2023 is coming to a close! We've had so many insane moments in the music industry this year: from Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and Beyoncé's Renaissance World Tour takeovers, to several hit songs from the Barbie movie and the last Beatles tune ever to be released. We've been fortunate to chronicle these music moments and more on the Live365 blog throughout 2023. Thanks to everyone who's read our stuff this year!
Before the clock strikes twelve on December 31, we're counting down the ten songs we feel best defined this year. Like last year's list, we're basing our picks off a mix of chart popularity, replay factor, quality, and cultural impact. We're also only listing new songs released in 2023, so even though older recordings like Taylor Swift's "Cruel Summer" and SZA's "Kill Bill" had their moments, you won't find anything like them below.
2023 seemed to be a triumphant year for female artists; all but one of the songs below feature women vocalists. You'll find a mix of established and up-and-coming lady musicians on our list.
See which of your favorite tunes made our countdown below!
10. "On My Mama" - Victoria Monét
Keep your eye on Victoria Monét. It's only a matter of time before she's a household name, and we believe she has a pretty good shot of winning that Best New Artist Grammy she's nominated for thanks to this bop. "On My Mama" is so many things: funky, brassy, bold, and show-stopping. Between those proud trumpet blares, thumping beat, and deep, masculine, anthemic, "On my MAMA! On my HOOD!" chants after every chorus...good luck trying to get this jam out of your head once you've listened to it.
In the iconic music video, Monét gifts a nostalgic mix of 90s coolness with early 2000s spunk. It's a blend of raw feminine and masculine energy that perfectly defines the bisexual artist's style. She also ROCKS the choreography. (We literally can't get over that swanky jacket-trading move two minutes and thirty seconds in.) Seriously: this woman is oozing with talent. After she's sat on the sidelines helping to produce Ariana Grande's "7 Rings", "On My Mama" has ensured Victoria Monét's star power will not be overlooked in 2024.
9. "TQG" - Karol G & Shakira
Shakira had a big year. When drafting this list, it was between this bop and "Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53". Although the latter song broke some records upon its release, we ultimately had to go with the She Wolf's collab with Karol G, "TQG". Like, c'mon...it's two of Colombia's biggest female acts together! It's a collab made in heaven.
“TQG” is an acronym for “Te Quedó Grande”. It loosely translates to “Too Big for You”. This song is a reminder to the ladies' former lovers that they're better than ever, and way too cool for corny guys like them. This dramatic kiss-off is complete with a dark and saucy reggaetón beat, courtesy of producer Ovy on the Drums. "TQG" debuted at #1 on both the Billboard Global 200 and Billboard Global Excl. U.S. charts in March, becoming each Colombian superstar’s first #1 on the rankings.
8. "Rush" - Troye Sivan
Whether it was because of his latest album or because SNL revealed he's actually a sleep demon, Troye Sivan finally got the attention he deserved this year. "Rush" was his big ol' refreshing party banger for the summer. It's exhilirating, sexy, and far from the suggestive slow jams we've received from the Australian pop king in the past. We love the juicy sound of club-appropriate house music on Sivan's airy vocals.
Aided by a sultry music video with stunning choreography, queer celebration, and lots of butt cheeks, "Rush" managed to become an international hit. Even though it only peaked at #77 on the Billboard Hot 100, it topped the Australia Dance (ARIA) chart, hit #2 on the US Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart, and ranked high on many more lists. Between this song and Kylie Minogue's "Padam Padam", we agree with Michael Sun of The Guardian: Australia is officially in its gay era.
7. "bad idea right?" - Olivia Rodrigo
Thanks to the release of Olivia Rodrigo's sophomore effort GUTS, this pop princess spent a lot of the time in the spotlight this year. She had a fair amount of hits. "Vampire", "get him back!", "all-american b--ch", and even the Hunger Games contribution "Can't Catch Me Now" all made waves across the internet and radio. But if we had to pick Liv's song with the best storytelling, production, and experimentation, we're easily going with "bad idea right?"
Listed as the second track on GUTS, "bad idea right?" proved Rodrigo is the not the starry-eyed little girl she once was on SOUR. About GUTS, Rodrigo said, “I made the bulk of this album during my 19th year on this earth. A year that, for me, was filled with lots of confusion, mistakes, awkwardness & good old fashioned teen angst.” We feel "bad idea right?" perfectly encapsulates all those things through the horrible-yet-relatable scenario of getting back with a ex. We all think of things like your first date and first kiss, but Olivia highlights an overlooked coming-of-age milestone: first setback. We love the mix of dreaminess and utter doom the rockin' guitar riffs bring, and we just want to cry "NO, LIV, NO!!!" every time the chorus blares.
6. "A&W" - Lana Del Rey
"A&W" is not one, but TWO fantastic songs within a single track. It's one of the most ambitious things Lana and trusted collaborator Jack Antonoff have put out in their entire respected careers, and probably the standout on the already phenomenal album Did You Know That There's a Tunnel Under Ocean Blvd. We dare say "A&W" is for Lana Del Rey what "Bohemian Rhapsody" is for Queen.
Essentially, this seven-minute epic charts the narrator’s journey from childhood innocence to adult debauchery (“A&W” is shorthand for “American Whore”). The first half is an enchanting piano ballad that touches on Lana's apathy, tragic love life, and relationship to the media. The melody then switches up to contrasting electronic trap with repetitive-yet-poignant lyrics ("Jimmy, Jimmy, cocoa puff, Jimmy, Jimmy, ride"). It further emphasizes on the depressing sentiment Lana sings about in the first half: there's no point in trying anymore and she should just accept her fate as an American whore. Maybe we can't relate to everything Lana sings about, but we can easily feel her pain.
5. "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" - PinkPantheress & Ice Spice
These next two songs on our list have been digital dominators. "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" was the musical sequel we didn't know we needed this year. Chiptune meets hip-hop club meets bubblegum beats in this PinkPantheress and Ice Spice collab. Why is this perfect for both the club and lounging at home? We don't know. But we love it so much.
Filled with feminine energy, "Boys a Liar, Pt. 2" describes a man with not-so-good character. He's a liar...or is he a Leo? Both? (You've got to admit, she pronounces "liar" like "Leo".) Ice Spice delivers some of her slappiest bars in the bridge. "Boy's a Liar, Pt. 2" managed to hit #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been used countless times on TikTok. Straight ladies: if you've ever been in a situation where you're doubting your worth because of a dumb boy, please do yourselves a favor. Play this song. Feel the power, and know you are good enough.
4. "My Love Mine All Mine" - Mitski
This year, Mitski released her seventh LP The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We. The biggest hit on the record was "My Love Mine All Mine", which instantly became a social media staple. No joke: this moody ballad is EVERYWHERE on the internet. We're happy to see Mitski get the recognition she very much deserves. This lovely serenade managed to get the alternative songstress her first Billboard Hot 100 charter (it peaked at #26).
Many are drawn to "My Love Mine All Mine" for its lullaby quality. While it's technically a joyous story about Mitski giving her love up to the moon to keep, there are some melancholy lyrics about death and human impermanence. We think it's that bittersweet poetry mixed with dreamy, atmospheric production that keeps music-lovers and TikTokers coming back to this one.
3. "Not Strong Enough" - boygenius
Sheryl Crow fans are happy about this one. 2023 saw the magnificent comeback of Phoebe Bridgers', Julien Baker's, and Lucy Dacus' supergroup boygenius. Thanks to the newfound fame they all found in their solo careers, the folk-rock anthem "Not Strong Enough" proved to be a, well, strong enough breakout single for the trio.
Don't let the gleeful instrumentals and warm harmonies fool you. This song is essentially an apology - or a painfully relatable anecdote - to anyone who has ever been with someone who's said to them, "well, you don't want to be with ME, you deserve better!" Bridgers has stated the intellectual track is basically about having self pity mixed with a God complex. Maybe it's a dangerous combo when it comes to relationships, but for some boygenius lyrics? It's terrific.
2. "Flowers" - Miley Cyrus
We kicked off 2023 with moxie-filled empowerment brought to us by the one-and-only Miley Cyrus! This self love anthem had us buying ourselves flowers, writing our names in the sand, and talking to ourselves for hours. In a year full of breakup bops - such as Sabrina Carpenter's "Feather" and Selena Gomez's "Single Soon" - "Flowers" was the track that kept us dancing the most. (Y'know, when we took ourselves dancing and held our own hands.)
"Flowers" hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 earlier this year, and spent a whopping eight weeks on top: a career best for Cyrus. We put "Flowers" all the way up at #2 on the list due to the creativity of that Bruno Mars "If I Was Your Man" interpolation. At the same time, we refrained from putting it at #1 due to the borrowing of that melody. Regardless, we got to give it to Miley for crafting a piece of art that matches the mood of Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive". "Flowers" has a message we all need to hear, even if we're in loving relationships.
1. "What Was I Made For?" - Billie Eilish
"Take my hands. Close your eyes. Now feel..."
Who would have thought the year's most wonderfully emotional song would also be paired with the world's most well-known doll. Barbie truly defined the summer with its pink aesthetic, notable quotes, and totally bomb soundtrack. We got a Dua Lipa disco bop, a Nicki Minaj & Ice Spice collab, and even a gaudy Ryan Gosling ballad out of it. But perhaps the most moving scene of the movie was also paired with this extraordinary gift from the mind of Billie Eilish. "What Was I Made For?" over, y'know...that specific montage? Tears. Tears for days.
Don't get us wrong: even if "What Was I Made For?" hadn't been featured in the Barbie movie, we promise you it still would've been a hit with the public. Billie and Finneas truly dug deep and created a tune on-par with their previous affecting ballads, such as "When the Party's Over" and "Everything I Wanted". This new masterpiece has Billie wailing about her purpose and losing the enjoyment she once felt about life. It starts off quiet and small, then opens up into a cinematic ocean of reverbed harmonies, subtle horns, harp strings, and a full orchestra. It's gorgeous, it's a perfect reflection of the confusing human condition, and it's a work only someone like Billie Eilish could pull off. We also count on it winning the Oscar next year for Best Original Song. Cheers to 2024!
Discover thousands of free stations from every genre of music and talk at Live365.com.
Rather listen on our app? Download the Live365 app on iOS or Android. Ready to start your own station? Contact one of our Product Consultants or visit our website today. Keep up with the latest news by following us on Facebook (Live365 (Official) and Live365 Broadcasting) and Twitter (@Live365 and @Broadcast365)! You can also shop Live365 swag and branded merchandise at store.live365.com.
Article Image: Olivia Rodrigo sings at the Ace Hotel in 2023, Troye Sivan performs outdoors in 2018, Victoria Monét performs as an opening act during Ariana Grande's 2017 Dangerous Woman Tour. ( Justin Higuchi [CC BY-SA 2.0], Ted Eytan [CC BY-SA 2.0], and Emma [CC BY-SA 2.0] via Wikimedia Commons)
