“We need music to make us feel at equilibrium through hard times and good times.”
– Yo-Yo Ma
As I was getting ready to put together my collection of the best songs I heard this year, I saw this quote from the celebrated cellist, Yo-Yo Ma, and couldn’t agree more. To say 2020 was a difficult year is a huge understatement. But thanks to the power of music, I hope you had the chance to escape things from time to time and get lost in some moving melodies and uplifting lyrics.
Because it’s 2020, naturally I had to select 20 songs. Thanks to my friend Spotify, I lived for “New Music Fridays” and appreciated all of the different artists they suggested to me along the way. My list includes a lot of old favorites, but I was also turned onto a few new performers like Whitney, Low Cut Connie, Gerry Cinnamon and Mt. Joy. And to commemorate this unique year, I’ve also included three songs that were written in response to Covid-19.
I’ve included videos for each tune along with a little commentary. Have a listen and I hope you enjoy. Happy holidays and all the best in 2021. It’s gotta get better, right?!
You can listen to these songs on Spotify. Click here.
01. “Bad Decisions” – The Strokes
Nice to see The Strokes release a new album after a seven-year hiatus. This was a strong contender for my favorite album of the year and one I played a lot during the early days of the pandemic. Anyone hear a little “I Melt with You” by Modern English in that opening guitar lick?
02. “The Steps” – HAIM
Speaking of opening guitar licks, I gotta hand it to the gals from HAIM for this tune that grabbed me immediately. Add in the thundering drumbeat and vocal harmonies and you’ve got something truly memorable.
03. “Can’t Cool Me Down” – Car Seat Headrest
These indie rockers, originally started as a solo project by frontman Will Toledo, released this funky, electronic tune that was the first single off the album. Previously known for their use of “lo-fi” aesthetics, this cut highlights their experiments with a brighter, electronic sound. And Toledo’s singing reminds me of Beck in certain parts.
04. “If You’re Too Shy (Let Me Know)” – The 1975
‘80s vibes abound on this track. Starting with a Tears for Fears-like opening, this quartet out of Manchester delivered a toe-tapping pop gem complete with naughty lyrics about taking off your clothes (oh my!). It even includes the requisite ‘80s sax solo. A definite earworm for me.
05. “We’ll Make It Through” – Ray LaMontagne
Time to slow things down a little and introduce the first Covid-19 inspired song in this year’s mix (although no one knows when Ray actually wrote it). Released in early May way ahead of his new album, it beautifully captures the sentiment we were all clinging to in the beginning of the pandemic. Love the Neil Young-like harmonica, too.
06. “Canter” – Gerry Cinnamon
Where’d this guy come from? And with a name like Gerry Cinnamon, really?! This Scottish troubadour is a local hero back home and can attribute his rise purely though word of mouth and social media. What the heck’s a “canter” you ask? According to Mr. Cinnamon, it translates to “easy peasy.” Love the acoustic guitar, playful lyrics and when the song really kicks in at the two-minute mark. Braw!
07. “Devils and Angels (Hatred)” – Rufus Wainwright
After taking an eight-year break from his pop career and delivering two critically-acclaimed opera releases, Rufus Wainwright is back with this track that is both haunting and uplifting. In his own words: “It’s an important song. It’s about what’s going on in the world today. We’re in the midst of a ‘war’ that has to be won and to do that requires a dog spirit, a triumphant attitude.” Love the refrain when he belts out “I’m gonna give myself away!” Classic Rufus. Glad to have you back where you belong.
08. “Texas Man” – The Chicks
Those of you who have been listening to my “best of the year” collections from the beginning know that I don’t usually dabble in country music. But this song from the controversial trio, formerly known as The Dixie Chicks, caught my ear. They dropped “Dixie” from their name this year when they saw the Confederate flag described as “the Dixie Swastika” on social media. Nice job, ladies!
09. “A.M. AM” – Whitney
Together since 2015, this band out of Chicago delivered a covers album in 2020 that featured this re-do of a Damien Jurado song. The Guardian described the band as “think Bon Iver, with elements of folk and country, only given a Chicago soul makeover.” Pretty accurate I’d say. Another tune that helped calm the nerves this year.
10. “Level of Concern” – twenty one pilots
Covid song #2. This pop dittie came out in early April when the New York area was under lockdown and wondering when we could breathe again. You could call it a little pandemic love song complete with the lyric “Would you be my little quarantine?” So 2020.
11. “Down at the So and So on Somewhere” – The Fiery Furnaces
Matthew and Eleanor Friedberger, the brother & sister duo out of Brooklyn, reunited after a nine-year break to pursue solo careers. Only released as a single, what struck me most is the deep, driving bass line that never lets up. A strange song for sure, but also completely mesmerizing.
12. “Dreamsicle” – Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
I guess this counts as country song #2 or maybe it’s a country/folk mix. Either way, this lovely track from Jason Isbell’s excellent new album tells the heartbreaking story of his parent’s divorce against the backdrop of summer when he was only fourteen.
13. “Caution” – The Killers
Brandon Flowers and the gang released their sixth album that includes this track, which features a solo by Lindsey Buckingham. A big fan of the band, Lindsey went on to say, “There’s such a strong center to what they’re doing. Their material is so well crafted that it cuts across a lot of generational lines.” Killer stuff indeed.
14. “Homecoming” – The Jayhawks
Like Wilco or Spoon, if The Jayhawks release something new, there’s a good chance I’ll include a cut from it. Such is the case for this song, which is classic Gary Louris and my favorite from “XOXO.” According to Gary, the track “grapples with climate change and the long-term costs of our shortsighted environmental destruction.” Leave it to The Jayhawks to make destruction sound so beautiful.
15. “2020” – Ben Folds
Covid song #3. Released back in June, Ben Folds crafted this timely number that sounds like it belongs in a Broadway show. Still scarred from all the horrific events and protests from this year? Watch the video below at your own peril.
16. “Private Lives” – Low Cut Connie
Straight out of Philly and formed in 2010, this tune from Low Cut Connie immediately reminded me of The Black Crowes. Wanting to find out more about them, I thought Wikipedia captured it best: “Frontman, pianist, songwriter Adam Weiner has been described as masterfully fluent in the foundational languages of Western pop, living at the crossroads where the church house meets the roadhouse, or where the Dew Drop Inn meets CBGB. Essentially a solo project for Weiner, the band is known for appearing on Barack Obama’s list of favorite songs (‘Boozophilia’ from 2012) and their association with Elton John, who has called the band one of his favorites.”
17. “Village” – Paul Weller
New material from Paul Weller? Enough said. But seriously, this guy could sing the phone book and I’d love it. Whether with The Jam, Style Council, or solo, he’s one of the greats and still going strong at 62.
18. “Unreal City” – M. Ward
Singer/songwriter Matthew Ward (aka M. Ward) out of Portland, OR has been going strong since 1999 and released his tenth album this year. This track is filled with a smooth synthesizer, little handclaps, and lots of da-da-das. Sounds like he’s having a blast to me. Fun video too.
19. “Strangers” – Mt. Joy
This five-piece group out of LA with roots in Philly released their second album, which included this standout. They began the year touring with The Lumineers before everything came to a screeching halt in March thanks to our friend, Covid-19. Keep an eye (and ear) out for these guys in the years to come.
20. “Why Would I Let You Go” – Sondre Lerche
Sondre’s latest effort featured a gorgeous song that wraps up this year’s collection. Slow, brooding and elegant, it hit all the right notes for me. Every time he sings “Here we are…” it reminds me of what we all had to endure this year isolated in our own spaces. Ready to let go of 2020? Uh, duh!
The "Best of the Year" Collection 