It’s that time again! My rules: no repeat artists, and the final product has to fit on a CD. Warning, this year’s mix is even more random and nonsensical than usual. I am what I am.
Previous Years: 2017 // 2016 // 2015 // 2014 // 2013 // 2012 // 2011
1. Sober Up – AJR feat. Rivers Cuomo
I love a pop song with unexpected string instruments (spoiler alert: I also love that this year’s soundtrack begins AND ends orchestrally).
2. Woman – Kesha feat. The Dap-Kings
My girl-power anthem for this year. The horn part is just ascendant.
3. New Days (Acoustic) – Delta Rae
I’m never sure how this song is meant to be taken. There’s a lot about goodbyes and things not working out, but ultimately it feels optimistic, and that optimism and hope is what I like about it.
4. Lottery – Jade Bird
Big Car-Singing Hook #1 of this mix. I need to check out more of Jade Bird’s stuff – her new release “Uh Huh” is also good. She’s like the British Elle King.
5. The Middle – Zedd & Maren Morris & Grey
The song that will always remind me of 2018. It was EVERYWHERE, and though that annoyed me, I never stopped liking it.
6. Good As Hell – Lizzo
I recommend listening to this AND acting out the “hair toss, check my nails” if you’re feeling down.
7. DNA. – Kendrick Lamar
Kendrick Lamar won the 2018 Pulitzer, but on a more personally relevant note, I got hooked on this song because it was the Grizzlies’ intro music for the second half of last season.
8. Bad at Love – Halsey
Big Car-Singing Hook #2.
9. Butterflies – Kacey Musgraves
After my many years of single angst, I noticed a shortage of happy love songs in my musical library, and sought to fix that. This is one of my favorites. ♥
10. I Don’t Know How to Love Him – Sara Bareilles (from Jesus Christ Superstar Live!)
I’ve never been a big fan of Jesus Christ Superstar, but I thoroughly enjoyed the live broadcast on Easter and thought the whole cast killed it, especially Sara Bareilles as Mary Magdalene.
11. Saturday Sun – Vance Joy
On the day Taylor’s offer on his house was accepted, we were at Vance Joy’s set at Music Fest when we suddenly spotted Taylor’s favorite sportscaster, Dan LeBatard (he’s from Miami and I’m still not sure how he ended up at Music Fest). We approached, talked to him for a minute, took a picture, then ran into some friends and were catching them up on the day as Vance started this song. So it reminds me of a happy moment when life was really good. I also love the line No ray of sunlight’s ever lost.
12. Whenever, Wherever – Shakira
A happy love song I’ve always liked, so I listened to it a lot this year.
13. Strangers – Sigrid
I first heard this on the Tonight Show, and it immediately became Big Car-Singing Hook #3. It could also totally be a lost track from HAIM’s Days Are Gone, still one of my favorite albums of this decade.
14. Revolution – Kirk Franklin & The Family
It’s been a long time since I could stomach contemporary Christian music, but this year I felt some renewed interest in gospel. It’s hard to believe this song is a full 20 years old. When Kirk Franklin asks me if I want a revolution, here in 2018 I can answer with an emphatic WHOOP WHOOP.
15. Nameless, Faceless – Courtney Barnett
Props to any artist who pulls a well-known Margaret Atwood quote for a chorus.
16. Lifted Away – Joseph
My general anthem for 2018… a random discovery that hit me hard. I’ve considered asking if we can add it to my church’s song rotation!!
17. Hymnostic – Big Red Machine
I actually don’t know any of the words to this song. I just find the melody soothing.
18. Shallow – Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper (from A Star Is Born)
That moment when she makes her decision, strides out onto the stage, and grabs the mic… EPIC.
19. Future Me Hates Me – The Beths
A fun song I would have related to deeply a couple of years ago.
20. God is a woman – Ariana Grande
I feel like this has been Ariana’s year. I was really rooting for her and Pete, but I’m glad they’re still on good terms.
21. High Hopes – Panic! at the Disco
I wasn’t fully aware of this song until LSU’s band played it when we were in Baton Rouge. My band-nerd “Perfect Stand Song” antennae went right up and I’ve loved it ever since.
22. No Rest for the Weary – Hanson (String Theory Version)
As I’ve mentioned several times, seeing Hanson with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra was one of the highlights of my year, and this was one of my favorite parts. It’s the current song of my heart and a good way to close this out!
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