The Top Ten Best Hit Songs of 2018
Do I really have to do this? 2018 was an abysmal year for music, and very little actually struck me as "good". If you read my worst list, you know just how bad the worst music of 2018 (especially those top 3, my Lord) was. However, I do feel like I'm obligated to talk about my favorite music of that year, too, even if I don't connect with it the way I connected to the best music of, say, 2019 or 2024. The best songs of 2018 were mostly just the songs that didn't remind me just how much the world sucks these days. I do think I put together a pretty decent list, though, so we can get started.
As always, my rules are simple. Any song that either hit the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 or the Top 50 at any point during the year is eligible for this list. Of course, there are some exceptions to this rule that I have made in the past, but those are few and far between. It's mostly just a matter of judgement. This list is going to be interesting for me to talk about, and I hope you enjoy it. Let's count down...
#10.
In 2010, an indie pop-rock band would release would what become one of the biggest hit songs of 2011. This song was slightly controversial due to being about school shootings. Of course, that song was "Pumped Up Kicks", one of the strangest yet best hits of the early 2010s. Now, most people consider the band that made it, Foster the People, to be one-hit-wonders due to this song being the only one of theirs they recognize. However, they're not. In 2018, they had another hit. This hit was also brilliant.
10. Sit Next To Me - Foster The People
If you're most people and aren't super big into the indie rock scene, you'll likely not realize Foster The People has been hugely successful after their breakthrough with "Pumped Up Kicks". They've had tons of songs chart on the U.S. Rock charts, though, including "Don't Stop (Color On The Walls)", "Coming of Age", and this. This is the only other song they've had that hit the Top 50 on the Hot 100, and I definitely see why it was successful. This has an excellent sound, with an indie pop funk kick that really works well with nice-sounding synths and production. It was also one of the more upbeat songs to chart in 2018, which works in its favor truly.
"Sit Next To Me" is about a man trying to rekindle a relationship with an ex-lover in a natural manner. He says he's not trying to force her to change her mind, but rather is just encouraging her to sit next to him and see where things go from there. I really like this sentiment and think it's a natural premise for a song, and it works for me well here. I like that he continuously implies that he's being straightforward and honest, and it comes across as charming rather than creepy due to the upbeat sound of the song.
I'm glad Foster the People isn't just known for "Pumped Up Kicks". They're a very talented band, and frontman Mark Foster has an interesting voice that works well for songs like this. "Sit Next To Me" is probably the best indie pop-rock song to hit it big in 2018, which works for me. I love this. Catchy, genuinely encaptivating, and wonderful in all facets. Good work.
#9.
Alright... time for things to get fun. So, you all know who Dua Lipa is, right? I would assume so. If you don't, I'm wondering what rock you're living under. Well, 2018 was the breakout year for Dua, who has become one of the most successful pop stars in recent memory. She's had numerous smash singles over the past decade that have really cemented her place in pop history. Her first big hit was probably "New Rules", which is not on this list. Instead, I've opted to go with the collaboration between her and Calvin Harris.
9. One Kiss - Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa
"One Kiss" is about how this person falls in love with Dua Lipa after one kiss, hence the title. It's a seductive house song that really makes great use of its premise. This makes me feel like I'm watching a sunset with someone I truly care about. It's very interesting how specific chords and instruments can make you feel that vibe. It also helps that the trumpet drop after every chorus featuring pitch-shifted vocals just sounds great. Harris' production work carries this song, but that's not without help from the ever-competent Dua Lipa, who has really mastered this type of smooth love pop song and made it her thing.
In a year where so much of the most popular music was dark, dreary, and disgusting, we needed a song like this. "One Kiss" is the summer jam of 2018, in my opinion. Sure, it didn't chart as high as other songs that fit that billing, but this is it. Calvin Harris hasn't really had a big hit since this, weirdly enough, but Dua Lipa sure has. I can say that this is a highlight of both of their discographies, even if this isn't my absolute favorite by either of them.
#8.
If you've read my recent worst lists, you'll know that I don't have a particularly great viewing of this artist. It's a shame, honestly, because she is one of the most talented artists of our generation. Despite me not liking her recent work, I have to acknowledge that she's a genuinely brilliant singer with a ton of power in her voice a la Mariah Carey. 2018 was arguably her biggest year, albeit her most personally rough. With how popular she was, it was inevitable that one of her songs would make this list, and I'm glad she did. I needed to give Ariana Grande her props for the first time.
8. No Tears Left To Cry - Ariana Grande
I had three options for Ariana on this list. I could've chosen the clumsy yet creative "God Is A Woman", but I didn't resonate with that one nearly at all. I also could've chosen the also excellent "Breathin'", which honestly would've been a good choice. However, I decided to roll with what I personally thought was the best of the three in "No Tears Left To Cry". After the attack on her concert in 2017, it was pretty clear that Ariana Grande was dealing with a lot of emotions and needed to let them out. This song is about those emotions and how she has finally gotten to a point where she doesn't have any more emotions to let out.
What really makes this song work for me is the combination of the production and Ariana's vocal performance. This song was produced by Max Martin and Ilya, who do a wonderful job blending the dance-pop sound with Ariana's emphatic vocals. I love how the synths sound throughout this song, creating a beautiful and upbeat song that completely defies my expectations. I also love this song's chorus, which features some of the best vocals I've heard from Ariana. She's completely turned her mentality around and decided to live in a positive manner, which is the best thing you can do after something traumatic. I love it.
"No Tears Left To Cry" is a showcase of what Ariana Grande can do when she's close to her best. It's my favorite song from Sweetener and probably my second-favorite song from her after "Into You". This is how you put your personal life into your music, Ariana. I hope you make something this good again soon, we need it.
#7.
I talked in my Best Hit Songs of 2019 list about how much I liked Khalid, who was quickly becoming a rising star in the R&B scene. He also had a pretty big hit in 2018, that being a duet with singer Normani. To this day, it's probably my favorite song of his. So, yeah, it's #7 on this list.
7. Love Lies - Khalid & Normani
I love a good double-meaning song title. Khalid and Normani's "Love Lies" is a good example of this. See, you go into it thinking that it's about how sometimes love can be a lie or how it is a liar. Instead, it's using the word "lie" as in location. I love that. This song is just great. Both Khalid and Normani have very charismatic performances that really create chemistry between the two of them. I just love this. The production is excellent, with good trap percussion and synths that create a smooth, dark R&B sound that I truly love.
The premise of this song is that both Khalid and Normani have been waiting for someone to love for their entire life, and that they're willing to listen to what they have to say. Communication is key in relationships, so I can definitely appreciate that sentiment from that aspect. The lyrics are pretty excellent, showing the confusion and worry Khalid feels while showing Normani to be connected and intrigued. It's an interesting dynamic and I absolutely love how the two manage to play off each other well despite the different styles of their voices.
This was apparently Normani's first single after Fifth Harmony broke up, and man this is a good way to start a solo career. It's a shame that she hasn't had more smash hits this big, but I'm glad she gave us this. I'd definitely be down to see more collaborations between these two if they ever wanted to do it again. Just an excellent song overall.
#6.
2018 was the peak of the superhero movie genre. With the release of movies such as Avengers: Infinity War, Ant-Man & the Wasp, and Deadpool 2, it seemed like Marvel was just everywhere. However, this is ignoring the most important of all these movies - Black Panther. This movie was a smash hit, grossing over a billion dollars, and was culturally relevant all the same. Many African-American activists and individuals felt that this movie was a cultural touchstone and, while I don't have that perspective, I can see why. Not only was this the first MCU film with a predominantly black cast and protagonist, but the movie also featured one of the most culturally outspoken rappers alive as the key to its soundtrack.
6. All The Stars - Kendrick Lamar (feat. SZA)
I feel like as soon as I mentioned Black Panther, you all knew where I was going with this. The soundtrack to that movie is generally excellent, featuring songs that feature the weeknd, Future, James Blake (really?), Khalid, and Travis Scott. Out of all of them, I believe the best of them to be "All The Stars", the first of numerous collaborations between the aforementioned Lamar and SZA, who was really starting to burst onto the scene by this time. This was the song in the end credits of the movie, and it was an excellent way to end an already great movie.
What's so great about this song? Well, I can start with the production. I love how this song sounds. It really sounds galactic, in a way that a song called "All The Stars" should. It begins with a pitched-down Kendrick Lamar that works as a segue into SZA's chorus, where she sounds as angelic as ever. Her voice is amazing, and the lyrics about how she feels like her dreams (and, thus, the stars) are closer than ever. Kendrick is also awesome on here, but this is the rare song where isn't the highlight for me. His verse is still great, though, where he discusses how he hates it when people confront him and feel intitled to his praise despite not doing anything to earn it.
2018 was an excellent year for superhero movies, and Black Panther was the beginning catalyst for what made it so. Hearing this song performed at the Super Bowl recently only reminded me just how much I truly love it. I truly wish the best for Kendrick and SZA, as both of them are amazing performers with the potential to make so much more good music and who have made songs that I absolutely love. Keep it up.
#5.
Alright, it's time to talk about country music again. You all know I absolutely have grown to love country music over the past few years, so I'm basically obligated to put a country song on this list. What would it be, though? Dan + Shay had a couple fine songs this year in "Tequila" and "Speechless," Jordan Davis' "Singles You Up" is a guilty pleasure, and "Mercy" is probably the best song I've heard from Brett Young. None of those are on this list. Instead, I've gone with the most emotionally compelling country hit I've heard in a long time.
5. Marry Me - Thomas Rhett
"Marry Me" by Thomas Rhett is a devastating song. I'll just say that right off the bat. The song begins by making you think Rhett is talking about his own wedding to this girl he's in love with, but then there's a twist - she's not marrying him. Normally, I'm not a big fan of songs where a guy relents about a girl who's with another guy, but this one works for one reason. There's a true feeling of regret that Rhett feels, and you can just feel the pain in his voice. He watches as the girl he's been in love with so long goes on and marries someone else, and it truly breaks his spirit and is just destroying him on the inside.
This is one of very few songs that makes me feel genuine sympathy for the narrator in a situation like this. He acknowledges that she's happy, and she doesn't even realize his feelings for her exist because he was too shy and scared to admit them. Now, it's too late. His love for her is still there, but she's with someone else now. The feeling of guilt and desperation haunts him, and he doesn't know how to make it through the wedding without crying. He says that he could get this off his chest, but he doesn't want to ruin either his friendship or her life. That's what separates this song for me. He knows that the fact that he held it in for so long while she lived her life without him was wrong, but he can't do anything to fix it. Truly heartbreaking.
Thomas Rhett is honestly an underrated country star for me. I've seen so many people dismiss him as just bland country pop, but he has the ability to be very emotionally compelling when he wants to be. "Marry Me" is one of those songs I've grown to love over time, realizing how gut-wrenching it is. This is the best country hit of 2018. Full stop. Good work, Thomas.
#4.
This list marks a big change for me. I've never done this before, but this requires me to explain. I've been very vocal about how much I dislike Drake. I've put numerous songs of his on my worst lists ("You Broke My Heart", "Slime You Out", "Search & Rescue", "Staying Alive", "Way 2 Sexy"), and was on the Kendrick Lamar side during the Drake-Kendrick feud of 2024. So, for me to put Drake on a best list? Well, it's surprising, but not completely without reason. Drake was the biggest artist alive for song for a reason. He's not going to get big without good songs. He's made many good songs. I'm not immune. For example...
4. Sicko Mode - Travis Scott (feat. Drake)
"Sicko Mode" is a strange song. That goes without saying. It has numerous beat switches and gimmicks that make it a very compelling listen. Not only is it experimental, but it's also commercial. Adding Drake into this was a perfect decision. It doesn't really have a hook (unless you count Swae Lee saying "someone said" as a hook), it completely switches up just as it's about to get going, and it has a weird obsession with Jamba Juice for some reason. It's brilliant.
This became one of the biggest hits of both 2018 and 2019 for a reason. Travis Scott was able to bring together some of the best producers to create something truly special in this beat. There's three distinct segments of the song, all of which are excellent. The first segment is where we get the title line ("Young LaFlame, he in sicko mode"), the second segment is where Travis himself first shows up, and the 3rd segment is where we get the iconic "out like a light (like a light)" lyric. The flows are sweet and everything just comes together throughout.
I can't really do a good job explaining what makes "Sicko Mode" brilliant. I mean, you've heard it. You know excellent it sounds. You can just bounce to this. Everything about it just hits. It's one of the best-sounding rap songs of the 2010s, and it shows what Drake can do at his best, and was a sign of things to come for Travis Scott. I would say it's the best of Drake's hits in 2018, but... it's not.
#3.
That's right! Not only did I put a Drake song on this best list, but I put TWO of them on this best list. Now you guys can finally get off my back about hating Drake. In all seriousness, I don't hate or like Drake. I think he's a fine artist who has some bad songs and some good songs. With Drake's 2018 output, there's a lot of mixed baggage. "God's Plan" was the biggest hit, but I just find it to be mediocre. "Nice For What" was the critical darling, but I didn't feel that one the same as many other people. "Nonstop" was... ok. The best song, though? This.
3. In My Feelings - Drake
It may be weird for "In My Feelings" to be the highlight of Drake's 2018 discography for me, but it's not without good reason. It's catchy as hell, with one of the best trap beats I heard from 2018's big hits. This is also one of my favorite Drake performances, as he somehow manages to blend everything together perfectly. This is very similar to "Nice For What", but what makes it the better song for me is the production. With "Nice For What", I feel that, despite how catchy and bouncy the song is, a lot of the percussion is too sharp and angled, while "In My Feelings" dampens that down enough to keep the catchiness at the perfect level.
The lyrics for "In My Feelings" aren't anything particularly special, but that's not the focus for the song for me. I still should mention that the song has a brilliant use of samples to provide transitions between parts of the song, such as utilizing certain vocals by the City Girls (who are the focus of the second chorus) as well as Magnolia Shorty. It's absolutely brilliant production work that makes the song much more special than it otherwise would be.
Drake was the biggest artist of 2018. As much as people hate him these days, there's a reason he was this successful to begin with. He's made tons of jams, including and especially this one. Love or hate him, you have to respect that he has made an impact on the hip-hop scene as a whole, as polarizing as that impact may be.
#2.
I told someone as I was writing this list that both the best and worst lists would be... heavy. With the worst list, I had to talk about 3 songs that, despite any positive qualities to their sound, had utterly reprehensible sentiments and lyrics that completely make them worthless. In this list, I have to talk about a song that serves as a cultural standpoint. A song that is meant to stand for something bigger. To bring to light the awful treatment so many people receive in this country. A song that goes against so many things this country stands for and serves as counter-culture to a dangerous issue.
2. This Is America - Childish Gambino
Here's the other thing about "This Is America" - it doesn't really explicitly say anything as a statement. The song features a church choir singing about getting money as a black man, and Gambino's verse is oddly generic for someone with such a big thing to say. But I think that makes it more powerful. It's not saying that gun control and racism are bad explicitly, it's saying that it's just become a part of the culture. Gambino's lyrics about guns ("Guns in my area, I got the strap, I gotta carry em") are meant to be a representation of how he has to have a gun in order to defend against other people who have guns, and how guns have made this country less safe.
Gambino's second verse features an imitation of people who constantly brag about wearing designer clothes, such as Gucci. He also references the death of Stephon Clark by saying the words "celly" and "tool", in a reference that only works if you look deep enough into it. This song works in two different ways because some people can just hear it as a song, while others who know about the culture can use it as a statement. That's what makes it special. Gambino not only made a statement about police brutality, the disparate treatment of black individuals, and gun violence, but he also managed to make it an excellent-sounding piece of music with personality. That takes a true talent. Excellent work, Gambino.
And now, before we reveal my pick for the best hit song of 2018, some honorable mentions...
Honorable Mentions
HM1. Eastside - Benny Blanco (feat. Halsey & Khalid)
Benny Blanco is an excellent producer. I'm just gonna get that out of the way. Khalid and Halsey put together an excellent performance on this, and while I didn't feel it as much as Khalid's collab with Normani, I do love this. I really thought both of these artists would have much longer spotlights, but I'm glad they had their moment in the limelight while they did.
HM2. Happier - Marshmello & Bastille
I've always really liked Bastille. This isn't as good as their first big hit, "Pompeii", but I do absolutely feel this. I didn't link the original music video because it actually made me cry, but definitely love this song. As I said in my 2019 best list when I called "One Thing Right" good, Marshmello is really good when you don't have someone in your ear telling you he sucks.
HM3. Wait - Maroon 5
Maroon 5? Really? "Wait" is an excellent song with good percussion and a surprisingly awesome vocal performance from howling wolf Adam Levine. This is the best song Maroon 5 has released since like 2007, so I'm happy that they were able to at least have some semblance of good music before they completely collapsed following "Girls Like You".
HM4. Nice For What - Drake
This is a good song, but I don't see it as excellent like so many people seem to. There's nothing wrong with it, I just much preferred "In My Feelings". I do love the sample work on this, and the lyrics are mostly good. I would prefer if we did not discuss the "high school pics, you was even bad then" line (oh shoot, I just brought it up, never mind).
HM5. Let You Down - NF
Imagine my surprise in 2018 when my favorite artist at the time, Christian rapper NF, suddenly had one of the biggest hits in the country. This isn't my favorite NF song, but the fact that it was this big at all makes me exceptionally happy. This dude was my introduction to rap music, and his rise to fame was something to behold. God speed, NF.
HM6. Finesse (Remix) - Bruno Mars (feat. Cardi B)
The 90s pastiche of this song is excellent, and both artists put together excellent performances that I absolutely love. Cardi B reminds me of Left-Eye Lopez here, and Bruno Mars has the charm and charisma he always does. There's a reason this dude is able to put out banger after banger. Good work.
HM7. Delicate - Taylor Swift
This is the best song on Reputation, full stop. If you're a Taylor fan and you're reading this, if you end up reading my 2017 worst list whenever it comes out, I will be ranting about that album, so be prepared. This is an excellent pop track that should've been the lead single, in my opinion. Her obsession with her reputation was an ill-fated disaster, but it works here for some reason. Not sure.
HM8. Mine - Bazzi
This is such a pure little song. Bazzi seems so genuinely in love with this girl, and the beat is so dreamy and powerful that I absolutely love it. Just like he loses himself in this girl's eyes, I lose myself in this song. The tropical beat sounds amazing and dramatic, and that's what I love about it. Awesome.
And now, for the best hit song of 2018.
#1.
Making my pick for the best hit song of 2018 required me to think. Despite how much I love all the songs on this list before this, none of them felt like they made sense to be my #1. Every song on this list is very, very close, unlike other lists I've had. In 2024, there was no competition for Shaboozey's "A Bar Song (Tipsy)", no matter how good Kendrick's disses were. In 2019, "Take What You Want" was not even close to being anything other than #1. In 2018, none of the songs in my eligibility criteria made sense for the top spot. Not one. So, I decided I was going to do something desperate.
I made an exception.
1. Slow Dancing In The Dark - Joji
"Slow Dancing In The Dark" was not eligible for this list. It did chart, but only at #67. So, why did I decide to put it on this list, at the top spot no less? Well, despite how low its charting peak was, this song is a hit. It has over 500 million views on YouTube and is well-known in many circles. Joji is also a very popular artist who managed to have a top-ten hit 4 years after this, and this song was the beginning of that success. I'd say it's more than worthy to be here. Why is it at the top spot? It's pretty simple.
This song is the story of a man who, despite seeing how much this girl wants him, pushes her away because he doesn't feel he deserves her, and that someone else would be better for her.
I'm going to be very open in this section about why this song is not only the best hit song of 2018, but one of my favorite songs of all time. I have never been in a relationship (I know, surprise, surprise), and I don't expect that to change any time soon because I have a very unhealthy view of them. Every time I've ever liked a girl, I've been too afraid to say anything. I stumble. Even when a girl likes me, I tend to push her away because I don't feel I deserve to be with her. It's happened multiple times to me over the years, and this mindset is something I am working to improve before I attempt to find a relationship again.
What does this have to do with "Slow Dancing In The Dark"? Well, this song speaks to me. I can feel the pain in Joji's voice in the chorus. Even though he wants to be with this girl, he knows he can't. He's not good enough in his mind. He can't compete with this other guy. The pain is real. This is how I've felt for so long in so many situations, and hearing it expressed in music form... it's powerful. Knowing that I'm not the only one who feels this way. Knowing that I'm not alone in the way I've felt for so long. It's truly special. It's helped me through getting over my darkness, my anger, my bitterness.
For so long I've felt myself trapped in my own self-hatred. For so long I've seen myself as a monster, not knowing how much longer I can keep going like this. Those days are gone. I've had an awakening. I feel confident. I feel free. I feel happy for the first time in what feels like so long. While these newfound feelings of joy and don't have anything to do with "Slow Dancing In The Dark", I do feel like mentioning these here because I've finally overcome why this song is so special to me. That feeling of loneliness? I don't need it. I'm done with it. This song doesn't serve as a reminder of what I once felt, but it serves as a reminder of how I've managed to overcome.
"Slow Dancing In The Dark" is the best hit song of 2018. Honestly, it may be the best hit song of the entire 2010s. Everything about it is truly brilliant. It sounds like agony in the way you want a song like this to, with the synths blaring exactly when they need to. This is the song I needed. This is the song the world needed. Thank you, Joji. I can't even begin to thank you for how much this has helped me.
I'm Lando from the Landoman Experiment. Thank you for reading and I hope you're having a wonderful day. Take care.
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