10) Ed Sheeran - "F64"

Ed Sheeran is no stranger to our annual Top 10 list, with hits like "The A Team," "Shape Of You," "Perfect," "Galway Girl," "Bibia Be Ye Ye," "I Don't Care" and "The Joker And The Queen" gracing our pages in previous years. In 2023, he returned with a different kind of offering - a standalone single titled "F64" that resonated deeply with Songfacts readers.

While it wasn't a chart-topping smash, the poignant story behind "F64" captivated listeners. It's a raw and emotional tribute to Sheeran's close friend, music entrepreneur Jamal Edwards, who passed away 11 months prior. Through his lyrics, Sheeran delves into the grief and heartache of losing someone he held dear, offering a glimpse into their personal bond and Edwards' lasting impact.

The song's title, "F64," refers to the format of the song itself - a 64-bar freestyle rap where Sheeran pours out his emotions in an unfiltered and immediate way.

"F64" Songfacts entry

9) Zach Bryan - "Oklahoma Smoke Show"

First released in the summer of 2022 as a track from Zach Bryan's 2022 EP Summertime Blues, "Oklahoma Smoke Show" gained steam in the summer of 2023 as folks got extra excited about the release of Bryan's eponymous fourth studio album. You wondered what an "Oklahoma Smoke Show" is, and we had you covered. It's a smoking hot girl from Bryan's home state.

"Oklahoma Smoke Show" Songfacts entry

8) Karol G (featuring Shakira) - "TQG"

2023 witnessed the unstoppable rise of Latin music, both in the US and globally. Fueled by the viral power of TikTok and the star power of artists like Bad Bunny, Peso Pluma, and Karol G, Latin music is captivating audiences worldwide. It's no wonder then that for the first time we have an entirely Spanish-language song gracing our Top 10.

Leading the charge are two of Colombia's leading ladies, Karol G and Shakira, with their empowering anthem "TQG." We decoded the title, explaining it's an acronym for "Te Quedó Grande," which means in the context of the song "I was too good for you." Both artists had been through high-profile breakups and they remind their exes, Puerto Rican artist Anuel AA and Spanish footballer Gerard Pique, that they're doing fine without them.

"TQG" Songfacts entry

7) David Kushner - "Daylight"

David Kushner's powerful orchestral ballad, "Daylight," delves into the depths of human experience, exploring the universal struggle between the pull of darkness and yearning for light. It resonated with many listeners who have grappled with internal conflicts, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the human condition.

Kushner's Christian background influences much of his music, and "Daylight" is no exception. The song explores the complex tension between our inherent desire for good and the allure of temptations that can lead us astray. Kushner paints a picture of forever stumbling, faltering, and crying for mercy from the Almighty, hoping God will forgive him yet again.

"Daylight" Songfacts entry

6) Mitski - "My Love All Mine"

When Japanese-American indie rock artist Mitski shared her latest album, The Land Is Inhospitable and So Are We, in 2023, among the track list was a beautifully simple ballad titled "My Love Mine All Mine." This atmospheric love song not only delighted Mitski's dedicated fan base but also crossed over into the mainstream pop scene. The song is about her hope that when she passes away, her passion for her beloved will continue to radiate as a guiding light.

"My Love Mine All Mine" Songfacts entry

5) Hozier - "Francesca"

This captivating ballad emerged from the depths of Irish singer-songwriter Hozier's 2023 album, Unreal Unearth. The album takes its inspiration from Dante Alighieri's 14th century epic poem, "Inferno," the first part of the allegorical Divine Comedy, which charts a soul's path towards God.

Many of you wanted to know more about the titular "Francesca." Francesca da Rimini was a beautiful noblewoman from Ravenna who was condemned to the second circle of Hell for her sins.

This isn't the first time Hozier has appeared in our year-end Top 10. His soulful blues-rocker "Take Me to Church" was the most-viewed song of the year on Songfacts in 2014.

"Francesca" Songfacts entry

4) Beyoncé - "Cuff It"

"Cuff It" peaked at #6 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 2023, fueled by a viral TikTok dance craze, and spent 35 weeks on the chart, more than any other song in Queen Bey's career. It also bagged the Texan Best R&B Song at the Grammy Awards in 2023, one of four awards she took home, bringing her total to 32. This broke the previous record for the most Grammy Awards won by an individual. Once again, Beyoncé is running the world.

Many of you came to Songfacts to find out about the saucy banger's title. Beyoncé is singing of a night of intimacy with her husband, Jay-Z. To "cuff it" means to take ownership of something, based on the idea of getting "handcuffed" to a partner. Beyoncé is handing over the reins to Jay-Z and letting him take control of their lovemaking.

"Cuff It" Songfacts entry

3) Miley Cyrus - "Angels Like You"

Gone are the days of wrecking balls; Miley Cyrus traded demolition for delicacy in "Angels Like You." While "Flowers" may have bloomed first this year, it was this 2020 Plastic Hearts track that truly captivated listeners, thanks in part to a viral Filipino TikTok frenzy in 2023.

The bittersweet ballad is a warning: beneath the angel wings lies a heart capable of breaking, perhaps echoing sentiments from Cyrus' own fleeting relationships. Whispers suggest inspiration might lie in Cyrus' brief romance with reality star Kaitlynn Carter.

"Angels Like You" Songfacts entry

2) Taylor Swift - "Clean"

Queen Tay ruled 2023. Billion-dollar tour? Check. History-making concert film? Check. Time Person of the Year? You betcha. So, it's no surprise Taylor Swift was the most searched-for artist of 2023 on Songfacts. But the song that really sparked your curiosity wasn't a chart-topping anthem. It was "Clean" from her 1989 (Taylor's Version) re-recording. This 2014 underdog finally hit the Top 30 in several countries in 2023.

The song is about the moment when Taylor Swift finally realizes she is over a break-up and is "clean." It's a collaboration with one of Swift's heroes, British folktronica singer-songwriter Imogen Heap, who brought her magic touch with a mbira and boomwhackers (yes, really!).

"Clean" Songfacts entry

1) Roar - "Christmas Kids"

Well, we bet none of you expected this song to become the most viewed on Songfacts in 2023. Roar, the solo musical project of Arizona-based musician Owen Evans, recorded "Christmas Kids" in 2010. It didn't chart at the time and only became a minor hit in the UK and Ireland in 2023 after trending on TikTok.

Tens of thousands of you flocked to our site to find out more about the song. It's about the abusive relationship between producer Phil Spector and his wife Ronnie of the girl group The Ronettes. The title references the couple's adopted twins, allegedly forced upon Ronnie by Spector.

"Christmas Kids" Songfacts entry

December 27, 2023
Rewind to our Top Songs of 2022

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