The number one song of 2024

This past year will surely be remembered for its music, as artists heralded the dawn of cultural phenomenons (or ‘Femininomenon[s]’, thanks to Chappell Roan) which gripped the world in a frenzy of musical obsession. So, which song is the best to emerge from this wonderfully creative year?

2024 has undoubtedly been a thrilling year for music, with breakout stars emerging across all genres. Whether it’s the pop-stardom of Sabrina Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet or Chappell Roan’s The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, hyper-pop perfection brought by Charli xcx’s brat, post-punk mastery courtesy of Fontaines D.C.’s Romance, innovative eclecticism thanks to Geordie Greep and English Teacher, or the return of goth icons The Cure in Songs of a Lost World, 2024 surely represents the very best that modern music has to offer us.

Deciding which song ought to be considered ‘the best’ is a hotly contested area, and is one of the most exciting periods in music journalism

Deciding which song ought to be considered ‘the best’ is a hotly contested area, and is one of the most exciting periods in music journalism. NME, The Guardian, Rolling Stone, Billboard, and other top magazines have recently been reminiscing about the year in music, and collecting their definitive list of the best songs released in 2024. Despite great variation between the various lists, proving the subjectivity of such an accolade as ‘the best song of 2024’, a few artists have made consistent appearances. Chappell Roan, Kendrick Lamar, Sabrina Carpenter, Fontaines D.C., Beyoncé, Charli xcx, Ariana Grande, and Clairo are commonly regarded as the most successful and inspiring talents to create music over the past year.

The commercial popularity of music and its relationship with social media is a hotly debated topic, and for many independent and often youthful artists, it is a barrier to their success

However, beyond this select list, largely determined by the number of streams, a vibrant and diverse array of musical mastery shone through this year. From The Last Dinner Party to Declan McKenna, 2024 witnessed the release of many highly-anticipated albums, and many new artists burst onto the stage with thrilling debuts. However, the majority of the mainstream rankings obscure artists who did not achieve the global success of their pop star counterparts. The commercial popularity of music and its relationship with social media is a hotly debated topic, and for many independent and often youthful artists, it is a barrier to their success. Considering this industry-wide controversy, it is very hard to accurately determine which song ought to be considered the best released this year, as streaming figures are just one indicator of achievement.

Given the vast quantity of music released over the past twelve months, it is challenging to determine just one which ought to be considered the best. The fundamental characteristics of any good song are catchiness, timelessness, inventiveness, and originality. To be considered the best song, however, it must excel in each of these departments, and ideally somehow convey a sense of place in the year, alongside its timeless relevance and appeal.

So, which songs ought to be celebrated for their tremendous musical achievement, and deserve to be remembered for years to come, when reminiscing about this tumultuous year?

8. ‘Nothing Works’ – Declan McKenna
Popularly-crowned ‘king of indie pop’, largely thanks to his infamous hit ‘Brazil’, Declan McKenna forged fresh musical ground with his thrilling 2024 album, What Happened to the Beach?. ‘Nothing Works’ is McKenna at his very best: its catchy lyrics, energetic beats, and playful melodies shine blindingly bright. He is ruthlessly experimental while grounding himself in an illustrious indie rock heritage. This track is a testament to the phenomenal capabilities of this still-youthful indie powerhouse.

7. ‘Midas’ – Wunderhorse
Wunderhorse is increasingly being hailed as the next big thing in modern rock, thanks to the breakout success of their new album, Midas. The title track is modern rock at its finest, excelling with gritty, explosive melodies, raw and penetrating vocals, and the perfect combination of fantastical and honest lyricism.

6. ‘We Make Hits’ – Yard Act
Yard Act are one of the most innovative alternative indie groups of recent years, and their 2024 album Where’s My Utopia confirmed their incomparable prowess and natural affinity for creating irresistibly danceable tunes, paired with meticulously crafted lyrics, exploring everything beautiful and ugly about modern life. ‘We Make Hits’ is the lead track of the album, with a refreshingly honest exploration into the life of an indie band. Alongside the lyrical triumphs is a delightful fusion of punk, rock, indie, and dance rhythms, resulting in a perfectly balanced and truly unique creation.

5. ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’ – Billie Eilish
One of the standout tracks from Eilish’s third album, HIT ME HARD AND SOFT, ‘BIRDS OF A FEATHER’ has quickly become one of her most beloved creations. Its gentle harmonies coupled with sensitive romantic allure means this track represents a deeply exciting new side to Eilish, diversifying her already-illustrious musical talents.

4. ‘Caesar on a TV Screen’ – The Last Dinner Party
Famed for their eclectic Romanticism and classic rock inspirations, The Last Dinner Party were rewarded with groundbreaking success and critical adoration from the very beginning of the year. ‘Caesar on a TV Screen’ encapsulates the very best of this band, masterfully combining incisive and thoughtful personal politics with ethereal vocals and thrilling hard-rock undertones. This song, pulled between various historical anachronisms, achieves a timelessness only accomplished by the very finest acts.

3. ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ – Chappell Roan

Topping NME, The Guardian, and Rolling Stone’s respective charts, ‘Good Luck, Babe!’ is an undeniably brilliant song. Roan’s extreme vocal proficiency and natural flair combined with the rawness of her own experiences of queerness into a complex emotional hit. Immensely singalong-able, this song has the aura of a future classic, cementing Roan’s position as a pop icon.

2. ‘This Could be Texas’ – English Teacher
Mercury prize winners English Teacher have experienced their finest year to date, revelling in the breakthrough success of their debut album This Could be Texas. Whether it’s their witty and penetrative lyricism, exquisite vocal performance, or fresh and exciting post-punk musical arrangements, English Teacher are one of the biggest stars of this year, and the title track of their album represents the best they have to offer.

1.‘Favourite’ – Fontaines D.C.

Popularly hailed ‘the song of the summer’, ‘Favourite’ is a powerful love song to youthful freedom and expression, navigated between the challenges and traumas. It is deeply personal to Grian Chatten and the band, yet remains profoundly resonant to any listener. Its addictive nostalgia, flavoured with a juxtaposing melancholy and passion, is indicative of Fontaines D.C.’s raw emotional lyricism, and, when paired with a timelessly irresistible musical arrangement, creates an everlasting classic. Fontaines, you will be our “Favourite for a long time”.