Kill some quarantine time by listening to the latest music you may have missed the past few weeks.
Here are four new songs you need to hear right now.
4. Greatest of All Time, New Found Glory
Get your blood flowing while exercising in your house and listening to the latest killer track from New Found Glory, “Greatest of All Time.”
NFG compares themselves to the ’96 Bulls, and makes a dig at Jordan, Rodman and Pippen, saying that they would make a better team than the NBA legends.
In the world of pop-punk New Found Glory have a very solid argument that they are one of the most legendary bands in the genre in the past 25 years.
3. Bang!, AJR
There is a banging chance AJR’s “Bang!” will be a top 10 song of the year. I predict by the second listen you will be singing along to this banger.
2. Scumbag, Goody Grace (with Blink 182)
Goody Grace and Blink 182’s collaboration, “Scumbag,” was released at the end of 2019, but for some reason never picked up the attention is deserves. It is a sad story about a guy that feels like he has nothing going for him, and believes it when he is called a scumbag.
If it wasn’t so taboo at the moment, I would give this guy the biggest hug possible. But due to social distancing, I will send him a virtual one.
1. Caution, The Killers
The highly anticipated new track from The Killers delivered exactly what die hard Killers fans have been longing for, and it was well worth the wait.
Not that Brandon Flowers and his band can do anything wrong, but “Caution” is electric, and exactly what we have come to expect from the leaders of modern rock.
The world may be falling apart, but Flowers and The Killers have a way to make this crazy world just a little bit brighter.
Come back later this week for the next four songs you need to hear right now!
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.
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.
“Still Breathing,” by punk rock royalty, Green Day is about looking on the bright side even when you are down on your luck. Hey, your life may completely suck, but at least you’re not dead, right?
A gambler about to lose him last dime, a soldier that dodged a bullet on the battlefield, and a mother that is barely keeping it together are three of the characters Green Day uses to tell the story of survival.
“‘Cause I’m still breathing
‘Cause I’m still breathing on my own
My head’s above the rain and roses
Making my way away”
After 30 years as a band, Green Day has proven time and time again that just because they are getting older does not mean they can’t rock just as hard as when they were kids.
19. “Death Of A Bachelor” – Panic! At the Disco
Brendon Urie, lead singer of Panic! At the Disco, wrote “Death of a Bachelor” as a tribute to the late great Frank Sinatra, who would have turned 100 years old in 2015 (when the song was written.) Not only is it a tribute to Sinatra, but to the end of the era that died when he did.
“His music has been a major player in the soundtrack of my life. So it’s only right that I return the favor and/or pay it forward…Death Of A Bachelor” is very important to me. It expresses the bittersweet (but mostly sweet) end of an era. A look back at a part of my life now deceased. An “It’s A Wonderful Life”-esque look into a possibly different future. But mostly an appreciation for the present.”
“Death of a Bachelor” is vastly different from anything on the radio today, a tribute that Sinatra, and the rest of his rat pack buddies would be proud of.
18. “She’s Out Of Her Mind” – Blink 182
If the video for “She’s Out Of Her Mind” doesn’t make you feel nostalgic for 1999 nothing will. In their latest track off their album California, Blink 182 recreates their infamous video for “What’s My Age Again?” in which the boys in the band run through the streets causing ruckus while completely naked. This time, the video features three beautiful woman running through the streets and mimicking Mark, Tom, and Travis’ every move.
The song is so damn catchy though, that the video only adds to the enjoyment of having Blink 182 releasing their best music in over a decade. Blink 182 for comeback of the year!
17. “Nobody Wins” – Brian Fallon
If you are a fan of Gaslight Anthem, you are already familiar with Brian Fallon, the lead singer of the band (currently on an indefinite hiatus.) I was pretty distraught when I heard that Gaslight Anthem was parting ways, but Brian Fallon’s amazing album, Painkillers, was just what I needed to kill the pain.
Not only is this track, “Nobody Wins,” beautifully endearing and painfully honest, but it can hold a candle to just about any Gaslight Anthem song. Give it a listen, you will not be disappointed. DISCLAIMER: Ryan’s Countdowns’s is not responsible for you crying and embarrassing yourself in front of your co-workers. You should have waited until you got home to watch it.
16. “Run Or Hide” – Run River North”
Described as a Korean-American indie folk-rock band, Run River North formed in 2011 and had their biggest hit to date with 2016’s “Run Or Hide.”
“Run Or Hide” is big, loud, and dynamic. From the first listen you will be captivated, and every time thereafter. I will never “change my mind” about how good this song is, not “a million times,” and not even once.
15. “You & I” – Colony House
“Maybe the world isn’t crazy, maybe it’s you and I” sings Colony House in the first song off their debut album “Only The Lonely,” which is set to drop in January of 2017.
“In a time in history that feels so fragile we feel like this song takes a different perspective,” says the band about the radio friendly track. Colony House has a lot to live up to in 2017, and I for one, can’t wait to see them do it.
14. “Tidal Wave” – Taking Back Sunday
Yes, Taking Back Sunday is still around, and yes, they are still releasing insanely good music. “Tidal Wave” may be a little harder than you remember the “Makedamnsure” guys being, but it is just as damn catchy as anything they have ever put out there.
“Tidal Wave” is so good that I once spent an entire 90 minute car ride listening to the song on repeat, and trying to nail all of the lyrics without messing up. After an hour and a half I had perfected the vocals, and I still couldn’t wait to sing along with it again the next day.
13. “Trouble” – Cage, the Elephant
I am convinced that Cage the Elephant can do no wrong. Year after year they continue to release hit songs. While they have a style all of their own, they still manage to make each song unique in its own right. “Trouble” is one of the slower songs from Cage in recent years, but it just goes to show you that these guys are limitless.
12. “Shovels & Dirt” – The Strumbellas
https://youtu.be/blnHBfoYBT4
Continuing their campaign for “Band of the Year,” Canadian rockers, The Strumbellas just keep getting better. “Shovels & Dirt” is one of those songs that is impossible to not love. Seriously, if someone told me they didn’t love this song I would question their hearing, taste in music, sanity and why the hell I am talking to them in the first place.
The repeating phrase of “I put a banjo up into the sky/
It keeps us moving, it keeps us moving” and the way it leads the song to its climax, is arguably one of the best parts in music this year. I am desperately looking forward to what The Strumbellas come up with in 2017.
11. “Better Love” – Hozier
No artist today sings with more passion that Hozier. Upon first hearing, I brushed off “Better Love” as another movie soundtrack dud. But, after each additional listen, I fell in love with the song more and more.
Bottom line is, “Better Love” is not meant to be background music, it is meant to be an experience that makes you feel so hard it hurts. And nobody does that better than Hozier.
