I’m starting the new year off with a look at the top songs of 2024 according to Billboard’s year-end Hot 100.
If I did my job right last year, I will have already featured most of the songs at the top of the list. When that’s the case, I’ll link to the appropriate blog entry.
Here’s the top ten, all of which I’ve written about:
1. ‘Lose Control‘ – Teddy Swims
2. ‘A Bar Song (Tipsy)‘ – Shaboozey
3. ‘Beautiful Things‘ – Benson Boone
4. ‘I Had Some Help‘ – Post Malone feat. Morgan Wallen
5. ‘Lovin On Me‘ – Jack Harlow
6. ‘Not Like Us‘ – Kendrick Lamar
7. ‘Espresso‘ – Sabrina Carpenter
8. ‘Million Dollar Baby‘ – Tommy Richman
9. ‘I Remember Everything‘ – Zach Bryan feat. Kacey Musgraves
10. ‘Too Sweet‘ – Hozier
My first observation is that this is a very male lineup, especially for a year that featured so many major releases by women. No sign of Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Dua Lipa, Ariana Grande, Charli XCX, or Billie Eilish.
The sole exception is Sabrina Carpenter, whose ‘Espresso’ feels like the song of the year but has to settle for seventh place on this list. I suspect the Grammys will give that song its due.
I’m also struck by the dominance of country music. Four of the 10 tracks — including three of the top four — are by (male) country artists.
Finally, I was surprised to see Teddy Swims’ ‘Lose Control’ as the top song of the year. I predicted Shaboozey, who tied the record for most weeks at #1, would take it. Swims’ soulful track took 32 weeks to reach the top spot, a record, and camped out in the top 10 for 45 weeks, second only to The Weeknd’s ‘Blinding Lights’ in Billboard history.
That brings us the the first song on the year-end list that didn’t make it to the blog — Noah Kahan’s ‘Stick Season.’
I’m frankly shocked I never featured this track because it got a lot of airplay in my house thanks to my daughters (both the original version and a very strong cover by Olivia Rodrigo).
Kahan’s voice is an acquired taste, but the song is a catchy delight. This one has staying power, though I wonder how the Covid reference will play 20 years from now.
As you promised me that I was more than all the miles combined
You must’ve had yourself a change of heart like halfway through the drive
Because your voice trailed off exactly as you passed my exit sign
Kept on drivin’ straight and left our future to the right
Now I am stuck between my anger and the blame that I can’t face
And memories are somethin’ even smoking weed does not replace
And I am terrified of weather ’cause I see you when it rains
Doc told me to travel, but there’s Covid on the planes
[Chorus]
And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim
I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas
And I’ll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have, but I did not lose
Now you’re tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I’m split in half, but that’ll have to do
[Verse 2]
So I thought that if I piled something good on all my bad
That I could cancel out the darkness I inherited from Dad
No, I am no longer funny ’cause I miss the way you laugh
You once called me “forever,” now you still can’t call me back
[Chorus]
And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim
I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas
And I’ll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have, but I did not lose
Now you’re tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I’m split in half, but that’ll have to do
[Bridge]
Oh, that’ll have to do
My other half was you
I hope this pain’s just passin’ through
But I doubt it
[Chorus]
And I love Vermont, but it’s the season of the sticks
And I saw your mom, she forgot that I existed
And it’s half my fault, but I just like to play the victim
I’ll drink alcohol ’til my friends come home for Christmas
And I’ll dream each night of some version of you
That I might not have, but I did not lose
Now you’re tire tracks and one pair of shoes
And I’m split in half, but that’ll have to do
Have to do
Meet Me In Montauk 
Well, I guess 2024 won’t be considered the year of the women, although I suspect there is more female presence on the top 10 best selling albums.
Daniel got a request to play this song on NYE, so he’s been learning it over the past couple of days. Great song and I love Kahan’s story.