Now that we have skimmed through the overrated hits of yesteryear, it is time to take a glance at those songs that were overlooked. Before moving on to the year-end compilations of 2018, we must finally recognize those undervalued records that were passed over for one reason or the other. Similar to the overrated hits, we have reduced the number of entries to make room for the explanations. However, here too we have the honorable entries.
It is quite interesting to note that most of the underrated songs on this list are by well-known mainstream artists unlike the compilation last year. Some of the reasons that these tracks did not receive the due recognition was that 2017 was a gargantuan year for pop with heavy weights such as Ed Sheeran maintaining chart dominance and a sudden wave of Spanglish remixes and rap overtaking the industry in the latter part of the year. Lana Del Rey ft. The Weeknd’s Lust for Life takes the crown, with DNCE ft. Nicki Minaj’s Kissing Strangers in second place. As far as genres are concerned, the entire list is pop with subgenres of electropop, dreampop, synthpop and dancepop in the mix. So here are the 15 most underrated songs of 2017:
As far as dreampop goes Del Rey always manages to deliver. Lust for Life sees her collaborating with The Weeknd and hit making producer Max Martin on the title track of the global chart topping album. The sultry production includes a creative music video and is a departure from the melancholic undertones of her other hits achieving the perfect duet. The failure of this song to achieve its chart potential may be Del Rey’s mistake in overlooking this track and releasing Love as the lead single.
2. DNCE ft. Nicki Minaj – Kissing strangers
It is absolutely bewildering how Cake by the Ocean was
such a monumental hit and this being equally great failed to even chart. This fast
paced dance pop track features Nicki Minaj who delivers a banger of a rap
verse. While the charts did not acknowledge its worth, radio stations and dance
floors worldwide recognized its value.
3. Lorde ft. Post Malone, Khalid & SZA – Homemade
dynamite
It was extremely surprising to see that this did not
receive the chart success it deserved considering the current chart darlings
featured on the record. While the single version does not give out much oomph,
the remix featuring the other trio really adds color to a somewhat somber
anthem. This perfect collaboration fuses
R&B with Synthpop and sees the individual artists complementing each
other’s genres and presence on the track.
4. Taylor Swift – Call it what you want
Hailing from the much anticipated album Reputation, this
soft pop ballad really outshines all the rest including the lead single Look
What You Made Me Do, the edgy starter ….Ready For It? and the radio hit
Delicate. However, Swift only released this as a promotional single. It’s a
shame since we never even got the chance to witness whether it will have any
potential on the charts.
5. Bruno Mars vs. David Guetta – Versace on the floor
Mars’ 24K Magic is not everyone’s kettle of fish as even
his sweeping Grammy wins were heavily criticized by those who believed there
were other nominees that deserved the wins over him. One thing for sure, out of
the singles released from the album this definitely stands out. While the
single is good, Guetta’s remix adds more flavour to the song, producing a dance
anthem out of the otherwise very slow and laidback record.
6. Nick Jonas – Find you
This pop track featuring an acoustic guitar and an
understated electronic beat is better than all of his previous singles
combined. Released as the second single off his upcoming fourth studio album,
the track was also performed at the American Music Awards last year. While live
performances of such caliber usually boost sales and as a result chart movements,
it is surprising how badly this single performed.
7. Ariana Grande ft. Future – Everyday
This electropop and trap record was the fourth single off
her third studio album Dangerous Woman. Three hits preceded this track all
different from the other. However, this was the edgiest out of all of them with
an EDM banger of a chorus and a verse by Future. The reason due to its mediocre
performance could be Grande’s continued presence in the charts and radio for
over a year leading to fans getting a bit tired of Grande particularly with
Side to Side which ruled airplay for quite a while. So this should have been
ideally released as the second single after the title lead single.
8. Echosmith – Goodbye
Echosmith first entered the mainstream with their
insecurity anthem Cool Kids. However, they have failed to garner any attention
since then. Goodbye is a promotional single off their third EP Inside a Dream. It
features a catchy guitar riff accompanied by memorable lyrics and a peppy beat.
When the song was released accompanied by a music video preceding the album,
the record was considered and ideally suited to be the lead single. However,
Echosmith too committed the fatal mistake of passing this and selecting Over My
Head as the lead single.
9. Niall Horan – Too much to ask
As far as music goes, Horan has far exceeded the
expectations of all One Directioners. He turned out to be the most creative in
his music surpassing Liam Payne with his mainstream fetish, Harry Styles with
his glam rock feel, Zayn Mallik with his tripping sound and Louis Tomlinson
with only his fan appeal. His single Too Much to Ask follows in the footsteps
of his hit Slow Hands. While it received moderate chart success this slow pop
ballad should have fared better.
10. Stargate ft. Pink & Sia – Waterfall
Stargate is a Norwegian production duo behind the biggest
hits in the industry ranging from those of Beyonce, Rihanna, Ne-Yo, Wiz
Khalifa, Selena Gomez, Coldplay, Tinie Tempah and many more. So when they
released a track of their own featuring the powerful vocals of Sia and Pink, it
was predicted to be a chart success. But this proved to be wrong as the record
failed to gain any ground even in their home state, only achieving moderate
success in Australia.
Honorable mentions
11. David Guetta ft. Nicki Minaj & Lil Wayne – Light my
body up
12. Olly Murs & Louisa Johnson – Unpredictable
13. Gabrielle Aplin – Love so slow
14. Halsey ft. Lauren Jauregui – Strangers
15. Pixie Lott ft. Stylo G – Won’t forget you
At Ease!!!
