4 Chart-Topping Songs You Must Hear from 2024

Though hit songs often shape culture, the opposite isn’t always true.

This may be “brat summer” but Charli XCX has yet to top Billboard’s Hot 100 with one of her excellent lime-green album tracks. Also, Sabrina Carpenter’s song of the summer “Espresso” peaked at No. 3. (Carpenter’s country-ish single “Please Please Please” has topped the chart.)

Meanwhile, a Billie Eilish single hasn’t hit No. 1 this year (yet). And Chappell Roan might be on her way as her camp star continues to rise following the release of “Good Luck, Babe!”

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen’s collaboration “I Had Some Help” enjoyed the longest run at the top—six weeks. With Malone’s country album F-1 Trillion due in August, he’ll likely return to the top spot.

Today’s list highlights four must-hear songs that have made it to No. 1 so far this year.

“Like That” by Future, Metro Boomin, and Kendrick Lamar from We Don’t Trust You

Kendrick Lamar throws shade at Drake and J. Cole on “Like That,” raising the ante in a simmering rap war between the titans. Drake fired back and traded volleys with Lamar. Meanwhile, J. Cole offered a halting response with “7 Minute Drill,” only to pull the song from streaming services five days later. Cole issued a public apology to Lamar but the beef between Lamar and Drake continued. Lamar’s Drake diss “Not Like Us” reached No. 1 too—perhaps the knockout punch.

Ayy-ayy, let’s get it, bro

D-O-T, the money, power, respect

The last one is better

Say, it’s a lot of goofies with a check

I mean, ah, I hope them sentiments symbolic

Ah, my temperament bipolar, I choose violence

“Lose Control” by Teddy Swims from I’ve Tried Everything but Therapy (Part 1)

On his breakout hit, Teddy Swims loses himself in a bad romance he can’t quit. Swims explained how his album came out amidst a failing relationship that was centered on addiction. “Lose Control” uses the addiction metaphor and Swims croons in a bluesy and soulful voice over plunking chords. Swims chased his addiction straight to No. 1.

Something’s got a hold of me lately

No, I don’t know myself anymore

Feels like the walls are all closing in

And the devil’s knocking at my door, whoa

“Fortnight” by Taylor Swift feat. Post Malone from The Tortured Poets Department

Taylor Swift is famous for writing diaristic confessionals but her The Tortured Poets Department blends real-life relationship woes with fiction. “Fortnight” tells the story of Swift’s ex moving in next door. Post Malone is featured on the track and together, they recall the pain of a brief-but-intense relationship that became a suburban nightmare.

And for a fortnight, there we were forever running

Till you sometimes ask about the weather

Now you’re in my backyard, turned into good neighbors

Your wife waters flowers; I wanna kill her

“Texas Hold ’Em” by Beyoncé from Cowboy Carter

Beyoncé nearly broke the internet when news of her “country album” surfaced. However, the singer clarified that Cowboy Carter isn’t a country album, it’s a Beyoncé album. “Texas Hold ’Em” is a hoedown banger that reached No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and made history by topping the country charts, too.

This ain’t Texas, ain’t no hold ’em

So lay your cards down, down, down, down

So park your Lexus and throw your keys up

Stick around, ’round, ’round, ’round, ’round (Stick around)

And I’ll be damned if I can’t slow dance with you

Come pour some sugar on me, honey, too

Photo by Chelsea Lauren/Shutterstock

Source: American Songwriter, Billboard