Tag Archives: Imagine Dragons

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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 2015 (#15-10)

Songs 100 – 91     Songs 90-81     Songs 80-71     Songs 70-61     Songs 60-51                   Songs 50-41         Songs 40-31     Songs 30-21     Songs 20-16

15. Shots, Imagine Dragons

Like the apology tour that needs to be taken after a night of heavy drinking, Shots is about saying you’re sorry for everything you’ve done.

Imagine Dragons frontman, Dan Reynolds may need to apologize for the things he has done when he was younger, but since Imagine Dragons bursted onto the music scene a few years back, he has absolutely nothing to feel remorseful about; especially this catchy track that only gets more and more enjoyable after each and every listen.

14. Everything Is Easy, Third Eye Blind

It was a long, grueling six years for die hard Third Eye Blind fans, but Dopamine was worth the wait. Their first single, “Everything Is Easy” is 1997 Third Eye Blind blasted 18 years into the future at warp speed. It is fun, upbeat, and as catchy as anything they have released since the 90’s. In a press release for their latest album, the band says the following…

“Employing signature guitar riffs and rock arrangements, Dopamine is vintage Third Eye Blind – a body of work whose songwriting details the personal relationships that have come and gone and the rapidly changing world we live in. A lot can change in six years, and while the sound has progressed, the recordings retain the endearing sentiment Third Eye Blind fans new and old have come to love.”

Despite “Non-Dairy Creamer” being a mild radio success, it has been 12 years since the band has had a bonafide radio hit. “Blinded” reached #35 on the Alternative Rock chart back in 2003, and you would have to go all the way back to 2000 to see Third Eye Blind’s name on the Billboard Top 100, with their hit “Deep Inside of You.”

Rumors have been swirling that this may be the last album by the band, but if I know Stephen Jenkins, he will get the itch to be back in the spotlight soon, and the long wait for the next album will begin. Hopefully the wait will be worth it, the way it was for “Everything Is Easy,” and the entire Dopamine album.

13. Still Want You, Brandon Flowers

Brandon Flowers’ sophomore album, The Desired Effect, was widely regarded as one of the most anticipated albums of 2015, and he did not disappoint. Flowers, the mastermind behind the rock band The Killers, has garnered more positive reviews than just about any other album in 2015.

“The best straight-up pop album made by a rock star in recent memory.” – Rolling Stone

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/albumreviews/brandon-flowers-the-desired-effect-20150519

“The other predicted effect of the album? A desire to play it repeatedly.”

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/05/18/review-brandon-flowers-the-desired-effect/cwsLI5M7AZIH9VNtBaVcGN/story.html#

“It’s Flowers’ unique presence–equal parts Wild West underdog and glitzy glam messiah–that really transforms Effect’s Reagan-era throwbacks into forward-thinking Instagram-age rock.”

http://www.bostonglobe.com/arts/music/2015/05/18/review-brandon-flowers-the-desired-effect/cwsLI5M7AZIH9VNtBaVcGN/story.html

Every track on the album could be considered a “must listen to song,” but the song, “Still Want You” is so much fun that it was released as a single with an accompanying music video. “Still Want You” uses the most negative societal issues as a contrast to how much he still loves his subject. Despite all of these awful, terrible things that the world is going through, I still want you, says Flowers.

“Time is passing by
I still want you
Crime is on the rise
I still want you
Climate change is dead
I still want you
Nuclear distress
I still want you
The Earth is heating up
I still want you
Hurricanes and floods
I still want you
Even more than I did before”

As critics and fans agree, Brandon is still very much wanted, even more than he ever was before.

12. SOB, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats

One of Alt-Rocks breakout acts of the year is Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats. SOB is rock, country, soul, gospel, r&b, and folk all rolled into one energetic song about drinking.

Pushing the limits of what is considered “radio friendly,” SOB grabs listeners attention on the lyrics alone, but holds the listeners attention throughout due to Nate & the Night Sweats energy, enthusiasm, and uniqueness.

11. Mercy, Muse

Muse, easily one of the most epic bands of the past 30 years, has released yet another song that is an adventure to just listen to it. “Mercy” is like a 4 minute broadway musical with enough highs and lows to make Andrew Lloyd Webber quiver.

“Mercy” is dramatic, it is scary, it is emotional, and it is one of the best songs that Muse has ever released in their wildly successful career.

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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!