Music in 2013: The 100 Greatest Tracks (Part One)
This'll be split into three parts: the first fifty, the second thirty, and the top twenty. I hope there's at least something here you may enjoy.
#100 - "Sonnentanz" - Klangkarussell
A bit of a surprise hit around September, this German sundance isn't exactly the liveliest thing imaginable but it sure is gorgeous. I prefer this version to the vocal one that charted.
#99 - "I Appear Missing" - Queens of the Stone Age
I found it difficult to pick a song from the album to feature on this list, but this one just about stands out as the most dramatic.
#98 - "Flatline" - Mutya Keisha Siobhan
It was a little unfortunate releasing this in the wake of HAIM, I guess. Not Dev Hynes' finest contribution to pop, not even in the past 12 months, but still largely more enjoyable than anything by the Sugababes since 2007.
#97 - "Move" - Little Mix
I've said many times that the build-up to the chorus is a touch disappointing, but the whole feel of the song is an awesome new direction for the girls. Very 90s, very fun.
#96 - "Bipp" - Sophie
This whole project confuses me, if I'm honest. I've seen a handful of similar artworks with brightly-coloured random objects and I've no idea who the artist is/are. This track is intriguing, though, and could be one to watch out for.
#95 - "Queenie Eye" - Paul McCartney
Mostly talked about for its music video (starring just about everyone, including Meryl Streep, Johnny Depp, Jude Law, Sean Penn, Kate Moss, James Corden, Gary Barlow, Jeremy Irons, Tom Ford, Lily Cole and Chris Pine), it's a pretty solid and enjoyable tune.
#94 - "Only Tomorrow" - My Bloody Valentine
At the start of the year of the surprise release, 2013 gave us a brand new MBV album. Now, I have to admit, I'd never bothered to listen to the band before, but this was lovely enough to make me delve back.
#93 - "Falling" - HAIM
Not entirely sure why their other hits were hailed as their breakthroughs; this is by far their best. Listen to that bassline FOR GOODNESS' SAKE.
#92 - "Double Bubble Trouble" - M.I.A.
Most rewarding drop of the year.
#91 - "Girl Like Me" - Slava
Well I suppose with Game of Thrones going from strength to strength, a music video depicting brother-sisterly incest was inevitable. Very dark, quite bewitching too - and that's just the song.
#90 - "Alien Days" - MGMT
The only cut from their third album that wasn't appallingly bad happened to be rather lovely indeed. This is their potential. Youth Lagoon's entire discography is their potential. Instead they pissed on songsheets.
#89 - "Ways to Go" - Grouplove
Because every list of songs needs a music video following the life of Kim Jong-Un, set to deliriously happy indiepop.
#88 - "She Will" - Savages
I dread to think how many bands have been dubbed "the female Joy Division" but I can't really find a term that describes their stage presence and songwriting. This is my favourite from the record.
#87 - "3AM Spiritual" - Smith Westerns
I kinda just want the spring of 2015 to come around so I can fall in love all over again with their soppy old nonsense. That sounded like a compliment in my head. Just really sweet, melodic glam-rock brought up to date.
#86 - "Clay" - Goldfrapp
THIS IS FUCKING LOVELY.
#85 - "Bourgeois" - Phoenix
Right from the intro, I'm hooked. I blame the Drive soundtrack. It's going to be five years before REAL HUMAN BEING AND A REAL HERO is washed from my system. Stunningly pretty.
#84 - "Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)" - Arcade Fire
The sound of the Smiths lamenting the loss of a Greek mythical heroine? Without Morrissey's voice? Yes please. (Sorry, Morrissey, I love you really but change is nice).
#83 - "Airglow Fires" - Lone
Yes. More of this. Music to throw all sorts of stupid hand movements to.
#82 - "Wedding Song" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Frontwoman Karen O wrote this song and performed it at her own wedding, hence the title. Imagine being there, listening to this. *swoons and swoons some more*
#81 - "Middle Sea" - Yuck
Watch the music video. And you thought John McEnroe was pissed off.
The only cut from their third album that wasn't appallingly bad happened to be rather lovely indeed. This is their potential. Youth Lagoon's entire discography is their potential. Instead they pissed on songsheets.
#89 - "Ways to Go" - Grouplove
Because every list of songs needs a music video following the life of Kim Jong-Un, set to deliriously happy indiepop.
#88 - "She Will" - Savages
I dread to think how many bands have been dubbed "the female Joy Division" but I can't really find a term that describes their stage presence and songwriting. This is my favourite from the record.
#87 - "3AM Spiritual" - Smith Westerns
I kinda just want the spring of 2015 to come around so I can fall in love all over again with their soppy old nonsense. That sounded like a compliment in my head. Just really sweet, melodic glam-rock brought up to date.
#86 - "Clay" - Goldfrapp
THIS IS FUCKING LOVELY.
#85 - "Bourgeois" - Phoenix
Right from the intro, I'm hooked. I blame the Drive soundtrack. It's going to be five years before REAL HUMAN BEING AND A REAL HERO is washed from my system. Stunningly pretty.
#84 - "Awful Sound (Oh Eurydice)" - Arcade Fire
The sound of the Smiths lamenting the loss of a Greek mythical heroine? Without Morrissey's voice? Yes please. (Sorry, Morrissey, I love you really but change is nice).
#83 - "Airglow Fires" - Lone
Yes. More of this. Music to throw all sorts of stupid hand movements to.
#82 - "Wedding Song" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Frontwoman Karen O wrote this song and performed it at her own wedding, hence the title. Imagine being there, listening to this. *swoons and swoons some more*
#81 - "Middle Sea" - Yuck
Watch the music video. And you thought John McEnroe was pissed off.
#80 - "Sing to Me" - Anna Calvi
Her first album may have been a little too "in PJ Harvey's shadow" but this one was full of spellbinding loveliness like this.
#79 - "C O O L" - Le Youth
It's about as subtle as a brick but still. Tune tbh.
#78 - "Wrecking Ball" - Miley Cyrus
Do I need to say anything about this? Big, big 80s ballad.
#77 - "Doin' it Right (feat. Panda Bear)" - Daft Punk
Mmmmm. Yes.
#76 - "How Does it Feel" - Yuck
Think of Blur's headlining moments and you're probably thinking of musical godliness like this. It makes me smile.
#75 - "Headlights" - Eminem
Startling, headline-grabbing moment from his latest LP. Altogether now: aww.
#74 - "All I Know" - Washed Out
If there are pills that can induce the same reaction as Washed Out's music, do let me know of their name.
#73 - "All Night" - Icona Pop
Only just noticed this had a music video of drag queens having a dance battle. Marvellous.
#72 - "Belong to the World" - The Weeknd
dat portishead sample. nnnf.
#71 - "You're Not Good Enough" - Blood Orange
If this actually had a chorus, it could be lifechanging. As things stand, it's just a groovy buildup, but a very good one at that.
#70 - "I Am a God" - Kanye West
This made the list mostly for the screams. Everything else surrounding them is "quite good" too. I suppose I should reference the croissants line, too.
#69 - "I Could be the One" - Avicii vs. Nicky Romero
It is a rule of the 2010s that there shall be one excellent Avicii single a year. This was 2013's (and if you think that Aloe Blacc crap was better you're mistaken).
#68 - "Flick of the Finger" - Beady Eye
Excellent.
#67 - "Oblivion (feat. Susanne Sundfør)" - M83
Apparently the movie was quite poor. Sundfør's work this year is not - this is wonderfully over-the-top and magnificent.
#66 - "I Can Hardly Make You Mine" - Cults
The catchiest cut from album #2. Madeline Follin could quite easily sing me the news of the deaths of everyone I love and I'd be mildly enjoying it.
#65 - "XO" - Beyoncé
Had this been released earlier, it may have made more of an impact. As it stands, it's just a new song I like very much.
#64 - "Dip" - Danny Brown
He seems fun.
#63 - "Let Me Show You Love" - Cut Copy
Sounds like Primal Scream soundtracking an Aztec temple ceremony.
#62 - "Young Believers" - Vampire Weekend
One of the most cheerful songs about religious uncertainty there is going.
#61 - "Electric Lady (feat. Solange)" - Janelle Monáe
The bassline has been controlling my legs for around 30% of the year.
This made the list mostly for the screams. Everything else surrounding them is "quite good" too. I suppose I should reference the croissants line, too.
#69 - "I Could be the One" - Avicii vs. Nicky Romero
It is a rule of the 2010s that there shall be one excellent Avicii single a year. This was 2013's (and if you think that Aloe Blacc crap was better you're mistaken).
#68 - "Flick of the Finger" - Beady Eye
Excellent.
#67 - "Oblivion (feat. Susanne Sundfør)" - M83
Apparently the movie was quite poor. Sundfør's work this year is not - this is wonderfully over-the-top and magnificent.
#66 - "I Can Hardly Make You Mine" - Cults
The catchiest cut from album #2. Madeline Follin could quite easily sing me the news of the deaths of everyone I love and I'd be mildly enjoying it.
#65 - "XO" - Beyoncé
Had this been released earlier, it may have made more of an impact. As it stands, it's just a new song I like very much.
#64 - "Dip" - Danny Brown
He seems fun.
#63 - "Let Me Show You Love" - Cut Copy
Sounds like Primal Scream soundtracking an Aztec temple ceremony.
#62 - "Young Believers" - Vampire Weekend
One of the most cheerful songs about religious uncertainty there is going.
#61 - "Electric Lady (feat. Solange)" - Janelle Monáe
The bassline has been controlling my legs for around 30% of the year.
#60 - "White Noise (feat. AlunaGeorge)" - Disclosure
How well it charted was a nice surprise.
#59 - "Love in Stereo" - Sky Ferreira
The finest spiritual successor to mid-00s electro R&B. Pretty.
#58 - "Subway" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Why has no one else thought of making a sample out of this noise before? Wonderfully relaxing track.
#57 - "SuperLove" - Charli XCX
Stormed the charts at #62! Oh well. Undoubtedly better than everything that placed above it that week, I'm sure.
#56 - "Given 'em What they Love" - Janelle Monáe & Prince
IT'S FUCKING PRINCE, OK
#55 - "Good Ass Intro" - Chance the Rapper
This reminds me of the early noughties, when rap seemed to be a lot more cheerful and summery. Lives up to its title, really.
#54 - "Ulla" - Goldfrapp
My favourite from the record. Would place higher on days when I'm more in need of Goldfrapp, and Christmas Eve isn't one of those days.
#53 - "Pale Green Ghosts" - John Grant
The most pleasant surprise to usher in 2013 was Grant's new knack for electronics. Brooding, theatrical but still putting focus on his formidable voice.
#52 - "Weight" - Mikal Cronin
There was a week or so in June when this was all I wanted to listen to.
#51 - "Miasma Sky" - Baths
Oh god I've placed this too low haven't I?
How well it charted was a nice surprise.
#59 - "Love in Stereo" - Sky Ferreira
The finest spiritual successor to mid-00s electro R&B. Pretty.
#58 - "Subway" - Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Why has no one else thought of making a sample out of this noise before? Wonderfully relaxing track.
#57 - "SuperLove" - Charli XCX
Stormed the charts at #62! Oh well. Undoubtedly better than everything that placed above it that week, I'm sure.
#56 - "Given 'em What they Love" - Janelle Monáe & Prince
IT'S FUCKING PRINCE, OK
#55 - "Good Ass Intro" - Chance the Rapper
This reminds me of the early noughties, when rap seemed to be a lot more cheerful and summery. Lives up to its title, really.
#54 - "Ulla" - Goldfrapp
My favourite from the record. Would place higher on days when I'm more in need of Goldfrapp, and Christmas Eve isn't one of those days.
#53 - "Pale Green Ghosts" - John Grant
The most pleasant surprise to usher in 2013 was Grant's new knack for electronics. Brooding, theatrical but still putting focus on his formidable voice.
#52 - "Weight" - Mikal Cronin
There was a week or so in June when this was all I wanted to listen to.
#51 - "Miasma Sky" - Baths
Oh god I've placed this too low haven't I?
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