

100 on the Hot 100 in its lone week on the chart) but certainly not over a lack of chemistry between Halsey and her duet partner. So far, it’s remained just a sterling album cut (it peaked at No. Our staff favorite from Halsey’s sophomore album, this sultry, Greg Kurstin-produced synth-pop firework was the 23 year old’s self-described stab at getting an all-female love song on pop radio. On the title track, Baker finds clarity in the emptiness that colors her darkness by embracing the parts of herself that only come to light when “there’s no one left/ Between myself and me,” leading to one of the most cathartic climaxes of the year. The devastating imagery in Baker’s songwriting has always felt relatable and raw, but on her sophomore album Turn Off The Lights, she’s paired her incisive insights with a sonic balm of beautifully layered reverb guitar. Listening to the confessional musings of 22-year old singer-songwriter Julien Baker can sometimes feel like looking in a mirror and seeing your truest self exposed. Over a decade later, Flowers and his glamorous blazers are still headed for the frontman hall of fame. The song radiates confidence with a disco stomp as glitzy as the Las Vegas strip, and guitar riffs that demand a Travolta-like strut. “The Man” is a satirical look back at a brazen, young Brandon Flowers circa 2003-04 during the band’s introduction to the world. 1 on Billboard’s Adult Alternative Songs chart. 1 on the Billboard 200 and its lead single “The Man” hit No. Their fifth studio album Wonderful Wonderful debuted at No. In 2017, we welcomed back synth-rock veterans The Killers with open arms.

And not to oversell it, but this just may be the best Cure to hit radio since “Friday I’m In Love.” - JOE LYNCH Even so, the track is unmistakable Stefani Germanotta, from the smoky coo on the verses (hello, jazz chanteuse Gaga) to the full-throated, mountain-top-tickling bellow that announces the chorus. From “Paris” to “Malibu,” “North East South West” and everywhere in between, here are Billboard‘s 100 favorite songs of 2017.įollowing her rootsy, personal Joanne LP, “The Cure” comes across like Gaga’s concession to radio’s (now waning) love affair with trop-pop. Cyndi Lauper Enters Fight For Reproductive Justice With New FundĪnd even with all this, it was still a year where the very best singles might not have been the very biggest.
