Best Songs of 2015 – #10
‘Run Away With Me’ – Carly Rae Jepsen
One of my big surprises in reading a ton of year-end wrap ups was how often I saw Carly Rae Jepsen’s latest album, E•MO•TION, listed among the best records of 2015.
It’s not that I don’t consider Jepsen capable of greatness — ‘Call Me Maybe’ alone proves she has considerable hit-making chops — but I figured if she had released a monster pop album, it would have done monster business.
I didn’t think it was right to have a Random Sunday without a Random Saturday, so here’s a little treasure that popped into my Facebook feed this morning.
Jimmy Fallon is an exceptional impressionist, especially (and maybe exclusively?) when it comes to musicians. His Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Jim Morrison and David Bowie are all priceless.
I’m interrupting my regularly scheduled Random Weekend to acknowledge the passing of a musical legend, David Bowie.
Best Songs of 2015 – #11
‘Kill Em With Kindness’ – Selena Gomez
2015 was another strong year for women. Six of my top ten albums are by female artists, including records in the pop and punk genres that I normally avoid.
One of those solid albums is Revival, Selena Gomez’s “comeback” record (to the extent that a 23-year-old can be in need of a comeback). This is her second solo album (she released three others leading a band called The Scene, though those records rested on her shoulders as well).
Best Songs of 2015 – #12
‘Blank Space’ – Ryan Adams
When I reviewed Ryan Adams’ song-for-song recreation of Taylor Swift’s smash hit 1989, I predicted that ‘Blank Space’ would end up on my best-of song list two years in a row by two different artists. Good call.
Adams turns the track into a gentle, breathy ballad, sad where Swift’s (also excellent) version is slightly taunting.
Meet Me In Montauk 