British singer, songwriter and model Dua Lipa is known for her powerful vocals and genre-bending music. She rose to fame in 2017 with her eponymous debut album, which was released in London on August 22, 1995. Hits such as Be the One and New Rules showcased her distinctive voice and catchy pop sound.
With her irresistible beats and impressive vocals, Dua Lipa has taken the music world by storm. No matter where you are, whether you’re in a crowded club, grooving in your living room or just hanging out with friends, her music has the magical ability to make you feel like you’re floating above the dance floor. To mark the pop sensation’s 29th birthday, here’s a list of Dua Lipa’s best songs, each with its own unique appeal and sure to send you into euphoria on the dance floor.
1. Don’t start now
The catchy disco-pop hit catapulted Dua Lipa to the top of pop royalty with Don’t Start Now. A funky bassline and powerful vocals combine to create a danceable song that captures sadness and perseverance. The song exemplifies Dua Lipa’s ability to combine passion and exuberant energy, making it a standout from her Grammy-winning Future Nostalgia phase.
2. Float
Although Dua was never one to fully embrace social media (although we love her Instagram grids of holiday snaps), Levitating received a major boost thanks to TikTok’s takeover during the pandemic. Although it peaked at No. 5 in the UK, it reached No. 2 in the US, becoming her most successful single abroad.
3. Cold Heart
Fittingly, Dua’s third No. 1 single bridged the gap between pop’s past and future as the era of Future Nostalgia came to an end. Cold Heart featured several hits from Elton John’s career (Rocket Man, Kiss the Bridge, Sacrifice, Where’s The Shoorah?) and was a joyous celebration. However, let’s not forget that Dua didn’t perform with Elton at Glastonbury. It still hurts.
4. Physical
Powerful, bold and modern, Dua Lipa’s “Physical” pays tribute to the 1980s while remaining current. Featuring a catchy chorus, the dance-pop and synth-pop track is one of the most popular singles from her album “Future Nostalgia.” Due to the song’s catchy melody and fast tempo, listeners are encouraged to embrace their inner strength and let go of inhibitions, which has led to its rapid popularity.
5. Hallucinate
Hallucinate, Dua Lipa’s vibrant pop single from Future Nostalgia, features funky basslines, groovy beats and her signature sensual vocals. Lyrics that create a strong, almost hallucinogenic yearning reinforce the song’s eternal appeal.
6. Don’t start now
It’s a great start to a new era of albums. The understated, stylish trailer for Don’t Start Now shook the foundations of pop when it dropped in the weeks leading up to the album’s release. The album was confident and impressive, taking Dua’s debut album cycle to new heights (visually and sonically).
Dua’s “Don’t Start Now” was a key moment in her transformation into pop stardom, but perhaps her greatest legacy was that she ushered in a veritable disco revival, along with tracks from The Weeknd (“Blinding Lights”) and Doja Cat (“Say So”).
7. A kiss
Like any great pop star, Dua used the momentum of her first big hit to produce an even bigger second one, and she sought out the best producer to do it.
What makes a summer song perfect? Could it be a retro production that takes you back to Ibiza? Does the lead actor have a smooth, cooing voice? Do you want a chorus that will be stuck in your head for days? One Kiss used all of this to its advantage (the best part of the song? The way the chorus comes back harder and harder until you almost have a stroke by the end) and it used it all to its advantage.
Her second UK number one single (and Calvin’s ninth!) is by far her most successful on the official charts, reaching a total of 3.4 million chart entries, including 376 million audio and video streams (the most of any Dua song) and over 279,000 downloads.
8. New rules
The timing was right for New Rules. Although Dua had already made a lot of noise (she was nominated for a BRIT Critics Choice Award and was on the BBC’s Sound Of…2016 longlist), this had not yet translated into crossover success. The Sean Paul collaboration No Lie and Be The One had reached the top 10, but when her self-titled debut album was released, it was all about New Rules.
It was accompanied by an instant classic music video (Dua and her friends are stuck in a purgatory, following the rules until they get their way) and “New Rules” became the first number one song by a British woman in two years as Dua captured the moment and the momentum, launching a new phase in her career. Although it is her most streamed song and video (47 million video streams), it still pales in comparison.
10. Break my heart
Break My Heart is a disco pop song about Dua wondering if she will regret ending her current relationship. The song’s lively sounds and catchy lyrics helped it become a huge commercial success.
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