Tag Archives: Bastille

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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

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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

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Top 100 Songs of 2016 (Part 8) #30-21

FOR THE FIRST SEVEN LISTS CLICK BELOW.

#100 – 91       #90-81     #80-71       #70-61       #60-51
#50-41      #40-31

30. “A 1000 Times” – Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam

The best collaboration of the year goes to Hamilton Leithauser + Rostam with “A 1000 Times.” The catchy repetitive chorus, “A thousand times, a thousand times, I’ve had that dream a thousand times” is made even better while watching the video which portrays the musicians throughout various stages of their lives.

What starts as something reminiscent to a lullaby, end with a fist-pumping, heart-wrenching scream fest, making “A 1000 Times” very easy to listen to over and over again.

29. “Bored To Death” – Blink 182

Any fan of old school Blink 182 will consider 2016 to be a huge success for the band. “Bored To Death,” the first single off their latest album California is proof that although the entire band may not be in tact (Tom Delonge is no longer with the band) Blink still has what it takes to be called the big men on campus in the alt rock genre.

It has been 22 years since Blink 182 released their first album, Cheshire Cat, which means that long time fans of the band now may have children that are being introduced to the band for the first time. And “Bored To Death” is Blink 182 that Blink 182 fans can be proud of.

28. “Lover Comes Back” – City and Colour

While “Lover Come Back” may be one of the most heartbreaking songs of the year, it is also one of the most beautiful. Canadian born Dallas Green (under the alias City and Colour) pleads to his ex-lover that he was foolish letting them leave and begs for their return.

“So, I sing lover come back, lover come back to me
Won’t you ever come back, ever come back to me
How could I have been so foolish to let you leave
Lover come back, lover come back to me”

Sung with enough passion and determination to earn a shot at redemption, “Lover Come Back” is an anthem for anyone that is willing to admit guilt and crawl back to someone you let go.

27. “Let It Burn” – Volbeat

If you’re like most people, simply the thought of metal music scares the hell out of you. And a Danish, heavy metal band… forget it, that is the stuff that nightmares are made of.

But fear not, Volbeat is here to take everything you thought you knew about metal music, and drop it on its head. “Let It Burn”, the new track off the bands sixth studio album, Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie is a metal track that even your grandmother could rock out to. The catchy vocal melody, and inspiring lyrics, coupled with a killer guitar solo, combine to deliver what may very well be your favorite “metal” song since “Mama, I’m Coming Home”, you know, the only other “metal song” you have ever liked in your life.

 

26. “Good Grief” – Bastille

Quite possibly the most upbeat, jolly song about the grieving process in decades, “Good Grief” is about figuring out how the hell to move on after the death of a loved one.

“Caught off guard by your favorite song
I’ll be dancing at a funeral, dancing at a funeral
Sleeping in the clothes you love
It’s such a shame we had to see them burn, shame we had to see them burn

What’s gonna be left of the world if you’re not in it?
What’s gonna be left of the world, oh

Every minute and every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Every stumble and each misfire
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more”

With the release of “Good Grief,” the first single off the band’s sophomore album Wild World, Bastille has proven to all the naysayers that they’re not just one album wonders, and are here to stay.

 

25. “We Don’t Know” – The Strumbellas

Canadian rock band, The Strumbellas had the year of their lives in 2016. “We Don’t Know,” just one of their incredibly catchy tracks from the year, is about what do to when you’ve found yourself in a pit of hopelessness. Yet, the track and even more so the video, is as uplifting and fun loving as it gets.

One thing we DO know for sure is that The Strumbellas are the best gift that the US has received this year. Thank you, Canada. Over and over again.

24. “Only Just A Call Away” – The Struts

After the year The Struts had in 2015, it was nearly impossible to imagine how they could compete with themselves in 2016. Well, not only did they compete, they may have done even better. While last year they did top the countdown with the number one song Could’ve Been Me, this year they have not one but two songs in the top 25.

“Only Just A Call Away” is about being there for someone even if you can’t be there physically, you will be there emotionally. The Struts have once again proven that they are the best thing to happen to modern rock music in a very long time.

23. “What the Hell Did I Say” – Dierks Bentley

The all too relatable, “What the Hell Did I Say”, is Dierks Bentley’s second video in his 4-part series about a pair of secret lovers. After Bentley’s 2014 super hit, “Drunk On a Plane”, he became one of the biggest names in country music due to the fact that the song resonated to fans of all genres, because, you know, who doesn’t like to get drunk on a plane?

What could possibly be a follow up to the lovable, drunk plane passenger’s journey, “What the Hell Did I Say”, tells a story about drunk dialing, and the regrets one may feel upon waking up in the morning after a night of heavy drinking.

Just as much a pop-rock song as it is a country song, Bentley has a knack of releasing tracks that are catchy as hell, and make you forget the fact that you have claimed that you have hated country music since you were an adolescent.

22. “Burn It Down” – Fitz and the Tantrums

Fitz and the Tantrums have proven that they can do no wrong. Year after year they continue to release the most catchy rock music that begs to be danced to. “Burn It Down” is the type of dance music with a rock twist that many try, but few are able to perfect. And there is not one single artist in music today that can do it as well and seemingly effortless as Fitz and the Tantrums.

21. “Dancing On Glass” – St. Lucia

No need to look at your calendars; it is not 1985, and no you are not watching a video from the first batch of MTV hits. Known as St. Lucia, Jean-Philip Grobler’s “Dancing On Glass” is one of the most unique songs in music today. “Dancing On Glass” is 80’s music on steroids and with a futuristic twist. It is like a hodgepodge of the past and the future all rolled into one flawless four minute gem.

Top 20 Coming tomorrow!