25) Lilly Hiatt- “Brightest Star”
The daughter of folk-rock giant John Hiatt continued to carve out her own distinctive identity this year, and this bright, plucky single proved to be her most shimmering performance to date. “Brightest Star” hooks you from the moment you hear those ravishing opening guitar riffs. Then cue Hiatt, whose unique maneuvering of her pure pipes is positively hypnotizing (He just had the right tatoooooo). Sometimes you can judge a book–or song–by its cover. This track absolutely bursts with color, personality and attitude.
24) Amanda Shires featuring Jason Isbell- “The Problem”
It should come as no surprise that the first couple of Americana would have the gumption to tackle a topic as controversial and polarizing as abortion, nor should it that they do so with such poetic and tender mastery. There’s no political posturing, pontificating, or social judgment to be found in “The Problem”. Rather, this record is a stirring and all-too realistic depiction of a woman grappling with her choices and pondering the emotional and spiritual consequences, while her loyal partner stands steadfast by her side. Shires and Isbell play their parts beautifully here, and the results are both moving and provocative.
23) Brandy Clark- “Who You Thought I Was”
Sharp, emotional, and evocative, Brandy Clark continues to slowly preserve the integrity of contemporary country music, one song at a time. A seemingly breezy and comforting outing that shines with all of Clark’s quirky, off-beat details on the verses, she then swerves the listener with the gut-punch of the chorus, which reveals a swelling dose of regret and heartache. What starts out sounding like a profession of hope and aspirations for a new relationship suddenly reveals that we’re looking at the narrator post-break up. And then she swerves us again, uncovering a new layer of encouraging redemption and wisdom. A multi-dimensional exploration perfectly mirroring the true-to-life experiences of romance and heartache.
22) Hayley Williams- “Dead Horse”
“Dead Horse” is an exhilarating fulfillment of the Paramore front woman’s solo potential. It’s brash, confident, and a deliriously catchy fusion of all the very best elements of the band’s work, while placing greater emphasis on Williams’ creative voice and unfettered point of view. Sparkling dabs of 80s glitter and alternative attitude color these proceedings, while her fantastic voice delivers an onslaught of clever and incisive lyrics, all that are bolstered by one death-defying pop hook after another. This is a commanding piece of pop-rock magic.
21) Katie Pruitt- “Expectations”
Katie Pruitt’s arrival marks the emergence of one of the most exciting singer-songwriters we’ve been introduced to in sometime. Debut single, “Expectations” is a riveting piece soaked with the kind of angst, wisdom, and clear-eyed world view that you’d expect from a an older artist, but Pruitt’s hair-raising delivery assures us she’s lived through everything she’s singing about. The pressures and expectations we place on situations, other people, and most importantly ourselves can do crippling damage to our own life experience, and the earthquaking performance here is a stinging reminder of this truth: “You’re being way too generous/With all the fucks you’re giving.”
20) Margo Price with Sturgill Simpson- “Letting Me Down”
The sizzling guitar licks here alone are everything. “Letting Me Down” is a ravenous romp through the Cosmic country-rock glory days of the mid-70s. Simpson’s arrangements and the red-hot instrumentation recalls the greatest moments of Emmylou Harris and The Hot Band, and Price matches that intense urgency with the biting, country twang she’s become revered for. The entire performance will set your speakers on fire, and it’s unquestionably Price’s most infectious, rock-tinged moment to date.
19) The Head and the Heart- “Honeybee”
A lilting piece of folk-pop beauty. The shiny polish of the prominent piano trappings and layered vocals play to the band’s fountain of strengths, and the sparkling vocal chemistry between spouses Matt Gervais and Charity Rose Thielen has never carried such emotional gravity. As humans, we spend so much time just mustering the energy to get through our daily routines, while also chasing goals and dreams we think will make us whole. In doing so, we criminally take for granted the fulfilling relationships staring us right in the face: “And if our world comes tumbling down/I never could forgive myself for leaving out/You’re the one, you are the only one.” A message so simple; yet at times so difficult to express. But it’s so powerful when done this splendidly.
18) Mickey Guyton- “What Are You Gonna Tell Her”
A soul-shaking song from the perspective of a mother struggling with the harsh, dream-dashing realities that the world will inevitably have in store for her young daughter, who still sees society through the idyllic lens of a child. It’s a bitterly moving indictment of all the sexist, racis,t and bigoted prejudices that have stifled Guyton and countless others, not just in her musical format, but in society as a whole. Her guttural delivery of each stinging lyric is all the more powerful because she’s lived it herself. Bottom line: we have to do better in this world, not just for each other right now, but for those that will inherit our culture and our world from us in the future.
17) Miranda Lambert- “Bluebird”
This stunning track gave Miranda Lambert a long overdue comeback on country radio, and it hits all the satisfying sweet spots that have defined the magic of her music for the past fifteen years: bittersweet vocals, sharp and incisive lyrical couplets, and clever turns of phrase that absolutely glow when sprinkled with the unique character of her voice and perspective. Life can be extremely difficult, there’s no question. But it can be truly fulfilling, even in those dark moments, when approached with the mindset that you still control what you do with what you’re given. If ever there was a year to be reminded of this, 2020 was certainly it.
16) Maren Morris- “The Bones”
Great break-up songs are difficult to write well. A great song celebrating the resilience of a relationship is even more challenging due to all of the lurking pitfalls that await to send the tune into the sap zone. With “The Bones”, Morris never falls into that trap and creates a well-balanced tune that manages to use its obvious metaphor intelligently, tastefully highlighting both the the trials and triumphs of a romance overcoming a dark period. Credit that both to the breezy but convicted country-pop backdrop and rich, soulful vocals from Morris herself that still allow the lyrics to do the heavy lifting when necessary.
15) Tame Impala- “Lost In Yesterday”
A thoughtful and atmospheric achievement, one where reflective lyrics and psychedelic pop landscapes meet at a glorious intersection of sonic and emotional wonder. Rock and alternative music so often hide the true messages of their songs within a thick coat of sound and ambiguously oddball lyrics. On “Lost In Yesterday” however, Tame Impala mastermind Kevin Parker presents both a message and an arrangement that are perfectly in sync with one another, as if going any other route would be an insult to the listener. Nostalgic mindsets often place us in a hazy cloud of flawed perspective and memories that can ultimately control and hinder our lives, and that cloud is perfectly visualized through the mystifying wall of sound achieved here.
14) Dua Lipa- “Don’t Start Now”
Whoever said disco was dead obviously didn’t let Dua Lipa know. Or maybe they did and now she’s just dancing victoriously on their graves. Because “Don’t Start Now” is an unequivocal triumph in each and every way. It was one of the first inescapable hits of the year, and we still can’t get it out of our heads as we prepare to turn the calendar yet again. This is a lush, electrifying pop joyride no matter how many times you’ve heard it. From Lipa’s husky and intoxicating vocals to the spellbinding disco strings and piano to the infectiously bopping chorus, it will leave you screaming “don’t stop now” at the end of each successive listen.
13) John Prine- “I Remember Everything”
The loss of John Prine to COVID-19 was one of many cruel tragedies the music industry suffered during 2020. However, one gift left in the wake of Prine’s passing was this, the final song he ever recorded. While there’s no way Prine could’ve known what specifically awaited him when he wrote it, this is the tender meditation of a man who knows there are more years behind him than ahead. In his classic fashion, it’s written with both grace and grit, and all of the fabulous intimacy that made him such a treasured artist (Swimming pools of butterflies that slipped right through the net!). There will never be another artist quite like John Prine, and this instant classic not only proves to be a perfect elegy for himself, but a warm source of comfort for all of the friends, family, and fans he left behind.
12) Chris Stapleton with Morgane Stapleton- “Starting Over”
Leave it to Chris Stapleton to cut through all of the noise and polarizing division of the year with a gorgeously hushed, all-acoustic tune of love, devotion, and perseverance that immediately distracts you from the manic world raging outside. Like all great, timeless music, “Starting Over” is so powerful because of how simple and straight-forwardly conversational it is. Stapleton’s bluesy country twang is joined by nothing more than a strumming guitar and the chilling harmonies of his wife, Morgane. Together, they deliver a sterling and eye-opening declaration that love and companionship will always win over everything else.
11) The Lumineers- “Salt and the Sea”
The fourth single from The Lumineers’ devastatingly beautiful concept album, III, was arguably the most chillingly haunted track of the entire project. Lead vocalist Wesley Schultz has never sounded this poetically grim and soulful, which is a grand statement in itself given the remarkable work that the band has built over the course of three epic albums. Closing a storied record that never gets close to a happy ending, “Salt and the Sea” is the epitome of that record’s ominous nature and inescapable fate of despair. Each lyric, vocal turn and instrumental movement is executed with the utmost precision, masterfully evoking the utter devastation and emotional weight of its story. A startling performance from a band that has continuously proven itself as one of the most important musical curators of its time.
10) Twenty One Pilots- “Level of Concern”
It’s difficult to argue that Twenty One Pilots certainly delivered the ultimate kick-ass track to emerge from COVID-19 artist quarantines. In a truly strange but entertaining dichotomy, the band addresses the current state of the world by using it as a metaphor for a strained relationship, and in the process delivers what is undoubtedly the most infectious, dance-floor ready banger of their career thus far. That’s not to say that the Pilots abandoned their unique alt-rock sensibilities. Tyler Joseph’s vocals remain as quirky as they’ve always been, and there was plenty of T1P rock haze to be found throughout this track. But those elements were also paired with an irresistible pop execution that boasts a snappy chorus, radio-ready hooks and considerably bouncier beats than anything found on the band’s first two albums. “Would you be my little quarantine?” Ah, romance in 2020.
9) Taylor Swift- “Cardigan”
While it certainly ranks near the top of the heap, “Cardigan” may not necessarily be the ultimate pinnacle within the vast body of transformative work that Taylor Swift birthed in quarantine. But it will always hold the distinction as the first taste that the public heard of the Folklore era, and as a result it will forever be a definitive moment in the superstar’s history. It is perhaps as critical an artistic pivot as “Shake It Off” was back in 2014. With “Cardigan” and the album that followed, Swift blends the vivid lyricism and folky tendencies of her country origins with her pop-influenced taste for dramatic production to craft an awe-inspiring brand of Americana mystery that somehow boasts a chorus as seductively contagious as anything she’s ever released. There’s a tasty dose of irony in hearing her sing “When you are young, they assume you know nothing.” She’s still young, but “Cardigan” announced just how much she’s learned throughout her dizzying career, and there may not be a single musical style she can’t absolutely conquer.
8) Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande- “Rain on Me”
As entertaining as it was to witness Lady Gaga’s cross-genre exploration of other styles and influences during the latter half of the 2010s, it’s been equally exhilarating to hear the superstar return this year to the charismatic dance sounds that made her an icon in the first place. “Stupid Love” may have been the buzz-worthy lead single to Chromatica, but “Rain On Me” was what officially announced her hit-making super powers were truly still as reliable as before. Her performance here is as fierce and fiery as any of her classics, and Grande more than proves herself as a suitable partner in crime. Their chemistry is seamless and natural. If there was a more durable ear worm released this year, I’ve yet to hear it.
7) Bruce Springsteen- “Letter to You”
Springsteen’s return to E-Street this year was another joyous reminder that the Boss remains the ultimate king of rock. “Letter to You” finds Bruce and company’s classic Heartland sound just as timeless and electrifying as it has always been. His voice may become a bit more weathered with each passing year, but he’s just as a commanding of a bandleader as he’s ever been, and he matches the fire and energy of the band here just as capably as he did four decades ago. If anything, the aging of his voice only amplifies the bittersweet power of the song, which finds the ragged poet contemplating all he’s seen, embracing all he’s learned and making peace with all he can’t change.
6) Black Pumas- “OCT 33”
This is one of those stunning records that feels like an other-worldly experience. One chorus may leave you in a cold sweat. The next may send chills down your spine. The final one may move you to tears. It’s truly that gorgeously crafted and performed. Music critics are far too eager to proclaim a new act as modern day saviors or future greats. But it’s hard to envision Black Pumas not becoming one of the most important bands of their time, assuming they’re able to continue building upon the sheer magic of records like this one. If you haven’t heard it yet, you’re momentarily excused from the rest of the countdown to seek it out now. You won’t regret it.
5) The Weeknd- “Blinding Lights”
The biggest banger of the entire year, to be certain. Some records manage to reach that hallowed echelon where they elevate their status as a mere smash to an actual moment in the realm of popular music. “Blinding Lights” has inarguably touched that rarified air. Infectiously danceable without question, but its identity likewise possesses multiple layers as well. It’s just as much a battle with one’s inner demons as it is anything else, a fact further emphasized by the ghostly chill with which The Weeknd sings it, as well as the foreboding sense of doom that underscores all the beat-tastic 80s goodness of the production. A thrilling, atmospheric tour de force of a single.
4) Miley Cyrus- “Midnight Sky”
“Midnight Sky” proved to be that sublime moment where Miley Cyrus stepped out from the shadows of all the controversy, inconsistency, and potential that had defined her career thus far, and claimed her crown as a fully-formed rock goddess. And while such an event stands as one of the most enjoyable surprises of 2020, it also came with a sense that this was the destiny Cyrus was heading toward all along. “Sky” is a ferociously undeniable concoction that captures all of her raw talent and vast influences in one, concise performance that leaves the listener foaming at the mouth for more.
3) The Chicks- “Gaslighter”
The Chicks’ long awaited first single in fourteen years was every bit the event that the anticipation warranted, overflowing with the exquisite musicianship, fiery vocals, and incisive lyrics that have long been the cornerstones of the band’s legacy. Boasting a biting, anthemic chorus that was drenched in both bursting power-pop harmonies and politically tinged chants, there was clearly some ammunition being fired at our soon-to-be-former Commander in Chief. But that proved to just be a juicy sidebar as the record progressed, with the verses revealing a deeply personal unloading of grievances from lead vocalist Natalie Maines to her recently divorced husband. And Maines confirmed that she remains one of music’s most dynamic vocalists, a fact further supported by the sudden sadness and vulnerability she pivots to in the hushed final verse. Hard-hitting, inspiring, and wildly entertaining.
2) Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit- “Dreamsicle”
Jason Isbell’s song craft has been so consistently marvelous for so long now that it almost becomes natural to the commit the crime of taking his greatness for granted. Until you start to really dissect a song like “Dreamsicle”, and you’re once again dumbfounded by the sheer power and pathos of his prose. The choruses of this song vividly paint the picture of the youthful charm that should define each youngster’s summer memories. The verses however reveal the harsh truth of the childhood this narrator is living; one marred by the unstable home life and toxic marriage of his parents, and the endless disappointment they burden their son with. As per usual, Isbell captures these intricate moments with sterling detail, emotion and realism. Point me in the direction of a greater songwriter working today.
1) The Killers- “Caution”
“Caution” was like a lightning strike of energy unleashed on the rock world this year, and quickly ranked comparably among the epic classics that have defined The Killers’ career for a decade and a half. It’s a stormy and tempestuous anthem that dramatically captures all the angst, regret, and liberation that overwhelms a person who has finally resolved to break free of the limiting chains that have held them back for so long. When Flowers rapturously declares, “If I don’t get out, out of this town, I just might be the one who finally burns it down”, it transplants so many of us back to that pivotal time in our youth where we all felt the same way. Likewise, when he mournfully mutters, “Cause it’s some kind of sin to live your whole life, on a might’ve been”, there’s that same piece of our soul that can’t help but swell and ache. Now, imagine how those words must impact a listener who’s in the midst of such a crossroads.The combination of the group’s fantastic lyricism and Brandon Flowers’ rafter-rattling vocals remain one of the most riveting experiences in modern rock music. Their ability to tap into the essence of the universal human experience remains second to none across all musical genres.
Listen on Apple Music: Fifty Best Singles of 2020, Part II
Return to Part I
The 706 