Thursday, November 12, 2015

My 15 (actually 16!) for 2015 (My Songs of The Year)

This 2015 has been one heck of a roller-coaster ride of emotions for me - all about never-ending changes and sometimes recycled relationships. Of musings about the past, splashed with a few moments that awaken the senses. Somehow, these songs blasting on the airwaves, with most becoming my year's personal anthems, have made it to my top tunes to listen to and made 2015 quite interesting (whereas the word is not even the apt description that comes to mind but what the heck).

This, in the age of the #feels and the #hugotLines, and some fifty shades of everything thrown into the mix. Some of these songs may have not reached mainstream and others you may not be too familiar with (no, you won't find anything Nae, nae or twerk it like Mileys in here) yet these were the songs that are part of my playlist all-year round and hope you would enjoy these as much as I did. - and possibly feel the same emotions evoked by each beat and lyrics. I know there are still a few weeks to go before 2015 leaves us forever but I already compiled the songs that captivated my mind, heart and ears at least up to this 11th month.

15) Hotline Bling - Drake  
that sort of hypnotic beat just would be hard to get rid off your ear once you listen to it a few times. Drake seems to come up with those repetitive lyrics and chorus lines but still manages to catch the attention. Just forget the rather awkward dance moves on the video and this is sure to be a good enough song to listen to while you're bored and kind of pissed off. Most especially for guys who just couldn't stand it when their girls start to go out more 'and wear less'. It's like he realizes that what he can do, she can do better. Hah!






14) Chandelier - Sia
This may very well be an ode to suicide disguised as pop art. But there is a certain artistry that draws you to this song. And no one can deny the talent that Sia has. The music video is catchy enough with the brilliant dance moves but the real deal is in the way both lyrics and beat were put together to match Sia's compelling voicals. When talking about depression in the song doesn't sound depressing. And the line  in the song '1-2-3, 1-2-3 drink' caught my attention forever.







13) Sugar- Maroon 5 
Oh, Adam Levine. He is like that guy whom you wouldn't mind having in your squad. And on your wedding date for that matter. This is one catchy tune that you can just enjoy singing and jiggling your head over and over while you listen.













12) Blank Space - Taylor Swift
This is the decade of the blond young Taylor, most definitely. This song was already playing on most of our radio before year 2014 ended but somehow still crossed over to feed our musical senses in early 2015. I just love singing and listening to this song. Never mind that she's a decade or so younger than me but this girl just cannot be denied her stardom and artistry. Most of her songs are pretty easy to relate to but what got me hooked in this is the first part 'I can make the bad guys good for the weekend', with those kinds of lyrics, it would be just hard to keep that off the charts.







11) Hello - Adele
 A late addition to my playlist of 2015 but yes, better late when it's this good. Adele went on a brief hiatus from the industry and this song is like a great big shoutout to the world that says 'Hello' I'm still here and I'm going to be on each and everyone's ears by the time this year's ove'r. "Hello from the other side"- that's been my staple lyric while at bath..much to the annoyance of my niece and sister. But I'm most definitely going to nail this in full, you'll see. I really love Adele and can't wait to listen to more songs from her new album. this is just one hello.






10) Meet Me In The Middle - Jessie Ware
What is it about British singer-songwriters? They're just all over the place this 2015. And definitely giving us those songs with the most feels. Jessie Ware is no exception. This bluesy piece, is perfect in its sensual beat that goes well with the singer's sultry voice. Hands down making it to one of my favorite songs in the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack. Come to think of it, my 2015 is full of the fifty shades stuff and more "Meet me in the middle,
Tell me something
That could change my mind
I couldn't let it be known,
This it is every time I refuse to say goodbye.

 Oh how I just love the Brits especially when they're singing songs that match my mood.







 

10) Lay Me Down - Sam Smith 
The voice is haunting yet soothing at best. Always ringing in my ear. I could listen to Sam Smith all day. Lay Me Down is that song you just want to hear while holding that glass of rose` and lost in perpetual melancholy after realizing that the love of your life may be gone forever. And you're just stuck wishing you could lay down with him just a bit longer. Sigh!
Can I lay by your side?
Next to you, you
And make sure you're alright
I'll take care of you
I don't want to be here if I can't be with you tonight


Get the drift?? 









9) Like I'm Gonna Lose You - Meghan Trainor ft. John Legend
It's not just all about the bass for Ms. Meghan Trainor. This song is definitely one of those songs you wouldn't mind playing in your ear each day. More so when it features my favorite John Legend. The lyrics is something to ponder on as well. Like loving someone as if it's the last chance you're going to have in the world, before it's all gone. It shows the importance of caring for the people while you're with them because as the song says 'we're not promised forever'. So I'm gonna love you, like I'm gonna lose you. I'm gonna hold you like we're saying goodbye.. This give us the major case of the 'feels'.









 8) One Last Night - Vaults - this is another one of those songs in the soundtrack of Fifty Shades of Grey. Part of my morning playlist especially during the months of February to May 2015 and had this on while getting ready for work. This song somehow carries the same sentiments as Like I'm Gonna Lose you. I'ts like having that one last night to hold on to, make something last even in just your memories. Electropop from another British act to raise the spirit up a notch.




 




 
 7) All That - Carly Rae Jepsen
This song reminds me of some of the 80's love ballads. It is so retro I love it, complete with the synthesizer mix that was ubiquitous back in that decade. You could almost forget that this is the same gal who gave us Call Me Maybe. And I like this one much, much better indeed. It's about being there for someone. To be all that someone needs and more. As I write these words, I can still hear that faint distinct melody and lyrics ringing in my ear oh so quietly.."show me if you want me if I'm all that.."














6) Rather Be - Clean Bandit 

The intro got me hooked from the get go.. "Oh, woah'.. sang in semi-hum and moan. can't quite place the emotions this song bring but I really love how it takes me into a different location inside the head each time. That kind of song.

It's a pretty good beat to dance on to. And it is something that tells your loved one that even if you're a thousand miles from comfort, wherever you may be, even amid squalid surroundings and not so ideal situation, as long as that special one is with you, there's no place you'd rather be. Ah, love! and the sound of travel.










5) Style - Taylor Swift
This was also Ms. Swift's year as last year was and I think the year before too. But yes, we don't mind. If she spawns these kinds of songs year in and year out then we don't care if she perennially comes out among our top songs list. And style is just so that. Definitely captured that sentiment of mine mid-year. It's like getting back to that old habit - yes, the habit of hooking up with that someone from your past that you just can't get away from. Because the two of you  just never go out of style











 4) Uptown Funk- Mark Ronson ft. Bruno Mars
This got me singing in swinging in all the right places. That beat is just amazing and yes, Bruno Mars will always be Bruno Mars. Someone I also wouldn't mind hogging my Top songs of the year annually. This song is perfect when you're feeling the vibe, just want to feel good, and happy about the world. Like the effects of vodka or marijuana perhaps. No haven't tried the grass but vodka buzz is nothing new. So this would be one of those songs that can play each year and will keep sounding new to the ear. I just love it's beat. And the music video contributes to the LSS too







3) Earned It - The Weeknd
First time I heard this was in February of this year, and it made me anticipate the movie Fifty Shades then. This is probably among the most popular tunes in that movie's sound track along with Beyonce's re-mastered Crazy In Love and my no. 1 song of the year. The lead singer's voice is definitely worth listening to and I especially am mesmerized by that part of the lyrics when he sang 'you make it look like it's magic. coz I see nobody, nobody but you', for such is a feeling when you're utterly infatuated with someone where you don't mind being used a little, knowing that you yourself earned that right to be used or abused as you please. Of course, with reference to the book and the movie about a sort of abusive relationship with romantic underpinnings. This is like the perfect caption to the movie's narrative if there ever was one. but the music is a stand alone entertainment and I love it.








2) Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran 
this may very well have made it to the top but came undone when our country somehow made this their national anthem. But yes, it does deserve a top spot in every music lovers' heart, with the artistry of Ed Sheeran backed with additional dancing talent as shown on the music video. The pure kind of love that this song offers is a refreshing alternative to all the heavy breathing, melancholy-filled, sultriness, the hooking-up with your ex- songs and sado-masochism tendencies that seem to characterize most of my favorite songs this year. It's a song that makes you want to raise your head while you listen to the first line even as you busily type away on your keyboard at work or reading something on your cellphone. And just makes you smile at the recollection of such a pure love that can very well last at lifetime, or at least until you're 70..








1) Love Me Like You Do - Ellie Goulding
Okay, this is very well the love theme of the year. And again! from the Fifty Shades soundtrack. Told ya! This is something about recognizing the dark side of your loved one, you have your qualms about the relationship but then would still want him to love you like he does. In his own way, the way that he's used to. It's about not putting on blinders when you're infatuated but this is more of the acceptance of your partner's flaws but still realizing that you want him after all. Because you know that he is both the cure and the pain in your life yet choosing to live with it. Viva la Cincuenta sombras de Grey, and hail, to the British invasion that rocked our music world this 2015.