Billboard’s staff has listed their 100 favorite songs of 2019. The songs are a combination of personal favorites that were released or peaked on the charts this year. We have listed the top 10. For the full list, go to https://www.billboard.com/.
10. Taylor Swift, “Cruel Summer”
Taylor Swift wrote this song with producer Jack Antonoff and Annie Clark. The lyrics celebrate a bad decision that could possibly turn out to be a good one, and rumored to be written about her current boyfriend, Joe Alwyn.
9. Ariana Grande, “Break Up With Your Girlfriend, I’m Bored”
Ariana Grande links the subject of infidelity with boredom. Her half-hearted tone carries the song of her matter-of-fact request. in quite the nonchalant way. Linking it with boredom’s lyrical approach as of late.
8. Vampire Weekend, “Harmony Hall”
With lyrics that include, “Anybody with a worried mind could never forgive the sight/ Of wicked snakes inside a place you thought was dignified,” it’s easy to see how this song made the list. Especially in this political climate.
7. Post Malone, “Circles”
“Circles” can float somewhere between pop/rock, adult contemporary, dance and rap. This year, Post Malone may have gained more fans than ever before.
6. 21 Savage feat. J. Cole, “A Lot”
Peaking at No. 12 on the charts, the Atlanta rapper 21 Savage addresses how far he as come. But he was arguably upstaged by J. Cole who focused attention on the failures within the music industry, the justice system, and media spin.
5. Rosalía feat. J Balvin & El Guincho, “Con Altura”
This single pay tribute to old-school reggaetón and fuses modern flamenco and Middle Eastern sounds. Rosalía’s music video filmed by Director X even entered YouTube’s Billion View Club in October
.
4. Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus, “Old Town Road” (Remix)
The most popular song of the year, “Old Town Road” broke the all-time record for weeks atop the Hot 100. Lil Nas X earned six Grammy nominations with his hit and can be considered to be the leader of artists that can master genre-bending.
3. Jonas Brothers, “Sucker”
The Brothers returned to scorch the charts after taking a six-year hiatus. The single landed at No. 1 and they became the first boy band to secure that position since B2K in 2003.
2. Lizzo, “Truth Hurts”
Although released in 2017, this track reached the height of success this year. With her unforgettable line, “I just took a DNA test, turns out I’m 100% that b—ch,” Lizzo’s hit stayed at the top of the Billboard Hot 100 for seven weeks.
1. Billie Eilish, “Bad Guy”
Billie Eilish’s single unseated the longest-running No. 1 in Hot 100 history. “Bad Guy” may sound weird and sketchy, but it’s appeal cannot be denied. didn’t even bother to put vocals on the catchiest part of the song. In addressing the “bad guy” persona, Billie says “It’s a weird thing to hear coming out of a girl’s mouth. In any movie or children’s book, there’s always a bad guy. Even if it’s a girl, the title is the bad guy. I wanna be that.”
