DOL's Top 23 Songs of 2023

Normally, this is more of a year-end blog topic, but we're doing it now on January 23rd (get it?) because the world needs this blog on the record, and I feel guilty for not getting around to it at the end of the year. My bad for getting into a year-end funk and not blogging throughout winter break :(

In 2023, five of my top 10 most-played songs on Apple Music were by Steely Dan (I'll tell which ones and where they ranked in this blog's P.S.), but there were some songs that came out last year...I originally typed this year and caught myself...that I enjoyed. 

I'm a big "discover something way too late, guy," so this list could look different in a few years. Daddy's Home by St. Vincent is one of my favorite albums of the 2020s, and Currents by Tame Impala defined the second half of the 2010s for me; I didn't dive into either until they were over a year old. The goal of DOL is always to be authentic, and these blogs become time capsules of the year that was. These are my top songs of 2023 as of January 23rd, 2024. I limited myself to a two-song max (with one exception) per artist. Without that caveat, this blog would only be Paramore and Olivia Rodrigo. Hopefully, you discover at least one song that you fw (FUCK WITH)!

Enough fluff. Let's rock!

Honorable Mentions: 

​I love these songs, but as a historian who respects the sanctity of years, their inclusion on this list falls into a grey area.

"Now and Then" The Beatles

In early November, The Beatles shocked many by releasing (thanks to modern technology) their final song, "Now and Then," which has roots dating back five decades. If I wasn't holding myself to these unnecessary formatting guidelines, "Now and Then" would be in my top 10, maybe even top 5. It brings you on a journey through the lives of the Fab Four and can make a grown man (me) cry. Sure, the music video is sorta creepy, but so is A.I., so the shoe fits. 

S/O Lorne Michaels for trying, but it's tragic that the Beatles never reunited. I like to believe if John Lennon got to live a full life, they would've, but at least with "Now and Then," there's a new goodbye, even though their music and legacy will live forever.

"Lost" Linkin Park

Given its lyrical content and how Chester's life ended, it's a shame this song that ended up on the cutting room floor took 20 years to see the light of day. Who knows the conversations it could've started? Still, for people my age (at least for meeee), it brings you back to those feelings of adolescent angst that ultimately evolved into 30-somethings living in a world that seems to be killing itself due to greed and ignorance. Whether it's 2003 or 2023, the themes of "Lost" hit you like Ronnie Lott.

"Cruel Summer" Taylor Swift

A few months back, I reached out to one of the biggest Swifties I know for clarification about Cruel Summer's origins, and while she did a fantastic job explaining, I'm still sorta confused. I know it came out in 2019, and I don't know if it's Deja Vu or some other phenomenon, but I feel like I heard this song before 2023. Regardless of how long it took to blow up, "Cruel Summer" is a fucking banger, and if you disagree, you're lying to yourself. 

Not everything T-Swift does is for me, but there's no denying the catchiness of "Cruel Summer" and how fun it is to belt along in your car by yourself or with other humans. I DON'T WANNA KEEP SECRETS JUST TO KEEP YOU!!!!

P.S.

BIGGEST OF UPS TO ANNIE CLARK (St. Vincent) FOR co-WRITING "Cruel Summer."

"Poison Ivy" Tory Lanez

As a hashtag good guy, I don't love endorsing a dude who's in jail for shooting Megan Thee Stallion (she's too hot to get shot...wtf), but this song is a straight-up jam piece. In an obvious homage to Michael Jackson (and maybe Bel Biv DeVoe), "Poison Ivy" spreads like a wildfire of funk throughout your entire body. I can't dance, but this shit makes me want to embarrass myself on the dance floor. It's about time New Jack Swing made a comeback!

23. "Welcome to My Island" Caroline Polacheck

I'm for sure more into its melodic chorus than the robotic intro/bridge(?), but Apple Music's algi did a great job introducing this "Welcome to My Island" to me. Does Caroline Polachek hail from Pipe City? Cause this chick can let it rip. 

22. "The American Dream Is Killing Me" Green Day

It's easy to make the "American Idiot" comparisons, but "The American Dream is Killing Me" is a much-needed sequel in times of trouble. Say it with me, loyal DOL reader, "every issue in America roots back to capitalism in some way or another!" 

No, you're right...my bad...it's a good thing that 80 year olds work at Market Basket.

21. "Back on 74" Jungles

I'm so jealous of all these dancers in the video. It's like we aren't even the same species. I wish I could control my body like that.

Vibes is one of the most oversaturated words on the internet, but "Back on 74" truly is a vibe. The funky, soulful track transcends genres and is like a downing a shot of dopamine. It's so hard to be unhappy while this song's playing...not impossible, but but it's hard!

20. "Minor Setback" GUM & Ambrose Kenny-Smith

I know I'd like King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard if I dove in, but their discography is too daunting. Those dudes legit drop seven albums a year, and that's barely hyperbole. But a side project? I can get behind a side project. "Minor Setback" is a pure groove. 

19. "Feather" Sabrina Carpenter

A lot of whatever's hot on pop radio slips through Ole Dozo's cracks, but not this one. Probably because this chick is wicked fucking hot. I never watched Girl Meets World, so it's not weird for me to say that. 


P.S.

S/o the priest who lost his job for letting Sabrina film this video in his church. Of course, THIS is too much for the Catholic Church.

18. "Dance The Night" Dua Lipa

Like 80% of the last write-up applies here, except I've known Dua Lipa is a badddddddie since 2016.

Ten million memes and tweets already said it, but talk about irony --- Ryan Gosling gets nominated for Barbie, but Greta and Margot don't. Ladies, I'm gonna play the sexism card for you. It's a joke. TBH, I don't know how this song wasn't nominated, either. I think it's a technicality based on something I glanced at earlier.

17. "the BLACK seminole." Lil Yachty

I don't know most of his rap catalog, but I love that lil boat is dippin his toes into the psychedelic reefer and other fun and should be legal drugs music waters. the BLACK seminole is seven minutes long and doesn't have any lyrics for the last five, which is kind of ridiculous, but also kinda swag. For the sake of time, I embedded the SNL performance.​

16. "Simply Paradise" Mac DeMarco & Ryan Paris

I know Mac's dropped like 490 new "songs," but they don't compare to this breezy love song. I need a new REAL Mac album ASAP.


P.S.

​​Does anybody else get a Flight of the Conchords vibe from this video?

15. "(O)rdinary" Avenged Sevenfold

I lived out a teenage dream last summer and finally saw Avenged Sevenfold live. Unfortunately, we didn't get to hear this live due to the Rev's injury, but I love the risk A7X took going with a synth-centric, almost daft, punky vibe. "(O)rdinary" is the 2nd song in a three-song spurt on Life Is But a Dream... that is really like one song, but I dig this one way more than "G" or "(D)eath." Man, those titles are fucking annoying to type.

14. "Oh No" Iguana Death Cult

As a big fan of incorporating horns in rock music, I'm so proud of myself for not skipping this song when Apple Music suggested it. It's so fucking fun. I love how wordy the intro and pre-choruses are, and then the chorus is, "OH NO!" on a loop.

13. "Madman's Eyes" Dave Matthews Band

I'm not even sure what instruments I'm hearing, but I fw them.  I love the story this song tells as well.

12. "Girls Make Me Wanna Die" The Aces

"Girls Make Me Wanna Die" is simply a fun, quick, power pop, lady-love song by one of the most underrated bands in music.

11. "Rescued" Foo Fighters

"Rescued" is Foo Fighters' best song in over a decade, but it's a shame it had its inspiration.

R.I.P. Taylor and Dave's mom!

10. "Not Strong Enough" boygenius

"Spinning out about things that haven't happened," yepppp, that's me and like 50 million other people.

I held out on boygenius for a while (their SNL performance sold me), but there's no denying how incredible this song is. All three singers mesh so well, and the message is hashtag-deep with a nice h/t (hat tip) to Sheryl Crow. I think "Not Strong Enough" will stand the test of time and still be loved twenty years from now. Who knows if the same goes for Phoebe Bridgers, but this track deserves all the praise and accolades its earned. 

9. "Always Get This Way" The Aces

In a just world this would've been a Top 10 hit. I cannot reiterate enough how underrated The Aces are. #9 feels too low.

8. "Figure 8" Paramore

Growth is important and this song explains that is much better way than I can.

7. "love is embarrassing" Olivia Rodrigo

Livy's getting three songs, and everybody will have to deal with that. TBH, she should have at least four. I can't believe I'm leaving "pretty isn't pretty" off the list, but I guess it loses points because it's not believable that Olivia Rodrigo's ever been in that situation. She's gorgeous and so fucking talented, and hands-down my favorite Gen Zer.

Yes, her music is crazy popular and targeted towards a younger audience, but "love is embarrassing" hits hard no matter how old your legal documents say you are.

I pride myself on my music tastes and have no shame in telling EVERYBODY that I love Olivia Rodrigo. Much like Daddy's Home and Currents, I was late to her party, but I'm staying until it's uncomfortably late. I cannot wait to hear what Olivia comes out with over the next 20+ years. ​This tiny desk version of "love is embarrassing" needs to be on streaming platforms. You can tell she’s having so much fun! I love the energy in this performance.

6. "all-american bitch" Olivia Rodrigo

Olivia Rodrigo isn't a singer, she's a performer. As the gays and theys say "she's serving" in "all-american bitch." Olivia is a modern-day pop-punk princess with the voice of an angel.

5. "Thin Ice" Cobra Man

Technically, "Thin Ice" could fall in the honorable mention category since there's some debate with its year, but the EP came out in 2023, so we're going with that. Excuse me for the rudimentary writing, but "Thin Ice" kicks ass and is just a fantastic Power Disco track for the whole family.

4. "No More Lies" Thundercat & Tame Impala

Thundercat and Tame Impala are two of my favorite artists. The fact they're collaborating gives me a little bit of hope for this cruel world. When men this talented team up, you get fantastic music. It's a simple formula, honestly. I know I'm not alone when I say I hope we get an entire Thundercat & Tame Impala album, but if we don't, thankfully, this exists. 

Now's the time where I wedge in the fact that I had Thundercat tickets for March 21st, 2020. I'm a huge fan, and love how he's got personality, but personally...I can do without the spoken outro. If it weren't for that, "No More Lies" would probably be my top song for 2023.

3. "You First" Paramore"

This Is Why is a top 2 album of the year for me. There could easily be like 8 other p-more songs on this list, but "You First" is my favorite. It's jam-packed with energy and vengeance. Hayley Williams is rock goddess.

2. "Cadillac" Cobra Man

I fucking love these guys and am lucky enough to have seen them from the pit (twice). Cobra Man is one of the most unique bands in music right now. I don't know how many other Power Disco bands there are, but there can't be many. "Cadillac" sounds like it belongs in an 80s movie car chase or pump-up scene. You gotta play to win! Cadillac was my #2 most-played song this year, but it came out months before #1

1. "ballad of a homeschooled girl" Olivia Rodrigo

I was just a 31-year-old public schooled by the first time I ever heard this ballad, but it was still hit close to home (and just straight-up rocks).

"ballad of a homeschooled girl" ended up as my 11th most-played song on Apple Music this year, which is pretty impressive considering GUTS came out in September. Between her wordplay and breath control, it's tough to top Olivia Rodrigo right now.

​Yes, I would trade five years of my life to be her boyfriend for six months. I could get her to fall in love with me during that window. 35 and 23 isn't that wild! I'd even eat strawberry ice cream for you, Liv!

P.S.

1. "Don't Take Me Alive"
4. "Doctor Wu"
7. "Barry Town"
8. "Pretzel Logic"
9. "The Caves of Altamira"