Tag Archives: Andy Grammer

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 – Part 7 (#40-31)

For the previous list (Songs #50-41) click here.

Songs #40-31

40. Believe, Mumford & Sons

Mumford & Sons third studio album, Wilder Mind is a bit of a departure from their typical folk rock style that they have become to be known for. Instead, it is more rock heavy, with an electric feel that we have not heard from them before.

Their first single off the album, “Believe,” is just what Mumford & Sons needed to prove to some of their nay-sayers who considered the band to be one-trick ponies. “Believe” proves that Mumford and Sons have perfected the folk rock sound, and are well on their way towards alternative rock dominance.

39. Good To Be Alive (Hallelujah), Andy Grammer

If any pop rock song is going to make you get up and dance, it has to be “Good to Be Alive (Hallelujah).” Along with “Honey, I’m Good” and his stint on Dancing With the Stars, the track has led Andy Grammer to the most successful year of his life.

“Good To Be Alive” is about reaching success after years of struggles and let downs. Andy Grammer is known to be one of the hardest working men in the business, and an all around great guy. He always has a smile on his face, and his positive attitude is contagious. Here is to hoping he has not even begun to reach his full potential yet, and will continue to create music that fans of all ages and musical preferences can enjoy.

38. Long Way Down, Robert DeLong

Released in late 2014, “Long Way Down” blew up in 2015 and helped Robert DeLong become a significant name in the world of electronic music and alternative rock. In an interview with All Access Music, DeLong said the inspiration behind the song was “the sentiment that everyone will die, so don’t be a dick about stuff that doesn’t matter, if you don’t have to.”

If everyone lived by the wise words of DeLong, the world would be a much better place. DeLong for President 2016?

37. Wolves (You Got Me), Dreamers

“Wolves” is basically a three and a half minute lecture from your mother about choosing the people you hang around with carefully. The ridiculously catchy track centers around the refrain…

“You got me brainwashed
You got me so lost
You got me f*#@* up
Like you

And if you lie down with wolves, you’ll learn to howl….”

People are going to influence you in good ways and in bad ways, it is human nature, but if you hang around wolves, you will begin to learn how to howl, and eventually become one yourself.

Regardless of its message, it is fun as hell to sing along to and a great introduction to the band.

36. Great Big Storm, Nate Ruess

It seems that everything Nate Ruess touches turns to gold. The sophmore album for his band, Fun., “Some Nights“, has been certified Gold or Platinum in eight countries, and spawned four massive hits. He has found tremendous success in collaborating with some of the biggest names in music (i.e. P!nk and Eminem), and has now branched out on a solo career, which led to his first single, “Nothing Without Love” racing up the charts.

After just a few listens of his second track, “Great Big Storm” you will likely find it impossible to not sing along with Ruess during the refrain, which almost sounds like he started an impromptu rock concert with a native African tribe in a remote region of Kenya. As Ruess assures us, he is “holding his own, in a great big storm.” Looking forward to what Ruess has in store for 2016. Whether he does more solo work, or makes new music with Fun., it is sure to be fantastic.

35. Work This Body, Walk the Moon

https://youtu.be/cadeA-_QV1o

Last year “Walk the Moon” had the number 2 spot on the countdown with their hit “Shut Up and Dance.” Once again, this year they released a new song just in time for the end of the year countdown with “Work This Body.” A calypso style track with enough energy to wake the dead, “Work This Body” will likely be played on radio stations across the country in 2016 until you are completely sick of it, just like its big brother, “Shut Up and Dance.” For the first six months, however, you are going to love it.

34. Let’s Not Be Alone Tonight, R5

With easy to sing vocals, and a ridiculously catchy beat, “Let’s Not Be Alone Tonight” is easily R5’s best effort to date. More rock than pop, it could be signifying the bands maturity and transition from pop to alternative rock. Hopefully the older they get, the more they will begin to focus more on the alternative and less on the pop, as this song is a complete gem.

33. Congregation, Foo Fighters

Foo Fighters have such a distinct sound that they have begun to be the basis of what modern rock should sound like. Not many bands can rock out as hard as Foo Fighters, and “Congregation” is proof of that. While the song is clearly an anthem, it is difficult to imagine it being anywhere near as powerful if it were performed by any other band.

Foo Fighters have the ability to make anything amazing, and their performance of “Congregation” is THE definition of Rock and Roll.

 

32. Ex’s and Oh’s, Elle King

Clearly the breakthrough female artist of the year, Elle King became 2015’s answer to 1995’s Alanis Morissette. “Ex’s and Oh’s” was everywhere, and Elle King basically became an overnight sensation. Growing up as the daughter of funny man Rob Schneider, Elle King must have learned from a very early age that it is not important what others think about you. She is brave, bold, and not scared to release a song about using and abusing men.

She is nominated for 2 Grammy’s at this year’s awards, including Best Rock Performance, and Best Rock Song, both for “Ex’s and Oh’s.” It will certainly be a challenge for her to beat out Alabama Shakes, Foo Fighters, and Florence and the machine, but if she does, expect a close up from Daddy Schneider, and a lot more of Ms. King in 2016.

31. The One, Kodaline

Wedding bells in y

our near future? Searching for that perfect first dance song? Well, search no further. “The One” by Irish rock band, Kodaline, could be the most perfect wedding song of all time. In fact, it is so perfect that it is almost nauseating.

For the third straight year Kodaline makes the end of the year countdown with a tender, yet poignant rock song that could both lull a child to sleep, as well as pump you up for a night out on the town.

Rightfully so, Kodaline is massively successful in Ireland, but in my opinion is still one of the most underrated bands in music today in the United States.

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 Part 4 (70-61)

Songs 100-91     Songs 90-81     Songs 80-71

70. Love Me, The 1975

“Love Me” is the first single off The 1975’s upcoming sophomore album due out in early 2016. The 1975 gained national attention with their 2013 self-titled debut album, and found great success with their hit single, “Chocolate.”

From the guitar hook intro, “Love Me” stands out from the rest of the songs on the radio today, and continues to demand your attention throughout the rest of the track. The bands name could not be more fitting, as “Love Me” will transport you back to the 70’s with their synth-pop rock, as this track in particular sounds like something David Bowie would produce today. In fact, David Bowie will be releasing his 25th studio album in January and has already released two tracks, in the event that anyone actually cares about 2016 David Bowie.

 

69. Made For You, Alexander Cardinale

Perhaps the most romantic song of the year, “Made For You” is bound to be the first dance at many wedding receptions this coming year. For all you non-romantics out there, if the song itself isn’t enough to induce nausea, the video should do the trick. Despite the God awful acting in the video, and the fact that the bench hasn’t moved in 80 years, the idea behind the video is touching even for the most miserable Grinch.

Regardless of your romantic side, Alexander Cardinale’s impeccable vocals and the songs catchiness collide to form a song that is nearly impossible to dislike.

68. Uh Huh, RØMANS

Looking at the lyrics to this song you would think it is a track off of Adele’s new album. But, fear not, this is no sappy break up song. If you gave Sam Smith a healthy dose of speed, I would imagine that this would be the type song that he would create. In fact, I challenge you to not think of Sam Smith on speed when giving this a listen.

The song begins with a saddened RØMAN, a 29 year old British singer, songwriter who recorded this track in his parents basement. When the calypso beat kicks in around the :55 mark, you quickly realize that this is no Adele/Sam Smith protégé and is in fact a unique, up and coming bloke from the other side of the pond presumably desperate to get out of his parents basement before reaching his thirties.

67. Another Night On Mars, The Maine

The Maine is an American rock band that formed in Tempe, Arizona back in 2007, and released American Candy, their fifth studio album back in March.

Whether you are in high school, college, your thirties, sixties, or anywhere in between, “Another Night in Mars” should resonate with some group of friends you have had during your life. Hopefully, they have not been forced to hold your hair back or drag you into/out of the shower one too many times, and came to the conclusion that being your friend may not be worth all the hard work and baby-sitting.

“Another Night on Mars” is a fun track that begs for a group of friends to form a circle, drape their arms across each other’s shoulders, and sway back and forth while completely butchering the words; preferably on a high school dance floor.

66. Honey, I’m Good, Andy Grammer

Was it one of the most overplayed songs of the year? Absolutely. But, was it also one of the catchiest songs of the year? You bet. From pre schoolers to the elderly, everyone loved singing along with Andy Grammer’s “Honey, I’m Good.”

The video features couples that have been together anywhere between a few months and 70 years, singing along and holding up numbers signifying how long they have been “committed” to each other. You can’t help but wonder how many wives forced their husbands to partake in the shoot, and how many of these people would actually say “no thanks, they’re good” to a hottie in a bar that wanted to hook up with them. But, it is a lovely concept, nevertheless.

 

65. Mess Around, Cage the Elephant

The first single off Tell Me I’m Pretty, Cage the Elephant’s fourth studio album (set for a December 18 release) is “Mess Around.” The album was produced by Dan Auerback, lead singer of The Black Keys, and it does not take a music expert to see the similarities. “Mess Around” could easily pass as a Black Keys song, but Cage the Elephant has just enough uniqueness and distinction that they make the song their own.

Because of the song’s “hang ten”, surf vibe, one would expect a music video along the lines of Annette Funicello and Frankie Avalon in skimpy bathing suits gyrating on the beach.  The video, however, is basically a frightening “talkie” movie from the early 1900’s, which is bound to give you nightmares if you are anything like me.

64. Home, Dotan

Born in Jerusalem in 1986, Dotan Harpenau A.K.A. Dotan, grew up in Amsterdam and it wasn’t until he reached his twenties that he taught himself how to play the guitar and sing.

Known for producing his all of his own music, Dotan found massive success in Europe in 2014, particularly in Holland, with his hit “Home,” an upbeat track that sounds like it could be the latest Bastille hit. The build-up from the chanting of “we are coming home, we are coming home….” from the 3:07-3:51  mark is one of the most exciting parts of any song in 2015, and the climax of the song at 3:52 satisfies all the anticipation and all expectations.

While Dotan is not big in the States yet, expect “Home” to slowly gain exposure, and introduce the country to this brilliant singer-songwriter with the potential to make some big waves in 2016.

63. Saint Cecilia, Foo Fighters

Just when you thought the Foo Fighters were taking a break and resting their ailing bodies, not only do they release an amazing EP, but they release it for FREE, and dedicate it to the victims of the terrorists attacks in Paris.

The EP, Saint Cecilia was an impromptu recording session that happened as the band was staying at Saint Cecilia luxury hotel in Austin, TX. Saint Cecilia is the patron saint of music and poetry.

One may think that “Saint Cecilia” would not have the quality we have come to expect from the band, simply because it was “thrown together” so quickly. This is not the case, as “Cecilia” is loud, gritty, passionate Foo Fighters at their best, and proves that they are one of, if not the, best band making music today.

62. Let Me Down Easy, Sheppard

Before Australian band Sheppard found great success in the States last year with their hit “Geronimo,” the band released “Let Me Down Easy,” way back in 2012 (in Australia) on their EP Sheppard. The band finally decided to release it internationally in January of 2015, and while it did  not reach the level of success as “Geronimo” here in the States, it is just as enjoyable.

Despite the fact that it is about being dumped by a girlfriend, “Let Me Down Easy” may be one of the most fun songs of the year. Easy to sing along to, and upbeat, the song is bound to help you forget about all your woes, if only for a few short minutes.

61. Roots, Imagine Dragons

In one of their darkest releases to date, Imagine Dragons proves that they can do it all. “Roots” is about the highs and lows of being successful musicians, and specifically about finding an escape and remembering where you came from during a crazy tour schedule.

It lacks some of the pop-rock that Imagine Dragons may be known for, but in its place is a rap-rock sound that works, seemingly effortlessly.

 

Songs 60-51 Friday!