The year 2021 had its share of ups and downs. I’m sure you are quite aware of most of them. If there was ever a bright spot for the year it was musically. There were new artists and bands that emerged that peaked my interest. There were some legendary artists that re-peaked my interest. There were also a few iconic mainstays that continued to amaze.
There are so many avenues where music come at us these days, it’s almost hard to keep up. Admittedly, it can be easy to miss out on a gem that is glowing from afar and when you finally find it, it seems to shine brighter than you could’ve possibly imagined. That is the case with several of the songs on my Top 20 Songs for 2021.
I hope this list has some songs you recognize and enjoy but also as important to me is that maybe you’ll find something new to feed your musical brain.
Eligibility for inclusion is that the song was released in 2021.
20. J Hacha De Zola – ‘Lost Space’ – Let me start by telling you a fact. J Hacha De Zola is one of my guys! What I mean is that he puts out stuff that doesn’t try to conform to the norm. He writes from deep within his dark soul. And as a fan I wouldn’t want it any other way. I seek out J Hacha when I need music to get lost in. ‘Lost Space’ is plodding and invokes the ghosts of lost Americana and the soul of Morrison. De Zola captures it beautifully.
19. Katie Cole – ‘Short Story Long’ – This song just groooooves along all the while telling a story that Katie conveys with conviction. Her vocal is spot on throughout and by the time that bridge rolls along I am already excited to take another listen. Production and musicianship. Top notch. Get some – you’ll thank me later.
18. Olivia Rodrigo – good 4 u – If you know me, I am as surprised as you are. I did not jump on the ‘Drivers License’ train like most of the world (it’s ok – believe it or not music is subjective) and fully admit I am in the minority when it comes to that song. But ‘good 4 u’ got me. I really is a great song. It mixes some new sh*t with some old sh*t and the result is a song that at times feels sinister and anxious but when the chorus comes in my musical brain explodes. I had to include this track on my list because I find myself seeking out this song and totally vibe to it when it’s on.
17. Anne-Marie & Niall Horan – Our Song – Let’s be honest. Pretty anything with Niall on it is a win. Add in another great voice like Anne Marie and you get great vocal duet. I am a huge fan of ‘Flicker’ and the sound of that album but feel like Horan’s sound is evolving to a more bouncy vibe (this is not a bad thing). This song made me that much more excited and curious for what will become NH3. As a side note – while I love pop bliss, I want to make clear that I’m also hoping for some of those signature singer-songwriter songs that Niall is known for.
16. Trip the Witch – ‘Saturn We Miss You’ (feat. Jon Anderson) – Trip the Witch is a project consisting of Dean DeLeo (Stone Temple Pilots) and renowned Nashville session player, Tom Bukovac. Musically, it’s the type of song that I can put on repeat for hours on end and still find new things I like about it. While the album consists of terrific instrumentals, Saturn We Miss You features YES vocalist Jon Anderson and his voice definitely feels otherworldly.
15. Marvin Brooks – Ghost – If I had a list of who I think is going to break out in 2022 and beyond, Marvin Brooks would be on that one as well. His lyrics are haunting and at times so autobiographical that it’s hard not to get lost, emotionally in the songs. ‘Ghost’ will stay with you long after you press play.
14. Jeff Schroeder – Haenim – Schroeder’s beautifully arranged interpretation of Kim Jung Mi’s 1973 song written by Shin Joong Hyun is a tranquil and peaceful homage. Heeya So’s vocals are mesmerizing. The song is in Korean but this English translated line sticks within me: Birds are flying in this silent place. They are singing for me. How beautiful is this place, the sunlight is radiant.
13. Tears For Fears – ‘Tipping Point’ – I’ve been a Tears For Fears fan ever since I heard ‘Pale Shelter’ all those years ago. Millions of records sold and decades later they are back with a haunting and dark song that explores threshold and moment between life and death. It’s a great and thought provoking track.
12. Kevin Rudolf – Live Your Life. – Rudolf has been one of the artists I most look forward to releasing new music. His songs always seem to go deeper and beyond the realm of standard songwriting. Sometimes you’ll get an epic party anthem featuring Lil’ Wayne like ‘Let It Rock’ (which has a much deeper meaning than people think). Sometimes you’ll get the absolute banger. And sometimes you get the song and story as the title suggests. Rudolf is clever in his approach and with many of his songs I always seem to get a subtle hint of sadness. And in a weird way, that (my) perceived sadness draws me in even further. Live Your Life, Man.
11. Liam Payne – Sunshine – Liam dropped a killer pop track in 2021. ‘Sunshine’ is everything I love when it comes to a dance pop track. Beat, groove, production and a great topline. While I don’t rank these with concern to chart performance, this song should’ve been a monster on the charts in my opinion. Either way this song has become a repeater on my playlist.
10. Silk Sonic – ‘Leave the Door Open’ – Swag city. This song has the groove. It’s tightly produced and executed beautifully. The Bruno Mars/Anderson .Paak project is a shining success and I hope they continue to make music together long after 2021.
09. Mammoth WVH – ‘Mr. Ed’ – This was sent to me by a friend whose musical taste is similar to my own so I felt very optimistic going into my first listen. The first track on the album is ‘Mr. Ed’ and to be honest I was hooked immediately. I heard all the talk. Wolfgang Van Halen is a prodigy. A gifted multi-instrumentalist. He’s going to carry on the Van Halen name.. blah, blah, blah. And you know what? They are correct. This guy really has it all. WVH plays everything on the album and that should not be understated here. This is because of the expert level in which each track is delivered. He plays everything so well that it’s almost hard to decide what I like best from him. And do not forget about the vocals. It’s rare to hear as many complex harmonies on a debut album as there are on this one.
08. Jack Hues – ‘We Gotta Work Together’ – I’m pretty much a fan of anything Jack Hues does. Whether it’s supplying part of the soundtrack to my youth with his songs in Wang Chung or his amazing songwriting on his album ‘PRIMITIF’, Hues never seems to disappoint. This song explores our society during a pandemic and really shines through with a message that probably needs to taken more seriously. We definitely need to work together on all fronts. Division only makes us weaker.
07. Adele – ‘Easy On Me’ – When an artist returns from hiatus with a new album, the temptation is to release an up-tempo song that will make the listener groove. Adele doesn’t need to worry about this sort of thing. Her voice will sooth your soul and power down even the fussiest obstacles. Lyrically she will leave you pondering. Pondering for the resolve and what’s to come, all in one song.
06. The Weeknd – ‘Take My Breath’ – This one got me as soon as those guitars started. I felt one part Stevie and one part Survivor and thought.. This is gonna rule. Then as The Weeknd does, he hits you with another signature vocal melody. It’s taken a level up during the chorus when the song really seems to take off into another 80’s inspired gear. ‘Dawn FM’ is already one of my most anticipate listens for 2022.
05. Maneskin – ‘Zitti E Buoni’ – Like many people I was introduce to Maneskin from their epic and now legendary performance on the 2021 Eurovision Song Contest. That guitar riff. The power. The stage presence. Few have the total package let alone a combination on these elements but ‘Zitti E Buoni’ showcases all of this. I don’t understand what Damiano is saying but I don’t need to because I feel it.
04. Morissette – ‘Mirror’ – Mori has announced to the world that she is a force to be reckoned with. Her EP, ‘Signature’ is filled with excellent production and songwriting but for my money – ‘Mirror’ is the track I go back to the most. Just go listen to that chorus and you’ll be in for vocal bliss. Those double track lines she drops in, really soar high. I’m anxious to watch her career arc higher and higher in 2022.
03. Luke Hemmings – ‘Motion’ – For a time I had this being song of the year for me. It’s probably one of the most played songs on my Ultra Music Bliss Playlist. ‘Motion’ is a song that I listened to on repeat through several states as I drove to Nashville to go see Harry Styles play. I just couldn’t help myself. The sound is dreamy and the vocals are intoxicating. The drum pattern is perfect especially during the verses. I’m actually listening to it right now as I type this. Of all the songs on this list, this is the one I wish I could’ve written personally, the most. It’s made me a Hemmings fan and caused me start to explore his band 5 Seconds of Summer (5SOS). Ever heard of ’em?
02. BTS – ‘Butter’ – I literally started typing the word “smooth” to start this entry. This song is just so darn smooth. It’s also one of the catchiest songs not only of the year but that I’ve ever heard. My bias seems to change all the time (I’m currently on a Jungkook high right now) but all seven members play a vital role in this summertime jam. BTS has established themselves as arguably the biggest band in the world (they are in my opinion). This song is so good that I find myself listening to any remix I can get my ears on. Hotter, Cooler, Sweeter, Holiday, 8-bit.. Doesn’t make any difference. ‘Butter’ is infectious and the voices of RM, Suga, JK, Jimin, Jin, V, J-Hope are magic together. They all bring something special to the table and ‘Butter’ is evidence of this.
01. Taylor Swift – ‘All Too Well’ (Ten Minute Version) – I already loved the song on the original version of ‘RED‘. But what we received on Taylor’s Version of ‘RED‘ that was released on November 12, 2021 was much more than anyone could’ve imagined or asked for. It was ten minutes and thirteen seconds of my life where I was completely immersed in a piece of excellence that could change music forever. It’s now the longest song to sit atop the Billboard Hot 100. I’ll also tell you that I didn’t know I needed the extra context for the song but I really did. We all did. Taylor has established herself as one of the greatest songwriters of all time and certainly the best of this generation. ‘All Too Well’ is yet another example of her ability to craft a song and take the listener on a journey that is worthy of Lennon/McCartney, Elton John, Bob Dylan and Billy Joel status.
The song absolutely stands alone but Swift also released the visual to ‘All Too Well’ with stunning results. It’s one of the best video’s I’ve ever seen. It needs to win whichever award there is a category for and to take it a step further, it seems worthy of festival type awards. Seriously, this thing is truly amazing start to finish.
While I realize this is a song that was re-recorded for Taylor’s Version, this ten-minute version is a new body of work and should be judged accordingly. If there was no ten-minute version, ‘All Too Well’ would not be on this list. I thought long and hard about this but the ten-minute version of ‘All Too Well’ is the Tommy Marz – Song of the Year. Proudly.
-Tommy Marz
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