Danice's favourite songs from 2013

It has been a while.  Anyone who read this before probably has assumed I've given up completely.  I certainly thought so.  But then another December rolled around and I simply cannot resist a best-of-the-year list, so I might as well put my inevitably strong opinions on the internet, right?  Here are my top 13 songs of 2013.  I'd love to hear what your favourite songs of this year were as well, so feel free to comment. 13.  Royals - Lorde

I feel as though i can't have a list of 2013 that doesn't include Lorde's massive hit, Royals.  This 17-year-old Kiwi superstar is a breath of fresh air in radio world of Katy Perry and Miley Cyrus, by being both incredibly unique yet still familiar and relatable.  Not to mention a little quirky.  It's a catchy song of the people - folk pop at its absolute best.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1fgXs68Oik

12. The Mother We Share - Chvrches

In my mind, electronic music is at its best when it sounds like it's from 1986.  At first, I found myself complaining about Lauren Mayberry's thin voice until I realized that it's not unlike other 80's pop women.  Anyone ever heard of Madonna?  Janet?  Yeah ok, she's alright.  Also they perform pretty well.  Here they are on Jimmy Kimmel:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S5FpfJx7Wrw

11. Without Me - Fantasia featuring Kelly Rowland & Missy Elliot

I was so happy to see this track get a R&B Grammy nod this year.  One of my favourite recent break-up tracks because it strikes that difficult balance of being both pissed off and super cool.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n5SqwERoOc

10.  Q.U.E.E.N. - Janelle Monae featuring Erykah Badu

The last verse is the best.  "Electric ladies will you sleep, or will you preach?"  Q.U.E.E.N. is easily my favourite music video of the year, and after watching this maybe 100 times, I'm convinced the only possible improvement that could be made is more Badoula Oblongata.  Janelle Monae proved this year that she's not going anywhere but up.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tEddixS-UoU

9. Closer - Tegan & Sara

These sisters from Calgary are doing pop music better than anyone in the game right now.  The rest of the album disappointed me slightly, but this song is still a regular dance-party favourite.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9e9NSMY8QiQ

8.  I Was An Eagle - Laura Marling

I feel as though Laura Marling is the product of Joni Mitchell teaching someone's cold english wife to feel.  I hadn't completely dove into the album until I saw this particular video of this song.  Then I was glued to the story she tells with her deep, mature voice that is surprising when it comes from such young and small person.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gg4FucEOfmU

7. Open - Rhye

I remember considering this song for last year's list though it was just too new at the time.  At the time, no one knew who it was, and many of us were convinced that Sade had started a new project.  But nope, Rhye consists of two men, one Canadian (woot!) and the other Danish, and no British female R&B Goddess at all.  I still have to remind myself of this when Open plays.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sng_CdAAw8M

6. Falling - Haim

I am still not 100% convinced of this band of sisters, but the one that seems to have the most talent - Danielle I think? - she has a really compelling presence, mostly due to her cool, androgynous indifference.  Plus, this song is so freaking catchy with its spat out short phrases and echoey chorus.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIjVpRAXK18

5. Hold On We're Coming Home - Drake featuring Majid Jordan

It's possible that I've listened to this one song more than any other this year.  Luckily, the song was released before the video, which was so bad and unrelated that it almost ruined the track for me completely.  I do wish that this song was symbolic of a move into pure R&B for Drake, but unfortunately it's a diamond in a rough album

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zaTE3IDyeA

4. ***Flawless - Beyonce

This was the hardest decision to make on this entire list.  I didn't know if it was too soon to pick a song that has really only been out in its fullness for a week.  I also thought that if I picked one song from Beyonce's sure to be legendary album, I'd have to pick like, four.  Then I remembered that I am making up the rules as I go here, and this is the song that I love the most right now.  Unfortunately no one has put the entire thing on youtube, so you should just watch this great TedX video that she samples instead.  And buy the visual album for yourself.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hg3umXU_qWc

3. Get Lucky - Daft Punk featuring Pharrell Williams

You know it.  This song never fails to fill up the dance floor because it's groove is clinically infectious.  You've all heard it, so here is my favourite cover:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XbEz1mvQyvY

2. Afterlife - Arcade Fire

It's the most positive and hope-filled song I have ever heard about the ending of a relationship.  It invites us to both "scream and shout till we work it out", and asks the beautiful and honest question of "when love is gone, where does it go, and where do we go?"  Also, this is a fun video/performance:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBTTd0gfkn0

1. Suit & Tie - Justin Timberlake & Jay-Z

This song has everything I could ask for.  Smooth falsetto, danceable beat, a horn section, and most of all, Jay-Z.  This song ensure that love will indeed be swinging in the air tonight.  The video is in black and white and it is so good, but even better is their live performance at the Grammy's:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL4M3TNuI-4