Favorite Songs of 2025 - Songs 12-22

I'm trying folks, honest! Here are the oft-ignored middle kids (but no Middle Kids) of this year's List.

12.    The Black Dog and the Wandering Boy by James McMurtry.

"The black dog and the wanderin' boy

Come around every night.

The wanderin' boy never gets any older

The black dog doesn't bite.

He just sits on the floor at the corner of the bed

Watchin' for the things that haunt.

They oughta both go away when I take my meds ...

But they don't."

Now officially a frequent List denizen, this is McMurtry's third appearance. How can you not love someone who paints such a vivid story in under five minutes? "Hey, somebody lied to me!" 

13.    Forever by The Tisburys.

"When the day’s lost and the night’s won

And the lights are home and nobody’s on

Are your bags packed? Is your life hacked?

Can you pull the strings coming from your back?"

The Tisburys seem to be trying to find those little victories. Good for them. This sounds very much like a '90's alternative/pop song (thinking Gin Blossoms), which is right in my musical wheelhouse.

14.    It's Alright by Cecilia Castleman.

"I don't need your money

I don't need your time

So I bought a ticket

I bought a ticket to ride, and I don't know why

But it sure feels right."

My spouse used to make fun of my loathing of the genre that I referred to as "angry white woman with guitar." But, to be clear, it was an acoustic guitar. And Ms. Castleman does not appear to be going away mad. Just going away.

15.    I'll Be Okay by Michigander.

"I'm knocked down and I'm still out

So if you see me on the ground it's okay

But I'm not okay right now."

Glad to hear that Michigander (a.k.a. Jason Singer) is working through his issues. He moved to Nashville and released his first album this year, so I'm gonna say that he will be okay.

16.    Armies of the Lord by The Mountain Goats.

"Trying to pantomime surprise

After we buried you at sunrise

With nothing you'd predicted coming true

Just doing what we'd promised we would do."

Another artist that it surprises me has never made The List until now. The Mountain Goats' latest work, "Through This Fire Across From Peter Balkan," is a concept album about a shipwreck and its (dwindling) survivors. It is likely the song released the latest in 2025 to make this year's List. Bonus: Lin-Manuel Miranda sings backup vocals on this song and three others on the album.    

17.    Cadillac by Colin Miller.

"Nascar crash on the big screen

Shirtless in July heat

And I'm helpless

Helpless, helpless."

Miller is from the Asheville, NC artist colony which has spawned, amongst others, the group Wednesday and last year's List topper MJ Lenderman. Cadillac is about the death of Gary King, the owner of the land on which Miller, Lenderman, Wednesday's Karly Hartzman, and other artists (musical and otherwise) were welcome to live and work on their craft.

18.    Sally, When the Wine Runs Out by ROLE MODEL.

"Heard through the grapevine

She can be a diva

Cold like Minnesota

Hotter than a fever."

The aforementioned popular artist in this year's List (9.4 million views of the "official video" on YouTube), this is one of those "guilty pleasure" songs that appear here every once in a while. I cannot defend its artistic merit, nor do I feel compelled to. Oh, yeah, and that appearance by someone whom the internets tell me is Charli XCX at 2:30 of the video? It's a whole 'nother thing. 

19.    Chateau Blues by Spoon.

"Well, you got it all?

But your lonely chateau blues

You got it all

Got the lonely chateau blues."

Proof, once again, that you can have it all and not have anything at all.

20.    Straight Line Was A Lie by The Beths.

"I thought I was getting better but I'm back to where I started

And the straight line was a circle

Yeah, the straight line was a lie."

The fourth appearance for New Zealand's The Beths on The List. They put me in mind of The Go-Gos or The Bangles with better musicianship. And, of course, New Zealand accents. Also check out Metal from their latest album (also called "Straight Line Was A Lie").

21.    Season of Charade by Birdtalker.

"Now the money's gone

But the dream lives on

Guess I'll keep slaving at the game show

Spin the wheel

Aw, but nothing's real (nothing is real)

Answer the answer with a question."

I think Birdtalker is on to a lot of us. Would be included in The List for the Jeopardy reference alone ...

22.    Float by Jay Som (featuring Jim Adkins).

"Is this the way it's supposed to be?

Measuring your misery

Pouring out what's left of me

Without you."

Go with the flow seems to be the message of this effort by Jay Som a.k.a. Melina Mae Duterte. I had to google who Jim Adkins was. Turns out, someone I should know: the lead singer of Jimmy Eat World.

Favorite Songs of 2020 - Songs 12-22

 "And the countdown rolls on ..."

12.  The Steps by Haim.

"And if you go left

And I go right

Hey, maybe that's just life sometimes."

Not exactly Coldplay territory, but judging from the number of YouTube hits for this video, once again I may be veering dangerously close to mainstream territory by including this song on my list. Check out their song "Don't Wanna" (written with list fav Rostam) while you're at it.

13.  Phase by Pinegrove.

"That night when I lifted my head up

And I was seeing what was trembling there

On the edge of my restless eyelid

On the tip of horizon's lash

On the lip of collapsing letter

In the lap of confusing moon

I'm reduced to an estranged illusion

I'm consumed by all the shit in my room."

The fourth consecutive year on the list for the band from New Jersey (including my favorite song of 2017, and third favorite of all the 2010's, Old Friends). The above lyrics are among my favorites this year, which is not surprising given my admiration for Evan Stephens Hall's songwriting. I also recommend to you Dotted Line and pretty much everything else from Pinegrove's latest album, Marigold.

14.  Alter Ego by Kaleo.

"You feel the rush in your head

This is the time to attend

There's nothin' holdin' you back

Now, go ahead."

A dollop of The Black Keys, a dash of AC/DC and voila! rocking magic from ... Iceland? Yep, like last year's entry from Junius Meyvant, Kaleo hail from the Land of Fire and Ice. Mjog gott!

15.  A Thousand Words by Jay Som.

"Remember to call me when you're feeling blue

Don't follow the rules, go on and speak your truth

I've got you playing on my team

With the kind of people who sweep you off your feet

Writing a thousand words."

A bit of a rocker by Melina Mae Duterte's (aka Jay Som) standards, an artist who lives the cliche and makes music largely in her bedroom. I love the crescendo outro.

16.  Strangers by Mt. Joy.

"I guess I'll have to fall in love with strangers

Go ride through New York City like I'm famous

And I did not want our love to be erased, but

Lord knows we chased it, love just rearranged us."

So, is her really over her? I think not. Hearing echoes of The Lumineers in this song, who, according to Seth Myers in the video, they were touring (or supposed to be touring) with. You know, before the world ground to a halt.

17.  Circle the Drain by Soccer Mommy.

"It's a feeling that boils in my brain

I would dial back the flame

But I'm not sure I'm able

I'm wobbling out on the wire

And the lights could go out

With the break of a cable."

It was inevitable, wasn't it, that a song by Soccer Mommy (aka Sophia Regina Allison) would appear on the list sooner or later? Although I'm sure this song was written pre-COVID, it certainly describes what a lot of us have been going through at various times this year.

18.  Who's Gonna Love Me Now by Cold War Kids.

"All those times when I imagined

What'd be like to have my freedom

Not be so uptight, live my best life

Oh, what a fool, I was only dreamin'."

A little Kings of Leon, a little White Stripes, a little Black Keys. I like how the Cold Ware Kids roll.

19.  Automatic by Houses and Dawn Golden.

"Another bleached out, black hole

with nothing to lose

Another paywall, shopping mall

coming for you."

This marks the third straight year Houses has had a song on the list. I guess that officially qualifies me as a fan.

20.  Come On Out by The Airborne Toxic Event.

"Black lungs, headlights

Heading off to the city tonight, out the

Front door, turn right

I was alone, alright, alright, alright."

One of those songs that I think says more with its music and "mood" than its lyrics. Those voices! That lead guitar!

21.  Wrestling by Cartalk.

"Dance around what I want to say

Clear performance in my mind

Star at hands like a saving grace

Are they gonna catch me alright?"

Likely the most obscure song on this year's list, if YouTube hits are the measuring stick. Another retro-sounding, catchy tune that seemed in vogue this year.

22.  Beautiful Anyway by Judah & the Lion.

"That's what makes this life so wonderfully awesome

and horribly awful

Yet somehow it's beautiful anyway."

The boys are back with another life-affirming anthem that we all really need. The video's pretty darn fun too.

Stay tuned for the top 11 songs!

Favorite Songs of 2019 - Songs 23-33

Greetings music lovers! One change in this year's list from those of the past: I'm only including one song from each artist in the countdown. There were just too many good songs/artist that I wanted to share with you. But not to worry, with those who had multiple songs that would have been considered or included, I'll let you know what they were.

Let's get started.

23.  Paper Stickers by Deau Eyes.

"Gave me a book of paper stickers
I need something thicker
to cut with my scissors
cut with my scissors.
I wanna tire out my hand and give them something to see
Hey, look, I raised my hand first!
Why didn't you call on me?"

Likely the most obscure of any song on this year's list, if the now 228 views of the video are any indication of popularity. Seems like a feminist anthem from my read of the lyrics. And I'm just fine with that.

24.  It Doesn't Matter Why by Silversun Pickups.

"You want to read our minds (We know)
Is It better on the other side? (No)
Will it help you sleep at night? (It won't)
And it doesn't matter why we're known
We're just known."

Not sure if the "other side" is the thin veil between life and the after-life, or if it has a more earthly meaning (the band's relationship with its fans?). At any rate, it's a Silversun Pickup song, and if they've got a new one, it will generally find its way onto my list.

25.  Yolk in the Fur by Wild Pink.

"'Cause they you wrapped up tight
In a disposable life
Yeah they ate your lunch and sold you dinner
On credit."

Like a little symphony - from some guys in flannel shirts (and in the video, a drummer in a Buffalo Bills t-shirt).

26.  Future Me Hates Me by The Beths.

"Future heart break, future headaches
Wide eyed nights late lying awake
With future cold shakes from stupid mistakes
Future me hates me for, hates me for."

How can you not like a song with that title? While you're at it, also check out The Beths' Little Death. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuzlZWvTU2I

27.  Newspaper Gown by Damien Jurado.

"Our friends think we're lovers
Or so I have heard
And they try for confessions
And I say not a word
So we let them keep guessing
'Til they figure us out
Our made-up wedding
In your newspaper gown."

The quietest song on this year's list, Jurado was part of the best Mountain Stage I saw this year. Two others from that show have songs further up the list.

28.  Landslide by Beirut. 

"If you ever return
In a wonderful form
Don't you wait out the storm
Just pull roots and move on."

A lovely song about ... death? Or a more earthly departure?

29.  I Dare You by The Regrettes. 

"There're stains on your sweater
You think you know better
But you're a child, and it's kinda wild
That you're the one that brings the sun."

This year's entry in what seems like the annual "sounds like The Strokes" category. Except for the female singer, of course.

30.  Saw Lightning by Beck (with Pharrell Williams).

"I held my head up
And it struck me down
Down to the ground
It struck me down, struck me down
Struck me down to the ground."

Beck's been on this list about as long, and as frequently, as anyone. There's obviously a reason for that ...

31.  Sway by Tove Stryke.

"Baby, are you tied up?
I don't wanna know now
Are we gonna stay up?
Are we gonna get out this crowd?"

Apparently this song was featured in the FIFA 19 video game. That is not where I first heard it (duh). Added bonus: Ms. Stryke (her real name, btw) is Swedish. Likely fits neatly into my "Guilty Pleasures" playlist long term.

32.  Superbike by Jay Som. 

"Now you're waiting in the light
Patiently to my surprise
(Somebody tell me)
I pick up the superbike
Going 80 in the night
(Somebody tell me)."

Superbike by Jay Som. Recommended to me by both my friend Charlie and my comely spouse, Jay Som is actually Melina Mae Duterte who really does record in a studio in her bedroom - can't get any more "bedroom pop" than that.

33.  Darkness by Pinegrove.

"Well, I know it's been a long time coming
I'm angry and I know that's weak
And I'm longing out that open window
For whatever it is I seek."

In this year's Facebook poll of what song should be last on the list, but first in our hearts, the boys and girls from New Jersey won out. If you want to check out the other two nominees, they were St. ("Saint" or "Street"?) by Restorations and Lo/Hi by The Black Keys.

We'll be back soon with a very solid middle children list of songs 12-22.