It’s time for part two of my end-of-year music review – my favorite songs. Nothing too complex here. It can be hard to rank songs from one to ten because of how much mood and context affect our reception of an individual piece of music. But each year there is generally one song that stands out for me above all the rest, a particular song that for various different reasons fit my mood and context that year.
This year certainly had a unique mood and context – and wonderfully there was a wealth of great music that spoke very clearly to this time. Setting aside RTJ4, an album I’ve already highlighted and full of songs that carried me through this year at speaker-distorting volumes, there were three songs that spoke to me in startling clarity. Three tracks that hit home for me because they represented thoughts, imagery, and questions specific and extremely relatable to me, but at the same time they were very aware of the much greater world outside my sheltered bubble.
So, for my song list in 2020 I had three songs that could have easily been my #1 favorite song of the year and then threw in seventeen more to get to a nice round Top 20 overall. Enjoy, and as always, I hope that each of you is able to find something in these lists that speaks to you and maybe brings you out of your bubble.
Cheers.
MY FAVORITE SONGS OF 2020
1. “
What’ve I Done to Help,” Jason Isbell – With the brutally frank refrain of this song it became a defining song for my 2020. No surprise that Isbell was able to put voice to a question so many of us (myself certainly included) should be asking ourselves.
2. “
Long Violent History,” Tyler Childers – This was a surprise track tagged onto the end of what seemed to be a traditional bluegrass album. Rather than chastise or dismiss those in this country who fail to see a broader reality, Childers uses his voice to try and give new perspective and open minds to empathy. (
Hear Childers explain in his own words.)
3. “
Thoughts and Prayers,” Drive-By Truckers – Patterson Hood moved to Portland a few years ago. We are honored to have such an amazing song writer in our community and while this track was written with the fight for gun control in mind, I felt it equally captured the frustration I know I felt watching protests and chaos throughout the year.
4. “
Spirits, Angels, or Lies,” Riddy Arman – My favorite surprise find of the year. I’m sure I was slightly biased by Arman’s personal preface to the song in this video but this touching ode to her father, the Man in Black, and the power of music rarely failed to draw a tear.
5. “
Fire,” Waxahatchee – While Katie Crutchfield’s unconventional vocals may seem to strain at times, I feel it fits the fight inside this song. Mixed in with a deceptively effective beat this song kept bringing me back.
6. “
Boomer,” Bartees Strange – Like the rest of the album he released this year, this track is hard to categorize by genre or style but it’s filled with undeniable drive and throws hooks left and right. “Most people gonna say what they wanna say.”
7. “
Grounds,” IDLES – These Brit-punks are back once again, calling us out on our shit with fierce candor.
8. “
Behold, The Deceiver,” Shabaka and the Ancestors – Starting with a gentle interplay of saxophones, this track transforms as an insistent base line drops and begins propelling you along on a captivating ride.
9. “
Let the Mermaids Flirt with Me,” Logan Ledger – Just listen to the first 30 second of this country ballad and Ledger’s buttery smooth voice will carry you away to the watery waves of some beautiful, melancholy dream world.
10. “
A Hero’s Death,” Fontaines D.C. – Have these boys from Ireland become motivational speakers? How much is tongue-in-cheek and how much is there attempt to help us all fight our way up? “When you speak, speak sincere / And believe my friend, everyone will hear / Life ain’t always empty…”
11. “
Get the Devil Out,” Nadia Reid – I’ve been in love with Reid’s voice for a while. Her new album dropped into my lap the week the first shutdowns began and I found myself instinctively drawing comfort in the soulful grace of this song.
12. “
Scram!” Jeff Rosenstock – “I’ve been told for most my life / “Wait until the perfect time” / By people who have been defined / by skipping spots in line.” Fuck yeah, Jeff!
13. “
Local Radio,” Bad Moves – This is just catchy-as-hell power pop.
14. “
2 Far Gone,” Moses Boyd – A cascading piano carries us into a deftly layered beat. We’re blissfully swept along. It’s not until we’re over 90 seconds in that we begin to wonder. Where are we? Is this a jazz song? Is this an Afrobeat dance party? Is this some kind of funky electronic drone re-mix? Yes!
15. “
zombie girl,” Adrianna Lenker – With a fragile voice, this minimalist recording captures a “sweet and blue” feeling perfectly.
16. “
Baby, Please Don’t Go,” Sabine McCalla – I’m not sure how much the writing of this song was inspired by the traditional blues standard of the same name, but I think any of the greats would be impressed by this achingly soulful country-blues track. Captivating and timeless.
17. “
Roger Ebert,” Clem Snide – A heart-swelling track inspired by a beautifully lived life. The keys to life are found at the gates of death.
19. “
Cowpoke,” Colter Wall – I’m unclear if this song resonated with me because of nostalgia, escapism, or simply the gift of Colter Wall’s voice but it carried me off into the best possible cowboy music.
18. “
And It’s Still Alright,” Nathaniel Rateliff – “Your idle hands are all that stands / From your time in the dark / But it’s still alright.” A blessing for the lost, the weary, and the sinners.
20. “
Texas Sun,” Khruangbin & Leon Bridges – An example of how magic can sometimes be found in the most unexpected pairings. Leon Bridges steps away from his neo-soul work, combining his velvety voice with the psych-rock groove machine of Khruangbin.
Not More Music Crap? 