Billboard's 28 Best Songs of 2014: A Nostalgic Rewind

Updated at: 03/04/2025

2014 was a year of undeniable musical diversity, a year that saw infectious grooves battling soaring anthems, and heartfelt ballads finding space alongside electrifying dance tracks. To celebrate this vibrant era, we're diving into the Billboard charts to revisit a selection of songs that perfectly captured the spirit of the time. This wasn't just about fleeting trends; these tracks showcased the songwriting prowess of artists at the peak of their powers, blending genres and captivating millions. From instantly recognizable hooks that still get stuck in your head to emotionally resonant lyrics that remain deeply relatable, these songs are a testament to the enduring power of great music.

This journey through 2014's Billboard hits offers a chance to rediscover some beloved classics and perhaps unearth hidden gems. Whether you were already a fan of the artists who dominated the airwaves that year or are new to their incredible work, you'll find a mix of styles and sounds that prove the timeless quality of music from this period. Prepare yourself for a captivating retrospective—a playlist that transcends trends and invites you to explore the unforgettable sounds of 2014. The infectious energy, heartfelt emotion, and undeniable talent on display will leave you wanting to hear more.

1
Uptown Funk
Mark Ronson,Bruno Mars
2014
Uptown Special
2
Counting Stars
OneRepublic
2013
Native
3
Roar
Katy Perry
2013
PRISM
4
Dark Horse
Katy Perry,Juicy J
2013
PRISM (Deluxe)
5
Let Her Go
Passenger
2012
6
All of Me
John Legend
2013
Love In The Future (Expanded Edition)
7
Wake Me Up
Avicii
2013
True
8
Somebody That I Used To Know
Gotye,Kimbra
2011
Making Mirrors
9
Just Give Me a Reason
P!nk,Nate Ruess
2013
The Truth About Love
10
Gentleman
PSY
2013
11
Radioactive
Imagine Dragons
2013
12
Timber
Kesha,Pitbull
2013
Global Warming: Meltdown (Deluxe Version)
13
When I Was Your Man
Bruno Mars
2013
Unorthodox Jukebox
14
Happy
Pharrell Williams
2013
G I R L
15
Mirrors
Justin Timberlake
2013
The 20/20 Experience (Deluxe Version)
16
Stay With Me
Sam Smith
2014
In The Lonely Hour
17
Wrecking Ball
Miley Cyrus
2013
Bangerz (Deluxe Version)
18
Fancy
Charli xcx,Iggy Azalea
2014
The New Classic (Deluxe Version)
19
The Fox
Ylvis
2013
20
Stay
Rihanna,Mikky Ekko
2013
Unapologetic (Edited Version)
21
Locked out of Heaven
Bruno Mars
2013
Unorthodox Jukebox
22
Can't Hold Us
Ray Dalton,Macklemore & Ryan Lewis,Macklemore,Ryan Lewis
2013
The Heist
23
Royals
Lorde
2013
Pure Heroine
24
The Monster
Eminem,Rihanna
2013
25
Best Song Ever
One Direction
2013
Midnight Memories (Deluxe)
26
Applause
Lady Gaga
2013
ARTPOP
27
On Top Of The World
Imagine Dragons
2012
Night Visions (Deluxe)
28
Love Somebody
Maroon 5
2013