Whether you spent months trying to untangle the gist of “me espresso,” dating a pretentious male poet who apparently needs to write all his poetry on a typewriter, or trying to figure out what “I’m so Julia” really means, 2024 had a song for every mood, month, or season. Every year it’s so hard to curate a list of 50 picks for the best songs of the year, but it does help in deciding what was hot and what was not. At long last, behold my list of picks for the 50 best songs of 2024.
“yes, and?” – Ariana Grande
Say that shit with your chest, indeed.
“Can’t Get Enough” – Jennifer Lopez
I think J.Lo did end up getting enough of him, but I couldn’t get enough of this song this year.
“Whatever” – Kygo & Ava Max
Me: What an unoriginal Shakira sample. Also me: it’s in my top five most streamed songs of the year.
“Talk About Love” – Kate Hudson
Can we talk about love AND Kate Hudson’s musical ability?
“Don’t Forget Me” – Maggie Rogers
I certainly couldn’t ever forget you, Maggie.
“Deeper Well” – Kacey Musgraves
When I turned 27, I felt that.
“Texas Hold ‘Em” – Beyoncé
Those who know me know I’m no fan of Beyoncé… but I can recognize a great song when I hear one.
“Good II Me” – VINCINT
More queer pop like this in 2025, please!
“Weird World” – Allie X
Girl, you’re telling me we live in a weird world? Take a number.
“Love On” – Selena Gomez
Underrated!
“Galina” – Allie X
In the immortal words of Trinity the Tuck, “I don’t know what the fuck she’s saying but girl, I am living.”
“Don’t Wanna Break Up Again” – Ariana Grande
Ariana knew she was about to star in the movie of the year so she had to make the album of the year, too.
“Andrew” – Ben Platt
We love a gay anthem about falling in love with straight boys!
“So Sick of Dreaming” – Maggie Rogers
I am so sick of dreaming.
“Dive” – Holly Humberstone
Tag yourself I’m, “Honey, I’m spiralling.”
“My Oh My” – Ava Max
We are ready and seated for Madame Max’s third album.
“Good Luck, Babe!” – Chappell Roan
Stopping the world just to stop the feeling sounds exhausting, doesn’t it?
“Espresso” – Sabrina Carpenter
She had us thinking about her every night this year. That’s that HER espresso. (I’ll see myself out now.)
“Healing Out of Spite” – CATTY
*Lucille Bluth voice* Good for her.
“Fortnight” – Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone
I loved this song so much, it ruined my life. True story.
“Cherry On Top” – Ben Platt
Every song on Ben Platt’s Honeymind was a cherry on top, TBH!
“The Tortured Poets Department” – Taylor Swift
Needing to type all of his poetry on a typewriter is a red flag, just by the way.
“Risk” – Gracie Abrams
Delusional overthinking girlies, this one was for us.
“Glimpse of Me” – Olivia O’Brien
Song and artist of the year. Chef’s kiss.
“360” – Charli XCX
Gonna miss all the straight people asking who Julia is.
“The Golden Years” – Joshua Bassett
Oh, to fall in love with Joshua Bassett under a cherry tree in June.
“Fire” – Kate Hudson
Kate Hudson’s vocals on her album were FIRE, amirite?
“Treehouse” – Ben Platt & Brandy Clark
Damn, if you really stop and think about it, love really is a treehouse.
“Close to You” – Gracie Abrams
Watching Gracie Abrams spread her artistic wings this year was a joy.
“Take My Time” – Normani
Her long-awaited album was not that girl, but this song kind of was, even though it wasn’t even a single, so we’re gonna give it to her.
“Love Me Tonight” – VINCINT & Betty Who
I will love you BOTH tonight, how ‘bout that?
“Dancing With Tears In My Eyes” – Joshua Bassett
At the disco dancing with tears in my eyes is the vibe of every summer, right?
“Cowboys Cry Too” – Kelsea Ballerini & Noah Kahan
Cowboys who cry deserve rights, too.
“Lift You Up” – Jessie Ware & Romy
Lift us up Jessie and never bring us back down!
“I Can Do It With a Broken Heart” – Taylor Swift
“I’m so depressed I act like it’s my birthday every day” okay me too? I buy myself treats every five minutes? You’re not special, girl.
“Birds of a Feather” – Billie Eilish
It’s taken me three albums to truly get into Billie Eilish, and I think I’m finally starting to get the vibe…
“Joyride” – Kesha
Beep, beep bitch, Kesha’s a free woman!
“Dead Man” – Alessia Cara
Whoever made Alessia Cara feel like she was talking to a dead man… Sorry to this man.
“Look How Far You’ve Come” – Joshua Bassett
BRB feeling emo.
“Why Why Why” – Shawn Mendes
Why why why did it take so long for Shawn to find his sound?
“Diet Pepsi” – Addison Rae
Yes, the lyrics are objectively bad, but I also can’t stop listening to it. Thank you for asking.
“Taste” – Sabrina Carpenter
She also found her sound this year and I hope she can keep it, too.
“Sorry Mom” – Kelsea Ballerini
My mom doesn’t care about the bible but I feel this one all the same.
“Ego” – Halsey
Can you even comprehend how loud I would’ve blasted this song in my late teens and early twenties? The ANGST, the DRAMATICS, she does it all.
“You’ll Be OK, Kid” – Demi Lovato
Yeah, you will be OK, kid.
“(Isn’t It) Obvious” – Alessia Cara
Isn’t it obvious that I’m dying for the new album on February 14th? Uh, yes?
“Lower” – Olivia O’Brien
Nothing but peace and love for Olivia this year.
“Disease” – Lady Gaga
The fact that she gave us a semi-soundtrack album for her movie and then just this one song feels like a disease to me but we’ll be patient, I guess.
“Heart of Gold” – Shawn Mendes
Seriously, the first time I’ve actually loved Shawn since the peak teen heartthrob years? More like this from him, please.
“Delusional” – Kesha
The person who left Kesha for someone better is truly the most delusional bitch I know. New album and first under Kesha Records in 2025, yes? Pretty please?
Check out my picks for the best songs of previous years here.
Jeffrey Reads 