My 2018 Songs of the Year

As we near touchdown 2018, and welcome in the new year, it's time again for my annual top songs of the year. The songs that pretty much made up most of my playlist, those I've listened to whether by choice or by circumstance (read: songs playing on the office radio) throughout the year. Here, in no particular order are my personal top songs of 2018 starting with the 18 most listened to, sang with, danced (okay, just swayed to) tunes:

1) NEVER BE THE SAME - Camila Cabello -

This song spearheaded the self-titled album of this pretty young singer/artist at the first quarter of the year. One couldn't help but catch your ear buds - this song speaks of that certain addiction to somebody. it just captures the kind of feeling you have for someone that can be both exhilarating but somewhat dangerous. Having 'nicotine' and 'heroin' on the lyrics helped inject (pun intended) more chutzpah to an otherwise young lady's sentiments.


2) THE MIDDLE - Zedd ft. Maren Morris & Grey -
Zedd may very well be our EDM artist of this decade. and the song is not exactly what you'd just push back to the middle of the pack and forget about. Because it emits enough melody and tune and that vibe to make you put it front and center of your playlist. Maren Morris' vocals also make this a perfect collaboration. As the lyrics say, 'I'm losing my mind just a little' being caught up in the middle of this song all year long.

3) MEANT TO BE - Bebe Rexha ft. Florida Georgia Line - The country drawl ain't no mistaking the influence of this singer but this is something that spans various genre. Meant to Be is just meant to be an ear candy, a perfect song to listen to while you're on a road trip or lounging about at home while waiting for some action. Something to prime you up for another romantic adventure notwithstanding the misfiring pasts love affairs.


4) GIRLS LIKE YOU - Maroon 5 -
As if the song isn't catchy enough, the music video also made it even more great to listen to while slowly swaying to the beat. Adam Levine would always have that sweet soft spot for the music lover in me.


5) IDGAF - Dua Lipa One of those young, beautiful artists making headway with her songs this year is Dua Lipa. The song remains a perfect clap back to that good for nothing ex. Never mind that this singer totally ignored her own words and decided to still give a f*ck to her ex and now present lover. At least we can always have this song as shout-out to good for nothing jerks.


6) FEELS SO GOOD - Honne fr. Anna of the North The title says it all. It just feels so good listening to this song. Especially when you start the track and listen to the soft pouring of rain. And one couldn't help but relate to that special moment when the song says 'these are the moments I cherish..your kissing me goodnight..' just so good and helped me endure this rather blah year.


7) BOO'D UP - Ella Mai The British singer captivates with her voice and simple narration of songs mixing perfectly with the melody & that alt-R&B vibe. Boo'd up is that one song you would love to hear in the background as you slowly fall in love.


8) CROSS YOUR MIND - Sabrina Claudio The Latin beat of this song, especially when it was played in the background of a bar scene in Fifty Shades Freed is hard to miss. The young singer also has a very distinct vocal and a sultriness to her style that I love. This song (along with the Spanish version) is one of those pre-summer tunes that just made me sing and sway with it.


9) CONSEQUENCES - Camila Cabello Again, Camila like I predicted in 2017 made some dent in the music industry this year. Also has won awards and have been recognized worldwide for her contribution to the art. I especially love how this song echoes anyone's sentiments with its simple depiction of a toxic relationship. Loving this song though certainly has no negative consequences.


10) CAPITAL LETTERS - Hailee Steinfeld Another song in the soundtrack of Fifty Shades Freed that I enjoyed. Just the kind of upbeat feeling it gives you like a love you're always sure is spelled out for you right from the very start in BIG, BOLD Capital letters. It feels like a romp, a romantic getaway somewhere in the beach or in a European villa.


11) THE WEEKEND - Sza Forbidden love, perhaps? or a case of being a spare tire. but hey, Sza's vocals is enough to get you in the mood to sing along to this song. and somehow takes you into the shoes of that side chick while making sure to remind you how special you are - one that is reserved only for the best moments and not on dreary weekdays - that is, the weekends. With lyrics that say 'you're like 9 to 5 and I'm the weekend', because, well, why not?


12) BEST PART - Daniel Caesar feat. H.E.R. Both artists really are the best partners. The song is perfect, and even talks about two of my favorite drinks - coffee and water 'You're the coffee that I need in the morning and 'you're my water when I'm stuck in the desert'. Definitely an ode to a best love affair.


13) AGAIN - Kehlani Any song that reminds me of that on again-off again relationship is bound to make it to my top songs year-end list. Especially when you got that music and vocals vibin' together. Kehlani is just one talented young lady also meant to stay in the music industry for a long time. I just wouldn't mind listening and singing to this song, again and again..and again.


14) LOST IN JAPAN - Shawn Mendes Even that remix version with Zedd is up there. Love this young guy's music. and how I would want to be a part of that narrative of getting lost in Japan. Wish I could however say those words in real life, 'all it takes is one flight, we'd be in the same time zone..' when you're in a long-distance relationship it's easy enough to relate to this song. now if only I can just book a flight and hotel to Japan easily like he does in this song, then it would be much better.


15) GOD IS A WOMAN - Ariana Grande Because Ariana is also an angel of God. Love this ode to womanhood. The song, by its mere existence really just proves how more relevant women are this year and how these kinds of song, while challenging certain status quo, is made to actually just prove reality.


16) NEW RULES - Dua Lipa As mentioned, the singer may have broken her own rules in this song, but who cares? rules sometimes are made to be broken anyway. but all that aside, this beat just make you want to set the rules as far as listening to music is concerned. and by that we mean, the rule of listening hard, loud & with a choreograph to match.. like 1, don't pick up the phone while I'm enjoying the music.



17) FAKING IT - Calvin Harris feat. Kehlani & Lil Yachty Those bass grooves right from the start is ear-catching. And you won't even have to fake listening to it because this simply is just too good to not pay attention to. The emotional vocals of Kehlani give it a great lead. this is one of those songs that set the tone in 2018. Of collaborations that turn into fine art.


18) ALL MY FRIENDS - Snakeships feat. Tinashe and Chance the Rapper This song was actually officially released back in 2015 but have started to pick up on PH radio airwaves only at the onset of 2018. Now you can't say that is wasted as what the singer's lyrics suggest of their friends in the song. because any chance a song gets back into the airwaves is never a wasted opportunity. 'All My Friends' meshes contemporary rap, R & B and pop beautifully. can't help but take me back to those moments when at a party and everyone's already drunk and you suddenly feel like you just want to roll in bed to spend alone time with your loved one.

Rounding up my top songs for 2018 are these runner-ups to the foregoing top 18 list. these aren't actually 19th to number xxx because any of these songs can easily substitute for each of the 18 songs listed above.

Especially when I am inclined to listen to music based on my moods. What can be top 5 for me this week would have a different top 5 lined up for next week. That's just how music-filled this year was for me, or any year for that matter. these are the songs that made up my days, the de facto background music to certain moments, the tunes that inspired, evoked emotions, and over-all kept me company even on sleepless nights:


SOMETHING'S GOTTA GIVE - Camila Cabello
BELONG TO YOU - Sabrina Claudio
ONE KISS - Dua Lipa
BEAUTIFUL - Bazzi feat. Camila Cabello
WITH YOU - Mariah Carey
'DI NA MULI - Janine Teñoso
HIGH - Dua Lipa
CALL OUT MY NAME - The Weeknd
DANCE TO THIS - Troye Sivan ft. Ariana Grande
2002 - Anne Marie
SANGRIA WINE - Pharell ft. Camila Cabello
FINESSE - Bruno Mars ft. Cardi B
LET ME GO - Alessia Cara, Hailee
THRU THESE TEARS - LANY
WAKE UP IN THE SKY - Bruno Mars, Kodak Black
THANK U, NEXT - Ariana Grande
TOO GOOD TO SAY GOODBYE - Bruno Mars
CALLING ALL MY LOVELIES - Bruno Mars
NO TEARS LEFT TO CRY - Ariana Grande
FEELS LIKE SUMMER - Childish Gambino
SOLO - Demi Lovato, Clean Bandit
SATIVA - Jhene Aiko
LOVE LIES - Normani, Khalid
IN MY BLOOD - Shawn Mendes
BREATHIN' - Ariana Grande
DELICATE - Taylor Swift
WRITTEN IN THE STARS - John Legend + WENDY
WITHOUT ME - Halsey
ALIEN - Sabrina Carpenter, Jonas Blue
WOMAN LIKE ME - Little Mix, Nikki Minaj
PERM - Bruno Mars
LET ME - Zayn Malik
KATHANG ISIP - Ben & Ben
BUWAN - Juan Karlos
IN MY PRISON - IV of Spades
MIDNIGHT SKY - Unique Salonga

And I say to all these artists, recording studios, composers and everyone who made these songs, and the producers who released them- keep playing, singing, writing, streaming & distributing them. Grateful to them all for bringing music to our 2018 and making the year special with those voices, beats and tunes.. now thank u, next..

Red Blood Moon

Oh, look at the moon, shining brightly
in all its crimson red glory.

most of the time it comes out rather shyly,
unmindful of its beauty

but once in a while it shows the blood
that glows from within.

As if to say, let's talk..
will be with you as you walk

Red, shimmering, like the ember
of a love that never left
a testament to forever..