Greetings,
Okay let's just get this out of the way. This year in music was pretty not that great. Yes, there were a couple of gems here and there, but holy smokes, it was hard to make this list. I just don't know what to say, other than I think I'm giving up on music. Generally, I mean, though there are some specific people I will still keep an eye on. Let's just do this.
Again, my rules for making these Year lists. The songs have to be on Billboards Hot 100 Year End chart and they cannot have appeared on any of my previous lists. There you go, here we go. My Top Ten-ish Best-ish Hit Songs of 2015.
#10. "Locked Away" R.City featuring Adam Levine - Amazing! A song where Adam Levine does not sound like a nonhuman. Hooray! Honestly, when he holds back a little and stays away from the falsetto (you are not a Bee Gee, sir!), he has a voice that I can enjoy. And I enjoy this song. I like a song that talks about people sticking together through the tough times. Even if those tough times evidently include jail time. Hey, we all make mistakes. And R. City has come a long way since taking part in the inception of a certain Miley Cyrus song. Now we have just good stuff. Stay with that.
#9. "Heartbeat Song" Kelly Clarkson - I think the best part of this song is the chorus. It is very...hook-y. As well it should be. And frankly, I don't find enough songs with that asset these days. Also, Kelly Clarkson is awesome. At least, with American Idol ending, we can be reminded of one good thing that came from it.
#8. "Drag Me Down" One Direction - So, this happened. Yeah, I must be really desperate to fill this list. Seriously, though, I've never disliked One Direction, per se. I've always just been indifferent to them. It's their fans who bother me a lot. Calm down about the Zayn thing, already. But as far as his song goes, it has a good beat and I can dance to it. Not that I would, though, because we must protect the eyes of the children.
#7. "Love Me Like You Do" Ellie Goulding - Okay, it's official. There are exactly three, count 'em, three good things that came from that mess of a film known as 50 Shades of Grey. An episode of Cinemasins, an Honest Trailer from Screen Junkies and this song. That is it! Don't let anyone tell you differently. I just hope Ellie got paid good for this, because she is SO too good to be associated with that thing.
#6. "Here" Alessia Cara - I'm sorry, but is this lovely young woman talking about how drinking and partying like a fool are bad things? Is she trying to be a legit good role model for girls her age and younger? Have my prayers been answered? I think maybe the answer to all these questions is YES!
#5. "Waves" Mr. Probz- Sometimes a nice simple song sung with some passion is all we need. This song fits the criteria quite well. I love the lyrics, and considering what a snob I am about that part of a song, I'd say that's a big compliment. Also, this guy has a nice voice. He can stick around. Oh, and I'm kind of cheating on this one. First, I think it's been out for a while, but it's still on the Year End Chart, so fair game. Also, technically, it was a remix that charted, and whilst I do like that version, I like the slower, more acoustic-y one better. But still. Same song.
#4. "Renegades" X Ambassadors - I forgive this song for being written for a car commercial, first of all. I can do that because it's really good and it has apparently inspired a lot of people. The video speaks volumes to that. It's a tearjerker, but in the best possible and the most heartwarming way.
#3. "Photograph" Ed Sheeran - I believe this is the less popular of Ed's ballads this year, but I like this one better. Whilst the other seems to be looking to the future, this one speaks of the importance of the past and our memories and how they shape who we are. And again, the video! Baby Ed Sheeran! So cute!
#2. "Uptown Funk" Mark Ronson featuring Bruno Mars - Yeah, I am so not a big fan of either of these guys. Well, as far as I know I'm not a fan of Mark Ronson. I don't really know what he's done besides the stuff with Amy Whinehouse. But that doesn't matter. I dig this song. It's nostalgic of a time when there was much, much better music. I'll take a good copy over a crap original any day. And that makes me kind of sad.
#1. "Hello" Adele - Yeah, surprise. As soon as I heard this song, I figured it would be very high on my list. Who knew it would have made it to Number One? Most people, probably. And like most people, I've missed Adele and I'm glad that she's back. Yes, there were parts of this song that felt a bit overproduced when it could have just relied on her amazing voice, and I know that this song is about an ex of hers...again. We have gone done this road with her before, but who cares? She does this very well, and there were very few things done this year with as much passion as she sang this song. So, congratulations, Adele. You're Number One on my good list. I'm sure she's thrilled.
So, there you have it. The few songs that I found, at best, enjoyable and at least, tolerable, in 2015. God bless the people who did manage to make some good music this year. As far as the others go? Well, just tune in tomorrow for the other side of the coin.
Love and full moons,
Becky the Writer
