My 25 of 2017

I tried to get this list out last weekend, but this has officially been the most difficult year to get my favorites down to 25 songs. Keep in mind I’ve been officially doing this since 2011, and also there was a lot of forgettable music this year. But there was a ton of great stuff. There was so much great stuff, in fact, that some of my favorite artists who came out with albums this year (Foo Fighters, the Killers to name two) didn’t have a tune that made the cut. Tough year, y’all. But here are my 25 favorite songs of 2017. Share yours.

25. “Tummy Ache” — Diet Cig

Seems like your basic 21st century “girl power” song, but it’s so catchy and I really like the lead singer’s voice. it reminded me of Veruca Salt (the band, not the Willy Wonka character), and that’s never a bad thing.

24. “Fluid” — Bus Vipers

Not my typical jam, but it’s so catchy and singable. I just kept finding myself listening to it, going back to it. It’s a fun song. 

23. “Can We Hang On?” — Cold War Kids 

You know it’s a tough year when CWK are in the 20s. But that’s what it was. The new album was good, but if it follows in line with other albums, it gets better over time. Still in my top 5 favorite current bands.

22. “You Know Me Better” — J Roddy Walston and the Business

Love J Roddy. The new album is good, still warming up to it, but this track jumped off the album right away. It’s just a fun jam and I love their sound.

21. “I’m So Free” — Beck

Beck is in the running for the best album I downloaded this year. It’s incredibly upbeat and poppy and this song is my favorite, which could change any day. It’s loaded.

20. “Alta” — Ty Segall

I love Ty Segall and this is a great song. Should have been higher, but I didn’t know what to knock down. Sounds like he collaborated with Jack White on this one, but he didn’t. Or did he?

19. “Name For You” — The Shins

I unapologetically love the Shins. I will buy everything they ever put out and I missed my chance last month to see them live. I never know when their next album will be their last, but I’m betting this is it.  But it’s ok, because James Mercer will still be around on some level with a new project.

18. “Ran” — Future Islands

I don’t know a ton about Future Islands, but I like everything I’ve heard and I love the lead singer’s voice. And this is a fun song to drive to and crank. Could have been on an 80s movie montage.

17. “Disguise” — Day Wave

This too, is a great album. On any given day I could have a different song. But this one is so hauntingly beautiful. The topic seems to be the way we all keep ourselves hidden behind masks for fear of rejection. I think we can all relate to that on some level.

16. “I Got Your Message” — Hideout

This song just kept growing on me. The first time I heard it, I couldn’t turn it off fast enough. But then I listened to it over and over. And it’s just catchy. And then I found out that the lead is in the band Cults, or at least in the live band. And it’s got a great line in it 

“You're making big decisions

But nobody is there

Your painted nails sailing

Through the ocean of your hair”

Pretty cool I guess.

15. “Tell The Truth” — Dams of the West

Chris Tomson is … I’m sorry … WAS the drummer for Vampire Weekend, and this has led me to finally come to terms with the fact that they are never getting back together. And yet, this song is so good I put it in the top 15. I guess I’ll take what I can get. Meanwhile, Ezra Koenig is nowhere to be heard. That makes me sad, friends. Moral of the story is you need to go see your favorite bands when you get the chance, because you may never get another. 

14. “I Saw You Close Your Eyes” — Local Natives

I’m all on board with these guys. If you doubt, go look up their live performance of “Coins” on the YouTubes. This song was a single that was released this year. I’ll be seeing them. I’ll let you know how it goes. 

13. “Matter of Time” — Surfer Blood

One of my top 10 fave bands. They did not disappoint live. And they hung out after the show and took pics with us and signed the setlist for me and they are just awesome. And John Paul just walked out into the crowd and sang with us. Rocking good time and rocking great band. And also, “new” guitarist Mike McCleary looks just like Paul Rudd. Look it up.

12. “Bad Ones” — Matthew Dear (feat. Teagan and Sara)

I do not know anything about Matthew Dear, and I do not particularly listen to Teagan and Sara, but I can’t stop listening to this song. No idea why. Honestly no idea. But it gets stuck in my head for days on end, so that says something.

11. “Flies on the Sun” — Wolf Parade

Just so you know, I WILL be seeing Wolf Parade in January. And I WILL be shaking/hugging Dan Boeckner. And my life WILL be complete. I love Dan Boeckner. He’s got so many projects going, I have  no idea how or if he sleeps. I have a feeling he doesn’t. 

10. “A Violent Noise” — The xx

I’ve said for a while that this was the best album I downloaded all year. And I also missed my chance to see them live. And Chaney was going to go with me. This is a beautiful haunting song. And speaking of my kids not going to concerts, I have offered both of them the invitation to go see the Killers with me in January and neither of them are super psyched. Someone please talk some sense into my children or take their ticket.

9. “Guilty Party” — The National

I love the National. Matt Berninger may have my favorite voice in music. In fact, I sing every song in his voice. I would love to see them do an album where they cover a bunch of fluffy pop songs. Would anything seriously be funnier than hearing Matt sing Taylor Swift’s “22” ? I submit there would not be. But for real, this song puts me straight in a mood. So when I’m melancholy for a month, just know they came out with a new album. I’ll try to warn everyone. 

8. “Still Waking Up” — Tim Darcy

Tim Darcy is the front man for the band Ought, and I have to say I like his solo stuff better thus far. This song is a classic. It has a very Marshall Crenshaw feel to it. And I love Marshall Crenshaw so …

7. “Feel It Still” — Portugal. The Man

I am currently tempted to replace this with “Live in the Moment” which is my current favorite song off that album. I will say that this is probably my favorite album front to back from this year. But I don’t want to be pretentious and even though this is completely played out, it’s a fun song. And it’s fun to sing and I’m so thankful they have a hit song that preteen girls like so they can jack up the ticket price. But I’m not bitter.

6. “Lookers” — The Menzingers

This song rocks. It’s fun to drive to and jam out on. It kinda has that radio punk vibe to it. I don’t know much about that, but I love the song. I had no idea before this that Jersey girls were always total heartbreakers. 

5. “Highway Tune” — Greta Van Fleet

THIS. BAND. IS. AWESOME. Thank you to my friend Jason for letting me know about these guys. It took me about 45 seconds to put them on the bucket list. This song rocks so hard I can’t drive the speed limit when I listen to it, so be warned. Also, the lead singer sounds like Ann Wilson and Robert Plant had a baby and he grew up to be a rock star. 

4. “Wanted Woman / AC/DC” — Larkin Poe

I don’t want to imply that I know the Lovell sisters personally, but we are best friends. And Chaney loves them. When I was trying to convince her our upcoming move to TN would be a good one, I reminded her that Rebecca and Megan live in Nashville. And she was immediately on board. But seriously, we went to see them a few months ago and they signed autographs for Chaney, took several pictures with her and PUT IT ON THEIR INSTAGRAM! Chaney almost passed out. These ladies can rock, and they closed their set that night with the second half of this song. I asked Rebecca on the way out what it was because I didn’t recognize it and she told me it was a new song they’re trying out called “AC/DC.” I told her I hope it’s on the new album and …….. well, I guess we are best friends.

3. “Baby Luv” — Nilüfer Yanya

This girl is gonna be big. She’s immensely talented and this song is incredibly and gorgeously haunting. So smooth and her voice just kills it. 

2. “The Maze” — Manchester Orchestra

So here we are. This is a tough decision. This is the first song on their new album and I’ve heard it’s about Andy Hull’s daughter and the fact that he’s someone’s dad and overwhelmed by it and I relate so much to it and it makes me think of when my kids were little and I wish I had this song back then and I choke up every time I listen to it and I love Andy Hull’s voice. Oh dear … it has to be number one, right?

1. “The Way You Used To Do” — Queens of the Stone Age

Wrong. I’ve been going back and forth listening to this song and the MO song, and I’m sorry, but this has been my jam all year. I’m not going back now. When I want to groove, I turn on this jam. And QotSA have waited a long time to be number one on my list. So here they are. Deservedly. I’m going to go ahead and put my list out now before I change my mind.

So there you have it, my favorite 25 songs of the year 2017, which turned out to be a great year for music. Share your list. I love hearing new stuff. Thanks to everyone who loves me enough to keep sending me new music. Please don’t stop doing that. I love hearing new stuff. Hope you all have a great Christmas and your 2018 is full of more great music.