Welcome back, thanks for checking out today's midway point to the Top 50 Songs of 2014 countdown. If you missed yesterdays, the link is in the column on the right. Let's get straight into it, shall we?
30: Replay - Zendaya
Another child TV star turned pop star who hit it big this year, not Ariana Grande big, but still big. Zendaya seems so much more laidback, and this song is a winner. The pop dance song has a thick beat and a catchy chorus that had me hooked in the first part of the year. This is one I may or may not have danced embarrassingly to in the car!
29: Pills N Potions - Nicki Minaj
The second song from Nicki Minaj was the unexpected first single from her great new album, "The Pink Print". Unexpected because of the grown up sound. A lush ballad with a very personal confession, and some beautiful singing from Minaj. This was a great first single and got me genuinely excited for her album, moody Minaj is my favourite!
28: Steal My Girl - One Direction
Track two on the list from the 1D boys. While I was a bigger fan of "Story of My Life" which appeared in my Top 5 last year, I have grown to love this song. That chorus is so damn catchy. Harry and Zayn shine, as per usual, and the film clip starring Danny DeVito is a great one. These guys continue to make solid pop music!
27: Blank Space - Taylor Swift
What a great year for the very talented and beautiful Ms Swift. Fully shaking loose from her country roots, Taylor Swift has embraced pop-dom and delivered an incredible album. Let's start with the clip, this may be her best. And what a way to get back at her detractors by taking their criticisms and and using them to have her biggest hit to date. The song is catchy and fun and very much deserves all the attention it has received.
26: Shake It Off - Taylor Swift
It was hard to decide between Taylor's two singles, so had to put them back to back. This narrowly won out because of the impact it had on me when it was first released. I went crazy for the song and clip, putting it heavily on repeat. Swift has a knack for writing very infectious pop songs, and wisely surrounded herself this time with some of the best pop producers in the field. This will be a song I'll still be singing in years to come.
25: Big Girls Cry - Sia
Song three for Sia on the list, I have loved her this year. This mid tempo anthem has the perfect message thrown in with its addictive pop. "I don't care if I don't act pretty, big girls cry when their hearts are breaking." Sia knows how to write them, and even better, she knows how to sing them! This definitely should have been a bigger hit.
24: Say Something (featuring Christina Aguilera) - A Great Big World
This really came out last year, but wasn't a hit until this year. It really did lead the charge for the return of the almighty power balled. The track was great on its own, but with the addition of Aguilera's stunning vocals, the track becomes something magic. Heartfelt and beautiful, it really is something special. And that film clip, phew, made me tear up the first time I watched it.
23: Changing (featuring Paloma Faith) - Sigma
It was also a great year for Paloma Faith, after a few years of minor hits, she hit the big time. This collaboration with dance group, Sigma, cemented that. This is a great track, there's a certain magic when combining an awesome beat with beautifully strong vocals. Faith shines on this record, and who doesn't love a song you can dance to and sing with?
22: I Don't Care - Cheryl
This is a former single of the week here on the "Internal Jukebox" blog. Cheryl's catchiest single to date was another number one in the UK for her. This has a great beat, Cheryl sounds fantastic and these are some great lyrics - I do love a pop song where a good proper lady swears. This is an awesome song that makes you want to dance with abandon.
21: Love Runs Out - OneRepublic
Like Maroon 5, I don't always love everything that OneRepublic does, but when they get it right, they really get it right. In fact, I think this is my favourite OneRepublic song ever. There's a fantastic driving guitar beat that really makes this pop rock song. Ryan Tedder is an amazing songwriter and has saved himself a great one here. I love to play this one loud!
20: Problem (featuring Iggy Azalea) - Ariana Grande
The third entry from Ariana Grande on the list and her biggest hit to date. There's just something special about this perfect little pop ditty, and then there's the awesome verse from our own Iggy Azalea. It just seemed the right time for this song. It's quite funny that this song is so good when it goes against the construction of normal pop songs and the verses are the strongest part of this song.
19: Stay With Me - Sam Smith
Sam Smith is another artist who's had a truly exceptional year. And with that voice, how can he not? Smith is such a talented singer and this beautifully big ballad about one night stands is a perfect showcase of this. Smith soars on this song and you can't help but be impressed. Points also for the second version where he duets with Mary J Blige.
18: Wheelbarrow - Kasey Chambers
I am a pretty massive Kasey Chambers fan and get genuinely excited when she has new music coming out. This year she released a new solo album, and she did not disappoint. First single, "Wheelbarrow" is a driving country rock song that lets Kasey Chambers belt out her signature country twang. Highly addictive, this song was in my head for a few weeks straight - and I loved it!
17: Only Love Can Hurt Like This - Paloma Faith
I've already raved on about how much I've been loving Paloma Faith this year and here is the main reason, this incredible power ballad. I was so genuinely excited this song went to number one in Australia. This Diane Warren penned track is the perfect showcase for Faith's incredibly beautiful and unique voice. This is a solid track, here's hoping we hear more from the wondrous Paloma Faith.
16: Money On My Mind - Sam Smith
The second Sam Smith track in the Top 20. While most of his songs on the album are ballads, the album's first single was a perfect piece of dance pop that harked back to Smith's other releases, awesome dance tracks with Disclosure and Naughty Boy. His beautiful vocals shine on this track about loving his art more than money. This is an awesome little pop track.
15: Comeback - Ella Eyre
You may not recognise Ella Eyre, but she was the great voice on Rudimental's "Waiting All Night". She had some great solo tracks this year, but this was the best. It's a bit retro, it's a bit drum and bass and all awesome. Then there's the lyrics, they include corkers like, "Take that pain and let that motherfucker burn". This is one serious FU track that is incredible.
14: You Ruin Me - The Veronicas
The Veronicas are back in a big way. They overcame breaking up with a major label and a perceived flop with their last single to produce this incredible ballad that may just be an up yours to their previous label. The highlight of the girl's work is always their spot on harmonies, and they have never been better than on this track. Raw, emotional and a beautiful showcase for Australia's best pop duo.
13: Empire - Shakira
Now I'll be honest, I have never been a massive Shakira fan; infact I don't own much of her music but this song, I absolutely bloody love this song. While her duet from this year with Rihanna got all the attention, it was this rock ballad that got my attention. Shakira's vocals have never been stronger and lyrically this love song is spot on. If you haven't heard it, check it out - it's pretty special!
12 - Out of the Woods - Taylor Swift
While not an official single. this promo single reached Top twenty in both the US and Australia. Supposedly written about her relationship with One Direction's Harry Styles, this is one of Swift's most adult sounding tracks. Co-written with the lead singer of fun, this is such a good track that I loved from the very first time I heard it - since then everytime I hear it, it gets stuck in my head for a whole day. This is my favourite track from "1989", and that's saying something cause the album is awesome!
11 - Say You Love Me - Jessie Ware
Now this is a song. British songstress Jessie Ware is one special talent and this song is something pretty special. This pop rock ballad showcases her voice perfectly and the song shows incredible yearning. The track builds perfectly to an amazing choir crescendo. I cannot tell people enough, you need to hear this song - I bloody love it!
*So that's it for today. Tomorrow, the top ten.*
What's your favourite track of 2014, tell me in the comments section below.
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