#I really should make a dave × katie playlist

[bobbystompy]

My Top 88 Songs Of 2020

Previously: 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

Though we couldn’t get as trim as last year’s 75, still very happy to keep this under 100 for the second year in a row. This was a very difficult year in many ways, but music helped make it more bearable.

As always, criteria and info:

This is a list of what I personally like, not ones I’m saying are the “best” from the year; more subjective than objective

No artist is featured more than once

If it comes down to choosing between two songs, I try to give more weight to a single or featured track

Each song on the list is linked in the title if you wanna check them out for yourself; there is also a Spotify playlist at the bottom that includes the majority of the songs

Usually a pump up video goes here, but 2020 had a different energy, so Michael, take us in.

88) Katy Perry - “Smile”

Even Katy Perry’s good songs are a swirling spiral of maxed out auto-tune. This one is just fine. It’s... fine.

87) All Time Low - “Trouble Is...”

Is All Time Low the Katy Perry of pop punk?

86) Tee Grizzley f/ Payroll Giovanni - “Payroll”

I have never heard of Payroll Giovanni, but I have two questions:

1) Is this his song, and he got Tee to jump on it?

2) Or, did Tee write a song called “Payroll” and think to himself “You know who would be great on this? Payroll Giovanni!”

Favorite stretch:

Listen, we is not the same, you say "door", I say "dough" You say "floor", I say "flow", you say "for sure", I say "fa'sho"

85) Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande - “Rain On Me”

Coming out in 2020 probably hurt this song, because I have no, like, out of the house memories with it. You can only have so much fun with Big Singers Singing over a pulsing beat when it’s coming from the phone in your kitchen as you’re indifferently scrambling eggs.

84) Benjamin Gibbard - “Life In Quarantine”

Now this is a song you can do nothing to; almost feels like it’s reluctant to even exist. It got released in March of 2020, so the outro (“No one is going anywhere soon”) served as a too sad reminder/mantra for what the year was about to be. Second shout out to Gibbard for the many YouTube sets he put together during the early stages of the pandemic (when so many of his peers were trying to figure out the next move).

83) Cardi B f/ Megan Thee Stallion - “WAP”

This felt less like a song and more of a “whoa, did you see the music video?!” and/or a means to relitigate the eternal question “What is the sexual line in music?” And while it was fun to watch people freak the fuck out... the quality itself really needed to be better.

(Note: YouTube video is the edited chorus; explicit version here)

82) McKayla Maroney - “Wake Up Call”

Former Olympic gymnast McKayla Maroney -- of medals and memes fame -- dips her toe into the music waters. It’s inside-the-box modern pop music. One thing that’s hard to escape: it doesn’t really sound like her.

81) Chelsea Cutler - “Sad Tonight”

He vocals really remind me of Alessia Cara.

80) blink-182 - “Quarantine”

Blink doing a Bad Religion impression. Docked a few points for the very weak chorus lyrics (“Quarantine, fuck this disease”). That said, as serious as the song comes off, there are some clever punchlines to be found.

79) Dave Hause & Brian Fallon - “Long Ride Home”

This is kind of a nothing song, but it’s easy listening. Also, if your guitar leads can’t clear the “Could Bobby have written or performed this?” bar, then said leads are probably pretty weak.

78) Travis Scott & Kid Cudi - “THE SCOTTS”

Two artists who pair so well together, it’s hard to tell who exudes more influence on the track (eh, that’s not true, it’s Travis Scott, but Kid Cudi is more of a roommate than guest). They want you to be high by the time the instrumental outro hits.

77) The Strokes - “Bad Decisions”

The beginning sound feels somewhat evolved, but by the time Julian Casablancas croons “Making bad decisions”, the song feels like it could be on their debut album “Is This It?”. And it goes in and out like that from there.

76) Thundercat - “Dragonball Durag”

Thundercat is one of those artists I wish I liked more, but when the occasional track does hit, it’s a momentary glimpse into what real fans seem to always see.

75) TI f/ Lil Baby - “Pardon”

Standard fare. Lil Baby’s cameo is very meh.

74) Porches - “Do U Wanna”

For a song that repeatedly asks “Do you want to dance?”, it sure makes you feel like you’re moving in slow motion.

73) NOFX - “Thatcher Fucked The Kids” 

On the best-named album of the year (“West Coast vs. Wessex”), Frank Turner and NOFX cover each other’s material. To start us off, the legends take a song from 12 years ago about British politics from 40 years ago and, well, very easily apply it to right god damn now in America.

72) The Bombpops - “Dearly Departed”

Ahh, my year’s first cancelled concert. The listed names in V1 always make me want to skip this song -- but patience, grasshopper. Chorus is aight.

71) Ratboys - “Alien With A Sleep Mask On”

This band name will never match what the music sounds like.

70) Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever - “She’s There”

The vocals in this song channel, like, four completely different singers for me, ranging from Bob Dylan to Cloud Nothings.

69) NOBRO - “Don’t Die”

An anthemic chorus meant to be belted in a room with sweaty strangers.

68) Oliver Tree f/ blink-182 - “Let Me Down”

The original solo version of this song is 1:52, and though the blink cameo pushes it over the dreaded two minute mark, it adds enough diversity to justify the choice (keep an eye out for the quick Green Day lyrical nod in the back half).

67) AJJ - “Normalization Blues”

This dropped in January, and if you thought the year was bad then. Punk News:

I'll admit I do want the album to age badly because I really don't want to have to listen to it years later and still say this is the world we're living in.

Said album being titled “Good Luck Everybody” is straight cryptic.

66) Selena Gomez - “Rare”

Very chill for big pop; triplet rhythm singing in the chorus gets me erry time.

65) Kid Cudi & Eminem - “The Adventures Of Moon Man & Slim Shady”

Cudi’s second split collab yields bigger results than his Travis Scott joint (admittedly with a worse beat here). It rarely ever hurts to let Eminem do the heavy lifting.

64) Alkaline Trio - “Smokestack”

A little cheerier than the average Alk3 song, but Dan Andriano seems like he’s been in a great place for a long time now; confident and in control. For me, the whole song builds up to the “You changed my life” chorus.

63) Frank Turner - “Scavenger Type”

Here, Frank takes on the acoustic closer to NOFX’s legendary 1994 album “Punk In Drublic”. Though the energy boost is most noticeable, my favorite part is how you can hear how much Turner loves this song as his melody bursts on the verses.

62) Mike Posner - “Alone In A Mansion”

Mike Posner, an artist I have a very soft spot for, released a storytelling concept album in 2020. From the intro track:

This album was written, recorded, and produced over a period of two weeks in Detroit, Michigan in my parents' basement. It's meant to be listened to all the way through. At least on the first listen. And it's about 36 minutes long. If you can't devote 36 minutes of undivided attention to this album, I again politely ask that you turn it off and return at a later time. I love you and I thank you for taking the time to listen in the first place. Also, it's important to note that the characters and the stories in this album are completely fictional. In addition, anyone struggling with a mental illness - depression, schizophrenia - should not listen to this album. Turn it off.

So those are the stakes. Pulling this song -- the record’s closer -- feels unfair void of context, but them’s the breaks.

61) Nada Surf - “Just Wait”

Heavy hitting chorus without having to be heavy; this could really work in a movie.

60) Matt Pond PA - “Wild Heart”

This having only 805 views on YouTube is criminal.

59) Liquid Death - “Unnecessary And Unimpressive”

Liquid Death -- in this iteration -- is a punk rock supergroup with members of Rise Against, Anti-Flag, The Lawrence Arms, and The Bombpops. If that didn’t interest you enough, all lyrics in the project (which, I believe, is for charity) come from hateful comments or negative reviews. Of the four artists involved, this sounds most like a Bombpops song, with Jen on lead vocals as others chime in.

58) PUP - “Rot”

Off my silver medalist for album name of the year (“This Place Sucks Ass”), PUP doesn’t do anything new here, but it was relieving to see them still going in 2020 when so many others got roadblocked, both physically and creatively.

57) Paul Harrold and the Nuclear Bandits - “Massanutten”

This reminds me of local Chicago artist Al Scorch. So much earnestness in the vocals, but a little more prairie for Harrold compared to speakeasy for Scorch. This would be a good road trip song. And I’m not talking about singalong... more for the stretch where you want to sit in silence and look out at the sun-kissed land blazing by. The song’s greatest victory is getting me to like something that cracks 6:00.

Note to future me: Massanutten is in Virginia (saved you a Google).

56) Kesha f/ Sturgill Simpson, Brian Wilson & Wrabel - “Resentment”

Kesha has been vulnerable in the past but never this stripped down sonically; the chorus would feel right at home on a country radio station. Love a good bridge, too.

55) Megan Thee Stallion f/ Beyoncé - “Savage (Remix)”

An up-and-comer pairing with a legend rarely lets down when both sides are this locked in. Bey wins. Fav line: “If you don't jump to put jeans on, baby, you don't feel my pain”.

She matches flows with Megan but also brings melody. Her blessing takes this song from pretty damn good to undeniably great.

That beat, too.

54) Red City Radio - “Baby Of The Year”

If all you want to do right now is grab a drink in a bar, here is a video built to troll.

(Also: a Liquid Death cameo?!)

53) Nathaniel Rateliff - “And It’s Still Alright”

The last time Mr. Rateliff had our attention, he just wanted a drink. That hit had a chorus with the very-sad-when-removed-from-the-song “If I can't get clean, I'm gonna drink my life away” lyric. Well, our man got sober since. And when the party is over, the introspection comes.

52) Direct Hit! - “HAVE YOU SEEN IT?”

Listening to slowed down Direct Hit! is like watching Usain Bolt lightly jog. It kinda makes sense because the core action is there, but it also feels sort of incorrect.

51) Hayley Williams - “Dead Horse”

Solo Hayley songs have this feel like they could do anything at any time... but then don’t. This one does the same until a very fun chorus breaks it up.

50) Kid Cudi f/ Phoebe Bridgers - “Lovin’ Me”

Probably the most improbable collab on this list (if 2020 hadn’t repeatedly taught us to not be surprised by anything).

49) The Homeless Gospel Choir - “Don’t Compare”

Listening to The Homeless Gospel Choir is kind of like getting a dedicated pep talk from a good friend... while fire rains down from the sky.

48) Carly Rae Jepsen - “Let’s Sort The Whole Thing Out”

Queen vocals with one prince of a tempo; this chorus is Sour Patch Kids riding Twix logs down a soda pop waterfall -- and it’s a b-side.

47) Green Day - “Meet Me On The Roof”

I like this song because it reminds me of summer and because it doesn’t really sound like Green Day (but still totally does).

46) Broadway Calls - “Meet Me On The Moon”

Promise -- swear -- I was gonna compare this Broadway Calls song to Green Day before realizing they both had titles about meeting in an escalated location. That said, I did put them next together on purpose to more coherently make this point.

45) David Rokos - “Building Bridges”

My buddy Dave wrote this song, and I think I’ve asked him three times what “burning sugar” meant (he says it’s a reference to absinthe). This song will make you want to travel to enjoy not only the places but the people around you.

44) Charli XCX - “claws”

Charli XCX keeps it futuristic in a video that could be described as sexy, cheesy, goofy, and playful-yet-serious.

43) Brian Fallon - “Lonely For You Only”

This is too easy and should not work (and maybe doesn’t). But that chorus... that circular phrasing... it still takes me all the way out. But I��m the same cat who proposed while a Gaslight Anthem cover was playing.

42) Waxahatchee - “Fire”

This song could be in a different language and hit just as hard.

41) Harry Styles - “Adore You”

Purifying pop.

40) Local H - “Hold That Thought”

Hardest rock song thus far. Local H was one of the first artists to play “live” once the lockdown hit (on a simultaneous YouTube/Facebook stream), and watching them attack music in their Chicago practice bunker felt a little bit like taking in the end of the world. New songs, old songs, covers -- it didn’t matter; their cool, unmatched apathy fits a pandemic or peacetime.

Ironically, was able to see them live in 2020, as they played a socially distanced, outdoor drive up concert in a minor league baseball parking lot. It wasn’t the same, but it was still something.

39) Crazy & The Brains - “I Don’t Deliver Pizza Anymore”

This song is just cool*. The verses feel tense and crucial, it starts to unspool in the pre-chorus, and the chorus itself feels like a light comedown more than anything else.

(* -  though the lyric video is docked some points for spelling y’all as “ya’ll”)

38) Drake f/ Fivio Foreign & Sosa Geek - “Demons”

Menacing Drizzy can be very fun from time to time. Also more than happy to keep “Toosie Slide” very far away from this list.

37) Hey Dad!!! - “Life’s Alright”

Small band, big song; though summer feels light-years away.

36) insignificant other - “i’m so glad i feel this way about you”

This song lands a big haymaker in the first few seconds, so it was probably a good call to pull back some for the chorus and, eventually, outro.

35) BTS - “Dynamite”

Heard they made the lyrics bad on purpose for their English hit, which makes sense, because they’re bad. That said, if you listen knowing they’re supposed to be bad, it kinda makes them... good? Listen, 771 million views would have me singing nursery rhymes in Pig Latin.

34) DaBaby f/ RODDY RICCH - “ROCKSTAR”

Someone said this could be the song of the summer, but, because there wasn’t really a summer, I feel like I only heard it once all year. Also, are we really pretending Post Malone* didn’t just do a “like a rockstar” song three years ago?

(* - and N.E.R.D. before that and Cypress Hill before that... though N.E.R.D. only waiting a year after Cypress, so maybe DaBaby actually was patient)

33) The Front Bottoms - “the hard way”

Don’t take it easy on the animal / I am the animal

Not quite sure what this line means, but I fixate on the phrasing every single time. This song sounds resigned in a very self-aware way.

32) The 1975 - “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)”

For a band called The 1975, they sure sound like they’re on their ‘80s shit here. Also, a real thing that happened:

Me: Is he coercing her to get naked?! I thought this band was woke.

/scans lyrics

/notices “She said” before the “Maybe I would like you better if you took off your clothes” line

Me: Ahh.

Sax solo, take us out.

31) Charly Bliss & PUP - “It’s Christmas And I Fucking Miss You”

A song that is already a forever staple on all my future Xmas playlists.

30) 2 Chainz f/ Ty Dolla $ign & Lil Duval - “Can’t Go For That”

Shorty said she love me / I said “I love me back”

This is a real genre blur; rap at its core, but also soulful, funky, and very danceable. Damn creative.

29) Billie Eilish - “Therefore I Am”

Billie's 2020 gave a few singles -- but no new album -- and a body shaming scandal where the backlash to the backlash probably caused more headlines than the tweet that started it all. Still, she stays on cruise control above the clouds; can all eyes be on you if they can’t even make you out?

Video for this is fun, too. Not sure if her running amok in an empty mall is more of a COVID necessity or commentary on the dying retail industry. As always with her, fill in your own blanks for now.

28) Future f/ Drake - “Life Is Good”

This was my most listened to rap song in the first half of the year, and bumping again now, almost forgot how good it is. Drake just chasing one-liner Instagram captions in the first half:

- “Haven’t done my taxes, I’m too turnt up”

- “N****s caught me slipping once, OK, so what?”

- “B****, this is fame not clout, I don’t even know what that’s about”

And, of course, “Workin’ on the weekend like usual”. The man could make anything glamorous. Let’s hit that H&R Block, bro!

Future’s back half is a totally different song and feels mostly like noise, but the vibe is cool, so I don’t even totally mean that in a bad way. You can even make out a “Got Promethazine in my blood and Percocet” lyric to mark your Future bingo card and immediately move on.

27) I’m Glad It’s You - “The Silver Cord”

This song feels like cold air blowing on the back of your neck.

(Sidebar: thought this band was called The Silver Cord until literally right now)

26) The Spill Canvas - “Mercy”

A dreamy, distorted, at-home version of whatever you remember The Spill Canvas sounding like. This song is confessional and at peace, with the Grade A self-loathing we’ve come to love from this band.

25) 100 gecs f/ Charli XCX, Rico Nasty & Kero Kero Bonito - “ringtone (remix)”

100 gecs first hit my radar with the explosively obnoxious “money machine”, but that’s a 2019er, so this remix to “ringtone” will have to do. It’s catchy like a younger sibling persistently singing a song you’re sick of hearing*.

(* - /only child trying to work in sibling analogies)

24) iann dior f/ Machine Gun Kelly & Travis Barker - “Sick And Tired”

Iann Dior -- ...yeah -- channels Juice WRLD on the hook, and MGK/Travis Barker buoy a track that, honestly, doesn’t really even need the help.

23) Nick Lutsko - “Unleash Your Spirit”

Lutsko hit my radar on Twitter with some legendary political anthems (word to the RNC and Dan Bongino + his Dashboard Trump parody). “Unleash Your Spirit” is the song I most fear hearing (or even thinking of) within a few minutes of going to bed. Not because it’s Halloween theme is scary -- because it’s that god damn catchy. It permeates your brain. True story: a week ago, I woke up in the middle of the night with “Bobbing for apples with the boys” so ingrained in my head, it felt like someone was standing there yelling it through a megaphone.

22) Dogleg - “Kawasaki Backflip”

Bad 2020 robbed many concerts from us, and not getting to see this band live might take the cake. I end the year liking them but could have been *all in* with the right performance and the right venue. Also, Song Title of the Year until further notice.

21) Eminem f/ Juice WRLD - “Godzilla”

Eminem has all of the words and all of the lyrical dexterity, but sometimes it feels like there isn’t anything to ground him. Enter: one of the best beats he’s ever spit on and a Juice WRLD hook to give it pop angle. But let’s not put Slim in the corner -- when he starts accelerating at the end, it’s is a true “holy fuck” moment. It sounds faster than if you actually fast forwarded.

The video ends with a touching audio message from Juice WRLD.

20) Soccer Mommy - “circle the drain”

This song is so gloriously ‘90s; it leans in and does not care.

19) Sam Russo - “Always Lost”

The first time I met you, we were on the last bus You passed me a bottle, and I knew you were one of us

Took 25 words to hook me; I was txting friends before the first chorus even hit.

18) Sincere Engineer - “Trust Me”

Deanna Belos pushes her vocals in this one. I asked about the performance, and she said it was one of the first ones they recorded in the studio, but when they were done and listening back to everything, she re-did this track because her throat was much more used to what the song required.

“That’s why it sounds like I’m on roids lol,” she added.

17) Jay Electronica f/ JAY-Z - “Flux Capacitor”

Jay Electronica signed to Roc Nation in November of 2010. At of the start of 2020, he had still -- STILL HOW FUCKING STILL -- not released a debut album. When he announced it was finally dropping in February, it was met with skeptic eyes. He’d “announced” before. Shit, he’d even posted track lists of albums that never saw the light of day. He was a tease’s tease. It ended up getting a release date of March 12. As the pandemic got really bad in the March 11 zone, he finally had an actual reason to delay the proceedings (the plan: a studio live stream listening party*).

But no -- this is Jay Electronica. Why wouldn’t he drop as the world was ending? The same reason why his costar wouldn’t not have a watch like a Saudi prince. It had to end for it to happen. I wish I saved the memes, because they were fantastic. All I have is my own Twitter memory to prove it happened:

I love this song entirely: the “get the gat” hook (soooo New Orleans), Hov calling out the NFL/acquaintances clout chasing his potential death/rapping forever bars, Jay Elect’s ham-fisted and awkward ass Farrakhan line. Everything is exactly where it should be.

Final verdict on the full album: I don’t know, a B or B+? It had a lot more Jay-Z than expected (wooo), but -- and I rarely say this -- it could have actually been longer.

16) New Found Glory - “Greatest Of All Time”

NFG with a song referencing the Jordan-Rodman-Pippen Bulls only a few months before “The Last Dance” aired. Dare we call it marketing genius? The punk beat does not care; the punk beat is too busy taking souls.

15) Dave Hause f/ Amythyst Kiah & Kam Franklin - “Your Ghost”

“I can’t breathe”

On the heels of the George Floyd/BLM protests came Dave Hause’s somber attempt to capture the moment, desperation, and hurt. On a podcast, he said he was aware he might not ever lead the movement but still wanted to contribute something in an effort to use his platform as a white artist to change someone, anyone’s mind going forward.

14) Taylor Swift - “this me trying”

The chorus makes me feel like the crowd is parting like the Red Sea on a high school -- shit, no, middle school -- dance floor; smoke machine and all. Your crush is waiting for you on the other side. What are you going to say?

13) Phoebe Bridgers - “Kyoto”

Phoebe is one of the best lyricists out because of her specificity, but even though this song is about her dad, you can really fit it to your own narrative.

12) The Lawrence Arms - “Last, Last Words”

The Lawrence Arms wrote their new record (which singer Chris McCaughan described as “this end of the world outpost”) prior to the pandemic, but once you start to process album themes -- and research its namesake -- you do wonder. All of this, combined with some “Catcher In The Rye” references, and we’ve got ourselves a winning formula.

Dressed to kill for oblivion 

11) New Lenox - “Fairytale Of Gary, Indiana”

Your boy plays drums and is on the cover art for this one. Dave Rokos wrote the tune, which references The Pogues’ “Fairytale of New York”. Good news: no slurs in the Gary version. We’ll have you in and out in 90 seconds. Also: say hello to the recording debut of Alisa Caruso (some backup vox at the end). 

10) Beach Slang - “Tommy In The 80s”

My most played song of 2020, but it really was more of a byproduct of how early in the year the album dropped. I’m still such a sucker for it, though. Other than forced nostalgia, not totally sure what the track is about. Did learn Beach Slang recruited former Replacements bassist Tommy Stinson to play on their LP, which was named -- /deepest of breaths -- “The Deadbeat Bang of Heartbreak City” (so maybe it has something to do with that).

9) Juice WRLD f/ Mashmello - “Come & Go”

The :55 mark. Wait until the :55 mark. When the guitar kicks in and tempo doubles, we have a real “oh, shit!” moment. I knew who Juice was when he passed but only “Liquid Dreams”. His 2020 album (“Legends Never Die”) showed us of what could have been; 55 minutes, loaded with cameos and creativity and experimentation. This song had me in its gravitational pull immediately. By the end of the year, they were using it on sports broadcasts, and it felt like a ubiquitous part of the culture.

One of my favorite days of 2020 was visiting the Juice mural in Chicago with my wife. We went impulsively during the day after someone posted a picture on Twitter.

I snapped one of my own and posted to IG with the Signals Midwest lyric “There is such quiet grace in private moments in public spaces”. The band responded with “RIP JUICE”; the perfect online exchange.

Shortly after, I was out with a different group of friends, and we went back at night. This time, it was protected by a fence you had to squeeze past. When we got through, there were kids in there smoking, taking pictures, just hanging out; empty liquor bottles lined the bottom of the mural. Even though it didn’t take all that long to make it there, it still felt like a journey and total ‘movie moment in real life’; a complete rarity in a year like 2020.

8) Mac Miller - “Good News”

Maybe I’ll lay down for a little...

Sadly continuing the theme of artists gone too soon, we have this reflective Mac Miller single, which feels more like self-eulogy than traditional rap. You feel it the entire time. The song crests with “There’s a whole lot more for me waitin’ on the other side”, and it conveys a readiness for whatever happens next.

7) The Dirty Nil - “Done With Drugs”

I don’t pray to Jesus or even own a suit

We lost the creators of our last two songs to substances, and, if we are to take this song at face value, The Dirty Nil don’t want to go down the same path. Drying out never sounded so cool and defiant... until the IKEA suggestion.

6) The Weeknd - “Blinding Lights”

Uptempo Abel is undefeated. My favorite pop song of 2020 has you feeling like you’re speeding through the empty streets of nighttime Las Vegas in a stolen car; indifferent to your environment, only tuned in to your personal desire.

And, on the lamer side of the spectrum, it spawned a catchy TikTok dance.

5) Spanish Love Songs - “Self-Destruction (As A Sensible Career Choice)”

It won’t be this bleak forever... yeah, right.

SLS has always been over-the-top with their lyrics spotlighting the hopelessness of the human condition -- so it was the *perfect* combo to being locked inside with nothing looking to forward to. Bonus: fun cake video.

Though the song’s core is uncut despair, a random moment I remember from 2020 was my wife telling me “I can hear you smiling as you’re singing” from another room as I belted the despondent chorus.

4) Worst Party Ever - “False Teeth”

This song sounds like The Front Bottoms; insecure yet so full.

3) Run The Jewels - “the ground below”

There were a lot of songs *about* 2020, but I’m not sure any artist soundtracked what being alive now is like more than RTJ. My favorite rap song and rap record of 2020.

Fav Killer Mike line: “Not a holy man, but I'm moral in my perversiveness / So I support the sex workers unionizing their services”

Fav El-P line: “I'll slap a dying child he don't pronounce my name correct”

2) The Menzingers - “America Pt. 2″

The Menzingers unexpectedly released an acoustic, re-done version of 2019′s “America (You’re Freaking Me Out)” single. It dropped on my birthday -- June 5th, 2020 -- as the rage in this country boiled over and protesters took to the streets. Though some of the lyrics remained the same, the new ones were changed with true purpose:

Well George Floyd was murdered by a cop The whole world saw the video and watched Now justice is long overdue Grab your pitchforks, we’re heading to Pennsylvania Avenue

I had nothing left when the first pre-chorus hit: “I hope the Devil and Donald and Mitch McConnell rot in hell for all tomorrows”. Tattoo this on my fucking soul.

All funds from the song were donated to Community Bail Funds (via Act Blue) & Campaign Zero. I purchased the track before hearing a note.

1) Machine Gun Kelly - “My Bloody Valentine”

Going into the year, I couldn’t tell you the difference between Machine Gun Kelly and Mac Miller -- now they’re both fixtures in this Top 10. All I really knew about MGK involved tattoos and a rap battle lost to Eminem (not that anyone ever beats Eminem).

In 2020, he took a punk/emo turn, with the services of GOAT drummer Travis Barker and new squeeze Megan Fox at his side. This song’s lyrics could potentially be cheesy but aren’t -- they all land. From the simulation going bad to not wanting “fake love” to all the damn second guessing and the earnestness that just won’t let you off the mat.

Every piece to the puzzle adds something: the messy hair, the Ken doll build, the forced iconic pink guitar that now feels actually iconic. It was almost like no one had any fun this year so he could have all of it on our behalf. There’s a half second shot of him sticking his tongue our during the pre-chorus, a joy 99.99% of us never got to feel.

The album itself was just as fantastic*; a 2000′s pop punk throwback with a Halsey duet, horrible skits (hi, Pete Davidson FaceTime), OpIvy lyrical nod (complete with a royalty check), a warp speed punk track that doesn’t even crack the minute mark, your token 6/8 ballad, acoustic closer (about his daughter), and some experimentation that leaves the new genre but still stays nearby; shades of Lil Peep, if he had Blink-182 as his backing band. Speaking of, please do not miss Travis’ fill at the 2:30 mark.

(* - named “Tickets To My Downfall”... woof)

MGK could get cancelled tomorrow, but we’ll always have this year in a bottle. The acoustic version of the song (sung in a lower resister), the 10 minute making of video (that I watched, uh, twice)... shit, he even turned it into a medley at the start of 2021.

It might be cliche to say “stay winning”, but when someone stacks this many W’s with no end in sight, what the fuck else do you call it? Real love.

* * *

Thank you so much for reading. Here is the Spotify playlist (includes 87 of the 88 songs).

[wee-chlo]

With the OK from @im-fairly-whitty , an almost stupidly long Ruy and Ruy/Iria playlist.

In some cases, the songs remind me of him less due to the precise nature of the lyrics and more due to tone, just FYI.

Ruy belongs to Witty and @slusheeduck

Just Ruy Playlist

They Know My Name; Big Little Lions: These monsters are hiding within my brain; They roar and they shout and they know my name; These monsters are screaming, they feel our pain and cry

Human; Darren Criss: I feel like a loser; I feel like I'm lost; I feel like I'm not sure; If I feel anything at all; But believe me; I'm not helpless; I just need someone to love; So my situations rough; That just makes me a dumb human; Like you

Ants Marching; Dave Matthews Band: She thinks, we look at each other; Wondering what the other is thinking; But we never say a thing; These crimes between us go deeper// Take these chances; Place them in a box until a quieter time; Lights down, you up and die

Some Nights; Fun.: Well, some nights, I wish that this all would end; 'Cause I could use some friends for a change; And some nights, I'm scared you'll forget me again; Some nights, I always win

Polaroid; Imagine Dragons: I'm a reckless mistake; I'm a cold night's intake; I'm a one night too long; I'm a come on too strong; All my life, I've been living in the living in the fast lane; Can't slow down, I'm a rolling freight train; One more time, gotta start all over; Can't slow down, I'm a lone red rover

Last Friday Night (T.G.I.F.); Katy Perry: It's a blacked out blur; But I'm pretty sure; It ruled

Because Of You; Kelly Clarkson: I'm forced to fake; A smile, a laugh everyday of my life; My heart can't possibly break; When it wasn't even whole to start with

Mad World; Tears for Fears: And I find it kinda funny, I find it kinda sad; The dreams in which I'm dying are the best I've ever had; I find it hard to tell you, I find it hard to take; When people run in circles it's a very, very; Mad world

Waco Moon; Todd Snider: Yellow Rose, Waco Moon; Quit too late, you're gonna die too soon; Woman with a needle and a silver spoon; Holed up singin' the devil's tune; Playin' the blues, payin' your dues; Speedin' your young life away// Sleepin' through a dream come true; you just threw all that talent away

God, Please Let Me Go Back; Josh Rouse: Little fellow wanted to know; yes a little fellow wanted to know; He said, 'Boy, are you ready to die?'; I told him, 'I would have to say no'; 'Cause in my life, I only wanted things to go right; Oh my god, I can't believe the mess I've caused; I wanna go back again; Please let me go back again

Antebellum; Vienna Teng: I know the border lines we drew between us; Keep the weapons down; Keep the wounded safe// But then the fights; the sharp words splintering the night; How I couldn't be what you'd need; But oh how I could make you bleed

Family of Me; Ben Folds: Oooo, and it's alright; Yeah it is, I swear, You'll see; (It's not really); Yeah, it's alright; 'Cause I've always got my family of me

Ruy/Iria Playlist

When I Was Your Man; Bruno Mars: I hope he buys you flowers; I hope he holds your hand; gives you all his hours; when he has the chance; takes you to every party; 'cause I remember how much you love to dance; Do all the things I should have done; when I was your man

Recessional; Vienna Teng: Who are you, a stranger in the shell of a lover; Dark curtains drawn by the passage of time?; Oh words like rain, how sweet the sound; 'Well anyway,' she says, 'I'll see you around…'

In Our Bedroom After the War; Stars: She's gone, she left before you woke; As you ate last night, neither of you spoke; Dishes, TV, Bed, the dark was filled with dread; But at least the war is over

Broken; Robert Downey Jr.: In love with a broken heart; (Think I leave today, I cover it all this way); You fell in love with a broken heart; (Every earthly breath, a lifeless testimony); In love with a broken heart; (Don't you know?)

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do; Renee Olstead: I beg of you, don't say goodbye; Can't we give our love just one more try?; Come on, let's start anew; 'cause breaking up is hard to do

The Panic In Me; Elton John: For when you are laughing; Like silver, like rain; You cool me, you soothe me; And love me again; For a few perfect hours; The world lets me be; you know how to calm down; oh oh; the panic in me

When The Day Met the Night; Panic! At the Disco: When the sun found the moon; She was drinking tea in a garden; Under the green umbrella trees; In the middle of summer; when the moon found the sun; He looked like he was barely hanging on; But her eyes saved his life; In the middle of summer

[styczniowy]

okay questions 1-70 ily babe

there's a lot of twenty one pilots in this...

1. A Song you’re ashamed of likingthat terrible valentines day song from jacksfilmstbh im ashamed of even liking jacksfilms

2. Favourite lyrics"but there's hope out the windowso that's where we'll go"

3. Favourite band/artisttwenty one pilots

4. Top 5 Favourite songs at this momentalt-j - bloodfloodfall out boy - hold me tight or don't run the jewels - downthe neighbourhood - you get me so highflatsound - sleep

5. Latest song that made you smileboyinaband - spectrum (ft cryaotic and minx)idk i just like this songand i also like dave and cry so

6. An overrated bandfifth harmony

7. An overrated songdua lipa - new rulesit's not that good.

8. Latest song that made you cryode to sleep by twenty one pilots because i accidentally played the live version and i wasn't expecting the feels

9. Artist/band that saved your life twenty one pilots

10. If you could see any band/artist live, who would it beeither twenty one pilots again or adele

11. What song/album/band/artist always brings back memories for youamerican authors - best day of my life

12. saddest song you knowtyler joseph - literally the whole npi album

13. Favourite song to sing in the showerjon bellion - all time low

14. If you played an instrument in grade school, what was iti didn't

15. What song would you like to have your first dance to at your wedding elvis presley - can't help falling in lovepreferably with tyler joseph singing it live but that's just a detail

16. 5 Songs to have sex tothe weeknd - oftenthe weeknd - earned itthe weeknd - where you belongbeyonce - crazy in love (50 shades version)frank sinatra - witchcraft(i know almost all of these are from 50 shades of grey thanksan yes, i like the weeknd a lot)

17. One band you’d have get back together/bring back from the dead@my chemical romance when's the reunion tour

18. You’re forced to listen to only one album for the rest of your life, what album is itvessel by twenty one pilots

19. A song that gets you through shittwenty one pilots - guns for hands (and also truce)these two got me through a lot of shit.

20. A song to shut everything outfall out boy - the phoenix

21. A song that’s a joke between you and your friends i don't have friends bye

22. A song to jam out to at 4amliterally any song by jinsang

23. A song that punches you in the gut every single time my chemical romance - welcome to the black paradei don't think this is a suprise

24. A song that calms you downthe deli - 5:32pm

25. A song that makes you feel alive twenty one pilots - trees

26. If you could get any lyrics tattooed, which would you choose"stay alive, for me."i'd tattoo the all over my body if i could.

27. What band/artist would you get your children addicted to at an early age ALL OF THEM, MAKE THEM SUFFER FROM FANDOMS

28. Can you play any instruments, if so, which no, but i want to play the drums ((:

29. If you could be a member of any band for one show, who would it bei'd be josh dunso i could play drums, look hot, and look at tyler's butt for an hour

30. CDs or Vinyls cds because i'm poorbut i wish i could have like 9284957 vinyls

31. 25 songs to play at your funeral HOOO BOY GET SOME POPCORN1. (i was going to list all of my favorite twenty one pilots songs but that's more than 25 so just play all and count them as one.)2. troye sivan - heaven3. alt-j - deadcrush4. alt-j - in cold blood5. my chemical romance - cancer6. dodie - i have a hole in my tooth (and my dentist is shut) (this song is so dumb i love it)7. dodie - 6/108. adele - set fire to the rain9. patrick stump - spotlight10. panic! at the disco - girls/girls/boys (a song about a threesome? why the fuck not)11. mike bliss - the disconnect (mike is a blessing to this worls and i love him)12. jesse cale - the saddest panda (because i love jesse too much)13. fall out boy - the phoenix14. fall out boy -i don't care15. fall out boy - the last of the real ones16. imagine dragons - demons17. run the jewels - down18. run the jewels - panther like a panther (only bc it makes everyone uncomfortable)19. run the jewels - early20. alessia cara - scars to your beautiful 21. thirty seconds to mars - up in the air22. thirty seconds to mars - kings and queens23. sia - breathe me24. sia - cellophane25. depeche mode - where's the revolution

32. What are some song titles that you love"nothing good comes from being gone" - flatsound"it's thursday, january 12th and this is the last time i'll talk about drowning" - flatsound"our lawyer made us change the name of this song so we wouldn't get sued" - fall out boy"i'm like a lawyer with the way i'm always trying to get you off" - fall out boy"the only difference bteween martyrdom and suicide is press coverage" - panic! at the disco"lying is the most fun a girl can have without taking her clothes off" - panic! at the disco

33. If your life ended today, what song would you choose to represent itidubbz - i'm gaybecause this song is dumb and i am gay.

34. Give me a random 10 song playlist 1. fall out boy - dance, dance2. the 1975 - if i believe you3. quebonafide - bollywood4. boyinaband - christmix 35. royal blood - little monster6. pierce the veil - circles7. harry styles - kiwi8. muse - madness9. lp - tightrope10. idealism - a moment of silence

35. A heart wrenching songtyler joseph - drown

36. A band/artist you’re proud ofbry. MY BOI IS POPULAR

37. A song that has a lot of meaning to youfor the 100th timetwenty one pilots - guns for hands

38. A song that reminds you of schoolleathermouth - 5th period massacre

39. A song not sung in your native languagelil' kleine - krantenwijk(i could've chosen any song in english, but i thought that's too boring so this one's in dutch :))

40. An instrumental songflatsound - consciousness

41. A classical songuhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

42. A song with no percussionsayuw - see you

43. Something you’ve heard performed livedo you want the whole twenty one pilots ers setlist or..?

44. Something you’d give ANYTHING to hear performed live5 words: twenty one pilots dual drummers

45. A song from a band/artist that’s from your town/city/state/province i don't listen to any so idk

46. A song made suddenly precious because of a special someonethe neighbourhood - wiressuddenly i like it more than i should

47. A song made suddenly painful because of someone specialeeeeh idk

48. A song that demands lip syncing and a makeshift microphonepanic! at the disco - miss jackson

49. A song from a band/artist you met/knowi have never met any artist really??

50. A song that you would rock at karaoke fall out boy - i don't carei can't sing but i'm ready to fuck your ears up

51. A song you can’t help but dance topatrick stump - run dry

52. A song that makes you want to dance on a table panic! at the disco - don't threaten me with a good timethis song is wILD

53. Your 10 song stripper playlistcan i skip this question?i can. NEXT!

54. Favourite Disney song hakuna matata!!!

55. A song that starts with the first letter of your namechristina perri - jar of hearts

56. A song from an artist still alive dillon francis - love in the middle of a firefight

57. A song from an artist who’s deadfrank sinatra - chicago

58. A song you love by an artist/band you hate justin bieber - love yourselfi despise him as a human but this song is really nice so hsjfhksjf

59. A song you love with a colour in the titletroye sivan - blue

60. A song you love with a number in the titlefall out boy - 27

61. A song that reminds you of someone you would rather forget abouti don't think i really have one???

62. A song that needs to be played LOUDfrnkiero and the cellabration - .blood infections.

63. A song that makes you think about lifehonestly just most flatsound songs.

64. 15 Songs that get stuck in your head easily alt-j - breezeblocks  little mix - shout out to my exadele - rolling in the deepportugal. the man - feel it stillmajor lazer - get freetwenty one pilots - polarizeparamore - hard timespanic! at the disco - golden daysfall out boy - jet pack bluespatrick stump - spotlightfoxes - youthvesperteen - insanej balvin - tranquilacamila cabello - havanakaty perry - e.t.

65. A song that you think everyone should listen to twenty one pilots - gonerat least once.

66. A song that makes you want to fall in lovei'm already in love sooo

67. A song that makes you think about ‘him/her’troye sivan - talk me down

68. A song that you remember from your childhoodi had a shakira phase, i guess any song from she wolf shdhdhdgddb this is embarrasing bye

69. A song that reminds you of youa what

70. Okay what’s the real answer to number 1trippple nippples - lsdI HAVE NO REGRETS

[clayray3290]

Clayray Closeout 2018

Another momentous year has passed, and I am feeling reflective about my tastes and my year, so once again, clayray is closing out the year. Usually I don’t do this, but this year, I traveled a lot, like A LOT a lot, and I made the move across the country to LA, so before I reflect on my media consumption, here is a list of all the places I went to this year:

January - Baltimore for a baby shower February - San Francisco Sonoma for a wine tasting trip with college friends March - New York City to see musicals April - Las Vegas for PBS TechCon Two days after getting back - Sarasota for Roadshow Less then a week after - Tulsa for Roadshow May - San Francisco for CAAMFest Louisville for Roadshow Literally the day after - LA San Diego for Roadshow June - Detroit for Roadshow Toronto with mom Montreal to see Sarah July - Charlotte to meet up with Colleen and Katy Smoky Mountains for a bridal shower New Hampshire for a wedding September - Moved to LA! October - San Francisco for a wedding Boston Newport for a wedding November - Florida for Thanksgiving

Whew! As you can see, August and December were the only months that I didn’t travel, and that was because August was spent preparing for my big move and in December, my family came to me. What with layovers, I was on 33 flights plus 5 significant buses plus several “road trips” with friends/family, too. And some of these trips were so back-to-back that I barely spent any time sleeping in my own bed!

Now, I’m still in a weird period of transition, but soon enough, I will develop a routine and establish a place here. I moved across the country with no job, no apartment, and very few friends, and it was a humongous change to make. But as scary and hard as it can be, I think I have enough faith in myself that it will all work out and I will be okay. And with that, I’m looking forward to 2019!

But meanwhile, continuing to look back:

Music - Artists

La Luz

Joywave

Jesse McCartney

Younha

Saint Motel

30 Seconds to Mars

Betty Who

The Aces

BTS

Infinite

As always, artists that I saw live are a huge presence in this list: La Luz, Saint Motel, 30 Seconds to Mars, and Betty Who, and technically I was walking up to the venue when Joywave was playing (which I am still bitter about, for the record.) Other artists I saw live this year: MisterWives and Walk the Moon opening for 30 Seconds to Mars, Tamia, Duckwrth and Buyepongo at the Made in LA Festival literally my second day in LA, Gymshorts opening for La Luz, Vincent Vallières and Brigitte Boisjoli and Martha Wainwright and Michel Rivard and Klô Pelgag at the Fete in Montreal, Bleachers, Sara Bareilles at MisCast, Dionysia and Bazmati Vice, Gryffin, and I guess technically I saw Pregnant Boy.

I have been in love with Jesse McCartney since I was 11 and he released new music this year, which I adored (which you will soon see in the Top Tracks), so of course he’s that high up. Similarly, Younha released an excellent album this year and I’ve always loved her. I actually didn’t find Infinite’s album particularly thrilling, but I guess I liked it well enough that I wouldn’t skip their songs whenever they came up.

I had actually listened to The Aces before, but this year was when I really got into them. Their album is stellar and I love their sound and their look!

And as for BTS, my mom’s actually a huge fan and there was no escaping their immense worldwide popularity. I remember when they debuted! It’s great to see how they have grown to be the K-Pop group that has “made it” to the States.

This is the first time in a long time that my all-time favorites like Secret and McFly haven’t been in the top. Secret’s disbandment really hurt, even though we all saw it coming, and I’m still not over it.

Odesza didn’t make it up to the very top, but I also listened to them a lot with my boyfriend. :)

Music - Albums

Younha - RescuE

The Aces - When My Heart Felt Volcanic

Infinite - TOP SEED

Hamilton OBCR

Alexz Johnson - A Stranger Time

Dan Masterson - When Reality Calls

La Luz - Floating Features

Janelle Monáe - Dirty Computer

Eric Nam - Honestly

Anastasia OBCR

Unsurprisingly, my top artists are showing up in the top albums. I was surprised to see that the Hamilton OBCR was so high, but then I remembered that I featured it heavily in my 4th of July playlist that I played during my party. I’ve been fond of Alexz Johnson since Instant Star, even though I didn’t actually watch the show, and my friend Schuyler and I had a bit of a phase reminiscing about that era of “teen show” singers like her and also Drake Bell.

Dan Masterson is, full disclosure, a friend of mine from college, but his album is really excellent, and you should check it out if you’re interested in piano-based singer-songwriter tunes!

What is there to say about Janelle Monáe except that she is a beacon of brilliance, and we are lucky just to be able to witness it.

The other musical on this list is Anastasia, which is one of the musicals I saw this year. I saw it on Derek Klena’s last evening performance, which is actually one of two times that I saw him. I also saw him in Jagged Little Pill at the A.R.T (he is not the best part of that show, though, Lauren Patten’s “You Oughta Know” is hands down unequivocally the showstopper). The other musicals I saw this year were Allegiance, Hello! Dolly, and I saw the Genies’ Jukebox. Not a musical, but I also saw the off-Broadway show Puffs, which was hysterical.

I’m not sure why I didn’t pay attention as much, but Death Cab’s album this year is pretty great. I didn’t love the Arctic Monkeys’ album as much as I wanted to, though they actually just missed being in my Top Artists by 10 listens. Robyn’s album this year was also pretty stellar, but it was released pretty late in the year.

Movies

As always, subjective ranking and not numbers-based.

Won’t You Be My Neighbor? Okay, biased, what with my children’s media thing and PBS thing. Tbh I don’t even like documentaries that much, but this one. I wept. And we really needed this film right now.

Blindspotting I saw this at the Independent Film Festival Boston, with a Q&A with Daveed Diggs and Rafael Casal afterwards, and just wow. This is an incredible tour de force. Brilliantly crafted and visceral and hilarious, too. I know a bunch of people were drawn to it because of Daveed Diggs and his Hamilton fame, but genuinely, he and Rafael Casal’s passion for this film and overwhelming talent shine through in this.

Searching Look, I love love loved Crazy Rich Asians and Asian August and Asian-American women bringing back the rom com. As an Asian-American woman, I have been waiting for so long for this to happen. But I picked Searching because as a film, Searching takes the screen footage tactic, heretofore only really used in horror films, and capitalizes on it to such amazing dramatic and emotional effect. John Cho is fantastic, of course in this very tense and very stressful film.

Black Panther I cannot believe it hasn’t even been a year since Black Panther. Can we start using the term BBP and ABP for Before and After Black Panther? I saw somewhere that Letitia Wright is the biggest box office star of the year, which is fabulous because she is fabulous (and a Disney princess!). The world-building is amazing, the action is amazing, the eye candy is amazing (Helloooooo Michael B. Jordan and Chadwick Boseman and Danai Gurira and Lupita Nyong’o and...you get the point).

Ralph Breaks the Internet I spent a lot of this film marveling at how only Disney could have pulled this off, this massive ambitious bringing together of so many brands and characters and, y’know, the internet. I also enjoy that this is not a romantic love story, and it is a story about love in other ways. Loving your friends and caring for them and respecting them is so important, and dealing with insecurity is as well. This is such a smart movie, and as somebody who cares about children’s media, that is the standard to which we should aspire.

Honorable Mentions: A Quiet Place (Though of the horror films this year, Hereditary and Annihilation were also very good), Madeline’s Madeline for Helena Howard’s performance, I Tonya because um duh figure skating but does not make the list because trying to pass off Margot Robbie as teenage was laughable, Three Identical Strangers

Movies I Want to See But Haven’t Yet: Eighth Grade, Sorry to Bother You, Support the Girls, Widows, Creed II, The Hate U Give, Halloween, Burning, RBG, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Dumplin’ (My roomie’s in it!)

Movies I Should See But Haven’t Brought Myself To Care About: A Star is Born, Mission Impossible: Fallout, Mary Poppins Returns, Green Book, Love Simon, Paddington 2

2020.12.02 EDIT: I was wrong about Paddington 2. It is an incredible film.

Television

Sharp Objects I’ve read the book (and own it somewhere...) but it had been a while, so Sharp Objects did what a good mystery does - even upon a revisit, the things you don’t remember are tantalizing and the discovery of new clues and revelations keep shifting your perspective and giving it a jolt each time. Amy Adams is phenomenal in this (as she always is) and Eliza Scanlen as Amma gives a piercing performance in this.

Queer Eye All of the remakes happening incessantly is tiring and also eyeroll-inducing (it’s cliche but honestly, where are the original ideas nowadays?), but then we get something like Queer Eye. Reality TV gets a hard rap, but with Queer Eye, you get the entertainment factor and also incredibly moving emotional heft as well. Also, I genuinely wonder at how Bobby gets all that house remodeling done and he doesn’t get enough credit for it!

The Haunting of Hill House I love the Shirley Jackson story and also the original movie (I have not watched the 90′s movie and I don’t think I ever will), so my only real gripe with this show is that I wish they didn’t call it The Haunting of Hill House because it really isn’t. But what it is, is a brilliant family drama launching off of the Hill House story. It is captivating and beautiful and spooky, and also the casting of the young kids is impeccable.

Nailed It! Sometimes you just need to guffaw over people’s ridiculous failures. This show doesn’t take itself too seriously and because it embraces the silly, it’s full of heart and joy.

Élite I love foreign teen dramas. I love murder...in my television/movies. Of course I was gonna love this show. But just because it has these two elements doesn’t mean that I automatically was going to think it’s a great show (It does probably mean I would automatically enjoy it, but that’s different). Both of these genres are rife with tropes, but this show takes them and executes them in such a way that it rings true and doesn’t distract from your enjoyment.

Honorable Mention: Memories of the Alhambra only because it’s still ongoing! It’s a brilliant way of looking at technology and combining it with all the elements of a K-drama that you could want. It’s kinda like if a good episode of Black Mirror (because goodness knows that quality varies) combined with a K-drama.

Also of mention are some excellent series that continued this year. I can’t believe I didn’t watch them when they first came out, but The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel and Big Mouth are both so so good. Though I have strong feelings about the second season of Maisel and think the Paris bit was just an awkward flex and should have been cut, and the Catskills could have been an entire series of its own. Also, I actually saw Nick Kroll do some readings of all the characters in Big Mouth at the Vulture Festival this year!

In addition to the show-watches-from-the-beginning that I am still working through (Parks and Rec, The Wire, Gilmore Girls, Mad Men, etc.) I’ve also started watching Ugly Betty and Strong Woman Do Bong Soon from the beginning.

There are a few new shows from this year that I really have been wanting to watch but haven’t yet: Killing Eve, Kidding, Homecoming. Mostly Killing Eve for Queen Sandra Oh and also the girl from MMFD!

Okay, whew! That’s enough of that. Where do I even find the time to watch all this stuff??

[brittanyyoungblog]

50+ Songs About Crushes for When You’ve Got It Bad

There are few things in life more exciting than a new crush—that feeling of surprise, the rush of adrenaline, the nervousness, the expectation, the unexpected joy at finding someone and something that just might be the next big wonderful thing in your life. Or the next big terrifying thing, depending on your point of view.

Crushes come in many shapes and sizes. Maybe your crush is on someone you’ve known for a while and you’re only just realizing it. Maybe your crush is on someone you just met and can’t wait to see again. Or maybe your crush is on someone you’ve been into for a long time and it’s driving you crazy having them so close yet so far away. (Oh, the sweet agony.)

Whatever your particular situation, when there’s someone in your life you think is pretty amazing, it can do odd things to you. But, don’t worry, you aren’t alone. Many have felt a similar mix of exuberance and dread after realizing they have a crush on someone, and many have put their thoughts into song. We’ve gathered a few of those songs here.

If there’s someone in your life you just can’t stop thinking about, here are over 50 songs about crushes just for you. (Listen to the whole playlist at the bottom of the page or play it on Spotify.)

1. Just In Time, Dean Martin

Favorite Lyric: Now you’re here and now I know just where I’m going. No more doubt or fear, I found my way.

2. I’ve Just Seen a Face, The Beatles

Favorite Lyric: I’ve just seen a face, I can’t forget the time or place, where we just met.

3. Teenage Dream, Katy Perry

Favorite Lyric: So let’s go all, the way tonight, no regrets, just love. We can dance, until we die, you and I, we’ll be young forever.

4. I’ve Got a Crush On You, Ella Fitzgerald

Favorite Lyric: But you had such persistence, Your wore down my resistance I fell and it was swell.

5. El Scorcho, Weezer

Favorite Lyric: I’m a lot like you, so please. Hello, I’m here, I’m waiting. I think I’d be good for you, and you’d be good for me.

6. Crush on You, Bruce Springsteen

Favorite Lyric: Sometimes I spot a little stranger standing ‘cross the room. My brain takes a vacation just to give my heart more room. For one kiss, darling I swear everything I would give. Cause you’re a walking, talking reason to live.

7. I’m Into Something, Herman’s Hermits

Favorite Lyric: Woke up this mornin’ feelin’ fine. There’s somethin’ special on my mind. Last night I met a new girl in the neighbourhood. Somethin’ tells me I’m into something good.

8. You Send Me, Sam Cooke

Favorite Lyric: Darling, you send me. I know you send me. Darling, you send me. Honest you do, honest you do. Honest you do, whoa.

9. Bad Liar, Selena Gomez

Favorite Lyric: Oh I’m tryin’, I’m tryin’, I’m tryin’ I’m tryin’, I’m tryin’ Oh tryin’, I’m tryin’, I’m tryin’ I’m tryin’, I’m tryin’ Not to think about you.

10. Gee Whiz, Look at His Eyes, Carla Thomas

Favorite Lyric: Gee whiz, look at his eyes Gee whiz, how they hypnotize He’s got everything a girl could want Man, oh, man, what a prize!

11. I Wanna Be Your Lover, Prince

Favorite Lyric: I want to be your brother. I want to be your mother and your sister, too. There ain’t no other, that can do the things that I’ll do to you.

12. Crush, Dave Matthews Band

Favorite Lyric: Just knowing that the world is round Here I’m dancing on the ground Am I right side up or upside down Is it real or am I dreaming

13. Surfer Girl, The Beach Boys

Favorite Lyric: I have watched you on the shore, standing by the ocean’s roar. Do you love me do you surfer girl.

14. 1-2 Crush on You, The Clash

Favorite Lyric: I want to get serious right away. 1-2, I got a crush on you. What you doin’ today or any other day? 1-2, I got a crush on you. Just one look and I go insane. 1-2, I got a crush on you. It’s true.

15. Everything Has Changed, Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran

Favorite Lyric: I just want to know you better, know you better, know you better now.

16. Can’t Help Falling In Love, Elvis Presley

Favorite Lyric: Like a river flows surely to the sea, darling so it goes, some things are meant to be.

17. The New Teller, Jonathan Richman

Favorite Lyric: Everybody in the bank line knows, that I got a crush on the new teller. It’s plain as day man, I might as well tell her. She looks my way and she knows quite weller.

18. Crush, Smashing Pumpkins

Favorite Lyric: Love comes in colors I can’t deny All that matters is love, love, your love

19. Clumsy, Fergie

Favorite Lyric: You got me trippin’, stumblin’, flippin’, fumblin’ Clumsy ’cause I’m fallin’ in love (in love)

20. Crush On You, Lil’ Kim

Favorite Lyric: I know you seen me on the video. (true) I know you heard me on the radio. (true) But you still don’t pay me no attention. Listenin’ to what your girlfriends mention.

21. You’ve Really Got Me, The Kinks

Favorite Lyric: Yeah, you really got me now. You got me so I don’t know what I’m doin’ now. Oh yeah, you really got me now. You got me so I can’t sleep at night.

22. Fantasy, Mariah Carey

Favorite Lyric: Oh, when you walk by every night talkin’ sweet and lookin’ fine I get kinda hectic inside. Mmm, baby, I’m so into you. Darlin’, if you only knew all the things that flow through my mind.

23. The Nearness of You, Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

Favorite Lyric: It’s not the pale moon that excites me that thrills and delights me. It’s just the nearness of you.

24. You Got What I Need, Joshua Radin

Favorite Lyric: I want to be the one and only making you feel love.

25. San Dimas High School Football Rules, The Ataris

Favorite Lyric: These are the things that make me free. I feel like I’m stuck in “Stand By Me.” This night was too good to be true.

26. I Want to Hold Your Hand, The Beatles

Favorite Lyric: Oh please say to me, you’ll let me be your man. And please say to me, you’ll let me hold your hand.

27. Crush, Mandy Moore

Favorite Lyric: I know I should tell you how I feel. I wish everyone would disappear. Every time time you call me, I’m too scared to be me, And I’m too shy to say, ooh, I got a crush on you.

28. Denis, Blondie

Favorite Lyric: Denis Denis, oh with your eyes so blue. Denis Denis, I’ve got a crush on you. Denis Denis, I’m so in love with you.

29. Bloom, The Paper Kites

Favorite Lyric: Shall I write it in a letter? Shall I try to get it down? Oh, you fill my head with pieces of a song I can’t get out.

30. Can’t Get You Out of My Head, Kylie Minogue

Favorite Lyric: I just can’t get you out of my head. Boy, your lovin’ is all I think about. I just can’t get you out of my head. Boy, its more than I dare to think about.

31. Just Like Heaven, The Cure

Favorite Lyric: You, soft and only, you lost and lonely. You, strange as angels dancing in the deepest oceans twisting in the water. You’re just like a dream.

32. Love at First Sight, John Mellencamp

Favorite Lyric: So I suppose it’s just hello and that it’s time for us to go. We got a little ahead of ourselves like everybody else. Maybe some other time.

33. Into You, Ariana Grande

Favorite Lyric: Oh baby, look what you started. The temperature’s rising in here. Is this gonna happen? Been waiting and waiting for you to make a move. Before I make a move.

34. Everything Little Thing She Does Is Magic, The Police

Favorite Lyric: Every little thing she does is magic. Everything she do just turns me on. Even though my life before was tragic. Now I know my love for her goes on.

35. Love Is Beginning, Imaginary Future

Favorite Lyric: Oh my love, love is beginning. We have found something worth living for. I’ve got my head in the clouds. Oh my love, love is beginning.

36. Crush, Jennifer Paige

Favorite Lyric: It’s just a little crush. (crush) Not like I faint every time we touch. It’s just some little thing. (crush) Not like everything I do depends on you.

37. Night and Day, Ella Fitzgerald

Favorite Lyric: Whether near to me, or far it’s no matter darling where you are. I think of you night and day.

38. I Wanna Be Your Boyfriend, The Ramones

Favorite Lyric: Hey, little girl, I want to be your boyfriend. Sweet little girl, I want to be your boyfriend. Hey, little girl, I want to be your boyfriend.

39. There She Goes, Sixpence None the Richer

Favorite Lyric: There she goes. There she goes again. Pulsing through my veins. And I just can’t contain, this feeling that remains.

40. You’ve Got to Hide Your Love Away, The Beatles

Favorite Lyric: Everywhere people stare each and every day. I can see them laugh at me and I hear them say, Hey you’ve got to hide your love away.

41. I Try, Macy Gray

Favorite Lyric: I try to say goodbye and I choke. Try to walk away and I stumble. Though I try to hide it, it’s clear my world crumbles when you are not here.

42. Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Frankie Valli

Favorite Lyric: You’re just too good to be true. I can’t take my eyes off you. You’d be like heaven to touch. I wanna hold you so much.

43. Call Me Maybe, Carly Rae Jepson

Favorite Lyric: Hey, I just met you and this is crazy, but here’s my number, so call me maybe.

44. He’s So Fine, The Chiffons

Favorite Lyric: I don’t know how, I’m gonna do it (Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang) But I’m gonna make him mine. (Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang) He’s the envy of all the girls. (Do-lang, do-lang, do-lang) It’s just a matter of time.

45. I Try to Think About Elvis, Patty Loveless

Favorite Lyric: My mind wanders where it will. When it settles right on you, I forget what I should say. I forget what I should do.

46. I Only Want to Be With You, Dusty Springfield

Favorite Lyric: You stopped and smiled at me, Asked me if I’d care to dance. I fell into your open arms. I didn’t stand a chance.

47. Falling in Love at a Coffee Shop, Landon Pigg

Favorite Lyric: I think that possibly, maybe I’m falling for you. Yes, there’s a chance that I’ve fallen quite hard over you. I’ve seen the paths that your eyes wander down, I wanna come too. I think that possibly, maybe I’m falling for you.

48. What I Like About You, The Romantics

Favorite Lyric: Keep on whispering in my ear, tell me all the things that I wanna’ to hear, ’cause that’s true.

49. No Diggity, Blackstreet

Favorite Lyric: I like the way you work it. No diggity, I got to bag it up, bag it up.

50. Crush, David Archuleta

Favorite Lyric: Do you ever think when you’re all alone all that we can be, where this thing can go? Am I crazy or falling in love? Is it real or just another crush?

51. XO, Beyoncé

Favorite Lyric: Our heart is glowing and I’m crashing into you. Baby kiss me, kiss me.

The post 50+ Songs About Crushes for When You’ve Got It Bad appeared first on The Date Mix.

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