The songs for 2023 have been decided: These songs have shaped our year.
What did 2023 have to offer from a musical perspective? MUSIKEXPRESS has chosen the songs of the year and here you can find out which tracks impressed us the most.
1. Olivia Rodrigo – “vampires”
The chord progression of the verses is as inspired by Lana Del Rey’s “Get Free” as that of Radiohead’s “Creep” as that of “The Air That I Breathe” by the Hollies. So what? So special, so fuckin’ special, how drama is constantly building up here, bursting out, only to come back even bigger. In the video, Rodrigo gives it his all: bleeding, running for her life, flying away from everyone.
2. Miley Cyrus – “Flowers”
Another huge hit of the year that is based on a proven template (Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive”) and yet develops an independent life of its own. Cyrus’ post-breakup self-empowerment anthem eclipsed all of her previous successes, topping charts in 37 countries. Besides, aren’t we all someone’s children?
3. Lana Del Rey – “A&W”
The seven-minute epic masquerades as a reference to the root beer brand A&W, but the acronym here stands for “American Whore.” The song goes from psychedelic folk to synth-heavy trap pop, sampling old Del Rey pieces. In terms of content, she also travels back in time, dealing with a toxic romance, the difficult relationship with her mother, and her sexuality. A key work in her biography and discography.
4. The Rolling Stones – “Angry”
A miracle: The Stones haven’t put together such a vital (lead) single since “Start Me Up” in 1981. The recipe is similar: a riff bordering on stupidity, a gripping chorus, after less than two minutes the song is finished, but the Stones simply do what they do best: carry on. With incredible joy of playing.
5. Caroline Polachek – “Welcome To My Island”
Glistening bright, boundary-pushing future pop, equally influenced by Kurt Cobain, Enya, Sophie and Fischerspooner. And in the chorus the Simple Minds say hello. Don’t you forget about Caroline Polachek!
6. Blur – “St. Charles Square”
Overall, Blur’s second comeback album was a rushed affair: eight out of ten songs were melancholic ballads as we know them well enough from Albarn’s solo work. The record stayed in the German charts for three weeks and in the UK for five weeks. As if THE BALLAD OF DARREN didn’t even exist. Hopefully next time they’ll focus more on weird leftfield rockers like this one.
7. Shakira and Bizarrap – “Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53”
One of THE surprises of the year: Latin rock icon teams up with Argentinian hip-hop producer Bizarrap and gives it to her ex, soccer world champion Gerard Piqué: “Las mujeres ya no lloran, las mujeres facturan,” Shakira sings over spherical disco pop , “Women don’t cry anymore, they cash in.” More flowers to pick.
8. Janelle Monáe – “Float”
Relax, don’t do it – that has been the all-round perfectionist’s motto so far. The joy she gets from just letting herself go is infectious – “I don’t dance, I just float,” she sings over this brass-heavy chill beat. Fela’s son Seun Kuti hangs out with her at the pool.
9. Queens Of The Stone Age – “Obscenery”
QOTSA at their very best: a riff as intertwined in itself as the hybrid of homme, dog and hydra on the album cover. As soon as you think you’ve got it, a string takes you to heavenly heights where lightning strikes you. A little groove to calm you down before the riff cycle closes. What a ride!
10. The Beatles – “Now And Then”
More of a coda than the grand finale to the most powerful work of popular music. A home recording by Lennon from 1979, spurned by George Harrison in 1995 as “fucking rubbish” for the ANTHOLOGY series, now completed with the help of an AI. Not a stunning song, but how soothing is Lennon’s moved voice over this autumnal piano accompaniment at a time when the world was on the brink. Give peace a chance!
Songs of the Year: These tracks ranked from 11th to 50th
11. Marika Hackman – “No Caffeine”
12. Sparks – “The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte”
13. The National – “Eucalyptus”
14. Christine And The Queens – “To Be Honest”
15. Squid – “If You Had Seen The Bull’s Swimming Attempts You Would Have Stayed Away”
16. Fred Again feat. The Streets and Dermot Kennedy – “Mike (Desert Island Duvet)”
17. Nina Chuba – “Black Ice”
18. Jorja Smith – “Little Things”
19. Bleachers – “Modern Girl”
20. The Benjamins – “For Love”
21. Heartworms – “Retributions Of An Awful Live”
22. Picture book – “Soft Power”
23. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – “Dead To The World”
24. The Selection – “Witness from Light”
25. King Krule – “Seaforth”
26. Kali Uchis – “I Wish You Roses”
27. Torres – “Collect”
28. Oneothrix Point Never – “A Barely Lit Path”
29. Novaa feat. Lie Ning – “Novaacation (Solomun Remix)”
30. 100 gecs – “Mememes”
31. Overmono – “Good Lies”
32. Sufjan Stevens – “Will Anyone Ever Love Me?”
33. Lost Girls – “With The Other Hand”
34. md Pallavi, Andi Otto – “Clockshop”
35. Chris Stapleton – “The Bottom”
36. PiL – “Penge”
37. Tristan Brusch – “It’s crazy to love me”
38. Dirk von Lowtzow – “Longing Down”
39. Ice Spice feat. Nicki Minaj – “Princess Diana”
40. SZA feat. Doja Cat – “Kill Bill (Remix)”
41. Rosalía and Rauw Alejandro – “Vampiros”
42. Blonde – “Shirtless”
43. Chlöe feat. Missy Elliott – “Told Ya”
44. Fever Ray – “Shiver”
45. Jonathan Wilson – “Marzipan”
46. grim104 feat. DISSY – “Cracks”
47. Young Marco – “What You Say?”
48. Kvelertak – “Krøterveg Te Helvete”
49. Abra – “FKA Mess”
50. The Assistant – “Signals”