Category Archives: Music

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (30-21)

Click here for songs 100-31

30. “Baby, I’m Broken” – The Record Company

“Baby, I’m Broken” is a blend of soul, blues and good ole’ rock and roll. There is nobody like The Record Company on the radio today, which is a tragedy, yes, but also a recognition of how original and unique they are.

The band is from LA, but if you close your eyes while listening to “Baby, I’m Broken” you would swear you were in Nashville or New Orleans (minus the smell of dried vomit on Bourbon Street, of course.)

29. “Let’s Hurt Tonight” – OneRepublic

We can all agree that Ryan Tedder is one of the best songwriters of our time, right? This guy has written hundreds of songs for the biggest names in music, including, but not limited to…

U2, Adele, Beyoncé, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Westlife, Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Big Time Rush, Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis, Zedd, Hailee Steinfeld and MØ. (wikipedia did that research, not me.)

What. The. Hell?

It’s amazing to think that this guy has anything left to write for OneRepublic. But he does, and “Let’s Hurt Tonight” is proof that there is still plenty of material in that magnificent, unbelievably creative brain of his.

28. “Beautiful Trauma” – P!nk

Not only is P!nk the greatest female rocker since Janis Joplin, but she is also one of the most talented musicians, and performers,male or female around today. “Beautiful Trauma” is the second track off her seventh studio album, also titled Beautiful Trauma. 

When P!nk was asked about the reasoning behind the title, she responded with just about the most P!nk’ish answer you can imagine… “life is f*cking traumatic. But it’s also incredibly beautiful, too. There’s a lot of beauty still and beautiful souls.”

Whether or not the song is your cup of tea, you should watch the hysterical music video, as it is one of the best videos of the year and features Channing Tatum as P!nk’s 1950’s husband.

27. “Sorry” – Nothing But Thieves

Nothing But Thieves has absolutely nothing to be “Sorry” about in 2017, as they released their best music to date.

“Sorry is about getting older and the difficulties associated with it. It’s about looking inwards and facing your demons. The song hinges around a flawed individual who can’t hold down a relationship, both to the detriment of themselves and their partner” says Thieves guitarist Joe Langridge-Brown.

Just about every living human being has either been “the flawed individual” or the partner of the “flawed individual” at some point in their lives. More than likely the “flawed individual” because let’s face it, everyone is a mess.

26. “Seeing Blind” – Niall Horan (feat. Marren Morris)

https://youtu.be/Cg5SdYNp7bI

The award for best duet of 2017 goes to Niall Horan’s “Seeing Blind,” which features “My Church” singer, Marren Morris.

The duo performed the folk-pop track live at the CMA Awards back in November, and if the two ridiculously good looking, fun loving artists won’t be a couple, the least they can do is start a band together and give us more sensational tracks like “Seeing Blind.”

25. “Lost On You” – LP

Laura Pergolizzi, who goes by the stage name LP, is a singer-songwriter from Long Island, NY that somehow found success overseas before in the States. In fact, thanks much in part to Europe, at one point “Lost on You” was the fourth most Shazamed song in the world.

LP has been successful in her own right for many years, however, as she has penned songs for artists including Cher, Backstreet Boys, Rihanna, and Christina Aguilera. (wikipedia)

“Lost On You” is about the breakdown of her and an ex-girlfriend, and it is one of the most passionate, heartfelt songs of the year.

(Despite it being released back in 2015, it didn’t become a hit in the US until this year.)

24. “Lay It On Me” – Vance Joy

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy laid it on us hard this year with his hit “Lay It On Me.”

With his gentle voice, and sincere lyrics, Vance Joy is the Australian John Mayer (if John mayer was a sweet and genuine guy that is.) “Lay It On Me” is his best track since 2013’s “Riptide” and a great sign that his upcoming album, Nation of Two (which is slated to be released in February of 2018) will be a ripper (that means “really good” in Australian talk, FYI.)

23. “The Line” – Foo Fighters

Add “The Line” to the list of epic tracks from the Foo Fighters. “The Line” was the third track released from their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold, and it is filled to the brim with Foo brilliance.

Dave Grohl is arguably the greatest rock star in decades and just seems to be getting better and better, and cooler and cooler with age.

When asked about the meaning behind the sing, Grohl says it is about “a search for hope in this day and age where you feel as if you’re fighting for your life with every passing moment, and everything is on the line.”

I am not sure about having much “hope” for our messed up world these days, but thanks to the Foo Fighters and Grohl I continue to have hope for the future of rock and roll.

22. “Particles” – Nothing But Thieves

“Particles,” though not as big of a radio hit as Nothing But Thieves other 2017 song, “Sorry,” is even more brilliant than its sister track.

The song takes us on a roller-coaster of emotions, and just when you think the it is over, Thieves drop back in with even more energy and gusto than ever. From 4:11 to 4:26 may be the most dramatic part of any song in 2017.

I got nothing but love for Nothing But Thieves in 2017.

21. “Miss You” – Louis Tomlinson

Not to be outdone by his former bandmates, Niall, Liam and Harry, Louis Tomlinson couldn’t let the year end without getting in on the solo action. And it looks like all that extra time and effort paid off, because “Miss You” is one of the hottest tracks of the year.

“Miss You” is about realizing that maybe being single isn’t all that great and maybe you miss that ex of yours way more than you ever thought you would.

If we have learned anything about the One Direction boys this year, it is that Louis is by far the most fun of the bunch and the one everyone should choose to go out for a night of drinking with, if given the choice.

It’s a Tuesday night, Tomlinson has glazed over eyes and is debating one more pint or five before he realizes that “it doesn’t even matter anyway.”

Then he is dancing on tables.

Then he is signing out of tune until last call.

Then, in quite

possibly my favorite line of the year, Tomlinson decides…

“When I feel it coming up I just throw that shit away
Get another two shots cause it doesn’t matter anyway (sung of course in the most amazingly brilliant and coolest British accent I think I have ever heard.)

Congrats Louis, you win the OneDirection solo act battle this year. Hopefully you miss a lot more people in 2018 so you can give the world most gems like “Miss You.”

20-11 

Listen to Songs 100-21 Below

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (40-31)

Click here for songs 100-41

40. “One of Us” – New Politics

If the television show Friends was released in 2017, “One Of Us” could very well have been its theme song.

“Before the day is through, I promise you
That we will laugh about it all
And we’ll celebrate the things we’ve done for years to come
‘Cause that’s what friends, that’s what friends are for.”

The Danish rock trio, New Politics continue to impress year after year, and “One of Us” is a perfect example of how their upbeat and positive tracks are some of the most feel-good songs in music today.

39. “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” – Car Seat Headrest

“Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” could easily be two songs pieced together. The first half is a chill, laid back jam that you could listen to while sipping a cold beverage by the pool in the summer. The second half is as electrifying as any other song in 2017, and begs for you to scream along.

The contrast between the two extremes is what makes “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” one of the most interesting songs on the radio today.

38. “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran

Who doesn’t love “Castle on the Hill? Well, besides Ed’s “friends” that “raised him.”

Such as…

  • His friend that is ALREADY on his second wife.
  • His friends that has two kids, BUT LIVES ALONE.
  • And his friend that is BARELY getting by.
  • His friend whose brother overdosed. (Imagine if that is the only thing that your really famous friend could think of to say about you.)

Regardless, “Castle on the Hill” is a beautiful homage to the place where Sheeran grew up, and is likely quite nostalgic to anyone that has moved away from their own hometown.

Hopefully, none of my best friends growing up ever become a pop superstar and write one line of a song about me. God only knows what they would choose to say.

37. “Thunder” – Imagine Dragons

The only thing that makes this song more fun to listen to, is to watch the video that goes along with it.

Could Imagine Dragon’s lead singer Dan Reynolds possibly get any cooler? If this song can’t pump you up, you better check your pulse because something isn’t pumping quite right in that cold, dead body of yours.

36. “One Foot” – WALK THE MOON

While WALK THE MOON may have a difficult task of ever topping their massive 2014 hit “Shut Up and Dance,” they sure as hell tried with this year’s “One Foot.”

It is big, and loud, full of energy, and exactly what we have come to expect from the Cincinnati band.

35. “Faded Heart” – BØRNS

If a song can possibly be classic, current, and futuristic at the same time, it is “Faded Heart,” the first song off BØRNS sophomore album, Blue Madonna (release date: January 12, 2018.)

Everything about the Grand Haven, MI native BØRNS is unique, from his style, look, voice, and even his name. “Faded Heart” is his best song to date, and if it’s any indication of what Blue Madonna is going to sound like, I will be one happy BØRNS fan on 1/12/18.

34. “Whole Wide World” – Cage the Elephant

Had this been a Cage the Elephant original, it would possibly have cracked the top 10. However, the song “Whole Wide World” was originally by a singer-songwriter that went by the name Wreckless Eric. It appeared in the 2006 Will Ferrell movie Stranger Than Fiction. (No points were deducted due to that unfortunate fact.)

Not that Cage the Elephant can do any wrong anyway, but they absolutely killed it with this modern version of the song about searching the world to find the love of your life.

33. “For What It’s Worth” – Liam Gallagher

“For What It’s Worth” is Liam Gallagher’s apology to people he has wronged along the way, and it is absolutely brilliant. While not specifically mentioning to whom he is sorry, he is a notorious bad boy, so I am sure he has plenty to be sorry for.

For what it’s worth, I don’t care who the younger Gallagher brother has wronged. And for what it’s worth, I don’t care what love-child Gallagher has never met. And for what it’s worth I don’t care if, as his brother has been noted saying, Liam is “the angriest man you will ever meet.”

Both Liam and Noel Gallagher are legends, and whether they are together in Oasis or doing their own things, I have nothing but hero worship for the both. Take that for whatever it’s worth.

32. “Basket Case” – Bastille

The best cover song of the year goes to Bastille’s version of Green Day’s 1994 mega-hit, “Basket Case.”

Not only was it the best cover of the year, but it was also the most underrated song of the year, and includes my pick for one of the best notes of the year. (2:03)

I am pretty sure for the 25-year anniversary of Green Day’s masterpiece, Dookie (which is coming up in just about 13 months. Yes, Dookie is almost TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD (!)) Bastille should just grab themselves a symphony and re-create the entire damn album.

31. “Don’t Take the Money” – Bleachers

When news broke that Fun. would be taking a hiatus, I was certain that the fellas in the band were making a huge mistake. However, Nate Reuss’ solo album was pretty solid, and guitarist Jack Antonoff’s band, Bleachers may be even better than Fun.

Bleachers are one of the biggest surprises in alt-rock in the past few years, and “Don’t Take the Money” is about as fun, as any Fun. song ever was.

My vote… let’s keep that Fun. hiatus going.

Songs 30-21

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Top 100 Songs of 2017 (50-41)

Click here for songs 100-51

50. “LA Devotee” – Panic! At the Disco

“LA Devotee,” the latest single from Vegas band, Panic! At the Disco, is based on lead singer (and the bands only current member,) Brendon Urie’s admiration of Los Angeles. It’s about someone being so in love with the city that they would do anything it takes to survive there.

“LA Devotee” is exactly what one would expect from Panic! as it is loud, catchy, and a hell of a lot of fun to sing along with. Apparently there is no need to Panic!, Urie seems to have this band thing down all by himself.

49. “World Gone Mad” – Bastille

“World Gone Mad” is the most appropriate song of the year, as it is about the mess of a world that we are currently living in. For the most part, 2017 was a complete disaster, and Bastille summarized it perfectly in just 3 minutes and 16 seconds.

48. “Sober Up” – AJR (feat. Rivers Cuomo)

https://youtu.be/J518lHntgow

The happiest-go-luckiest song ever written about trying to get sober is thanks to Weezer frontman, Rivers Cuomo, following Ryan from AJR on Twitter. This led to a discussion of AJR being big Weezer fans, and next thing you know, “Sober Up” was born.

In summary… AJR is really making a well deserved name for themselves in the alt-rock world. And Rivers Cuomo is a living legend in the alt-rock world.

47. “Heavydirtysoul” – Twenty One Pilots

The “House of Gold” that Twenty One Pilots sang about a few years back better be gigantic because everything they touch, turns to gold. “Heavydirtysoul” is yet another notch on their belts, which helps solidify them as the current day gods of alternative hip-hop.

46. “Reverend” – Kings of Leon

“Reverend” is arguably Kings of Leon’s best song in nearly a decade. While it is very radio-friendly, it is not over-produced, nor does it seem “pop-ified” to make it radio-friendly.

I could give my interrpretation of what the song is about, but q interviewed the Followill brothers to ask them specifically about the meaning of the song. Listen to the interview below.

http://www.cbc.ca/player/play/864162883854/

45. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” – COIN

Nashville natives, COIN explore the art of grungy/country Nashville for the second single off their sophomore album How Will You Know If You Never Try. 

Their 2016 hit “Talk Too Much” did its job of putting COIN on the map in the alr-rock world. “I Don’t Wanna Dance” is their way of proving to that same world that they are not just “that band with that one song.”

44. “Edge of Darkness” – Greta Van Fleet

Led Zeppelin + The Darkness + Guns N’ Roses = Greta Van Fleet

“Edge of Darkness” is the epitome of pure rock and roll. If Greta Van Fleet (which consists of three Kiszka brothers and a friend) were around back in 1969 not only would they have performed at Woodstock, but they would have been able to close the show with this epic, powerhouse track that you can easily enjoy no matter what generation you are a part of.

If this band doesn’t become a household name by the end of 2018, I give up all hope for music, and for the world.

 43. “Mercy” – Lewis Capaldi

You heard it here first, folks. Lewis Capaldi, the 21-year-old Scottish lad, is about to explode on the pop-rock scene in 2018.

With a raspy, gritty voice, powerful lyrics, and enough emotion to make even the biggest Scrooge sympathize, you can’t help but believe that Capaladi is begging for mercy. Show this young lad the mercy he deserves and support his music.

42. “We Fight” – Dashboard Confessional

I was cautiously optimistic when I heard Dashboard Confessional was dropping a new album in nearly a decade. After all, their 2004 masterpiece “Vindicated” is one of my favorite songs of all time.

Dashboard not only met my expectations, but surpassed them. “We Fight” is a rock anthem much like many of the songs that made me fall in love with the band back in the early 2000’s.

At 42-years old, lead singer Chris Carrabba is still as sickeningly as perfect as he was when he was in his mid-twenties.

41. “63 Days” – Atlas Genius

“A lot can go wrong in 63 days if you’re not focusing on what matters,” says Keith Jeffery, lead vocalist and guitarist in the three brother band Atlas Genius.

“63 Days” is about learning from past mistakes, and not messing up again. It would only logically be about screwing up while on tour with a band, but it could be tied to any relationship.

I’ve had stuffy noses last more than 63 days, so if you don’t think you can handle not screwing up a relationship in 63 days, maybe it’s not a relationship you should be in anyway.

I, however, am quite literally the last person you would want to take relationship advise from. So, listen to the Jeffery brothers’ suggestion, and just behave yourself for 63 damn days.

 

Songs 40-31