Hello fam! This is my very first review of the Billboard Hot 100. Every year, Billboard counts down the Top 100 songs of the year, usually in ascending order from 1-100. The majority of these songs make the list due to streaming, sales, and radio. Streaming has outweighed pretty much everything in terms of how well the song does on the charts nowadays. Now, I’m sure you’re probably wondering: how was 2017 in terms of music, you might ask? Well, you’ll have to find out for yourself! Most people in the blogging community tend to factor in the song being overplayed, which affects their ranking of the song in question. However, in terms of how I do my ranking of the songs on the Year-End list, I don’t factor in overplay unlike most people here. Because otherwise, this wouldn’t be fun to talk about, now wouldn’t it? But anyway, I’ve said pretty much all I needed to say for my introduction. Let’s get on with it! So with that in mind, here is the color code that I will use, plus the number of points each song gets:
- Purple – Best Song (5 Points)
- Dark Blue – Top 10 (5 Points)
- Green – Great (5 Points)
- Blue – Good (4 Points)
- Pink – Decent (3 Points)
- Yellow – Mediocre (2 Points)
- Turquoise – Bad (1 Point)
- Red – Garbage (0 Points)
- Dark Red – Bottom 10 (0 Points)
- Orange – Worst Song (0 Points)
And there you have it! I unfortunately won’t be able to do a full-on review of the songs listed below, but the color code for that song basically tells you all you need to know about my thoughts on it. And like I said, I don’t put overplay as a factor like most people here. I look at how the song is produced, such as vocals, lyrics, production, etc. That’s how I do things here. Also, the number in parentheses indicates the peak position of the song in question. Now with that being said, let’s get to the Year-End Hot 100 for 2017!
The Hot 100 Chart:
Last Year’s #1 Song: Love Yourself by Justin Bieber
100. The Fighter by Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood (#38)
99. Look At Me! by XXXTentacion (#34)
98. Do Re Mi by Blackbear (#40)
97. What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 featuring SZA (#9)
96. Havana by Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug (#2)
95. Everyday We Lit by YFN Lucci featuring PnB Rock (#33)
94. Small Town Boy by Dustin Lynch (#36)
93. I Get The Bag by Gucci Mane featuring Migos (#11)
92. Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes (#6)
91. No Promises by Cheat Codes featuring Demi Lovato (#38)
90. Down by Marian Hill (#21)
89. Malibu by Miley Cyrus (#10)
88. Water Under The Bridge by Adele (#26)
87. Sign Of The Times by Harry Styles (#4)
86. Slippery by Migos featuring Gucci Mane (#29)
85. Swalla by Jason Derulo featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign (#29)
84. What About Us by P!NK (#13)
83. Both by Gucci Mane featuring Drake (#41)
82. Starving by Hailee Steinfeld & Grey featuring Zedd (#12)
81. Drowning by A Boogie Wit da Hoodie featuring Kodak Black (#38)
80. Love Galore by SZA featuring Travis Scott (#32)
79. Magnolia by Playboi Carti (#29)
78. Young, Dumb, and Broke by Khalid (#18)
77. Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith (#4)
76. Hurricane by Luke Combs (#31)
75. All Time Low by Jon Bellion (#16)
74. Feels by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean (#20)
73. Chained To The Rhythm by Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley (#4)
72. What Ifs by Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina (#26)
71. Slide by Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos (#25)
70. Broccoli by D.R.A.M. featuring Lil’ Yachty (#5)
69. Cold by Maroon 5 featuring Future (#16)
68. Goosebumps by Travis Scott featuring Kendrick Lamar (#32)
67. Praying by Kesha (#22)
66. LOYALTY. by Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna (#14)
65. Passionfruit by Drake (#8)
64. Swang by Rae Sremmurd (#26)
63. Juju On That Beat (TZ Anthem) by Zay Hilfigerrr featuring Zayion McCall (#5)
62. DNA. by Kendrick Lamar (#4)
61. Rolex by Ayo & Teo (#20)
60. Caroline by Aminé (#11)
59. Now Or Never by Halsey (#17)
58. Heathens by TWENTY ØNE PILØTS (#2)
57. In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young (#19)
56. Rockstar by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage (#1, 8 Weeks)
55. Tunnel Vision by Kodak Black (#6)
54. Mercy by Shawn Mendes (#15)
53. Rake It Up by Yo Gotti featuring Nicki Minaj (#8)
52. T-Shirt by Migos (#19)
51. Thunder by Imagine Dragons (#4)
50. Mi Gente by J. Balvin featuring Willy William and Beyoncé (#3)
49. Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake (#1, 1 Week in 2016)
48. Bank Account by 21 Savage (#12)
47. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato (#6)
46. Let Me Love You by DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber (#4)
45. Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man (#4)
I’m In Love With The Shape Of Blurbs
– Let’s first talk about the song sitting at #100, in the form of The Fighter by Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood. Some criticize this because it’s not really country at all. As for me, I was kinda impressed with the way it turned out. Even though Carrie doesn’t contribute to much of the song, it’s still a pretty fun tune.
– Easily the most noticeable things about this chart is that we have a bunch of hip-hop/rap music on this list, thanks in large part to streaming. While some of these songs were at least tolerable, most of them I listened to were annoying or just simply mediocre. I won’t get into why most of these were bad, but the color code that I used pretty much tells you my thoughts on them.
– We have several songs here that were repeats from the 2016 Year-End list. The most notable ones are Treat You Better, Starving, Side To Side, Can’t Stop The Feeling!, Let Me Love You, Heathens, and of course, Closer. I did like the first two (Treat You Better and Starving) from the start, but I realized that they weren’t all that amazing in the big picture after paying close attention to the songs in general. The last three however, are still big favorites of mine and they stuck with me to the end.
– Despite Katy Perry not having the best of years given that most of her album, Witness, failed to take off, she was still able to have two songs make it to the Year-End list, Chained To The Rhythm and Feels. I pretty much explained both of these songs when I reviewed in My Top 50 Songs of 2017. She still shows that she has an amazing voice in these songs and I definitely enjoyed them from the start. I’m hoping someday she can come back better than ever and be able to get more big hits like she used to.
– Sitting at #67, we have Praying by Kesha. I’m indeed really happy that this was able to make the list. It’s definitely the best comeback single from any artist by a landslide. I talked about this masterpiece of a song in my Year-End posts. But to put it short, it’s well-written, the production is amazing, and Kesha shines her voice all throughout the song. It’s good to have her back in the music business!
– Kendrick Lamar basically had a great year as an artist. He has a total of five songs that made the list. Though he did have Goosebumps and the disappointment that is of Don’t Wanna Know, he did have three songs from his album DAMN. that made the list, many of which are good in its own merit. It’s pleasing to see HUMBLE. not only spending one week at #1, but also managed to be very high in the Top 5, mainly due to the number of weeks it spent there. He is definitely one of the most talented hip-hop artists in today’s music. Hopefully, we get more music from him.
– #25 is not a color-coding error. Yes folks, I have indeed grown into Redbone by Childish Gambino (Surprise!). I initially didn’t like this at first mainly because of the strange vocals, but I warmed up to it in record time. Any soul ballad that takes me back into the 50’s-60’s works for me.
– Of course, the horrible country song known as Body Like A Back Road by Sam Hunt (if you can even call it country, that is) sits in the Top 10 at #8. I find it mind-boggling that this is one of the biggest country songs in a long time. I still don’t get the appeal, because Body Like A Back Road is a full-on embarrassment to the country genre. Many in the YouTube circles, as well as the blogging community, panned this song because it is insulting on so many different levels. If we get more country music in 2018, I’m certain it’ll be much, MUCH better than this New-York-Giants sized trash.
– As I said before, we have Closer being here as a repeat at #7. One would be surprised that this is so high on this list. But for me it’s not, because it spent a very long time in the Top 10 (32 Weeks to be exact). Thus, it ties the record of weeks spent in the Top 10 with How Do I Live by LeAnn Rimes, which also accomplished this feat back in 1997. This was a historic run for a song that basically got The Chainsmokers, as well as Halsey, on the map.
– On the note of other historic runs, we have Despacito sitting at #2. This one spent 16 Weeks at #1, tying the record of One Sweet Day back in 1995. Many feared that it would potentially break the record, but thanks to Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift being released around that time, that wasn’t the case. Despite all of its success (mostly due to the Justin Bieber remix), I was a little surprised that this wasn’t #1 on many lists. Still, I’m happy that we managed to get a Latin crossover hit in the U.S.
– And of course, Shape Of You is #1. With how much Ed Sheeran has dominated 2017, it was not surprising to see it at the top spot. But I definitely have no problem with it, because I enjoyed the song from start to finish. I am happy for Ed Sheeran as an artist. Overall, he had a great year and let’s hope his success continues going forward.
Top 100 Breakdown:
0 – Garbage:
100. Body Like A Back Road by Sam Hunt
99. Look At Me by XXXTentacion!
98. Mi Gente by J. Balvin featuring Willy William and Beyoncé
97. Bad And Boujee by Migos featuring Lil’ Uzi Vert
96. XO TOUR Llif3 by Lil’ Uzi Vert
95. Swang by Rae Sremmurd
94. Juju On That Beat (TZ Anthem) by Zay Hilfigerrr featuring Zayion McCall
93. Tunnel Vision by Kodak Black
92. Broccoli by D.R.A.M. featuring Lil’ Yachty
91. Mask Off by Future
90. Magnolia by Playboi Carti
89. Don’t Wanna Know by Maroon 5 featuring Kendrick Lamar
88. Do Re Mi by Blackbear
87. Fake Love by Drake
86. T-Shirt by Migos
85. Congratulations by Post Malone featuring Quavo
84. Bank Account by 21 Savage
83. Rake It Up by Yo Gotti featuring Nicki Minaj
82. Caroline by Aminé
81. Everyday We Lit by YFN Lucci featuring PnB Rock
80. I Get The Bag by Gucci Mane featuring Migos
79. Rolex by Ayo & Teo
78. Slippery by Migos featuring Gucci Mane
77. Both by Gucci Mane featuring Drake
76. Rockstar by Post Malone featuring 21 Savage
75. Bodak Yellow (Money Moves) by Cardi B.
74. Bad Things by Machine Gun Kelly featuring Camila Cabello
73. Cold by Maroon 5 featuring Future
72. Down by Marian Hill
1 – Bad:
71. Strip That Down by Liam Payne featuring Quavo
70. Location by Khalid
69. Treat You Better by Shawn Mendes
68. Starving by Hailee Steinfeld & Grey featuring Zedd
67. What Ifs by Kane Brown featuring Lauren Alaina
2 – Mediocre:
66. Bounce Back by Big Sean
65. Hurricane by Luke Combs
64. Drowning by A Boogie Wit da Hoodie featuring Kodak Black
63. Goosebumps by Travis Scott featuring Kendrick Lamar
62. Young, Dumb, and Broke by Khalid
61. Small Town Boy by Dustin Lynch
60. iSpy by KYLE featuring Lil’ Yachty
59. Issues by Julia Michaels
58. Love On The Brain by Rihanna
57. Now Or Never by Halsey
3 – Decent:
56. In Case You Didn’t Know by Brett Young
55. Love Galore by SZA featuring Travis Scott
54. I’m The One by DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Quavo, Chance The Rapper, and Lil’ Wayne
53. Say You Won’t Let Go by James Arthur
52. Malibu by Miley Cyrus
4 – Good:
51. Black Beatles by Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane
50. The Fighter by Keith Urban featuring Carrie Underwood
49. Slow Hands by Niall Horan
48. No Promises by Cheat Codes featuring Demi Lovato
47. Believer by Imagine Dragons
46. Too Good At Goodbyes by Sam Smith
45. Attention by Charlie Puth
44. I Don’t Wanna Live Forever by ZAYN featuring Taylor Swift
43. Sorry Not Sorry by Demi Lovato
5 – Great:
42. What Lovers Do by Maroon 5 featuring SZA
41. Stay by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara
40. Redbone by Childish Gambino
39. Thunder by Imagine Dragons
38. Swalla by Jason Derulo featuring Nicki Minaj and Ty Dolla $ign
37. Let Me Love You by DJ Snake featuring Justin Bieber
36. Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man
35. Havana by Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug
34. What About Us by P!NK
33. LOYALTY. by Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna
32. DNA. by Kendrick Lamar
31. Passionfruit by Drake
30. Slide by Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos
29. Can’t Stop The Feeling by Justin Timberlake
28. Side To Side by Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj
27. Feels by Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean
26. Wild Thoughts by DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller
25. Paris by The Chainsmokers
24. Starboy by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk
23. Unforgettable by French Montana featuring Swae Lee
22. Water Under The Bridge by Adele
21. All Time Low by Jon Bellion
20. Mercy by Shawn Mendes
19. Despacito by Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee featuring Justin Bieber
18. 1-800-273-8255 by Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid
17. Look What You Made Me Do by Taylor Swift
16. Shape Of You by Ed Sheeran
15. Rockabye by Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie
14. Scars To Your Beautiful by Alessia Cara
13. Heathens by TWENTY ØNE PILØTS
12. Closer by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey
11. 24K Magic by Bruno Mars
10. HUMBLE. by Kendrick Lamar
9. Castle On The Hill by Ed Sheeran
8. I Feel It Coming by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk
7. That’s What I Like by Bruno Mars
6. Sign Of The Times by Harry Styles
5. Something Just Like This by The Chainsmokers featuring Coldplay
4. There’s Nothing Holdin’ Me Back by Shawn Mendes
3. It Ain’t Me by Kygo featuring Selena Gomez
2. Chained To The Rhythm by Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley
1. Praying by Kesha
Final Score: 286/500
So, overall, I guess you can say it was a little above average. While I do think 2017 wasn’t necessarily the best year overall, it was certainly an improvement over 2016. Still, I’m hoping 2018 will be a better year for music.
Whew! And that does it for my Billboard Year-End Hot 100 Review for 2017! I hope you guys enjoyed reading! I would like to thank you all for taking the time to read my posts. It has been an honor sharing my journey with you guys and I look forward to more! This music reviewing stuff has been fun to talk about. Again, thank you all for reading and I hope your day gets better!
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