Favorite Songs of 2021 - Songs 23-33

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

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

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

Deep, deep on the pillow sleep

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

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

24. Track Mud by Wild Pink.

"Track mud

Soil everything you touch

Just come home now

The rain will wash away the stains

You mean well with your hand covered in their dirt

Just come home now

The rain will wash away the stains."

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

25. Alaska by Little Hurt.

"And some Chinese restaurant in San Fransisco

My fortune told me I'm on the wrong road

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

And I hate the snow ...

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

Grab all of my money, guitar, and a jacket

Drivin' outta town, maybe wave if I pass ya

Sorry but

I had to move to Alaska."

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

26. Right There Beside You by Bronze Radio Return.

"I'll be here a long time

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

And no matter what you and I do

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

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

27. I Will Overcome by Welshly Arms.

"I know a change will be comin'

The sun will shine again

So I'm gonna hit the ground runnin'

I know, yeah I know

The best days are ahead."

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

28. Walk on Water by Kaleo.

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

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

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

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

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

29. Missing Piece by Vance Joy.

"I've been waiting for the tides to change

For the waves to send you my way

I see you darling but you pixilate

It gets hard to take these days."

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

30. Better Man by Caleb Hawley.

"I've got to

Forgive myself for

What the others can't

Take this matter

In my own hands

So I can

Mold myself

Into a better man

'Cause a better man is what I am."

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

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

"I'm gonna climb a mountain

I'm gonna shout about it

I am a child of love."

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

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

32. I Need Some of That by Weezer.

"Even if we blow up

We're never gonna grow up

'Cause this is where it's at."

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

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

"This is not the end

Maybe with our feelings

Let's try to feeling them

So my heart don't you know

Healing starts when the unraveling unfolds."

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

The middle list will appear post haste.

Favorite Songs of 2012 - Songs 21-30

Here is the start to my list of favorite songs from 2012. As with last year's posts, and my Facebook posts from 2009-2010, these are songs released either in this year or the past year. A few entries, and a few more artists, appear on some real music critics' lists for 2012, but I assure you that is merely coincidence.

21. Everybody Talks by Neon Trees.

"Hey honey you could be my drug.
You could be my new prescription.
Too much could be an overdose;
All this trash talk make me itchin'."

Close to a guilty pleasure. But a pleasure it is.

22. Gold on the Ceiling by The Black Keys.

"Clouds covered love's barbed-wire snare.
Strung up, strung out, I just can't go without."

A little blues, a little straight-up rock 'n roll (T-Rex, perhaps?).

23. Grand Optimist by City & Colour.

"I fear I'm dying. From complications.
Complications, due to things that I've left undone.
That all my debts will be left unpaid,
feel like a cripple without a cane.
And a jack of all trades
who's a master of none."

I could see that it would suck, growing up a pessimist with an optimistic dad.

24. North Side Gal by J.D. McPherson.

"I got some good talk, but not enough game.
Wooing the sweet thing; oh ain't it a shame.
Every time I try.
Crazy about a north side gal."

 
The juke joint is rockin'.

24. JERK! by Stephie Coplan and The Pedestrians.

"Cut the small talk, cut to the chase, cut the cord, cut the crap.
Set the mood, set the tone, set the vibe, set the beat, set the trap.
Appear unimpressed with the dress that I bought today just for this.
Think of someone else while you're giving me that half-hearted post-sex kiss."

Stephie sent me a personal note enclosing her cd that I ordered from the band's website. If that doesn't get you on my list, nothing will. 

26. Love Interruption by Jack White.

"I want love to
forget that you offended me;
Or how you have defended me
when everybody tore me down.
Yeah and I want love to
change my friends to enemies;
change my friends to enemies,
and show me how it's all my fault."

A little dark, even by Mr. White's standards.  Love the video -- makes the lyrics seem plaintive rather than angry.

27. Bloody Mary (Nerve Endings) by Silversun Pickups.

"See you laughing in a picture;
but I know it's out of place.
You barely cried.
But you made it out alive."

A perennial list resident. I have no idea what the "artsy" parts of the video symbolize.

28. Hold On by Alabama Shakes.

"So, bless my heart. And bless my mind.

Got so much to do. I ain't got much time.

So, must be someone up above sayin':

C'mon girl. You got to get back up!"

I would love to see them live.

29. Songs for Teenagers by Fake Problems.

"Last night is all a blur to me.

I don't remember anything.

But at vaguely recall

being alone."

Sounds like a happy song. Until you listen to the lyrics.

30. Country Roads by Mike Doughty.

"Almost heaven, West Virginia.

Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River.

Life is old there, older than the trees.

Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze."

One of my favorite artists, singing about my favorite state.