Favorite Songs of 2024 - Songs 1-11

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.

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."

A pretty love song with some excellent horns. The video, however, is rather ... inscrutable.

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!

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 2019 - Songs 1-11

1. Blown to Bits by Charly Bliss.

"Every empty calorie
Expanding sweets inside of me
You're light as a feather, astronomically huge
Laughing out loud in your bathing suit
And I'm still alive, best year of my life."

Marry my perverse love of apocalyptic songs with my unusual appreciation of '80's girl bands' (The Bangles, The Go Gos) pop, and some pretty wicked guitar and what do you get? My favorite song of the year, that's what. Charly Bliss front woman Eva Hendricks describes the genesis of the song as: " I started writing this song the day that everyone in Hawaii was alerted to a nuclear missile headed their way. Luckily it ended up being a false alarm, but that day I couldn’t stop thinking about actually living out the end of your world, and THE world, and how devastated I would be by the loss of things that are for the most part, really simple and small ... This is a love song to little moments that make me feel like we might make it out the other end." Also check out the songs "Capacity," (which has actually made some critics' best songs lists), "Young Enough," and "The Truth." 

2.  Little Trouble by Better Oblivion Community Center.

"Not every certain death can be so brave
Not every psychopath can act so well-behaved."

Phoebe Bridgers and Conor Oberst combined their talents in Better Oblivion Community Center and on their eponymous first album (which contains the oft-heard "Dylan Thomas"). They then released this song, which I favor over Dylan Thomas. The bouncy, drum-led music belies the snarky lyrics, which I hear as an indictment of class and privilege. And the above lyrics? Perfect.

3.  This Life by Vampire Weekend. 

"You've been cheating on, cheating on me
I've been cheating on, cheating on you
You've been cheating on me
But I've been cheating through ...
This life
And all its suffering
Oh Christ,
Am I good for nothing?"

Hard to read this as anything other than the songwriter's (in this case, Vampire Weekend's Ezra Koenig) guilt at how well he's got things compared to much of the rest of the world - sort of a self-examining complement to "Little Trouble" now that I think about it. Also highly recommended is the band's "Harmony Hall" from the excellent Father of the Bride album. Vampire Weekend's musicianship shines through in this live version.

4.  Quarter-Life Crisis by Judah & the Lion. 

"All these stories probably should be just for my therapist
I've been fightin', hidin', tryin' my best not to let you in
I can't do this all alone."

The song, and the whole album Pep Talks, are the reflection of a crisis for the Nashville boys and particularly front-man Judah Akers brought on by family turmoil. Whether quarter-life or nearly full, we can all relate. Also recommended from this fine collection, at the least, are "Over my head," and "i'm ok."

5.  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."

Jade Lilitri is oso oso, and as with many songs I love, the bouncy music is at odds with the introspective lyrics. Sounds to me like he's at least trying to figure things out. Also check out "one sick plan," "wake up next to god," and the first song on the album, simply called "intro."

6.  Way Way Back by Matt Nathanson. 

"I'm sure he's easier than I was
If you like that sorta thing
He looks better with his shirt off
Yeah, but can he sing?"

The final artist in the triumvirate of those that I heard (and liked) at Mountain Stage back in April. At the least, also check out "Used To Be" from his latest album "Sings His Sad Heart."

You can also here his entire Mountain Stage set here.

7.  Nobody by Hozier.

"I've been fed gold
By sweet fools in Abu Dhabi
And I've danced real slow
With Rockettes on dodgy molly
But I've had no love like your love (ooh hoo)
From nobody."

I can almost hear my Dad complain (as he often did about songs I would play for him): "I guess I like it but I can't understand a word he's saying." Pretty sure he wouldn't pick up on the "dodgy molly" (as, admittedly, I failed to do as well). Also check out "Almost (Sweet Music)" the seemingly more preferred but in my opinion less desirable Hozier song from his latest album Wasteland, Baby!

8.  Quiet Light by The National.

"Guess I don't know what I'm saying

Just call me

I'll come to where you are

Alone in the quiet light

I'm always thinking you're behind me

And I turn around and you're always there."

A departure for the boys from NYC (via Cincinnati) on the excellent album I Am Easy to Find as they incorporate the voices of a number of female singers. None to better effect, in my opinion, than on this song. But be sure to check out "Not in Kansas" and "Rylan" too (at the least).

9.  High Alert by Junius Meyvant. 

"You got my soul on fire

You got my heart beneath you

You got the one desire

To break me down just to please you."

This year's blue-eyed soul entry. Can't get much more blue-eyed than Iceland, which is where Unnar Gísli Sigurmundsson (aka Junius Meyvant) hails from.

10.  Tenebrist by The Ballroom Thieves. 

"We all muddy the water, oh

To make it seem less shallow

If our grief grows like a shadow

And in the morning that's alright

We need the dark to know the light."

Anyone who has listened to more than a few of my favorite songs over the years would recognize this one as in my wheelhouse on may levels, chief among them the chorus, the interplay between the male and female voices, and the horns (which are unfortunately absent on the live version above).

11.  Will We Talk? by Sam Fender. 

"She said

'I don't usually do this kind of thing

Does it change the way you think of me?'

Thinking isn't his forte."

Speaking of The Boss, who has been all over my previous lists this year (here and here), Sam seems to have more than a bit of Bruce in him. And perhaps a little U2 to boot. 

Happy listening - thanks as always for following along!

Favorite Cover Songs of 2019

In my never ending quest to bring you the best new songs of the past year, I was struck by one thing: there have been a lot of good cover songs lately. Since I'm not inclined to include covers in my list (Mates of State's Second Hand News in 2010 -- before I started posting the list here -- and Dwight Yoakam's Dim Lights, Thick Smoke are, I believe, the only exceptions) and because there are so many good new songs (and artists) this year, I decided to do a separate list for covers as an appetizer for this year's forthcoming favorite songs list.

So what makes for a good cover in my opinion? I'm not sure. I don't want a "remake" but I am admittedly sometimes am offended when a song strays too far from the original as well. I suppose the list itself speaks for what I'm looking for in a good cover -- and it does not necessarily include the requirement that I loved, or even liked, the original.

Two caveats about these songs: (1) one is not a cover but rather an "original"; and (2) I bent my rules a little and there are several that were released in 2017 (but for the most part I didn't hear them until 2019). Enjoy boys and girls!

1.  I'm Goin' Down by Vampire Weekend.

"I pull you close now, baby, but when we kiss, I can feel a doubt

I remember back when we started

My kisses used to turn you inside out

I used to drive you to work in the morning

Friday night I'd drive you all around

You used to love to drive me wild, yeah

But lately girl you get your kicks from just driving me down

Down, down, down."

What do you get when you combine The Boss with one of my favorite indie bands? "That's gold, Jerry. Gold!" Apparently VW has covered this song in one form or another since 2010. But it's the stripped down version recorded for Spotify this year (for you fellow old folks, click words to take you there -- it's a link -- that's why it's orange) that got my attention and propelled it to the top of my covers list for 2019.

2.  Dancing in the Dark by Lucy Dacus.

"Stay on the streets of this town
And they'll be carvin' you up alright
They say you gotta stay hungry
Hey baby, I'm just about starvin' tonight."

Yep, another Springsteen song at the top. Given my admiration for both The Boss and Lucy Dacus, it was inevitable that her cover of Dancing in the Dark would end up near the top of this list. This version is loyal to The Boss's original, but has a little extra something ... maybe it's the drums and the guitar. Or the female voice?

3.  Love Yourself by Dashboard Confessional.

"For all the times that you rain on my parade
And all the clubs you get in using my name
You think you broke my heart, oh girl for goodness sake
You think I'm crying on my own well I ain't
...
My mama don't like you and she likes everyone."

Love Yourself by Dashboard Confessional. That's right, a Justin Beiber cover, you got a problem with that? To be fair, Ed Sheeran got a writing credit on it too. That last quoted line alone is worth the price of admission.

4.  The Twist by Wintersleep.

"Lets pretend I'm attractive and then
You won't mind, you can twist for a while
It's the night, I can be who you like
And I'll quietly leave before it gets light."

The first of several songs on the list from "Tiny Changes" a collection of covers by various artists of Frightened Rabbit's The Midnight Organ Fight. Some of the covers fall a little flat for me, but others are a perfect celebration of Scott Hutchison and his music. This is one of my favorite Frightened Rabbit songs, particularly the above lyrics. Wintersleep turns Scott Hutchison's funny but sad version into an anthem that is every bit the equal of the original.

5.  Manic Monday by Prince.

"Have to catch an early train
Got to be to work by nine.
And if I had an airplane
I still couldn't make it on time."

This is the "original" alluded to in my above - not actually a cover but Prince's version of a long-enjoyed song from the album "Originals." The Bangles, of course, recorded it first.

6.  Whole Wide World by Cage The Elephant.

"When I was a young boy
My mama said to me
'There's only one girl in the world for you
And she probably lives in Tahiti.
I'd go the whole wide world
Go the whole wide world just to find her."

With a nod to Will Farrell in Stranger Than Fiction, this is probably my favorite cover of the Wreckless Eric original.

7.  Old Old Fashioned by Josh Ritter,

"I'll turn off the TV
It's killing us, we never speak.
There's a radio in the corner
It's dying to make a scene."

Another song from the Tiny Changes album, this one re-imagines Frightened Rabbit's waltz across the carpet as a honky tonk stomp.

8.  Dancing in the Moonlight (It's Caught Me in The Spotlight) by Alt-J.

"When I passed you in the doorway
And you took me with a glance
Should've been on that last bus home
But I asked you for a dance."

I like it when an artist can take a song and turn it into something different entirely (much like Aretha Franklin did to Otis Redding, or, to me anyway, The Band did to Springsteen with its rendition of "Atlantic City"). Here Alt-J turns Thin Lizzy's middling "Dancing in The Moonlight" into a lovely quiet ballad. And "it's alright, alright."

9.  I Melt With You by Surfer Blood.

"I'll stop the world and melt with you
You've seen the difference and it's getting better all the time
There's nothing you and I won't do
I'll stop the world and melt with you."

One of my all time favorite early alternative (pop punk?) songs, Surfer Blood's cover is, to me, the right mix of faithfulness to the original and an update 37 (holy mackerel, 37???) years after it was first released.

10.  Rosalita (Come Out Tonight) by Big Head Todd and The Monsters (with John Popper).

"But now you're sad, your mama's mad
And your papa says he knows that I don't have any money
Oh your papa says he knows that I don't have any money
Oh your daddy says he knows that I don't have any money
Well, tell him this is his last chance
To get his daughter in a fine romance
'Cause a record company, Rosie, just gave me a big advance."

Along with the Frightened Rabbit theme throughout the list this is the other: The Boss. Big Head Todd and The Monsters' rendition of Rosalita (Come Out Tonight), with some help, from John Popper of Blues Traveler fame, still seems as rebellious and raucous as the original. But while the harmonica is nice, but I still miss Clarence's sax ...

11.  My Backwards Walk by Manchester Orchestra.

"I'm working on my faults and cracks
Filling in the blanks and gaps
And when I write them out they don't make sense
I need you to pencil in the rest."

The final song of the list, and the final one from "Tiny Changes." Manchester Orchestra's version of My Backwards Walk is one of those that strikes the right chord(s) for me between homage and interpretation. Plus you can never grow tired of hearing Hutchison's plaintive line "you're the sh!t and I'm knee deep in it."

Favorite Songs of 2013: Songs 1-10

And the conclusion. Or the beginning, depending on how you want to look at it.

1. Young Fathers by Typhoon.

"When you're young you have …
You have your whole life before you,
everyone will adore you,
grow up, you'll be an astronaut.

(Or anything you want).

What goes up, goes up in flames.
And now your choices surround you,
indecision confounds you.
And you're pacing around the place.

(Shows you everything you're not)."

It took a really great song to knock what is now #2 off its perch. And this is it.

2. Humiliation by The National.

"All the L.A. women;
Fall asleep while swimmin'.
I got paid to fish 'em out;
and then one day I lost the job.
And I cried a little.
I got fried a little.
Then she laid her eyes on mine,
and she said 'Babe you're better off.'"

My favorite song from when I first heard it this spring until … White Lighter came along. The above stanza is my favorite from any song all year, still.

That's The National's Matt Berninger, as he makes his way
through the crowd during the encore of their show at
The Filmore in Charlotte. Yep, he was that close.

3. Chocolate by The 1975.

"Run run away from the boys in the blue.
Oh, my car smells like chocolate.
Now think about what to do,
think about what to say,
think about how to think.
Pause it play it, pause it play it, pause it."

The video looks like a London-esque version of West Side Story. But the song has to be about very non-1950's drug use.

4. Time to Run by Lord Huron.

"I've no regrets.
I will not ask for your forgiveness.
Lower your defense,
run away with me and it'll all make sense.
I did it all for you,
don't spurn me after all I've gone through.
No time to rest,
gonna find me a life, baby, way out West."

What exactly did he do for her that makes him have to run?

5. Pompeii by Bastille.

"And the walls kept tumbling down
in the city that we love.
Great clouds all over the hills
bringing darkness from above."

Pompeii as a metaphor for our current cities/civilization? Or just one in particular (London? L.A.?). Whatever, it's a really catchy song.

6. Unbelievers by Vampire Weekend.

"See the sun go down.
It's going on down, and the night is deep.
Want a little light,
but who's gonna save a little light for me?"

One of the irreligious songs that I referred to in my first part of the list. Hard to see this song as anything but an indictment of organized religion. But it's a great tune, and certainly has some validity to its assessment.

7. Holy by Frightened Rabbit.

"While you read to me from the riot act
way on high, high.
Clutching a crisp new testament,
breathing fire, fire.
Will you save me the fake benevolence?
I don't have time
I'm just too far gone for a telling,
lost my pride."

I promise it is coincidence that this song follows Unbelievers, other than the fact that they were among my favorite songs this year. Still, the lyrics and particularly the video of Holy suggest that it may not be directed against the Church. Check out the "bible" in the video - it's got FR's "Pedestrian Verse" symbol on it.

8. The House that Heaven Built by The Japandroids.

"It's a lifeless life with no …
fixed address to give.
But you're not mine to die for anymore,
so I must live.
Born of a bottle from
heaven's hand.
And now you know,
and here I am."

Actually the best lyrics are Oh-oh-oh-ohohohoh-oh, but that doesn't translate too well. Amazing that just two guys can make this much noisy great music.

9. Goodbye by Rocket & The Ghost.

"Hide yourself behind the stairs.
Set the fire to your daddy's chair.
For me.
For me."

I honestly don't know how I first came across this song (perhaps on BIRP), but obviously I like it a lot. The group reminds me of Seryn, who graced the list in 2011.

10. Lightning Bolt by Pearl Jam.

"Always something and never nothing.
Isn't that the way we're taught to be?
Flipping through the worn out pages,
and stages when you knew not who to be …
'Til the lightning strike sets you free."

Eddie Vedder, sans ukulele, can still rock.