It’s time again for that annual tradition, in which I ask the increasingly aging population of the website to rate their favorite song out of those that made #1 on the Hot 100 this year.
This year we had 18 songs make #1, including two repeats from previous years and a new record-breaker for most weeks at #1 (although a certain song which is appearing in this poll for the sixth consecutive year is likely to break that record if trends continue). We have multiple country songs at #1 for the first time in ages, a one-hit wonder from ten years ago returning with a song even bigger than his one hit, and Jack Antonoff cementing his place as Max Martin’s successor in the domain of writing chart-topping pop songs for multiple artists.
Make your choice, keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.
Brenda Lee - “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree”
Jack Harlow - “Lovin’ On Me”
Ariana Grande - “Yes, And?”
Megan Thee Stallion - “Hiss”
Beyoncé - “Texas Hold 'Em”
Kanye West & Ty Dolla Sign w/ Rich the Kid & Playboi Carti - “Carnival”
Ariana Grande - “We Can’t Be Friends (Wait For Your Love)”
Teddy Swims - “Lose Control”
Future, Metro Boomin, & Kendrick Lamar - “Like That”
I’m assuming Hozier is the returning “1 hit wonder from 10 years ago” I’m happy for him, but this shows how fragmented and segmented current hit music is - I have NEVER heard his new song but I’ve heard SEVERAL previous songs (not just “Take Me to Church”) and singles from earlier in his career. I guess because 5-10 years ago there was still a lot of rock/alternative radio reach into my life.
Also, I took my daughter to a Sabrina Carpenter concert TEN YEARS AGO. A little surprised she just became a hot pop sensation, Though honestly I thought her song “Espresso” was the big hit.
“Espresso” made it to #3. “Please Please Please” was my pick for this poll - musically it sounds really reminiscent of Cyndi Lauper and the vocals remind me of the Cardigans, and I love the contrast between the bubbly happy music and the lyrics about being sick of her stuck-up boyfriend. “I heard that you’re an actor, so act like a stand-up guy” and “Don’t bring me to tears when I just did my makeup so nice” are great lines, and I’m pretty sure this is the first Billboard #1 to incorporate the word “motherfucker”, which amuses me. (Fun fact: her aunt is Bart Simpson!)
This was a very tough pick, as “Lose Control” and “Not Like Us” are very close to each other in the world-famous Ponch8 Music Rating System. I ended up picking “Lose Control.”