At the end of every year, instead of making big NYE plans with friends, I typically find myself enjoying some quiet, solitary days at home along with Iris, cleaning and prepping for the coming year. It's nice to be alone, I guess. It leaves me ready for people and fresh starts in the new year though.
Anywhos, you didn't come here to hear about what drives me to do this list at the last minute. You came here for music!
I've found myself thinking about this all during the year, trying to keep up with new songs mentally for this list. In the end, thank god for Spotify and their wrapped lists, because I can't tell you how much that helped.
So, usual disclaimer, as always - these are all songs that have had some sort of mainstream release; no b-sides or non-single tracks from albums. These are the ones that the labels and artists saw fit to push the most, and that I personally saw fit to invade my ears on repeat throughout the year. Now, granted, this is getting harder and harder to figure out, since everything seems to be a single release these days, but we'll do our best here.
Want to listen to the whole thing in order? No prob! I've got you! Check out the Spotify playlist I created (first fifteen in artist name order, last 10 in countdown style).
As per tradition, on this New Years Eve, let's kick things off with 15 Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order by artist):
Anywhos, you didn't come here to hear about what drives me to do this list at the last minute. You came here for music!
I've found myself thinking about this all during the year, trying to keep up with new songs mentally for this list. In the end, thank god for Spotify and their wrapped lists, because I can't tell you how much that helped.
So, usual disclaimer, as always - these are all songs that have had some sort of mainstream release; no b-sides or non-single tracks from albums. These are the ones that the labels and artists saw fit to push the most, and that I personally saw fit to invade my ears on repeat throughout the year. Now, granted, this is getting harder and harder to figure out, since everything seems to be a single release these days, but we'll do our best here.
Want to listen to the whole thing in order? No prob! I've got you! Check out the Spotify playlist I created (first fifteen in artist name order, last 10 in countdown style).
As per tradition, on this New Years Eve, let's kick things off with 15 Honorable Mentions (in alphabetical order by artist):
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| | 10. The Struts feat. Kesha - "Body Talks (Remix)"You can be cool, you can be shy I loved this song before the added female voice, and it became an addiction when Kesha got added to the mix. It becomes this awesome back and forth conversation that could rock any LES back-bar show room. |
9. Keith Urban feat. Julia Michaels - "Coming Home"I'm longing for the real thing So "no shit there I was" on my way to the airport on my first trip to Nashville in a while, and this song is the first one I hear. This is a great part of Keith's gentle pop-country line he's been treading, with a collaboration with this incredible songwriter in Julia. I don't know how they managed to make these effects sound like they worked so well, but there's nothing that called me back to the sweet southern highways quite as much as this song this year. | |
| | 8. Hunter Hayes - "Dear God"You make me love so hard Talk about the one that'll hit you hard. I literally had a walk in the rain listening to this on repeat. For still such a young man, Hunter takes on the feelings I think a lot of us are afraid to vocalize. He and Andy Grammer teamed up on this, and I think they nailed it for sure. It'll make you question everything all at once. |
7. David Cook - "Death of Me"I fall apart at the very thought of me and you David Cook created some of the sexiest music his smooth voice has ever created this year (it's about now I'll remind you I'm a single 30-year-old girl). "Death of Me" came out around Halloween this year, with David himself calling it his own holiday song. Also, I met the guy this year, so hey, I'm a little biased towards him and his great music. | |
| | 6. Avril Lavigne - "Head Above Water"God, keep my head above water Avril re-emerged this year after a life long battle with Lymes Disease drove her to deliver the most epic anthem of the year. This is an incredibly powerful song from someone who's proven her power for years in so many different ways. It's hard to see, I guess, if you haven't grown up with her along the way, but her truths mean so much for all of us that did. |
5. Sara Bareilles - "Armor"I see #MeToo | |
| | 4. Imagine Dragons - "Natural"That's the price you pay What an incredibly hard hitting, powerful, awesome song! I mean, these guys really nails it in every respect. This is for the workouts, the powerful walks, and the encouragement. It's dark enough with a burst of light to push you. Damn this is a good one. |
3. Dan + Shay - "Tequila"I can drink whiskey and red wine Good country music tells you a story, and great modern country music puts smooth voices on the track to tell it. Day and Shay may have just had their most incredible year to date, and it's thanks to songs like this, even if it does bring a tear to the eye every single damn time. | |
| | 2. Zedd, Maren Morris, and Grey - "The Middle"I'm losing my mind just a little Maren is a queen as it is, but then she turns around and belts out this killer tune that crosses all lines. It's got an incredible rhythm with a great beat to keep your hips going. It's the addiction of love that pulls people together, and this song just grabs it all at once. |
1. Dierks Bentley feat. Brothers Osborne - "Burning Man"
I still go wherever the wind blows me, but I always find my way back
I still don't get it right sometimes, I just don't get it as wrong
I still go a little bit crazy sometimes, yeah, but now I don't stay near as long
I'm a little bit steady but still little bit rollin' stone
I'm a little bit heaven but still a little bit flesh-and-bone
Little found, little don't-know-where-I-am
I'm a little bit holy water but still a little bit burning man
In what is possibly one of the most beautifully written lyrical pieces of the year, Dierks Bentley encompasses everything it is to be an adult these days. I remember driving down the Parkway at some point this year and hearing this, and everything made so much sense along with the words. It's the acceptance that nothing has to make sense at all and that's fine. It's the growing up and figuring it out and not knowing in any way. It's all... okay.
And with that, I accept it too. Bring on 2019.
As always, love y'all and Happy New Year! Cheers to you and more music and great things ahead!
And with that, I accept it too. Bring on 2019.
As always, love y'all and Happy New Year! Cheers to you and more music and great things ahead!
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