Review of the Top 10 Best Selling Singles 2016
In this little write up, I will be taking a look at the top 10 bestselling singles of the past year. When it comes to popular music, this is it. The list below is in order of record sales. But next to it, you will see my 1-10 ranking of this grouping. However, I would like to make a quick note before you skim this review. I thought 2016 was a top-notch year in music. We had variety, sincerity, excitement, and unfortunately some tragic loss as well. Though I rip most of these songs a new one, I would like to remind readers, this is a top 10 bestselling list. Better music exists. I encourage you all to check out many of the albums our group has reviewed over the last year. But first, let’s get crackin’ on these top 10.
10. “Fast Car” by Jonas Blue & Dakota
Should be: 7th
This song is a little bland. You get a simple trop-house beat, followed by an eastern backing melody on the chorus. I would never have thought this song would be a top choice for a cover, nor would I have foreseen any legitimate success on such a track. But, that just goes to show you what I know. The original is better, but this version is not the worst thing to come on your top 40 station.
9. “Stitches” by Shawn Mendes
Should be: 9th
This song is one of many best selling hits that demonstrates that if you want to sell records, play a basic progression on an acoustic guitar and come up with lyrics in a half hour. Right now, go to your local coffee shop. I guarantee that the guy with the groomed facial hair and cliche hipster outfit has an acoustic guitar pop hit that is up to par with this song (with any luck, the guy at the shop will be better). One last thing: “kisses” and “stitches” do not rhyme. Please, Mendes. Just try a little more.
8. “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
Should be: 4th
Wow. Only in a line up of weak poppy music would I ever consider this song halfway decent. The lyrics are very obvious. It is a J Biebs pop song. Nothing new there. However, this song is pretty well put together from a production standpoint. Nonetheless, the song as a complete work does not raise any eyebrows.
7. “Work” by Rihanna
Should be: 2nd
Hey, this song has a little something to it. Rhianna is a cool pop vocalist. However, not because she can pick one perfect studio recording of 50 and slap it on a single, but because she actually delivers emotion in her tone. She uses vocal dynamics well. But, more than that, her relaxed, seductive tone perfectly fits the song. Unfortunately, Drake’s lines are nothing special. I think a more tasteful rapper should have been featured, but then it would not have sold nearly as well.
6. “Lush Life” by Zara Larsson
Should be: 10th
This song was written to be a feel-good summer hit, through-and-through. How boring and unoriginal is this song? Change the production, but keep the chords, melody, and lyrics, and you can put this pop song in any decade from the 1950’s on. There is nothing to this song.
5. “This is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris ft. Rhianna
Should be: 8th
Calvin should have tried harder. This song is cut and paste modern music at its worst. Calvin Harris is plenty capable of being creative, but he certainly failed to show it here. Most of the vocals are practically just different edits of Rhianna singing the word “you”. This is precisely what people are afraid music is becoming. EDM has the potential to do great things. Songs like this are a big step backwards.
4. “Cheap Thrills” by Sia
Should be: 5th
Sadly enough, this is one of my least favorite Sia songs. Sia has a great voice, and the production is standard corporate pop. But, the refrain with the child’s voice effect is corny, and a waste of a good opportunity for a cool chorus refrain.
3. “I Took a Pill in Ibiza” by Mike Posner
Should be: 1st
Surprise! I actually like one. This song is a reminder that sincere music occasionally bleeds through the carefully crafted big business that is the music industry. Plus, how can you not love the story? Remember “Cooler Than Me”? When that song hit a handful of years ago, Posner got to taste pop music stardom. This song is the afterbirth of that event. He opens the song with honest insecurity, “I took a pill in Ibiza, to show Avicii I was cool”. Furthermore, the song tells the tale of a has-been, one-hit wonder. Of course, the crushing irony is that this song propelled him to twice the success of his first hit. If you went to any club this summer, I could wager a healthy sum of money you heard this LA, late night, loud music, drugged up banger.
2. “7 Years” by Lukas Graham
Should be: 6th
This song is a good example of pop music success in a single element. What I mean to say is, take out the line “Once I was 7 years old”. Remove it from the song. Put in a different line, with a different melody right there. I would guarantee it would not have been half as successful. It proves that much of the reason pop music sells is because of repetition. Which song did the radio play most, which song did your friends play most, which song had the most repetitive melody, repetitive lyrics? If you take out that fun little refrain, the song becomes dreadfully average. A basic piano line, and an average vocalist. But, this song does hold some merit in the fact that the subject of the work is coming of age, and not a love song. If you would have described the song by its production and style, I would have certainly guessed it would be a love song. But this song at least takes the high road in that aspect.
1. “Once Dance” by Drake fts. WizKid and Kyla
Should be: 3rd
I am not gonna lie to you and say that this song’s beat doesn't make me want to dance. This song has a great pop beat, but not much more. Drake does in this song what he does best, deliver mediocre pop-rap lines in a soft tone. At least there is a break down and the chorus progresses. This is decent pop, unique enough to make you think, but basic enough to make money and be played on the radio again and again (and again, and again, and ag…)
