Top 50 of 2024 / #5-1: A Masterpiece, A Tyrant and the Sunshine State

We are finally here. The top 5 songs of 2024. There are some return top 5 artists on this list, a Wisconsin native and a first in the 5 or so years of the top 50. There is not much I can say…we should let the songs speak for themselves.

5. SZA: Saturn

SZA had a busy year with guesting on tracks with Travis Scott and Kendrick Lamar; however, she had time for a killer S.O.S. concert tour and the single Saturn. This celestial easy going R&B track highlights SZA’s expansive vocal range and tells a story of love and dreams. At the centre of this track is SZA’s mesmerising vocal, which has only gotten better since her record CTRL. This track harkens back to India Arie and Erkyah Badu with it’s soothing flow and deep vocals. Even though this is s single, it sparks hope of a new SZA record in 2025.

4. Beyoncé: Tyrant

What can I say, if Beyoncé has a record out it is going to be in the top 5. This is also the second appearance of Dolly Parton on the top 50. Having the Dolly Parton intro gives this track some country cred, as does the highly traditional intro with hand claps, fiddle and some Beyoncé country twang. However, this is where traditional country steps aside for Beyoncé’s new sexy R&B infused country. The fiddle is looped against some sexy bass and snare as Beyoncé sensually sings about how you can “ride it” and she is the tyrant in charge of her sexuality. The popularity of Cowboy Carter and Shaboozey caused a huge debate about what makes country music in 2024, which is great for the genre. Country music needed a fresh kick in the ass and Beyoncé is just the person to kick that ass.

3. Taylor Swift ft. Florence and the Machine: Florida!!!

Over the last few records Taylor Swift has mastered the murder ballad. In this track Florida becomes the new Mexico where everyone goes after committing a crime. This track about hitting your 30s and getting rid of dropkick men who weigh you down is steeped in some epic pop synth and angelic backing vocals. But don’t get it wrong, the MVP in this track is Florence Welch. She is just what this track needs to elevate it from a typical Swift murder ballad to a top 5 track. Lines like “a hurricane with my name” and “wait out the shit storm back in Texas” just slay. The anthemic hook paired with Welch’s unique vocals and pronunciations of Florida is exquisite. This is a track I can listen to 104 times in a row with no problem as I belt out FOLRIDA!!! over and over.

2. Bon Iver: Speyside

Lately, Justin Vernon and Bon Iver have really gotten into post-production effects and synth. This was an interesting evolution of the band, but it lacked the heart of their earlier folk work. Speyside was a happy middle ground with the sparse acoustic arrangement and vocal range we fell in love with originally, but with a fullness of sound that gives the track more depth than putting the vocal back in the mix. The track itself is a deeply personal and emotional tale of a man regretting the destruction he wrought during a lifelong downward spiral. Now he looks for forgiveness as he builds himself back and shakes off the addiction that brought him down in the first place. This is songwriting at its best and matched with Vernon’s ability to go from deep vocal timbre to an emotionally crushing falcetto. This track is everything I love about Bon Iver and shows how sometimes to move forward you need to look back.

1 Peter Gabriel: I/O

In late 2023 Peter Gabriel set out on a concept record that would change music. When I read about I/O and how he was releasing a single on each full moon and the record was about creation and death I texted Coop and said that this may make Dark Side of the Moon look like a 5 year old’s art project. To say that I/O is an epic high concept piece of art is an understatement. Tracks about creation and destruction within a modern world all work together and paint a picture of both dread and hope. I/O is not just the title track, but the record’s thesis. Gabriel sings that creation and destruction are both natural states where we are part of the loop and nature’s cycle. Moreover, this track is a perfect distillation of Gabriel’s career. There is high concept song writing, crystal clear vocals and a pop sense he has mastered over decades. The entire record is a masterpiece that I think will never be topped by Gabriel or any other artist. This is the first time a male artist has ever reached #1 in the top 50 and it is fitting that it is from such an iconic artist off of one of the best records of the past 5 years.