With the majority of my countdown already covered, let’s get a bit nearer to my top twenty with numbers #40 through to #21.
40. Clean Bandit – ‘Mozart’s House’ (Released: March, No. 17)
Possibly one of the least accessible tracks of the year, Clean Bandit’s ‘Mozart’s House’ was, however, an eye opener, mixing in electronic and classical music into an addictive package. A song that won’t be for everyone, I loved the eccentricity and originality. Follow-up ‘Dust Clears’ also appeared in my final 300.
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39. The Courteeners – ‘Van Der Graaff’ (Released: May, didn’t chart)
Though ‘You Overdid It Doll’ remains their most distinctive hit, this second of three 2013 releases is up there with their best, mixing in Snow Patrol with The Smiths and creating a slow-paced touching chorus that hooks in.
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38. Mikill Pane – ‘Good Feeling’ (Released: March, No. 174)
Though ‘Chairman of the Bored’ didn’t live up to this strong first breakthrough track, though enough to be in my final 300, this story-led rap track boasted a catchy piano riff and a good ear for funny lyrics. Memorable from its kicking opener through to the end, I hope for big things for Pane in 2014.
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37. Bingo Players feat. Far East Movement – ‘Get Up (Rattle)’ (Released: January, No. 1)
Though it probably wouldn’t have got the traction it did without the hilarious duck-filled video as a dance number it got 2013 off to a good start with a strong riff and singable lyrics, with some chantable moments, wrapped up in a short song not afraid to do something well and then shut up.
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36. Lawson – ‘Juliet’ (Released: October, No. 3)
In a year that saw some brilliant single releases from Lawson (Breakthrough hit “Standing In The Dark”, “Learn To Love Again” and B.O.B. featuring “Brokenhearted” were all in my top 300) this was their best. Police-inspired this is a singable, hook-filled number that sounded older than it actually is.
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35. The Feeling – ‘Blue Murder’ (Released: October as part of album)
With single release ‘Rescue’ appearing in my top 300 it was this opening song from their ‘Boy Cried Wolf’ that lands in my final top 100. Sounding like classic ‘The Feeling’ it’s immediately accessible and singable, with a catchy pop chorus and a stadium-friendly closing verse. A very strong album too, with ‘You’ll See’ also of note.
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34. The Hoosiers – ‘Somewhere In The Distance’ (Released: September, didn’t chart)
From their fourth album out next spring this welcome return from ‘The Hoosiers’ was a slight change in sound as their slowest and less crazy single ever. Their ear for a great pop tune remains though with the production and lyrics building up to a memorable return.
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33. Agnetha Fältskog – ‘Dance Your Pain Away’ (Released: July, didn’t chart)
With her preceding single already having appeared in my countdown, this is follow-up was even better, the uptempo disco-stylings suiting her voice much more. It’s a shame that this danceable, singable number didn’t do more in the charts.
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32. Emma Stevens – ‘Riptide’ (Released: October, didn’t chart)
From her ‘Sunflower’ EP and ‘Enchanted’ album this perky summer track got an autumn release and brought a bit of sunshine to late 2013. If there’s a happier, more perky number from the year then I don’t know what it is.
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31. Krista Siegfrids – ‘Marry Me’ (Released: January, No. 102)
It’s always a worry that my top 100 list loses credibility with a Eurovision number so high up but this Finnish entry is everything that a pop tune should be: happy, catchy, a little cheesy and singable, and it ticks all the boxes. Yes, it’s as cheesy as anything but boy is it a great pop number. Try and get this out of your head!
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30. Bruno Mars – ‘Treasure’ (Released: May, No. 12)
After the brilliant ‘Locked Out of Heaven’ in 2012, this eventual release was even better and arguably Mars’ best single yet. With the retro stylings of the song (and, of course, the video) sounding like the best song the Jacksons never released, this is a great old-sounding hit.
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29. Lissie – ‘Further Away’ (Romance Police) (Released: August, didn’t chart)
Another criminally underheard track, this precursor to ‘Sleepwalking’ (in my top 300) was easily one of the best songs of the year, with Lissie’s vocals and strong songwriting skills creating a well-produced Fleetwood-Mac-esque number that easily sticks in your head.
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28. Barenaked Ladies – ‘Boomerang’ (Bob Clearmountain Mix) (Released: March, didn’t chart)
Far better than the drum-heavy more clubby version also released, this uptempo ballad was beautifully written and performed and though the boomerang metaphor has been overused in songs this is probably the best way it has been done. Great song.
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27. Eliza Doolittle – ‘Let It Rain’ (Released: October, No. 55)
A second great single from Doolittle released in 2013, ‘Let It Rain’ grabs you from its quick, hooking start to the singable chorus that follows. It should have charted higher, and showed that Doolittle could tackle powerful numbers as well as low-key quirky numbers.
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26. John Newman – ‘Love Me Again’ (Released: May, No. 1)
With ‘Losing Sleep’ also in my top 300, it was this breakthrough number that grabbed me, and the listening public, this year, with his distinctive vocals winning people over. With its elements of ‘Pet Shop Boys’ and ‘Stingray’ in its production, this is an immediately singable number.
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25. Mutya Keisha Siobhan – ‘Flatline’ (Released: September, No. 50)
The original Sugababes came back with this new number, twelve years after they last performed as a threesome. Sadly not doing massively well in the charts, this was an excellent return from the girl band, both distinctively produced and well song, with an enjoyable building conclusion. As good as any Sugababes ballad.
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24. Paramore – ‘Still Into You’ (Released: March, No. 15)
After the disappointing comeback track of ‘Now’, ‘Still Into You’, with its touching, loving lyrics and singable, powerful soft-rock chorus, was worth waiting for. One of their best tracks and a very touching, loveable listen.
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23. One Republic – ‘Counting Stars’ (Released: June, No. 1)
The Ryan Tedder-led band came back in 2013 with this popular soft-rock number that drives forward and feels like one of their best ever songs, and it proved thus with the music buying public.
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22. Swiss Lips – ‘Carolyn’ (Released: August, didn’t chart)
Their third major release, this 80s-inspired number balances pop and rock successfully to create a karaoke-friendly number that should have done more than it did.
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21. Mint Royale – ‘GTFU’ (Released: May, didn’t chart)
Most famous for their 2005 chart topping re-release and re-imagining of ‘Singin’ In The Rain’ their 2013 original release ‘GTFU’ was even better with its electronic, building riff really setting the mood. It’s a mystery why it didn’t do more in the charts.
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So what do you think of my choices so far? Let me know with your comments below. Back soon with my final twenty choices!
