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My Top Songs of 2022

2022 has been an incredible year for music. Let's look back and celebrate the accomplishments of these artists.


Kim Petras in a black hood and Sam Smith in black and white photo; Carly Rae Jepsen in a yellow outfit and hat; Karen O of the Yeah Yeah Yeahs in blue lighting; This Is Why Paramore's album cover; UPSAHL;; Beyoncé's riding a silver horse RENAISSANCE album cover; The Weeknd in old age makeup for Dawn FM's album cover

In no particular order, here are my top 20 favorite songs of the year.


1. Burning - Yeah Yeah Yeahs


A catchy and eerie tune with an equally haunting music video. My favorite number from their show at the Hollywood Bowl this past October. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs latest album "Cool It Down" is the band's first since 2009 and what a way to come back. Nostalgia mixed with newness. 10/10.



2. Fever Dream - Palaye Royale


First released as a single, 'Fever Dream' is the title track from Palaye Royale's latest album. Haunting, sad and beautiful all at once.


Click to read my review of their show at the Hollywood Palladium.




3. Into My Body - UPSAHL


In my opinion, no one else encapsulates the feeling of being in your early 20s better than UPSAHL. "I wrote Into My Body at the beginning of this summer after getting back from almost 6 months of touring," the singer wrote on Instagram, "For the first time in a while, I wasn't surrounded by chaos and constant brain stimulation, so I was kind of left to me and my own thoughts. I got stuck in my head and was completely disconnected from reality...I wanted to write a song about how I was having an out of body experience, but it became a song about getting back into my body."


Click to read my review of her show at the Roxy.




4. Beach House - Carly Rae Jepsen


The second single off of Carly's new album "The Loneliest Time", 'Beach House' is a quirky, funny, and relatable tune with a great hook! And the music video is as hilarious as it is charming.



5. What's Life - De Lux

De Lux Do You Need A Release album cover in blue and orange

My favorite song off of their fourth studio album "Do You Need a Release?" "It feels different but the same" the band posted on Instagram, "A departure but home is still right around the corner".


Click to read my review of their show at the Teragram Ballroom.



6. Unholy - Sam Smith feat. Kim Petras


One of my favorite music videos of the year...and of all time! This song is brilliant. Filled with humor, darkness, trickery and sexiness, 'Unholy' is a new classic from Smith.



7. AMERICA HAS A PROBLEM - Beyoncé


From her highly anticipated album, "RENAISSANCE", this song was the one for me. Beyoncé continues to top herself time and time again. Although the Grammy's are controversial, "RENAISSANCE" has my vote for Album of the Year.



8. This Is Why - Paramore


This song is flawless from the bass line to the lyrics. I cannot wait for Paramore's new album, which is set to release this coming February!


Check out their incredible live performance of 'This Is Why' on the Tonight Show.



9. Am I Still Your Baby - Zella Day

Zella Day in front of a red background Sunday in Heaven album cover

Off of her latest album "Sunday in Heaven", 'Am I Still Your Baby' is a beautiful tune by the West Coast singer.


Honorable mention, from the same album, 'Radio Silence', for its incredible message and Zella's equally amazing storytelling.


10. Poor Girl A Long Way From Heaven - Ezra Furman

Ezra Furman's all of us flames album cover

Off of the album "All Of Us Flames", 'Poor Girl A Long Way From Heaven' was first released as a single.

Even after the album was released, although filled with so many great tunes, this song was still the one stuck in my head! I got lost in it. Ezra's voice, the lyrics, the soft melody mixed with the pop synths. Classic Ezra with a twist! 10/10.


11. C'mon Baby, Cry - Orville Peck


Orville Peck's voice is a rugged mix of an Elvis and Roy Orbison classic sound. 'C'mon Baby, Cry' is my favorite song off of his latest album "Bronco".


Check out my write up on him. How I discovered him through "Rupaul's Drag Race", his set at Coachella, and more!




12. Gasoline - The Weeknd

The Weeknd in old age makeup for Dawn Fm album cover

Dawn FM is a masterpiece from start to finish. Period.


Click to read my write up on the album.



13. Watercolor Eyes - Lana Del Rey

euphoria poster with Zendaya in sunlight

Written for the hit HBO show Euphoria, 'Watercolor Eyes' is classic Lana Del Rey...well classic new era Lana. "Chemtrails" and "Blue Banisters" Lana. Not "Born to Die" or "Paradise" Lana. If you're a die hard Lana fan like myself you know what I mean. If you don't, I'll just leave you with saying this song is a beautiful, melancholy tune perfect for a sad girl summer.


14. The Funeral - YUNGBLUD


The first single off of his self-titled album released this fall. 'The Funeral' is a catchy, instant classic from the English singer. I really enjoyed seeing him perform it live this past March at the Shrine. He performs with every muscle in his body.



15. Cherry Picking - poutyface


Another new favorite artist of the year. I discovered poutyface when she opened for YUNGBLUD. I became an instant fan. Among her diverse discography of sounds, 'Cherry Picking' might be her most stripped down and vulnerable addition.



16. Constant Repeat - Charli XCX

Charli XCX on a car album cover

My favorite song off of "Crash". 'Constant Repeat' is a great post breakup or situationship tune.


Favorite lyric: "You could've had a bad girl by your side" or "I'm cute and I'm rude".


17. Happier in Hell - Royal and the Serpent


'Happier in Hell' is a beautiful masterpiece. Royal gets deep and personal. A must listen.


18. About Damn Time - Lizzo


You know it, and I know it, 'About Damn Time' was the song of the summer. Mixed with a fun TikTok dance to match, this song is a new classic from Lizzo.


Lizzo's special album cover in black and white

19. Hot Crush Lover - Blu DeTiger


It's hard to pick, but 'Hot Crush Lover' might be my favorite Blu DeTiger song. And she released many singles just this year to choose from!

Blu DeTiger in front of a pink background with a Blue bass guitar

Click to read my review of her show at the El Rey.



20. Kick Me - Danny Elfman Feat. Iggy Pop


My favorite comment regarding this song is "Normalize more Danny Elfman and Iggy Pop collabs." I couldn't say it better myself. This song comes off of Elfman's follow up album to his 2021 "Big Mess" approprriately titled "Bigger Messier". Iggy and Danny are the duo you didn't know you needed until now.


Seeing Danny Eflman at Coachella was the highlight of a lifetime!


Which song was your favorite of 2022!?

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