“It was a work of art. That's the hardest part. To spiral out, to try and float. To see a friend, to see a ghost. Bitter-brained, always drunk. Rail-thin, Zoloft. Subtle change, shorter days. Dead-eyed, dead weight. Your life, your dreams. Your mind, your needs. My needs. Your needs, my needs.”
My top ten songs includes a total of 12 songs and only seven artists as Noah, Zach, and The National make multiple appearances in just the top ten. Similar to my birthday playlist, this list of ten songs is pretty intense, representing the intensity of my year. That being said, many of these songs are also popular songs amongst the critics this year and you’re likely to see all these artists and a few of the songs on other critical best of lists. In fact, you’re unlikely to find a critical song list that doesn’t include the indie super group, boygenius and their outstanding “Not Strong Enough.” You’ll for sure find The National’s First Two Pages Frankenstein on almost any indie driven best of list. So they are songs that I am super connected to that area also popular with critics.
1. Your Needs, My Needs - Noah Kahan
Man did I play the crap out of this song this year. Every word of this song rings true in some way. I even love the little guitar part towards the end. The work of art. The naming things. The Zoloft. The change. Being bitter brained. The shorter days. The dead eyes. Being dead weight. Your Dreams. Your Life. Your Mind. Your Needs. My Needs. I saw this live this year and it was everything I was hoping for. Noah is singing about his part in the end of a relationship here.
“Oh well, who was I? Who was I to watch you wilt? You ain't gotta tell me what it means Trace the outlines of your dreams. You'll always be a flower on my skin. And the pain that I am in. It's all the same. The losing touch, the waiting game. You cross that county line. I promise to be there this time, alright? You were a work of art. That's the hardest part. Howling like dogs in the light of the moon. Holding our breath after 1:32. You asked me why I wasn't sayin' a word. I'm namin' the stars in the sky after you. It was a work of art. That's the hardest part. To spiral out, to try and float. To see a friend, to see a ghost. Bitter-brained, always drunk. Rail-thin, Zoloft. Subtle change, shorter days. Dead-eyed, dead weight. Your life, your dreams. Your mind, your needs. My needs, Your needs, my needs.”
2. Starved - Zach Bryan
I saw this live this year. It was awesome. I am pretty sure I shed tears. This was released as a single and was not on any record as far as I know. This song resonates so hard with me. And Zach brings just such emotion to the song. I chose the live version here because it captures all that emotion. I love how he just lets “THERE IS NO WORLD IN WHICH I AM GOOD FOR YOU,” sit there for a couple beats. So you, as the listener, really get his point. Thats usually when the tears startup. Also the fiddle is just fantastic.
“The purest parts of my heart are you and me.
I love when your grin grows. The corners of your lips lifting lift me when I'm low. I read in the good book. The best things in life are free and need to be let go. So take one last good look. Let's share one last cigarette. I'll be gone by the time you're ashing it. Stop asking things you know the answers to. There is no world in which I am good for you.”
3. Once Upon A Poolside - The National (feat. Sufjan Stevens)
The National’s album featuring this song is awesome. While there are more popular songs on the album, this is my favorite and I think it does a good job of capturing the theme of the album. This one finds, lead singer, Matt Berninger, contemplating the end of his band or his marriage or both. This captured my thoughts perfectly in the spring of 2023.
“What was the worried thing you said to me? I can't keep talking, I can't stop shaking. I can't keep track of everything I'm taking. Everything is different, why do I feel the same? Am I asking for too much? Can't hear what you're saying. What was the worried thing you said to me? I thought we could make it through anything. This is the closest we've ever been. And I have no idea what's happening. Is this how this whole thing is gonna end?”
4. I Remember Everything - Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
I love the back and forth between Kacey and Zach. While I love how Zach sings, “I remember, I remember, everything,” in the first verse, I think Kacey’s verse wins. Its outstanding. And she just totally shuts Zach down. I actually owned an 88 Ford (Tempo).
“You're drinkin' everything to ease your mind. But when the hell are you gonna ease mine? You're like concrete feet in the summer heat. It burns like hell when two souls meet. No, you'll never be the man that you always swore. But I'll remember you singin' in that '88 Ford.”
5. New Order T-Shirt - The National
Another excellent one from The National’s awesome album. Matt perfectly captures how you try to capture and keep those moments with people in your life. It reminds me of all the moments I try to keep in my heart with people I love.
“I keep what I can of you. Split-second glimpses and snapshots and sounds. You in my New Order t-shirt. Holdin' a cat and a glass of beer. I flicker through. I carry them with me like drugs in a pocket. You in a Kentucky aquarium. Talkin' to a shark in a corner.”
6. Dawns - Zach Bryan (feat. Maggie Rogers)
Man seeing this song live was amazing. The crowd was just so loud and so into it. Seeing this song live was a musical highlight for me. Check out my video of the song below and hear the crowd erupt and then sing along.
“I get fucked up just 'cause I'm scared. Love's just another drug I have grown a victim to. So what do I do? Oh, what do I do? All is fair in love and war. So what the hell are we even fightin' for? I'm on your front porch beggin' for my dawns back. Give my goddamn records and my clothes back. 'Cause I'm through. Oh, how I'm through.”
7. Dial Drunk - Noah Kahan
Noah Kahan has blown up this year. At one point I was hearing this song on the Hits 1 station on SiriusXM and Little 33Forever and I looked at each other like, what is going on. Then Post Malone kicked in a verse and it made sense. But still, this dude blew up so much that Post Malone is doing a version of his song with him. And this is an excellent song. Its fun to sing a long too. You don’t have had to directly experienced what he is talking about to get the emotion and feeling of being abandoned. This song was awesome live. And, I thought for most of the year it’d be my number one song.
“I beg you, sir, just let me call. I'll give you my blood alcohol. I'll rot with all the burnouts in the cell. I'll change my faith, I'll praise the flag. Let's wait, I swear she'll call me back. "Son, are you a danger to yourself?" Fuck that, sir, just let me call. I'll give you my blood alcohol. I'll rot with all the burnouts in the cell. I'll change my faith, I'll kiss the badge. Let's wait, I swear she'll call me back "Son, why do you do this to yourself? And I said. I ain't proud of all the punches that I've thrown. In the name of someone I no longer know (I no longer know). For the shame of being young, drunk, and alone. Traffic lights and a transmitter radio. I don't like that when they threw me in the car. I gave your name as my emergency phone call. Honey, it rang and rang, even the cops thought you were wrong for hangin' up. I dial drunk, I'd die a drunk, I'd die for you
8. Not Strong Enough - boygenius
I hope you know the indie super group boygenius. I am a fan of each of them individually (Phoebe Briders, Lucy Dacus, and Julien Baker). Individually, they make highly emotive and vulnerable music. Together they do that, but they totally freaking rock as well. Before the prior song, I thought this would be my top song of the year. It captures all the great elements of this group and is a great representation of how they play off each other in an excellent way. “I don’t know why I am the way I am.”
“Always an angel, never a god. I don't know why I am the way I am. There's something in the static, I think I've been having revelations. Comin' to, in the front seat, nearly empty. Skip the exit to our old street and go home. Go home alone.”
9. Laugh Track - The National (feat. Phoebe Bridgers)
The National released a second album this year, titled Laugh Track. This track is a great and sad and full of emotion. It’s another song from their pair of albums that captures the anxiety about the end of things. Or nearing the end of things.
“Turn on the laugh track. We'll see if it changes the scene. Maybe this is just the funniest version. Of us that we've ever been. I think our feet are gonna slip. I think our hands are gonna shake. I think our eyes are gonna cry. I think our hearts are gonna break. Maybe we'll never lighten up. Maybe this isn't gonna quit. I think it's never coming back. Maybe we've always been like this.”
10 (t). Friends - Joy Oladokun (with Mt. Joy)
I love so much about Joy Oladokun and her album Proof Of Life. I love so many songs on it, I am surprised that this is the only song that made my top ten. I so want Joy to be the spokesperson for her generation. I love how she makes herself vulnerable and yet full of hope at the same time. This is a great example of her music.
This song is about maintaining a great relationship with an ex and still relying on each other for support.
"When the days are cold. When the nights are longer. You can be my sun. You can be like summer. When the waves, they flow. When the weight gets heavy. You don't have to go. If we can't be family. Better friends than foes. Smoke weed when it feels right. But too bad it won't heal mine. I haven't prayed in a long time. I'm hoping God really don't mind. I'm just trying to live right. I'm just trying to keep sight. I might be on the wrong side. But it's alright."
10 (t). Levee - Wilco
Here is what I said earlier this year about this song:
Wilco's latest album is truly a gem that resonates with the band's earlier work, notably reminiscent of the Sky Blue Sky era. The album boasts an incredible sound, and I highly recommend giving it a listen. This particular track, while leaning toward the heavier side, features Jeff Tweedy's exceptional songwriting and musical prowess. The guitar work is particularly noteworthy, and the overall vibe of the song creates a captivating atmosphere that draws you in. The introspective lyrics (highlighted below) add depth to the song, inviting contemplation on the complexities of modern life and the choices we make in navigating it. Wilco's ability to blend meaningful lyrics with compelling instrumentation is showcased beautifully in this track.
“I love the levee by the lake. But the levee is fake. Why worry 'bout the rain and the wind. When I know it comes from within?"
Save me, save me again. Make me, make me lose you and then. Save me, save me again. Make me, make me use you again.
I love to take my meds. Like my doctor said. But I worry. If I shouldn't instead”
10 (t). Puppy and a Truck - Jenny Lewis
This is a fun and witty song and its hard for me to pin down my favorite lyrics from this song. I support checking out Jenny Lewis’ new album, Joy’All. It’s fully influenced by Nashville and full of middle aged existential dread with lots of wit and humor. Lots of great lines throughout the album. This song is full of awesome lyrical plays. And its effectively about contemplating all the crazy shit we all did in response to the pandemic. Every one did some crazy shit. I suspect it hit middle aged people surprisingly hard as middle age leads to lots of existential dread and the pandemic seemed like our worst existential fears were coming true. I love how she starts off the song:
“My 40s are kicking my ass. And handing 'em to me in a margarita glass.”
This is exactly the sort of wit I am talking about. It’s not just the lyrics. Its the way she sings them. Like how she sings,
“If you see us rolling up. Thumbs up. Puppy and a truck.”
If you dig Jenny Lewis, you should check this out. If you dig Jenny Lewis and you’ve wanted her to be totally influenced by Nashville, then this is for you.
“So, I'm 44 in 2020. And thank god I saved up some money. Time to ruminate like, "What the fuck was that?’”
Check out the Top 10 Playlist below on Spotify and Apple Music (click the link).