Although this has not been a good year for the world, numerous songs have offered appropriate recognition of this, comfort, or escapism. Here are 25 of my favorite tunes from 2020:
25. Domino-Nicole Atkins (Blondie-like vocals but breathier over a haunting, sinister groove.)
24. Simple Math-Kathleen Edwards (This track's endearing lyrics are a tribute to the importance of lifelong friends.)
23. Power UP!-Blair Bryant (This bass-anchored track is ideal for driving and adds bite to a smooth jazz station's playlist.)
22. In The Rain-Ashleigh Smith featuring Chantae Cann (Need a dose of positivity?)
21. Beautifully Out Of Place-Sierra Hull (A celebration of not fitting the mold. Also recommended: "Middle Of The Woods," which could segue with Nickel Creek's "Reasons Why.")
20. Courage-Lianne La Havas (La Havas's intimate, sincere vocals fit her lyrics perfectly.)
19. Devil May Care-Kandace Springs featuring Christian McBride (A swingin' vocals-and-bass cover of one of Bob Dorough's best songs.)
18. Dying To Believe-The Beths (This infectious, guitar-laden April release from vocalist Elizabeth Stokes and company segues well with the band's own "Happy Unhappy." Also recommended: the tune's video in which the band helpfully shows how to write a song.)
17. Tijuana Taxi-Brass Attack BBZ (A faithful rendering of a breezy Herb Alpert & The Tijuana Brass tune.)
16. Vibin' In Time-Alex Parchment featuring Phillip Doc Martin (Released in April, this upbeat trumpet melody with strong bass underscoring is one of 2020's smooth jazz standouts.)
15. Whatever You Want-Crowded House (A catchy, direct admonition to sheeple; admittedly, with such stellar gems as "Weather With You," "Walking On The Spot," "Distant Sun," "Tall Trees," and "How Will You Go" in the band's catalog, my expectations of this group are reflexively stratospheric.)
14. Song For A Rainy Morning-Tommy Emmanuel (An appropriately titled midtempo, contemplative guitar piece.)
13. Till Your Luck Runs Out-The Overtures (This tune doesn't break any new ground, but that's not a criticism. It feels like any number of mid '60s pop tunes. You've heard lyrics like these and jangly guitar melodies like these hundreds of times, at least. That familiarity doesn't detract from the tune's pleasant, welcoming vibe or keep it from being one of 2020's catchier melodies.)
12. Simmer-Hayley Williams (If the rage about which Veruca Salt sings on "Seether" or Alice Merton sings on "Lash Out" entices you, "Simmer" will likely draw you in. Its gripping intensity keeps me coming back.)
11. Leaning On You-Haim (The guitar sound brings Lindsey Buckingham to mind. The Haim sisters have an appealing acoustic, matter-of-fact approach to their lyrics and instrumentation here. This melody reminds me of Harper Simon's "Wishes And Stars" and Thao & The Get Down Stay Down's "Kindness Be Conceived.")
10. The Trappings-Yo-Yo Ma, Stuart Duncan, Edgar Meyer, Chris Thile & Aoife O'Donovan (I wish Thile's show, "Live From Here," was still around. It would be a natural showcase for this blend of top flight vocalists and instrumentalists.)
9. Johnny-Sarah Jarosz (Jarosz writes and sings compellingly about a less than ideal, stuck-in-one-place scenario. "Johnny" also sports one of this year's stronger choruses.)
8. Nos Voamos-Gato Blanco (This spacey, uptempo June release blends chill, international, and smooth jazz genres, with appealing guitar, keyboard, and vocal punctuation.)
7. For The First Time-Best Coast (Strong lyrics for when you've been through one or more arduous challenges and emerged with your sanity intact and a better sense of self.)
6. This Life-Kendra Morris (If I didn't know otherwise, I would have sworn this was an early '70s R&B track.)
5. We Here-Joey Alexander (Warm interplay between Alexander's piano playing and Anne Drummond's free-as-a-bird flute stylings; this is one of 2020's best jazz tracks.)
4. The Cure-Watkins Family Hour (Sean and Sara Watkins provide some of my favorite vocals of 2020 on this tune about a fresh start. This is no surprise, coming from two of Nickel Creek's three excellent leaders. In my opinion, this is the strongest track on their "brother sister" CD.)
3. Time After Time-Bill Baird (A faster tempo, a calliope feel in the instrumentation, and modest, somewhat buried vocals make up this fun, infectious take on Cyndi Lauper's 1984 hit. If "Time After Time"'s lyrics move you, but you wish to take the edge off of them, this October release is your cover. My ranking of it might surprise some readers, but I've listened to it often over the past two months. It injects some sorely needed whimsy into 2020...)
2. Fragile-Marcus Eaton (...Alas, I can't ignore the bleak reality of 2020. In August, I wrote about my struggle to rank this tune. It lands in this exalted spot because Eaton's cover of Sting's "Fragile" encapsulates this year. The song's range is ideal for Eaton's voice, and he sings it with gripping solemnity. I remember the chills I felt hearing Sting's version shortly after the September 11, 2001 atrocities. Those chills returned while listening to Eaton's rendition. The lyrics about how fragile all of us are and how life can change instantly for the worse are disturbingly apropos for this pandemic...)
1. Nazareth-The Staves (...On a related note, we all age, and our lives are fleeting. However, filtered through such moving vocal harmonies, those inevitable outcomes don't sound so ominous. This is one of 2020's best-sung tunes. For its honesty and sensitivity, it warrants this year's top ranking.)
