Keeping Score pulls from Kevin's experience as a soccer coach and an employment lawyer; offering thoughts and observations on sports, coaching, leadership, music, and almost anything else he wants to write about. Enjoy.
Showing posts with label Phoebe Bridgers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phoebe Bridgers. Show all posts
We made it! Most of us mostly intact. 'Twas a slim year for me, live music-wise, but did get out a little bit, enough to see one of my favorite artists twice and an old friend at Mountain Stage once. But more about that later.
We begin my list of favorite songs of 2022 with a recent list favorite. Hope you enjoy!
23. Sidelines by Phoebe Bridgers.
"Watching the world from the sidelines
Had nothing to prove
'Til you came into my life
Gave me something to lose."
Perhaps second only to she-who-is-not-yet-named, Ms. Bridgers has appeared most frequently on the list in the last few years. I like this song a lot, but perhaps not as much as ... 22 others this past year. The release of this song gives us some hope that we'll hear more from Phoebe in 2023. But in the meantime, she's busying herself with production work - and you'll find out more about that in the last iteration of this year's list.
24. Wild by Spoon.
"Trippers and askers, they surrounded me
All them describing how they'd like me
All them wanting somethin' special
Bring 'em roses, sing them blues."
Sounds like someone's not all that comfortable with ... comfort. Always admire Spoon for keeping true to themselves, yet being fresh at the same time. Comforting, one might say. Check out their album "Lucifer on the Sofa." For the name, if nothing else.
25. Scab Song by Dora Jar.
"I've got a brain in my head
I've got a brain in my head and it thinks as hard as Einstein ever did
MC squared equals E
That's the theory of relativity
And how are you relative to me."
This year's silly pop song entry, about ... a scab on Dora Jar's leg. Don't judge me.
26. The Lightning I, II by Arcade Fire.
"I heard the thunder and I thought it was the answer
But I found I got the question wrong
I was trying to run away but a voice told me to stay
Put the feeling in a song."
So nice to hear an Arcade Fire song that sounds like Arcade Fire. Makes me feel all ... 50 again.
27. A Real Thing by The Beths.
"Picking up the tires from the side of the road
Gonna push back the coming tide
Laying down beside them like I'm in on the joke
Wake me up when the world is fried."
One of several songs on this year's list that sound like the female-lead power pop bands of the '80's. but with better musicianship. This song appears to have a decidedly un-'80's theme, though -- guessing the "Real Thing" is global climate change.
28. Talk by beabadoobee.
"A crowded place, waitin' for you
Am I lost? Why can't I find you?
A silhouette that's in my head
You don't exist, you're my imagination
You don't exist, you're just a bad decision."
Seems as though 2022 (or more likely 2021) was/were bad year(s) for relationships - love gone bad songs abound on this year's list. Another song that puts me in mind of The Go-Go's or the Bangles.
29. Soberish by Liz Phair.
"I already told you
It was love at first sight
And that's a frightening notion.
I'll hold the light
And you can read me what we owe."
A middle-aged love song. But a love song nonetheless, for a change, from "alt-rock icon" Ms. Phair.
30. Sweet Memory by Geographer.
"Sweet memory
Burning like a candle
At the bottom of the sea
I don't believe in love, and
It doesn't believe in me
All I have is my sweet memory."
One of those "happy sounding sad songs." Geographer returned to the list last year after a long absence. And now here he/they are again, a year later.
31. Reprise by The Lumineers.
"Callin' on your neighborhood
Tell me who to like
Everyone's a friend
Every now and then
Tell me who to like."
"Reprise" as in a different version of "Brightside," the first song on The Lumineers' latest album, also called Brightside. I like this version better. My friend Dave likes Brightside better. And I'm okay with that.
32. Hometown by The K's.
"Hometown, playing all his favorite songs.
In the sun, in the sun, in the sun.
Put 'em on, put 'em on, put 'em on, put 'em on."
Admittedly, I've gotten a little lazy and depend on google to tell me what the exact lyrics are for a song. Or most of them, anyone. Hometown is apparently sufficiently obscure to not warrant their publication. So the above lines are a guess. Seems clear I like this song mostly because of the driving guitar, not the lyrics, huh?
33. Stay Out of It by Michigander.
"It feels like everybody's talking
But nobody's ever listening
And it breaks my heart because I know I can't
Stay out of it."
Michigander is/are Jason Singer (good name for a singer!), originally from Kalamazoo in the Mitten State. As if the name wasn't enough to put Michigander on my radar, I love the bouncy beat, and, yes, the singing.
Stay tuned for the second edition of the list coming soon.
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.
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.
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.
Well, here we are again. Most of us, anyway. While live music ground to a halt this year, as did most everything else, fortunately many artists utilized that "down" time to be incredibly productive and creative (including doing a lot of cover songs which, yeah, sorry, I didn't do a separate list for this year). Here's the start of my list of my favorite songs of 2020. And oh, by the way, 2020?, don't let the door hit you ...
23. Care by beabadoobe.
"It's been a while since I've talked about it
Maybe it's time to cooperate
I need some help to forget about it
I don't want your sympathy
Stop saying you give a shit
'Cause you don't really
Care, care, care, yeah."
I'm pretty sure my comely wife first alerted me to the existence of Beatrice Laus, aka beabadoobe. Apropos of several "retro" artists further down this list, beabadoobee has a very late '90's, early aughts feel about them/her. Maybe a Go-Gos branch transported to 1998 and grafted onto a Goo Goo Dolls tree?
24. Walking on a String by Matt Berninger (feat. Phoebe Bridgers).
"In a way, I can't escape it
You'll always worm you way back in
To my lonesome soul and take it
You've always had me
Walking on a string."
Phoebe's everywhere these days, whether teaming with various outstanding artists (Lucy Dacus and Julien Baker, Conor Obrest in Better Oblivion Community Center, high on last year's list, or Mr. Berninger here), or on her own (more on that in a later installment of this list). Obviously I think she, and they, have excellent taste. A lovely song from the movie Between Two Ferns.
25. Tiny Indoor Fireworks by Biffy Clyro.
"Looking for a new revolution
This one didn't get very far
I never want to spoil an illusion
Abracadabra."
I first because familiar with Biffy through their connection to Frightened Rabbit. This song makes me particularly glad that I did.
26. The Surprise Knock by The New Pornographers.
"Drive off the map and take the long way round
Didn't know the score but we knew we were down
It won't be long until we grind the gears
But carry on, we're on to something here."
I've long been an admirer, but my memory (and Blogger) tell me that TNP have never made the list. That oversight has now been corrected.
27. Reaching Out to You by Snow Patrol and the Saturday Songwriters.
"All of those nights before this
They're not like nights ahead
Inside there's space between us
Of things that won't need said."
A new song from an old favorite. I'm sure my kids would tell you they had more than their fair share of Snow Patrol in the aughts. And yet here they still are, hooky as ever.
28. Orphans by Coldplay.
"Baba would go where the flowers grow
Almond and peach trees in bloom
And he would know just when and what to sow
So golden and opportune."
I feel no need to further try to defend my long-standing admiration of at least some of Coldplay's songs. And it seems as though a billion or so people agree (although none are apparently family members or friends).
29. Pantomima by Greg Dulli.
"Waiting on a breeze
I'm waiting on a breeze
I'm waiting on the fever
That will bring me back alive."
Dulli is/was the driving force behind The Afghan Whigs. Driving describes this song accurately as well. The video is kind of cool but pretty artsy (Bob Fosse, anyone?). You can skip to 1:54 if you're only here for the music.
30. By and By by Caamp.
"Driving through West Virginia
And I've seldom been thinner
With that chip on my shoulder
And this past year I got so much older."
I mean, how can I not put this on my list just based on that first stanza alone?
31. Dressing America by TORRES.
"It's easier for you to insist
That I can't remember
Then to admit
That you can't forget."
My better half insists that she doesn't like this song much because it's a Frightened Rabbit rip-off. Perhaps that's why I like it ... Warning: the video is NSFW.
32. Little Bit Sweet by The Wood Brothers.
"I look my lover straight in the eye
Stops the clock she looks in mine
Precious moment I'm holdin' on
Then she blinks
And the moment's gone
Then she blinks
The moment's gone."
A pretty little song about the vagaries of love and the passage of time.
33. 4 American Dollars by U.S. Girls.
"(You can do a lot with four American dollars)
No matter how much
You get to have
You will still die
And that's the only fact
You gotta have boots
If you wanna lift those bootstraps."
U.S Girls is (are?) Meg Remy, who now lives in Toronto but was born in Illinois. This song definitely falls into the "escape" category, which we all definitely need more than a little of this past year.
Stay tuned, boys and girls. My favorite 22 songs are yet to come!
Over the past month or so, in addition to listening to and posting my favorite songs of 2019, I spent some time reflecting on the now-past decade's music and my favorites among all of those published over the last 10 years. Going back through my lists (which began on Facebook in 2010, but did not make it into blog form until the next year), I was struck by how much things have changed in terms of the increase in platforms on which music (especially that to which I am drawn) and the sheer volume of music being produced.
Ten years ago I was dependent on ... what? ... internet web stations as far as I can recall to hear "alternative" music in Charleston. Today I have Spotify, Apple, our local community radio station WTSQ, NPR, and KEXP to feed me, almost daily, the new music I sift through to find the songs and artists that I like. It's a daunting and exhilarating task that I alone have imposed on myself and I like to think that it keeps me young - at heart anyway.
After compiling my list of 50 favorite songs of the 2010's and having recovered from my holiday crush of posting, I decided to share the list with you. Where I don't include a video of a song, I'll provide a link in the song name, will let you know where they were ranked (if at all) when I first posted them, and provide links to those past lists. A further conceit: I will signify the artists that I've had the pleasure to see in person with an asterisk by their name.
As always, thanks for indulging me in my pursuit of new music - or, in this case, not so new.
26. Rollercoaster by Bleachers.
"We took the bones out from the road
Those endless nights that we traveled we stole
You let your clothes fall to the floor
And lit a fire while I waited for more."
Bleachers made the list four times in the decade, but this song, number 28 in 2015, is my favorite of the lot. Plus, the video had to be one of Bleachers' offerings featuring the recurring theme of front man Jack Antonoff getting his butt kicked.
27. This Life by Vampire Weekend.
"Baby, I know hate is always waiting at the gate
I just thought we locked the gate when we left in the morning
I was told that war is how we landed on these shores
I just thought the drums would all be loud warnings."
Since This Life was included in my last post (number 3 in 2019), I won't go on about my favorite Vampire Weekend song of the past 10 years ("Unbelievers" made the list in 2013 and their cover of "I'm Goin' Down" topped my favorite covers of 2019). I note that for songs from the past year, I probably underrated some since they haven't had the opportunity to stand the test of time the way that others have.
28. Grand Canyon by The Wind + The Wave.
"Don't die, you're just a baby, yeah you're way too young
You haven't lived till you've been to the Grand Canyon
It's the damndest thing
Oh, it's the damndest thing."
My favorite song of 2016, "Grand Canyon" hasn't held up quite as well as some other list-toppers have. But not for want of trying -- still makes me be-bop every time I hear it. While you're at it, check out the similarly movement-inducing "Raising Hands Raising Hell Raise 'em High."
29. Some Nights by fun.
"Well some nights, I wish that this all would end
'Cause I could use some friends for a change
And some nights, I'm scared you'll forget me again
Some nights, I always win, I always win."
While I declared it my third favorite song of 2012, it's the highest of songs from that year on this list. Perhaps I was scared off by its popularity (almost 194,000,000 YouTube views). fun. also featured Jack Antonoff (that's him playing guitar in the video, and not getting beaten up).
30. Cumberland Gap by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit*.
"I ain't cut out for war, unless I know what I'm fighting for
And there's nothing here but churches, bars, and grocery stores.
Ain't much money in the old-time mandolin
So I cash my check and I drink 'til I'm on my ass again."
My second favorite song in 2011, Delta Spirit seems to have fallen off the map, but according to the band's website, they are touring this spring.
32. Little Talks by Of Monsters and Men*.
"There's an old voice in my head
That's holding me back
Well tell her that I miss our little talks."
Little Talks is another former top song (in 2012) that hasn't fared as well over the years, perhaps influenced by the fact that I didn't much care for any of their songs that followed. I do still enjoy the interplay between the female and male singers though.
33. Light Me Up by Bronze Radio Return.
"If you’re feeling good
Is all I need to know‘
Cause you light me up
Oh, you light me up."
Another song that I can't really defend lyrically, but is impossible not to bounce to from the first chord to the last (and the little "Alright now" makes me smile every time). Light Me Up was number 13 in 2015.
35. Sprawl II (Mountains beyond Mountains) by Arcade Fire*.
"They heard me singing and they told me to stop
Quit these pretentious things and just punch the clock
Sometimes I wonder if the world's so small
Can we ever get away from the sprawl."
One of two previously unranked songs on this list, Sprawl II was part of Arcade Fire's epic 2010 release The Suburbs. I had only limited exposure to Arcade Fire before "prepping" for Bonnaroo in 2011. Their set at that festival still ranks as the best concert I've ever seen.
36. Gold Rush by Death Cab for Cutie*.
"Now that our haunts have taken flight
and been replaced with construction sites
oh, how I feel like a stranger here
searching for something that's disappeared."
Another frequent list occupant ("Black Sun" was number 22 in 2015, "You Are a Tourist" number 12 in 2011), Ben Gibbard's lament to urban renewal was both the antithesis of Sprawl II, number six in 2018, and my favorite Death Cab song of the 2010's.
37. Pretty Pimpin' by Kurt Vile.
"I woke up this morning
Didn’t recognize the man in the mirror
Then I laughed and I said, 'Oh silly me, that’s just me.'"
If Kurt truly has a disassociation problem, he is the most connected person every to suffer from it. Pretty Pimpin' was Number 7 in 2015, and has done nothing but grow on me since.
38. Riptide by Vance Joy.
"There's this movie that I think you'll like
This guy decides to quit his job and heads to New York City
This cowboy's running from himself
And she's been living on the highest shelf."
Also a former number one song (in 2014), Riptide has not aged particularly well for me, although as with almost every song on this list, I do recognize it instantly and feel a little jolt of happiness whenever I hear that ukulele start.
39. Seventeen by Sjowgren.
"If you want a second to breathe
I'll give you all of my love
I'll give you all that you need
Don't worry
I'm not in a hurry
Not going nowhere
I'm not going nowhere, yeah."
A four-time list denizen (twice in 2018, with "High Beam" at number 15 and "better off" at 29, and "Now & Then," 2017's number 13, along with Seventeen, number 5 in 2015), Sjowgren ("Show-grin") remains largely a mystery in terms of composition of the band. I like a little mystery at times ...
40. Don't You Look Back by Augustines.
"All right
This kiss ain't got no hope
But I'm gonna get it right
This kiss ain't got no hope
You see
We go up then down again
This'll be the end."
While Delta Spirit may or may not be defunct, Augustines certainly are, having called it quits in 2016. They do share something in common with Delta Spirit, however - a band name change. Delta Spirit was once known as The Delta Spirit, while Augustines were originally We Are Augustines. I regret that I never saw them live. Don't You Look Back was my third favorite song of 2014, followed by Nothing to Lose But Your Head (number 23, also in 2014), and This is Your Life (27th on the list in 2016).
41. Motion Sickness by Phoebe Bridgers.
"I hate you for what you did
And I miss you like a little kid
I faked it every time but that's alright
I can hardly feel anything
I hardly feel anything at all."
"It's time to give a little to the
Kids in the middle, but oh 'til it falls
Won't bother me."
A Grammy winner on my list? I'm nonetheless comforted by: 1. the socialist lyrics (the popularity of the song juxtaposes well with its message); and 2. The Beastie Boys reference. Feel It Still was my eighth favorite song in 2017.
43. Bondurant Women by The Texas Gentlemen.
"There was a genuine act of celebration
On the corner of the freight train station
And the sweating man gave a benediction
Said you're looking for a giant (?) foundation."
Another from 2018 (Born in Love was number 10), which trails only 2015 (12) and is tied with 2017 (7) for the most songs from one year on this list. Every list needs at least one pretty love song.
"I used to feel so strong, now I feel like a loser
This truth is hard to speak, but I could use the freedom
Oh, I can't do this all alone."
Another from last year's list, Quarter-Life Crisis was at number four. I'm long past the opportunity to have a mid-life crisis let alone a quarter-life one, but understand Judah's angst just the same.
Do you think I'd pass up the chance to listen to Rachael Price's voice another time (or six or seven)? Of course not. You Go Down Smooth was my fourth favorite song in 2014.
49. Crying Wolf by Caleb Hawley.
"You always said you wanted me to be honest
So I made u a promise to tell u the truth
I thought you'd understand so that's why I said it
But now I regret it
Baby what are we gonna do?"
No list of mine would be complete without at least one blue-eyed soul song. Crying Wolf was number 18 in 2015.
50. basking in the glow by oso oso.
"Cut me up, I've said enough
Learned this lesson far too much
It'll only bring you down
Carrying someone around
In your head, in your head."
The last on the list from 2019 (basking in the glow was number five) and the last ... period.
