2017…where do I even begin? The year started with mourning the loss of a pet, bracing for the incoming President, and a feeling that things were a bit off. In the following months, we bought a house, got adopted by a rescue pup, and still have a feeling that things are a bit off. Thankfully there was great music to help get us through. This is not a definitive list of the best songs of 2017, but they are ten tracks that will forever be associated with the past 12 months in my mind.
- Tinashe “Flame” – My love for this song was cemented by the time the chorus played. This is what I want my power ballads to do; show emotion, passion and power. The inability of Tinashe to get a hit beyond her first album is mind-boggling.
- Jordan Davis “Singles You Up” – Sam Hunt may have reinforced his title as King of Pop Country in 2017, but “Singles” gives him a run for his money. Shout out to SiriusXM’s The Highway for playing quality country music well before terrestrial radio does.
- Drake “Passionfruit” – I won’t lie; I like Drake best when he’s in a more soulful mode, and that normally means he’s singing. The word play is clever, the sample is perfect, and the vibe is chill. I was obsessed for a solid month.
- BTS “DNA” – Folks who know me expect some KPOP boybands in the mix, & BTS filled that need in 2017. “Mic Drop” isn’t quite my thing, but “DNA” is exactly what I want from a boyband.
- Little Big Town “When Someone Stops Loving You” –Little Big Town is having the same success choosing songs to record that Tim McGraw did in the late 90s. They find material that highlights their strengths rather than chasing trends. Subtly powerful.
- Lady Gaga “The Cure” – Yup…I LOVED this song. It’s very of-the-moment, which we’re not used to Gaga delivering. I suspect that fueled some of the online “meh” reactions, but leave it Joanne to deliver an unexpected curveball in between album cycles.
- Dua Lipa “New Rules” – Proving that she wasn’t a flash in the pan here in the US with “Blow Your Mind,” Dua came back with the slow-burn single of the year. I’m looking forward to seeing her perform this in February
- Charlie Puth “Attention” – I had a tough time with this one because I’m all about “How Long” right now, but “Attention” was stuck in my head for MONTHS. Great lyrical structure paired with smart instrumentation and a hook that just won’t let go.
- Kelly Clarkson “Love So Soft” – On first listen, I said “what did I just hear?” But I had to hear it again and again. We’ve always known Kelly as an amazing singer, but this is the first KC ALBUM that I’m raving about from start to finish.
- Ashley McBryde “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” – The emotional resonance of this song got me on multiple levels. My 2017 was a year of radical change, and to hear someone capture that moment without needing the specifics was exactly what I needed.
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