Each year I attempt to pick my favourite 100 songs of the year and this year, like all others, has been a regular struggle against having to crop out great songs in the name of trying to get it down to a century. This year I've probably listened to upwards of 5000 songs of which almost 900 have made it onto a monthly playlist. From this I cut it down to around my favourite 200 before picking the top 100 which I've listed below, alongside a clutch of fifty songs that almost made it. As always these are not necessarily the biggest songs of the year or the most well known, and many have probably never been played on mainstream radio, but these are the songs that have most ticked my boxes this year. I've also only allowed one track per artist into the top 100 to keep it varied! As always the comments box below is here for you to share your thoughts. And on that appeasement here are my favourite 100 tracks from 2017... 100 Kasabian - Bless This Acid House (June)
99 Marc Almond - A Kind Of Love (February)
98 DJ Premier X Miguel - 2 Lovin U (March)
97 Eoin Glackin - Wear It While You Can (October)
96 Stereophonics - Caught By The Wind (September)
95 Jon Boden - All the Stars Are Coming Out Tonight (September)
94 George Ezra - Don't Matter Now (June)
93 CNCO and Little Mix - Reggaeton Lento (Remix) (September)
92 Jamiroquai - Cloud 9 (February)
91 Jennifer Hudson - Remember Me (April)
90 Hurts - Beautiful Ones (April)
89 Hifi Sean feat. Crystal Waters - Testify (August)
88 Machine Gun Kelly & Camila Cabello - Bad Things (May)
87 Sparks - Edith Piaf (Said It Better Than Me) (August)
86 Taylor Swift - Look What You Made Me Do (August)
85 The Moods - P.O.P (Profit Over People) (September)
84 The Chainsmokers and Coldplay - Something Just Like This (February)
83 Sigrid - Strangers (November)
82 Rachelle Rhienne feat. Diaz Rodriguez - When The Sun Goes Down (July)
81 Martine McCutcheon - Say I'm Not Alone (June)
80 Hunter Hayes - Yesterday's Song (March)
79 Carly Rae Jepsen - Cut To The Feeling (June)
78 Jack Found - Sundown (August)
77 HAIM - Little of Your Love (October)
76 Camila Cabello feat. Young Thug - Havana (October)
75 Emeli Sandé - Highs & Lows (January)
74 Brenda Veila - Trouble (March)
73 Calum Foad - You & I (February)
72 Niall Horan - Too Much To Ask (September)
71 The Kooks - Broken Vow (August)
70 RYDER - Nirvana (March)
69 Ooberfuse - Why Oh Why (August)
68 Imagine Dragons - Thunder (May)
67 Elles Bailey - Same Flame (May)
66 Clean Bandit feat. Zara Larsson – Symphony (March)
65 Samuel Sim and Tracy Kashi - Hourglass (February)
64 Sia - Santa's Coming For Us (November)
63 Zedd and Alessia Cara - Stay (April)
62 Steps - Scared Of The Dark (April)
61 Liam Gallagher - Wall of Glass (May)
60 The Ghibertins - The Less I Know The Better (July)
59 Ralph McTell feat The Crisis Choir & Annie Lennox - Streets of London (December)
58 Anne-Marie - Ciao Adios (March)
57 Naughty Boy feat. Joe Jonas - One Chance To Dance (November)
56 Amy Macdonald - Dream On (January)
55 Deep Purple - Johnny's Band (June)
54 Ava - After the Storm (July)
53 Blondie - Too Much (May)
52 Morrissey - Spent the Day in Bed (October)
51 Kerri Watt - Old School Love (July)
50 Hafdis Huld - Take Me Dancing (July)
49 Kirsty Churchill - I Was Not Looking (May)
48 Hannah Grace - Praise You (April)
47 Emma Stevens - Sing Out (Hey La Hey Lo) (June)
46 Emily Barker - If We Forget to Dance 45 Earl - Tongue Tied (February)
44 The Rocking Horse Club - Straight White Man (July)
43 The Fizz - Amen (October)
42 George Michael - Fantasy (October)
41 Fiona Kennedy feat. Ross Wilson - Always On My Mind (October)
40 Binky - Fireflies (October)
39 Betsy - Little White Lies (June)
38 Gwen Stefani feat. Blake Shelton - You Make It Feel Like Christmas (September)
37 Erasure - Love You to the Sky (March)
36 Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott - She Got The Garden (October)
35 Moby and the Pacific Voice Choir - In This Cold Place (June)
34 Jazz Mino - Crush (Oliver Nelson Remix) (November)
33 Dan Auerbach - Shine on Me (March)
32 Ed Sheeran - Galway Girl (May)
31 Be The Bear - Erupt (June)
30 U2 - Get Out Of Your Own Way (December) 29 The Wombats - Lemon to a Knife Fight (November)
28 Tom Chaplin - Under A Million Lights (October)
27 Tears For Fears - I Love You But I'm Lost (December)
26 Roy Orbison feat. Ward Thomas - I Drove All Night (September)
25 Mike + The Mechanics - Don't Know What Came Over Me (February)
24 Keith Urban feat. Carrie Underwood - The Fighter (February)
23 Hannah's Yard - Doin' It For Myself (May)
22 Calvin Harris feat. Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry, Big Sean - Feels (June)
21 Bakermat feat Kiesza - Don't Want You Back (June)
20 Enter Shikari - Live Outside (August)
19 Electric Six - Routine Cocooning (October) 18 Train - Drink Up (May)
13 MAN WITH A MISSION - Dead End in Tokyo (January)
12 Kelsea Ballerini - XO (March)
11 James Blunt - Don't Give Me Those Eyes (September)
10 P!nk - Beautiful Trauma (November)
09 Rita Ora - Anywhere (October)
08 Gabrielle Aplin - Waking Up Slow (September)
07 Fjokra - Bang On The Door (July)
06 Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - Holy Mountain (October)
05 Oh Wonder - High On Humans (June)
04 Robbie Williams - Mixed Signals (February)
03 K I D - Taker (March)
02 The Killers - Run For Cover (August)
01 Paramore - Hard Times (April)
The Almost Rans (The Next 50) Alex Hulme - Family Tree Amanda Mair - Empty Blockings Andrew Applepie & Bjurman - Drowning World Chlöe Howl - Magnetic Cimo Fränkel - Never Give Up CliQ feat Alika - Wavey Dani Sylvia - Perfection Generation Double S - Radio Eamon - I Got Soul Fancy Cars feat. Foy - Heart of Stone Franz Ferdinand - Always Ascending Frequency Cowboy - Are You Out There Georgia Van Etten - Take My Hand Hanson - I Was Born Harry Styles - Sign of the Times (Radio Edit) Hermitage Green - Lions Share (Radio Version) Imelda May - Should've Been You Indalo Man - Te Quiero Mucho Jack Savoretti - We Are Bound Jade Bird - Cathedral (Acoustic) Jamie Porter - Sound Of The Summer Jessie Ware - Sam JP Cooper - She's On My Mind Julia Michaels - Issues Kesha - Woman Kiol - Hard Things Lady GaGa - The Cure Lindsey Buckingham and Christine McVie - Feel About You Lorde - Green Light Lover - Fallen Famous Mauro Dirago - Slave For You Maximo Park - Get High (No, I Don't) Miles and Erica - We Came Here To Work Nina Schofield - Beat Another Rhythm Pale Waves - New Year's Eve PictureHouse - Sunburst Reggie N Bollie - Bumaye Sam Smith - Too Good at Goodbyes Scouting For Girls - Dancing In the Daylight Secrettape - Forget It Sharon Shannon - The Machine (Radio Edit) Someday - Clean Couch Stormzy - Big For Your Boots Tape Machines feat. Sam Seg - s.t.u.p.i.d The Allergies - Entitled To That The Darkness - Solid Gold The Script - Rain Triggah - Believe Tuxedo - 2nd Time Around Weird Al Yankovic - Captain Underpants Theme Song
Ten more songs that you have to hear! Anne-Marie - Then
It's been a big year for Anne-Marie and even in its dying days she delivers another great little song. More subdued than her earlier numbers its still hard to not be pulled in by the strong songwriting and emotionally-charged production. Strong. (7/10) Ball and Boe et al - Bring Me Sunshine
The 'each-artist-sings-a-line-of-a-classic-song-for-charity' trope has been well overplayed and this lands firmly in the middle. It's for charity so stick your hand in your pocket, but it's pretty inoffensive. (6.5/10) Bleachers - Don't Take The Money
Though not their best song there's still plenty to enjoy in this well produced indie-pop number with a sing-a-long chorus, even if the video and its frequent pauses are irritating. (6.5/10) Ed Sheeran with Andrea Bocelli - Perfect Symphony
Dropping another collaboration remix after scoring the festive number one with Beyonce, this version will depend on your love of the original song, but the added opera-stylings from Bocelli give it another bit of bite and the string-work some more heart. (7/10) Kesha - This Is Me
From the Barnum musical that isn't the Barnum musical this is a stirring life-affirming song which could well be pretty personal for Kesha who injects plenty of energy into this stand-up-and-be-counted song. (7/10) Manic Street Preachers - International Blue
Sounding a little like the Preachers adapting 'Dancing in the Dark' for a new audience this is a surprisingly poppy entry for the band. It's not a revelation for them but it's radio-friendly enough and sounds like it could become a live favourite. (6.5/10) Pale Waves - New Year's Eve
There aren't enough songs about New Year's Eve and though this is quite downbeat in its lyrics and not something you'd expect the DJ to drop it on the night it's heartfelt and resonating chorus is surrounded by some fun production and a strong vibe. (7.5/10) Paramore - Fake Happy
After the incredible 'Hard Times' from earlier in the year we're in similar introspective territory here for this second follow-up. Williams' vocals are on top form, delivering a touching vibe to the bittersweet lyrics. (7/10) Riton & Kah-Lo - Fake ID
Lifting the rhythm and pace from 'The Clapping Song' this gives it a modern paint job and turns it into a fun club banger. Intriguing. (6.5/10) Shed Seven - People Will Talk
There are sometimes songs that grab you from their opening riff and this is one of them, building from the powerful opener to its upbeat, driving forward beat. Fun! (7/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Amanda Mair - Empty Blockings
It's been a strong year for Mair with several of her songs making their way into our digital shopping basket, and 'Empty Blockings' with its catchy central chorus and ethereal production is one of her best. (7.5/10) Camila Cabello - Never Be the Same
Not quite as fun and huge as 'Havana' but as a Rihanna-esque mid-tempo ballad with a catchy central chorus this will tide you over nicely. (6.5/10) Jade Bird - Cathedral
'Cathedral' is a gentle, acoustic number that showcases Bird's great voice, with the harmonised choruses injecting some heart-felt energy into the stripped back piece. (7/10) Jessie Ware - Sam
Initially heard in acoustic form this heartfelt ballad proves to be Ware's best; beautiful lyrics beautifully sung and well produced. (7.5/10) Miles & Erica - We Came Here To Work
We reviewed the album from which this is taken earlier in the year and this politically-charged ballad was the star of the show, and now as a single is just as relevant as ever with its pro-immigration message. (7.5/10) Not3s and Mabel - My Lover (Remix)
You can't imagine the chorus of this song taking that long to write and the song drips with cliched lyrics and sounds but there's something fun and catchy about the stripped back and smooth sound. (7/10) One Bit & Noah Cyrus - My Way
It might 'borrow' its main musical hook from Mylo's 'Drop the Pressure' but it does at least form it into an uptempo dance track with plenty of bounce. (7/10) RJ Thompson - Skimming Stones
So gentle it's practically somnambulant, this is a nicely sung stripped back number that screams out, or whispers out at least, a relaxing, yet emotional, night in. (7/10) Spector - Untitled in D
I'm a big Spector fan but 'Untitled in D' doesn't do anything that we've not heard before. Fans will relish a new track but it's not at all revolutionary. A grower, but well within their box. (6.5/10) The Wombats - Turn
Though not quite as anthemic as 'Lemon To A Knife Fight' this is still a solid new song from one of my favourite acts. Sure it doesn't do anything revolutionary but it's a nice little listen with more quirky lyrical hooks. (7/10)
Ten more songs you have to hear! Ashton Lane - Breathe You In
One of the next contenders for the big name in British country this delightfully written and sung harmonised ballad with a radio-friendly chorus should help gain them bigger traction. Stripped-back yet with a big sound and a surprising energy this is a promising new single. Lovely. There's also an acoustic version with it which, though not that different really, gives more space for their vocals to breath. (7/10) Chlöe Howl - Do It Alone
A slower affair than you'd usually expect from Howl, but this chilled out, rnb-influenced number has her usual punky attitude sweeping through the lyrics. I prefer her when in a faster tempo mood but this is a cool little number. (6.5/10) Cimo Fränkel - Never Give Up (Filous Remix)
Not a huge departure from the original, 'Never Give Up' is still a cool, crisp, laid back song that is a welcome injection of summer to this time of year. Well worth another spin, in whatever form it comes. (7/10) Declan McKenna - Why Do You Feel So Down?
Perkier sounding than the title would suggest, this is a low-key but quirkly catchy little indie number that walks its own path. Interesting. (6.5/10) Flora Cash - The Bad Boys (Mountain Bird Remix)
This remix perhaps ticks too many of the remix cliche boxes but as a gentle chill-out track it works well, offering bite to its relaxing vibe. (6/10) Mary and The Ram - The Cross / The Dream At three and seven minutes respectively, 'The Cross' and 'The Dream' have the word experimental flowing all the way through them, its mixture of electronica, dream-like production, spoken word and more clearly not to everyone's tastes but creates a fun, ethereal soundscape, though the shorter more timely first track is more enjoyable to me than the country-tinged second number, though the latter does unexpectedly burst into a chugging guitar-heavy number in its final half to inject some energy. (5.5/10) Morrissey and Marshall - Beautiful World (Acoustic) As stripped back as you'd expect from an acoustic track this isn't quite as memorable as, say, 'Cold November Sunrise', but the sixties-style and solid harmonies make for a retro-sounding listen that ticks the right boxes, its call-and-response closer really working well as it hits a crescendo of energy. (7/10) Naughty Boy feat. Joe Jonas - One Chance To Dance
Naughty Boy returns to his strong production form with this throwback-sounding Christmas disco favourite with a verse just as singable as its simple, yet, catchy chorus. Fun and perky and feels like a cert for adverts for dancing, or a certain popular TV show next year. (7.5/10) Percival Elliott - Forever
Making an appearance on my radar two-and-a-half years after it appeared on YouTube, this string-led number that combines Elliott's touching and strong voice with a smooth musical accompaniment makes for a warming, delightful little number that deserves a second chance at fame. (7/10)
To Kill A King - The Spiritual Dark Age
Sending us in three tracks, these are hints at something big coming for this band. The main track, 'The Spiritual Dark Age', is a catchy little indie-rock track with a hooky chorus and a cracking, fast-paced feel with nods towards the Kings of Leon if they went and cheered up a bit. 'The Good Old Days' continues the theme, the production spot-on in generating a great atmosphere with its simple chorus and background calls proving quickly memorable even if it does get a little repetitive near the end. 'My God & You' has an older, more sixties feel to its production and with its 'my god and your god / they don't get along' hook making this my favourite of the three. A trio of great songs which make me keen to pick up their album. (7/10)
