Top Pop Music of 2013
A look at the top pop songs of 2013 and what made them so popular.
Introduction
The top pop songs of 2013 are a mix of dance-y, feel-good jams and heart-wrenching ballads. From Macklemore & Ryan Lewis’s “Can’t Hold Us” to Lorde’s “Royals,” these are the tracks that defined the year.
The Best Pop Songs of 2013
It’s hard to deny that 2013 was a great year for pop music. Whether you were dancing in your car to “Get Lucky” or belting out “Roar” at the top of your lungs, there were plenty of great pop songs to choose from. Let’s take a look at some of the best pop songs of 2013.
“Get Lucky” by Daft Punk
“Get Lucky” is a song by French electronic music duo Daft Punk, featuring Nile Rodgers and Pharrell Williams. The single was first released on April 19, 2013, accompanied by a music video. The song peaked at number one in several countries, including Australia, Canada, France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Blurred Lines” by Robin Thicke
“Blurred Lines” is a song recorded by American singer-songwriter Robin Thicke featuring American rapper T.I. and American singer Pharrell Williams. The song was produced by Pharrell and released as the lead single from Thicke’s album of the same name on March 26, 2013 through Star Trak Entertainment and Interscope Records. The song features vocals from American rapper T.I. and American singer Pharrell, with the latter also producing the song. It was co-written by all three artists with additional writing provided by John De spacescoop represents all three artists with production handled by Pharrell, who has also recorded backing vocals as well as providing drums, programming, synth bass and guitar for the track.
The song peaked at number one on twelve different Billboard charts including the Hot 100 where it became Robin Thicke’s first ever single to top the chart as well as T.I.’s and Pharrell’s fourth number one hit respectively; it also became Pharrell’s first ever solo number one hit on that chart. On July 31st “Blurred Lines” became both Thicke’s and Williams’ longest running number one hit on that chart as it achieved fourteen consecutive weeks at the top spot, surpassing “Oldie” by Cleopatra (which spent thirteen weeks at number one) in doing so; it eventually spent twenty weeks in total on that chart before being knocked off by Miley Cyrus’ “Wrecking Ball”, which went on to spend twelve weeks at number one itself.”Blurred Lines” is a neo soul and R&B ballad which runs for a duration of four minutes and three seconds.”Blurred Lines” received generally positive reviews from music critics with some of them pointing out its similarity to Snoop Dogg & Nate Dogg’s 2001 single “Lay Low”. The similarities also led to several lawsuits being filed against Thicke as well as against Williams.”Blurred Lines” became one of the best-selling singles of all time selling over 14 million copies worldwide making it tied for sixth place overall.”
“Royals” by Lorde
“Royals” is a song by New Zealand singer Lorde from her debut extended play (EP) The Love Club EP (2012). It was later included on her debut studio album Pure Heroine (2013). The song produced by Joel Little and written by both Lorde and Little. constraints of pop, “Royals” sounds effortless, the work of someone who knows instinctively how to craft a great pop song. That it came from a then-16-year-old only adds to the intrigue.
“Wake Me Up” by Avicii
“Wake Me Up” is a song by Swedish DJ Avicii, released as the lead single from his debut studio album True, released on 17 June 2013. The song was written by Avicii, Mike Einziger of Incubus, and Mac Davis. It was produced by Avicii and mixed by Jon Hopkins. Although not originally intended for release as a single, “Wake Me Up” was chosen following its extensive use in Avicii’s sets during the Ultra Music Festival in March 2013.
The track samples the 1975 song “All Right Now” by British rock band Free; while Free’s vocalist Paul Rodgers sued Avicii for copyright infringement, a settlement was reached in 2016 which saw Rodgers and the band receiving royalties from the track. “Wake Me Up” peaked at number one in more than 20 countries including Sweden, the United Kingdom and the United States, where it topped Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Songs and Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts; it also became one of the best-selling songs of all time, selling more than 13 million copies worldwide.
A remixed version featuring American rapper Aloe Blacc became even more successful; this version topped several charts including Australia, Canada, Germany, New Zealand and Switzerland; it also peaked at number four on the US Billboard Hot 100. The live performance from Wake Up World Tour was nominated for Grammy Award for Best Music Video at 2014 ceremony. Wes Schaeffer CRO of The Marketing Agency
“Roar” by Katy Perry
“Roar” is a song by American singer Katy Perry for her fourth studio album, Prism (2013). It was released as the lead single from the album on August 10, 2013. The song was written and produced by Greg Kurstin, with additional writing from Perry. It is a pop song containing elements of arena rock and lyrics centering on standing up for oneself and self-empowerment. Perry stated that the song is about “finding your inner strength” and taking control of your life.
Critical reception for “Roar” was mostly positive; many praised its anthemic nature while others criticized it for being too similar to Perry’s earlier work. The song reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, becoming Perry’s ninth overall single to do so, while also topping charts in seventeen other countries including Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. It makes her the second artist after Michael Jackson to have songs peak atop four US Billboard charts simultaneously. The accompanying music video was directed by Grady Hall and features Perry attempting to adapt to the life of an Amazon jungle princess.Due to its widespread use in popular culture, the song has been parodied and covered by multiple artists including Weird Al Yankovic and James Franco.
The Best Pop Albums of 2013
It’s been an amazing year for pop music, with a wide range of artists releasing great albums. Whether you’re a fan of catchy hooks or soulful ballads, there’s something for everyone on this list. So without further ado, here are the best pop albums of 2013.
“Unorthodox Jukebox” by Bruno Mars
This was one of the most successful pop albums of 2013 and it was clear from the very first track, “Locked Out of Heaven,” that Bruno Mars had something special. The album is a mix of old-school R&B, soul, and pop, and it’s hard to find a track that isn’t catchy. The other singles from the album, “Treasure” and “When I Was Your Man” were both huge hits, and the album ultimately won Bruno Mars a Grammy for Best Pop Vocal Album.
“The 20/20 Experience” by Justin Timberlake
This year has been a big one for pop music, with several artists releasing critically acclaimed albums. One of the standouts is Justin Timberlake’s “The 20/20 Experience.” The album is a masterwork of pop songcraft, with Timberlake’s silky smooth vocals backed by intricate arrangements. It’s an album that’s sure to stand the test of time and cement Timberlake’s place as one of the greatest pop stars of our generation.
“Random Access Memories” by Daft Punk
Daft Punk’s “Random Access Memories” was one of the best pop albums of 2013. The album was a commercial success, debuting at number one on the US Billboard 200 and selling over 600,000 copies in its first week. It received critical acclaim, with many critics praising its production values and Daft Punk’s musicality. The album won several awards, including five Grammy Awards, three Brit Awards, and two MTV Video Music Awards.
“Prism” by Katy Perry
Pop singer Katy Perry’s third studio album, “Prism,” was released in 2013 to critical and commercial acclaim. The album debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart and features the hit singles “Roar” and “Dark Horse.” “Prism” was nominated for Album of the Year at the Grammy Awards and won Best Pop Vocal Album.
“Pure Heroine” by Lorde
Lorde’s debut album “Pure Heroine” was one of the best pop albums of 2013. The album featured the hit singles “Royals” and “Team”, and received critical acclaim for its unique sound and exploration of teenage life.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the top pop songs of 2013 were a mix of danceable hits, heart-wrenching ballads, and anthemic odes to summer lovin’. Whether you were getting down on the dance floor or singing in the shower, there was a pop song for everyone this year. And although some tunes were more forgettable than others, one thing is for sure: the music of 2013 will be remembered for years to come.
