Bulldog Beat

#2020 Wrapped: Our Top 20 Most-Listened-To Tracks This Year

Kate’s Top Five:

“Here Come the Warm Jets” by Brian Eno

The strings and synth resonate with a stereophonic warmth. There are barely any lyrics and the ones that are there are not sensical. It’s the perfect art-pop anthemvfb, with just enough glam and theatrics to not put me to sleep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uYOFilCF55s

2. “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine” by the Ramones

The Ramones reimagine The Seed’s classic psych rock anthem with their signature New Yorker punk cadence.

3. “Your Dream” by Kim Jung Mi

“Your Dream” is a Korean psych rock song from the 70s. Kim Jung Mi’s low pitched and powerful voice mixes so well with the fuzzy guitar notes. I can’t get enough of it.

4. “I Cry (Night After Night)” by Egyptian Lover

This song is truly a slow groove classic. It is sensual enough to make you want to dance and sad enough to make you want to text your ex. This came out in 1984 on Egyptian Lover’s debut album and arguably his best album, at the height of his electro and hip-hop synthesis.

5. “Hunned Bandz” by Tanukichan

“Hunned Bandz” is the quintessential semi-dramatic shoegaze song. The instrumentation’s wall of sound is contrasted with delicate femme vocals, which leads a listful melody. It is playful, while still sticking to the melancholic tradition of the shoegaze genre.

William’s Top Five:

“Possum Kingdom” by Toadies

A 90’s alternative great, “Possum Kingdom” combines cryptic lyrics with an alternating 4/4, 7/4 time signature that keeps you unsteady and oh-so engaged. Sing along or just let the angst wash over you.

2. “Don’t Bring Me Down” by Electric Light Orchestra

There’s not much to say about this classic except you probably know it and you probably love it. Sometimes you just have to go back to the basics, and ELO has the fundamentals covered.

3. “Turn The Light” by Karen O., Danger Mouse

A dreamy pop song that makes you question if the Yeah Yeah Yeahs were just a figment of your imagination. With six-time grammy winner Danger Mouse on the track, you know you’re in good hands. Side effects of “Turn The Light” include foot-tapping and invincibility.

4. “Acid Rain” by Robert DeLong

Robert DeLong’s 2014 EP “Long Way Down” is a four-course meal of electronic music done right. The second track, “Acid Rain” exemplifies DeLong’s lyricism, unmatched in the genre, and bumps a mystical beat that compliments the song’s nostalgic vibe.

5. “Every 1’s a Winner” by Ty Segall

Every song on “Freedom’s Goblin” by Ty Segall is worth a listen. Segall gave “Every 1’s a Winner,” a cover of the 1977 song by soul group “Hot Chocolate,” the hard-rock revamp we all needed. With gritty guitar sounds and a sexy, syncopated beat, it never fails to satisfy (satisfy).

Takunda’s Top Five:

“West Coast Love” by Emotional Oranges

An infectious beat that carries you to memories of beach. Emotional Oranges do a great job capturing the free spirit west coast essence and help create a image of a beautiful carefree place.

2. “Stuck On You” by Giveon

Falling out of love sucks. Giveon reminds you of the pain and fear that comes with love ending. Sometimes even when its bad we stick to someone because of the feeling they give us. Definitely toss this on the sad vibes playlist.

3. “Dead Man Walking” by Brent Faiyaz

This is one of those songs that makes you feel like you’re really a badass playboy stunner. With smooth crooning from Brent, but bravado and brash lyrics it’s one thats constantly on repeat.

4. “Living” by Tender

I remember the first time I heard this song I was so moved I sat in absolute silence. The lyrics are so dark, but sound so beautiful. This is one of those songs that will move you emotionally.

5. “Glock In My Lap” by 21 Savage

21 Savage makes sounding gangster so cool. Over an ominous instrumental, 21 Savage’s covers dark topics and taunts his opponents through puns and metaphors that encompass his gangster lifestyle. Play this one at max volume and let yourself feel a little gangster.

Southern’s Top Five:

“July” by Noah Cyrus featuring Leon Bridges

A folk pop ballad paired with the voices of two angels is the perfect anthem needed for the year 2020. Whether listening at the beginning of the year at a chill hangout, amid a weird summer with the windows down, or blaring over my speaker to carry me through the most different school semester of my life… this song spoke to my soul.

2. Intentions by Justin Bieber featuring Quavo

Justin Bieber has been the soundtrack to my life since I was a little girl. When this song released, I immediately had it on repeat. Its catchy chorus and beats paired with the most stellar, heart racing lyrics made for my top favorite songs in 2020.

3. Bluebird by Miranda Lambert

Miranda Lambert’s wise lyrics spoke to my heart paired with a soulful blues country jam. I resonated with the sentiment of just wanting to turn the page; and her unique voice made each lyric all the more true.

4. Starting Over by Chris Stapleton

Starting Over is yet another song about turning the page. As a long fan of Chris Stapleton, his bluegrass and soulful country jams have always spoken deep into my soul.

5. Free Spirit by Khalid

Free spirit was my most carefree song of 2020. This year has been different as a college student, a lot of our “freedom” was stripped as we each went packing home or even just followed safety protocols. This song reminded me of the youthful season I get to live in today… and propelled me to hop in my car and roll the windows down, again!

William Shatner Makes Me Feel All The Things Lately

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By Nele Langhof

The bathwater stands lukewarm and rippling behind me as I rise from the confines of my ceramic bed. The flames of the tea lights lining the threshold of the tub stand erect and unwavering, yet one cinnamon stick falls into the water from the bench where my head was resting as my hair falls from its loose bun. The curls which land around my shoulders bring with their fall the smell of fresh spice, heralding in the beginnings of fall. Just as summer seems to have come to an end, I notice my wine glass is empty. The soft crackling of my vinyl player foreshadows the beginning of a new track.

What did I just watch?: Phoebe Bridgers showcases 2nd solo album on RELEASED! With Zack Fox

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By Luke Guillroy

It’s a Tweet brought to life. Two of Twitter’s premier personalities, singer/songwriter Phoebe Bridgers and comedian Zack Fox, joined forces to launch Bridgers’ new album, Punisher. Fox’s influence on the 90-minute Twitch livestream is obvious. It’s an extended interpretation of his absurdist humor. Bridgers, who has become a must-follow Twitter comedian in her own right, raises the audience interest in the stream with her live performances. The show was … rough. In terms of plot, it’s an acid trip idea that never got a sober revision. There are awkward silences, talking roaches and spiked punch. It certainly should not work. But I loved every second.

‘Burden’ by Aminé

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By Takunda Mafundikwa

Aminé makes amazing music. “Burden” is currently the theme song of my life right now. “This the shit you pick your homie up from jail to” is the opening line that sets the stage. There’s so many things I can relate to in the song from the lyrics, the visualization, to the topics he’s speaking to. I’m a black man and have faced situations where I could’ve been incarcerated or know people who have been incarcerated. This song is freedom from those bonds. Freedom from all the situations that plague young black men on a daily basis. It’s a beautiful cry out that doesn’t ask for help, but speaks on the hardships of being a black man.

Coldplay Leader Chris Martin Reminded the World of Music’s Intimacy

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By Jacqueline Reynolds

On a summer night in 2016, I stood among a crowd of over 55,000 strangers in a sea of lights, sounds and colors. It was Coldplay’s “A Head Full of Dreams” tour, and the large stadium was vibrant. The British rock band is notorious for their energetic, passionate performances, and their music has connected people across countries, genres and generations. They ended the show with “A Sky Full of Stars.” Visuals of space and shooting stars spun across the large screens above the stage and thousands of little cutout stars fluttered from the ceiling, dancing across the crowd. There is something intimate about feeling so small and so full of life at the same time.

Johnnyswim’s Livestream of Backyard Concert: A Healing Outreach

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By Southern Britt

Married singer-songwriters Amanda Sudano and Abner Ramirez make up an American folk duo formally known as Johnnyswim. The two took their songs from cross-country tours to their own backyard on August 11, 2020 when the two longed for community and the community longed for song.

Even a Pre-Recorded Livestream Lacks the True Concert Experience

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By Jostlyn Lord

Picture this: you’re at a concert in an intimate performance hall. You’re in the first row, and you look lovingly into the proscenium stage in front of you. You can see the sweat on the brow of the violinist on stage and the passion in his eyes as he plays a melancholy section of “Composer’s Holiday” by Lukas Foss. The violinist closes his eyes as he moves his bow, feeling the music that he plays for you.

Post Malone x Nirvana Tribute – Livestream

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By Korey Elliott

Post Malone paid tribute to Nirvana on a YouTube livestream the night of April 24 to help raise money for COVID-19 relief efforts. The rapper shows off his impressive widespread genre range with this spot-on grunge performance, alongside notorious Blink 182 drummer Travis Barker, producer Brian Lee on bass, and guitarist Nick Mack. The performance was announced just days beforehand but Malone said during the livestream that he had the idea “for awhile.”

The Tallest Man on Earth’s Livestream Concert Helps Me Stand a Little Taller

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By Abigail Chasteen

Nic0 blue: “this is the best thing of the lockdown, thank u Kristian”

Nic0 blue, I think I agree with you.

The Tallest Man on Earth might have the biggest heart for his fans. His quarantine live stream concert series, consisting of seven Youtube videos and good tunes, is the perfect distraction from the craziness of the world outside. I felt at peace while watching the show and for the next hour and 20 minutes, I really did forget about the craziness of a pandemic, an election year, and everything else going on.

Mt Joy Performs Energetic Livestream Show

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By Katie Fugett

Unlike the 2019 Philadelphia Music & Arts Festival, which boasted 3 independent music venues and thousands of cheering fans, the 2020 Philly Music Fest was smaller and more intimate — a result of the new normal for concerts and music festivals during COVID-19. Headlining band Mt. Joy’s performance was a prime example of this intimacy. The indie-rock band managed to maintain the level of energy and passion I’ve come to expect from its live performances, despite the lack of an in-person audience. Although I still don’t enjoy live streams as an alternative to live concerts, I enjoyed how Mt. Joy’s crowdless live stream felt like a personal live show in my bedroom.