From the end of Hannah Montana and an unlikely duet through to 2.37 seconds of pop perfection, here are DJ David Robson’s Favourite Singles of 2013.
5. Wake Me Up • Avicii • June 2013, Charted #1
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It’s been a long time since I have fallen in love with a summer anthem, but Avicii is a DJ who really can do no wrong at the moment. After his massive hit ‘Levels’ last year I had wondered if he was in danger of becoming a one hit wonder. With ‘Wake Me Up’ (and other 2013 Number 1 ‘I Could Be the One’) he proved that wasn’t the case. This track is a not your typical dance song about wanting to go out into the club, stay up late, drink lots and then die. First of all it bursts open with a guitar riff to make Mumford and Sons jealous before then taking you up into an atmospheric ‘hands in the air’ breakdown. It actually has a certain depth about existence, questioning life and how it all fits into the future. Which in the end (uncredited) guest vocalist Aloe Blacc concludes that “Life’s a Game made for everyone, and love is the prize” Isn’t that sweet? This is more than a dance song, it has soul. Keep up the good work Avicii but promise me not to fall into the over exposed trap of Guetta and Harris!
4. We Can’t Stop (DJ Scooters Twerk Remix) • Miley Cyrus Feat. Jay Z • June 2013, Charted #1
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If 2013 has belonged to one pop star then is has to be Miley. The VMA’s, that public spat with Sinead and then riding about on rather dangerous equipment crashing into walls. She’s been a busy young lady desperately trying to shake off the shackles of child star and present an image of a person who is taking control. Whether she is or not is another story but with this song Miley declared that “This is our house, These are our rules”, and she won’t stop.
With this track she must lay claim to some sort of responsibility for the dance craze of 2013: twerking. It is a style of dance that has been around for some time yet the wider public only seemed aware of it after her VMA performance back in June. See, she’s more than a mere pop star, she’s educational. Or, is she just another white female privileged pop star who has exploited twerking from hip-hop culture for her own self gain. Who knows?
But back to the song, I picked the ‘Twerk’ remix of ‘We Can’t Stop’ not only because it sounds better but I think it’s the version Miley wanted to create. It has a seductive dirty beat, perfect sing-a-long chorus and even includes a guest spot from Hip-Hop icon Jay Z. It makes Miley sound and look more urban, which is the image she wants to project in order to evolve into adult pop star. ‘We Can’t Stop’ buried Hannah Montana and screamed that she was here with something to say. She certainly has our attention but what will 2014 hold for her? My achy, breaky, heart can’t handle the suspense!
3. Need U (100%) • Duke Dumont Featuring A*M*E • March 2013, Charted #1
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This year really has been amazing for dance music. New styles and artists have took the genre forward and offered a new side to an ever evolving technical genre. ‘Need U’ however seemed to look back to the classic days of ’90s house and offer us a slice of retro with a modern twist. For that reason alone I love this track.
The real attraction for me is not just the finger clicking intro, the catchy bass or climactic ending. It’s A*M*E’s vocals and lyrics. I have always been a fan of House songs that sing about love. Not just being in love but making a declaration that shows a humans vulnerability and desire to be loved.
I wanna be the one you call, every day and night
Are you gonna be the one who’s always gonna treat me right?
The juxtaposition of these words matched against Dumont’s music is perfection and already feels like it’s a modern day house anthem.
2. Just Give Me A Reason • P!nk (Feat Nate Reuss) • February 2013, Charted #2
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What I love about P!nk is her ability to return to the charts time after time and deliver some of modern day pop’s best tunes. ‘Just Give Me A Reason’ is no exception and it’s a welcome change to hear in today’s pop climate.
What’s so refreshing is the track’s simplicity and the vocals delivered by P!nk (who I find very underrated as a vocalist) and Fun’s Nate Reuss. No vocoder or over-produced effects, just a piano, drum machine with two fine voices. AND it’s an actual duet. Yes a duet. In which we hear a conversation between two lovers about their failing relationship. It has a story! (Pitbull take note.)
Showing a softer side to P!nk, she never fades into the background on what becomes the template of a ‘Fun’ track as the chorus plays. They both hold their own and deliver strong vocals that make me wish there was more from these two as a collective. An unlikely hit song that I never tire of hearing.
Oh and to those of you who bought PJ and Duncan’s ‘Let’s Get Ready to Rumble’ which kept the song off the top of the charts for a week, hang your heads in shame.
1. I Love It • Icona Pop (Feat. Charli XCX) • March 2013, Charted #1
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When it comes to making pop music at the moment it seems the Swedish really do know what they’re doing. ‘I Love It’ is 2.37 seconds of pop perfection!
Icona Pop are two DJs turned Pop stars who found success with this track elsewhere in 2012 before it was actually released back in March then climbing to the top of the charts in June for one week.
It’s a track full of so much energy that it makes a night out in Vauxhall seem quite tame. What the lyrics are actually about doesn’t appear to make much sense, nor is it ethical when you think about it. BUT why should it make sense? Pop doesn’t have to if it sounds as good as this. If anything they should be a little more careful when driving other people’s cars.
I threw your shit into a bag and pushed it down the stairs.
I crashed my car into the bridge –
they admit before launching into a defiant and catchy chorus of “I DON’T CARE, I LOVE IT”.
It maybe their only hit single of the moment, and the dangers of being a one hit wonder are looming over their heads like vultures, but if this is to be their legacy ‘I love it’.
