Best hard rock/metal albums of 2023

It's time again for my album of the year picks.  I rank song quality and album consistency heavily, so if there's only a couple of good tracks, the rating suffers.  This year my list is not as stylistically diverse as last year's, but I always surprise myself with who makes the top 10 and in what order.  Once again I listened to a lot of music to make my final decisions, so I encourage you to check out my top picks as well as those from the list below if you need holiday gifts or to catch up on rock from 2023.

1. Mammoth WVH - Mammoth II

Wolfgang Van Halen (son of guitar god Eddie Van Halen) wanted to avoid the sophomore slump with his second solo release, and in my opinion he did a lot better than that.  Mammoth II bests his debut with better versatility and improved musicianship drawing on a variety of influences from classic rock to alternative metal (Tool) and even djent/modern progressive metal (Intervals; Meshuggah).  Wolfie even coined the term Meshuggah-Beatles to describe some of his new music like album closer "Better Than You."  "Waiting" is the lyrically-themed sequel to "Distance" about his father from the first album.

Best tracks: Another Celebration at the End of the World, Optimist, Waiting

Image taken by me @Starland Ballroom 11/17/23

2. Metallica - 72 Seasons

Metallica's 11th studio album is the first since 2016's Hardwired... and while I liked that one a lot, this one is even better.  Although it is not quite thrash, there are more driving rock songs than their more melodic opuses and ballads.  Critics have also noticed a deeper meaning to James' lyrics on songs like "Screaming Suicide" and "Room of Mirrors."  James says the concept of 72 seasons is about a person's growth and maturity over 18 years of life.  18 x 4 = 72, so the math adds up!

Best tracks: Lux Eterna; Room of Mirrors; 72 Seasons 

3. Filter - The Algorithm

Filter's first studio album in seven years started to form in 2018 when lead singer Richard Patrick rekindled with original guitarist Brian Liesegang.  A few songs got released in 2020 that we thought were going to be on the record that then became standalone singles.  Honestly the project that was billed as the "official follow-up to Short Bus" took so long to come to fruition it had fallen off my radar.  However, the Algorithm sounds like a true return to form with industrial roots and modern rock influences.  As one fan commented, "this album is pure time travel." Patrick has rarely been at a loss of things to write about, and he can still sing his ass off.  The album is leaning heavy with some of the lighter ballads they have also become known for.  Even if you haven't listened to Filter since the turn of the century, give this one a spin (hey, vinyl is back, this still makes sense).

Best tracks: Obliteration; Summer Child; Up Against the Wall

4. Beartooth - The Surface

Thematically this album is the antithesis of their last album, Below.  In some ways it is their most poppy.  There's even a song called "Might Love Myself" about self love and empowerment.  However, there are also some bangers, screams, and sick breakdowns as well.  While some metal fans say they've gotten too soft, other fans are embracing the positive mental health journey of lead singer Caleb Shomo and his uplifting songs.  I own other Beartooth albums and this is the first one I can play all the way through so take that for what it's worth.

Best tracks: The Surface; Riptide; What's Killing You

5. Staind - Confessions of the Fallen

First release since 2011.  I've already written about it here.  Aaron's voice is still strong and Mike Mushok keeps them rocking hard.

Best tracks: Lowest in Me; Here and Now; Cycle of Hurting

6. Blink 182 - One More Time

Another comeback album as it is their first since 2019 and their first with Tom DeLonge since 2011.  Tom's voice and songwriting are certainly welcomed, but these are not the same people as they used to be.  There are still some humorous moments, but largely the writing is mature and reflective.  I've listened to this album a lot since its release and I interpret it as Mark and Tom's love note to each other.  For example, the nostalgic "When We Were Young" has them trade off on verses about early years, rather than the usual formula of having one or the other be the lead singer.  Then there are lyrics from the title track that obviously refer to their relationship with each other.  "I wish they told us, it shouldn't take a sickness, Or airplanes falling out the sky" clearly are referencing illnesses such as Mark's recent battle with cancer and Travis's 2008 plane crash.  The chorus of "One More Time" I believe is about them regretting not speaking for several years during their two hiatus periods.  This album is more emo than punk rock, but still a fun return overall.

Best tracks: Dance With Me; Anthem Part 3; One More Time

7. Godsmack - Lighting Up the Sky

In what might be the last Godsmack album, they put together a fantastic eighth studio album showcasing their signature sound from power rockers to more emotional ballads.  It's only 10 tracks, but songs are a little bit longer than typical radio songs bringing the total time to almost 50 minutes.  55 year old Sully Erna says "Man I'm Growing Old" in the next to last song.  He says the band isn't breaking up and they will continue to tour, but right now he doesn't see them making another album.

Best tracks: Soul On Fire; Hell's Not Dead; Surrender

8. Dirty Honey - Can’t Find the Breaks
This band formed in 2017 in Los Angeles and attempted to follow the success of Guns N' Roses, even opening for Slash in 2018 and 2019 and the mighty GNR in 2022.  This is their second album and it has a fun mix of blues, country, and rock and roll.  They also sound a bit like the Black Crowes at times, and guess what, they opened for them too!  I also hear similarities with Greta Van Fleet, Red Sun Rising, and Crobot which means they are very good.  They have made some moves on the Mainstream Rock charts, but are largely still under the radar.  If you like your rock and roll with some swagger and swing, check these guys out.

Best tracks: Won't Take Me Alive; Can't Find the Breaks; Ride On

9. Drain - Living Proof

This is hardcore.  Literally.  If you're feeling angry, put this on and mosh or jam out.  Influenced by Suicidal Tendencies, and covering the Descendants, this is an interesting listen from a band that I think has huge potential.  Give them a listen.  Vocalist Sammy Ciaramataro says my favorite track "Watch You Burn" was written about a bad person.  "It's the meanest song I ever wrote, but I tried to make it into something good."

10. Sevendust - Truth Killer 

This is Sevendust's 14th album and they have been consistently good.  They are a band that is in the rare territory these days of being better live in person than on record.  That being said, this is one of their strongest, most consistent albums.  This year they've toured with Alter Bridge and Mammoth WVH.  They are currently touring with Static-X and Dope and will be through the winter into 2024.  If you get the chance, definitely watch a live performance.  There's dates in NJ, PA, and Long Island NY.  I've already got my tickets for Starland and might try to see them in Harrisburg as well.

Best track: Love and Hate

With streaming becoming the way most people consume music, some people think albums are becoming a thing of the past.  I still like a good album.  One way some bands are coping with the need to be productive and faster than an album cycle is putting out more EPs, or short collections of songs.

Here are my picks for best EPs (alphabetical order):

Ghost - Phantomime EP

Nonpoint - Heartless EP

Sleep Theory - Paper Hearts EP

Spiritbox - The Fear Of Fear EP

Other 2023 albums of note worth listening to:

Asking Alexandria - Where Do We Go From Here

Atreyu - The Beautiful Dark of Life

Avatar - Dance Devil Dance

Avenged Sevenfold - Life is But a Dream …

Babymetal - The Other One

Corey Taylor - CMF2

Creeper - Sanguivore (like a gothic Meat Loaf)

Danko Jones - Electric Sounds

Dethklok - Dethalbum IV

Dolly Parton - Rockstar (30 Songs)

Enter Shakiri - A Kiss For the Whole World

Fallout Boy - So Much (For) Stardust

Foo Fighters - But Here We Are

Greta Van Fleet - Starcatcher

(Hed)P.E. - Detox

Ice Nine Kills - Welcome to Horrorwood: Under Fire

Lacey Sturm - Kenotic Metanoia

Last in Line - Jericho

Joe Perry - Sweetzerland Manifesto MKII

Nita Strauss - The Call of the Void

Of Mice & Men - Tether

Overkill - Scorched

Paramore - This Is Why

Periphery - Periphery V: Djent is Not a Genre

Plain White T’s - Plain White T’s

Rival Sons - Darkfighter (8 Songs)

Royal Thunder - Rebuilding the Mountain

Sleep Token - Take Me Back to Eden

Queens of the Stone Age - In Times New Roman…

Taproot - SC\SSRS

Till Lindemann - Zunge

Winery Dogs - III

Within Temptation - Bleed Out

Coming early next year (2024)

Green Day - Saviors (Jan 19)

Metalite - Expedition One (Jan 19)

Neck Deep - Neck Deep (Jan 19)

Saxon - Hell, Fire, and Damnation (Jan 19)

Alkaline Trio - Blood, Hair, and Eyeballs (Jan 26)

Static X - Project Regeneration Vol. 2 (Jan 26)


Infected Rain - Time (Feb 9)

Darkest Hour - Perpetual Terminal (Feb 23)

Mick Mars - The Other Side of Mars (Feb 23)


Firewind - Stand United (Mar 1)

Ministry - HOPIUMFORTHEMASSES (Mar 1)

Judas Priest - Invincible Shield (Mar 8)

New Rock Releases Oct 2023

After a slight departure from my usual subject matter, I am back with some headbangers.  Veteran bands that are 20-30 years old are keeping rock alive and well these days.  Blink-182, Staind, and Taproot have all reunited and put out new music.  Creed is rumored to reunite and tour in 2024, and their greatest hits album is currently #1 on iTunes rock albums chart for some reason.  I take my blog posts seriously.  I take the time to listen to the music before, and while, I write.  I try to be descriptive without being repetitive or colloquial, within my limitations knowing that I don't have true music theory under my belt.  That being said, I could go on describing several tracks from each album listed below.  However, some friends and readers said to keep it short, so that's what I'll try to do for these new rock releases.  If you want me to elaborate, I'd probably be thrilled to talk to you about it so please comment, text, FB, etc.  Most importantly, listen for yourself!  Don't forget to peep the other notable albums at the end of the post.  Thanks for reading.

Danko Jones - Electric Sounds

From opening track "Guess Who's Back" Danko and company pump out the jams with bravado, attitude, and frankly fun like few bands can.  This is their 11th studio album although they are under the radar to many people in the USA.  They've been incredibly consistent, but I think this is their best work since 2012's Rock and Roll is Black and Blue.  It is certainly more cohesive and riff-tastic than their last few albums.  The one criticism I will give is that the lyrics are simple and the themes are kind of basic.  On the other hand, they are only "here to fuck shit up and have a good time" and who can argue with that?

Sleep Theory - Paper Hearts EP

I have been listening to these guys on SiriusXM's Octane channel for a while so when their EP dropped I knew I had to get it.  It is dynamic genre blending hard rock that certainly has a nu-metal influence in the best possible way.  I just learned that they have a black lead singer, a Filipino bass player, and pair of brothers (the white variety) on guitar and drums.  I like all six tracks, but "Numb" is definitely the standout song.  Sleep Theory have been opening for Shinedown on tour and blowing up on TicTok and satellite radio.  If you haven't heard them yet, don't sleep on them!

Staind - Confessions of the Fallen

It's their first release since 2011 and yet it seems it hasn't been that long since Aaron (vocals) went country and Mike (guitar) spent time in Newsted before forming Saint Asonia with former Three Days Grace singer, Adam Gontier.  At 10 songs and 36 minutes this album is easily digestible.  In fact, I've played it almost every day since it came out.  Fans of the band should notice a sound familiar to 2001's 5x Platinum Break the Cycle.  There are rockers like the lead single "Lowest in Me," penultimate track "Hate Me Too," and the heavy "Cycle of Hurting" where Aaron delivers some of his best growls!  There are some optimistic songs where Aaron's lyrics really shine through on "The Fray" and "Better Days."  Then there is the second single, and standout ballad track, "Here and Now."  Upon first listen I didn't think it was anything special compared to "Outside" or "It's Been a While."  However, there's a couple things that have changed my mind.  First, the video is about a man and his father that has Alzheimer's disease.  This adds a total new dimension to the lyrics that otherwise might be interpreted as being a typical breakup song.  The video has gotten a ton of great responses, and I challenge you to not tear up if you have someone in your family with Alzheimers, or even have lost a loved one recently.  Secondly, is the talent of Aaron as a singer and songwriter.  I went from being iffy on the song to hearing it replay in my head and belting it out in the shower.  I have always loved Aaron's voice and story telling ability.  I think he's one of the best and most underrated vocalists of our time.  He hasn't lost much talent either.  I just saw him this summer and he can still sing with all the emotion and range like he could 20 years ago.

Taproot - SC\SSRS

Another band with its first release in over a decade is Taproot.  This is a band that was popular in the nu-metal era, but they always had their own style and sound.  A lot of that can be attributed to the unique singing style of Stephen Richards.  It is at times melodic rapping, smooth crooning, or growly screams.  He is quite impressive.  The other musical dynamics are regular rhythm changes and frequent breakdowns that keep the listener interested throughout.  SC\SSRS offers 10 songs, plus a bonus track which at the same time sounds like old Taproot and fresh and new equally.  They still have their original bass player, and this album marks the return of original drummer, Jarrod Montague, who sounds terrific and has been promoting his return on Facebook for quite some time.  It's hard for me to pick a favorite song because I like them all.  The bonus track "Hey" has a very catchy chorus between driving rhythm sections in the verses.  The aptly titled "Favourite Song" might take the cake.  It is the most unique song.  It features a poppy chorus complete with "hey-yo's" and "la la la's."  Just when you think you've accidentally skipped playlists, here comes Elias Soriano from Nonpoint to deliver a rapping part and then it finishes with some heavy riffing.  Fans should love this album and I also hope it brings a lot of new followers.  If you can, catch them live as they put on great performances.

Other new albums of interest :


Out now

Beartooth - The Surface

Black Stone Cherry - Screamin' At the Sky

Of Mice & Men - Tether

Red - Rated R

October 20, 2023

Blink-182 - One More Time...

Rival Sons - Lightbringer

October 27, 2023

The Gaslight Anthem - History Books

Mark Tremonti - Christmas Classics New & Old

Taking Back Sunday - 152

November 3, 2023

Atreyu - A Torch In The Dark EP

Dirty Honey - Can't Find The Brakes

Spiritbox - The Fear Of Fear EP

Static-X - Project Regeneration: Vol. 2

50th Anniversary of Hip-Hop: Artist Top 10 Songs Lists

So legend has it that 50 years ago today (on Aug. 11, 1973) DJ Kool Herc played at a block party in the Bronx using two turntables to scratch over and loop records including James Brown and Aretha Franklin.  This is now largely recognized as the birth of hip-hop.  Now I am certainly not an expert or connoisseur of the genre, but having grown up in the 90s I was certainly influenced by what many consider the golden years of hip-hop, when it really became part of mainstream pop culture.  And when many people didn't recognize artists like Missy Elliot or Dr. Dre when they appeared at Super Bowl half time shows, it annoyed me.  Especially on such a big anniversary in music history, I feel that I have to give recognition to these excellent artists.  

Rap and hip-hop is the hardest to make a song list for because many artists become well known for collaborations and part of their legacy is rapping a verse (or more) with another singer/rapper.  Usually I don't count guest spots in my artist song lists so I tried to stick to my own rule here.  That means the best performances of the artist may not be in the list of their best releases.  I also don't usually consider cover songs.  However, I recognize hip-hop was built on covers and certainly heavily sampling previously recorded songs.  Nowadays it is considered an art and skill to make unique beats and rhythms, but at the same time sampled songs often still bring the biggest hits.  If a remake can become unique and special on its own, you'll see it below.  The following are my picks for best songs by hip-hop artists that I think are landmarks and will still listen to (in alphabetical order).  Feel free to let me know if you think I missed somebody or a song you love.

2Pac

1. California Love (f/ Roger Troutman & Dr. Dre)
2. Changes (f/ Talent)
3. Holler If Ya Hear Me
4. Last Wordz (f/ Ice Cube & Ice-T)
5. 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted (f/ Snoop Dogg)
6. Cant C Me
7. Keep Ya Head Up
8. If I Die 2Nite
9. Hail Mary
10. Hit ‘Em Up (f/ Outlawz)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony

1. Crossroads
2. 1st of Tha Month
3. Rebirth
4. Bone, Bone, Bone
5. Pump, Pump
6. Thug Stories
7. 9mm
8. Summerlove
9. Do It Again
10. Stand Not In Our Way

Busta Rhymes

1. Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See
2. Gimme Some More
3. Break Ya Neck
4. Dangerous
5. What’s It Gonna Be (f/ Janet Jackson)
6. I Know What You Want (f/ Flipmode Squad & Mariah Carey)
7. Who Hah!!! I Got You All In Check
8. Calm Down (f/ Eminem)
9. The Party Goin’ On Over Here
10. Make Noise (f/ Lenny Kravitz)

DMX

1. Ruff Ryders Anthem
2. Party Up (Up In Here)
3. What’s My Name?
4. X Gon’ Give It to Ya
5. Where the Hood At?
6. Grand Finale (f/ Ja Rule, Method Man, & Nas)
7. What These Bitches Want? (f/ Sisqo)
8. One More Road to Cross
9. Slippin’
10. Who We Be?

Dr. Dre

1. Still Dre (f/ Snoop Dogg)
2. Nothin’ But A G Thang (f/ Snoop Dogg)
3. Forgot About Dre (f/ Eminem)
4. The Next Episode (f/ Snoop Dogg)
5. F**k Wit Dre Day (f/ Snoop Dogg)
6. What’s the Difference (f/ Eminem & Xzibit)
7. Medicine Man (f/ Eminem, Candice Pillay, & Anderson. Paak)
8. Let’s Get High (f/ Hittman, Ms. Roq, & Korrupt)
9. Fallin’ Up
10. Black Privilege

Eminem

1. Without Me
2. The Real Slim Shady
3. The Way I Am
4. Role Model
5. Lose Yourself
6. Rap God
7. My Name Is
8. The Ringer
9. Greatest
10. Not Afraid

Eve

1. Love Is Blind
2. Let Me Blow Ya Mind (f/ Gwen Stefani)
3. Who’s That Girl
4. You Had Me You Lost Me
5. No No No (f/ Stephen & Damian Marley)
6. Gangsta Lovin’ (f/ Alicia Keys)
7. Scream Double R (f/ DMX)
8. Gotta Man
9. Maniac
10. Eve-Olution

Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five

1. The Message
2. The Adventures of Grandmaster Flash on the Wheels of Steel
3. White Lines (long version)
4. It’s Nasty (Genius of Love)
5. Showdown
6. Girls Love the Way He Spins
7. What If (f/ KRS One)
8. We Speak Hip Hop (f/ Afasi, Kase. O, Maccho, Abass, and KRS One)
9. Here Comes My DJ (f/ DJ Kool and DJ Demo)
10. Freedom

Ja Rule

1. Always on Time (f/ Ashanti)
2. Let’s Ride
3. Holla Holla
4. Between Me & You (f/ Christina Milian)
5. It’s Murder (f/ DMX & Jay-Z)
6. Put It On Me (f/ Vita)
7. I’m Real (f/ Jennifer Lopez)
8. Livin’ It Up (f/ Case)
9. Love Me Hate Me
10. Never Had Time

Jay-Z

1. 99 Problems
2. Empire State of Mind (f/ Alicia Keys)
3. Big Pimpin’ (f/ UGK)
4. Can I Get A . . . (f/ Amil & Ja Rule)
5. Nig*a What, Nig*a Who (Originator 99) (f/ Big Jaz)
6. Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)
7. Izzo (H.O.V.A.)
8. Money Cash Hoes (f/ DMX)
9. Ni**as in Paris (f/ Kanye West)
10. Is That Yo Bitch (f/ Missy Elliot & Timberland)

John Blake

1. Nina
2. Rock the Beat (f/ Greg Barbone)
3. 9 16s
4. That Nu
5. Incredible Hulk
6. Crimea River
7. Fire
8. Hama Hama Blake Blake
9. Bring the Ruckus (remix)
10. Let It Breathe

https://fakejohnblake.bandcamp.com/album/a-cavalcade-of-camaraderie

LL Cool J

1. Mama Said Knock You Out
2. Doin’ It
3. Mr. Good Bar
4. Going Back to Cali
5. I’m Bad
6. Hey Lover (f/ Boyz II Men)
7. Go Cut Creator Go
8. My Rhyme Ain’t Done
9. 4, 3, 2, 1 (f/ Method Man, Redman, & DMX)
10. Baby (f/ Richie Sambora)

Lauryn Hill

1. Killing Me Softly With His Song (original song by Charles Fox, Norman Gimbel, and Lori Lieberman; popularized by Roberta Flack)
2. Doo Wop (That Thing)
3. Ready or Not [Fugees]
4. Lost Ones
5. Everything Is Everything
6. Final Hour
7. Fue-Gee-La [Fugees]
8. Boof Baf [Fugees]
9. Some Seek Stardom [Fugees]
10. Freedom Time

Lil' Kim

1. Not Tonight (f/ Da Brat, Left Eye, Missy Elliot, & Angie Martinez) (remix)
2. How Many Licks (f/ Sisqo)
3. No Matter What They Say
4. Thug Luv (f/ Twista)
5. Not Tonight
6. (When Kim Say) Can You Hear Me Now (f/ Missy Elliot)
7. Don’t Mess With Me
8. Magic Stick (w/ 50 Cent)
9. Get In Touch With Us (f/ Styles P)
10. Shut Up Bitch (f/ Money Mike)

Ludacris

1. Stand Up
2. What’s Your Fantasy (f/ Shawnna)
3. Move Bitch
4. Area Codes
5. Rollout (My Business)
6. Saturday (Oooh Oooh!)
7. Who Let These Hoes in My Room (f/ Snoop Dogg)
8. I Do It For Hip Hop (f/ Nas & Jay Z)
9. Get Back
10. Hip Hop Quotables

Mase

1. Feel So Good
2. Lookin’ At Me
3. Breathe, Stretch, Let It Go
4. What You Want (f/ Total)
5. Do You Wanna Get $ (f/ Puff Daddy)
6. N****s Wanna Act (f/ Busta Rhymes)
7. Welcome Back
8. Wasting My Time
9. Money Comes and Goes
10. All I Ever Wanted

Method Man

1. Judgement Day
2. Gravel Pit [Wu-Tang Clan]
3. Da Rockwilder (w/ Redman)
4. Method Man [Wu-Tang Clan]
5. I’ll Be There For You/You’re All I Need (f/ Mary J. Blige)
6. Blackout (w/ Redman)
7. Is It Me
8. Bang Zoom (f/ Hanz On, Street Life, Easy Get Rite)
9. Intelligent Meth (f/ Master Killa, Streetlife, and iNTell)
10. Episode 5 - Wild Cats (f/Redman, Streetlife, and Hanz On)





Missy Elliot

1. Work It
2. Get Ur Freak On
3. The Rain (Supa Dupa Fly)
4. One Minute Man (f/ Ludacris)
5. She’s a Bitch
6. Lose Control (f/ Ciara & Fat Man Scoop)
7. Gossip Folks (f/ Ludacris)
8. We Run This
9. WTF (Where They From) (f/ Pharrell)
10. I’m Really Hot

Nicki Minaj

1. Right Thru Me
2. Super Bass
3. Starships
4. Barbie Dreams
5. Moment 4 Life (f/ Drake)
6. Check It Out (f/ Will.I.Am)
7. Anaconda
8. Pound the Alarm
9. Pills N Potions
10. Fly (f/ Rihanna)

Notorious B. I. G.

1. Hypnotize
2. Big Poppa
3. Notorious B.I.G. (f/ Puff Daddy & Lil Kim)
4. Juicy
5. Mo Money Mo Problems (f/ Puff Daddy & Mase)
6. Goin Back to Cali
7. Party and Bullshit
8. One More Chance/Stay With Me (Remix 2007)
9. Who Shot Ya
10. Spit Your Game (f/ Twista & Bone Thugs-N-Harmony)

Outkast

1. Ms. Jackson
2. Hey Ya!
3. So Fresh, So Clean
4. The Way You Move (f/ Sleepy Brown)
5. B.O.B (Bombs Over Baghdad)
6. GhettoMusick
7. Flip Flop Rock (f/ Killer Mike & Jay-Z)
8. Xplosion (f/ B-Real)
9. My Favorite Things
10. Da Art of Storytellin’ (Pt. 1)

Puff Daddy (a.k.a. P. Diddy)

1. I’ll Be Missing You (f/ Faith Evans & 112)

2. Victory 2004 (f/ Notorious B.I.G., Busta Rhymes, 50 Cent, and Lloyd Banks)
3. It’s All About the Benjamins (f/ Notorious B.I.G, Lil’ Kim, & the Lox)
4. Bad Boy For Life (f/ Black Rob & Mark Curry)
5. Let’s Get It (f/ G. Dep & Black Rob)
6. Been Around the World (f/ Notorious B.I.G. & Mase)
7. Can’t Nobody Hold Me Down (f/ Mase)
8. I Need A Girl Pt. 2 (f/ Loon, Ginuwine, & Mario Winans)
9. Satisfy You (f/ R. Kelly)
10. I’ll Do This For You (f/ Kelly Price)

Queen Latifah

1. U.N.I.T.Y.
2. Ladies First (f/ Monie Love)
3. I Can’t Understand
4. No Work
5. Long Ass Week
6. It’s Alright (f/ Faith Evans)
7. Turn You On
8. Come Into My House
9. Champion
10. Coochie Bang . . .

Run-DMC

1. Walk This Way (f/ Aerosmith)

2. It’s Tricky
3. Rock Box
4. King of Rock
5. Mary Mary
6. Tougher Than Leather
7. Can You Rock It Like This
8. Peter Piper
9. It’s Like That
10. Hit It Run

Snoop Dogg

1. Gin and Juice
2. Who Am I (What’s My Name)?
3. Beautiful (f/ Pharrell & Uncle Charlie Wilson)
4. I Wanna F**k You (f/ Akon)
5. Murder Was the Case
6. Gz and Hustlas
7. 220 (f/ Goldie Loc)
8. Lodi Dodi
9. Still a G Thang
10. Drop It Like Its Hot (f/ Pharrell)

Tech N9ne

1. Worldwide Choppers
2. WHAT (We’re Hungry and Thirsty) (f/ Kim Dracula & HU$H)
3. Speedom (WWC 2, f/ Eminem & Krizz Kaliko)
4. Drill Sergeant
5. I Don’t Fit (f/ Suess Mace & King Iso)
6. Running Out of Time
7. F**k Food
8. So Dope (They Wanna) (f/ Wrekonize, Snow tha Product, & Twisted Insane)
9. Hit the Ground Runnin’ (f JL & King Iso)
10. Tech’s Mex

Pop Artist Top 10 songs lists

I decided to post my first blog article on pop artists.  First, I wanted to try something different and branch out from my typical rock and metal.  Second, I found it an interesting conversation starter to ask, "what's your favorite Michael Jackson song?"  Answers are more diverse than one might think, and often cause a lot of thought and reminiscing to even come up with an answer.  Third, I've always listened to the radio and been influenced by pop music on TV and movies even if it wasn't my go-to choice of music.  I still like it and listen to it.  There was even a time in late middle school where I was called a top 40 kid.  It's shocking to imagine now, haha.  So, I started with the King of Pop and tried to include the biggest names in this post.  If there's someone you would like me to make a list on, let me know in the comments.  Before going on, realize that these are my top 10 favorites by each artist.  You may disagree with some choices, and that's fine.  Following my previous posts, artists are in alphabetical order.  Songs that are covers, or are collaborations that appear on other artist albums are usually not included except in special cases where the song is synonymous with the artist (i.e. Whitney's version of I Will Always Love You)

Air Supply

1. Even the Nights Are Better
2. Making Love Out of Nothing At All

3. The One That You Love
4. Every Woman in the World
5. All Out of Love
6. Lost in Love
7. Without You
8. The Power of Love (You Are My Lady)
9. I Can’t Get Excited
10. One Step Closer

Alicia Keys

1. Fallin'

2. Empire State of Mind, Pt. 2

3. Girl On Fire

4. If I Ain't Got You

5. No One

6. A Woman's Worth

7. Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart

8. Gramercy Park

9. Underdog

10. When You Really Love Someone

Ariana Grande

1. One Last Time
2. Love Me Harder (f/ Weeknd)
3. Problem (f/ Iggy Azalea)
4. Thank U, Next
5. 34+35
6. Into You
7. No Tears Left To Cry
8. 7 Rings
9. Positions
10. Dangerous Woman

Avril Lavigne

1. Sk8er Boi
2. Complicated
3. My Happy Ending
4. Cannonball
5. Girlfriend
6. Alone
7. Bite Me
8. Everything Back But You
9. Break of a Heartache
10. F.U.

Backstreet Boys

1. I Want It That Way

2. Everybody

3. Quit Playing Games

4. As Long As You Love Me

5. All I Have to Give

6. Larger Than Life

7. I'll Never Break Your Heart

8. The One

9. No Place

10. Show Me the Meaning of Being Lonely

Beyonce

1. Single Ladies

2. Halo

3. Crazy in Love (f/ Jay Z)

4. Drunk in Love

5. Baby Boy (f/ Sean Paul)

6. Love on Top

7. Partition

8. Pretty Hurts

9. Run the World (Girls)

10. XO

Billie Eilish

1. Bad Guy

2. When the Party's Over

3. Bury a Friend

4. You Should See Me in a Crown

5. Ocean Eyes

6. All the Good Girls Go to Hell

7. Lovely

8. Therefore I Am

9. Copycat

10. Six Feet Under

Black Eyed Peas

1. I Gotta Feeling
2. Let’s Get It Started
3. Where Is the Love?
4. My Humps
5. Pump It
6. Boom Boom Pow
7. The Time (Dirty Bit)
8. Girl Like Me (f/ Shakira)
9. Don’t Funk With My Heart
10. Don’t Lie

Blackpink

1. How You Like That
2. Ice Cream (w/ Selena Gomez)
3. Boombayah
4. Whistle
5. Pretty Savage
6. As If It’s Your Last
7. DDU-DU DDU-DU
8. Kick It
9. Lovesick Girls

10. Playing With Fire

Britney Spears

1. ...Baby One More Time

2. Oops! I Did It Again

3. Everytime

4. Toxic

5. I'm a Slave 4 U

6. Womanizer

7. I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman

8. Sometimes

9. Stronger

10. (You Drive Me) Crazy

Bruno Mars

1. Just the Way You Are
2. Grenade
3. Locked Out of Heaven
4. Lazy Song
5. Versace on the Floor
6. That’s What I Like
7. Marry You
8. Count on Me
9. 24K Magic
10. Gorilla

Christina Aguilera

1. Genie In a Bottle

2. Dirrty

3. Come On Over (All I Want Is You)

4. Fighter

5. What a Girl Wants

6. Candyman

7. Ain't No Other Man

8. Beautiful

9. Desnudete

10. Change

Cyndi Lauper

1. Girls Just Wanna Have Fun

2. Time After Time

3. True Colors

4. All Through the Night

5. She Bop

6. I Drove All Night

7. Money Changes Everything

8. When You Were Mine (Prince cover)

9. Fearless

10. Above the Clouds (f/ Jeff Beck)

Doja Cat

1. Say So
2. Kiss Me More (f/ SZA)
3. Boss Bitch
4. Woman
5. Need to Know
6. You Right
7. Like That (f/ Gucci Mane)
8. Juicy
9. Go to Town
10. Tia Tamera (f/ Rico Nasty)

Fefe Dobson

1. Everything
2. Take Me Away
3. Stuttering
4. Stupid Little Love Song
5. The Initiator
6. I Can't Love Him (And Love You Too)
7. Rock It Till You Drop It
8. This Is My Life
9. Bye Bye Boyfriend
10. Give It Up

George Michael/Wham!

1. Faith
2. I Want Your Sex, Pts. 1 & 2
3. Last Christmas
4. Wake Me Up Before You Go Go
5. Careless Whisper
6. Freedom! ’90
7. As (f/ Mary J. Blige)
8. One More Try
9. Fantasy
10. You Know That I Want To

Jennifer Lopez

1. Let's Get Loud

2. Waiting For Tonight

3. Love Don't Cost a Thing

4. On the Floor (f/ Pitbull)

5. If You Had My Love

6. I'm Real (f/ Ja Rule, Murder remix)

7. Jenny From the Block

8. Dance Again (f/ Pitbull)

9. Get Right

10. Play

Jonas Brothers

1. Sucker
2. Mandy
3. Leave Before You Love Me (w/Marshmello)
4. Tonight
5. Hold On
6. Games
7. Inseparable
8. Year 3000
9. Only Human
10. S.O.S.

Justin Bieber

1. Sorry
2. Intentions (f/ Quavo)
3. Yummy
4. Baby (f/ Ludacris)
5. Eenie Meenie (f/ Sean Kingston)
6. Love Yourself
7. What Do You Mean?
8. As Long as You Love Me (f/ Big Sean)
9. Anyone
10. I Can’t Be Myself (f/ Jaden)

Katy Perry

1. I Kissed a Girl

2. Hot N Cold

3. Roar

4. Dark Horse

5. Teenage Dream

6. Firework

7. California Girls (f/ Snoop Dogg)

8. The One That Got Away

9. Friday Night (T.G.I.F.)

10. Part of Me

Kelly Clarkson

1. Since U Been Gone

2. My Life Would Suck Without You

3. Stronger (What Doesn't Kill You)

4. Piece By Peace

5. Breakaway

6. Because of You

7. Behind These Hazel Eyes

8. Miss Independent

9. Already Gone

10. I Forgive You

Kesha

1. Your Love is My Drug

2. Blow

3. Tik Tok

4. Praying

5. Take It Off

6. We R Who We R

7. Blah Blah Blah

8. Resentment

9. Let 'Em Talk

10. Stephen

Lady Gaga

1. The Edge of Glory

2. Poker Face

3. Bad Romance

4. Paparazzi

5. Million Reasons

6. Telephone

7. Just Dance

8. Alejandro

9. Love Game

10. Applause

Madonna

1. Like A Prayer

2. Like A Virgin

3. Vogue

4. Papa Don't Preach

5. Material Girl

6. This Used to Be My Playground

7. Borderline

8. Express Yourself

9. Cherish

10. I'll Remember

Maroon 5

1. She Will Be Loved
2. Moves Like Jagger (f/ Christina Aguilera)
3. Girls Like You
4. This Love
5. Payphone (f/ Wiz Khalifa)
6. Love Somebody
7. One More Night
8. Don’t Wanna Know (f/ Kendrick Lamar)
9. Memories

10. Daylight

Mariah Carey

1. Hero

2. Dreamlover

3. Always Be My Baby

4. One Sweet Day

5. All I Want For Christmas Is You

6. Fantasy

7. Emotions

8. Heartbreaker

9. Honey

10. Anytime You Need a Friend

Michael Jackson

1. Billie Jean

2. Smooth Criminal

3. Thriller

4. Beat It

5. Dirty Diana

6. Man In the Mirror

7. Black or White

8. You Are Not Alone

9. P.Y.T.

10. Heal the World

Miley Cyrus

1. Adore You
2. Wrecking Ball
3. The Climb
4. We Can’t Stop
5. 7 Things
6. Party in the U.S.A.
7. Flowers
8. Malibu
9. Right Here
10. Midnight Sky

*NSYNC

1. Bye Bye Bye

2. It's Gonna Be Me

3. (God Must Have Spent) A Little More Time On You

4. Tearing Up Your Heart

5. I Want You Back

6. Thinking of You (I Drive Myself Crazy)
7. This I Promise You
8. No Strings Attached
9. Pop
10. Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays

Post Malone

1. Circles
2. Rock Star (f/ 21 Savage)
3. Better Now
4. I Like You (A Happier Song) (f/ Doja Cat)
5. Wow
6. Staring At the Sun (f/ SZA)
7. Chemical
8. Congratulations (f/ Quavo)
9. Socialite
10. Don’t Understand

P!nk

1. Just Give Me a Reason (f/ Nate Ruess)
2. Please Don’t Leave Me
3. What About Us
4. Blow Me
5. Try
6. F**kin’ Perfect
7. Trustfall
8. Just Like A Pill
9. There You Go
10. Raise Your Glass

Prince

1. Purple Rain
2. When Doves Cry
3. 1999
4. Nothing Compares 2 U
5. Kiss
6. Little Red Corvette
7. Darling Nikki
8. Guitar
9. Sexy M.F.

10. Let’s Go Crazy

Rihanna

1. Love On the Brain
2. Only Girl (In the World)
3. We Found Love (f/ Calvin Harris)
4. S&M
5. Pon De Replay
6. Umbrella
7. Stay (f/ Mikky Ekko)
8. Love the Way You Lie II (f/ Eminem)
9. Don’t Stop the Music
10. Diamonds

Selena Gomez

1. Come & Get It
2. Slow Down
3. Love You Like A Love Song
4. Same Old Love
5. The Heart Wants What It Wants
6. Good For You (f/ A$AP Rocky)
7. Wolves (w/ Marshmello)
8. Single Soon
9. Lose You To Love Me
10. Tell Me Something I Don’t Know

Shakira

1. Hips Don’t Lie (f/ Wyclef Jean)
2. Whenever, Wherever
3. She Wolf
4. Objection (Tango)
5. Waka Waka (Esto es Africa) (f/ Freshleyground)
6. Underneath Your Clothes
7. Ojos Asi
8. Te Felicito (w/ Rauw Alejandro)
9. Chasing Shadows
10. La Tortura (f/ Alejandro Sanz)

Sheryl Crow

1. If It Makes You Happy
2. All I Wanna Do
3. Strong Enough
4. Soak Up the Sun
5. Everyday is a Winding Road
6. Leaving Las Vegas
7. My Favorite Mistake
8. In the End
9. A Change Would Do You Good
10. The First Cut is the Deepest

Sia

1. Chandelier
2. Unstoppable
3. Snowman
4. Elastic Heart
5. Cheap Thrills (f/Sean Paul)
6. Footprints
7. Bird Set Free
8. Never Gonna Leave Me
9. Fire Meet Gasoline
10. Ho Ho Ho

Taylor Swift

1. Blank Space
2. Shake It Off
3. I Knew You Were Trouble
4. We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
5. You Need to Calm Down
6. 22
7. You Belong With Me
8. Fifteen
9. The Man
10. Look What You Made Me Do

The Weeknd

Whitney Houston

   1. Save Your Tears
   2. Can’t Feel My Face
   3. Blinding Lights
   4. I Feel It Coming (f/ Daft Punk)
   5. Earned It (Fifty Shades of Gray)
   6. In Your Eyes
   7. Call Out My Name
   8. Die For You
   9. Often
  10. Belong to the World

1. I Will Always Love You (Dolly Parton cover)
2. I Wanna Dance With Somebody
3. I Have Nothing
4. Greatest Love of All (George Benson cover)
5. Run to You
6. I’m Every Woman (Chaka Khan cover)
7. How Will I Know
8. Saving All My Love
9. Didn’t We Almost Have It All
10. I’m Your Baby Tonight