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

[JSparksFan]

Can't believe I left myself hanging for your top five! I did have a plan before I was sick!

Happy that you're doing better now.

#5 - I love Lil Nas X but I can't stand Jack Harlow, so Industry Baby has always been a huge conflict for me. My enjoyment for Lil Nas usually wins out, but I brace myself every time when I know that handprint line is about to come up - it's so eyeroll worthy I give myself a headache with said eyeroll.

Hmm...I'm not sure I remember you being anti-Harlow. Is it just on "Industry Baby" or him in general?

#4 - You skip bolding over one line in that song that is just haunting to me - she's 23 inside of her fantasy - that line really hits - the way you can stay rooted to a memory as if conjuring it up repeatedly will somehow change things.

Also, I think sometimes it's a way of trying to make sense of the shock and pain - playing it over and over to find the why, which is so important to some people. It's me. I'm some people.

#3 - Glad Summer made it to the top five - it just wouldn't be you without her here - though you may be amused that I love 4th Baby Mama the most now.

I am happy to read that actually!

#2 - Ah yes, I remember how this song sent you when you first listened to the album. I should have anticipated it would be this high. Looks like Taylor kills it for a second year in a row.

Taylor's eating this decade.

#1 Except for Kacey! I'm elated to see her top your chart - a great choice, a great album!

Glad you approve!

[cheapthrills]

Can't believe I left myself hanging for your top five! I did have a plan before I was sick!

#5 - I love Lil Nas X but I can't stand Jack Harlow, so Industry Baby has always been a huge conflict for me. My enjoyment for Lil Nas usually wins out, but I brace myself every time when I know that handprint line is about to come up - it's so eyeroll worthy I give myself a headache with said eyeroll.

#4 - You skip bolding over one line in that song that is just haunting to me - she's 23 inside of her fantasy - that line really hits - the way you can stay rooted to a memory as if conjuring it up repeatedly will somehow change things.

#3 - Glad Summer made it to the top five - it just wouldn't be you without her here - though you may be amused that I love 4th Baby Mama the most now.

#2 - Ah yes, I remember how this song sent you when you first listened to the album. I should have anticipated it would be this high. Looks like Taylor kills it for a second year in a row.

#1 Except for Kacey! I'm elated to see her top your chart - a great choice, a great album!

[JSparksFan]

What a lovely list. Excellent performance of long story short(#2) & no body, no crime(#8) and I also love willow (#22), too. Love to see I Drink Wine in Top 10, my favorite track from her latest album. Shivers is my fav from Ed's Equals along with Overpass Graffiti.

Glad that it's your favourite '30' track, too!

[punchkano1]

What a lovely list. Excellent performance of long story short(#2) & no body, no crime(#8) and I also love willow (#22), too. Love to see I Drink Wine in Top 10, my favorite track from her latest album. Shivers is my fav from Ed's Equals along with Overpass Graffiti.

[JSparksFan]

I'm back - the holidays are really cutting into my UKMix time and I really need that to stop right now.

I thought they might, too, but I must've Drag Race'd my sister out because she's refusing to watch anymore episodes.

50 Hope Ur OK is such a sweet song. I guess I never thought of it being calculated, but I suppose it's possible. It would be incredibly savvy of her to do that ona debut album though. Any female pop star worth their salt these days should know to embrace the LGBT+ community.

Fax.

47 Love is a Game is most def a stand-out on 30! It captured it straight away! I felt like it could be a single. I am looking forward to hearing this one live!

You'll enjoy it for sure!

46 Ahhh A Second to Midnight - definitely my fave of her releases - at first it was the Jessie Ware pairing that outdistanced it, but I can't seem to let this one go. I haven't seen the video, but I love how their voices pair together.

The video is a must-watch!

44 I completely forgot Can They Hear Us? was a thing! I think I listened to a couple of times, but it was more disposable to me.

Ah, I think I loved it from play no. 1.

43 Jessie's new tracks were complete fire this year - what a run of songs she has had.

Indeed. The extended 'What's Your Pleasure?' era has been her finest for me.

42 - Wow, the Israeli entry being your top ESC performance is really unexpected. I assumed it would be Ukraine the way everyone on UKMix seems to have embraced it. This is a pleasant surprise.

I strongly dislike the Ukraine entry.

41 - Whatever about Todrick; disappointed to hear Troye only bubbled under

He was quality-rated only an 8/10 and that wasn't enough to make the cut this year.

40-38 - I need to hear more about the reaction of the guy you were with when you hit on another guy. The ballsiness! I'm not sure I could ever do that, though I get striking while the iron is hot. As for these tracks, they all come from among my favorite albums of the year, so of course, I give them all high marks and pleased to see the deep cuts from Adele and Silk make your top 40.

I think I did that at one of my higher moments of desensitisation. He seemed okay with it. I actually waited in his car for like half an hour for my Lyft and the conversation was fine.

36 - I've listened to this entry, but it's FSC so I can't say anything yet!

Having listened to all the FSC songs yesterday, some good ones were submitted, but I still think Autoheart was best. Guess I'll find out what the jury has to say about that in a few days.

OK, I'll circle back - trying my best to avoid spoilers on your list!

Thanks for playing catch up!

Yeah, the fact that poor Este gets murdered first sucks some of the fun out of that track for me (compared to something like "Two Black Cadillacs," where it's just about over-the-top revenge on a cheating husband).

Fair enough.

Glorious Top 2, both sure to make my YEC (though likely in a different order) LSS is definitely an evermore highlight and feels like the most "pop Taylor" moment across her past two albums (it wouldn't sound too out-of-place on Red or 1989). For some reason, it's the "if the shoe fits, walk in it, 'til your high heels break..." line that makes me smile the most (though I appreciate the album title name-drop too)

I love that line, too!

I like the factoid about WDKM's length (I don't mind the shorter-song trend as much as most. Sure, some might sound incomplete without a bridge, but it's totally possible for songs to convey ample emotions and tell their stories in 2ish minutes, as this gem shows. I think bloated intros, outros, and needless lyrical repetition are more bothersome than brevity). Hands-down my Star-Crossed standout.

Totally agree on the bolded bit.

Thanks for taking us on this musical journey through your past year, Akini!

Thanks for following, Paul!

002. Taylor Swift - Long Story Short
001. Kacey Musgraves - What Doesn't Kill Me

You were right - I really enjoy both artists, I love their current album(s) and I like those two songs, but I don't like them nearly as much as you do.

Long Story Short is definitely one of the catchiest songs on both Folklore / Evermore and definitely stands out even simply because of that, but even besides that it's a very good song. Also loved reading your story... the title alone (long story short) sounds so fitting to what has happened.

Yep! I'll always admire Taylor's ability to pen catchy songs with substance.

What Doesn't Kill Me is among my favorites on Star-crossed, though not among the best of the best, simply because I feel like Kacey should have added an extra minute or so. Maybe we will get a single mix at some point?
Also wow for your personal stories - working 120 hours a week is immense! How did you even do that? I really hope you're through most of it now and feeling better overall... even working 50-60 hours a week is not healthy and I can't imagine how it must've felt for you to basically just live to work.

Maybe it's because the little that she did say was so striking for me that the song never 'felt' short for me.

Yeah, I wasn't eating properly - I think I lost 10 pounds in a week - and I was practically a zombie at the end of it. I used my mental health breaks to talk to my ex-entanglement and my family and that was actually super helpful!

Also congrats to August for being the unofficial #1 this year, iirc making it already at least the second time a song is #1 (un)officially for two years following Lindsey Stirling's Crystallize

Your memory does serve you right! "Breathin" came close in 2018/2019, but was randomly beaten by "Sorry Not Sorry" (because of the Brooke Lynn/Yvie lip-sync). Honestly, I could see "August" going for a third year...

Fantastic countdown overall with tons of great stuff!

Happy holidays

I appreciate you following this so closely, Tansike! Happy holidays to you, too!

34 - Happier Than Ever - Yay! I hope this means there's more than one Billie song in the top 40 - it's criminal she missed out on my year-end. I might be start the Happier Than Ever survivor after the holidays.

I feel like it's rare these days when you're not hosting a survivor or countdown.

33 - The fact that I had to force myself to read Tyler and not Taylor and her long track I checked this out and it is good! I made it through all 8 minutes!

Ooh, yay at you checking it out and enjoying it!

31 - I think Montero is a stand out track, but I agree it's not the best song on his album. I'm curious to see what you choose as his top track. That video was a moment though.

You'll see!

29 - UK Hun Well. I've heard it thanks to it appearing on your chart and Thriller. I'm not sure I quite get it, but it's kind of cute.

I'll take it!

28 - Oh no! 28 for East On Me! I expected it to be much higher. I hope this isn't the end of the road for Adele on your countdown!

I'm not surprised you feel this way, given that "Easy on Me" is probably a #1 contender on your YEC. I know you know at this point that that wasn't the end of the road (cue Boyz II Men song) for Adele.

27 - Oh wow, two of my favorite tracks back-to-back! I'm taking L's left and right I also preferred Justified initially, and it actually spent more weeks at #1 for me, but Star Crossed proved to be a real grower, and I burned on it less quickly. Glad I helped her move up your list

Yes, your impact is responsible for probably 65 of those spins!

24 - Like Star-Crossed for you, Keep an Eye on Dan has gotten my notice because of your love for it. It's time to give it more spins. I did think it would a little higher!

9.5/10 sometimes gets you further, but not this year!

22 - How funny that we both single out the Elvira remix as by far the most superior of them. I feel like it was a lost opportunity to promote it. I do like the original tho.

It's the taste, tbh.

OK, I'll circle back to get the next 15 later

Cool beans!

Nice to see The Killers doing this well

They put out a good album!

I'm back!

19 - So happy to see Kiss Me More that high - it was a bop and the video was clever and sexy

Yep. Doja understood the assignment.

18 - Not Throat Baby being that high I mean I get the appeal, but I could only listen to that so many times. August remains that song

Indeed!

17 - So far now surprised at the songs I'm seeing here - I know you really loved This is Heaven - I did too (though spoiler alert, it missed my top 40.) I think it's the best song he's done

I love throwing a few curveballs every now and again.

16 - Justified! - I thought Kacey came back with a super album. Golden Hour is better, but Star Crossed was certainly no slouch. I love that she released this song as summer ended to coincide with the lyrics. It was instant for me. That Jada-like entanglement must have hit you hard I'm so sorry, but like any trauma, there's no direct path to healing.

Yep, it did hit hard and I think it's interesting how you can think of who you are as a person in theory, but in practice, with emotions and intensity as ever-present influences, you do see different shades of yourself. It was an experience and I suppose I still ought to be grateful that: (1) most of it was overwhelmingly positive and (2) it wasn't a super dramatic (or even remotely violent) end.

15 - Well, you know Olivia was huge for me, and it will stop pleasing me that you jumped on the Rodrigo train after all. It's funny that Driver's License was so instant for me, but then Good 4 U took me a moment, and then I was obsessed. I love the bitchy sarcasm , so glad that therapist helped, haha

Yeah, sarcasm will usually go the distance for me.

14 - WHAT? This one is a complete shock to me. Until now most of these were ones I remembered seeing you chart but I must have bypassed your attraction to the Diana Ross song. I do remember hearing and thinking not bad, but then kind of moved on.

To be fair, it did have a bit of an erratic run on my chart!

13 - I'd never heard of Agnes until this year, but she did release a banger of an album. I charted 24 Hours, but it bubbled under my bubbling under songs.

The bolded made me laugh.

12 - Interesting! Renegade didn't seem to engage me like it did for you. I have to think there's more Taylor ahead because I feel like you're missing a couple key tracks.

You're right on more Taylor...

10 - I've really tried to like Cold Heart but the pastiche of former Elton songs just don't seem to do it for me. I do love the career comeback he's pairing up with today's artists though.

Aw, shame you weren't able to connect with "Cold Heart". There's an obvious pun there, but I shan't go for it.

9 - Aha! There's No Body No Crime - that's one of the ones I was waiting for - my favorite track on the album. I'm so pleased it made your top 10! My favorite part of the song is her referencing Este is the lyrics. I do love the twists the song takes.

Yeah, I knew you would appreciate that one!

7 - I'm so relieved Adele placed in the top 10 - It would have been an epic disappointment if she hadn't.

Whew, glad I could be spared of that!

6 - Another WHAT?? I actually expected this to be contending even higher - it seems like every chart I've checked out since Summer's album came out there's been Summer right near the top. Will be interesting to see what you liked more - that said, the lyrics you quoted are fire! She really came for blood.

Yeah, Summer really dominated my chart for most of the last seven weeks.

I'll check in on the final five tomorrow.

Looking forward to reading your thoughts!

[cheapthrills]

I'm back!

19 - So happy to see Kiss Me More that high - it was a bop and the video was clever and sexy
18 - Not Throat Baby being that high I mean I get the appeal, but I could only listen to that so many times. August remains that song
17 - So far now surprised at the songs I'm seeing here - I know you really loved This is Heaven - I did too (though spoiler alert, it missed my top 40.) I think it's the best song he's done
16 - Justified! - I thought Kacey came back with a super album. Golden Hour is better, but Star Crossed was certainly no slouch. I love that she released this song as summer ended to coincide with the lyrics. It was instant for me. That Jada-like entanglement must have hit you hard I'm so sorry, but like any trauma, there's no direct path to healing.
15 - Well, you know Olivia was huge for me, and it will stop pleasing me that you jumped on the Rodrigo train after all. It's funny that Driver's License was so instant for me, but then Good 4 U took me a moment, and then I was obsessed. I love the bitchy sarcasm , so glad that therapist helped, haha
14 - WHAT? This one is a complete shock to me. Until now most of these were ones I remembered seeing you chart but I must have bypassed your attraction to the Diana Ross song. I do remember hearing and thinking not bad, but then kind of moved on.
13 - I'd never heard of Agnes until this year, but she did release a banger of an album. I charted 24 Hours, but it bubbled under my bubbling under songs.
12 - Interesting! Renegade didn't seem to engage me like it did for you. I have to think there's more Taylor ahead because I feel like you're missing a couple key tracks.
10 - I've really tried to like Cold Heart but the pastiche of former Elton songs just don't seem to do it for me. I do love the career comeback he's pairing up with today's artists though.
9 - Aha! There's No Body No Crime - that's one of the ones I was waiting for - my favorite track on the album. I'm so pleased it made your top 10! My favorite part of the song is her referencing Este is the lyrics. I do love the twists the song takes.
7 - I'm so relieved Adele placed in the top 10 - It would have been an epic disappointment if she hadn't.
6 - Another WHAT?? I actually expected this to be contending even higher - it seems like every chart I've checked out since Summer's album came out there's been Summer right near the top. Will be interesting to see what you liked more - that said, the lyrics you quoted are fire! She really came for blood.

I'll check in on the final five tomorrow.

[heppolo]

Nice to see The Killers doing this well

[cheapthrills]

34 - Happier Than Ever - Yay! I hope this means there's more than one Billie song in the top 40 - it's criminal she missed out on my year-end. I might be start the Happier Than Ever survivor after the holidays.

33 - The fact that I had to force myself to read Tyler and not Taylor and her long track I checked this out and it is good! I made it through all 8 minutes!

31 - I think Montero is a stand out track, but I agree it's not the best song on his album. I'm curious to see what you choose as his top track. That video was a moment though.

29 - UK Hun Well. I've heard it thanks to it appearing on your chart and Thriller. I'm not sure I quite get it, but it's kind of cute.

28 - Oh no! 28 for East On Me! I expected it to be much higher. I hope this isn't the end of the road for Adele on your countdown!

27 - Oh wow, two of my favorite tracks back-to-back! I'm taking L's left and right I also preferred Justified initially, and it actually spent more weeks at #1 for me, but Star Crossed proved to be a real grower, and I burned on it less quickly. Glad I helped her move up your list

24 - Like Star-Crossed for you, Keep an Eye on Dan has gotten my notice because of your love for it. It's time to give it more spins. I did think it would a little higher!

22 - How funny that we both single out the Elvira remix as by far the most superior of them. I feel like it was a lost opportunity to promote it. I do like the original tho.

OK, I'll circle back to get the next 15 later

[Tansike]

002. Taylor Swift - Long Story Short
001. Kacey Musgraves - What Doesn't Kill Me

You were right - I really enjoy both artists, I love their current album(s) and I like those two songs, but I don't like them nearly as much as you do.

Long Story Short is definitely one of the catchiest songs on both Folklore / Evermore and definitely stands out even simply because of that, but even besides that it's a very good song. Also loved reading your story... the title alone (long story short) sounds so fitting to what has happened.

What Doesn't Kill Me is among my favorites on Star-crossed, though not among the best of the best, simply because I feel like Kacey should have added an extra minute or so. Maybe we will get a single mix at some point?
Also wow for your personal stories - working 120 hours a week is immense! How did you even do that? I really hope you're through most of it now and feeling better overall... even working 50-60 hours a week is not healthy and I can't imagine how it must've felt for you to basically just live to work.

Also congrats to August for being the unofficial #1 this year, iirc making it already at least the second time a song is #1 (un)officially for two years following Lindsey Stirling's Crystallize

Fantastic countdown overall with tons of great stuff!

Happy holidays

[crystalphoenix]

I'm glad you appreciate that detail as I do recall you mentioning that the whole homicidal vibe was a bit jarring!

Yeah, the fact that poor Este gets murdered first sucks some of the fun out of that track for me (compared to something like "Two Black Cadillacs," where it's just about over-the-top revenge on a cheating husband).

Do you like "Fall in Love at Christmas"? It's so meh to me, but it seems to be better received among the fanbase than "Somewhat Loved".

I've only given it a spin or two, but I'd say they're pretty equally underwhelming.

• Glorious Top 2, both sure to make my YEC (though likely in a different order) LSS is definitely an evermore highlight and feels like the most "pop Taylor" moment across her past two albums (it wouldn't sound too out-of-place on Red or 1989). For some reason, it's the "if the shoe fits, walk in it, 'til your high heels break..." line that makes me smile the most (though I appreciate the album title name-drop too)
• I like the factoid about WDKM's length (I don't mind the shorter-song trend as much as most. Sure, some might sound incomplete without a bridge, but it's totally possible for songs to convey ample emotions and tell their stories in 2ish minutes, as this gem shows. I think bloated intros, outros, and needless lyrical repetition are more bothersome than brevity). Hands-down my Star-Crossed standout.

Thanks for taking us on this musical journey through your past year, Akini!

[cheapthrills]

I'm back - the holidays are really cutting into my UKMix time and I really need that to stop right now.

50 Hope Ur OK is such a sweet song. I guess I never thought of it being calculated, but I suppose it's possible. It would be incredibly savvy of her to do that ona debut album though. Any female pop star worth their salt these days should know to embrace the LGBT+ community.

47 Love is a Game is most def a stand-out on 30! It captured it straight away! I felt like it could be a single. I am looking forward to hearing this one live!

46 Ahhh A Second to Midnight - definitely my fave of her releases - at first it was the Jessie Ware pairing that outdistanced it, but I can't seem to let this one go. I haven't seen the video, but I love how their voices pair together.

44 I completely forgot Can They Hear Us? was a thing! I think I listened to a couple of times, but it was more disposable to me.

43 Jessie's new tracks were complete fire this year - what a run of songs she has had.

42 - Wow, the Israeli entry being your top ESC performance is really unexpected. I assumed it would be Ukraine the way everyone on UKMix seems to have embraced it. This is a pleasant surprise.

41 - Whatever about Todrick; disappointed to hear Troye only bubbled under

40-38 - I need to hear more about the reaction of the guy you were with when you hit on another guy. The ballsiness! I'm not sure I could ever do that, though I get striking while the iron is hot. As for these tracks, they all come from among my favorite albums of the year, so of course, I give them all high marks and pleased to see the deep cuts from Adele and Silk make your top 40.

36 - I've listened to this entry, but it's FSC so I can't say anything yet!

OK, I'll circle back - trying my best to avoid spoilers on your list!

[JSparksFan]

Full credit to this year's top two, but the shadow of "August" looms large, as "August" actually spent more days atop my chart this year than these top two songs combined and was also, by almost 400 spins, my most-played song of the year.

002. Taylor Swift - Long Story Short

Fatefully
I tried to pick my battles 'til the battle picked me
Misery
Like the war of words I shouted in my sleep
And you passed right by
I was in the alley, surrounded on all sides
The knife cuts both ways
If the shoe fits, walk in it 'til your high heels break
And I fell from the pedestal
Right down the rabbit hole
Long story short, it was a bad time
Pushed from the precipice
Clung to the nearest lips
Long story short, it was the wrong guy
Now I'm all about you
I'm all about you, ah
Yeah, yeah
I'm all about you, ah
Yeah, yeah
Actually
I always felt I must look better in the rear view
Missing me
At the golden gates they once held the keys to
When I dropped my sword
I threw it in the bushes and knocked on your door
And we live in peace
But if someone comes at us
This time, I'm ready
No more keepin' score now
I just keep you warm (keep you warm)
No more tug of war now
I just know there's more (know there's more)
No more keepin' score now
I just keep you warm (keep you warm)
And my waves meet your shore
Ever and evermore
Past me
I wanna tell you not to get lost in these petty things
Your nemeses
Will defeat themselves before you get the chance to swing
And he's passing by
Rare as the glimmer of a comet in the sky
And he feels like home
If the shoe fits, walk in it everywhere you go

As I mentioned before, since Taylor Swift released 'Evermore' during my year-end countdown season last year, I elected to defer the consideration of the album and its contents to 2021. As such, I played this song for the first time on 1/1/2021. Though "No Body, No Crime" had all the homicidal fireworks, this one's array of Hallmark-ready, quotable, but deeply accessible and relevant messages meant that it would prevail in the big chart duel of New Year's Day 2021 (and the day after) and would lead the race for song of the year for much of 2021.

In fact, this song would be playing (on repeat) at the exact moment I messaged a man on a shady 'dating' app, which would be the genesis of a seventh-month-long adventure filled with love, laughter, joy, confusion, and ultimately disappointment. I do suspect had things gone differently there, this might have felt like a fitting year-end #1, but life had different plans and another country star would offer an even worthier message in which to tie up the year's happenings.

As for "Long Story Short" itself, it had a sterling run those first two months of the year - spending an impressive eight days atop my chart during that timeframe (and a fair few days at #2). There's this deceptively effective opening bit she does at the top of each verse - fatefully/actually/past me - that sets this poetic rhythm in motion that is so seamless and beautiful.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x8)
Play Count: 448

001. Kacey Musgraves - What Doesn't Kill Me

I'm not afraid of a bite
I can take it
Watch how I bend
But I'm, I'm not breaking
I've been to hell and back
Golden hour faded black
Say that it ain't coming back
Ain't coming back
But you're gonna feel me
You're gonna feel me
You're gonna feel me
When I'm done
When I'm done
What doesn't kill me
What doesn't kill me
What doesn't kill me
Better run
Better run
I'm not afraid to connect with something real
And just let it go when I know
That it just don't fit in

At only 17 seconds north of two minutes, "What Doesn't Kill Me" is my shortest year-end #1 song, but its brevity does nothing to dilute its potency. The lyrics speak directly to heartbreak, yes, and I certainly had that in 2021, but the overall theme of this song is resilience and given the health scares members of my immediate family had this year, challenges at work including 120-hour weeks, and yes dating and romance woes, that brilliant "better run" plot twist in the lyrics - she's a mad genius for teasing us with that "what doesn't kill me" line, with us thinking we knew what was 'round the corner, only for her to drop the mic with the lyrical reveal - had just the right degree of defiant energy to put it over the top of Taylor's best offering this year.

Kacey Musgraves is coming to Atlanta on 2/9/2022 and I absolutely cannot wait to hear this song in a live setting. That "better run" twist will stick with me for many years to come.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x11)
Play Count: 450

[JSparksFan]

I Drink Wine is stunning!

Indeed it is!

Cold Heart and Industry Baby the best of the top 10.

No shade, but so much Taylor.

Guess it's pretty obvious who my most-played artist of 2021 is.

I actually don’t know a whole heap of yours this year, but Willow I think is really cute. No Body, No Crime was the real standout from that album for me though, good shout. And This Is Heaven is really Nick at amongst his finest, it has a great atmosphere to it. Good 4 U I was a bit peeved at first with how much of a Paramore rip off it was but ended up stanning haha.

Those are some excellent tracks that clicked with you!

As for your question, yes, the original remix of Willow is still my favorite

Gotcha. I do appreciate the original quite a bit, too.

019. Doja Cat - Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)
017. Nick Jonas - This is Heaven
016. Kacey Musgraves - Justified

Great start into the Top20. Kiss Me More is probably going to appear on many year-end lists.
This Is Heaven is a surprising entry here but hey, I'm not mad at all, because I still think this should have been a worldwide hit for him ... and it ended up doing absolutely nothing. No idea what's going on there... so very glad you appreciate the track so much!
Justified's placement is definitely justified.

Glad you like those three and yeah, it's a shame "This is Heaven" flopped when that Jonas Brother return song, which was meh at best, did so well. The charts have been so bizarre since streaming took over.

015. Olivia Rodrigo - Good 4 U
013. Agnes - Magic Still Exists
012. Taylor Swift - Renegade
011. The Killers - In the Car Outside

Good 4 U is definitely a contender for the biggest songs of the year. I like how the third single of her debut even outshined Drivers License (at least over here, not sure if it did better everywhere else as well). It's also cool that Olivia brought back that Punk-Pop style we all knew and grew to love through Avril Lavigne back in the days.
Magic Still Exists is definitely a song I never expected here, let alone this high, but hey, I'm not complaining. It's a gorgeous title track and I fell in love the first time I heard it. It's pretty epic! But yes, I'm one of those people who are going to chart (an)other Agnes song(s)!

As I nearly did as well!

010. Elton John & Dua Lipa - Cold Heart
009. Taylor Swift - No Body, No Crime (feat. HAIM)
007. Adele - I Drink Wine
005. Lil Nas X - Industry Baby (feat. Jack Harlow)
004. Taylor Swift - Right Where You Left Me

I'm currently listening to Taylor's Evermore (album) as I'm typing this so I'm totally here for her slayage! <3
Felt very similar the first time I heard No Body, No Crime. I even stopped my album playthrough and had to replay No Body, No Crime a few times I was so in love right away. No idea why they never pushed it as a single by the way, it could have been such a nice hit for her, at least in a few countries such as Australia and the US. But then I get it, Taylor doesn't seem to be about singles anymore (except for the one that leads into the album).

YES, I always try to do a clean run-through, but I remember being so excited to get back to NBNC! You're certainly right that it's incredibly single-worthy and there are so many fun things she could've done with it, visual-wise, but her energy is probably also being allocated towards re-recording her catalogue so maybe it'll be a while before she sits with a new studio album and fleshes out a full campaign...if she ever does again!

...so it's Kacey VS. Taylor which is pretty epic by its own, can't wait to see what songs though.

I think you like both songs, but I just like them way more. Not sure, but let's see!

Ask, and I shall receive!

Before we get to the Taynado, "Cold Heart" gradually reeled me in after initially thinking it was a cute enough concept, but not especially replay-worthy. I'm glad it gave both acts involved another big hit on both sides of the pond (and elsewhere too).

Yeah, "Cold Heart", ironically, is a slow burner, but when it connects, it stays with ya!

I didn't realize until (I think it was Cheap?) pointed out that Este's actually the name of one of the HAIM sisters, and something about that little real-life detail adds a certain charm to the (otherwise pretty tragic/twisted) track.

I'm glad you appreciate that detail as I do recall you mentioning that the whole homicidal vibe was a bit jarring!

I was pretty shocked by the domination of "Somewhat Loved" on your daily chart during the year, but now I see how the timing really enhanced its impact.

Do you like "Fall in Love at Christmas"? It's so meh to me, but it seems to be better received among the fanbase than "Somewhat Loved".

I owe you for helping me appreciate "Right Where You Left Me" more. At first, the upbeat twang felt too jarring compared to the rest of evermore (especially the title track that immediately precedes it), but that sound has a very nostalgic classic-Taylor charm to it, and her vivid storytelling/scene-painting is as on-point as ever throughout the song.

Glad that I could make you appreciate another Taylor song - not that you needed to - *looks at T-Swizzle play count*

[crystalphoenix]

Brace yourself.

Ask, and I shall receive!

• Before we get to the Taynado, "Cold Heart" gradually reeled me in after initially thinking it was a cute enough concept, but not especially replay-worthy. I'm glad it gave both acts involved another big hit on both sides of the pond (and elsewhere too).
• I didn't realize until (I think it was Cheap?) pointed out that Este's actually the name of one of the HAIM sisters, and something about that little real-life detail adds a certain charm to the (otherwise pretty tragic/twisted) track.
• I was pretty shocked by the domination of "Somewhat Loved" on your daily chart during the year, but now I see how the timing really enhanced its impact.
• I owe you for helping me appreciate "Right Where You Left Me" more. At first, the upbeat twang felt too jarring compared to the rest of evermore (especially the title track that immediately precedes it), but that sound has a very nostalgic classic-Taylor charm to it, and her vivid storytelling/scene-painting is as on-point as ever throughout the song.

[Tansike]

As for your question, yes, the original remix of Willow is still my favorite

019. Doja Cat - Kiss Me More (feat. SZA)
017. Nick Jonas - This is Heaven
016. Kacey Musgraves - Justified

Great start into the Top20. Kiss Me More is probably going to appear on many year-end lists.
This Is Heaven is a surprising entry here but hey, I'm not mad at all, because I still think this should have been a worldwide hit for him ... and it ended up doing absolutely nothing. No idea what's going on there... so very glad you appreciate the track so much!
Justified's placement is definitely justified.

015. Olivia Rodrigo - Good 4 U
013. Agnes - Magic Still Exists
012. Taylor Swift - Renegade
011. The Killers - In the Car Outside

Good 4 U is definitely a contender for the biggest songs of the year. I like how the third single of her debut even outshined Drivers License (at least over here, not sure if it did better everywhere else as well). It's also cool that Olivia brought back that Punk-Pop style we all knew and grew to love through Avril Lavigne back in the days.
Magic Still Exists is definitely a song I never expected here, let alone this high, but hey, I'm not complaining. It's a gorgeous title track and I fell in love the first time I heard it. It's pretty epic! But yes, I'm one of those people who are going to chart (an)other Agnes song(s)!

010. Elton John & Dua Lipa - Cold Heart
009. Taylor Swift - No Body, No Crime (feat. HAIM)
007. Adele - I Drink Wine
005. Lil Nas X - Industry Baby (feat. Jack Harlow)
004. Taylor Swift - Right Where You Left Me

I'm currently listening to Taylor's Evermore (album) as I'm typing this so I'm totally here for her slayage! <3
Felt very similar the first time I heard No Body, No Crime. I even stopped my album playthrough and had to replay No Body, No Crime a few times I was so in love right away. No idea why they never pushed it as a single by the way, it could have been such a nice hit for her, at least in a few countries such as Australia and the US. But then I get it, Taylor doesn't seem to be about singles anymore (except for the one that leads into the album).

...so it's Kacey VS. Taylor which is pretty epic by its own, can't wait to see what songs though.

[king_oxymoron]

I actually don’t know a whole heap of yours this year, but Willow I think is really cute. No Body, No Crime was the real standout from that album for me though, good shout. And This Is Heaven is really Nick at amongst his finest, it has a great atmosphere to it. Good 4 U I was a bit peeved at first with how much of a Paramore rip off it was but ended up stanning haha.

[Thriller]

Cold Heart and Industry Baby the best of the top 10.

No shade, but so much Taylor.

[Carbon]

I Drink Wine is stunning!

[JSparksFan]

And then there were two! It all comes down to these two modern country crooners (country music powers that be may disagree with me on that)! Who wins? Find out when I'm done with my work day tomorrow.


vs.

[JSparksFan]

010. Elton John & Dua Lipa - Cold Heart

It's a human sign
When things go wrong
When the scent of her lingers
And temptation's strong
Cold, cold heart
Hardened by you (oh)
Some things lookin' better, baby
Just passin' through (no, no, no, no, no)
And I think it's gonna be a long, long time
'Til touchdown brings me 'round again to find
I'm not the man they think I am at home
Oh no, no, no
And this is what I should have said
Well I thought it, but I kept it hid

Among unexpected pairings and surprise chart-toppers in 2021, "Cold Heart" would rank atop both lists for me. However, when Dua does join Elton on that chorus, something just clicks! It makes perfect sense and Dua's natural husk merges perfectly with Elton's legendary baritone. The fact that this ballad fusion is dancefied is also a perfect touch that I didn't think we needed, and I love the choice Dua made not to change pronouns ("I'm not the man they think I am at home"). There was something calming about this song and I remember I played it a tonne in September as it seemed the perfect summer to autumn crossover tune.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x5)
Play Count: 226

009. Taylor Swift - No Body, No Crime (feat. HAIM)

He did it
He did it
Este's a friend of mine
We meet up every Tuesday night for dinner and a glass of wine
Este's been losing sleep
Her husband's acting different and it smells like infidelity
She says, "That ain't my merlot on his mouth"
"That ain't my jewelry on our joint account"
No, there ain't no doubt
I think I'm gonna call him out
She says
"I think he did it but I just can't prove it"
I think he did it but I just can't prove it
I think he did it but I just can't prove it
No, no body, no crime
But I ain't letting up until the day I die
No, no
I think he did it
No, no
He did it
Este wasn't there
Tuesday night at Olive Garden, at her job, or anywhere
He reports his missing wife
And I noticed when I passed his house his truck has got some brand new tires
And his mistress moved in
Sleeps in Este's bed and everything
No, there ain't no doubt
Somebody's gotta catch him out
Good thing my daddy made me get a boating license when I was fifteen
And I've cleaned enough houses to know how to cover up a scene
Good thing Este's sister's gonna swear she was with me ("She was with me dude")
Good thing his mistress took out a big life insurance policy
They think she did it but they just can't prove it
They think she did it but they just can't prove it
She thinks I did it but she just can't prove it
No, no body, no crime
I wasn't letting up until the day he
No, no body, no crime
I wasn't letting up until the day he
No, no body, no crime
I wasn't letting up until the day he died

I'm not sure I can fully convey the absolute jubilation I experienced when I first played this song. I'd waited until 1/1/2021 to hear 'Evermore' and when this, track six, started to play, I was floored. I couldn't believe that the one type of song missing from Taylor's discography, she finally gave to us! I feel like these type of dramatic manslaughter themes are such an exciting topic in country music - Carrie Underwood traversed the terrain at least three times in her career, and I was really disappointed that Taylor hadn't tackled it, but with this, she did it with gusto and in true Taylor tailoring! The way the suspects in the case shift throughout the verses gives me murder mystery dinner energy and HAIM joining in on the hook give this a folky edge that I love. I was so thoroughly obsessed with this song and fully expected it to be my runaway favourite from its parent album and a possible contender for song of the year - all this from play no. 1 - and it went on to not even top my chart that day!

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x3)
Play Count: 188

008. Jam & Lewis - Somewhat Loved (There You Go Breakin' My Heart)

We stood there alone
In that silent corridor
Those unspoken words
Conjure fixation
Capturing me
Helplessly into bliss
Just like fall, things started to switch
And now spring's everything that I miss
Somewhat loved
The more I thought about you
Was the less I thought about me
And I lost myself in this dream
Somewhat loved
There you go
Breakin' my heart, breakin' my heart
Breakin' my heart again
No such thing as lovers and friends
(There you go)
Breakin' my heart, breakin' my heart
Breakin' my heart again
You only live to break my heart again
Spun out of control
In this faithless world I must own
Angel turned his back
And where wings once were
They were no longer intact

Mariah always shows up when I need her to and in June, when this year's most significant and long-running entanglement of mine started to unravel, and Mariah had in this sweeping, heartbeat-driven-melodic R&B ballad the lyric "No such thing as lovers and friends", a message I had previously communicated, I did take the opportunity to put this on during a car ride and point attention to that most fundamental truth (well, it's at least a truth for me). Neither of us would take heed for at least another month and a half, but it's something special when a song arrives at just the right time and expresses in no uncertain terms exactly how you feel. The fact that it came in this form with Mariah at the helm only endears her to me further, which I'm surprised is still possible!

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x5)
Play Count: 123

007. Adele - I Drink Wine

How can one become so bounded
By choices that somebody else makes?
How come we've both become a version
Of a person we don't even like?
We're in love with the world
But the world just wants to bring us down
By putting ideas in our heads
That corrupt our hearts somehow
When I was a child
Every single thing could blow my mind
Soaking it all up for fun
But now I only soak up wine
They say to play hard, you work hard
Find balance in the sacrifice
Yet I don't know anybody
Who's truly satisfied
You better believe I'm trying (trying, trying)
To keep climbing (climbing, climbing)
But the higher we climb
Feels like we're both none the wiser (ahh)
So I hope I learn to get over myself
Stop trying to be somebody else
So we can love each other for free
Everybody wants something
You just want me
Why am I obsessing
About the things I can't control?
Why am I seeking approval
From people I don't even know?
In these crazy times I hope to find
Something I can cling on to
'Cause I need some substance in my life
Something real, something that feels true
You better believe for you I've cried (I've cried, I've cried)
High tides (high tides, high tides)
'Cause I want you so bad
But you can't fight fire with fire (ahh)
Listen, I know how low I can go
I give as good as I get
You get the brunt of it all
'Cause you're all I've got left
Oh, I hope in time (hope in time)
We both will find (we both find) peace of mind
Sometimes the road less traveled
Is a road best left behind (ahh)
I wish that it was just at a different time
A most turbulent period of my life
Why would I put that on you?
That's just like a very heavy thing to have to talk about
But because of that period of time
Even though it was so much fun
I didn't get to go on and make new memories with him
There was just memories in a big storm

From the moment I heard this song on the CBS special, I suspected it would become my favourite '30' track. Lyrically, I think this hits home the hardest for me and I love how it's got this rolling kind of chorus - like, it starts, and just keeps going and going and going, but you never actually really want it to end. This is bluesy, soulful, soaring, raw and honest, mature - it's really the best of Adele.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x4)
Play Count: 231

006. Summer Walker - 4th Baby Mama

I wanna start with yo' mama, she should've whooped yo' ass
Know you ain't shit, but she don't care 'cause you lit
Paying for trips, cars, bags (bags), and bought the crib (crib)
But she ain't never call you out
'Cause she like the way that she live
But that some foul shit, she wasn't ever around when
You ain't had no money (money)
That's why I find it funny (funny)
I guess that guilt hit hard, being goin' on for so long
That's why she makes excuses for all your wrongs
Now what's the point in keep on having kids?
If she just gon' be raising them, that's just pure laziness
I don't get it, is you tryna keep up with Thug? Is you racing him?
Crazy how you really think that shit's cute, be embracing it, oh
It really don't get no worse than you
'Cause you ain't even got the nerve to stand up on yo' word
Oh, no, no, no, uh
Oh no, no, no, huh?
What was you telling them?
What was you telling me?
What was you telling them?
And what was you telling me?
Why would you do all that?
Just to be selling dreams
Ain't even pulling through
You just be talking
Damn, I ain't know n*ggas be out here tryna trap bitches
Never took me nowhere lavish
'Til you seen Drake hop on the track with it
If you ask me you was acting, whole time just acting
You ain't give a f*ck about me, you was just tryna cash in
Only buy me nice shit, big dates, just for Instagram flashing
Tryna get your likes up, know you a clout addict
Gotta let n*ggas know that you have it
Gotta let n*ggas know that you have it
Yeah, all you be doing is bragging
Telling people that I'm your queen
But all you mean is just of R&B
I know you ain't care 'cause you always gone
How could you make me spend my whole f*cking pregnancy alone?
And where was you at?
'Cause you claim you at work
But them other n*ggas said they made the beats
So how that add up?
Probably was with your baby mamas one to three
You claim that you had a ring for me
You was probably out f*cking hoes

Anyone that thinks they have a claim on most jaw-dropping line of 2021 can pack it up and go home. Summer Walker literally starts this track with, "I wanna start with yo' mama, she should've whooped yo' ass", then proceeds to read her ex and her ex's mother for filth for the rest of the song. I live. I absolutely live. There's an accountability factor that many men lack. As well as honesty. And honour. And responsibility. Summer touches on all of these in what I consider to be the LP's rawest moment - for her, she's said it was the most therapeutic 'Still Over It' track to record. The journey from "Bitter" to this isn't pretty - it's painful, confusing, littered with moments of tentativity and doubt, disappointing, essentially all of the feels, and that's what makes it thoroughly accessible to so many even if certain subject matters personal to the protagonist aren't personal to the listener. The emotions are, and the way Summer conveys those emotions is deeply affecting.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x3)
Play Count: 116

005. Lil Nas X - Industry Baby (feat. Jack Harlow)

Baby back, ayy
Couple racks, ayy
Couple Grammys on him
Couple plaques, ayy
That's a fact, ayy
Throw it back, ayy
Throw it back, ayy
And this one is for the champions
I ain't lost since I began, yeah
Funny how you said it was the end, yeah
Then I went did it again, yeah
I told you long ago, on the road
I got what they waitin' for
I don't run from nothin', dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em I ain't layin' low
You was never really rootin' for me anyway
When I'm back up at the top I wanna hear you say
He don't run from nothin', dog
Get your soldiers, tell 'em that the break is over
Uh, need to, uh
Need to get this album done
Need a couple number ones
Need a plaque on every song
Need me like one with Nicki now
Tell a rap nigga, "I don't see ya", ha
I'm a pop nigga like Bieber, ha
I don't f*ck bitches, I'm queer, ha
But these niggas bitches like Madea
Yeah, yeah, yeah (yeah)
Ayy, oh, let's do it
I ain't fall off, I just ain't release my new shit
I blew up now everybody tryna sue me
You call me Nas, but the hood call me Doobie, yeah
My track record so clean
They couldn't wait to just bash me
I must be gettin' too flashy
Y'all shouldn't have let the world gas me (woo)
It's too late 'cause I'm here to stay
And these girls know that I'm nasty (mm)
I sent her back to her boyfriend
With my handprint on her ass cheek
City talkin', we takin' notes
Tell 'em all to keep makin' posts
Wish he could but he can't get close
OG so proud of me that he chokin' up while he makin' toasts
I'm the type that you can't control
Said I would then I made it so (so)
I don't clear up rumors (ayy)
Where's y'all sense of humor? (Ayy)
I'm done makin' jokes 'cause they got old like baby boomers
Turn my haters to consumers
I make vets feel like they juniors (juniors)
Say your time is comin' soon but just like Oklahoma (mm)
Mine is comin' sooner (mm)
I'm just a late bloomer (mm)
I didn't peak in high school, I'm still out here gettin' cuter (woo)
All these social networks and computers
Got these pussies walkin' 'round like they ain't losers (losers)

An interesting question I ask myself about "Industry Baby" is if Lil Nas X is upstaged here. The Kanye-West-produced beat has all the brashness and energy of that particular Atlanta-born emcee and lyrically, Jack Harlow completely steals the show here, but Lil Nas X has top billing on the track and does a solid job leading the ample ammunition given to him on this. "Industry Baby" absolutely goes off in a club setting. I've had the pleasure of experiencing it both in a west coast setting and an east coast setting, and I must say the east coast responds better!

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x3)
Play Count: 94

004. Taylor Swift - Right Where You Left Me

Friends break up, friends get married
Strangers get born, strangers get buried
Trends change, rumours fly through new skies
But I'm right where you left me
Matches burn after the other
Pages turn and stick to each other
Wages earned and lessons learned
But I, I'm right where you left me
Help, I'm still at the restaurant
Still sitting in a corner I haunt
Cross-legged in the dim light
They say, "What a sad sight"
I, I swear you could hear a hair pin drop
Right when I felt the moment stop
Glass shattered on the white cloth
Everybody moved on
I, I stayed there
Dust collected on my pinned-up hair
They expected me to find somewhere
Some perspective, but I sat and stared
Right where you left me
You left me no, oh, you left me no
You left me no choice but to stay here forever
You left me, you left me no, oh, you left me no
You left me no choice but to stay here forever
Did you ever hear about the girl who got frozen?
Time went on for everybody else, she won't know it
She's still 23 inside her fantasy
How it was supposed to be
Did you hear about the girl who lives in delusion?
Break-ups happen every day, you don't have to lose it
She's still 23 inside her fantasy
And you're sitting in front of me
At the restaurant, when I was still the one you want
Cross-legged in the dim light, everything was just right
I, I could feel the mascara run
You told me that you met someone
Glass shattered on the white cloth
Everybody moved on

I don't know how people (seemingly) get over things so swiftly. MUST. BE. NICE! I'm not that way. I'm slow to build to love and slow to disconnect from it, so in the rare instances where I have loved and lost, it's taken me a while to digest it all and move on. As such, "Right Where You Left Me" is wholly accessible, particularly how she paints the scene with the restaurant as the setting and everyone else hustling and bustling, carrying on smartly with life, whilst the protagonist is frozen in time, paralysed by the shock of it all and clinging desperately to a memory and a time that's conclusively passed. I love Taylor's delivery here. It's almost playful in its slick tidal rise and fall of inflection and has this twangy, country-rooted quality.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x7)
Play Count: 168

003. Summer Walker - Insane

Now, what you in a rush for?
What? You trying to meet your maker, darling?
Are you running out of time? Huh?
But time ain't even real, you really need to chill
It's all in an illusion, you getting mixed up in the fusion
Whatever it is you tryna see, you can sit down and just believe
But I wouldn't never be the same old thing, oh
But I can tell you straight, I ain't no game, baby, oh
God, bless me
God, help me, oh
I think I'm insane, ah
God, bless me
God, help me, ooh
I think I'm insane, ah, oh-oh-oh
Why you wanna play so bad?
Why you wanna play so bad?
Why you wanna play so bad?
Why you wanna play so bad?
'Cause you, you know it's real
'Cause you know it's-
You gotta get two times too far to feel (to feel)
'Cause you claim you see things (you claim, you claim)
When you on DMT
But I've seen the same things before I go to sleep

The production on this is so interesting! It's bookended by this sharp, siren-, bullet-like piercing pulse, between which Summer Walker is able to smoothly shower us with those soulful vocals of hers. Melodically, this is definitely the top 'Still Over It' moment, but the lyrics are no slouch either. The exasperation Summer expresses as she exclaims, "God, bless me, God help me, I think I'm insane" is so blasted relatable for me! Dancing with dysfunction deteriorates your mental health and sanity, and you really do feel like a madman when you engage with someone you should disengage from, and I don't think I've ever had any artist capture that as succinctly and expertly as Summer does on "Insane".

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x6)
Play Count: 208

[JSparksFan]

Diana had a cute bop but it felt a bit under-produced!

You call it underproduced; I call it light.

Damn, not a ton of Tay (only 3/90 thus far), so I'm not feeling too confident about our YEC overlap anymore Still, very happy that "Willow" nearly made your Top 20, and "Renegade" was a really pleasant surprise for a collaboration/"guest appearance" (though it definitely feels more like a folklore/evermore sessions track that she let them retool for their album instead, à la "Babe" or "Better Man")

Brace yourself.

"Heartbreak In This City" stands a solid chance of cracking my list. It'struly deliciously camp (which seems to hold true with Steps in general, though they only entered my radar starting with "Scared Of The Dark")

Indeed!

"Good 4 U" is easily my favorite Olivia offering so far (ditto for its video, like you mentioned), but it didn't have enough longevity on my chart to be a Top 50 contender

Thanks for popping in. I think you'll see some of your top 50 songs in this penultimate batch.

[crystalphoenix]

• Damn, not a ton of Tay (only 3/90 thus far), so I'm not feeling too confident about our YEC overlap anymore Still, very happy that "Willow" nearly made your Top 20, and "Renegade" was a really pleasant surprise for a collaboration/"guest appearance" (though it definitely feels more like a folklore/evermore sessions track that she let them retool for their album instead, à la "Babe" or "Better Man")
• "Heartbreak In This City" stands a solid chance of cracking my list. It's truly deliciously camp (which seems to hold true with Steps in general, though they only entered my radar starting with "Scared Of The Dark")
• "Good 4 U" is easily my favorite Olivia offering so far (ditto for its video, like you mentioned), but it didn't have enough longevity on my chart to be a Top 50 contender

[Thriller]

Diana had a cute bop but it felt a bit under-produced!

[JSparksFan]

015. Olivia Rodrigo - Good 4 U

Well, good for you, I guess you moved on really easily
You found a new girl, and it only took a couple weeks
Remember when you said that you wanted to give me the world? (Ah-ah-ah-ah)
And good for you, I guess that you've been working on yourself
I guess that therapist I found for you, she really helped
Now you can be a better man for your brand-new girl
Well, good for you, you look happy and healthy
Not me, if you ever cared to ask
Good for you, you're doing great out there without me, baby
God, I wish that I could do that
I've lost my mind, I've spent the night
Crying on the floor of my bathroom
But you're so unaffected, I really don't get it
But I guess good for you
Well, good for you, I guess you're getting everything you want (ah)
You bought a new car and your career's really taking off (ah)
It's like we never even happened
Baby, what the f*ck is up with that? (Ha)
And good for you, it's like you never even met me
Remember when you swore to God I was the only
Person who ever got you?
Well, screw that and screw you
You will never have to hurt the way you know that I do
Maybe I'm too emotional
But your apathy is like a wound in salt
Maybe I'm too emotional
Or maybe you never cared at all

Rock-tinged and rousing, "Good 4 U" is reflective of some pretty raw emotion. For me, this was the song that made me an Olivia Rodrigo convert. There was a vulnerability in "Drivers License", the depths of which turned me off, but this - this is vulnerability alongside a much more comfortable and accessible feeling for me, righteous indignation. She hit a home run with the video, too.

Quality Rating: 9.5/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x5)
Play Count: 148

014. Diana Ross - If the World Just Danced

Music and moonlight (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Good friends and long nights (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
It will be alright (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
If you just love (if you just love)
Bright eyes and laughter (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Let the rhythm just catch ya (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
You'll find all that you're after (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
If you just love (if you just love)
Find a place in an empty space
Yeah, let's start a party
Dance away all the pain
Ain't it much better when we do it together now, now, now
Much better when we do it together now
Turn it up and go give love a chance
Go out and take somebody by the hand
Put on your shoes and find out where you stand
Go take the lead and teach the world to dance
Don't look back, don't take a second glance
While life is busy making other plans
Jump off the edge and find out where you land
Go take the lead and teach the world to dance
So much better if the world just danced (we'd be better)
So much better if the world just danced (we'd be better)
So much better if the world just danced (we'd be better)
Yeah, we'd be better if the world just danced (we'd be better)
Heartbeats like lightning (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
Come let the light in (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
'Cause that feeling ain't frightening (yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah)
When you just love (if you just love)

There's such light and positivity in this disco-pop slice of magic. I remember going out one night and being rather pleasantly surprised that some of the other guys on the dancefloor knew this one. For me, this has already joined Diana's list of classics.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x1)
Play Count: 57

013. Agnes - Magic Still Exists

Free your mind and free your body (x a lot)...
For all the moments that you wish would last for days
For the people who forgive all of your mistakes
For all the times you thought you couldn't see the truth
Even though it was right there in front of you
For all the nights you were the last one to go home
Not cause you're lonely, you're just holding onto hope
For all the nights we shattered, love is all you need
For the freedom to be who you wanna be
Keep believing that we'll stay forever young
Keep believing that we've only just begun
No, we don't have to close our eyes and make a wish
With you, I know that magic still exists
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, magic still exists
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, magic still exists
Free your mind and free your body (x a good bit)
For all the reasons you keep falling back in love
And all the times that you got close, but not close enough
For all the nights you fought a wall inside yourself
Wanted to be a little more like someone else
This wild world, it doesn't owe us anything
So raise your glass and let us all together sing
Right here, right now, I got nothing more to wish
With you, I know that magic still exists
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, magic still exists
Oh-oh, oh-oh, oh-oh, magic still exists
When they're turning all the lights out
And the matter of the heart is what remains
Now keep it coming till the time's up
Whether we are saints or sinners
Up we go, and then down we fall
You win sometimes, and then you lose it all
Life can fool ya, if you want it to
But all I know, it leads me back to you

This isn't the Agnes song most folks are likely to be charting this year, but for me this is the towering skyscraper of a highlight on its same-title parent album. The entire LP feels like it builds to, and coalesces around, this closing track and the verses are penned in perfect poetic prose. The instrumentation drips with emotion and Agnes delivers a beautiful vocal performance. "Here Comes the Night" is good in its own right - it's even my most-played Agnes song this year - but "Magic Still Exists" is...well, where the magic is at its most potent.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 53

012. Taylor Swift - Renegade

I tapped on your window on your darkest night
The shape of you was jagged, and weak
There was nowhere for me to stay, but I stayed anyway
And if I would've known how many pieces you had crumbled into
I might have let them lay
Are you really gonna talk about timin', in times like these?
And let all your damage, damage me?
And carry your baggage up my street?
And make me your future history? It's time
You've come a long way
Open the blinds, let me see your face
You wouldn't be the first renegade to need somebody
Is it insensitive for me to say
"Get your shit together, so I can love you?"
Is it really your anxiety that stops you from givin' me everythin'
Or do you just not want to?
You fire off missiles 'cause you hate yourself
But do you know you're demolishin' me?
And then you squeeze my hand as I'm about to leave

Taylor asks some key questions on this track! I've always admired her ability to weave such clever and witty lyrics into these seemingly inoffensive, fun and playful country-pop melodies and she does so splendidly here, as usual. It's a very classic Taylor Swift track, with all the classic Taylor-isms.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 95

011. The Killers - In the Car Outside

I'm in the car, I just needed to clear my head
She's in the house with the baby cryin' on the bed
She's got this thing where she puts up the walls so high
It doesn't matter how much you love
It doesn't matter how hard you try
We got a place with a fence and a little grass
I put this film on the windows, and it looks like chapel glass
But when she turns, it's like the shadow of the cross don't cast
No blessin' over our lonely life
It's like waiting for a train to pass, I don't know when it'll pass
But I remember when she used to set the room on fire
With her eyes, swear to God
It's like a flood of grief and sorrow from a haunted life
When she cries like a train, it's a lot
I dropped a line to a flickerin' high school flame
We laughed about all the ways that our lives had changed
She's up the road, about 35 miles north
Got two little boys in school, just had a real bad divorce
And in a moment of weakness
I told her if she ever needed a helping hand
I would lend, swear to God
It's like the part of me that's screamin' not to jump gets lost
In the sound of the train, it's a lot
Tryin' hard
Not to care
Swear to God

I didn't know that my playlists needed an intense indie-rock song in 2021, but that's just what they got with this one.

Quality Rating: 10/10
Akini's Daily Top 20 Peak: #1(x2)
Play Count: 42

[JSparksFan]

Kiss Me More was a cute bop I enjoyed.

Definitely one of my favourite big hits this year.