Our Favorite Songs of 2024 Explore a playlist featuring some of the top songs of the year, as picked by members of the Berklee community.
By
Tara Bellucci
December 18, 2024
To quote the musical that defined my formative years, how do you measure a year? When youre a music institution, the (partial) answer is in songs. We asked people across Berklee to share their favorite tracks of 2024, and its quite an eclectic mix to take us into 2025 and beyond.
Chappell Roan, Good Luck, Babe!2024 was undoubtedly a breakout year for Chappell Roan. Her album The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess released late last year, but her star truly ascended this summer with her tour and the release of single Good Luck, Babe! Morgan Milardo, managing and artistic director of Berklee Popular Music Institute, says it has so many iconic, classic elements of an '80s pop song, while breathing fresh, vibrant fun life into todays landscape.
Senior concert producer Maureen McMullan agrees. I thoroughly enjoy every aspect of this song, from the captivating musical performance to the quality of the songwriting, the narrative, and the art-pop production with its fusion of live instruments and sequenced layers. As a long-time fan of Kate Bush, I can hear her influence in the melodic writing, emotional expressiveness, and intricate sonic textures. Chappell Roans impressive dynamic control, wide vocal range, and unconventional use of falsetto further enhance the songs ethereal quality. Her weightless, crystalline, and theatrical vocal delivery is particularly striking. I was immediately drawn to the song upon first listen in my car.
Another Chappell fan, marketing manager Johanna Snow chose Red Wine Supernova from 2023s Midwest Princess, saying it had a moment this year.
Coco Jones, Here We Go (Uh Oh)Latoya Lee, director of industry relations, says the vocal performance coupled with the production, make this a top song. Theres an ex who keeps coming back every time she wants to move on. Also, the fight against herself and those who love her, when they advise her to stop. . . . The lyrics are simple yet tell a whole story.
Beyonc With Cowboy Carter being one of the biggest albums of 2024, its no surprise that Beyonc came up a number of times as we compiled our list. Here are the three songs that rose to the top:
TEXAS HOLD EMRodney Alejandro, dean of Professional Writing and Music Technology, says any song that breaks down of barriers and at the same time build bridges to pave the way for others is more than a song. Its the song!
Sarah Val Valente, director of business operations and project management, agrees. It's got everything-a killer hook, clever lyrics, and a vibe that's hard to forget. It's part of a crossover album that blends genres effortlessly. The storytelling and production are so good that it's been on repeat all year for me.
JOLENEClaire Machamer, senior vice president of communications and marketing, chose JOLENE because it unites two cultural icons-Beyonc and Dolly Parton-in a powerful reimagining of a timeless classic that bridges generations and fanbases. Beyonc brings her modern edge to Jolene, while honoring Dollys legacy as one of country musics most legendary storytellers. The result is a song that feels both nostalgic and groundbreaking.
BODYGUARDPat Healy, associate director of content creation for Berklee Online, chose another hit from Cowboy Carter. It combines so many disparate genres so seamlessly that it can sit next to almost any song on a playlist. The words are both sultry and funny: she wants to protect the subject of the song in the mosh pit? Didnt see that coming! She even name checks John Wayne in a way I also didnt see coming! The song has so many sounds-is that the instrument that Ive always called the Stand By Me fish in the left speaker?-and theyre all layered perfectly, with Beyonc 's voice riding effortlessly on top, just like the way she rides the horse on the album cover: she's having a blast and showing off some great tricks.
Beyonc Is a Disruptor: Why the CMAs Snubbed Cowboy Carter
Dean Emmett G. Price III spoke to NBC News about the lack of nominations for the pop icons country crossover album. Tyler, the Creator, St. ChromaBryan Parys, associate director of content strategy, sees a throughline in Tyler, the Creators career. He says, The first song I heard by Tyler, the Creator was Yonkers back in 2011, which opens with the line Im a f***ing walking paradox; no Im not. Hes changed an awful lot since then, from homophobic slurs to embracing his own queerness on 2017s Flower Boy, but that line remains the perfect thesis for his brand of brash poeticism. On St. Chroma, the opening to his latest album CHROMAKOPIA, the first voice we hear is his mother, whose bold imperative to her son is to never dim your light. It feels like the foundation that he built his paradoxical career on. Hes just as brash as he always was, but now its about a self-love that is incandescent and inviting. Can you feel the light?
Waxahatchee, Lone Star LakeBerklee Online academic advisor Eric Zawada is also a Chappell fan: Like the rest of the world Good Luck, Babe! dominated my listening in 2024. But his favorite non-Roan song is Lone Star Lake by Waxahatchee. The line my lifes been mapped out to a T, but Im always a little lost is probably my favorite lyric of this year. She sings it with such vulnerability, its just beautiful. I feel like Im floating down a gentle creek down south as I listen. The whole Tigers Blood record by Waxahatchee is incredible, and Id say its my favorite album of the year. Right Back to It is rightfully getting a lot of attention, but Lone Star Lake is my standout track from that project.
Mei Semones, TegamiDaedalus, assistant professor of electronic production and design, chose the Brooklyn-based indie artist with jazz influences.
Most recent headlines
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
01/04/2026
January 4 2026, 18:00 (PST) DOLBY AND DOUYIN EMPOWER THE NEXT GENERATON OF CREATORS WITH DOLBY VISION
Douyin Users Can Now Create And Share Videos With Stun...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
19/03/2026
How Chris Bolte Builds the Sound of PlayStation Games Chris Bolte '16 is a technical sound designer at Sucker Punch Productions, where he helps create the...
19/03/2026
Other Voices presents a legendary night of music as Foo Fighters bring their stadium anthems to St James' Church, An Daingean. The surprise performance teas...
19/03/2026
***Issued by RT on behalf of RTS Ireland Awards / Gradaim RTS 2026...
19/03/2026
It's a double feature on GFN Thursday. This week, GeForce NOW offers smoother sights in virtual reality (VR) and a sprawling new land to conquer.
Streaming...
18/03/2026
Newly named chief product officer (CPO), Larissa G rner Meeus will return to Net Insight on May 4.
Larissa G rner Meeus will become CPO of Net Insight on May 4...
18/03/2026
SVG Europe's The Football Summit 2026 explored how the sports broadcasting i...
18/03/2026
The 2026 NAB Show kicks off one month from today and SVG is once again set to cover the show from every angle. SVG's SportsTech@NAB Show Blog is now live - ...
18/03/2026
(L-R) The cast and crew of Dead Lover at The Ray Theater for its premiere at the 2025 Sundance Film Festival. (Photo by Robin Marshall/Shutterstock for Sundan...
18/03/2026
Yamaha C7 captured in Nashville
Wiltone Productions have announced the release of Music Row Piano, a deeply sampled Yamaha C7 piano library that's been ...
18/03/2026
Bass-enhancement plug-in upgraded
Along with a steady stream of new releases, Techivation have recently been revisiting some of the older plug-ins in their ...
18/03/2026
Mix-reference plug-in overhauled
iZotope's powerful mix-referencing plug-in has just reached its third major version, and now boasts a new capture proce...
18/03/2026
Latest EZKeys 2 expansion arrives
Toontrack's staggering collection of EZKeys 2 expansions has grown once again, and the latest instalment delivers a on...
18/03/2026
Jess Ho explores the politics of food in new SBS Audio podcast For The Culture
18 March, 2026
Media releases
New SBS Audio podcast For The Culture, hosted ...
18/03/2026
Future-ready broadcasts with ATSC 3.0 and enhanced services from Rohde & Schwarz...
18/03/2026
London Calling - When The Industry Convened to Help Streaming Find its MoJo In this blog, Laura Rognoni reflects on key discussions from the Connected TV World...
18/03/2026
SMPTE Unveils 2026 NAB Show Educational Presentations
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, a...
18/03/2026
Auditel Ad Campaign Shot on Blackmagic PYXIS 12K
Brie Clayton March 18, 2026
0 Comments
LED wall virtual production blends 12K open gate acquisition w...
18/03/2026
Brainstorm transforms productivity and sustainability with Suite 7 at NAB Show 2...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
Share
Copy link
Facebook
X
Linkedin
Bluesky
Email...
18/03/2026
SMPTE , the home of media professionals, technologists, and engineers, today unveiled its educational presentations for the 2026 NAB Show. This year SMPTE will ...
18/03/2026
Maxon, maker of powerful, approachable software solutions for creators working in 2D and 3D design, motion graphics, visual effects, gaming, and more, today ann...
18/03/2026
Digital Alert Systems
Preview
2026 NAB Show
April 19 - 22
Booth C3452
At the 2026 NAB Show, Digital Alert Systems will showcase Version 6.0 of its DASDEC ...
18/03/2026
Setplex today announced that it will showcase its complete, fully integrated Zapflex platform for the first time at the 2026 NAB Show, introducing powerful new ...
18/03/2026
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES TO THE DISCLOSURE OF INFORMATION THAT QUALIFIED OR MAY HAVE QUALIFIED AS INSIDE INFORMATION WITHIN THE MEANING OF ARTICLE 7(1) OF THE ...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking DP for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Director of Photography for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Gaffer for Low Budget Dramedy Feature Film- I...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Location, Sound for Low Budget Dramedy - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Location/Sound for Low Budget Dramed...
18/03/2026
COW Jobs: Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Film - Chicago
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
Seeking Child Wrangler for Low Budget Dramedy Fe...
18/03/2026
Calrec Redefines Broadcast Workflows at NAB 2026 with its Most Powerful Hardware...
18/03/2026
Oscar Nominated Two People Exchanging Saliva Posted with DaVinci Resolve Studio
Brie Clayton March 17, 2026
0 Comments
DaVinci Resolve Studio handle...
18/03/2026
Boston Conservatory Presents Celebrated Musical Satire Urinetown Performances for this Center Stage production will take place at Boston Conservatory Theater ...
18/03/2026
Charlie Puth Joins Switched on Pop at Berklee NYC The Berklee alum spoke with host and Berklee NYC professor Charlie Harding for a live taping, answering audi...
18/03/2026
X-Rite Pantone Demonstrates Advanced Color Management Solutions to Support Smart...
Our Favorite Songs of 2024 Explore a playlist featuring some of the top songs of the year, as picked by members of the Berklee community.
