This will be my thread for the #Uncool50 rundown of 2022! My favorite 50 formally released singles between December 1976 to now.
Come along for the ride it’ll be fun! My personal guardrails for it were a big help w/ hard choices (see below)
#weekendvibes
#music
#rock
#hiphop
See here for the rules and other players. Then come back each night to see my next entry - some obvious, some niche, and everything in between!
Much thanks to @nonoxcol for getting this going and giving it clarity!
#Uncool50
#music
#fall
#Uncool50
Chronological order, so not the lowest/highest ranked, but the first (and a trailblazer!). It still sounds like little else and can make me cry. #RIP you legend
1. @DavidBowieReal - “Heroes” (Sept. 1977)
#music
#FridayThoughts
#70sMusic
And just like that we’re done with my first decade!
I’m using most of my list for the times when I was hearing amazing songs as they came out IRL - the discovery, the repeat plays, or even the begrudging eventual wearing down😉
Onward!
#Uncool50
#music
#weekendvibes
#Uncool50
This is the exercise for me - not worrying about making the most creative/hip/obscure picks. This one is still catchy, fun, and I just love its synths!
2. @M0DERNENGLISH - “I Melt With You” (August 1982)
#weekendmood
#music
#80s
#80smusic
No revolutionary thought needed for this #Uncool50 entrant, but it’s no less powerful for that. Gorgeous yet eerie and menacing - “I’ll be WATCHING you,” not “loving.”
3. @ThePoliceBand - “Every Breath You Take” (May 1983)
#sundayvibes
#music
#80s
I never tire of this one - the yearning is audible, and the push/pull melody eternal. There’s a reason it’s referenced on Psych decades later!. #Uncool50
4. @tearsforfears - “Everybody Wants To Rule The World” (March 1985)
#mondaythoughts
#music
#80s
Pure pleasures - gorgeous melodies/harmonies, this reminds us of simpler times. But they weren’t so simple and now they’re gone. The bitter and sweet both hit!
5. Dream Academy - “Life In A Northern Town” (March 1985)
#Uncool50
#TuesdayFeeling
#music
This guy turns “uncool” on its head & is still at it! This might be his best original. Spot-on evoking the Doo Wop/vocal music I love made it my favorite. #Uncool50
6. Weird @alyankovic - “One More Minute” (August 1985)
#music
#wednesdaythought
#80s
My first multi-song entrant in #Uncool50 spent the 80’s setting the American alternative textbook. Then spent the 90’s shredding it! So many tracks to pick from, I went with
7. @remhq - “Fall On Me” (August 1986)
#80smusic
#ThursdayThoughts
#music
Ok so the Transformers connection keeps this in my heart & mind. But for #Uncool50 purposes let’s be clear, this fucking owns! The range & passion of Stan’s voice is nearly inimitable
8. @Stan_Bush - “The Touch” (August 1986)
#Friday
#music
#80s
This is my **12-POINT SONG** for #Uncool50!
Combining dance rhythms, swirling guitars & yearning escapism from Bono made a timeless classic to kick off one of the #80s best LPs
9. @U2 - “Where The Streets Have No Name” (August 1987)
#WeekendFun
#music
The band often says when they play this song live, no matter how it’s been going, it’s like “God walks through the room” and suddenly it’s magic. Having seen it myself, I can attest it’s no bullshit
#Uncool50
#music
My heaviest #Uncool50 song yet, it’s lost none of its power and (unfortunately) none of its relevance. If only we listened to Corey & Co. when we had the chance!
10. @LivingColour - “Cult Of Personality” (July 1988)
#sundayvibes
#music
#Metal
What’s that? Another decade closed for #Uncool50? You betcha!
We’re now about to hit my real musical heyday, so be prepared to stay awhile
#SundayFunday
#music
#80smusic
A shot across the bow for how R&B and (soon) #hiphop would crash the mainstream and take over, largely, for good. What a way to enter this decade of #Uncool50!
11. BellBivDevoe - “Poison” (March 1990)
#mondaythoughts
#90s
#music
#Uncool50 roaring on into the 90’s with one of the ultimate earworms. It’s fun AND informative, while honestly I spent decades without even knowing it was a cover.
12. @tmbg - “Istanbul (Not Constantinople)” (May 1990)
#tuesdayvibe
#music
#tinytoons
There’s a single version, hence #Uncool50, but here’s the OG. It remains the eternal one for me and many. A voice like from the beyond! #RIP Iz
13. @IZHAWAII - “Somewhere Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World” (November 1990)
#Hawaii
#90s
#wednesdaythought
#Uncool50 Metallica tighten the reigns and make a chart monster. But does this sound like a compromise to you?
The first album I bought w/ my own money, it’s lived on in sports, pop culture etc!
14. @Metallica - “Enter Sandman” (July 1991)
#90s
#music
First artist to repeat in my #Uncool50!
U2 revamped & led the new #90s sounds instead of bearing the flag (pun intended) for the #80s. In the process they made maybe the best pop song ever!
15. @U2 - “One” (February 1992)
#FridayThoughts
#music
#love
#Uncool50
Not the legacy of Teen Spirit, but my favorite from Kurt & co. Reminds me of growing up w/ undiagnosed #ADHD - mood swings & intense thoughts. More managed now, but the music still rules!
16. @Nirvana - “Lithium” (July 1992)
#music
#Saturday
Uncool in #Uncool50 is key - some may find this corny but I love it to death. Fun & warm & different each time live! It’s become a cliche for a reason
17. @barenakedladies - “If I Had $1,000,000” (December 1992)
#sundayvibes
#music
#acousticguitar
11 pointer #Uncool50 alert!
The balance of nostalgia/regret, bitter/sweet, evoking the passage of time beautifully. It might be the purely prettiest tune they ever laid down
18. @remhq - “Nightswimming” (July 1993)
#Mondayvibes
#musicislife
#90sMusic
@remhq WHYYYYYYYYYY
An iconic audio & video moment of the #90s for #Uncool50. The riff plays in my head when it wants, and the whole package is inimitable. There're even action figures now!
19. @beastieboys - "Sabotage" (January 1994)
#music
#TuesdayFeeling
#Uncool50 adds perhaps the greatest beat AND verse there’s ever been in #hiphop. The legacy of this track is almost unparalleled and still goes today. #RIP Prodigy
20. @MobbDeep - “Shook Ones Pt II” (February 1995) *11 pts*
#music
#Wednesdayvibe
#90s
How many songs do YOU know that could be
-sampled by Sublime
-rhymed over in 8 mile
AND
-Quoted in Hamilton?
That’s a real one for ya
#Uncool50
#music
A song that’s retained its power & is still played and covered today as proof. Its claustrophobic society that’s artificially “solved” all parts of reality was amazingly prophetic.
21. @radiohead - “Fake Plastic Trees” (May 1995)
#music
#Uncool50
#90s
Not sure when this came out in 95 but I don’t have other songs from then so should be clear.
Romance w/o needing words. The great us Vs the world imagery is anything but sappy.
22. @OfficialWZevon - “Mutineer” (1995)
#music
#FridayThoughts
#Uncool50
One of the purely catchiest #Uncool50 entrants, it goes against my penchant for incisive or clear messaging. Not sure what’s going on, but I’m floating on a blissful groove so who cares!
23. @SmashingPumpkin - “1979” (January 1996)
#sundayvibes
#music
Music isn’t as simple as it seems - making something this immediate, bright, and fun with so few strings and members is no easy task! The song’s unique subject just helps it live on
24. @therealpusa - “Peaches” (January 1996)
#music
#Uncool50
#90s
GET. THE F$!#. DOWN!
An eternal jam from a literally unconventional voice derailed by his own actions. He at least left us this ode to getting back out there and on the horse
25. Mark Morrison - “Return Of The Mack” (March 1996)
#Uncool50
#music
#RnB
A band that’s been around for peaks and valleys, crossovers and “Back To RAWK” LPs.
This passionate plea endures it all. “gotta promise not to stop when I say when”
#RIP Taylor
#Uncool50
26. @foofighters - “Everlong” (August 1997)
#music
#tuesdayvibe
From darkness there is light, from loss there’s freedom. Real sad life is behind the song, but it shows us the optimistic twist! And its ringing sound hits the vibe just right
27. @FASTBALLTHEBAND - “The Way” (January 1998)
#music
#90sMusic
#Uncool50
The lone single from my all-time favorite LP. On its own it still sounds like nothing else in #Uncool50. Fuzzy, hypnotic, and poetry all Jeff’s own!
28. Neutral Milk Hotel - “Holland, 1945” (October 1998)
#90sMusic
#thursdayvibes
#Elephant6
This band was short-lived; we make do with the leader’s songwriting work (Begin Again sdtrk rules!). Thank goodness for songs like this to score our quieter moments
29. New Radicals - “Someday We’ll Know” (March 1999)
#90s
#music
#Uncool50
#Friday
In some ways the ultimate 90s band, in some ways pointing to millennials: overeducated, understimulated, full of snark & ready for you to hear about it! I related incredibly hard
30. @BenFolds Five - “Army” (April 1999)
#Uncool50
#music
#SaturdayVibes
And now, at long last in my case, my #Uncool50 #90s are done! What did you think, shocked at some of the inclusions? Devastated by the cuts? All I know is onward to the #00s!
#weekendvibes
#music
#SaturdayNight
My 2000s #Uncool50 kicks off with a message we all needed post-9/11. One of the purest and most sure radio singles before such a thing ceased needing to be. Still just as inviting!
31. @jimmyeatworld - “The Middle” (October 2001)
#music
#sundayvibes
Don’t make me break this #Uncool50 down for nothin’! This song remains undeniable, perfectly written and played. Lyrical darkness balanced with hooks galore. Shake it!
32. @Outkast - “Hey Ya!” (August 2003)
#mondaythoughts
#music
This builds 1 layer at a time until it’s swirling & hypnotic, lifting away from the heartache of the daily details, just “please remember me.” Amazing imagery too!
33. @IronAndWine - “The Trapeze Swinger” (2005) *11 pts*
#folkmusic
#Tuesday
#Uncool50
Never could find the month in 2005 it dropped as a single but I know I bought it on iTunes as such around then and wiki bears it out. I have no other songs from that year so should be good for #Uncool50 purposes!
My most vivid memory of an #Uncool50 track is being an extra in this video! But the song is just as alive and was such a smash triumph for the band coming out after the debut
34. @TVonTheRadio - “Wolf Like Me” (February 2006)
#wednesdaythought
#music
#Uncool50 remembering my fave LP by this band, when the sound was more rock-forward. It’s also become a bit of a standard w/ Foo Fighters & the Boss himself giving readings!
35. @arcadefire - “Keep The Car Running” (March 2007)
#thursdayvibes
#music
I instantly fell in love with this band hearing this. The melancholy of nostalgia, realizing that times are ending/have ended that you will miss, hit hard & still does
36. @lcdsoundsystem - “All My Friends” (May 2007)
#music #FridayVibes
#Uncool50
Music, vocals, lyrics, video…all utterly indomitable perfection. Nearly a billion views on YouTube as proof. All hail Queen Bey, mistress of earworms!
#Uncool50
#SaturdayNight
#Dance
37. @Beyonce - “Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)” (October 2008)
A fiery self-intro to the world, this song transfixed me right away through sheer vocal power and the rush of the band entrance. They’ve only given us more since!
38. @florencemachine - “Dog Days Are Over” (December 2008)
#sundayvibes
#music
#Uncool50
Pure orchestral, classically styled pop music. None of those are a dirty word, btw! Few current bands ever purvey it better
39. @Camera_Obscura_ - “French Navy” (April 2009)
#music
#Uncool50
#mondaythoughts
The artwork of the LP made me think it was something way weirder/more off-putting for a while😂 Then they lept to the forefront of my plays quickly! Starting with
40. @theavettbros - “I And Love And You” (October 2009)
#music
#thursdaymorning
#Uncool50
And with that another decade of my #Uncool50 is complete!! We’re really catching up to modern times and what could come next? Very exciting!
#2010s
#00s
#thursdayvibes
Kicking off a new decade is IMO the sleekest single by one of my most tops modern bands. Not my #1 ever song by them, but it’s very great and makes no concessions
41. @TheNational - “Bloodbuzz Ohio” (March 2010)
#music
#wednesdaythought
#Uncool50
I remember this dropping w/ just a lyric video & it being an EVENT. It’s lost no charm bc the voice and music are the focus, the titular curse is just along for the ride
42. @CeeLoGreen - “Fuck You” (August 2010)
#Uncool50
#RnB
#music
#thursdayvibes
Years before “Hello,” this rocked us all & announced a new side/more enduring variety to Adele. Omnipresent for months for a reason, and never far from radio even now!
43. @Adele - “Rolling In The Deep” (November 2010)
#music
#FridayFeeling
#Uncool50
My final #Uncool50 bonus song (11 pts), well-earned through breathtaking harmonies and an indelible tune for the ages! Swedes doing Americana better than most of us.
44. @FirstAidKitBand - “Emmylou” (February 2012)
#music
#weekendvibes
Perhaps my most blunt and brutal #Uncool50 entry. But a necessary and efficient one - a full PoliSci course in under 5 mins. And he’s 100% right on it all, incl. the named subject!
45. @KillerMike - “Reagan” (November 2012)
#sundayvibes
#hiphop
#music
Bouncy & fun, delivering wry double-meaning throughout w/ appropriate weariness & doubt coming through. A modern song that feels like a lost #80s anthem w/ a dash more knowledge!
46. @the1975 - “Girls” (November 2013)
#music
#Uncool50
#mondaythoughts
One of the most enduring & worthy earworms of the last decade. It has the blood on the tracks to hold up for decades, too. “I had all & then most of you, some & now none…”
47. @LordHuron - “The Night We Met” (April 2017)
#Uncool50
#music
#tuesdayvibe
When my favorite band in the world, widely known for furious acoustic guitars, announced a “No-guitars” album I wondered what it might be like. Over time it’s slowly become my fave LP by them, and it’s how they now enter the #Uncool50!
#music
#Wednesday
#2010s
Echoes of days/sounds gone by, some now returning as current surroundings. This catchy stomper captures moving on no matter what, even if against your will!
48. the @mountain_goats - “Andrew Eldritch Is Moving Back To Leeds” (May 2017)
#Uncool50
#music
A key moment in recent film, soundtrack, and just pop culture history. Gaga opens her mouth and everything on the screen just clicks! A star is reaffirmed.
49. @ladygaga & Bradley Cooper - “Shallow” (September 2018)
#Uncool50
#music
#thursdayvibes
Another #Uncool50 decade down! I didn’t set out to create a symmetrical rundown around my 90’s prime, but once it suggested itself I found it fitting.
Which 20’s song not only made the cut, but bookended my exercise? Hopefully you get to ever find out!
#music
#fridaymorning
My #Uncool50 list opened w/ a bard of the 20th Century giving a seminal read on mankind. And so it ends, w/ a treatise on the panacea of pop music - all the good AND bad that entails
50. @bobdylan - “Murder Most Foul” (March 2020)
#FridayFeeling
#music
And there you have it - my 50 favorite singles from 1977 to this very moment! Any surprises, surprise cuts (sure were for me making it), and how do you think the sequel will look?
Many thanks to @nonoxcol for helming this idea!
#Uncool50
#music
#FridayFeeling
If you’re intrigued, you can hear it all here. Thanks to everyone who participated, debated, or just read and listened along!
#Uncool50
#music
#weekendfun
#weekendvibes
#Spotify
open.spotify.com/playlist/7AEsc…
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