Top 50 Songs Of 2020

Here’s 50 songs that I frequently revisited throughout the year! Enjoy.

PS – Don’t look for any Austin-based artists on this particular list. I’ll be doing a local song countdown on my radio show, 101X Homegrown, starting this Sunday (at 9pm).

50) Tkay Maidza – Shook

A really fun burst of hip hop from Tkay Maidza.

49) Shura – Elevator Girl (Featuring Ivy Sole)

Shura with a synthy ear-pleaser. Also, I really like Ivy Sole’s verse here.

48) Claud – Gold

A creative pop tune from Claud, the first artist to sign to Phoebe Bridgers’ imprint, Saddest Factory.

47) Lean Year – Panes

So moody, so great. Lean Year.

46) Jonsi – Swill

I’ve always been into just how big this Jonsi track sounds.

45) Washed Out – Time To Walk Away

Washed Out with a chillwave gem.

44) Real Estate – Paper Cup

A (very catchy) song about getting older, a topic I can very much relate to. Thanks Real Estate!

43) Hazel English – Combat

Such a warm-sounding track from Hazel English.

42) Smokescreens – I Love Only You

I only love you, too, Smokescreens. Thanks for the sugary-sweet tune.

41) Cults – Trials

Cults with a slinky pop winner.

40) Twin Peaks – What’s The Matter

For those in need of a good dose of flute, there’s this song from Twin Peaks.

39) Bad Moves – Party With The Kids Who Wanna Party With You

An infectious track with a positive message. Bad Moves.

38) Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever – Cars In Space

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever sure know how to write a good hook.

37) Psychedelic Porn Crumpets – Mr. Prism

This tune from Psychedelic Porn Crumpets is too upbeat to not love.

36) Neutrals – Personal Computing

Here’s some art-punk goodness from Neutrals.

35) Blushh – Too Dark

I remain a sucker for 90s-enthused indie rock. Blushh.

34) Spice – I Don’t Wanna Die In New York

Heck of a driving rocker from Spice.

33) Nilufer Yanya – Crash

Nilufer Yanya has one of the freshest sounds around.

32) Jehnny Beth – Flower

2020’s best song about a pole dancer. Jehnny Beth (of Savages).

31) Perfume Genius – Describe

This Perfume Genius track is oh-so-very heavy in the best of ways.

30) Rhye – Black Rain

A super smooth jam from Rhye.

29) Tennis – How To Forgive

Tennis in full-on pop mode is a real win.

28) Helena Deland – Truth Nugget

An entrancing effort from Helena Deland.

27) Muzz – Red Western Sky

Paul Banks (of Interpol) sounds so damn good on this Muzz song.

26) Jason Isbell And The 400 Unit – Be Afraid

“Be afraid, very afraid / But do it anyway.” I’ll always love that lyric from this Jason Isbell tune.

25) Jess Williamson – Smoke

Kudos to Jess Williamson for such a sharply-written song.

24) Diet Cig – Who Are You

Another year, another really catchy song from Diet Cig.

23) Lewsberg – Through The Garden

A post-punk delight from Lewsberg.

22) Idles – Grounds

Idles with a huge, intense rocker.

21) Cable Ties – Sandcastles

This is a poignant, hooky affair from Cable Ties.

20) Gum Country – Tennis

2020’s best song about tennis. Gum Country.

19) Stephen Malkmus – Shadowbanned

I adore how totally bonkers this Stephen Malkmus track is.

18) Sorry – Snakes

Regardless of its title, slithery is the right adjective for this Sorry gem.

17) Sufjan Stevens – America

Sufjan with a statement! Also, this is such a headphone-worthy effort.

16) Mxmtoon – OK On Your Own (Featuring Carly Rae Jepsen)

Mxmtoon (and Carly Rae Jepsen) with one of the best pure pop songs of the year.

15) Faye Webster – In A Good Way

Faye Webster is entirely lovely here.

14) I’m Glad It’s You – Big Sound

A highly quality emo anthem from I’m Glad It’s You.

13) Bully – Where To Start

This Bully track rips.

12) Car Seat Headrest – Hollywood

Unhinged is a good sound for Car Seat Headrest.

11) The Beths – I’m Not Getting Excited

The Beths with a super endearing (and relevantly-titled) track.

10) Carly Rae Jepsen – Let’s Be Friends

This Carly Rae Jepsen song is so fun. On a related note, the wife and I sing it at each other whenever we “fight.”

09) Doves – Carousels

Doves’ first new song in 11 years was a big go-to for me.

08) Matt Berninger – One More Second

The best song on Matt Berninger’s solo debut. I love the little piano solo.

07) Soccer Mommy – Circle The Drain

This Soccer Mommy track first impressed way back in January, and I’ve stayed attached to it ever since.

06) Nana Adjoa – Throw Stones

The songwriting here by Nana Adjoa is stellar.

05) Taylor Swift – Exile (Featuring Bon Iver)

So, so, so dramatic. It also has a gorgeous sound. Way to be, Taylor Swift.

04) Thao & The Get Down Stay Down – Phenom

A total thumper from Thao.

03) No Age – Head Sport Full Face

This kinetc No Age track can immediately put me in the right mood to tackle anything.

02) Fiona Apple – Under The Table

“I would beg to disagree / But begging disagrees with me.” I’m with you, Fiona Apple.

01) Phoebe Bridgers – Kyoto

“This song is about being on tour and hating tour, and then being home and hating home. I just always want to be where I’m not, which I think is pretty not special of a thought, but it is true.” – Phoebe Bridgers

This song has swirled around in my head a lot this year. I want the pandemic to be over and done with, but I also appreciate how it has slowed things down for me. I can’t remember the last time I had even a fraction of downtime like this, and that part (and only that part of the pandemic) has been nice. However, I sure miss shows and festivals and the theater and parties and all that stuff, even though I know it’s tiring being on that track all the time. In other words, just like Phoebe noted, I want to be where I’m not. That relatability – along with a great sound – is why it slides into the top spot here.