Since I can't even find enough albums I actually like from 2013 to recognize, songs will have to do as a representation of the year in music. The albums that would have been on a list are M.I.A.'s Matangi, the Hands on a Hardbody Broadway cast recording, and Janelle Monae's The Electric Lady. That's it. The Best Songs of 2013 includes original songs, covers, and even an incredible rehearsal performance. Stage works are included here, as well, since I did not see nearly enough shows in 2013 to recognize the best.
10. M.I.A., "Come Walk With Me"
M.I.A. is the most consistent force we have in contemporary music. In four wildly different albums, she has created an overwhelming amount of smart, inventive, socially aware music all connected with a gritty dance style. There's a reason she can travel around the world now to record her songs: everyone wants to work with her.
"Come Walk With Me" should be her next big hit once Top 40/CHR radio finds some space to add her. It's the perfect distillation of all the trends in pop, with the tempo shift after the first chorus, the heavily processed backgrounds, and sing-song style. It goes beyond the overwhelming dubstep influence to in modern pop into something far more delicate and engaging. Everything is so heavily echoed, it fades into total chaos. It's brilliant for blatantly mocking the trends.
9. Emily Wells, "Becomes the Color"
Emily Wells was asked to write the credits song for Chan-wook Park's English-language debut feature Stoker. She took the task seriously. She envisioned herself as the troubled protagonist, imagining a world where everything has a loud and distinct sound.
The result is haunting. It's a very 20th Century Modern approach (very minimal, waves of sound and effects rather than traditional song structure) with a little drum and bass angle to keep a steadier beat. The breakdown instead of a bridge with sound effects from the film and screeching violin is just thrilling. The song was so good, elements of it were strung throughout the actual film to highlight key moments in addition to Clint Mansell's masterful score.
8. Fiona Apple, "Pure Imagination"
If you told me Fiona Apple would be the voice of a fast food commercial, I'd have laughed in your face. I was wrong. Of course she teamed up with Chipotle--plenty of vegetarian options and cruelty free protein--to be the voice of their new ad campaign. Her cover of "Pure Imagination" hinges on scaring you then opening up a world of possibilities.
Apple is an alternative artist. Industrial sounds are not out of her wheelhouse even if she typically goes for a more acoustic angle. The ominous sound corresponds to Big Agriculture visuals, while the dreamier vibe at the end is Chipotle. Frankly, if the song wasn't so linked to the visuals, it would probably top this list. The video is inseparable for context, sadly. Unless you're running a haunted house. Then the freaky arrangement is all the context you need.
7. Sarah Silverman, "Diva"
NSFW. NSFW. Did I mention it's really NSFW?
Sarah Silverman knows how to write a comedy song. This acoustic folk commentary on reality TV entitlement is shocking, offensive, and vulgar. It's also a perfect response to the idiots who have transformed diva into an insult.
NSFW. No, seriously. The second half of the song will get you fired.
6. Bastille, "Pompeii"
I don't know why so many pop/rock bands struggle for the better part of a year to get radio play. Bastille is following in the footsteps of Paramore, Fall Out Boy, and Maroon 5 in finally getting recognized for a great debut single almost a full year after it was released. "Pompeii" sounds like what would happen if Mumford & Sons enunciated and wrote pop songs.
Lead singer Dan Smith's voice has a nice rasp to it and a smoothness to musical phrasing lost far too often in contemporary rock. You're not supposed to pop your high notes; its bad for your throat and sounds really awkward. Too bad most male singers do it. The clever backing--a nice bass chant and heavy bass drum and snare breakdown--make "Pompeii" one of those songs that will catch your interest immediately and, mercifully, not overstay its welcome. Another verse and you'd realize it really is all chorus and chant for intrigue.
Click through for the top five songs of 2013.
5. Willam Belli, "RuPaulogize"
Pull away from the...blunt commentary about his experience on Drag Race. "RuPaulogize" is the rare cover that actually improves on the original song. One Republic's "Apologize" is pleasant; "RuPaulogize" is fun, clever, and catchy. It transforms a rather maudlin ballad into a much more honest midtempo dance track.
Now get back to the commentary. Willam holds the distinction of being the only officially disqualified contestant in the history of RuPaul's Drag Race. Speculation is still rampant over what actually happened. The official answer is one that has been described as a save face measure for the show and Willam is too professional to break any NDA to reveal what really happened. But "RuPaulogize" is about his experience with All Stars. Listen to the lyrics. Willam was cast on All Stars and then removed after he adjusted his schedule to accommodate the show's needs. No apology, no compensation, just a removal from the program. I'm guessing there's no NDA since they most likely violated any contract he did sign by rescinding the invitation. I guess we'll never know the truth about the full Drag Race experience...until that alleged tell-all book comes out this year. Willam's dropping hints and I'm ready to buy a copies for me and all of my friends. That one will be book club material.
4. Pippin Revival Cast, "Morning Glow"
"Morning Glow" is not the most popular song from Pippin. To be perfectly honest, I always thought it was a let down to end the first act with this song. It's pleasant. It's sweet. It features the full ensemble. But it's a bit dry.
I almost fell out of my chair when I heard the new recording from the Pippin revival cast. That's why I didn't care for "Morning Glow;" I never heard a truly great version of it before. Everything just clicks, from the orchestration to the sound mixing, and makes a wonderful listening experience. It doesn't hurt that the song fits Matthew James Thomas like a glove. Pippin is basically the iconic tenor role (so many benefit performances reduced to singing "Corner of the Sky" leaves you a little jaded on a score--you're a tenor, sing "Corner of the Sky," ugh) and you need to bring more than just pretty to make the material come alive.
3. Hands on a Hardbody Original Broadway Cast, "Joy of the Lord"
When I finally did see Hands on a Hardbody mere days before it closed, I was mad at myself. I was mad I didn't see it sooner. I was mad I didn't go sight unseen during previews, write a rave review on opening night, and help spread the word about a truly incredible show. Hands on a Hardbody is a slowburn musical about the American dream inspired by one of my favorite documentaries. A group of everyday people in Texas sign up for an endurance contest where the last person standing with their hand on a brand new truck wins the truck.
"Joy of the Lord" is when the contest wakes up. No one has been eliminated. The contestants are feeling each other out and the owners of the dealership are hoping for something to causes a buzz in the news. A devout Christian woman (played by the incredible Keala Settle) begins to laugh uncontrollably during the contest. The other contestants question her sanity as she starts to sing an anthem about her faith that turns into a rallying call for all of the contestants to admit their passion for the contest. The song stopped the show because it is a phenomenal composition performed by an amazing group of actors. I wish you could go see it live today. My big hope is that the show will have success on a regional level so that more people can be introduced to a wonderful new American musical unlike any other. At least we have the beautiful Original Cast Recording to share. Keep up the good work, Ghostlight Records.
2. Lorde, "Royals"
You could not escape Lorde's strong debut single "Royals" since the end of summer. I'm glad. The more ears on this talented teenager, the better. She looks like she's going to pass out when she performs live and then unleashes this massive voice with a whole lot of style and technique often neglected by the young people. In a few years, she can take over the industry with ease.
"Royals" is the opposite of the brag song. Lorde isn't singing about what she has; she's singing about what she doesn't want and doesn't need. She's not in it for that destructive stardom thing triumphed in tabloids and music videos; she just wants to live. This infectious song has a strong message about defining your own personal satisfaction regardless of what pop culture demands of you and it does it with a lot of style. The slow layering of the drum and bass to an orchestrated electronic track is sneaky and subtle in the best ways imaginable.
1. Lea Salonga, "Still Hurting"
Give a great singer a song that perfectly fits her range and she'll turn out a great performance. You might not know Lea Salonga by name, but you know her by her career. She's the singing voice of Princess Jasmine in Aladdin and Mulan in both Mulan films. She's also Fatine in the phenomenal 25th Anniversary Les Miserables concert film and the original Kim (winning the Tony Award) in Miss Saigon. Hopefully, when George Takei's Allegiance lands on Broadway in the near future, she'll be able to reprise her performance from the premiere engagement in San Francisco.
"Still Hurting," the opening song of The Last Five Years, is a perfect match for her voice. The performance was captured live in a rehearsal session for a concert and widely shared among theater fans for its beauty and flawless execution. Watching Lea Salonga sing is a masterclass in what it means to be a true musician. Singing pretty isn't enough. You have to sell the material on emotional and musical levels to truly make an impression. Rehearsal is where you're allowed to make mistakes, but that's not an excuse to not actually sell the material. Lea Salonga doesn't waste the practice session. There's a reason I force my students to listen to the Lea Salonga version of a song if there's a Lea Salonga version available. She's just that good. Best of all? She's incredibly humble about her abilities. A true class act.
Those are my top songs from 2013. What are yours? Share them in the comments below.