The 2020 Soundtrack

Orphans – Coldplay // Who knew a song about wanting to be carefree and with your friends again would be so relevant.

Don’t Start Now – Dua Lipa // Dua Lipa is one of the current artists Taylor and I really agree on. This was our car jam for a while.

Lucky – Southern Avenue // I think Southern Avenue, a Grammy-winning local band, might have played a Grizz game early this year and thus reminded me to look into more of their stuff. They’re really good.

Stupid Love – Lady Gaga // A song I could count on to perk me up early in the pandemic.

Now I’m In It – HAIM // My favorite song of 2020, and I have no concrete explanation why. I suspect it has to do with its structural similarities to “I Want You” by Savage Garden, a big hit during a carefree time of my life.

Little Frogs – Sarah Harmer // Discovering Sarah Harmer finally had a new album out after 10 years was one of my most purely joyful moments of this year. Every track is amazing, but I gravitated toward this as a description of our quiet at-home pandemic life.

Raising Hell – Kesha feat. Big Freedia // I didn’t run much this year, but I definitely listened to this on every run. Usually multiple times. It also makes me think of my great little church of misfits.

circle the drain – soccer mommy // A determinedly cheery-ish song about depression and every day seeming the same. How 2020!

Adore You – Harry Styles // This song was everywhere all summer, and I must admit I like it. (Though I still think “Sign of the Times” is his best work and would also be good for this year.)

I Got You – Michael Franti & Spearhead // I can’t remember where I came across this video, which Michael Franti and his wife filmed in quarantine, but it and the song are delightful.

Caution – The Killers // Once Broadway fires up again, we are OVERDUE for a Killers jukebox musical. They just keep getting better.

peace – Taylor Swift // Like many others, I spent a happy morning listening to folklore straight through after its surprise midnight release. This song caught my attention since Peace was my word for the year.

Into the Unknown – Idina Menzel // I finally watched Frozen 2 while Taylor was away for a night, and wept through at least the last half hour. I then listened to this and “Show Yourself” obsessively for the next few weeks. I connect in odd ways with Elsa’s emotional journey over the two movies.

Emoji of a Wave – John Mayer // I looked up this song after reading a blog post about it. Another pandemic-appropriate tune: it’s just a wave, and when it comes, I just hold on.

Deleter – Grouplove // Something to put on when I need an energy boost.

Dying to Believe – The Beths // I am all about The Beths. Their stuff is just fun.

Sleep at Night – The Chicks // On my one drive to Nashville this year, I finally checked out The Chicks’ new album. They had me at My husband’s girlfriend’s husband just called me up, how messed up is that?

Stand Tall – Julie and the Phantoms // I discovered Julie and the Phantoms thanks to an election meme casting the phantom band members as states coming through one at a time for Biden. The show is fairly Disney Channel, but very enjoyable and most of the songs are great. This is my favorite.

survivin’ – Bastille // As I struggled to power through my first trimester, I really felt like this song got me.

OK Not to Be OK – Marshmello feat. Demi Lovato // This song gets all of us at the end of 2020.

Previous Years: 2019 // 2018 // 2017 // 2016 // 2015 // 2014 // 2013 // 2012 // 2011