Top 10 Best Songs of 2021
#10: “Take My Breath”
Top 10 Best Songs of 2021 (So Far)
The Weeknd Turns out, magic happens when you mix the Weeknd with hit machine Max Martin. The Weeknd has been forgoing R&B as of late, focusing instead on synth pop and disco heavily rooted in ‘80s production styles. “Take My Breath” is no different, borrowing elements from Michael Jackson and the Bee Gees to produce an astounding record that is both nostalgic and new. This is ‘80s pop at its most infectious and fun, complete with beautiful falsetto vocals and a catchy chorus. The Weeknd has produced many great tunes, but this recent “After Hours” era may be his best and most creative yet.
#9: “No Son of Mine”
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Foo Fighters This song was released on January 1, signalling great things for the year in music. Serving as the second single from “Medicine at Midnight,” “No Son of Mine” proves that the Foo Fighters can rock with the best of them. The song has drawn many comparisons to the music of Motörhead, specifically “Ace of Spades.” It has a similar driving beat from drummer Taylor Hawkins and bassist Nate Mendel, and Dave Grohl exhibits a menacing growl that would have made Lemmy proud. It’s one of the heaviest songs that the Foo Fighters have ever released, forgoing their typical radio-friendly rock for a more extreme sound. It works wonders.
#8: “Rumors”
Lizzo feat. Cardi B This Detroit singer has been out of the game for two years, but she has returned with a certifiable banger. Released in the summer, “Rumors” was co-written and co-performed with Cardi B, and the two couldn’t have made for a more magical duo. The song sees Lizzo directly addressing her critics with the passionate confidence that she displayed in her earlier singles, and the chorus proves rousing with a catchy hook and some fun horn blasts. Cardi B also makes a great addition to the song with her signature flow and delivery, making “Rumors” a wonderful comeback for the painfully missed Lizzo.
#7: “Lost Cause”
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Billie Eilish Many eyes were on Billie Eilish to see if she would succumb to the sophomore slump. “When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?” was one of the biggest albums of the decade, but we’re happy to report that Eilish has still got it. “Lost Cause” was actually the fourth single from “Happier Than Ever,” but it was arguably the best. It’s quite a minimalist tune, featuring little more than Eilish’s signature whispery vocals and a bumpy bass beat. But it all works to the artist’s strengths. The music is great, and the lyrics depict strength, confidence, and even a little bit of sass. Eilish is quickly proving herself one of the most notable artists of her generation, and for good reason.
#6: “Leave the Door Open”
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Silk Sonic 2021 has been a year of looking back. What the Weeknd is doing for the ‘80s, Bruno Mars and Anderson .Paak are also doing for the ‘70s. Granted, the smooth and sultry sounds of the ‘70s has always been Bruno Mars’s bread and butter. With “Leave the Door Open,” he once again nails that decade’s signature blend of soul and R&B, offering up a tune with sensual lyrics and flawless composition. Mars also proves a masterful producer, beautifully mixing a number of instruments - including congas, cellos, and violins - into a seemingly effortless whole. “Leave the Door Open” makes for a fascinating, and beautiful, listening experience.
#5: “Kiss Me More”
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Doja Cat ft. SZA L.A.-based rapper Doja Cat burst onto the mainstream scene with “Say So,” a groovy disco pop tune that proved one of 2020’s biggest hits. With “Kiss Me More,’ Doja Cat returns to the disco pop well, only this time she brought SZA along for the ride. Doja Cat is known for blending disco with radio-friendly hip hop, and she and her team of songwriters mastered the craft with this brilliant single. In fact, it’s also a history-making song. “Kiss Me More” has reached the top five in over a dozen countries, and in August of 2021, it became the longest-running female collaboration to stay within the Hot 100 top ten. Doja Cat is taking over the world, one song at a time.
#4: “Good Days”
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SZA “Good Days” was technically released on Christmas Day of 2020, but it didn’t receive significant attention or chart success until 2021. This success was likely spurred by the unique music video that came in March. “Good Days” is a beautiful tune with an ethereal atmosphere. The song is driven by a repeating acoustic guitar riff, and SZA’s vocals are imbued with a reverb effect that is both haunting and gorgeous. The lyrics are also forward-thinking and optimistic, depicting a speaker who is shedding the past in favor of a more hopeful future. It’s a beautiful marriage of lyrics and music, and it proves to be a transcendent experience.
#3: “Easy on Me”
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Adele To say that hype was high for “Easy on Me” would be an understatement. Adele has proven herself one of the most gifted artists of the 2010s, and this single would be her first in nearly five years. It’s also safe to say that “Easy on Me” exceeded everyone’s expectations. The song contains everything that made Adele such a global superstar in the first place, complete with somber lyrics about a tragic past, a minimalist piano beat, and of course, the singer’s stunning vocals. In short, it’s another stirring Adele ballad. It was also an enormous commercial success, breaking Spotify streaming records and reaching #1 in 25 countries. It’s clear that the world can’t get enough.
#2: “Good 4 U”
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Olivia Rodrigo At this point, Olivia Rodrigo could cough into a microphone and it would probably become a huge hit. Rodrigo dominated the charts throughout 2021, coming in with the flurry of “Drivers License” and continuing to reign supreme throughout much of the year. “Good 4 U” is arguably her best single, harkening back to Paramore-esque alt rock of the early 2000s. The song is wonderfully aggressive, complete with a stellar hook and some vicious lyrics meant to depict the speaker’s heartache and bitter jealousy. Its hostile tone contrasts nicely with the more somber “Drivers License,” depicting the two conflicting sides of Rodrigo and the complex feelings one experiences after a split. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Love Again,” Dua Lipa Dua Lipa Is Bringing Disco Back With “Future Nostalgia” "All Too Well (10 Minute Version) (Taylor's Version) (From the Vault)," Taylor Swift While the 1st Re-Recording’s Good, the Unabridged 2nd Version Is Epic “Up,” Cardi B Another Huge & History-Making Hit For the New York Rapper “Rapstar,” Polo G This Single With Strong Storytelling Elements Became Polo G’s First Number One “Peaches,” Justin Bieber ft. Daniel Caesar & Giveon This Pop R&B Tune Became Bieber’s Seventh Number One, Proving His Continued Relevance
#1: “Montero (Call Me by Your Name)”
Lil Nas X Some people were probably afraid that Lil Nas X would be a one-hit wonder, the man who came in and gave us “Old Town Road” before fading away into pop obscurity. But that doesn’t seem to be the case. In fact, 2021 was a fantastic year for the Georgian rapper, led by his commanding single “Montero.” The song and the discourse surrounding it showcases the very nature of Lil Nas X and the impact he has had. He’s both openly provocative and a masterful user of social media. He also uses his clout and performative nature to great societal advantage, with many critics praising the song’s proud LGBTQ+ themes. “Montero” is obviously a banger, but it’s also so much more than that.