Foxygen’s Sam France was born on this date sometime in the past century. A couple of his band’s songs are on today’s playlist.
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 8-23-24
The Strokes’ Julian Casablancas was born on this date in 1978. Lots of music from his band on today’s playlist.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 8-18-24
On today’s playlist we’re celebrating the birthday of The xx’s Romy.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 8-11-24
Ben Gibbard of Death Cab For Cutie and The Postal Service was born on this date in 1976. You’ll hear a lot of his music on today’s playlist.
Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 6-21-24
On the latest UK Top 100 singles chart, The Killers’ “Mr. Brightside,” from their 2004 debut album Hot Fuss, moves up from number 66 to number 63 in its 415th week on that chart. I think it’s on its way to hit song status.
The Killers’ Brandon Flowers was born on this date in 1981. A handful of that band’s songs are included on today’s playlist.
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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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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 1-13-24
“One minute you’re just cooking up someone’s order of French fries and the next minute you’re laying on the floor and they blow your brains out.”- The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne reflecting on being held up at gunpoint when he was a fry cook at Long John Silver’s
The Flaming Lips’ Wayne Coyne on this date in 1961. A few of his band’s cuts are included on today’s playlist.
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My Favorite Songs Of 2023
Five years after then president of The Recording Academy proclaimed that women need to step up, the ladies have responded with “How’s this, jerkface?” Women dominate this year’s Grammy nominations. More importantly, all but two of the top 20 songs on my year-end list are led by female artists (with one guy showing up to provide guest vocals). That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. I don’t have a deep analysis for this phenomenon, but I do have a deep appreciation for the talent and diversity of these women (not that women have ever been underrepresented in my annual tallies). The highest placing male acts on my 2023 list are none other than The Rolling Stones and The Beatles. Yes, you read that right. The legends are back, and they still can show the young-uns how it’s done. With their song “Angry,” The Rolling Stones have achieved a remarkable feat: the longest span from first appearance to most recent appearance in my year-end surveys. In 1981, my first year of making such lists, the group placed with “Start Me Up.” The 80s are also well represented by Kylie Minogue and Madonna, each of whom made a triumphant return to my list after long absences. Welcome back, ladies! And last but not least, let’s give a round of applause to Megan Thee Stallion, who has been in my top five for five years in a row. That’s a record, I think, but don’t quote me on that. I’m too lazy to check. Now, without further ado, here is my list of the best songs of 2023. Enjoy!
- Ice Cream Man. – RAYE
- vampire – Olivia Rodrigo
- Kill Bill – SZA
- Bongos – Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion
- Not Strong Enough – boygenius
- Flowers – Miley Cyrus
- Escapism. – RAYE & 070 Shake
- Paint the Town Red – Doja Cat
- Lipstick Lover – Janelle Monáe
- Nobody Gets Me – SZA
- Dance the Night – Dua Lipa
- Shirt – SZA
- AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM – Beyoncé feat. Kendrick Lamar
- What Was I Made For? – Billie Eilish
- Padam Padam – Kylie Minogue
- Cobra – Megan Thee Stallion
- Brenda Put Your Bra On – Ashley McBryde, Caylee Hammack & Pillbox Patti
- Angry – The Rolling Stones
- Now and Then – The Beatles
- Cool About It – boygenius
- RATATA – Skrillex, Missy Elliott & Mr. Oizo
- Did you know that there’s a tunnel under Ocean Blvd – Lana Del Rey
- Calm Down – Rema with Selena Gomez
- Gorilla – Little Simz
- Seven – Jung Kook feat. Latto
- My Love Mine All Mine – Mitski
- bad idea right? – Olivia Rodrigo
- Jaded – Miley Cyrus
- Tropic Morning News – The National
- Someday At Christmas – Lizzo
- Used To Be Young – Miley Cyrus
- Pretty Girls Walk – Big Boss Vette
- River – Miley Cyrus
- Light On In The Kitchen – Ashley McBryde
- Out Alpha the Alpha – Megan Thee Stallion
- Bubblegum – Dawn Richard
- Rush – Troye Sivan
- It’s Not Just Me, It’s Everybody – Weyes Blood
- Weightless – Arlo Parks
- Psychos – Jenny Lewis
- The Sea – Romy
- Lil Boo Thang – Paul Russell
- Popular – The Weeknd & Madonna feat. Playboi Carti
- The Narcissist – Blur
- (It Goes Like) Nanana – Peggy Gou
- Tukoh Taka – Nicki Minaj, Maluma and Myriam Fares
- Freak Me Now – Jessie Ware
- Standing Next To You – Jung Kook
- Eyez – The Arcs
- What Now – Brittany Howard
- Thinking About You – Beck
- Wall of Eyes – The Smile
- Good Lookin’ – Dixon Dallas
- Girl Like Me – Dove Cameron
- Wild Flower – RM with youjeen
- Helmet – Steve Lacy
- Everybody’s Got to Learn – First Aid Kit
- Flip a Switch. – RAYE feat. Coi Leray
- Nothing Left To Lose – Everything But The Girl
- Say Yes To Heaven – Lana Del Rey
- Moonlight – Kali Uchis
- Bending Hectic – The Smile
- In My Head – The Lemon Twigs
- Snooze – SZA
- Attention – Doja Cat
- get him back! – Olivia Rodrigo
- Will Anybody Ever Love Me? – Sufjan Stevens
- Tux (Your Body Fills Me, Boo) – US Girls
- Lottery – Latto feat. LU KALA
- Bug Like an Angel – Mitski
- The Hands – serpentwithfeet
- A day in the water – Christine & the Queens
- Drummer Boy – Titus Andronicus
- Little Things – Jorja Smith
- Daydreaming – Harry Styles
- True Love – Christine & the Queens & 070 Shake
- Evicted – Wilco
- Got Me Started – Troye Sivan
- Eye For An Eye – Rina Sawayama
- Water Slide – Janelle Monáe
- Single Soon – Selena Gomez
- Odyssey – Beck & Phoenix
- I Don’t Know What You See In Me – Belle & Sebastian
- Seem an I – PJ Harvey
- Begin Again – Jessie Ware
- One of Your Girls – Troye Sivan
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Your (Almost) Daily Playlist: 10-7-23
One night in December 1994 my friend Kathy and I attended the WDRE Acoustic Xmas show at New York City’s Beacon Theater. There were multiple artists on the bill, each getting a short slot to perform three or four songs. The acts were The Go-Go’s, Big Audio Dynamite, Jesus and Mary Chain, frente!, Love Spit Love, Black 47, G. Love & Special Sauce, and Radiohead’s Thom Yorke and Jonny Greenwood. I looked up online who performed, as the only act I recall seeing there were the Radiohead guys. The band had one album out at that time, 1993’s Pablo Honey. Kathy and I just wanted them to do their hit – “Creep” – and then skedaddle. They didn’t play “Creep.” They played some song about plastic trees and one about an iron long and some other mess. Kathy and I knew this band would never be heard from again.
Oops.
Radiohead’s Thom Yorke was born on this date in 1968. Lots of Thom’s work on today’s playlist.
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