Top 40 Singles of 2020
The long form album has been rendered almost completely moot at this point, and we live in the age of the single. The digital single in fact. (Oh the indignity of it all!) The internet makes it so easy to distribute music immediately, inexpensively, and to reach such a vast audience that it has given artists the ability to release songs out into the world willy nilly, almost as they come, and with a considerably more focused scope on what they're trying to say in the moment. It's heady times for sure, and the abundance of new music available to us is immense!
That's why I'm recommending forty songs on this top singles list. If Casey Kasem always did a top forty, why shouldn't I?
I don't allow for crossover between my top albums and my top singles lists, because I abhor redundancy and strive to avoid it. But if my Spotify Wrapped playlist is to be believed, then my number one single of the year would be "Rain On Me" by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande. Apparently I listened to that one A LOT. Below you'll find the singles I enjoyed the most however, and the ones I would play for you if you were in my car's passenger seat for a long drive. They're the songs I'm most passionate about, and I hope you'll check them all out!
01. Dua Lipa ~ Levitating
A total bop, with addictive double hand-claps and a rubberband bounce that will make your booty shake!
02. Sylvan Esso ~ Ferris Wheel
An electrifying anthem to the heat of summer and the power of a heavy crush. Electric flute has never sounded cooler.
03. Aimee Mann ~ Avalanche
Hearing this haunting Leonard Cohen cover version every week at the beginning of each episode of "I'll Be Gone In The Dark" (the Michelle McNamara inspired docu-series about the Golden State Killer) lodged it deep into my psyche.
04. Emm Gryner ~ Butterflies
Emm is one of my favorite singer/songwriters and this year she released a wonderful album of jazz standards called "Just For You" that was inspired by/dedicated to her father. This gorgeous gem was one of two brilliant new original compositions she included in the set.
05. The Knocks & MUNA ~ Bodies
Fiery and full of ecstatic energy, all about the intense magic of dancing close to someone, lensed through the basements of our youth.
06. SZA & Justin Timberlake ~ The Other Side
I don't even care that this is from one of those wretched Trolls movies! It's a funky hot irresistable groove! Total earworm!
07. Sufjan Stevens ~ Video Game
I usually like my Sufjan music kind of sad and acoustic, but the new electronic album he put out this year "The Ascension" is brilliant! His lyrical game is at it's strongest in ages. I would also highly recommend the third single from the album "Sugar" and it's accompanying music video which is strange and beguilling. This song though is perfect on repeat, especially while driving at night.
08. Troye Sivan ~ Easy
I love this original version with a fun David Bowie salute in the video. I also love the new remix featuring Kacey Musgraves.
09. BENEE ~ Glitter
BENEE hails from New Zealand. Her mix of retro cool with shiny modern electronic pop seems light years ahead of her short 20 years.
10. Tennis ~ Need Your Love
The hurkey jerky switches in tempo make this brilliant slice of hipster pop almost like listening to two songs at once.
11. Trixie Mattel ~ Video Games
Trixie gives this Lana Del Rey song an earnest wild west sounding touch up that spins it in a completely new direction.
12. Fletcher ~ Forever
Trixie Mattel released a lip sync video of this song six months ago, and I've been bopping to it ever since. Lesbians are hot!
13. Hannah Georgas ~ That Emotion
I adore the whole album that this song is from, and it's my favorite slice of Canadian indie pop in a long while.
14. HAIM ~ I Know Alone
HAIM put out a smart album of really different sounding, unique music this year. This bizarre single might be my favorite from it.
15. My Sister, My Brother ~ Don't Know How To Love You
A devastating masterpiece of heartbreak. If you've ever been through a breakup this will slice you in half. "How did we get to be strangers?"
16. Jojo ~ Think About You (Acoustic)
A massively sad song about moving on after a relationship ends. Makes my heart hurt in the best ways possible.
17. MARINA ~ About Love
A propulsive and truly great soundtrack song from the Welsh pop juggernaut MARINA (nee And The Diamonds).
18. Miley Cyrus ~ Midnight Sky
I'm not feeling the weird punk Florence Henderson haircut Miley's rocking in the video, but the songs is simply excellent.
19. Perfume Genius ~ Without You
1970's FM radio vibes steeped in a breezy sun-dappled California aesthetic with a hint of Elvis-like swagger.
20. Rex Rebel ~ I Can't Hurt You
Sam Bettens is a trans man from Belgium who used to be the lead singer of K's Choice. His new band Rex Rebel released one of the most confident sounding debut albums of 2020, and this sophisticated single got repeatedly listened to about 1000 times by me this year.
21. Sam Smith & Demi Lovato ~ I'm Ready
Sam put out a lot of good music this year, but this huge anthem really took the cake. Catch me singing it at full volume in my car.
22. Lights x MYTH ~ Dead End
Ridiculously fresh production using every sonic trick in the book, this could be the music to a video game that'll come out ten years from now.
23. Nothing But Thieves ~ Is Everybody Going Crazy?
A hard hitting, heavy disection of the insanity we live with on a daily basis now. These brits are one of my favorite rock bands.
24. Imogen Heap ~ Last Night Of An Empire
Imogen took a long break from making new music, so I was elated when this wild new single dropped. It's everything from her that I love.
25. Keisza ~ Love Me With Your Lie
A fun funky disco pop candy confection with a slightly silly fetish themed music video that doesn't quite fit it.
26. Foxes ~ Love Not Loving You
Being in love is work, and thank gawd for the people that can permanently break that magic spell. It's over, let's celebrate!
27. Celeste ~ Stop This Flame
Damn this is cool. A hot jazz piano flare-up with a marching band persistence and a soulful diva wailing perfectly over it all.
28. Chaz Cardigan ~ Middle Of The Road
I have absolutely no idea where I first heard this song or how it came onto my radar, but I really like it. It's sung so earnestly and sincerely, and it feels like a massive pride anthem. The music video is garbage though so feel free to just listen and not watch.
29. ARCADES (featuring Prides) ~ Stars
Prides is a band that I love so much, and I thought they'd broken up. So hearing this collaboration made me ecstatic!
30. Tina Dico ~ Ship To Wreck
A phenomenal cover version of the 2015 Florence + The Machine single that pares down the arrangement, simplifies the instrumentation, and gave me an entirely new appreciation for the song.
31. Laurel ~ Scream Drive Faster
The kids these days with their nostalgia for a 1980's that they didn't even live through! Makes for great music though, I'll give 'em that.
32. MNDR ~ Open
MNDR makes the majority of her living writing songs for other artists these days, but when she does drop a new single it's an event.
33. Erasure ~ Nerves Of Steel
Classic Erasure in peak form, with one of the best music videos on this list. Sickening looks for a sensational song!
34. Khalid & Disclosure ~ Know Your Worth
Effortlessly soulful and sweet, this blippy skippy love song will give your self-esteem a sorely needed boost.
35. Ariana Grande ~ Positions
This sexy sultry song about keeping things interesting in a relationship speaks to me because I tend to be the gardener, not the flower.
36. LPX ~ New Mood
Former lead singer of MS/MR Lizzy Plapinger now goes by LPX, and she makes thorny, visceral empowerment anthems like this.
37. Dragonette ~ We're All In This Together
A power ballad to unify us in the troubled times we seem trapped in. A potent reminder to move forward and stay strong.
38. Billie Eilish ~ My Future
A fascinating single! It's drenched in elegant minor keys and lounge singer strut, with a laid back funk backing track, and yet somehow manages to sound like a long lost standard from the crooner era ala Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby. This kid really has the chops.
39. Caroline Polachek ~ Breathless
A crisp stylish electronica cover version of The Corrs 2000 mega hit, perfectly suited to Caroline's ethereal voice. Gorgeous!
40. The Rescues ~ If We Make It Through The Night
In the bleakest moments of 2020, this song was a beacon of hope and light for me. A beautiful shining star in a sky of darkness.
Those are my top 40 singles in all their exhaustive, overreaching glory. What were your best bops and jams this year? I'd love to hear from you if there's a favorite of yours that I overlooked. Thank you for reading. I appreciate you.
That's why I'm recommending forty songs on this top singles list. If Casey Kasem always did a top forty, why shouldn't I?
I don't allow for crossover between my top albums and my top singles lists, because I abhor redundancy and strive to avoid it. But if my Spotify Wrapped playlist is to be believed, then my number one single of the year would be "Rain On Me" by Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande. Apparently I listened to that one A LOT. Below you'll find the singles I enjoyed the most however, and the ones I would play for you if you were in my car's passenger seat for a long drive. They're the songs I'm most passionate about, and I hope you'll check them all out!
01. Dua Lipa ~ Levitating
Click to viewA total bop, with addictive double hand-claps and a rubberband bounce that will make your booty shake!
02. Sylvan Esso ~ Ferris Wheel
An electrifying anthem to the heat of summer and the power of a heavy crush. Electric flute has never sounded cooler.
03. Aimee Mann ~ Avalanche
Hearing this haunting Leonard Cohen cover version every week at the beginning of each episode of "I'll Be Gone In The Dark" (the Michelle McNamara inspired docu-series about the Golden State Killer) lodged it deep into my psyche.
04. Emm Gryner ~ Butterflies
Emm is one of my favorite singer/songwriters and this year she released a wonderful album of jazz standards called "Just For You" that was inspired by/dedicated to her father. This gorgeous gem was one of two brilliant new original compositions she included in the set.
05. The Knocks & MUNA ~ Bodies
Fiery and full of ecstatic energy, all about the intense magic of dancing close to someone, lensed through the basements of our youth.
06. SZA & Justin Timberlake ~ The Other Side
I don't even care that this is from one of those wretched Trolls movies! It's a funky hot irresistable groove! Total earworm!
07. Sufjan Stevens ~ Video Game
I usually like my Sufjan music kind of sad and acoustic, but the new electronic album he put out this year "The Ascension" is brilliant! His lyrical game is at it's strongest in ages. I would also highly recommend the third single from the album "Sugar" and it's accompanying music video which is strange and beguilling. This song though is perfect on repeat, especially while driving at night.
08. Troye Sivan ~ Easy
I love this original version with a fun David Bowie salute in the video. I also love the new remix featuring Kacey Musgraves.
09. BENEE ~ Glitter
BENEE hails from New Zealand. Her mix of retro cool with shiny modern electronic pop seems light years ahead of her short 20 years.
10. Tennis ~ Need Your Love
The hurkey jerky switches in tempo make this brilliant slice of hipster pop almost like listening to two songs at once.
11. Trixie Mattel ~ Video Games
Trixie gives this Lana Del Rey song an earnest wild west sounding touch up that spins it in a completely new direction.
12. Fletcher ~ Forever
Trixie Mattel released a lip sync video of this song six months ago, and I've been bopping to it ever since. Lesbians are hot!
13. Hannah Georgas ~ That Emotion
I adore the whole album that this song is from, and it's my favorite slice of Canadian indie pop in a long while.
14. HAIM ~ I Know Alone
HAIM put out a smart album of really different sounding, unique music this year. This bizarre single might be my favorite from it.
15. My Sister, My Brother ~ Don't Know How To Love You
A devastating masterpiece of heartbreak. If you've ever been through a breakup this will slice you in half. "How did we get to be strangers?"
16. Jojo ~ Think About You (Acoustic)
A massively sad song about moving on after a relationship ends. Makes my heart hurt in the best ways possible.
17. MARINA ~ About Love
A propulsive and truly great soundtrack song from the Welsh pop juggernaut MARINA (nee And The Diamonds).
18. Miley Cyrus ~ Midnight Sky
I'm not feeling the weird punk Florence Henderson haircut Miley's rocking in the video, but the songs is simply excellent.
19. Perfume Genius ~ Without You
1970's FM radio vibes steeped in a breezy sun-dappled California aesthetic with a hint of Elvis-like swagger.
20. Rex Rebel ~ I Can't Hurt You
Sam Bettens is a trans man from Belgium who used to be the lead singer of K's Choice. His new band Rex Rebel released one of the most confident sounding debut albums of 2020, and this sophisticated single got repeatedly listened to about 1000 times by me this year.
21. Sam Smith & Demi Lovato ~ I'm Ready
Sam put out a lot of good music this year, but this huge anthem really took the cake. Catch me singing it at full volume in my car.
22. Lights x MYTH ~ Dead End
Ridiculously fresh production using every sonic trick in the book, this could be the music to a video game that'll come out ten years from now.
23. Nothing But Thieves ~ Is Everybody Going Crazy?
A hard hitting, heavy disection of the insanity we live with on a daily basis now. These brits are one of my favorite rock bands.
24. Imogen Heap ~ Last Night Of An Empire
Imogen took a long break from making new music, so I was elated when this wild new single dropped. It's everything from her that I love.
25. Keisza ~ Love Me With Your Lie
A fun funky disco pop candy confection with a slightly silly fetish themed music video that doesn't quite fit it.
26. Foxes ~ Love Not Loving You
Being in love is work, and thank gawd for the people that can permanently break that magic spell. It's over, let's celebrate!
27. Celeste ~ Stop This Flame
Damn this is cool. A hot jazz piano flare-up with a marching band persistence and a soulful diva wailing perfectly over it all.
28. Chaz Cardigan ~ Middle Of The Road
I have absolutely no idea where I first heard this song or how it came onto my radar, but I really like it. It's sung so earnestly and sincerely, and it feels like a massive pride anthem. The music video is garbage though so feel free to just listen and not watch.
29. ARCADES (featuring Prides) ~ Stars
Prides is a band that I love so much, and I thought they'd broken up. So hearing this collaboration made me ecstatic!
30. Tina Dico ~ Ship To Wreck
A phenomenal cover version of the 2015 Florence + The Machine single that pares down the arrangement, simplifies the instrumentation, and gave me an entirely new appreciation for the song.
31. Laurel ~ Scream Drive Faster
The kids these days with their nostalgia for a 1980's that they didn't even live through! Makes for great music though, I'll give 'em that.
32. MNDR ~ Open
MNDR makes the majority of her living writing songs for other artists these days, but when she does drop a new single it's an event.
33. Erasure ~ Nerves Of Steel
Classic Erasure in peak form, with one of the best music videos on this list. Sickening looks for a sensational song!
34. Khalid & Disclosure ~ Know Your Worth
Effortlessly soulful and sweet, this blippy skippy love song will give your self-esteem a sorely needed boost.
35. Ariana Grande ~ Positions
This sexy sultry song about keeping things interesting in a relationship speaks to me because I tend to be the gardener, not the flower.
36. LPX ~ New Mood
Former lead singer of MS/MR Lizzy Plapinger now goes by LPX, and she makes thorny, visceral empowerment anthems like this.
37. Dragonette ~ We're All In This Together
A power ballad to unify us in the troubled times we seem trapped in. A potent reminder to move forward and stay strong.
38. Billie Eilish ~ My Future
A fascinating single! It's drenched in elegant minor keys and lounge singer strut, with a laid back funk backing track, and yet somehow manages to sound like a long lost standard from the crooner era ala Frank Sinatra or Bing Crosby. This kid really has the chops.
39. Caroline Polachek ~ Breathless
A crisp stylish electronica cover version of The Corrs 2000 mega hit, perfectly suited to Caroline's ethereal voice. Gorgeous!
40. The Rescues ~ If We Make It Through The Night
In the bleakest moments of 2020, this song was a beacon of hope and light for me. A beautiful shining star in a sky of darkness.
Those are my top 40 singles in all their exhaustive, overreaching glory. What were your best bops and jams this year? I'd love to hear from you if there's a favorite of yours that I overlooked. Thank you for reading. I appreciate you.