Best Pop Music of 2017
A look at the best pop songs of 2017. These are the songs that got us moving and shaking all year long.
Introduction
It’s hard to believe that another year has gone by, but 2017 is coming to a close. That means it’s time to take a look back at the best pop music that the year had to offer.
There was a lot of great music released in 2017, but these are the 10 best pop songs that we think stood out above the rest. From catchy tunes to emotional ballads, there was something for everyone this year.
So without further ado, here are the 10 best pop songs of 2017:
Best Pop Songs of 2017
The past year was an incredible one for pop music. We saw a wide variety of artists releasing new music, and some old favorites returning to the top of the charts. There were catchy songs, emotional ballads, and everything in between. It was hard to narrow it down, but here are our picks for the best pop songs of 2017.
“Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
“Shape of You” is a song by English singer-songwriter Ed Sheeran. It was released as a digital download on 6 January 2017 as one of the double lead singles from his third studio album ÷ (2017), along with “Castle on the Hill”. The dancehall-influenced pop song contains an interpolation of “Must Be a Better Way”, written by T M Lewin, Sons Ltd and published by BMG Rights Management.
“Shape of You” peaked at number-one on the singles charts of 34 countries, including the Billboard Hot 100 in the United States, and set a Spotify record for having been streamed over 500 million times and held the number one position for fourteen consecutive weeks on Billboard’s Radio Songs airplay chart. In June 2018, Billboard named it the number one song of 2017.
“Despacito” by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee
“Despacito” is a reggaeton and Latin pop song composed in common time (4 4 time) with a length of three minutes and forty-seven seconds. The song features vocals by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee. Justin Bieber also has a remix version which featured him singing the original verses in English. “Despacito” is the first Spanish-language song to top the Billboard Hot 100 chart since “Macarena (Bayside Boys Mix)” by Los Del Rio in 1996.
The song became popular on American and Canadian radio stations after Bieber’s remix version was released on April 17, 2017. The remix version helped to increase the original song’s popularity outside Latin America and Spain. “Despacito” peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for 16 non-consecutive weeks, becoming the longest-running Spanish-language song on the chart and the longest running number-one by a Latin artist since 1997. In June 2017, “Despacito” became the first ever song to be certified diamond in Spain, signifying sales or consumption of over 1 million units
“That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars
“That’s What I Like” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Bruno Mars for his third studio album, 24K Magic (2016). The track was written by Mars, Philip Lawrence, Christopher “Brody” Brown, James Fauntleroy, JohnMessage II and Jacob Kasher Hindlin, and produced by The Stereotypes and Mars. It was released as the album’s third single on January 30, 2017. Commercially, “That’s What I Like” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 – making it Mars’ seventh overall and fourth consecutive single to do so – while also becoming his longest-running number one single. Internationally, the track peaked inside the top ten in Australia, Canada, France, Malaysia and New Zealand.
“I’m the One” by DJ Khaled
“I’m the One” is a song recorded by American musician DJ Khaled, featuring vocals from Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance the Rapper and Lil Wayne. The song was released on April 28, 2017, by We the Best and Epic Records as the second single from Khaled’s tenth studio album, Grateful (2017). The song peaked at number one on both the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and the Canadian Hot 100 chart.
“Something Just Like This” by The Chainsmokers
“Something Just Like This” is a song by American EDM duo The Chainsmokers and British rock band Coldplay. It was released on February 22, 2017 as the second single from The Chainsmokers’ debut studio album, Memories…Do Not Open, and it was included on the deluxe version of Coldplay’s seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams. “Something Just Like This” peaked at number three on the US Billboard Hot 100 and became both The Chainsmokers’ and Coldplay’s sixth top five single in that country. In the UK Singles Chart, it debuted at number two, making it The Chainsmokers’ highest-charting single in Britain and Coldplay’s seventeenth top five single.
The song was announced via Instagram on February 16, 2017, along with its accompanying music video. The visual features footage from various live performances by both acts. “Something Just Like This” is a synth-pop track with danceable beats and an anthemic chorus sung by Chris Martin. Upon its release, the song was met with mixed reviews from music critics; some praised its upbeat sound while others criticized its generic production.
Best Pop Albums of 2017
While 2017 wasn’t a banner year for the music industry as a whole, there were still some great pop albums released this year. If you’re looking for some new pop music to add to your collection, check out our list of the best pop albums of 2017. From catchy singles to deep album cuts, there’s something for everyone on this list.
“Diva” by Beyonce
The lead single, “Diva”, is a bass-driven R&B song written by Beyoncé, Ester Dean and Tone Mason. The production was handled by Beyoncé and Mason. Lyrically, the song features Beyoncé talking about how she does not take nonsense from anyone. She sings about how she does not need a man to feel complete and how she is perfect just the way she is.
The second single, “Best Thing I Never Had”, peaked at number sixteen on the US Billboard Hot 100. The lead single “Party” featuring J. Cole, peaked at number eleven on the US Billboard Hot 100, making it Beyonce’s fourteenth top 40 hit on the chart as a solo artist. In the United Kingdom, “Party” debuted at number thirteen on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Beyonce’s nineteenth top 40 hit in the country.
“Reputation” by Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift’s “Reputation” album was one of the best pop albums of 2017. It debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and sold more than one million copies in its first week. The album features the singles “Look What You Made Me Do” and “Ready for It,” which both topped the Billboard Hot 100 chart. “Reputation” is Swift’s sixth studio album and her first since 2014’s “1989.”
“Rainbow” by Kesha
On “Rainbow,” her first album in nearly five years, Kesha creates a space for herself as a serious artist, one who’s capable of introspection, social commentary, and sentimental balladry. The record is firmly grounded in the classic sound of rock & roll – it’s Kesha’s love letter to a genre she grew up on, and one she’s ready to help propel into the future. Along with contributions from Eagles of Death Metal, Iggy Pop, and Dolly Parton, “Rainbow” is an album that feels both timely and timeless.
“joanne” by Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga’s “Joanne” was one of the best pop albums of 2017. This album had a more personal and intimate feel than some of Gaga’s other work, and it showed off her impressive vocal range. “Joanne” was a critical and commercial success, debuting at #1 on the Billboard 200 chart.
“Tell Me You Love Me” by Demi Lovato
“Tell Me You Love Me” is the sixth studio album by American singer Demi Lovato. It was released on September 29, 2017, by Island, Hollywood, and Safehouse Records. The album was Lovato’s first album in almost five years, following the release of her fourth album Demi (2013). “Tell Me You Love Me” chronicles Lovato’s struggles with addiction and an eating disorder, as well as her recovery. It features songs about love, heartbreak andConfessions of a Broken Heart (Daughter to Father) sexual liberation.
Critical reception for the album was positive; several publications included it on their lists of the best pop albums of 2017. Lovato was praised for her vocal performance and songwriting, with several reviewers calling the album her best work to date. Commercially, “Tell Me You Love Me” debuted at number three on the US Billboard 200 with first-week sales of 104,000 copies. It also peaked within the top ten of other countries including Australia, Canada and Scotland. The album was supported by four singles: “Sorry Not Sorry”, “You Don’t Do It for Me Anymore”, “Sexy Dirty Love” and “Tell Me You Love Me”.
To promote the album, Lovato embarked on the Tell Me You Love Me World Tour (2018), which began in February 2018 and ended in April 2018.
Conclusion
It’s been an amazing year for pop music, with a wealth of new voices and established artists alike creating timeless hits. 2017 has seen the rise of Latin-influenced pop, the return of classic songcraft, and the continued dominance of trap-influenced music. It’s also been a year of surefire megahits, from Bruno Mars to Luis Fonsi to Ed Sheeran.
As we look back on the year in pop music, these are the 50 best songs that we can’t get enough of.
