Top 50 Songs of 2015 (#50-#41)

   The countdown of my favorite music videos for 2015 is over. Congrats to the boys of Tokio Hotel. Now, the time has come to shine some light on the best tracks of the past crazy year. Songs released between January and December 2015 (unless released in 2014, but a part of a 2015 album) were considered for this prestigious honor. Many singles that were officially serviced in 2015 from a parent album released in 2014 may not have made the final cut, they were probably included on last year's list (ex. "Let It Go" by James Bay). 

   Many artists appear on this list more than once (some even a whopping four times), huge chart toppers did not impress me nearly as much as they did the rest of the world, and tracks from across the music spectrum are included. With the year coming to a close, the recently announced Grammy Award nominations and new releases from Adele and Justin Bieber, it's fun to look back at all the noise and magic of the past 12 months.

Honorable Mentions: 

"Levels" by Nick Jonas: While not as instantly catchy as his previous releases, the thumping single continues to showcase an impressive Jonas evolution and gains more energy and momentum after a few repeated plays.

"Pieces" by Ella Henderson: The artist showcased great vocals on the energetic number, where she's fed up with all of the nonsense in her relationship. Carried by a few impressive "whoas" and a catchy vibe, it screamed hit potential.

#50. "Love Myself" by Hailee Steinfeld

   Academy Award-nominated actress Hailee Steinfeld became a confident pop starlet in 2015. "Love Myself" is a radio-tailored expression of self love that proves to be an encouraging and empowering statement of needing no other approval except your own. However, when one dives deeper into the subliminal lyrical content, it seems Steinfeld and her producers get a little more naughty and risque. "Pictures in my mind on replay, I'm gonna touch the pain away, I know how to scream my own name, scream my name," she tenderly sings on the track's seductive verses.

   

#49. "Cheyenne" by Jason Derulo

   "Cheyenne" is a chilling, pulsating, dance/pop story about a former fling that appears to be haunting Jason Derulo long after the end of the relationship. Besides the attention-grabbing, 80s funk influences, it is Derulo's smooth vocal performance that sells the urgency of the material. It's a different direction for the artist that pays off in terms of originality and polished overall quality.
Releasing the dance-orientated single after experiencing massive success with hip-hop/R&B-leaning efforts was a risky move, but it paid off artistically.

#48. "Over and Over Again" by Nathan Sykes

   Nathan Sykes showcased his emotional side on "Over And Over Again", a somber, piano-driven ballad that highlighted the his solid vocal abilities. Besides the artist's shining, convincing, award-winning vocal delivery, the single's sincere and honest songwriting helped create a connection with lovesick teenagers and the his devoted fan base. "So don’t ever think I need more, I’ve got the one to live for, no one else will do, I’m telling you, just put your heart in my hands," the artist belts as he ensures the girl of his dreams that she will always be the only one he needs in life.

#47. "Kill Em With Kindness" by Selena Gomez

  Every worthy pop song in 2015 seemed to have come compelte with an infectious, radio-ready whistling hook ("Sparks" by Hilary Duff, "Ghost Town" by Adam Lambert). The contagious "Kill Em With Kindness" is no different. As Gomez sheds light on countless problems with haters and critics, she chooses to remain a classy, understanding woman by taking the high road and moving on by living her own life. "We're running out of time, chasing our lies, everyday a small piece of you dies," she warns. Revival may not have been perfect, but this track is.

#46. "Want You" by Daryl David

   Liverpool's most promising independent artist Daryl David returned with his second single "Want You" in 2015. The track showcased the artist’s impressive ability to effortlessly reinvent his sound as he ventured into the electronic dance/pop territory with successful end results. Complete with an addictive, radio-ready hook and smooth, sultry vocals, the single showed just how well-rounded and diverse the aspiring artist is. The upbeat production paired well with enduring songwriting and a strong vocal performance to become something more than the typical Top 40 fluff.

#45. "Body On Me" by Rita Ora feat. Chris Brown

   Instead of trotting down the generic dance track route, Rita Ora and Chris Brown teamed up for the steamy "Body On Me", a track that stays true to her better suited R&B/urban flavor. From the attention-grabbing, tribal introduction to the first taste of Ora's sexy, commanding vocal performance, the track instantly struck a chord. The hook, the songwriting that leaves little to the imagination, and the perfect chemistry with Brown add to its power. "Heyo, heyo, I just wanna feel your body on me, heyo, heyo, if you want it then you got it, hold me," the artists sings on the radio friendly chorus.

#44. "Don't Let Go" by Giorgio Moroder feat. Mikky Ekko

   After a 30-year wait, dance producer legend Giorgio Moroder returned with a brand new collection of hard-hitting collaborations in 2015. One of them, "Don't Let Go" featuring Mikky Ekko, may have highlighted cliched lyrical content, but the conviction and emotion coming off every note of Ekko's vocal performance warrants the song's appearance on this list. The gorgeous, delicate supporting production assists Ekko as he sings of losing hope during tough times. It's not without its problems, but the track allowed listeners to truly feel something within.

#43. "Real" by Years & Years

   Originally released in 2014. Years & Years found a catchy spring in their step on "Real", a previously released single based on confusing, mixed emotions as lead singer Olly Alexander questions all of his insecurities and the part he played in losing his former lover. Though the production certainly sounds upbeat and gleeful, it's quite the opposite. "Yeah, if I had been enough for you, would I be better?, would I be good?," he sings on a chorus that uses upbeat production to counteract the hints of sorrow coming from the vocal performance

#42. "Say Love" by JoJo

   After an almost nine-year wait, pop singer JoJo brought both sides of her musical personality together on "Say Love", a gorgeous and dramatic power ballad that had some pop elements thrown into the primarily R&B mix. "But you say I'm perfect, say I'm pretty, say I'm worth it, but if you really care for me, say love," the artist belts as she pleads with a current lover to express their true feelings. There's a somber sense of defeat and vulnerability coming from JoJo's delivery as her powerhouse vocals become the true star of the radio-ready effort.

#41. "Yes" by Demi Lovato

   Demi Lovato really hit it out of the park with her fifth studio album this year. A compelling highlight came in the form of "Yes", a gospel-inspired track where the artist sings of diving into a relationship head first. The supporting production created a unique pop environment where Lovato was able to experiment with new sounds that worked beautifully with her commanding vocals. "I can't promise that it's gonna be fine, here I am if you're ready to try, here's my tears when you tell me those words, here's my life for better for worse," she belts on the endearing love song.