Tag Archives: George Ezra

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 (10 – 6)

Songs 100 – 91     Songs 90-81     Songs 80-71     Songs 70-61     Songs 60-51                   Songs 50-41         Songs 40-31     Songs 30-21     Songs 20-16    Songs 15-11

10. Go Big Or Go Home, American Authors

Adding to their list of hit songs that are impossible to not sing along with, Boston band, American Authors hit it out of the park this year with “Go Big Or Go Home”. The ultimate song about living life to the fullest, “Go Big Or Go Home” will get the party started and help justify having one more beer…. before having one more beer…… before having one more beer…. before going home.

9. Blame It On Me, George Ezra

George Ezra, the 22 year old singer-songwriter from the UK, is known for his big vocals, and deep voice. His 2014 hit, “Budapest” became a worldwide smash hit, and launched his musical career. “Blame It On Me,” however, shows off his musical range even more, and confirms that this kid is the real deal.

The amount of passion Ezra is able to exude through his voice is well beyond his years. Combine that with his likability and sense of humor (as portrayed in his music videos) and a new singer-songwriter superstar is on the horizon.

 

8. Get Me Out Of Here, Third Eye Blind

Not only is “Get Me Out of Here” one of Third Eye Blind’s best songs in years, it has the potential to be one of their best videos in their nearly 20 year career.

Stephen Jenkins and the boys put their acting abilities to the test in “Get Me Out of Here”and despite Jenkins being his typical overly-dramatic self, they make it work. The video is a tribute to the 40th anniversary of the “Rocky Horror Picture Show”, which helps the band relay their intended meaning of the song, which is “a personal story of introspection after a dark beginning”.

Even without the music video, “Get Me Out of Here” is an anthem. It is epic. And it is Third Eye Blind at their best.

7. Someone New, Hozier

Just when you think this song could not get any better, Hozier releases the music video featuring Game of Thrones star Natalie Dormer (AKA Margaery Tyrell) as an ultra sexy vixen that trots around town and falls in love with every person she meets. If the Oscars awarded trophies to the Best Actress in a music video, Dormer has my vote.

At an iHeart Radio live event, Hozier says the following about “Someone New”….

“This next song is a fun one, it’s about love at its most… futile and shallow and useless,” he said. “And, awkwardly, I wrote it with an ex-girlfriend.”

“Someone New” is so lighthearted and carefree that even people with the coldest, blackest hearts, will fall in love with it.

6. Songs I Can’t Listen To, Neon Trees

There are few lead men in Alternative Rock today that are more genuine than Tyler Glenn, lead singer of Neon Trees. While you should never wallow in someone else’s relationship mishaps, any true rock fan secretly thanks the Lord that Glenn has had less than amicable breakups. “Songs I Can’t Listen To”

is the latest end-of-relationship rock gem from Neon Trees, and who does not have at least one song makes you sweat because it reminds you of someone from your past that you no longer are on speaking terms with?

“And it’s all because of you. I got a list of songs, I can’t listen to. And it’s all because we’re through, I got a list of songs I can’t listen to.”

While it will be difficult for Neon Trees to attain the worldwide success they had with “Everybody Talks”, they continue to produce fun, energetic music, and have solidified their place in the world of alt. rock.

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Top 100 Songs of 2015 – Part 5 (#60-51)

60. Shy Hinges, Wild Sun

Westerly, RI’s Wild Sun has been around for a few years, and have been showcased on 95.5 WBRU’s Home BRU’d, and participated in their 2014 Rock Hunt contest. “Shy Hinges” is their single off their debut album, Little Truths. It is lively, upbeat, and refreshingly easy to sing along with. Their best work yet, and a sign that the guys of Wild Sun are more than capable of expanding their commercial success in the new year.

Do yourself a favor a check them out live. For a list of their upcoming gigs, check out their website.

59. Cool Kid, The Eeries

Not only do The Eeries look like they are straight out of the early 90’s Seattle grunge scene, they have the sound to fit right in. Tell me Kurt Cobain would not write these lyrics….

“Here comes the weekend/hanging out with my best friend/wish I was a cool kid/wish I was a cool kid…… aspartame/I like the buzzing in my brain.”

The Eeries have yet to release a full length album, but from the sound of their 5 track EP, they have potential to make some big waves on the rock charts in the coming years. This acoustic version of “Cool Kid” is fantastic (the music starts at :40), but the studio version is where it is at.

Who will love this track? 90’s rock fans, anyone that loves the weekend, cool kids, not cool kids, and of course, Kurt Cobain.

58. Hold Back the River, James Bay

In addition to his break out year in the States, James Bay found chart success in just about every country in Europe with “Hold Back the River.” Bay has also added to his best year ever by being nominated for three Grammy Award Nominations, including the dreaded “Best New Artist” category.

Bay’s gritty vocals and soulful musical style combine to create music that seems so mature that it is surprising that he is only 25 years old.

57. Waste Another Beer, Old Southern Moonshine Revival

https://youtu.be/NGSIXR36wgk

“Waste Another Beer” is a full-on break up song for the light hearted country boy. This concept is simple: the man has wasted so much time, money, emotion on his ex, and decided that he will not waste anything else on her, especially his beer.

Even country haters will likely find the track catchy and enjoy singing along. Old Southern Moonshine Revival is fun, and “Waste Another Beer” will get the party going, and keep the beers cracking all night long.

56. Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart, Chris Cornell

https://youtu.be/KhJ9IwYc5NU

At the age of 51, Chris Cornell has shown no signs of slowing down. This is most evident with “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart”, the lead track off his fourth studio solo album, Higher Truth. 

Cornell’s voice, one of the most recognizable in rock music, is flawless. He packs so much emotion into each syllable as only he can do. Despite the fact that he has had a grimace on his face since the early 90’s, Cornell has made rock fans smile since the early 90’s. “Nearly Forgot My Broken Heart” is rock at its best, and Chris Cornell has proven why he is so great at what he does.

 

55. Don’t Wanna Fight, Alabama Shakes

Nobody mashes funk, soul and rock better than Alabama Shakes do. Lead singer, Brittany Howard is the queen front woman of modern rock. Her use of falsetto in “Don’t Wanna Fight” is downright epic.  Nominated for a Grammy for “Best Rock Song”, the rest of the field should have a hell of a steep hill to climb if they want to take the award from Brittany and the boys of Alabama Shakes.

54. Listen to the Man, George Ezra

George Ezra, the 22 year-old (!), yes that voice is coming out of a guy that was born in 1993, has found massive success in the States for his smash hit “Budapest” and more recently, “Blame It On Me“, which itself is a must hear song if you are not familiar with the track.

Ezra shows his playful side in the video for “Listen To The Man”, that is reminiscent of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al”, which insanely enough was released 4 years before Ezra was even born.

“Listen to the Man” comes across as a little “ditty”, but in true “ditty” form, is so pleasant and fun that if you don’t find Ezra to be a charming, young lad with the potential for a major music career ahead of him, you are a cold human being.

53. Angels Fall, Breaking Benjamin

“Angels Fall”, the second release off Breaking Benjamin’s fifth studio album, Dark Before Dawn, is about not giving up when all appears to be lost, says lead singer, Benjamin Burnley.

Breaking Benjamin have proven to be the kings of their genre and after 13 years and 5 albums, they are better than ever. “Angels Fall” will get your blood pumping, and your adrenaline flowing. It is pure Breaking Benjamin at the top of their brilliant game.

52. Hold On Tight, Greg Holden

Greg Holden, who co-wrote one of the best songs to come out of American Idol, Phillip Phillip’s “Home“, now has a hit of his own. “Hold on Tight” is an inspiring, uplifting track that send out the all-important message of not taking one’s life for granted.

“Why don’t you hold on tight, to what you’ve been handed. Because you just don’t know how long you will have it.”

Greg Holden is a triple threat with his vocals, instruments, and phenomenal song-writing abilities. Look for his continued success in 2016.

 

51. Mountain At My Gates, Foals

Formed back in 2005, Oxford, England band, Foals, have had success in the UK for years. But 2015’s “Mountain At My Gates” was the first time the band found a significant amount more success for a track in the States than in their home country.

“Mountain At My Gates” is produced with intricate perfection, combining a catchy guitar hook, stellar drum beat, and spot on vocals and blending them into a modern rock gem.

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5 Alt Rock Songs You Need to Hear Right Now (October, 2015)

In the mood for a feel good love song? Feel like throwing a rager because you just dumped your significant other? Want to drown your sorrows alone in your bedroom while drinking a bottle or two of wine? Ready to hit the bars on a Friday night and need a tune to pump you up? Want to dedicated a karaoke song to your homies for always being there when you are too incoherent to make logical decisions?

If you answered “yes” to any of these questions, you need to hear these songs right now.

5. “Uh Huh”, RØMANSLooking at the lyrics to this song you would think Adele has come out of the cave she has been living in for the past 4 years. But, fear not, this is no sappy break up song. If you gave Sam Smith a healthy dose of acid, I would imagine that this would be the type song that he would create. In fact, I challenge you to not think of Sam Smith high on acid when giving this a listen.

The song begins with a deeply saddened RØMAN, a 29 year old British singer, songwriter who recorded this track in his parents basement. When the calypso beat kicks in around the :55 mark, you quickly realize that this is no Adele/Sam Smith protégé and is in fact a unique, up and coming bloke from the other side of the pond presumably desperate to get out of his parents basement before reaching his thirties.

 

4. “Another Night on Mars”, The Maine 

If you listen to this and can not, or have never been able to relate to it, then you need to contact me immediately, and I will remedy that unfortunate situation. The Maine is an American rock band that formed in Tempe, Arizona back in 2007, and release American Candy, their fifth studio album on March 31, 2015.

Whether you are in high school, college, your thirties, sixties, or anywhere in between, “Another Night in Mars” should resonate with some group of friends you have had during your life. Hopefully, they have not been forced to hold your hair back or drag you into/out of the shower one too many times, and came to the conclusion that being your friend may not be worth all the hard work and baby-sitting.

“Another Night on Mars” is a fun track that begs for a group of friends to form a circle, drape their arms across each other’s shoulders, and sway back and forth while completely butchering the words.”

 

3. “Listen to the Man”, George Ezrahttp://

George Ezra, the 22 year-old (!), yes that voice is coming out of a guy that was born in 1993, has found massive success in the States for his smash hit “Budapest” and more recently, “Blame It On Me”, which itself is a must hear song if you are not familiar with the track.

“Listen to the Man” was “technically” released nearly a year ago, but that was in Britain, and not the States, and we all know that if it hasn’t been released in the States, it basically doesn’t even count as a song.

Ezra shows his playful side in the video that is reminiscent of Paul Simon’s “You Can Call Me Al”, which coincidentally enough was released 4 years before Ezra was even born.

“Listen to the Man” comes across as a little “ditty”, but in true “ditty” form, is so pleasant and fun that if you don’t find Ezra to be a charming, young lad with the potential for a major music career ahead of him, you are a cold human being.

 

2. “Nothing Compares to You”, Chris Cornell

It has been way longer than 7 hours and fifteen days since you first heard this song back in January of 1990. In fact, it has been 25 years and 9 months since Sinead O’Connor found massive success and blessed us with one of the most depressing songs ever written. And if anybody on this planet can make you more depressed than Sinead O’Connor, it has got to be Chris Cornell.

After a quarter of a century, “Nothing Compares to You” is still as relevant as it has ever been, and Sinead O’Connor has gone down as one of the greatest one-hit wonders the past thirty years. (If ONE person mentions “The Emperor’s New Clothes” to me, you will be immediately and permanently deleted from my life.)

Chris Cornell has done many amazing things in his career, and this cover has got to be one of the most best covers of any song in recent memory. Nobody can portray the pure emotion that one must feel to love somebody so much, and be so depressed when they leave you that even eating dinner in a fancy restaurant doesn’t make you feel better, the way Cornell does.

Also, how do I get the name of O’Connor and Cornell’s doctor’s. Just ONCE I would love for my Dr. to tell me that “I better have fun no matter what I do.” I would follow that Dr.’s orders so hard that they would want me for clinical studies.

Regardless, you may think you know this song, but until you listen to Cornell’s version, you are woefully mistaken. With the exception of the missing background vocals, which I enthusiastically replaced with my own vocals, I am making the bold claim that Cornell does this song as good, or even better than O’Connor.

 

#1 “Boom”, Simple Plan

If you’re between the ages of 25-40 you probably remember Simple Plan, the fun-loving Canadian pop-punk-rock band that took the world by storm with their 2002 debut album, No Helmets, No Pads, Just Balls. 

Well, the best thing to come out of Canada since, uh……. ever, is back, and just as fun and catchy as ever. Now in their mid-thirties, the guys from Simple Plan may be feeling a bit more sore the morning after a video shoot, but you certainly wouldn’t be able to tell from their enthusiasm.

“Boom” is one of the most energetic songs of 2015 and should have you singing along by the end of the first time you hear it. If you don’t start fist pumping, dancing, or singing “bo bo bo bo bo bo bo” to “Boom” than you are bo bo bo bo bo bo bo boring.