Akini's Top 100 Songs of 2021: [#1]

[JSparksFan]

045. KEiiNO - Monument

When the snow comes in October
What do we leave behind?
In your voice I feel it coming back to me
Like a shadow whisper in the night (He-lo)
Like a monument to all the time we spent
A minor symphony

The ESC top 2 entry that never was, "Monument" narrowly missed national selection, and to a song not half as good! Were I Norwegian, I would've loved for this to have been the ESC rep if only for its incredibly picturesque music video, featuring some absolutely stunning scenes of the Norwegian alps. The video could really double as a tourist ad! As I don't keep up with preselection happenings, I have Tansike to thank for introducing me to this through his weekly chart.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 38

044. Dua Lipa - Can They Hear Us?

Every breath that I'm takin', every step that I'm makin'
Ain't no way I can run without you
Every ghost in my past life held my hand when I crashed down
Carries me when I wanna break through
We all die, but right now I feel like livin'
And we all cry, but right now I'm not gonna give in
When we collide I know I can do anything
'Cause I got ya, and you got me

Dua's deep alto gives "Can They Hear Us?" a crisp channel through which the poignant lyrics are transmitted. The sax insertions are beautiful.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 36

043. Jessie Ware - Hot n Heavy

Where did you come from?
How do you move like that?
I've never seen someone so free
Tell me your name
You are to die for
If this is our last night
Let's make it count
Let's give this crowd something to talk about
Show me all the ways to strike the match
Once you give it up, don't take it back
Show me all the ways to get to know you
I just wanna be your dream controller
Show me all the ways to strike the match
You get me hot and heavy
Something in your eyes
I'm willing and I'm ready
To set my heart on fire...
I'm having visions
You and I in the sky
How do I earn my hands on your perfect design
Do you wanna

Jessie Ware decided she wasn't done throwing quality disco-pop gems at the gays and blessed our ears with "Hot n Heavy" in the days leading up to summer. Interestingly enough, "Can They Hear Us?" blocked this from the pole position in June and here, six months later, it's "Hot n Heavy" that gets the last laugh.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #2
Play Count: 25

042. Eden Alene - Set Me Free

Feel my beating heart in perfect harmony

My top ESC song this year, "Set Me Free" features some stunning vocals from Eden, the most impressive of which is that ambitious whistle note towards the end!

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 49

041. Todrick Hall - Rainin' Fellas

Get your umbrellas, get your umbrellas
It's raining fellas, it's raining fellas...
Well the forecast says it's gon' be raining all night
And I'm hoping it rains the kind of dudes that I like
Want 'em tall, dark, handsome, want 'em holding me tight
So I'm sitting here waiting for the lightning to strike
It's raining Billys, Bobs, Blakes and Brandons
It's raining Willys, Robs, Jakes, and Landons
It's raining Garys, Jerrys, Larrys, raining twigs and berries
Toms, Dicks and Harrys, bears, jocks, and fairies
It's raining thighs, tris, briefs and boxers
It's raining fly guys, flight attendants and doctors
It's raining feminine gentlemen, dripping down like a faucet
Yeah, these boys are coming out like the sky was the closet so

The snappy delivery, the shameless male nudity, the Weather Girls template - there was no way I wasn't going to bop to this. "Rainin' Fellas" is par the course for Todrick, but that does nothing to dull its efficacy. Similar to the Dua/Jessie tussle, this was blocked from the top spot on my daily chart by another queer (Troye Sivan), but it's Todrick who makes it to December, whereas Troye is relegated to bubbling under anonymity (well, I suppose not so much anonymity now).

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #2
Play Count: 25

[Thriller]

Jessie and Todrick bops, loved Eden at Eurovision!

[JSparksFan]

Jessie and Todrick bops, loved Eden at Eurovision!

Same here!

[JSparksFan]

040. Doja Cat - You Right (feat. The Weeknd)

I got a man, but I want you
And it's just nerves, it's just dick
Makin' me think 'bout someone new
You know I got so much to say
I try to hide it in my face
And it don't work, you see through
That I just wanna get with you
And you're right...
Girl, I want you like you want me too
I feel that energy (Oh yeah)
When you're on top of me (Oh yeah)
I know your man, he ain't controllin' you
But you still hesitate (Oh)
'Cause you choose loyalty (Oh yeah)
And I know your history (Hey)
Met him before your peak (Hey)
He's so connected to that woman that you used to be
But-but-but this sex will cloud your memory
A couple strokes to put it in, then you'll belong to me
Yeah, it ain't no fair to you (No fair)
I ain't too scared to shoot, ah (Too scared)
But I got a man at home (At home)
And we like family too (Okay)
But I got needs and wants (And wants)
Ruins my attitude (Ruins my attitude)
F*cks my self control (Yep, mmhmm)
Wanna take care of you, and (Take care, mmm)
Just for the night, yeah, just for the night
Do I wanna lose all that I have?
You could be a muse and help me catch
But I just need you to come break my back
If you wanna attack, then it's just that, that's just life
I'mma be real, you just my type
I got a man, but he ain't in sight right now, so

Interestingly enough, this is a rather relatable song because there have been several times I was on a meet-up with one guy and found another guy at the venue that I was attracted to. In most instances, I just let it be, but I do remember a night last year where I literally exchanged phone numbers with another guy in plain sight of the guy I'd originally gone out with - oh well, such is life! Abel looks absolutely scrumptious and suave in the music video for this, and the extended version featuring that extra third verse from Doja is a must-add to any library.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 51

039. Adele - To Be Loved

To be loved and love at the highest count
Means to lose all the things I can't live without
Let it be known that I will choose to lose
It's a sacrifice, but I can't live a lie
Let it be known, let it be known that I tried
I'm so afraid, but I'm open wide
I'll be the one to catch myself this time
Tryna learn to lean into it all
Ain't it funny how the mighty fall?
Looking back, I don't regret a thing
Yeah, I took some bad turns that I am owning
I'll stand still and let the storm pass by
Keep my heart safe till the time feels right

The critics at Billboard ranked this as the top '30' track and while I don't quite agree with giving this grand piano ballad that many flowers, that declaration turned climax of "Let it be known that I tried" is a gut-punch to my feels, given how my entanglement this year unravelled and how I tried my best to avoid a metaphorical car crash, only for the crash to happen anyway. Adele's ability to emote is in peak form here and I am deeply affected.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #2
Play Count: 35

038. Silk Sonic - After Last Night

See, normally, I don't stutter, but you d-d-d-d-do it to me...
(Ooh) You put it on me like I never felt before
(Ooh) That gushy, gushy good, girl, I want some more
(Ooh) Sweet, sticky, thick and pretty
You changed the game (What'd you do?)
If I still had my phone, I'd call every girl I know
And tell them goodbye
Ah, bye-bye (Uh, toodle-oo, ooh)
Cars, clothes, diamonds and gold
Anything you want, any place you want
We'll fly, fly, yeah

Another sensual and smooth soul performance from the R&B duo experiment, "After Last Night" has some impressive vocal moments with Bruno at its helm.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #2
Play Count: 10

037. JoJo - Good Enough

Is it (Good enough)
Are you (Good enough)
Can't be (Good enough)
The way that you move (Good enough)
You ain't (Good enough)
Stuck on (Good enough)
The things that you do (Good enough)
Perfection (Good enough)
Gettin' (Good enough)
So much to prove
So much to lose, yeah...
Breathe in with me...good

This is technically an interlude, but for me it's one of the most exciting tracks of the year. That insistent ad-lib vocal on the chorus feels very much like a dark conscience trying to pelt smokescreens of self-doubt and minimisation of self-worth at the protagonist, and just like its smokescreens, it comes out of nowhere in the melodic pacing of the song. Oftentimes I place such weighty expectations on myself in so many facets of life and whenever I don't meet those targets I do encounter a sense of unworthiness. That dark question of "Am I good enough?" always seems to weasel its way into the equation. That breathing exercise JoJo does as the spoken outro is an essential one!

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 138

036. Autoheart - I Know That He Loves Me

I've been caught up in a whirlwind
I've been livin' in a dream
And I'm losing all perspective
Nothing's ever what it seems
But I know that he loves me
I know that he loves me back
I've been trippin' over laces
And stumblin' my words
Every move is ungracious
To the point of absurd
But I know that he wants me
I know that he wants me back
During the darkest of blues
That I am trying to fight
I look up to the ceiling
Unravel inside
On the edge of imploding
He surrounds me with light
And he acts like a sedative
All through the night
And I know that he loves me
I know that he loves me
He comes and he goes
But I know that he loves me
I know that he loves me
Yes I know that he loves me
He's here then he's gone
But I know that he loves me
I've been sittin' in the darkness
And rockin' in my chair
I've been seein' apparitions
Embodyin' despair
But I know that he's got me
I know that he's got my back
I've been everywhere and nowhere
By belittlin' myself
So, I say a little prayer
To serenity and health
And I know that he loves me
I know that he loves me back
And when I'm losin' the plot
And overthinkin' it all
And my resilience falters
I know who to call
In these moments of madness
He knows just what to do
My salvation, my pick-me-up
The voodoo he do

The YouTube algorithm must've picked up on my queerness and just threw this at me knowing it'd find a welcome ear with me. First off, I love this song. There's this underlying sense of mania where the protagonist sings the song title like a self-convincing chant, but the whole song is a lyrical home-run. I only wish its video dialed up that aforementioned mania, but I am fully locked into the song and its message. In truth, there's even a bit of accessibility there as there was a time earlier on in the year where I was working such insane hours that I was really breaking myself physically and the emotional support I got from my entanglement was really a vital source of sustenance. I participate in the FSC fairly regularly and I've only won once, more than five years back, but I submitted this song for this month's contest and I am fully expecting to win! I'll scream if I don't.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 45

[cheapthrills]

OMG, I take a quasi-break from UKMix and you're in the top 40 already. I'll try to catch up

89-86 - This string is amazing - Billie, Doja, Olivia, and Charlotte each released what are among my favorite albums of the year. It makes me so happy to see Charlotte especially since she seems to have gone unnoticed on UKMix overall. Hope there's more of her to come, NDA was definitely a highlight on Billie's album to me. So interesting you have Sex To Me though - I'll have to re-listen to that one as I remember liking it, but played other tracks more often. Deja Vu was a little engine that could on the charts - it seemed like a throaway between two huge hits, but it actually performed really well.

85/83 - I've yet to listen to Autoheart since they are in FSC this month, but it seems that he/they? have made a big impression on you, so I'm perched to check them out this month. Usually, you don't steer me wrong ;)

84 - I like that line from Lorde too - the years are short and the days are long.

More Olivia! - Two different tracks for those songs - Traitor I loved but it burned on me really fast, and Enough For You ended up being a grower.

77 - I'm just starting to get into Oh My God - I think I'm just grateful she included some tracks that were more sonically interesting this time around.

75 - I'll close with Lil Nas X today, who still feels like a surprise to me, even though his EP had a lot of to love - and a year ago at this time I was bopping to Holiday. I thought the entire project was so brave, but That's What I Want is particularly vulnerable.

[JSparksFan]

OMG, I take a quasi-break from UKMix and you're in the top 40 already. I'll try to catch up

I'm trying to make my deadlines this year!

89-86 - This string is amazing - Billie, Doja, Olivia, and Charlotte each released what are among my favorite albums of the year. It makes me so happy to see Charlotte especially since she seems to have gone unnoticed on UKMix overall. Hope there's more of her to come, NDA was definitely a highlight on Billie's album to me. So interesting you have Sex To Me though - I'll have to re-listen to that one as I remember liking it, but played other tracks more often. Deja Vu was a little engine that could on the charts - it seemed like a throaway between two huge hits, but it actually performed really well.

There isn't! I think your Charlotte Cardin go-to was "Phoenix", right? I enjoyed that one and it would've made the bubbling under list.

85/83 - I've yet to listen to Autoheart since they are in FSC this month, but it seems that he/they? have made a big impression on you, so I'm perched to check them out this month. Usually, you don't steer me wrong ;)

I have high expectations for Autoheart this month, but let's see.

84 - I like that line from Lorde too - the years are short and the days are long.

Fax.

More Olivia! - Two different tracks for those songs - Traitor I loved but it burned on me really fast, and Enough For You ended up being a grower.

Glad you appreciate those two.

77 - I'm just starting to get into Oh My God - I think I'm just grateful she included some tracks that were more sonically interesting this time around.

Some of the experiments were misses, but yeah, I always appreciate an effort to step outside of familiar/comfortable territory.

75 - I'll close with Lil Nas X today, who still feels like a surprise to me, even though his EP had a lot of to love - and a year ago at this time I was bopping to Holiday. I thought the entire project was so brave, but That's What I Want is particularly vulnerable.

Yeah, Lil Nas X certainly impressed me. His EP did suggest that he might be able to put together a solid full-length album, but I still had reservations about his skills as an emcee. I should've figured he'd lean more into the pop star side and his personality/cleverness.

[JSparksFan]

035. Steps - Heartbreak in This City (feat. Michelle Visage)

The more I try to make you mine
I just see heartbreak in this city
But I keep on loving you, you, you
So get your mind made up, call me on the telephone
I need your love, kiss my heart and let it glow
You captured me, I can't explain
You call my name and then my heart stops beating
Get your mind made up, hear your car at 3 a.m.
You took your love, you need to put it back again
You shattered me, I can't explain
You call my name and then my heart stops beating
My heart stops beating, beating, beating

Textbook, campy pop will always have a place in my playlists, countdowns, and heart. The addition of Drag Race's Michelle Visage was an incredibly welcome surprise. For me, this is already up there with their "Deeper Shade of Blue" and "Scared of the Dark" best.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 36

034. Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever

When I'm away from you
I'm happier than ever
Wish I could explain it better
I wish it wasn't true
Give me a day or two
To think of something clever
To write myself a letter
To tell me what to do
I knew when I asked you to
Be cool about what I was telling you
You'd do the opposite of what you said you'd do
And I'd end up more afraid...
I don't relate to you
I don't relate to you, no
'Cause I'd never treat me this shitty
You made me hate this city
And I don't talk shit about you on the Internet
Never told anyone anything bad
'Cause that shit's embarrassing, you were my everything
And all that you did was make me f*cking sad
So don't waste the time I don't have
And don't try to make me feel bad
I could talk about every time that you showed up on time
But I'd have an empty line 'cause you never did

I love how glacial the first half of this track is because you don't see the big second half coming. It really morphs from this soft, unassuming pop ballad to a punk-rock break-up anthem and I'm here for that transition - on paper you'd think it'd be a sharp one, but it's rather seamless.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #5
Play Count: 18

033. Billie Eilish - Halley's Comet

I don't want it
And I don't want to want you
But in my dreams, I seem to be more honest
And I must admit you've been in quite a few
Halley's Comet
Comes around more than I do
But you're all it takes for me to break a promise
Silly me to fall in love with you
I haven't slept since Sunday
Midnight for me is 3 AM for you
But my sleepless nights are better
With you than nights could ever be alone
I was good at feeling nothing, now I'm hopeless
What a drag to love you like I do
I've been loved before, but right now, in this moment
I feel more and more like I was made for you
For you
I'm sitting in my brother's room
Haven't slept in a week
Or two (Or two)
I think I might have fallen in love
What am I to do?

Easily the most relatable 'Happier Than Ever' track, I heard this song during an emotionally taxing summer and found a good deal of comfort hearing so much of one of my stressful situations sung back to me. I feel like the song is split in two parts - the main half is the first one whereas the second is this deeply sombre outro with this warped sound effect to it. I love the outro.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 38

032. Tyler the Creator - Wilshire

That would be dumb, if I denied
Long legs, good ears, great taste
Smell good, sense of humor, obvious a good face
And we clicked, we was at each other's hips
I ain't even wanna f*ck
'Cause your presence was enough
You and I make sense, you stayed back at my telly
We was chattin' 'til morning, vibration was heavy
I wasn't drowning or yawning
That's when I told you my feelings
You told me you felt the same
But you got homie you dealin' with
Damn, I didn't know, that's a bit unexpected
But I get it, it's whatever, least I can do is respect it
We still gon' kick it and check-in like nothin' could ever stop it
The problem is he's my friend
But if I'm honest, I'm really hoping you drop him
It's morals I really have, it's lines I could never cross
But you got somethin' that make
All them good intentions get lost
I try to keep it together, never felt this way
We spent 'bout two weeks together, only skipped one day
And they say, "Bros over hoes", I'm like, "Hmm, nah, hey"
I would rather hold your hand than have a cool hand shake
But whatever, we still could be friends...
It's nothing incriminating but please delete our discussions
You hit me with the look and replied like, "Duh, bitch"
Don't want your man to think that we creepin' behind his back
Cross the line, cross the line, cross the-
Nah, we never did that
Although I haven't seen him in months
Shit is rare he never hit back
Anyway, convince him to bring you to me
So we can kick it
Right in front of his lenses, since nothing here is malicious
You sat by me in that movie
We went outside for them doobies
We walkin' off when we talk
Man, that n*gga not ******* stupid
He see it, he know it's somethin'
We fronting like, "Ha-ha-ha"
Whenever we "Ha-ha-ha" we subtly press his buttons
Not on purpose, but, man, I found my purpose
If I f*cked our friendship up for you, I think it's worth it
But, nah, I can't do that, that n*gga don't deserve it
And plus y'all got depth
I'm just a n*gga on the surface, for real
Surface
I said surface, like, 'cause they got roots
Like, I'm the new n*gga
You know, they be f*ckin'
Yuh, yuh
Didn't see you a couple weeks
Think he want you away from me
Know y'all argue 'bout if you mad
You met him before you met me
I feel guilty but not as much as I should
I tried to have that self-control but not as much as I could
I been down for days
You're in my city and I can't see your face
I can't eat, knowing you with him and not at my place
I never been jealous of another man
Especially when I have everything I want at hand
Except you, you
You know, I got every damn car, multiple cribs
But it's like, "No, I want that"
He left for some days
I cleared out my sched, I cleared out my head
You dropped off at mines
I say that we fled, no you pick a place
We could Tulum, or we could Capri, or die right here
As long as you with me, I'll be at peace...
You was like, "Hmm, I'll stay a week, she'll get over that"
Seven days wit me
Your n*gga like, "Where the **** you at?"
Dirtying my bakin' pots, tennis at my momma spot
Chauffered in the Rolls
The back entrance at them restaurants
Parks playing chess games, giving wigs pet names
Manicures, night swims, Jerrod providing methane
Shopping 'til we dropping, what you copping?
See, the price is not an option
It's investments 'cause your smile is the profit to me
I know around him you gotta act like you not into me
I know your answer
But you gotta keep it honest with me
Said you can't fully be into me 'cause you with him
Then why the f*ck when we link
It's like he doesn't exist?
They all know that we're friends
But we both aware that it's more
Everything I got, if you say the word, then it's yours
The only thing I'm missing in life
I know you could be it
And everyone around me that care about me can see it
I could f*ck a trillion bitches
Every country I done been in
Men or women, it don't matter
If I seen 'em, then I had 'em
But with you, it's a feeling
'Cause we're twinnin' and we're matchin'
You stayed in the car
When I went on date with that actress
Whole time I'm eatin', I couldn't wait to get back
In the back of that car with you
And talk about who we are
You told me when you're with me it's like heroin
Told me that your confidence went up since we befriended
And told me that you didn't wanna hurt him
Why we doing this?
Told me this a awkward situation
And you just wanna be through with it
Told me every time you not with him it started problems
Told me every time you not with me, you always ponder
What kinda sweater I'm wearing
What music have I been finding
Girl, you know that I'mma play it whenever
That's what we bonded over
You said you told him the truth and you never lied
Now he lookin' at you with them eyes
We never crossed the line
But he got every right to be a little pissed off
He you picked up, y'all got in argument
He got his shit off
My energy like, "Get lost"
Your energy just want peace
I couldn't even tell you his energy 'cause he don't speak
He ain't even call you his bitch
Until he seen me make you smile
That nigga threatened as shit
I'm in the wrong, tho
I picked you up, your energy off
Your lips really dry, something is off
You asked if I gotta, I asked if you gotta
We tripping on our words
Nobody is lying, Hakuna Matata
We sat in the car and cried for an hour
My shirt look like a shower head got it
We called it off
I'll skip the details but that night I seen hell
You was in a room I was paying for, I took 3 L's
No, I didn't sleep well, woke up and my knees fell
They buckled to the ground
I cannot walk, shit, I need Vill
Next day I'm drivin' 'round the city
With no destination back up
Water in my eyes kept falling like Niagra
Vill right beside me making sure I didn't crash
Or do something heinous
'Cause I'm emotionally jabbed up
You checked every box, thought it was it
Felt like I got led on and pushed off a cliff
No, I'm in the wrong, that was friend
No, f*ck that, the energy we had
Never again will find it
You're in the wrong, gotta remind you
'Bout the times that you stepped
Gotta rewind it
Talkin' 'bout our kinks, real cautious with the links
You don't do that type of shit
When you're in relationship
And you're 100 with your mate
So don't go actin' like no saint
This a two way street
And shit, you knew what I was on
And while that n*gga out and gone
You was lounging in my home
Shit, I even let you meet my momma and y'all got along
But shit, I'll take my L, tho it's not fun
You still got yo n*gga and still had yo fun
Shit, I can't even look at you and think about bad words
That's why I called and said
We couldn't end this on bad terms
We straight like bad perm
We'll always be good friends
And laugh about it on a sandy beach
While our back burns, huh
This my perspective, this how I feel
I ain't fabricate nothing, I kept it real
I told you I loved you and always will
And if he ever put his hands on you
Promise I'll get him killed, true
True, true, true, yeah
On God, I love that girl
I'm a sh-, I'm a bad person
Like, I'm in the wrong, I'm a bad person
I had no ill intentions, though
Shit, everybody got hurt
I got hurt
It's a shit situation
All the morals and power you have
Just vanish when a certain energy is nearin'
And those feelings got so much gravity
And it's out of your control
It made me realize adults
Don't know what they doing either
We're all just children
I ain't mean to f*ck nobody's shit up, man
I thought I was bulletproof
She proved me wrong, man
I felt 200 percent with her
It was beautiful
I was able to feel
But it was, it was bad timing
And I'm mad private with this side of my life
'Cause people are weirdos, and
I just try to keep anyone I care about in the shadows
Safe from the commentary and spotlight and thoughts
'Cause it's just a story for the people outside of it
But I guess you're just another chapter in a book

I like this story. It's a wholly accessible one and I love its chorus-less structure. It feels like a natural monologue captured on a beat. It's not easy to maintain a listener's interest for eight and a half minutes without a hook, but Tyler does it on this track.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #4
Play Count: 12

031. Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)

Romantic talking? You don't even have to try
You're cute enough to f*ck with me tonight
Looking at the table and I see the reason why
Baby, you living the life, but n*gga, you ain't livin' right
Cocaine and drinking with your friends
You live in the dark, boy, I cannot pretend
I'm not fazed, only here to sin
If Eve ain't in your garden, you know that you can
Call me when you want, call me when you need
Call me in the morning, I'll be on the way
Call me when you want, call me when you need
Call me out by your name, I'll be on the way like
I wanna sell what you're buying
I wanna feel on yo' ass in Hawaii
I want that jet lag from f*cking and flying
Shoot a child in your mouth while I'm riding
Oh, oh, oh, why me?
And now I'm acting hella elite
Never want the n*ggas that's in my league
I wanna f*ck the ones I envy, I envy

As a standalone song, there's no way I would have "Montero..." as a poll option, but when you do the maths with the music video added to the equation - well, it becomes a different story. I remember when Frank Ocean came out, I thought maybe we'd see some cool queer stuff with him, but in more than one ways he's disappointed me, but almost a decade later and Lil Nas X says, "You want to see a gay man be a bad bitch? I got you, bro." The way he subverts that whole "the queers are all going to hell" ignorance is genius. I mean, the man pole danced his way down to hell, gave a lap dance to Satan, and took his place as ruler of Hades. I mean, who would've thought of that? I love him for giving us this video. I've complained about it before, but since streaming's taken over, so few artists care about visuals because the music video is no longer the promotional tool that it used to be, but this - by a clear margin the year's top video - proves exactly how powerful a music video can be. This was a moment and I won't soon forget it.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 77

[cheapthrills]

I'm back! I think 15 songs at a time is good until I catch up

73 - As much as I like Doja and Lil Nas, Scoop is just ok for me, though I'm appreciative of him getting another entry on your chart!
71 - Have not heard Bodies, but based on your write-up and the lyrics you posted I checked it out. While the music ins't hitting me, the lyrics certainly are. I think this is where I was a couple months ago (and someday may be again). I think they felt like an escape from what I was going through, but now that I've backed off and people are only messaging when they want to hook up, I'm seeing how barren they are.
70 - Pretty sure I know what your top ESC entry is, and I don't get it, but Black Mamba was my second favorite after Je Me Casse. I was perplexed here and in real life that people seemed to be ignoring it. Maybe it's vibe was too old school.
69 - I think Let Me... by Gwen is the first time I wasn't really interested in a Gwen experience that I remember - even her stuff with Blake Shelton got my attention, but it did make me feel like she was stuck in the same place, which is perfectly fine - she's in her 50s now having burnished a legacy and doesn't need to answer to anyone at this point
66 - The beautiful Gracias a La Vida is unexpected - and fairly high for the track, which makes me hope that a couple of the other tracks are even higher.
64 - Therefore I Am was the upbeat sound we needed from Billie and I wish she had more of that on her album, but it was definitely a stand-out, and if memory serves me, one of the few songs to survive the Christmas crush for me about a year ago. and carry into the new year.
62 - Does Ariana ever say no to a collab? I feel like she's pairing up with everybody now. Though I suppose this was a tit-for-tat for 34+35 - I don't really care for Ari on this song actually, but Doja is straight fire.

[Thriller]

YES for Steps!

[JSparksFan]

I'm back! I think 15 songs at a time is good until I catch up

Sounds like a plan.

73 - As much as I like Doja and Lil Nas, Scoop is just ok for me, though I'm appreciative of him getting another entry on your chart!

I think it screams single!

71 - Have not heard Bodies, but based on your write-up and the lyrics you posted I checked it out. While the music ins't hitting me, the lyrics certainly are. I think this is where I was a couple months ago (and someday may be again). I think they felt like an escape from what I was going through, but now that I've backed off and people are only messaging when they want to hook up, I'm seeing how barren they are.

Yeah, same here about the escape part. For me they were salve when I needed open heart surgery (metaphorically speaking). I'm back to being over people, though.

70 - Pretty sure I know what your top ESC entry is, and I don't get it, but Black Mamba was my second favorite after Je Me Casse. I was perplexed here and in real life that people seemed to be ignoring it. Maybe it's vibe was too old school.

Forget not who my fave artist is.

69 - I think Let Me... by Gwen is the first time I wasn't really interested in a Gwen experience that I remember - even her stuff with Blake Shelton got my attention, but it did make me feel like she was stuck in the same place, which is perfectly fine - she's in her 50s now having burnished a legacy and doesn't need to answer to anyone at this point

Yep, you certainly were not alone with these thoughts.

66 - The beautiful Gracias a La Vida is unexpected - and fairly high for the track, which makes me hope that a couple of the other tracks are even higher.

Well, speak of the devil...

64 - Therefore I Am was the upbeat sound we needed from Billie and I wish she had more of that on her album, but it was definitely a stand-out, and if memory serves me, one of the few songs to survive the Christmas crush for me about a year ago. and carry into the new year.

The video is a chill watch, too.

62 - Does Ariana ever say no to a collab? I feel like she's pairing up with everybody now. Though I suppose this was a tit-for-tat for 34+35 - I don't really care for Ari on this song actually, but Doja is straight fire.

Yeah, Ari is more in the background than usual. She does need to give our ears a break for a bit, I guess. Would love for her to take a full year off and come back in 2023 with a vengeance.

YES for Steps!

Don't forget about Michelle!

[JSparksFan]

030. Jason Aldean - If I Didn't Love You (feat. Carrie Underwood)

I wouldn't mind being alone
I wouldn't keep checking my phone
Wouldn't take the long way home
Just to drive myself crazy
I wouldn't be losing sleep
Remembering everything
Everything you said to me
Like I'm doing lately
You, you wouldn't be all
All that I want
Baby I could let go
If I didn't love you I'd be good by now
I'd be better than barely getting by somehow
Yeah it would be easy not to miss you
Wonder about who's with you
Turn the "want you" off whenever I want to
If I didn't love you
If I didn't love you
I wouldn't still cry sometimes
Wouldn't have to fake a smile
Play it off and tell a lie
When somebody asked how I've been
I'd try to find someone new
It should be something I can do
Baby if it weren't for you
I wouldn't be in the state that I'm in

Country music tends to get to the core of the issue and there are some lines here that take me out, especially given that I first heard this song around the same time I was going through an extended disentanglement from my now ex-entanglement. I'd never before lost sleep over a man and wondered why it was taking me so long to get over the situation. I pieced the evidence together and came to a rather meh conclusion, reflected in the title of this track. Now Jason Aldean's top two songs feature American Idol champions, my other favourite from him being his "Don't You Wanna Stay" duet with Kelly Clarkson.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 40

029. United Kingdolls - UK Hun?

Bing, bang, bong
Sing, sang, song
Ding, dang, dong
UK, hun?
Dancing to a highland jig
Lawrence Chaney's up in this gig
From Helensburgh to Edinburgh
Everywhere I go I'm snatching wigs
I made my name in Glasgow city
Can't sing or dance, but I'm so witty
Me and my dolls are on a mission
Gotta take this crown for RuRuvision...
You read books and I'm on the cover
Superstar queen just like no other
Turning out looks, fashionista lover
Just like Ru, you can call me "Mother"...
Who me, like this in front of all these people?
Strut so bad it must be illegal (hey!)
T-A-Y-C-E (what?)
Inches to the floor, I ain't talking 'bout my weave (thank God!)
Rata-tat-rat, I'mma clap back
You know I need it, babs, so play that track (ow!)
All you fruits should be scared of me
Like the one I sent home doing "Memory"
Release the beast, Bimini!
Get a pillow for these girls 'cause they sleep on me
Gender-bender, cis-tem offender
I like it rough but my lentils tender
Don't be scared to embrace the femme
Whether you're he, she, or them
Limp wrist, hair flick, crème de la crème
Love yourself, say that again

That hook is crack! It's the most ridiculous, kindergartener hook I've heard all year and it is absolutely effective! The queens each lay competent verses that do a fine job capturing their personalities, but it's Tayce and Bimini that are my clear top two on this banger.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 98

028. Adele - Easy on Me

There ain't no gold in this river
That I've been washin' my hands in forever
I know there is hope in these waters
But I can't bring myself to swim
When I am drowning in this silence
Baby, let me in
Go easy on me, baby
I was still a child
Didn't get the chance to
Feel the world around me
I had no time to choose
What I chose to do
So go easy on me
There ain't no room for things to change
When we are both so deeply stuck in our ways
You can't deny how hard I have tried
I changed who I was to put you both first
But now I give up
I had good intentions
And the highest hopes
But I know right now
That probably doesn't even show

I've seen mixed receptions for this one online, but I was sold on it and rather swiftly, too. I actually love that after the furious passion of "Rolling in the Deep" and the tier-one melodrama of "Hello" that it was this comparatively calm, dialed down, white-flag-up return to the scene that Adele went with. There are so many significant, life-altering decisions we lock ourselves in at tender ages and Adele is merely requesting respite on this track. She delivers it flawlessly. For me, it's been my go-to easy listening track of Q4 and was a great forerunner to '30'.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x4)
Play Count: 235

027. Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed

Let me set the scene
Two lovers ripped right at the seams
They woke up from the perfect dream
And then the darkness came
I signed the papers yesterday
You came and took your things away
And moved out of the home we made
And gave you back your name
What have we done?
Did we fly too high just to get burned by the sun?
No one's to blame
'Cause we called all the angels to save us
Called them by name
But I guess they got lost
Star-crossed

When I heard this song in late August, I knew Kacey was coming to destroy me emotionally with LP4. That Latin telenovela-esque guitar strum at the front end of the song does a great job setting the melodic scene before a most adept songwriter comes in with the weighty lyrics. I'm too petty to even consider bolding that "No one's to blame" line, but these lyrics are tailor-made for a break-up. "Star-Crossed" got a second wind when I saw CT favouring it on his chart over what I'd considered to be the clearly superior "Justified". Her VMA performance of this is even better than the studio recording.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x5)
Play Count: 172

026. Silk Sonic - Blast Off

Clouds are blowin', don't know where we're goin'
But we're levitatin' up in this room (Ah-ah-ah)
All these colours just like rainbows in summer
Got us smilin' like our dreams just came true (Yeah)
I took a little somethin' to get here, yeah, yeah
I got a little more if you're ready, we can have it all...
Blastin' off straight to some good vibrations
Can we take it higher? (Oh yeah)

Maybe my ears are more hypersexualised than I'd realised because I truly did think this song was about sex the first time I heard it and that the "little somethin'" Bruno took was Viagra. Okay, understanding amended - it's actually about a psychedelic drug journey. For me, this song's magic is really the entire LP's magic - smoothness, instrumentation, and vocals. What separates it from the pack is that outro - so it scores higher in the arrangement metric than its sister tracks. It is such a perfect, passionate outro.

Quality Rating: 9/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 50

[Thriller]

Easy On Me is becoming one of Adele's best, while UK Hun? was the earworm of the year.

[cheapthrills]

60 - Daughtry! I actually didn't realize he was still recording until the terrible news of his daughter last month. I followed him quite a bit after American Idol though. Checking out the song, it sounds like trademark DAughtry, which is a good thing.

59 - There better be some more Silk Sonic to come because Smokin' was just ok for me, and there's like three or four songs on their excellent album I'd probably choose over it. I am glad, however, that this song brought them back into the top ten after Skate undeservedly underperformed.

58/57 - I've loved Nicki for so long, but her antics off-mic have really made me question supporting her. The Bia song was very good and I vaguely remember Seeing Green was all right, but I have such a hard time separating her drama from the music right now. Hopefully, she'll lure me back with her next album.

55 - I love the words you quoted in Kacey's song. I will say that I prefer happy Kacey to sad Kacey, but she really cut deep here.

54 - Oh I guess I didn't have to wait too long for Silk Sonic Yes, as a lead single this is stellar, and I was so thrilled to hear this 70s sound when they released it. Definitely up there as one of my favorite singles of the year.

I'll circle back! Getting ready for work!

[Tansike]

Somehow the YEC section flew completely under my radar so far (even forgot to open a topic for mine on the 13th, as I always do) - so sorry for missing out on most of your countdown! I will catch up during the weekend, because scrolling through the topic quickly, I already spottet some GEMS.

[ludichris]

090. Stefania - Last Dance

Thanks for introducing me to this! I've just added it to my library as I didn't watch ESC so I had not heard it before.

[JSparksFan]

Easy On Me is becoming one of Adele's best, while UK Hun? was the earworm of the year.

Agreed!

60 - Daughtry! I actually didn't realize he was still recording until the terrible news of his daughter last month. I followed him quite a bit after American Idol though. Checking out the song, it sounds like trademark DAughtry, which is a good thing.

Ah, I must've missed that news about his daughter. So sad!

59 - There better be some more Silk Sonic to come because Smokin' was just ok for me, and there's like three or four songs on their excellent album I'd probably choose over it. I am glad, however, that this song brought them back into the top ten after Skate undeservedly underperformed.

I ended up with that number.

58/57 - I've loved Nicki for so long, but her antics off-mic have really made me question supporting her. The Bia song was very good and I vaguely remember Seeing Green was all right, but I have such a hard time separating her drama from the music right now. Hopefully, she'll lure me back with her next album.

There was a year - I think maybe it was 2016 - that my listening to her was really affected by some stuff in her personal life, but I think I've gotten to a place where I can mostly separate the personal from professional stuff. There are definitely exceptions to that rule, though.

55 - I love the words you quoted in Kacey's song. I will say that I prefer happy Kacey to sad Kacey, but she really cut deep here.

The interesting thing was that her happiness in Golden Hour seemed tentative and for Star-Crossed to come three years later...

54 - Oh I guess I didn't have to wait too long for Silk Sonic Yes, as a lead single this is stellar, and I was so thrilled to hear this 70s sound when they released it. Definitely up there as one of my favorite singles of the year.

Yep, a quality single all 'round.

I'll circle back! Getting ready for work!

Appreciate you popping in!

Somehow the YEC section flew completely under my radar so far (even forgot to open a topic for mine on the 13th, as I always do) - so sorry for missing out on most of your countdown! I will catch up during the weekend, because scrolling through the topic quickly, I already spottet some GEMS.

No problema. I appreciate you popping in and definitely looking forward to your own YEC!

Thanks for introducing me to this! I've just added it to my library as I didn't watch ESC so I had not heard it before.

Ah, glad you liked it! What made you pick that one - was it the Dua Lipa comparison?

[ludichris]

Ah, glad you liked it! What made you pick that one - was it the Dua Lipa comparison?

I was browsing the countdown for songs I hadn't heard before and preferably female artists, this one matched my requirements exactly. The main reason I check these countdowns out is to find music I have missed out on.

[JSparksFan]

I was browsing the countdown for songs I hadn't heard before and preferably female artists, this one matched my requirements exactly. The main reason I check these countdowns out is to find music I have missed out on.

Gotcha! Well, I'm glad I could put you on to a good one!

[JSparksFan]

025. Summer Walker - Bitter (feat. Cardi B)

Bitter, yeah, mad at me, mad at my n*gga
Mad at the fact he ain't with you, mad at the fact that it's me
But this shit bigger than me and you alone
So why you putting on for the Shade Room and Insta?
Bitches just be looking for attention
Trust me, you can get it (get it)
Pull up whenever, whenever
You know I'm with it, don't get it twisted
Nothing like none of these bitches
But, sometimes, I get in my feelings
Sometimes I know I be tripping (tripping)
But why these hoes all in our business?
How he don't care 'bout his children? (How he don't care?)
How he supposed to be there? Y'all won't let him get 'em
How you posted like that on the 'Gram for a thousand?
I bet you can't post a picture (bet you can't, bet you can't)
Wondering if you even know this bitch, for real
London, did you screw this bitch for real?
They be on that groupie shit, for real (ah)
And I know she thought she struck when she let a n*gga f*ck
Man, that bitch is looking stuck (stuck as ****)
And I bet you, when you came, that she thought she came up
Now that bitch up feeling dumb (I bet your bitch feeling dumb)
She prolly thought it came with a million (came with a million)
She prolly thought you changed how she living
Prolly thought that dick came with the fame and the riches
Bitter baby mama
Always point her finger at a n*gga, whenever it's the problem
Always put the blame on a n*gga instead of tryna solve it
Always wanna gossip, her and her friend have been talking
But whatever they be saying ain't 'bout shit (ain't 'bout shit)
Think a n*gga supposed to pay for they outfit
Get they nails and feet done and her hair did (yeah)
You ain't shit, bitch
Claim you independent, but you ain't did shit
Live on Section 8, but still can't pay rent, mmh
(Better stop playing with me) you ain't shit, bitch
Leave your children with your mama and you ain't raised shit
But you want that child support, what you think this is? (Mmh)
(Better stop playing with me)
Just because you let him smash, that don't mean he ever knew ya (stop playing with me)
Just 'cause y'all got a past, that don't mean you got a future (better stop playing with me)
This mine for life (mine for life), no switching sides (switching sides)
We ride or die, and that's why I know you
Well, Summer Walker, you know, I been seeing
You know, all the bullshit that's been going on with you today
And, you know, I don't know if the rumors are true
I don't know, I don't care, it's not my business
But if it is true, don't let bitches, like, make
Don't have them hav-, feel like they have a one up by destroying your moment
By f*cking telling your business to the world
On some, "Ha-ha, yeah, I'mma do it on purpose, I'mma do it spitefully"
Do it your own way and do it beautifully, do it special
If you are pregnant and everything, say it in a beautiful way in your music
Say why you, you know, decided to be with your n*gga
Even though you have problems, put that drama in your music, yeah
'Cause if bitches wanna get clout off you, you gone get clout of them
And you gone put that shit in your music
Say some shit like, "I got my own ******* money"
Make them bitches feel hurt, hit them bitches where it hurt
And put that shit in your music and make money off it in your music
F*ck these hoes!

If you listen to "Bitter" outside of the context of 'Still Over It', it's just a good song, but when you go through the journey of the LP, which starts with this song, and ends with "4th Baby Mama", you get a different kind of appreciation for where Summer Walker was at this stage of the relationship.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #4
Play Count: 32

024. ABBA - Keep an Eye on Dan

I know that this shouldn't be
A traumatic event, but it is
And I feel so bad
My little boy looks so happy
He throws me his "go mummy" kiss
And he loves his dad
And I loved him too
Maybe I still do
But it's over
Keep an eye on Dan
Promise me you can
He gets out of hand if you let him
So keep an eye on Dan (keep an eye on Dan)
And don't forget (and don't forget)
I'll be back on Sunday to get him
So keep an eye on Dan
Certain that I'm out of sight
I pull over and turn off the car
And I bang the wheel
I can't believe that I've actually
Held it together this far
Seeing how I feel
But I said goodbye
And I did not cry
I, I think he must have lost some weight
Funny how it takes me back to our first date

My mother is an ABBA fan so I grew up listening to their big classics. To be alive during this 40-year-overdue comeback season of theirs feels like an enormous blessing as a devout pop fan and this song is their glossiest, catchiest, most infectious stunner on the LP. It truly captures that sorrowful synthpop magic that they do better than anyone else - one of their disciples in this path, Mika, also does a fine job in this realm, but ABBA are very much the template. For me, this song, and by extension its parent album, is very much pop royalty returning to reassume their throne.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x4)
Play Count: 101

023. Tinashe - Last Call

Where did we go wrong?
Never saw it coming
I don't even know, how are we gonna move on?
Somewhere between
Falling apart and figuring out what it all still means
Can't just be friends it
Hurts way too much
Guess that's just life
You left me with not enough
Pouring my heart into your cup
And every time I think you're done you come around
Using me up
Last call, oh
Here's to the tears yeah I'm giving it up
Last call, oh
Cheers to the years I was
Pouring my heart into your cup
Didn't know every time you came around
I ended up wasted in love
Last call, oh
You can sleep in, you been sleeping
On the weeknight, on the weekend
Yeah yeah yeah yeah
Coming over, barely sober
On the weeknight, always open
Yeah yeah yeah yeah

There are many songs this year that I could just throw "ex-entanglement" at as the description and move on. The element of that multi-faceted affair that this captures is the bargaining stage, where you're trying to work out just what went wrong and how best to salvage something that was so meticulously built.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 46

022. Taylor Swift - Willow

I'm like the water when your ship rolled in that night
Rough on the surface but you cut through like a knife
And if it was an open-shut case
I never would've known from that look on your face
Lost in your current like a priceless wine
The more that you say
The less I know
Wherever you stray
I follow
I'm begging for you to take my hand
Wreck my plans
That's my man
Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind (oh)
Head on the pillow, I could feel you sneaking in
As if you were a mythical thing
Like you were a trophy or a champion ring
And there was one prize I'd cheat to win
You know that my train could take you home
Anywhere else is hollow
I'm begging for you to take my hand
Wreck my plans
That's my man
Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind (oh)
They count me out time and time again
Life was a willow and it bent right to your wind (oh)
But I come back stronger than a 90's trend
Wait for the signal and I'll meet you after dark
Show me the places where the others gave you scars
Now this is an open-shut case
Guess I should've known from the look on your face
Every bait and switch was a work of art

It's the hand/plans/man rhyme scheme that did it for me, especially the "That's my man" lyric, which always gave me a visual of my ex-entanglement. I usually don't bother specifying remixes, but the version of this that I consider most outstanding is the Dancing Elvira mix. It's got the most verve.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x4)
Play Count: 160

021. Kanye West - Jesus Lord

Sittin' by myself, I'm just thinkin'
About all I've been through, I wish I was dreamin'
Man, it's hard to be an angel when you surrounded by demons (Jesus, Lord)
I watched so many people leave
I see 'em change by the season, that's mama's seasonin'
God got you, the devil's watchin', he just peekin' in
I know I made a promise that I'd never let the reaper in (Jesus)
But lately, I've been losin' all my deepest friends (Lord)
And lately, I've been swimmin' on the deepest end
It's just drugs, it ain't no hugs, it ain't no love there
You been down so much you don't even know what's upstairs
Suicidal thoughts got you wonderin' what's up there (Jesus, Lord)
And while I introduce the party, they say it's up there
Too many pills, so much potions, so much pain, too many emotions
And everything that you do good, it just go unnoticed (Jesus)
Then they tell you that you good and just stay focused (Lord)
Mama, you was the life of the party
I swear you brought life to the party
When you lost your life, it took the life out the party (Jesus)
That woman rode with me like a Harley (Lord)
Visions of my cousins in a cell really scarred me
Movin' to the hood was like signin' up for the army
'Cause they been killin' n- since n- was watchin' Barney (Jesus)
You want dreams to come true? But I have nightmares (Lord)
'Cause if that come to life, then I might not be right here
Been in the dark so long, don't know if the light here
But I'm just reachin' for the stars like Buzz Lightyear (Jesus)
And now I'm light years ahead of those nightmares (Lord)
I deaded those night terrors when the night clears
And if I talk to Christ, can I bring my mother back to life?
And if I die tonight, will I see her in the afterlife? (Jesus)
But back to reality where everything's a tragedy (Lord)
And better have a strategy or you could be a statistic
Little boy dies, he's just one of the mystic
And mama steady cryin' 'cause she really the victim (Jesus)
Now she's gettin' high and she's gettin' addicted (Lord)
And her older boy just stuck with the picture, painted vivid
That's a family portrait and her daughter just absorbed it
16, pregnant, baby daddy say she should abort it (Jesus)
But we can't afford it, so she decides to move forward (Lord)
Baby shower time, father didn't show up
Now she just feelin' nauseous like she finna throw up
The water flows down her legs, yeah, it's finna go up (Jesus)
A year done went by, her daughter just turned one (Lord)
And she's still dependent on her mom
Big brother in the streets, he went and bought him a gun
He want revenge 'cause the pain, feelin' numb (Jesus)
And her mom still doin' drugs 'cause that's the only time she feel loved (Lord)
But is it real love? Do the scars really heal up?
From all the pain that been built up, but they don't feel us (Jesus)
A week done flew by, big bro ridin' then he see the guys (Lord)
Left his little brother on the side, bleedin' from the side
He seein' red, it's like he's bleedin' through his eyes
To see him dead, the only thing that'll help the grievin' up inside (Jesus)
He even let him get they last meal (Lord)
He done with the streets after this, this his last kill
He gotta show him that it's that real
He ran up on him with the pipe like, "N-, stand still" (Jesus)
"You took my brother life, you made my mother cry" (Lord)
"Tell me one reason I shouldn't send you up to Christ"
He said, "Go 'head, take my life, I've seen everything but Christ"
The big bro just blacked out and all you seein' was the light (Jesus, Lord)
Tell me if you know someone that needs (Jesus, Lord)
Uh-huh, in the name of the true and living God
The beneficent, the merciful (Hallelujah)
Thank you for bringin' me up the rough side of the mountain like Ertuğrul (Jesus)
Every knee bowed and every tongue confessed and paid homage (Lord)
To the monk who visited Rothschilds like Thelonious did Pannonica (sheesh)
It's Jay Elec-entendre-nica comin' through your monitor
Back from the great beyond, the Son of Man and the son of Donda (Jesus)
I never rolled the GXSR or the R6 or the Honda (Lord)
But I flew my Ducati through North America like Wakanda
Earthquakes will strike this nation for what Bush did to Rwanda (facts)
What the Clintons did to Haiti and Downing Street did to Ghana
In Tenochtitlan they call me Terremoto, El Negro Loco (Jesus)
I shake the tectonic plates of the game if I lay one vocal (Lord)
The God is interstellar while you fellas remain local
My bars is like the pyramid temples of Pacal Votan (Jesus)
As sure as the DOJ confirmed Ezekiel's Wheel (Lord)
I could change the world like Yacub with two pieces of steel
My sword and my microphone, I swore to the Christ's throne
But when you great, they wanna say you took an L, José Castillo (Jesus)
I'm in the fight here, fight here, for what seemed like light years (Lord)
My rugged cross and thorny crowns squeeze out Christ tears
30 pieces of silver clout, my Pierre price tier
It's a war outside, it's a war outside (Jesus)
It's like the last days of Sodom and Gomorrah outside (Lord)
Tell me if you know someone that needs (Jesus, Lord)
We've been through a lot of things
Tell me if you know someone that needs (Jesus, Lord)
He lives in a lot of things
Tell me if you know someone that needs (Jesus, Lord)
Been through a lot of things
Tell me if you know someone that needs (Jesus, Lord)
What up, Ye? This Larry Hoover Jr.
First and foremost, I wanna thank you
For taking the fight for my father to the Oval Office
You might not have been the only one that could've did that
But you were the one that did do that
And with your assistance
We can continue to let the world take part in this fight
You know to me it kinda feels like, me, my mother, my brothers
And my kids have all been incarcerated through this journey
And we haven't even been to jail
We've been looked at and treated as criminals, for being a part of this family
My father's truth and the reality that he raised me in
Is that he wanted to make a change in this community
'Cause the conditions in this capitalist society
Is what made him, and it's what made the children of today
After 25 years of bein' locked down, 23 and 1
My father has not called any shots
From one of the most secure and segregated prisons in the world
And will not, once released
Call any of the shots for the Gangster Disciples
If my father's intentions were to lead us to death, destruction
Into the hell that he has had to live in for the past 26 years
Man, he would be dead to me
I didn't sign up for that
I didn't stay on this journey this long for that
All my life, man, I've been waitin' for my father to come home
They told me when I graduate eighth grade, he would be home
Then they told me when I graduate from high school, he would be home
I went away to Morris Brown, I graduated and he still ain't home
Now I'm a adult, and my daughter went away to college and graduated
He still not home
Now even more than that, my son
He graduated eighth grade and we still waitin'
Matter of fact, he hasn't hugged
Kissed, or touched any of his grandchildren
And they haven't been able to touch they grandfather
Even though it is not seen that way for some of us
But for many of us, Larry Hoover is a beacon of hope for his community
Who deserves to breathe free air
Free my father (Jesus), Mr. Larry Hoover Sr. (Lord)

Kanye West is at least five years into his somewhat cancellation sentence by select sectors of the left, but it's songs like this one that's always made me reluctant to hit that "eject" button. At his best, Kanye West is very much a message artist - I'm sure he would contend that such message music is his ministry - and this is a rather powerful message, which sheds light on the need for prison and sentencing reform. The Larry Hoover story is an interesting one and it shows that, unlike the binary illusion many folks feel comfortable cloaking themselves in, reality is far greyer. In its lengthier part two version, "Jesus Lord" is 11 and a half minutes long, making it the lengthiest song on this year's countdown and the lengthiest song to ever feature in one of my YECs. Kudos to Kanye for holding my attention for so long.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #4
Play Count: 24

[Benny]

Nice to see 'Keep an Eye on Dan', I had hoped for a place in the top 20 though.

[Tansike]

Agreed with your opening lines that 2021 was a good year in music - I actually think it's been a rather underrated year among music fans. There were several gems released this year, several high profile artists releasing new stuff, and several great new discoveries, so excited to dive into your countdown!

100. Destiny - Je Me Casse
099. Kelly Clarkson - Christmas Isn't Cancelled (Just You)
098. Tiësto & Ava Max - The Motto
096. Nick Jonas - Death Do Us Part

First group is already strong!
Would've loved to see Je me casse even higher, but glad it made your countdown after all. It left a similar impression on me like Michela's Chameleon did a few years ago and iirc that one made a much better impression on you than Je me casse. It's been one of my favorite songs to sing along to in 2021.
Kelly's song is good, need to re-listen to the whole album as soon as possible now we're finally heading towards Christmas. It's always difficult to come up with a good new original Christmas song and I think Kelly did a great job with Christmas Isn't Cancelled (Just You). I wouldn't even mind if that one becomes her Christmas staple instead of Underneath The Tree.
The Motto is a BOP. Ava rarely disappoints!

095. The Killers - The Getting By
094. Nick Jonas - 2Drunk
092. Mabel - Let Them Know

Very pleased to see Let Them Know here. Definitely a song us Pop lovers need every now and then. Still waiting for a good follow-up though...

090. Stefania - Last Dance
089. Billie Eilish - NDA
088. Doja Cat - Naked
086. Olivia Rodrigo - Deja Vu

Last Dance was a grower for me, didn't get the hype at first and didn't like the staging at all, but the song eventually became one of my favorite Greek entries ever. By the way, do you hear similarities to Rihanna's Unfaithful in the pre-chorus as well?
NDA was exactly what I needed from Billie after being not impressed by many previous singles. A big standout for me in 2021, a shame it flopped on the charts.

085. Taylor Swift - Gold Rush
084. Jazmine Sullivan - Girl Like Me (feat. H.E.R.)
082. Lorde - Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen It All)
081. Olivia Rodrigo - Enough for You

Taylor <3 Fingers crossed there's more from her to come, 2021 was definitely her year (yet again?).

079. Olivia Rodrigo - Traitor
078. Adele - Oh My God
077. Lil Nas X - Tales of Dominica

YES to the Tales of Dominica appreciation! IMO the whole album was rather disappointing and besides Montero & Industry Baby, only Life After Salem and Tales of Dominica stood out for me so I'm very pleased to see it on your countdown.
Oh My God may be a promising hit for early 2022.

075. Lil Nas X - That's What I Want
073. Lil Nas X - Scoop (feat. Doja Cat)
071. Jazmine Sullivan - Bodies

070. The Black Mamba - Love is on My Side
069. Gwen Stefani - Let Me Reintroduce Myself
068. Ed Sheeran - Shivers
066. Kacey Musgraves - Gracias a la Vida

The Black Mamba is a surprising Eurovision appearance here. Good for them, their live performance was very captivating, but the song itself doesn't have much replay value I gotta admit.
Shivers also ended up as my favorite song of Ed's new album! At first I thought it's just a slightly weaker copy of Bad Habits, but I ended up liking it much more the more I played it.
Kacey! Hopefully there's more to come from her, Star-crossed was such a strong album and Gracias a la Vida was like the most unexpected yet best fitting closer for it.

065. London Grammar - Missing
064. Billie Eilish - Therefore I Am
063. The Killers - Quiet Town
062. Doja Cat - I Don't Do Drugs (feat. Ariana Grande)
061. The Killers - In Another Life

Pleased to see London Grammar here! The whole album was a nice surprise.
While I said NDA was what I needed after being not impressed by previous singles, I must say most of those singles grew on me massively once the album came out at Therefore I Am was one of those. It sounds so good in the album context!
I Don't Do Drugs would make an awesome single.

059. Silk Sonic - Smokin Out the Window
056. Drake - No Friends in the Industry
055. Kacey Musgraves - Hookup Scene
054. Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
053. Anne-Marie & Little Mix - Kiss My (Uh Oh)
051. Jazmine Sullivan - On It (feat. Ari Lennox)

Solid group, Kiss My (Uh Oh) is definitely a personal standout here. Agreed with your comment for it, it's a fun song, nothing more, nothing less, but sometimes we just need a fun song to bop to.

050. Olivia Rodrigo - Hope Ur Ok
049. Lana Del Rey - Breaking Up Slowly
048. Demi Lovato - Melon Cake
047. Adele - Love is a Game
046. Kylie Minogue + Years &amp; Years - A Second to Midnight

045. KEiiNO - Monument
042. Eden Alene - Set Me Free
041. Todrick Hall - Rainin' Fellas

Monument was a moment! So, so happy to see this making your Top50, and yep, I'm still mad Norway didn't chose this over Tix. While I don't think Keiino would've won anymore, I still think this would have been a sure Top10 placement for them yet again. One of my personal top songs of 2021 <3
Set Me Free is not the Eurovision entry I expected to be the highest one for you, but I'm totally fine with it, because it's also among my favorite contest entries this year. So happy how this went from being a sure non-qualifier for the betting odds to a secret fave among fans. She sparks charisma, the performance even caught my partner (who's not a ESC fan at all) and the high note in the end is top notch.

040. Doja Cat - You Right (feat. The Weeknd)
039. Adele - To Be Loved
038. Silk Sonic - After Last Night

035. Steps - Heartbreak in This City (feat. Michelle Visage)
034. Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
033. Billie Eilish - Halley's Comet
031. Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)

How could us Drag Race fans not enjoy Heartbreak In This City with Michelle Visage?
Yas to even more Billie in this update. Two great songs, especially Happier Than Ever. Already excited to see where the album will land on your album countdown, IMO it's better as her debut
I really like Montero, great and incredibly catchy song - but I never got the hype for the music video I guess it was important for our society but then one may think it shouldn't be needed anymore, right?

029. United Kingdolls - UK Hun?
028. Adele - Easy on Me
027. Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed
026. Silk Sonic - Blast Off

Bing Bang Bong is going to be stuck in our heads for decades, isn't it? That was a great challenge from one of the best seasons ever, and all four in this version ended up as stars in the UK.
Star-crossed <3 This is such a magical song and also among my highlights in 2021. It's even and by far my most favorite song by Kacey ever, it just ticks so many boxes for me.

024. ABBA - Keep an Eye on Dan
022. Taylor Swift - Willow

Strong two tracks. Keep An Eye On Dan is such a clear standout on Voyage and easily one of the finest album tracks of 2021.
Willow has such a beautiful atmosphere to it. Love it, and it's even became one of my favorite songs by Taylor ever. One of the reasons why I enjoy Evermore a bit more than Folklore.

...

Fantastic countdown so far, glad I finally caught up with it, so I'm ready for the Top20 :cool:

Plus I think I really need to check out Summer Walker who already appeared many times here, definitely a contender for your album #1 I guess.

[king_oxymoron]

Gosh it’s nearly over! Lots of great songs in the chart, I like the Nick J stuff, Mabel, Todrick, Lil Nas, Steps. Only one or two so far that I think are my absolute tunes of the year so we may have pretty different charts this go round.

My biggest gripe is you highlighting Bimini’s entire verse EXCEPT ‘I like it rough but my lentils tender’ which is not only the greatest line in the song but perhaps the best ever written in a RPDR songwriting challenge!

[JSparksFan]

Nice to see 'Keep an Eye on Dan', I had hoped for a place in the top 20 though.

They almost got there in the end, but it was a competitive year!

Agreed with your opening lines that 2021 was a good year in music - I actually think it's been a rather underrated year among music fans. There were several gems released this year, several high profile artists releasing new stuff, and several great new discoveries, so excited to dive into your countdown!

Glad we both agree it was a strong music year!

100. Destiny - Je Me Casse
099. Kelly Clarkson - Christmas Isn't Cancelled (Just You)
098. Tiësto & Ava Max - The Motto
096. Nick Jonas - Death Do Us Part

First group is already strong!
Would've loved to see Je me casse even higher, but glad it made your countdown after all. It left a similar impression on me like Michela's Chameleon did a few years ago and iirc that one made a much better impression on you than Je me casse. It's been one of my favorite songs to sing along to in 2021.
Kelly's song is good, need to re-listen to the whole album as soon as possible now we're finally heading towards Christmas. It's always difficult to come up with a good new original Christmas song and I think Kelly did a great job with Christmas Isn't Cancelled (Just You). I wouldn't even mind if that one becomes her Christmas staple instead of Underneath The Tree.
The Motto is a BOP. Ava rarely disappoints!

Your memory serves you right! I think "Chameleon" was #14 on my 2019 YEC, but it had some clever lyrics and nifty production moments that really made it stand out.

Yeah, I think "Christmas Isn't Cancelled (Just You)" is definitely KC's most accessible Christmas song to date, so I hope it has mileage for at least a few holiday seasons.

095. The Killers - The Getting By
094. Nick Jonas - 2Drunk
092. Mabel - Let Them Know

Very pleased to see Let Them Know here. Definitely a song us Pop lovers need every now and then. Still waiting for a good follow-up though...

I appreciate you appreciating the Killers!

090. Stefania - Last Dance
089. Billie Eilish - NDA
088. Doja Cat - Naked
086. Olivia Rodrigo - Deja Vu

Last Dance was a grower for me, didn't get the hype at first and didn't like the staging at all, but the song eventually became one of my favorite Greek entries ever. By the way, do you hear similarities to Rihanna's Unfaithful in the pre-chorus as well?
NDA was exactly what I needed from Billie after being not impressed by many previous singles. A big standout for me in 2021, a shame it flopped on the charts.

I just revisited "Last Dance" and I didn't hear any "Unfaithful" similarities. I'll listen another time for it.

I high-key forgot/perhaps never knew "NDA" was a single!

085. Taylor Swift - Gold Rush
084. Jazmine Sullivan - Girl Like Me (feat. H.E.R.)
082. Lorde - Secrets from a Girl (Who's Seen It All)
081. Olivia Rodrigo - Enough for You

Taylor <3 Fingers crossed there's more from her to come, 2021 was definitely her year (yet again?).

Fun fact - "August" is my most-played song this year...again.

079. Olivia Rodrigo - Traitor
078. Adele - Oh My God
077. Lil Nas X - Tales of Dominica

YES to the Tales of Dominica appreciation! IMO the whole album was rather disappointing and besides Montero & Industry Baby, only Life After Salem and Tales of Dominica stood out for me so I'm very pleased to see it on your countdown.
Oh My God may be a promising hit for early 2022.

Ah, I actually enjoyed Montero, but I'm glad that we seem to have the same favourites from it at least.

075. Lil Nas X - That's What I Want
073. Lil Nas X - Scoop (feat. Doja Cat)
071. Jazmine Sullivan - Bodies

070. The Black Mamba - Love is on My Side
069. Gwen Stefani - Let Me Reintroduce Myself
068. Ed Sheeran - Shivers
066. Kacey Musgraves - Gracias a la Vida

The Black Mamba is a surprising Eurovision appearance here. Good for them, their live performance was very captivating, but the song itself doesn't have much replay value I gotta admit.
Shivers also ended up as my favorite song of Ed's new album! At first I thought it's just a slightly weaker copy of Bad Habits, but I ended up liking it much more the more I played it.
Kacey! Hopefully there's more to come from her, Star-crossed was such a strong album and Gracias a la Vida was like the most unexpected yet best fitting closer for it.

Yep, definitely more Kacey to come.

065. London Grammar - Missing
064. Billie Eilish - Therefore I Am
063. The Killers - Quiet Town
062. Doja Cat - I Don't Do Drugs (feat. Ariana Grande)
061. The Killers - In Another Life

Pleased to see London Grammar here! The whole album was a nice surprise.
While I said NDA was what I needed after being not impressed by previous singles, I must say most of those singles grew on me massively once the album came out at Therefore I Am was one of those. It sounds so good in the album context!
I Don't Do Drugs would make an awesome single.

I went into the London Grammar album not expecting much and came away pleasantly surprised.

059. Silk Sonic - Smokin Out the Window
056. Drake - No Friends in the Industry
055. Kacey Musgraves - Hookup Scene
054. Silk Sonic - Leave the Door Open
053. Anne-Marie & Little Mix - Kiss My (Uh Oh)
051. Jazmine Sullivan - On It (feat. Ari Lennox)

Solid group, Kiss My (Uh Oh) is definitely a personal standout here. Agreed with your comment for it, it's a fun song, nothing more, nothing less, but sometimes we just need a fun song to bop to.

Indeed!

050. Olivia Rodrigo - Hope Ur Ok
049. Lana Del Rey - Breaking Up Slowly
048. Demi Lovato - Melon Cake
047. Adele - Love is a Game
046. Kylie Minogue + Years &amp; Years - A Second to Midnight

045. KEiiNO - Monument
042. Eden Alene - Set Me Free
041. Todrick Hall - Rainin' Fellas

Monument was a moment! So, so happy to see this making your Top50, and yep, I'm still mad Norway didn't chose this over Tix. While I don't think Keiino would've won anymore, I still think this would have been a sure Top10 placement for them yet again. One of my personal top songs of 2021 <3
Set Me Free is not the Eurovision entry I expected to be the highest one for you, but I'm totally fine with it, because it's also among my favorite contest entries this year. So happy how this went from being a sure non-qualifier for the betting odds to a secret fave among fans. She sparks charisma, the performance even caught my partner (who's not a ESC fan at all) and the high note in the end is top notch.

Yeah, "Monument" was definitely better than the eventual Norway entry this year. It was good enough to win this year's contest, but I agree it likely wouldn't have won.

I'm a lamb at my core so whistle notes will always excite me.

040. Doja Cat - You Right (feat. The Weeknd)
039. Adele - To Be Loved
038. Silk Sonic - After Last Night

035. Steps - Heartbreak in This City (feat. Michelle Visage)
034. Billie Eilish - Happier Than Ever
033. Billie Eilish - Halley's Comet
031. Lil Nas X - Montero (Call Me by Your Name)

How could us Drag Race fans not enjoy Heartbreak In This City with Michelle Visage?
Yas to even more Billie in this update. Two great songs, especially Happier Than Ever. Already excited to see where the album will land on your album countdown, IMO it's better as her debut
I really like Montero, great and incredibly catchy song - but I never got the hype for the music video I guess it was important for our society but then one may think it shouldn't be needed anymore, right?

I have to double-check to make sure, but I think I gave Happier Than Ever a higher overall rating than Billie's debut.

Unfortunately, I think the "Montero" video is still needed. I grew up hearing that gays were doomed to hell and I'm well aware that that is still the message being given to youth in certain conservative parts of the world (like the Caribbean, where I'm from) so Lil Nas X completely taking that ignorant message and flipping it on its head to create something so visually stunning is special. I do hope we get to a point where such statements aren't necessary, but we're not quite there yet!

029. United Kingdolls - UK Hun?
028. Adele - Easy on Me
027. Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed
026. Silk Sonic - Blast Off

Bing Bang Bong is going to be stuck in our heads for decades, isn't it? That was a great challenge from one of the best seasons ever, and all four in this version ended up as stars in the UK.
Star-crossed <3 This is such a magical song and also among my highlights in 2021. It's even and by far my most favorite song by Kacey ever, it just ticks so many boxes for me.

Interesting on "Star-Crossed". I love that you love it so much, but for me she's done better. It is one of her best tracks for me, though. Her VMA performance of it is beautiful and actually made me appreciate the song even more.

024. ABBA - Keep an Eye on Dan
022. Taylor Swift - Willow

Strong two tracks. Keep An Eye On Dan is such a clear standout on Voyage and easily one of the finest album tracks of 2021.
Willow has such a beautiful atmosphere to it. Love it, and it's even became one of my favorite songs by Taylor ever. One of the reasons why I enjoy Evermore a bit more than Folklore.

Is the original mix of "Willow" your favourite?

Fantastic countdown so far, glad I finally caught up with it, so I'm ready for the Top20 :cool:

Plus I think I really need to check out Summer Walker who already appeared many times here, definitely a contender for your album #1 I guess.

Many thanks for taking the time to catch up! I really appreciate it!

Gosh it’s nearly over! Lots of great songs in the chart, I like the Nick J stuff, Mabel, Todrick, Lil Nas, Steps. Only one or two so far that I think are my absolute tunes of the year so we may have pretty different charts this go round.

My biggest gripe is you highlighting Bimini’s entire verse EXCEPT ‘I like it rough but my lentils tender’ which is not only the greatest line in the song but perhaps the best ever written in a RPDR songwriting challenge!

I guess I started on time this year whereas everyone opted for a bit of a later start. Y'all should've sent me the memo!

That line doesn't do that much for me, but those splits she was doing sure did!

[JSparksFan]

020. Tyler the Creator - Sweet/I Thought You Wanted to Dance

I don't know, make somethin' up, tell him somethin'
Uh, come on
(Still on the boat)
You and I, we fell in love
I ain't read the signs, ain't know what it was
But God gotta know He might have peaked when He made you
The cosmos' only mistake is what they named you
They should call you sugar, you so sweet
Well, they should call you sugar, 'cause you're so sweet to me
Well, they should call you sugar, sugar, you're so sweet
'Cause baby, you're the sweetest, sweetest, sweetest thing I've known
Even if you left me out here stranded
My feelings wouldn't change a bit
(You know how I feel about you, are you ready?)
You know how I feel baby!
Infinite. The love I have for you
A diamond couldn't put a dent in it
(Uh, go to the bridge thing) (okay)
Darling, you're the wind under my wings
My heart beats triple time when I see you
Something I can't control
If I compared you, the Sun is a stand-in
You've got a smile that could light up a planet
And I just wanted you to know
And you look so good
And you smell so good
And you taste so good
Oh, you so, so good
You're the sweetest
Sweet like, like motherf*ckin' brown sugar sweet potatoes
Or somethin'
The plan was to stick my toe in and
Check the temperature but
Next thing I know
I'm drownin'
What makes you think
I'm not in love?
How could you know
What's best for us?
Why am I here
Standing alone?
'Cause I thought you wanted to dance, yeah
(Welcome to the disco)
You're so good to me
It felt good to me
You're so good to me
It felt good to me
So, what makes you think
I'm not in love?
How could you know
What's best for us?
Why am I here
Standing alone?
Because I thought you wanted to dance
Honestly, it's all about the timing
I ain't mean to lead you on, because
Him and I got some things that we're trying
But my energy belongs to you
I want you so bad, but not too fast
It's not your fault we can't pretend because
We're both in the wrong
So what makes you think
I'm not in love? (Feels so good)
How could you know, know, know
What's best for us?
Why am I here
Standing alone?
'Cause I thought, I thought you wanted to dance, yeah
(Run the track)
'Cause I thought, I thought you wanted to dance
'Cause I thought, I thought you wanted to dance
I thought you wanted to dance
I thought you wanted to dance
I wish that we never met, I wish that we ain't connect
Like Lego, connection good, but mixed signal if you say so. Like cardio
We stared up and down, but we didn't blink. Felt like dirty dishes
'Cause we was in sync. I swear to God, if you and him never linked
I'd tear that ass up like something was stole
I'd make them glass balls roll back to your skull
Call a tail number, where you wanna go?
The f*ck do he got that I don't got a lot of?
There go my ego again, that's the problem
The f*ck you expect? I go get what I want
I want you to say you pick me with your voice
I'm 25 up, but I can't buy your choice
You're priceless to me but that's not the point
You got me out here smokin' joints
You got me out here losin' point
I'm cancellin' shoots and I'm can...
I'm hitchhiking, you pull over, so invitin'
This seat got my name on it, but who driving?
He hiatus, we spend time and we repeat and we rewind it
Your headlights? It hit my eyelids
Love is blinding, y'all together? Don't remind me, so confusing
What we doing? How y'all doing? Oh, you choosin' him?
Okay, I gotta cope with losing, f*ck
I ain't been sleepin' well. Twin, I'll never tell
Stay busy so I don't think, the downtime is when it sink in
I stare at old pictures, I, I thought you wanted to dance
I thought you wanted to dance, I
Maybe maybe
Take a chance
I wish that we had better timing
I'll save a dance just for you
So don't forget about me
I'll save a dance just for you
I wish that we had better timing
I'll save a dance just for you
So don't forget about me
I'll save a dance just for you

Just 12 seconds shy of a 10-minute-long runtime, "Sweet/I Thought You Wanted to Dance" is this smooth, mellow R&B cut until we get to the bars bit, where Tyler's flow and passionate lyricism really takes the track to a new level.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 17

019. Doja Cat - Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)

We hug and yes, we make love
And always just say "Goodnight" (la-la-la-la-la)
And we cuddle, sure I do love it
But I need your lips on mine
Can you kiss me more?
We're so young, boy
We ain't got nothin' to lose, oh, oh
It's just principle
Baby, hold me
'Cause I like the way you groove, oh, oh
Boy, you write your name, I can do the same
Ooh, I love the taste, la-la-la-la
All on my tongue, I want it (la-la-la-la)
Boy, you write your name, I can do the same
Ooh, I love the taste, la-la-la-la-la
All on my tongue, I want it
I, I feel like f*ckin' somethin'
But we could be corny, f*ck it
Sugar, I ain't no dummy, dummy
I like to say, what if, but if
We could kiss and just cut the rubbish
Then I might be on to somethin'
I ain't givin' you one in public
I'm givin' you hundreds, f*ck it
Somethin' we just gotta get into
Sign first, middle, last, on the wisdom tooth
N*ggas wishin' that the p*ssy was a kissin' booth
Taste breakfast, lunch and gin and juice
And that dinner just like dessert too
And when we French, refresh, gimme two
When I bite that lip, come get me too
He want lipstick, lip gloss, hickeys too, uh
Say give me a buck, need that gushy stuff
Push the limit, no, you ain't good enough
All your n*ggas say that you lost without me
All my b*tches feel like I dodged the county
F*ckin' with you feel like jail, nigga
I can't even exhale, n*gga
P*ssy like holy grail, you know that
You gon' make me need bail, you know that
Caught dippin' with your friend
You ain't even have man, lyin' on ya-, you know that
Got me a bag full of brick, you know that
Control, don't slow the pace if I throw back
All this ass for real
Drama make you feel
Fantasy and whip appeal
Is all I can give you

"Kiss Me More" is a breezy, summer-ready, catchy R&B-pop bop. The production is great and SZA's presence is definitely a plus, but it's Doja and her personality that really sell this song. Some of her verses are so direct that I can't help but love the raw expression of it all. The way she infuses hip/hop bars and flow into the track is seamless and gives it an interesting cadence that makes listening a lot more engaging. And the video - oh my, that male model - who's also an actor on Grey's Anatomy - is so searing hot!

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 85

018. BRS Kash - Throat Baby (feat. DaBaby & City Girls)

Damn near got the best head in the world on her, I be ready to hit
Put her lips on my dick and she swirl on it, she be ready to spit
She eatin' my dick with passion, it feel like she talkin' to me, she be tellin' me shit
Yeah, go 'head and spit on it, yeah (What's happenin', Chi Chi?)
Pull out my dick and she lick on it
I know she with it, yeah, I know she want it, uh
Paint her face like a Picasso
She smokin' on dick like Gelato
I need a sexy lil' bih like Mulatto
Lick on the tip and you know that she swallow kids
IG bitch, come follow this
I ain't tryna do no cuddling
I just want face, let me bust on it
Sexy lil' bitch, sexy lil' ho
Hold on, hold on real quick
See her three times a week and don't nobody know
Pull that dick out and eat soon as I hit the door
Two days ago I got head at the Lowe's
They know I be on go, I get head at the store
Ooh, she a gangster, she don't even care if they look in the car, I can't tell if they know
Girl, get the mangoes, let me get my leg out your way
I got manners, I'mma move your hair out the way
She pull that bitch out when she see me
She suck my dick, she put this song on repeat
She love to top, ooh and she sloppy
Put the spit from the dick to her mouth, she a monster
And I might love her, she blow bubbles
And put both hands on the dick and massage it
She suckin' me up like a slushee
Put me to sleep, Robitussin, the head is amazing (Yeah)
She get protein when I give her them babies (Yeah)
Sloppy toppy, got her brand new Mercedes, uh-huh
I be like kiss on it while we in public to show that you miss it, uh-huh
The way that she take it
I'll spit on it, lick on it, got me addicted, yeah, yeah
Ayy, don't talk back (Uh-huh)
You can get a house with a mouth like that (You can)
Let's switch side 'cause my mouth bite back (Come here)
And I love her fat cat, let me lick it from the back, okay
She tellin' me "Kash, that I love you", I ain't tryna hear it (I don't need)
I just wanna put it all inside your mouth
I'ma f*ck up your head and your brain gon' feel it, bitch
Drop my panties, spread my legs
Kiss my clit, lick my split
Make me cream, stroke my pearl
Eat this p*ssy up like it's yours (Yeah)
Throat babies, I'm tryna bust all on you
Throat babies, let me put this pussy on you
Sit your gun on the dresser (Yeah)
And let me undress you (Come here)
Cum babies (Come here), come, baby
Drop his drawers, grab that lock
Kiss that dick, lick his balls
Spit on the head (Uh), make it wet (JT)
F*ck that meat (Yeah), take it deep
Ghetto lil' bitch, he love the way I talk
Dick get hard every time I walk
Suck him dead, bring out the white chalk
Petty to you, for me, the whole vault
My throat crazy, he gon' keep curving you
My throat crazy, straight jacket, white suit
I like to be f*cked like a slut
Come here zaddy, let me eat it up
Look in his eyes and swallow that nut
Itty bitty nigga but the dick big
I'm his baby mama, we got throat kids (Hahaha)

So this is the second year in a row that I have a DaBaby song in my top 20 and yet again the lyrics are absolute FILTH! I love this song and I definitely have great memories hearing it out at bars around town this year - it was pretty popular in Q1 of 2021, given that BRS Kash is an Atlanta native. I went back to check which song blocked this from #1 as I did think it should've topped my chart at some point, but "August" blocked it so...yeah!

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #2
Play Count: 55

017. Nick Jonas - This is Heaven

At the gate, come inside, I know that it's late
But I'm here, 'cause your body my motivation
Let's skip the talk
What if we found a way to get lost without fear?
Keep it all behind, we're escaping
If you told me that my fate was on your fingertips
Then I wouldn't believe it
I wouldn't believe it
Every kiss with you, it's like a prayer falls from my lips
Now I'm a believer
Yeah, I'm a believer
This is Heaven
And I don't know how this could get much better
Than you and me, here right now
This is Heaven
And every time I touch you, it gets better
I'm on my knees, I can't stop now
This is Heaven (this is Heaven, yeah, this is Heaven)
This is Heaven (this is Heaven, oh, this is Heaven)
This is
Sunrise, another long night lost in your eyes
So don't blink
You're the center of my attention, yeah
I know, nothing is perfect, but this is close
So don't go, keep it coming in my direction

He'd gotten my attention with "Champagne Problems" and "Close" in the past, but I never really thought I'd see the day a Nick Jonas song could be a bona fide poll choice for my song of the year. Throughout his career, he'd never demonstrated the ability to put together a cohesive project that could have such a soaring highlight, but maybe his marriage to Priyanka Chopra has unlocked some hidden musicality strengths. My singular gripe with "This is Heaven" is the same one I had with "Say Something" last year - the chorus throbs, but doesn't erupt and I would really love for those big gospel vocals to come to the fore at some point. Still, the instrumentation is exquisite and the lyrics, whist simple, are sweet and feel sincere. This is a big win for NJ and maybe now I'll start to take him more seriously as a legit artist and not just eye candy.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x4)
Play Count: 118

016. Kacey Musgraves - Justified

It was a fun, strange summer
I rolled on, didn't think of you
We lost touch with each other
Fall came and I had to move
Moving backwards, hurt comes after
Healing doesn't happen in a straight line
If I cry just a little
And then laugh in the middle
If I hate you then I love you
Then I change my mind
If I need just a little
More time to deal with the fact
That you should have treated me right
Then I'm more than just a little justified
I'm more than just a little justified
To touch somebody
You know I tried to make that you
And when you lied and said, you didn't want me
Tell me what was I supposed to do?
If I die just a little
Inside just a little
If I want you and I call you
Then I change my mind
If I need just a little
More time to deal with the fact
That I should have treated you right
I'm more than just a little

So to circle back to my ex-entanglement for the millionth time in this countdown, "Justified" gave credence to my journey. I often tell others dealing with romantic woes to "feel [their] feelings", but I think I was impatient with myself for just how many feelings I had and how my healing process was not at all as linear as I'd expected it would be. I would move from being at peace with the conclusion, to feeling betrayed and angry, to feeling disappointed, back to peace, then grave sadness, then more anger, over and over - an entirely maddening cycle. I love the switch in the lyrics towards the end - Kacey moves from lamenting that her ex should've treated her right to considering that she should have also treated him right. Mistreatment begets mistreatment in many cases and that was a reality with which I was wholly familiar.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x4)
Play Count: 165

[Thriller]

Kiss Me More was a cute bop I enjoyed.