Top 100 Songs of 2023

Ashley Singh

Kicking things off is a #HITSOFTOMORROW alum Ashley Singh with “Duvet Cover”. The Stratford singer-songwriter has been making dents over

ROZES

“Used To Love You” is all about growing pains. I wrote it about becoming an adult and realizing that not

Hayden James, Bob Moses

So my love for Bob Moses is pretty well-documented (they’ve been featured on multiple years of my year end list).

Paul Russell

Fun fact, the #1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 the week I was born was “Best Of My Love”

Brittany Howard

Brittany Howard can do no wrong and she proves that yet again with “What Now”. The Alabama Shakes lead singer

Rhea Raj

“I wrote “Oops! Ur Single Now” in a session just a few hours before breaking up with my ex, and

Icona Pop, Yaeger

Icona Pop returned this year with another instant classic, this time working alongside a Hits Of Tomorrow fave, Yaeger. “Shit

Myles Smith

British singer/songwriter Myles Smith’s “Solo” is a smash from every side – from the production to the lyrics to the

Jelly Roll

Jelly Roll has had an incredible year that is getting topped off with critical acclaim and a Grammy nomination for

Kenya Grace

I love when a deserved track goes viral and such was the case this fall with Kenya Grace’s “Strangers” which

Dominic Fike

As expected, the “Spider-Man: Across The Spider-Verse” became a huge hit at the box office over the summer. While the

Tensnake, DRAMA

Consistency is not usually a word I associate with DJ/producers but Tensnake has been a master class in giving super-catchy

Carly Rae Jepsen

Speaking of just can’t get enough, what is it about Carly Rae Jepsen that even when she releases her B-sides,

Tyla

Another viral Tik Tok hit that deserved the attention. Tyla’s “Water” is smooth, sexy and most importantly damn catchy. That

Emotional Oranges, ZHU

“I’ve been a huge fan of Emotional Oranges and likewise of ZHU. Did I ever think the two acts would

Tove Lo

Tove Lo is a regular in my yearly Top 100 as it’s really difficult for her to do wrong. After

Tyler James Bellinger

When Tyler James Bellinger dropped his EP “Perfect Stranger” earlier this year, there was no doubt in my mind that

Carly Pearce, Chris Stapleton

Just about anyone dueting with Chris Stapleton is in for an elevated surprise. This year, Carly Pearce benefited from his

Rita Ora, Fatboy Slim

She was gone for a minute but Rita Ora came back this year with a string of radio-ready, Top 40

Chris Brown, Fridayy

Easily the highlight of his “11:11” LP, Chris Brown comes together with Fridayy for “No One Else”, one of the

ODESZA, Yellow House, Preston.

ODESZA seems to be doing no wrong lately and this somewhat of a surprise EP “Flaws In Our Design” as

PinkPantheress, Ice Spice

Another viral TikTok hit that deservedly became a major crossover smash – PinkPantheress got the right partner here with Ice

Jung Kook, Latto

Recently featured here as on the 10 Most Daring Singles Of 2023 (https://rollingstoneindia.com/10-most-daring-singles-of-2023/) – I’ll say it again, It takes

Emeli Sande

Emeli Sande seemed to return to form this year and “All This Love” was everything we remembered and loved about

Alok, Ava Max

I’ve accepted that the current trend of dance classics getting resurrected is not coming to an end until there seemingly

aespa

aespa’s “Better Things” is their best track to date! The girl group have been jumping from one strength to another

Black Pumas

“It’s been more than a minute since Black Pumas released their Grammy-winning self-titled debut album. Finally ready for round 2

Cannons

“You know the saying that if it ain’t broke, don’t try to fix it? Well, Cannons seem to be on

Switch Disco, Ella Henderson, Robert Miles

Mashup DJ Duo Switch Disco struck gold this year teaming up with the always reliable Ella Henderson for the single

LE SSERAFIM, Nile Rodgers

Already featured as one of the Weirdest Collabs of 2023 (https://rollingstoneindia.com/10-weirdest-favorite-collabs-of-2023-jungkook-weeknd-shawn-mendes/) – the legendary Nile Rodgers finally found his place

ASHWARYA

“Up In My Head” does just that, gets stuck in your head! “I had attended an Indian wedding not long

Rudimental, Charlotte Plank, Vibe Chemistry

Oh my! When I first praised “Dancing Is Healing” in my HOT by Rudimental, Charlotte Plank and Vibe Chemistry, I

Arlo Parks, Phoebe Bridgers

Arlo Parks gave us another wonderful album with “Soft Machine” this year and the highlight of the LP had to

Sufjan Stevens

What is it about Sufjan Stevens wanting unconditional love that struck such a chord? When Stevens previewed “Will Anybody Ever

Loreen

Just spotlighted as one of the 10 Best Comeback Singles of 2023 (https://rollingstoneindia.com/top-10-comeback-singles-2023/) , “Tattoo” by Loreen proved second time’s

Wesley Joseph, DEAN

Another HOT alum, “Sugar Dive” was just so fucking cool. Wesley Joseph’s entire “Glow” LP was actually just as fantastic.

Rauw Alejandro, Bizarrap

“BABY HELLO” brings Rauw Alejandro and Bizarrap together after the latter’s mega success with his collab with Shakira (you’ll see

Troye Sivan

“Rush” was a smash straight out of the floodgates. Sivan has had some successes at Top 40 to varying levels

The Kid LAROI, Jung Kook, Central Cee

Not since Justin Bieber’s “Peaches” has there been a Top 40 collab between three male artists that felt as spot-on

Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo is many things but playing it safe is not in her DNA. “get him back!” is classic 90’s

TOMORROW X TOGETHER, Anitta

TOMORROW X TOGETHER gave us perhaps their most Top 40-ready single with “Back For More” featuring Anitta. The odd pairing

Madison McFerrin, Bobby McFerrin

A slow-burn soulful song about running away from enslavement is not necessarily what we expect to hear in 2023. But

Leigh-Anne, Ayra Starr

Little Mix’s Leigh-Anne succeeded at going solo this year. “My Love”, her collab with Nigeria’s Ayra Starr proved to be

Sabrina Carpenter

I don’t care what anyone says. The minute I heard “Feather” by Sabrina Carpenter, I immediately thought about Paula Cole’s

TSHA, Ellie Goulding, Gregory Porter

“Rising electronic artist TSHA teams up with Ellie Goulding and Gregory Porter for an eclectic electro pop/soul single “Somebody” that

Sophie Ellis-Bextor

The amazing thing about Sophie Ellis-Bextor has been her ability to so seamlessly move from a club banger to an

Quevedo

Spanish rapper and singer Quevedo has been running on a high since his 2022 #1 smash with Bizarrap. “Columbia” proved

Kesha

The best single from “Gag Order”, Kesha’s latest LP had to be “Only Love Can Save Us Now”. It was

Peso Pluma, Gabito Ballesteros, Junior H

While Lady Gaga herself doesn’t make an appearance this year on the chart, her name proved to be a winning

Tate McRae

Tate McRae did something this year that just a few years ago would have felt so ordinary. She unabashedly brought

Joyner Lucas

“Already a two-time Grammy nominee and with a legion of fans and followers, Joyner Lucas has quickly become one of

Jon Batiste

Critical darling and uber-talented Jon Batiste gave us something special with “Calling Your Name”. The song was a big step

Kali Uchis

Kali Uchis is one of those rare artists that somehow has created a whole style and niche for herself. “Moonlight”

KAMILLE

“She may not be a household name as an artist herself but Kamille has already been part of some of

Ty Dolla $ign

Ty Dolla $ign has always been open to experimentation and he’s never shied away from collabs with pop artists. So

Noah Kahan, Post Malone

Noah Kahan has had quite the year and it wrapped up with a Best New Artist Grammy nomination. One of

Noah Kahan has had quite the year and it wrapped up with a Best New Artist Grammy nomination. One of

Kylie Minogue

“Padam Padam” was so chock full of instantly memorable hooks, literally any female pop artist would have killed for the

Dave, Central Cee

Nobody expected this collab between last year’s “it” rapper Central Cee and Dave to become the massive global smash that

Sleepy Hallow, Doechii

“With his new album “Boy Meets World” out, Sleepy Hallow is proving that there isn’t just life in the New

Dua Lipa

Rapper Gunna was at his most emotionally raw and vulnerable state on his latest LP “A Gift & A Curse”,

Gunna

Rapper Gunna was at his most emotionally raw and vulnerable state on his latest LP “A Gift & A Curse”,

Mae Stephens

Speaking of catchy, one of the most the most basic productions of the year also happened to result in one

Luke Combs

A straight country cover of Tracy Chapman’s far-too-often-covered classic “Fast Car” shouldn’t have worked but Luke Combs earnestness and wanting

Doja Cat

Doja Cat’s “Scarlet” LP proved to be another triumph after “Planet Her”. At the moment, nobody can compare to the

Fireboy DML

The more successful and international Afrobeats becomes, the more eclectic the style evolves into. At the top of his game

Foo Fighters

After the death of their drummer Taylor Hawkins, Foo Fighters came roaring back with the most appropriate tribute to their

Janelle Monae

“The Age Of Pleasure” album from Janelle Monae garnered a surprise Album Of The Year nod at the Grammys this

Gorillaz, Stevie Nicks

Gorillaz have made it a point to work with some iconic artists over the years but this one seemed even

6LACK

6LACK “Since I Have A Lover” LP was a mixed bag. After a five-year gap there was great expectations from

Robert Glasper, SiR, Alex Isley

I’ll be honest, I wasn’t really aware of the series “Run The World” let alone had I seen it. But

Thundercat, Tame Impala

“We’ve not heard anything new for a while now from Thundercat but that changed this week with the release of

The Weeknd, Playboi Carti, Madonna

The Weeknd collaborating with either Playboy Carti or Madonna makes perfect sense. Playboy Carti collaborating with The Weeknd or Madonna

boygenius

From the Traveling Wilburys to Pistol Annies, supergroups have a way of not always panning out beyond a couple of

Burna Boy

Burna Boy has been in the mainstream spotlight now for the past couple of years and that spark doesn’t seem

Jessie Ware

Much like Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Jessie Ware has the ability to transport us whereever she is sonically taking us. But “Hello

Tems

A lot has happened in the last couple of years for Tems. From scoring a massive global hit (and Grammy!)

Miley Cyrus

Arguably the biggest comeback of the year belonged to Miley Cyrus. “Flowers” came out of the gates a massive smash

Myke Towers

It isn’t easy to land a global #1 hit but Myke Towers managed to accomplish that feat this fall with

SZA, Doja Cat

While the original “Kill Bill” by SZA is lyrically brilliant, there was something about the addition of Doja Cat on

NxWorries (Anderson .Paak & Knxwledge)

“Daydreaming” was just that, dreamy. NxWorries – the collaboration project between Anderson .Paak and Knowledge didn’t disappoint. The single builds

Miranda Lambert, Leon Bridges

Two critically adored artists came together this year to give us one of the best duets of the year. Country

RAYE

“It’s been a long time since Top 40 had such a brutally confessional song like “Ice Cream Man” with a

Speakers Corner Quartet, Sampha

“Can We Do This?” by Speakers Corner Quartet featuring Sampha on vocals may possibly be the dopest track of the

Kelela

Winter just got a little steamier with Kelela’s latest single “Contact”, the fourth single she’s previewed from her upcoming “Raven”

Lana Del Rey

For those of you not familiar with Lana Del Rey and the impact she’s had spanning more than a decade

Libianca, Becky G

The U.S. version of “The Voice” has produced perhaps the least number of actual stars versus seasons compared to “American

Lil Durk, J. Cole

Kids singing the chorus to a hip-hop track is one of the surefire winning formulas for a crossover Top 40

Seeb, BANNERS, SUPER-HI

Sometimes when you see too many names together, you wonder if the collaboration will work. Thankfully, in the case of

Bizarrap, Shakira

Shakira came out guns blazing with the release of “Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53” with Bizarrap. The track gave

Olivia Rodrigo

“Driver’s License” this isn’t, but that doesn’t mean “Vampire” is any less of a powerful, incredible single. The track marked

Tainy, Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny kept churning out a great number of hits this year but none actually showcased the global icon on

Zach Bryan, Kacey Musgraves

Okay, keep in mind how high the track is before I begin what I have to say. Zach Bryan can’t

Billie Eilish

Confession. I have never really loved loved Billie Eilish the way most critics and of course her fans do. That’s

KAYTRAMINÉ, Pharrell Willams

When KAYTRANADA and Amine became KAYTRAMINE, I was beyond elated. Now throw in Pharrell Williams for that extra hit of

Tori Kelly

It was a joy to hear Tori Kelly return with “Missin U”, a breath of fresh pop air. Kelly’s collaboration

Purple Disco Machine, Duke Dumont, Nothing But Thieves

One of my #HITSOFTOMORROW favorite features makes a huge dent at the end of the year. “Three acts that I

Doja Cat

“Walk On By” has been covered so many times by so many artists over the decades, I actually think no

Kylie Minogue

I usually avoid featuring the same artist twice within the same calendar year on #HITSOFTOMORROW because I want to make

Victoria Monet

Victoria Monet has been slaying it for years and I’m thrilled the exceedingly talented singer and songwriter is getting her

Jessie Ware

Sensual, seductive and refreshingly simple seem to be the words that most often tag my favorite kind of Jessie Ware.