Overcoming a number of obstacles, at long last here are my 11 favorite songs of 2024.
1. She's Leaving You by MJ Lenderman.
"You can put your clothes back on,
She's leaving you.
No time to apologize
For the things you do.
Go rent a Ferrari
And sing the blues.
Believe that Clapton was the second coming."
So this was going to be the year that we finally had a repeat artist with the "best song" on the List. From likely my favorite band ever, and certainly since the inception of the List. With a new album out and a song on it (actually several) that I loved.
Then along came MJ Lenderman and kicked that plan right in the butt. The Ashville, NC native is a critical darling following his release of "Manning Fireworks" (along with his previously mentioned duet with Katie Crutchfield "Right Back to It" and his work in the band Wednesday). While I might pump the brakes a little on comparisons to The Boss, Manning Fireworks in general and "She's Leaving You" in particular are chock-full of great lyrics and excellent musicianship. Also highly recommended from the album are "Wristwatch" (with likely my favorite lyrics of 2024: "I've got a houseboat docked at the Himbo Dome; And a wristwatch that's a pocket knife and a megaphone; And a wristwatch that tells me I'm on my own") and the eponymous "Manning Fireworks." By all means, have a listen.
2. Burial Ground by The Decemberists (with James Mercer).
"This world's
All wrong
So let's go where we belong
Pack up the stereo
Meet at the burial ground."
The aforementioned favorite band, and favorite song from their latest album "As It Ever Was, So It Will Be Again." The addition of James Mercer (of The Shins fame) clinched the deal. Until it didn't. At the very least, also check out the salsa beat and horns on "Oh No!" from this excellent latest effort from our Portland friends.
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The Decemberists in Durham in 2024. |
3. Weak In Your Light by Nation of Language.
"Funblin' friend and foe, we're in rotten light
Starin' down the simple somethin' that'll shape my whole life.
Breathin' and burnin' beleaguered and overthrown
I can feel myself come undone ... yet there's more ..."
Spotify tells me that this was my most-listened to song of 2024. Which makes sense, seeing that it came out in 2023 and was on my playlist from the start of the year. Not to mention that I really like it. I was curious to see if lead singer Ian Richard Devaney's voice was heavily overdubbed (as I suspected) or was really as pure live as on the recorded version. After viewing the above video, count me as convinced: he has a great voice.
4. Ice Cream Piano by Vampire Weekend.
"Armistice, we never tried it
You're the soldier, I'm police.
Listen baby, we can't deny it:
You don't want to win this war
'Cause you don't want the peace."
Doesn't exactly sound like a healthy relationship, but love how we get there musically and lyrically. More songs to recommend from "Only God Was Above Us" than any other album released in 2024, including "Prep School Gangsters," "Capricorn," "Classical," and "Mary Boone" in addition to my favorite, Ice Cream Piano.
5. Ain't No Love in Oklahoma by Luke Combs.
"I keep chasin' that same old devil
Down the same old dead end highway.
Riding that storm runnin' through my veins
Like a shot down, tail spun airplane."
Yup, a movie song. And a CMA Awards video. Deal with it. And rock out while you do.
6. Snake Plant (The Past Is Still Alive) by Hurray For The Riff Raff.
"Tattoo with a needle and thread
Most of our old friends are dead
So, test your drugs, remember Narcan
There's a war on the people, what don't you understand?"
Just a guess that Hurray For The Riff Raff will not darken the CMA Awards' door anytime soon. But hey, that's what we're here for - variety! HFTRR's lead singer, Alynda Segarra, however, would certainly fit in well with the likes of Boxcar Willie.
7. Sick Sweet by Wishy.
"Well it's a sick sweet life
and I'm gambling it all tonight
With every shade of me flying
like freaks on a free ride."
The kind of song this List was built on: straight ahead power pop. Wishy are apparently from Indianapolis, which is completely consistent with the previous sentence.
8. Rewind by Rosali.
"I'm a gold light made of rhythm and space
She's a soft wind, you'll meet her someday.
I feel my whole life blowing away
Wanna be with you someday."
9. Fair Shake by Hanover.
"There's courage at my window
and doubt at my door
But it's the way you keep me guessing
that makes me so sure."
Another solid power pop song that puts me in mind of '90's groups like Matchbox 20, or even '70's rock like BTO. Apparently, Hanover have yet to be discovered by ... just about anyone but me, judging by the number of views of this song on YouTube.
10. Sunshine Getaway by JD McPherson.
"Oh neighbor, drag me out of the state I'm in
I need a tropical breeze over sun-kissed skin.
In the crystal blue seas where the palm trees sway
I'm stuck in the middle of the USA."
Sounds like our rockabilly friend JD needs a ... getaway.
11. Dreams by Hana Vu.
"And every night is beautiful
And every song's your favorite one
And no it doesn't hurt to be alive
And love doesn't fade away
And everyone stays the same
And no it doesn't hurt to be alive."
A lovely, wishful song about the way things will never be. The song I heard latest in 2024 to make the List. On a t.v. show of all places ("High Potential" which I highly recommend).
That's it, at long last. I should say something about trying to be more diligent in posting the 2025 List, but it seems like it would be a hollow promise at this point. Hope you enjoyed it nonetheless!
