The Top Ten Best Hit Songs of 2019
2019 was a very interesting year for the music industry. While obviously it had its downs, like I mentioned in my worst list, I do believe that the highs of this year were some of the strongest in recent memory. It was probably the most recent really "fun" year for the Billboard charts until 2024 came around and showed the other 2020s years how it was done. There are many reasons for this. The rise of Billie Eilish, the Lil Nas X phenomenon, and Post Malone's dominance of the charts all were key factors to why 2019 was such an excellent year for popular music. It was such a big deal that even I, a 14-year-old at the time who never really listened to popular music, knew what was going on and was interested by it.
The rules are the same as always. Anything that either charted in the top 50 of the Billboard Hot 100 in 2019 or made the year-end list is eligible to be ranked as a "hit" song. This is going to be one of the most interesting lists I've put together, in my opinion. Let's get started.
.png)
#10.
I ranted in my worst list about these new rappers who came in with one song and immediately dipped, those being Flipp Dinero and YK Osiris, both of whom haven't had any public attention since. Those songs got on my nerves because they were irritating and obnoxious, but I could at least tell what they were trying to do. The thing is... there was another one of those guys. One who I haven't heard a single thing about since. I will say that he has left a legacy, though.
10. Mo Bamba - Sheck Wes
If you've been to a college football game in the last 5 years, you probably know this song. It's most notable for its usage in the 2019 Penn State-Michigan game, in which it caused the Wolverines to have to burn a timeout due to how loud it made the fans. That is the perfect usage of this song. I've gone to quite a lot of college football games in recent years, being that I attend Ohio State. "Mo Bamba" is the "FE!N" of the 2010s, which is a very apt comparison, considering Sheck Wes was a writer on that song as well. Why is this the comparison I'm making, though? Both songs absolutely make everything hype when they show up during a game. The stadium shakes, it gets loud, and it's awesome.
The production on this song is done by Take A Daytrip, who has quickly become one of my favorite producer groups in the rap industry. This isn't their best work, but it's still absolutely catchy and memorable. Funnily enough, though, one of the best moments in the song came from a production error where the computer froze and caused Wes to just start yelling randomly. It was his actual reaction to the freeze happening, and they just kept it in because it flowed so well. The lyrics in this song are mostly just nonsense, but it's not trying to be anything too deep or insightful. It's just trying to get things hype. That's what this song should be used for whenever it's played.
"Mo Bamba" is absolutely one of the strangest songs I've ever heard. That's not a detriment to the song, though. Wes manages to turn what should be a nonsensical disaster into a masterpiece of a hype jam that shows both Dinero and Osiris how it's done. One of the greatest one-hit wonders of our generation, and a song that truly deserves to be remembered.
#9.
I remember there for a few years at the end of the 2010s, there was this new artist that broke out onto the scene. That would be Khalid, an R&B artist with a very soulful voice. He was really big there for a while, but it feels like he hasn't had anything really get popular since, well, 2019. It's a shame, too. I've always really liked Khalid. He's got a lot of songs I genuinely love, and his production is always very complementary to his voice. This wasn't his biggest song of the year, but I think it was his best. I don't know if he'll ever release anything better than this.
9. Better - Khalid
"Better" is such an awesome song. The smooth R&B synths with the drum machine production sounds awesome, and Khalid's airy voice adds such a nice flair. This is the kind of R&B I love. It's very seductive and moody in a way that only Khalid can pull off, and it's one of the most enjoyable listens you'll have from any song on this list. It also has these Daft Punk-esque talkbox parts that add so much at the end. Khalid pulled off something truly special with this song, and I guess I should explain why.
This song is clearly about a hookup that both parties are keeping secret. Khalid doesn't want to hide it, but there's some secretive aspect that is there. In Khalid's eyes, there's nothing better than this love that the two share. This is the perfect lyrical vibe for a club R&B song in my eyes, and Khalid's voice fits every part of it wonderfully. My personal highlight here is the opening lyric, "Love to see you shine in the night like the diamond you are". Just beautiful songwriting there. Every lyric of this song is special, though, as they go very well with what Khalid is trying to accomplish.
Words do not do justice to this song. I know it's only #9 on the list, but this year was that good that a song like this can be this low. This is Khalid's magnum opus, and I'm still waiting on his comeback that should be happening any day. I've heard a few things from him in recent years, like collaborations with Kane Brown ("Be Like That") and Marshmello ("Numb") that didn't gain the traction I would've expected. I do think we'll be seeing more from Khalid in the near future, though. Book it now.
#8.
Country music has easily been the biggest genre of the 2020s. Stars like Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs, Jelly Roll, and Nate Smith have brought the genre to unforeseen chart success. I'd like to think that started in 2019. Morgan Wallen had his first year-end charting hit with "Whiskey Glasses", Dan + Shay had multiple year-end charting singles, and Kane Brown did some things as well. I decided for this list to group my two favorite country songs of the year together. Since I also had a tie on the worst list, this made sense to me. I could not have picked 2 more different songs to pair together.
8A. Beer Never Broke My Heart - Luke Combs
8B. Look What God Gave Her - Thomas Rhett
Luke Combs has been one of the best country artists of the 2020s. He really broke on the scene in the late 2010s, though, with songs like "Beautiful Crazy", "Hurricane", and "When It Rains It Pours" getting major chart success. "Beer Never Broke My Heart" is more on the rock end of things, similar to a Nate Smith vibe or, if you want more Combs, "Ain't No Love In Oklahoma". It's an absolute juggernaut of a song that just blasts you over the head with powerful guitar work. I also am intrigued by the sentiment of naming things that have broken your heart over the years and then declaring that beer is not one of them. I'm not an alcohol person by any means, so this doesn't resonate with me in that way, but I can understand finding comfort in something you consume.
Meanwhile, Thomas Rhett has been one of the more polarizing artists of recent years. I personally like him, and he's got a very nice voice and pleasant personality that really comes across in his music. "Look What God Gave Her" is a country pop song that really pushes the line between country and pop, but it's still got the charm and charisma I expect from Rhett's music. This song specifically discusses this girl that Rhett describes as an angel, saying that God gave her the things that make her so attractive to him. It's a really sweet sentiment if done right, and I'd say Rhett does it well here. I also like the way this sounds, with the guitar work, despite being simple, being done well. It all builds to a nice climax in the final chorus.
It's become clear from recent years that most country fans prefer the country rock sound of something like "Beer Never Broke My Heart", and I completely understand that. I love country rock. Nate Smith and Luke Combs are two of my favorite artists. I also understand why people like country pop like "Look What God Gave Her". When done right, it can be very catchy and sweet. I know a lot of people don't consider it "real country", but even if you believe that, it can still be good. I'd argue that the expansion of country music to include different genre tropes isn't a bad thing and can work quite well if done right. You've just gotta find the right people. That was done in both cases here.
#7.
2019 marked the end of the 2010s, a decade defined by over-the-top pop music. We began the decade with artists like Lady Gaga, The Black Eyed Peas, Flo Rida, and B.o.B. latching on to the top of the charts. The biggest pop star in the world, however, was pretty clearly Katy Perry. She had so many big hits that were so definitional to the pop music of the early 2010s that it's hard to count. Then, in the middle of the decade, something happened. Katy released Witness. One of the worst albums of all time, it completely tanked her image and ruined her entire career. Where did Katy go from here? Well...
7. Never Really Over - Katy Perry
"Never Really Over", in my mind, serves as the final hurrah to an era of pop music. It has an anthemic dance-pop sound that I truly love. Apparently this was inspired by Norwegian singer Dagny's song "Love You Like That", and I 100% can hear the influence of Dagny on this song. I don't think it's a bad thing that the song was inspired by someone else. In fact, I think that elevates the song. Katy Perry was a very desperate artist in 2019. Her career had fallen off a cliff, and she had to do whatever she could to get a song back on the charts. Here's the thing. "Never Really Over" was the last semblance of chart success Katy really had. Sure, "Woman's World" charted in 2024, but that only hit like #60 and fell off immediately because it was awful.
This is a song where Katy reflects on a relationship that ended, hoping that maybe she'll be able to get over him, but says that it's "never really over". I've always interpreted this song to implicitly about her career, reminiscing about the good times where everybody loved her music. This should've been the start of a new era for Katy. It received critical acclaim, and rightfully so. It's one of the best songs of her entire career. Zedd's production on this is intricate and excellent, accentuating Katy's best vocal performance to date so well. The thumping synth-pop chorus is a sound I've always loved.(go listen to Dagny's "Somebody" if you want another example of this type of thing), and it's done so well here.
Unfortunately, this song didn't reach the heights Katy hoped for. It only peaked at #15 on the Hot 100 and didn't even make the Year-End list. That's a shame, too, because this should've been a much bigger hit. The desperation really got the best of Katy, though, as shown by what's happened since. In a moment of desperation, brilliance hit. Katy Perry made one of the best songs she's ever made, and yet nothing has hit like this since. With "Woman's World" ruining her reputation forever, I don't think we're getting anything like this ever again. This was the last hurrah for Katy Perry's career. Everything after that is an afterthought.
#6.
I've been accused by people of "hating rap music" due to placing rap songs on my lists of the worst hits of the year for terrible lyrics, terrible performances, and terrible moral reasons. Sure, guys, sure. You can say that all you want. Thinking a Lil Baby song sucks doesn't mean I hate the whole genre. Sure, there's a lot of terrible rap music, but that's because it's one of the most dominant genres in the entire country. Of course there's gonna be a lot of it on my worst lists. Am I using this to lead into the fact that a guy I once thought was a talented hack somehow made one of my favorite rap songs of 2019? Yes. Yes, I am.
6. Drip Too Hard - Lil Baby & Gunna
"Drip Too Hard" is about how Lil Baby and Gunna accidentally drip water all over the floor after getting out of the show-er, wait, no, that's not what this is about. It's actually about how their clothes are so high-quality and attractive that it causes them to "drip too hard". Their aura is so excellent that it's actually going to cause people to drown. As stupid as that sentiment is, they play it off really well here. The lyrics are pretty basic but the flows are pretty excellent. I think the biggest key to this song is the production work by Turbo. There is a looping line in the background that puts it all together and creates one of the best-sounding beats I've ever heard. The 808s are all placed at the perfect time, and it constantly plays off itself in a thrilling way.
Rap music has been the most dominant genre of the century for a reason. When done right, it can be truly amazing. "Drip Too Hard" is on the far end of the spectrum, being one of the best hit rap songs from 2 of the biggest rappers of the modern day. It's a song that deserves to be remembered, and I think it will be. Good job, guys. There's something truly special here. Keep it going.
#5.
Songs associated with movies are always going to be interesting to talk about, as there are many times where you can't really discuss the context of it without mentioning it. In this situation, you absolutely can. I have a feeling this song would've been a hit even without the movie it was attached to, and it definitely deserved to be one. This was the start of a massive 2019 for this artist, and really goes to show just how much someone's reputation can improve with a string of excellent music.
5. Sunflower - Post Malone & Swae Lee
"Sunflower" by Post Malone and Swae Lee is one of the most overplay-resistant songs I've ever heard in my entire life. It's a bright, happy pop-rap piece that can just lift a person up no matter what mood they're in. The contrast between Malone and Swae is such an interesting dynamic that somehow works despite how strange it is. The way it sounds honestly reminds me of its title, which is very fitting. It's a very vibey song that absolutely fit the time it was released. The song doesn't try to do too much lyrically, but I don't think it has to. That's not the purpose of this song. I wouldn't call this song's lyrics anything more than filler that works in the space it's designed to fill. Even then, the sentiment of "your love would be too much for me" is something I've seen in many pop songs (think Hozier's "Too Sweet" from this year) and is a perfect choice for a pop song.
In 2019, we started to see a resurgence of happy-sounding songs that really was needed after a miserable 2018. Think songs like "High Hopes" and "Sucker". "Sunflower" was one of the best ones of that year, and it's due to the rap-funk, dreamy sound that gives it its immaculate vibe. I am absolutely in love with the way this song sounds. The drum production sounds excellent, and there are so many little moments that come together to build a beautiful symphony in this song. It's not overly dramatic, and it's just there for a moment before going away, just like an actual sunflower is only in the world for a brief moment before wilting.
I will say, there is one weird thing I have noticed about this song. The ending after Post Malone's verse kind of sounds like the guitar instrumental from 3 Doors Down's "Kryptonite", which is interesting to me. Either way, though, "Sunflower" is an amazing little pop song that does exactly what it needs to. It was also part of the soundtrack for one of the best movies of 2018 and one of my favorite superhero movies of all time. Swae Lee, I like you. Keep doing stuff like this and I'll continue to like you. Posty? Well, I'm not done talking about you yet, so we'll pop a cork in it for now.
#4.
Out of all of the musical moments in 2019, there's only one that sticks out as the biggest. That would be the controversy behind a 19-year-old kid from Atlanta who released a song that immediately caught everyone's attention. This created one of the most unstoppable forces in music history. I cannot blame anyone for that.
4. Old Town Road (Remix) - Lil Nas X feat. Billy Ray Cyrus
"Old Town Road" is one of the most important songs of the century so far. This was the song that broke genres as a concept in general. Following the controversy where Billboard removed it from the country charts, so many people were outraged, claiming it was racism and that it was due to Nashville's treatment of black artists. I understand the outrage. Considering that the same year one of the biggest country hits was a Marshmello song, I completely get why people were pissed. Is this a country song? Not really. The producer didn't intend the beat to be used for a country song, and the song contains mostly hip-hop elements. I don't think that really matters, though.
All in all, "Old Town Road' is an absolute banger. The production by Dutch producer YoungKio is absolutely great, with hard-hitting 808s that accentuate the Nine Inch Nails sample the song is based around. Lil Nas X also sounds excellent on this, with his deep voice in the verses being a key part of why this song is so high on the list. Billy Ray Cyrus adds something to this, filling his verse with, funnily enough, mostly rap cliches that really allow the blend of country and rap to shine.
Lil Nas X was a breath of fresh air in 2019. His breakout really allowed the masses to truly control what got popular outside of the labels' control. This song got big on TikTok, and the following year saw SO MANY TikTok hits that made it feel like the people were in control. "Old Town Road" was the start of a new era of music. One where the people were in control. Not only that, but it was an absolute blast. There's a reason it was the biggest hit of the year. Between this and Shaboozey, I find it funny that the two longest-running #1 hits of all time were country-rap fusions by black artists that are excellent songs. I'm interested to see where Lil Nas X goes from here considering "J Christ" was a flop. I guess time will tell.
#3.
Late in 2019, an artist who had already dominated the year decided to release a brand new album. This album was excellent, garnering critical acclaim and going to #1 on the Billboard 200. It would also top the year-end Billboard 200 for 2020, showing that it had a lot of longevity. This would, of course, be Post Malone's masterpiece of an album, Hollywood's Bleeding. This song may have came around late in the year, but it was so good and so dominant throughout the end of that chart year that it still made its way to the year-end Hot 100.
3. Circles - Post Malone
2019 was actually the first year where I really began to get into modern pop music, and most of that is due to Malone's output from the year. "Circles" was one of those songs that I fell in love with upon first listen and has stayed just as good as it was then the entire time. This is another very vibey song. It has a very catchy guitar riff that repeats throughout the song, with Malone's reverbed voice adding a dreamy kind of flavor to accent the whole thing. It's an easy choice for one of the best earworms of the decade. It's a very peaceful song that doesn't try to be too dramatic. It reminds me of a great sunset while driving that really gets you in the right mood. I've seen people compare it to Tame Impala, which I can agree with somewhat. It definitely gives me that vibe.
The song is about a relationship that keeps going in circles that Malone feels like he has to let go. He can't end it himself though, and it just keeps going back and forth. It's kind of a depressing message for a song this upbeat, but that's how relationships can work sometimes (as if I would know). He acknowledges that part of the reason that he isn't willing to fully commit to leaving is the physical aspect of the relationship. It all comes to a head in the bridge, which is the most passive-aggressive part of the song but works perfectly with what Malone is wanting to do.
"Circles" is an absolutely great song that serves as Post Malone's biggest hit to date. It's the quintessential Post Malone song, in my opinion, and shows his versatility as a pop artist. An infectious guitar riff, emotional weight, and complete and raw buildup in his voice create a song that completely redefined Posty's image. Post Malone was the most dominant artist in the world in 2019, and for good reason. "Circles" was the song that cemented that legacy.
#2.
I know I heaped a lot of praise on to Lil Nas X in my #4 entry, and for good reason. "Old Town Road" was the biggest song of the year. It was the key that opened the floodgates to the TikTok era of music. It was his breakthrough. Clearly that's his best song, right? Well, no. Lil Nas X surpassed "Old Town Road" with his second hit. Sure, it didn't reach the chart success that his first hit did, but it's really, really hard to do that, especially when you don't have a controversy attached. While "Old Town Road" may have started Lil Nas X's career, "Panini" cemented the fact that he was here to stay.
2. Panini - Lil Nas X
Following the success of "Old Town Road", many people wondered what Lil Nas X's next move would be. Well, it was this. A Travis-Scott-esque trap song with a futuristic-themed music video that completely emphasizes the vibe of the song. This song serves to call out the so-called "fans" that turned on him after he got big, and he does that by comparing them to the character Panini from the show Chowder. I absolutely love that reference, and the fact that one of my favorite hits of the past decade is based on something like that is hilarious to me.
This is another production job by Take A Daytrip, and this blows their work on "Mo Bamba" out of the water. The synths that form the basis of the entire song are absolutely awesome, and the whistling that leads into the song sounds so good. This song makes me want to learn how to whistle. The song's lyrical content makes it one of the first anti-stan anthems I've encountered since, well, "Stan". The inconsistency of the so-called "loyal fans" who keep badgering him about his success clearly makes him upset, and he lets out that frustration in one of the most satisfying songs of the year.
When I originally made this list back in like 2021, "Panini" was at the top. It's a song that showcased that not only was Lil Nas X not a fluke, but he was legitimately an extremely talented artist with a ton of potential. This is one of my favorite rap songs of all time, and only misses out on the top spot on this list because of just how great the song at the top is. In most other years, this would be #1. Instead, it takes the silver medal because of just how strong the competition is.
And now, before we find out my personal favorite hit song of 2019, we have some honorable mentions.
Honorable Mentions
HM1. A Lot - 21 Savage feat. J. Cole
21 Savage isn't my favorite rap artist, but he's got some good songs. This is one of them. This one is pretty powerful, with his monotone voice really showing how much the rough events of his life have broken him. J.Cole is also pretty good on this, and it creates something I absolutely love. He shouts out Markelle Fultz in this song, which I thought was pretty interesting. This won Best Rap Song at the 2020 Grammys, and I completely get it. Good song.
HM2. Bad Guy - Billie Eilish
Another huge breakout artist from 2019, Billie Eilish has continued to be a force in the music industry and she has only gotten better. "Bad Guy" is obviously not my favorite of her work, but I completely get its appeal. It's a weird, dark song that only someone like Billie could make. It's simple, but it works. There are some very strange moments in this song that she manages to pull off well.
HM3. Robbery - Juice WRLD
Juice WRLD's death hit me way harder than it probably should've. I've grown to love "Robbery", which a lot of people called one of the worst songs of the year at the time. There's something raw and unfiltered about the way Juice lets out his emotions on this girl in this song, and while it isn't something I'd listen to often, it's absolutely powerful. Rest in peace.
HM4. Whiskey Glasses - Morgan Wallen
The breakthrough single of the man who would eventually become one of my favorite artists. Morgan Wallen's obsession with whiskey clearly started early. The metaphor in this song's title is somewhat clever and this song sounds neat. Not in my top ten Morgan songs, but it's still pretty good. Way better than "Whiskey Whiskey".
HM5. Trampoline - SHAED
HM6. Wow. - Post Malone
Everything Post Malone touched this year really turned to gold, huh? This isn't even a real song, just a freestyle he recorded, and yet it's still one of the better hits of the year. I put this on when I just feel in a whimsical mood, and it's great for that. Not a song that takes itself seriously whatsoever, and we need one of those every once in a while. Not nearly Posty's best, but he's set such a high standard for himself.
HM7. One Thing Right - Marshmello feat. Kane Brown
Now for my hottest take of the entire list. "One Thing Right" is a good song. I think Marshmello's production actually works somewhat well with Kane Brown's voice, and the lyrical sentiment of "I'm a massive screwup but at least I have you" is pretty sweet. I love this. Marshmello is one of those artists who's pretty cool if you don't have somebody in your ear telling you he's not.
HM8. My Stress - NF
2019 was when I was in the midst of my NF phase, and while I've slightly grown out of that, I can still appreciate the man's work. "My Stress" was the best song on The Search and really resonated with me. The feeling of just wanting a relief is something that's spoken out to me over the years, and Nate does a good job of really showing that in this. Good work.
And now, for the ultimate reveal...
#1.
2019 was the year genre music became the heart and soul of the music scene. "Old Town Road" challenged every definition of what we thought country music could be. While I personally don't believe it fits neatly into that genre, it was undeniable in its power to unite people through its unconventional blend. Country rap, country EDM, country rock, country pop—these hybrid sounds flooded the year-end Hot 100, alongside rap, pop, EDM, and even Christian music. The variety was overwhelming, each genre pushing the boundaries of what music could be. And among all of this, the best song of the year wasn't just a hit—it was a genre-defying masterpiece that completely reshaped my understanding of what music could be. It didn't just change my perspective; it opened my eyes to a world I hadn’t known before—one where pop, hip-hop, and rock could all exist in a perfect storm. This is the song that will forever define my taste in music... and of course it came from the most successful artist of the year.
1. Take What You Want - Post Malone feat. Ozzy Osbourne & Travis Scott
It was never going to be anything else. "Take What You Want" is a brilliant song that combines one of the greatest rock artists of all time, the most successful artist of the year, and one of the most popular rap artists alive into a masterpiece rock/rap hit. Seeing Ozzy Osbourne in the top 10 was very surprising, considering he hadn't had a top ten hit in 30 years. "You're telling me that the lead singer of Black Sabbath is doing a song with Post Malone? That doesn't seem right". It didn't at first. I didn't know what to expect when I first listened to the song, but the instant the song was over, I knew that it was something special.
What elevates "Take What You Want" above every other song from 2019? Its sound. The rock/rap crossover is brilliant, and I think more artists would be well-served to try it out. It somehow manages to accentuate all 3 artists involved, and it's genuinely beautiful. Ozzy Osbourne sounds just as sharp as he did 30 years ago, Travis Scott, while being the weakest link, sounds amazing, and Post Malone completely cements the bridge between the two featured artists so well. It's an awesome sound that deserves way more recognition than it got at the time.
The lyrical sentiment of "Take What You Want" is pretty clear. This is a breakup song where the narrator criticizes his ex for breaking his heart, and just tells her to leave and take whatever she wants with her. Ozzy and Post both sound exasperated when they sing the chorus, rather than broken-hearted, but that's more the exhaustion aspect of all of this. It's truly powerful when done right, and it's done well here. It also helps that its surrounded by one of the best instrumentals I've ever heard.
Everything comes together in the end with an awesome guitar solo that makes the whole thing click. I love a good guitar solo, and this is one of the best I've heard in a while. Apparently it was not Ozzy who did it, but that doesn't take away from its strength. Apparently the guy who did this solo was Andrew Watt, who's helped produced tons of other songs that have made my best lists ("Die With A Smile", "Break My Heart", "Midnight Sky", and "Mourning", for example). It seems like this guy is just a very talented producer who makes everything he does better, and I respect him for that. Excellent work here, Andrew.
Overall, "Take What You Want" is a song that completely re-worked my image of music in general. I had never heard anything like this before I heard it, and it instantly became a song that I had immense respect for and truly loved. Even over 5 years later, it's still a song I revisit quite often because not only is its sound generational, it's also re-listenable. Post Malone was the biggest artist of 2019 for a reason, and the fact that he takes up 3 of the top 5 spots on the list is a testament to just how strong his output truly was. It's just a shame this song was caught between years and didn't make either the year-end list for 2019 or 2020. This should've been the biggest song from Hollywood's Bleeding, as good as I think the rest of that album was. This is the highlight of Post Malone's career, which is saying something considering how much his music means to me. Let's see where he goes from here after the country era is over. I'm excited to see it.
This is Lando from the Landoman Experiment, signing off. I hope you enjoyed the read! Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Comments
Post a Comment