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AP's top songs of 2017: SZA, Bruno Mars, Cardi B, Sam Hunt

Posted December 13, 2017 6:00 am

By MESFIN FEKADU

In this Dec. 4, 2017 photo, SZA poses for a portrait in New York to promote her new album, "Ctrl." (Photo by Victoria Will/Invision/AP) The Associated Press

NEW YORK (AP) - The top 10 songs of the year by Associated Press Music Editor Mesfin Fekadu.

1. SZA, "The Weekend": Firstly, it samples Justin Timberlake's masterpiece, "Set the Mood (Prelude)/Until the End of Time." Secondly, SZA is singing vulnerable lyrics about sharing her man with another woman, or women (dating is a struggle, people!) And thirdly, SZA paints the picture vividly with her crisp vocals matched to a smooth beat. This is storytelling. It's also creative, realistic and addictive. I listened to it Monday through Friday, and on the weekends.

2. Bruno Mars, "That's What I Like": Bruno Mars is perfect. That is all.

3. Remy Ma, "Shether": The best seven minutes I've spent all year was listening to Remy Ma's scorching, blazing, punchy and hard-hitting diss track toward Nicki Minaj. Over the beat of Nas' incomparable "Ether" diss on Jay-Z, Remy's rhymes remind you that female rappers shouldn't be the only ones worried about her - her male peers need to be nervous, too.

4. Childish Gambino, "Redbone": Donald Glover's "Redbone" - reminiscent of George Clinton - is funky, trippy and groovy, and easily one of the year's best tunes.

5. Cardi B, "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)": "I don't dance now, I make money moves," Cardi B raps on her breakthrough hit, proving that her past as a stripper and reality TV star didn't stop her from becoming music's breakout star of the year. "Bodak Yellow" was just as addictive as Cardi B's funny, silly and likable personality. But she's also a serious rapper: She made money moves in 2017, and here's to hoping she makes major grooves in 2018.

6. Dua Lipa, "New Rules": When you need a reminder to leave that jerk you're dating, put on Dua Lipa's "New Rules." And if you want to learn how to throw the ultimate slumber party, watch Dua Lipa's awesome "New Rules" music video.

7. 2 Chainz featuring Jhene Aiko, Ty Dolla $ign and Trey Songz, "It's a Vibe": Issa vibe! No, really, it is, a vibe, indeed. A chill, head-bopping one.

8. Bleachers, "Don't Take the Money": Jack Antonoff continues to show he's an epic music-maker: Whether it's producing for Taylor Swift or writing with Lorde and Sara Barellies, he knows how to make the perfect pop song. And the best one he crafted this year was one you might have missed - "Don't Take the Money," from his Bleachers project, is a tasty upbeat tune best heard while dancing at a club or in front of the mirror.

9. Kesha, "Praying": Coming after a tumultuous time in Kesha's life, "Praying" showcases a side of the singer that is lyrically vulnerable, vocally capable, and overall exceptional. The song, deservingly, earned the pop singer her first Grammy nomination. If only she wasn't competing with Ed Sheeran's "Shape of You."

10. Sam Hunt, "Body Like a Back Road": Sam Hunt continues to bring swag to country music with his calm vocals and cool songwriting. "Body Like a Back Road" rode to the beat of 2017.

Honorable mentions: Kendrick Lamar, "Humble"; J Balvin and Willy William featuring Beyonce, "Mi Gente Remix"; Luis Fonsi and Daddy Yankee, "Despacito"; Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid, "1-800-273-8255"; Miguel featuring Travis Scott, "Sky Walker"; DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller, "Wild Thoughts"; Little Big Town, "Better Man"; Maroon 5 featuring SZA, "What Lovers Do"; Niall Horan, "Too Much to Ask"; Fifth Harmony, "He Like That"; Jorja Smith, "Teenage Fantasy."

FILE - In this Oct. 28, 2016 file photo, Remy Ma performs during the Power 99 Powerhouse 2016 in Philadelphia. The powerhouse rapper's "Shether," was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this June 3, 2017, file photo, Donald Glover, who goes by the stage name Childish Gambino, performs at the Governors Ball Music Festival in New York. Glover's "Redbone" was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Charles Sykes/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sunday, June 25, 2017, file photo, Bruno Mars performs at the BET Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles. Mars' "That's What I Like," was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Matt Sayles/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Oct. 26, 2017 file photo, recording artist Cardi B performs at Power 105.1's Powerhouse at Barclays Center in New York. Cardi B's "Bodak Yellow (Money Moves)" was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Scott Roth/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILE - In this July 31, 2016 file photo, Dua Lipa appears at Lollapalooza in Chicago. Dua Lipa's "New Rules" was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Barry Brecheisen/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

FILe - In this June 25, 2016 file photo, 2 Chainz performs at the 2016 BET Experience in Los Angeles. His "It's a Vibe," was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Rich Fury/Invision/AP) The Associated Press

FILE - In this June 9, 2017 file photo, Sam Hunt performs at the 2017 CMA Music Festival in Nashville, Tenn. Hunt's "Body Like a Back Road" was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP) The Associated Press

FILE - In this June 11, 2017 file photo, Jack Antonoff of the band Bleachers performs in Camden, N.J. Bleachers' "Don't Take the Money," was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Owen Sweeney/Invision/AP) The Associated Press

FILE - In this Sept. 27, 2017 file photo, Kesha performs during her Rainbow Tour promoting her latest album "Rainbow," in Nashville, Tenn. Kesha's "Praying," was named as one of the top songs of the year by the Associated Press. (Photo by Laura Roberts/Invision/AP, File) The Associated Press

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