A couple of weeks ago, I was sitting at home and had a question: Why do I only cover Billboard's year-end pop chart? I do not spend the majority of my time listening to pop. I have been into alternative music since high school, so I ranked my favorites on those charts.
For this list, I went to Billboard's top 50 Alternative Airplay and Adult Alternative Airplay. I decided to forgo the Top 50 Hot Alternative Songs list because the other two lists had more variety. However, a good number of songs made both the Alternative Airplay and the Adult Alternative Airplay. To fix this, YouTuber and chart watcher AAA Charts keep track of these charts, allowing me to have a pool of 100 songs. I also eliminated songs that made a previous year-end list, so "The Door," "Too Sweet," and "End of Beginning" will not appear on this list.
Key:
Alt.=Alternative Airplay
AAA= Adult Alternative Airplay
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Honorable Mentions:
- Impressively Average by Brigette Calls Me Baby (AAA:#38): This band combined a 1950s crooner with modern rock to create something impressive but not average.
- Cardinal by Kacey Musgrave (AAA:#14): This artist got me into country music. However, this is more of a Fleetwood Mac homage. Kacey wonders if a cardinal she sees is a sign her recently deceased friend has gone to heaven. Musgraves sells the mystery of the situation.
- nice to know you by lovelytheband (Alt: #38): The fun, upbeat tune is about a hookup the lead singer can appreciate, even if it will not lead to a relationship. He is just happy to meet her and have sex with her.
- Sexy to Someone by Clairo (AAA:#37): This song is cute. It feels amazing to know that someone thinks you are sexy. The flutes are also a nice touch in the verses.
- Take A Bite by beabadoobee (AAA:#21): This smoky song is an introspection about Bea's toxic habits. She wants to quit them, but the habits are way too comforting. However, I had to go to Genius to find that out. I did not know about the heavy subject matter. I just like how this song sounds.
10) Panoramic View by AWOLNATION (Alt: #15)
I will let you know about my process for this list. I listened to the 100 songs and whittled it down to 19 favorites. Then I whittled those 19 into 15 songs for this list. One of the songs to narrowly miss this list had a verse performed by Stevie Wonder on it. So what song do I think is better than one of the greatest funk and R&B singers and producers? It's a cheesy power ballad. This song is so sincere. The lead singer, Aaron Bruno, said he wrote this to his future son/daughter to explain how to handle their fears about the world. He tells the kid he believes in magic, and he won't let the world hurt them. I feel every ounce of his care and love for his future kids (He had kids after writing this song.). It just gives me the biggest smile and gives me hope.
9) Tiny Moves by Bleachers (Alt: #57)
Remember the 80s? Pop music does. The 80s aesthetics have been exploited more than any other decade. Even with its omnipresence, I have yet to get tired of it. The sounds of the 80s are fairly diverse and pop music has never been bigger. Case in point, this song. Bleachers is the side project of super-producer Jack Antonoff. Jack sings about how every move this girl makes impacts everything around him. Jack sounds happy about this fact. He loves having this girl in his life. It feels quite romantic. The 80s production I mentioned earlier elevates the song and adds even more joy to Anonoff's singing. This song is a happy listening experience.
8) The Tower by Future Islands (AAA:#17)
Future Islands is a synth-pop band from Baltimore whose frontman has a very unique voice. The frontman, Samuel Herring, wrote this to discuss his long-distance relationship during the pandemic. Herring tries to wait out the pandemic while separating from his partner really gets to him. This song hinges on the dynamics in Herring's voice. He sounds perfectly calm in the first verse and chorus. In the second chorus and verse, his voice sounds a little more disheveled with more yelling. Over the bridge and final chorus, he reaches peak impatience. My favorite two seconds of music this year is Herring singing, "I'm not breaking." over the last chorus (Around 3:17 of the music video) as he tries to keep his composure. Great song.
7) Good People by Mumford & Sons and Pharrell Williams (Alt:#52, AAA:#5)
This collab should not work. What does the folk band Mumford & Sons have in common with hip-hop producer Pharrell Williams? The answer to that is gospel music. Marcus Mumford has said this song is about change and the revelations people receive just before they change their lives. I also love the production. The "stomp-clap" rhythm throughout the song is actually made by Native American drums. A group of Native Americans provide backing vocals alongside Pharrell, eventually leading to chants. This song gives me goosebumps. It's triumphant as the good people rise up for the end times.
6) Broken Man by St. Vincent (Alt:#60, AAA:#58)
This song just won a Grammy. St. Vincent sings a sex jam that is equal parts crazy and horny. I really like the production. It reminds me of Nine Inch Nails, except it actually sounds good (Nine Inch Nails was always too abrasive for me). And at the last chorus, St. Vincent officially breaks as she starts screaming. Crazy song, but a great listen.
5) Run Your Mouth by the Marías (Alt:#47, AAA:#33)
The Marías are an indie pop act from Los Angeles. This song charted before the band went viral on TikTok, but no one noticed. To me, this is how painful the truth is. The lead singer said she wrote this song at a time when she would avoid any serious conversation to protect herself. The person is there even when she doesn't want to listen. I relate to her. I also like the smooth guitar throughout the song. It gives the song a dreamy sound.
4) Love of a Girl by the Avett Brothers (AAA:#41)
This is a simple love song. These two men struggle through their daily lives, but it is worth it because of the love of a girl. It is on the list mainly because of those handoffs. It's a fun gimmick: they finish each other's bars. These men are brothers (obviously), and they have a lot of chemistry. Their chemistry builds the song into the fun jam it is.
3) Up All Night by James Bay, The Lumineers, and Noah Kahan (AAA:#61)
Some great folk musicians teamed up to create this song. I like James's voice; it sounds bright and warm. Noah Kahan and the Lumineers' frontman are just there for backup vocals, but they blend well with James. The guitars sound crisp with a nice solo in the middle. I do not have much to say. This song sounds great.
2) That's How I'm Feeling by Jack White (Alt: #51)
The White Stripes may be the greatest band of the 2000s. Here we have a track from one-half of the duo. This is a classic White Stripes song. Jack rocks out hard with the loud guitars and his perfectly-fitting vocals. The lyrics are simple. Jack wants to explain his feelings. He needs someone but doesn't have the strength to reach out. I especially like the third verse where he does his own backing vocals (or so I think).
1) Sinner by The Last Dinner Party (Alt:#45, AAA:#36)
Congratulations to The Last Dinner Party. They made a song that ticks all the boxes for my taste. It rocks out. It is artsy or weird in a way. And it has a strong chorus. I love that guitar solo; that girl can shred. The frontwoman has a great voice and tons of passion. And the lyrics are also interesting. This is a love that feels like a sin. It could be queer romance or falling for the bad boy. Either way, there is no turning back after this. This will change her forever, even though she feels guilty and ashamed. It feels powerful when the bridge comes in. This is the best alternative airplay hit for 2024.
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