Music that shaped the 2010s

The last decade was filled with hits from a multitude of different genres, from alternative to hip-hip to straight up pop. Music changed as we did - we went from consuming party hits such as Tik Tok from Kesha and California Gurls by Katy Perry to enjoying mellow songs by artists like Billie Eilish. We experimented with genres, from K-pop to country rap and even got some of these in the charts. Here are 10 songs that defined the decade...

Telephone - Lady Gaga ft. Beyoncé (2010)

This collaboration between two of pop's biggest divas was unexpected but iconic to say the least, with the tune becoming the world's ringtone during its prime Telephone reached #1 on the UK singles chart and also won the MTV Video Music Award for Best Collaboration of 2010 due to its incredible music video which followed an interesting storyline of Beyoncé bailing Gaga out of jail. Catchy lyrics such as "Stop callin', stop callin'...I left my head and my heart on the dance floor" made this a stable hit of the decade, with fans speculating that a sequel may be upon us.

Someone Like You - Adele (2011)

British singer-songwriter Adele released Someone Like You in 2011 and it soared straight to success all over the world. It became a #1 single on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart and also allowed her sophomore album, 21, to become the best selling album of the 21st century in the UK so far. The emotional and raw truth of heartbreak was covered in the song's lyrics, co-written by Adele and songwriter Dan Wilson, allowing it to become a piece of the furniture in many "sad playlists" on streaming services such as Spotify and Apple Music.

Gangnam Style - PSY (2012)

Gangnam Style was an unanticipated bestseller of the decade, with it becoming the first music video to hit one billion views on Youtube in December 2012. It introduced the likes of K-pop to the Western world and gave similar artists such as BTS and EXO a platform in pop music, breaking boundaries of what music can reach the charts. In this case, the song's only lyrics were "eh, sexy lady", but the world still sung along in harmony. A viral dance accompanied the chart-topper, as performed in the music video, encouraging audiences to do their take and participate in flash mobs around the world.

Wake Me Up - Avicii (2013)

The late Avicii's 2013 hit took elements of EDM and incorporated it into pop music, ultimately helping the singer become a household name. Wake Me Up reached number one in the UK, and allowed him to spawn future hits such as "Hey Brother" and "The Nights". Avicii's tragic death in 2018 shocked the world but his legacy continues to live on through artists such as Diplo and Martin Garrix cite him as a source of inspiration. Its lyrics such as "Wish that I could stay forever this young, not afraid to close my eyes" were able to bring a sense of nostalgia to listeners, old and young.

All About That Bass - Meghan Trainor (2014)

Meghan Trainor's body-positivity anthem was refreshing and unconventional in 2014, landing her global success as she continued to release chart-toppers such as "Lips Are Movin" and "Dear Future Husband". All About That Bass swiftly became one of the best-selling singles of all time due to its uplifting message and accompanying music video, which featured the representation of various body types, differing from music videos such as "Blurred Lines", released in 2013. Although All About That Bass received criticism for its alleged shaming of slimmer physiques, it was definitely a hit of the 2010s.

Uptown Funk - Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars (2015)

Uptown Funk dominated charts globally upon its release in November 2014, with references to 80s funk music and designer brands such as Yves Saint Laurent. Uptown Funk was #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 14 weeks and reintroduced a retro genre to the world, which unexpectedly worked, even in 2015. 5 years on, it still seems fresh and is guaranteed to get everyone on a dance floor. Bruno Mars' previous songs that reached the charts tended to be slower songs such as "Grenade" and "Just The Way You Are", so Uptown Funk made him a staple in the modern pop industry.

One Dance - Drake (2016)

The perfect summer hit, One Dance dominated 2016's sunny months and was shortly followed by Drake's fourth studio album, Views. Drake was no stranger to the charts in 2016, but One Dance reminded the world of why we have a penchant for his music and are such avid consumers of the Canadian rapper's hits, with the song being named the 2016 Song of the Summer by Billboard. But the summer hit marked a change in Drake's genre, as he explored dance-hall music rather than his regular R&B style.

Despacito (Remix) - Luis Fonsi & Daddy Yankee ft. Justin Bieber (2017)

Despacito, a Spanish song by Puerto Rican artists Luis Fonso & Daddy Yankee, which featured Justin Bieber in the remix, introduced a wave of Latin pop music into the charts. This has been described as the Despacito effect, as many songs followed suit, such as Mi Gente by J Balvin and Reggaeton Lento by Little Mix & CNCO. The hit absolutely dominated the 2017 music scene, staying atop the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 weeks and quickly becoming the most viewed Youtube video of all time. Listeners sung along, having no idea what the Spanish lyrics were saying, making it a huge success globally.

One Kiss - Calvin Harris & Dua Lipa (2018)

This collaboration between two of the UK's most successful artists was heavily influenced by 90s house music, with dance-pop elements, helping it to become the 3rd longest-running number one of the century by a female artist. The song ultimately won Best British Single at the 2019 Brit Awards, and in my opinion, epitomizes the feel-good feeling of British summer, with laid-back lyrics such as "Something in you, lit up heaven in me, the feeling won't let me sleep, 'Cause I'm lost in the way you move, the way you feel". It topped the UK charts in 2018 and still proves to be a success today as it's sure to give nostalgic feels to simpler, sunnier times.

Old Town Road - Lil Nas X ft. Billy Ray Cyrus (2019)

What started as a viral Tik Tok hit quickly picked up and made its way to the global charts, with its country-rap genre being something we as consumers just hadn't heard before. The original version was first released independently in December 2018, but was re-released under Columbia Records in March 2019. 20 year old Lil Nas X released EP "7" shortly after Old Town Road's success, which was nominated for Album of the Year at the 2020 Grammy awards. He experimented with other sounds in his extended play instead of sticking to what got him famous - country rap. This risk solidified his place in the pop music industry and got him collaborations with artists such as Cardi B.