Today is a very special day, a day so important that all must stop what their doing and pay homage. What exactly are we paying homage to? Why today, June 24, is the 4 year anniversary of Beyoncé’s 4th album 4. Before her groundbreaking surprise self-titled 5th album was released two years later, this was the best in her repertoire. It was an ode to R&B of past, present, and future. It's without a doubt one of the most genius, well-crafted, and well-influenced. In honor of this special anniversary, enjoy my ranking of all 15 songs from the deluxe edition.
15.) Start Over
“Maybe we reached the mountain peak and there's no more left to climb. And maybe we lost the magic piece and we’re both too blind to find.”
14.) Lay Up Under Me
“And I’ma DJ all of your songs.”
13.) I Was Here
“I wanna say I lived each day until I die.”
12.) Best Thing I Never Had
“Thank god you blew it. Thank god I dodged a bullet.”
11.) Party
“You a bad girl and yo’ friends bad too. We got the swag sauce, we dripping swagu.”
10.) Dance For You
“Loving you is really all that's on my mind.”
9.) Rather Die Young
“What I'm telling you, I'm giving you my life, it's in your hands.”
8.) Schoolin’ Life
“I'm not a teacher babe but I can teach you something. Not a preacher, but we can pray if you wanna. Ain't a doctor, but I can make you feel better.”
7.) I Miss You
“I thought that things like this get better with time. But I still need you. Why is that?”
6.) 1+1
“When my days look low, pull me in close and don't let me go.”
5.) Run the World (Girls)
“I'm reppin’ for the girls who taking over the world. Help me raise a glass for the college grads.”
4.) Countdown
“Damn I think I love that boy. Do anything for that boy.”
3.) I Care
“And now every time our love goes sour, you won't sympathize.”
2.) Love On Top
“Come on baby it's you-ooo.”
1.) End of Time
“Baby come on get up on it. Show me that you really want it. I wanna be the one to love you baby lets go.”
As a disclaimer: there are a lot of albums that
I didn’t have a chance to listen to this year (Ed Sheeran, Hozier, Tony Bennet,
etc.) This list represents what I’ve heard and what my favorites are from the
year. So enjoy and let me know if you agree with any of them!
HONORABLE MENTION: Nick
Jonas
Nick Jonas
I do my best to always shine light on an album every year
that was a highlight and didn’t quite make my personal top 10. This year I have
to give it up to Nick Jonas for his teen star sendoff. Now he’s all grown up,
grabbing his crotch, starring in his own sex scenes, and above all else making
some great music! With a lot of influence from people like Justin Timberlake
& Prince, this album was a great departure into R&B and pop combined.
The combination was explosive and this album is amazing from start to finish!
Favorite Song: “Chains” (The beat-tastic first single
and first track to open the album, it has a great Kanye West “Power” feel to it
and it’s just epic and strong for his first step back into his solo career!)
10.) My Everything
Ariana Grande
Her 2013 debut Yours Truly was one of the Top 5
albums for me last year: a strong debut infusing a lot of great R&B and pop
music together. While this album seemed to be a bit more popular than her
debut, I don’t feel it was as good. She went in a more pop direction for more
worldwide success, but it’s the R&B tracks on this album that are the real
stand out.
Favorite Song: “Best Mistake” (She went back to what
made her so great on the last album, and it just happens to be another
collaboration with Big Sean. It’s a sick beat, great vocals that don’t strain
or go too far. It’s perfect the way it is without trying too hard at all.)
9.) 1989
Taylor Swift
I might not be able to handle Taylor Swift when she does
interviews and especially whenever she sings live or lip synchs to every song
someone else is performing…but damn her and her genius songwriting, her catchy
hooks, and her fantastic hits! It was great to finally hear her embrace pop
100% and this ode to the year 1989 musically sounds great from beginning to
end. Every song is hit single material and it’s all still written from the
heart after every fizzled relationship.
Favorite Song: “Shake It Off” (The infectious first
single will get anyone to shake, shake, shake wherever they find themselves
when this song comes on.)
8.) The Hunger
Games: Mockingjay, Part 1
Various Artists
Thank you very much to whoever it was at Lionsgate that
suggested the idea of Lorde being in charge of putting together a soundtrack
for Mockingjay. The end result is an eclectic mix of dance, pop,
hip-hop, and much more, bringing together artists you would never think could
be on the same album together.
Favorite Song: “Meltdown” (Stromae, Lorde, Pusha T, Q-Tip,
and HAIM. What an opener!)
7.) The Pinkprint
Nicki Minaj
After a dismal sophomore album that may have brought bigger
hits, Nicki went back to basics in this personal and heartfelt third album. She
opens up more, she still brings out that great personality, she still gets
sassy and sexy, but all in all she pours her heart and soul into every song. It’s
breathtaking to hear.
Favorite Song: “The Crying Game” (The simple fact that
she has Jessie Ware on this track easily made it my favorite!)
6.) Me. I Am
Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse
Mariah Carey
Poor Mariah. She just can’t catch a break! This album (along
with her 2009 Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel) are two of the most
underrated albums in her catalog, especially for her newer generation stuff. It’s
a solid R&B album, filled with excellent production and nothing that ever
goes over the top in any way. It’s unfortunate that she’s overshadowed by poor
live performances, a less than flattering stint on American Idol, and all the
talk about her personal life because this is one of the best albums of the year
that certainly didn’t get the attention it deserved. Although she could've done without the long-ass title...
Favorite Song: “Faded” (Mike Will Made-It in his
producing prime again bringing out a softer side of Mariah with a gentle beat,
strong lyrics, and those beautiful whistle tones!)
5.) Xscape
Michael Jackson
After a very disappointing posthumous album with Michael back
in 2010 that shed everything we loved about the King of Pop, Epic records
enlisted a lineup of superstar producers that didn’t let their egos get in the
way. Timbaland, Darkchild, & Stargate came together to bring back what we
loved about Michael: that effortless in his voice, the groove, the funk, and
the sincerity in every note he sang. It’s amazing to also hear the original
tracks in their entirety on the deluxe edition just to be able to hear firsthand
what these producers had to work with. It’s like he never left us!
Favorite Song: “Loving You” (This song alone gets my
choice for favorite on the album when you hear what it sounded like originally
to what it was transformed into thanks to Timbaland. The scratches, the warped
vocals, the unintentional changing keys, a forgotten Bad leftover track
updated and brought into 2014…you never could guess!)
4.) G I R L
Pharrell Williams
Pharrell has been in his prime for quite some time with his
production group The Neptunes and his band N*E*R*D, but unfortunately when it
came time for him to go solo, it was all sunshine and rainbows. Something just
didn’t click. But giving him a couple years to figure things out musically and
a worldwide hit with “Happy” from the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, the
time was right for him to come back into the spotlight solo. He ditched the
rapping and went all in with his cooing voice to sing on this amazing second
solo album. It’s a groove that starts in “Marilyn Monroe” and flows all the way
until the end with “It Girl”. He has some great collaborators here with Miley,
Timbaland, JT, Daft Punk, and Alicia Keys, but he still takes front and center
for an album to be proud of.
Favorite Song: “Freq” (It may be attached as the
second half to the song “Lost Queen”, but it is without a doubt the most
relaxing and beautiful moment on the whole album. Not to mention that he gives
the beautiful JoJo and chance to shine once again!)
3.) The London
Sessions
Mary J. Blige
Sure, the whole America and London crossover thing has been
done so many times already, but never has it ever sounded this great and this
organic! Mary J. Blige seemed to get into a slump working with the same “IT”
producers for the time being the last couple of albums. Here she strips
everything down and starts from scratch, working with a different sound,
different writers, and different producers to give us all a new perspective in
her already impressive collection! Sam Smith, Disclosure, Emeli Sandé, Eg
White, Jimmy Napes…it’s a star-studded affair that never overshadows the
emotion and grit Mary brings to any song of hers.
Favorite Song: “Nobody But You” (It’s a dance song
above all else, but the beat has an amazing groove and great feel from start to
finish. It’s upbeat, fun, and brings so much joy when listening to it!)
2.) 1000 Forms of
Fear
Sia
I was genuinely scared at first when Sia announced a couple
years back that she was done writing albums for herself. I mean it’s great to
give us gems like “Diamonds” or “Pretty Hurts” for other artists, but Sia has
one of my favorite and one of the best voices. Her voice is distinct and
different from anything else. So imagine how surprised and thrilled I was to
hear that she was coming out of the dark and bringing us another album! She may
not have shown her face or promoted using her image, but that didn’t matter.
Fans like me just wanted to hear her music and that alone was enough to make this
a hit album and her first number one in the US!
Favorite Song: “Chandelier” (This deceiving first
single sounds like a party anthem but it really is a cry for help. It still is
a great song, genius, and beautiful all at the same time!)
1.) In the Lonely
Hour
Sam Smith
To the man that took my breath away in music last year with “Latch”
and his Nirvana EP, he broke into the world bigger and stronger with his
debut album! The songs may not be as upbeat as “Latch” or “La La La”, but it’s
heartfelt, poignant, and above all else personal. It’s a genuine album filled
with heartbreak over a man who broke his heart. It’s beautiful. Every song gets
me teary-eyed, and I’ve never had that before in an album! There’s so much
feeling in his voice and so much strength. It’s astounding and takes my breath
away every time.
Favorite Song: “Lay Me Down” (Leave it to SNL to pave
the way for another great artist and introduce them to the world. First ADELE,
then Jessie J, and earlier this year with no album released or ready to promote,
they brought out Sam Smith to take everyone’s breath away. “Stay With Me” was
great, but it was his acoustic performance or “Lay Me Down” that brought the
house down. It’s a beautiful track to close this stellar debut.)
What a year for music! While this may not represent the absolute BEST according to others, for me this my favorites ranked from 20-1. ENJOY!
20.) “All of Me”
John Legend
Technically this song was released back in 2013, but it was
2014 when it really took off. John Legend has always been a personal favorite
of mine and I’m surprised that this happens to be his first major hit (besides “Ordinary
People”). It may be one of the most overplayed songs of the year (along with “Happy”
by Pharrell Williams), but it is still one of the most sweet and loving songs.
Heartfelt lyrics, a beautiful melody, and the most romantic video of him and
his beautiful wife Chrissy! What more could you ask for?!
19.) “Flawless
(Remix)”
Beyoncé & Nicki
Minaj
This song was already a standout last year; first when it
was released as “Bow Down/I Been On”, then when it was officially released as “***Flawless”
later in the year. And who would’ve thought that it could be updated and made just
a little bit sweeter?! Not only is Nicki Minaj a wonderful addition to the grit
of the song, but Beyoncé’s new rap in the beginning gave us all the only
statement on the whole elevator incident earlier in the year. Flawless indeed…
18.) “Life Round Here”
Ellie Goulding &
Angel Haze
This was never really released as a single for either Ellie
or Angel. It was a song I stumbled on while putting together playlists for
Coachella in April. But my oh my, it’s breathtaking. The beat is sick, the
vocals from Ellie are hot, and overall it’s just a great song.
17.) “Right Now”
Mary J. Blige
Disclosure and Mary J. make a perfect match! Here in their
second collaboration of the year (the first being “F for You” from Disclosure’s
incredible debut album) it serves as one of the first singles from Mary’s
breathtaking The London Sessions album. She still knows how to play a
woman scorned, but this time she has a different sound, a different audience,
and a different attitude. Get it girl!
16.) “Black Widow”
Iggy Azalea & Rita
Ora
Most people may choose “Fancy” as the best Iggy track this
year, but I personally feel like this song shows off more of Iggy’s range.
Originally written for and by Katy Perry, it works well with Iggy & Rita
Ora (although, Miss Ora might wanna work on her vocal quality during live
performances). It has a haunting beat and sound and the chorus with its hand
claps and all add so much drama and suspense. It’s wonderful!
15.) “2 On”
Tinashe &
Schoolboy Q
Tinashe. Tinashe. Tinashe. What a presence, and what a song!
DJ Mustard is in his producing prime this year and this track certainly was a
lovely contribution to his catalog thus far. Schoolboy Q’s verse may be a
little too dirty and uncalled for at times, but there’s no denying the pure
sexiness in Tinashe’s delivery.
14.) “Turn Down For
What”
DJ Snake & Lil’
Jon
It’s an infectious beat, it brings us the return of Lil’
Jon, and it just gets you pumped. Simple as that.
13.) “Love Runs Out”
OneRepublic
It’s a lovely addition to their already stellar Native
album from last year. OneRepublic has a way with a melody! And it served
perfectly as the unofficial theme song for the hit show How To Get Away With
Murder.
12.) “Forever Don’t
Last”
Jazmine Sullivan
Miss Sullivan is back to slay the R&B world yet again.
It’s another solid song from that powerhouse voice of hers. It’s been quite a
few years since we’ve heard from her, but I am anxiously waiting for her new
album in 2015. Although, I could do without the weird video with all those horses…
11.) “Talk Dirty”
Jason Derülo & 2
Chainz
Jason finally gets a chance to shine with a good, solid hit
in this dirty talkin’ jam. The sexy saxophone, the global references, that damn
rapper with his two chains, and not to mention the body that is Jason Derülo,
it was a wonderful combination of a lot of things that created this memorable
song.
10.) “All About That
Bass”
Meghan Trainor
In the year of the butt (“Anaconda”, “Booty”, Kim
Kardashian), this was the big highlight: a song about embracing your curves and
all that bass! You go Meghan, bringing booty back and all (although I don’t
think it ever left, but this was a nice contribution!)
9.) “Uptown Funk”
Mark Ronson &
Bruno Mars
The genius that is Mark Ronson returns with a bang! Bringing
along the genius that is Bruno Mars, the two give us a Morris Day & The
Time-inspired jam that takes us back to a funkier time. It’s a retro song that
fits well today. You can’t help but dance!
8.) “Shake It Off"
Taylor Swift
In a not-so big move, Taylor Swift went 100% pop, and it was
pure perfection! This first single from her smash album 1989 is an
infectious song with its “Mickey” inspired beat and cheerleader lyrics. While
it may sound like it rips off the classic that is “Playas Gon’ Play” by 3LW, it’s
still a great, fun song.
7.) “Love Never Felt
So Good”
Michael Jackson &
Justin Timberlake
The return of the King of Pop bringing along the Prince of
Pop and the hitmaker (Timbaland), it was a match made in heaven! This song just
makes me smile anytime I hear it. It’s a great groove song, a lovely gem that
really captures the essence of Michael Jackson without drastically changing his
sound or voice.
6.) “Problem”
Ariana Grande &
Iggy Azalea
Ariana had a solid debut in 2013, but 2014 was the year she
really broke out thanks to this pop gem. With “Talk Dirty” paving the way again
for a good saxophone solo, it provided a good backdrop for “Problem”. Ariana’s
soaring vocals, Iggy’s sassy verse, it’s just delightful to the ears.
5.) “Dark Horse”
Katy Perry & Juicy
J
Katy Perry brought the pop, lock, and drop with this hot
song about magic, witchcraft, and horses. Katy Perry goes hard and all out with
this magical song from her Prism album. Straying away from pure pop, it was a
nice change of pace for the pop star!
4.) “I’m Not the Only
One”
Sam Smith
Everyone may be putting “Stay With Me” on their best-of
lists, but personally I feel like his second US single here is a much better
listen. Not to mention that the video stars Chris Messina. It’s just perfection
all around.
3.) “Chandelier”
Sia
After spending the last few years writing hit songs for
other artists, Sia finally wrote a worldwide hit for herself, and man was it
powerful! Don’t be fooled by the party house music, it’s really a cry for help
when it comes to partying. But it is just brilliant from start to finish. What
a distinct voice and what a presence she has in just a song.
2.) “Bang Bang”
Jessie J, Ariana
Grande, & Nicki Minaj
Pure. Pop. Perfection.
1.) “Rather Be”
Clean Bandit &
Jess Glynne
It’s rare to hear a hit dance song with a beautiful violin melody,
but Clean Bandit made it possible. It’s a sweet, loving song with a hook that
is so damn catchy.
From booty-popping, to retro throwbacks, to the techno beats, 2014 brought out a little more variety when it came to songs to dance to. Here's a list of my personal favorites!
10.)“Anaconda”
Nicki Minaj
Oh Nicki Nicki Nicki. At first listen, you’re thinking that’s
such a rip-off of Sir Mix-a-Lot’s hit “Baby Got Back (which it absolutely is,
don’t get me wrong). But then the more you hear it, the more you love it, the
more you can’t get enough. That ass though…
9.) “Waves (Robin
Schulz Radio Edit)”
Mr Probz
This is probably one of the most soothing, calming dance
songs I’ve heard in a while. It’s epic and beautiful yet so simple.
8.) “Come Get It Bae”
Pharrell Williams
& Miley Cyrus
It was nice of Pharrell to give us a little bit of a break
from that hit “Happy”, and what better way to do it than with Miley herself!
Although, we can retire the wrong use of the word bae. Look it up people.
7.) “Right Now”
Mary J. Blige
Disclosure and Mary J. make a perfect match! Here in their
second collaboration of the year (the first being “F for You” from Disclosure’s
incredible debut album) it serves as one of the first singles from Mary’s
breathtaking The London Sessions album. She still knows how to play a
woman scorned, but this time she has a different sound, a different audience,
and a different attitude. Get it girl!
6.) “Turn Down For
What”
DJ Snake & Lil’
Jon
It’s an infectious beat, it brings us the return of Lil’
Jon, and it just gets you pumped. Simple as that.
5.) “Talk Dirty”
Jason Derülo & 2
Chainz
Jason finally gets a chance to shine with a good, solid hit
in this dirty talkin’ jam. The sexy saxophone, the global references, that damn
rapper with his two chains, and not to mention the body that is Jason Derülo,
it was a wonderful combination of a lot of things that created this memorable
song.
4.) “Uptown Funk”
Mark Ronson &
Bruno Mars
The genius that is Mark Ronson returns with a bang! Bringing
along the genius that is Bruno Mars, the two give us a Morris Day & The
Time-inspired jam that takes us back to a funkier time. It’s a retro song that
fits well today. You can’t help but dance!
3.) “Shake It Off”
Taylor Swift
In a not-so big move, Taylor Swift went 100% pop, and it was
pure perfection! This first single from her smash album 1989 is an
infectious song with its “Mickey” inspired beat and cheerleader lyrics. While
it may sound like it rips off the classic that is “Playas Gon’ Play” by 3LW, it’s
still a great, fun song.
2.) “Love Never Felt
So Good”
Michael Jackson &
Justin Timberlake
The return of the King of Pop bringing along the Prince of
Pop and the hitmaker (Timbaland), it was a match made in heaven! This song just
makes me smile anytime I hear it. It’s a great groove song, a lovely gem that
really captures the essence of Michael Jackson without drastically changing his
sound or voice.
1.) “Rather Be”
Clean Bandit &
Jess Glynne
It’s rare to hear a hit dance song with a beautiful violin melody,
but Clean Bandit made it possible. It’s a sweet, loving song with a hook that
is so damn catchy.
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