2016 has been a pretty epic year for music. We saw Beyonce drop “Lemonade” and pretty much dominate everything. The Chainsmokers became a household name with hits like “Don’t Let Me Down” and “Closer”. Kanye West stated he made Taylor Swift “Famous” and wanted us to “Fade” with him. Music in 2016 made us all want to dance, sing and love life. However, like everything great- 2016 is coming to an end. *Tears*. HerCampus will take a look back at the greatest songs released in 2016. Now let’s get into formation.
Photo from popwrapped.com
“Stand Still, Look Pretty” – Daya
Photo from Fusetv.com
Pittsburgh’s own pop idol, Daya, rose to superstardom with “Hide Away” and this hit ditty. “Stand Still, Look Pretty” was about not settling for societies norms and being true to yourself. The song featured a big chorus and catchy hooks. This song became a top 10 hit on pop radio and became one of the longest charting singles of 2016 as well. “Stand Still, Look Pretty” truly showcases a star on the rises talent. We hope to see more of Daya in 2017.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uPHKkewD1G0
“Into You” – Ariana Grande
Photo from blogspot.com
Big beats. Infectious chorus. Larger than life vocals. Pop’s “dangerous woman” released many great singles in 2016 but nothing stuck like “Into You”. The song was pure pop bliss that built into a chorus that you could sing all night and day. When most artist were going for more “melodramatic” pop in 2016, Ariana showed us it was still okay to just get up and dance. Ariana we are SO into you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ekZEVeXwek
“Famous” – Kanye West
Photo from josepvinaixa.com
The song that started it all. Yes, we are talking about Kim Vs Taylor vs Kanye. Unless you were living under a rock in 2016, you probably heard about one of the biggest feuds in celebrity history. Taylor gave the ok. Kanye went behind her back. Kim just needs to stay out peoples business. CAN WE JUST ENJOY THE MUSIC PEOPLE? “Stop the drama, play the music” as Lady Gaga once said. Minus the drama, “Famous” is one of Kanye’s finest musical moments. Featuring pop superstar Rihanna, “Famous” features some of Kanye’s best lyrics and verses ever. Who can truly forget “I made that b**ch famous” ? No one.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14qbDp0vAEA
“Fade” – Kanye West
Photo from tumblr.com
Kanye didn’t just have one great single in 2016, he had two. “Fade” was equally as epic as “Famous” if not better. Featuring the bass line and melody from classic, “Mysteries of Love” by Mr Fingers, “Fade” feels like it came straight out from the 80s. With other samplings from artist like Aaliyah and Rare Earth, “Fade” takes you on a musical journey you can’t forget. The song rises to epic proportions when a choir comes in at the end to close the track. “Fade” might be Kanye’s best single to date and for good reasons. Say what you want about Mr. West but he is a musical genius.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IxGvm6btP1A
“Cheap Thrills” – SIA
Photo from blogspot.com
“Cheap Thrills” opens with a bouncy dance beat that automatically commands you to a dance floor. I mean with an opening like “Come on come on turn the radio on, its Friday night and I won’t be long” do you blame us for wanting to dance? The song simplistic message of just enjoying “the cheap things in life” made everyone fall in love with it. You couldn’t escape this one at all either. If was on every radio station and played at every night club in the world. It’s one of 2016 biggest singles and for good reasons. Its just that f**king good. “Cheap Thrills” also became Sia’s first Billboard #1 single as well.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1b22l1kFKY
“Never Be Like You” – Flume featuring KIA
Photo from sndcdn.com
This trap confection heated everyone’s hearts in 2016. Featuring Canadian singer Kai, Flume gave us one of the best musical moments of the year. The song seeked forgiveness yet stated independence at the same time. Lyrics like “I would give anything to change this fickle minded heart that loves fake shiny things” also provide it was one of the most lyrically pleasing singles too. The Chainsmokers wish they had a song as great as this.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ly7uj0JwgKg
“Make Me” – Britney Spears featuring G-Eazy
Photo from wennermedia.com
It’s hard to score a hit single 18 years into your career, but somehow Britney Spears did it. This synth pop masterpiece showed the world that the princess of pop truly still had it. It speaks about the true feeling of love and desire. “Youre the spark that wont go out, the hearts on fire when youre around”. THOSE LYRICS. It also features G-Eazy who lends his talents to take this song to an even greater level. “Make Me” became Britney’s 25th Top 40 hit on Billboard’s Hot 100 and earned her some of the greatest reviews of her career. Entertainment Weekly gave the single an A- becoming Britney’s first ever “A” grade from the publication.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=etfJCm0nfr4
“Sorry” – Beyonce
Photo by dicksmusicblog.wordpress.com
2016 was Beyonce’s year. Lemonade became of the biggest selling albums of the year and featured hit after hit. The best single released off the album was “Sorry”. “Sorry” was a revengeful pop-r&b track that spoke to everyone. “You try to roll me up, but I aint picking up. I aint thinking about you”. This single got us through some of our greatest heartbreaks in 2016. Also who could forget the now iconic “You better call Becky with the good hair”? I MEAN CLASSIC. Beyonce is one of the greatest performers of all time and rightful deserves all the success she gets. Beyonce we ‘aint sorry’ for loving you.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QxsmWxxouIM
“One Dance” – Drake
Photo from spin.com
I mean you really couldn’t escape this song in 2016. IT WAS EVERYWHERE. Its piano driven stomping made it one of the most memorable singles too. It was catchy, dancey, and one of Drakes best. The single came off his highly successful Views album that went to become the biggest selling of 2016. Drake truly out did himself with this jam and we will never forget it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IIspaicSnY
“Love On The Brain” – Rihanna
Photo from thatgrapejuice.net
When most of the world was jamming to “Work”, Rihanna’s fourth ANTI single, “Love On The Brain” is its tastiest gem. Throwing it back to late 60s blues, Rihanna speaks of her desire to just be loved. It was something we could all relate to in 2016. Her raw vocals also gave the song an extra flare that made us want more from the pop goddess. “Love On The Brain” became one of her best reviewed singles to date and help ANTI receive a platinum certification from Billboard.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZQc5WGjUJU
“Pillow Talk” – Zayn
Photo by celebuzz.com
When Justin Timberlake was literally giving us garbage with “Cant Stop The Feeling”, Zayn gave us sensual confection with “Pillow Talk”. “Pillow Talk” was probably the sexiest single released in 2016 and confirmed his squeaky clean ‘One Direction’ image was gone. The single was an r&b jam featured heavy beats and synth pop magic. It was raw and overtly sexual (which we didn’t mind) that took Zayn to the top of the charts, literally. “Pillow Talk” became a #1 smash on Billboards Hot 100 confirming that Zayn was indeed a pop heavy hitter. Sadly, his follow up singles didn’t live up to the success of “Pillow Talk” however we can’t wait for what he comes up with next!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_3d6GntKbk
Honorable mentions include: “Side To Side” –Ariana Grande, “This Is What You Came For” – Calvin Harris, and “Forget Apologies” – Jojo.
Did your favorite single make it? Let us know on Twitter @HCPointPark ! We loved the music of 2016 that rocked our hearts. So what will 2017 bring us? Will Kanye West surprise us again? How about the rumors of Taylor Swift’s sixth studio album? Only time will tell however HerCampus will be following every step on the way!
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