Top 100 Songs of 2017 (20-11)

Click here for songs 100-21

20. “The Gold” – Manchester Orchestra

Manchester Orchestra deserve a gold medal this year for coming out with what may be their best track in their 13-year history with “The Gold.”

I believed you were crazy you believed you loved me” are some of the most sing-along-worthy lyrics of the year.

No matter what is going on in your life, “The Gold” will take away your worries, and put you at ease with its laid back tone and gentleness; if only for 4 minutes and 37 seconds. Then its back to your miserable existence.

19. “Young & Wild” – The Strumbellas

Quite unlike “The Gold,” The Strumbellas track “Young & Wild” will have you up out of your seat and ready for a dance-off right from the get-go.

I have said it before, and I’ll say it again, The Strumbellas are the best band to come out of Canada in a very, very long time.

At the moment I can’t think of a band I would want to hang out with more than The Strumbellas, and “Young & Wild” is a perfect example of how they are so fun.

You don’t hear this too often, but good work, Canada! And to The Strumbellas….. more music please.

18. “Can We Hang On?” – Cold War Kids

Besides “Auld Lang Syne” is there a song more appropriate for New Years Eve than “Can We Hang On?” by Cold War Kids?

Vocalist Matt Willett says the song “is a hopeful love song that looks back with nostalgia on the good old days but is uncertain about the future.”

There may not be too much to look back on and love about 2017, but as long as the Cold War Kids are still making music like this, the future is looking bright for alt rock fans.

17. “Speak” – Wild Cub

In the past few months I have single handedly introduced “Speak” by Wild Cub, to no less than twenty friends, and each and every one of them instantly loved the uplifting track from the Nashville indie-pop rock band.

And for the most part, my friends wouldn’t know a good song if it slapped them in the face.

I still remember the reasons why, I remember, I remember” why I almost drove off the road the first time I hear “Speak.”

Because it was that good.

16. “In Cold Blood” – Alt-J

“In Cold Blood” may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but it is one of the most unique, “out there” songs of the year, and with every listen I began to enjoy it more and more.

The last minute and a half of the song is literally just “la la la’s.” But I have to say, they may be my favorite “la la la’s” of all time. Sorry Ashley Simpson.

15. “Feel Good” – Neon Trees

Tyler Glenn just has a way about making people feel good. That is why “Feel Good” is so believable and infectious.

Most Neon Trees songs are fun, energetic, and catchy, but “Feel Good” encapsulates all three the way that only Neon Trees can.

If Glenn’s only goal is to make us feel good, he passes with flying colors. As usual.

14. “Daisy” – Goodbye June

It will only take you one listen to Goodbye June’s “Daisy” for you to fall in love with the track and started searching the band on wikipedia to see who they are.

Well, let me help, the Nashville trio has been around since 2005, and the band has been described as being “blues-infused rock with hard-driving beats, blistering guitars, and down and dirty vocals.”

“Daisy” is exactly what modern day rock with classic rock influences should sound like. I’ll tell you one thing, my Spotify playlists will not be saying “goodbye” to Goodbye June anytime soon.

13. “Painkiller” – DREAMERS

DREAMERS, the three-piece band from Manhattan, NY has gotten progressivly more impressive since their debut single “Wolves (You Got Me,)” which made the countdown back in 2015 (#37.)

“Painkiller” is loud, fast, and will get you through that part of your run when you feel like you can’t possibly run any longer.

DREAMERS are beginning to make a solid name for themselves in the alt rock world, and seem to be getting more and more confident in their ability to make tracks that all-out rock.

12. “Middle Fingers” – MISSIO

If anybody out there knows of a way to not sing along and actually sticking up your middle fingers in the air while driving down the highway, please let me know. Because no matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to not get caught by someone driving next to me as I am sticking my middle fingers in the air and screaming along to the catchy track about not giving an F.

The message MISSIO is trying to deliver, however, may surprise you. In an interview with Billboard the band says “[It’s] definitely based toward an ‘eff this situation’ mode, but the message is about finding the problem you struggle with, and lifting your middle finger with other people.”

So take that, everyone on the road that thinks I am just flipping the bird to you… I am actually on a mission to create solidarity and peace… So F Off and stop giving me dirty looks.

11. “Edge of Town” – Middle Kids

Perhaps the war

mest welcome to a foreign band this year goes to Sydney Australia’s Middle Kids. Their track “Edge of Town” has a tempo change that is so gradual that when they explode at the end of the track, I feel as though my head is going to explode right along with them.

This is the first and only track I have heard from Middle Kids, but as the new year begins, I will make it a mission to make up for lost time, and get to know the Australian band that I had no idea I was missing out on until now.

 

Songs 10-1

Top 100 Songs of 2017 (30-21)

Click here for songs 100-31

30. “Baby, I’m Broken” – The Record Company

“Baby, I’m Broken” is a blend of soul, blues and good ole’ rock and roll. There is nobody like The Record Company on the radio today, which is a tragedy, yes, but also a recognition of how original and unique they are.

The band is from LA, but if you close your eyes while listening to “Baby, I’m Broken” you would swear you were in Nashville or New Orleans (minus the smell of dried vomit on Bourbon Street, of course.)

29. “Let’s Hurt Tonight” – OneRepublic

We can all agree that Ryan Tedder is one of the best songwriters of our time, right? This guy has written hundreds of songs for the biggest names in music, including, but not limited to…

U2, Adele, Beyoncé, Maroon 5, Demi Lovato, Ariana Grande, Kelly Clarkson, Jennifer Lopez, Westlife, Ed Sheeran, One Direction, Big Time Rush, Camila Cabello, Taylor Swift, Leona Lewis, Zedd, Hailee Steinfeld and MØ. (wikipedia did that research, not me.)

What. The. Hell?

It’s amazing to think that this guy has anything left to write for OneRepublic. But he does, and “Let’s Hurt Tonight” is proof that there is still plenty of material in that magnificent, unbelievably creative brain of his.

28. “Beautiful Trauma” – P!nk

Not only is P!nk the greatest female rocker since Janis Joplin, but she is also one of the most talented musicians, and performers,male or female around today. “Beautiful Trauma” is the second track off her seventh studio album, also titled Beautiful Trauma. 

When P!nk was asked about the reasoning behind the title, she responded with just about the most P!nk’ish answer you can imagine… “life is f*cking traumatic. But it’s also incredibly beautiful, too. There’s a lot of beauty still and beautiful souls.”

Whether or not the song is your cup of tea, you should watch the hysterical music video, as it is one of the best videos of the year and features Channing Tatum as P!nk’s 1950’s husband.

27. “Sorry” – Nothing But Thieves

Nothing But Thieves has absolutely nothing to be “Sorry” about in 2017, as they released their best music to date.

“Sorry is about getting older and the difficulties associated with it. It’s about looking inwards and facing your demons. The song hinges around a flawed individual who can’t hold down a relationship, both to the detriment of themselves and their partner” says Thieves guitarist Joe Langridge-Brown.

Just about every living human being has either been “the flawed individual” or the partner of the “flawed individual” at some point in their lives. More than likely the “flawed individual” because let’s face it, everyone is a mess.

26. “Seeing Blind” – Niall Horan (feat. Marren Morris)

https://youtu.be/Cg5SdYNp7bI

The award for best duet of 2017 goes to Niall Horan’s “Seeing Blind,” which features “My Church” singer, Marren Morris.

The duo performed the folk-pop track live at the CMA Awards back in November, and if the two ridiculously good looking, fun loving artists won’t be a couple, the least they can do is start a band together and give us more sensational tracks like “Seeing Blind.”

25. “Lost On You” – LP

Laura Pergolizzi, who goes by the stage name LP, is a singer-songwriter from Long Island, NY that somehow found success overseas before in the States. In fact, thanks much in part to Europe, at one point “Lost on You” was the fourth most Shazamed song in the world.

LP has been successful in her own right for many years, however, as she has penned songs for artists including Cher, Backstreet Boys, Rihanna, and Christina Aguilera. (wikipedia)

“Lost On You” is about the breakdown of her and an ex-girlfriend, and it is one of the most passionate, heartfelt songs of the year.

(Despite it being released back in 2015, it didn’t become a hit in the US until this year.)

24. “Lay It On Me” – Vance Joy

Australian singer-songwriter Vance Joy laid it on us hard this year with his hit “Lay It On Me.”

With his gentle voice, and sincere lyrics, Vance Joy is the Australian John Mayer (if John mayer was a sweet and genuine guy that is.) “Lay It On Me” is his best track since 2013’s “Riptide” and a great sign that his upcoming album, Nation of Two (which is slated to be released in February of 2018) will be a ripper (that means “really good” in Australian talk, FYI.)

23. “The Line” – Foo Fighters

Add “The Line” to the list of epic tracks from the Foo Fighters. “The Line” was the third track released from their ninth studio album, Concrete and Gold, and it is filled to the brim with Foo brilliance.

Dave Grohl is arguably the greatest rock star in decades and just seems to be getting better and better, and cooler and cooler with age.

When asked about the meaning behind the sing, Grohl says it is about “a search for hope in this day and age where you feel as if you’re fighting for your life with every passing moment, and everything is on the line.”

I am not sure about having much “hope” for our messed up world these days, but thanks to the Foo Fighters and Grohl I continue to have hope for the future of rock and roll.

22. “Particles” – Nothing But Thieves

“Particles,” though not as big of a radio hit as Nothing But Thieves other 2017 song, “Sorry,” is even more brilliant than its sister track.

The song takes us on a roller-coaster of emotions, and just when you think the it is over, Thieves drop back in with even more energy and gusto than ever. From 4:11 to 4:26 may be the most dramatic part of any song in 2017.

I got nothing but love for Nothing But Thieves in 2017.

21. “Miss You” – Louis Tomlinson

Not to be outdone by his former bandmates, Niall, Liam and Harry, Louis Tomlinson couldn’t let the year end without getting in on the solo action. And it looks like all that extra time and effort paid off, because “Miss You” is one of the hottest tracks of the year.

“Miss You” is about realizing that maybe being single isn’t all that great and maybe you miss that ex of yours way more than you ever thought you would.

If we have learned anything about the One Direction boys this year, it is that Louis is by far the most fun of the bunch and the one everyone should choose to go out for a night of drinking with, if given the choice.

It’s a Tuesday night, Tomlinson has glazed over eyes and is debating one more pint or five before he realizes that “it doesn’t even matter anyway.”

Then he is dancing on tables.

Then he is signing out of tune until last call.

Then, in quite possibly my favorite line of the year, Tomlinson decides…

“When I feel it coming up I just throw that shit away
Get another two shots cause it doesn’t matter anyway (sung of course in the most amazingly brilliant and coolest British accent I think I have ever heard.)

Congrats Louis, you win the OneDirection solo act battle this year. Hopefully you miss a lot more people in 2018 so you can give the world most gems like “Miss You.”

20-11 

Listen to Songs 100-21 Below

Top 100 Songs of 2017 (40-31)

Click here for songs 100-41

40. “One of Us” – New Politics

If the television show Friends was released in 2017, “One Of Us” could very well have been its theme song.

“Before the day is through, I promise you
That we will laugh about it all
And we’ll celebrate the things we’ve done for years to come
‘Cause that’s what friends, that’s what friends are for.”

The Danish rock trio, New Politics continue to impress year after year, and “One of Us” is a perfect example of how their upbeat and positive tracks are some of the most feel-good songs in music today.

39. “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” – Car Seat Headrest

“Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” could easily be two songs pieced together. The first half is a chill, laid back jam that you could listen to while sipping a cold beverage by the pool in the summer. The second half is as electrifying as any other song in 2017, and begs for you to scream along.

The contrast between the two extremes is what makes “Drunk Drivers/Killer Whales” one of the most interesting songs on the radio today.

38. “Castle on the Hill” – Ed Sheeran

Who doesn’t love “Castle on the Hill? Well, besides Ed’s “friends” that “raised him.”

Such as…

  • His friend that is ALREADY on his second wife.
  • His friends that has two kids, BUT LIVES ALONE.
  • And his friend that is BARELY getting by.
  • His friend whose brother overdosed. (Imagine if that is the only thing that your really famous friend could think of to say about you.)

Regardless, “Castle on the Hill” is a beautiful homage to the place where Sheeran grew up, and is likely quite nostalgic to anyone that has moved away from their own hometown.

Hopefully, none of my best friends growing up ever become a pop superstar and write one line of a song about me. God only knows what they would choose to say.

37. “Thunder” – Imagine Dragons

The only thing that makes this song more fun to listen to, is to watch the video that goes along with it.

Could Imagine Dragon’s lead singer Dan Reynolds possibly get any cooler? If this song can’t pump you up, you better check your pulse because something isn’t pumping quite right in that cold, dead body of yours.

36. “One Foot” – WALK THE MOON

While WALK THE MOON may have a difficult task of ever topping their massive 2014 hit “Shut Up and Dance,” they sure as hell tried with this year’s “One Foot.”

It is big, and loud, full of energy, and exactly what we have come to expect from the Cincinnati band.

35. “Faded Heart” – BØRNS

If a song can possibly be classic, current, and futuristic at the same time, it is “Faded Heart,” the first song off BØRNS sophomore album, Blue Madonna (release date: January 12, 2018.)

Everything about the Grand Haven, MI native BØRNS is unique, from his style, look, voice, and even his name. “Faded Heart” is his best song to date, and if it’s any indication of what Blue Madonna is going to sound like, I will be one happy BØRNS fan on 1/12/18.

34. “Whole Wide World” – Cage the Elephant

Had this been a Cage the Elephant original, it would possibly have cracked the top 10. However, the song “Whole Wide World” was originally by a singer-songwriter that went by the name Wreckless Eric. It appeared in the 2006 Will Ferrell movie Stranger Than Fiction. (No points were deducted due to that unfortunate fact.)

Not that Cage the Elephant can do any wrong anyway, but they absolutely killed it with this modern version of the song about searching the world to find the love of your life.

33. “For What It’s Worth” – Liam Gallagher

“For What It’s Worth” is Liam Gallagher’s apology to people he has wronged along the way, and it is absolutely brilliant. While not specifically mentioning to whom he is sorry, he is a notorious bad boy, so I am sure he has plenty to be sorry for.

For what it’s worth, I don’t care who the younger Gallagher brother has wronged. And for what it’s worth, I don’t care what love-child Gallagher has never met. And for what it’s worth I don’t care if, as his brother has been noted saying, Liam is “the angriest man you will ever meet.”

Both Liam and Noel Gallagher are legends, and whether they are together in Oasis or doing their own things, I have nothing but hero worship for the both. Take that for whatever it’s worth.

32. “Basket Case” – Bastille

The best cover song of the year goes to Bastille’s version of Green Day’s 1994 mega-hit, “Basket Case.”

Not only was it the best cover of the year, but it was also the most underrated song of the year, and includes my pick for one of the best notes of the year. (2:03)

I am pretty sure for the 25-year anniversary of Green Day’s masterpiece, Dookie (which is coming up in just about 13 months. Yes, Dookie is almost TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OLD (!)) Bastille should just grab themselves a symphony and re-create the entire damn album.

31. “Don’t Take the Money” – Bleachers

When news broke that Fun. would be taking a hiatus, I was certain that the fellas in the band were making a huge mistake. However, Nate Reuss’ solo album was pretty solid, and guitarist Jack Antonoff’s band, Bleachers may be even better than Fun.

Bleachers are one of the biggest surprises in alt-rock in the past few years, and “Don’t Take the Money” is about as fun, as any Fun. song ever was.

My vote… let’s keep that Fun. hiatus going.

Songs 30-21