Music Feature
Digital Spy's best singles of the year 2014: 15-1
By Lewis Corner
Following the dance-heavy charts of 2013, this past year has seen some of the biggest hits come from both ends of the musical spectrum, while still being held together by a fine ear for an infectious pop hook.
Whether it was the folky tones of George Ezra, Taylor Swift's '80s-inspired soundscape or the reggae-tinted riffs of Magic!, pop felt more diverse than it has done in a while.
But what are Digital Spy's favourite songs of 2014? Numbers 15 to 1 appear below.
Digital Spy's best singles of the year 2014: 30-16
Released: January 20
Chart peak: No.4
We said: "Yes, 'Dark Horse' is in many ways the very antithesis of what most would expect from a Katy Perry single, but after the underperformance of her last effort 'Unconditionally', throwing out a curve ball at this point seems like the perfect move. It plods, the beat is sleazier than anything Miley's put her name to and her vocals are sultry in a way that initially feels just plain wrong. That said, we defy anyone to not have 'Dark Horse' tangled in their brains after their first listen - or get swept up in its storming finale."
Released: March 3
Chart peak: No.6
We said: "This was one of those rare instances where, on its third official release as a remix by Hippie Sabotage, 'Habits'/'Stay High (Habits)' became one of the year's unexpected hits not just in the UK, but globally. The reworked distorted vocal and added glitches gave it a more alt-electro shell, connecting with the trend-conscious muso who trawls The Hype Machine and the casual Radio 1 listener."
Released: February 25
Chart peak: No.74
We said: "Did anyone really know what Beyoncé was and wasn't releasing as official singles in 2014? After surprising us all with 2013's fantastic visual album Beyoncé, the singer drip-fed us the tracks on Spotify and Vevo throughout the year, with no-one really knowing what the focus of the campaign really was. It meant the very good and very sensual 'Partition' got overlooked on the singles chart, but that didn't take away from its steaming hot burlesque-meets-R&B; soundscape that heard Beyoncé at her most risqué."
Released: December 15
Chart peak: No.4 (so far)
We said: "Can Taylor do no wrong? There was a point when we were concerned that her image as a crazed serial dater could dent her all-American girl-next-door schtick, but then came along 'Blank Space'. T-Swizz takes aim and fires down that particular perceived model with tongue-in-cheek lyrics, knowing references and a fetching hip-hop production only Max Martin and Shellback could be responsible for."
Released: July 20
Chart peak: No.6
We said: "Resisting the all too easy trap of making a song about love vomit-inducing, Charli XCX has plied softly sentimental lyrics with lashings of electro attitude. "You take me over, you're the magic in my veins/ This must be love" lingers for all but a few seconds before the combined sonic punch of Charli XCX interjecting "Boom" with the fizzing over of the bustling drums drags the song back to earth. Residencies are still open at the credibility graveyard. 'Boom Clap' is a thundering and ick-free love song that confirms Charli XCX as a popstar in her own right."
Released: March 3
Chart peak: No.10
We said: "And I just got broken/ Broken into two/ Still I call it magic/ When I'm next to you," Chris Martin coos over muffled snare and dusky guitar plucks, before the track glides into a middle eight of airy riffs. The final result isn't a quick card trick to draw you in like some of the band's previous hits, but rather a long-form spectacle that slowly allures you with its intricacies and delicate craftsmanship. If you're someone who has been left disillusioned by Coldplay in recent years, now's the time to believe again."
Released: April 14
Chart peak: No.1
We said: "As a general rule of thumb, a gospel choir could even make a rendition of last week's shopping list sound powerful, let alone the sensitive musings of a one-night stand. 'Stay with me/ 'Cause you're all I need,' Smith hopes on the slightly over-sentimental chorus, as it swells into an emotional crescendo; his soulful voice far outstripping its rousing backing. Sam may be left feeling defeated by a fleeting fling, but he can rest easy knowing that with yet another shining hit in his repertoire, his chart dominance is set to be more of a permanent fixture."
Released: January 26
Chart peak: No.5
We said: "Now in the January/February Q1 period where exciting releases are few and far between, Katy B's latest effort 'Crying For No Reason' shines brightly in an otherwise desolate pop landscape. That's not to say the song itself - a stunning breakstep ballad about having a weepy moment for no particular reason ("I felt strong but am I breaking now?" she asks over crashing electro drums) - isn't worthy of such attention, as it really is one of the best ballads we've heard in quite some time."
Released: April 6
Chart peak: No.5
We said: "We've got a confession to make; after the lukewarm response to 'Bounce' and the nonplussed reaction to 'Change Your Life', we genuinely thought Iggy Azalea was in danger of slipping away before she really got going. That, however, was not the case. With its hip-pop verve, Iggy's platform strutting flow and Charli XCX's infectious, braggadocio chorus, 'Fancy' became one of the biggest hits of the year, elevated further by its excellent Clueless-inspired music video. Being a fancy-pants never sounded and looked so much fun."
Released: April 13
Chart peak: No.1
We said: "The song itself is club classics-inspired house; a genre that's currently clogging up much of the top 40, but Kiesza keeps it interesting by putting a distinctly pop twist on it. The thick bassline and throbbing drum machine on the minimal chorus is offset by emotional, towering verses packed to the brim with hooks. The result is a thrilling debut that leaves you wondering what else she has tucked up her sleeve."
Released: October 12
Chart peak: No.1
We said: "While the marvellous 'Sing' heard Ed take on Justin Timberlake, it was 'Thinking Out Loud' that really stole the nation's heart. Soundtracking the first dance at weddings everywhere throughout 2014, the soulful and romantic ballad genuinely feels like it has ascended to modern classic status in such a short space of time."
Released: June 1
Chart peak: No.6
We said: "Everything about this song - from its incredible music video featuring Dance Moms starlet Maddie Ziegler to the eccentric live performances with cameos from famous faces in Sia wigs - has been nothing short of fantastic. 'Chandelier' is the kind of calling ballad we've come to expect from Sia in recent years; its dark lyrics offset by a shrewdly composed pop melody. But the way it has been presented to the world gave us something the mainstream hasn't experienced in a while; intelligent performance art that provokes feeling rather than pretense."
Released: December 11
Chart peak: (TBC)
We said: "Hands up those who thought Mark Ronson would slip firmly behind the scenes after 2010's very meh Record Collection? Thanks heaven he didn't because, as far as bounce-backs go, this has to be one of the very best. Teaming up with everyone's favourite pint-sized popstar Bruno Mars, 'Uptown Funk' is drenched in pure hedonistic funk with a groove so addictive we're concerned that too many plays might force us into rehab. It was a clear contender for the best single of 2015, but with a last-minute release date change (thanks, Fleur East!) it has darted up this far on our list before it has even officially charted.
Released: January 19
Chart peak: No.1
We said: "Their first major breakthrough effort last year 'Mozart's House' was a promising introduction to their classical-dance sound (if a little rough around the edges), but their latest single feels like they've finally nailed it. Co-penned with Disclosure hitmaker Jimmy Napes, 'Rather Be' blends classical-inspired violin with uplifting house beats and a vocal that sounds suspiciously like Natasha Bedingfield. The result is an infectious sound that feels fresh and exciting - and it couldn't have arrived at a better time."
© Syco
Released: June 8
Chart peak: No.1
We said: "For a contestant who finished sixth on The X Factor two years ago, Ella Henderson had every reason to be concerned about the general public actually remembering who she was. Reality TV is relentlessly fickle, but luckily for the Grimsby singer, her talent shone through bright enough to avoid being outcast as a passing fad. It caught the attention of pop songwriter extraordinaire Ryan Tedder, and after ditching their lunch midway through to saddle up to a piano instead, the pair realised they are a formidable collaboration.
"The end result, Ella's first single 'Ghost', would make a worthy winner's launch, let alone someone who fell victim to the mid-series shock elimination. "I keep going to the river to pray/ 'Cos I need something that can wash out the pain," Henderson professes over stomping Americana-folk beats and taught guitar twangs, falling somewhere between the rootsy heart of Adele and the pop sensibility of Leona Lewis. It's dark, it's brooding and it's full of pain, but most importantly for Ella's concerns, it's an unforgettable debut."
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