Music is an interesting thing.
It allows us to communicate with others in a creative and artistic way and tell a story that’s open to interpretation that everyone can relate to. i guess this is why I enjoy song writing and composing my own music, so I can share my stories through music.
2018 has brought in a lot of interesting and new music and as I continue to grow and listen to diverse sounds, it widens my horizon on what I listen to and how it’s made.
So here is the list of songs that made my 2018… that were released in 2018!
1. Fake Love (Rocking Vibe Mix) – BTS
nasseolda hane niga joahadeon naro byeonan naega
BTS // Fake Love
You say I’m strange when I changed into the person you liked
낯설다 하네 니가 좋아하던 나로 변한 내가
anira hane yejeone niga jal algo itteon naega
You say I’m not the person you used to know
아니라 하네 예전에 니가 잘 알고 있던 내가
anigin mweoga anya nan nun meoreosseo
What do you mean? No, I’ve grown blind
아니긴 뭐가 아냐 난 눈 멀었어
sarangeun mweoga sarang It’s all fake love
What do you mean this is love, it’s all fake love
사랑은 뭐가 사랑 It’s all fake love
Lets start off with some K-Pop because I’ve been slowly getting interest with the genre lately this year. Fake Love is my favourite song in the entire “Love Yourself” Trilogy.
The song is intense and based on reading the translation, its about being in a false relationship. You want it to be perfect but i the end, you’re chasing something that’s not real/going to happen.
This was my #Mood as I didnt enjoy working or getting my hopes up for something that was never going to happen.
2. Toy – Netta
I’m not your toy (Not your toy)
Netta // Toy
You stupid boy (Stupid boy)
I’ll take you down now, make you watch me
Dancing with my dolls on the mada-baka beat
Not your toy
THIS SONG MADE MY 2018!!!
It was empowering and strong. I know there were people who are against the song due to its ridiculousness and think Fuego should have won, but for me, it was predicted to be the winning song since it was announced back in 2017! It was the huge fan favourite alongside with Saara Aalto’s Monsters and Mikolas Josef’s Lie to Me.
I think the way the line “I’m not your toy” caught my attention as it gives off that empowering vibe and just saying that gives some sort of relief. Just try saying “I’m not your f*cking toy” and feel how much anguish gets removed out of you.
3. Battleline/Aldrei Gefast upp – Fókus Hópurinn
I’ve been fighting, fighting for us tonight
Can’t you see it
I’ve been fighting for what’s inside
Can you hear it calling?Everybody up, everybody up
Fókus Hópurinn // Battleline
‘Cause we’re fighting for love
We’re fighting for love tonight
On the battleline
THIS SONG WAS ROBBED IN SONGVAKEPPIN 2018!!!!
What I like about Iceland’s entries is that they’re empowering and shows that they’re no underdog. Iceland is deemed underrated in not only in the Eurovision community… but in Europe in general. Tell me, what do you know about Iceland? And if you say LazyTown – GET OUT! Iceland is more than just that kids show.
Anywho… over on Tumblr and YouTube, people thought that 2018’s entries for Songvakeppin were sorta poor but saw that this song had at least a chance for the finals. I also thought the same as well. However, I’d prefer if the song was sung in Icelandic as it feels more genuine.
I like this song because it was strong, I loved the harmonies, and it’s about never giving up.
4. Live For You – Sheppard
Now I’m lying in the dust
Sheppard // Live For You
It’s all that’s left of us
I’m not as strong as you
And I won’t make it through
And you say I will survive
Then you go on with your life
And I wish I was the same
But I can’t stop the pain
‘Cause boy I live for you
2018 wasn’t always happy go lucky for me. There were times I was depressed and wishing for it to be all over.
Live For You was that song I listened to whenever I needed a good cry. The entire lyrics is literally what I had to go through. The feeling of codependency and needing someone to keep you strong… like a huge piece was taken away from you. You wish you can be strong alone but it’s hard… and trust me… it is.
I want to cover this song. I’m still learning it as it’s very hard to perform on the ukulele.
5. Something Human (Acoustic Version) – Muse
Less than a mile left on the road
Muse // Something Human
Oh, oh, oh, I will be crawling though your door
I need something human, human
Human, human
And I need your love
I remember seeing the first demo of the acoustic version over on Instagram and immediately I was hooked.
To me, Something Human is a song about going back to something that’s real rather than artificial. If you look at the themes of the ‘Simulation Theory‘ Album, most of the songs have some dark themes and political commentary of the USA government. The music videos revolve around darker themes of technology.
Something Human is a contrast towards all the themes mentioned as it shows something more calmer and wanting something or someone to go back to, rather than just living through that feeling vicariously through tech.
6. Perfect Day – Club Penguin
Let’s go
Cadence // Perfect Day
This is the time
This is the place
Let’s go
‘Cause it feels like this could be the perfect day
The last Club Penguin song that was ever released…
I love this song as its a huge improvement since the release of “The Party Starts Now” in 2012. This song has a more pop feel that if I play it in public, no one will judge as it doesn’t scream Club Penguin but rather your average teen pop song.
Perfect Day has to be my favourite song in the whole franchise as it defines Club Penguin w/o making it obvious.
7. Trust Myself – Sam Perry
I know that I should trust myself myself
Sam Perry // Trust Myself
Facts about Sam Perry – he won ‘The Voice – Australia‘ as a loop artist (like Netta). A lot of his performances involves using a loop machine and was deemed controversial as he wasn’t really singing or the way he performed is really different. But yet there was lots of support due to his uniqueness and originality.
Trust Myself is about being strong and following your decisions. There are times where you have to make your own choices rather than follow what the majority wants. I think that’s beautiful considering his predicament in The Voice.
8. Monsters (Extended) – Saara Aalto
It’s my life, I’m ready to lead it
Saara Aalto // Monsters
I’m gonna roll the dice, you better believe it
So tonight I’m making friends
With all the creatures that are hiding there under my bed
Another great Eurovision entry from Saara Aalto from Finland.
Reading who Saara Aalto is and the social climate in regards to LGBT+ and same sex marriage, I think this song is about being open about your sexuality and identity. It’s about about being being proud on who you are and not being scared about it.
Even in the music video, it proves my point as she’s surrounded with men in drag, showing you’re brave enough to show your true colours without fearing other’s homophobic remarks.
9. Friends – Dido
So don’t come crying to me
Dido // Friends
Don’t come trying again
No matter how I feel, don’t call us friends
‘Cause I don’t remember anymore how we used to be
No, I don’t remember anymore how I used to feel
Don’t call us friends
Love this song when it was on my Spotify recommendations.
This song is about finally being able to live without the people that hurt you. That you no longer remember what it was like being with them. I like songs like this as it helps people who feel weak and vulnerable and fear being abandoned feel better. Whether it empowers them or reminds them that you have it better than the other, these songs help in a big way.
10. I’ll Be Fine Somehow – Benjamin Ingrosso
I miss the way that you feel but I won’t miss the way I felt
– Benjamin Ingrosso // I’ll be fine somehow
And it’s gonna hurt when I see you again kissing someone else
You don’t have to ask me when we run in to each other if I’m better now
You know I’ll be fine somehow
One of my favourite songs in Benjamin’s debut album – Identification.
Knowing the current themes of the songs I’ve presented in this list, I think this song is a good way to end it off. You can be strong, you can get hurt… but in the end, you will be ok at some point. Recovery or finding your strength takes time and this song is about the time and journey on that road.
These are the songs that made my 2018. Some are empowering, some we played when I needed a good cry. It’s easy to see in this list what kind of mood I was in throughout the year.
I look forward to hearing the new music that will be released in 2019!
Here is a spotify playlist if interested (Perfect Day isnt on as it’s not released as a sellable/streamable song).
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