2014: Singles
INTRO
Pharrell Williams “Happy”, from the previous year, was the most successful single this year Clean Bandit & Jess Glynn’s “Rather Be” being the most successful 2014 release. Ed Sheeran’s ‘x’ (released in 2014) topped it for the albums. The most significant shift this year came from streaming. When it comes to album, we are back to full sales for chart performance – because streaming was introduced into the album charts mid-2015. But, streaming was introduced into the singles chart mid-2014. So half the year was sales (including downloads) only, and half with streaming incorporated. Clearly, the change in which we ere consuming pop music had become significant by this point for that decision to be made. Although, I believe there had been calls for it since about 2010. In 2012 the Streaming Chart (which stood alone independently from the Official Chart) was introduced – possibly to satisfy this call to arms....... but the protesters were not appeased. I think it was only fair enough even I think at the time it was the nail in the coffin for me, as I realised I was massively out of touch. I DID, in fact, have my Spotify account (now used for hours per day) but I rarely used it and was still walking down the road with a portable CD player in my pocket.
I DONT LIKE
Ive not really got anything for here.
TOP TEN CONTENDERS
Omi & Felix Jaehn “Cheerleader”
This is a good track from 2012 by Omi that was a big hit in 2014/2015 owing to this Felix Jaehn remix. I have a fond memory of a few years later in 2021. A radio presenter on an online radio station (Qube Radio), on which my best friend Simon Ore was also a presenter, used to outro his all-request shows with this was. That was a great radio station, sadly no longer in existence...... RIP.
James Bay “Hold Back The River”
A modern classic.
Lost Frequencies “Are You With Me?”
Walk The Moon “Shut Up And Dance”
Superb track!
Clean Bandit & Jess Glynn “Rather Be”
John Legend “All Of Me”
Class!
Ed Sheeran “Thinking Out Loud”
Ed Sheeran “Sing”
Meagan Trainor “All About That Bass”
I don’t think its message works quite as well now as it did at the time....... its about positive body image....... but still focuses entirely on body image....... if you get me. But because it was presented in such a genius and fun way we can avoid delving into that too much. The 1st time I heard that line ‘I’m all about that bass.......... no treble’ I did think ‘haha, yea, genius’......... although claiming you’re ‘bringing booty back’ in 2014??......... I think late-nighties-early-noughties J-Lo & Beyoncé would have something to say about that!
Sam Smith “Stay With Me”
Sam Smith “Money On My Mind”
Sam Smith “I’m Not The Only One”
My fav of the Smith ones. Just misses my top 3.
Pitbull & Kesha “Timber”
George Ezra “Budapest”
Just misses the top 3 by a smidge.
George Ezra “Blame It On Me”
MAGIC! “Rude”
Nico & Vinz “Am I Wrong”
Rita Ora “I Will Never Let You Down”
Paloma Faith “Only Love Can Hurt Like This”
Coldplay “A Sky Full Of Stars”
Hozier “Take Me To The Church”
A final top 3 contender that didn’t quite make it.
Taylor Swift “Blank Space”
TOP 3
Ella Henderson “Ghost”
For me, its always been the line ‘I keep going to the river to pray, ‘cause I need something that can wash out the pain’. I relate to that lyric because water, whether it be a river, lake, the ocean, or whatever, has always attracted me as a place to reflect, philosophise, gather my thoughts, or whatever – particularly if I was having a difficult time in my head. In fact, in one place I lived, the River Trent ran behind the house and the end of the road, so I would regularly venture there. So – I love that line. The rest of the lyric is your basic ‘post-breakup’ stuff. I’m not as bothered by that. But, its a great track.
I will add, just to upset fans, what tracks like this use imagery like ‘ghosts’ (or ‘haunting’ or similar)..... I have to ask the question, is the track necessarily about a breakup – or is it about someone who has passed away. I think, a lot of the time, I’m right on the money.
Taylor Swift “Shake It Off”
And here we go. This is not the first time Swift has featured highly in one of my year-summaries...... but this is her 1st time in one of my top 3s. In no-way the greatest of Swift lyrics, in no way the greatest of Swift melodies (although probably fairly close actually) and in no-way the best written of Swift songs. But this is just perfect pop isn’t. Jt Its got that lyrical philosophy of ‘don’t care what anyone else thinks’ – ‘pick yourself up, dust yourself off’ that everyone loves, its got that superb catchy hook of a melody in the chorus..... which is a little stroke of genius, I’d say. I also love the little ‘hmm hmm’s’ in the verses. Its a clever little song-writing mechanism to prevent too long a silence when you don’t actually want to add anything else. Again, a little nugget of genius. I’ve said it a few times now but I will repeat it. If you don’t enjoy this one on any level at all, there has to be some fundamental piece of your soul missing.
Mark Ronson & Bruno Mars “Uptown Funk”
This was a no-brainer. Paying specific homage to 70s/80s music. You can hear James Brown and Earth, Wind and Fire right off. I’m sure we could suggest several others. Its just such a great track with its driving vocal-synth bass, old-style infectious rhythm guitar, punchy horn section, and fun catchy vocal inflictions. Its all about having a great time and invites audience participation. It lacks melody but this is an occasion where I don’t think a beautifully constructed melody would improve anything........ in fact, it would take away its swagger. I can’t go into any deep analysis..... because there’s no a lot to analyse. Its just a 10/10 track. Round of applause from me.
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