Wednesday, December 31, 2014

Top 100 of 2014 (10-6)


10. Jesse McCartney - Superbad PEAK: #1 (3 weeks)


So far, Jesse McCartney has been rather inconsistent over his decade-long career for me, as some of his songs have done really well, and others flopping. However, it was the "In Technicolor" era that became his biggest to date. Seeing himself get reinvented in a retro-pop style, it was this song in particular that really captured my attention. Over the summer, "Superbad" would spend three weeks at #1, surpassing the single week that his only previous #1, "How Do You Sleep", had, and became my favourite from him overall. For 2014, Jesse McCartney scores his first ever year-end top 10 placing!


9. Katy Perry - Birthday PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)


Ever since she debuted in 2008, Katy Perry has appeared in my year-end top 10 every year since, with the exception of 2011. As the hits from her "Prism" album continued in 2014, it eventually became clear that this album highlight, once released as a single, would carry it on! After spending two weeks at #1, Katy has scored her sixth year with a song in the top 10 (8th song overall to rank that high).


8. Andee - Never Gone PEAK: #1 (1 week)


It's been a great year for Canadian artists on my chart, and this has been one of the most successful for me. Québécois singer Andee really broke through in 2014 as she made her English-language debut with this song, "Never Gone". While it was initially slow to really catch on, she really showed her resilience and ended up topping my chart for a single week in September! As her follow-up hit "Sorries" is currently riding high for me and her debut English album is also coming in 2015, I expect the hit streak to continue!


7. Marianas Trench - Pop 101 PEAK: #1 (5 weeks)


One of the year's craziest song ideas comes from Marianas Trench! This song is a satire towards pretty much every modern day pop song cliché, with lyrics that give the listener a lesson in "pop 101", describing every motion taken in the song! It actually worked very well for a concept, and it reflected in this song's chart performance, as it quickly rocketed straight to #1 for 5 weeks in a row, becoming their second #1, and second year-end top 10 ranking, following their 2010 collaboration with Kate Voegele, "Good To You". Their next album is set for a 2015 release, and hopefully there will be more hits there!


6. Blue Rodeo - New Morning Sun PEAK: #1 (1 week)


Veteran Canadian band Blue Rodeo has been making hit records for nearly 30 years now, and I've enjoyed many of their hits over the years. However, it was this song from their latest album "In Our Nature" that really became a surprise hit for me! It has the classic sound that made their older music so enjoyable and enduring, showing that the years have definitely kept their chemistry together very strong, and it's actually become my favourite from them ever. Not bad for a group of geezers!

Tuesday, December 30, 2014

Top 100 of 2014 (20-11)


20. Taylor Swift - Shake It Off PEAK: #2


This was one song that was everywhere in 2014! Taylor Swift ditched her country roots for a full-on pop album; the result, "1989", sold over a million copies in its first week alone. This song still has the attitude her songs are known for while beng a fun pop tune at the same time, reaching the #2 spot on my chart.


19. Lauren Winans - Wicked Game PEAK: #1 (4 weeks)


After her first single to reach my chart, "Better At Breaking", dominated early in the year, I was anxiously awaiting a follow-up. When it arrived, I was blown away; this catchy, upbeat party anthem pretty much has everything I look for in a catchy pop song. It spent 4 weeks at #1 in October and remained in the top 10 for the rest of the year... how high did her big hit "Better at Breaking" land?


18. Kongos - Come With Me Now PEAK: #1 (1 week)


One of this year's breakout bands has to be the South African brothers known as Kongos! This catchy alternative rock song became a huge hit, topping my chart for a week and making them one of my top new acts of the year.


17. John Legend - All Of Me PEAK: #6


One of the year's most romantic songs has to be this ballad from soul singer John Legend! It became his biggest hit to date, and on my chart, had a lengthy chart run, reaching my top 10.


16. Maroon 5 - Maps PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)


As always, I had high anticipation for new music from Maroon 5! Sure enough, after breaking the record for highest single-week climb, this quickly shot up to #1, spending two weeks there and becoming their 12th #1 overall. It's also the highest appearance their album "V" gives us.


15. Idina Menzel - Let It Go PEAK: #7


Disney movies are always known for memorable songs, many of which have made their way into general pop culture. This song is no exception, as the movie "Frozen" was a huge hit and this song, as performed in the film by Idina Menzel, became a breakout smash, reaching my top 10 and experiencing enough longevity to reach the top 20 on my year-end.


14. Christina Perri - Human PEAK: #2


In 2014, Christina Perri finally released her second album, "Head Or Heart". This lead single was no disappointment, reaching the #2 spot on my chart and having enough longevity to rank at #14 for the whole year.


13. Demi Lovato feat. Cher Lloyd - Really Don't Care PEAK: #1 (1 week)


Demi Lovato has been one of the year's top artists for me, mostly due to the continued success of her 2013 album "Demi". This song, which features Cher Lloyd, became yet another hit for her, her 6th #1 overall on my chart.


12. Celine Dion feat. Ne-Yo - Incredible PEAK: #4


One of the highlights of Celine Dion's latest album was this duet with Ne-Yo, who has also had several decent-sized hits on my chart. Put the two together and you get some "Incredible" chemistry between them, and the result was a smash that reached #4 on my chart in the spring, and the highest song on here that didn't reach #1 on my weekly chart.


11. Alyssa Reid - Hurricane PEAK: #1 (1 week)


Last year, Alyssa Reid was #11 for the year with "Running Guns". This year, she does it again with "Hurricane", which can also be found on her album "Time Bomb". This became her 5th #1 overall on my chart, an amazing track record so far. However, she has yet to reach the year-end top 10, despite having had two songs ("If You Are" and "Satisfaction Guaranteed") that would have if not for being split between two years!

Monday, December 29, 2014

Top 100 of 2014 (30-21)


30. Elise Estrada - U Don't Need 2 Know PEAK: #10


It's been a while since we've heard from Elise Estrada, but the Filipino-Canadian singer has certainly kept busy! This song, about self-image, became my favourite from her since her debut album, and reached the top 10 back in the spring.


29. Cher Lloyd - Sirens PEAK: #4


Showing a softer side to her music, Cher Lloyd returned with her sophomore album, and this lead single struck a chord with me, reaching my top 5.


28. A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilera - Say Something PEAK: #2


The indie-pop duo A Great Big World really broke through in 2014 with this huge hit, featuring accompanying vocals by Christina Aguilera. It ended up reaching the runner-up spot on my chart.


27. Katy B - Crying For No Reason PEAK: #8


I'd never really paid attention to British singer Katy B before, but this song really became a favourite of mine, having chart longevity and reaching my top 10.


26. Victoria Duffield - Paper Planes PEAK: #2


It was clear that after a huge hit such as "More Than Friends" that Victoria Duffield was able to successfully follow it up. She certainly did, and this was almost as big, proving that she'll likely be able to continue her hit streak in 2015 if the right singles from "Accelerate" are released.


25. Ariana Grande feat. Zedd - Break Free PEAK: #2

Here is the year's highest entry for Ariana Grande! This one was more of a dance track, and the beat that Zedd produced fit her vocals well, leading to one of my top summer hits that spent a full month at #2.


24. Weird Al Yankovic - Word Crimes PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)


I was definitely intrigued by the viral promo campaign that comedy genius Weird Al Yankovic had leading up to his "Mandatory Fun" album. Little did I know that this parody of Robin Thicke's "Blurred Lines" would be so genius! Who would've thought he'd do a song about grammar mistakes? Regardless, it turned out to be a #1 hit on my chart for 2 weeks.


23. Pharrell Williams - Happy PEAK: #8


One of 2014's most inescapeable songs is this infectuous singalong song from Pharrell Williams, who took the spotlight on himself for this one after his productions for other artists were so huge the year before. Despite the overplay, I never got sick of this, which explains its high position for a #8 peak.


22. 5 Seconds Of Summer - Amnesia PEAK: #5


While Australian boyband 5 Seconds Of Summer normally write their own songs, it was this one, written by Good Charlotte's Madden brothers, that became my favourite from them so far. It made it all the way to my top 5 in the fall and will likely hold up well over the years for me.


21. Virginia To Vegas feat. Alyssa Reid - We Are Stars PEAK: #3


Canadian collaboration here, as newcomer Virginia to Vegas teams up with established star Alyssa Reid for this catchy tune. It definitely worked as these two sounded great together, and got a top 5 smash early in the year.

Sunday, December 28, 2014

Top 100 of 2014 (40-31)


40. Shakira - Empire PEAK: #7


While Shakira's latest album hasn't seen the success of her past efforts, this song from it became a top 10 hit on my chart, for the first time in over 7 years.


39. Nikki Yanofsky - Necessary Evil PEAK: #12


Montreal-based jazz singer Nikki Yanofsky started out in her early teens, and released a new album in 2014. This song from it ranks as my highest non-top 10 on the year-end.


38. Our Lady Peace - Won't Turn Back PEAK: #6


It was a strong return for Our Lady Peace; despite the change of sound, this really caught on for me and brought them back to the top 10 for the first time in 5 years.


37. Royal Wood - Forever And Ever PEAK: #3


So far, this is the only song I've really known from Canadian singer-songwriter Royal Wood, but it was pretty catchy and managed to reach my top 5.


36. Kate Voegele - Just Watch Me PEAK: #1 (7 weeks)


It was really worth waiting for! It had been over 3 years since the previous album release from my favourite singer of all time, Kate Voegele, and near the end of the year, she dropped the "Wild Card" EP, which this song is the lead single from. The fact that this debuted at #1 and spent 7 weeks there shows that I certainly haven't lost any interest in her... I hope the hits will continue in 2015 when she follows it up with her fourth full-length album!


35. Michael Jackson feat. Justin Timberlake - Love Never Felt So Good PEAK: #2


He may have died in 2009, but Michael Jackson has remained the King of Pop... and the fact that a new posthumous album "Xscape" can still give big hits showed it. This song, which was re-mastered and included additional vocals from Justin Timberlake, became a strong hit over the summer, reaching the runner-up position on my chart.


34. Paloma Faith - Only Love Can Hurt Like This PEAK: #10


I've never really been a big Paloma Faith fan but this song really caught my ear, even before its release! This Diane Warren-written ballad showed that Paloma really can sing her emotions out, and this became her first ever top 10 on my chart.


33. Demi Lovato - Neon Lights PEAK: #1 (1 week)


Demi Lovato has been one of my favourite pop stars of the decade so far, and her "Demi" album has proven to be one of my favourites lately. This song from it was a huge pop hit and also became her fifth of six #1's so far on my chart.


32. Colbie Caillat - Try PEAK: #1 (1 week)


Another artist who has been no stranger to my #1 is California-based singer-songwriter Colbie Caillat. This song, which got attention for the music video without make-up, really defines what the song is about - projecting a positive self-image just by being yourself and not trying so hard.


31. The Vamps feat. Demi Lovato - Somebody To You PEAK: #5


The Vamps have been one of the year's top breakthrough British boybands. They seem to be more popular than ever before, and this song, which added vocals by Demi Lovato, became a huge hit for me, reaching the top 5 on my chart.

Saturday, December 27, 2014

Top 100 of 2014 (50-41)


50. Ashley Allen - Body Say No, Heart Say Yes PEAK: #9


Probably the most obscure artist/song in this list, Ashley Allen, previously unknown to me, managed a top 10 hit on my chart early in the year with this catchy pop song.


49. Moist - Mechanical PEAK: #6


It sure was a long time coming, but the reunion for 90's Canadian rock band Moist was definitely worth the hype! While lead singer David Usher has never had a solo top 10 on my chart despite all his hits, he finally achieved a top 10 with his band.


48. The Script - Superheroes PEAK: #3


Irish pop-rock band The Script has had several hits so far this decade, and they returned with a new album in 2014. This lead single quickly reached my top 5, and makes my top 50 for the year.


47. DJ Cassidy feat. Robin Thicke & Jessie J - Calling All Hearts PEAK: #11


An odd collaboration here, but the combination of DJ Cassidy, Robin Thicke and Jessie J resulted in a hit for me! This catchy tune combined these three talents very well and had longevity for me despite not making my top 10.


46. The Fray - Break Your Plans PEAK: #7


The Fray has had several hits so far on my chart, but it was this one from the "Helios" album that only became their second top 10 hit on my chart so far. Overall, it ranks as my favourite from them.


45. Stef Lang - Indestructible PEAK: #8


Canadian singer Stef Lang has charted fairly frequently since 2010 and this song from her new EP "Rubix" puts her on the year-end tally for a fifth straight year. This song, much like many others from her, has very inspirational lyrics.


44. Rixton - Me And My Broken Heart PEAK: #9


British boyband Rixton broke through the big time in 2014, and this debut single from them caught on fairly quickly for me, reaching my top 10 and placing respectably on the year-end.


43. Samantha Jade - Soldier PEAK: #5


Australian singer Samantha Jade has had several hits for me over the past couple years, and this song became my favourite from her so far, making it all the way into my top 5 on the weekly chart.


42. Hedley - Crazy For You PEAK: #2


While this has the highest peak on my chart for any Hedley song, they did rank higher than this in other years. Still, this retro pop-sounding song became one of my favourite Hedley songs to date.


41. Midnight Red - Miss Firestarter PEAK: #8


American boyband Midnight Red has had several hits on my chart over the past few years, and this one is just as catchy as I've come to expect from them. I feel the hit streak will continue even longer for them at the rate they're going!

Friday, December 26, 2014

Top 100 of 2014 (60-51)


60. Ella Henderson - Ghost PEAK: #12


The UK version of the X Factor has given us many big stars, and Ella Henderson is certainly a star on the rise! This lead single from her became a favourite of mine, and managed a #12 peak in a long chart run. Here's hoping more hits are coming her way!


59. Tiesto - Red Lights PEAK: #15


Tiesto has been one of the world's most popular DJ's for some time now, and this was one of his most mainstream songs to date. It certainly caught my attention and became one of my favourites from him.


58. Andrew Allen - Thinking About You PEAK: #6


Another one of Canada's great modern singer-songwriters, Andrew Allen has had a few hits here and there, but it was this song with a strong ukulele riff that really caught my attention. It became his first top 10 hit so far on my chart.


57. Matt Nathanson feat. Lolo - Headphones PEAK: #15


A veteran singer-songwriter, Matt Nathanson has been all over Hot AC and Triple A radio since he started. This song, a catchy earworm, became my favourite song from him so far, recently reaching my top 20.


56. Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX - Fancy PEAK: #6


One of the year's inescapeable songs, Australian rapper Iggy Azalea became one of the biggest buzz artists of 2014. With a hook by Charli XCX, they conquered the charts and made my top 10 over the summer.


55. Ariana Grande feat. Iggy Azalea - Problem PEAK: #5


Speaking of Iggy, here she is again, delivering a guest rap to Ariana Grande's biggest worldwide hit to date, and the song that catapulted her career into the stratosphere. However, it's not her highest here - how high did "Break Free" land?


54. Lenny Kravitz - The Chamber PEAK: #8


It's been a while since we heard from Lenny Kravitz, but this was the best song that I feel he's done in the past decade. A comeback well earned by one of the biggest names in rock and pop music of the past 25 years!


53. Nick Jonas - Jealous PEAK: #4


I've liked several of his songs with the Jonas Brothers, but 2014 was the year that Nick Jonas broke out as a solo artist. He changed off his bubblegum pop sound for a more mature, edgier pop style here and a song like this really showed what he's made of! Here's hoping he gets more hits off his latest album in 2015!


52. Fefe Dobson - In Better Hands PEAK: #9


Another Canadian artist who has had several hits spanning over more than a decade, Fefe Dobson continued her streak of hits by reaching my top 10 with this catchy, four-chord pop song that became one of my favourites from her so far.


51. Camryn - LoveSick PEAK: #7


At the time this song was released, she was 14. At age 15 now, she is the youngest artist in my year-end top 100. Camryn delivered a hot teen pop anthem that shows a lot of potential for hopefully more hits afterwards!

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