Songs 100 – 91 90 – 81 80 – 71

70. Addicted, Walk Off the Earth

As with most Walk Off the Earth songs “Addicted” is a hell of a good time. Most people do not have the luxury of living in the tropics and enjoying the laid back Caribbean vibe year round, but close your eyes and listen to “Addicted” on repeat and that should help fill the void during the long, cold winter months.

69. Almost (Sweet Music), Hozier

“Almost (Sweet Music)” is Hozier’s ode to jazz music and the jazz era. After exploding on the scene with 2013’s “Take Me to Church” Hozier has stood out from his musical peers producing thought provoking music that oftentimes evokes buzz around positive social messages.

Hozier is one of the biggest names in male rock soloists, and “Almost (Sweet Music)” is a perfect example of why.

68. Heaven, We’re Already Here – The Maine

The Maine has been incredibly underrated for years, and the lack of buzz for “Heaven, We’re Already Here” is another frustration that fans of The Maine will have to get over.

The song is dramatic, full of excitement, and a perfect example of the direction alt rock should be heading. Do yourself a favor and give The Maine some love in 2020.

67. Prom Queen, Beach Bunny

“Prom Queen” by Beach Bunny is retro-emo-rock at its best. With their first full length album, Honeymoon set for a February 2020 release, Beach Bunny may find it is finally time for them to become the Prom Queens of modern rock.

66. I’ll Be Back Someday, Tegan & Sara

Identical Canadian twins, Tegan and Sara Quin are some of the hardest working people in mainstream modern rock. They are both multi-instrumentalists, singer-songwriters that have worked and toured with legends such as Neil Young, The Pretenders, Weezer and The Killers.

As with any fine wine, Tegan and Sara are simply getting better with age and “I’ll Be Back Someday” is one of their most catchy, enjoyable songs to date.

65. My Cheating Heart – Love, Fame, Tragedy

The Wombats frontman, Matthew Murphy decided to try his fate at a solo project and as Lady Luck would have it, it paid off.

“My Cheating Heart”, his first single under the name Love Fame Tragedy, is full of energy, drama, and one of my favorite songs of the year to sing along with.

64. Does To Me, Luke Combs

My choice for country artist of the year is hands down Luke Combs. “Does To Me”, a story about an average Joe that is justifiably proud of being a good brother and lover is so good that it needed to be included in the 2019 Rock Countdown.

Sure it’s technically country, but it is also pop, rock, and just plain damn perfect music. That might not mean much to you, but it sure “does to me.”

63. The Game, Milky Chance

“The Game” by German electronic pop duo Milky Chance, is a perfect blend of reggae, rock, pop and just plain chill. If Bob Marley was still around today, he most certainly would have had some sort of cameo in this laid back song that you could put on repeat and full on zone out.

62. Screamer, Third Eye Blind

Stephan Jenkins and his band are back and better than they have been in over a decade. 22 years after releasing their debut self titled album, Third Eye Blind still is more than capable of not only knowing what their audience wants, but delivering on a level that only they can.

“Screamer” is more angst ridden than Stephan Jenkins himself. And Stephan Jenkins’ angst is one of my favorite things in the world.

61. We All Need Someone, The Strumbellas

My choice for album of the year is Rattlesnake by The Strumbellas. I could realistically include just about every track on this countdown, but decided to limit myself in order to not be bias.

“We All Need Someone” is a song that everyone should know. It should be played in schools every morning. It should be played in hospitals when people are sick. It should be played in bars when people are drinking away their problems.

There is nowhere this song shouldn’t be played. I know I will certainly be needed a few someone’s in 2020; and it’s The Strumbellas giving me more m

usic.

Top Songs of 2019 (100 – 61) Spotify Playlist

Songs 60 – 51 coming Monday!

Songs 100 – 91 90 – 81

80 – 71

80. Original Me, YUNGBLUD featuring Dan Reynolds

“This song is about accepting the parts of yourself that you hate and realizing your biggest superpower is to be originally, authentically yourself,” Yungblud said of “Original Me.”

The combination of YUNGBLUD’s hip hop talents and Dan Reynolds’ rock and roll battle cries, pair up perfectly to create one of the most original and memorable songs of 2019.

79. Death Stranding, CHVRCHES

https://youtu.be/AGKpjOfjz48

“Death Stranding” is inspired by, and named after the video game that is apparently a huge hit. I have absolutely no knowledge on anything to do with video games, but the song is a beautiful feel good song about love being the only thing left worth saving.

Watch her rock out to the song on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

78. Dance Monkey, Tones and I

Despite the completely ridiculous, nightmare-inducing music video, “Dance Monkey” is fun and catchy as hell. The song is so popular in the UK that the Australian singer-songwriter, Tones and I, has officially tied Rihanna and Whitney Houston for the record of having a single top the charts for 10 consecutive weeks.

Just one more week at the top of the charts in the UK and “Dance Monkey” will allow Tones and I have the title all to herself.

77. Die Happy, DREAMERS

I could “die happy” if the Dreamers can release a new album in 2020 and have it be remotely as perfect as their sophomore effort, Launch Fly Land, which included the happy-go-lucky “Die Happy” as their lead single.

76. Hotel Walls, Smith & Thell

Swedish pop/folk group Smith & Thell are a household name in Sweden. If the hauntingly beautiful “Hotel Walls” doesn’t launch them to popularity in the US in 2020, I am not sure anything will.

75. Come On, Mondo Cozmo

When I first heard “Come On” by Mondo Cozmo, I said out loud* that the only thing it needed to make it a more killer track is actress Anna Faris playing the lead in the music video and looking as sexy as ever.

…Consider it done said Mondo Cozmo.

*This never happened.

74. Bonita, Juanes

Before you judge this song based on it’s genre, give it a proper listen first. I know next to nothing about Latin music, but Juanes and Sebastian Yatra’s “Bonita” has, indeed, made me a Latin music believer.

Will 2020 finally be the year I delve deep into the world of Latin music… probably not. But, I will listen to “Bonita” at least 300 more times in the new year, that’s for sure.

73. Pretty Shining People, George Ezra

I am now convinced that George Ezra can do anything. He is a Jack of all trades. He can play the guitar, sing, act, and is hysterical.

The 26-year old Brit is having the best decade ever, and “Pretty Shining People” is downright bursting with happiness and positively, just like George Ezra.

72. Hold You Now, Vampire Weekend

As if Vampire Weekend’s Grammy nominated album Father of the Bride wasn’t sickeningly great already, they brought in none other than Danielle Haim from HAIM and made what was already a perfect album even more perfect(er.)

71. OCD, Fitz and the Tantrums

Try to sit still and not dance around while listening to “OCD” by indie pop band Fitz and the Tantrums, and like just about every other Fitz and the Tantrums song ever recorded, you will find that it is physically impossible.

Top 70 of 2019 coming Thursday!

Spotify playlist of songs 100 – 71

For a list of the Top Songs of 2019 (#100 – 91) click here.

90 – 81

90. The Best, AWOLNATION

“The Best” is the first single released off of AWOLNATION’s upcoming fourth album that will be released in 2020. If “The Best” is any indication of how good the album will be, this has the potential to be the band’s “best” album to date.

89. Daphne Blue, The Band CAMINO

Although originally released in mid 2018, The Band CAMINO finally released a video for their breakout single, “Daphne Blue” just a few months ago. This helped the song blow up on the alt rock charts and become one of the catchiest songs of 2019.

88. Father of All…, Green Day

“Father of All” is the first single off the album Father of All Motherfu**ers, by the fathers of all modern day punk rock, Green Day.

87. Why Did You Run?, Judah & the Lion

The heartbreaking lyrics in Judah & the Lion’s “Why Did You Run” tell the story of a struggling families unfortunate situation. However, the light-hearted video is a great contrast to help not be so depressed listening to the otherwise beautiful song.

86. Blind Leading the Blind, Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons have stated that “Blind Leading the Blind” had been reworked, re-imagined, and re-shaped for a year and a half prior to its October release.

Like the majority of Mumfords & Sons songs, “Blind Leading the Blind” will take you on an musical journey that feels like a theatrical performance.

85. Amelie, The Faim

“Amelie” is a pop rock anthem that continues to get more explosive upon each listen. Singing along at the top of your lungs is basically a requirement.

84. You Had Your Soul With You, The National

No band today has the maturity and elegance of The National. They have such a distinction about them that you will know it’s them within seconds of hearing one of their songs for the first time. And they continue to impress with hit after hit of indie rock gold.

83. Heat of the Summer, Young the Giant

Watching Young the Giant’s lead singer, Sameer Gadhia get tormented in the music video for “Heat of the Summer,” is appropriate. It is basically a form of torture listening to the fun-loving, carefree summer song in the middle of a New England winter, longing for the month of July.

82. All the Way (Stay), Jimmy Eat World

Jimmy Eat World released their impressive 10th studio album back in September, and “All the Way (Stay)” is proof that they still capable of producing a powerhouse alt rock gem that can hold its own with some of their biggest hits in the band’s career.

81. Make You Mine, PUBLIC

“Make You Mine” went viral this year when over one million TikTok users created videos using the catchy track in just under three months. It is very likely that the band PUBLIC will use this momentum to have a very successful 2020 releasing more addicting songs like this one.

Spotify playlist for songs 100 – 81

Songs 80 – 71 coming Monday!