Top 2016 Pop Music You Need to Listen to

This article is a collaborative effort, crafted and edited by a team of dedicated professionals.

Contributors: Andranick Tanguiane, Fred Lerdahl,

Here are some of the top 2016 pop songs you need to listen to, according to me. What are your favorite pop songs of 2016?

Introduction

Are you looking for some good pop music to listen to in 2016? Look no further – here is a list of the top 2016 pop songs that you need to check out!

1. “Can’t Stop the Feeling!” by Justin Timberlake
2. “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” by Adele
3. “Treat You Better” by Shawn Mendes
4. “This Is What You Came For” by Calvin Harris ft. Rihanna
5. “Work from Home” by Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla Sign
6. “One Dance” by Drake ft. Wizkid & Kyla
7. “Cheap Thrills” by Sia ft. Sean Paul
8. “Into You” by Ariana Grande
9. “Don’t Let Me Down” by The Chainsmokers ft. Daya
10. “Ride” by Twenty One Pilots

“Hello” – Adele

“Hello” is a song by English singer-songwriter Adele, released on 23 October 2015 by XL Recordings as the lead single from her third studio album, 25 (2015).[1] “Hello” is a piano ballad with soul influences, and lyrics that discuss themes of nostalgia and regret. Upon release, the song was acclaimed by music critics, who compared it favorably to Adele’s previous work and praised the song’s lyrics and Adele’s vocal performance. It was recorded in London’s AIR Studios.

In June 2016, “Hello” became the first song in the US to sell over one million digital copies in a week.[2] The single spent 10 weeks atop the Billboard Hot 100,[3] and was ranked as the year-end number-one single by Billboard.[4] A music video for “Hello” was released on 22 October 2015. The video broke the Vevo Record for having the most views in a 24-hour period,[5] and was also the first music video to be shot in Imax.

“Work” – Rihanna ft. Drake

“Work” is a song recorded by Barbadian singer Rihanna for her eighth studio album, Anti (2016). The song features Canadian rapper Drake, and was released as the lead single from Anti on January 27, 2016 through Tidal. A pop and R&B song, it was written byPartyNextDoor, Drake and Rihanna, with production handled by Boi-1da, Frank Dukes and Nineteen85. “Work” peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100, giving Rihanna her 14th US number one single – thus tying her with Madonna and The Supremes as the female artist with the fifth-most US number one singles – and Drake his third. It also became Rihanna’s seventh overall number one on the Hot 100 chart (including featured appearances), thus making her tied for fifth most number ones in the chart’s history; she also became only the second artist in history to have at least seven Hot 100 number ones across three separate decades (2000s–2010s). The song received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Pop Solo Performance at the 59th Annual Grammy Awards. Commercially, “Work” debuted atop of the charts in Canada and France. It peaked within the top ten in fourteen countries including Australia, Denmark, Germany, Netherlands and Switzerland.

“Sorry” – Justin Bieber

“Sorry” is a song recorded by Canadian singer Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album, Purpose (2015). The song was written by Bieber, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Skidmore, Mike Posner and Mason Levy, with production handled by Skrillex and Blood. It was released on October 22, 2015, as the second single from the album. A dancehall-influenced electropop track, “Sorry” contains in its instrumentation “brassy horn bleats”, “weak drums” and a Tropical house instrumental break. Lyrically, it is an apology for past wrongdoings.

Critical reception of “Sorry” was mixed. Billboard noted the influence of trop house in the production–a sound that has been gaining popularity in recent years–and questioned if the track would have received as much attention if not for Bieber’s celebrity status. Music Times criticized the lyrical content for being immature and others compared it to Jason Derulo’s “Want to Want Me”.

Despite mixed reviews, “Sorry” peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and became Bieber’s sixth consecutive top-ten entry after its debut. The song also charted within the top ten in several countries including Australia, Canada and New Zealand. A music video directed by Parris Goebel was released with the song’s release on October 22, 2015. In the video features Goebel and a number of other female dancers doing choreography in a warehouse setting. Bieber made several cameo appearances throughout.

“Hotline Bling” – Drake

“Hotline Bling” is a song recorded by Canadian rapper Drake, which serves as the lead single from his fourth studio album Views. The song was released to digital retailers on October 19, 2015, through Young Money Entertainment, Cash Money Records, and Republic Records. “Hotline Bling” was written by Aubrey Drake Graham and Paul Jefferies. Theproduction was completed by Nineteen85. Sampling R&B artist D.R.A.M.’s “Cha Cha”, the track peaked at number two on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and number one on the Canadian Hot 100 chart, becoming Drake’s first number-one single as a lead artist in both countries.

“What Do You Mean?” – Justin Bieber

“What Do You Mean?” is a song recorded by Canadian singer Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album Purpose (2015). The song was released on August 28, 2015 as the lead single from the album. The song features a tropical house production and serves as the album’s opening track. Upon release, “What Do You Mean?” received generally mixed reviews from music critics and was a commercial success. It debuted at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, giving Bieber his third consecutive number-one debut on the chart, and second consecutive number-one single after “Sorry” in 2015. It also became Bieber’s first number-one single in Australia and Canada. A music video for the song directed by Parris Goebel was released on August 30, 2015. Bieber featured in it dancing in various locations such as atropical forest and a swimming pool.

“Can’t Feel My Face” – The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s “Can’t Feel My Face” was one of the top pop songs of 2016. The song peaked at number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 and was nominated for two Grammy Awards, including Record of the Year.

“Here” – Alessia Cara

If you haven’t heard Alessia Cara’s “Here” yet, you need to fix that ASAP. The catchy pop song is about being the only sober person at a party, and it’s relatable AF. Cara perfectly captures the feeling of being an outsider, and her vocals are flawless. “Here” is one of the best pop songs of 2016, and it’s definitely worth a listen.

“Stitches” – Shawn Mendes

If you haven’t heard Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches” yet, you need to check it out. The song has reached the top of the charts in several countries, and Mendes’ soulful voice is impossible to resist. While the lyrics are about a broken relationship, the catchy melody will have you singing along in no time.

“Wild Things” – Alessia Cara

Alessia Cara’s “Wild Things” is a hauntingly beautiful track that captures the feeling of being misunderstood. The song reflects on the struggles of adolescence, and how it can feel like you’re the only one going through them. Cara’s lyrics are relatable and her voice is captivating, making “Wild Things” one of the best pop songs of 2016.

“In the Name of Love” – Martin Garrix & Bebe Rexha

2016 was filled with amazing pop songs, but one that really stood out was “In the Name of Love” by Martin Garrix and Bebe Rexha. The song has a catchy beat and Rexha’s powerful vocals make it an instant hit. If you’re looking for a great pop song to add to your collection, this is definitely one you need to check out.

“One Call Away” – Charlie Puth

Puth’s soulful voice is on full display in this heartbreak ballad. It’s the kind of song that will have you reaching for the Kleenex, but his vulnerable lyrics and honest delivery make it impossible to resist.

“Love Yourself” – Justin Bieber

“Love Yourself” is a song recorded by Canadian singer Justin Bieber for his fourth studio album Purpose (2015). The song was released as the album’s third single on November 9, 2015. It was written by Bieber, Ed Sheeran and Benjamin Levin, and produced by Benny Blanco. An acoustic pop song, “Love Yourself” features an electric guitar and a brief flurry of trumpets as its main instrumentation. During the song, Bieber uses a husky voice while singing the lines, “I’ll never let you down.” In the chorus, he sings “Love yourself/ The way you want to be loved/ By someone else.”

The original version of the song debuted at number 21 on the Billboard Hot 100 in November 2015; it peaked at number three in February 2016, making it Bieber’s ninth top ten hit in the United States. The companion remixes included on Purpose: The Movement (2016) feature American rappers Kendrick Lamar and Big Sean. These versions peaked at numbers 95 and 89 on the Hot 100 respectively. All three versions of the song received critical acclaim from music critics. Bieber included it as part of his setlist on his Purpose World Tour (2016-17).

“Adventure of a Lifetime” – Coldplay

“Adventure of a Lifetime” is a song by British rock band Coldplay. It was released on 6 November 2015 as the lead single from their seventh studio album, A Head Full of Dreams (2015). The song peaked at number six on the UK Singles Chart, becoming the band’s seventeenth top-ten single in the United Kingdom. It also charted in several other countries, including Australia, Canada and the United States.

“Cake by the Ocean” – DNCE

“Cake by the Ocean” is a song recorded by American band DNCE, serving as their debut single. It was released to radio on September 18, 2015 and digital retailers on September 22, 2015 by Republic Records as the lead single from their self-titled debut studio album. The song was written by Justin Tranter, Joe Jonas, and Norwegian production team StarGate. Musically, “Cake by the Ocean” is an uptempo synthpop track with a “dance-oriented sound” and elements of house music. The song’s lyrics are based on sexual intercourse and its literal meaning is unclear due to its usage of cake as a metaphor.

The song received mixed reviews from contemporary music critics; some appreciated its production and lyrical content while others criticized it for being too similar to other tracks released in 2015. Commercially, the single peaked at number nine on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number two on both the US Mainstream Top 40 chart and the US Pop Songs chart. Internationally, it experienced moderate success in several countries including Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom where it peaked in the top ten of their national charts. The song’s accompanying music video was directed by Hannah Lux Davis and features creative direction by Jeffrey Frank who also served as one of its choreographers.”

“Close” – Nick Jonas ft. Tove Lo

“Close” is a song by American singer Nick Jonas, featuring Swedish singer Tove Lo. It was released on August 5, 2016, as the lead single from Jonas’ self-titled album. The song was written by Jonas, Justin Tranter and its producers, Mattman & Robin. “Close” peaked at number 18 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number seven on the UK Singles Chart.

“Work from Home” – Fifth Harmony ft. Ty Dolla $ign

“Work from Home” is a song recorded by American girl group Fifth Harmony featuring American singer Ty Dolla Sign. It is the lead single from the group’s second studio album, 7/27 (2016). “Work from Home” was written by Ty Dolla Sign, Camila Cabello, Ali Tamposi, Jude Demorest and Brian Lee with production handled by Mike Crook. The song is included on many year-end Top lists including Rolling Stone’s 50 Best Songs of 2016 and Pitchfork’s 100 Best Songs of 2016.

“Never Forget You” – Zara Larsson & MNEK

If you love catchy rhythms and soulful vocals, then you need to give “Never Forget You” a listen. Zara Larsson, a young Swedish singer, teams up with British singer/songwriter MNEK for this addicting track. The lyrics tell the story of a pair of friends who have drifted apart, but the bond between them is still strong. This is definitely a song that will get stuck in your head!

“7 Years” – Lukas Graham

“7 Years” is a song by Danish soul pop band Lukas Graham from their second studio album, Lukas Graham (Blue Album). The song was released as a digital download on 18 December 2015 by Then We Take the World and Copenhagen Records. The song peaked at number two on the Danish Singles Chart. On 4 March 2016, “7 Years” was released as an international single. The single peaked at number two in New Zealand and became a top-ten hit in Australia, Canada, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Netherlands, New Zealand, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

“Formation” – Beyonce

“Formation” is a song recorded by American singer Beyoncé for her sixth studio album, Lemonade (2016). The song was released on February 6, 2016, by Parkwood Entertainment and Columbia Records, as the lead single from the album. “Formation” was written by Beyoncé, Khalif Brown, Asheton Hogan, Mike WiLL Made It, and Pluss. The song was produced by Mike WiLL Made It and Beyoncé. A trap-influenced R&B and funk song with elements of rap and spoken word, the music video for “Formation” caused controversy due to its references to police brutality. Upon its release, the single debuted at number 10 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart.

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