With forty songs already covered, let’s get into the top sixty, with numbers 60 through to 41.
60. Bellowhead – ‘Roll The Woodpile Down’ (Released: February, didn’t chart)
Around for the best part of a decade, this second single from their ‘Broadside’ album grabbed my attention with its catchy folk-indie-pop vibe that fitted neatly onto the radio whilst also offering something a little bit different. Their follow-up Christmas song was equally fun.
Watch the video
59. Ke$ha – ‘C’Mon’ (Released: January, No. 70)
After 2012’s brilliant ‘Die Young’, Ke$ha’s early 2013 follow-up didn’t quite have the same spark but retained her infectious pop vibe for this song.
Watch the video
58. Bebe Black – ‘Deathwish’ (Released: January, didn’t chart)
The sultry, powerful, evocative vocals of Bebe Black hooked me into this track, with a mature sound contradicting her young age. Sounding older than it actually is, a strong early track from 2013.
Watch the video
57. Capital Cities – ‘Safe And Sound’ (Released April: No. 42)
Taking two years to reach these shores, ‘Safe and Sound’ felt like an instant memorable and recognisable hit with the central brass riff holding the piece together, the pop-electronic vibe winning the music audience over.
Watch the video
56. Mk1 – ‘Let Go’ (Released: August, didn’t chart)
Contestants on The X Factor, MK1’s debut ‘Let Go’ was a mid-tempo RnB number that managed to sound familiar to similar sounds but also chart its own direction as well.
Watch the video
55. Bon Jovi – ‘Because We Can’ (Released: February, No. 38)
Not really having the exposure you’d expect from a new song by such an established band, ‘Because We Can’ sounded pretty fresh for a new song by an old band, continuing their chantable stadium rock sound.
Watch the video
54. Agnetha Fältskog – ‘When You Really Loved Someone’ (Released: March, No. 115)
The former Abba singer came back with this first cut from her fifth studio album and took the radio airwaves by storm thanks to this powerful but catchy number. Disappointingly not getting very high in the charts, this brilliant comeback track deserved better.
Watch the video
53. Backstreet Boys – ‘In a World Like This’ (Released: June, No. 155)
Not really setting the world alight on this side of the Atlantic, this comeback track for the Backstreet Boys showed their new found maturity and it shows, with a ballad that could have easily fitted in with their golden period.
Watch the video
52. Katy Perry – ‘Roar’ (Released: August, No. 1)
With her pop credentials never under doubt, ‘Roar’ cemented them in, as it was as catchy a pop song as she’d ever done. Taking the lyrical vibe of ‘Firework’ but giving it more punch, it easily got to number one.
Watch the video
51. Icona Pop feat. Charli XCX – ‘I Love It’ (Released: June, No. 1)
Taking plenty of time to get enough exposure in the UK to hit the top spot, this simple but addictive chanting pop song felt like the cheesy, catchy pop song of the summer thanks to its punky, attitude-filled vocals and simple lyrical structure.
Watch the video
50. Passenger – ‘Let Her Go’ (Released: February, No. 2)
Up there with Tom Odell’s song in the heart-wreching stakes, this touching ballad was one of the biggest songs of early 2013 and still has the emotional power almost a year on.
Watch the video
49. Alison Moyet – ‘When I Was Your Girl’ (Released: April, No. 104)
With ‘Love Reign Supreme’ also in my top 300 this comeback song was the best of the two, both poppy as well as emotional, with a building structure that showcases Moyet’s powerful and enduring vocals.
Watch the video
48. Hurts – ‘Miracle’ (Released: January, No. 120)
This first cut from their second album heralded a change in sound, ‘Miracle’ being a much more umtempo and perkier feel than their downbeat first album singles. And it was great, and deserved more success.
Watch the video
47. Daytona Lights – ‘Midnight Beach’ (Released: March, didn’t chart)
The previous Hollyoaks band, ‘Midnight Beach’ began with a powerful sparky start and continued that feeling, forming a strong catchy upbeat number that sticks in your head.
Watch the video
46. Matt Cardle – ‘When You Were My Girl’ (Released: October, didn’t chart)
With shades of Robbie Williams’ ‘Radio’ this most recent single from Cardle continued to show him as a much more interesting artist away from the glare of the X Factor. ‘When You Were My Girl’ was not as involving as his Melanie C collaboration but was a great pop song, underrated.
Watch the video
45. Izzy Marie Hill – ‘Chuck Norris’ (Released: January, didn’t chart)
‘Chuck Norris’, Hill’s breakthrough his, was as perky and chirpy as anything Eliza Doolittle has done, and the sunny internet meme-mentioning pop ballad was an early piece of sunshine in 2013.
Watch the video
44. Demi Lovato – ‘Heart Attack’ (Released: February, No. 3)
Though her take on ‘Skyscraper’, adapted by this year’s X Factor winner, wasn’t her best moment, the powerful ‘Heart Attack’ with its kick-started intro was a winner in 2013.
Watch the video
43. Fall Out Boy – ‘My Songs Know What You Did In The Dark (Light ‘Em Up)’ (Released: February, No. 5)
Though this comeback single wasn’t as well received critically as I think they hoped, this is definitely one of their best singles and displayed a catchiness and eye for a tune as good as their golden period.
Watch the video
42. Franz Ferdinand – ‘Love Illumination’ (Released: August, didn’t chart)
Though ‘Right Action’ and hallowe’en single ‘Evil Eye’ also appeared in my top 300, it’s this song that grabbed my attention the most, taken from their eagerly awaited and much delayed fourth album. As good as ever, Franz Ferinand’s ear for a great indie tune was present in this number.
Watch the video
41. Pink feat. Nate Reuss – ‘Just Give Me A Reason’ (Released: February, No. 2)
With a very strong discography already, ‘Just Give Me A Reason’ was a brilliant duet tugging at the emotions and cementing itself as one of the strongest pop-rock-ballads of 2013.
Watch the video
So what do you think of my choices so far? Let me know with your comments below. Back soon with my next twenty choices!
