Today’s playlist includes a few tracks from Janelle Monáe, who celebrates a birthday today.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 7-29-24
“You ask me why we’re called Gnarls Barkley and I’m asking you ‘why not?’ The name Gnarls Barkley isn’t anchored down. It’s a drifter. A High Plains drifter, I might add.” – CeeLo Green
“There’s no story behind it. The name doesn’t have anything to do with anything.” – Danger Mouse
Gnarls Barkley’s Danger Mouse was born Brian Burton on this date in 1977. A handful of their songs are included on today’s playlist.
Tunes Du Jour Presents 2017
In the realm of music, 2017 proved to be a year of vibrant eclecticism, where established artists continued to push boundaries and emerging voices made their mark. The year’s soundtrack was a rich collection of narratives, each song telling its own story, whether it be Kendrick Lamar’s thought-provoking lyricism on “HUMBLE.”, or Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow,” an anthem of confidence and empowerment.
The year also saw artists like Future and Lil Uzi Vert pushing the boundaries of rap music, while Lorde and Portugal. The Man offered a more introspective take on pop. Drake’s “Passionfruit” and Calvin Harris’ “Slide” were the smooth, rhythmic tracks that became the backdrop of many summer nights, showcasing the seamless blend of R&B and electronic music.
Veterans like Harry Styles and Miley Cyrus reinvented themselves, leaving behind their pure pop personas for more mature, soulful expressions in “Sign of the Times” and “Malibu,” respectively. Meanwhile, SZA and Sampha delivered deeply personal albums that spoke to the complexities of relationships and self-discovery.
The indie scene was no less vibrant, with King Krule, St. Vincent, and The War on Drugs each offering a unique sonic experience that defied mainstream trends. And let’s not forget the poignant comeback of Kesha, who reminded us of the redemptive power of music.
As we reminisce about the tunes of 2017, it’s impossible not to feel the excitement and energy they brought into our lives. Each track on this playlist brings its own flavor to the table. It’s not just about the songs; it’s about the memories they evoke, the feelings they stir, and the way they become the soundtrack to our lives. Let’s crank up the volume, lose ourselves in the melodies, and celebrate the music of 2017.
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My Top Songs Of 2022
Congratulations to Megan Thee Stallion, who has placed a song in my year end top five every year since 2019. Her “Her” is my number two song of ’22, kept from number one by Beyoncé, who guested on the remix of MTS’s “Savage,” my number 4 song of 2020. 2022 was a year that left me wanting, so my top 100 has 92 songs. Here they are:
- BREAK MY SOUL – Beyoncé
- Her – Megan Thee Stallion
- About Damn Time – Lizzo
- As It Was – Harry Styles
- This Hell – Rina Sawayama
- Coconuts – Kim Petras
- Goodbye Mr. Blue – Father John Misty
- Wild – Spoon
- Sacrifice – The Weeknd
- All the Good Times – Angel Olsen
- BILLIE EILISH. – Armani White
- Measure of a Man – FKA twigs feat. Central Cee
- Meet Me at Our Spot – THE ANXIETY, WILLOW & Tyler Cole
- Burning – the Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- CUFF IT – Beyoncé
- TV – Billie Eilish
- If I Was a Cowboy – Miranda Lambert
- Mistakes – Sharon Van Etten
- I Hate U – SZA
- Simulation Swarm – Big Thief
- Big Energy – Latto
- The Smoke – The Smile
- Bad Habit – Steve Lacy
- Boyfriend – Dove Cameron
- Hideous – Oliver Sim feat. Jimmy Somerville
- Gasoline – The Weeknd
- edamame – bbno$ feat. Rich Brown
- Lift Me Up – Rihanna
- Slide Tackle – Japanese Breakfast
- Don’t Let the Light Go Out – Panic! At the Disco
- MORE – j-hope
- Pressurelicious – Megan Thee Stallion feat. Future
- MAGIC – Vince Staples and Mustard
- Late Night Talking – Harry Styles
- Once Twice Melody – Beach House
- Edge of the Edge – Panda Bear and Sonic Boom
- Music for a Sushi Restaurant – Harry Styles
- Out of Time – The Weeknd
- Do I Love You (Indeed I Do) – Bruce Springsteen
- Another day in America – Kali Uchis & Ozuna
- Out of My Head – First Aid Kit
- Lost Track – HAIM
- Tonight – Phoenix feat. Ezra Koenig
- Beach House – Carly Ray Jepsen
- Tomorrow – Waxahatchee
- Funny Girl – Father John Misty
- Softly – Arlo Parks
- EDGING – Blink-182
- Cash In, Cash Out – Pharrell Williams feat. 21 Savage & Tyler, The Creator
- Falling Apart (Right Now) – Wilco
- Father Time – Kendrick Lamar feat. Sampha
- camera roll – Kacey Musgraves
- My Babe – Spoon
- Popular – M.I.A.
- Silent Hill – Kendrick Lamar with Kodak Black
- The Lightning – Arcade Fire
- The 30th – Billie Eilish
- The Curse of the Blackened Eye – Orville Peck
- Fractals – Beth Orton
- Should’ve Been Me – Mitski
- Ur Mum – Wet Leg
- Catch Me in the Air – Rina Sawayama
- new body rhumba – LCD Soundsystem
- Megan’s Piano – Megan Thee Stallion
- Sweetest Pie – Megan Thee Stallion & Dua Lipa
- Die Hard – Kendrick Lamar feat. Blxst and Amanda Reifer
- The Ick – Panic Shack
- Get Inspired – Genesis Owusu
- Cheat Codes – Danger Mouse & Black Thought
- Postman – Toro y Moi
- The Only Heartbreaker – Mitski
- hollaback bitch – Mura Masa with Channel Tres & Shygirl
- Male Fantasy – Billie Eilish
- Stay Soft – Mitski
- Fruit – Oliver Sim
- Run the Credits – Oliver Sim
- B-Side – Khruangbin & Leon Bridges
- Down – Hot Chip
- Can I Get It – Adele
- No Decent Shoes for Rain – Dry Cleaning
- Unconditional I – Arcade Fire
- Fleez – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
- N95 – Kendrick Lamar
- Angelica – Wet Leg
- Rich Spirit – Kendrick Lamar
- 2 Be Loved (Am I Ready) – Lizzo
- One Right Now – Post Malone with The Weeknd
- Bam Bam – Camila Cabello feat. Ed Sheeran
- Love Me More – Mitski
- Change – The War on Drugs
- Strange – Miranda Lambert
- High Priestess – Santigold
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Message In Our Music: A Black Music Month Playlist
In 1979, President Jimmy Carter declared June Black Music Month. In 2016, President Barack Obama, who recognized the month as African-American Music Appreciation Month, said the music of African-American artists helped the country “to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all.” Today’s Tunes du Jour playlist embodies that sentiment.
(The Spotify embed function is not working.)
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My Top 100 Songs of 2017
Without any comment, herewith is my list (and playlist) of my 100 favorite tracks of 2017.
Okay, one comment: I was a Johnny-come-lately regarding Cardi B’s “Bodak Yellow,” so I’m saving that for my 2018 list.
1. On Hold – the xx
2. Black Beatles – Rae Sremmurd feat. Gucci Mane
3. Slide – Calvin Harris featuring Frank Ocean and Migos
4. Young, Dumb & Broke – Khalid
5. Mask Off – Future
6. Los Ageless – St. Vincent
7. The Story of O.J. – JAY:Z
8. Pills – St. Vincent
9. New York – St. Vincent
10. Everything Now – Arcade Fire
11. Praying – Kesha
12. Pure Comedy – Father John Misty
13. Passionfruit – Drake
14. Havana – Camila Cabello featuring Young Thug
15. Feels – Calvin Harris featuring Pharrell Williams, Katy Perry and Big Sean
16. Bad and Boujee – Migos feat. Lil Uzi Vert
17. HUMBLE. – Kendrick Lamar
18. Be the One – Dua Lipa
19. Love on the Brain – Rihanna
20. We the People… – A Tribe Called Quest
21. Green Light – Lorde
22. Candy May – Alex Cameron
23. To the Moon and Back – Fever Ray
24. Name for You – the Shins
25. Sign of the Times – Harry Styles
26. rockstar – Post Malone featuring 21 Savage
27. It’s a Shame – First Aid Kit
28. (No One Knows Me) Like the Piano – Sampha
29. Bank Account – 21 Savage
30. Hot Thoughts – Spoon
31. The Way You Used To Do – Queens of the Stone Age
32. Bad Liar – Selena Gomez
33. Chanel – Frank Ocean
34. Liger – Young Thug & Carnage
35. 4:44 – JAY:Z
36. High Ticket Attractions – The New Pornographers
37. Stranger’s Kiss – Alex Cameron with Angel Olsen
38. Tonite – LCD Soundsystem
39. Thinking of a Place – The War on Drugs
40. Over Everything – Courtney Barnett and Kurt Vile
41. Ascension – Gorillaz featuring Vince Staples
42. All Night – Beyoncé
43. Little of Your Love – Haim
44. Waiting on a Song – Dan Auerbach
45. Accelerator – Paul White ft. Danny Brown
46. iSpy – Kyle featuring Lil Yachty
47. Shine on Me – Dan Auerbach
48. The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness – The National
49. No. 28 – Methyl Ethel
50. I Feel It Coming – the Weeknd feat. Daft Punk
51. Better Than Me – Blood Orange feat. Carly Rae Jepsen
52. Call the Police – LCD Soundsystem
53. Love Galore – SZA featuring Travi$ Scott
54. DNA. – Kendrick Lamar
55. No Plan – David Bowie
56. Holding On – The War on Drugs
57. Runnin’ Outta Luck – Alex Cameron
58. Amputation – Jesus and Mary Chain
59. Love – ILoveMakonnen featuring Rae Sremmurd
60. Malibu – Miley Cyrus
61. Want You Back – Haim
62. Carin at the Liquor Store – The National
63. Long Time – Blondie
64. Secrets – The Weeknd
65. Wyclef Jean – Young Thug
66. Slip Away – Perfume Genius
67. Bop N Keep It Dippin’ – Dizzee Rascal
68. XO Tour Llif3 – Lil Uzi Vert
69. Dis Generation – A Tribe Called Quest
70. Play the Field – Partner
71. PRBLMS – 6lack
72. Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer – DMX
73. Colors – Beck
74. BagBak – Vince Staples
75. I Think of You – Jeremih feat. Chris Brown
76. Perplexing Pegasus – Rae Sremmurd
77. Wreath – Perfume Genius
78. Swang – Rae Sremmurd
79. Shining – DJ Khaled feat. Beyoncé and Jay-Z
80. Say Something Loving – the xx
81. Dear Life – Beck
82. Heatstroke – Calvin Harris feat. Young Thug, Pharrell Williams & Ariana Grande
83. Zayn Malik – Swet Shop Boys
84. Give It Up – Angel Olsen
85. Sky Walker – Miguel featuring Travi$ Scott
86. Total Entertainment Forever – Father John Misty
87. Hallelujah Money – Gorillaz feat. Benjamin Clementine
88. Ballad of the Dying Man – Father John Misty
89. I’m Better – Missy Elliott featuring Lamb
90. Told You So – Miguel
91. Mad as Hell – U.S. Girls
92. LOYALTY. – Kendrick Lamar featuring Rihanna
93. Bam – JAY:Z featuring Damian Marley
94. I Dare You – the xx
95. Andromeda – Gorillaz featuring D.R.A.M.
96. Rage – Vic Mensa
97. Whiteout Conditions – The New Pornographers
98. Stick to Your Guns – Watsky feat. Julia Nunes
99. When I Was Young – MØ
100. Never – J.I.D.
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Cool New Music
I interrupt my interruption to bring you twenty new(ish) songs that are rocking my world these days. Let me know which ones hit you.
Regular blogging will resume at some point this year.
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