Top 100 Songs Of 2016 (Part 2 – #90-81)

For part 1 of the countdown click here. #100 – #91

Continuing with the next ten songs…..

 

90. “Way Down We Go” – Kaleo

The best thing to come out of Iceland since Björk’s swan dress, Kaleo, burst onto the American music scene this year with the massive hit, “Way Down We Go.” Leave it to a band from Iceland to take their video to the next level and film a live performance at the bottom of a volcano. Which volcano, you ask? Well, it was filmed in Príhnúkagigur, obviously. What other volcano would it have been filmed in?

The epic video just adds to the grit and passion that exude from Kaleo. It may have been a pain in the ass setting up shop at the bottom of a volcano, but way down they went, and it could have been any more perfect.

 

89. “Dark Necessities” – Red Hot Chili Peppers

It may have taken six months, but “Dark Necessities” finally grew on me. 25 Years after their 1991 release of Blood, Sugar, Sex, Magic and the Chili Peppers are still rocking just as hard as they did when they were kids.

In 1991, if someone asked me to envision what a Red Hot Chili Pepper’s video would look like in 2016, I would have imagined this video for “Dark Necessities.” A shirtless Anthony Kiedis flailing around, Flea playing guitar while sitting in a kitchen sink, presumably naked, teenagers skateboarding at night, and a bunch of middle aged men doing things that middle aged men shouldn’t be doing for fear of pulling out their backs.

The song itself starts with a bass line that is immediately recognizable as Flea. And quickly follows with Kiedis’ million-words-a-minute rap rock.  Kiedis says that the lyrics to the song “speak to the beauty of our dark sides and how much creativity, growth and light actually comes out of those difficult struggles that we have on the inside of our heads that no one else can see.”

Think of all the great music we would have missed out on over the past 33 years if the Chili Peppers didn’t have interpersonal struggles and dark sides. One thing is for sure, the Red Hot Chili Peppers are not going to let their ages stop them from being the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

 

88. “Cassidy” – Brett Dennen

Just in time for lounging around the pool on a hot summer day, Brett Dennen released his sixth studio album, Por Favor back in May. “Cassidy”, is an easy listening, carefree, laid back track that Brett Dennen is known for.

Unfortunately we are not able to spend all day, every day laying by the pool and sipping on Piña Coladas, but thankfully Brett Dennen is around to help us get through the less enjoyable life moments when we are not doing such enjoyable things. “Cassidy” is the musical equivalent of day drinking on a blow up raft in the warm summer sun and without a care in the world. The way life should be.

 

87. “Over And Over” – Goo Goo Dolls

The Goo Goo Dolls are back with their 11th studio album, Boxes, and the first single, “Over and Over” is exactly what you would come to expect from the band. To be honest, when I first heard they had a new album out, I couldn’t have cared any less. And this is coming from a guy that couldn’t be spoken to when any song from A Boy Named Goo or Dizzy Up the Girl was playing.

It would be easy to lump Goo Goo Dolls into the same category as a band like Nickelback, but that would not be fair to them. They may be older, but they are significantly less cheesy than Nickelback, and if you don’t write them off as a 90’s band struggling to find their place in 2016, you may realize they actually have some solid tracks, with “Over and Over” being one of their best in years.

 

86. “White Flag” – Joseph

Joseph is three sisters from Portland, OR. There sophomore album, I’m Alone, No You’re Not, was released in August of this year, and contains their biggest track to date, “White Flag.” The song is about facing your fears, and not letting your fears get in your way.

“…I’ll be an army
no you’re not gonna stop me getting through
I’ll sing a marching song and
stomp through the halls
louder than you

I could surrender
but I’d just be pretending
no I’d rather be dead than live a lie
Burn the white flag!
Burn the white flag!”

Only sisters can harmonize as beautifully as Joseph does. And the chorus is so catchy and inspirational that it makes me want to go out and conquer all my fears. Except for my irrational fear of birds. I have absolutely no desire to conquer that fear. Birds suck.

 

85. “Fire” – Barns Courtney

Barns Courtney, a Brit turned Seattleite, turned Brit, had a breakout year in 2016. Courtney wrote “Fire” after being dropped by a record label. He told radio.com that the song is “an appeal to myself to remember why I got into music and what it was all about and to hold on to whatever that spark was.” The song is a great reminder that the hard times you go through are temporary, and to never give up on your dreams.

The chorus of “Fire” will get your adrenaline pumping and your blood flowing. Put this song on repeat when you go for a run, and you are sure to break your previous pathetic personal best running time.

 

84. “Coming Alive” – Kodaline

The Irish lads from Dublin are back with their latest track off their 2015 album, Coming Up For Air, “Coming Alive.” 2016 marks the 4th consecutive year, Kodaline has had a song make the end of the year countdown. “All I Want” in 2013, “High Hopes” in 2014, “The One” in 2015 and now “Coming Alive” in 2016 are all examples of why Kodaline are major players in the alt rock world.

“Coming Alive” is a love song. It is so much of a love song, that it could bring a tear to your eye for one of two reasons. One reason may be that the song reminds you of your signification other, and how much joy they bring into your life. Or another reason, the song reminds you that you are alone, and will likely remain alone for the remainder of your days.

“From the morning sun to the midnight hour
From the break of day to the dark of night
You’re in my head and my heart and it feels much better
Yeah, it feels so good and it feels so right.”

Thanks Kodaline for the reminder that I think about wine the way that normal people think about their significant other.

 

83. “Wish I Knew You” – The Revivalists

The Revivalists are a seven piece rock/soul band from New Orleans. They found massive success in 2016 with their hit “Wish I Knew You,” which has such a unique sound that proves that The Revivalists are in a class of their own.

Jazz, soul, funk and rock combine to create one of the most fun and colorful songs of the year. “Wish I Knew You,” which sounds like a perfect blend of 2 parts Alabama Shakes, 2 parts JJ Grey & Mofro, and 1 part Maroon 5, becomes even more fun when paired with the video of the New Orleans Septet jamming on stage as an older crowd of fans rip it up on the dance floor.

 

82. “Wake Up Call” – Nothing But Thieves

Released back in 2014 in the UK, “Wake Up Call” finally made its way over to the States in 2016. The band Nothing But Thieves, out of Essex, England, has said of their music, “We try not to say too much about the lyrics……One of our favorite things is for someone to say to us ‘oh I think the song is about this.’ It’s not, but that’s so nice for us to hear.”

So don’t go over analyzing this modern rock anthem. Take it for what it is; a killer track from one of the England’s best up and coming bands that could easily be on track towards becoming the next Radiohead or Muse.

 

81. “Bonfire” – The Hunna

One of the best surprises of the year is the band The Hunna, yet another k

iller new band out of England. “Bonfire,” though released in 2015 in the UK, was released just a few weeks ago here in the States. The Hunna’s first single to hit the US earlier this year was the unbelievably catchy “You And Me.” And with the release of “Bonfire” the band proved that they were more than just one hit wonders.

“Bonfire,” quite possibly the breakup song of the year, is fast, loud, and in your face. Exactly what you want from a breakup song.

 

 

Come back Friday for the next ten songs on the countdown. #80-71

Ranking All 11 Killers’ Christmas Songs

Now that Thanksgiving is over, the Christmas season is in full swing. Christmas trees haphazardly strapped to the top cars, black Friday stampedes at WalMart, and creating lists of excuses for why you can’t attend a Christmas party that you don’t want to go to, are all staples of the holiday season. But nothing says Christmas is right around the corner like the release of the annual Killers’ Christmas song.

Beginning in 2006, and every year since, The Killers have donated 100% of their proceeds from their Christmas song to Product (RED), which raises awareness and funds to eliminate HIV/AIDS in Africa.

From silly songs about a deranged Santa and personified lumps of coal, to tear-jerking songs about war and being away from your family and friends during the holidays, Brandon Flowers and The Killers have solidified themselves as the leaders of modern-day Christmas rock music.

And this year, which has been widely rumored to be their last year releasing a Christmas single, they have decided to package all 11 songs into an album fittingly titled Don’t Waste Your WishesAn apropos title, considering the only wish I have for Christmas next year is that The Killers decide to continue their holiday tradition and give us more Christmas joy.

Though The Killers can do no wrong in my eyes. and each song is special in its own right, below is a ranking of all 11 of their Christmas songs.

Don’t Waste Your Wishes: From Worst To Best

 

11. “I Can Feel It In My Bones” (featuring Ryan Pardey) 2012

A story about making it on to Santa’s “naughty list”, “I Feel It In My Bones” is a sequel to the wildly popular 2007 Killers’ Christmas classic, “Don’t Shoot Me Santa.” The video shows Flowers and fellow band members Ronnie Vannucci, Dave Keuning, and Mark Stoemer having nightmares in bed, just like a child may, the night before Christmas while wondering if they would be on Santa’s naughty or nice list.

“Maybe I was naughty once, but now I’m nice” pleads Flowers as he tries to prove his case for why Santa should reconsider his decision to permanently keep the boys on the naughty list.

“I Feel It In My Bones” is almost certainly the least catchy and radio friendly of all their Christmas songs, but is a terrifying reminder of how thankful I am that The Killers were not formed in the 1980’s, as this is probably what the majority of their music would have sounded like.

 

10. Happy Birthday Guadalupe! (2009)

Brandon Flowers started writing “Happy Birthday Guadalupe!” on an airplane and is said to be influenced by the recession and bad times for the country back in 2009, saying “its sort of about throwing all that out the window during Christmas time” as heard in the lyrics below.

“We are livin’ in a difficult time
We’ve been walkin’ down a difficult line
Put your feet up baby, it’s Christmas time
Cumpleaños feliz
Happy Birthday Guadalupe”

The video, however, portrays the story of a man (Luke Perry) searching for his long-lost love. No, he was not searching the Peach Pit or West Beverly Hills High for Brenda Walsh or Kelly Taylor, he was searching the desert for Guadalupe.

 

9. Joseph, Better You Than Me (featuring Elton John and Neil Tennant) 2008

In 2008, The Killers decided to ditch Santa, and get back to the original reason for the holiday, the birth of Jesus. “Joseph, Better You Than Me” is about the difficulties that Joseph must have endured from being the father of Jesus, and all the responsibilities that were dropped in Joseph’s lap.

Unable to get a cameo by Joseph, himself, The Killers managed to get the next best thing for their Christmas song this year; Sir Elton John.

 

8. “Christmas in LA” (featuring Dawes) 2013

“Christmas in LA” tells the tale of a struggling actor that has spent one too many Christmas seasons away from his hometown and in the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles.

It’s easy to feel sympathy for the songs lonely actor (played by Owen Wilson in the video) because Flowers effortlessly portrays how un-Christmas-like, LA in December can be, especially for a struggling, lonely actor.

So, this Christmas, when your relatives are judging you for drinking too much eggnog, and a fight is about to ensue, just remember that there are poor, lonely models and actors in LA that are jealous you get to spend the holidays with your loved ones, regardless of how annoying they may be.

 

7. “Dirt Sledding” (2015)

Last  years Christmas single, “Dirt Sledding” was the third and final chapter in the Killer’s Santa trilogy (the other two being “Don’t Shoot Me Santa (2007), and “I Feel It In My Bones” (2012).

Flowers and the boys finally have their happy ending, when they trick Santa into befriending them by disguising as the Easter Bunny, Tooth Fairy, Jack-O-Lantern and Thanksgiving Turkey.

It may have taken ten years, but “Dirt Sledding” is a perfect ending to the story of how the guys in The Killers have made the jump from the naughty list to the nice list, and back on Santa’s good side.

 

6. “Great Big Sled” (2006)

In a 2006 interview with NME.com, Brandon Flowers said of their first Christmas song…

“Sometime you forget. You get so caught up in business and being an adult that you forget to have fun and enjoy things and be nice to people.”

He is referring to the fact that the band created and recorded the song to donate to the Product (RED) charity. Having no way of seeing into the future, he did not know that over 10 years later, the band would still be creating instant Christmastime staples.

“A Great Big Sled” is one of The Killers’ most playful and jovial songs to date. The video features 1970’s-style “homemade video” footage of the boys’ in various holiday celebratory playfulness, which is quite fitting, as it feels like it was ages ago that “A Great Big Sled” was released.

 

5. “Cowboys’ Christmas Ball” (2011)

Far and away their most energetic Christmas single, “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball” could hold its own on any “Best Christmas Songs to Dance to” countdown. Using the lyrics from a 1890 poem (of the same name) by William Lawrence Chittenden, The Killers transformed a 120 year old “song” and made it into something that could be played on nearly any radio station today.

The video takes place at a Cowboy Christmas Ball that gets attacked by nasty outsiders. However, a poor man’s C3PO and Zingbot from Big Brother, show up to save the day, and more importantly, the Christmas ball.

CP3O's cousin, and Big Brother's Zingbot save the day in 2010's Cowboys' Christmas Ball

CP3O’s cousin, and Big Brother’s Zingbot save the day in 2011’s Cowboys’ Christmas Ball

 

 

4. “Joel, the Lump of Coal” (2014)

https://youtu.be/DikMxTInkPs

For their 2014 Christmas single, The Killers enlisted the help of late night host, Jimmy Kimmel to come up with the story of everyone’s favorite lump of coal, Joel, who is unaware that he is not a gift that any child wants.

“Joel, the Lump of Coal” follows Joel’s journey from Santa’s Village to his arrival at one naughty child’s house on Christmas morning. And while the song may be silly and playful, it also sends a message of hope, as the little boy who receives Joel, makes the best with what he has been given, and ends up learning a valuable lesson once Joel decides to sacrifice his life for the boy.

Joel, the lump of coal, is the modern rock version of Rudolph, the Rednosed Reindeer, and is a great reminder for people of all ages, that if life hands you a glass of virgin eggnog, you can always add rum to it when nobody is looking, to make it amazing.

 

3. “Boots” (2010)

One of the most sentimental Killers’ Christmas songs, “Boots”, is known to be Brandon Flowers’ favorite of all their holiday songs. It is about remembering back to the most pleasant Christmas’ of your childhood and using those memories to help you through more trying times. It is additionally heart-wrenching due to the fact that Flowers lost his mother to cancer a few years back.

“I close my eyes,
Think about the path I took.
Just when I think these times,
Have gotten the best of me.

I can see my mother in the kitchen.
My father on the floor,
Watching television.
It’s a wonderful life.

Cinnamon candles burning.
Snowball fights outside.
Smile below each nose and above each chin.

Stomp my boots before I go back in.”

The video, which features an extra dapper Flowers looking like he stepped straight out of a GQ ad, begins with a clip of the Christmas classic It’s a Wonderful Life. The fact that the combination of The Killers and It’s a Wonderful Life didn’t make my head explode is a Christmas miracle in itself.

 

 

2. “Don’t Shoot Me Santa” (2007)

The second annual Killers’ Christmas song is now known as the first in a trilogy of songs about Santa. In “Don’t Shoot Me Santa,” the boys encounter Santa after he kidnaps Brandon and plans on shooting him for being an extra naughty boy. Brandon pleads with Santa and begs his forgiveness, saying…

“Hey, Santa Clause
No one else around believes me
But the children on the block they tease me
I couldn’t let them off that easy

They had it coming, so, why can’t you see
I couldn’t turn my check no longer
The sun is going down and Christmas is near
Just look the other way and I’ll disappear forever.”

In the end, Brandon escapes with the help of his band mates, which opens the door for the sequel song, “I Feel It In My Bones.” “Don’t Shoot Me Santa ” is old school Killers at its best, and has become a quintessential track on any holiday rock music playlist.

 

1. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (2016)

Heavily rumored to be their final Christmas single, “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” is mind-bogglingly beautiful, and will turn even the biggest holiday Grinch’s heart warm.

The track, released last week, begins with an over 3 minute long story of Brandon’s childhood and his family’s move from Henderson, NV to Utah, where he experiences his very first white Christmas.

The story then leads to where his love of music began, and a very special music teacher that introduced him to the track “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” The song, about being at war and writing a letter home to your family telling them that you would be home for Christmas, even though there is a solid chance you wouldn’t be home, is quite possibly the most devastatingly beautiful Christmas song ever written.

The special guest (I won’t spoil the surprise) that The Killers have with them on what could be their final Christmas song, makes this not only their best, but also their most important holiday single to date.

 

If indeed, The Killers are done with their Product (RED) charity songs, the Christmas journey they sent us on over the past eleven years will go down as one of, if not the most comprehensive, diverse, and satisfying rock Christmas albums of all time.

 

Click here for more information on Don’t Waste Your Wishes

Click here for more information on PRODUCT (RED)