Have you been making music playlists and are looking for some great tunes from 2013 to add to your collection? Well, we’ve gathered the 31 best songs from 2013 that you may want to put on your list, so read below to know more!
1. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke Feat. Pharrell and T.I.
First up on the list is Robin Thicke with the highly popular song Blurred Lines, which comes from the album of the same name. This is both a pop and R&B track that made it to number one on the Mainstream Top 40, Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, and Rhythmic charts. While it was a commercial hit, critics did not like this song because they said it glorified rape culture.
2. Mirrors – Justin Timberlake
Justin Timberlake is on our list with his song Mirrors from The 20/20 Experience, and this track is eight minutes long with Timbaland behind the production of this R&B and soul ballad. The inspiration for this track comes from his grandparents’ marriage and also his relationship with actress Jessica Biel. In the music video, you see a couple that stays together throughout many decades. It hit number one on the Mainstream Top 40 and two on the Billboard Hot 100.
3. Gangnam Style – PSY
Gangnam Style needs no introduction and most people will remember this hit from South Korean singer and rapper PSY. This song became the first video on the Internet to ever reach a billion views, and it was known for its insanely catchy beat and PSY’s dance moves.
We learned that “Gangnam Style” is a term given to the rich lifestyle that those within the region of Gangnam in Seoul, South Korea live. It reached one on the Hot Rap Songs chart and two on the Billboard Hot 100 and helped influence culture throughout the world.
4. Roar – Katy Perry
Next on our list is pop star Katy Perry who had a hit with Roar from her album Prism, and this track is a pop power song that is an anthem of sorts. It’s all about standing up for yourself and feeling empowered so it was a massive hit and landed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, and several other charts.
5. Wrecking Ball – Miley Cyrus
Miley Cyrus makes the list with Wrecking Ball, which comes from Bangerz, her fourth album. This song is all about a relationship falling apart, and it’s a pop track with a catchy chorus and powerful vocals. It made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and Mainstream Top 40 chart. This song has been in movies such as The Night Before and Pitch Perfect.
6. When I Was Your Man – Bruno Mars
Next up is Bruno Mars with his song When I Was Your Man, which was released on his album Unorthodox Jukebox. This track is all about how he was worried about his girlfriend, Jessica Caban, breaking up with him. It reached number one on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Contemporary, and Adult Top 40 and was nominated for a Grammy Award.
7. Thrift Shop – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis Feat. Wanz
Macklemore & Ryan Lewis had a hit with Thrift Shop, which comes from the album The Heist by Macklemore. This song is all about saving money and enjoying thrift shop buys instead of spending a lot of money on more luxury items. It’s a funny track that was praised by the critics and it was an international success. It hit number one in multiple countries including the US, UK, Ireland, Canada, France, and Denmark, to name a few.
8. Harlem Shake – Baauer
![Baauer - Harlem Shake [Official Audio]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qV0LHCHf-pE/0.jpg)
Next on the list is Harlem Shake, which is by Wiz Baauer, and although this song and album were released in 2012, it wasn’t until 2013 when this track became a hit. A YouTube video that showed this quickly became a meme and that’s when it took off. It went to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Dance/Electronic Songs charts.
9. Radioactive – Imagine Dragons
Attention all True Blood fans, next are Imagine Dragons with Radioactive, which is a song from Continued Silence. This track mixed dubstep with alternative and electric rock, and it’s a very personal song for the band. Lyrically, the track is about the lead singer, Dan Reynolds, trying to not lose hope even though he stopped believing in Mormonism. It topped the Rock Airplay and Hot Rock & Alternative Songs charts while hitting three on the Billboard Hot 100.
10. I Knew You Were Trouble – Taylor Swift
Pop singer Taylor Swift is on the list with I Knew You Were Trouble, and this track is a very pop song that’s all about blaming yourself after going through a bad and toxic relationship. This was her transition track from country to pop, and it was released on the album Red. Becoming an international hit, it topped the Adult Top 40 and Mainstream Top 40 charts while landing at two on the Billboard Hot 100.
11. Ho Hey – The Lumineers
The Lumineers released Ho Hey from their debut album, and this is a folk track that hit one on the Billboard Rock Songs chart, Alternative Songs, and Adult Pop Songs chart. It hit number two on the Mainstream Top 40 while making it to three on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
12. Wagon Wheel – Darius Rucker
You may know Darius Rucker for being the lead singer of Hootie And The Blowfish, but he had a successful solo country career too. Wagon Wheel was a huge hit for him and a cover of a Bob Dylan song. It’s a track about hitchhiking through the eastern states in hopes that he will see his lover. It was this version that reached one on the Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts.
13. Just Give Me A Reason – P!nk
P!nk is on the list with Just Give Me A Reason, which comes from her album The Truth About Love. This song is all about trying to keep a relationship going even when you know it’s over, and it’s one of her best pop ballads to date. It was an international hit, placing number one in over 20 countries! In the US, it made it to one on the Billboard Hot 100, Adult Top 40, and Adult Contemporary charts.
14. 22 – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is once again on our list with her song 22, which was also from her album Red, and this was the fourth single to be released from this album. It’s a song celebrating being 22 years old and how carefree of a time it was, although she acknowledges some heartbreak along the way.
It is a catchy track that made it to nine on the Adult Top 40 and 20 on the Billboard Hot 100. If you’re older, you will hear this song and look back at all of the memories from when you were younger and lived that carefree happy life before you really had to become an adult.
15. Royals – Lorde
Up next is Royals by Lorde, which was her debut song from The Love Club EP. It’s all about how she disapproved of the musicians who live such a lavish lifestyle, which they show off in music videos, and that they are similar to royalty. This is a very pop song with a catchy chorus, and it made it to number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Adult Top 40 charts. It has been in Hustlers, The Vampire Diaries, and movies like The Other Woman.
16. Counting Stars – OneRepublic
Pop rock group OneRepublic had a hit with Counting Stars, which comes from their album Native, and this song is one of their most popular and successful tracks to date. In the UK, it sold more than one million copies and also topped the charts in more than 20 countries! It landed at number one on the Adult Top 40 and Adult Contemporary charts, while peaking at two on the Billboard Hot 100.
17. Sail – AWOLNATION
Next on our list is AWOLNATION with their popular song Sail, which has become their most successful track to this point. Even though it was released on their debut album in 2011, spending more than 20 weeks on the charts, it came back in late 2012 and into 2013 to hit the charts once again. It peaked at number one over a year after it first landed on the charts and has over 700 million Spotify streams!
18. Diamonds – Rihanna
Rihanna has had multiple hits through the years, but in 2013, you couldn’t go anywhere without hearing her song Diamonds. This track was from her album Unapologetic, and it is an R&B ballad that is upbeat and positive since it compares two people in love to diamonds that are in the sky. It peaked at number one on the Billboard Hot 100.
19. Suit & Tie – Justin Timberlake Feat. Jay-Z
Justin Timberlake and Jay-Z are next with their collaborative hit Suit & Tie, which comes from his album The 20/20 Experience. This song was produced by Timbaland and made it to three on the Billboard Hot 100, and this is thought to be his music comeback song after taking six years off to pursue other career opportunities.
20. The Way – Ariana Grande Feat. Mac Miller
Ariana Grande had a hit with The Way, which featured Mac Miller, and this song was from her debut album Yours Truly. It was both of their first times making it into the top 10 on the charts and landed at number nine on the Billboard Hot 100. The RIAA later would certify it triple platinum.
21. Applause – Lady Gaga
Next is pop star Lady Gaga with Applause, which comes from her album Artpop. This song is based on how the cheering fans helped keep her going when she was touring while in pain. This dance-pop track is catchy and often thought to be similar to the music found on her debut album. It landed at one on the Dance Club Songs chart and four on the Billboard Hot 100.
22. Wake Me Up – Avicii
Avicii is on the list with Wake Me Up, which was the first single from his debut album True. This is thought to be one of his best songs, and it’s thought of as one of the best dance tracks of that decade. It is the song that made the Swedish record producer and DJ a household name, and because of it, he achieved both commercial and critical success.
23. Scream & Shout – will.i.am Feat. Britney Spears
Rapper will.i.am is up next with Scream & Shout, which features Britney Spears, and this track is all about spending the night out and having a great time. It is one of those pop dance songs that get you moving, and the two of them together is why this track landed at number one on the Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart and hit three on the Billboard Hot 100.
24. Come & Get It – Selena Gomez
Up next is pop star Selena Gomez with Come & Get It, which comes from her debut album Stars Dance. This track went to number one on the Dance Club Songs chart and hit number six on the Billboard Hot 100. This was her first track without her band, and it’s different stylistically, being more dance and electropop.
25. Safe and Sound – Capital Cities
Capital Cities makes the list with Safe And Sound, which comes from their debut album In A Tidal Wave Of Mystery. This song was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Music Video, and it was their breakthrough hit, placing two on the Adult Top 40 and eight on the Billboard Hot 100. It is featured in movies and television shows such as Love Is Blind, The Challenge, and The Fosters.
26. I Cry – Flo Rida
![Flo Rida - I Cry [Official Video]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/OLuWHr6-0YQ/0.jpg)
Flo Rida is on the list with I Cry, which comes from Wild Ones, and it’s one of his most well-known songs to date. This track made it to six on the Billboard Hot 100 and seven on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay charts. It made it into the Top 10 in many countries, becoming an international success, including in Norway, Germany, France, and Denmark.
27. Locked Out Of Heaven – Bruno Mars
Bruno Mars makes the list with Locked Out Of Heaven, which comes from his debut album Unorthodox Jukebox. This song is both pop rock and reggae rock, and it’s about the positive feelings you have after sex and how a new relationship gives you that same euphoria. It landed at number one on the Billboard Hot 100 and Mainstream Top 40.
28. Little Talks – Of Monsters and Men
Of Monsters And Men became a household name with Little Talks, which comes from their debut album My Head Is An Animal. This band is a mix of both indie pop and indie folk, and they come from Iceland, so it sounds different than other music out there.
This song is all about how two people are together, but one isn’t hearing the other, which could mean that one of them is dead or at least dead in the relationship. This track made it to three on the Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart, six on the Adult Top 40, and 20 on the Billboard Hot 100.
29. Some Nights – fun.
![Fun.: Some Nights [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/qQkBeOisNM0/0.jpg)
Calling all fans of Harry’s Law, you might recognize Some Nights by fun., which appeared in that show and was in Secret Millionaire. This song is alternative rock mixed in with some pop to create a catchy track that is about having an existential crisis. It took seven months on the Billboard Hot 100 charts to peak at number three.
30. I Love It – Icona Pop Feat. Charli XCX
![Icona Pop - I Love It (feat. Charli XCX) [OFFICIAL VIDEO]](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/UxxajLWwzqY/0.jpg)
Hitting number one on the Dance/Mix Show Airplay chart is our next song, I Love It by Icona Pop featuring Charli XCX. This track was from her self-titled debut album and was the first hit in the US for both of them. The critics loved this song, and it’s been on the list of best tracks of 2013, including a list by Rolling Stone.
31. Demons – Imagine Dragons
Last on our list is the song Demons by Imagine Dragons, and this was their second single to reach the Top 10 after Radioactive. It was a huge hit and spent over 12 weeks within the Top 10, peaking at six on the Billboard Hot 100, and also landed number one on the Mainstream Top 40. It can be found in movies and television shows including Can You Keep A Secret? and Once Upon A Time.
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From the time she was little, Florence loved listening to music and quickly learned how music can make you happy and feel fulfilled. One of her favorite memories is being in the garage with her dad working on classic cars with the local rock station blaring in the background. Ever since Florence was 3, she loved grunge music and spent hours listening to bands such as Alice in Chains, Mad Season, Soul Asylum, and Soundgarden.
She also enjoys classic rock, modern rock, nu metal, alternative rock, and old 90’s R&B. Her love of music grew as she got older, and used music to help her get through tough times in her life. More often than not, you’ll see Florence with earbuds in while she’s writing, cooking, cleaning, and doing other tasks. She also loves to debate music with her friends such as which lead singer is the best vocalist, the most iconic guitar solos in music, and what songs are really the best of the decade.
