Favorite Songs of 2021 - Songs 12-22

Ignore this portion of the list at your peril!

12. From the Back of a Cab by Rostam.

"And in the back of a cab we sit closer

And I rest my head down on your shoulder

From the back of the cab to the airport

I am happy you and I got this hour."

Our man Rostam didn't just do covers this year, he came out with new music as well. This is my favorite from his 2021 album Changephobia -- a pretty song about a cab ride to the airport with your love. Check out, at the least, "4Runner" as well.

13. Back in Ohio by Lucero.

"Looking down the barrels

Of twenty loaded guns

All the letters written

All the fighting's been done

A man without a country

Ain't getting out alive."

My brother introduced me to both Lucero and this song earlier this year, and I feel I'm the better for both. It was clear from the video that the song is about the Cuban Revolution, but the exact reference (of which I was not aware) is here.

14. Reese by Big Red Machine. 

"A little bit older now

Out in the wilderness

With some valedictorian

You had wagered up your torch

And then you lost your paraffin."

Big Red Machine is mostly Justin Vernon (a.k.a. Bon Iver) and Aaron Dressner (of The National fame), with various well-known guest artists. Yep, the name is a reference to the Cincinnati Reds of the '70's (Dressner, like the rest of the members of The National, is originally from Cincy). Sounds like Justin is not pleased with the actions of a former friend in this song.

15. Making A Fire (Mark Ronson version) by The Foo Fighters.

"This is our last time

I've made up my mind

I've waited a lifetime to live

It's time to ignite

I'm making a fire."

The Foos are still cool! Dave Grohl is definitely still cool!! They blessed us with a new album in 2021, and some re-mixes, and this is my favorite of the bunch (you can check out the original version of Making A Fire here). I also recommend giving a listen to Love Dies Young and Waiting on a War, at the least, from the excellent Medicine at Midnight LP.

16. Chinatown by Bleachers (feat. Bruce Springsteen).

"Yeah, I wanna find tomorrow

With a girl like you

My Chinatown baby

Sittin' on your front stoop

Cryin' out the crazy."

A break from protocol here as there are two Bleachers' songs on the list (and, truth be told, there could easily be four). My reasoning for the double inclusion is simple enough: only one of those songs features The Boss as well. So, one Bleachers song, one Bleachers and Bruce Springsteen song. Hope everyone's cool with that ...

17. I WANT TO DIE BUT I CAN'T ('CUZ I GOTTA KEEP LIVING) by PRONOUN.

"Wake up in another day

Have some coffee with my stupor

Add up all the time I waste

Telling myself I'm a loser."

Apparently PRONOUN (a.k.a. Alyse Velturo) has decided to forego all lowercase letters and instead use ALL CAPS. You do what you do, lady. I think she's mocking herself here, but maybe it's someone else ...

18. Write a List of Things to Look Forward To by Courtney Barnett.

"Sit beside me, watch the world burn

We'll never learn, we don't deserve nice things

And we'll scream self-righteously

We did our best, but what does that really mean?"

A song about a fractured friendship? Or a bigger picture than that (global climate change?)?

19. Stellate (The Districts Remix) by Samia.

"I wanna get you sedated

Like when it all began

I wanna play you records I like

I wanna hold your hand."

When this song was rereleased with the addition of The Districts, I was hooked. Love Samia's voice, which is enhanced (I believe) by the addition of TDs. And who doesn't love an overt reference to The Beatles?

20. Alibi (Alternate Version) by Geographer.

"Some days can be harder

But we find the way to keep

Our eyes on the forest

And forget about the trees."

It's been a while since Geographer made my list. I'm glad I found this song worthy of inclusion.

21. Far Out by Ben Howard.

"One said 'the violence has begun, we're together all as one

If we don't act now it'll be tomorrow.'

Well, I've seen this show before

So I left and closed the door

When out walking into the nearest forest clearing

There was nothing to see 

Just a boy beyond the trees

Picking psilocybin."

A dark but maybe hopeful (at least for those who indulge in magic mushrooms) song about our current societal divisions. 

22. Human Condition by Sjowgren.

"Whether they knew 

Call it crazy it's true

Went on and on and on it goes

It's the human condition

But nobody mentioned

The eyes the eyes the eyes the eyes."

Sjowgren has at least let us put faces to their voices now -- so a little less mystery than previous incarnations on my list. And every bit worthy of its inclusion.

My favorite 11 songs of 2021 are just around the corner!

Favorite Songs of 2021 - Songs 23-33

Much of my (new) musical listening this year was focused on albums from some of my favorite artists. In years past, there are three in particular that would have yielded at least two songs for this list. But I'm going to stick by my recent practice of just listing one song from each artist this year -- well, with one half-exception. Which will be explained when appropriate. 

23. I Hear the Ax Swinging by the Ghosts of Vroom (a.k.a. Mike Doughty).

"Don't you wait, it won't be for sure 
I'm a Cadillac, you aimless DeSoto

Deep, deep on the pillow sleep

You're in a blue state, don't scratch the rough."

Apparently, Mike had the grand idea of getting Soul Coughing back together after all these years. Equally apparently, the other former members of SC were unimpressed with the idea. So Mike enlisted his long-time collaborator Scrap Livingston and recorded the material as Ghost of Vroom. Whatever Mike wants to call himself, I'm a fan.

24. Track Mud by Wild Pink.

"Track mud

Soil everything you touch

Just come home now

The rain will wash away the stains

You mean well with your hand covered in their dirt

Just come home now

The rain will wash away the stains."

A lovely little song about forgiveness or a homecoming, or maybe both. Have seen Wild Pink on some real "best of" lists for 2021. Pure coincidence, I assure you.

25. Alaska by Little Hurt.

"And some Chinese restaurant in San Fransisco

My fortune told me I'm on the wrong road

Well, life's a game, yeah, I need the cheat codes

And I hate the snow ...

But I think I'll dye my hair and I'll move to Alaska

Grab all of my money, guitar, and a jacket

Drivin' outta town, maybe wave if I pass ya

Sorry but

I had to move to Alaska."

A great summer song ... even though it's about moving to Alaska. First heard on my significant other's SiriusXM (for her the one millionth time, for me the first, at the time). The official video's very amusing ... but unfortunately I can't link it here. Go here instead.

26. Right There Beside You by Bronze Radio Return.

"I'll be here a long time

I'll be in it for as long as you like

And no matter what you and I do

Whatever comes next, I'll be right there beside you."

I'm guessing that BRR is an acquired taste. Here's my credit card.

27. I Will Overcome by Welshly Arms.

"I know a change will be comin'

The sun will shine again

So I'm gonna hit the ground runnin'

I know, yeah I know

The best days are ahead."

All of us could use some optimism (particularly now) couldn't we?

28. Walk on Water by Kaleo.

"I feel stronger, I feel stronger than I used to

Oh, my feet, don't know my feet don't touch the ground

I don't worry, I don't worry any longer

'Cause when your heart dies, your soul cries out for more."

Not the first time on the list for the boys from Iceland (who sound like they could be from Mississippi). My guess is this is a religious song, sung from the perspective of Christ. But I could be completely wrong ...

29. Missing Piece by Vance Joy.

"I've been waiting for the tides to change

For the waves to send you my way

I see you darling but you pixilate

It gets hard to take these days."

Been a while since Vance made the list. How better to do it in 2021 than with a COVID-19 song?

30. Better Man by Caleb Hawley.

"I've got to

Forgive myself for

What the others can't

Take this matter

In my own hands

So I can

Mold myself

Into a better man

'Cause a better man is what I am."

New blue-eyed soul from Caleb. A welcome, self-affirming (or empowering?) addition to his catalogue.

31. Child of Love by We the Kingdom (feat. Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE).

"I'm gonna climb a mountain

I'm gonna shout about it

I am a child of love."

I am not, as a rule, a fan of contemporary Christian music. I am, however, a fan of this song. Deal with it, by heathen brothers and sisters. 

P.S. These guys and gals can rock (and sing).

32. I Need Some of That by Weezer.

"Even if we blow up

We're never gonna grow up

'Cause this is where it's at."

So, one of two new additions to the blog version of this list, due to various foibles in the Facebook version. A fun "looking back on times past" song that, as an old guy, I certainly appreciate.

33. Help Me to Feel Again by Judah & The Lion.

"This is not the end

Maybe with our feelings

Let's try to feeling them

So my heart don't you know

Healing starts when the unraveling unfolds."

Yep, another COVID song. "Healing starts when the unraveling unfolds." 

The middle list will appear post haste.

Favorite Cover Songs of 2021 - Songs 1-11

Here's the second half (or first half, depending on how you want to look at it) of my favorite 22 cover songs of 2021.

1. European Son by Matt Berninger (original by The Velvet Underground). 

"You made your wallpapers green

You want to make love to the scene

Your European son is gone

You'd better say so long

Your clowns bid you goodbye."

My favorite cover of the year - at least according to my ears and brain (my heart was with number two, which will become understandable when you read about and listen to it). This is an excellent example of what a cover can be - both reimagining the original and being true to it at the same time. The lyrics are admittedly not complex (the story behind it is here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Son), but the sound, especially Matt's voice, the harmonica, and the horns, got into my head and wouldn't leave. Yes, that's an endorsement for Mr. Berninger's vocals over Lou Reed's (in this instance).

2. Champaign Corolla by Steve Earle and The Dukes (original by Justin Townes Earle). 

"I know every man think that he need

Some high tone woman

Something built for speed

But you can't trust a rich girl

No farther than you can throw her

Need a middle class queen

Riding by in a champagne Corolla."

Steve Earle and his band recorded an entire album of Justin Townes' songs shortly after the latter's death. Hence my heart going with this one as my favorite cover of the year. While the whole album is excellent, I chose this one over the others, turning JT's sly solo effort into a rollicking country stomp. I cannot bring myself to choose between the two performances.

3.  Sad But True by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (original by Metallica). 

"I'm your truth, telling lies

I'm your reason, alibis

I'm inside, open your eyes

I'm you

Sad but true."

You read that correctly. Metallica. I'm not by any stretch of the imagination a metal fan, so this is one of those that took me a while before I realized it was a cover. One of the comments on the cover's YouTube page is "there is an alternate reality where this is the original." Just so. And much preferred to the original as well, at least by this listener.

4. Signed, Sealed, Delivered by Sharon Jones and the Dap Kings (original by Stevie Wonder).

"Oo wee baby, you set my soul on fire

That's why I know you're my heart's only desire

Ooo baby

Here I am

Signed, sealed, delivered, I'm yours."

One of my all-time favorite songs. While Ms. Jones certainly did it justice, you simply can't top Stevie's "Heyyyy hey, oh yeah baby" at the top. And to her credit, she didn't really try to.

5. Train in Vain by Rostam (original by The Clash).

"Now I got a job

But it don't pay

I need new clothes

Need somewhere to stay

But without all of these things

I can do

But without your love

I won't make it through."

Another song everyone should know. While I've already expressed my admiration for Rostam's voice, it's hard not to hear this one sung by Mick Jones in your head (even when it's Rostam instead).

6. I'm Waiting for My Man by Matt Berninger (original by The Velvet Underground).

"Baby don't you holler 

Darlin' don't you bawl and shout

I'm feeling good 

You know I'm gonna work it on out

I'm feeling good 

I'm feeling oh so fine

Until tomorrow 

But that's just some other time

I'm waiting for my man."

Hard to top one of my favorite artists covering one of my favorite artists (except, of course, for the five songs above, which include one of my favorite artists covering one of my favorite artists ...). While I think most would admit that Matt's voice is better than Lou Reed's, the latter's is perfect for a song about a junkie waiting for his dealer. Two very different, and very excellent, versions of the same song. Final score: Matt 1, Lou 1.

7. Summer's End by Phoebe Bridgers (original by John Prine).

"The moon and stars hang out in bars just talking

I still love that picture of us walking

Just like that ol' house we thought was haunted

Summer's end came faster than we wanted."

Another example of one of my favorite artists covering another. Love and respect to Mr. Prine, but Phoebe's vocals rule.

8. Harvest Moon by Lord Huron (original by Neil Young).

"Because I'm still in love with you

I want to see you dance again

Because I'm still in love with you

On this harvest moon."

A lovely, Latin-tinged cover of a classic (and quiet) Neil Young song. Another one that one could say could, in a different dimension could have been the original. And another that I would say the original vocals can't be topped.

9. For What It's Worth (Stop, Hey What's That Sound) by Jaguar Son (original by Buffalo Springfield).

"Paranoia strikes deep

Into your life it will creep

It starts when you're always afraid

Step out of line,

The man come and take you away."

Pretty much a perfect song for late 1966 (when the original was released) or August 2020 (when this cover was). As good as this version is, I give the nod to Stephen Stills' original vocals.

10. Waterfalls by Death Cab for Cutie (original by TLC).

"Don't go chasing waterfalls

Please stick to the rivers and the lakes that you're used to

I know that you're gonna have it your way or nothing at all

But I think you're moving too fast."

Definitely a different feel to this version, as you would expect from a Death Cab take on a TLC song (and, of course, no rapping). Love Ben Gibbard and his voice, but not as much as T-Boz's on this song.

11. Manic Monday by Billie Joe Armstrong (of Green Day) (original by The Bangles, courtesy of songwriter Prince). 

"Have to catch an early train

Got to be to work by nine

And if I had an aeroplane

I still couldn't make it on time."

Call me tin-eared, shallow, whatever, I've always had a soft spot for '80's girl groups -- the GoGo's, Bananarama, and The Bangles. So Mr. Armstrong redoing a Bangles' song, with Susanna Hoffs on rhythm guitar and backing vocals? I couldn't resist. But I still prefer Ms. Hoffs' vocals on the original.

That's it for this year's covers. Stayed tuned for my favorite original songs of 2021.

Favorite Cover Songs of 2021 - Songs 12-22

The covers list is back after a year's hiatus, expanded to two separate posts. Most of the songs you will instantly recognize from past incarnations, others I didn't even know were covers until I delved a little deeper. All are, I believe, worthy of at least one listen. At the suggestion of a old friend, this time I'll let you know which version (and in particular, which vocals) I prefer - the original or the cover.

12. Drive by Soccer Mommy (original by The Cars).

"Who's gonna pay attention

To your dreams?

Who's gonna plug their ears

When you scream?"

A brilliant update of a classic '80's song. The original is truly a classic, but I prefer the cover both because of the lush production, and due to Sophia Regina Allison's (a.k.a., Soccer Mommy's) lovely voice.

13. Rescue Me by Sharon Jones and the Dap-Kings (original by Fontella Bass). 

"Come on, baby, and rescue me

Come on, baby, and rescue me

'Cause I need you by my side

Can't you see that I'm lonely?"

No, not Aretha. Fontella Bass. And while her original is hard to top, I believe that Ms. Jones managed to do just that. Unlike my new song list the past few years, I feature multiple songs from one artist on this cover list. And, yes, that's a teaser for another from Sharon and the DKs in the next installment.

14. Under Control by Rostam (original by The Strokes).

"I don't want to change your mind,

I don't want to waste your time.

I just want to know you're alright.

I've got to know you're alright."

Instead of a "sounds like The Strokes" song that commonly appears on my other list, how about a Strokes cover instead? Much like "Drive" the production on this version is considerably more layered than the original. And despite my (frequent) profession to want to be like Julian Casablancas when I grow up, I prefer Rostam's vocals to his on this song.

15. That Funny Feeling by Phoebe Bridgers (original by Bo Burnham).

"Stunning 8K resolution meditation app

In honor of the revolution, it's half off at The Gap

Deadpool's self-awareness, loving parents, harmless fun

The backlash to the backlash to the thing that's just begun."

Not a '60's cover, or an '80's, or an aughts, but one of a song released in 2021. Hard to miss the COVID/social media dystopia feel to the lyrics, which seem spot on to me. As you might suspect, I prefer Phoebe's vocals to Bo's.

16. Rock and Roll All Nite by Green Day (original by Kiss). 

"You keep on sayin' you'll be mine for a while

You're lookin' fancy and I like your style.

You drive us wild, we'll drive you crazy."

This cover doesn't really "reinvent" the original. But I think that's the point. As someone who was a high school senior in Michigan in the Fall of 1975, this song was something of an anthem for me (since it was supposedly dedicated to the city of Detroit) and its nostalgia suits me just fine. I prefer Billie Joe Armstrong's vocals to Gene Simmons' (and this version's guitar solos are better too, I believe).

17. In Your Eyes by Ben Abraham (original by Peter Gabriel).

"Love ... I don't like to see so much pain

So much wasted

and this moment keeps slipping away

I get so tired

working so hard for our survival

I look to the time with you

to keep me awake and alive."

A nice, quite update from the original. But it's missing the angst or urgency of Peter's vocals.

18. Bittersweet Symphony by The Knocks (featuring Foster the People) (original by The Verve). 

"Well I've never prayed, but tonight I'm on my knees, yeah

I need to hear some sounds that recognize the pain in me, yeah

I let the melody shine, let it cleanse my mind, I feel free now

But the airwaves are clean and there's nobody singing to me now."

Everyone knows this one, right? I like the vocals in the original a little more, but prefer the tempo of the cover.

19. Fix You by Ben Harper and the Soweto Gospel Choir (original by Coldplay).

"When you try your best, but you don't succeed

When you get what you want, but not what you need.

When you feel so tired, but you can't sleep

Stuck in reverse."

A prettier, but somehow less emotional, rendition of one of my favorite songs by The Band Everyone Loves to Hate. The addition of the choir leads me to declare this one better sung than the original.

20. I Will Follow You Into the Dark by Eddie Island (original by Death Cab for Cutie). 

"If Heaven and Hell decide

that they both are satisfied

Illuminate the 'No's'

on the Vacancy signs

If there's no one beside you

when your soul embarks

Then I'll follow you into the dark."

One of my all-time favorite love songs. Apparently, Mr. Island was on American Idol at some point in the past; wouldn't know it by me ... I like his rendition very much, but nonetheless give the nod to Ben Gibbard's plaintive vocals when comparing the two.

21. Fast Car by Jamila Woods (original by Tracy Chapman).

"So I remember we were driving, driving in your car

Speed so fast, I felt like I was drunk

City lights lay out before us

And your arm felt nice wrapped 'round my shoulder

And I-yI had a feeling that I belonged

I-yI had a feeling I could be someone, be someone, be someone."

A pretty update to a great song. Still prefer Tracy Chapman's rendition, however.

22. Take Me Home, Country Roads by Whitney (featuring Waxahatchee) (original by John Denver).

"Almost heaven, West Virginia

Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River

Life is old there, older than the trees

Younger than the mountains, growin' like a breeze."

A nice rendition - perhaps a bit more country than John's (or Mike Doughty's version, on my earlier list). But it's hard to improve on the original.

Stay tuned for my Top 11.

Favorite Songs of 2020 - Songs 1-11

We made it! The end of a horrible year, the end of what I hope you found was an entertaining and (even more than usual, I believe) eclectic list. Here's to hoping we all get to congregate at some point in the not too distant future, whether it be in the office, at church, at sporting events, or, more pertinent to this topic, at concerts. It can't come too soon!

1.  ICU (or I See You) by Phoebe Bridgers.

"I'll climb through the window again

But right now it feels good not to stand

Then I'll leave it wide open

Let the dystopian morning light pour in."

The most difficult part of this part of the list was choosing which lyrics to include for ICU. The entire song is chock full of insightful, and biting, commentary about love gone wrong. While admittedly Ms. Bridgers and her work have appeared on a lot of "best of" lists in 2020, fortunately for my contrarian nature most have been in acknowledgement of her songs "I Know the End" and "Kyoto" or for her outstanding album Punisher. ICU, however, has been enduringly my favorite since I first heard it early in 2020.

2.  Armageddon's Back In Town by Drive-by-Truckers.

"The die has been cast

Symbolism's so pronounced

That there's nothing left to wonder or explain

There'll be no healing

From the art of double-dealing

Armageddon's back in town again."

If you think its sounds like the boys from Athens (although apparently at least some of them live in Portland now) don't sound optimistic, it's because they're not. Also check out "Thoughts and Prayers" from their excellent album The Unraveling and "The New OK" from their follow-up effort of the same name later in the year. DBT may be bowed, but they are not broken.

3.  Bad Decisions by The Strokes.

"Oh, baby, I hang on everything you say

I wanna write down every word

But do me a favor, when you come close

When I look around, don't wanna see you

I don't take advice from fools

Never listening to you."

The list has often featured songs that I bill as that year's offering of "sounds like The Strokes." This year we have ... The Strokes sounding like a mashup of Billy Idol and Modern English. While Julian Casablancas doesn't sound like he's completely pleased with how he's aged, I still wanna be him when I grow up.

4.  Fastest Man Alive by Steve Earle.

"I'm the rumble with the thunder

I'm the bolt out of the blue

I'm the master of the stratosphere

A pilot tried and true

My name's Charles Elwood Yeager

And I've been everywhere

Paris, London, Timbuktu

And Dover, Delaware

Ended up in California

That's where I'm gonna die

I come from West Virginia

I'm the fastest man alive."

Sadly, West Virginia's favorite son died this year (and even more sadly, Steve Earle's son, Justin Townes Earle, did as well). But Steve got it right, Chuck died in California. And he also got it right that Chuck was the "master of the stratosphere, a pilot tried and true" along with being, in Tom Wolfe's words the "most righteous of all the possessors of the right stuff."

5.  AUATC by Bon Iver.

"Ate up all their cake

And they drank their own wine

They were always on the take (will you shed a little light on it?)

Well, you know the burden ain't of dust

The only path to love is touch

I know that all that ain't proper mounts to much."

AUATC = Ate Up All Their Cake. Yes, that's The Boss you hear helping out in the chorus. A protest song for our post-COVID, post-George Floyd, post-destruction of the middle class times.

6.  Fire by Waxahatchee.

"I take it for granted

If I could love you unconditionally

I could iron out the edges of the darkest sky

For some of us it ain't enough

It ain't enough."

My favorite song from Katie Crutchfield's (aka Waxahatchee) excellent album St. Cloud. I also recommend "Can't Do Much" and "Arkadelphia" from that stellar work, which is much quieter than Waxahatchee's earlier offerings.

7.  Shangri-La by EOB.

"Going back

I'm not going back

In the old house

We'll burn it to the ground."

EOB is Ed O'Brien of Radiohead fame. One song that's here more for the music than the lyrics.

8.  Surrender by Will Butler.

"I'm so tired now

I'm so tired of

Thinking of you

No, no, no, child

I wish you were outta my head."

As convincing as he can be, I don't think Will's winning this argument -- whether it's with the subject or (more likely) himself. Will's better known as a multi-instrumentalist and frenetic stage presence in Arcade Fire.

9.  Persona Non Grata by Bright Eyes.

"Getting dressed for a date

Put on Blue aftershave

Wore a kilt like a Celt

Hid the way that I felt."

The first album in nine years by Bright Eyes is full of angst and Connor Oberst's quivering vocals (and stellar lyrics like the ones above). List regulars will remember Mr. Oberst teaming with Ms. Bridgers last year in Better Oblivion Community Center, whose offerings included "Little Trouble" (which also made my Favorite Songs of the 2010's list). A bright, smart downer in a dismal year, and another song about love lost, a genre for which I have an unexplainable affinity.

10.  Different Light by Best Coast.

"Askin' myself all the time, what if this just goes away?

'Cause I have gotten used to lookin' forward to another day

Probably why I live my life in black and white and never grey

Who am I to judge if you still see things in a different light?"

Another song from the past year that has a strong late '90's-early aughts feel to it. I guess this is a plea for finding common ground? If so, I'm fine with that.

11.  Good Times by The Lone Bellow.

"Boy he's wrestled down his demons

Broke the fall of all his friends

Quotes the Bible and the Koran

Has the heart of fifteen men.

Never wonders what you're doing

Never needs the words to say

There's some good ones still trying

Let's no good time slip away."

Spotify tells me I listened to this song more than any other in 2020. Perhaps that's because it was released early in the year; just as likely it's because I love its optimism (I want to meet whomever it is it was written about, if he exists) that helped with the isolation of most of this year. Which, hopefully, will not be the norm for all of 2021.