Just like every year, I think the music charts suck. So, I have to collect my own playlist music to jam out to. It's summer and I am unemployed. I have a lot of time on my hands, but instead of filling those hands with time. I fill my ears with music to the point where I am surprised I have not lost my hearing yet. Here are the songs I have been digging this particular summer.
10. "Tell Me If You Wanna Go Home," performed by Keira Knightly.
This the first of two songs on this list from the "Begin Again" soundtrack. This upbeat little jam often gets stuck in my head at the most random of times. I could be clipping my Beagle's claws and all of a sudden Kiera Knightly RKO's me out of nowhere. If you haven't had the chance to listen to this song, do so. You'll be surprised just how much Elizabeth Swan can sing.
9. "I Believe in a Thing Called Love," by The Darkness.
Speaking of being hit out of nowhere, I was actually writing an article for Odyssey and I randomly thought, Man, I could use a little thing called love. I was talking about the song masterfully made by The Darkness. I'll never have a little thing called love. Any who, this is the most badass rock song since Queen. Yup, I'll compare them to Queen. This song is that good. I could see Freddy Mercury dancing like a madman to this song. It's also great for car karaoke with your squad. Gotta long road trip ahead of you? Listen to the rhythm of your heart.
8. "Ghostbusters," Performed by Walk The Moon.
Screw Fallout Boy. Seriously, screw them so hard for what they did to the "Ghostbusters" theme! Thankfully, Walk the Moon had our backs and delivered this incredible rendition of the classic theme song by Ray Park Jr. It instantaneously puts a smile on my face. They bring the same level of high octane '80s nostalgia to this as they did "Shut Up and Dance." Call on this song anytime.
7. "I took a Pill in Ibiza" by Mike Posner and Seeb.
What I absolutely adore about this song is just how brutally honest it is. With most songs about the horrors of being rich and famous, I usually roll my eyes. Mostly because anybody would love to be Kanye, Jay-Z or Drake. It's hard to sympathize with someone who is doing so damn well in life. However, nobody on this damn planet wants to be Mike Posner. So, hearing his plight about how much he screwed up his shot at fame is depressing. The remixed beat by Seeb help accompanies just how pathetic it all is. It captures the mind of someone in a depressed trance so well.
6. "Can't Help Falling in Love" By Elvis Presley.
Surprisingly, I have to give credit to The Conjuring 2 for introducing me to this gem. If you ever want to hear what since love sounds like, no further than this song wonderfully sung by the King of Rock and Roll. Whenever, my single self starts getting the feels for someone who will no doubt turn me down, I'll throw this song on. Cause even if it's a lost cause. Sometimes,'s just great to be in the moment. This song captures that.
5. "Famous," By Kanye West.
I really like Kanye West. The man is a delightfully idiot savant. I have loved every single one of his albums and I think the man is a creative genius. It's no surprise that Famous is another home run hit for Yeezy. If you haven't noticed, I have a thing for honesty in my music. Kanye, if nothing else is honest. In his own insane head, he believes every single thing he said within in this song. Did he make Taylor Swift famous? No, not even remotely. But deep inside his brain and heart, he believes he was the one who shot her to the top. Not to mention, the great message about fame and it's consequences in the song. Production wise it may be the best song on this life. Kanye knows his crafts and he is untouchable in that regard. Also, the music video is the most thought provoking music video, maybe ever.
4. "Muddy Water," by LP.
This truly haunting epic of a song grabs ones attention within the first 5 seconds and never lets go. It's one of the most powerful songs ever produced. The vocals, the lyrics, the music. It fires on every single cylinder. This was the final song used on "Orange is the New Black," season four. It leaves a mark, in part, to that. However, even going beyond that. It's just a powerhouse. It can shake your jaw if you allow it too. Give it a listen and be taken away.
3. "Lost Stars," performed By Adam Levine
This is the second and final song on the list to come out of the "Begin Again" soundtrack. I wrestled for maybe a minute on which version of the song I would put here. For, the Kiera Knightly one is also really damn good. However, something about the Adam Levine version just sticks with me more. This song I urge everybody who reads this to listen to. This should be the signature song for our generation. People around my age or so are lost stars trying to light up the dark. We are complex creatures just trying to figure out the world. This could bring a tear to your eye if you are in one those moves. Maroon 5 are total sellouts and are very hit or miss. Adam Levine brings his A game here and gives the performance of a lifetime.
2. "Save Rock and Roll," by Fallout Boy (Featuring Sir Elton John).
OK, everything I said about Fallout Boy earlier, forget it. This song will forever give that band a pass in my book. Make all the crappy "Ghostbusters" themes you want. It doesn't matter. You, along with the help of Elton John, crafted a masterpiece about standing up for stuff you love. Not someone you love, the things you love in life. No matter if you are the only person who loves it, you won't stop. I think the lyric, "You are what you love, not who loves you," is one of the greatest lyrics ever written. The band comes together to bring a ballad to the ages. Also, Elton John proves he can still out perform any young talent today. The man is a juggernaut vocally. This is the perfect summer sunset jam to. Throw your headphones on, look up the song, and look at the sky.
1. "Ugly Boy," by Die Antwoord.
I discovered this song entirely by accident. My best friend and I were just cruising and this song popped up as a suggested video. I fell in love with this South African group almost instantly. This is by far my favorite song by Die Antwoord, and I was lucky enough to call it my first exposure to them. I love the message of this song so damn much. It's rare when the people who aren't as lucky in the looks department gets a song singing their praises. This is also one of the most honest songs about relationships, ever! "Ugly" people will do everything in their power for the one they love, cause it could be their last shot. However, they also know what they bring to the table and I know their worth that way. That interesting and not all something we hear constantly in modern music. I also have a soft spot for odd things. This group is most certainly odd in all the right ways. They are creative and inventive. If you haven't heard of them, give them a shot. They might not be your cup of tea because they are strange. However, they are fantastic in every aspect of music. They need way more recognition. This song is case and point of that. I listen to it almost every day.