Best Songs of 2013
6 min read
Some truly incredible albums have come out of 2013 so far and from them we have been gifted with some epic singles which have helped carve the years musical landscape.
RenownedForSound.com’s editor takes a look back over the year that was 2013, tipping his hat to the Top 20 singles that have formed the soundtrack to his year.
20. Morcheeba – Gimme Your Love
One of my favourite acts of the nineties, thanks to the distinctive vocals of front woman Skye Edwards, Morcheeba delivered a brand new album in the shape of Head Up High in October 2013, with this lead single paving the way for the bands return to music.
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19. Boyzone – Love Will Save The Day
Boyzone celebrated 20 years together with the release of a new album at the end of 2013, BZ20 which was front by this sentimental beauty. The track proved to be a hit for the Irish lads and ushered in the parent record with smiles all round.
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18. Daft Punk – Get Lucky
There probably won’t be a single ‘Best Tracks’ list that does not contain this number and justifiably so. Pharrell’s collaboration with the kings of dance music, Daft Punk injected one of the biggest selling singles into the year that was 2013.
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17. Lorde – Royals
As a kiwi, I was rather impressed and proud of Lorde’s quick rise and rule over the 2013 global music charts. There aren’t too many acts to come out of New Zealand with such force and win over such a level of worldwide acclaim and that is all thanks to this impressive hit.
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16. Miley Cyrus – Wrecking Ball
Following the enormous success of We Can’t Stop and an eyebrow-raising performance with Robin Thicke at the 2013 Video Music Awards in the U.S, Miley offered us Wrecking Ball, a poignant ballad with the former Disney star swinging naked on a wrecking ball in its video.
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15. Gabrielle – Say Goodbye
It was a while since we last heard anything from the Gabrielle camp but thankfully the UK singer put an end to the drought and returned with a 2-disc ‘hits’ collection, Now and Always: 20 Years of Dreaming, ripe and ready for the Christmas picking and fronted by this track, Say Goodbye.
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14. Texas – The Conversation
A fan of Scottish hit-makers Texas from a very early age, I was not disappointed with the bands brand new studio album led by the lead single and title track, The Conversation. It contains just the right amount of British pop influences and Americana to make this a catalogue staple.
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13. Justin Timberlake – Mirrors
Though Suit & Tie proved very successful for Mr Timberlake, it was Mirrors that got me on the bandwagon with the stars latest 20/20 Experience double album whammy. This is one of my all time favorite JT tracks.
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12. Mutya Keisha Siobhan – Flatline
Delighted at the announcement that the original Sugababes were reforming under the name of Mutya Keisha Siobhan, this excitements was met with the offering of the eloquent, RnB coated beauty of Flatline nearing the end of 2013. This one certainly go me salivating at the very idea of a studio album from the newly reunited trio.
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11. Katy Perry – R.O.A.R
I wasn’t really a fan of Katy Perry up till the point that this track emerged but I don’t think there is a soul on this planet who cannot admit to tapping their toes at this lyrically optimistic pop juggernaught.
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10. Alison Moyet – When I Was Your Girl
In 2013 Alison Moyet returned with easily one of the finest records of her career, the minutes. From that album came the lead single, When I Was Your Girl, a track with a nostalgic nod to her eighties hey-day hits and the memorability to make the single a modern classic.
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9. OneRepublic – Counting Stars
I found myself a fan of OneRepublic quite late in the game. I saw these guys perform live near the end of 2013 and this track really struck a chord and it seemed to do with same for the sold out crowd at the show I attended. It really is like an anthem with its powerful melody and front man Ryan Tedder’s driving vocals.
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8. Turin Brakes – Time and Money
These guys have always been a favorite of mine so I was delighted when the band announced the release of their latest record, We Were Here. Olly and Gale hit the nail right on the head with the albums lead single Time and Money which is pure Turin Brakes at their acoustic best.
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7. V V Brown – Samson
With a career dipped in pop, V V Brown made a very brave move in 2013, shifting from her mainstream pop roots into a much more darker, goth-like artist and the first single to introduce us to the new V V Brown was the surprising and inspiring, Samson.
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6. Olly Murs – Hand on Heart
Hand on Heart is the most recent single to find its way from the incredible Murs studio album, Right Place Right Time. Its gorgeously produced and spectacularly delivered by the pop prince. With so many hit singles to come from the record, this is without doubt the best.
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5. Charli XCX – You (Ha Ha Ha)
Edgy and eccentric, You (Ha Ha Ha) is the masterpiece of synth-pop sweetheart Charli XCX’s debut studio album, True Romance. Angst mixed with electro-pop bittersweetness is the order of the day on this gem.
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4. Lady Gaga – Applause
Applause if the lead single from Lady Gaga’s 4th studio album, Artpop. The song (and the accompanying video) is pure Gaga with its infectious pop hooks and sing-a-long chorus that is destined for the stadiums of the world.
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3. V V Brown – The Apple
Following on from the Samson, The Apple continues V V Browns darker reign over the pop world with a punchy track that further seperates her from her former pop princess material of the late noughties. The track is dotted with funky electro-pop and techno elements and is easily the singers finest single cut to date.
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2. Tina Arena – You Set Fire To My Life
Not since Australia vocal powerhouse Tina Arena’s phenomenal Don’t Ask debut have we been presented with a track that oozes such artistic brilliance. You Set Fire To My Life is one of the many radio-friendly hits featured on the singers late 2013 ‘comeback’ record Reset and places the stars vocal skills right under the spotlight where they deserve to be.
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1. Dido – End of Night
Dido released End of Night as the final single from her 2013 album Girl Who Got Away. The track is much more upbeat than any of the singles the singer has offered us over the past few years and carries a catchy, dance-influenced beat that is very quick to get stuck in your head.
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::: RenownedForSound.com’s Editor and Founder –
Interviewing and reviewing the best in new music and globally recognized artists is his passion.
Over the years he has been lucky enough to review thousands of music releases and concerts and interview artists ranging from top selling superstars like 27-time Grammy Award winner Alison Krauss, Boyz II Men, Roxette, Cyndi Lauper, Lisa Loeb and iconic Eagles front man/songwriter, Glenn Frey through to more recent successes including Newton Faulkner, Janelle Monae and Caro Emerald.
Brendon manages and coordinates the amazing team of writers on RenownedForSound.com who are based in the UK, the U.S and Australia.
