2013 SONGS OF THE YEAR

New feature this year! I have this little sentence to the side --> "Because songs define our lives." So these are the songs that defines 2013, in my humble opinion. I certainly welcome added opinions, provided you remember this is a totally limited list made on first instincts! I already am kicking myself for leaving off more Luke Bryan, Arcade Fire, PTX, and Macklemore. There's P!nk songs that inexplicably didn't make this list, and I gotta say - I grew to adore "Wrecking Ball." But they're not here. This is what hit the musical heart most this year.

However, I do know how much good music is out there, and please comment and share more, because we need to hear it all!

If you want to take a listen to a mix of all these tracks, head over the Spotify and follow the 2013 - Songs of the Year Playlist!!


Before we get to the top 10, let's give a nod to some of the honorable mentions. And since I only have so much time left this year, they're in alpha order (you don't want me trying to rank them all. I still have a job, yah know). Then we'll get down to business!

Eminem - "Berzerk"

Sara Bareilles - "Brave"

Ellie Goulding - "Burn"

Florida Georgia Line - "Cruise"

Toby Keith - "Drinks After Work"

Nine Inch Nails - "Everything"

Daft Punk feat. Pharrell Williams - "Get Lucky"

Tim McGraw feat. Taylor Swift & Keith Urban - "Highway Don't Care"

Passenger - "Let Her Go"

Maroon 5 - "Love Somebody"

Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, & Eric Church - "The Only Way I Know"

Imagine Dragons - "Radioactive"

Goo Goo Dolls - "Rebel Beat"

A Great Big World feat. Christina Aguilara - "Say Something"

"When I Grow Up" from "Matilda"

All right! Time for the top 10!!

10. Ylvis – “The Fox (What Does The Fox Say?)”

You can't deny the catchiness of this song. It's absolute nonsense and a complete joke to start with... and I can't stop enjoying it. The parodies have been endless, and the reach has been outstanding. For something that literally started out as a joke for the group, this Billboard-charting number must've made it a pretty great 2013. I personally didn't hear this for quite some time while it was being talked about. It wasn't till I starting in the highlight fo my year (my new licensing job) that I decided I should probably know what the hell everyone was talking about. Well damn did they give us a hellova conversation to be had... in multiple odd noises and phrases.

9. Hanson – “Get The Girl Back”

Okay, okay, YES, this was necessary. A personal necessity, if you will. But Hanson did make a commercial comeback (for the record - they never went away. I have ever tour ticket stub, t-shirt, and 21 years of albums to prove it!) and it was fun for everyone involved. They even made a beer... that I have yet to drink. -_- 2014 road trip to Oklahoma to try it anyone? This song was the lead single and I still remember being completely amazed at the returned rock-feel of their music. It's fun and you can move to it just as much as you can sing it loud. If you get a chance, I really do recommend "Anthem," their latest album. It's an incredible showing of what these guy are really capable. Just like all the articles were saying, they aren't just about "MmmBop."

8. Jay Z feat. Justin Timberlake – “Holy Grail”

I'd call them a power couple, but Queen B has that part covered. But seriously, the genius that is the ultimate pairing of JT and JZ is amazing. I'm picky about my rap songs too, but something clicks incredibly well in this one. Oh, and the usage of "Smells Like Teen Spirit"? I feel like that one just hit at the right time. We've been away from that song for a long enough time that it was great to have a resurgence. My favorite has to be that small, slight pause before they hit hard with "HOLY GRAIL." The writing, the beat, everything - it's just kind of perfection in a song.

7. Glee Cast – “Roar”

Yes, Katy Perry did a fantastic job with this song. It's the rival anthem with "Brave" (which should have stayed in it's awesome level as a quietly-well-known song). So naturally, there was no way "Glee" could stay away from the song. But admit it, they knocked this one out of the park! What really does it for my are the little embellishments by guest artist Adam Lambert, and the "I've got the eye of the tiger" acappella hit in the middle by Demi Lovato. They make it stand out more than the original version, and that's why this one gets my full support. And, okay, seeing Darren Criss in well, next to nothing, doesn't hurt either.

6. Keith Urban & Miranda Lambert – “We Were Us”

YES!! This pairing desperately needed to happen, and man did it happen in the best way possible this year. For those unaware, these are my favorite male and female country stars, respectively. Everything they've done separately is incredible, and this fits right in. The story in the song, on top of the amazing musical arrangement, is heartbreaking and inspiring. You can't find a better highway song on this list either. I've laughed and cried and remembered so much to this song this year, and am incredibly thankful that someone got my emotions all into one collective composition.

5. Icona Pop (feat. Charli XCX) – “I Love It”

Talk about a song for a pissed off ex-girlfriend and someone who needs to blow off some steam. This was another one to blast on the stereo for sure and absolutely lose yourself in. I don't remember the last time there was just a really fantastic loud as hell song like this you could scream to. Okay, Kelly Clarkson usually gives some good options in that department, but this was even in a different league. It combined rock with dance and seemed to fit in just about everywhere with everyone. "I Love It" was one of those songs I found myself facing friends going "Okay, have to admit - I DO love this" - only to have them ultimately agree. YES!

4. Zedd feat. Foxes – “Clarity”

Another song that I've been mildly obsessed with this year. For one with so few lyrics, the words that are used most definitely pack a punch. "'Cause you are the piece of me I wish I didn't need, chasing relentlessly, still fight and I don't know why. If our love is tragedy, why are you my remedy? If our love's insanity, why are you my clarity?" It was stupid obviously what I associated this with when it first came out, and saying goodbye to a best friend this past month has only re-impacted the entire meaning of the track. And the dance element to this? I mean, I know a lot fo EDM folks are happy with it becoming a mainstream thing, but I see this as a blessing for the genre and for the fun times crying singer in me.

3. Tegan & Sara – “Closer”

Another fun one. Maybe this was my year for dance music that had meaning. Of course, the meaning here was a little blatant, but I sort of just love it altogether. The harmonies too - I mean, I'm a big fan of female harmonies, and these two have it locked down tights. I've also been listening to these girls for quite a few years now (thanks Lexi across the hall at Belmont!) and am so happy they're getting more recognition for what they do. Generally, this is a really well put-together track with a great melody and rhythm and you can get lost in a trance to (without it going full trance).

2. OneRepublic – “Counting Stars”

What a beautiful song! These guys have an amazing way with words, and I can't get over everything they manage to pull out and put on the radio. This song hit hard this year not so much as a hit (though yes, it got a lot fo airplay and a fair amount of popularity) but as something of an anthem. It's rocking and good on the ears, with this beat that you can't deny getting into. And the concept of counting stars and dreams instead of money is inspiring for this insane hungry world we live in. Bottom line, these guys pack it all in together and I love them and this song for it all.

1. Avicii – “Wake Me Up”

And the song that... well, my obsession with this song knew absolutely no bounds this year. Avicii really made something incredible here. You get a dance song with this rock-out feel to it that I cannot get over. I stop absolutely every time it comes on the radio and lose myself in every word and beat along the way. And yes, even the beat! I feel like I could sing the beat along with it too! The lyrics are amazing and actually pack this great message about finding yourself even when you don't know you need to. It's the song of the year, hands down!

That's it folks! Hope you enjoyed this as much as I enjoyed putting it together in between getting ready for New Year's Eve. Now I'm off to party it out downstairs. Best to you and yours, and HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

<3 J-Hawke