This post was all set to go last week, and then got sidelined by an annoying commercial. Now, though, the music is demanding its fifteen seconds, and nothing can stand it its way. Every year, I create my personal list of the top forty songs of the previous year …. It all started in 2014, with my Top 40 of 2013. I created the list and presented it to Ryan, who adores both music and lists, and was therefore happy to listen to every song. Even the shitty ones (yes, I like shitty music – but that’s ok because I don’t care what you think. My #1 song from 2013 was – and still is, because I still dig it – “Just Give Me A Reason” by P!nk and Nate Ruess. I love the idea of picking up the pieces, examining them, cleaning them, repairing them – and putting them back together to keep the show on the road – rather than leaving them where they fell and moving on to whatever’s around the corner. I love the hope and heart in that song. Real love, the stuff that doesn’t quit when the going gets tough.
I’m presenting my Top 40 of last year later than ever, simply because I have not been sharing like I used to. But I’m back, and ready to rock! So, without further ado, here is my Top 40 of 2016, with links so you can listen and enjoy (or hate – whatever):
40. “Me, Too” by Meghan Trainor
39. “One Call Away” by Charlie Puth
38. “Mess Around” by Cage the Elephant
37. “Don’t Wanna Know” by Maroon 5
36. “New Romantics” by Taylor Swift
35. “Never Be Like You” by Flume & Kai
34. “Vice” by Miranda Lambert
33. “Hide Away” by Daya
32. “Pen to Paper” by Modern Space
31. “Like I Would” by Zayn
30. “That’s My Girl” by Fifth Harmony
29. “Genghis Khan” by Miike Snow
28. “Get Ugly” by Jason Derulo
27. “7 Years” by Lukas Graham
26. “Lost Boy” by Ruth B
25. “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” by Adele
24. “Sound of Your Heart” by Shawn Hook
23. “Good to be Alive” by Andy Grammer
22. “Roses” by Chainsmokers & ROZES
21. “The Greatest” by Sia & Kendrick Lamar
20. “Gold” by Ria Mae
19. “Me, Myself & I” by G-Eazy & Bebe Rexha
18. “Love Yourself” by Justin Bieber
17. “Under the Influence” by Elle King
16. “Woman Woman” by AWOLNATION
15. “Can’t Stop the Feeling” by Justin Timberlake
14. “When We Were Young” by Adele
13. “Humble and Kind” by Tim McGraw
12.”24K Magic” by Bruno Mars
11. “Unsteady” by X Ambassadors
10. “Might Not” by Belly & The Weeknd
9. “Just Like Fire” by P!nk
8. “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna
7. “Can I Get a Witness” by SonReal
6. “Hold Up” by Beyoncé
5. “Burning House” by Cam
4. “Team” by Iggy Azalea
3. “Stand By You” by Rachel Platten
2. “Yellow Eyes” by Rayland Baxter
If you’re still with me – and why wouldn’t you be? These are awesome tunes, right? So, if you’re still here, I give you this energetic offering from a fellow Canadian …. Every time that song comes on the radio, from the first time I heard it to the last time (a couple of days ago), I get jacked up. Bet you will, too. Happy dancing!
1. “Got Your Number” by Serena Ryder