# Best #1 Single of the Year: 2016 **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 14, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674 "2016-12-14T13:23:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Smapti](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smapti/32/17938_2.png) [@Smapti](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smapti)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/1 "2016-12-14T13:23:03Z")
Another year has ended, and that time has come again. Billboard’s got it’s final charts for the year out, and it’s time to look back at the year and decide which of the biggest hits of the year is the best. We’ve had 11 number-ones this year, a little more than usual. EDM definitely seems to be the dominant genre this year - I’m gonna say we’ve arrived in the genre’s golden age, much like the late '70s were the Age of Disco, and the mid-2000s were the Age of Crunk. Tell us what your favorite is, and as always, until next year - keep your feet on the ground and keep reaching for the stars. Best #1 single polls: [1955-56](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731649) [1957](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=731871) [1958](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732021) [1959](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732199)[1960](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732526) [1961](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732691) [1962](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=732872) [1963](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733112) [1964](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733297) [1965](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733526) [1966](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733750) [1967](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=733958) [1968](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734168) [1969](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734331) [1970](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734535) [1971](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=734741) [1972](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735107) [1973](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735304) [1974](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735502) [1975](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735659) [1976](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=735871) [1977](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736076) [1978](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736316) [1979](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736501) [1980](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736705) [1981](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=736957) [1982](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737099) [1983](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737315) [1984](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737488) [1985](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737732) [1986](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=737957) [1987](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738178) [1988](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738403) [1989](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738639) [1990](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=738829) [1991](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739067) [1992](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739360) [1993](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739525) [1994](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=739880) [1995](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740122) [1996](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740302) [1997](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740497) [1998](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740709) [1999](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=740859) [2000](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741047) [2001](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741267) [2002](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741450) [2003](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741604) [2004](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741730) [2005](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=741915) [2006](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742069) [2007](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742147) [2008](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742282) [2009](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742467) [2010](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742676) [2011](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=742846) [2012](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=675664) [2013](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=710843) [2014](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743899) [2015](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=777453)[1950s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743046) [1960s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743240) [1970s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743399) [1980s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743597) [1990s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743803) [2000s](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=743981) [2010-2014](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744176) [All-time (1955-2014)](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=744358) ---
**Author:** ![whitetho](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whitetho/32/1059_2.png) [@whitetho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/whitetho)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 1:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/2 "2016-12-14T13:51:48Z")
As someone who doesn’t even know what “EDM” means (is it a form of autotune?), and because Elle King’s Ex’s & Oh’s didn’t make the list, I’ll pass this year. ---
**Author:** ![Sir\_T-Cups](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ed655f/32.png) [@Sir\_T-Cups](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sir_T-Cups)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/3 "2016-12-14T13:54:53Z")
It was a touch choice between Sia and Adele, but I went with Sia because, man, I just love her. ---
**Author:** ![MrDibble](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mrdibble/32/114_2.png) [@MrDibble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrDibble)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 3:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/4 "2016-12-14T15:01:15Z")
_Cheap Thrills_ for me. So catchy. ---
**Author:** ![drad\_dog](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/aeb1de/32.png) [@drad\_dog](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drad_dog)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/5 "2016-12-14T17:17:59Z")
pass ---
**Author:** ![Kiros](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/439d5e/32.png) [@Kiros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kiros)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 5:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/6 "2016-12-14T17:29:59Z")
Pass. I’ve actually listened to a lot of what I think of as more popular or accessible music this year! I get more references now, and know who more people are! But it turns out that’s still all “alternative” compared to what actually tops the charts. So I think literally the only one of those songs I’ve head is “Hello”, which is not really my favorite Adele song. ---
**Author:** ![SUZ\_MAC](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8e8cbc/32.png) [@SUZ\_MAC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SUZ_MAC)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/7 "2016-12-14T17:44:03Z")
For me … hands down it’s Justin Timberlake. That song can always turn my frown upside down. It’s such a feel good song. ---
**Author:** ![Snowboarder\_Bo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/snowboarder_bo/32/229_2.png) [@Snowboarder\_Bo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Snowboarder_Bo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/8 "2016-12-14T17:49:03Z")
Pass. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 6:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/9 "2016-12-14T18:23:59Z")
I still like Top 40, but man this year’s list of #1s doesn’t impress me. Maybe I’ve just reached “that age.” Went with JT. ---
**Author:** ![pulykamell](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pulykamell/32/3166_2.png) [@pulykamell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pulykamell)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 6:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/10 "2016-12-14T18:49:29Z")
I went with JT here, but this year’s top of the chart hits seem to be a bit on the average side. I like most of the songs well enough (heck, I even like both Bieber songs here)–I think Rihanna’s is probably the strongest of the bunch, but JT’s is just so damn happy-inducing I had to go with it. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 6:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/11 "2016-12-14T18:50:46Z")
I know about half the songs (not bad for an old man). ‘Panda’, ‘Work’, and ‘One Dance’ are garbage. ‘Hello’ annoys the hell out of me. I really like Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’, though. That’s where I sent my vote. mmm ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/12 "2016-12-14T19:21:36Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > I know about half the songs (not bad for an old man). > > ‘Panda’, ‘Work’, and ‘One Dance’ are garbage. ‘Hello’ annoys the hell out of me. > > **I really like Bieber’s ‘Love Yourself’, though**. That’s where I sent my vote. > mmm I would vote for that for the whiniest song. No offense. 🙂 But I couldn’t change the station fast enough when it came on, and if for some reason I was forced to endure it, in my mind I would sing, “…fuck yourself”. :o It was so close between Sia and Justin Timberlake and my cursor hovered between them for quite some time! But I gave it to Sia. I AM “that age” and I really like some of the EDM (electronic dance music) this year. Some of it blows. I would also like to take this opportunity to say Arianna Grande is an overrated, talentless twit. I don’t understand her popularity. Her voice feels like someone is sticking a drill in my ear. ---
**Author:** ![Shodan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9f8e36/32.png) [@Shodan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shodan)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/13 "2016-12-14T21:03:42Z")
> [@whitetho](#): > > As someone who doesn’t even know what “EDM” means (is it a form of autotune?), and because Elle King’s Ex’s & Oh’s didn’t make the list, I’ll pass this year. Presumably Electronic Dance Music. I went with “Work” because Rihanna is hot. Adele is an artist I admire rather than enjoy. Sia is good but Rihanna is hot. And I don’t like the Bieb. Regards, Shodan ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/14 "2016-12-14T21:40:17Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > I would vote for that for the whiniest song. No offense. 🙂 But I couldn’t change the station fast enough when it came on, and if for some reason I was forced to endure it, in my mind I would sing, “…fuck yourself”. :o > > It was so close between Sia and Justin Timberlake and my cursor hovered between them for quite some time! But I gave it to Sia. > > I AM “that age” and I really like some of the EDM (electronic dance music) this year. Some of it blows. I would also like to take this opportunity to say Arianna Grande is an overrated, talentless twit. I don’t understand her popularity. Her popularity stems from something just below the belt buckle. Every generation throws one or two up the pop charts. ---
**Author:** ![Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mean_mr.mustard/32/3865_2.png) [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mean_Mr.Mustard)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2016, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/15 "2016-12-14T21:42:32Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > …in my mind I would sing, “…fuck yourself”. :o That is actually what his meaning is in the song. At least, that’s how I take it. (and I can’t believe I’m sitting here defending Bieber) mmm ---
**Author:** ![Ponch8](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponch8/32/9883_2.png) [@Ponch8](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponch8)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/16 "2016-12-15T01:30:06Z")
This was a great year for sports (i.e., the Cubs won the World Series) but a crappy year for top 40 music. The only one of these songs I liked was “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” It’s a good enough song, but I just wish there had been something better to vote for. The other songs are either outright terrible or are so forgettable that you don’t remember them five seconds after you’ve heard them. Don’t get me started on some of the other non-number one hits on top 40 radio this year either. That horrible, whiny, boring “Sit Still Look Pretty” song by Daya immediately comes to mind. The good Lord willing, Kesha will be allowed to release another album in early 2017, and this slump in top 40 radio over the last couple years will be over. ---
**Author:** ![not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/not_what_you_d_expect/32/3246_2.png) [@not\_what\_you\_d\_expect](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/not_what_you_d_expect)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 2:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/17 "2016-12-15T02:56:14Z")
I voted for Adele, but Love Yourself was very catchy and I like it a lot too. It was a tough choice for me. ---
**Author:** ![Leaffan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/leaffan/32/299_2.png) [@Leaffan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaffan)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/18 "2016-12-15T03:08:21Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > That is actually what his meaning is in the song. > > At least, that’s how I take it. > > (and I can’t believe I’m sitting here defending Bieber) > mmm That’s exactly how I interpreted it, and thought it was quite clever. (This coming from an old fart who only knows 2 songs on the list, “Hello” being the other one.) ---
**Author:** ![Helena330](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/helena330/32/531_2.png) [@Helena330](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Helena330)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/19 "2016-12-15T04:19:22Z")
> [@Mean\_Mr.Mustard](#): > > That is actually what his meaning is in the song. > > At least, that’s how I take it. > > (and I can’t believe I’m sitting here defending Bieber) > mmm Sorry to have put you in that position. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Sunny\_Daze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sunny_daze/32/438_2.png) [@Sunny\_Daze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sunny_Daze)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2016, 4:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674/20 "2016-12-15T04:22:54Z")
Sia, no contest. Love that song. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/best-1-single-of-the-year-2016/774674.md?page=2)