The 100 Best Songs of 2013

2013

The year Carly Rae Jepsen and Gotye faded after having the biggest hits from the previous year. The year Lady Gaga and Britney’s comebacks failed to have the impact they used to have. The year Miley Cyrus bounced back and Robin Thicke got his first number 1 despite their very disturbing VMA performance. The year Bruno Mars and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis became kings and Queen B (Yoncé) snatched the bestselling female album of 2013 with just 3 weeks left.

Here’s the rundown of my personal favorite songs of 2013. I tried my best to rank them accordingly, but the top 10 are almost interchangeable. Such a good year of music in general, so I hope you discover some songs you haven’t heard yet through this list. (I chose to list the number one song first to give it maximum exposure because this post is too lengthy.)
 

1. Counting Stars OneRepublic

This year, we find OneRepublic at the top of the list because they have made this trademark sound only they can deliver. Their album Native is as cohesive as it can get, and every song deserves to be heard by the world. It only began climbing to its peak five months after its release. Proves that even though artists or bands aren’t the biggest, wonderful songs will always get noticed by the public.

 

2. Just Give Me A Reason P!nk featuring Nate Reuss

A number one piano ballad is hard to achieve these days when people want upbeat dance music. However, P!nk always delivers great ballads whenever she lets her tough exterior down. There’s something really special with how her and Nate’s voice sound together. With the right song such as this, everybody will be swoon away and emotions will be felt.

3. Do What U Want Lady Gaga featuring R. Kelly

A receiver of many criticisms, Gaga finds time to write a song saying everybody can have a piece of her, but not a piece of her heart and mind. The RnB vibe is new to her sound, but it works like magic.

4. This Is Gospel Panic! at the Disco

Panic! unleashes the gospel by which they stand: more of a wakeup call for them or their audience to believe “they haven’t seen the best of us yet.”

5. Bucket List Nelly Furtado

The ever so hopeful Nelly lets us know that love is the top priority in her bucket list, along with other items that will make her life experiences memorable. The video depicts the buoyancy of just going where life takes you while enjoying the adventures.

6. Take Me Home Cash Cash featuring Bebe Rexha

Cash Cash brought us the best EDM love song of 2013, with Bebe Rexha singing about how the love of your life still feels like home no matter what you go through.

7. Summertime Sadness Lana Del Rey

Who knew this song can be a club anthem? Whatever sadness Lana meant during summertime, it’s all good now, isn’t it?

8. Clarity Zedd featuring Foxes

Legendary beat by DJ Zedd accompanied by the legendary voice of Foxes. We just got introduced to two new big names, y’all!

9. Gorilla Bruno Mars

Mars transforms into a sexy beast singing a song about how good his sex is.

10. Red Taylor Swift

The highest country song (which I think should’ve also been released to Pop radio instead of Everything Has Changed) comes from Taylor Swift singing the colors of love she’s gone through several times. This is her pot of gold, I guess.

11. Stay The Night Zedd featuring Hayley Williams

The breakout DJ of 2013 follows up his success by re-releasing his album with this gem.

12. Can’t Hold Us Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Ray Dalton

The kings of 2013 anthems, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis create a song about pushing the boundaries and letting no one put limits on what you want to do.

13. Ikot-Ikot Sarah Geronimo

Judge me all you want, but this song has a fresh factor and LSS inducing. The lyrics are so poetic, I can only dream of writing it my own.

14. Still Into You Paramore

Paramore is in a better place now, singing about falling in love over and over again and not getting depressed about it.

15. Love Somebody Maroon 5

Maroon 5 slowed it down, stripped it down, and played a love song about taking it all the way.

16. Say Something A Great Big World and Christina Aguilera

Forgive the repetitive lyrics, an up and coming band and Christina Aguilera made an epic ballad that will be remembered for years.

17. Cannonball Lea Michele
Lea moves on from tragedy and her voice clearly depicts it. Kudos to Sia for the great lyrics.

18. Something I Need OneRepublic

A song for someone you want to live with and you want to die with. I wish we all come to this point.

19. Let Her Go Passenger

This is how you deal with heartbreak in the most mature way – by accepting the end of it all and turning it into a sincere song.

20. Laying Me Low David Cook

This supposedly first single of the still unreleased third LP of David Cook has his signature sound while being a lyrical masterpiece. Appreciate it more with this creative unofficial lyric video.

21. XO Beyoncé

Beyoncé reminds us to always love as if there’s no tomorrow. 

22. Applause Lady Gaga

Gaga comes back after an injury that made her cancel tour dates with an anthem about appreciating each and every applause her fans give her way.

23. Team Lorde

A song anyone can relate to, because no man is an island. Clap, clap!

24. Same Love Macklemore and Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

A song to support gay marriage from huge hip-hop artists in a time where discrimination is still very much alive is a big statement on its own.

25. Brave Sara Bareilles

Sara encourages us all to man up and show braveness and fearlessness.

26. People Like Us Kelly Clarkson

Kelly sings her lungs out on the smash that got away.

27. The Rest of Us Simple Plan

Simple Plan still has high hopes for the future as they keep giving their fans juvenile music they are proud of creating.

28. Carry On fun.

Both solemn and powerful, fun. knocks us out for the third time with another “you can do it” anthem.

29. Work Bitch Britney Spears

A friendly reminder from Britney that hard work is necessary and it pays off, bitch.

30. How Long Will I Love You Ellie Goulding

A sweet breezy song from Ellie Goulding a little under three minutes to wake up your heart.

31. Holy Grail Jay-Z featuring Justin Timberlake

I almost only like Justin’s parts (mainly because I’m not a Jay-Z fan) but this song is already gold just because of those three or four lines in the chorus.

32. Numb Usher

Usher still got the groove and the dance moves.

33. #Beautiful Mariah Carey featuring Miguel

Miguel was on a roll this year and in this song, Mariah enjoyed the backseat with this refreshing sound.

34. Beneath Your Beautiful Labrinth featuring Emeli Sandé

A perfect love song to sing if your significant other is feeling "down with the flaw."

35. If I Lose Myself OneRepublic

There’s always that special someone you can’t un-live, un-experience, and un-remember.

36. Hold On We’re Going Home Drake featuring Majid Jordan

Drake consistently provides the most easy-to-listen-to RnB jams and this song may very well be the best one yet.

37. Mirrors Justin Timberlake

Inspired by his grandparents’ love story, Justin gives us one of the most popular ballads of 2013.

38. Best Day of My Life American Authors

Who wouldn’t want a song celebrating your best day ever?

39. Burn Ellie Goulding

Ellie will always be known for that techno-like voice and this song is a great anthem.

40. Live A Little Florrie

The blending of the instruments in this song and Florrie’s delivery makes it noteworthy.

41. You Set Me Free Angie Miller

Too bad we all heard this song too early on in Angie’s career. Great ballad nonetheless.

42. Wake Me Up Avicii

43. Get Lucky Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams

Pharrell and his magic really worked wonders this 2013. If you are not jamming to this, then something is wrong with you.

44. Young Girls Bruno Mars

45. Foolish Games Jewel featuring Kelly Clarkson

A remake of Jewel’s classic hit made better with Kelly’s presence.

46. When I Was Your Man Bruno Mars

Bruno cuts deep into his heart to serve us this gut-wrenching song about the one that got away.

47. Unconditionally Katy Perry

Katy Perry shows us how to love unconditionally and make a beautiful ballad and music video.

48. Swept Away Alessandra de Rossi featuring Yan Yuzon

49. Blurred Lines Robin Thicke featuring Pharrell Williams and T.I.

The biggest worldwide hit of 2013 is polarizing as hell, but nobody can deny its impact.

50. Walk of Shame P!nk

51. Remember When (Push Rewind) Chris Wallace

52. The Way It Used To Be Mike Posner

The most laidback breakup song of the year. No bitterness at all!

53. The Art of Letting Go Mariah Carey

Mariah goes back to her roots and produces this emotional ballad for all her lambs.

54. Flatline Mutya Kesha Shioban

Pardon the stupid and lazy as fuck group name and the amateurish music video, this little offering from the original Sugababes members makes up for their hiatus.

55. 22 Taylor Swift

A celebration of some sorts for everyone who turned 22 this year and feels happy, free, confused, and lonely at the same time. 

56. Why Am I The One fun.

A typical fun. track that should be enough to get us hook waiting for their new album.

57. Miss Jackson Panic! at the Disco

Panic!’s era opener is not surprising but at least It’s the best era opener they’ve ever had.

58. Stay Rihanna

The Grammy performance sold this song to me. Too much heart put into it—songwriting and singing alike.

59. All-American Boy Steve Grand

Steve caused jaws to drop with this amazing “coming out with my sexuality and talent” masterpiece.

60. Rock N Roll Avril Lavigne

A friendly reminder of the good ol’ times when Avril’s kind of music was in-demand and therefore didn’t flop like this.

61. Little Talks Of Monsters and Men

62. Stay Steve Grand

Yes, he’s gay, he’s hot, and he wants his lover to stay.

63. Dirty Laundry Kelly Rowland

Kelly opens up about her relationship and career struggles with this power ballad which is not about clothes and stains.

64. Power Trip J. Cole featuring Miguel

65. Safe and Sound Capital Cities

66. Gentleman PSY

67. I Love It Icona Pop featuring Charlie XCX

One of the best club anthems of 2013, worn out because so many ads and TV shows used it.

68. The Way Ariana Grande

The Mariah wannabe is growing up and showing the world how it’s done. Hooray for new breed of singers who can actually sing!

69. We Can’t Stop Miley Cyrus

This is Miley trying to be urban with all that dance and unapologetic grammatical errors. Catchy at best but not too memorable, really.

70. TKO Justin Timberlake

71. The Monster Eminem featuring Rihanna

72. Daylight Maroon 5

73. Here's To Never Growing Up Avril Lavigne

This song was obviously designed to sound like Complicated. Even the video had throwback elements. It’s nice to look back on how awesome Avril was, but this was still good.

74. Body Party Ciara

Ciara lets us in on how much inviting she is during sexy time with her boo. Such a sensual, romantic track indeed.

75. Roar Katy Perry

Granted, this song is full of clichés, but you know, it’s Katy Perry’s comeback single and it’s catchy. No way you can resist that.

76. Take Back The Night Justin Timberlake

77. Keep Me Crazy Chris Wallace

78. Radioactive Imagine Dragons

79. Tonight Jessica Sanchez featuring Ne-Yo

Even a great catchy tune with the help of Ne-Yo didn’t make Jessica a big star. I blame her messy record label Interscope for not having a radio release when the video came out.

80. The Phoenix Fall Out Boy

81. Timber Pitbull featuring Ke$ha

Who can resist a catchy club jam from these two pop staples.

82. Who You Love John Mayer featuring Katy Perry

Arguably the hottest love birds in music preach about how you can’t really choose who you love.

83. Next To Me Emeli Sande

This song serves as a good introduction of Emeli Sande and her unique soulful voice.

84. Perfume Britney Spears

Though the lyrics can get cheesy at time, Britney still did well with this ballad co-penned with Sia.

85. Tonight I’m Getting Over You Carly Rae Jepsen

Although not as catchy as her breakout hit, Carly delivers with her album Kiss with this single as one of its highlights.

86. Don’t Let Me Be Lonely The Band Perry

A love song of sorts and a hopeful ballad to the rescue during those tough times.

87. Hung Up Hot Chelle Rae

88. Royals Lourde

Lourde’s breakout hit is lyrically and melodically a breath of fresh air in today’s music scene. Her whole album, Pure Heroine, proves she’s a genius.

89. Highway Don't Care Tim McGraw featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban

This country bop (with Taylor Swift's interpretative dance in the performance below) of personification makes grammatical errors forgivable.

90. Yes To Love Stefano

91. True Love P!nk

92. Sure Be Cool If You Did Blake Shelton

93. Live It Up Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull

Just proves how much I love generic messes J. Lo puts out year after year after year.

94. Just Another Girl The Killers

95. Gone, Gone, Gone Phillip Phillips

96. Wasting All These Tears Cassadee Pope

97. Demons Imagine Dragons

Imagine Dragons continues their success with a perfect blend of laidback and rock.

98. Story of My Life One Direction

The heart-warming video is perfect for this song about reminiscing the old times.

99. Legacy Fefe Dobson

She still got that rebel yell and that unique something that made her never famous.

100. Cried Candice Glover

The latest champ of American Idol delivers the perfect ballad. Too bad nobody cares anymore.