2020
A quick look back over my Spotify Wrapped for 2020.
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100:
Gloria by The Midnight
Ohhhhh, Gloria, I feel so much better, I feel so much better today! The ambiguity around who Gloria is intrigues me. Could be his lover, could be his mum, could be that girl who’s going with that kid who knows this guy that told his best friend’s sister’s boyfriend’s brother’s girlfriend that she saw Ferris pass out at 31 flavors last night.
I mean, I could Google it, but I think we all know me well enough by now to know that I’m way too lazy for that and will instead just speculate and get things wrong. This is the way. #Mando
99:
It’s Been Awhile by Staind
lol staind like stained like poop stain. Enough of me being a child, let’s make lazy basic jokes about how Staind hate their dads cos that’s easy, yo. Actually scrap that because I’ve totally done it in the past. It’s Been Awhile is still a decent song. Genuinely don’t remember listening to it that much this year, though. Must have been early doors.
98:
Immigrant Song by Led Zeppelin
Woooooo. That’s it.
97:
Cold by Annie Lennox
Annie Lennox’s amazingly well written ballad about my flat. This is a phenomenal song from a phenomenenenenenal album (Diva). I listened to Diva a lot this year, so I assume the rest of it lies just outside the top 100. I’ve never seen the video for this by the way, which is odd for me. Let’s do this.
96:
The Comeback Kid by The Midnight
I was struggling for what to say about this song and I genuinely think I’ve come to the conclusion that I don’t like it that much. I mean, I don’t hate it or actively dislike it. I guess I’m just a bit indifferent towards it. It’s fine and it fits in well with the album, but it’s overshadowed by everything else on there and I can only assume I listened to it a lot as it was just in the mix with the rest of The Midnight stuff I listened to this year.
95:
Smile by Jungle
Jungle! So these guys were my 2nd most listened to group this year. I’d heard one song, I think it was this and then went out on a limb and just bought the record as I happened to find it in the local record store. Glad I took the plunge and we’ll be hearing from these guys a few times before we get to the end of the chart.
94:
This Song Has No Title by Elton John
Oh Elton, you’re so funny, simply calling it This Song Has No Title means it does have a title, you little tinker! I think this is the only Elton on the list this year which is a fucking travesty to be honest. I should have listened to more and I’m going to make sure I make up for it next year. The fact that this made it and the rest of the album didn’t is a shame. Not because this isn’t as good as the rest, it is, I just wanted to see more of it up here.
93:
Falling by Mansionair
I really love the sentiment behind the opening line of this song. “I think I’ll borrow tomorrow’s happiness for today”. It’s very bittersweet, but how nice would it be. It’s a beautifully sad song and I’m glad it made my list. Mansionair are great and deserve your time.
92:
America 2 by The Midnight
I didn’t mention yet that The Midnight were my most listened to group this year! Unsurprising really, I love them! I do sometimes feel a little burnt out on them, but then they get me again and pull me back in with their lovely lyrics and their great synths. Damn you guys!
91:
Power by Lazerpunk
I really love the scream in this song. It’s not the Wilhelm Scream, I actually did the tiniest bit of research, but it’s a belter. Another track that falls into my love for synth. It was very much earlier in the year that I listened to this a lot. I’ve not listened to a whole lot of synth the last few months outside of a handful of tracks. I need to get back into it!
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90:
We Don’t Need Another Hero by Skimode / Katie Hightower
I love the Tina Turner version of this and thankfully that doesn’t occlude me from also liking this one. You know why? Because I’m a fucking grown up. That fact I drew a cock when bored earlier doesn’t occlude that either! A perfectly fine example of how to cover a song in the Synthwave style, with Katie Hightower fucking nailing it. Superb.
89:
Shine A Light by The C90s
I can’t list all the people that are featured in this. It’s a lot. Like A LOT. Suffice to say it’s a great version of an already great tune. I’ve been banging on about it for years and I don’t see myself stopping any time soon. I just love the flow of it, the way it makes me feel, and the simplicity of it. This live version is spectacular and I wish I’d been there.
88:
Prom Night by The Midnight
A fine tune off the latest album by everyone’s fave synth superstars, The Midnight. I don’t really know what to say about it. It’s a great ballad, but one of the more mediocre songs from the afore mentioned LP. I feel like it lacked some… oomph. You know?
87:
Close To Me by The Cure
Definitely one of The Cure’s best songs. The epitome of catchy pop that very few songs have ever come close to replicating. Not my fave Cure song but sadly the only one that appears in my top 100 this year, which is a fucking shame. Must make a note to listen to them more this coming year. I think I did listen to more this year but on vinyl, which sadly doth noth geth countedeth.
86:
Mary by Scissor Sisters
Time for a band I once had to make someone guess the name of without saying the words so blurted out “Lesbian Siblings”. I stand by that. That’s a solid clue. My only question is hold what? What does she hold the best she can? Hmm.
85:
I’ll Never Let Go by Jeffrey Amor
Jeffrey Amor is a genius who should be producing more music so I can get my Jeffrey Amor fix without listening to the same songs all the time. Part complaint, mostly appreciation. This is genuinely one of the most beautiful songs I’ve ever heard and I fucking love it. His voice, the effects, the piano, the muted drums. Sublime perfection.
84:
Dream Away by The Midnight
This is a step up from Prom Night. It’s got something about it, brings something new to the table for the guys and takes them in a different direction for a moment. It’s possible to do that whilst maintaining the synth, Tyler’s great vocals and a beat and I hope they do it more in the albums to come.
83:
Lovers by Timecop1983 feat Seawaves
The song that dragged me kicking and screaming into the world of modern synth music. Well… not kicking and screaming. More like it got me drunk and showed me it’s good stuff and I sauntered in. Probably one of the weirdest sentences I’ve ever written. This song will forever mean the world to me.
82:
Paradis Perdus – Christine And The Queens
This is such a great tune. The inclusion of the Kanye bit is pretty inspired and done so well, the way it’s just dropped in there like it always was there. I find her incredibly sexy with the way she sings, the fact it’s sung in French in part and the way she (usually) moves. Granted she don’t do a whole lotta moving in this video.
81:
Violin Concerto in F Minor, RV 297 “L’inverno”: 1. Allegro Non Molto by Vivaldi, performed by Nigel Kennedy and The English Chamber Orchestra
Vivaldi is the fucking bomb.
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80:
Crystalline by The Midnight
I think Nocturnal might be my least fave Midnight record now. It’s funny how your taste changes, even in such a short space of time. I used to looooove this track, now I’m not even sure it’d make my top 10 for them. Don’t get me wrong, I still like it. It’s a great synth track and fits perfectly into the Nocturnal collection.
79:
When I Was Your Man by Bruno Mars
I don’t listen to this album anywhere near as much as I should, but apparently I listened to When I was Your Man enough to make the chart. It’s one of his best songs in my opinion and very Elton John, which is a huge plus. I’m surprised others from the album weren’t on the list to be honest. I listened to a few others from it as much as this I thought. I guess I was mistaken!
78:
Back To You by Timecop1983 / The Bad Dreamers
Finally acquired a copy of the Night Drive record last year which is nice. They did a repress with some fancy shmancy coloured vinyl so I picked a copy up. Took time off work to make sure I was ready at the release time so that I definitely got a copy since, as usual, they were a very limited run. I need Reflections now! I drive all night but still the truth is none of these streets lead back to you.
77:
I Need My Girl by The National
This song has been around for like 7 years now, but for some reason, I got really into it in 2020. It’s a great tune. I like the simplicity of it. I think I got into The National at the same time I got into SYML. This is taken from the album Trouble Will Find Me which I highly recommend picking up at some point. Great album from start to finish.
76:
Arcade Dreams by The Midnight
Taken from the brilliant Kids record, this has always been a fave track of theirs for me. I love the whole album, the feelings of youth it invokes, the nostalgia, the pure brilliant synth work. Arcade Dreams always gives me a Saturday Morning vibe. A lay in, get up and play games, eat crap and watch TV. Fun times.
75:
New Sensation by INXS
They don’t make them like this anymore. I miss Michael Hutchence. He was so fucking good. A great voice and a truly gifted song writer. It’s not the only time we’ll here from them in this list I don’t think. New Sensation is from one of my all time fave albums, Kick, which I also managed to pick up on vinyl last year. A jewel in the collection.
74:
Your Love (Lift Us Up) by Panama
This took me a while to find a video for as it turns out I’ve been listening to an alternative version of this song. The original is far more up-tempo and dancey. After having heard the original, I vastly prefer this version. I think it works better on every level! Last year I had quite a few Panama songs on the list, but I THINK that this year this is the only one. A shame.
73:
Hook by Blues Traveler
From 1994, obviously, all the best songs are from 1994, Hook was a pretty huge fucking hit for Blues Traveller in the US. The song had little to no impact in the UK however, and my knowledge of it only came from seeing it on TV one time. Given what the song is about, I’ve often wondered if they were upset that it did so well. In case you haven’t heard it and don’t plan on listening to it properly, the song is essentially a satire about hit pop songs. Unlucky! It does have some very good lyrics to be fair, with the opening verse serving as a very nice deconstruction of pop. It doesn’t matter what I say, as long as I sing with inflection. It makes you feel I’ll convey some inner truth or vast reflection. But I’ve said nothing so far, and I can keep it up for as long as it takes. AND it doesn’t matter who you are, if I’m doing my job then it’s your resolve that breaks. Jesus. Sounds like my usual blog posts.
72:
Flash by Queen
Flash! A H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H H!
71:
I Did Something Weird Last Night by Jeff Rosenstock
An album I saw James Acaster banging on about! The title of his book, Perfect Sound Whatever, is lifted from the last track on the album that this song appears on. To be fair, it’s an incredible album and this song is by far my fave track from it. It’s just so… wonderful. The whole album is and I’m glad I took the plunge and got the vinyl straight away. It’s a brilliant ride from start to finish. Educate yourself!
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70:
This Feeling by Alabama Shakes
These things are such a pain to do. I’m starting to actually hate the entire process. Usually this stems from having to think of new things to say about songs that show up on a yearly basis, like the one after this, but this is the first time I’ve felt it about having to write about a song that’s new to the chart! Maybe it’s just because this is the first one I’m writing about today, who knows. This Feeling by Alabama Shakes in an instant classic. Britany Howard’s vocals are fucking sublime and the music is the exact right tempo and tone. Too many songs go for a similar feeling and end up being way too chill or not chill enough. This is perfect.
69:
Never Tear Us Apart by INXS
Blah blah, Never Tear Us Apart is one of the best songs ever. See what I mean?
68:
Jump (For My Love) by The Pointer Sisters
The Pointer Sisters! They were one of my first loves. We had Break Out on vinyl I think. People don’t seem to believe me when I say I was into music when I was only about 3 but it’s true. In fact, Break Out was ’83 I think, so I wasn’t even 2 probably. I used to listen to Jump all the time. It was my Mum that was the fan of these amazing ladies, which is why we’ll have had it in the house. Jump is pop royalty as far as I’m concerned.
67:
Green Light by Lorde
“What?! You don’t love the beach?! YOU TOLD ME YOU DID!” There’s something about the lyrics to this song that are oddly specific. I appreciate the realism of things sometimes, but “She thinks you love the beach, you’re such a damn liar” seems VERY real. At the same time though, you have to ask yourself, who’s lying about that? “The beach? Yeah… I… love it!”. Whilst we’re on this, let me underline the main thing about this song in case I’ve not been clear in the past. This song is a banger and the ONLY good thing about Melodrama. You cocks that think it’s better than Pure Heroine can get fucked!
66:
Clutch by Power Glove
Obviously, the first thing we need to do is get the whole Lucas Barton thing out the way like last year…
You think he has it on his Tinder profile? “I like being a dick to children who are younger than me, losing Super Mario Competitions, oh, and I LOVE The Power Glove”. Not really got a whole lot to say about the song. It’s a fine slice of the old Synthetic Wave we all love so much! I’ll also add that it’s perfect exercise music.
65:
Wake Up Call by Nothing But Thieves
I came late to the Nothing But Thieves party but there was nothing left, because… they’re… all… thieves. You’re welcome for that joke. Get fucked.
64:
Restless Leg by Har Mar Superstar
Har Mar first started making waves in… I want to say around 1999/2000, but it wasn’t until the brilliant You Can Feel Me from 2002 that he kinda made it. Then, over the course of 11 years he made 2 other albums that we can just forget about before finally dropping Bye Bye 17 in 2013. I find it odd yet great when artists turn to shit before releasing their best work. Many won’t agree with me, but then over 70 million people voted for Donald Trump.
63:
Only Love Can Hurt Like This by Paloma Faith
Paloma has never stood barefoot on an upturned plug. This is a great song. I don’t really have a whole lot to say about it to be honest. I think it’s probably her best song. We don’t get a whole lot of ballads in this style anymore.
62:
Youth by Daughter
12th in 2018, 66th last year and 63rd this year. It’s become a mainstay and for good reason. Sol gave it 9/10! No, the reason is Elena Tonra’s crystal clear vocals, and the drumming.
61:
She’s Casual by The Hunna
The Hunna are an odd band to me. It’s like they don’t know what they want to be. She’s Casual is a great song though and I do enjoy sticking them on random every now and then. It’s got a lovely upbeat feel once the intro breaks yet it’s quite a sad song all in all. Boy loves girl, girl doesn’t feel the same way but maintains a friends with benefits type relationship, it ends with a sweet line, but there’s no happy ending for the boy. I mean, she’s with him “from the dark to the morning light” so you gotta assume she’s wanked him off at least once. That’s about as close to a happy ending as he’s getting. Ba dum tish.
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60:
Don’t Be So Serious by Low Roar
This is such an amazing tune. You may know it as Don’t Be So Serious by Low Roar, or you may know it as “That song at the start of Death Stranding”. Either way, you probably don’t know it, sadly. It’s a very cinematic song and it’s easy to see why Hideo Kojima picked it to open his game. It fits that intro perfectly and it’s used so well.
I love the slow burn of the opening, I love how it branches from there and the vocal effects that fit so well into the overall sound. Low Roar have other songs but this so far is the standout from what I’ve been able to listen to.
59:
Addicted by Shaun Frank / Violet Days
This is such a great pop tune. I know nothing of Shaun Frank, I came here for Violet Days. First heard her when she was supporting The Midnight in Manchester when I saw them live. She was great although almost overshadowed by her very animated keyboardist. The song has a great rhythm and it’s brought to life by her great vocal hooks.
58:
Seventeen by The Midnight
I mentioned them so they showed up again. I’m honestly a little burnt out on them at the moment, so I’ll just say I really like this, it’s got a great tone and it’s classic Midnight style synth fodder.
57:
Dreams by Fleetwood Mac
Rumours is one of my fave albums so it was nice to see a new generation of people discover this song in 2020, thanks to Dogface’s cool TikTok. Hopefully those people that were new to it stuck with Fleetwood Mac and discovered the rest of their work as it’s all fucking great. The Pumpkin Head video was far superior to the original TikTok by the way.
Since I mentioned it, here’s the best take on the original TikTok video.
56:
Keepin’ On by Myrone
I don’t remember at all where this came from, but I do love it. A really great modern take on 80s synth. When people get this right, it works so fucking well. I don’t imagine it’s easy to do, and I’ve heard plenty of songs that aim for an authentic feeling and come up short. Something else that I like about this is that it almost has a sense of “Crying At The Discoteque” to it, which is never a bad thing since Alcazar’s dance classic is a masterpiece.
55:
Eyes Without A Face by Billy Idol
So, I guess we’ll write about this for like the 100th year in a row. Did you know that for the video he had to wear special contact lenses and because of the heat in the room they fused to his eyeballs? I think I may have mentioned that before. If I did I apologise! If I didn’t, you learnt something!
54:
Vampires by The Midnight
CLASSIC Midnight. Another contender for their best song. Just listen to that fucking saxophone! Side note, Saxophone players should be called “Sax Workers”. Vampires was one of the first Midnight songs that I heard. Right now I can’t even remember how I found them. Like at all. This is what happens when you write these at 3am after only sleeping for a couple of hours. Oh well, on we crack. Actually, crack might not be a bad idea right about now.
53:
Dance Monkey by Tones And I
A modern song with a great video. Oh so scarce nowadays. This is a really great tune. Tones and I, or Toni Watson has yet to release an album but it’s looking fairly promising off the back of this and her only EP release. Sadly her other singles haven’t faired as well as this song, but from what I’ve heard that isn’t down to a lack of quality. I guess with the style she’s in and the way she sings she is running the risk of being a bit samey, but fingers crossed she breaks that.
52:
Got A Feeling by The K’s
Kate got me into The K’s after sending me one of their songs to listen to. Following on from Tones and I, they also don’t have an album out yet. Once again the singles and such have been top notch. I really like their pacey style that’s got a lovely kick of old Brit Pop to it. Jamie Boyle’s diction is perfectly placed for the musical style also. He’s got a truly great delivery.
51:
Hazy Shade Of Winter by Gerard Way / Ray Toro
I mean this is just a shitty version of a truly brilliant song, isn’t it! Ha, no, I do like this, or it wouldn’t be 51st on the chart. Created for advertising Gerard Way’s Umbrella Academy on Netflix, they did a pretty decent job of capturing The Bangles version of the Simon and G-Funk original. I assume, and I’ll be wrong, that they didn’t just cover it outright since they’d want the long intro to play with cinematically, and also to build up anticipation of that perfect riff.
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50:
Wave by The Midnight
Wooo, more The Midnight. I like Wave a lot. Let’s move on.
49:
Ignorance by Paramore
Paramore’s best song? I mean, it’s got to be a contender doesn’t it? Timewise this was when the best line up of the band were together so it would make a bit of sense for their best song to come from this era. I’m not saying they’ve not had great songs since that era, they absolutely have, and they remain a fave of mine to this day! (I have all their albums on vinyl come to think of it. Hang on. Do I? I do. I checked). We’ve not had one since 2017 though. Come on!
48:
Aurora by The K’s
More by The K’s already! I think there’s another coming up in a few songs time as well. I really love them. I need more though! It’s shit finding bands that don’t have much music when you like them this month. They’re similar to The Arctic Monkeys if you’re looking for a comparison. Again this is quite fast paced in parts and given a lot of heart by the vocals. Brilliant.
47:
Everywhere I’m Local by Har Mar Superstar
Weirdly, as much as I know I listened to this album in 2020, I don’t recall hearing this one as much as I apparently did. Once again, if you’ve never given this album a spin I highly recommend it! I had to get my vinyl of it from Paris! It was a nightmare trying to find a copy that wasn’t a small fortune. It’s worth pointing out at this point I guess, over 50 songs into the chart, that none of the vinyl I’ve listened to has counted towards this, which is why it’s been a little interesting to me seeing what is in here. If the record listens had counted, I can tell you Har Mar, Jungle, The Midnight, Bon Iver, Paramore and The Weeknd, to name but a few, would all be higher up than they are.
46:
Cherry by Jungle
This was definitely one of my fave albums to pick up last year. It’s sublime from start to finish. We’ve already had 1 (or 2) songs from it already in the chart, now we reach Cherry. One of the most chill on the record. I got it very early into the year and listened to it all the time. As I mentioned in the previous entry, this would have been much higher up if we counted vinyl plays. I’d also like to add that I really love their music videos!
45:
So I met Someone by VHS Collection
Ahh, this song is so lovely. Everything about it is so well done. First heard this a couple of years ago when trying to find more electronic music. Hopefully we’ll get another album from these guys soon as it’s been three years since the last one now! The piano intro is so simple but it gets me every time. I think I was playing a lot of GTA V when I first started to listen to this as it evokes memories of it when I hear it haha.
44:
Glass Towns by The K’s
The K’s yet again! This one has an inkling of what I loved about Supergrass’ I Should Coco. I don’t think it would have fit on that album or anything, just has a bit of the same energy. They’ve really set the stage to drop a really great album! Sorry to bang on about it, but fucking hell, I want more music!
43:
Run (It’s Never Too Late) by Classic Fiction
No idea where this came from. If someone sent me it, then apologies for not remembering. I really love it though. I think it’ll probably be higher up next year. It’s very well structured and quite nuanced, a truly beautiful song. We haven’t talked much about lyrics on the chart this year, which I think was a conscious decision by me so that I didn’t end up going on any long rants or breakdowns, but…
Gone are the days of the world we used to know
How many times did we try to save tomorrow?… hits pretty hard at the moment, doesn’t it. Take some time to listen to it sometime.
42:
Never Too Much by Luther Vandross
Well this is quite the change of tone after Classic Fiction. What can I say about this that I’ve never said already? Nothing I don’t think. It’s perfection in every way. It makes me feel good whenever I hear it.
41:
Skinny Love by Bon Iver
Did you know that Bon Iver is taken from a French phrase, Bon Hiver which means Good Winter? Well if you didn’t, you’re welcome. Skinny Love… do I need to even say anything? I think we all know my feelings on this song!
I tell my love to wreck it all
Cut out all the ropes and let me fall
My my my, my my my, my my
Right in this moment, this order’s tallOof. If you ever want an interesting read, go look at the story behind this album, “For Emma, Forever Ago” being recorded. It’s good.
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40:
Happy Man by Jungle
More Jungle is always a good thing. I believe Happy Man was the first one I heard. If it wasn’t, it was Heavy, California. Again, No idea how I found them, but the attraction was instant and the love followed very shortly afterwards.
I’m a troubled man
I’m changed by the things I do
True, but it’s funny how they all remember you
It all could be different
Try to do something new
I’ve given everything
I want to be a happy man, tooIt’s one of those instances when I just knew I was going to love the album, which is why I just bought it after hearing very little. Like when I bought Ash’s 1977 on cassette. Insert a fire emoji here or something. Can I even do emojis on here? OH GOD. So I clicked something thinking that it might have been a way to see if I could and it reformatted my entire page. NEVER CLICK THAT AGAIN DEVIL BUTTON! OMG I CAN!
39:
Hard Headed Woman by Cat Stevens
I can’t express enough how much I love this song. It’s so fucking great. Taken from one of the best albums of all time, Tea For The Tillerman. It turned 50 years old in 2020. When I did my musical family tree a while ago, I think I attributed Cat Stevens to my Dad because I think I got into him through Bob Dylan, but I could be wrong. What I like about this song so much is how it changes from the softer picking of the intro and gentle strumming parts into the more aggressive playing of the bridge. This is also some of the best vocal work Cat Stevens ever did and I think it may well be some of his best lyrics. (I’m aware I opened a can of lyric worms like 5 songs ago).
38:
I Don’t Care Anymore by Phil Collins
Another regular that I have to try and find something interesting… haha like any of this is interesting. Got ahead of myself there. I doubt there’s much to say about this that I’ve not said before. I used to like winding up my friend Garry with this song? Have I said that? I’d message him asking him how he was or something like that and then when he answered I’d just link him to this song. Childish but I liked doing it.
37:
Don’t Leave Me Lonely by Mark Ronson / Yebba
Something new! Fuck Yebba has a gorgeous voice. This song is superb. I really love it. Generally speaking, most of what Ronson sticks his dick in is pretty damn good, but this is special. Her voice just elevates it beyond what it would have been with anyone else at the helm. He knows his shit and he chose the perfect singer for it. Well played, Ronson. Good video, too!
36:
Casio by Jungle
More superb chill by Jungle. Think I’ve covered why these guys are so good now. Enjoy another good music video!
35:
Holding Out For A Hero by Bonnie Tyler
Do I need to add anything else? I’m unstoppable now I have emojis. This has been a fave song of mine since I was about 3. My mum liked Bonnie Tyler so I heard this a lot. Pacey songs are my forte. Cracking vocals, driving rhythm, catch as fuck lyrics. This song has everything I love.
34:
Ain’t It Fun by Paramore
Well, a more modern Paramore song ahead of Ignorance on the chart! Say it ain’t so. OMG I JUST REALISED THAT WEEZER AREN’T ON THE CHART THIS YEAR! I’m genuinely shocked by that. Say It Ain’t So has been on the chart almost every year. Anyway, Paramore! This is my fave of their more modern stuff. Captures the… fun… they used to represent.
33:
Shadows by The Midnight
Shadows is the best song on Nocturnal. A bold claim I know, especially when my brain is completely letting me down on which other songs are on that album. My brain mashes them all together… Erm… It’s definitely better than Chrystalline, Collateral and Nocturnal… I think it’s main competitor would have to be River of Darkness. I’m confident with my claim. Ish.
32:
A Hazy Shade Of Winter by Simon & G-Funk
Ahh yes, the original and still the best version or A Hazy Shade Of Winter. Songwriting at it’s fucking best. What a great riff, and overall composition. One thing that has always confused me about it, is that to me, it sounds like a great closing track. It should have been the last track on Bookends, but instead we got At The Zoo, which is a fine song, but Hazy would have been a better closer.
31:
Kitsune by Gunship
Last year’s number 1 falls 30 places! Obviously still listened to it a lot, and rightly so, I still love it. It’s one of the best synthwave songs going as far as I’m concerned.
You set it alight with your fingertips
As the ice forms around your lips
Try to breathe in -
30:
Running In The Night by FM-84 / Ollie Wride
Synth royalty this song. FM-84 know how to craft a great synth song and Ollie has arguably the best voice for synthwave going at the moment.
29:
Jason by The Midnight
This was the first Midnight song I heard and it’s what made me fall in love with them. Such a great duet between Nikki Flores and Tyler Lyle. I listened to it on repeat when I first heard it for fucking ages. It’s got such a great beat, her voice plays perfectly off his and it’s got superb instrumental work. Is it my fave Midnight track? I’m not sure. Lost Boy exists.
28:
Trampoline by Shaed / ZAYN
What’s interesting about this (Again, I’m using interesting very loosely) is that I thought I’d listened to the normal version of this song, with just Chelsea Lee’s vocals and no sign of all caps ZAYN, so I was a little surprised to not even see that version in the chart. Really great song, and an album I’ve been trying to get on vinyl for a while now, but for some reason It’s always quite pricey! I don’t dislike this version over the other by the way, I just thought I’d listened to that one more!
27:
Yesterday by The Beatles
Yesterday. It’s alright, innit, as far as songs go! Now, I assume Help” must be some people’s fave Beatles album, but I wonder what the percentages are. I’d assume the highest would be for Sgt Pepper, but how do the others fair. I’d also assume that Help! would be below Abbey Road? I’m not sure. I’d love to see it polled somehow. I wonder if that data exists. It must do, right? We have a fucking World Cup of Crisps for God’s sake. Rubber Soul and Revolver are obviously in the mix, too. Beatles For Sale could be a dark horse, as could, and I’m not wrong on this… Magical Mystery Tour. Note, I’m not asking what the best is, just what people’s fave is. Yes they are two different things. YES THEY ARE.
26:
Mad About You (Live) by Hooverphonic
Hooverphonic seem determined to just ride this song into an early grave. I believe they released another version of it at the tail end of last year as they have yet another new vocalist! I’m fairly sure the last time I talked about them I’ll have made a joke about them going through vocalists like Spinal Tap with drummers. The original version of this is very much a more upbeat version of Glory Box by Portishead, which is not a bad thing. The live version from 12 years later, again with a different vocalist is a much better affair though. It really lands as it’s own song and removes a little of the Portishead comparison. Not all of it, mind you.
25:
Beat 54 (All Good Now) by Jungle
EVEN MORE SUPER CHILL JUNGLE! Enjoy!
24:
Blinding Lights by The Weeknd
As I mentioned before, if vinyl plays were included, this would be higher and more of his music would be on the chart. This is a fucking banger though. The whole album is great but this one truly stands out. The rhythm is just so great and it has a brilliant simplicity which is what makes it so fucking catchy.
23:
Prisoner by Har Mar Superstar
I knew this was going to be high up. My second fave song from the Bye Bye 17 album. It’s such a great record. Listen to it! I’ve spoken enough about Har Mar and will need to again soon so let’s leave it there for now.
22:
Nothing Burns Like The Cold by Snoh Aalegra / Vince Staples
Expected more of Snoh in the chart to be honest. The whole Feels album is particularly brilliant. Tried to buy it on vinyl recently as they pressed more but they made it so that it only shipped to the US. Annoying as fuck. I hate when artists do that. You know you have fans all over the world, right? Sort your shit out.
21:
Sunset by The Midnight
Endless Summer really has some fucking tunes on it, doesn’t it. This is probably the most “mainstream” song The Midnight have done, I’d say. As in, it’d be the most likely to break through onto the normal pop chart. It’s got the most pop kinda structure to it, it’s got a good beat, catchy lyrics. I can’t think of a song that would define those parameters better.
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20:
I’m Free (Heaven Helps The Man) by Kenny Loggins
I love this song, we all know that. We also know about my issues with bed placement in the video. Keeps me awake some nights. In my bed. That is perpendicular to the wall. #JustSaying.
19:
Legend Has It by Run The Jewels
I love me some Run The Jewels. It’s nice when the people you like seem like brilliantly genuinely good people. Legend Has It has some great lyrics and a brilliant sense of humour.
Every new record’s my dick in a box
We here the goons, eat them rulers a lot
You’re getting used to me doing no wrong
I don’t play chicken, you prick, I’m a fox
You wanna kick it, I’ll give you the rock
You kiss the wood chipper blade if you bark
I’m fuckin’ magic, in fact I’m a warlock can talk
I got a unicorn horn for a (Stop)Love it.
18:
Don’t Take The Money by Bleachers / Lorde
Bleachers I completely got into last year. 3 songs in particular, which all appear between here and the end of the chart. All taken from the MTV Unplugged album, this one features Beach Detective Lorde. I was thinking about this song earlier, and about the fact that at first, of the 3 that made the chart I preferred the other two, however I don’t think that’s the case anymore. It’s difficult to pick to be honest. All 3 are great tunes. I like that this one isn’t overcomplicated and I definitely prefer the unplugged version over the album track. Enjoy.
17:
America Online by The Midnight
More Midnight. This was around for ages but is off the latest album Monsters. It’s very good, I really like it. Blah blah.
16:
Nobody Does It Better by Carly Simon
A true classic. I genuinely think I did all of the listens of this in one sitting, haha. I had it on repeat for like a whole day. I guess I was in that kind of mood. It’s a beautiful song and something we don’t get very often nowadays. I sound old.
15:
Heavy, California by Jungle
Time for Jungle to kick it up a notch. They’re very adaptable as a group and have a good mix of up-tempo and chill across the album that this is taken from, For Ever. I hope all of these tracks of theirs have convinced you to check them out!
14:
Are We Having Any Fun Yet? by The Larkins
I had a feeling this would be high up and I think a few times I thought it’d be my number one. I really, really love this. It’s so good. Simple, well structured, well executed. I hope they continue down the path they’re going and give us a brilliant album at some point. So far, like The K’s, it’s just been singles and EPs, which is fine, but at some point we need an LP. They do have a live one, but that’s not the same! Are we having any fun yet? 87 songs in. I doubt it. ROFLCOPTER.
13:
Lost Boy by The Midnight
Now then. Is it this? I think it might be. I guess time will tell.
12:
Sarajevo by The K’s
What a belter this is. Far and away the best song they’ve put out so far. Fast, fun and brilliantly sung. Perfect. Fingers crossed we’ll see more of them on next years chart!
11:
Hate That You Know Me by Bleachers
2 of 3 for Bleachers. Also taken from the Unplugged album and featuring Lourde and Carly Rae Jepsen, this is a really fun song. Catchy from the very start with a great use of backing vocals giving the ladies a chance to shine. I would like to pick up his albums on vinyl, but as with many of the records on this list, they’re sitting pretty pricey at the moment!
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10:
Lady, You Shot Me by Har Mar Superstar
Probably the best song from Har Mar’s fifth album, Bye Bye 17, I was hooked as soon as it opened. It’s a proper soul record and I love the whole album from start to finish, but this is a great side one, track one. If you’ve never listened to Har Mar before, then I highly recommend picking this up and You Can Feel Me. You’re in for a treat. A very varied treat.
09:
Dance With Somebody by The Midnight
THIS should have been my most listened to Midnight song last year, but it wasn’t. I definitely feel like I listened to this the most and it’s my fave song off the latest album. It has a little something different about it to their usual sound I think. I love the electronic voice used in it, I think it’s very effective and gives us another voice to hear, instead of just Tyler all the time. Not that there’s anything wrong with his vocal work at all. Just nice to break it up.
08:
PILLOWTALK by ZAYN
I hope this goes down as a pop classic. I really love it. I don’t know if I could tell you why. Something about it reminds me of something else but no matter how much I think about it, I can’t place what the memory is that’s being triggered. It’s one particular sound that’s making something in my music brain fire, but I can’t seem to access it. It’s right as the break happens as it heads into the chorus. Occasionally I feel like I’m on the cusp of it, but I never get there. Anyway, ZAYN made a great record with this. I think it’s truly great.
07:
Shadow by Bleachers / Carly Rae Jepsen
3 of 3 for Bleachers. Carly Rae Jepsen has a vastly underrated voice and I don’t think she’s ever got the credit she deserves for making some really great pop songs. Kiss is a brilliant album. Most people will have overlooked it thinking she was a one hit wonder. You’re all wrong! This is a great tune and one of the best duets I’ve heard in forever. I used to go out on my scooter at around midnight and just listen to it on repeat. Ha.
06:
The Sound Of Silence by Disturbed
This is a great cover. I think there’s been a bit of a backlash against this in recent times, but I don’t really get why. It’s brilliantly composed and brilliantly executed. Can’t really ask for much more than that, no matter what you think of Disturbed on the whole. It’s very much the perfect example of making a song you’re own by just singing it well. It didn’t need to vary too much. It’s a perfect song as it is.
05:
Deep Blue by The Midnight
I think this pipped Dance With Somebody simply because it was released earlier in the year. Being the first single we’d had from the guys in like a year, I just drank it up. I assume that’s why it ended up being my most listened song by The Midnight this year. It’s a great tune, I just prefer the other one.
04:
Nobody Speak by DJ Shadow / Run The Jewels
What a tune. DJ Shadow has always been brilliant for pumping out great beats, and to put Run The Jewels over that is inspired. They work together so fucking well, not to mention the video for this song is fucking brilliant. Please watch it. It’s amazing. The icing on the cake is…
Get running
Start pumping your bunions, I’m coming
I’m the dumbest, who flamethrow your function to Funyons
Flame your crew quicker than Trump fucks his youngest
Now face the flame fuckers your fame and fate’s done withchefs kiss
03:
All For You by Rynx / Kiesza
Probably the most surprising entry on the chart. I knew I’d listened to this, and I do really like it, I just didn’t expect it to be so high. It’s a great little synth tune. It always makes me think it’s the sort of thing I hear over YouTubers videos when they’re doing some kind of montage of stuff. I don’t know why I have that image but I do. Good little video, too! Well done, Rynx, 3rd place!
02:
Stranger Love by Ollie Wride / Sunglasses Kid
Thought this was going to be my number 1 if I’m honest. Probably the only synthwave song that I think has ever rivalled Lovers by Timecop1983 for what is the best synth song in my opinion. Ollie just has the best fucking voice for this kinda thing. His voice is great overall, but it fits so perfectly into synth stuff. Sunglasses Kid also put together a song that sounds so perfectly nostalgic and 80s. It’s perfect.
01:
Nothing Breaks Like A Heart by Mark Ronson / Miley Cyrus
I did, obviously, listen to this a lot. Like A LOT. Thinking back over the year, it’s easy to see why this is the number one song. Now, Mark Ronson made a fucking great song here, but I’m giving him zero credit as my love for this song comes entirely from Miley’s vocals. I don’t care if he stuck his hand up her and worked her like a glove puppet. I’m all in on Miley here. I don’t think there’s anything she can’t do and I hope she’s around forever.
