45 x 45's of 2020
Crap year for life generally, but - silver lining! - pretty good year for music. Results are in for the toppermost poppermost songs of the year to dance around a kitchen on your own to. Unintentional theme: when will the discotheques open?
Playlist here if that's your bag https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4TLMF6askRULJKXKn5oHu7?si=SjJCokVDThy94mktbU05UA
1. Midnight Sky - Miley Cyrus
When she's good, she's very very good. Miley casually dropped this smoky-voiced, road-trippin' classic delivered through the bottom of an empty bourbon glass, equal parts Springsteen cruising down a highway, and Debbie Harry cruising down a sidewalk, now with added Stevie Nicks. Monumentally brilliant tune of the year.
2. Blinding Lights - The Weeknd
Technically a track from 2019, but very much embraced by the 2020 lockdown/tik-tok generation. Icy eighties synths underpin an urgent sounding vocal and - despite it being played to death - it' still got the power to move. Classic status assured.
3. American Cars - Annie
And talking of the 80's...Annie returned from the Norwegian hinterlands with a swirling, beguiling soundtrack to an imaginary American teen movie from 1984, Mysteriously enigmatic, a bit impenetrable, all sorts of amazing.
4. Get Out On The Dancefloor - Groove Armada feat Nick Littlemore
Get Out On The Dancefloor you say? Fat chance in 2020. But Groove Armada lightened the mood with a call to arms to an imaginary disco, that had the some stern instructions to start formation dancing in unison. A modern day Slosh.
5. Save a Kiss - Jessie Ware
Jessie Ware was my soundtrack to the first lockdown, and 'Save a Kiss' was the 3,00am post club comedown moment of nods an winks that turns into something altogether more exciting. The sound of Studio 54 in your living room.
6. Healing - Arlissa
We all needed a bit of healing in 2020, and this track was a soothing, impeccably produced reminder to slow down, take stock and appreciate what we've got.
7. Physical - Dua Lipa
The ubiquitous tik-tok yin to 'Blinding Light's yang, Dua Lipa released 'Future Nostalgia' in April just when the world was crashing, and this song seemed to be everywhere whilst simultaneously being - weirdly - nowhere. 'Physical' soundtracked a million home workouts to Joe Wicks and will probably be the 'where were you during Covid' song that everyone will remember for years to come. This generation's Vera Lynn.
8. Murphy's Law - Roisin Murphy
This would have made the top ten on its title alone. No video to show (because its Rosin Murphy and she doesn't f*cking need to) so here's a live clip with her dressed as a quality street, being brilliant.
9. People, I've Been Sad - Christine and the Queens
"I've been missing out," sings Héloïse Adelaïde Letissier as she seamlessly flits between English and French in this slow-burn electro synth track that sounds casually brilliant in a 'plenty more where that came from' way. And you realise we've all been missing out, but this makes it sound like missing out can be a lovely, communal experience.
10. Ubermorgen - Mark Forster
Harsh sounding vocals that sound like you're being told off, and great slabs of reverb and 80's synths ticks me a lot of boxes here. No idea what it's about but I'm picturing myself in Berlin in 1989 wearing denim.
Yeah....and the rest,,,,
11. What's Your Pleasure - Jessie Ware
12. In Your Eyes - The Weeknd
13. Forgive Me - Chloe x Halle
14. Violent Thing - Ben Dolic
15. Dark Hearts - Annie
16. exile - Taylor Swift feat. Bon Iver
17. Say Something - Kylie Minogue
18. Stupid Love - Lady Gaga
19. Straight to the Morning - Hot Chip feat. Jarvis Cocker
20. Echoes - Roosevelt
21. Lost In Yesterday - Tame Impala
22. Private Eye - Tobias Bernstrup
23. Blue Moon Rising (The Reflex Remix) - Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds
24. Gettin' High Tonight - Discotron
25. Don't Forget About Me - Alice Boman
26. Love Again - Dua Lipa
27. Carousels - Doves
28. Famous Monsters - Chromatics
29. Ooh La La - Jessie Ware
30. Adore You - Harry Styles
31. Think About Things (Hot Chip Remix) - Daoi Freyr
32. Watermelon Sugar - Harry Styles
33. Natalie Don't - RAYE
34. Like Breaking Glass - Cut Copy
35. Alone In My Room (Gone) - GRACEY
36. Chicago Love - Felix Da Housecat
37. Never Come Back - Caribou
38. Unknown Song - Joe Goddard, Hayden Thorpe
39. Who I Am - Melanie C
40. Lifetime - Romy
41. No Time To Die - Billie Eilish
42. Let the Light In - SONIKKU
43. Will-O -The Wisp - Pet Shop Boys
44. Kyoto - Phoebe Bridgers
45. Crying At The Discotheque - Sophie Ellis-Bextor
