By: RJ Thomas and Carter Hunter 2010 - “On Melancholy Hill” by Gorillaz
Gorillaz are known primarily for alternative rock and hip hop, yet “On Melancholy Hill” strays from the genre. The song is more of a soft, nostalgic tune meant to be comforting to its listeners. “It’s that feeling, that place, that you get in your soul sometimes,” says band member Murdoc Niccals. This cozy song was a wonderful introduction to the decade. 2011 - “Somebody That I Used To Know” by Gotye (feat. Kimbra) Achieving high popularity, “Somebody That I Used To Know” was Gotye’s most popular song and is the one brought to mind at the mention of his name. It artfully describes an awkward and upsetting split in a relationship where both parties claim innocence, and it is depicted to be the singer’s fault. Containing meaningful lyrics, an unusual melody, and the emotional voices of Wouter De Backer and Kimbra makes for a powerhouse song, with nothing quite like it. 2012 - “Everybody Talks” by Neon Trees “Everybody Talks” is the kind of song that gets stuck in your head much too long, and you will most likely find yourself humming to the melody while going through menial tasks. Inspired by the music of Motown, “Everybody Talks” encaptures a hesitant romance and invokes imagery of summertime. Compared to the rest of the songs showcased on this list, the song does not have much of a deeper meaning, but it often has me singing along badly in my car. 2013 - “Riptide” by Vance Joy Despite being a favored genre, love songs can be cliche, boring, or repetitive. In his breakout song, Vance Joy contains none of these attributes. Selling 6 million copies as of January 2018, Riptide was four years in the making. Vance Joy spent many afternoons working away at this piece chock full of pop culture references and symbolism. The odd lyrics of dangerous and exciting love and upbeat music produce the same lovely feeling as a waltz by the sea. 2014 - “Rather Be” by Clean Bandit “Oh man, the third love song in a row?” I apologize, but I’m a sucker for them. “Rather Be” is a sweet, happy love song about a couple who lives far from one another, but wishes to continue their attempts in a long distance relationship, because there is nowhere they would rather be than next to each other. It is nothing groundbreaking in regards to music, but the music video gives the song a dual meaning. In contrast, the music video illustrates the relationship between artists and their fans, as well as the meaningful connection music provides. 2015 - “Lonely Town” by Brandon Flowers What appears to be another catchy, peppy love song hides a deeper, more obsessive meaning. In an homage to “Every Step You Take” by The Police, “Lonely Town” features lyrics and a music video that flip the song on its head, telling quite the unnerving tale. On top of the multiple meanings of the song, it has the iconic 80s vibe that so many are nostalgic for, with a tune and beat that makes any listener want to dance and sway. 2016 - “Shelter” by Porter Robinson “Shelter” took the world by storm in only a night, surprising listeners with its heart wrenching tale of loneliness and isolation. Ever since he was a child, Porter Robinson dreamed of creating an anime or cartoon, and he was able to perfectly encapsulate his childhood dream in this song. Working with one of the most famous Japanese animation studios, A-1 Pictures, Porter Robinson created not only a catchy, synthetic song and smooth, colorful music video, but also an emotional experience. 2017 - “Feel It Still” by Portugal. The Man With a happy-go-lucky beat that makes you bounce in your chair, “Feel It Still” soared up the charts and took its place as No.1 on Billboard’s Pop Song list. It is reminiscent of a different era of music, while still somehow managing to feel like a current pop song. The song’s imitation is more than just flattery, though, and asks listeners to think of past revolutions and rebellions. It asks the listener to feel that sense of rebellion in a time of uncertainty and strife across the world and to challenge those in authority. 2018 - “Love It If We Made It” by The 1975 Underneath a synthetic track and a strong, powerful voice, “Love It If We Made It” repeatedly expresses several political statements as well as the band’s hope for humanity. The 1975 use commonly used phrases and pop culture references to display their displeasure at the current state of our world, citing issues such as starvation, overpopulation, and global warming. Throughout the song, they list issues and problems, yet always keep the chorus line of “I’d love it if we made it,” inciting hope that we can all surmount the current issues of today. 2019 - “Rare Thing” by Frances Quinlan Though Frances Quinlan has made music as the lead singer of the band Hop Along since 2012, “Rare Thing” is the first song on her upcoming solo album. The song makes use of instruments such as the harp and flute to compliment her unique singing voice. It seeks to deconstruct the common mistake that love is a power struggle, stating “I know that there is love that doesn’t have to do with taking something from somebody.” The teaser to her unfinished album was a perfect way to end the 2019, leaving us looking forward for upcoming music in the next decade.
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