This month people will flock to their local pubs to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. A holiday that reminds us to wear green and to look for lucky charms all around. So it’s only fitting that we take a look back on songs from the past decade that we’ve been lucky enough to have pleased our ears. From The Weeknd not being able to feel his face to Ariana Grande’s musical gratitudes to her exes, these are the best songs from 2012 to today.
“Happy” - Pharrell
If Dopamine were a song, it’d be Pharrell’s “Happy.” Who knew a song from a movie from the ‘Despicable Me’ universe would result in one of the sweetest moments in music from the past decade? Pharrell didn’t have to go this hard for a kid’s movie soundtrack, but he did and for that, we’re grateful.
“drivers license” - Olivia Rodrigo
Olivia Rodrigo came out of the gate swinging with “drivers license.” She took real-life heartbreak and turned that into what was the most inescapable song of 2021. So much so that when it came time for her to drop her debut album, ‘Sour,’ it was hard to deny that the year belonged to her and that she was pop music’s savior.
“Can’t Feel My Face” - The Weeknd
The Weeknd often takes the best parts of the ‘80s and blends them oh so well with R&B, with the results being songs that were meant for mainstream radio. Everyone from soccer moms to your best friend’s dad can’t help but move when “Can’t Feel My Face” comes on.
“Wrecking Ball” - Miley Cyrus
Once MTV traded in music for reality TV, it was hard for music videos to really make an impact. Then in came Miley Cyrus like a well, wrecking ball with this one. It spawned a million and one recreations. Even Oscar-winner Anne Hathaway couldn’t help but pay homage to Cyrus’ video on ‘Lip Sync Battle.’
“Despacito (Remix)” - Luis Fonsi feat. Daddy Yankee and Justin Bieber
Luis Fonsi became a household name in 2017 when he took his hit featuring Daddy Yankee and delivered a remix that added Justin Bieber into the mix.
“Finesse” - Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B
Like Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball,” Bruno Mars’ “Finesse” featuring Cardi B was made that much more epic thanks to the video that came along with it. “Finesse” paid homage to not only the fashion of the ‘90s but the sketch show, ‘In Living Color.’ It drove Mars’ millennial fans wild.
“Humble” - Kendrick Lamar
Speaking of the ‘90s, it was such a glorious time for hip hop and rap music with many of the most notable artists hailing from Southern California. Many of which went on to inspire Compton’s own Kendrick Lamar. He laid the foundation with his 2011 debut, ‘Section.80,’ and went on to own the scene with 2017’s ‘DAMN,’ which featured “Humble.”
“Style” - Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift has released so many amazing songs that it’s hard to narrow it down but there is something about “Style” that still feels as fresh today as it did when it dropped back on her 2014 release, ‘1989.’
“1-800-373-8255” Logic feat. Alessia Cara and Khalid
Over the past decade, we’ve gotten to hear songs that are fun, songs that stand out in their genre, and powerful tracks that deal with very important issues like “1-800-373-8255.” Logic went above and beyond to deliver a song about mental health and the importance of seeking out help when one feels like all hope is lost. Of course, he didn’t do it alone. He had Alessia Cara and Khalid on board to make this a timeless treat.
“Love Yourself” - Justin Bieber
Justin Bieber kicked off his career as a sugary sweet teeny bopper favorite, but 2015’s ‘Purpose,’ proved he was grown. The songwriting, the music, it was all a world away from where he started and set the bar for pop music at the time. It’s a crime that “Love Yourself” lost the Grammy Best Pop Solo Performance because it would’ve been a well-deserved win.
“Redbone” - Childish Gambino
Donald Glover is one of those talents that can truly do it all, and his music under the moniker Childish Gambino is no different. He put his all into this sultry, smooth single, and listeners could not get enough.
“Stressed Out” - Twenty One Pilots
As the world moves further along, the lines of genre continue to be blurred and no band quite represents that sentiment like Twenty One Pilots. They gave Hot Topic shoppers some major variety into their sound, and the world was better to have “Stressed Out” in it.
“Old Town Road” - Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
On that note, Lil Nas X went from viral tweeter to one of the biggest names in music when he combined hip hop and country music for “Old Town Road.” Since then he’s only continued to make waves with every move he’s made in his career.
“Fake Happy” - Paramore
The past decade hasn’t always been the best, and when those darker moments have shined – songs like “Fake Happy” by Paramore have been like musical medicine.
“Sunflower” - Post Malone and Swae Lee
One thing that was MIA from movies featuring everyone’s favorite masked superhero since the days of Tobey Maguire were fantastic soundtracks. ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse’ brought it back thanks to Post Malone and Swae Lee hitting it out of the park with “Sunflower.”
“Thank U, Next” - Ariana Grande
When I think of perfect pop songs, I think of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance with Somebody (Who Loves Me),” Madonna’s “Vogue,” Britney Spears’ “…Baby One More Time,” and “Thank U, Next.” Ariana Grande proved to be a queen among her peers when she dropped this musical note to the men of her past.
“WAP” - Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
If you’re not ruffling feathers with your art, are you really doing it right? Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion made some turn red hot over their collaboration, while everyone else with taste just sang the song even louder.
Written by Kendra Beltran
