20 Songs of '22
I have already collected my albums of 2022 on another page, and it has become a priority for me over the years to use these lists to share music from a variety of artists who provided my soundtrack of the year. In order to do that, I have made a hard rule for myself to only share EITHER an album OR a song from each artist.
This means that, for example, an album like Renaissance that was shared on my album blog will not be represented by a song on this list. This was a very difficult rule to follow, considering that my true song of the year was “Church Girl,” and if this were simply a list of my top songs of the year, I might have just added every track of that album. But you get it: I like Beyoncé. And I won’t be talking about her from now on.
Instead, here are 20 songs from artists not yet featured in my album blog who released songs that I absolutely love. I have no trouble predicting that I will be playing these in my speakers and headphones for years to come. You can check them out yourself, as I’ll be embedding the Spotify player for each song. Enjoy!
20. Booty - Saucy Santana featuring Latto
Okay. I know I just finished saying that I would stop talking about Beyoncé, but one of the things that makes “Booty” one of my songs of the year is the bold use of “Crazy in Love”. It works so well because Saucy Santana is able to match the pure, confident energy of that well-known horn section. This spot was a tight competition with another epic use of nostalgic samples: I almost gave it to Latto’s “Big Energy,” but in the end Saucy Santana’s track is just that much more queer and danceable. And Latto finds her name mentioned either way.
Yeah I know you like my booty, booty, booty, booty, booty, booty, booty
19. Diva - Princess Nokia
I’m not always a fan of songs that refer directly to other, older songs as a way to conjure up an easy sense of nostalgia, but when it’s Princess Nokia, it works. On “Diva”, Nokia is feeling her best self, just like the badasses and divas who have gone before her, from Aaliyah to Beyoncé, Shakira to Selena. I love it when Nokia raps, and here she gives us a light bouncy flow before singing the hook and bridge herself.
I may be the new girl but I'll never replace /
All the women here before me making excellent taste /
just learn from these women, do whatever it takes /
I'm the daughter of the witches that they burned at the stake
18. 2 Seater - Tiana Major9 featuring Smino
I’m a bit surprised that I’m including this cute duet here - it doesn’t really come across as a song-of-the-year kind of track to me - but I love it for the neo-soul quality and the playful romance. It reminds me of “Nothing Even Matters” from Lauryn Hill and D’Angelo (who’s referenced in Tiana’s rapped outro), in the way it feels like I’m listening in on a private moment between two people. Plus I adore Tiana’s buttery, English voice mixed with Smino’s versatile rap/sung additions.
I love it when I’m in your car and in your presence /
I’ll show you all the songs I wrote about you baby
17. Pressure - Ari Lennox
Name one artist who’s consistently making music as sexy as Ari Lennox. Go ahead, I’ll wait. Yeah, I didn’t think so. She walks this line of being clear and explicit in her lyrics, and yet it doesn’t sound vulgar delivered in her syrupy sweet voice. “Pressure” is an homage to the sultry divas of the past, even lifting its bassline from the underappreciated 1970s Shirley Brown ballad “Blessed is the Woman (With a Man Like Mine)”.
Bop it baby, twist it honey / Do it like you mean it darling / Keep it coming
16. As It Was - Harry Styles
A lot of people adore Harry Styles, and although I can understand why, I’m not usually one of them. However, this year my redhead found so much comfort in his 3rd solo album, Harry’s House, that I found myself returning to the penultimate track for dance parties, chill hangs, and driving playlists. It’s nostalgic on every level - from the very 80s synth line, to the thematic content of things not being as they used to be, and maybe most of all, the Christmas-like tubular bells that come in at the end. What can I say, “As It Was” is a fantastic pop record.
In this world, it’s just us / You know it’s not the same as it was
15. Blow Out My Candle - Betty Who
Although I wasn’t as into the Aussie pop singer’s 2022 album Big as I had hoped, there were a couple of singles that caught my attention. “Blow Out My Candle” is Betty Who laughing in the face of bullies and haters. Like Demi’s “Sorry Not Sorry” or Taylor’s “Shake It Off”, Betty won’t let anyone’s judgments get to her. And most importantly, this is the most danceable song on the album (even more than “She Can Dance”, which I had high hopes for based on the title alone).
I won't stop running down that road / I'll keep dancing 'til I die /
You can blow out my candle / But you'll never put out my fire
14. The Heart Part 5 - Kendrick Lamar
Once again Kendrick has asserted his place in the top rankings of brilliant rappers alive. Honestly, you can hold him up against most of the dead ones too, and he’d still be a real contender. Although I passed on including his full 2022 album this year for a few reasons, its promotional single, “The Heart Part 5,” was released with a stunning music video (posted below). Kendrick’s reflections on gang culture and expectations surrounding Black men are woven over a perfect Marvin Gaye sample, while visually we watch Kendrick’s own face morphing into deepfakes of a number of complicated Black celebrities (at intentional lyrical moments), including OJ Simpson, Will Smith, Kobe Bryant, Kanye West, Jussie Smollet, and finally, Nipsey Hussle.
Make the wrong turn, be it will or the wheel alignment /Residue burned, mist of the inner-city
Miscommunication to keep homi' detective busy / No protection is risky
13. Free Yourself - Jessie Ware
In case you need a quick recap of Jessie Ware’s last few years, she had the unfortunate timing of releasing her last album - What’s Your Pleasure, a bold, disco-inspired love-letter to her queer fans - in June of 2020. “Free Yourself” sounds to me like the beginning of a sequel to come during an era when we can (hopefully) safely dance together again.
You’re a name not a number / extraordinary colours /
So don’t you hide under covers, baby
12. Blessed - Seinabo Sey
I am a sucker for Seinabo Sey’s rich and distinct vocals. Regardless of what she’s singing about, it always comes directly from her chest with authority. Here, she affirms the goodness of simply existing over lightly punctuated chords and soft brushed percussion. It’s an understated track written by Seinabo’s best friend and musical partner, Isak Alverus, which I think helps to underscore Sey’s power and authenticity.
Everything's alright / As soon as I woke up, I was doing something right
Everything's alright / I will carry it with love I will carry it with pride
11. Calm Down - Rema
After releasing his debut album in February, Nigerian singer Rema was immediately launched into the spotlight as this single found international success via YouTube shares, a Tik Tok dance challenge, and eventually a remix featuring Selena Gomez (although I prefer the original version here). It’s a simple love song over a feel-good afrobeat vibe that whenever played makes it impossible to stand still.
Baby girl if you leave me I no go love again /
Because e get many girls wey put my heart for pain
10. Twin Flame - Kaytranada featuring Anderson .Paak
Whenever Kaytranada teams up with anyone (or remixes anything) I pay attention. Same for Anderon .Paak come to think of it. But I don’t think I would be exaggerating if I called the queer, Black, Canadian DJ my favourite current producer. His mastery over beats and compression gives him the superpower to make anything he touches sound at once nostalgic and futuristic, and “Twin Flame” is no exception.
Hey, when you move, it's that dead right /
Hey, when you groove, it's that dead tight /
What am I doing? Am I that nice? /
Who would've knew you'd live up to the hype?
9. Her - Megan Thee Stallion
Traumazine is possibly Megan’s most personal album to date, and I certainly gave it consideration for the year, but at the end of the day, “Her” is the song that gets stuck on repeat in my head. She doesn’t need to shake off the haters when she recognizes that they’ve never been on her level anyway. It’s a confident moment of recognition that Megan Thee Stallion is still the baddest bitch in the room and probably always will be.
Bitch, you do you, and whatever that is I’ma do it better /
Hoes must have just seen me and they playing catch-up /
Bitches looking like lil Megans playing dress-up
8. Dust to Diamonds - Rapsody featuring Faouzia
One of my favourite living rappers celebrating female athletes across a whole bunch of sports, and I’m here for it. A brilliant callout for equal pay in sports, the shout-outs range from Mia Hamm to Serena Williams; from Kristi Yamaguchi to my favourite WNBA point guard, Sue Bird. So like, a jam with a message? Yes please. The only thing this track is missing is an entire verse devoted to Brittney Griner, but maybe Rapsody is working on a full song for next year. I’ll hope for that.
Arenas scream, "Serena", this like Jesus music /
Never seen nobody body like she bodied with that body / Jesus Christ /
Counting all the crosses, Diana Taurasi / Hella nice
7. Bad Habit - Steve Lacy
“Bad Habit” is another track that represents an album I was considering hard, but ultimately this song is a real standout, and I’m excited that the Grammy’s recognized it with a nomination as well! Steve’s bad habit is that he bites his tongue and refrains from expressing his true feelings. There is regret for a missed connection and with the song ultimately allowing him to voice his desires, turning the phrase around in his fantasy to “can I bite your tongue like my bad habit”?
I bite my tongue, it’s a bad habit /
Kinda mad that I didn’t take a stab at it /
I wish I knew / I wish I knew you wanted me
6. Persuasive - Doechii featuring SZA
Despite having grown up on the west coast, I’ve never been much of a pot smoker. Yet, somehow this ode to marijuana has become one of my go-to party jams. This was already true before Doechii released the version here with SZA, whose appearance unsurprisingly elevates the whole experience. Bonus: we get two videos for the same single! (Here is a link to the original, and one for the SZA collab). I’m very excited for Doechii’s first album, because this unapologetic and queer rapper is a constant delight. In the meantime, I’ll take as many singles - with or without epic collaborations - as I can get.
How does it feel? / I’m so aligned and it’s so / Devil himself can’t kill the vibe
5. Tití Me Preguntó - Bad Bunny
This is yet another song on this list that was very nearly an album mention. While I do love the entirety of Bad Bunny’s 2022 Un Verano Sin Ti, “Tití Me Preguntó” is the unmistakable party standout, with a fast-paced dembow rhythm that easily packs a dancefloor. The title translates to “Auntie asked me”, and I do feel like I might have a slight bias towards a song that references one of my favourite identities. ;)
Me la' vo'a llevar a to'a / Pa' un VIP, un VIP, ey / Saluden a Tití /
Vamo' a tirarno' un selfie / Say Cheese / Ey
4. All I Ever Asked - Rachel Chinouriri
I don’t know how this song ended up on my radar initially, but Rachel quickly found her way into virtually every playlist I made this year. The catchy pop tune is so great for driving, and the sentiment of realizing that a relationship wasn’t offering you the bare minimum of respect is unfortunately universal, making it a perfect sing-along bop. If you like “All I Ever Asked”, I also recommend checking out Rachel’s more recent single, “I’m Not Perfect (But I’m Trying)”.
Never know if you’re sorry for what you said /
For all I know you adore me / But kept it all inside your head
3. Take a Chance - DOMi & JD BECK featuring Anderson .Paak
“Take a Chance” is a very high highlight from an overall amazing jazz record, NOT TiGHT. With 19 year-old JD BECK on drums and 22 year-old DOMi on keys, there is always something in the music to pay attention to as they are constantly playing with every tool at their disposal. This 7/8 track featuring Anderson .Paak (who signed the duo earlier this year) is the most accessible moment on the album and it’s also a rare opportunity to hear them add their vocals to their instrumental prowess. The album was a contender as well, so if you dig this track (as I predict you will), then I recommend spending some time with the rest of the debut from this talented team of prodigies.
Hold on / Just let go of who I used to be /
Right now / I need you to take a chance on me
2. Last Last - Burna Boy
There’s something so satisfying about this track - I can listen to it no matter the occasion. I was hooked immediately by the Toni Braxton sample taken from the Darkchild produced 2000 hit “He Wasn’t Man Enough”. I imagine Burna Boy’s spin on this in the perspective of the original’s subject, as he licks his wounds after losing someone like Toni. Roughly the thesis of this song? At the end of the day everyone goes through heartbreak, so pass the weed and alcohol.
My eye o don cry no / I need igbo and shayo
1. Leave It On the Dancefloor - Hope Tala
The top song of the year was a particularly tricky decision. I actually had another Hope Tala song as a contender for this list along with this one (“Is It Enough”). But, in the end “Leave it on the Dancefloor” was a no-brainer for this spot, as it aligns perfectly with my overall life motto: anything can be worked out on a dance-floor. The truth of the lyrics matched with the intentional, carefree vibe of the track has made for plenty of very therapeutic kitchen dance times.
So come on, leave it on the dancefloor /
Leave your worries all behind and let the night /
Take the pain away
The choices that led to these 20 tracks were painful! I still can’t believe Hayley Kiyoko, Mitski, Raveena and Lucy Dacus aren’t here, but I trust you to check out their names if you are looking for more suggests. Ultimately, my hope in sharing these lists is that you might find a new-to-you favourite artist or perhaps be reminded of a great song from earlier this year that was forgotten under so much constant media. Let me know if you found something here that you like!
Wishing you much more great music in 2023! Cheers!