The Top Ten Best Hit Songs of 2022
After writing the worst list for 2022, I'm ready to start going for some positivity. I've always enjoyed coming up with my best lists rather than my worst list because that's the stuff I'm actually passionate about. When writing my best list for 2023, I enjoyed explaining why specific songs worked for me and the elements that stood out about each of them. With my 2022 list, I'm going to be doing the same thing with, hopefully, more detail and more passion put into it. It's been a while since 2022 so my memory may be a bit foggy, but I believe I have crafted a list that best represents the hit music that resonated with me throughout that year.
When discussing the things I liked about 2022's music, I do appreciate some of the new sounds that we got added to the charts. Artists like Beyonce, Steve Lacy, and (sigh) Drake added new musical elements to either their songs or the charts in general, while we witnessed the breakthrough of new artists like Em Beihold, GloRilla, and Bailey Zimmerman into the mainstream. Overall, I'd say the year was fine for pop music. I wouldn't call it exceptional or anything, but it had its moments, which I'm about to discuss.
That being said, I think it's time we get to it. Once again, the song either had to hit the Top 40 or the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 to qualify for the list. Without further adieu, here are my picks for the top ten best hit songs of 2022!
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#10
So, remember just a few seconds ago when I said a song that hit the top 40 in 2022 qualified for this list? Well, with this entry, that is taken as far as it can go. This song peaked at #40 on the Hot 100, and I am absolutely glad that it did. I've been waiting a long time to finally give my thoughts on both this song and this artist, and this gives me the opportunity to do so.
10. Poland - Lil Yachty
This may be the weirdest song I've ever put on a best list. Heck, it may be the weirdest song I've ever put on a list in general. I don't know if I've ever heard anything quite like it. I remember hearing it on a bunch of TikToks in late 2022 and thinking it sounded strange. I decided to take a listen to it and that turned out to be a great decision. While this song is only a minute and 23 seconds long, there's no time wasted at all in this entire song. The production on this track is exquisite, as all the synths sound perfectly placed and Yachty's voice is layered with filters that sound completely excellent. What this reminds me is another hit song that I absolutely love (stay turned for my 2019 best list by the way), which is "Panini" by Lil Nas X. That song used a similar tense energy and short length in creating a sound that's not only awesome to listen to, but also keeps you engaged the entire time.
So, if I have so much to praise about this song, why is it only at number ten? Well, considering that it's a minute-and-a-half-long novelty song about taking "the wock to Poland", there's only so much it can do for me. It's a great listen every once in a while if I'm in the mood, but this does not work for everybody. This song was never meant to be taken seriously, and I don't really. It's just a fun track that works in a pinch if you feel like experiencing what it's like to be Lil Yachty for a small portion of your life. That being said, I still think this is the only song Lil Yachty has ever made that has clicked with me. His 2016 features on "Broccoli" and "iSpy" weren't great in my opinion, while none of the songs he released before this did anything at all. It's impressive that a song like this is what it took for me to like Lil Yachty, but hey, that's how it goes sometimes.
#9
I have been monitoring the pop scene for a while now, and one thing I've thoroughly enjoyed is the resurgence of pop punk into the mainstream. Songs like "good 4 u" by Olivia Rodrigo and "my ex's best friend" by MGK and blackbear have been some of the highlights of this genre over the past few years. With that being said, I never would've guessed that one of my favorite pop-punk songs of 2022 would've came from someone I had previously considered a Billie Eilish knockoff, but hey, what are you gonna do?
9. She's All I Wanna Be - Tate McRae
Tate McRae's 2021 breakthrough hit "You Broke Me First" didn't really capture my attention, but her second hit did. Instead of mimicking the slow, dour style Billie has mastered, she goes for a more Olivia Rodrigo-esque pop-rock style that suits her a lot better in my opinion. "She's All I Wanna Be" is about how Tate feels inferior to another girl who she's afraid will take her significant other away from her. The storyline feels similar to Dolly Parton's "Jolene" with the point of views changed. It also feels a lot less generic than "You Broke Me First" did. I actually interpreted this to be about Olivia Rodrigo herself at first, but I doubt that was the intention. Overall, the lyrics are alright, but what really works for me is the sound.
The guitars and percussion on this sound excellent. It's the same reason I like "good 4 u" but done better somehow. It's insanely catchy and gets stuck in my head for a while every time I hear it. The intense focus after the chorus finishes up is the best part of it for me. The production also helps make McRae's vocals sound a lot crisper and much more desperate. This was the song that made me realize Tate McRae had potential to be a hitmaker, and considering how "Greedy" has done so far, I don't think I was too far off.
#8
One thing I like about country music is the personalness that it can have when done right. My top three hits of 2023 were all country songs that resonated with me on a personal level. This entry doesn't quite hit the level of those for me (hence its much lower placement on this list), but it's still a powerful track that definitely hits me in the feels when things align right. And of course it comes from the man who's been my favorite country singer of the 2020s so far.
8. Don't Think Jesus - Morgan Wallen
"Don't Think Jesus" is a song that only works because of who is singing it. I've seen a few people call this one of the worst hits of 2022 considering what it's about. However, I don't agree with that claim for a few reasons. As a religious person, I believe that forgiveness is something we should all strive to do. I know not everyone agrees with that, but that is my personal view of the situation. This song, written by some friends of Wallen who had him on their mind according to the singer, is the story of a boy who commits actions others find to be reprehensible and eventually looks for forgiveness. The title line "I don't think Jesus done it that way" is sung in such a personal manner that I just felt it through my soul.
Production-wise, this song isn't really anything special. It sounds good technically, but it's a typical country song in my opinion. But that's not what makes it great in my opinion. It's the raw emotion you can feel through Morgan's voice. It really feels like he is pleading for forgiveness, and considering the events in his life that led to this song's existence, I don't doubt that he is absolutely desperate for it. I know many people are still holding the 2021 n-word incident over his head 3 years later (and believe me, I completely understand why), but I don't think Jesus does it that way. So I won't either.
#7
As I discussed in my Tate McRae entry, the pop-rock scene somewhat continued into 2022. While Olivia Rodrigo herself didn't have any hits, a lot of others did. Out of all of them, I feel like the one that most caught my attention and captivated me was this entry. I never expected it to come from the "Treat You Better" guy, but well, I guess you never know.
7. When You're Gone - Shawn Mendes
How in the world did this not get bigger? This may be one of the best songs I've ever heard from Mendes (other than maybe "Wonder"), and it absolutely throttles the two songs of his that went viral in 2015 and 2016 ("Stitches" and "Treat You Better", respectively). This one is a jam. The guitar work on this is electric, creating an anthemic feel in the chorus. Apparently this is about his breakup with former Fifth Harmony member Camila Cabello, which makes sense considering the context of the song. It's a breakup song where Shawn proclaims that he doesn't want to let go and that he's starting to realize what it's going to be like "when she's gone". It's intensely personal and makes me feel bad for the guy.
What makes this song work for me is the power behind it. It plays to his strengths as a singer, which are his ability to belt. That is especially true on the final two choruses, where he goes up an octave in his voice and really lets it take center stage, allowing for him to get the point across in a perfect, tense manner. Overall, this is a highlight from someone who, pre-2020, I never thought had a good song in him.
#6
When I look over the 2022 hit songs list, I ask myself what the defining song of the year was. What song best represents the general public's feelings about life? Ever since COVID-19 happened, I don't feel like things have quite returned to normal. I don't know if it ever will, honestly. Something about that experience changed a lot of things in people, and I feel like the effects of it will last for generations. Now if only there was a song that displayed those thoughts directly....
6. As It Was - Harry Styles
Out of all of the former One Direction members, Harry Styles has easily had the most successful solo career. I guess you could argue Zayn, but I doubt most people really remember his two hits. That's besides the point. "As It Was" feels like the "Take On Me" of this millenium. It has a similar sound and feel, which lends greatly to its placement on this list. "As It Was" discusses change and how Harry is noticing changes in his life. I've seen some say that this might be about a divorce (especially because of the "two kids follow her" line in the bridge) but I actually more interpreted it to be about how society shifted after the 2020 pandemic. I doubt that was Harry's intention, but looking at it through that lens gave me a greater appreciation for it.
This song is nostalgic. I already said it sounded like a-ha's signature hit, but the synth-pop sound of this song really just makes me long for old times and better days, which fit with the lyrics about how things are changing. The guitars in this sound great, and the bell lead that goes throughout the song gives it an added flair. The song overall has an emotional feel and can make you happy or sad depending on how you're feeling at the given moment. Those constantly changing emotions are what defines our generation, and this song is the anthem of those feelings. It may not be my favorite song of the year, but this absolutely meant something.
#5
As I mentioned in the Morgan Wallen section, my religious views will often impact how I feel about a song. That's why "Don't Think Jesus" made this list, and that's the reason my #5 pick made the list. This comes from someone I had never heard of before 2022, which makes sense considering it was his first country single. Considering that, it was absolutely a great note to start out on.
5. Son of a Sinner - Jelly Roll
Jelly Roll seems like a pretty chill guy. After I watched him speak at Congress in 2024, I gained a lot of respect for him due to his support for anti-fentanyl legislation. He seemed very humble to me, and most of that was due to his past. "Son of a Sinner" is somewhat about his past with dealing with drugs and other "wrongs". It's another religious country song, so of course it works for me. I love the sound of it. It's very calming and has great chemistry with it's lyrics.
Those lyrics are very powerful for me, especially the bridge where he talks about his struggles and how he feels that he's at the end but that God will save him despite disapproving of the things he's done. I also love the verses, where he discusses moving forward while not allowing yourself to have any reminders of the past. ("I took the rearview off of this old Ford so I only see in front of me") It's relatable no matter what stage of life you're in, as everybody's made mistakes and has issues. It all comes together in the chorus, where he regards himself as being "somewhere in the middle" of God and the devil. It calls out the uncertainty of life and the realization that a moral grey area exists, and that's where many people are. It provides an uplifting feeling for me because it makes me realize that no matter what mistakes I make, everybody has the same issues and we can all move past them.
#4
If I've never talked about it before, I used to be a big fan of EDM artist Calvin Harris. Some of his songs (mainly "Blame", "Feel So Close" and "My Way") used to be among my favorites. As I've grown older, I've kind of soured on Harris mostly due to the similarities between a lot of his music, but I'll still listen to it every now and then. The reason I'm bringing this up is because Harris helped introduce me to the #4 artist on this list. In 2020, he and this artist released a single together entitled "Live Without Your Love", which I thought was a pretty decent single at the time. I didn't know who the featured artist on it was, but just a couple years later I would see another song of his on the charts and give it a listen. And I'm very glad I did.
4. Bad Habit - Steve Lacy
Steve Lacy is a very interesting artist. His sound is a unique blend of funk and R&B that I haven't really noticed on the Hot 100 before this song. This song is just an absolute vibe and a banger. I'm not even sure how I'm supposed to describe it. I tried looking at Wikipedia just to get a general idea but it doesn't seem like they know either, considering they have about 50 different genres listed for the song. The instrumental of this song is so intricate and detailed while the vocals are excellent as well. Lacy is very convincing in the role of awkward guy who is trying to push himself to take a shot at his crush. It feels super genuine and like a relatable situation one could find themself in.
TikTok doesn't often find great gems like this, so this is one of its best efforts. The fact that this went viral is evidence that we want original ideas. We want an identity for the 2020s, which has been lacking due to the unoriginality of many modern hits. This song sounds like an awesome daydream you have while taking a long walk. It feels transcendent in a way that I haven't seen another 2020s hit accomplish. For that reason alone, its spot on this list feels earned.
#3
Country music has been considered one of the staple genres in America for years. I have major respect for a lot of the older country stars, especially the ones in the 1970s through 1990s. Names like Dolly Parton, Johnny Cash, Loretta Lynn, and George Strait are some of the names that come to mind for me. As another example, the late 90s saw the debut of Jo Dee Messina, whose hit "Heads Carolina, Tails California" broke her through to the mainstream country scene. That song is a classic in and of itself. In 2022, however, the song began receiving some attention. The reason for that is my number 3 entry on this list.
3. She Had Me At Heads Carolina - Cole Swindell
I don't know much about Cole Swindell, other than that he's closely associated with Luke Bryan. I vaguely remember his 2020 single "Single Saturday Night" and his 2021 duet with Lainey Wilson, "Never Say Never". The latter was eligible for this list, but I chose to go with this one because, frankly, it's one of the best interpolations I've ever heard. Instead of utilizing the song in a lazy, uninspired way, this song uses it to tell a story. The plotline of the song is that Swindell goes to a bar and sees a girl performing karaoke of the original "Heads Carolina, Tails California". During the performance, he realizes he's fallen in love and decides to buy her a round of drinks. It's an excellent play on the original song and is very respectful of it, showing much admiration and inspiration from the original.
The main thing about this song that drew me in was the melody. It directly samples the beginning guitar rift from the original song and uses a lot of the melodic cues the original used as well. It honors what the original song was and reminds me of how great it was while being great in its own right. I will say this is the turn I want pop country to go in rather than the "bro country" that was popular in the 2010s. Good job, Cole. This is an instant classic.
#2
I talked a lot in my worst list about the "sampling epidemic" of 2022, with many of my picks for the worst songs of the year featured interpolations of other songs. However, as shown in my last entry, sampling can work if done correctly. My #2 entry on this list is the highest one with a sample, and it's one that absolutely should not work at all. Considering it's sampling one of the most overplayed songs of all time and doesn't really take itself seriously, this is the exact formula that should anger me. Instead, it ended up being one of my favorite hits of the year. Funny how that works.
2. Betty (Get Money) - Yung Gravy
Yung Gravy is an odd artist. He's known for making joke songs and rapping about how great he is, and the formula here doesn't change a bit. The twist is - this song is a direct sample of Rick Astley's "Never Gonna Give You Up", also known as the Rickroll. Sampling a meme song should get you put on the worst list, but instead it ends up here just because it's an absolute banger. The production on this is great. The 808s sound intense and there's a good kick to it. The bass follows the melody of the original and just rolls with it. In a year filled with lazy, boring sampling, this is the one that made it fun.
The premise of this song is that Yung Gravy's main goal in life is to "get money", hence the name of the song. Apparently the name "Betty" in the song is a tribute to Betty White, who had passed away the year prior to the song's release. The chorus of the song revamps the original chorus song by Astley into Gravy establishing his goal of "getting money", followed by a Rick Astley impersonator singing the same lines. He apparently got sued over this, but that case was settled last year. That knocks this off the top spot (which it was in when I made the list at the end of that year) but it's still an excellent track nonetheless. Honestly, I'm pretty sure this is the only Yung Gravy song I like, so I'm not expecting to see him have a charting hit like this any time soon. You can only strike lightning in a bottle once with a formula like his.
And now, before I reveal my favorite hit song of 2022, let's discuss the songs that just missed the cut.
Honorable Mentions
HM. Glimpse of Us - Joji
The transition from Filthy Frank to Joji is one of the oddest things I've seen on the internet in my lifetime. "Slow Dancing In The Dark" is an absolutely great song, and this song was pretty good, as well. It's a heartfelt ballad about how Joji longs to be in a relationship with someone else despite already being in one, seeing the he and other woman together when he looks into his lover's eyes. I don't know if I've heard that premise in a song before, and it's done well here.
HM. Broadway Girls - Lil Durk and Morgan Wallen
HM. Better Days - NEIKED, Mae Muller & Polo G
It's a very catchy song and both Mae Muller and Polo G do well on it. The production is excellent, as well, so overall it's an excellent track. It would've been on the list but it kind of wore out its welcome over time. The lyrics about longing for "better days" hit different now considering how rough the situation in our world is. A fun tune in a year that really needed it.
HM. I Ain't Worried - OneRepublic
This is mostly here because I really liked Top Gun: Maverick, which this song is featured in. The whistling sound reminds me of "Grenade" by Bruno Mars (specifically the lyrics "gave you what I had and you tossed it in the trash"), and the song overall has a very nostalgic vibe. It also captures the feeling of not being concerned under pressure, which is handled well in the movie it's from. It's not overly deep, but I can extract some good meaning from this.
HM. Fall In Love - Bailey Zimmerman
While this isn't as good as his 2023 single "Religiously", Zimmerman's breakthrough track "Fall In Love" is a very good song in its own right. Zimmerman seems to have a similar style to Morgan Wallen, which is a good thing from an artistic standpoint. The lyrics about how you don't want to fall in love due to the risk of heartbreak are surprisingly powerful, too.
HM. Ghost - Justin Bieber
Yes, there is, in fact, a Justin Bieber song here. Honestly, Bieber isn't as bad as people act like he is (other than "Yummy", that's an atrocity I don't think I'll ever be able to forgive), and this song is one of his best. It's a catchy pop song about feeling grief after the death of a loved one, and it honestly has some pretty powerful lyrics if you look into it. Just don't make anything like the songs you made in 2020, Bieber. I don't want to hear those again.
HM. 23 - Sam Hunt
Consider this one the honorary #11 on this list. It's about Hunt reminiscing about the times he had with a former lover back when they were 23 years old and thinking about what she's doing now. It just captures that feeling of looking back and honestly, that's something I've needed. Never thought that would come from an artist like Sam Hunt, but hey, you never know.
HM. You Should Probably Leave - Chris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton just seems to be universally loved. My dad, who doesn't listen to any modern music really at all, listens to Chris Stapleton. And I completely understand it. He has this combination of country and rock that you don't see from many other artists. "You Should Probably Leave" is one of his best, being about two individuals coming back to each other despite feelings that things won't go good if they do. He apparently had this in his back pocket since 2014. I couldn't imagine holding on to a song this good for this long.
And now, my pick for the single best song of 2022.
#1
I pondered for a long time as to what would be the top song on this list. As I said in my #2 entry, I originally had "Betty (Get Money)" on the top of the list back when I originally made it. However, considering events (specifically, the lawsuit) that have occurred since 2022, I didn't feel comfortable putting that here this time. Instead, I want to use this entry to talk about an artist I'm very fond of who was a breakout star in 2022. This is someone I hadn't heard of before that year but I currently couldn't imagine the modern music scene without. And it all happened because of this song that brought him into the mainstream.
1. Something In The Orange - Zach Bryan
Zach Bryan is one of the most talented artists currently working. His folk-country style brings out something truly special. This song is his crowning achievement so far through his career. "Something In The Orange" is very simple in its production, mostly featuring an acoustic guitar with some steel guitar in the background for added effect. That simplicity creates one of the most heartfelt, beautiful songs I've ever heard in my entire life. "Something In The Orange" is about Bryan believing that his relationship can be repaired and trying to convince his significant other to come back.
You can truly feel the desperation in Zach's voice throughout this track. Throughout the first two verses, there's some evidence to believe he does think she'll come back, but he eventually realizes there's nothing he can do. He says he's "poisoned himself", which I presume means he's drunk to try and numb the pain. Something about the sunset tells him that she won't be coming back, and that just makes the whole song that much more sad. The end of the song signifies this sadness with his desperate plea for her to "please turn those headlights around". That feeling of loss and exasperation just hits me right in the feels. It's a powerful song that really shows the effects of a breakup. The sunset is a great metaphor for that last bit of hope slipping away. I have absolutely fallen in love with this song for these reasons. Zach Bryan has so much potential and talent, and I hope he continues to make songs like this.
With that being said, this is Lando of the Landoman Experiment signing off. I hope you enjoyed reading this, and have a wonderful day.
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