The Top Ten Best Hit Songs of 2019 (Pt. 2)

I've seen bits and pieces of a Rolling Stone video about the making of the song "Bad Guy" and the video, and it's really interesting. I'd recommend it to anyone who likes the song.

Cassandra Gelvin

...I'd never seen the video to Bad Guy before, and now that I have it might have just sold me on the song. I'd been on the fence about it, but every part of the video is great. These lists do make a difference. And the best lists do actually mean a lot to me. They make me feel excited and inspired about the world of music, and that's something I really need to hold on to. Thanks Todd!

Nowhere Girl

I always look forward to the end of the year lists both worst and best. I wholeheartedly agreed with the worst list this year but this years best threw me but in a good way. I was definitely happy to see Megan Thee Stallion on the list because I feel like she does get looked over compared to Cardi and Lizzo. Overall I love the list though. Even though I think my best would look differently, I love that fact that Todd is able to make me look at songs I had overlooked or completely forgot about relevant again and make me look at them again to see what I missed the first or second listen. Long time fan. Looking forward to the reviews this decade!

I know that these lists are a slog to do, but thanks for sticking it out. Considering how most of the YouTube music pundits I watch are fifty-something guys whining about Notorious BIG got into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame over Styx. it's nice to see someone who can articulate their passion about new music so well, even if it's one I usually don't share. If these guys want the bands they loved as teenagers to be relevant, said bands can make new records as good as "Dancing On My Own" or "I Took A Pill In Ibiza." Thanks again.

Kristopher Bluth

I agree! It might be fun to bash on stuff, but I really love hearing reviewers and reacters praise things they enjoy and think about deeply, and Todd's one of the best out there.

Steven Choi

@Todd in the Shadows uh I know this isn't exactly relevant but i'd like to hear your opinion about it. Are you going to review The Box by Roddy Ricch once the video comes out? Honestly I think it's probably the start of a massive cultural shift in the mainstream and the fact it beat out yummy is just hilarious

guy man

Thank you for mentioning Too Much. Dedicated was pretty much my album of the year, and Too Much is my favorite song from it. If there were any justice, she would have been one of the big names of 2019. Also, I can't say I disagree with your #1 choice. It was a relief to realize I actually liked Bad Guy, since it seems like Billie Eilish is going to be sticking around for a while.

J. Francis

I was thinking the same thing. In a weird way, 'Bad Guy' is her most pop-friendly song, but still very on-brand for her. A lot of her other songs sound a lot more low-key and ballad-y.

Franco del Rosario

Strictly speaking, Juice did chart. It only got as high as #82, but it got onto the Hot 100. I think what you meant was how could it not have been a monster hit a la Uptown Funk, and... I guess the radio people were too busy huffing paint to give it the time of day?

Grace

And yeah, she terrifies me also.

Hawley Olsen

So you're the Todd guy Dark room filming odd guy Always facing off side Dodging all my bots guy I'm that bad type Watch you with no ads type Claiming you so fast, I'd Take you down with mad strikes I'm the bad guy Duh

Steven Choi

I got through the honorable mentions with a sinking feeling because Billie Eilish wasn't anywhere, not on the list, not in the mentions ... And I figured that's it, he missed her completely, she's a whispering teenage girl and that's not what Todd is looking for in his pop music and what a tragedy. I cannot explain how exonerated I felt when he announced his number one. Billie Eilish's music was the best part of my 2019.

Hawley Olsen

Aw man, I first heard "Bad Guy" at a bowling arena, the kind that plays music videos in the lanes that aren't being used (they played "Memories" by Maroon5 and I knew Todd would demolish it). I normally hate these indie singers that act too cool to sing properly, putting on "ATTITUUUDDEEE!!" (you know the type), but I got Billie immediately and heard her honesty. The more I looked into her struggles with sleep paralysis and anxiety, the more I liked the song. I tried to fight it, but like you said, so many good parts! My favorite, btw: that "Duh!" Creeps me out! Love your list, Todd! As a Korean-American, K-pop's my guiltiest of guilty pleasures, so I'm just very pleased you've been dragged into the cesspool with me. Happy End of the Decade!

Steven Choi

I think he used that song for his Fifteen by Taylor Swift review

Yvette

What did you think of some of billie's other hits that could've made it? Like Everything I Wanted, Bury a Friend, some of her other tracks i guess?

guy man

"bad guy" is gonna get run into the ground? Duh.

Probably. I'm surprised it barely charted. It's clear Lizzo is an up and coming superstar.

Todd: "Last spring there was this little movie called Brightburn..." lmao that's when I knew

So Juice would have been pretty high if it was an actual hit?

It would've been funny if the outro music was the chorus of Teenagers by MCR. I know that doesn't fit Todd's "rules" for the year-end Top 10 videos, but I have a feeling that if Todd had done a full review of Bad Guy that Teenagers would've been the outro music.

James

YES!!!!!!!!!!!! BILLIE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Author Samantha Renee

Though oh man, I wish DEDICATED had generated some hits. It was so good and "Want You In My Room" is sheer perfection.

Mia Steinberg

I went through the same experience with "bad guy" that I did with "Bad Romance" ten years ago: got the hooks stuck in my head, couldn't sleep because of the earworminess of it all, absolutely loathed it and couldn't understand why anyone thought it was music at all, let alone good music. And then one day I gave it another listen and it all clicked together and I was like OH I GET IT HOLY SHIT IT'S BRILLIANT, and indeed the whole album is phenomenal. I had a feeling it would be top of this list and I'm glad to see it there!

Mia Steinberg

Good video but the Bad Guy remix with Bieber didn't put it over the top to take down Old Town Road. It came out in July and didn't do much as it still got stuck at number two. By the time it finally got to number one in August, the Bieber remix was already forgotten.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uege7E3do6o

Todd in the Shadows

Also, Halsey's feature on this song reminds me of Janelle Monae's feature on fun's 'We Are Young'. In that, when I listened to the audio of both songs for the first time, I had no idea when the featured artist actually began singing. If I didn't know any better, I wouldn't know that there was any featured artist at all.

Franco del Rosario

On Jan. 2, 2020, I compiled a "2019" Spotify playlist for my boyfriend. Basically, some songs that represented the different genres and artists that dominated 2019. I thought "Well, I should probably include 1 K-Pop song I guess, so I'll listen to the BTS one with Halsey." I've never fully listened to a K-Pop song before, but I fell in love with 'Boys With Luv' immediately. I've listened to it about 1,000 times between January 2 and January 16. I can't get it out of my brain.

Franco del Rosario

About No Guidance: someone once commented on reddit, something to the effect of "If The Weeknd had sung all of Chris Brown's parts, it would've been my favourite song of the year." I'm honestly kind of on the same boat. The song has pretty interesting lyrics and it's sort of catchty, but Chris Brown's mere presence just negates everything that could have been good about the track.

Franco del Rosario

Todd has kept generally silent about Billie Ellish for 8+ months after her album was released, and the pay-off to that was amazing. I guessed Bad Guy would get on the Best List, but holy shit I did not expect #1. What a thrill.

Franco del Rosario

What is the mashup in your video?

Ultranatic Productions

I was a late bloomer when it comes to Billie, but I hopped on Bad Guy right at the end of year when I started actually listening to the Year End.

Josh Spicer

Aw wait, no it wasn't, I have gone an made the same mistake as the lady on the quiz I watched. She was so sure!

Meghan Weber

Kudos on getting Sam Smith's pronouns correct.

Josh Spicer

Literally just PSY and K/DA/True Damage are the only k-pop I actively listen to and enjoy and seek out.

Josh Spicer

I felt ya on the BTS. I've never listened to K-Pop, but that song was on my top list this year as well.

aravioa

My main problem with Bad Guy is thanks to Seth Everman's how to create billie eilish's "bad guy" my brain keeps expecting Lazy Town's We Are Number One to kick in half way through the song.

Raymond

I know you tell us every year and then I forget every year, who did the pop of 2019 compilation video you use for the interstitial? Also, this is the decade I stopped listening to actual music. 100% of my music purchases this year (support artists, buy music) were soundtracks and even I know the words to Juice. How can it not have charted?

De

omg pls do a full review on billie eilish

Sam Smith actually kicked so much ass this year? "Dancing With a Stranger" and "How Do You Sleep?" were both really strong. And Charlie Puth (who has a similar tenor male style) put out "I Warned Myself" which was dark and awesome.

Yo, thanks for getting Sam’s pronouns right!

GayGay Bleday

Your #1 pick filled me with a level of excitement and joy that I haven't gotten watching a single other person's top 10.

When you mentioned you were terrified of your #5 pick, I was anticipating you to introduce "No Guidance" because I NEED some explanation as to how you never commented on that song! Considering how freshly unpredictable your lists are (aside from "I Don't Care"'s high placement, ironically, the Worst list was absolutely nothing like I imagined it would be), I had a gut feeling you were going to praise "No Guidance" as this fascinating piece that plays off of Drake and Chris' messy personal lives or something.

Jacqueline Sailer

This decade was also one where I noticed I was drifting/not enjoying the Top 40 as I had in 2005-2015, and it sure felt that way in Part 1 of your Top Ten for 2019. But man, that Part 2 -- while not identical to any list I would have made -- that second half in particular was a perfect set of choices, comments, and reactions that just reminded and reaffirmed just why I've enjoyed watching Todd in the Shadows since 2010. The precision-strike comedic criticism might be why the Top Ten Worst are so fun to watch, but I'm glad the Top Ten Best is saved for last -- your best work is often when your gushing over whatever's earwormed in your head. :--) Oh yeah, and as an educator myself -- hoo boy, yes. Yes indeed to everything you said, lol. Here's to another decade of Todd in the Shadows!!

Phoenician

I think this is the first one of your lists where I've heard most of the songs before the video. Really great video as always.

Dabwiso Mazumdar

Billie Eilish reminds me of how terrifying teenagers are too, only in a good way, her songs brings me right back to my edgy teenage scene/emo kid phase. I would've been obsessed with her if she had been around back then.

Alex Golembeski ツ

It's supposed to be the top 10 hit songs of the year. Only "Earfquake" qualified as a hit and it's arguably not one of the album's better songs. (I still liked it though.)

Charles Kieser

Love the list but did you listen to igor lol

guy man

I think Lover is one of her BEST songs. It’s just good. (Although recently I heard I version with Shawn Mendes and he really brings the song down. Who wanted that song as a duet?)

K pop in the Shadows

waywardlaser

Your prelude to number one made me lose my shit in a good way. Excellent choice and I can’t wait to see her show in March.

Yvette

His OHW on Loreena McKennitt brought swarms of Celtic folk fans out of the woodwork. I assure you you are not the only kpop fan here.

Teddy Haines

Loved the list, completely disagree with much of it, but your writing is great as always.

James Eldred

My absolute favorite moment from this year was in the summer, when Billie Eilish and Tyler the Creator where in the top 5 albums the same week that DJ Khaled's album bombed. I don't know how you would do it, but I hope you talk about it someday.

Michael

If we lose Bad Guy there’s still You Should See Me In A Crown. Appeals to my inner 15 year old bitter edgelord in the best possible way. And she has spiders crawling all over her and she doesn’t flinch. I’m terrified of this woman and I love it.

Dead shocked about Juice, via the wonders of the internet, I actually went into this aware that it was the number one best selling single of 2019 in the UK. Wtf, USA?

Meghan Weber

Fantastic list as always! Only slight disappointment was that I was hoping Lover might make the cut as I thought given the TSwift songs you’ve included in the past it seemed right up your alley and in my opinion is one of her best songs that’s charted

Ebonyeora

great list, get some rest sir. a landmark year for music, thank you for putting so much work into this

es arg

I'm bummed I missed so many of these songs. I'd listen to the hip hop stations if there wasn't so much trash clogging them too... but #7 and #2 sound like real worthy listens.

Taylor Abrahamse

Completely agree with your entire list, well except for Money but I’ll let that one slide

your transitions & comments still rule dude. am pleased to find songs i missed, as someone who mostly stays away from top 40. OoC, how'd you feel about Tyler's Earfquake? I was half-expecting it on here, or for it to be a perplexed "not your thing"

Kite

Hey Todd, as probably your own patron who likes kpop I'm posting this obligatory comment that if you have any questions on it I'd be happy to answer them. Not to get you into the genre or anything (unless you want to... I promise I'm not crazy and I don't write fanfic) but if you, for whatever reason, cover kpop again and need someone to fact check you so you don't get swarmed by kpop stans. Just a warning that some BTS fan is gonna clip your review of BWL and spread it around twitter, though, they like it when people like BTS. (Also your assessment of the lyrics was correct, though the Korean title of the song is "A Poem for the Small Things" and they didn't use that cause Americans are stupid, or whatever.)

Miriarra

I haven't finished the video yet so I'm not going to read the other comments, but I just wanted to say that I really, really, really appreciate you using the correct pronouns for Sam Smith. Signed, a nonbinary fan.

Owen W

Yes... just... Yes to that no. 1~

YouCanCallMeXodi

...that's Billie Eilish. That's the official single cover for the remix

Todd in the Shadows

thanks todd for the vid. Fun fact I discovered your youtube 10 years ago when my youtube account was hacked and I looked at their watch history. At least the hacker had good taste

KPop won me over this year. My #1 song of the year of the whole year by a long shot is IU's Blueming. It's so good, it's like a great 90s pop song. The rest of my list would definitely include Twice, Stray Kids, Red Velvet and BTS. Last year, I don't think I could have told you one thing about KPop except that it existed and my most listened to band on Spotify was Death Cab. KPop made what was easily the shittiest year of my life filled with great and uplifting pop music.

CS Drennan

I kind of can't believe Bad Guy was #1 but When the Party's Over and Bury a Friend didn't even get honorable mentions. Not necessarily in a negative way, just... wow, I didn't predict that.

Gordon Stearns

Sub teaching... yeah.

Matt Monitto

Brilliant! One thing though, the picture of the Super Bieber fan you used in Bad Guy seems a little mean and out of place. It jarred with me anyway.

His Adobe premiere software got fucky so he had to redo the whole thing and often he has to account for songs late in the year too.

Haemophilus

Not surprised by #1 but damn if it didnt put a smile on my face anyway. I dont know anybody that doesn't love that song and rightfully so. I hope Billie goes on to have a career like Lorde, making arty pop shit with a distinct point of view regardless of whether it still charts or not.

Shiny Skunk

surprised that #1 isn't When The Party's Over I mean if you wanted to talk about good Dancing On My Own clones

air budd dwyer

I had pipe dreams for Harry Styles' "Watermelon Sugar" or "Adore You" on the honorable mention list but I kinda knew I wasn't going to get my wish.

Haemophilus

Oh man I cannot wait to hear that.

Shiny Skunk

great list! i didn't notice any obvious errors, but for #2 the audio seems oddly loud on one of the clips (10:55) even compared to the other clips of the same song.

surasshu

Why did you have to rewrite the video five times? Was it the ranking, or your thoughts on the song, or some error you discovered and had to fix, or is it just really hard to put into words why you like something?

Rish Outfield

Enby here, 2nded.

Gemini Man

spoilers below beware #5: AHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHA i'm so happy i don't even care about this song (it's fine) this is just. funny #4: Yeah, I like this one well enough. Nonbinary pronouns baby. It doesn't blow me away but it's a nice low key groove. #3: I mostly like this one but the staccato singing on the chorus just doesn't work for me. Prechorus is fantastic though. #2: This one was super later in the year and I just straight haven't heard it so fair 'nuff. DaBaby made it onto both lists, nice job man HM1: This is a nice 2018 hit. HM2: It's a bop, baby! HM3: Cardi is here. HM4: Oh man surprised this isn't here but alright. HM5: The non-hits section! The one I don't know about HM6: YES BABY this one's great HM7: I have no thoughts on this opinion, never heard it HM8: Well alright this deserved to be a hit yeah. Shame. #1: Billie, I hope? Please? Well, not the one I'd want, but, this is my least favorite Billie hit by a good margin! But anyways I'm glad Billie is here.

Crow

The fact that Billie Eilish has already been tapped to perform the new James Bond theme song for No Time To Die is proof enough that her talent and potential are already killer.

Tom Carter

I’ve been a fan of yours since 2011 Todd. In that time, I think I’ve gotten a minor read on what you enjoy. And as someone who’s spent the last 18 months diving headfirst into kpop, if you ever feel a need to scratch the itch again, I have a couple recommendations I think you’d really enjoy. Sunmi and Mamamoo. I swear I won’t be disappointed if you never check them out or try to start a #ToddIsOverParty if you do give them a shot but don’t like them.

Yes, love your best lists! Always helps point me at songs I missed

Tim Bates

Bad Guy is a song I wish I liked way more than I do. And I do like it, but I respect it so much more. It is so clearly great and out there and terrifying for such a massive, mainstream hit. I hope its a sign for 2020s music. But that's not the same as personal enjoyment or...whatever. Nightmare was my song of the year, tbh, I fucking love that song...

Gemini Man

Todd, random as fuck, but as a trans person I really respect the fuck out of you (well, more than I already did) for using Sam’s pronouns and not slipping once. It just nice knowing one of my favorite creators is respectful of that kind of thing. Anyways, great video as usual

Christina Kelley

Man, this is the first year where I have literally never heard most of the songs on this list. I wonder if New York is just THAT different a market to Arizona (I assumed clearchannel just homogenized everything) but most of these completely missed me, even the honorable mentions.

Matsc

Great list yet again. The Best lists are truly your best work.

Christian Samples

Aww man, I was sort of hoping to see the classic rock appreciator in you take a swing at Ed Sheeran collaborating with Stapleton and Mars for 'Blow' - that was like, my one guaranteed entrant for the year, aside from Billie. :D

Adam Weller

good catch

Todd in the Shadows

Would have loved to see Better by Khalid on this list, but other than that this is one of my favorite Todd videos ever

Riley Greenstein

This is the most correct Number 1 you have ever had

This may not be a problem - but did you mean to let us see you reach forward at 9:25? You don't usually, so I thought it may have been something you meant to edit out.

Alina

ME TOO!! I had to pause it for a second to collect myself. hearing a reviewer i've watched for so long use they/them so easily made me very, very happy.

I just wanna point out that you used gender neutral pronouns for Sam Smith and that makes me really happy

David Claiborne

If it matters to you, YouTube is better than Vimeo, but honestly, by a negligible amount. You donating a dollar on Patreon is a hundred times more meaningful than where you watch it.

Todd in the Shadows

And in my opinion, here are some of the best non-hit songs of the year: Black Bull by FOALS: anyone who says "rock is dead" needs to listen to this track. This is an absolute barn-burner, and one of the best rock tracks I've heard in years. In Degrees by FOALS: not only can FOALS make great rock music, but their more pop-leaning tracks are killer too, this being probably the best of those this year. The bass-line alone is worth checking out. Ludens by Bring Me The Horizon: a track that combines all the best elements of the different styles of BMTH, this track is an absolute tour-de-force to listen to, and a great addition to the Death Stranding soundtrack. Ready to Let Go by Cage the Elephant: Cage the Elephant are a band I'm surprised haven't won the Fluke Indie Hit Sweepstakes yet. I thought they would with this track, but I guess I was wrong. Now's The Time by Moon Taxi: I said last year that Foster The People are the band Maroon 5 wishes they could be in terms of quality. Might as well throw Moon Taxi in there too. Gotta love this track. Death Stranding by CHVRCHES: as I said last year about Graffiti (my favorite song of last year), when CHVRCHES are on their A-game, they make pop perfection. This track is right up there with my favorite tracks by them. Liquid by Boston Manor and John Floreani: Boston Manor was one of the best rock discoveries by me this year, and the song they released this year was pretty freaking awesome. I hope this band takes off one day. 7empest by TOOL: Hey, TOOL's back! Seriously, if any track defines the term "rock opera", it's this. Freakazoid by Silversun Pickups: the best song this past year named after a '90's cartoon character. Honestly, Silversun Pickups don't get the love they deserve. Now That I Found You by Carly Rae Jepsen: It's a shame people only know Carly Rae for either Call Me Maybe or Good Time, because her tracks after those are really good, this one included. Godzilla by Bear McCreary and Serj Tankian: I actually kinda prefer this cover to the original, since it defines the power and force that Big G possesses. And honestly, Godzilla: King of the Monsters wasn't that bad either.

Tom Carter

Potentially a dumb question, but I'mma ask anyway: I know you post the patreon ones to Vimeo, but does it help you more if we wait and watch on YouTube? Or is it six of one half dozen of the other?

Matt Keeley

Todd, you amazing man, you finished it!! Before the end of January!! That's not even a diss, I follow your twitter, I know of your editing woes. Genuinely proud of you, bud.