Jasper's Best Hit Songs of 2022

[jasper0102]

2022 has been an odd year for the charts. I've seen some people say this year was bad, or using the Sean Fay Wolfe running gag of "Man, this         sure does exist doesn't it?" to describe this year. And tbh i get their criticisms.  But for me, this year was not that bad. Hell i even think it was a good one! I won't outline why, you can go here if you want to know alot of the reasons. But one thing i didn't mention there was song quality, so let's fix that, shall we?

Overall, looking deeper into the charts of this year with a dazed sense of exhaustion, i found quality wise this year was pretty good! To the point where i'm outright not making a worst list becuase there isn't much for me to hate, unless i want to make it a top 5 list. The pop-rock boom of last year fizzled out a bit, even if there were still hits from that genre this year, like That's What I Want (which i'll get to later), Meet Me At Our Spot (which just barely missed the honorable mentions) and the lingering run of Good 4 U. Latin music had a massive surge unseen since the late 90s spearheaded by Bad Bunny and Karol G (you'll be hearing alot from the former this list, warning you now).

Country also had a surge to take about a quarter of the year-end list, even if it was spearheaded by Morgan goddamn Wallen instead of Cody Johnson or Zach Bryan, or even Luke Combs. Pop and Hip-Hop both took a backseat against the surges of Latin and country. Dance experienced a minor revival through Beyonce and Drake (even if the latter's only 3 hits this year were not dance). Encanto also made an impact, being the only thing that made the Spring interesting and netting Disney a #1 hit. And a bunch of old acts made comebacks this year, not less when songs from several years if not decades ago (Running Up That Hill, Die For You, Unstoppable, Under the Influence) all made chart runs several years removed from when they were first released. And that doesn't factor in the amount of breakout stars who got their first hits this year.

Sure it wasn't all rosy, for some reason we let Christmas songs double their presence on the charts (even if A Holly Jolly Christmas and Jingle Bell Rock aren't bad songs). But this year was still solid. And before we begin, let me clarify, this is just songs from the Billboard year-end list. So while there are songs that charted, like say, N95 by Kendrick Lamar i would have loved to put on this list, i can't becuase it didn't make the year-end list to my dismay. Got that? Good, so with that out of the way, let's start with...

[jasper0102]

HM: You Should Probably Leave by Chris Stapleton
I don't think it's much of a surprise to you all when i say Starting Over, Stapleton's hit from last year was great. So it was nice to see him follow it up with another great song. Now i should clarify, You Should Probably Leave isn't as good as Starting Over, mostly because it doesn't really have the latter's emotional power due to a lack of acoustics. But it isn't trying to be Starting Over. The song is mostly about a couple who want to distance themselves from each other because they both know "where this is gonna lead" but they just, can't do that. Riding off great production between a great bass groove, a strong guitar solo, great drum work, and Stapleton's ever-great vocals, all-in-all, a great song! Even if part of me thinks i should have put Damn Strait here instead (also a great song btw).

[jasper0102]

HM: Like i Love Country Music by Kane Brown
Yeah, we're straying into more controversial territory for this. And while i don't know what the community as a whole thinks of this, i know what i think, this is a great country-rock song! Sure, it's messy as hell, and it could afford to be more controlled. And Kane Brown isn't really putting his all here as he compares his love for his girl to his love for country music, which is emphasized pretty well in the title. And the last minute is Ain't It Fun levels of overstaying it's welcome. But idk, it might just be because of the mess of the production that i love this. Or it might be because this reminds me a lot of You and I by Lady Gaga, as I've mentioned before. And that song is fantastic, one of the best of 2011. Or it might be for reasons idk about. Anyways, great song! And speaking of reasons...

[jasper0102]

HM: Bad Habit by Steve Lacy
I'm grateful this even got to number one at all, because this was probably the weirdest possible song to be a number-one hit in one of the weirdest years for the charts. And the song is great too! Sure, Steve Lacy isn't, the best singer in the world, just look at the 2nd verse during the first half. And the lyrics aren't anything to write home about, at least to me, even if there are memorable lines here and there. But there's something about the production driven by the shuffling padder of the drums that i only now realized i love (thanks Anti-Hero) the harmonies and the catchiness that drives me in. And how it mashes well with Steve Lacy's vocals and the lyrics to create this weird-ass song that became one of the biggest hits of the year. Funny how the charts work like that sometimes.

[jasper0102]

HM: I Ain't Worried by OneRepublic
Now we go to one of the more, controversial songs to be a hit this year. And tbh, i get why people hate this. Yes it is a incredibly derivative cash-in tied to a half-way military propaganda film with annoying whistling and Ryan Tedder rapping that feels built for commercials, with the most generic "feel good anthem" lyrics imaginable outside of the most basic of empowerment anthems. And that might be why I love this so much. Like with Pumped Up Kicks, i find myself ignoring the whistling. Ryan Tedder has enough charisma to sell this, even if i don't care for the lyrics, and his pseudo-rapping was, definitely a choice. And the production is the cherry on top to all of  that, being able to drive Tedder's vocals well and make for a fun ass experience with a lot of groove to it. So yeah, i don't care if this is unpopular or the fact this type of song has been done better before, great song, even if I haven't seen Top Gun: Maverick and likely won't in the near future.

[jasper0102]

HM: Get Into It (Yuh) by Doja Cat
Doja has been, weird to me. In that, going through the 7 songs she has on the year-end list, in at least 3 of them, i leave feeling like, i want more. It might just be because her style of R&B feels a little hollow to me, or just i outright don't like it, which I don't. But when she strays away from that R&B style or one where said R&B style clicks, i find myself liking her songs. And this is the best example of that. As Doja leans more into her rap side for a basic as hell party jam between the trap production and the synths against some really good rap verses, even if it's pretty obvious who she's taking influence from. It helps that the flexes are pretty good, between Doja having the personality to sell them, and lines so ridiculous they're actually kinda funny, most notably the Shape of You reference in the first verse. So yeah, great song! Kinda wish Doja made more songs like this, just with more banger production.

[jasper0102]

HM: Ojitos Lindos by Bad Bunny and Bomba Estereo
And tbh, the same principle with Doja also applies to the other artist who got 7 songs on the year-end list: Bad Bunny. In that, if he leans more into the reggaeton most people are familiar in, i have a hard time really being able to like it. But if he strays away from that style or just makes a better version of it, i like his songs. And that reggaeton influence is still present in full force in this song. But it helps that Bad Bunny and Liliana Saumet (the female in Bomba Estereo) play off each other well, and there's more to the production between the subtle sound effects in the background which makes for a great atmosphere. As for the lyrics, it depicts a girl (played by Liliana Saumet) thinking of her lover's smell and who longs to see him again, with the boy (played by Bad Bunny) describing how the 2 met and how in love he is with her. It's an interesting picture that i haven't fully grasped, but makes for a great song all the same.

[jasper0102]

HM: Rock and a Hard Place by Bailey Zimmerman
Back to Country Music and one of it's biggest breakout stars, and yeah, i'm onboard on this guy in spite of his obvious Morgan Wallen influences, just without the baggage, yet. And while there was a sense of dickish selfishness in Fall in Love that made that song shrink on me. It's still good just not great. None of that applies here, as Bailey describes a relationship between him and this girl that is just about to fall apart. And what i love about this is just how raw it feels. Bailey's delivery is strained, but it does the job well. And the country production is just organic enough to reinforce his vocals, and make it hit all the harder. So yeah, great song! Hope Country Radio doesn't rob this and this becomes a hit well into 2023.

[jasper0102]

HM: Running Up That Hill by Kate Bush
Yeah, i know it doesn't really make much sense this isn't on the list proper, and i get why. Beyond the fact it's a bit of a miracle this even re-charted at all (thanks Stranger Things), the song is kinda just, perfect. Too perfect in fact. The synths and drums mesh to make a sort of aetherial atmosphere that fits this sort of song all too well (pun intended), with lyrics that focus on how Kate wants to make a deal with god and to get her and her lover to switch their places so that they can both feel what it is like to be a man or woman. And that's not counting Kate herself, whom i'll not get into with much detail. Her vocals are great. And yes, i don't know why this isn't on the list proper. But eh, that might just be a testament as to how much i liked this year.

[jasper0102]

HM: Easy on Me by Adele
It's an Adele song, what else do i have to say? And while i get it if you say you are sick of Adele, as this is just the same old song she has made dozens of times already. But i think that is why i love this so much. Not the fact Adele is mostly sticking to the same formula, but more that the formula just makes great songs. And she's just the right singer to slot into the formula and makes it work. And this is a great example of that. A song dedicated to her son, where Adele pleads her son to go "easy on her", as she expresses how her marriage failed and how both she and her ex tried to make it work, but couldn't. And she delivers one of the most heartbreakingly powerful performances of her career while doing so. Again, great song, kinda wish this was the Billboard Year-End #1, but still.

[jasper0102]

Ok, that was heavy, now let's get into the Top 10 proper with...
#10
Yeah, when i first realized how much i actually loved this, there was no shot this wasn't making the list.
About Damn Time by Lizzo
I mean, other than the fact it's a fucking amazing 80s throwback, likely one of the best we've had in years. Combined with a Lizzo performance that doesn't stray too far into obnoxiousness, what else do you want me to say about this? It's pretty self-evidently great just off the first few seconds as the bass that is pretty openly cribbing from 'Another One Bites The Dust' by Queen, as Lizzo leans into 'bad bitch' energy for a good time on the dance floor after a rough past couple weeks. And Lizzo just sells this with her performance, which like i said, doesn't stray to far into pure obnoxiousness, while having just enough bravado and charisma to properly sell it. And a flute solo during the bridge to boot! So yeah, great song! Glad 2022 had a hit like this, it deserved it.

[jasper0102]

#9
Well, okay everyone, time for more country music! Everyone likes more country music right?
Till You Can't by Cody Johnson
Kinda wish this was the biggest country hit of the year, and even if i like Wasted on You, this is on a whole nother level! Between a great and extremely propulsive hook that builds a lot of momentum that is properly paid of. Some greatly blended production that builds on the hook's propulsion. And that's not counting Cody Johnson who pulls a lot into his performance, selling the lyrics that lean into the whole 'you don’t know what you have until it’s gone, so you better love the things you have’ really well, alongside that great hook. So overall, great song! Kinda nice it placed one spot above the worst country song on the year-end list (which isn't even from 2022, but i digress).

[jasper0102]

#8
So remember a certain song i mentioned during the opening section? Yeah, it's about time i give it it's due, shall i?
Thats What I Want by Lil Nas X
Beyond the fact this is a gay anthem for the ages, even for someone who isn't gay at all, this is just a great pop-rock song all around. Between the backing vocals, the acoustics, and a hook that is somehow even more propulsive than Till You Can't. As Nas shows both the extent of his gay horniness juxtaposed with his very real desire to be loved. And his vocal delivery is, just well enough to drive the hook and his underlying desires. So all in all, just another great pop song from Nas. Hope Star Walkin becomes a hit next year, it deserves it!

[jasper0102]

#7
Aight time for the other Bad Bunny song on this list, yes there are 2.
Titi Me Pregunto by Bad Bunny
This is another one of those songs where immediately when i first heard it, i knew this was 100% making my best list. The first half of this is Banger of the Year material, period. As Bad Bunny rides a ridiculously propulsive Latin trap groove as he rattles on about all of his girlfriends after his aunt asked him, before an interlude where the aunt basically tells him "hey, stop that shit, go fall in love for real, damn". With the song then switching to a synth that tries to drive menace which Bad Bunny also sells well as he advises women to start staying away from him, and how he wants to change. I know i'm probably getting this wrong given this is from Billboard's translation of the song, but overall, the song is just cohesive enough to make the switch work. So overall, a great one! Hope Bad Bunny makes more music like this in the future!

[jasper0102]

#6
Well, time for more throwbacks! And, tbh it would be surprising if this didn't make it.
Smokin Out The Window by Silk Sonic
Why is it that Silk Sonic got another hit this year that was somehow better than Leave the Door Open? And i don't say that lightly, but this song is great in every sense of the word. Between arguably the best groove on this year-end list barring About Damn Time with great horns and drums, combined with probably Bruno Mars's best falsetto, at least from what i've heard. And while the jokes feel a little unnecessary, not less when they indirectly reference Taylor Swift, combined with references to Chuck-E-Cheese which just remind me of that godawful Youtube channel Arcade Craniacs. The lyrics focus on when our 2 protagonists realize that their girl had cheated on them after all they had spent on the both of them before they finally decide to end things framing it as sending her back into the city. And i'm glad both Bruno and Anderson are good enough performers to sell this without sounding too dickish, and the production only helps matter. So again, great song, hope we're gonna get another Silk Sonic record soon.

[jasper0102]

#5
Now time for the picks that anyone who knows me should not be remotely surprised about.
Numb Little Bug by Em Beihold
It's weird. At one point, a song can be your favorite hit of the year and you would think nothing would overtake it. And then at another, it would still be somewhere in the top 10 and nowhere near the top. And i'll admit, the reasons why this song is so high and was at number-one at one point are a little personal, and if anyone has seen the lyrics should know why. But beyond that obvious as-all-hell reason, it helps that the song itself is great! The clatter of the percussion mixes pretty well with the piano. And Em Beihold sells the dazed and tired atmosphere of the song describing a person who just wants to get by, and tries his/her's damnest to try to feel happier but just can't. It's the thing that a 14-year-old High School student like me would eat up to hell and back, and combined with great production, it combines to a surprisingly potent song! Hoping she gets another hit after this, preferably by getting credits on Until I Found You (also a great song btw, hoping it doesn't get caught between years).

[jasper0102]

#4
Glimpse of Us by Joji
Another song where it was destined to make this list from the beginning. And it works for alot of the same reasons the best piano ballads, or hell, ballads in general work. It's a spare piano ballad focused on Joji, who sells this song with heartbreakingly sad boy passion, where he sings about being in a new relationship with a girl he calls 'perfect' while still remembering his ex, where he’s tearing himself apart trying to fall for his new girl while keeping his memories and trying to find the spark between him and his ex at the same time. Made more complicated when his ex has moved on in a way he couldn't, where in the second verse he asks and considers a possibility where his ex then spirals into the same situation he is in right now. And while i've seen some people say that if you gave this to Sam Smith then it would be getting alot more hate, which tbh i agree with. Hell, i probably would not be placing this song this high if it was made by Sam Smith. But that's an alternate reality. In the reality, we made now, Joji made this devastatingly powerful ballad and it was a top 10 hit. And we're only at #4! My god...

[jasper0102]

#3
Ok, time for the roughest part of this whole ranking
Sand In My Boots by Morgan Wallen
Ugh, look, if you're gonna sign out just because of the fact that i put this racist, ignorant, shithead this fucking high on my best list, i completely understand. Hell, i'm pretty sure alot of you don't even believe in the whole 'separate art from the artist' thing like i do, which is really the only reason Morgan is on the list at all. And i'll clarify this, putting someone like Morgan this high on the list doesn't mean i fully condone what he has done. Especially when i'm a part of a racial minority, at least in American standards, even if i don't even live in the USA. So, don't take the fact i put Sand In My Boots this high as me apologizing or even supporting Morgan's actions.

Now with that said, man why is this so goddamn good? And as for why, well, i love this for all of the same reasons i love Colder Weather by the Zac Brown Band. And while this is not as good as that one, really, very few songs are as good as Colder Weather. So if you want to listen to a better version of this without the baggage of having someone like Morgan Wallen on it, i'll redirect you to that song. As Morgan describes a hookup on the beach, where even in spite of only having a few moments with each other, he could already feel the 2 of them growing closer together and becoming lovers, but only when he tries to get them closer, the girl leaves, and Morgan is left driving back to his hometown alone, without showing his girl the pleasures of his town. And Morgan's gravely voice just sells this so well it's almost ridiculous. So as much as i hate to say it, this song is great! But on the topic of country music...

[jasper0102]

#2.5
Doin This by Luke Combs
I'm surprised by how much this grew on me, and basically at the last second too. I originally planned to have this tied with Till You Can't, before that realization came and i moved this several slots up. Hell, i even considered tying this with Sand In My Boots (thank you Morgan for being a dickhead), before that segment went too long and i decided to give it it's own entry. So if you want, you could relegate About Damn Time to the honorable mentions and have this be the #3. So with that out of the way. HOLY FUCK. I didn't think Luke Combs could make music this good! And the basic premise is something that i also love: Luke Combs is asked a question as to what he would be doing if he wasn't 'Doin This'. Basically, what would he be doing if he wasn't a country singer?

His answer was this: he would still be a country singer, which kinda dodges the question, and sacrifices a lot of the fame he has gotten as a country singer. Until he says this on the bridge:
"It ain't about the fame.
It ain't about the fortune.
It ain't about the name.
It ain't about the glory.
I guess I'm sayin' it's always been about."
Basically, he says that being a singer isn't about fame, or fortune, or name recognition, or glory. He says that it is about doing what you want, or fulfilling his passion to the point where the fame is just an added bonus, but not the main point. It helps that Combs gives his all in a career-best performance for him, at least to my puny brain who hasn't listened to much from him beyond the hits. And the production is just simple enough to not overtake Combs and just lowkey enough to further augment the emotional sentiment. So, as i said, i didn't know Luke Combs could make music this good!

[jasper0102]

#2
Something in the Orange by Zach Bryan
I mean when i said this was in my top 3 for the year back in goddamn September, i meant it, and it should come to absolutely no surprise this is this high. Hell, i even considered putting this at number one just because no one else would. It helps that the song itself is fucking fantastic. And it's pretty self-evident as to why. The acoustics drives the song's main melody well, combined with a surprisingly sticky melodic hook as Zach Bryan delivers a heartbreakingly raw and powerful performance as he conveys the messy and tangled story of a relationship that is nearing failure, and how he desperately wants the woman to come back and stay, even if he knows she doesn't care for him much. And by the end, it seems that the relationship is mostly over. And he does it really goddamn well, and that hook combined with the guitar shreds after the 3rd verse combine into a tune that shows the best country had to offer on the charts this year! But for what song is better?

[jasper0102]

#1
All Too Well (Taylor's Version) 10 Minute Version by Taylor Swift
I mean, of course, this was gonna be the number-one. How would it not be? Do i really need to explain why this is a masterclass in songwriting and in just songs in general? Only Taylor Swift could make a 10-minute remake of one of her most critically-acclaimed songs and make it not only stick but work so well that it goes to number one. And a lot of my praises of the song, from Taylor's devastatingly powerful vocals to the sweep of the production, to the storytelling, and just the sheer damn beauty of the whole song, they've already been said by dozens if not thousands of people. And really my only criticism is the length itself, I'm usually ready to sign out by the time she goes "And i was never good at telling jokes". But that's relatively minor, overall, most of what i can say about this song has already been said by alot of other people, and i can never truly make praise of this song without parroting them. But overall, All Too Well (Taylor's Version) 10 Minute Version is the BEST hit song of 2022.

So that was it, this was fun to go through, even in spite of some interruptions. And it's nice to explain why i love certain songs so much, even if i don't think i do it very well. But with that said, see you all next time!