The debut single from Nate Ruess, “Nothing Without Love,” proved that this guy has the ability to shine as a solo artist while his band, Fun, is on hiatus. With one of the most distinctive voices in the business, it is obvious from the first few notes that it is Ruess passionately perfecting the vocals on this memorable track.
“I Am” is about being an individual, and standing out from the crowd. Fittingly, the song was used in a Red Bull commercial about athletes excelling in their sport. “I Am” will pump you up and get you motivated to face your fears and take on the world.
18. Ditmas, Mumford and Sons
Mumford & Sons finally released Ditmas as a single right at the end of the year, making it the third Mumford release in 2015, and the third to make the top 40 in this countdown. Named after a neighborhood in Brooklyn where the track was recorded, Ditmas is a stand out track on an album that is filled with gems.
If someone has been hibernating for a year and not heard any of the new tracks on Wilder Mind, “Ditmas” would be the first track I would play for them, as it fully embodies the new direction that the band is taking. Gone are the days of banjo heavy tracks. Say hello to the new electric, rock and roll Mumford & Sons. A very, very warm welcome indeed.
17. Jackie & Wilson, Hozier
This is for all the naysayers who doubted that Hozier would be anything other than a one hit wonder after the smashing success of last year’s “Take Me to Church”. Not only has Hozier followed up “…Church” with “From Eden”, “Work Song”, and the recently released “Someone New”, this gem of a song has not even officially been released as a single, but it is still getting radio play.
“Jackie and Wilson” is Hozier’s homage to the late R&B singer, Jackie Wilson, whom he idolizes.
“We’ll name our children Jackie and Wilson, raise them on rhythm and blues”, is as much of a compliment as an artist can give to their inspirations. In fact, if Hozier can record another album as phenomenal as Hozier, I may feel the need to have a child and name him Hozier, and raise him on, well, Hozier.
16. Can’t Deny My Love, Brandon Flowers
“Can’t Deny My Love,” the debut single off Brandon Flowers’ sophomore solo album, The Desired Effect, is synth-pop rock at its very best. Not many people can
pull off epic, the way Flowers can, and “Can’t Deny My Love” is a perfect example.
Brandon Flowers, arguably the most talented front man in music today, has proven that he can do it all, from writing killer (pardon the pun) songs, and flawlessly nailing vocals, to playing the keyboard, and even being the lead actor in his music videos.
All you Killers fans can take a deep breath, because they are expecting to begin work on their fifth studio album in 2016, and Brandon Flowers is sure to lead the guys to continued success.
You know the old saying that money can’t buy happiness. Chris Janson is well aware of it. But, he doesn’t care, he still wants it. Because what money can do, is buy you a boat, a truck, and a huge cooler filled up with ice cold beers.
In one of the most clever country songs of the year, Chris Janson disproves the old saying, and goes to show that money can buy happiness. It is a country song in every sense of the term, but even country haters will get a kick out of Janson, and his brilliant outlook on money and life.
29. Kiss This, The Struts
The Struts are a rock band from Derby, England, and have had a massive year expanding their fandom to the States with their hit “Could’ve Been Me” which was released way back in 2013 in the UK, and not until the summer of 2015 in the States.
“Kiss This” is a hard core rock and roll track. It is so full on rock that it almost comes across as scary, which is what rock and roll is meant to be. If Freddie Mercury was still alive, he would be lead singer, Luke Spiller, which is meant as a massive compliment to both men. “Kiss This” will get your fists pumping and ready to take on the world.
Nick Fradiani, winner of the penultimate season of American Idol may not become one of the more successful Idol winners of all time. But, his coronation song for season 14 is certainly one of the best in the show’s history.
27. The Wolf, Mumford & Sons
Nothing could make “The Wolf” more perfect. Expect a video featuring the guys of Mumford and Sons running around Bonnaroo music festival dressed as a chicken, fox, Robin Hood, and a bride. This is the most fun we have seen Mumford and Sons have, and it makes them even more likable than they already were.
“The Wolf” continues the pattern of a more rock sound that they band was searching for on the latest album, Wilder Mind.
26. America’s Sweetheart, Elle King
Unless you have been in a coma for the past six months, you are probably quite familiar with Elle King and her breakout hit of the summer, “Exes and Ohs.” Being the real life daughter of Rob Schneider may have left some wondering if her father’s connections has helped Elle launch her music career, but after “America’s Sweetheart” Elle confirmed that she is not a one-hit wonder, and is a bonafide rock star, regardless of her dad being Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo.
In “America’s Sweetheart” Elle shares with the world all of her imperfections, and flaws. She drinks too much, has a chip in her front tooth, and has awful tattoos. Elle breaks boys’ hearts, and couldn’t care less. She is unapologetic for who she is, and does not care what the world thinks of her, because she has never claimed to be America’s sweetheart.
“What do you want from me? I’m not America’s sweetheart
So beat the drum with me, I’m not America’s sweetheart
Well, they say I’m too loud for this town
So I lit a match and burned it down
What do you want from me, I’m not America’s sweetheart
But you love me anyway”
BUT, despite all of her traits, and her inability to play the role of America’s sweetheart, Elle promises that we are going to love her anyway, and she could not be any more right. She is certainly not “America’s Sweetheart”, but America has fallen in love with Elle King.
25. Crash and Burn, Thomas Rhett
Perhaps the least country, country song of the year goes to “Crash and Burn” by Thomas Rhett. You can define it however you want; country, pop, rock, funk, soul, r&b, etc., but there is no denying that it is fantastic.
Rhett, son of country star Rhett Atkins, has had his breakout year in 2015, releasing “Crash and Burn” and more recently, the wildly successful “Die a Happy Man.”
Cupid would crash and burn into the ground if he could hear this song about failed relationships, which is the complete opposite of “Die a Happy Man.” Possibly Rhett realized that if he wants a nice Valentines Day gift he better release a follow up to the anti-relationship anthem. I am sure I am not alone when I say that I can not wait to see what this guy comes up with next.
24. High, Young Rising Sons
If you know this song, and do not sing alone with it each and every time you hear it, than you are a much better man (or woman) than I. Even if I am tired, or in a sour mood, in a classroom full of students, or at the gym, I do not have the will power to not sing along. It is catchier than the Bubonic plague in 14th century Asia.
Next time you’re having a bad day, play this pick-me-up from Jersey boys, Young Rising Sons, and you will quickly be reminded that without the lows, you would never have the highhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeeeeiiiiiii.
23. Makeshift Love, Good Charlotte
There were a lot of surprises in music in 2015, but maybe none more shocking than Good Charlotte returning after years of hiatus and releasing their best song in a decade, “Makeshift Love.”
The Madden Brothers and Co. have channeled their inner Weezer for the music video, which features numerous text message alert noises, which have tricked me every single time I have listened to the song.
If “Makeshift Love” is any indication about what their new album will sound like, expect to see some Good Charlotte tunes in the top 20 songs of 2016.
22. Things Happen, Dawes
No band in music today can harmonize quite like Dawes, and no frontman has a more soothing voice than Taylor Goldsmith. One of the most underrated bands of the decade, Dawes, released their fourth studio album this summer, titled All Your Favorite Bands, and “Things Happen” was their first single off the album.
Despite the bands folkiness and laid back demeanor, Dawes has a tendency to have some epic songs, and “Things Happen” is one of them. Second to none, their songs tell stories, and Dawes is a band that can tell the most beautiful stories that you never tire of hearing.
21. Sing It All Away, Walk Off The Earth
I don’t just listen to “Sing It All Away”, I actually feel “Sing It All Away.” The repeat button is always on when this track plays. Walk Off the Earth have got to be the coolest, laid back band in music today. Who knew that Canadians could be so cool?
“Sing It All Away” is about going to a bar with your buddies to forget about all your troubles. Is it even humanly possible to sing it all away at karaoke while throwing back some beers with your friends and still be weighed down by daily burdens? I certainly don’t think so.
“Oh oh oh
Sing it all away, sing it all away my darlings
I know a place that will take you away
Your troubles no longer remain from the day
I found a love there it’s hard to escape
It cures me at night, but it hurts when I wake
There’s no judge and the jury’s at bay
‘Cause this is our house where melodies play
If worries still linger my friends and I say
Top up your cup and let’s sing it all away”
Walk Off the Earth, if you are ever in New England and feel the need to sing it all away, I know a guy that will close the bar down with you.