But 2016 will always be the year Beyonce ordered us toget in formation.
Below, EWs list of the 100 best songs of 2016.
Halsey, Closer
Are Chainsmokers the LMFAO of 2016?
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Is this song a total goddamn earworm?
Kate Nash, Rotten Teeth
Who knew railing against the patriarchy could be such a blast?
Spunky horns, plucky piano, and lackadaisical guitars guide the albums upbeat opener.E.R.B.
singer David Best whispersbut then launches into the stratosphere mid-way through, thanks to one insanely great synth melody.K.O.
Weezer wear their nerd-rock charm with pride and with songs this good, who can blame em?E.R.B.
Its key track is lush, sensual, and dirty as hell dont play this one around the kids.E.R.B.
Good luck trying to sit still.N.F.
Hes spun that moment into one of his bands boldest and most adventurous songs to date.
And that massive chorus wouldnt sound out of place on a peak U2 record.K.O.
I could never be like you!
I cant change, I cant change, and I dont want to.
We dont want him to, either.N.F.
And I will be sixteen forever!
We dont doubt it.M.V.
The best cut yet from an artist whos just getting started.M.V.
And the howling atmospherics and skittering Machinedrum-produced beat come on like an extraterrestrial force beamed down from outer space.M.V.
Throw em all together, and you have a breathlessly grandiose monster song with a message.R.R.
M.I.A., Survivor
Who wouldve thought that the agit-rap star extraordinaire could go positive without losing her trademark swagger?
This airy delight showcases a welcome new dimension for the artist.R.R.
Metallica, Hardwired
Were so fed, s out of luck, hardwired to self-destruct!
frontman James Hetfield yells on Hardwired, the violent opener on Metallicas hearty return-to-formHardwired… To Self-Destruct.
Kings of Leon, Walls
68.
Loretta Lynn, Whos Gonna Miss Me?
Whos gonna miss you, Loretta?
but her schoolyard-chant rhymes and a recycled Wu-Tang Clan hook mean youll be too busy singing along to care.N.F.
Have you ever heard the sound, of a man stop breathing, pleading?
64. case/lang/veirs, Honey and Smoke
Three beautifully distinct voices k.d.
The best track offKonnichiwais as much an indictment of authority as it is a rallying cry.
We dont listen to no politician/Everybody on the same mission/We dont care about you isms and schisms.M.V.
), The Legend Of previews a star in the making.J.G.
The result is a biting rumination on a toxic relationship and the best thing from their new album.J.G.
Desiigner, Panda
The 19-year-olds chart-topping banger was inescapable in 2016 so much so that G.O.O.D.
Music labelmate Kanye West sampled nearly the whole thing onThe Life of Pablo.
But its Menaces cacophonous trap beat and Desiigners infectious energy that make this so memorable.E.R.B.
M, Final Song
55.
Were here to tell you, yes.R.R.
Sting, 50,000
Sting putting out his first pop-rock album in 13 years?
A reason to rejoice.
Sting questioning his own mortality in the wake of David Bowie and Prince dying?
Yeah, not so much.
Lady Gaga, Joanne
So what if Gagas trying on musical styles the way one tries on Snapchat filters?
Its a scary reminder of America today: the more things change, the more they stay the same.K.O.
Angel Olsen, Shut Up Kiss Me
A fiery love song that dares you to say no to Olsen.
(We wouldnt advise it.)R.R.
And each of the MCs brings his idiosyncratic style to Black Milks lurching beat.
(And lets be real; who hasnt lost it at least once on public transportation?)L.G.
Gwen Stefani, Misery
Sit down, Gavin Rossdale.
it’s possible for you to all butseethe flashy gold-plated chains hanging off this songs neck.R.R.
Anohni, Drone Bomb Me
Want a typical pop song?
Ask a typical pop star.
But the bands irrepressible confidence and bombastic vision are singularly catchy as hell.R.R.
A perfect slab of bubblegum disco.J.G.
(Your mother wouldnt approve of how my mother raised me, she croons.)
Mitski may not be perfect but she wouldnt want it any other way.J.G.
Margo Price, Hands of Time
Much is made about authenticity in music these days.
And perhaps no one showed shes the real deal this year quite like Price.
The EDM anthem that defined 2016.K.O.
This is slow-burn R&B by and for grown-ups, gorgeous and intimate and real.L.G.
Britney Spears, Do You Wanna Come Over?
Whatever you want, whatever you need, Ill do it!
Spears shouts on the freakiest song from this yearsGlory.
Were calling an Uber now!N.F.
Kim Gordon, Murdered Out
If your guitar gods are all dudes, youre doing it wrong.
Who says millennials care nothing about the past?M.V.
But boss bitch has no use for your trifling concerns, your inner issues, or your insecurities.
would be intimidating if it wasnt delivered with such heartwarming infectiousness.
Jonny Greenwoods anxious string arrangements only add to the urgency.
11 and 10.
But doom and gloom this aint.
It climaxes with frontwoman Jehnny Beth hollering a simple but nonetheless inspiring mantra: I adore life!J.G.
Welcome to the coolest Intro to Gender Studies course youll ever take, courtesy of Canadas finest.N.F.
Miranda Lambert, Vice
She could have given Nashville another shiny, boot-stomping take on romantic misdemeanors.
Solange Knowles, Cranes in the Sky
Meaningless sex, shopping sprees, workaholism.
Even the HR lady approves.N.F.
(Even Red Lobster gets a boost.)
