Top 20 songs of 2016-17 school year

Liz Kyle
News Editor

When students stroll down the streets of UD’s student neighborhood, words are often projected from different houses that lively echo throughout the neighborhood. And no, this time it’s not the word “community” that is so famously thrown around. These words are lyrics to songs that flow from fellow Flyers’ porches and houses when it is a nice day outside.

From the catchy drop in The Chainsmokers’ chorus of “Closer,” to the pop acoustics in Ed Sheeran’s “Shape of You,” the Flyer community was listening to great music this school year.

From a fellow Flyer’s point of view, here are the top 20 songs from the 2016-2017 school year at the University of Dayton.

 

  1. “Closer” by The Chainsmokers featuring Halsey

Undoubtedly, the number one spot goes to The Chainsmokers’ hit, “Closer.” The song’s catchy lyrics about that roommate back in Boulder and how we’re never getting older get caught in students’ heads without a problem. Andrew Taggart, one half of the duo that makes up The Chainsmokers, is featured on the track alongside pop singer Halsey. The EDM song was released on July 29, 2016 and stayed on the Billboard Hot 100 Chart for 12 consecutive weeks.

  1. “No Problem” by Chance The Rapper featuring Lil Wayne & 2 Chainz

Chance The Rapper’s biggest hit, “No Problem”, comes from his third mixtape titled “Coloring Book”. The song was released on May 26, 2016 and was named one of the top 30 songs best songs of the first half of 2016 by Rolling Stone. The Chicago native has made waves by being known for making mixtapes that are only available for digital download and unapologetically bringing religious themes into his rap music.

  1. “Fake Love” by Drake

Drake has the versatility of being a talented singer and rapper, so his singing voice stands strong in his track, “Fake Love”, especially during the chorus.The song was released Oct. 29, 2016 and was the lead single coming off of his highly anticipated playlist “More Life.” The playlist debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 charts and became his seventh consecutive album to hit number one on the charts.

  1. “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” by Kanye West

There is no doubt that Kanye West’s album, “The Life of Pablo,” has easily taken over UD’s campus. From sheet signs on houses to students wearing shirts sporting “The Life of Pablo” font, it’s almost as if UD’s campus has been touched by Yeezus himself. “Father Stretch My Hands Pt. 1” was released on Valentine’s Day of 2016 along with the rest of the LP. The song features gospel elements along with a piano beat that compliments the lyrics to make an upbeat, powerful song.

  1. “Broccoli” by D.R.A.M. featuring Lil Yachty

Who thought a successful song could be named after a vegetable? “Broccoli” was released on April 6, 2016 and was the lead single of D.R.A.M.’s debut studio album titled “Big Baby D.R.A.M.” The song’s upbeat feel and quirky lyrics had an impact, landing the song at number 33 for Pitchfork’s list of 100 best songs of 2016.

  1. “Bad and Boujee” by Migos featuring Lil Uzi Vert

The song that became an internet sensation lands in at number six on the list. “Bad and Boujee” was released on Oct. 28, 2016. As a result of the countless memes created from the song’s first lyrics, “rain drop, drop top”, “Bad and Boujee” earned the number one spot on the Billboard Hot 100 chart for the week of January 21, 2017.

  1. “Cold Water” by Major Lazer featuring Justin Bieber and MØ

Major Lazer’s pop-electronic hit “Cold Water” was released on July 22, 2016. With Justin Bieber and Danish singer MØ on lead vocals, the song can be described as the perfect summer song complemented with fun, coastal beats. “Cold Water” debuted at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

  1. “Bounce Back” by Big Sean

Big Sean bounced back into the music spotlight with “Bounce Back.” The song was released Nov. 8, 2016 and served as the lead single to his album titled “I Decided.” The rap song with trap influences is the ultimate comeback song after a night of “taking L’s”. “Bounce Back” debuted at number six on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and is Big Sean’s highest ranking single to date.

  1. “Needed Me” by Rihanna

Fierceness at its finest, “Needed Me” by Rihanna left listeners feeling empowered with this dominant track. The electro-R&B song was released on Jan. 28, 2016 along with the rest of her “ANTI” album but didn’t hit radio stations until the end of March 2016. “Needed Me” was added to Rihanna’s collection of 29 songs that earned a top ten spot on the charts.

  1. “Mask Off” by Future

Released on Feb. 17, 2017, “Mask Off” served as Future’s second single off his fifth studio album titled “Future.” Critics believe the song just shows consistency from the rapper instead of a song that is something special, but listeners could disagree. With “Mask Off”’s rap beats and flute samples, the song ended up becoming Future’s highest charting single of his career.

  1. “Congratulations” by Post Malone
  2. “Starboy” by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk
  3. “Shape of You” by Ed Sheeran
  4. “I Feel It Coming” by The Weeknd featuring Daft Punk
  5. “Stay” by Zedd featuring Alessia Cara
  6. “Starving” by Hailee Steinfeld featuring Grey & Zedd
  7. “HUMBLE.” by Kendrick Lamar
  8. “That’s What I Like” by Bruno Mars
  9. “T-Shirt” by Migos
  10. “Black Beatles” by Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane

 

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.

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