Looking Back at Avicii's Top 30 Greatest Hits

Last week, the team behind dance-music legend Avicii released his final album, a little over a year after his tragic passing. The album was about 90 percent finished before Avicii sadly took his own life, and his frequent collaborators and fellow producers were brought in to finish the job he started. All net proceeds from the final album, called Tim, are being donated to the mental health awareness charity started by Avicii’s parents, and it’s great to see such a horrible moment be turned into something that has the potential to make a positive impact in the lives of others who are suffering.

Now that Avicii’s amazing discography can be presumed to be complete (despite many leaked tracks still sitting in a vault somewhere), it seems like the right time to run down a list of his Greatest Hits and, appropriately, rank them in order of Greatest-ness. This is done mostly on the basis of my personal preference, but some additional weight is given to songs that made a greater impact on the EDM and music worlds at large. While we may never get to hear any new Avicii music, with this list, we can at least remember how great the music was that we did get to hear throughout the last decade. Spotify playlist at the bottom. Let’s get into it!

30. “Heart Upon My Sleeve” (2013/2019): This song was originally leaked in 2013 with the vocals of Imagine Dragons’ Dan Reynolds, but then officially released on Avicii’s debut album True without the vocals. Now, in 2019, six whole years later, the original version has finally been released with vocals on Tim. It’s indicative of the twin issues that vexed much of Avicii’s otherwise brilliant career: his own perfectionism, and the meddling of his team and the industry as a whole. Many of Avicii’s songs had been tinkered with within an inch of their lives by the time they were released, often stripping away some of the infectiousness they carried when they were first leaked, and many more collaborations remain sealed behind closed doors, unable to be released due to label interference and obstructionism. Fans can only hope they continue to trickle out, but hoping for that seems futile at this point.

29. “Fades Away” (2019): If there are never to be any more posthumous Avicii releases, then “Fades Away” stands to be the last track we ever hear for the first time, as it closes his final album, Tim. Vocalist Noonie Bao provides a haunting melody that flits above an orchestral beat that, indeed, fades away to darkness, not-so-subtly indicating that this is it, the last we’ll ever hear of Avicii’s music.

28. “SOS” (2019): With respect to Chris Martin, Aloe Blacc (of “Wake Me Up” fame) probably provides the best vocals of anyone featured on Tim with “SOS.” That, plus the enormous worldwide success of “Wake Me Up,” is probably why “SOS” was chosen to be the lead single off Avicii’s final album. It certainly doesn’t pack the same punch as their previous collaboration, but it’s one of the better tracks from the album, for sure. And the lyrics are as haunting as any you’ll hear, if you stop and think about them.

27. “Pure Grinding” (2015): Back to better days here. I don’t think this is Lil Wayne on vocals here, but you’d be forgiven for thinking it is. This track takes a bit to grow on you, but it will keep you motivated to do whatever needs doing in your life, even if it never quite crescendos and achieves liftoff the way that I want it to.

26. “Can’t Catch Me” (2015): This one actually does feature Wyclef Jean, even if it’s uncredited. It’s another one from the back half of Stories, and another one I wanted to build up to a little bit more than what it winds up building to. But nonetheless, it’s a welcome blend of Swedish piano and Caribbean sounds that leaves me guessing as to what season it’s meant for, which is fun for me.

25. “The Days” (2014): Norwegian EDM superstar Kygo hit the scene in 2015, and cites Avicii as his #1 inspiration. Mid-tempo string/piano/thump blends like this sound like they were the most influential Avicii songs to Kygo’s sound, which has continued to endure and generate hits right up until now. So while “The Days” doesn’t jump off the page as anything special, just exceedingly pleasant, it may have been more influential than we initially thought, so it deserves some credit there.

24. “Hope There’s Someone” (2013): This is actually a cover of a song by the same name by a band called Antony and the Johnsons. It led off Avicii’s 2013 hourlong promo mix, and was a perfect choice for that playlist because it takes FOREVER to get going, but once it finally does, you are ready to absolutely rage for the next 56 minutes.

23. “Dear Boy” (2013): Synchronicity here- “Dear Boy” followed “Hope There’s Someone” on that legendary 2013 mix, and so it follows here as well. This one features M0, a Swedish singer who’s become a star in her own right since this came out. It keeps the party going, for sure.

22. “Lay Me Down” (2013): Adam Lambert provides guest vocals here on a track that doesn’t try to do too much. It’s a true-to-form disco anthem with a modern (for 2013) twist that gives it a little extra EDM oomph.

21. “Addicted To You” (2013): Avicii’s initial foray into country/bluegrass in 2013 included this footstomper, as well as more well-known tracks like “Wake Me Up” and “Hey Brother.” This one deserves more recognition because it’s almost as good as those chart-toppers.

20. “Fade Into Darkness” (2011): Our first way-back song on this list, but far, far from the last. This is what original Avicii sounded like. Pure piano, uplifting but simple lyrics, male vocals (Avicii displayed more of a preference for male vocalists than most current producers, I’ve noticed), fog-machine sound effect, and enough of a beat to keep you dancing all night long. It’s a tried-and-tested formula, people.

19. “Feeling Good” (2015): OK, I admit this is the least original entry on the list. Like, everyone takes a stab at this song. There was no need for Avicii to add his spin on it to the canon. But when you listen, you won’t be sorry he did. This rendition is simply outstanding. Slow sultry, patient buildup, satisfying reward, and frequent collaborator Audra Mae provides spot-on vocals. It’s nothing fancy, but it’s truly excellent. And yes, it was done for a Volvo ad, I’m aware. Still great.

18. “Without You” (2017): More than almost any other, this one breaks my heart, as it was Avicii’s last big single before his passing. It makes me sad because I didn’t appreciate as much as I should have when it came out. It deserves to be right where I’ve ranked it, mentioned in the same sphere as some of Avicii’s best work. I took it for granted, because I thought there would be so many more great songs still to come. I can’t take that back, but I can appreciate it now. So that’s what I’m doing.

17. “City Lights” (2015): This is one of the few true club tracks on this list, the kind where you have to skip to 1 minute into the song to get to the real music. Once it gets going, though, it’s a classic Avicii track, the kind that he definitely strayed away from later in his career as he looked to branch out into other sounds and get away from his progressive-house roots. It’s got the twinkles, Vocoder vocals, and a melody that will bring the house down in the right circumstances.

16. “True Believer” (2015): Here’s another one, also from 2015’s Stories, that takes awhile to get going. This is a weird one, because the original leaked vocals unmistakably featured Chris Martin, but then the final version seems to only include him as a harmony in certain parts, while the lead vocals went to...apparently, Avicii himself? No idea what happened there, but I assume it was another combination of endless studio tinkering and perhaps label interference. It’s disappointing, because this had the makings of an all-time collaboration, but it sort of fizzled due to totally preventable reasons. Nonetheless, the final product is still surprisingly pretty great, thanks to its strong bones.

15. “You Make Me” (2013): This is an interesting one, as it sort of straddles the line between Swedish progressive house and elements of the more rootsy feel Avicii sought on True. Ultimately it stays more on the Swedish, rather than Appalachian, side of things. Strangely, though, the sound works, and it was one of my favorites on the album, behind only the 2 standout chart-topping hits.

14. “My Feelings For You” (2010): This may the farthest-back Avicii song that we have on this list. This one’s from way back in 2010, and it is striking in its simplicity. It lacks a lot of the flair and flourishes that would come to define Avicii’s sound even a few years later, but it is still pretty unmistakable. I think the simplest thing about it has to be its lyrics- just one phrase, repeating, an old EDM trick that Avicii outgrew pretty quickly by 2012 or 2013.

13. “I Could Be The One” (2012): Avicii teamed up with his friend and occasional collaborator Nicky Romero on this one, and the uncredited vocals are done by Noonie Bao, who also sang much later on “Fades Away.” This was a tweener track, released after the megahit “Levels” but before the next megahit “Wake Me Up,” and its style skews much more towards Avicii’s early sound, rather than the more rootsy sound he would tend towards later on. It’s pretty much pure energy, all the way through.

12. “Liar Liar- Avicii by Avicii Remix” (2014): This is a weird one, for sure. “Liar Liar,” the regular version, was a non-standout track from 2013’s True. But Avicii went back and took a melody he’s used before on some other unreleased tracks and stapled it onto this one, and suddenly it became a top-notch progressive house party track. Does it flow perfectly? No, probably not. Is it largely unknown to the general population? Absolutely. But it’s an awesome listen, and I never get tired of it, so here it is anyway.

11. “Hey Brother” (2013): Remind you of “Man Of Constant Sorrow” from O Brother Where Art Thou? Well, that’s because it features vocals from the same man who sung that classic ballad, Dan Tyminski. He even sings “Oh, brother” several times in the bridge! This one may have been the most bluegrass of all the tracks on True, but it still had a beat with some classic Avicii sounds that kept its Swedish heart beating underneath. The whole thing from start to finish is a piece of pure ingenuity.

10. “Blessed” (2011): In my interpretation, this song is about the joys of creating music. As such, it’s a fitting intro to the top 10 Avicii songs. He made it very early on in his career, and you can feel the enthusiasm permeating the whole thing. Props to guest vocalist Shermanology as well, for doing the best she can with a pretty limited vocal sample.

9. “Drowning- Remix” (2011): I went back and forth about whether to include remixes in this list, but ultimately there were a couple early Avicii remixes that were too good for me to ignore. “Drowning,” originally by fellow EDM heavyweight Armin Van Buuren, was one of them. Avicii’s remix strikes all the right notes, setting you up with trancey verses sung by Laura V, and then hitting you with a an uplifting melody and rhythm following the chorus

8. “Seek Bromance” (2010): For all intents and purposes, this was Avicii’s debut single. It was, at least, the first song he released that captured anyone’s attention, way back in 2010. It’s actually a mashup of Avicii’s own instrumental track “Bromance,” with uncredited vocals from a different song called “Love U Seek,” which is indicative of the slapdash nature of his early career, when he was just another bedroom DJ looking to make a name for himself. It’s safe to say, after this one, he was able to move out of the bedroom, and away from mashup tracks like this one.

7. “Waiting For Love” (2015): This is another Avicii track with a bizarre story surrounding its vocals- originally they were sung by John Legend, and it sure sounds like Legend on the finalized, released version, but apparently the vocals are sung by frequent collaborator Simon Aldred, who must’ve been doing his best John Legend impression, because the resemblance is uncanny. Also, this is a collaboration with Dutch superstar producer Martin Garrix, so it’s safe to say there were a lot of cooks in the kitchen for this one, but the final version is exceptional enough to secure its place in the top 10 here. I guess you could say it succeeds almost in spite of itself. Guess I won’t be headed to church on Sunday...

6. “Dancing In My Head” (2012): This is a relatively obscure track that never got near the amount of love it deserved. Maybe it’s just me, I don’t know, but this is an excellent, excellent song. The melody will get in your head and stay there, and you just won’t mind at all. Vocalist Eric Turner may be hard to pick out of a lineup, but his vocals work perfectly here. But really, all the credit has to go to Avicii, for knocking it out of the park here.

5. “Heaven” (2019): Honestly, this entire list came about largely because I couldn’t decide how high “Heaven” should go on the pantheon of all-time Avicii songs. You can read all about my thoughts on this one here. There’s not much more to say, other than that we should feel extremely blessed to have gotten one more top-tier Avicii song included on his final, posthumous, album. Ultimately, number 5 seems fair for a song that was so eagerly anticipated by so many for so long, and yet still managed to live up to expectations. I for one will be bumping it all summer and well into the future.

4. “Silhouettes” (2012): This was maybe the second Avicii song I ever heard, and as such, it may have been the one that confirmed for me that he was an artist who had staying power beyond one breakout hit. The vocals by frequent collaborator Salem al Fakir are pretty great, and the melody puts you into the perfect state of mind, no matter what your mood was before. It definitely falls into the category of songs that I always enjoy hearing, anytime it comes on. And ultimately that’s what puts it into the top tier here.

3. “Wake Me Up” (2013): I could write pages and pages about “Wake Me Up” and the impact it had on the music world. When Avicii played it at Ultra 2013, it drew boos from the puzzled audience that had come to hear progressive house hits like “Levels.” Six months later, it was #1 around the world and proved that EDM could crossover in more adventurous ways than just provide backing beats to low-grade pop and hip-hop songs. It showed, along with Daft Punk’s disco-analog reemergence that same year, that EDM could still have a soul, or perhaps, that it had gained the soul it was always lacking. Although “Wake Me Up” spawned a thousand imitators, though, none could ever match Avicii’s ability to spin a gorgeous original melody in with a retrofuturistic sound that tugged at your heartstrings while still making you want to dance. It was a one-of-a-kind talent, and truthfully, it was a sound that he spent the rest of his brief career trying to recreate with varying degrees of success.

2. “Levels” (2011): What is there to say about “Levels” that hasn’t been said already? It’s maybe the most impactful, most ubiquitous song to come out of the entire EDM era, if you want to call it an era. It was inescapable in 2011-2012, and for me anyway, I never wanted to escape it. It was the song that put Avicii on the map. In fact, it did more than that- it established him as a cut above all the other DJs out there, even though it was the first track many of us had ever heard by him. The Etta James sample is perfectly placed, and every element of the composition is truly perfect. It would be impossible to have a conversation about Avicii without “Levels” being pretty much the first song mentioned. To this day, bros will still fist-pump when this comes on in the club, and I hope they continue to for the rest of time. But, somehow, “Levels” gets beaten out by an even better Avicii song when it comes to my personal favorite...

1. “Rapture- Remix” (2010): I’ll admit I’m cheating a bit. “Rapture” was a hit from 2002 by iiO featuring Nadia Ali, and that was a great song. But when Avicii came out with his “New Generation Remix” in 2010, it took the whole thing to another level. From a purely musical standpoint, this is the greatest Avicii song of all time, and maybe the greatest remix of all time. Even more than “Levels,” “Silhouettes,” or “Heaven,” I can promise I will never, ever, EVER get tired of this one. It’s 3 minutes, 42 seconds, of absolute blissful musical perfection. But that’s just my personal preference. Take us out, Nadia...

*RIP Tim Bergling, 1989-2018*

On Avicii, "Heaven," The Passage Of Time, And Posthumous Album Releases

Four years ago this spring, EDM superstar Avicii released his 2015 Ultra Promo Mix, which was a remastered, studio-quality version of the hourlong set he had performed at that years Ultra Music Festival in Miami. It was complete with fake audience cheers and a woman's voice every couple minutes that reminded you it was "Avicii, live from the main stage of Ultra!" The last 20 or so minutes contained the part that I was looking for, though: the teasers of all the new music Avicii had been working on and that would be released on his upcoming album, later titled Stories.

I was a 24-year-old recent grad, living with my parents, temping, trying to make a long-distance relationship work. I didn't have a lot going on in my life, and I was pretty aimless, trying to hang on to college days even as the world around me looked increasingly less like the one I had left behind 2 years prior. But that spring, I found a song about 48 minutes into the hour that promised that good days could still be ahead for me. That song was "Heaven," and though it was uncredited at the time, it clearly featured Coldplay's Chris Martin on vocals. It was vintage Avicii, and I couldn't wait for it to be released officially so that I could jam out when I heard it at bars, clubs, on the radio, and on my nascent Spotify account.

Needless to say, "Heaven" never got released as a single. I don't know why- other songs on the 2015 promo mix got released as singles, or as part of Stories. But "Heaven" never got its moment in the sun, so to speak. I slowly gave up hope. My life moved on, though. I moved out of my parents' house and in with my old college friends. I ended my long-distance relationship, tried to go out and have a good time and forget her. I applied to, and ultimately got into, a grad-school program. I finally finished temping, started "interning" again, and got myself into a new, short-distance relationship. I was on track to graduate my grad program and was starting to look into real, full-time jobs in the spring of 2018.

Periodically, though, I would still check in on "Heaven," though, and let it take me back to that time in my life when I was trying to figure myself out. There were various bootleg copies floating around on Youtube, and even as Avicii's sound took him away from that type of song, I still held out hope that maybe someday, as improbable as it sounded, it could get its own release. I sat in the airport, holding hands with my girlfriend as we waited for a flight to New Orleans for a long-weekend getaway, when I heard the news. Avicii was dead of a suicide at 28.

It's still the hardest celebrity death for me to cope with. Avicii was my life's soundtrack, more than anyone else. His music got me through the second half of college, and had been a reliable source of inspiration for me throughout my 20s. He was still releasing great music, and had his whole future ahead of him. At the same time, though, it felt like an era had ended. The era of carefree, feelgood mainstream EDM, if it was still kicking at all, felt like it was over. The part of my life where that was what I wanted to hear felt like it might be over too. It felt like I was destined to become the type of guy who only listens to stuff from "back in my day." And, of course, it meant I'd never get to hear an official version of "Heaven."

But life goes on, as it does. I wrapped up my Master's degree, got a job, moved in with my girlfriend, and made her my fiancee, set a wedding date (next June 6th). I turned 28 myself, and found plenty of other good music to listen to, even new stuff. But I couldn't let go of "Heaven," no matter what I did. Again, though, as I sat with my now-fiancee, waiting for a show to start, holding her hand, I got more news that I was never expecting: There would be one more Avicii album, coming out this June 6th.

I waited and waited, and sure enough, it was confirmed that "Heaven," miraculously, would indeed be on the new album, titled Tim. Finally, today rolled around, and I got to listen to it on Spotify, totally legally, for the first time.

It's been four years since I first heard "Heaven." My life has changed in so many ways since then. I was a lost kid, and now, I guess, I'm a reasonable approximation of a grown man. But I never lost that feeling. When Chris Martin started singing to me, I felt it just the same as I did four years ago. I couldn't help but smile, wipe away a tear, and tap my foot all at the same time. The fact that I'm getting married in exactly one year from the album's release date feels fitting. It'll help me always remember the day when I heard new Avicii music for the last time.

As for the rest of the album? It'll take more listens, but I don't think it's my favorite of Avicii's work. His style has changed a lot since 2015. But it barely matters. "Heaven" is on it, and my impossible dream somehow came true. If it doesn't go to #1 on the chart, I'll know that America's tastes aren't as good as mine, but either way, I get to enjoy it for the rest of my life, and that's all right with me. Long live Avicii, and long live "Heaven"- the eternal jam.

Personal Favorites of 2018

Welcome to the world of what I was REALLY listening to in 2018. While I enjoy writing my list of Billboard favorites, it's skewing further and further from the playlist of songs I actually listen to on a daily basis. And, those songs are skewing closer and closer to each other in terms of their sound as well. This list might as well be called, The Best 25 Melodic Deep House Tracks of 2018. But technically, it's personal favorites, so there is a bit of variation in there. The only rule is that these songs couldn't be eligible for the list I made last week.

This list is in alphabetical order by artist. The Spotify playlist is at the bottom if you don't care what I write and just wanna listen. Sit back and enjoy the jams!

Alex Ross- "Deep In Your Heart":


 I honestly can't believe we're sampling "Be Without You" by Mary J. Blige for house tracks now. I was, like, a full-grown adult when that song came out. That is not a soul classic. But you can't tell the difference here in this excellent remix. I guess I'm old now.

Anne-Marie- "2002 (Kream Remix)":



While the song itself was one of the year's best pop songs (especially for someone else who was 11 in 2002), this remix is what took it way, way over the top and made it one of the year's best tracks, period.

ARTY- "Tim":


 Here is one example of a song that doesn't quite fit the mood of the playlist as a whole. I had no choice to add it in, though, because it may be my only chance to properly eulogize the artist who has had more of an impact on my music preferences than any other- no, not ARTY. Avicii, of course. Avicii, otherwise known as Tim Bergling, passed away this past April at the age of 28, and his death hit me harder than any other "celebrity" death ever has. I still remember where I was when I heard "Levels" for the first time, and there is no one else whose music defines that period of my life more than Avicii. His passing felt like the end of an era for me, an era when I was as passionate as ever about discovering new music. With his death, I felt like I turned backward a lot this year in remembrance of his music as well as other music from what I call the Golden Age of EDM (2010-2016ish). So, while there is no Avicii music on this year's list, ARTY's tribute song will have to stand in. here's hoping for some posthumous releases in 2019.

Becky Hill- "Sunrise In The East (Fred V & Grafix Remix)":


 Love Becky Hill's vocals on the original, but this deep-cut remix was even better. These guys did an amazing remix of Sub Focus' "Endorphins"  back in 2013, and they reprise their skills here. Could listen to it all day.

Blonde feat. Bryn Christopher- "Me Myself & I":


 This is just a great song, with a nice message too. Mostly, though, it's all about the sound, which just never gets old for me. Definitely a party jam, though, so only listen when you want to be in that mood.

Calvin Harris feat. Sam Smith- "Promises":


I think this song must have just missed the cut for the Billboard list because it is quite a big hit. It would have probably been in the top 2 or 3 had it made the cut. Piano keys, Sam Smith singing, it's got all the ingredients. Pretty classic Calvin sound.

Disciples- "48 HRS":


Disciples kills it here, as usual. They may be #1 on my list of acts I'd like to see live right now, after seeing Gorgon City in concert this year (more on them in a little bit).

Deadmau5 & Rob Swire- "Monophobia":


Wow, I would NOT have guessed that I'd see Deadmau5 in this list in 2018. But respect where it's due, this song perfectly harkens back to his career-defining tracks like "Strobe" and "Ghosts n Stuff," so here he is, super-weird video and all.

Flight Facilities feat. Nika- "Need You":


Similar to the last song, I would never have expected Flight Facilities to make a list in 2018. The last time I listened to them was a dubstep remix in probably 2012. But quality is quality, and this one here is very high quality. Love the apparently original footage from the Dating Game in the video as well.

Gorgon City feat. Naations- "Let It Go":



Gorgon City may have messed around and made the best album of 2018. The best part of it was the end, though, when they slowed things down and made tracks like "Let It Go." This was such a great song to vibe to at any moment this year. And it was awesome to see live. Did I mention I saw them live? Cool.

Gorgon City feat. Kelly Kiara- "Night Drive":


This was the best song on Gorgon City's new album, and was definitely one of the best songs of the year. It's a little slow, but if you slow yourself down as well and appreciate it, it will be worth it, I promise. They made a great choice to close out the album with it.

Just Kiddin- "Body Talk":



I only heard this song in December, late December at that, and i had already pretty much made up my list. But I had to add this in, and kick another song out, because it was too good to ignore. It incorporates every single element of a perfect song, practically purpose-built to appeal to me. If it was vinyl, I would have worn out the vinyl in just a few short weeks. Too good.

Lizzy Land- "Sweet Melodies (Schier Remix)":



This is just purely luscious sounds. It may not be the most inventive, but it's so delightful to listen to. I probably heard on a Spotify playlist somewhere, since that's apparently where we all find new music now. Seems like a deep cut, so enjoy.

Low Steppa feat. Ayak- "No Love":


According to Spotify, this was my top-streamed song of 2018. I kind of can't believe that, but I do agree that it goes hard. And if it is true, then I guess I like to be pumped up as much as possible. Let's keep that vibe going into 2019, I guess.

Matoma feat. Noah Cyrus- "Slow":



Who knew Miley's little sister had pipes? And was down to do a guest feature on a Norwegian house track? Me neither, but I'm sure glad we found out this year what such a collaboration could sound like. This is some of Matoma's best work since "Old Thing Back."

MK, Jonas Blue, & Becky Hill- "Back & Forth":



Not only was this one of the best pure house songs (with another incredible Becky Hill vocal), but it actually has a real music video! So click play and enjoy! I'm glad I'm able to embed videos again this year but it's much more technically difficult than it used to be so appreciate it!

SeeB feat. Dagny- "Drink About":



Nice to hear again from SeeB after their breakthrough back in 2016 with their Mike Posner "I Took A Pill In Ibiza" remix (#1 that year). Their trendsetting sound led to an abundance of vocal-gymnastic drops, but they remain the best in the business, as proved by this standout track.

Silk City & Dua Lipa- "Electricity":



No idea how this didn't make the Billboard Year-End Hot 100, but I guess it just missed. Silk City (Mark Ronson and Diplo) employ the vocal talents of Dua Lipa for their first big single, which uses the very memorable NYC blackout of 2003 as its background for its video. Found footage from a nostalgic time when I was (checks notes) already 12 years old? Love it. I'm ready for the 2000s nostalgia. Let's do it, people. (Also, the MK remix of this song is amazing in its own way).

SZA- "The Weekend (Funk Wav Remix)":



The song says "Funk Wav remix" but don't get it twisted- this is Calvin Harris, through and through. Just a classic Calvin sound. He made the track his own. And yes, it came out in December '17, but if Billboard would count it as 2018, so will I.

The Chainsmokers feat. Emily Warren- "Side Effects":



2018 wasn't quite as big for The Chainsmokers as 2016 or 2017 were, but they still hit it big with songs like "Side Effects," which may have missed the year-end chart but was still a smash hit in its own right. Bizarre video, though. I guess Riley just quit her job after her all-night dance party? Unclear.

The Knocks feat. Sofi Tukker- "Brazilian Soul":



I still don't know quite how The Knocks have never gotten bigger. Album after album they deliver jams that would have everyone dancing if they heard them, but they never quite seem to break through into the mainstream. Maybe they prefer it that way, though. Every interview I've read, they seem to relish their authenticity, so I guess they're totally happy to do what they love for those who appreciate it. I just wish I heard songs like this spilling out of more car windows. Maybe in Rio!

The Knocks feat. Foster The People- "Ride Or Die":



The Knocks again with another killer collaboration. This one took a little longer to grow on me, but it actually speaks to me personally more than the exotic sounds of "Brazilian Soul." Another great summer party track that I'll probably still be jamming to in 2019.

Yellow Claw & San Holo- "Summertime":



Kind of cheating due to the lyrics, but no song defined summer 2018 for me more than this one. Even though the video is actually set in the winter. Ignore that though. It's a summer song if I say so.

Yellow Claw feat. Valentina- "Villain":



Yellow Claw again (lot of double-hits on this year's list, but no triples). Subject material notwithstanding, this was a great song to listen to in almost any mood this year. I love songs that are so versatile. Although I'd prefer if they didn't tell the tale of a broken relationship.

ZHU & Tame Impala- "My Life":



ZHU always goes with the most theatrical videos. Nonetheless, a 5-minute epic is a perfect way to close out 2018. Enjoy the sounds of the odd pairing of ZHU and Tame Impala and I'll see you in 2019.

Top 20 Best Songs of 2018: Billboard Year-End Edition

I copied this photo from Digster and then cropped out their logo. Power moves only.

2018 was a wild and crazy year. The headlines never seemed to stop coming, but at the end of the year, here we are, still alive and well, in some cases never better. For those of us in our late 20s, 2018 was likely a year of immense personal growth, but with probably a fair bit of frustration and stagnation thrown in as well, since, you know, that’s life. But this is not a personal-reflection blog, it’s a pop music blog, so let’s talk about 2018 in music for a second.

This felt like the year that Spotify completed its takeover of the music industry. What started as an exciting alternative to the decades-long reliance on personal music collections and radio airplay has now revolutionized the way music is consumed. But I would say there are significant negative side effects to Spotify’s takeover, which I only truly realized as I stared at Billboard’s 2018 year-end Hot 100 (released a record-early December 5 this year). Thanks to my ability to consume music almost exclusively on Spotify (and the fact that I don’t go to clubs and bars as often now), I have no reason to ever listen to songs that I don’t personally choose to hear. This means I dive further and further into the niche corners of music that I like the most, and I just completely ignore the rest of the pop-music landscape. As a result, when I stared at that list, I didn’t even KNOW about half of the year’s biggest hits. Like, I’d never even heard of them, let alone recognize them as they played.

But nevertheless, I insisted on making this list again this year, because I still think I know what sounds good and what doesn’t in pop music. But I realize now that thanks to Spotify, I have become, in one sweeping year, the person I always dreaded becoming- the out-of-touch old person who thinks “today’s music” doesn’t compare to the stuff from back in my day. Soundcloud rappers? Cardi B? The New Drake? Meh. I’ll stick to deep house and “oldies” from 2000-2017 going forward, thanks! This may be the last list I can even semi-credibly do, but let’s dive in nonetheless:

*As a reminder, only songs that appeared on the Billboard Year-End Hot 100 for 2018 are eligible for this list, and no songs that appeared on last year’s list of mine could appear again this year. Also, a Spotify playlist is attached at the bottom if you don’t want to read 2,000 words.

20. Post Malone- "Better Now":

Kicking off our 2018 list is the dude who probably personified 2018 in music more than any other, Post Malone. He’s had some serious words written about him this year, and he’s had some serious viral moments, but ultimately his music just...kinda exists. I think we’ll look back on Post Malone and wonder what we saw in him. If there’s ever been a situation where style won out more convincingly over substance, I’m not sure I’ve seen it. This one’s OK though.

19. Lil Dicky featuring Chris Brown- "Freaky Friday":

There’s nothing like a good novelty rap song to guarantee a spot on this list. Does it stand up to repeated listening? No, I imagine it gets tiring pretty quickly. But the first few listens are delightful, and the video helps clarify the end of the story a bit- the lyrics moved too fast for me to understand exactly how they switch back to their normal selves. But, it’s “Freaky Friday,” a little willing suspension of disbelief is needed in the first place.

18. Bazzi- "Mine":

Feels like it’s been awhile since we’ve had a good slow R&B jam on this list, and “Mine,” the debut single from Bazzi, certainly qualifies. In fact, my only complaint is that the song runs a little short. Barely enough time to get into the vibe. We don’t really get to know the characters, their motivations, their backstories- just kidding, it’s an R&B love song, what more do you need other than “Miiiine”?

17. G-Eazy and Halsey- "Him & I":

Halsey is, like, every “troubled” hipster millennial/Gen Z girl’s avatar in Hollywood. I don’t know much about G-Eazy but he seems like the male version of Halsey- the party boy with a “dark soul” and an “artistic spirit” that guys across suburbia can aspire to be as they smoke pot and struggle to maintain their 2.0 GPA. So, yes, it’s perfect that they found each other and even gave us a fake homemade music video (shot in Brooklyn, of course) for their duet together. If that all sounds overly harsh, well, the song is actually still pretty good, and it’s the first of 3 appearances for Halsey on this list so it’s not like I dislike her or anything. I just couldn’t help but smirk as I watched the video. As if I could do better...

16. Halsey- "Bad at Love":

Like I said above, Halsey knows who her music is for, and she really doubles and triples down on the themes she knows will play to her audience. If you can’t get out of your own way, keep falling for the Bad Boy (preferably a white guy in a leather jacket with slicked-back hair, aka the most stereotypical Bad Boy out there), and yet you own your faults and love yourself for them, then yeah, you’re gonna love this song and all her others. Am I any of those things? Absolutely not. But I like it too. (And the remix is better).

15. Camila Cabello- "Never Be the Same":

Ah yes, nothing better for our nation’s crippling opioid epidemic than a hit pop song referring to her lover as heroin and morphine. Hey, I like love, maybe I want to try hard drugs now to see if that feels just as good! I would be more upset if Camila Cabello weren’t so darn likable, and if the song weren’t so damn catchy. Keep doing you, Camila, but maybe let’s stick to less-addictive drugs in the future.

14. Logic featuring Alessia Cara and Khalid- "1-800-273-8255":

It’s really, really hard to say anything negative about this song, because it’s so beautiful and has such a powerful message (and a music video that you should absolutely watch if you haven’t already). I guess my only complaint, and what seemed to be South Park’s complaint as well, is the absurdity of “1-800” being a pop/radio single. It’s just so damn heavy. But you know what, much like Macklemore’s "Same Love," if it brings awareness to an issue so many of us gloss over, then it’s worth hearing, even if it’s a total party buzzkill.

13. Benny Blanco, Halsey, and Khalid- "Eastside":

This is a pleasant song that I never minded hearing this year. When I saw the video I appreciated that it told a story, and indeed a couple of quite personal stories about the artists who made the songs. I’m always a sucker for high-school and childhood memories, so it was awesome to see them track down the old locations where Benny Blanco and Halsey actually made their own memories. But, like the song, the whole thing stopped a bit short. I want more! Is that so wrong?

12. Maroon 5- "Girls Like You":

Here’s Maroon 5’s first appearance this year. Can we just talk for a second about how incredible it is that Maroon 5 continues to make popular and relevant music 16 years after their breakout single “Harder to Breathe?” That is really hard to do for a band that started out as a middle-of-the-road pop/rock quintet. They have only succeeded because a) Adam Levine has turned himself into a bona fide A-list celebrity, and because they have been unafraid to re-invent their sound with nearly every album and even almost every song at this point. They also have no fear or shame about inviting guest artists on to help boost the name brand of a song, like Cardi B in this one for instance. Sonically, Maroon 5 is a chameleon, but they still manage to get it right almost every time out, which makes me think they deserve a lot more praise than they get. This video made me dizzy, though.

11. NF- "Let You Down":

Boy, the first half of this list was a real downer, huh? I don’t know if that’s an accurate reflection of my mood this year, but it’s definitely worth noting. I think it just comes down to the fact that sad songs sounded better than happy songs this year, at least for numbers 20 through 11. Maybe the top 10 will be a little brighter. As for this one, I thought it was about a relationship gone wrong until I saw the video, which made it unmistakably clear that it was about a father-son relationship. Hope you like death and sadness if you watch this one.

10. DJ Khaled featuring Justin Bieber, Chance the Rapper, and Quavo- "No Brainer":

Ah, here we go. From the muted grays and blues of the “Let You Down” video representing the darkest of 2018, to the candy pinks and oranges of “No Brainer, signaling that we are back to party music here to kick off the top 10. Does DJ Khaled do it any other way? Also, I have to say, Justin Bieber is looking more and more like Agent Murphy from Narcos these days. Has anyone else made that comparison? Maybe I can be the first. Anyway, this is maybe the purest party jam on this list, so enjoy!

9. Marshmello and Anne-Marie- "Friends":

First of 2 appearances by Marshmello on this list (never thought I’d say those words). Let me just say that 12-year-old me (and 22-year-old me, to be honest) would have hated this song, and really most songs by Anne-Marie.  Girl, just go out with him already! (Then again, if he keeps turning up at your door in a marshmallow head, maybe it’s best to stay away.) But, as I get older, my passions are dying down and I can’t really hate on it like I used to. Either way, though, the song is fun and easy to sing along to, so it gets a spot in the top 10.

8. Taylor Swift- "Delicate":

Astute readers will note that the number 8 spot on this list has often wound up being reserved for the best bubblegum pop song of the year. This year, Taylor Swift falls perfectly into that role with “Delicate.”  This one grew on me a bit- I thought it was a bit boring at first but over time I appreciated it more, and so it finds itself all the way up at number 8. It’s helped by a delightful what-if-you-were-invisible video, as well.

7. Maroon 5- "Wait":

Everything I said about Maroon 5 above still applies here. This one is a little more conventional, without a guest feature, which is probably why I have it ranked higher up on the list. I think we’ve all felt like Adam Levine in this video, too, so it scores points for stylish expression of a common situation as well. Here’s hoping Maroon 5 keeps on trucking into 2019 (starting with the Super Bowl halftime show of course).

6. Dua Lipa- "New Rules":

I distinctly remember saying last year that I hoped to hear more from Dua Lipa in 2018. Boy, did that ever happen and then some. She was everywhere, or at least her voice was. This was her big featured single, though, and it’s the one that made her (sort of) a household name here in the States. I’m glad I got what I wished for, and I hope music like this isn’t just a flash in the pan. Dua Lipa was one of 2018’s few bright spots. Even if I can’t relate to the message in the lyrics whatsoever...

5. Lil Pump- "Gucci Gang":

So, I said at the top of the blog that I hated Soundcloud rappers and the general direction that they’ve taken the Billboard chart this year. Well, I kinda lied, because “Gucci Gang” is so preposterously bad that it actually comes out the other side and becomes fun, following in the long tradition of similar rap songs over the last couple decades (“Versace,” “Laffy Taffy,” “Crank That,” etc.) I said “Gucci Gang” almost as much as that weird Youtube kid this year, so how could I not put this in the top 5?

4. Marshmello and Bastille- "Happier":

Now we’re getting towards the real winners of this year’s countdown. To be honest, this song pales in comparison to many of the top-5 tracks from years past, but given this year’s competition, it sails in pretty easily. Mostly, though, it’s helped by its tearjerker of a music video which helped it stand out. Not really fair, though- the subject material is just too touching! It should be banned from music videos if you ask me. But no, I’m not crying, you’re crying.

3. Calvin Harris and Dua Lipa- "One Kiss":

Ah, Calvin Harris. The old reliable in the top 5, every year. This is far from his best work, but it’s just so eminently listenable that it did wind up standing out. Besides, his decision to feature Dua Lipa on vocals also made it a virtual guarantee for such a high spot before I even heard it. God, I hope Calvin stays around in 2019 and beyond, because without him, the music industry would lose one of its most consistent sources of Jams.

2. Zedd, Maren Morris and Grey- "The Middle":

Zedd is an interesting case. He’s never made a track that I really loved, but most his songs that have hit the Top 40 have been among the best in their year. He’s a consistent B+ student, I guess you could say. Well, this year, B+ is good enough for the number 2 song. Maren Morris turned out to be the perfect choice for the vocals here (and she was chosen over many competitors). I guess everyone knew this was a jam before it ever even got released. But, it comes up just short for number 1...

1. Kendrick Lamar and SZA- "All the Stars":

Yes, you’re correct. I NEVER thought Kendrick Lamar would have number one song on any list of mine. I felt his lyrical skills were overrated, his beats underwhelmed, and his voice was annoying to listen to. But that was before “All The Stars” came out. To be fair, SZA carries the song. And the beat is totally different from a typical Kendrick style. And it benefitted from being the soundtrack to the closing credits of the terrific “Black Panther” movie. But nonetheless, it gets number 1 by a fairly wide margin this year, if I’m being honest. It’s simply a beautiful song that stood up to repeated listening far better than any other this year. And for that, it joins the ranks of the all-time greats to be crowned the Best Pop Song of the Year. Congrats, Kendrick (and SZA. And Wallace). Let’s see what 2019 brings!

Top 25 Personal Favorites of 2017

For the record: That picture is not of me. I am not a teen girl. But when I typed "2017 Music Favorites" into Google Image Search, this image popped up and I thought it was too funny not to use. But it's probably only funny to me. Oh well. No one ever reads this post anyway.

In case you wanted to know what songs I was jamming to this year that the rest of the world may have not picked up on, here's a list of my 25 personal favorites from 2017. None of these songs were featured in my year-end hit music blog the other day, but they were all released in 2017 or would at least have been eligible for the Billboard 2017 Hot 100 year-end list, and thus could have qualified had the idiots who do A&R at the major record labels been paying attention to quality music this year. One day they'll all reach out and give me their jobs. Anyway, here's the list (in alphabetical order, with a Spotify playlist at the bottom)!


Alina Baraz featuring Khalid- "Electric (R3hab Remix)":  Alina Baraz has shown up on this list before with her slow jam "Maybe." This one, since it's a remix, hits a little harder, but it still produces a nice blissed-out vibe that kept me listening all year.

Bebe Rexha- "I Got You":  This was a pretty big hit this year, so I was surprised to see it missed the Billboard year-end list, but i had to make sure people still knew it. Bebe is one of the best female pop stars out there right now in terms of music quality, so I hope she continues to figure prominently in 2018.

Big Shaq- "Man's Not Hot":  Yeah, I had to do it. Following in the footsteps of parody-turned-meme Roll Safe, Big Shaq has quite possibly done more to take grime international than anyone who ever did it seriously. And to be honest, I'm not positive he isn't at least kinda serious now. It's a bit like "Gangnam Style"- sometimes the parody is better (and bigger) than the original.

Calvin Harris featuring Future & Khalid- "Rollin":  It was a tight battle between this, "Slide," and "Feels," but I think I'd give this the nod as the best song off Calvin Harris' album this year. Khalid broke out in a big way this year as a vocalist and I hope we hear more of the pride of El Paso next year.

CAZZETTE- "Oceans":  Wow, looks like this one is a super deep cut from Cazzette. They've had some pretty big hits in the EDM world but this one has only 40,000 views on Youtube, and no official release. That's right, I'm turning you on to stuff you could have never found on your own over here. You're welcome.

Clean Bandit & Marina and the Diamonds- "Disconnect":  Hardcore Clean Bandit fans (Fandits, as they're called) have been waiting for years for an official release of this song, which was teased live at Coachella back in 2015. Finally, this summer they (we) got what they (we) were waiting for. Listen and decide for yourself if this one is worth the wait. I lean towards yes.

Clean Bandit featuring Zara Larsson- "Symphony":  I'm pretty much speechless that this song didn't make a bigger impact on the U.S. charts. It was absolutely one of the best pop songs of the year, and would have probably been #1 on my list had it qualified. This pairing is pretty much perfect, and I hope Zara Larsson features on at least one more Clean Bandit song at some point.

Ed Sheeran- "Castle On The Hill (SeeB Remix)":  Good god, how did Ed Sheeran get on this list? Someone must have made a mist- oh wait, it's a SeeB remix. Never mind, makes total sense now. To be fair, this was probably already my favorite Ed Sheeran song (not saying much, I admit) but since SeeB was probably my number 1 artist of 2016, it's only right that they make one appearance in 2017.

Electric Guest- "Oh Devil":  If you're watching the music video to this, you might be going, hey, that singer getting Wendy Peffercorn'd on the pool deck looks awfully familiar. And that's because it's Asa Taccone, brother of Jorma from The Lonely Island. And as such, he also got Will Forte to star in this video, which toes the line between comedy and real-music. Asa also wrote and produced the 2017 mega-hit "Feel It Still," so it's safe to say his hands were all over some pretty awesome and influential music this year.

Kato & Sigala featuring Hailee Steinfeld- "Show You Love":  Listening to this song should give you no surprise as to how it wound up on this list. Deep house with a piano break and powerful female vocals=top 25 of the year, every year, every time. Couldn't be an easier formula. No, I'm not ashamed.

Kiiara featuring Felix Snow- "Whippin":  I can't believe they let Kiiara film this video in the Miami projects featured in, like, every South Florida rap video between 2005 and 2010. I can't imagine those residents were too thrilled to let a white girl from suburban Illinois stunt all over their property. Anyway, I guess you could say this was a guilty pleasure for me in 2017.

Kygo featuring Ellie Goulding- "First Time": Here's another song that should have been way bigger than it was in 2017. This was the best Kygo song of the year, and one of the best period. For me, it was the second-most played song of the year. We'll get to #1 soon, but this one got worn out big-time, despite the weird sibling-love-frozen-in-time video.

Kygo & Oliver Nelson featuring Bonnie McKee- "Riding Shotgun": I love Kygo, I love Oliver Nelson, and I love Bonnie McKee, so it's no surprise then when all three teamed up for this one, I couldn't believe my good luck. My only complaint? This song should be at least three minutes longer, like most Oliver Nelson songs are. I could listen to it all day and all night, and then again the next day.

LEON- "Sleep Deprived": 2017 was a bit quieter than 2016 for my favorite Swedish permanently-scorned lover, LEON. Nevertheless, this one came out back in January and kept me feeling guilty for things I didn't do all year. Get some sleep, girl. The sun barely comes out this time of year in Sweden, anyway. You're not missing anything.

Maroon 5- "Visions": Time for another deep album cut! If you haven't listened to Maroon 5's new album Red Pill Blues, don't worry. While the whole thing is surprisingly good (problematic title aside), the real standout track is this one. I can never get enough cod reggae (aka the blue-eyed soul of Caribbean music), so this Dirty Heads-written track has been the one keeping me going through these cold winter months. Listen and be transported to Jamaica...or at least Orange County.

Martin Garrix & Dua Lipa- "Scared To Be Lonely": Here's another track from back at the beginning of 2017. I'm a big fan of both artists so it was no surprise that their collaboration got into my heavy rotation in the early part of the year. No, it's not the most memorable song of 2017, but it was a good, solid track that helped me get to spring. Can you tell I'm ready for spring already?

Matoma & MAGIC! featuring DRAM- "Girl At Coachella": What did I just say about cod reggae? Yeah, I'm into it. So Matoma and Magic! making a song together was the perfect blend of Jamaica and Norway, with a dash of Tidewater Virginia in the form of DRAM. To me, this was a major contender for song of the summer in 2017.

ODESZA featuring WYNNE & Mansionair- "Line Of Sight": We had a lot of confusing collaborations this year. We also had a stunning number of all-caps-stylized names. This song combines both, as well as having one of most memorable riffs of the year. ODESZA's album was one of the best to come out this year, and this was the standout single. I think they've proven themselves to be here to stay.

Sean Paul & Dua Lipa- "No Lie": I guess Dua Lipa was the go-to featured artist this year for songs I wanted to hear. And yes, once again, we have a Caribbean sound here, but this time it's done by someone with a little more, dare I say, street cred. I think Sean Paul is beyond reproach at this point.

Snakehips featuring M0- "Don't Leave": M0 (yes, I know there should be a slash through the 0; no, I have no idea how to type that, stupid Scandinavians) is one of the best vocalists in pop music these days, so it's no surprise that she shows up here. Snakehips' beats complement her voice perfectly, and this was another midtempo song that worked for nearly any occasion this year.

SNBRN & BLU J featuring Cara Frew- "You Got Me": SNBRN burst on the scene big-time in 2016 and managed to follow up with at least one more standout song in 2017. Time will tell if they can keep it up for a third year, but at least we'll always have this one to remember.

Sub Focus featuring ALMA- "Don't You Feel It": If I hadn't bound myself to an alphabetical order for this list, I'd have put this last. This was my most-played song of 2017, and I was not surprised to learn that statistic. It was also my favorite song. It's probably not the most original, groundbreaking track you'll hear, but to me it was comfort food. No matter how much the world changes, certain sounds will always keep me coming back, and Sub Focus doing radio-friendly, accessible tracks like these is an ironclad guarantee to make me smile and tap my feet.

The Chainsmokers featuring Emily Warren- "My Type": Another album cut here. This was one of the softer tracks on the Chainsmokers' new album, and Emily Warren's vocals are what really make it. She's extraordinarily talented and I hope she can get out from their shadow and emerge on her own in 2018.

Tim Legend- "Hope": Here was one of the most blissed-out beats of 2017. I couldn't hear this one without stopping what I was doing and just enjoying it. To me, that's what music is for. That probably explains the almost complete lack of any music with substantive lyrics, well, ever on any of my best-of lists. Sounds, not words, people. Not a difficult concept. Enjoy!

Wilkinson- "Faded": Final song on the list, and possibly the deepest album cut on here- only 600 Youtube views as of this writing. I'll be checking back on that in a few days to see if my link moved the needle. If so, I expect royalty checks. Thanks in advance!

That'll do it for my personal favorites of 2017 list. Let Wilkinson's drum&bass sounds take you smoothly into 2018. See you next year!

Top 20 Best Songs of 2017- Billboard Hot 100 Edition

Congratulations! You made it to the end of 2017. Do you remember all of the songs that hit the Billboard charts this year? Of course you don’t, neither do I, that would be impossible. Luckily, the folks at Billboard make our job a little easier by giving us the Top 100 songs of the entire year (technically only through November 25 though), and I make your job a little easier by ranking my top 20 favorites out of those 100, so that all you really need to remember 2017 by is these 20 songs.

While 2017 was a big year for Ed Sheeran, Imagine Dragons, Post Malone and Lil Uzi Vert, you won’t find any of them on this year’s rankings. But you will find some seriously great music, as well as some songs you might hate. But in the timeless words of the great 50 Cent, if they hate, let ‘em hate, and watch the money pile up! Here’s the list, with links to Youtube videos in the titles and a full Spotify playlist at the bottom for those who prefer listening to reading or viewing. Now it’s time to roll on into 2018!

20. Kendrick Lamar -"Humble":

Believe it or not, this is the inaugural appearance for Kendrick Lamar on this list. That is due to both his failure to hit the Billboard year-end charts with many of his previous singles, and also my lack of enthusiasm for the songs he was able to chart with in the past. “Humble” is simple, it features a piano beat, and it’s easy to quote (and misquote). That gives it just enough juice to sneak onto list at #20. Maybe we’ll see more Kendrick in the future if he can recreate his success with “Humble.” Biyombo!

19. Rae Sremmurd featuring Gucci Mane- "Black Beatles":       

This song came out way back in September 2016, but it only hit the charts in what Billboard considers 2017, so it qualified for this year’s list. Rae Sremmurd got lucky that this song became the soundtrack to the Mannequin Challenge, but they say you make your own luck, and “Black Beatles” has something about it that makes it hard to hate. I doubt they know much about the real Beatles, other than that they were almost as big a deal as Rae Sremmurd, but the Mike Will beat and Gucci Mane saying “skrippers” were enough to land it at #19.

18. Aminé- "Caroline":     

No one will ever top Kid Creole, or Outkast, but this is probably the #3 song about a Caroline I’ve heard. It’s delightfully lo-fi and honestly, pretty innocent compared to most hip-hop that came out in 2017. The video matches and actually enhances those themes and makes it impossible not to like Aminé. I really hope we see more of them in the future because they deserve success.

17. Childish Gambino-"Redbone":                 

I never thought I’d see Childish Gambino on this list but he’s earned it, not just as a Lifetime Achievement award (cough, Kendrick Lamar, cough) but also because “Redbone” is a legitimately great song. I’m not sure what genre it really falls into but that’s OK, it’s a pleasant listen for many moods. It really refuses to be categorized, I guess. I hear it was also used in the movie “Get Out” but I didn’t see that so I can’t really comment on its usage there. The beat will stand the test of time no matter what though.

16. Adele- "Water Under the Bridge":                 

Talk about an old song- this one came out in June 2016 but somehow snuck onto the 2017 Billboard year-end chart so I’m allowed to include and you’re now reading about it in 2018 (or late 2017). It was the best song on 25 in my opinion, so I was thrilled to hear it getting airplay. it reminded me a bit of “Set Fire To The Rain” from 21, which was the best song on that album as well. I guess I have a type of Favorite Adele Song...Wall Of Sound.

15. Katy Perry featuring Skip Marley- "Chained to the Rhythm":                 

After an extremely lo-fi video and then 2 songs with no video, we head back to the world of massive budgets and visual fantasies with Katy Perry. I know this song and video are meant to be subtlely political but all that was lost on me. I just thought the song sounded great, a quintessential mellowed-out Katy Perry party jam, and the video made me want to visit that awesome theme park. I guess I like running on hamster wheels, watching 3D movies with my nuclear family, and pretending I have no problems! Cool!                 

14. Zedd and Alessia Cara-“Stay":

This was a song that sounded good that was released in 2017. I never gave a second thought, but I also never thought for a second that it wouldn’t make this list. It’s too up my alley to do anything else. Poppy EDM beat, catchy vocals, 3 and a half minutes long, chorus, 2 verses, and a bridge, what more can you ask for in a pop song? Number 14 is a perfect landing spot for it. The end of the video is a major bummer, though. I hope Zedd’s OK so he can keep pumping out songs like this for the rest of the decade.

13. Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean- "Feels":

This is the first of 2 Calvin Harris songs on this list, both from his fantastic album Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 1. Following his breakup with Taylor Swift (but quite possible un-influenced by it, I admit), Calvin decided to fully merge the EDM, pop, and and hip-hop worlds by inviting basically every major rapper to feature on his album in some capacity. This one features the bizarre trio of Pharrell, Katy Perry, and Big Sean, but not surprisingly, it works, because Calvin’s funk beats keep the whole thing tied together.

12. The Chainsmokers- "Paris":

Look, I have a lot of opinions about the Chainsmokers, and the critical reception their debut full-length album got when it was released this year. It’s way too much to include in a one-paragraph writeup of one song. All I can say is that, like “Stay,” I don’t think “Paris” will necessarily be a song I seek out in the future, but when I wanted to listen to music in 2017, and it came on, I thought it sounded a lot nicer than most everything else, and that’s how you get to #12. It’s a nice-sounding song that shouldn’t, couldn’t POSSIBLY offend anyone...right?

11. Kygo and Selena Gomez-"It Ain't Me":

This was not the best Kygo song of the year, but it was the best one that apparently got any radio play. Yes, I assume that like any track sung by Selena Gomez, it’s about Justin Bieber, but I acknowledge that we don’t necessarily know that for sure. Nevertheless, somebody in her life has clearly wronged her, and when Kygo pairs those vocal effects with one of his typically playful and intoxicating beats, the end result is a song that stands up no matter how many times you hear it, which I admit was a lot for me this year. I do question if she’s ever had a whiskey neat before, though. Nasty stuff, really.

10. Portugal. The Man- "Feel It Still":

Did Portugal. The Man singlehandedly bring back pop-radio-viable alternative music in 2017 with this song? It’s too early to say, but I certainly hope so. I’ve missed hearing this genre, although to be fair it houses an enormous range of sounds. And I can’t imagine that they ever imagined they’d get as much success as they did with “Feel It Still.” For a band to wallow in relative obscurity, unknown to all but their own fans, for ten years, and then blast onto the scene like this is almost unheard-of. “Feel It Still” was the underdog hit of the year, which helped make me a huge fan. I hope it’s a sign of things to come in 2018.

9. Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos- "Slide":

“Slide” was the lead single that announced Calvin Harris’ return to our eardrums in 2017. To be honest, I wasn’t quite sure what I thought at first, but after a couple listens I decided I was on board with the new sound (same as the old sound, really). Having Frank Ocean on vocals really helps, too. Funk/disco will never go out of style, I’ve decided. And thank goodness for that.

8. Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug- "Havana":

If I made these rankings solely based on music videos, I’d probably have no choice to put “Havana” at number 1, considering it was one of the few videos this year to last longer than the song and actually attempt to tell a story, even if it was a little half-baked. But instead, I’ll put it here at #8, which has often been reserved for surprisingly electric pure pop perfection. With its timely Cuban theme and obligatory Young Thug verse, Camila Cabello grabs the #8 spot this year with both hands and doesn’t let go. “Havana” is probably the catchiest song of 2017.

7. French Montana featuring Swae Lee- "Unforgettable":

If we were doing the rankings based on music videos, well...this one would be #2 I guess, given what I just said above. But anytime you go abroad to film on-location somewhere unusual, I have to give major points. Even if the video is completely, totally incongruous with the music backing it up. But it’s fun to watch, which is all that really matters. And the Caribbean beat is perfect, even though it was inescapable this year. My only complaint is that French Montana seems almost...awkward in this video? Everyone else looks a lot more comfortable than him dancing on a dirt road in Uganda. Not sure what that says...

6. Maroon 5 featuring SZA-"What Lovers Do":

Look, Maroon 5 messed up royally with their latest album title, Red Pill Blues. And people hate them enough already. But the fact is, Adam Levine’s been ubiquitously soundtracking our lives for the last 15 years straight, which is an astonishing run for anyone, let alone a band that seems to have 10 times more haters than diehard fans. I’ll always count myself as a fan, though, even though I have no idea what the rest of the band does at this point other than collect royalty checks. This song is undeniably catchy, though, and the rest of the album is surprisingly solid, too, so I guess Maroon 5 are sticking around for another few years, like it or not.

5. Drake- "Passionfruit":

I hate Drake for thinking that he’s better than everyone else and not putting his music on Youtube. I hate his pretentiousness and occasional mealy-mouthed emotional warbling. But I have to respect his ability to make an absolutely incredible song once every few years. “Passionfruit” just never got old this year. It came out early in the year and, even though it was never intended to be a single, was the obvious standout song on his album and thus just kept climbing the charts. It’s one of those songs that fits every mood- somber, reflective, focused, jamming, everything except hardcore raging really. But I don’t do much of that anymore so it fits every mood i need it to. And thus, it lands at #5.

4. DJ Khaled featuring Rihanna and Bryson Tiller- "Wild Thoughts":

I have to be honest, I never thought DJ Khaled would have another hit at this point in his career. But after getting stranded on his boat and recording the whole thing on Snapchat, his career had a most unlikely revival. He was able to get Rihanna on this song and the rest is history. I wasn’t sure if “Wild Thoughts” deserved such a high spot, but then I remembered it had references to the 1969 New York Jets, Usain Bolt, and Waterboy Bobby Boucher, and I had no choice to give it #4. Rihanna claims spots like these as her birthright at this point.

3. Clean Bandit featuring Sean Paul and Anne-Marie- "Rockabye":

Anyone who knows me knows I love Clean Bandit as if they were my own children, so I acknowledge that “Rockabye” being ranked so high smacks of bias. I don’t really have much of a rebuttal for that, but I do think it deserves to be ranked #3 on its merits.  Getting Sean Paul to rap earnestly about “daily struggle” is fantastic tongue-in-cheek genius, and Anne-Marie’s vocals soar over the whole thing perfectly. My only gripe is that there’s not enough violin and cello, and so I have a bad feeling that their second album, whenever it finally drops, will be disappointingly electronic, and lose a bit of the classical/pop blend that made Clean Bandit so enchanting in the first place. But that’s splitting hairs- “Rockabye” was one of the best pop songs of 2017, bar none.

2. Bruno Mars- "24K Magic":

OK, I am a little frustrated that all these songs that debuted in fall 2016 had to wait until 2017 to be included in this chart. “24K Magic” is a 2016 song, as was “Rockabye” and several others on this list. But, rules are rules, and Bruno had to wait his turn to be featured. Now it’s time. “24K Magic” is a perfect pop song. It reminds me of “Happy” by Pharrell; how can you ever get sick of it? It’s Vegas excess with a dash of old-school funky flair and falsetto. You look at Bruno Mars having fun and all you want to do is have fun with him, which makes “24K Magic” not just the best party song of the year, but one of the best in recent memory. No one does it quite like him.

1. The Chainsmokers and Coldplay- "Something Just Like This":

Well, we’ve arrived at #1, and really, the Chainsmokers and Coldplay were the leaders in the clubhouse for most of the year. “Something Just Like This” represents a best-case scenario for what could happen if these two acts teamed up. It mixes playful lyrics, heartstring-tugging chords and melodies, and just enough oomph to get you going no matter what you’re doing. Many may disagree, but to me 2017 will be defined by “Something Just Like This”. It may be the last real hurrah for both of these acts (I know the haters will salivate at that thought) but if it is, they went out with quite a bang.

And there you have it, the top 20 best songs of 2017 (Billboard Hot 100 edition). It’s been a wild ride of a year, and I have a feeling 2018 will be even more so, but I was glad to have a soundtrack that kept me sane and grounded, and these 20 songs made up a sizable percentage of that soundtrack. Music is a constant, and as long as pop music is a constant in my life, this list will be a constant in yours. Happy New Year! See you in 2018.