The Top Songs of 2019

This year was full of surprises. 

It has been an interesting year in music to say the least. If you cast your mind back to December 2018, you probably weren't anticipating a country-inspired hip hop song with the lyrics "I got the horses in the back" to become a cultural phenomenon. Nor did you expect an accidental bop from Black Mirror to debut at #19 on Billboard’s Pop Digital Song Sales Chart.

Of course, not everything has been a total surprise. Billie Eilish continued to dominate the charts with her moody tunes like "Bad Guy", and Ariana Grande released a handful of her signature pop bangers, including "7 Rings" and "Boyfriend".

In all honesty, with so many great tracks being released this year, creating a "Top 10" list proved exceptionally difficult. Therefore, in the interest of complete transparency: we’d like to clarify that there were no rules when creating this list. We've simply chosen the songs that we thought were the best.

So, without further ado, let's countdown our top 10 personal faves.

10. "Memphis" by Kitten

It was probably not the intention of Netflix's reality show I'm With the Band to have viewers desperately praying that Chloe Chaidez escape Nasty Cherry's house of horrors and return to her day job as frontwoman of Kitten. But she doesn't need our pity, as proven by "Memphis", the stream-of-consciousness symphony in which already-an-industry-veteran-at-age-24 Chaidez imagines a different life for herself. Here's a rockstar who can handle herself just fine. - SM

9. "Hey Ma" by Bon Iver

"Hey Ma" is that gorgeously tragic tune you want to listen to every time you’re feeling sad and reflective. Here, singer Justin Vernon encompasses both organic and electronic elements to create synthesized textures. He croons about wanting to come home, switching between his light falsetto and powerful mid-range vocals. It’s by far one of the most emotional tracks of 2019. - CP

8. "EARFQUAKE" by Tyler, The Creator

There was no predicting Tyler, the Creator's evolution from slur-slinging rap provocateur to soulful crooner and queer icon. Or was there? In 2011, for the video of his violent "Yonkers", he ate a cockroach and then hanged himself. Nearly a decade later, in the clip for his easy-listening yet still a little sinister "EARFQUAKE", the set burns down around him and melts his skin. Tyler's transition from hating to loving and longing still involves the same extremes. - SM

7. "On A Roll" by Ashley O

No, Ashley O is not technically a real musician. Yes, it was actually part of a Black Mirror episode, but it was released in 2019, so that makes it completely eligible. Performed by Miley Cyrus in Season 5, Episode 3 of the science fiction show, "On A Roll" is the ultimate pop song of 2019. The satirical bop was remixed from Nine Inch Nails’ "Head Like a Hole", consisting of dramatic beats and corny lyrics. It's the best kind of pop. - CP

6. "Drink Too Much" by G Flip

It’s been one hell of a year for Australian artist G Flip, who released her debut album, About Us. The whole album reflects the singer’s up-and-down relationship, but the most turbulent track of all is "Drink Too Much". The song, which opens with the line "I’ve got a crush on Steph Claire-Smith" features a bouncy piano melody, and addictive bass, with G Flip’s honest lyrics revealing she’s been dumped for being too much of a party animal. If you haven’t heard it, it’ll probably become your go-to summer tune. - CP

5. "Gone" by Charli XCX & Christine and the Queens

Charli vibrates on a different frequency to the rest of us. She always has, and we just gotta accept that. But she finally found a kindred spirit in Héloïse Letissier from Christine and the Queens, and the two of them make for electric sparring partners on this kinetic, robotic duet about despising everyone. Well, despising everyone else. - SM

4. "Johnny Run Away" by Tones And I

Tones and I undoubtedly dominated the Australian music scene this year, and while "Dance Monkey" may have catapulted the singer to stardom, "Johnny Run Away" was where it all began. The emotionally charged song tells the story of Tones’ best friend coming out to his disapproving father at a young age. The electro-pop track showcases her gutsy vocals, and sensitively highlights the challenges surrounding judgement and acceptance. - CP.

3. "Bags" by Clairo

It's a short walk from Claire Cottrill's early direct-to-YouTube confessionals to her debut album Immunity, which continues to foreground her dreamy, startlingly honest vocals (the album, she says, was largely about her experience coming out as bisexual in 2018). But you can still hear the sonic evolution in many of its tracks, especially "Bags", which tracks with great specificity one of those complicated stop-start arguments in a relationship that could end with someone "walking out the door with your bags". Clairo is still the star, but then there's the underwater-sounding piano that accompanies the driving guitar and drums, helping it float away. - SM

2. "Old Town Road" by Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

Even if you think "Old Town Road" is the most overplayed song in history, you simply cannot deny that it evolved into a cultural phenomenon. There were robust debates over whether it was a hip hop or country track, countless remixes, and memes, all culminating in it becoming the longest-running #1 single in America's history. While it may not have reached the same level of success in Australia, it will stand the test of time, and always be considered an absolute bop. - CP

1. "Juice" by Lizzo

Let’s face it: 2019 was the year of Lizzo.

The singer, who also raps and plays the flute, has been having her moment in the spotlight. It’s easy to see why, with her tunes being endlessly catchy and motivating. So, it’s only fair that "Juice" topped our list. The funky self-love anthem boasts lyrics like, "If I’m shinin’, everybody gonna shine (yeah, I’m goals)". Indeed, Lizzo is goals, and she’s here to remind people everywhere that you should never waste your time on someone who doesn’t see your worth.

To be honest, if the eligibility rules for this list were like the Grammys, "Truth Hurts" would totally make this list as well. - CP

Check out the Spotify playlist. 

Header Image: YouTube (Lizzo Music, Netflix, Lil Nas X, Tyler, The Creator, Tones And I).