THE RECLUSIVE BLOGGER’S 100 BEST SONGS OF 2023 - SONGS 50-1
It's that time again for my picks of the best songs of this year. As usual, I’ve put all my picks on one playlist for easy listening. I hope everyone reading enjoys the music I highlighted in this year-end roundup post. My next post featuring my top album picks is coming up next week. So, without further ado, these are The Reclusive Blogger’s picks for the 100 Best Songs of 2023…
50. Saint Harison (feat. Tiana Major9)
“Homies”
49. Chelsea Wolfe
“Tunnel Lights”
48. Leslie Odom Jr.
“Holding on to Us”
47. v
“Love Me Again”
46. Kenya Grace
“Strangers”
45. TINASHE
“Talk To Me Nice”
44.
The National (feat. Taylor Swift)
“The Alcott”
43. Beharie
“We Never Knew”
42. Laufey
“From The Start”
41. FLO (feat. Missy Elliott)
“Fly Girl”
40. CHRIS sTAPLETON
“White Horse”
39. Renee Rapp (feat. Coco Jones)
“Tummy Hurts ” - Remix
38. JUNGLE (FEAT. BAS)
“Pretty Little Thing”
37. Bruno Major
“The Show Must Go On”
36. flowerovlove
“Coffee Shop”
35. Aespa
“Drama”
34. Rosalia
“LLYLM”
33. NOTHING BUT THEIVES
“Overcome”
32. Doja Cat
“Paint The Town Red”
31. Sabrina Carpenter
“Feather”
30. Dean Lewis
“How Do I Say Goodbye”
29. Jisoo
“Flower”
28. SPIRITBOX
“Jaded”
27. XG
“LEFT RIGHT”
26. SZA (feat. Doja Cat)
“Kill Bill (Remix)”
25. Zach Bryan (feat. Kacey Musgraves)
“I Remember Everything”
24. Lana Del Rey
“A&W”
23. Kylie Minogue
“Padam Padam”
22. YARD ACT
“Dream Job”
21. NewJeans
“Super Shy”
20. Mitski
“My Love Mine All Mine”
19. Tate McRae
“Greedy”
18. JungKook (FEAT. LATTO)
“Seven”
17. Niall Horan
“Heaven”
16. LE SSERAFIM [FEAT. NILE RODGERS]
“Unforgiven”
15. Caroline Polachek
“Dang”
14. Allie X
“Black Eye”
13. Taylor Swift (Feat. Ice Spice)
“Karma”
12. Paramore
“Big Man Little Dignity”
11. The Hives
“Bogus Operandi”
10. The Kills
“New York”
Why it’s #10: “New York” features some of the duo’s grittiest and sludgiest sounds from one of their most cohesive records yet. Just when you think this can’t get grungier. They dig their heels in and find depths of emotion to create some of the most incredible music, including this song.
9. Bastille (feat. Hans Zimmer)
“Pompeii MMXXIII”
Why it’s #9: For this visionary rework of Bastille’s mega-hit Pompeii. The band teams up with legendary film composer Hans Zimmer. The rework lays bare the inner workings of a truly brilliant and now timeless song and gives breadth to the often-overlooked songwriting talent of Frontman Dan Smith. Zimmer and crew aren’t just showing it in a new light. They craft a version of Pompeii for a new era. It’s lush, sweeping, and gorgeous.
8. Victoria Monet
“On My Mama”
Why it’s #8: A song that perfectly imbues the essence and vibes of 80s Dance, Funk, and R&B/Soul without sounding trite or pandering. Monet has captured the best pop/dance song and video this year. ‘On My Mama’, is note for note, a stylish and nuanced celebration of Blackness and the culture we bring to the table. If the driving bass line doesn’t get you, the insanely slick production, with some blaring horns for good measure, or the classical catchy hook. Then you might need your ears checked.
7. Chappell Roan
“Red Wine Supernova”
Why it’s #7: While it seemed like there weren’t a lot of artists this year making fun club pop hits (especially ones geared towards the LGBTQ+ community). Chappell Roan said let me try and more than try, she did. She succeeded. The song is lifted from her stellar debut album, The Rise and Fall of a Midwest Princess, and is an absolutely saucy and cheeky number. One that is sure to fill dance floors with its 80s spunky synths and funky bass lines.
6. Miley Cyrus
“Flowers”
Why it’s #6: It’s the (affirmational) bop of the year of the Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter. This was the song that Miley needed and deserved. That’s all.
5. The Last Dinner Party
“Nothing Matters”
Why it’s #5: Another band coming out of nowhere like a bat out of hell. Artfully blending Pop, Art-Rock, Indie, and an amalgamation of many other genres, the band has carved out a unique space and sound design. ‘Nothing Matters’ is a song that has become a beloved fave of mine this year with its honest lyricism and gothic charm. Since the band has only been together since 2021, they already have a pretty well-defined sound and stage presence that is so refreshing. I cannot wait to see what 2024 has in store for them.
4. Slow Pulp
“Slugs”
Why it’s #4: Another surprise artist for me this year, but the heavy guitars feel sludgy and distorted as they harken back to the early 90s Brit-Pop and Shoegaze. The song “Slugs’ is the magic combo lead vocalist Emily Massey's soft love-lorn vocals sync well against the band’s angsty soundscape.
3. Sampha
“Spirit 2.0”
Why it’s #3: You know the quote, “The music is not in the notes but in the silence between them”. Spirit 2.0 is a perfect example of that. What seems sparse in production and sound allows the beauty of this gorgeous track to shine through. It’s not like anything we’ve heard from Sampha before and definitely not like anything out now. That’s what makes it so brilliant.
2. RAYE
“Oscar Winning Tears.” (Live at the Royal Albert Hall)
Why it’s #2: First off, her voice, already stunning, just soars on this gorgeous live take at her special Royal Albert Hall concert. Raye hits every note on this song with so much depth and soul. Yet, Raye saves the best for the last ending on a spectacular vocal run that is the cherry on top.
1. Olivia Rodrigo
“get him back!”
Why it’s #1: For one, it’s the song that has been sounded off in my head since the first listen. The punchy lyrics are filled with grit and a punky effervescence that captures youth and heartbreak at its core, even if that means some revenge.
That’s it that’s my list for my 2023! Stay tuned for my top albums from this year! Also, sound off in the comments below on your favorite songs from the year?
