It’s 2014, and I’m a tenacious nine-year-old with a big attitude. I’m becoming the ultimate pop girlie, thanks to Radio Disney, of course. Although my spirits will soon be crushed, as One Direction officially announces their breakup, the depression will be temporary. Lots of new music and new obsessions are going to change my life for the better and help me through my preteen years, thanks to female powerhouses becoming the faces of pop music. It’s 2014, baby, and the pop girlies are here to stay!
ariana grande
It’s wild to wrap my head around the fact that, 10 years ago, the 25 and older population was listening to Ariana Grande’s insane vocals for the first time. In August 2013, Grande released her first studio album, Yours Truly, which was very successful and blew Victorious fans away. On July 4 of the next year, however, America received the most incredible birthday gift when My Everything, Grande’s next studio album, was released.
Besides the fact that this album truly launched Grande into widespread fame, it introduced us to the female anthem of the year, “Break Free.” In this song, Grande’s voice soars above the heavens, the EDM track is exhilarating, and the girlboss energy is immaculate. In short, this song was the moment. Whether I was listening to it while getting ready before bed or running the dreaded pacer test, “Break Free” did and continues to make me feel invincible. This is your sign to go blast it right now.
katy perry
Katy Perry was my absolute favorite artist in third grade. Her album, Prism, had an abundance of hits, most notably “Dark Horse” and “Roar.” In these masterpieces of songs, Perry, who I considered to be a role model, told me I could say what I wanted and do what I wanted without regret or judgment. I’m telling you, that catalyzed my self-confidence. For me, “Dark Horse” is a timeless bop, and “Roar” continues to inspire me and still ranks high in the “best songs to scream in the car” category.
meghan trainor
Okay, we can’t discuss 2014 pop queens without bringing up Meghan Trainor. This queen taught me how to love the skin I’m in and be my authentic self. When “All About that Bass” first came on the radio, innocent, music nerd Ally genuinely thought Miss Trainor was referring to a string bass and the treble clef. That started an awkward conversation between my mother and me about synonyms for a woman’s bottom, but I digress.
Nevertheless, I became obsessed with Trainor’s positivity and honesty that radiated through her upbeat tunes. Shuffling through her self-titled album on my iPod is a core memory of mine; trust me when I tell you that hearing her songs now immediately causes nostalgia waves like no other. I’m not lying. You need to experience it yourself.
taylor swift
I know 2023 was defined by Taylor Swift’s accomplishments, but, in my opinion, her album 1989 strolled in and became its own time capsule so that the Eras Tour could run. On Aug. 19, 2014, “Shake It Off” blessed our ears for the first time and continued to do so every day after. Okay, that’s an exaggeration, but this song marked the emergence of a true legend in the music industry and in global culture. I remember hearing this song and thinking at age nine how perfectly it fit into the pop discography of the time period. Subtle clapbacks at the media intertwined with moving mantras and exciting backing tracks resulted in the most iconic, recognizable Taylor Swift songs ever. Specifically, “Shake It Off” perfectly summarizes my coming-of-age story in those preteen years and, when it comes on, I’m instantly reminded of how far I’ve come.
The pop queens of 2014 truly changed the music industry and made a remarkable impact on me. Through my transition from a young girl to a teenager, these artists and their music helped me become the best version of myself and taught me to live life to the absolute fullest.
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