A bit of explanation, 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.
Want to listen through it all? 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. David Bowie - "Lazarus"Look up here, I'm in heaven
This was one of Bowie's haunting last messages to us, we got "Blackstar," just as the man was leaving the earth. This seemed to be the first major death of 2016 that rocked our worlds, and it seems completely necessary to honor the man and genius as we close it out.
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9. Miranda Lambert - "Vice"Sting of the needle dropping on a vinyl
I've made no secret of my love for Miranda, and having her return with a double album was a musical highlight for sure. "Vice" came out as this slow haunting introspective on decisions, and it like nothing else to drive down the road at night to.
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8. Ingrid Michaelson - "Hell No"My girlfriends say are you gonna be sad
Ingrid as this great way of making us laugh and cry and laugh and cry and laugh and cry over the course of an album. And all the while you're reflecting far too much on your own life. At least with this one, we're taking an empowering f-you stance on the jackass that's gone.
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7. Brett Eldredge - "Wanna Be That Song"Wanna be those words that fill you up
I'm partial to performers I've seen live (which was the case with this summer and Brett) and I'm a sucker for a love song that talks about music. So basically, this is a melt moment. Ah, to dream the dream of a hopeless romantic.
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6. Ryan Adams - "Do You Still Love Me?"What can I say?
I remember the Friday this popped up on my Release Radar list, and being hooked from the start. This was a fantastic follow up to Ryan's take on 1989, giving off his same great sound with his own new music. And the simplicity here? It's infectious. Such good stuff.
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5. Yellowcard - "Rest In Peace"It was the best that you could be for me
This was a bittersweet year to be a Yellowcard fan. They gave us one last awesome album and tour, but this is it. This is the end. I had the absolute pleasure of seeing their last-ever show in New Jersey, and my inner pop-punk kid was thrilled and heartbroken. "Rest In Peace" seems to be the perfect summation to end things on from this amazing band.
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4. Maren Morris - "80s Mercedes"She ain't made for practicality
I mean, you've got to have your good, fun driving songs, and that's what this provides. It's not terribly deep, and I love that. The sound is just perfectly fit for a windows-down kind of day or night, and the melody is great for belting out when you need it. Talk about an escape tune.
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3. Fitz & The Tantrums - "HandClap"Every night when the stars come out
God DAMN this song is crazy catchy. Spotify must have put a different remix version on my release radar and discovery playlists every week and I actually never got sick of it. For every mood, this fit somehow. I just could not get over this one all year long.
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2. Justin Timberlake - "Can't Stop The Feeling!"I got that sunshine in my pocket
People seem to love or hate this and there's no in-between. You know what? I love it. It's kind of this year's "Happy," but better. There. I said it. Dance dance dance...
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1. Gavin Degraw - "She Sets The City On Fire"
Everybody knows she's a perfect ten
And I'm hanging on tight til the whole thing ends
Cause New York sky don't get much brighter
She sets, she sets the city on fire
No, this year had to be and was so much better. I'm ending on a really high note, with optamism. I do feel like Gavin's singing my theme song, and there's only more to come. And music? Well it continues to be a driving force, something that I think even more people around me are realizing. It makes every moment more important and special and is my side kick to face everything.
I hope y'all let the songs help push you up and forward too. There's so much out there and it can effect our every move and motivation. Don't ignore the sounds around you and look forward to letting new ones in.
Love all y'all very much. Happy New Year!