In 2019, we got new songs from A-Listers, emerging stars, and old favorites. By 2020, the world had shut down in response to ‘you know what’, and the flow of new music slowed. Fortunately, 2019 left us with enough hits to keep us entertained. Here is some of the best songs from 2019.
“Bad Guy” by Billie Eilish
Song Year: 2019
In a year filled with young, emerging stars, none shined brighter than Billie Eilish. The precocious teenager stunned the pop world with the Billboard-topping hit “Bad Guy” from her debut studio album “When We Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?”
The song features Eilish melodiously talking just a touch louder than a whisper in her now-signature sound. The song won the coveted double – Song of the Year and Record of the Year – at the 62nd Grammy Awards.
“Blinding Lights” by The Weekend
Song Year: 2019
The Weekend solidified his bonafide superstar status with “Blinding Lights” from his album “After Hours.” Arguably the best song from 2019, it topped the Billboard Hot 100 for four weeks and stayed in constant radio and streaming rotation over the next two years.
Over a 1980s-reminiscent beat, The Weekend sings of his loneliness in Las Vegas as he pines for an ex-lover.
“Memories” by Maroon 5
Song Year: 2019
Maroon 5 frontman Adam Levine took a break from the public eye following his maligned performance at Super Bowl 53.
When he reemerged later in 2019 with “Memories,” from the album “Jordi,” he seemed to be striking a softer tone and image than the flamboyant, over-exposed rock star we were used to. “Memories” is one of those classic songs that make us want to grab a drink and sing along.
“Lose You To Love Me” by Selena Gomez
Song Year: 2019
Over a delicate piano and strings backing, pop star Selena Gomez unleashed the most powerful vocal performance of her career on “Lose You To Love Me,” the lead single from her album “Rare.” The pop ballad discusses her growth as a person as she recovered from a failed romantic relationship.
The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100 – the first chart-topping hit of her career – and became one of the year’s best songs.
“The Box” by Roddy Rich
Song Year: 2019
Roddy Rich was yet another young rapper who became a household name in 2019 thanks to his groundbreaking hit “The Box.” The song introduced us to Rich’s unique lyrical delivery where he alternates between a rapid pace and a slowed-down, singing style of rap. “The Box” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and earned the young rapper Grammy Award nominations.
“Circles” by Post Malone
Song Year: 2019
Post Malone has the formula for making pop-friendly anthems, and it was on full display in his hit “Circles” from the album “Hollywood’s Bleeding.” A rapper who sings more than he raps, Malone has a knack for melody and catchy hooks. “Circles,” a song about failing to save a relationship, had a soft rock vibe that helped introduce Posty to a wider audience.
“Sucker” by the Jonas Brothers
Song Year: 2019
The Jonas Brothers reunited in 2019 after a hiatus and put out the best music of their careers. The adult brothers now had a mature sound with the same familiar penchant for pop anthems. Their welcome-back single was “Sucker,” an immediately-iconic hit that features the best of Nick Jonas’ falsetto skills and a hook so catchy it had us singing it all year long.
“Cool” by the Jonas Brothers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_JbZvHc92U
Song Year: 2019
Following the success of “Sucker,” the Jonas Brothers’ follow-up single was “Cool.” “Cool” has a slow, chill vibe that makes it tailor-made for a summer anthem. In the song, the brothers brag about how cool they feel, combing their hair like the Sheen brothers in the 1980s, and feeling like rap sensation Post Malone.
“Old Town Road Remix” by Lil Nas X featuring Billy Ray Cyrus
Song Year: 2019
By now, the story is well-known. Billboard kicked Lil Nas X off the Hot Country Songs chart because “Old Town Road” wasn’t a true country song. For the remix, Lil Nas X recruited country legend Billy Ray Cyrus just to stick it to his critics. The remix went on to become one of the most successful songs of all time, topped the Billboard Hot 100, and won the duo a Grammy Award.
“Truth Hurts” by Lizzo
Song Year: 2019
2019 will forever be the year that Lizzo emerged from left field and took over pop music. Her song “Truth Hurts” introduced the world to the bombastic, confident, talented singer-rapper who had a style unlike anything the music industry had seen. “Truth Hurts” topped the Billboard Hot 100 and won Lizzo a Grammy Award.
“Adore You” by Harry Styles
Song Year: 2019
With the days of One Direction behind him, English heartthrob Harry Styles has forged an impressive solo career and somehow become more popular than he’s ever been. His song “Adore You,” from his second album “Fine Line,” has all the Harry charm as he attempts to woo a woman he is in love with. The song peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Don’t Start Now” by Dua Lipa
Song Year: 2019
Fresh off her 2019 Grammy Award win for Best New Artist, Dua Lipa kept momentum going with the release of “Don’t Start Now,” the lead single from her second album “Future Nostalgia.” The club-ready track is a revenge anthem to an ex-boyfriend – Lipa warns the man not to catch her out in public now, because she has moved on from the relationship and is happy now.
“Dance Monkey” by Tones and I
Song Year: 2019
Hearing “Dance Monkey” for the first time is an unforgettable experience. With an outrageously unique voice, Australian singer Tones and I crafted a song that stood alone in pop music. With a playful, irreverent tone, the singer pokes fun at her career as an entertainer and the expectations audiences have for her.
“I Hope” by Gabby Barrett
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcCH6JpcK5w
Song Year: 2019
There’s nothing like a revenge song from a scorned country singer. Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope,” the debut single from her first album “Goldmine,” might remind listeners of Carrie Underwood’s 2006 song “Before He Cheats.” In the song, Barrett wishes what goes around comes around for her ex-boyfriend who cheated on her.
“Bop” by DaBaby
Song Year: 2019
DaBaby is famous for showcasing his sense of humor while spitting aggressive, violent lyrics. The formula was on full display in his hit “Bop” from his album “Kirk.”
In the song, the trap rapper brags about smoking weed, evading the police, and hanging with beautiful women – all while he listens to a song with a killer beat. The accompanying music video is a “hip hop musical,” filled with choreographed dance routines and Broadway humor.
“Señorita” by Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello
Song Year: 2019
Shawn Mendes and Camila Cabello may not have been a good romantic pairing, but they certainly were incredible collaborative partners. Their hit “Señorita” was an upbeat, romantic pop song that became one of the best summer anthems and defines good music from 2019. The song topped the Billboard Hot 100.
“Only Human” by The Jonas Brothers
Song Year: 2019
“Only Human” is the type of song that makes you want to get out of your seat, dance, and sing along to the lyrics – preferably at a karaoke bar. The Jonas Brothers were riding high following the success of “Sucker” and “Cool” when they released their single of the year, confirming that the boys still had the magic touch.
“No Guidance” by Chris Brown featuring Drake
Song Year: 2019
“No Guidance” is what happens when you put two of the biggest hitmakers on the planet on the same track. Nearly a decade after their famous beef over Rihanna, the duo linked up for the smooth, R&B track from Breezy’s album “Indigo.’ The song hit number five on the Billboard Hot 100 and remains popular today.
“A Lot” by 21 Savage featuring J.Cole
Song Year: 2019
21 Savages repeatedly asks and then answers his own questions on “A Lot,” ranging from how much money he has to how many people he has shot. The answer to all of them is a lot. The track, from his album “I am > I Was” became the most successful song of the rapper’s career, winning the Grammy Award for Best Rap Song.
“I Don’t Care” by Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber
Song Year: 2019
A-List singers Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber teamed up for “I Don’t Care,” a dancehall-pop song from Sheeran’s compilation album “No. 6 Collaborations Project.” The song is a romantic tribute to a female partner who makes them forget about their problems and enjoy life. “I Don’t Care” reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Dancing with a Stranger” by Sam Smith and Normani
Song Year: 2019
While trying to recover from a failed romantic relationship, Sam Smith and Normani find themselves at a nightclub dancing with a stranger in the song “Dancing with a Stranger.” The catchy song, from Smith’s album “Love Goes,” harmoniously pairs the English singer’s falsettos with Normani’s low-pitched growls.
“Pop out” by Polo G featuring Lil Tjay
Song Year: 2019
“Pop out” was Polo G’s announcement to the rap world that a new star had emerged. The Chicago-based Generation Z rapper was relatively unknown before the release of “Pop out,” the aggressively violent song about gang-related murder and robbery featuring Lil Tjay. By the end of 2019, Polo was well on his way to hip-hop stardom.
“Con Calma” by Daddy Yankee featuring Snow
Song Year: 2019
Puertorican rapper Daddy Yankee put a Latino spin on the 1992 hit “Informer” when he linked up with original artist Snow for the song “Con Calma.” The upbeat, reggaeton-rap song is a feel-good anthem that had the dance clubs going crazy. Pop superstar Katy Perry jumped on the remix to the song, extending its popularity.
“State of the Union” by Jim Jones featuring Rick Ross and Marc Scibilia
Song Year: 2019
Jim Jones largely spent the bulk of his career in Cam’ron’s shadow, but in 2019 the Dipset caporegime was front and center on “El Capo,” his finest album to date. The album featured the standout track “State of The Union,” a politics-themed offering that allowed Jones to clap back at his enemies and criticize the policies of the Trump Presidency.
Featuring a passionate chorus from Marc Scibilia and a guest verse from Miami rapper Rick Ross, “State of the Union” is a contender for best rap song of the decade.
“RITMO” by Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin
Song Year: 2019
The Black Eyed Peas and J Balvin are responsible for some of the biggest hits and best choruses over the past decade. They combined their hitmaking magic on the collaborative track “RITMO,” a track from the “Bad Boys for Life Soundtrack.” The upbeat, hip-hop-reggaeton dance song samples “Rhythm of the Night,” the famous 1993 hit from Corona.
“Highest in the Room” by Travis Scott
Song Year: 2019
Travis Scott has never been one to shy away from his affinity for weed. “Highest in the Room” is a pot anthem, filled with references to red eyes, paranoia, and being the highest person in the room he’s in. The chill, low-key song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
“Hot Girl Bummer” by Blackbear
Song Year: 2019
“Hot Girl Bummer” – a play on the phrase “Hot Girl Summer” – was an underground hit that bubbled under the surface before exploding into the mainstream. In the song, Blackbear tells off his ex-girlfriend and her friends and proceeds to hit the club with his boys, spending ten thousand dollars on a VIP table while they drink vodka and do lines of cocaine.
“Roxanne” by Arizona Zervas
Song Year: 2019
Whoever Roxanne is, she can’t stop causing problems for men. Nearly forty years after The Police released their iconic song, Roxanne, rapper-singer Arizona Zervas released his own, unrelated version about a woman of the same name. The modern version of “Roxanne” is a catchy, pop-rap song that had us singing along about the party girl from Malibu.
“The Bones” by Maren Morris
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gvPMVKUI9go
Song Year: 2019
Maren Morris finds comfort in the solid foundation of her romantic partnership in the hit single “The Bones.” In this country crossover song, Morris explains that while she and her partner are sure to face difficult times ahead, their relationship is based on love and can survive anything. The song reached number 12 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 1 on Country Airplay.
“Good as Hell” by Lizzo
Song Year: 2019
Following the earth-shattering success of “Truth Hurts,” Lizzo kept her momentum going with the release of “Good as Hell.” The song is a feel-good anthem with an inspirational message to anyone going through trouble. Lizzo tells her listeners to dust their shoulders off and do some self-care – a strategy that has her feeling pretty damn great.
“If the World Was Ending’ by JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1jO2wSpAoxA
Song Year: 2019
Perhaps the most romantic song of the year, “If the World Was Ending” by JP Saxe featuring Julia Michaels explores how we would act if we knew the world was ending. Would we want to spend our last moments with our romantic partner? The song garnered Saxe and Michaels a nomination for the prestigious “Song of the Year” category at the Grammys.
“Seven Rings” by Ariana Grande
Song Year: 2019
Ariana Grande emulates the boastful confidence of rappers in the song “Seven Rings,” bragging about her hair, jewelry, and wealth. The song officially samples “My Favorite Things,” while taking inspiration from rapper 2 Chainz’s spending spree on the song “Spend It” – (Grande would later include 2 Chainz on a remix to the song).
The song hit number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and earned Grande two Grammy nominations.
“Talk” by Khalid
Song Year: 2019
Khalid was in love in the hit song “Talk” and wanted to discuss his feelings and relationship with his romantic partner. In the song, he acknowledges that things are moving quickly and the couple has feelings for each other, so it’s time to slow down and discuss a future together.
This song earned Khalid a Grammy nomination and hit number three on the Billboard Hot 100 – his highest charting single to date.
Top Songs From 2019, Final Thoughts
While there was a lot of top songs from 2019, these songs are among the best. Turn on the radio or open a streaming music application today and you’re bound to hear some songs on this list. Whether hardcore hip-hop or country, 2019 had a flavor for everyone.