Finally, I’m ready to list my favorite songs, singles, and tracks from 2013. Since I ended up with 25 again, I will probably only discuss the first few briefly and then list the rest. Basically, I primarily liked two kinds of songs in 2013: ones I heard on Alt-Nation and gay ones!
1. “Royals” by Lorde
I didn’t anticipate choosing “Royals” as my favorite song of 2013 until just the last week or so. Anyone of my top ten could have been my favorite, but what distinguished this one is that I’m constantly singing it in my head. It’s the one song that has stuck with me the most from last year.
2. “Another Story” by The Head and the Heart
I’ve loved this song since I first heard it. I’m not totally sure what I think it means, but I enjoy it nevertheless. This acoustic version really foregrounds how beautiful it is.
3. “I See Fire” by Ed Sheeran
This song is from The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. Like my top two, it’s stuck with me and it seems to be playing in the back of my head frequently. I think it’s one of the best Lord of the Rings songs so far.
4. “Celeste” by Ezra Vine
This is a late entry onto my list, but I think it’s a beautiful love song.
5. “Workin’ Woman Blues” by Valerie June
I especially like the last part about being ready for one’s sugar daddy!
6. “Sweater Weather” by The Neighbourhood
A different kind of love song!
7. “She Keeps Me Warm” by Mary Lambert
This song is a beautiful love song, and this acoustic version is perfect. I started my Lesbian and Gay Literature Court with this song. It encapsulates the current state of LGBT identities and politics right now.
8. “Wrecking Ball” by Miley Cyrus
This is a perfect post-break up song. Beautiful, sad, and defiant! And the “controversy” about the video was just stupid!
9. “6 AM” by Fitz and the Tantrums
I liked this song a lot better until I made it my alarm on my iPhone! I think it would have been my favorite song of the year if it didn’t become negatively associated with getting up in the morning!
10. “Go Home” by Lucius
PJ and I saw Lucius in concert last year and loved them. This song is my favorite of theirs. Its extended metaphor for a relationship is much more sophisticated than most music today.
11. “Pompeii” by Bastille
12. “Let It Go” by Fossil Collective
13. “Believer” by American Authors
14. “Malandrino” by Gogol Bordello
15. “First Love” by Father Tiger
16. “Rolling Waves” by The Naked and the Famous
17. “Clay” by Goldfrapp
18. “Step” by Vampire Weekend
19. “Just Another Girl” by The Killers
20. “Young Love” by Eli Lieb
21. “Haunted” by Beyonce
22. “Q.U.E.E.N.” by Janelle Monae
23. “Closer” by Tegan and Sara
24. “All-American Boy” by Steve Grand
25. “High School Lover” by Cayucas