best of GreatestPlaylistofAll- The 2023 Edition!- FINAL update: full Top 10 on pg 2

[perpetual novice]

Some great picks in here!

[JGibson]

What Was I Made For? + vampire + Flowers 

[Legend E]

Quote

Should i start in order? ive already been recommended two songs 

NOOOO is not... why you think so?

Depends how much time you have, but I definitely would go in order. HBHBHB and Ceremonials are their best though. HAH is also very underrated!

I think RUTH has a bigger sound and better lyrics, it just sounds like a classic. WH is great, but is a bit more...messy?

 

What Was I Made For? being here  Kill Bill too  2 of my faves this year

 

Vampire and Flowers are nice, but Miley had better songs on ESV

[gagacasanova]

Padam Padam, Got Me Started, Rush, Single Soon, Flowers, vampire... all SMASHERS!

[GreatestLoveofAll]

So I had half of this done then there was a glitch and it all deleted. We gonna try this again and I'll be back with the whole top 10 in one swoop Monday morning!

 

Songs I Discovered '23

 

 

Somebody- Bryan Adams (1985)

 its my guilty pleasure this stadium rock music but its the more tolerable take on the genre for me so I’ll keep discovering new songs like this. Bryan Adams has such an electrifying voices that simultaneously sounds aged and experienced yet brims with youth and energy that a 20-something rock star should have. He slays the heck out of this and I wouldnt mind seeing this live at all. 

 

 

 

 

Going Up Yonder- Walter and Tramaine Hawkins (1972)

I think one of the two gospel songs I have here and I knew I needed to shout it out- the choir is top notch, Walter composed a great song, and Tramaine sang lead harder and fiercer than any i’ve heard in ages. The quality is surprisingly great for such an older song. 

 

 

 

 

Under the Sea- Titus Burgess (2008)

Oh nothing much to say. Just that he tore this up and thats why years later people still love to see him sing his rendition.

 

 

 

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- The Shirelles (1960)

Tbh I vaguely think I actually heard this song in passing as its oddly familiar but since I cant pinpoint a time, Imma gladly include it on this year’s edition of song’s I discovered! I love me some good 60s pop/soul and I can only imagine how they ate this up in the live shows. If only it was longer but my top song of 2023 easily.

 

 

 

Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow- Amy Winehouse (2004)

I still prefer the original version but Amy’s soulful, emotive tone and ability to sing a song like it had been in here repertoire for ages makes it hard not to acknowledge her singular talent and she gave the song a flavor none of the popular versions of it had given. I love the ending- its close to how id sing the song.

 

 

Rush- Arya Starr (2022)

The same guy who sent me the Copines song also put me on this. A bit superior to Troye’s recent tune (love him much, no shade) I love how androgynous she sounds and how comfortable she sit in the production. Club banger if I ever heard one.

 

 

...

 

 

Songs of the Year: Class of 2023

 

16. Desire- Calvin Harris & Sam Smith

 

 

Sam's collabs with Calvin have all been moderate to at least good and their follow up to 2019's "Promises" didnt disappoint. I love the production and I especially love how versatile Sam's voice is. Taking on any shape, tone, shade the production calls for all while being still uniquely them. 

 

 

15. Paint the Town Red- Doja Cat

 

 

While "Desire" makes me wanna let go and dance in a free, open way, Doja's latest #1 smash is more of a controlled hype. Its not as bombastic production wise, but the snap, catchiness and unique vocal tone she has in all her biggest hits materializes perfectly beside her more hip-hop era. The use of Dionne Warwick's "Walk on By" is genius tbh and creates such a earworm of a melody despite the song probably being older than Doja's parents. 

 

 

14. England- Ed Sheeran

 

 

I was trying to hint at its placement when I wrote out my piece for "American Town" but looking over it now, I can see no one would have gotten it anyways  it was far too vague. Anyways I love this song for its ode to his home country. The lyrics aim to paint a rolling canvas of what makes England England and its possibly the best melody off the album too- the chorus specifically. Had this been released in his prime, it would have been everywhere. 

 

 

13. Man I Am- Sam Smith

 

 

A lot of us were surprised and not so impressed when Sam was revealed as one of the big surprise artists on the soundtrack and even as a casual fan, I didnt exactly know what we were going to get. But oh my GOSHHH did they eat this up! The vocal effects on the verses, the sluttiness of the lyrics doubling as both a theme song for the Kens in the movie as well as a tune of LGBTQ liberation are just iconic to me. The production is amazing too- listening on headphones/earbuds was a treat. I found myself revisiting this the most out of all songs on the album and beside two other rather obvious songs, it was definitely the highlight of my listen. Sam served and there was no hold backs. Imagine the video for this??

 

 

12. Part of Your World- Halle

 

 

The only redeemable redo from the original soundtrack, the original leans more into emotions and storytelling and giving exposition to a 16 year old girl while Halle's version seems to dip more into showcasing a vocal talent. Yet Halle still gives her all and she tells the story fine despite it all and where she maybe did more singing than emoting, she still sang her face off and did things with this song I didnt know were possible. The rules and modulations at the end? Epic. 

 

 

11. Evangeline- Stephen Sanchez

 

 

Musically, I knew I was going to like what this man had to offer the moment I heard Until I Found You last year. Stephen has a charisma and savvy to his vocal delivery that I find so alluring and his whole 60s crooner aesthetic seems so natural and less of a cosplay. I do hope he will one day diversify his sound as he has a lot of potential, but for now im more than happy to live with his powerful voice on these soothing tracks. 

 

[GreatestLoveofAll]

9 hours ago, Mr. Blue_Shirt said:

I totally forgot that Ed Sheeran released 2 albums this year His peak is totally over now

 

Pink is such a great opener, even in the movie. It fits so well within context of the film and "Bad Day" version still cracks me up

 

Flowers and Kill Bill are such suprise hit songs for me especially the former because Miley wasn't that big and Plastic Heart's singles were all moderate hits (before ALY went viral lol)

the bad day version was actually so clever i love it too 

 

i was definetley more shook about flowers than kill bill. once i saw those first week numbers in december i was like year she about to chew the next year out but for miley, it really just seemed out of no where lmao. 

[GreatestLoveofAll]

9 hours ago, perpetual novice said:

Some great picks in here!

thank youuu 

 

23 minutes ago, gagacasanova said:

Padam Padam, Got Me Started, Rush, Single Soon, Flowers, vampire... all SMASHERS!

TASTE! love me a single soon supporter

 

5 hours ago, JGibson said:

What Was I Made For? + vampire + Flowers 

the girls of the year fr 

 

2 hours ago, Legend E said:

Depends how much time you have, but I definitely would go in order. HBHBHB and Ceremonials are their best though. HAH is also very underrated!

I think RUTH has a bigger sound and better lyrics, it just sounds like a classic. WH is great, but is a bit more...messy?

 

What Was I Made For? being here  Kill Bill too  2 of my faves this year

 

Vampire and Flowers are nice, but Miley had better songs on ESV

it'll take a while but maybe ill start with the recommended first. im so excitedddd

 

Miley def has better on ESV but i dont know whether what we consider better will match nnn

[TalkThatRihanna]

WWIMF is such a gorgeous song. Very high up on my list too

 

Vampire, Kill Bill and Flowers all quality too. 
 

I never really got into PTTR tbh even though the success stan in me wants to like it nn

[Mr. Blue_Shirt]

The way Halle sounded so beautiful in POYW like- I was crying when I watched the movie on theater

 

We love a vocalist!

[K$Ellie]

Paint The Town Red is a banger, knew it would be a hit since she teased it on ig

Man I Am actually wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be

[ARTPØP]

Speed Drive + Padam Padam + Vampire + Kill Bill + Paint The Town Red 

 

many bops on your list, excited to see your top 10! 

[Legend E]

Part of Your World EATS  

[GreatestLoveofAll]

Ok so yesterday was a busy day for me but I shall be free for the rest of the week. While making this i discovered that I had only a few more discovered songs left. I think I'll post them now and then in a few hours give the real finale. From soul, to alternative, to pop and country here is the last of my old gems for 2023.

 

Songs I Discovered '23

 

 

Willing to Forgive- Aretha Franklin (1994)

My second most played Aretha song this year (I think) behind Bridge Over Troubled Water (a classic, one of the greatest covers to ever exist) I really wish later career Aretha songs got more play. Willing to Forgive is another example of her ability to adapt to more modern forms of music and still excel simply because at her core she was a master musician. “Willing” isnt anything groundbreaking but the fact that she was still dropping music that was still on par with some of that eras newest stars imo is an achievement on its own.

 

 

 

All the Time- Dionne Warwick

This song is from the same one album (1979’s Dionne) which “Ill Never Love This Way Again” and when I realized that it made total sense. It has the same adult contemporary sound that would remain unchanged during the 70s and 80s and some 17 years after her debut, Dionne sounded better than ever. Kudos to Jennifer Hudson for having Dionne on her show and introducing me to this song.

 

 

 

You Are My Friend- Patti LaBelle (1978)

 Honestly the amount of great songs and classics and performances she has should merit her a Kennedy Center Honor atp so who ever is in charge of that, please make it happen. Patti is an undeniable, breathtaking talent and when she is fully into a song, you can tell immediately. There are so many examples but this soul number is fine on its own to demonstrate just how skilled of a vocal titan and genius she is in her field. 

 

 

 

How Can We Be Lovers?- Michael Bolton (1990)

Not really big on his music to be honest but I was rather open to this song. I forgot where I discovered this but he sings his face off (as he often does) and the production is engaging so its a win for me!

 

 

 

I Wish I Wasnt- Heather Headley (2003)

I'll be honest heather isnt that great of a singer with all due respect. She has her moments ofc and I didnt think id ever get around to hearing her own material until i came across this tiktok that used the chorus as its sound and I knewwww I had to have this in my library. The big note she hits goes through… then the run to end it is just something else nnnn. All in all though, its still a good song and should have been a top 10 hit in the year it came out.

 

 

 

Have a Heart- Celine Dion (1990)

You would have thought as a huge fan i would have already known such a dramatic, chest thumping ballad, but Celine never fails to surprise me. I was watching a compilation a mutual had recommended and as soon as I heard her reach this chorus, I froze. She always possessed such an emotional voice that could tear right through, and I was once again convinced of the singular legendary talent she is. 

 

 

 

Tired- Kelly Price (2011)

It was from this Tyler Perry movie that i cant remember and I thought it was just sung for that movie but apparently it was a whole song and I remember not even being surprised that it was Kelly laying her soul down like that. There is an emotional rawness in her voice and i can find myself relating so much. I’ve seen people whose lives have been this and Kelly delivered exactly what these people are feeling in this track. 

 

 

 

Love Can Build a Bridge- The Judds (1990)

 I was watching some clips of the CMAs this year and i saw the performance of Jelly Roll and K Michelle where they did a tribute to The Judds using this song. You guys know I love me a good ballad, a good choir and a good vocal and this song has all three. A bit slow to start and not very imaginative, but I liked it and it kinda bittersweet knowing it was written/inspired by the late Naomi Judd. 

 

 

 

Never Be Like You- Flume ft. Kai (2016)

I remember seeing this album cover everywhere but I largely ignore this. Then this year I was working and listening to some pop playlist and this came on and I was floored to know this is what i was missing out! 

 

 

 

Young and Beautiful- Lana Del Rey (2013)

Ahhh, oh Lana, Lana, Lana. Skilled and great beyond what she still doesnt get credit for. Wasnt too much of a fan of her recent work but that is more on my taste than the quality im sure. I loved the orchestra, the sweeping elegance of her voice over the production even though she exudes her normal haziness. I’ve listened to Born to Die and Lust for Life in complete but someone plssss tell me if she has any other songs like this. I MUST have them.

 

 

 

Still Into You- Paramore (2013)

And like it was planned all along and in true throwback fashion, we end with two songs from exactly a decade ago, 2013! I know that this song will take all the focus from the others but I want to get all these out so here we are! I liked Paramore’s album this year quite a bit and they had a song or two I was familiar with (may have skimmed an album back in the day) but this jam right here? A winner for sure though- i discovered this at one of my closets friends’ wedding and i was enamored immediately. The energetic chorus, the fun lyrics that arent mushy but still so tied to love and durability and Hayley's epic vocals which to this day are still among the very best in the game. Its honestly no wonder after all this time that we are still into them. 

[GreatestLoveofAll]

On 12/16/2023 at 8:02 PM, TalkThatRihanna said:

WWIMF is such a gorgeous song. Very high up on my list too

 

Vampire, Kill Bill and Flowers all quality too. 
 

I never really got into PTTR tbh even though the success stan in me wants to like it nn

it really is such a gorgeous song and yes i did see its inclusion  wbk you had taste tho

 

And tbh Paint took a whileeee to get to me. i still dont use it too much but i will admit she did that

 

13 hours ago, Legend E said:

Part of Your World EATS  

oh and does!! 

 

18 hours ago, ARTPØP said:

Speed Drive + Padam Padam + Vampire + Kill Bill + Paint The Town Red 

 

many bops on your list, excited to see your top 10! 

taste! and its coming later friendddd

 

19 hours ago, K$Ellie said:

Paint The Town Red is a banger, knew it would be a hit since she teased it on ig

Man I Am actually wasn't anywhere near as bad as I thought it would be

mhhhm get into it! 

[Album Leak]

Young and Beautiful is one of my favorite Lana songs, and it definitely nears the cutoff point where I started dropping her and stopped being interested in her music. It's a nice parting gift though!

 

Regarding Florence + The machine, she definitely has a very solid discography. If Dog Days Are Over convinced you, her albums '' Lungs '' and '' Ceremonials '' are definitely great listens. Her later albums aren't as bombastic as her early works, but I also really loved '' High As Hope '' as well, because it has enough of that early career Florence energy. 

[KasioKas]

Not you discovering 'Because of you - Neyo' this late girly  Happy to ssee Samara love I too discovered her this year late and i'm obsessed with her voice.

Part of Your World- Halle is a great take, she exudes the emotion it needs very well.

[Renzo_]

I became a Paramore fan thanks to Still Into You. This is one of my favorite songs of the 2010s.

[TalkThatRihanna]

Never Be Like you a classic  Aged amazingly too

[JGibson]

Young and Beautiful + Still Into You 

[Legend E]

oh a nice update! Happy to see the love for Have a Heart (and Unison)  I tried to get into Heather, but it's a no.

Never Be Like You, Young and Beautiful and Still Into You are MASTERPIECES  

[GreatestLoveofAll]

Allll right I've delayed this too long and I'm home now so here we go with the top 10 songs of 2023 for me! Imma break this into two parts so the post isnt too long in case i have paragraphs to write 

 

Songs of the Year: Class of 2023

 

10. Dance the Night- Dua Lipa

 

 

There was a time in the whole process of making the list, adding and removing songs and creating the definite ranking where this pop masterpiece wasnt in the top 10. I remember my exact reaction when it first dropped. Disco Dua has proven to be her finest form yet and I and other were more than pleased when she continued it here as it only made sense. The chorus is bright and sparkling like the video and lyrics and when she gets into the second verse "Baby yoooouu caaaan" is such a thrill to me. Yet even when hearing it i was waiting for the gotcha moment where I would add it to my favorites and keep it on replay all summer. Then the bridge came and I knew I found that moment. The funkiness of it, the tight and sparse melody, the way she oozes confidence as she adlibs... yeah this was a keeper. Special shoutout to Houdini that came out too late for this list but is one of my favorites this month!

 

 

 

9. I Remember Everything- Zach Bryan ft. Kacey Musgraves

 

 

Like with the majority of the songs in my top 10, I knew instantly this was going to define my year in music. I am not big on rock or country, but when they use the power of vivid imagery and storytelling in such a captivating way, I have np choice but to put aside my biases and listen. Its probably not based on the memories of either artist, who both write and sing amazing verses, but it showcases their ability to create art from a place of pure imagination and empathy and not just from what they know personally. there is no music video, but when he sings, in his rusty, rattling voice that seems far beyond his mere age of 27, "Do I remind of your daddy in his '88 Ford?" you can instantly imagine what kind of story you are hearing and seeing. I made no mistake since this came out how much I love it and I have a feeling it'll carry well into 2024 for me. 

 

 

 

8. Pound Town 2- Sexyy Red and Tay Keith ft. Nicki Minaj

 

 

ATRL doesnt seem to have much of a love for rap and Im not the biggest follower of it myself, but female rap will always catch my attention and I loveeee me a hood track. TikTok made the original viral and gave us Sexyy Red in all her hood baddie glory and she's been dropping bangers and yet Pound Town remains my fave so far. It feels refreshing to see someone so herself and not compromising who she is (for better or not so better) to succeed in the industry. Big names like Drake and Nicki love to hop on the hottest new things in rap and while that can be off putting (in Drake's case both odd and the sad since she outshines him on his own song), sometimes the song goes from bop to BOP. Nicki will always in my eyes be on of the greatest MCs to ever live and besides genre-changers like J Cole and Kendrick, possibly the best to debut this century. She proves her skill, wit and adaptability on nearly every feature and this is no different as she glides right into the track as if she had been on it since the beginning and bounces off Sexyy's wild energy with her own aura. Might get dragged for this, but it was the best move Sexyy made getting Nicki on this!

 

 

 

7. Independently Owned (from "Shucked")- Alex Newell

 

 

I havent seen this yet or even heard the full soundtrack so I really cant comment on the context of this whole musical sadly. Yet Alex Newell has been on my radar since his Glee days and that singing show he was on recently and when I saw this pop up I was more than happy to indulge in what he had to offer. When I tell you he TORE it up?? Alex is gifted as an actor, but singing is where his greatest talents lay and from the first note where he rises confidently from his lower register to the bright timbre of his mid range and finally when he rages to the top of his range, never misses a note, word or beat, I was captivated. The message of female empowerment makes this a wanna be sing along, but I dont recommend unless you really got it like that... or you delusional. Its the one underrated song in my top 10 so if musicals are something you might be into or tolerate, I'd give this a spin. And if you've seen the show (and Alex chew this up live!) tell me all about it!

 

 

 

6. get him back!- Olivia Rodrigo

 

 

Her label is doing this song dirty but not pushing it more. "Bad Idea Right?" has gotten more recognition and acclaim and that is fine- the album is full of great moments and Olivia is quickly shaping to be a generation's voice with her ability to be so in tune with her emotions and world enough to create a whole album around it. Yet for me, the song that really clicked was this one. The sass, obnoxious tones, the toxicity, the tug of revenge and emotional relapse she finds herself in sometimes in the same sentence, is just my favorite and had this album come out earlier, this very well could have been a mean contender for my top 3. I mean the intro alone? Hello? "I met GUY in the summer and I left him in the spring..."

 

 

[JGibson]

get him back! + Dance The Night + I Remember Everything 

[Mr. Loco]

Tbh I was a bit dissapointed with both Dua releases this year... I mean, they're cute and all, but not even close to anything in Future nostalgia 

 

get him back! is definetely a bop, but it got a little left out between her other singles 

[GreatestLoveofAll]

And here is the top 5 

 

Songs of the Year: Class of 2023

 

5. Peace Like a River- Dionne Warwick and Dolly Parton

 

 

Oh so you guys thought there would be a top 10 WITHOUT my old lady or gospel music? Yeah no I wouldnt let that happen. There really isnt much I can say about this song in reality other than the fact I listened to it and liked it far more than I would have. Its a beautifully written and produced gospel influenced song and Dolly carries, singing with conviction and wisdom of someone who's experienced it all first hand and she probably has. Her voice is as pristine as it was all those years ago and she shows how timeless and enduring she and her legacy is. Dionne's voice shows signs of age and her lifestyle, but honestly, we should be honored such a legend and pioneer in music still feels the want to put new music out when its so much easier to sit on her laurels. I just love this moment for both of them and love this song.

 

 

 

4. Mr. Porcelain- Jude York

 

 

I first heard this as a teaser really on Jude's Instagram. I found him just scrolling through my reels feed and he was singing a song with his mother (a former opera singer I believe) harmonizing. It was cute and so I decided to check out his other stuff and saw he had a new song coming out! the snippet was promising and when I finally heard the full song, I knew I made the right call. Its a dreamy sorta song and Jude's voice is light, skipping over the melody and warming up with a hush when needed. The climax is a lovely vocal moment and I spent my whole summer with it in my head. 

 

 

 

3. Here With Me- d4vd

 

 

Every time this song plays, I get in my feels. the TikTok trend it was on made me emotional, but the song itself is such a bittersweet tale. Inspired by the romance between Carl and Elle from the movie Up, I could really feel the sorrow in the second verse, but at the same time the peace and ease knowing you loved, were loved and even as time passes and life runs its course, the love you shared and gave will manifest in some way and last long after you've made your final journey. For someone so young to make such a touching song really gives me hope that we can make music just as great as the way we had it back then and this is proof of that. Its technically not even a 2023 song which is why it misses out the top spot, but to me, this will never get old. 

 

 

 

2. River- Miley Cyrus

 

 

... and we go from emotional ballad to sexy synth-pop/dance greatness. Endless Summer Vacation as an album disappointed me mostly because of the greatness she exhibited with Plastic Hearts, but "River" is far and beyond the catchiest and best song off the album for me. At first, I didnt really click with it. Thought it was just a nice little bop. Then I put it on blast while I was at work one day and it just hit me. The bouncy production, the seduction of her lower register, the way she sets herself free in the lyrics... just a bop and half really. I can see why it would flop- a little too gay even for 2023 pop radio, but it deserved to be as big a smash as "Flowers" and that is a hill I wont budge from.

 

 

 

1. Barbie World- Nicki Minaj, Ice Spice and Aqua

 

 

I can already see the derision being thrown my way for this inclusion let alone placement but I'll stand by this choice with my chest because one thing I wont do is act like when dont snap when she do! The drill-pop song was EVERYWHERE this summer for me and I didnt hesitate to blast it like there was nothing else out there. The iconic sample, the colorful video, the brazen confidence in Ice's verse and the contrast in styles and attitude to the big boss energy Nicki brings in her verse. Im pretty sure I know the entire rap now and this is proof that pop Nicki is just as important as hip-hop Nicki and Im glad she is slowly embracing it again. This is Nicki's second year in a row with two songs in my top 10 of the year and if I were a betting man, I'd say there's a 100 percent chance she'll be here again. "It's Barbie b!tch if you still in doubt."

[Mr. Loco]

River is great!! But I like Flowers better tho  Agree that Endless summer vacations was not as good as Plastic hearts, but still one of the best albums released this year 

 

Barbie world