Favorite Songs of 2025 - Songs 1-11

If I may be so bold, the following 11 songs may make for a festive New Year's Eve playlist. Hope you enjoy them!

1.    Spangled by Fust.

"They tore down the hospital 

Out on route 11.

I'm not sure what happened 

Seems like repossession.

And I'm not one to try to get 

All the way to Heaven.

But I can't even mention 

The last place it was relevant.

Now I can't even mention 

The last room I may have been in it, so

Give my love to Amy 

Give my love to Kevin.

They tore down the hospital

And I'm left floating 

In room 305."

 

Since I first heard "Spangled" and then many of Fust's other songs from the excellent "Big Ugly" album it was destined for the top of this year's List. And, no, not because of the Kevin reference above. Fust frontman Aaron Dowdy is a Ph.D. candidate in literature at Duke. His father's family has deep roots in Southern West Virginia (hence both Big Ugly, which references an area in Lincoln County, WV and many of the songs on the album which contain West-by-God themes). He's originally from Appalachian Virginia having lived in Bristol, VA. And Fust's alt-country sound seems to be where I lean (although not exclusively) these days. Also check out "Gateleg" (with perhaps my favorite lyrics of the year: "I still remember you walking down the mountain with that gateleg you built her; 'Cause you remembered that the car was propped up on cinders at Jerry's lot; He can't put it back together but, boy, he can take it apart"), "Goat House Blues," "Jody," and "Mountain Language" from Big Ugly.

2.    Little Acts Of Violence by Ray Bull.

"I'm in a theater

Your voice is coming through the speakers

I always knew you were a singer

I never stopped to ask you nicely

Do you like me?

Do you like it when I talk back baby?"

Doesn't sound like the happiest of family lives for Ray Bull (Aaron Graham and Tucker Elkins). But there's something about this song, as divorced from my life as the lyrics may be, that both attracted me to it in the first place and had me listening all 2025 long.

3.    Nothing I Need by Lord Huron.

"I fell asleep, and when I woke up, she was there

With her long black hair and her ice-cold stare.

She made me wish that I had never let her go

I threw away our love on the g**damn road

But I see her face everywhere I go."

 

Once again falling just short of the top spot, Lord Huron are back on The List with this tale of regretted love lost. "Nothing I Need," however, is their ninth song on one version or another of The List. Also recommended as worth a listen from "The Cosmic Selector Vol. 1" are "Watch Me Go" and "Used to Know." Yes, the Lord's name is used in vain therein. Repeatedly.

4.    Dancing in the Club by This Is Lorelei - MJ Lenderman Version.

"I lay down in that street

My favorite city's artery

And I stared into the moon

Like it was staring back at me."

Yet another lost love/hangdog loser song. But this one featuring This Is Lorelei and MJ Lenderman (whom we saw in April with Jeff and Deborah). You can listen to the original version (without Lenderman or his voice) here, but I much prefer this one. Language warning for this one, kiddos.

5.    Bury Me by Jason Isbell.

"Well, I ain't no cowboy, but I can ride.

And I ain't no outlaw, but I've been inside.

And there were bars of steel, boys, and there were bars to sing

And there were bars with swingin' doors for all the time between."

About as pure country as any song that's ever appeared here. I was surprised to find that Isbell has actually bested Lord Huron's List frequency with ten appearances, including his (with the 400 Unit's) most excellent cover of Metallica's "Sad But True."

6.    The Catastrophe (Good Luck With That, Man) by Car Seat Headrest.

"Signs point in every direction

Advertising a one-night heaven

Got no clue what's driving us

Blind as hell and burning up with your love."

 

Back after a long (eight year) break, Car Seat Headrest reappear with "The Catastrophe," a song from their concept album/rock opera "The Scholars." Welcome back boys (and, no, I have no idea why Will Toledo is wearing a mask while singing in the video). Bonus lyrics: "Is my love true? Are you still afraid of me? Can you make it work? Is this kind of dumb? Does it put the ram in the ramalamadingdong?

7.    Red by Jesse Welles.

"There's a deep swamp and I'll drain it

For my people are in danger

Who would've ever thought the Deep State

Were the National Park rangers?"

I try to avoid most things political these days. But this one is just too on-point to ignore.

8.    Royal by Goose.

"Dancin' on a two top singing

Heart beating in his hand

Twisted up bad

Like a wet bar rag

Back on the road again."

 

I was somewhat incredulous when Goose, essentially a jam band, made The List in 2023 because of my long held loathing of ... well, basically any jam band. Yet here they are back with "Royal" a song about a road-weary musician. I suspect Rick Mitarotonda's voice has a lot to do with that.

9.    Pablo Picasso by Matt Nathanson.

"You strung a wire, higher across the sky

Made me forget my name and my fear of heights

Didn't have to ask me when I ran that thing twice

Like I was born with wings."

Yes! An actual love song. And from an artist who generally seems to prefer reminisces of love lost. Good on you, Mr. Nathanson. And if you are for some reason in need of an(other) example of disillusionment (in love and more broadly) check out "Whitney Houston's National Anthem" recorded with the Indigo Girls (featuring this great couplet: "Your brother used to come around the house; He knows better than to pull that bullsh!t now"). Language warning for both, as you might have guessed at least for the latter.

10.    Well I Know You're Shy by Horsegirl.

"What happened out there?

I wish it was me

What happened out there?

Well, I know you're shy

If you listen to me, you'll know

I wanna say, 'Hi,' in your window."

Just a fun, catchy, bouncy song from Chicago's own Horsegirl. "La-di, da-di, di, di."

11.    Stone Cold Killer by Proton Pool Party.

"All of the roads lead to home

Where you lay I will

Show you the song I was working on.

The weeks go on.

We don’t talk as much because

You got off on the wrong stop."

 

Probably the most obscure song on this year's List, with 162 views on YouTube as I compose. Another Irish band, another song about ... not love lost but clearly teetering on the brink. 

Hope you enjoyed this year's (timely!) effort. Stayed tuned for more new music in 2026.

Favorite Songs of 2023 - Songs 23-33

It was a weird year musically for me - no live concerts, lots of time on Spotify and in C's car on Sirius and semi-listening to songs suggested by Uproxx to find candidates for this year's List. The result is an odd combination of new artists and old favorites, quiet, often sad songs, and loud, pretty much meaningless rockers, obscure releases and very popular ones, and a few that fall somewhere in-between all of the above. It may not be my most coherent list, but I prefer to think of it as ... eclectic. 

23. Gimme Back My Soul by Medium Build.

"When I met you at the tap room

I was young, with big brown eyes.

Got your number, for the summer

I was drunk, but you were nice, nice, nice.

Told you about Jesus

I told you about James

Told you about all the pieces of me

That I can't change."

The first of many songs on this year's List that I can empathize, but not sympathize, with.

24. Surfing in Iceland by Goth Babe. 

"I was waiting right there away from 

Hiding from the bad and hiding from the bad 

I was standing right there in Iceland 

And this is mighty rad and this is mighty rad."

 

Yes, Goth Babe is a male (Griff Washburn). And, yes, he apparently really did surf in Iceland.

25. Positive Charge by The Gaslight Anthem.

"I need a spark

I need a positive charge

Plug it into my veins and make me love this life again.

I need a spark

I need a positive charge.

Plug it into my brain and make me love my life again."

In the oft repeated "reminds me of" category on the List, this song definitely puts me in mind of the best from the Gin Blossoms back in the day.

26. Joiner by Blondshell.

"You've been running around LA with trash

Sleepin' in bars with a gun in your bag.

Asking 'Can I be somebody else?'

You've been riding around on handlebars

Buying drugs from guys in cars

Asking 'Can I be somebody else?'"

I can't tell if Blondshell (aka Sabrina Teitelbaum) is rubbernecking a car wreck, or wants to become part of it.

27.  Highlands by Middle Kids.

"Wherever you are, we're just getting started

Out of the dark, into the highlands.

Give me your heart, I wanna hide it

And I can't keep waiting for things to change."

The Kids from Down Under are back. And it sounds like they're ready to stir some ... stuff up.

28. SLAP ME IN THE FACE by PRONOUN.

"Slap me in the face and tell me I'm perfect

I wanna feel nice instead of just feeling sad

The world is so big and its future is yucky

I wanna play nice but you should treat me real bad."

Not sure I'm entirely comfortable with the message, but anything that pronoun/PRONOUN (aka Alyse Vellturo) does is so darn catchy it can't be ignored.

29. Something Wrong by Hand Habits.

"I'm beggin'

Beggin' you to understand

Amazing, call you my friend

Is there something wrong with that?

Is there something wrong with that?"

This song from Hand Habits (aka Meg Duffy) is haunting, but I like it. Is there something wrong with that?

30. CSI: Petralona by Westerman.

"Close shave in Petralona

My new friend walked me, hand in hand

Down to that busy square

You said, 'Let's head someplace quieter'

Athen is small

Everybody knows you here."

No, not that CSI. Sounds like Westerman was sorting through some deep stuff. Glad he had his friend with him.

31. Sugar Babies by Spoon.

"At the bar, don't forget les au revoirs les sugar babies

They saw me in the storefront standing still

They walked on by they couldn't chill

They'll say hello next time now maybe."

Anything Spoon does is worth a listen. Their longevity (they formed 30 years ago) and ability to not get stale and yet be true to themselves and their sound is admirable.

32. Save the World by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

"Balloon popping at the grocery store

My heart jumping in my chest.

I look around to find the exit door.

Which way out of here's the best?"

We know how you feel, Jason. I love how the instrumental intro sounds like "breaking news" music on a t.v. station.

33. I Don't Know What You See in Me by Belle and Sebastian.

"I've been looking in, and looking out

And there's a million faces in the crowd

But you chose to hold your gaze on me.

And it only took a moment to see."

Belle and Sebastian have been around for almost as long as Spoon, but I believe that this is their first appearance on the List. Welcome, old friends!

Stick around friends, 22 more songs to come!

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 Songs of the 2010's - Songs 26-50

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."

One of four Isbell songs featured in the 2010's (including "Hope the High Road" which I had number 12 in 2017, as opposed to Cumberland Gap, which landed at 25), I believe this song now better exemplifies Isbell's oft angry but always loving depiction of Appalachia. The other Isbell songs from the past decade? 24 Frames (thirtieth in 2016) and Super 8 (number 26 in 2013).

31.  Bushwick Blues by Delta Spirit.

"When we first met

We spoke so brief

When you sang a sonnet

I hummed sweet relief."

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.

34.  Shark Smile by Big Thief.

"Ninety miles down the road of a dead end dream

She looked over with a part smile

Caught up in the twinkle, it could take awhile

And the money pile on the dashboard fluttering."

A sad yet funny, tender yet brutal, road song, Shark Smile was my fourth favorite song in 2017.

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."

You can "Me Too" tweet all you want, but turning a creep's craft on him, with better lyrics than he ever wrote to boot? That is genius. Was my 21st favorite song in 2018, I'm given the opportunity to right that wrong now.

42.  Feel It Still by Portugal. The Man.

"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."

Deserves inclusion based on the video alone. Number five in 2018.

44.  Born in Love by Horse Feathers.

"Some color came from grey

It's gone from worse to good then great

Something realigned

Was it destiny, not fate?"

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.

45.  Circadian Rhythm by Silversun Pickups.

"Another night alone, a temporary dream

I came in through your window sleepwalking

Standing arm and arm, still so out of reach...

Well, there's nowhere left to go

Stay with me, stay with me."

Creepy Silversun Pickups, equally as effective as bemused Silversun Pickups (It Doesn't Matter Why, number 24 in 2019) and artsy Silversun Pickups (Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings), number 27 in 2012), Circadian Rhythm was my seventeenth favorite song in 2016.

46.  Quarter-Life Crisis by Judah & The Lion.

"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.

47.  Smart by Girl in a Coma.

"Hold your head up though you’re shaking

I’ve never felt a rush like this, 

not quite like this."

Another defunct band ... maybe it's me? Smart was number six in 2011.

48.  You Go Down Smooth by Lake Street Dive*.

"And I am afraid to need you so

And I am too sober not to know

That you may be my problem, not my love

'Cause you go down smooth."

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.

Stay tuned for the top 25!

Favorite Songs of 2017: Songs 12-22

Without further ado, songs 12-22:

12.  Hope the High Road by Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit.

"I've heard enough of the white man's blues
I sang enough about myself.
So if you're looking for some bad news
Well you can find it somewhere else.
Last year was a son of a bitch
For nearly everyone we know.
But I ain't fighting with you down in a ditch
I'll meet you up here on the road."

To be clear, when I called Isbell the new poet laureate of Appalachia in my last post, it was MY   version of Appalachia to which I was referring.

13.  Now & Then by Sjowgren.

"Some things had changed
But others stayed the same and you,
You had your stories.
Some different stories
I left behind."

I don't know much more about the artist than I did in 2015 when their (her?) song "Seventeen" was high on my list. But they appear to enjoy the mystery. As long as they keep making music like this, that's okay with me.

14.  Fashion by The Royal Concept.

"'Cause I love the way you wear on me
And you fashion is so wild and free
Honey, loving you ain't easy
But I'm not gonna leave ya
No no
So baby put your dope ass crazy fashion on me."

The boys from Sweden are also a past member of the list, albeit five years ago, with a song that reminded me of The Strokes (and Phoenix). "Fashion" puts me more in mind of a certain Purple Icon of Pop who passed away last year. Even if their music continues to be a bit derivative, as long as it sounds like this, I say "vive la sameness."

15.  I Dare You by The xx.

"I get chills
Heartbreak multiplies
I'm on a different kind of high.
A rush of blood is not enough
I need my feelings set on fire."

Just a plain ol' lovely love song.

16.  Then Again by Pinegrove.

"Wakin' in an unusual town
every morning this September.
You could sleep it off and leave it all
but in the morning you remember."

Along with Jason Isbell, the other artist with two songs on this year's list. Pinegrove's album "Cardinal" is my favorite of 2017.

17.  Near to the Wild Heart of Life by Japandroids.

"I was destined to die dreaming
When one day, my best friend
With passion and pure provocation
Summoned me and said
'You can't condemn your love
To linger here and die
Can't leave your dreams to chance
Or to a spirit in the sky.
May your heart always be ardent
Your conscience always clear
And succumb to the city and surrender, baby
I'll be waiting here."

If you ever get the chance, go see Japandroids live. It's astonishing how much (excellent) sound can come out of two guys, a guitar, and a set of drums.

18.  Fighting a Ghost by Matt Hires.

"What do you say
when your heart's not in it?
What do you do
when there's no new beginning?
How do you start
When you've forgotten how to finish?"

I've really liked Matt Hires for quite a while now, particularly his voice and the little bit of disgust or outrage boiling just below the surface, even if he's just singing about lost love.

19.  Slip Away by Perfume Genius.

"Don't look back, I want to break free
If you'll never see 'em coming
You'll never have to hide.
Take my hand, take my everything."

In a year of angst and equivocation, there was at least one simple love song that I liked a lot -- and this is it. And those drums ...

20.  Holding On by The War on Drugs.

"Now I'm headed down a different road, yeah
Can we walk it side by side?
Is an old memory just another way of saying goodbye?"

Highway songs are common, particularly in the U.S. Somehow, The War on Drugs managed to make the genre uniquely their own in this song.

21.  Edge of Town by Middle Kids.

"I got all muddled up and journeyed to the edge of town
And then the road cracked open, sucked me in and I went down
I'm standing face to face with the kind of the underground
Some things just don't add up, I'm upside down I'm inside out."

This Aussie group toured with Cold War Kids this summer. Talk about the ultimate vacation for the Kids!

22.  Don't Take the Money by Bleachers.

"Will we fight, stay up late?
In my dreams I'm to blame
Different sides of the bed
Roll your eyes, shave my head
Now we're stuck in the storm
We were born to ignore
And all I got is a chance to just sit
(Baby love me you've got me, runaway)."

Proof that pop songs aren't necessarily devoid of meaning (or self-examination). Yes, that's Lorde you hear singing - she co-wrote "Don't Take the Money" with Bleachers' Jack Antonoff. And yes that appears to be Maeby Funke commiserating with Jack at the start of the video (and presiding over his "The Graduate" like wedding at the end). And finally, yes, Jack seems to regularly get his butt kicked in Bleachers videos.

Favorite Songs of 2017: Songs 23-33

It's hard to believe that a year ago, as I was composing the first post of my favorite songs of 2016, the Cubs had just won their first pennant in 108 years, the U.S. Men's Soccer team was still a "lock" for the World Cup, and we had a responsible adult in the White House. The dismay that many of us feel is reflected in many of the songs on this year's list. But also hope. And hope is a good thing.

23.  3WW by Alt-J.

"Girls from the pool say 'Hi' (hi)

The road erodes at five feet per year

Along England's east coastline.

Was this your first time?

Love is just a button we pressed

Last night by the campfire."

Difficult the read anything into this song as anything other than about ... intimate relationships. "3WW" stands for Three Worn Words (as the lyrics themselves say) -- the consensus is that they are "I Love You." The official video is here mostly because of the vocals by Ellie Rowsell of Wolf Alice, a band featured on last year's list. But live versions at KEXP and other places are wonderful too.

24.  Gossamer Thin by Connor Oberst.

"Ring 'round his eyes
Tracks down his arm
His fans are confused and his friends are alarmed.
His wife doesn't talk
Hates when he's gone
Counts ever skirt in his new entourage.

And they're all gossamer thin
Left of the dial, Bohemians.
And they dance, tournament style
Twirl 'round the room, curtsy and smile.
And they sit at his feet, sippin' their tea
And swoon with each word he speaks."

A more personal desperation at work here than in many other songs on this year's list.

25.  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 drink 'til I'm on my ass again."

There is not currently living a better chronicler of life in Appalachia (and that's "App-ah-latch-ah" by the way) than Jason Isbell.

26.  Lay It On Me by Vance Joy.

"Snow comes down everything is new and different.
I found you hidden in plain sight, why'd I take so long?
Write it on a piece of paper, honey
Put it in my coat before I go."

A former denizen of the top spot on my list, Joy's "Lay It On Me" doesn't quite reach those heights. But if you've been following for a while, you know I'm a sucker for choral crescendos.

27.  Modern Act by Cloud Nothings.

"Here we are among the living
See and count your friends
Gathered in a room together
This is how it ends
Can't stand the modern act
Whose war is this, what god is that?
Feels like the tide is only
Starting to come in."

One of many songs on this year's list about despair and hope. Or hope and despair. Your choice.

28.  Anymore by Goldfrapp.

"Your strange music
Like lucid dreams
The power of you
Transforming me."

A song that harkens back to when my children were young and I imposed my musical tastes upon them every chance I got - Goldfrapp's "Number One" was among them.  This is about as close to dance music or synthpop as my tastes allow me to venture. But perhaps that's my problem and not yours.

29.  Dear Life by Beck.

"You drove your Rolls into the swamp
You stole away like a thief, reeling from the sticker shock
Of the price they put upon your soul
You buy it back from the burning ashes of the devil you know."

Really reaching back now with Beck. If anyone can pull off a "sounds like The Beatles" song, Beck has both the chops and the pedigree to do it.

30.  Everything Now by Arcade Fire.

"Every inch of road's got a sign
And every boy uses the same line
I pledge allegiance to everything now
Every song that I've ever heard
Is playing at the same time, it's absurd
And it reminds me, we've got everything now
We turn the speakers up 'til they break
'Cause every time you smile it's a fake."

I'll leave it to you to decide of whom the boys and girls from AF speak when they say that every smile is a fake.

31.  Don't Matter Now by George Ezra.

"Sometimes you need to be alone
(It don't matter now)
Shut the door, unplug the phone
(It don't matter now)
Speak in a language they don't know
(It don't matter now)

Well I don't think about that stuff
No, I don't think about that stuff
It don't matter now."

One of those songs you find yourself singing in the shower or in the car on the way to work.

32.  Wolves and the Water by Edward R.

"Turn back time I don't belong here
But when I turn my head time always changes me.
Take me back to golden horizons
Hell you're gonna find me anyway
Torn between the wolves and the waters
Heaven's gonna find me on the way."

It appears that Mr. R. is sufficiently obscure enough to not have his own Wikipedia page. Seems that he's from Australia, but I can't tell you much more about him than that. I do, however, like this song, particularly the "unplugged" version in this video.

33.  Catch Me If You Can by Walking on Cars.

"I just got my head down
And I'm a little bit scared tonight
I need to run just far enough
So I can smile again, smile again
So i can smile again.

Chosen by my loyal Facebook listeners as their pick for the final spot on this year's list. A little Coldplay, a little The Fray. These guys and gal are from County Kerry, so what's not to like?

Favorite songs of 2016: Songs 23-33

If there was any doubt that I was going to reprise my annual list here, they were erased by the generous words of my friend R, who posted about it in her GrongarBlog and is telling us what she's listening to this month as a result. As in years past, these are my favorite songs that I've heard over the past year from one source or another, culled from hundreds that I've listened to (in some cases, only for a few seconds). As in only last year (and the first when I listed only 20), there are 33 songs on this year's list because ... well, just because. 

23. Babylon by Jesiah.


"You've got the best type of defense
You tell the joke just to distract them
I thought we both grew up in Babylon...
We speak the language, no one understands us."

C first suggested that this sounds like Vampire Weekend, which after reflection I agree is spot-on. From the artist himself: "Babylon is a story about two souls defending their love in the face of adversity.”

24. White Flag by Joseph.

"I could surrender but I'd
Just be pretending, no I'd
Rather be dead than live a lie...
Burn the white flag
Burn the white flag."

No Josephs, Richards, or Thomases to be seen in this band, fronted by the three Closner sisters, who just happen to be from Joseph, Oregon. Love the defiant vocals that match the "never surrender" lyrics of this song. The album title, "I'm Alone, No You're Not" is excellent as well.

25. Brazil by Declan McKenna.

"I wanna play the beautiful game while I'm in Brazil
Cause everybody plays the beautiful game while in Brazil
It's all you've ever wanted, and it's all that you want still...
Don't you wanna play the beautiful game out in Brazil?"

I'm guessing I don't have to explain to most who read this why I would like a song about soccer in general, and FIFA's corruption in particular. But if the lyrics were about hopscotch instead it would probably still be on the list given its hooky Britpop sound and McKenna's unique voice.

26. Coastal California 1985 by Math and Physics Club.

"Coastal California
Like a picture postcard
Your wind-swept hair and...
Pasted on smile
Remind me how the years have come and gone
And never seem to linger very long."

One of many songs about California released this past year (including one further up the list), almost all of which make its residents seem pretty darn happy currently.

27. This Is Your Life by Augustines.

"Maybe we'll pull ourselves together
Burn forever in some fading summer night
But you got to find sometimes for anything in this life...
Just forgot it in yourself, but you're alright
You're alright
Hey you're alright."

The first of several repeat artists from past lists - some below, some farther up. What can I say -- I know what I like and Augustines, with their big anthemic sound, is something I definitely like. "Knock me down my friend, I'll just get back up again."

28. Turn Up by The Heavy.

"There ain't nothing more I want
For you my love
If that's what you really want...
Must be what you really want
If that's what you really want
My love
I said you better
Turn, (Up!)"

Most of my favorite songs are lyrically driven. Not (obviously) this one. Why does it seem that all the best funk/R&B bands these days are English? And, yes, The Heavy have been here before.

29. Soft Offering (For the Oft Suffering) by Hey Rosetta!

"Under the pitch and pull of the moon
Sweet silver medicine swim in my temples
Bring in the shadows to cover our wounds...
When the pain is gone and the rest is
Coming on."

The song's title alone makes it list-worthy let alone the evocative lyrics. At least the second appearance by Hey Rosetta! on one of my lists as well.

30. 24 Frames by Jason Isbell.

"You thought God was an architect
Now you know
He's something like a pipe bomb ...
Ready to blow
And everything that you've built
That's all for show
Goes up in flames
In twenty-four frames."

Better late than never with this song which should have been on last year's list. A brilliant song from a brilliant artist. One of, I believe, only two artists on this year's list that I saw live this past year.

image from rukkus.com

31. The Diving Bell by Gang of Youths.

"And I dreamed the voices they were calling
Out to you
Come alive, come alive and the firings...
Where everything is true."

A haunting song - maybe a Ferguson reference, maybe something more personal. A sufficiently obscure track that I can't find a link to an MP3, let alone a video. If you do find it somewhere (try Spotify) this is your language warning.

32. True Sadness by The Avett Brothers.

"I cannot go on with this evil inside me
I step outside my front door and I feel it surround me
Just know the kingdom of God is within you...
Even though the battle is bound to continue."

A song whose dark lyrics belie its mostly upbeat melody. I don't think the boys have given up hope - they'll continue to fight the good fight.

33. I Need Never Get Old by Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats.

"I know that some will say
It matters but little babe
Oh but come on and mean it to me...
I need it so bad."

I think I first saw this song on AXS TV live from some festival this late spring. These guys look like they pour everything they have into every minute on stage.