Personal Favorites of 2014

While it was a down year for popular music, 2014 was as good as any other year when it came to overall music that I liked. Without further ado, let's dive into my 25 favorite songs of the year that ended up outside the Billboard Year-End Hot 100. These songs are not ranked, they are instead grouped roughly by genre.

Also, check the bottom of the post for a Spotify playlist of all the songs on this list. You can play it at your next party, and thank me later.



Hozier- "Take Me To Church":

I have no idea how this didn't make the year-end chart, but it didn't, so I had to put it here. Great song, great artist, scary video though.

Hozier- "Jackie And Wilson":

For my money, the best song off his self-titled debut album. This video also showcases his amazing ability to recreate his studio sound in concert (or is it the other way around?).

Calvin Harris- "Blame (feat. John Newman)":

Another song which I'm not sure how it missed the year-end chart, but it somehow did so I'm forced to put it here. Calvin sure does love those long shots of a girl walking from behind. And John Newman sure can sing.

Calvin Harris- "Together (feat. Gwen Stefani)":

This is the best non-single from Calvin Harris' 2014 album Motion. In fact, it might be the best song on the whole album either way. I hope it gets released as a single in 2015 so everyone can get to appreciate it.

Clean Bandit- "A&E (feat. Kandaka Moore & Nikki Cislyn)":

And so begins the Clean Bandit portion of the post. This was one of their first songs (and first videos, all of which they self-produce). It took a while to grow on me, but grow it did.

Clean Bandit- "Stronger":

This is one of Clean Bandit's newest tracks, and you can see how much more they have headed in the pop direction since the popularity of "Rather Be" took off. I find it a little strange they didn't credit a vocalist here (rumors are swirling that it's former Skins actor, current Years & Years frontman, and uber hipster Olly Alexander), but no matter what, it's an extremely catchy track.

Clean Bandit- "Dust Clears (feat. Noonie Bao)":

Another great early song by Clean Bandit. I should point out here that while this song (and corresponding video) was released in 2013, it was included on their debut album New Eyes, which wasn't released until 2014, so I am counting it as a 2014 release. There are a couple other songs on here like that, so please forgive me. I don't believe I'm breaking my own rules.

Clean Bandit- "Real Love (feat. Jess Glynne)":

Another newer, poppier release from Clean Bandit, with more vocals from Jess Glynne (who also sang on "Rather Be"). They went with a simpler video this time, but I still expect the song to be a major hit at some point.

David Guetta- "Life Me Up (feat. Nico & Vinz and Ladysmith Black Mambazo"):

This here is the best song from David Guetta's loaded album Listen, which came out in late 2014. Because of its late release, I couldn't really include any more songs from it, because none of them made the immediate impact that "Lift Me Up" did. Also, Ladysmith Black Mambazo is pretty much the most epic name in history.

Duke Dumont- "Won't Look Back":

This is a very solid melodic deep house track, maybe not amazing, but very solid, and the video is what gave it the edge to sneak in here. Just a hilarious concept. Cops on segways chasing robbers on pogo sticks. Very well done.

Galantis- "Runaway (U & I)":

With apologies to, uh, Galantis, this is probably the hugest, most epic song of the year (or at least tied with one more coming up soon). These guys are awesome so if you don't know them, check them out.

Gorgon City- "Go All Night (feat. Jennifer Hudson)":

More melodic deep-house. This was a genre that killed the game in 2014. It was everywhere, and it made me feel like we were back in the early '90s again. I assume that was a fun time, but I was a baby, so I don't remember it too well.

Kiesza- "Hideaway":

It was an absolute travesty that this song, and video, weren't bigger than they were in 2014. And don't get me wrong, they were huge. But they still didn't get nearly the love they should have. This was the best video of 2014, hands down, and "Hideaway" was the best radio song of the year except for maybe "Rather Be." It was neck and neck between those two. This whole video was shot in one take! It's jaw-dropping. And the song is jam city as well. Oh well. I still got to enjoy it.

Matrix & Futurebound- "Don't Look Back (feat. Tanya Lacey)":

Nothing remarkable about this drum-and-bass track, but it's very solid and it got a lot of playtime for me this year. I may not remember it in a year or two, but that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy it immensely.

Oliver Heldens & Becky Hill- "Gecko (Overdrive)":

Another high contender for video of the year. I don't think there's ever been a more perfect casting decision than the teenage boyfriend. The ways his eyes bulge out is absolutely perfect. Oh, and the song? Listen to it with the bass up, and thank me later.

Route 94- "My Love (feat. Jess Glynne)":

Boy, these deep-house videos sure do feature a lot of weird makeout scenes. Anyway, this is more of a chill track but it can still bring the heat if you listen to it loud enough or in the right setting and frame of mind. And it features everyone's favorite vocalist Jess Glynne, saying the same 2 things over and over again! What's not to like?

Sander Van Doorn, Martin Garrix, and DVBBS- "Gold Skies (feat. Aleesia)":

This is one of those epic collaborations that I like to think of as EDM's version of posse cuts. I don't know which artist does what on a song like this, or how they wind up working together in the first place, but somehow, this crew put together one of the biggest festival bangers of the year (admittedly, in a year without very many contenders). Once again, turn the speakers up to truly enjoy this one (but not if they're already turned up from the last two songs).

Cazzette- "Sleepless (Oliver Nelson Remix)":

Generally, I try to avoid remixes on this list because it's easier to just stick to originals. But this remix was an exception, because the original so desperately needed a remix, and Oliver Nelson's version was so perfectly done. So enjoy this, because I don't know when another remix this good will come along again.

Chromeo- "Jealous (I Ain't With It)":

This is another song that bubbled under the radio airwaves in 2014 but never seemed to hit it big. For the life of me I can't figure out why. It's infectiously catchy, pure pop perfection. You got robbed, Chromeo. I don't mind admitting it. Keep doing what you do and it'll happen for you, it has to.

Wilkinson- "Afterglow":

Between the song, and the video, the entire "Afterglow" experience will give you chills. Wilkinson's made a few more songs (in fact, he put out a whole album this year which included this song), but "Afterglow" is by far his best work. And the concept for the video is genius, as is the execution.

Ariana Grande- "Love Me Harder (feat. The Weeknd)":

There isn't much pure radio-pop on this list, because most of it was already included in my Billboard Hot 100 countdown. However, this song missed the cut for that list because it came out too recently, so it will have to be put here. It's too bad, because this was the best radio pop song of 2014, and it wasn't close. I was never much an Ariana Grande fan before, but I am now. And it's not because of the video, I promise.

Betty Who- "Somebody Loves You":

Australian pop singer Betty Who failed to make a huge impact here in the States in 2014. However, her music definitely made an impact on me. Her disco dance-pop had the perfect sound, and "Somebody Loves You" was just one of a few shining examples this year.

Betty Who- "You're In Love":

Another Betty Who song here. If you don't find this music enjoyable, I legitimately wonder what you like instead, and what's wrong with you.

Betty Who- "High Society":

Last Betty Who song, basically everything I said before applies here as well. I just hope she gets the hit that she deserves in 2015.

The Knocks- "Classic (feat. Powers)":

Last but not least, we have The Knocks, another one of my favorite acts that never seems to quite be able to break through. "Classic" is one of their best tracks yet, but it still didn't get much love. Hopefully they can make it big in 2015 also, without sacrificing their timeless sound.