This has been a music-filled year for me. Or should I say, music made me survive 2017 thus far and on to the remaining few days of it. Here is a rundown of the musical themes, the hits and tunes that filled my waking moments, and possibly yours too throughout the year. A lot of new artists here not on my previous years' list. Though there were a few holdovers from last year and a couple of those from 2015 or so. Let's just say, the music I've grown to listen to these past several months and weeks have evolved to include new tastes and preferences. And thanks to my niece, too for her amazing taste in music that also have rubbed off on me somehow, introduced me to other genre. Music after all spans generations and can best be enjoyed for its artistry and sentiments whatever your age, whatever the situation, and wherever you are.
Here, in no particular order of preference. I actually listen to each song depending on my mood so what could be no.1 this week for me may be different from the no. 1 next week or the weeks prior. Here goes..
1) Versace on the Floor - Bruno Mars - this is perfect for when you're trying to get all cozy and intimate with that special one. Relatable for sexy time, I guess. And even if I don't own any Versace dress at the moment, I still enjoyed this song. First heard this latter part of 2016 but really caught mainstream this 2017. And the belated music video featuring Zendaya is smoking too. What can I say, I just love Bruno Mars :D
2) Here - Alessia Cara - this girl knows when to channel the very emotions and sentiments that I feel at random moments. This song may not be all that current but it's part of my 2017 playlist nonetheless. Reminds me of those past days when I would attend parties but don't really have my mind and heart on it and wishing I'm just at home, sipping some hot cocoa instead of going to some event full of people I'm not really that close with. Glad that I get to choose which party to attend to now, even if it's just a party of 4 or 5 close ones or a party of 1 consisting of just moi.
3) Havana - Camila Cabello & Young Thug - this young lady filled the airwaves this 2017 and turned me into a 'Camilizer' especially with this song. Not really that much meaning but it's very catchy and something in it just kept me swaying especially to the beat of the piano. The girl indeed has gone places even after separating from Fifth Harmony. Just hitting the right notes while the sun shines and singing ooh-na-na along the way. And who could forget her performance at the EMAs that was among the best, if not the best, of the night. Suddenly I have images of Cuba just listening to this song, oh to be at that part of the Caribbean seas ..
4) Too Good at Goodbyes - Sam Smith - Oh, this song just ripped through the heart. And went mainstream exactly at that time when goodbye is becoming a personal option. Not to delve too much on that though but this song is like a variation of a blog I wrote years ago - about being a veteran of goodbyes. And rightly so. Coz nothing is ever permanent in this life. And sometimes it's best to be a bit guarded maybe to protect oneself from the constant aches and pains of bidding someone or a lot of people adieu.
5) What Is Love - Frances - This may not be familiar to a lot of you but I find this haunting melody both sad yet oddly cathartic. Knowing that by acknowledging that there are certain nuances about love that is not all bed of roses. Plus I love this when it played in that Fifty Shades Darker. That movie sure knows how to put together a good soundtrack. What is love? All I know is it doesn't have to hurt. Really.
6) Shape of You - Ed Sheeran a feel good song of 2017. Those beats mixed with Sheerans voice. This one about carefree love. Just enjoying that meet and greet portion and where it leads later on. I'm in love with the song of you, Ed! More, please.
7) That's What I Like - Bruno Mars - this guy's been a mainstay of my top songs of the year from way back I can remember. And he really knows how to groove the way I just like it. Nothing can go wrong when you have 'champagne on ice' on the lyrics.
8) Stay - Zed ft. Alessia Cara - the jam that I want playing in the background specifically during date night. When you just need to stay in the moment with that special one, not letting go. From the intro to the extro - you just got to sway to the beat and take a minute to absorb this one particular music. Alessia is another great artist that should be creating more songs in the coming years.
9) Despacito - Luis Fonsi ft. Daddy Yankee - ah, that Spanish guitar riff at the intro. This transports me to Puerto Rico - long before the island got devastated by that strong cyclone this year. Something about Spanish songs and beats keep me on my toes and make this soul dance. And I like the original version better although I have no complaints about Bieber joining the fray. This may very well be the soundtrack of 2017 - meaning we need to take it slowly. To share that common goal of just enjoying the moment together and let the feeling take us to our favorite place or if you may, tus lugares favoritos.
10) 24k Magic - Bruno Mars - what can I say but Bruno is just so active this year and almost all songs in that album is just pure joy to listen to. That swag, that passion, that magic that you want 24 hours. Just because.
And here are the rest of the songs I've listened to, sang to, danced to, streamed on Spotify or watched on Youtube and played on the radio this year. I would have wanted to describe each song and how it influenced my year or kept me company but this post is already quite long so I'll just post their music videos here so you may catch snippets or listen in full and if you want and sing/dance/hum along with me. Until 2018! ..
11) Issues - Julia Michaels
12) He Like That - Fifth Harmony
13) How Would You Feel - Ed Sheeran
14) Beauty & The Beast - Ariana Grande & John Legend -
15) I Don't Wanna Live Forever - Taylor Swift & Zayn -
16) Back to You - Louis Tomlinson
17) Thinking 'Bout You - Dua Lipa -
18) Bad Things - Camila Cabello
19) Redbone - Childish Gambino
20) Something Just Like This - The Chainsmokers & Coldplay
21) Feels - Calvin Harris ft. Katy Perry, Pharell Williams
22) Fetish - Selena Gomez
23) The Scientist - Corrine Bailey Rae
24) OMG - Camila Cabello
25) Find Yourself - Before You Exit
26) Perfect - Ed Sheeran w/ Beyonce -
27) Look What You Made Me Do - Taylor Swift
28) New Rules - Dua Lipa
29) I Like Me Better - Lauv
30) Feel It Still - Portugal. The Man
31) What Lovers Do - Maroon 5 ft. SZA
32) Down - Fifth Harmony ft. Gucci Mane
32) 24k Magic - Bruno Mars
And that wraps up my 2017 personal favorite songs. There are just so many I've listened to all year and this is not even half of it but these songs are the shortlist of what spoke to my soul & soothe the ear as well as the feelings on some occasion. Cheers to a better 2018. Let's all keep the music playing..
