Tag: U2

My Top 30 Songs for May 3-9, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's4 Comments
Photo of Josh Dun and Tyler Joseph taken from their Facebook account.

Twenty One Pilots, comprised of singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist and producer Tyler Joseph and drummer Josh Dun, have been my favorite music act for the past ten years. This week, their beautiful song “Drag Path” takes over the #1 spot, marking their 15th song to top my chart. They topped my chart three times last year alone, with “The Line”, “The Contract” and “City Walls”.

“Drag Path” was originally released last September as a bonus track on the Breach (Digital Remains) album bundle on the band’s official online store, with a slightly shorter version released as a single in February of this year, accompanied by a music video featuring scenes from Danish filmmaker and animator Tobias Gundorff Boesen’s 2010 stop-motion short film Out of a Forest. The band states the song is a continuation of the in-universe lore, connecting both to the end of the “City Walls” music video, as well as serving as postlude to the album Breach. “Drag Path” currently also tops the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart and peaked at #57 on the Hot 100. It also became Twenty One Pilots’ third-highest-charting single in the UK, peaking at #23, as well as their highest-charting single in Australia since “Heathens” in 2016.

In other chart developments of note, “LOOK OUT FOR ME” by Turnstile jumps four spots to enter the top 10 at #7, while “Bedroom Posters” by Yellowcard featuring Good Charlotte moves up two spots to enter the top 10 at #10.

I’m aware of the fact that women have been woefully under-represented on my chart of late, so am now remedying that with two new debuts by young female artists this week, starting with “drop dead” by American singer-songwriter Olivia Rodrigo, which debuted last week at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. Her 2021 song “drivers license” reached #1 on my chart and ranks #8 on my 100 Best Songs of 2021 list. Hard to believe that was five years ago!

The second new entry is the delightfully catchy “To Love Somebody” by English singer-songwriter Holly Humberstone. The song was the lead single from her second studio album Cruel World, which dropped April 10th. From what I can tell, it’s her highest-charting single thus far, and also her first song to appear on my chart.

  1. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (3)
  2. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (1)
  3. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (2)
  4. YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (6)
  5. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (8)
  6. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (7)
  7. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (11)
  8. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (5)
  9. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (4)
  10. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (12)
  11. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (13)
  12. YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (14)
  13. HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (15)
  14. STARLIGHT – Cannons (16)
  15. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (17)
  16. RIPTIDES – Death Cab for Cutie (22)
  17. FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (18)
  18. SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (19)
  19. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (9)
  20. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (10)
  21. SONG OF THE FUTURE – U2 (20)
  22. YOU AND FOREVER – Bleachers (23)
  23. HEADLIGHTS – In Color (24)
  24. DYING TO LOVE – Bad Omens (25)
  25. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (26)
  26. FREAKIN’ OUT – Dexter and The Moonrocks (29)
  27. GOING SHOPPING – The Strokes (30)
  28. BE WITH YOU – Muse (27)
  29. DROP DEAD – Olivia Rodrigo (N)
  30. TO LOVE SOMEBODY – Holly Humberstone (N)

My Top 30 Songs for April 26-May 2, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's4 Comments
Photo of Matthew Brue and David Butler by Rob Martinez

One of my favorite music acts is MISSIO, a hyper-talented and insanely creative duo from Austin, Texas comprised of singer-songwriter, musician and producer Matthew Brue and songwriter/producer and musician David Butler, who record music with the help of their silent partner, producer and frequent collaborator Dwight Baker and drummer Jaydon Bean. I’ve written about them numerous times and have reviewed three of their albums (my review of their magnificent 2019 album The Darker the Weather // The Better the Man has garnered nearly 4,000 views, making it my most-viewed album review ever).

Their boisterous, hard-charging single “I Remember When” takes over the #1 spot on my latest chart, and is their fifth song to top my chart after “I See You” and “Underground” in 2019, “Can You Feel the Sun” in 2021 and “Time” in 2024. About the track, which is the lead single from their forthcoming sixth album Love & Heartbreak, the guys explained: “The world is changing/transitioning at such a rapid pace that it feels impossible to keep up with right now. There’s a general apathy that everyone feels but no one seems to be talking about. We want to talk about it. ‘I Remember When’ reminisces about those nostalgic feelings of growing up when life felt easier, when the summertime made us feel free and alive. Maybe it’s just the natural progression of age but life feels harder to resonate with as we experience some of the harsh realities of the world we all share right now.“

In other chart developments of note, “Doubletake” by Edgehill advances two spots to #2 (the song is currently #1 on the Billboard Alternative Airplay chart), and the stunning “Drag Path” by Twenty One Pilots jumps three spots to #3. The song confirms for me that they remain my current favorite band, a position they’ve held since 2016.

Two songs make their debut this week, the first of which is “Freakin’ Out” by another Texas act, alternative indie/country rock band Dexter and The Moonrocks. Formed in 2021 in Abilene, Texas, the band consists of cousins Ryan and Ty Anderson, James Tuffs and Ryan Fox. It’s their third song to appear on my chart, following “Sad in Carolina”, which reached #1 in late 2024/early 2025, and “Ritalin”.

The second new entry is “Going Shopping” by American rock band The Strokes. Formed in New York City in 1998, they consist of singer Julian Casablancas, guitarists Nick Valensi and Albert Hammond Jr., bassist Nikolai Fraiture and drummer Fabrizio Moretti. The song is from their forthcoming seventh studio album Reality Awaits, due for release on June 26th. Earlier this month, the band performed at the Coachella Music and Arts Festival, and on the second weekend of the festival they concluded their set with a performance of their 2016 single “Oblivius” accompanied by an onscreen montage of footage accusing the CIA of overthrowing foreign governments, Israeli bombings in Gaza, and condemning US involvement in foreign affairs, including the war in Iran.

  1. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (2)
  2. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (4)
  3. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (6)
  4. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (1)
  5. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (3)
  6. YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (5)
  7. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (7)
  8. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (9)
  9. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (8)
  10. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (10)
  11. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (13)
  12. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (12)
  13. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (14)
  14. YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (15)
  15. HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (16)
  16. STARLIGHT – Cannons (17)
  17. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (18)
  18. FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (19)
  19. SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (20)
  20. SONG OF THE FUTURE – U2 (21)
  21. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (11)
  22. RIPTIDES – Death Cab for Cutie (27)
  23. YOU AND FOREVER – Bleachers (25)
  24. HEADLIGHTS – In Color (28)
  25. DYING TO LOVE – Bad Omens (29)
  26. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (30)
  27. BE WITH YOU – Muse (26)
  28. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (13) 20th week on chart
  29. FREAKIN’ OUT – Dexter and The Moonrocks (N)
  30. GOING SHOPPING – The Strokes (N)

My Top 30 Songs for April 19-25, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
Photo of The Neighbourhood from their Facebook account

It’s a fairly quiet week for my latest chart, as The Neighbourhood remain on top with their charming “Hula Girl” and there are no new entries (though 16 “new” songs entered my chart over the previous five weeks). MISSIO move into second place with their exhilarating “I Remember When”, Twenty One Pilots‘ “Drag Path” jumps four spots to #6 and “The Old Law” by Father John Misty moves up a spot to enter the top 10 at #10. The song is the highest-charting for him, as well as his first to appear on my chart. And because there are no new debuts, nor did I want to drop any songs from my chart, the songs at numbers 25-30 remain stuck in place. That’s certainly no reflection on their quality, as they’ll all be rising in the coming weeks.

  1. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (1)
  2. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (3)
  3. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (2)
  4. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (4)
  5. YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (5)
  6. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (10)
  7. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (7)
  8. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (8)
  9. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (9)
  10. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (11)
  11. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (6)
  12. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (15)
  13. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (16)
  14. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (17)
  15. YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (18)
  16. HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (21)
  17. STARLIGHT – Cannons (19)
  18. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (20)
  19. FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (22)
  20. SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (23)
  21. SONG OF THE FUTURE – U2 (24)
  22. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (12)
  23. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (13)
  24. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (14)
  25. YOU AND FOREVER – Bleachers (25)
  26. BE WITH YOU – Muse (26)
  27. RIPTIDES – Death Cab for Cutie (27)
  28. HEADLIGHTS – In Color (28)
  29. DYING TO LOVE – Bad Omens (29)
  30. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (30)

My Top 30 Songs for April 12-18, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's4 Comments
Photo of The Neighbourhood from their Facebook account

The Neighbourhood take over the top spot on this week’s chart with their captivating “Hula Girl”. The song is from their fifth studio album (((((ultraSOUND))))), released last November. I’ve been a big fan of this Los Angeles-based alt-rock group since first hearing their song “Sweater Weather” back in the summer of 2013 (it became my favorite song of 2013 and 4th favorite song of the 2010s). Formed in 2011, the band still consists of all five original members: heavily-tattooed vocalist Jesse Rutherford, guitarists Jeremy Freedman and Zach Abels, bassist Mikey Margott and drummer Brandon Fried, and I’m happy they’re still putting out exceptional music. In March they embarked on a worldwide tour which will conclude in their hometown of Los Angeles in December. “Hula Girl” is their third song to top my chart, after the aforementioned “Sweater Weather” and “Stargazing” in 2021.

I’m not wild about the official video so am sharing the lyric video instead:

In other chart developments of note, “I Remember When” by Austin, Texas-based duo MISSIO advances two spots to #3, while “Slumber Party” by Chicago-based alt-rock band Brigitte Calls Me Baby enters the top 10 at #9, and “Drag Path” by Columbus, Ohio duo Twenty One Pilots rises three spots to #10.

Three songs make their debut this week, starting with “Headlights” by Nashville-based alternative pop band In Color, entering at #28. Formed in 2024, the band is comprised of Holden Clontz, Matthew Hastings, Val Hoyt and Miles Laderman. Inspired by an eclectic array of acts ranging from The Beatles, U2 and Coldplay to Michael Jackson, Kings of Leon and Switchfoot, they released their debut single “Headlights” on Valentine’s Day 2025. They followed with several more singles as well as an EP Snow Day, that October. They’ve continued releasing more singles, but as so often happens these days, “Headlights” went viral on social media and has now amassed nearly 13 million streams on Spotify alone.

The second new entry is the darkly beautiful “Dying To Love” by American alternative metalcore band Bad Omens. Formed in Richmond, Virginia in 2015, the band presently consists of vocalist and producer Noah Sebastian, guitarist Nicholas Ruffilo, guitarist and producer Joakim “Jolly” Karlsson and drummer Nick Folio. The song is their third to appear on my chart, following “THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND” in 2023 and “Specter” in late 2025/early 2026, both reaching the top 10.

The third debut is “Homewrecker”, the latest single by New York-based artist sombr, who over the past year has already scored three #1 songs on my chart: “back to friends” (my #1 song of 2025), “undressed” and “12 to 12”, which recently spent five weeks at #1. He put on a great show at Coachella yesterday, which I livestreamed on YouTube.

  1. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (2)
  2. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (1)
  3. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (5)
  4. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (4)
  5. YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (6)
  6. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (3)
  7. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (9)
  8. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (10)
  9. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (11)
  10. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (13)
  11. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (12)
  12. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (7)
  13. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (8)
  14. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (14)
  15. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (15)
  16. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (16)
  17. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (17)
  18. YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (19)
  19. STARLIGHT – Cannons (21)
  20. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (22)
  21. HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (24)
  22. FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (23)
  23. SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (25)
  24. SONG OF THE FUTURE – U2 (28)
  25. YOU AND FOREVER – Bleachers (27)
  26. BE WITH YOU – Muse (29)
  27. RIPTIDES – Death Cab for Cutie (30)
  28. HEADLIGHTS – In Color (N)
  29. DYING TO LOVE – Bad Omens (N)
  30. HOMEWRECKER – sombr (N)

My Top 30 Songs for April 5-11, 2026

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments
Photo of Noah Kahan from his Facebook account

Noah Kahan holds the top spot for a third week with his beautiful inspirational song “The Great Divide”, while The Neighbourhood hold at #2 for a second week with their winsome “Hula Girl”. Rounding out the top five are “Lost Your Ghost” by Two Feet, “Doubletake” by Edgehill and “I Remember When” by MISSIO. Singer-songwriter Stephen Sanchez enters the top ten with his throwback doo wop-inspired “Sweet Love”.

Four new songs by music heavy hitters enter my chart this week, starting with “you and forever” by American pop-rock band Bleachers, coming in at #27. Formed in 2013 by singer-songwriter, musician and producer extraordinaire Jack Antonoff, the group has included his longtime touring musicians Mikey Freedom Hart, Sean Hutchinson, Evan Smith, Michael Riddleberger, and Zem Audu since 2023. The song is the lead single from their fifth studio album Everyone for Ten Minutes, scheduled for release on May 22nd.

Next up is “Song of the Future” by legendary Irish rock band U2, who since forming in 1976 has consisted of Bono (Hewson) on lead vocals, the Edge on lead guitar, keys and backing vocals, Adam Clayton on bass and Larry Mullen Jr. on drums and percussion. They’ve been putting out music since 1979, including 15 studio albums, 12 EPs and 85 singles. Their first new music in two years, “Song of the Future” is from their Days of Ash EP, released February 18h, which they’ve since followed with Easter Lily EP this past Friday, April 3rd.

Entering at #29 is “Be With You” by English alt-rock band Muse, which since their formation more than 30 years ago has consisted of Matt Bellamy (lead vocals, guitar, keyboards), Chris Wolstenholme (bass, backing vocals), and Dominic Howard (drums, percussion). The song is the second single (following last year’s “Unravelling”) from their forthcoming tenth studio album The Wow! Signal, to be released June 26th.

Last, but certainly not least, is “Riptides”, the latest single by American indie pop-rock band Death Cab for Cutie. Formed in 1997, the band has undergone a few changes in lineup over the years and now consists of Ben Gibbard (vocals, guitar, piano), Nick Harmer (bass), Dave Depper (guitar, keyboards, backing vocals), Zac Rae (keyboards, guitar), and Jason McGerr (drums). “Riptides” is the lead single from their forthcoming 11th studio album I Built You a Tower, due for release on June 5th.

  1. THE GREAT DIVIDE – Noah Kahan (1)
  2. HULA GIRL – The Neighbourhood (2)
  3. LOST YOUR GHOST – Two Feet (4)
  4. DOUBLETAKE – Edgehill (5)
  5. I REMEMBER WHEN – MISSIO (6)
  6. YOU GOT TO LOSE – The Black Keys (7)
  7. THE WRECKAGE – Silversun Pickups (8)
  8. WHO’S YOUR BOYFRIEND – Royel Otis (3)
  9. WAITING FOR ME – Talk in Waves (10)
  10. SWEET LOVE – Stephen Sanchez (11)
  11. SLUMBER PARTY – Brigitte Calls Me Baby (12)
  12. THE OLD LAW – Father John Misty (14)
  13. DRAG PATH – Twenty One Pilots (19)
  14. HEATHER – Secret Postal Society (15)
  15. BEDROOM POSTERS – Yellowcard feat. Good Charlotte (16)
  16. LOOK OUT FOR ME – Turnstile (17)
  17. DIFFERENT KIND OF LOVE – Young the Giant (18)
  18. ZOMBIE – YUNGBLUD (9) 21st week on chart
  19. YOUR FAVORITE TOY – Foo Fighters (29)
  20. TO SPACE – Kings of Leon (13)
  21. STARLIGHT – Cannons (24)
  22. BURN FOR YOU RMX – Between Daze (25)
  23. FOOL’S GOLD – Buffalo Traffic Jam (26)
  24. HEAVY FOOT – Mon Rovîa (27)
  25. SITE UNSEEN – Courtney Barnett featuring Waxahatchee (30)
  26. HUMAN – Brandi Carlile (20)
  27. YOU AND FOREVER – Bleachers (N)
  28. SONG OF THE FUTURE – U2 (N)
  29. BE WITH YOU – Muse (N)
  30. RIPTIDES – Death Cab for Cutie (N)

Top 30 Songs for January 21-27, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's10 Comments
Photo by Ryan Fleisher/imageSPACE

Brittany Howard remains at #1 for a second week with “What Now”, while Green Day‘s “The American Dream Is Killing Me” and Teddy Swims‘ “Lose Control” hold at #2 and #3 for a second week as well. boygenius move up two spots to #4 with “Cool About It”, and Mitski holds at #5 again with “My Love Mine All Mine”. Otherwise, there’s quite a bit of movement on the rest of the chart as several long-running hit songs move downward, making way for several that have been stuck in the lower reaches for weeks.

“Nothing Matters” by English all-female band The Last Dinner Party leaps 10 spots to enter the top 10 at #10. It took me a while to warm up to this song for some reason I can’t explain, but now I love it! “How Did You Get Here?” by English singer-songwriter Antony Szmierek moves up five spots to #12, “Blame Brett” by The Beaches, another all-female indie rock band, jumps six spots to #13, “Northern Attitude” by Vermont singer-songwriter Noah Kahan and Irish singer-songwriter Hozier leaps nine spots to #14, “Pretty Vicious” by English rock band The Struts moves up six spots to #15, and “Winter Cowboy” by English crooner Frank Joseph also moves up six notches to #16. Jumping eight spots each are Future Islands‘ “The Tower”, to #17, English singer-songwriter Bakar‘s “Alive!”, to #18, and American rapper Jack Harlow‘s “Lovin On Me”, to #21. “Mother Nature” by American psychedelic pop-rock duo MGMT, moves up seven spots to #20. The sole debut this week is “Normal People Things” by yet another English act, indie rock band Lovejoy, entering at #30. It’s their second song to appear on my chart, the first being “Call Me What You Like” last year.

  1. WHAT NOW – Brittany Howard (1)
  2. THE AMERICAN DREAM IS KILLING ME – Green Day (2)
  3. LOSE CONTROL – Teddy Swims (3)
  4. COOL ABOUT IT – boygenius (6)
  5. MY LOVE MINE ALL MINE – Mitski (5)
  6. ATTRACTION – Wild Horse (4)
  7. ALL I DIE FOR – SWiiMS (9)
  8. MODERN GIRL – Bleachers (10)
  9. RUN AWAY WITH ME – Cold War Kids (7)
  10. NOTHING MATTERS – The Last Dinner Party (20)
  11. DARLING – Western Jaguar (8)
  12. HOW DID YOU GET HERE? – Antony Szmierek (17)
  13. BLAME BRETT – The Beaches (19)
  14. NORTHERN ATTITUDE – Noah Kahan feat. Hozier (23)
  15. PRETTY VICIOUS – The Struts (21)
  16. WINTER COWBOY – Frank Joshua (22)
  17. THE TOWER – Future Islands (25)
  18. ALIVE! - Bakar (26)
  19. HOUDINI – Dua Lipa (18)
  20. MOTHER NATURE – MGMT (27)
  21. LOVIN ON ME – Jack Harlow (29)
  22. NOW AND THEN – The Beatles (11)
  23. MORE THAN A LOVE SONG – Black Pumas (12)
  24. ONE MORE TIME – blink-182 (14)
  25. HONEY (ARE U COMING?) – Måneskin (13)
  26. ATOMIC CITY – U2 (15)
  27. LOVING YOU – Cannons (16) 23rd week on chart
  28. NICE TO KNOW YOU – lovelytheband (28)
  29. YOUR WORLD NOW – Marc Schuster (30)
  30. NORMAL PEOPLE THINGS – Lovejoy (N)

Top 30 Songs for January 14-20, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's9 Comments
Photo by Ryan Fleisher/imageSPACE

Alabama-born and now Nashville-based singer-songwriter Brittany Howard takes over the top spot this week with her soulful and funky kiss-off single “What Now”, displacing Green Day‘s “The American Dream Is Killing Me” after it’s three week run at #1. The astonishingly talented artist with a powerhouse voice was front woman of rock band Alabama Shakes, but went solo in 2018 when the band went on hiatus. She released her debut album Jaime in 2019 to widespread acclaim, and was nominated for numerous music awards, winning a Grammy in 2021 for Best Rock Song for her single “Stay High”. “What Now” is the lead and title single from her forthcoming second album of the same name, scheduled for release on February 2. About the single, Howard explains “It was written during the pandemic when the question “What now” was on all of our minds.  I think it is a feeling that has continued to the present moment in the world we live in. It is also the title of the new album and I think when you hear it you will understand why I landed on that title…but more on that later.” The dark video was directed by Danilo Parra, produced by Adam Braun and filmed by Benjamin Whatley. In addition to Howard, the video features Mohnsta Simmons, Anaelle Rabotoson, Laquane Barnes and Andre Lambert.

In other notable chart developments, Georgia singer-songwriter Teddy Swims is the biggest upward mover for the third consecutive week, as his bluesy and blistering “Lose Control” leaps nine spots to #3. Moving into fourth place is “Attraction”, the sweet song of budding love by talented young British trio Wild Horse, followed by “My Love Mine All Mine” by Mitski at #5. Entering the top 10 after a long slow climb are the ethereal “All I Die For” by Canadian indie rock band SWiiMS and “Modern Girl” by pop-rock band Bleachers.

Making their debut this week are two songs that couldn’t be more different from each other: Entering at #29 is “Lovin On Me” by the enormously popular rapper Jack Harlow, who’s racked up a stream of hits over the past five years, some of them collaborations with other artists. The song is already a massive hit, currently returning to the #1 spot on the Billboard Hot 100 after all the Christmas songs that dominated the chart in December dropped off. I’m not generally a fan of his type of music, but with its infectious groove, “Lovin On You” has finally grown on me. Entering at #30 is the lovely “Your World Now” by fellow blogger, musician and all-around Renaissance man Marc Schuster. About the song, he explains: “On the surface, it sounds like it could be a wistful breakup song in the style of Jens Lekman or Belle & Sebastian, but it isn’t really influenced by any personal experiences beyond the broad strokes of realizing that the world is changing and that I’m okay with handing the reins over to people who will do things differently than I would.” I think it’s one of Schuster’s best songs yet, and his vocals have never sounded better.

  1. WHAT NOW – Brittany Howard (2)
  2. THE AMERICAN DREAM IS KILLING ME – Green Day (1)
  3. LOSE CONTROL – Teddy Swims (12)
  4. ATTRACTION – Wild Horse (5)
  5. MY LOVE MINE ALL MINE – Mitski (6)
  6. COOL ABOUT IT – boygenius (8)
  7. RUN AWAY WITH ME – Cold War Kids (7)
  8. DARLING – Western Jaguar (3)
  9. ALL I DIE FOR – SWiiMS (13)
  10. MODERN GIRL – Bleachers (14)
  11. NOW AND THEN – The Beatles (4)
  12. MORE THAN A LOVE SONG – Black Pumas (9)
  13. HONEY (ARE U COMING?) – Måneskin (10)
  14. ONE MORE TIME – blink-182 (11)
  15. ATOMIC CITY – U2 (15)
  16. LOVING YOU – Cannons (17) 22nd week on chart
  17. HOW DID YOU GET HERE? – Antony Szmierek (19)
  18. HOUDINI – Dua Lipa (20)
  19. BLAME BRETT – The Beaches (21)
  20. NOTHING MATTERS – The Last Dinner Party (23)
  21. PRETTY VICIOUS – The Struts (22)
  22. WINTER COWBOY – Frank Joshua (24)
  23. NORTHERN ATTITUDE – Noah Kahan feat. Hozier (25)
  24. WILD – Brian Lambert, Harmoni Kelley & Marc Schuster (16)
  25. THE TOWER – Future Islands (27)
  26. ALIVE! – Bakar (28)
  27. MOTHER NATURE – MGMT (29)
  28. NICE TO KNOW YOU – lovelytheband (30)
  29. LOVIN ON ME – Jack Harlow (N)
  30. YOUR WORLD NOW – Marc Schuster (N)

My Favorite Song for Every Year, Part 2, 1980-1999

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Favorite Songs26 Comments

Here’s Part 2 of my favorite songs for each year from 1980 through 1999. I’ve written in some detail about several of these songs in previous posts over my eight-plus years of blogging, so won’t write lengthy narratives about any of them here. Just the year, the song and the artist, and the best video I could find for each one.

1980 CALL ME – Blondie

1981 BETTE DAVIS EYES – Kim Carnes

1982 MANEATER – Daryl Hall & John Oates

1983 EVERY BREATH YOU TAKE – The Police (my #1 song of the 1980s)

1984 WHAT’S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH IT – Tina Turner

1985 EVERYBODY WANTS TO RULE THE WORLD – Tears for Fears

1986 WEST END GIRLS – Pet Shop Boys

1987 WITH OR WITHOUT YOU – U2

1988 WHAT HAVE I DONE TO DESERVE THIS? – Pet Shop Boys with Dusty Springfield

1989 GOOD THING – Fine Young Cannibals

1990 NOTHING COMPARES 2 U – Sinéad O’Connor

1991 LOSING MY RELIGION – R.E.M. (my #1 song of the 1990s)

1992 CONSTANT CRAVING – k.d. lang

1993 THE CRYING GAME – Boy George

1994 STREETS OF PHILADELPHIA – Bruce Springsteen

1995 TAKE A BOW – Madonna

1996 ONE SWEET DAY – Mariah Carey & Boyz II Men

1997 ONE HEADLIGHT – The Wallflowers

1998 BITTER SWEET SYMPHONY – The Verve

1999 SMOOTH – Santana featuring Rob Thomas

Top 30 Songs for January 7-13, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's6 Comments

Not a lot of changes to this week’s Top 30, with the songs in the top six spots remaining in place for a second week. Green Day‘s “The American Dream Is Killing Me” is #1 for a third week, while Brittany Howard‘s “What Now” holds on the #2 spot for a second week. The lovely “Cool About It” by boygenius climbs three spots to enter the top 10 at #8. The biggest upward mover again this week is “Lose Control” by Georgia singer-songwriter Teddy Swims, jumping seven spots to #12. The sole debut this week is “nice to know you” by L.A. pop-rock trio lovelytheband, who I had the pleasure of seeing in concert last June. In fact, in addition to lovelytheband, I’ve also seen two other acts on this list – Cold War Kids and Cannons.

  1. THE AMERICAN DREAM IS KILLING ME – Green Day (1)
  2. WHAT NOW – Brittany Howard (2)
  3. DARLING – Western Jaguar (3)
  4. NOW AND THEN – The Beatles (4)
  5. ATTRACTION – Wild Horse (5)
  6. MY LOVE MINE ALL MINE – Mitski (6)
  7. RUN AWAY WITH ME – Cold War Kids (10)
  8. COOL ABOUT IT – boygenius (11)
  9. MORE THAN A LOVE SONG – Black Pumas (7)
  10. HONEY (ARE U COMING?) – Måneskin (8)
  11. ONE MORE TIME – blink-182 (9)
  12. LOSE CONTROL – Teddy Swims (19)
  13. ALL I DIE FOR – SWiiMS (14)
  14. MODERN GIRL – Bleachers (15)
  15. ATOMIC CITY – U2 (12)
  16. WILD – Brian Lambert, Harmoni Kelley & Marc Schuster (13)
  17. LOVING YOU – Cannons (16) 21st week on chart
  18. GOOD OLD DAYS – The Revivalists (18)
  19. HOW DID YOU GET HERE? – Antony Szmierek (20)
  20. HOUDINI – Dua Lipa (21)
  21. BLAME BRETT – The Beaches (22)
  22. PRETTY VICIOUS – The Struts (23)
  23. NOTHING MATTERS – The Last Dinner Party (24)
  24. WINTER COWBOY – Frank Joshua (26)
  25. NORTHERN ATTITUDE – Noah Kahan feat. Hozier (27)
  26. THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND – Bad Omens (17)
  27. THE TOWER – Future Islands (28)
  28. ALIVE! – Bakar (29)
  29. MOTHER NATURE – MGMT (30)
  30. NICE TO KNOW YOU – lovelytheband (N)

Top 30 Songs for December 31, 2023 – January 6, 2024

On By EclecticMusicLoverIn Weekly Top 30's14 Comments

Happy New Year! As we transition from 2023 to 2024, Green Day remain on top for a second week with their protest anthem “The American Dream Is Killing Me”. They’ve been a long-time favorite of mine, and I’m glad they’re still making music nearly 34 years after the release of their first album 39/Smooth. They’ll be dropping their 14th studio album Savior on January 19th. Brittany Howard‘s gloriously defiant “What Now” climbs five spots into second position, while Cold War Kids (who I saw open for Tears for Fears last August) enter the top 10 with “Run Away With Me”. British pop-rock band Wild Horse move up three spots to #5 with their breezy love song “Attraction”, followed at #6 by Mitski‘s contemplative “My Love Mine All Mine”. The biggest upward mover this week is the bluesy “Lose Control” by Georgia singer-songwriter Teddy Swims, leaping 10 spots to #19.

Four songs debut this week: Entering at #27 is “Northern Attitude”, a terrific duet by Vermont-based singer-songwriter Noah Kahan and Irish singer-songwriter Hozier. The song is a newly-recorded version of the track from Kahan’s critically-acclaimed album Stick Season, which also features his hit single “Dial Drunk”. He’s also recorded collaborative versions of a number of the album’s tracks, including “Dial Drunk” with Post Malone. Hozier also scored a successful and acclaimed album in 2023, Unreal Unearth, which features his hit songs “Eat Your Young” and “Francesca”. Next up is “The Tower” by always wonderful Baltimore-based synth pop band Future Islands. The song is from their forthcoming seventh studio album People Who Aren’t There Anymore, slated for release on January 26. Coming in at #29 is “Alive!” by British singer-songwriter Bakar, marking his third appearance on my chart. The song is the lead single from his second album Halo, which was released in September. Last but certainly not least is the lovely “Mother Nature” by American neo-psychedelic rock band MGMT. The song is the lead single from their upcoming fifth studio album Loss of Life, due for release on February 23, their first new music in six years.

  1. THE AMERICAN DREAM IS KILLING ME – Green Day (1)
  2. WHAT NOW – Brittany Howard (7)
  3. DARLING – Western Jaguar (2)
  4. NOW AND THEN – The Beatles (3)
  5. ATTRACTION – Wild Horse (8)
  6. MY LOVE MINE ALL MINE – Mitski (9)
  7. MORE THAN A LOVE SONG – Black Pumas (4)
  8. HONEY (ARE U COMING?) – Måneskin (5)
  9. ONE MORE TIME – blink-182 (6)
  10. RUN AWAY WITH ME – Cold War Kids (12)
  11. COOL ABOUT IT – boygenius (16)
  12. ATOMIC CITY – U2 (10)
  13. WILD – Brian Lambert, Harmoni Kelley & Marc Schuster (14)
  14. ALL I DIE FOR – SWiiMS (15)
  15. MODERN GIRL – Bleachers (17)
  16. LOVING YOU – Cannons (13) 20th week on chart
  17. THE DEATH OF PEACE OF MIND – Bad Omens (11)
  18. GOOD OLD DAYS – The Revivalists (18)
  19. LOSE CONTROL – Teddy Swims (29)
  20. HOW DID YOU GET HERE? – Antony Szmierek (23)
  21. HOUDINI – Dua Lipa (25)
  22. BLAME BRETT – The Beaches (26)
  23. PRETTY VICIOUS – The Struts (27)
  24. NOTHING MATTERS – The Last Dinner Party (28)
  25. WHITE HORSE – Chris Stapleton (20)
  26. WINTER COWBOY – Frank Joshua (30)
  27. NORTHERN ATTITUDE – Noah Kahan feat. Hozier (N)
  28. THE TOWER – Future Islands (N)
  29. ALIVE! – Bakar (N)
  30. MOTHER NATURE – MGMT (N)