Music in 2024 gave us some amazing songs that everyone seemed to be playing. A few special tracks stood out and became the year's soundtrack. From songs that blew up on social media to amazing comeback hits, here are the top five songs that won over our ears and hearts.
1. "Espresso" by Sabrina Carpenter
Released on April 11, 2024, "Espresso" marked a defining moment in Sabrina Carpenter's career, highlighting her growth from accomplished actress to a bona fide pop star. The track is the lead single from her album Short n' Sweet, symbolizing a fresh and bold sound that mixes upbeat disco with modern pop. The song's energy is infectious, perfectly capturing the warmth and brightness of spring and summer.
Lyrically, "Espresso" uses a clever metaphor equating Sabrina's captivating presence to the energizing power of coffee — she’s the spark that keeps a love interest restless and excited. This playful and confident tone shines through in her vocal delivery, which blends sassiness with charm. The timing of its release, just before her Coachella performance, helped it explode in popularity. Social media challenges and remixes amplified the track, making "Espresso" a viral sensation on platforms such as TikTok and Instagram. Its appeal lies not only in its catchy hook but also in its celebration of youthful confidence and fun.
2. "Beautiful Things" by Benson Boone
Launching on January 19, 2024, "Beautiful Things" introduced Benson Boone as a powerful voice of emotional vulnerability. After his rise on TikTok and a stint on American Idol, Boone's storytelling skills took center stage in this heartfelt ballad. Signed under the Imagine Dragons' frontman’s label, he leveraged his exposure to craft a song that resonates deeply with listeners facing fragile hopes and fears.
The song’s structure is key to its emotional punch, beginning softly with introspective verses that draw listeners into Boone's world of worry about losing happiness. When the chorus arrives, it bursts with intensity, embodying both the fear and the beauty of attachment. This emotional contrast helped it go viral even before the full single was dropped, showing the power of raw, relatable music in a digital age. Its popularity was fueled by genuine reactions from fans who connected with the universal experience of cherishing and fearing the loss of something beautiful.
3. "Birds of a Feather" by Billie Eilish
Billie Eilish, already an icon for her dark and alternative tone, surprised her audience with "Birds of a Feather," released on May 17, 2024. This track is a departure into brighter, pop territory, full of retro vibes and romantic optimism. Found on her album Hit Me Hard and Soft, it showcases her and brother Finneas’s versatility and songwriting prowess.
"Birds of a Feather" is a sweet love song with a nostalgic groove reminiscent of past decades, infused with Eilish’s signature artistry. The lyrics explore the desire for lasting companionship, producing a hopeful and tender mood. Its cultural reach expanded when featured in the trailer for the TV series Heartstopper, a show about young, blossoming LGBTQ+ love, perfectly aligning the song’s themes with contemporary narratives of acceptance and affection. This pairing broadened the song’s fanbase and cemented it as a modern classic anthem for youthful love.
4. "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims
Although released in June 2023, Teddy Swims’s "Lose Control" found its true moment in 2024, becoming an unexpected but enduring hit. Swims initially gained attention through soulful YouTube covers, but this original track from his debut album propelled him into mainstream recognition.
"Lose Control" is a deeply emotional salve reflecting the overwhelming nature of passionate love. The song’s soulful blend of R&B and pop, combined with Teddy’s powerful vocal delivery, captures the turmoil and surrender that come with intense relationships. His voice conveys vulnerability and strength simultaneously, making the music feel authentic and raw. The song's backstory, rooted in a personal, tumultuous relationship, adds depth to its lyrics, allowing fans to feel genuinely connected to his experience. Over time, it grew on radio and streaming platforms, proving the value of slow-burn hits that resonate through sincerity.
5. "Good Luck, Babe!" by Chappell Roan
Released on April 5, 2024, "Good Luck, Babe!" was a triumphant follow-up for Chappell Roan after her critically acclaimed album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess. The song’s energy and style reached back to the 1980s, pairing pulsating synths and catchy pop-rock rhythms with bold, unapologetic storytelling.
The track is notable for its narrative focus on a complex breakup scenario involving a female ex-lover attempting to mask her true feelings by dating a man. It stands out as a candid and empowering expression of queer identity and emotional honesty. Roan’s commanding vocal performance, especially during the soaring chorus, turned the song into an anthem for the LGBTQ+ community. Her live rendition at Coachella further elevated the song’s status, where the crowd's enthusiastic reaction underscored its impact. "Good Luck, Babe!" reflects Roan’s fearless approach to authentic storytelling and her growing influence in pop music.
