical content. This one comes across more confidently than some of her other numbers, which easily allows me to categorize it as one of the higher marks of her career as a young pop artist. In totality, this one is fun just like any other of the numbers she has released in the past five years, but reaches a new height of maturity that her other music was slowly striving for. 

8. Bazzi - Paradise

I don't know if I am going to get any criticism for putting this one so high up on my list--but I really don't care. It seems that for the most part many people aren't catering towards Bazzi's music...but to me, he has been getting increasingly better in terms of his music's quailty. Paradise is an example of that. There's not much I can say about this one other than I just simply find it good. Bazzi sounds really good here and the production on this track is certainly done very well. The chorus really draws me in, and the lyrics here make me feel present in some sort of relaxed state that I am not typically used to experiencing. Overall, Paradise is simply a chill, enjoyable track and another win from Bazzi in my book. 

7. Jonas Brothers - Sucker

The Jonas Brothers really hit their stride with Sucker, and while it was probably easily the most overplayed song of the year, I still never managed to get fully sick of it, and now that I have been desynchronized from it for a while, I have gotten back into what I loved about this song in the first place. In comes that infectious beat from the get go that really draws me in, and that falsetto we get from Nick and Joe throughout the song really compliments it well. This certainly has a bit of the old mojo that they possessed with their older tracks, but brings in a bit of new flare that really gave them a lead-in to what they have been doing with their newer material. This one seriously contained some memorable high points that were complicit with all the factors that were able to make it such a hit and a fantastic example of what an explosive comeback should be. 

6. Selena Gomez - Lose You To Love Me

Speaking of explosive comebacks, we got another a bit later on this year in the form of Selena Gomez's Lose You To Love Me which really struck a chord with me. This song is an extremely reflective deep cut that Selena Gomez took a risk with right off the bat. These types of revealing, ballad-esque tracks are not typically radio selling points, but she managed to push through that to make this one resonate with the rest of America when they are partaking in their sad hours. In all, I believe that this was a proper way to address Gomez's nearly four-year-long absence from the limelight in what seems to be a reflective work on what led to her downfall in the first place--her rather toxic relationship with an ex-boyfriend who comes across as none other than Justin Bieber. With that set aside, Selena Gomez really pushes for what has made her a success in the music industry--her powerful, reflective work. She keeps up with some respectable vocal work that stays true to the honest, revealing, and raw emotions that she is able to portray through the lyrics of this song. So, while it may not be the most traditional pop song, Lose You To Love Me certainly is a nice little shade of Selena Gomez that I took great pleasure in listening to.

5. Taylor Swift - Lover

While Lover may not have been my top choice for a lead in single to the album's release (Cruel Summer better be released as a single this summer or I'm seriously going to freaking cry for eternity), I can certainly appreciate this song because it is not bad by any means. This is easily the best of the three singles Taylor has released off of her most recent album thus far. This song really sounded different in contrast to both ME! and You Need To Calm Down which was admittedly kind of refreshing at the time of its release, seeing as I was getting a little bit sick of the overly bright-and-happy-schtick. Lover remains true to the bright-and-happy-schtick but doesn't necessarily completely bathe itself in it which I find quite admirable. This song peaks in its simplicity, with its story-telling lyrics (thanks solely to Taylor Swift), with its dazzingly appropriate instrumentals that really draw you in. 

4. Lauv & Troye Sivan - I'm So Tired...

I was expecting nothing less than great when I heard that these two were partnering up for a track, and my expectations held true. Lauv and Troye Sivan are easily some of the most resilient male vocalists currently in the industry in my opinion. Lauv continues with his typical vocal composure with this song (effortless and smooth vocals, you get the idea) and Troye Sivan complements him rather nicely with his own infectious groove inherent in his vocal offerings that make the sing-along to this one just simply undeniable--even if you're finding yourself in a rather sad mood. In all, I'm So Tired... stacks up to be what it set out to be--a fun pop collaboration that focuses on none other than the relatable feeling of sadness--because guys, it's super on brand for Lauv...I mean were we expecting anything less?

3. Alessia Cara - Trust My Lonely

Trust My Lonely is probably Alessia Cara's current peak for me...it truly marks a contrast from what we were typically used to hearing from her in what was reminiscent of her debut bout. Lyrically, this song is ripped wide open with incredible honesty and truly keeps on brand with the goal of her second studio album Growing Pains, speaking on difficulties Cara has incidentally endured at some points throughout her development to reach adulthood. This one really hits its stride with the vocals, though, as Cara confidently and energetically boasts that she "can do better alone" while it is infectiously paired with a rhythm inherent in its reggae-infused roots. This is yet another incredible example of Alessia Cara's talent, and truly something that I can relate through as a teen going through my so-called "metamorphasis" into adulthood. Trust My Lonely seriously adds up as a wholly cohesive body of work that fits rather nicely into Alessia Cara's discography--like a glove, if you ask me. 

2. Mark Ronson/Camila Cabello - Find U Again

This one, just like the last one, also had a good shot at the top spot, but I just found Find U Again a notch less appealing to me in comparison to the #1 I chose. Find U Again is quite easy on the ears, as Camila Cabello dishes out a rather enjoyable vocal performance...but then again, did I really expect anything less? The answer is no. Mark Ronson supplies some rather simplistic, yet respectable production that truly fits the overall vibe of this track along with Camila's rather expressive, bright, and reflective vocal performance. This one admittedly has a bit too much autotune for my liking, which is probably the primary reason that I didn't choose it as my #1, but it doesn't overshadow that fact that there are a lot of good qualities in this one with all that it offers: alluring vocals and lyrics, and a damn nice rhythm inherent in its flashy, yet detached production. 

1. The Chainsmokers & 5 Seconds Of Summer - Who Do You Love

And...here it is folks. My #1 song of the year (according to what we saw on The Hits 1 Weekend Countdown). The Chainsmokers and 5 Seconds Of Summer both had good moments on their own this year, but when they joined forces on Who Do You Love it became such a powerful moment that I enjoyed rather thoroughly. First of all, can we just talk about the fact that we finally got a good drop from The Chainsmokers in this song after what felt like almost forever? I mean, that is easily one of my top favorite parts of this track aside from the stellar performance by the members of 5 Seconds Of Summer and the chemistry these two groups possessed in this work. Sure, the lyrics may be another example of what we are typically used to hearing as the objective of pop music lately--heartbreak and deceit--but all other aspects of this song overshadow it. I constantly found myself drawn in by the incredibly on-point mixture of vocals and rhythmic offerings here that I was truly blinded by the message...and even as much as this song was played I never truly got sick of it and kept bopping my head along each time it came on. 

Thank you all for taking the time to read up on my top 45 songs of 2019 according to what we heard on Hits 1! I am thankful that I was able to get this post out even if it admittedly may have been a little late. :)

Thanks again for your time!

~ jack.