The 10 Best Songs of 2018

1. “Girls Like You,” Maroon 5

On the surface, Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You” is a simple, cute bop you can sway to and sing in the mirror. Then, Cardi B’s blistering verse happens and suddenly you’re crouched down rapping, “You don’t want a girl like me, I’m too crazy/But every other girl you meet is fugazi,” “okurrrt’s” and all.

2. “Boo’d Up,” Ella Mai

Have you ever had one of those pinch-me-I’m-dreaming love moments? Yeah, me neither. But Ella Mai’s “Boo’d Up,” the song you couldn’t escape this summer, perfectly captures what happens when you meet a guy who you fall head over heels for. “Feeling, like I’m touching the ceiling/ When I’m with you I can’t breathe/Boy you do something to me,” Ella sings. Makes you wanna get boo’d up, right?

3. “This Is America,” Childish Gambino

This year has been a never-ending emotional rollercoaster, to say the least, and Childish Gambino’s “This Is America” couldn’t have arrived at a better time. “This Is America” is Gambino’s four-minute reminder of what it means to be black in America. At one point in the accompanying visual, an unknown figure is killed, but that moment is quickly forgotten when a bunch of kids steal the spotlight by dancing. This specific moment represents how easy it is for the public to forget about the deaths of black people because something else always takes precedence.

4. “Chun-Li,” Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj returned to hip-hop this summer on a mission to reclaim her throne and her catchy single “Chun-Li” was just the ammo she needed. Featuring a flurry of slick bars and her animated flow, “Chun-Li” silenced the naysayers by sending out a few warnings. “They painted me out to be the bad guy/ When’s the last time you gonna see a bad guy do the rap game like me?”

5. “Never Be The Same,” Camila Cabello

If you’re a sucker for a good love song, Camila Cabello’s “Never Be The Same” should be added to your music library, stat! The song finds Camila reminiscing about a lover, as she describes what falling so deeply in love with someone feels like–and how she hasn’t been the same since.

6. “Nice,” The Carters

It’s The Carters’ world, and we’re just living in it. Over Pharrell’s bubbly, off-kilter beat, Jay-Z and Beyoncé take aim at their critics: “Patiently waiting for my demise / ‘Cause my success can’t be quantified / If I gave two fucks, two fucks about streaming numbers / Would have put Lemonade up on Spotify.” Boom.

7. “Lost In Japan,” Shawn Mendes

At first listen, Mendes’ “Lost In Japan” sounds like a sweet serenade for a special someone, with lyrics like, “I was hoping I could get lost in your paradise / The only thing I’m thinking ’bout is you and I / And I can’t get you off my mind.” But the song was actually inspired by Justin Timberlake and a weird dream about getting lost.

8. “Call Out My Name,” The Weeknd

The Weeknd’s surprise album My Dear Melancholy found the singer in a dark and emotional state. “Call Out My Name” seemed to point to his former relationship with Selena Gomez and sparked conversations about whether he almost donated one of his kidneys to save the singer. Whether that’s true or not, the moody track captured what it’s like to be totally lovelorn.

9. “No Tears Left To Cry,” Ariana Grande

Following the tragedy that struck her Manchester concert last year, Grande returned in April with comeback single “No Tears Left to Cry”—a shimmering, upbeat triumph that proves the singer is ready for a new stage in her life.

10. “What I Need,” Hayley Kiyoko

The video for “What I Need” begins with Kehlani arguing with a woman who doesn’t approve of Kehlani’s relationship with Hayley Kiyoko—”Lesbian Jesus” to her beloved fans. The duo escape on a road trip that’s as free as they want to feel. Kiyoko’s lyrics also speak of liberation and not wanting to hide her sexuality: “I only want a girl who ain’t afraid to love me / Not a metaphor of what we really could be / Oh, I ain’t putting on a show,” she sings.