Tied for the 14th spot on Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop poll are two very different songs I’ve already featured on the blog: Kesha’s ‘Praying’ and Migos’ ‘Bad and Boujee.’ I’m a big fan of the former; the latter, not so much.
Frank Ocean claims the 16th spot with ‘Chanel,’ a single the elusive singer dropped as a surprise release earlier this year.
Happy Valentine’s Day! And, more important, Happy Birthday to my daughter Fiona, who turns 12 today!
Fiona should be reasonably happy to have a Harry Styles song featured on her special day. She would have been similarly happy to have the Village Voice Pazz & Jop #12 song, Lana Del Rey’s ‘Love,’ posted as well, had I not written about it last March.
Paramore claims the #11 spot on Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop poll with their sprightly single ‘Hard Times.’
Despite the calypso beat and pop art video, this is song was inspired by a bout of depression suffered by lead singer Hayley Williams. The juxtaposition of music and lyrics makes for a pleasantly disorienting experience.
Rounding out the top ten of Village Voice’s Pazz & Jop poll, surprise!, are more pop and rap songs.
Charli XCX lands at #8 with her minor summer hit ‘Boys’, while Selena Gomez (‘Bad Liar‘) ties for the 9th spot with Future (‘Mask Off’). Gomez’s ‘Bad Liar’ has emerged as one of my favorite 2017 songs.
I know ‘Natchez Trace’ as a bonus track on the deluxe edition of Dusty Springfield’s seminal classic Dusty in Memphis, but it turns out its backstory is rather interesting.
This song was originally recorded for an album titled Faithful, which was to be Springfield’s seventh studio recording. In 1971, Atlantic Records released two singles from the album but neither made the charts. Disappointed with the response, the studio shelved the album and declined to renew her contract.
Meet Me In Montauk 