Picking the best Charlie Puth songs means tracing a decade of melodic pop hooks, meticulous self-production, and a voice that swings effortlessly between falsetto runs and gritty lower registers. From the breakout success of Nine Track Mind through the more vulnerable, piano-driven material on Charlie, Puth has built a catalog that rewards close listening on a good pair of speakers, in the car, or wrapped in a quality set of headphones built for vocal clarity. This countdown runs through twenty essential tracks, mixing the chart-topping singles that made him a household name with deeper cuts that showcase his range as a songwriter and producer. For more artist deep dives like this one, the full songs archive covers everything from classic rock staples to modern pop breakthroughs.
We Don’t Talk Anymore (feat. Selena Gomez)
Released in 2016 as the lead promotional push for Nine Track Mind, “We Don’t Talk Anymore” remains the song most casual listeners point to first. The marimba-driven verse and the snapping percussion give the track an icy, percussive bounce, while Selena Gomez’s guest verse adds a conversational, almost diary-entry quality to the lyric. Climbing all the way to number two on the Billboard Hot 100, the single proved Puth could write a pop hook with crossover, radio-ready appeal. The bridge, with its layered harmonies stacked in his own falsetto, still stands as one of the most replayed thirty seconds in the catalog.
Attention
“Attention” arrived as the sound of an artist stepping fully into self-production, with Puth handling the bulk of the instrumentation and arrangement himself. The bassline does most of the emotional heavy lifting, sliding under a vocal performance that moves from cool detachment in the verses to genuine frustration in the chorus. Pulled from Voicenotes, the track climbed into the upper reaches of the Hot 100 and became a defining radio single of 2017 into 2018. On a quality pair of earbuds, the low-end groove and crisp hi-hats reveal just how carefully the mix was balanced.
How Long
Written and produced almost entirely by Puth, “How Long” is built around a tense, minor-key piano figure that mirrors the guilt running through the lyric. The song plays out like a confession, with the verses building tension before the chorus releases into a soaring, multi-tracked vocal stack. Released as a standalone single in 2017, it became one of the most enduring mid-tempo hits and a staple of his live sets. The vocal production, especially the way the ad-libs are panned across the stereo field, rewards repeat headphone listens.
Marvin Gaye (feat. Meghan Trainor)
A throwback to doo-wop and Motown soul, “Marvin Gaye” pairs Puth with Meghan Trainor for a duet that name-drops the Motown legend while leaning hard into retro horn stabs and a swinging rhythm section. The chemistry between the two voices, trading lines and harmonizing on the hook, gives the song a playful, flirtatious energy that stands apart from the rest of the catalog. Included on Nine Track Mind, the track climbed into the top tier of the Hot 100 and helped establish Puth as a songwriter capable of writing for other vocalists as well as himself. The horn arrangement shows off a jazz and theory background that runs through much of his early work.
One Call Away
Few songs in the catalog match the immediate, stripped-down warmth of “One Call Away.” Built on a simple piano-and-vocal foundation before the production fills in with light percussion, the track functions almost like a modern lullaby about loyalty and support. It reached the top fifteen of the Billboard Hot 100 and became a fixture at weddings and graduations, a rare pop song that doubles as comfort listening. The way the falsetto floats over the final chorus, barely above a whisper, demonstrates real vocal control rather than studio trickery.
Done for Me (feat. Kehlani)
“Done for Me” pairs Puth with Kehlani for a duet built on tight vocal interplay and a clean, mid-tempo groove that leans more R&B than straight pop. The verses operate almost like a call-and-response, with each artist answering the other’s complaints about a partner who refuses to show effort. Pulled from Voicenotes, the track became a fan favorite even outside its official single run, frequently cited as a top deep cut from the album. The mix keeps both vocals forward and uncluttered, letting the chemistry between the two singers carry the song.
The Way I Am
A vulnerable, anxiety-themed cut from Voicenotes, “The Way I Am” trades the polished bravado of the bigger singles for something more confessional. Lyrically, the song addresses panic and self-doubt directly, a theme rarely tackled so plainly in mainstream pop at the time of release. Musically, restrained piano chords and a steady, almost heartbeat-like rhythm mirror the subject matter without ever feeling heavy-handed. Listeners working through similar feelings have repeatedly pointed to this one as the most personally resonant track on the album.
Dangerously
“Dangerously” channels heartbreak through a soaring, string-laced arrangement that builds from a near-whispered verse into a chorus dripping with desperation. The string section, layered beneath the piano, gives the production a cinematic, widescreen quality rarely heard on pop radio. Featured on Nine Track Mind, the song became a sleeper hit, picking up momentum on streaming well after its initial release. The key change heading into the final chorus remains one of the more dramatic moments in the catalog.
River
“River” leans into a darker, more atmospheric production style, built around a moody bassline and sparse percussion that leaves plenty of room for the vocal performance to breathe. The lyric explores temptation and emotional drowning, themes reinforced by the watery, reverb-heavy mix choices throughout the track. As part of Nine Track Mind, the song showcases a different side of Puth’s range, trading radio polish for something closer to alternative R&B. The hook sits low in his register, a reminder that the voice carries just as much weight in the lower end as it does in falsetto.
Left and Right (feat. Jung Kook)
Pairing Puth with BTS member Jung Kook, “Left and Right” blends Western pop songwriting with the global reach of K-pop fandom. The track rides a buoyant, synth-driven beat that contrasts with the bittersweet lyric about a fading relationship, a juxtaposition that defines much of the Charlie-era material. The collaboration introduced the music to an enormous new audience while giving Jung Kook one of his most visible English-language pop features. Vocal harmonies between the two singers are mixed close together, almost overlapping, which adds to the song’s breezy, summer-single feel.
Light Switch
“Light Switch” returns to the upbeat, hook-forward formula that built the early career, built around a punchy bassline and a chorus designed for instant singalong recall. The lyric uses the flicking-on-and-off metaphor to describe a relationship defined by inconsistency, a concept matched by the stop-start rhythm of the production. Released as a standalone single in 2022, the track reaffirmed an ability to write pure pop without leaning on a featured artist. The bridge breakdown, stripped down to just vocal and bass, is a small production touch that rewards close listening.
Cheating on You
“Cheating on You” takes a clever lyrical conceit, framing a wandering mind during a new relationship as a form of emotional infidelity to an ex, and wraps it in one of the catchiest choruses in the catalog. The production keeps things lean, prioritizing the vocal melody over dense instrumentation, which lets the hook land with maximum impact. Released in 2019, the single became another reliable streaming performer and a frequent setlist staple on tour. The way the verses build tension before snapping into the chorus shows real command of pop songwriting structure.
Mother
A tender tribute built around warm piano chords and a gentle vocal delivery, “Mother” stands out as one of the more emotionally direct songs in the catalog. The lyric thanks a parent for unconditional support, a theme that resonated widely with fans who shared the track around Mother’s Day each year following its 2019 release. Production-wise, the arrangement stays minimal, letting the lyric and melody carry the emotional weight without unnecessary embellishment. It is a clear example of how restraint, rather than maximalist production, often produces the most affecting work.
I Warned Myself
“I Warned Myself” pairs a moody, minor-key piano line with one of the more vocally acrobatic performances in the discography. The lyric works through the regret of ignoring early warning signs in a relationship, and the production mirrors that internal conflict with layered, almost haunted backing vocals. Released in 2019, the track became known for its demanding live vocal arrangement, frequently cited by fans as one of the hardest songs to perform note-for-note. The final chorus, pushed into an extended falsetto run, remains a highlight of the vocal range on record.
Girlfriend
“Girlfriend” trades melancholy for flirtation, built on a bouncy, synth-pop foundation that leans into a more playful, confident lyrical perspective. Released in 2020, the track marked a tonal shift toward lighter subject matter after a run of heartbreak-focused singles. The chorus melody sits high in the range without tipping into strain, a balance that took years of vocal development to refine. It remains a favorite for listeners who prefer the brighter, more carefree side of the catalog.
That’s Hilarious
“That’s Hilarious” channels bitterness into one of the more sonically aggressive tracks on Charlie, built around a thick, distorted bassline and a chorus that practically snarls. The lyric takes aim at an ex who claims to have changed, with the title hook delivering the sarcasm in just two words. The production leans into a heavier, almost rock-adjacent low end compared to the typical pop palette, a deliberate choice that matches the song’s frustrated tone. It stands as one of the more underrated singles from the Charlie album cycle.
Smells Like Me
A slow-burning, sensual cut from Charlie, “Smells Like Me” uses scent as a metaphor for lingering emotional presence after a breakup. The arrangement favors a smooth, R&B-leaning groove, with subtle guitar textures and a vocal performance that stays controlled and intimate rather than belted. It showcases a more mature, restrained side of the songwriting compared to the high-energy singles that built the early fanbase. The mix rewards quiet, late-night listening over loud playback, since much of its detail lives in the low and midrange frequencies.
Loser
“Loser” leans into self-deprecating humor, framing romantic desperation as something to laugh at rather than mourn. Bright, almost playful instrumentation contrasts with lyrics about chasing someone clearly uninterested, a tonal trick that runs through several tracks on Charlie. The chorus melody is deceptively simple, built for easy singalong rather than vocal showcase, which suits the song’s lighthearted concept. It is a good example of how the album balances heavier emotional tracks with moments of self-aware comic relief.
That’s Not How This Works (with Dan + Shay)
A genre-crossing collaboration with country duo Dan and Shay, “That’s Not How This Works” blends Nashville songwriting sensibility with pop production polish. The track addresses a one-sided relationship plainly, the title hook itself functioning as the song’s central thesis. Released in 2023, the collaboration earned wide industry recognition, including a Grammy win for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, a rare crossover honor for a pop artist of this profile. The vocal blend between the three artists stays tightly harmonized throughout, never letting one voice overpower the others.
Hero
One of the more recent additions to the catalog, “Hero” leans into a grander, more emotionally expansive production style than much of the earlier work. The arrangement builds steadily from a restrained opening into a fuller, more orchestral chorus, signaling continued growth as both a producer and a vocalist. Released in 2024, the single shows an artist willing to slow down and lean into sincerity rather than hook-driven immediacy. For longtime fans, it represents an encouraging sign of where the sound may continue to evolve.
From the marimba bounce of “We Don’t Talk Anymore” to the orchestral swell of “Hero,” this run of twenty tracks traces a songwriter who keeps refining a sound built on sharp hooks, layered vocal harmony, and meticulous self-production. Revisiting the catalog from start to finish, ideally on a setup good enough to catch every layered harmony, makes clear just how much craft sits underneath even the simplest-sounding choruses.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Charlie Puth’s most popular song?
“We Don’t Talk Anymore,” the 2016 duet with Selena Gomez, remains the most commercially successful single, peaking at number two on the Billboard Hot 100 and racking up billions of streams since release.
Does Charlie Puth write and produce his own music?
Yes. Most of the catalog, including hits like “Attention” and “How Long,” credits him as either sole producer or co-producer, a rarity for a mainstream pop artist of this commercial scale.
What genre best describes Charlie Puth’s music?
The sound sits mainly in pop, with heavy R&B, soul, and even doo-wop influences running through tracks like “Marvin Gaye.” Recent collaborations, including the Dan and Shay duet, have also pulled the catalog toward country-pop crossover territory.
What is considered Charlie Puth’s best album?
Opinions vary, though Voicenotes (2018) is frequently cited by critics and longtime listeners as the most cohesive project, balancing radio-ready singles with more vulnerable deep cuts like “The Way I Am.”
Has Charlie Puth won any major awards?
The 2023 collaboration with Dan and Shay, “That’s Not How This Works,” won a Grammy for Best Country Duo/Group Performance, marking one of the most significant industry honors to date.