30 Great Tracks that Defined 2024
2024 was a year that turned the music world on its head.
Legendary artists made jaw-dropping comebacks, while fresh, innovative voices carved out their place in the spotlight. The music scene felt alive and unpredictable, with tracks that seemed to capture the very spirit of the times. Out of everything that hit the airwaves, these 30 songs didn’t just dominate playlists, oh no, they defined the essence of the year, shaping how 2024 will be remembered in sound and culture.
30. End of Beginning – Djo
Djo’s End of Beginning calls on us to “remember twenty-four” in all its chaos, happiness, struggle, and adventure. Though this song was not released this year, End of Beginning perfectly summarises closing out the memories of the past and preparing space for new experiences in the future.
29. yes, and? – Ariana Grande
Though 2024 brought its own set of trials and tribulations, Grande’s reminder to say “yes, and?” promotes self-confidence that can be brought into 2025. The song addresses negative feedback Grande received regarding her relationship with Ethan Slater; however, Grande overcame that hatred with this fan-favourite pop track.
28. Calling After Me – Wallows
Calling After Me is a vibrant and exhilarating track that radiates infectious energy. The sound is different from their previous albums; however, the trio manages to incorporate their unique charm. The band saw massive success with their album, Model, and is set to carry that positive energy throughout 2025 as they pursue their biggest tour yet.
27. Girl, so confusing – Charli XCX (ft. Lorde)
When Charlie XCX first released, Girl, so confusing, fans quickly speculated that the song was about Lorde. Later, featuring Lorde on the track added a whole new dimension to the narrative. In the song, Charli expresses her conflicted feelings towards a girl – one she does not despise but whose presence stirs confusing emotions. The lyrics seem to point to Lorde, and the feature creates a dialogue between the two artists that creates interesting perspectives.
26. Training Season – Dua Lipa
Dua Lipa’s Training Season is a fierce, disco-inspired track that reflects on her past failed relationships. Lipa captures the frustration of having to “train” men to be ideal partners, while also celebrating the personal growth and lessons learned from the experience. It’s a mix of empowerment and exhaustion– recognising both the joy and struggles that come with pursuing relationships.
25. Heart of Gold – Shawn Mendes
Another artist who chose to pursue a different sound was Shawn Mendes. Dedicated to Mendes’ childhood friend, Dejiomi, Heart of Gold offers fans an emotionally raw and deeply vulnerable side of Mendes. Overall, the track symbolises Mendes’ growth and how unafraid he is to explore the more fragile aspects of his identity.
24. Too Sweet – Hozier
Hozier’s Too Sweet became the radio hit of 2024, showcasing a fresh, upbeat sound that contrasts with his usual folk, emotive style. While his past songs have often been marked by introspective lyrics and soulful ballads, Two Sweet sees Hozier experimenting with a more playful, groove-driven approach, capturing the attention of listeners in a new way.
23. we can’t be friends (wait for your love) – Ariana Grande
2024 also saw the return of pop sensation Ariana Grande with her hit we can’t be friends (wait for your love). While the song may not have earned its recognition from The Recording Academy, it stood out as this year’s highlight. This track brought together all who suffered from a breakup, attempted to make friends work, and ultimately agreed it was not worth trying. A familiar story for many, but Grande’s ability to convey the mix of emotions made it unforgettable.
22. Texas Hold Em’ – Beyonce
Dedicated to making space for black country artists, Beyonce’s 2024 lead single Texas Hold Em’ revolutionised the country music genre. With this track, Beyonce not only expanded her musical range but also paved the way for more diverse voices to reshape the future of the genre.
21. Guess- Charlie XCX ft. Billie Eilish
Guess was already a high-energy, club-like track, instantly transporting listeners to a world of “brat green” laser lights and non-stop dancing. Adding Billie Eilish takes the song to new heights, giving an extra layer of intrigue and energy. The song’s boosted, electrifying production grains more intensity with Charlie XCX and Eilish’s whispered “guess” weaving in and out. Eilish’s presence amplifies the track’s dark, edgy vibe, making Guess a dynamic experience from beginning to end.
20. Good Luck, Babe – Chappell Roan
Good Luck, Babe marked a pivotal moment in Chappell Roan’s career, earning her first few Grammy nominations for Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Solo Performance. That track’s success was driven by Roan’s powerhouse vocal range, which effortlessly jumps octaves creating a unique emotional intensity. Lyrically, the song reflects wishing luck to someone who is choosing to move on, ignoring fate and the promise that “they will be together.” Roan’s inclusion of queer topics adds to her authenticity and strength as an artist.
19. Beautiful Things – Benson Boone
As for breakout, pop artists, Benson Boone also gave everyone a run for their money. Beautiful Things is a cathartic ballad that skyrocketed Boone’s career to the Eras Tour stage. Opening for Swift combined with the release of his debut album, Fireworks and Rollerblades, gave Boone a memorable and historic career start.
18. It’s OK I’m OK – Tate McRae
2024 was undoubtedly the year of pop icons, but one artist had an especially monumental year – Tate McRae. Last year, McRae’s hit single, greedy, went viral across all platforms reaching number 3 on The Hot 100. Following her successful album think later, It’s OK I’m OK became her highest-charting debut on the charts. McRae’s strength lies in her performance and the It’s OK I’m OK dance sequence has captivated audiences throughout her Think Later World Tour. The song is the perfect set-up for her third studio album, So Close to What, which is set to release in 2025.
17. But Daddy, I Love Him – Taylor Swift
Despite speculation that The Tortured Poets Department was inspired by Swift’s former partner Joe Alwyn, the album features many tracks dedicated to her ex-fling, Matty Healy. However, But Daddy, I Love Him is not that simple. The song is a direct callout to both fans and media for their negative responses to Healy and Swift’s relationship. Swift’s lyrics “I’m having his baby / No I’m not but you should see your faces,” surprised many fans as it highlighted how rebellious she felt in dating “the wrong type of guy.”
16. Saturn – SZA
SZA debuted Saturn at the 66th annual Grammy Awards. Two weeks later, it became a worldwide sensation. With its shimmering, celestial instrumentals and ethereal production style, Saturn captivated listeners with its otherworldly atmosphere. The track touches on escaping worldly turmoil as SZA reflects on the chaos and struggles of this world, expressing a yearning for something better.
15. obsessed – Olivia Rodrigo
Speaking of popular unreleased tracks, Olivia Rodrigo’s obsessed dominated the charts after its release earlier this year. For Rodrigo’s GUTS World Tour, obsessed was a staple of the setlist, featuring Rodrigo fiercely shredding the electric guitar during each performance. The song explores jealousy, insecurity, and the intense emotions that arise when an ex moves on. obsessed feels like a departure from her debut album, SOUR and a more adventurous pop-punk side of GUTS.
14. Close To You – Gracie Abrams
For years, Close To You could only be heard on Spotify podcasts and crunchy, Youtube recordings. Seven years after posting a 20-second snippet on Instagram, Abrams finally released Close to You in full. This 2014 Lorde-esque hit explores unrequited love and the exhilaration of a psychotic crush.
13. Bodyguard – Beyonce
Beyonce also got the opportunity to showcase her love for her partner, Jay-Z in Bodyguard. This song’s flirtatious and sensual lyrics highlight her lifelong love and commitment to Jay-Z. With its upbeat, danceable rhythm, Bodyguard feels like a heartfelt love letter to a partner who makes you feel comfortable being your most authentic self.
12. The Alchemy – Taylor Swift
It seems that many of our pop girls were in their lover-girl era this year. Taylor Swift’s popular romance with Kansas City Chief’s wide receiver, Travis Kelce brought fangirls and football fans together. Swift’s passionate anthem The Alchemy and its loud proclamation of love made every girl dream of a sports romance.
11. so american – Olivia Rodrigo
On a happier note, 2024 was the year that saw Olivia Rodrigo’s first-ever love song. After an endless catalogue of songs dedicated to never feeling enough, feeling like too much, growing up too fast, not growing up fast enough, heartbreak, grudges, and the overall chaos of being a young girl– Rodrigo finally got to write with her glittery, pink pen in her fuzzy diary about a British boy. so american is a delusional anthem for every American girl in love with their favourite British celebrities. Its punk, rock vibe and catchy, creative lyrics would have done wonders to the charts when One Direction were still together.
10. Call Your Mom – Noah Kahan ft. Lizzy McAlpine
In the world of heartbreaking, folk music, Noah Kahan seems to be the ruler. Originally released in 2022 on his album, Stick Season, Call Your Mom quickly became a standout, capturing the feeling of pleading with someone to “give [themselves] a reason” to keep going and stay alive. The addition of McAlpine’s voice in the 2024 version amplifies the track’s emotional weight, making it more devastating, and turning it into a heartbreaking experience that is almost too painful to listen to.
9. Pink Skies – Zach Bryan
Similarly, folk-country artist Zach Bryan released a somber and reflective track about loss and coming to terms with grief. Pink Skies is a tribute to loved ones who have passed, acknowledging the comfort of knowing they are in a better place while still feeling the ache of their absence. The simplicity of Bryan’s acoustic guitar, harmonica, and his deep, vulnerable voice gives the track a sense of nostalgia allowing listeners to reflect on memories shared with whom they have lost.
8. Walking in the Wind – One Direction
In October of this year, teenage girls and women in their twenties and thirties alike revisited their Directioner roots to mourn the loss of Liam Payne. Though the song was not a chart-topping single in 2015, it became an emotional ballad representing Payne’s life as well as his relationship with his bandmates. Walking in the Wind is a perfect representation of the phrase “It’s not goodbye, it’s just see you later.” For fangirls (and especially me) the loss of Liam Payne was devastating; however, his music, legacy, and impact will never be forgotten.
7. Apple – Charli XCX
If you were hearing “H-O-T T-O G-O” at a party it was almost guaranteed the next song would be Charli XCX’s Apple. This energetic club trick paired with its iconic dance became a viral sensation on TikTok. But it didn’t stop there – Charli took the energy up a notch during The Sweat Tour, where she’d select a crowd member to perform their best Apple dance live. In those electrifying moments, the song transformed from just a catchy track to an interactive, iconic moment in the show.
6. H-O-T T-O G-O – Chappell Roan
This track is solidified as a party classic, even labelled Gen Z’s YMCA. Whether it is the choreographed dance or the 2000s-inspired party vibe, Roan has an effortless ability to make everyone want to get out of their seat, get hyped, and get involved.
5. Please Please Please – Sabrina Carpenter
Carpenter’s second hit single, Please Please Please dominated the charts for months, even breaking her records achieved with the previous track, Espresso. While the song’s synth and electronic beat might make you want to groove, there is an underlying desperation in Carpenter’s pleading with her partner to avoid humiliation. The music video, where her boyfriend Barry Keoghan stars as a mafia boss and she takes on the role of his diva accomplice, was an iconic moment in pop culture.
Please Please Please was an extremely creative and bold choice that had the potential to age poorly or wonderfully, adding to its legendary status.
4. Espresso – Sabrina Carpenter
AKA The Song of the Summer! Carpenter’s vibrant, funky, and infectious breakout single brings the fun without taking itself too seriously. Unlike the heavy-handed, stuffy lyricism we’ve seen from pop artists in the past, this track keeps things light and carefree. She’s having a blast – and wants everyone else to join in on the fun!
3. Die with a Smile – Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga
This iconic collaboration brings out the best in both artists. Its addicting harmonies blend both vocal powerhouses in a way that does not make them clash or overshadow each other. Gaga and Mars uplift one another, giving a unique blend of voices that spotlights how amazing the song is.
2. That’s so True – Gracie Abrams
Abrams’ hit single Risk was an insane anthem for that all-encompassing crush, but That’s so True takes it to a new level. Think of it as Risk’s older, more unhinged sister. This track is a love letter to all women still tangled up in feelings for their exes– ex-relationships, ex-flings, or the especially heinous, ex-situationships. With its catchy, acoustic pop vibe, Abrams validates the chaotic feeling of being all-in on love (or maybe just the idea of it) in your 20s. Rather than bringing you down, That’s so True, celebrates living boldly and wearing your heart on your sleeve – unapologetically without shame.
1. Birds of a Feather – Billie Eilish
Starting with a true classic, Eilish’s Birds of a Feather reminds listeners of their early childhood friendships. This track escapes life’s hustle and bustle and brings us back to simpler times full of swing sets, coloured chalk, and blanket forts. Birds of a Feather captures the carefree magic of friendships that feel effortless and real. It’s a beautiful ode to early bonds that have shaped us and how they still offer us comfort in the chaos of adulthood.
