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Top Songs of 2019 (80 – 71)

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

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Top Songs of 2019 (90 – 81)

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!

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Top 100 Songs of 2019 (100 – 91)

To any music fan, the best part about the end of every year is not holidays, vacations, or time spent with family and loved ones: it is the end of the year music countdowns. This year, to commemorate the 10th year of Ryan’s Countdown’s “Best Songs of the Year”  there will once again be a Top 100 Songs of 2019 Countdown.

Each list of 10 songs will be released every few days throughout the month of December, until the reveal of the #1 Song of 2019.

While the majority of the Top 100 Songs of the Year are all rock based, there is still a wide array of sub-genres represented in this years countdown. The list is littered with alt-rock songs, including indie rock and folk rock. There is, however, also a significant showing of pop-rock, country-rock, and even a dusting of hard rock.

Certainly the lines of what is considered “Rock” may be blurred, but each of these listener friendly songs, were either released in 2019, or released in 2018, but gained notoriety in 2018.

Please feel free to chime in (comments section) and let me know whether or not you agree with my well thought out, carefully selected, and correct choices. Enjoy the countdown, and Happy Holidays!

Top 100 Songs

100. Pin the Grenade, Blink 182

From the band’s eighth studio album, NINE, “Pin the Grenade” is an upbeat, party starter. Despite the main lyrics being “if you don’t love me / lie to my face,” “Pin the Grenade” will get you rocking, and bring a big smile to your face, the way that only Blink 182 knows how to do.

99. Fun Never Ends, Barns Courtney

Ever since Barns Courtney dropped into the alt rock scene in 2015 with his hit “Glitter & Gold,” he has continued to impress. Put “Fun Never Ends” on repeat if you are looking for some never ending rock and roll fun.

98. Saying Goodbye, J.S. Ondara

J.S. Ondara was born in Nairobi, Kenya and has a voice as calm and soothing as an choir of angels. His song “Saying Goodbye” informs us just how good he has become at saying goodbye, but hopefully for us he will not be saying goodbye to his music career anytime soon.

97. Ride With the Devil, Motley Crue

“Ride With the Devil” is classic Motley Crue at their best, and will have you believing you have entered a time warp back to the late 80’s when the band was at the height of their popularity.

96. Peach Fuzz, Caamp

“Peach Fuzz” is a fun little ditty that will leave you grinning from ear to ear. Try to not imagine Rod Stewart being the lead vocalist, singing about a new love interest of his, you probably can’t do it.

95. Dear Future Self (Hands Up), Fall Out Boy

Feel like dancing around your room and burning off some steam? Listening to “Dear Future Self” a few times will have you burning more calories than any jazzercise class you can find.

94. Spoonful, Grizfolk

In recent studies* doctors have confirmed that a few spoonfuls of “Spoonful” a day can take the place of any antidepressant drug on the market. Flush that bottle of Xanax down the toilet and walk around with “Spoonful” playing all day… you will be just fine.

*I am unaware of any such studies and was using hyperbole. I am not a doctor. Please consult your doctor before starting any “Spoonful” drug replacement program.

93. Drug, Simple Creatures

Mark Hoppus (Blink 182) and Alex Gaskarth (All Time Low) have united for a new project called Simple Creatures and the result is even better than one could have imagined.

Their first track “Drug” is a pop-punk anthem that could only be the child of two pop-punk legends. It is fun, loud, and will sure to be a highlight of any festival at which it is performed.

92. Don’t Worry, You Will – lovelytheband

The greatest song about modesty ever written, “Don’t Worry, You Will” is a song about being deemed as “perfect” by someone you are in a relationship with. However, instead of accepting the compliment, you respond to the praise of “I can’t find a thing, I don’t like about you,” with the cold, harsh reality of “don’t worry, you will.”

91. When Am I Gonna Lose You, Local Natives

Much like previous song, “When Am I Gonna Lose You” is a song about modesty, and doubt.

Local Natives vocalist and guitarist, Taylor Rice says “I got married last year. I found myself in an incredible relationship that was great on so many levels, but I always felt like it was going to go away, fall apart, and crumble. This song is me diving into murky emotions of anxiety and doubt in the middle of love and joy.”

Regardless of its depressing subject, “When Am I Gonna Lose You” will have you harmonizing with the Local Natives and reaching levels of soprano you didn’t know your voice could reach.

Songs 100-91 on Spotify

Songs 90 – 81 coming Wednesday!