Top 50 Songs of 2016 (#40-#31)

  The first set of 2016's top tracks have already been revealed. Songs from Kelly Clarkson, Clean Bandit, Neon Hitch and Nick Jonas were memorable and hard-hitting enough to make the cut. For the next ten masterpieces, a Drag Race queen, a former American Idol contestant, a self-proclaimed Dutchess and original members of two record-breaking girl groups each impressed in their own unique ways! Enjoy!

#40. "Life Goes On" by Fergie

   Following the aggressive, rap-like approach of “M.I.L.F. $”, Fergie took a different route on "Life Goes On", latching on to the tranquil, tropical-pop vibe, reminiscent of her 2006 smash "Big Girls Don't Cry". With heartfelt appeal and an acoustic, instrumentally-driven beat that then transformed into a subtle EDM-influenced production, the artist contemplated the daily uncertainty that comes with the end of a relationship. Though there may be a mix of frustration and sadness buried within the lyrical content, in the end, it's all about seeing the beauty in life around. From the Top 40-friendly nature of the appealing chorus to the rap delivery on the bridge, all components came together in a way only Fergie knows how to achieve.

#39. "Daddy Lessons" by Beyonce

   Nobody made a splash in 2016 as big and bold as Beyoncé and her surprise Lemonade release. The artist never fails to cloud her projects in mystery and reinvent herself. With an unexpected yet successful country/bluesgrass approach, the artist retold the final advice of and the strength given by a fatherly figure on "Daddy Lessons", a track that caused controversy for the CMA Awards and the GRAMMYs. Instead of cheesy production or a lackluster folksy impersonation, Beyoncé was able to deliver a compelling, dark and gritty story of the wrongs and rights of her father. Not only a success in terms of creativity, but the unexpected jazz-like horns and heart-wrenching performance triggered desire for an entire album of similar material.

#38. "Getting Warmer" by Gwen Stefani

   After a decade-long, solo material drought, Gwen Stefani let her publicly displayed personal life and relationship with Blake Shelton heavily influence her third studio album This Is What the Truth Feels Like, released in March 2016. Though delegated to just a bonus track on the deluxe edition, the fiery and slightly ominous “Getting Warmer” was a true standout that started off as an endearing ballad filled with sweet sentiment, only to transform into something much more alluring and complex. As the progression picked up steam, and the production became more electronic heavy, the artist began to flesh out her perfect, romantic scenario with a new flame, hoping that the feelings between both parties would be mutual and concrete this time around.

#37. "Read U, Wrote U" by RuPaul feat. Alaska, Detox, Katya & Roxxy

Again, we’ve come to take caution when RuPaul’s Drag Race contestants release new music. However, when the final four queens of this year’s All-Stars 2 – Alaska Thunderfuck 5000, Detox, Katya and Roxxxy Andrews – jumped on RuPaul’s latest “Read U, Wrote U” as official featured guests, the end results were memorable and priceless. While Alaska made a convincing case for eventually taking the crown home and landing in the Hall of Fame, Detox delivered a valuable lesson in spelling, Katya explained why she’s the only high-class Russian whore in history and Roxxy did her best to reveal how much she’s grown since season five. The song highlighted the queen’s strongest points, producing laughs and catchphrases in the process.

#36. "Love Make the World Go Round" by Jennifer Lopez & Lin-Manuel Miranda

   Jennifer Lopez and Hamilton superstar Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborated on "Love Make the World Go Round", a Latin-flared pop/hip-hop hybrid dedicated to the victims of the tragic Orlando shooting. Opening with a snippet of Miranda's inspiring Tony Awards speech, Lopez then came in to inspire and encourage, while supported by a summer-ready beat. Lopez is strongest when singing of love and unity, ensuring listeners that the fallen will always get back up. "Those who hate us and fear us, cannot keep us down, cause we hear in our heartbeat a beautiful sound," Lopez boldly belts, before the radio-tailored chorus comes through and Miranda delivers a thought-provoking rap-like bridge to seal the deal.

#35. "NO" by Meghan Traioner

   After securing a Best New Artist GRAMMY win, Meghan Trainor distanced herself from the trademark doo-wop influences that weighed down her debut album for the late 90s hip-hop/pop influenced "NO", the lead Thank You offering. The artist effectively and forcefully delivered a message of not needing a man in her life. In fact, after a misleading soft intro, an aggressive beat reminiscent of "Hit 'Em Up Style" by Blu Cantrell mixed in with some early Destiny's Child poured through the speakers to signal a hip-hop reinvention for the blossoming pop singer. Trainor burst onto the scene with a commendable sense of sass and confidence , but for the 2016 release, that confidence was turned up to fearless levels.

#34. "After Party" by Adore Delano

If any Drag Race queen could form a pathway to command the Top 40 charts, all bets would be on season six favorite, Adore Delano. Off her sophomore effort After Party, the seductive and straightforward personality of Delano returned for the album's intimate and deliciously explicit title track. "After Party" immediately kicked into high gear with dark and captivating production as the artist began to demand sexual attention from her helpless prey. "Pull my hair, I'll tie your arms around my favorite chair, I'll kiss your neck and then I'll kiss you there," she sang with a commanding, dominatrix-like attitude on a song that should still be serviced as an official single. The music video ideas are endless.

#33. "Starving" by Hailee Steinfeld & Grey feat. Zedd

   Teaming up with producer Zedd and Los Angeles-based duo Grey, Academy Award nominee Hailee Steinfeld shared "Starving" with the masses, an intriguing, laid-back ode to the complex lovesick feeling. The song immediately set itself apart from Steinfeld's previous uptempo releases, with a guitar-driven intro and soft, vulnerable vocals. The folk inspirations weren’t alone for too long, the pace quickly picked up, leading to a radio-ready, electro-tinged chorus as the artist finally comes to terms with the unpredictable, nerve-wracking emotions. Steinfeld's controlled performance paired well with the supporting background beats from Zedd and Grey and highlighted the promising direction she could still take her pop music career.

#32. "Wrong Bitch" by Todrick Hall feat. Bob the Drag Queen

   During his rollercoaster trip through the city of Oz, Todrick Hall was eventually forced to compete with another fierce and popular music veteran on the Bob the Drag Queen-assisted, hip hop-leaning "Wrong Bitch", an explicit and catchy highlight of the project. Though humor was a welcomed asset to the finished product, overall the assertive tone of the track showcased a different, edgier side to Hall’s usually flamboyant and colorful exterior. “'Cause I bite my tongue for no wizard, I fight with fire in a snow blizzard, I tear that emerald city down,” he provokingly sings before Bob chimes in with a fast-paced flow calling out the supposed veteran for being a coward. It was an aggressive piece that likely shocked a few of Hall’s longtime fans.

#31. "Anymore" by Melanie C

Melanie C cited personal reasons for her decision of not participating in a rumored Spice Girls reunion, however, with the release of "Anymore", a darker, disco-tinged taste of her seventh studio album, the real reason was revealed to be a desire to focus on her own solo material. The lead album single showcased a reinvention for Sporty Spice, this time around showcasing sultry vocals with the support of edgy, dance-worthy, synth-pop beats. The breakup anthem initially sounded like a soul-crushing revisit to fonder memories, but when the joyous chorus rolled around, it was clear that the track was actually the soundtrack of new found liberation. The artist moved past the heartbreak, to find the light at the end of a tunnel.