We’ve all had that moment. You’re in a grocery store trying to find the last item on your list, and suddenly a song comes on and transports you back to a specific time in your life. It’s hard to believe that songs from 2014 are 10 years old and are now capable of potentially evoking this feeling. This week’s 13 Beats rewinds a decade to highlight some of the songs that defined that year:
1. “Boom Clap” — Charli XCX
Before there was “brat,” there was this summer classic. “Boom clap, the sound of my heart,” Charli XCX sings about how excited her lover makes her feel.
2. “Cool Kids” — Echosmith
“I wish that I could be like the cool kids,” Sydney Sierota sings in this catchy track about wanting to be noticed. Fun fact: Echosmith came to Colgate during the 2022 Fall semester.
3. “Don’t” — Ed Sheeran
Ed Sheeran flexes his songwriting skills in this track about getting his heart broken by another musical artist. “But it was never just fun, and I thought you were different,” Sheeran sings about how he didn’t see the betrayal coming.
4. “Break Free” — Ariana Grande, Zedd
“This is the part when I say I don’t want ya,” Ariana Grande sings about getting over a breakup in this empowering track. The upbeat EDM production accompanies the lyric’s message about how leaving a relationship can be exciting and freeing.
5. “Counting Stars” — OneRepublic
Ryan Tedder sings about the struggles of chasing dreams in what is likely OneRepublic’s most streamed track. Lyrics like “Lately…I’ve been losing sleep, dreaming about the things that we could be” illustrate Tedder’s desire to achieve a future with his lover.
6. “Am I Wrong” — Nico & Vinz
“Am I Wrong” uses a strong and catchy beat to accompany lyrics about not letting someone tell you how to feel. “Am I wrong for thinking that we could be something for real,” Vinz sings, proclaiming he had the right to assume there was something between him and a romantic pursuit.
7. “Maps” — Maroon 5
“So I’m following the map that leads to you,” Adam Levine sings about wanting to get in touch with a previous lover. Levine calls his lover out for not supporting him the way he supported her.
8. “Fancy” – Iggy Azalea, Charli xcx
Iggy Azalea made her name with this iconic track about flexing good style and having wealth. Lyrics like “I’m so fancy, can’t you taste this gold” urge people to recognize Azalea’s status.
9. “She Looks So Perfect” — 5 Seconds of Summer
5 Seconds of Summer captured the hearts of teenage girls everywhere when they released this upbeat pop-rock track about falling fully in love with a woman. “I got your name tattooed in an arrow heart,” the band sings, demonstrating how willing they would be to show affection for someone they love.
10. “Shower” — Becky G
“Well you’re the reason why I’m dancing in the mirror and singing in the shower,” Becky G sings in this catchy track about developing feelings for a friend. The “La-da-dee” in the chorus always manages to get stuck in my head!
11. “Riptide” — Vance Joy
The ukulele combined with Vance Joy’s airy vocals make “Riptide” a fun and earthy listening experience. Lyrics like “I just wanna know if you’re gonna, if you’re gonna stay” show Joy’s nervousness about the woman that he loves leaving him.
12. “Rather Be (feat. Jess Glynne)” — Clean Bandit
Jess Glynne sings about the happy feelings she gets when she’s with her lover in this classic electronic track. The chorus repeats “When I am with you there’s no place I’d rather be” to illustrate Glynne’s feelings in a catchy, heartfelt way.
13. “Rude” — Magic!
“Why you gotta be so rude? Don’t you know I’m human too?” lead vocalist Nasri sings in this track about asking a father for permission to marry his daughter. The reggae influences in its production make the song snappy and easy to dance along to.
