9
Safe With You
Alex Metric feat Jacques Lu Cont and Malin
IMAGINE KYLIE DOING THIS. (Or Cheryl.)
8
Wrecking Ball
Miley Cyrus
What. A. Song.
7
Rock 'N' Roll
Avril Lavigne
It wouldn't be a Popjustice end of year list without a Chad Kroeger co-write in the Top 10. 'Rock 'N' Roll' is a song about getting old and sort of being alright with it while also not actually being alright with it thanks very much. And the video is the best of the year.
6
Do What U Want
Lady Gaga feat R Kelly
Gaga should record a new version with Christina and bin off the R Kelly one.
5
The Apple
VV Brown
A song about defiance and apples, or something. VV Brown's comeback was one of 2013's best pop surprises; she also did a version of this song in French. IN FRENCH!!! Unbelievable scenes.
4
Heart Attack
Demi Lovato
The "HEEEY-EYYY-YEAH" bit on top of the chorus coming out of the middle eight is worth a Top 5 placing on its own. Incredible.
[signoff]
3
Mirrors
Justin Timberlake
2013 was the year Justin's pop persona became that of a Mature Stylish Man. Unfortunately for Justin (and fortunately for anyone with functioning ears) the best song of this new era — and the only song that sold him albums — sounded like an *NSYNC ballad.
2
I Love It
Icona Pop feat Charli XCX
It increasingly looks like Icona Pop will be filed under one hit wonder status by future pop historians, but what a wonderful one hit this was. Its long, exciting ascent to Number One, meanwhile, was a classic instance of pop justice in action.
1
I Was A Fool
Tegan & Sara
Just when you're thinking this perfect pop moment can't get any better, the middle eight hits. Lyrically magnificent, sonically exquisite and melodically untouchable, 'I Was A Fool' was the best single in a decidedly mid-tempo year for pop. Tegan & Sara are already talking about working with Max Martin on their next album, but could even Max top this triumph? Well yes, probably.
And that ladies and gentlemen is that. Well done, the world of pop.