27 Best Songs From 2014

Ever wanted a playlist of good music from 2014? We were treated to a wide range of chart-toppers and iconic music this year, from electronica to underground rock and everything in between.

Here are some of the best songs from 2014 that you and your friends can enjoy.

1. “Stay With Me” by Sam Smith

Song Year: 2014

Our first pick is Sam Smith's “Stay with Me,” a song from his first studio album, In the Lonely Hour. The protagonist of the gospel-influenced love song “Stay with Me” begs his one-night stand to stay with him.

The song has been Smith's most hit song, breaking records in Canada and New Zealand and attaining second rank on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also peaked at number one on the UK Singles Chart, becoming Smith's third number-one record there and his second as a solo artist.

2. “Summer” by Calvin Harris

Song Year: 2014

“Summer” is the second single by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris from his fourth album, Motion, in 2014.

The song immediately went to the top of the UK Singles Chart, making it Harris's sixth number-one record in the country. It reached the top seven on the Billboard Hot 100 and was his third top ten hit overall.

In 2014, over a million copies were sold in the US.

3. “Night Changes” by One Direction

Song Year: 2014

One Direction, a British-Irish boy band, released a single titled “Night Changes” in 2014. The band and Jamie Scott, Julian Bunetta, and John Ryan co-wrote the album.

The song builds on the ideas presented in “Story of My Life” and “Live While We're Young” by examining the importance of embracing the moment, learning from one's mistakes, and finding love along the road.

Whatever the ups and downs of their relationship, the lyrics of this song assure us that they will always love one another.

4. “Fancy” by Iggy Azalea

Song Year: 2014

From her album The New Classic,  Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX presented “Fancy,” another good song from 2014. Fancy combines electropop, electro-hop, and pop-rap elements.

A first for Azalea and XCX, “Fancy” topped the Billboard Hot 100. For seven weeks in a row, it was number one. It was also a worldwide hit, topping charts in countries as diverse as Canada and New Zealand.

5. “18” by One Direction

Song Year: 2014

One Direction's “18” is a track from their fourth studio album, Four. The song was composed by Oliver Frank and Ed Sheeran.

A gentle love song, this track showcases the band's raw vocals. This song had the potential to introduce One Direction to new listeners who love Sheeran's style.

6. “#Selfie” by The Chainsmokers

Song Year: 2014

Music composed by the Chainsmokers, “#Selfie” is a primarily instrumental large-room dance song with spoken word lyrics.

It's highly sarcastic, poking fun at the narrator's vapid, self-absorbed preoccupations like whether or not she must take down her selfie since it's had just ten likes in the previous five minutes. This could offend you because it is an embodiment of everything you find repulsive, so it just serves to taint further the culture in which people live.

7. “7/11” by Beyonce

Song Year: 2014

Beyoncé's “7/11” was written by her, Alonzo Holt, and Bobby Johnson. It was recorded by the Bey herself. To summarize, “7/11” is a song with some hip-hop influences in the production. Beyoncé's voice is heard rapping over a distorted, fast-paced instrumental.

After its debut, “7/11” was met with criticism and praise from music reviewers; some panned the song for its auto-tune, while others praised the singer's talent. On November 21, 2014, the music video aired on YouTube. Critics said it was a refreshing change from Beyoncé's previous videos, and fans loved it for being intimate, laid-back, and entertaining.

8. “Chandelier” by Sia

Song Year: 2014

Another good song from 2014 is Chandelier, a song by Australian singer/songwriter Sia, included on her sixth album in 2014, 1000 Forms of Fear. It was released as the album's first single. It's an electronic pop tune with hints of reggae and R&B.

The song's lyrics explore the demoralization and rationalization of drunkenness from the perspective of a “party girl,” giving the song a somber tone. The song also alludes to the sorrow, remorse, and emptiness that come with substance abuse, excessive drinking, and other forms of hedonism.

9. “A Dog's Life” by Wild Beasts

Song Year: 2014

On the album of the same name, the last moments of a devoted dog are memorialized in a song. It's about a dog's death, which is show to be sad since canines mistakenly believe they are human. It also implies each of us is convinced that we are someone we aren't. Each of us eventually dies, and we are ultimately left behind.

The primary lyrical theme is breaking free from preconceived notions of how one's life should go. It explores how people give up their true selves for a better world.

10. “Only Love Can Hurt Like This” by Paloma Faith

Song Year: 2014

The English singer Paloma Faith performs Diane Warren's “Only Love Can Hurt Like This.” The song was promoted on shows like Alan Carr and Chatty Man after its release in 2014 as the second single from her third album, A Perfect Contradiction.

This is her highest-charting song to date, surpassing her previous best, “Picking Up the Pieces,” which reached number ten in 2012.

First appearing on the charts on July 21, 2014, thanks to a prominent TV commercial for the drama series Winners & Losers on Channel 7, the song quickly became a hit in Australia.

11. “All About That Bass” by Meghan Trainor

Song Year: 2014

The American singer and songwriter Meghan Trainor made her official debut on the music scene with the release of her first single, “All About That Bass,” in 2014.

“All About That Bass” is a bubblegum pop, hip hop, and doo-wop hit written by Trainor and produced by Kevin Kadish. Trainor, who had difficulty accepting herself as a teen, wrote the song as a means of doing good.

12. “Photograph” by Ed Sheeran

Song Year: 2014

Ed Sheeran, an English singer-songwriter, released the song “Photograph” in 2014 as the first single from his second studio album. Sheeran co-wrote the song with Johnny McDaid of Snow Patrol. McDaid provided a piano loop from which Sheeran and the rest of the band built the tune.

Sheeran's experience of being apart from his then-girlfriend while touring inspired the song's vividly detailed lyrics, which focus on a long-distance relationship.

13. “Maps” by Maroon 5

Song Year: 2014

Maroon 5's “Maps” was a popular song in the United States back in 2014. It was released as the first single of their fifth studio album.  Ammar Malik,  Adam Levine, Benjamin Levin, Ryan Tedder, and Noel Zancanella co-wrote and co-produced the song.

Critics were generally empathetic to Maps, praising the song's melodic appeal and laid-back attitude. Besides topping the Canadian singles chart, the song also peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the UK Singles Chart, proving to be a commercial triumph.

14. “A Sky Full of Stars” by Coldplay

Song Year: 2014

Coldplay released the song “A Sky Full of Stars” in 2014 as the album's second single. Production help came from Daniel Gre and Rik Simpson. Simpson and the band collaborated with Avicii on writing and producing the song.

It was recorded in two North London pubs: The Bakery and The Beehive. Reviewers were generally enthusiastic about “A Sky Full of Stars,” and the song peaked in the top ten charts of 16 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Ireland, Mexico, and Japan.

15. “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young” by Eric Church

Song Year: 2014

Church's honesty shines through in this song, making it one of his best. This song's theme is turning 36 and seeing your first gray hair.

Too many individuals have an unhealthy obsession with looking younger than their actual age. The white hairs are well deserved. That's why the singer felt it was essential to demonstrate complete candor.

16. “A Rose By Any Name” by Blondie

Song Year: 2014

Matt Katz-Bohen, the keyboardist for Blondie, collaborated on this with his wife, Laurel Katz-Bohen. Together, they also wrote “What I Heard,” a hit for the band Panic of Girls.

Initially spoken by Juliet in William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, the phrase “A rose by any other name” refers to Juliet's argument that a person or thing's true identity is more important than its label.

17. “23” by Shakira

Song Year: 2014

During the video filming for her song “Waka Waka,” Shakira met her now-husband, the Spanish footballer Gerald Pique, then 23 years old. This song is dedicated to him.

Shakira's third studio album and first for a big label was 1996's “Pies Descalzos,” on which she teamed with Luis Fernando Ochoa to write this basic guitar piece.

18. “All For Nothing” by Linkin Park

Song Year: 2014

All for Nothing is a track from Linkin Park's sixth studio album, The Hunting Party, which features American guitarist and vocalist Page Hamilton of the alternative rock group Helmet.

This one is certain to get the audience up and dancing when played live. The opening verse has a hip-hop flow, while the rest of the song is virtually a punk hymn. The guitar solo is outstanding, and the music is relentless and unrepentant.

19. “Thinking Out Loud” by Ed Sheeran

Song Year: 2014

Ed Sheeran, an English singer-songwriter, recorded “Thinking Out Loud” for his second album in 2014. Sheeran and Amy Wadge co-wrote the song, while longtime colleague Jake Gosling handled production.

The song lasted 19 weeks in the top 40 in the UK, eventually reaching the top spot in early November 2014, becoming Sheeran's second top hit in that country.

The track peaked at #2 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the Canadian Hot 100. It also topped the charts in Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, the Netherlands, Denmark, South Africa, and Slovakia.

20. “Always In My Head” by Coldplay

Song Year: 2014

Chris Martin, in an interview with BBC1 Radio host Zane Lowe, said that the band's sound engineer, Daniel Green, came up with the song's intro.

Martin also said that his daughter Apple contributed vocals to the track. In fact, his daughter was singing in there as well. That was merely a notion about sticking together in the face of adversity.

21. “Sugar” by Maroon 5

Song Year: 2014

The American pop-rock band Maroon 5 released the single “Sugar” from their fifth album in 2014. Adam Levine, Mike Posner, Jacob Kasher Hindlin, and Dr. Luke penned the song, while Ammo and Cirkut were responsible for producing it.

In 2022, the song became their third certified single overall, and the RIAA awarded it the Diamond certification to reflect its widespread popularity. At the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, “Sugar” was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance.

22. “Budapest” by George Ezra

Song Year: 2014

“Budapest” is included in George Ezra's first full-length album, Wanted on Voyage, in 2014. Ezra and Joel Pott co-wrote the song, while Cam Blackwood was responsible for its production.

According to Ezra's interview with The Daily Telegraph, this was his first effort to create a love song featuring the first guitar chords he practiced.

In addition to becoming number one in his own country, the US, “Budapest” has also been a massive success for Ezra in New Zealand, Slovenia, and Austria.

23. “Bang Bang” by Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj

Song Year: 2014

Jessie J, Ariana Grande, and Nicki Minaj collaborated on a song titled “Bang Bang.” Savan Kotecha,  Max Martin, Rickard Göransson, Minaj, and Grande all contributed to the song's composition. Martin, Ilya, and Göransson did the production work, while Kuk Harrell was in charge of the vocals.

As the first single from Jessie J's upcoming third album Sweet Talker, Republic Records first distributed the song to adult contemporary radio in 2014.

The RIAA certified “Bang Bang” eight times platinum in February 2021, meaning that it has sold over three million copies in the US.

24. “Steal My Girl” by One Direction

Song Year: 2014

One Direction is an English-Irish boy band whose song “Steal My Girl” was indeed a radio hit. It was the first single off their album, Four. In September 2014, it was made available all over the globe.

The UK Singles Chart placed “Steal My Girl” at number three, making it the band's seventh single to reach the top three. The US Billboard Hot 100 listed “Steal My Girl” at number 13.

25. “Me and My Broken Heart” by Rixton

Song Year: 2014

The English pop group Rixton has a song titled “Me and My Broken Heart,” which is another example of good music from 2014. Ammar Malik, Rob Thomas  Benny Blanco, Wayne Hector, and Steve Mac collaborated on the script, while Blanco and Mac served as producers.

The global success of “Me and My Broken Heart” has been middling at best, with the single making it into the top forty of the charts it was submitted to.

In addition to doing well on the Adult Top 40, the song also climbed into the top 20 on the Adult Contemporary charts on Billboard and the top ten on the Mainstream Top 40.

26. “At the Cross (Love Ran Red)” by Chris Tomlin

Song Year: 2014

The album's title tune, “Love Ran Red,” paints a powerful image of the cross. The song was written by Chris Tomlin, Jonas Myrin, Matt Redman, and Matt Armstrong. Tomlin's usual producer, Ed Cash, oversaw the project.

This track serves as the album's centerpiece. That is to spread the Gospel in such a straightforward manner.

27. “Love Me Harder” by Ariana Grande and The Weeknd

Song Year: 2014

Ariana Grande and the Weeknd collaborated on the song “Love Me Harder,” which can be found on Grande's second album in 2014, My Everything. The song is sexually suggestive, with Ariana telling The Weeknd that he must love her harder if he wants her to be his girlfriend and be close to him.

The track reached number seven on the Billboard Hot 100 in the US, making this Grande's fourth top-ten hit from the album. It also made her the artist with the most top-ten songs in 2014. As a bonus, it gave the Weeknd his first US top-10 hit with a single.

Top Songs From 2014, Final Thoughts

There's no single that perfectly depicts what 2014 was in music, but all of these are great examples of the best songs from 2014.

We hope you like our round-up of good music from 2014. So, what are you listening to at the moment? We'd like to know in the comment section.