Personal Favorites of 2020

HalleluJAH, 2020 is FINALLY over as of Friday. This has been such a weird year for music, but not necessarily always in a bad way. Yes, I got super bummed by records I was really holding out for not happening due to quarantines (i.e. Adele Vol. 4, maybe an unconfirmed Jonas Brothers), but the music that did come out this year was worth the wait (i.e. Chromatica) and some of it was the most amazing surprise in the universe (2 TAYLOR ALBUMS. 2. LESS THAN A YEAR AFTER LOVER. UNHEARD OF). Like with last year, here are my guidelines for this post:

1. I’m not including singles that came out this year just for time’s sake – only full albums and EPs.

2. The songs picked from each album are based on my personal opinions alone. There's no set number for these albums either like with a Diva Spotlight, it's just whatever songs grab my attention or punch me in my feelings. I encourage everyone to listen to the full album if you’re interested, because they’re pretty great!

3. I will actually point out which song is my favorite from each album this year because why tf not.

3. These albums and EPs aren’t in top to bottom order, we went with chronological release date this year.

4. I had to listen to and like at least one song off of an album released in 2020 for me to want to write about it, so if an album you loved didn't make it, don't take it personally (here's looking at you, Ariana Grande).

Manic - Halsey (released 1/17/2020)

Favorite Song: You should be sad

I decided to give Halsey's third studio album a full listen after she appeared on SNL last year and I fell head over heels in love with the two songs she performed to promote it. I thought this album was really, really good, and it just made me like Halsey more than I already did. Manic includes 16 songs, runs about 48 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative record by Apple Music.

Track 4: You should be sad (written by A. Frangipane, G. Kurstin)

I want to start this out and say I gotta get it off my chest/Got no anger, got no malice, just a little bit of regret/Know nobody else will tell you, so there's some things I gotta say/Gonna jot it down and then get it out and then I'll be on my way/No, you're not half the man you think that you are/And you can't fill the hole inside of you with money, drugs, and cars/I'm so glad I never ever had a baby with you/'Cause you can't love nothing unless there's something in it for you/Oh, I feel so sorry, I feel so sad/I tried to help you, it just made you mad/And I had no warning about who you are/I'm just glad I made it out without breaking down and then ran so fucking far/That you would never ever touch me again/Won't see your alligator tears, 'cause no, I've had enough of them

Track 7: I HATE EVERYBODY (written by A. Frangipane, B. Levin, F. O'Connell, M. Hoiberg, N. Perez, N. Bao, P. Losnegård, S. Aarons)

I'm my own biggest enemy, yeah, all my empathy's a disaster/Feeling something like a scaly thing wrapped too tightly 'round my own master/My friends are getting bored of me saying I fell in love with a stranger/I don't know what they all think of me, but in reality, I don't even/Remember anything but thinking you're the one/And I can force a future like it's nothing, so I/Just hate everybody/Well, then why can't I go home without somebody/And really I could fall in love with anybody who don't want me, so I just keep saying/I hate everybody, but maybe I, maybe I don't

Track 8: 3am (written by A. Frangipane, G. Kurstin)

Darling, I've just left the bar and I've misplaced all my credit cards/My self-preservation and all my reservations are sitting and contemplating what to do with me, do with me/Think I took it way too far, and I'm stumbling drunk getting in a car/My insecurities are hurting me, someone please come and flirt with me, I really need a mirror that'll come along and tell me that I'm fine/I do it every time/I keep on hanging on the line, ignoring every warning sign/Come on and make me feel alright again/'Cause it's 3am, and I'm calling everybody that I know/And here we go again while I'm running through the numbers in my phone/And yeah, I'll take fake moans and dial tones, let 'em spill right down the microphone/I need it digital, 'cause baby when it's physical, I end up alone, end up alone

Track 9: Without Me (written by A. Allen, A. Frangipane, B. Amaradio, C. Rosen, J. Timberlake, L. Bell, S. Storch, T. Mosley, M. Ale)

Found you when your heart was broke/I filled your cup until it overflowed/Took it so far to keep you close/I was afraid to leave you on your own/I said I'd catch you if you fall/And if they laugh, then fuck 'em all/And then I got you off your knees, put you right back on your feet/Just so you could take advantage of me/Tell me, how's it feel sitting up there, feeling so high but too far away to hold me/You know I'm the one who put you up there/Name in the sky, does it ever get lonely thinking you could live without me/Thinking you could live without me/Baby, I'm the one who put you up there, I don't know why/Thinking you could live without me, live without me/Baby, I'm the one who put you up there, I don't know why

Track 10: Finally // beautiful stranger (written by A. Frangipane, G. Kurstin)

Your eyes so crystal green, sour apple baby but you taste so sweet/You got hips like Jagger and two left feet, and I wonder if you'd like to meet/Your voice is velvet through a telephone, you can come to mine but both my roommates are home/Think I know a bar where they would leave us alone, and I wonder if you'd take it slow/Oh, we're dancing in my living room and up come my fists/And I say I'm only playing, but the truth is this/That I've never seen a mouth that I would kill to kiss/And I'm terrified, but I can't resist and I say/Beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms and I know that/Beautiful strangers only come along to do me wrong, and I hope/Beautiful stranger, here you are in my arms but I think it's/Finally, finally, finally, finally, finally safe for me to fall

Music To Be Murdered By - Eminem (released 1/17/2020)

Favorite Song: Godzilla

Confession time: I didn't listen to a lot of Eminem until I was in my twenties. My dad hates rap music so much that I knew if I ever played it at home I'd have to hear all about it, so it was easier to just not until I moved out. Rap God is the song that really got me into Eminem on my own and I've passively enjoyed listening to him ever since. I thought this album was pretty good, and I really enjoyed listening to it quite a bit. Music To Be Murdered By includes 20 songs, runs about 64 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip hop/rap record by Apple Music.

Track 5: Those Kinda Nights ft. Ed Sheeran (written by M. Mathers, E. Sheeran, F. Gibson, L. Resto, D. Doman, A. Byrne)

Yes, this beat's taking me back to my D12 days, when we hit the club to go and hell-raise/Probably end up bagging the cocktail waitress and taking her straight back to the Motel 8/Yeah, Bizzare's tryna get a lap dance off a Xanax and Jack Dan/Stripper walk by, I'm like, "G******," she's like, "That's harassment," I'm like, "Yeah, and?"/Holy Toledo, it's Miss Ohio, that's the best ass I've seen in a while/We should be dating, she's from Cleveland, but she's a Bengal, this chick catty/Is that a miniskirt if it's a maxi, that's the shortest thing for a dress since an addy/She said, "Fuck off," and threw her liquor at me, then I said, I said/If you wanna go hard tonight, well then, the smoke and the bottle are on me/Slip into that red dress you like, when we arrive, we probably won't leave/I love the way you move like that when you push your body on mine, oh my/You wanna smoke, drink, dance until the sunrise, it's one of those kinda nights

Track 7: Godzilla ft. Juice WRLD (written by A. Villasana, D. Doman, J. Higgins, L. Resto, M. Mathers)

I can swallow a bottle of alcohol and I'll feel like Godzilla/Better hit the deck like the card dealer, my whole squad's in here, walking around the party/A cross between a zombie apocalypse and big Bobby "The Brain" Heenan/Which is probably the same reason I wrestle with the mania/Shady's in this bitch, I'm posse'd up/Consider it to cross me a costly mistake/If they sleeping on me, the hoes better get insomniia/ADHD, Hydroxycut, pass the Courvoisi/In AA with an AK, melee, finna set it like a playdate/Better vacate, retreat like a vacay, mayday/This beat is cray-cray, Ray J, H-A-H-A-H-A/Laughing all the way to the bank, I spray flames/They cannot tame or placate the monster, you get in my way/I'ma feed you to the monster, I'm normal during the day/But at night turn to a monster when the moon shines like Ice Road Truckers/I look like a villain outta those blockbusters/Godzilla, fire spitter, monster/Blood on the dance floor and on the Louis V carpet/Fire, Godzilla, fire, monster/Blood on the dance floor and on the Louis V carpet

Track 8: Darkness (written by L. Resto, M. Mathers, P. Simon, R. Montgomery)

Here I am, alone again/Can't get out of this hole I'm in/It's like the walls are closing in/You can't help me, no one can/I can feel these curtains closing, I go to open 'em/But something pulls 'em closed again, hello darkness, my old friend/Feels like I'm loathing in Las Vegas/Haven't got the vaguest why I'm so lost/But I'd make you this small wager/If I bet you I'll be in tomorrow's papeer/Who would the odds favor, hello darkness, my old friend/I'm so much like my father, you would think that I knew him/I keep pacing this room, Valium then chase it with booze/One little taste it'll do, maybe I'll take it and snooze/Then tear up the stage in a few, hello darkness, my old friend/Fuck the Colt 45, I'ma need something stronger/If I pop any caps, it better be off of vodka/Round after round after round, I'm getting loaded/That's a lot of shots, huh, hello darkness, my old friend/And I don't wanna be alone in the darkness/I don't wanna be alone in the darkness/I don't wanna be alone in the darkness anymore/Hello darkness, my old friend

Nightfall - Little Big Town (released 1/17/2020)

Favorite Song: Wine, Beer, Whiskey

I've loved Little Big Town since Boondocks dropped in 2005, but I'd never done a full listen through of any of their albums until this year. I'm really glad I did with this album - LBT's harmonies are, as usual, top notch, and the music is very enjoyable. Nightfall includes 13 songs, runs about 46 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country record by Apple Music.

Track 2: Nightfall (written by D. Tashian, K. Fairchild, F. Hagood)

Take me back to where we started, shadows dancing on the floor/Let the dark help us remember what we're fighting for/Full moon making magic, light a candle, let it cast a spell/I can't hide the way I want you, baby, can't you tell/Turn the lights down, we can watch the stars crawl/You and I fall, baby, when the night falls/Throw a spark, we can shine underneath it all/You and I fall, baby, when the night falls

Track 5: Over Drinking (written by H. Lindsay, J. Frasure, A. Gorley, SS. Jones, C. Barlowe)

No more propped up on a bar stool, tear in my beer/Drowning my sorrows, wishing you were right here/No more 80 Proof bourbon to get you off my mind/Ain't why I'm sitting here sipping one tonight/Yeah, I'm over drinking over you/I'm done with bottles or chasing the blues/I still go out with the boys and knock back a few/But I'm over drinking over you/Yeah, I'm over drinking over you

Track 6: Wine, Beer, Whiskey (written by J. Westbrook, P. Sweet, S. McConnell, T. Brown, K. Schlapman, K. Fairchild)

My friend named Jack, he's got my back/He always seems to know right where I'm at/My friend Jose, he likes to play/He's always up for anything I say/Little bit of red, lotta bit of Crown/Don't matter what it is, I'm gonna drink it down, down, down/The wine, the beer, the whiskey/Are the only things that fix me/I'm not saying it's a problem, I can stop it if I wanna/But the wine, the beer, the whiskey, they always get me

Track 8: The Daughters (written by A. Ray, K. Fairchild, S. McConnell)

Oh girl, wash your face before you come to the table/Girl, know your place, be willing and able/Take it on the chin, let the best man win/Girl, shoulders back and stand up straight/Girl, watch your mouth and watch your weight/And pose like a trophy on a shelf/Dream for everyone, but not yourself/I've heard of God the Son and God the Father/I'm still looking for a God for the daughters

Treat Myself - Meghan Trainor (released 1/31/2020)

Favorite Song: No Excuses

I'm very grateful I came around to liking All About That Bass a few years ago, because Meghan Trainor is really fun to listen to no matter what mood you're in. Her albums are so colorful and bubbly, and her newest one is no exception. Treat Myself includes 15 songs, runs about 46 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop record by Apple Music.

Track 7: Lie To Me (written by J. Trainor, M. Trainor, R. Trainor)

I want your sympathy, I want your hands on me/I wish you thought differently, I wish you could feel like me, like me/So why, why won't you love me back, no, don't do me like that/I know I don't deserve you, I know I always hurt you, but the least you could do is/Lie to me, tell me that you love me and you'd die for me/Oh, cry for me, say you can't go on without me/I can't take the truth anymore, so lie/I don't want the truth, I want you

Track 11: Evil Twin (written by E. Snoreck, J. Kear, M. Trainor, T. Johnson)

It wasn't me, she started it, I said just one, then she got lit/She takes control, she's in my head, making me make my bad decisions but I'm innocent/Two Tylenol for what she did, so dehydrated, that crazy bitch/I've had enough, so over it, making my bad decisions but I'm innocent/I get lost in the background, she's the star of the show/Gotta deal with her problems when she lose control/I know I can't tame her, I don't even try/So let me apologize/That's my evil twin, no it ain't my fault/That's my evil twin, it wasn't me at all/Don't be mad at me, I can't help that she's a wild one, baby, wild one, baby/That's my evil twin/That's my evil twin

Track 14: No Excuses (written by A. Wells, J. Kasher, M. Trainor)

What you sipping on that got you talking crazy/Looking at me sideways, always coming at me/Why you, why you acting hard when you're just a baby/Boy, I keep it real with you, but you're tryna play me/Have you lost your mind/Open up your eyes/Someone else, you must have confused me, confused me with/Someone else, you must have confused me, confused me with/Someone else, there ain't no excuses, excuses babe/Someone else, your mama raised you better than that

Texas Sun - EP - Khruangbin & Leon Bridges (released 2/7/2020)

Favorite Song: Texas Sun

I was just introduced to both Khruangbin and Bridges this year and I'm so glad that I know theme both now even though I'm late to the party. This is a shorter EP, but extremely chill and relaxing to listen to, and all of the Texas references from hometown hero Bridges made me smile. Texas Sun includes 4 songs, runs about 21 minutes in length, and is labeled as an indie rock EP by Apple Music.

Track 1: Texas Sun (written by L. Lee, M. Speer, D. Johnson)

You say you like the wind blowing through your hair/Come on, roll with me 'til the sun goes down/Texas sun/Say you wanna hit the highway while the engine roars/Well come on, roll with me 'til the sun goes down/That Texas sun/Oh yeah, Texas sun

I'll Get By - Avi Kaplan (released 2/28/2020)

Favorite Song: It Knows Me

Avi was always my favorite part of Penatonix, and his first solo album did not disappoint so I had high hopes for this one as well. I may actually like this album better than his first one - I love his solo sound and his voice is just so amazing. I'll Get By includes 7 songs, runs about 26 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Track 1: Change on the Rise (written by A. Kaplan, J. Walker, T. Tjornhom)

Without the light, oh, the darkness comes/All through the night, mmm, the shadows will run/Fend off the enemy, sing out the jubilee/With all the fire we can breathe/We're singing all day and you can't tame it, high tide or low tide, you know/Night time or morning time, yeah, we're going strong/Headed up, down the river, oh Lord, I feel the reveling/I feel a change on the rise

Track 2: I'll Get By (composer unknown)

Early in the morning/I feel stones upon my chest/That I carry to the evening/'Til I lay back down to rest/But I, I/I, I'll get by/I, I/I, I'll get by

Track 3: It Knows Me (written by A. Kaplan, J. Ebach)

I seek the water, I seek the trees/I seek the heavens, I'm brought down to my knees/Yeah, I know anger, I know peace/Yeah, I know darkness, mmm, and it knows me/And it knows me/And it knows me

Track 5: Chains (written by A. Kaplan, R. Ordnoralov, T. Dabbs)

My mind's a haze with all this pain/And I can't change a thing/Lost in this maze, I can't find a way/I can't break my spirit free/All of these chains/Weighing down on me, weighing down/All of these chains/Weighing down on me, weighing down

Track 6: Born in California (written by A. Kaplan, J. Ebach)

One more night and I'll be sleeping here out in West Virginia/Don't seem right for me to be so far from home/Would be nice to march my feet down to old Sequoia/Yeah, those pines and those hills can mend my soul/'Cause I was born in California/Raised up by the trees/Came out from the mountain/Heart's a-following the breeze

Blue Bird - EP - Jasmine Cephas-Jones (released 3/3/2020)

Favorite Song: Moonlight

Hamilton was my initial introduction to Jasmine Cephas-Jones, but this album cemented that the girl can sing whatever the heck she wants. This EP has a really cool, dreamy vibe to I that I really enjoy. Blue Bird includes 6 songs, runs about 24 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop EP by Apple Music.

Track 3: Moonlight (written by J. Cephas-Jones, Z. Golden)

Opened your letter today, said you be better always/Never together, take one sip, lies to forget, don't trip/Ooh, take a puff, ooh, I smell like you/Cigarettes and frankincense, wish it all made sense/And you were invincible/Only the truth/Shimmering like a star/In the moonlight, in the moonlight, oh

Track 5: Little Bird (written by A. Sutton, J. Cephas-Jones, W. Wells, Z. Golden)

Little lady sitting there, world at her fingers while she combs her hair/Looking through the very lost word behind her/Uncomfortable in her skin, pick a color to box her in/Too scared to let the fire burn/So I say, "Oh, don't, just a minute/It won't be long, just a minute 'til you fly, oh, oh, oh"/So I say, "Oh, don't, just a minute/It won't be long, just a minute 'til you fly"

Track 6: Alice (written by J. Cephas-Jones)

Alice, come back through the looking glass/Time's gone by, and it's getting late/Reality calls you, it saw you hiding in the corners of your mind/Come out, come out/There's so much in the world to find/Ooh, I hate to see you cry/Chin up, and dry those eyes

Glorious Day: Worship & Hymns - Caleb and Kelsey (released 3/13/2020)

Favorite Song: Because He Lives (Amen)

While I really enjoy Caleb and Kelsey's patented brand of worship mashups, this album was different from that in a good way. I really like their versions of all of these songs and the individual little twists they put on some of them to make them their own. Glorious Day: Worship & Hymns includes 10 songs, runs about 30 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian & gospel album by Apple Music.

Track 2: I Surrender All (All I Am) (written by C. Grimm, J. Van DeVenter, R. Hawkins, W. Weeden)

All to Jesus, I surrender/All to Him, I freely give/I will ever love and trust Him/In His presence, daily live/All to Jesus, I surrender/Humbly at His feet, I bow/Worldly pleasures all forsaken/Take me, Jesus, take me now/All I am, all I have/I give it back to You/Every breath, every step/Oh, I surrender all

Track 9: Because He Lives (Amen) (written by C. Tomlin, D. Carson, E. Cash, G. Gaither, J. Ingram, M. Maher, W. Gaither)

I was dead in the grave/I was covered in sin and shame/I heard mercy call my name/He rolled the stone away/Amen, amen/I'm alive, I'm alive because He lives/Amen, amen/Let my song join the one that never ends

After Hours - The Weeknd (released 3/20/2020)

Favorite Song: Blinding Lights

Yeah, I don't mind weighing in here - I thought The Weeknd did a damn good job on this album and I don't think it's fair that he didn't get a single Grammy nomination. Like with Halsey, this was the first full album listen through I'd had with The Weeknd and I really enjoyed it. After Hours includes 14 songs, runs about 56 minutes in length, and is labeled as an R&B/soul album by Apple Music.

Track 1: Alone Again (written by A. Tesfaye, A. Feeney, C. Montagnese, J. Quenneville)

Take off my disguise, I'm living someone else's life/Suppressing who I was inside, so I throw two thousand ones in the sky/Together we're alone, in Vegas I feel so at home/I'm falling only for the night, so I throw two thousand ones in the sky/Oh, oh, oh, how much to light up my star again and rewire all my thoughts/Oh baby, won't you remind me what I am and break, break my little cold heart/Call me up and I'll send for you, take me down to your altitude/I don't know if I can be alone again, I don't know if I can sleep alone again

Track 4: Scared To Live (written by O. Holter, A. Tesfaye, A. Balshe, K. Sandberg, D. Lopatin, E. John, B. Taupin)

When I saw the signs, I shoulda let you go/But I kept you beside me/And if I held you back, at least I held you close/Should have known you were lonely/I know things will never be the same/Time we lost will never be replaced/I'm the reason you forgot to love/So don't be scared to live again/Be scared to live again/No don't be scared to live again/Be scared to live again

Track 9: Blinding Lights (written by A. Tesfaye, A. Balshe, J. Quenneville, M. Martin, O. Holter)

I've been tryna call, I've been on my own for long enough/Maybe you can show me how to love, maybe/I'm going through withdrawals, you don't even have to do too much/You can turn me on with just a touch, baby/I look around and Sin City's cold and empty, no one's around to judge me/I can't see clearly when you're gone/I said ooh, I'm blinded by the lights/No, I can't sleep until I feel your touch/I said ooh, I'm drowning in the night/Oh, when I'm like this, you're the one I trust

Track 10: In Your Eyes (written by O. Holter, A. Tesfaye, A. Balshe, K. Sandberg)

I just pretend that I'm in the dark, yeah/I don't regret 'cause my heart can't take a loss/I'd rather be so oblivious, I'd rather be with you/When it's said, when it's done, yeah, I don't ever wanna know/I can tell what you've done, yeah, when I look at you/In your eyes, I see there's something burning inside you/Oh, inside you/In your eyes, I know it hurts to smile, but you try to/Oh, you try to

Track 13: After Hours (written by A. Tesfaye, A. Balshe, C. Montagnese, M. Winans, J. Quenneville)

Thought I almost died in my dream again/Fighting for my life, I couldn't breathe again/I'm falling in too deep, without you I can't sleep/'Cause my heart belongs to you, I'll risk it all for you/I want you next to me, this time I'll never leave/I wanna share babies, protection we won't need/Your body next to me is just a memory

VELVET - Adam Lambert (released 3/20/2020)

Favorite Song: Superpower

I've loved Adam Lambert since American Idol, and this record was not what I expected but still extremely enjoyable. It's got much more of a funk type feeling to it, and his voice, as usual, adapts to that style perfectly. VELVET includes 13 songs, runs about 44 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Superpower (written by A. Lambert, I. Juber, T. English)

There's something missing and I'm pissed and I've got something to say/All of the witches and the demons better get out of my way/I get back up when I fall, rip the paint from the wall/When I win, I'ma run and take the money/Try to put me in a box, make me something I'm not/Don't give a fuck 'cause I'm gonna take back/My superpower, my superpower/My superpower/My superpower, my superpower/My superpower

Track 3: Stranger You Are (written by A. Lambert, K. Ross, S. Booker)

Papa told me to stay strong, to tighten up my bootstraps before I get walked on/Don't you give up, oh yeah/Now I'm rocking Versace with my dog in my shades, I'ma slay one day, ya'll/I'ma fuck up a check and spend it all, I'ma have a tequila kind of day/'Cause the stranger you are/They wanna keep you locked in the dark/Said the stranger you are/They're gonna try to tear you apart

Track 7: Overglow (written by A. Lambert, A. Kuney, B. Walker, U. Emenike)

People talking from every direction/Every hello and every goodbye feels like a cry for attention/People, but there's no human connection/If you want something real tonight, baby you know where to get it/That overglow where the moment goes/Leave me all alone, but you would never know/It's got a hold on you in the neon blue/Up on your phone in the overglow

Track 11: Ready to Run (written by A. Lambert, F. Ball, K. Ross)

Boots on the ground, had enough of this clown/No, I won't stay around, catch a bus, Greyhound/No I'm not looking back, turn around, it's a trap/I ain't falling for your charm, put a lock on my heart/Ready to run, ready to run, ready to run/Pack map, I run and ride, no shade, it's tired/So I'm ready to run

The Medicine - Jeremy Renner (released 3/27/2020)

Favorite Song: Main Attraction

I was excited and perplexed when I saw on Instagram that Hawkeye himself was releasing an album. I really, really enjoyed The Medicine a lot - Renner has a groovy rock star kind of vibe to him that, and his voice is actually pretty good. The Medicine includes 7 songs, runs about 27 minutes in length, and is labeled as a rock album by Apple Music.

Track 1: The Medicine (written by C. Cunningham, J. Renner, L. McCollum, M. Dutton, R. Hanson)

Time stops for no one, you and I were broken/Lost and only hoping we were wrong, I'm coming undone/You were just like magic, beautiful and tragic/Now you're gone, now you're gone/Trying to believe when your minds made up/Running like a fool when you're out of touch/Looking for a lie that could be a rush/We all got to feed our sins with the medicine/The medicine

Track 2: Never Sorry (written by B. Sammons, C. Goiilo, E. Weisfeld, J. Renner, L. Turner, L. McCollum)

My love, your pain, your years, no gain, I scream in vain/I never change, don't you fall blame, I'm still the same/So why now suddenly, we're incomplete and I'm not what you need/But I don't want to think, you stay or you leave/I never said I was sorry/I ain't sorry, never sorry/I never said I was sorry/I ain't sorry, never sorry

Track 3: Every Woman (written by E. Zareski, J. Renner)

Hey now little sister, I like them flowers in your hair/Hey now little sister, won't you let me inside your head/What's underneath your skin, your secrets pull me in/Come wash away my sins, take me on your magic carpet ride/Hey mother, sister, you see the flowers to my garden/Hey teacher, lover, you see the flowers to my garden/Look what you done, you're every woman/You're every woman

Track 5: Ghosts and Roses (composer unknown)

I fell from grace to the ground/Silenced my rage without a sound/Maybe I've always let me down/Maybe I've always let me down/How did I end up here, why did I disappear/Take me back to the place before I fell from grace/Lead me back to when love knew my name

Track 7: Main Attraction (written by E. Zareski, J. Renner)

Every time I take a ride, I feel alive with nowhere to go/I'm the king of the road, you're the queen of my throne/Riding high day and night, you satisfy wherever we roam/You're the star of the show, you shimmer like gold/Now baby let's ride, we got nothing but time/You get all the reaction, you're the main attraction/It's no surprise, got to like your style/You're the perfect distraction, you're the main attraction

Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 1 - Maverick City Music (released 4/17/2020)

Favorite Song: Such an Awesome God

I just got really into listening to Atlanta-based Maverick City Music this year, but I alrready love them as much as the other Christian groups I listen to. Their live albums have such an intimate feel to them, like everyone is in one normal-sized room just singing praise in the most genuine way. Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 1 includes 11 songs, runs about 94 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Love Is a Miracle ft. Bri Babineaux & Majesty Rose (written by D. Bowe, M. Rose, K. Lindsay)

I was down in the valley before love came and grabbed me/Never thought I'd see the sun again/Without no hesitation, You became my resurrection/All the light that came shining in/Now I've got beauty for ashes and I've got joy for mourning/And I've got praise for heaviness, love is a miracle/And now I've got beauty for ashes and I've got joy for mourning/And I've got praise for heaviness, love is a miracle, oh

Track 3: Man of Your Word ft. Chandler Moore & KJ Scriven (written by C. Moore, J. Jay, N. Jess, T. Brown)

All things are possible when we believe/Old chains are breakable when we receive/Yahweh, You keep Your promises/If You said it, we believe it, if You said it, hey/If You said it, we believe it/If You said it, we believe it, 'cause You're a man of Your word/If You said it, we believe it/If You said it, we believe it, You're a man, You're a man of Your word

Track 4: Lean Back ft. Amanda Lindsay Cook & Chandler Moore (written by A. Cook, C. McClarney, N. Moore, T. Brown)

You will never leave me, Your love sustaining me/Before I even knew what love was/You brought me here to rest and given me space to breathe/So I'll stand still until it sinks in/And I will lean back in the loving arms/Of a beautiful Father/Breathe deep and know that He is good/He's a love like no other

Track 5: Promises ft. Joe L. Barnes & Naomi Raine (written by A. Moses, C. Gaines, D. Bowe, J. Barnes, K. Alvarado, L. Marin)

God from age to age, though the earth may pass away/Your word remains the same, yeah, yeah, yeah/Your history can prove there's nothing You can't do/You're faithful and true/Though the storms may come and the winds may blow, I'll remain steadfast/And let my heart learn when You speak a word, it will come to pass/Great is Your faithfulness to me/Great is Your faithfulness/From the rising sun to the setting same, I will praise Your name/Great is Your faithfulness to me

Track 6: Holy Ghost ft. Bri Babineaux & Alton Eugene (written by B. Lake, B. Babineaux, J. Jay, T. Brown)

Consuming fire, my heart's desire/Oh how I need You more, a fresh outpour/With no resistance, I give permission/So come now, invade my heart, this life is Yours/Come fill me up, Holy Ghost/Shine bright until the whole world knows Your love, Your love/Come set me on a holy fire/Burn bright until the whole world finds Your love, Your love

Track 7: Thank You ft. Steffany Gretzinger & Chandler Moore (written by C. Moore, D. Bowe, S. Gretzinger)

I can sing a billion songs, dance 'til my feet are numb/Spin 'til I'm empty and poor, I can't praise You enough/I can shout 'till my voice gives way, leap 'til I have no strength/Lose my breath trying to explain I can't praise You enough/And if time were to stall, I can never tell it all/Words are few, this will have to do/I just wanna thank You, I just wanna thank You/I just wanna thank You, oh, I'm so grateful/I just wanna thank You, Lord, I just wanna thank You/I just wanna thank You, I am, I'm so grateful

Track 8: Such an Awesome God ft. Maryanne J. George (written by H. Balltzglier, J. Hamilton, J. Jay, M. Wong)

You call the sun to rise/And You lay it down to rest/You hold this heart of mine/And You hold my every breath/Such an awesome God, so mighty/So holy, so wonderful/Such an awesome God, so selfless/So generous, so faithful, You are

Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood - EP - KO (released 4/29/2020)

Favorite Song: True Colors

Kevin Olusola does not get to sing enough in his work with Pentatonix, so this EP was such a pleasant surprise for me when I discovered it was actually him singing every song, not just playing the cello (which I also love, don't get me wrong). KO has a really nice voice, and these covers of these songs had a fun, colorful twist to them. Don't Let Me Be Misunderstood includes 5 songs, runs about 17 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop EP by Apple Music.

Track 3: Human Nature (written by M. Jackson)

Looking out across the night time/The city winks a sleepless eye/Hear her voice shake my window/Sweet seducing sighs/Get me out into the night time/Four walls won't hold me tonight/if this town is just an apple/Then let me take a bite/If they say, "Why, why," tell 'em that it's human nature/Why, why does he do me that way/If they say, "Why, why," tell 'em that it's human nature/Why, why does he do me that way

Track 4: Don't Dream It's Over (written by N. Finn)

There is freedom within, there is freedom without/Try to catch the deluge in a paper cup/There's a battle ahead, many battles are lost/But you'll never see the end of the road while you're traveling with me/Hey now, hey now, don't dream it's over/Hey now, hey now, when the world comes in/They come, they come to build a wall between us/We know they won't win, oh no

Track 5: True Colors (written by B. Sternberg, T. Kelly)

You with the sad eyes, don't be discouraged/Oh, I realize it's hard to take courage/In a world full of people, you can lose sight of it all/And the darkness inside you can make you feel so small/But I see your true colors shining through/I see your true colors, and that's why I love you/So don't be afraid to let them show/Your true colors, true colors are beautiful like a rainbow

Graves Into Gardens (Live) - Elevation Worship (released 5/1/2020)

Favorite Song: Graves Into Gardens

This album is 100% in my Top 5 Albums of 2020. I love Elevation Worship anyway, but this album was on a completely different level and every single song is a banger. Graves Into Gardens includes 22 songs, runs about 143 minutes in length, and is labeled as a worship/contemporary Christian album by Apple Music.

Track 1: RATTLE! (written by B. Lake, C. Brown, S. Furtick)

Saturday was silent, surely it was through/But since when has impossible ever stopped you/Friday's disappointment is Sunday's empty tomb/Since when has impossible ever stopped you/This is the sound of dry bones rattling/This is the praise make a dead man walk again/Open the grave, I'm coming out, I'm gonna live, gonna live again/This is the sound of dry bones rattling

Track 3: Graves Into Gardens ft. Brandon Lake (written by B. Lake, C. Brown, S. Furtick, T. Hammer)

I searched the world, but it couldn't fill me/Man's empty praise and treasures that fade are never enough/Then You came along and put me back together/And every desire is now satisfied here in Your love/Oh, there's nothing better than You/There's nothing better than You/Lord, there's nothing, nothing is better than You

Track 4: The Blessing with Kari Jobe & Cody Carnes (written by C. Brown, C. Carnes, K. Carnes, S. Furtick)

The Lord bless you and keep you/Make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you/The Lord turn His face toward you/And give you peace/Amen, amen, amen/Amen, amen, amen/Amen, amen, amen/Amen, amen, amen

Track 5: Available (written by B. Fielding, C. Brown, J. Ingram, M. Redman, S. Furtick)

Here I am with open hands/Counting on Your grace again/Less of me and more of You/I just wanna see You move/I hear You call/I am available/I say, "Yes, Lord"/I am available

Track 7: Never Lost ft. Tauren Wells (written by C. Brown, S. Furtick, T. Hammer)

Miracles when You move, such an easy thing for You to do/And Your hand is moving right now/You are still showing up at the tomb of every Lazarus/And Your voice is calling me out/Right now, I know You're able/And my God, come through again/You can do all things/You can do all things but fail/'Cause You've never lost a battle, no You've never lost a battle/And I know, I know You never will

HUMAN (Live) - Mosaic MSC (released 5/15/2020)

Favorite Song: Dreams

Mosaic became one of my favorite worship groups after their Glory & Wonder album, and this album yet again did not disappoint. They just add such a modern, sort of dreamy feel to their songs while still feeling like genuine moments of worship. HUMAN includes 9 songs, runs about 50 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian/gospel album by Apple Music.

Track 4: Close To You (written by A. Figueroa, B. Figueroa, C.Pimentel, C. Dennard, M. Goss, R. Aholoka)

May my soul me one with Your soul/Be one with Your Spirit/May my heart be close to Your heart/Be close to You, Jesus/I want more of You/I want more of You

Track 5: Fountain (I Am Good) (written by B. Figueroa, C. Dennard, M. Goss)

There is a fountain wrapped in a haze of light/Flooded with goodness, rushing with words of life/They heal to the bone, they're sweet to my soul/And I'm swept away/I am good, You say I'm good/I am worthy, wanted, loved by You/This is living, breathing proof/That I am chosen, wanted, loved by You/I'm undone with love for You

Track 6: Dreams (written by C. Pimentel, J. Goss, R. Aholoka)

All the blessings I've received/You gave me more than I could dream/You didn't stop where I could see/I don't deserve this love/I don't deserve this love, Jesus/Jesus, I'm grateful/You take me simply as I am/Jesus, I'm grateful/You take me simply as I am

Track 7: Can't Refuse (written by B. Figueroa, C. Pimentel, M. Goss)

I call on You, You promise to show up each time that I do/So prove that it's true/I look at You, Your beauty and kindness I cannot refuse/No I can't refuse, I can't refuse/Walking with You, through all of the years I thought I was alone/But I was so wrong/Coming to You, You promise to be there each step that I take/So show me the way, show me the way/Show me the way

Chromatica - Lady Gaga (released 5/29/2020)

Favorite Song: Stupid Love

This was for sure my most anticipated album of 2020 of the ones that I knew were coming and didn't get put on hold due to COVID, and it's like if The Fame and Born This Way had a baby. I've loved Gaga for over a decade now, and hearing her go back to her dance music roots while making it more her own was really exciting - you can tell that these were songs she had control over and was really proud of instead of just recorded to top charts and make money. Chromatica includes 16 songs, runs about 43 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Alice (written by S. Germanotta, M. Tucker, A. Hedfors, J. Tranter, J. Klahr)

Could you pull me out of this alive/Where's my body, I'm stuck in my mind/Oh ma-ma-ma, oh ma-ma-ma, I'm tired of screaming/Oh ma-ma-ma, oh ma-ma-ma, at the top of my lungs/Oh my mother, oh my mother/I'm in the hole, I'm falling down, so down, down/My name isn't Alice, but I'll keep looking, I'll keep looking for Wonderland/My name isn't Alice, but I'll keep looking, I'll keep looking for Wonderland, Wonderland/Take me home, take me to Wonderland, Wonderland/Take me home, take me to Wonderland, Wonderland

Track 3: Stupid Love (written by S. Germanotta, M. Tucker, E. Rise, M. Bresso, M. Martin)

You're the one that I've been waiting for/Gotta quit this crying, nobody's gonna heal me/If I don't open up the door/Kinda hard to believe, gotta have faith in me/Freak out, freak out, freak out, freak out, look at me/Get down, get down, get down, get down, look at me/Freak out, freak out, freak out, freak out, look at me now/'Cause all I ever wanted was love/All I ever wanted was love/I want your stupid love, love/I want your stupid love, love

Track 4: Rain On Me with Ariana Grande (written by A. Ridha, A. Grande, M. Tucker, S. Germanotta, M. Bresso, M. Burns, N. Charles, R. Yacoub)

I didn't ask for a free ride/I only asked you to show me a real good time/I never asked for the rainfall/At least I showed up, you showed me nothing at all/It's coming down on me/Water like misery/It's coming down on me/I'm ready, rain on me/I'd rather be dry, but at least I'm alive/Rain on me, rain, rain, rain on me, rain, rain/I'd rather be dry, but at least I'm alive/Rain on me, rain, rain, rain on me/Rain on me/Rain on me

Track 8: 911 (written by S. Germanotta, M. Tucker, H. Leclercq, J. Tranter)

Turning up emotional faders, keep repeating self-hating phrases/Almost like I have no choice, this is biological stasis/My mood's shifting to manic places, wish I laughed and kept the good friendships/Watch life, here I go again, I can't see me cry/Can't see me cry ever again, oh/I can't see me cry/Can't see me cry, this is the end, oh/My biggest enemy is me, pop a 911/My biggest enemy is me, pop a 911/My biggest enemy is me ever since day one/Pop a 911 then pop another one

Track 14: Sine From Above with Elton John (written by S. Germanotta, M. Tucker, E. John, A. Hedfars, J. Klahr, R. Yacoub, R. Zastenker, R. Tedder, S. Ingrosso, B. Price, V. Ponte, S. Al Fakir)

When I was young, I prayed for lightning/My mother said it would come and find me/I found myself without a prayer, I lost my love and no one cared/When I was young, I prayed for lightning/Yeah, I looked with my face up to the sky, but I saw nothing there/No, no, nothing there, yeah, I stared/While my eyes filled up with tears, but there was nothing there, no, no, nothing/I heard one sine from above, I heard one sine from above/Then the signal split in two, the sound created the stars like me and you/Before there was us, there was silence/I heard one sine, and it healed my heart, heard a sine

Revival's In The Air - Bethel Music (released 5/29/2020)

Favorite Song: Come Out of That Grave (Resurrection Power)

While not as perfect (in my honest opinion) as 2019's Victory was, 2020's Bethel album was still extremely excellent. It's hard for me not to feel strengthened when listening to Bethel, and all of their lead worshipers are on point. Revival's In The Air includes 17 songs, runs about 104 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian/gospel album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Come Out of That Grave (Resurrection Power) ft. Brandon Lake (written by B. Johnson, C. Davenport)

There's a sling in my voice and a stone in my praise/Pushing back when the darkest weapons form/And there's a power on my lips even death can't defy/When the name of our God is lifted high/'Cause there is resurrection power when we sing the name of Jesus/Resurrection power when we raise a mighty sound/So come on, let the praise get loud, make that empty grave resound/'Cause there is resurrection power in His name

Track 5: Sing His Praise Again (Oh My Soul) ft. Jenn Johnson (written by B. Fielding, B. Johnson, J. Ingram)

Oh the weight of His glory, oh the wonder of His grace/The power of salvation, oh that brought me from the grave/This hope is not empty and forever He will reign/And He won't be put to shame/And oh, my soul, sing to the God of the ages/Sing to the Lord of creation, sing His praise again/And oh, my soul, sing like the Heavens are waiting/Roar like an army of angels, sing His praise again

Track 6: Champion ft. Dante Bowe (written by B. Lake, D. Bowe, J. Jay, S. Gretzinger, T. Brown)

I've tried so hard to see it, took me so long to believe it/That You'd choose someone like me to carry Your victory/Perfection could never earn it, You give what we don't deserve and/You take the broken things and raise them to glory/You are my Champion, giants fall when You stand/Undefeated, every battle You've won/I am who You say I am, You crown me with confidence/I am seated in the Heavenly place, undefeated with the One who has conquered it all

Track 8: Egypt ft. Cory Asbury (written by B. Johnson, C. Asbury, E. Hulse, L. Cummings, P. Wickham)

I won't forget the wonder of how You brought/Deliverance, the exodus of my heart/You found me, You freed me/Held back the waters for my release, oh Yahweh/You're the God who fights for me, Lord of every victory/Hallelujah, hallelujah/You have torn apart the sea, You have led me through the deep/Hallelujah, hallelujah

Track 9: Revival's In The Air ft. Melissa Helser (written by C. Helser, J. Helser, M. Helser)

Oh, I can feel redemption on the wind/Forgiveness like the tide rolling in/Taking up the space where shame has lived/Receiving all that You died to give/Let the wind blow, let the tide roll/'Til the earth knows You're a God of love/Let my dry bones sing a new song/All the glory to the God of love, hey

Track 10: My Hands Are Open ft. Josh Baldwin (written by B. Johnson, E. Hulse, J. Baldwin, L. Jordan, S. Skipper)

I wanna move so You can move/Come and do what only You can do/I wanna live in expectation/Of Your kingdom breaking through/I wanna move so You can move/Come and do what only You can do/I wanna live in expectation/Of Your kingdom breaking through/My hands are open, my heart is free/Open the Heavens, rain down on me, fall down on me/My hands are open, my heart is free/Open the Heavens, rain down on me, fall down on me

Track 15: Better Than ft. Jonathan David Helser & Melissa Helser (written by J. Helser, M. Helser)

Your goodness can't be stopped, Your love is better than I ever thought/Your mercy saved my soul/Your kindness came down to make me whole, I prophesy into tomorrow/We will see the goodness of our God/It's gonna be better than, better than, better than I could dream/It's gonna be better than, better than, better than I could dream/It's gonna be better than, better than, better than I could dream/It's gonna be better than, better than, better than I could dream

RTJ4 - Run The Jewels (released 6/3/2020)

Favorite Song: ooh la la

My husband is a huge RTJ fan, so after passively listening to this album with him all summer I decided to give it an intentional try myself. I like RTJ's style, and I really like their sound on this album. RTJ4 includes 11 songs, runs about 39 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip-hop/rap album by Apple Music.

Track 2: ooh la la ft. Greg Nice & DJ Premier (written by C. Martin, D. Barnes, G. Mays, J. Meline, K. Elam, M. Render, T. Schwartz, W. Schwartz)

Lookin' for Ms like I lost a friend, jump out of my bed like, "Where the bread"/You gon' hold a egg, waiter bring the check, when we talk, we Kalashnikov, keep us in your thoughts/Fully dressed at the crack of dawn, weapons letting off, I can hear them from the block, see them creeping through the fog/Season's greetings, now feeding season can start, oh my God, look alive, lookin' like I live life on the crooked line/Doin' fine, you want maximum stupid, I am the guy, first of all, fuck the fuckin' law, we is fuckin' raw/Steak tartare, oysters on the half-shell, sushi bar, life a bitch, and the pussy fish, still fucked her raw/I'm a dog, I'm a dirty dog, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, Ol' Dirty Bastard, go in your jaw, shimmy, shimmy, ya/Got the semi in the hemi, go and gimme, gimme, ya, pugilistic, my linguistics are Jeru the Damaja/And I rap it pornographic, bitch, set up the camera/Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui, ooh, la la, ah, oui oui/Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui, ooh, la la, ah, oui oui/Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui, ooh, la la, ah, oui oui/Ooh, la la, ah, oui oui, ooh, la la, ah, oui oui

Track 3: out of sight ft. 2 Chainz (written by J. Meline, L. Sylvers, M. Render, T. Epps, T. Schwartz, W. Schwartz)

Ru-ru-run-run, here come the menaces to sobriety, like what, super thuggers thumpin' on the cut/What-what, what-what, my motherfuckin' Uzi weighs a ton, hit the drum, do you hear it go, "Brrup-pum-pum-pum"/Run-run, piety just really isn't us, what a rush, see you cuttin' up a bod', that's my lunch/Ru-ru-run your motherfuckin' pockets when I come, it's an honor to be robbed by Denise's only son/Yeah, give a ready baby boy, beta movin' extra heavy, whippin' Chevy, gotta get it, eat spaghetti with the maf'/The vegan, bitch, if he don't get, 'cause they don't eat no steak and lobster, Sosa was my hero, only Tony since a fuckin' Hawk/Out of sight, out of mind, out of touch, out of time, man, I'll smoke a bogie backwards with thumb up like, "It's fine"/See yourself, I say, selflessly divine, leave me here to drown in glory, you're too good to cross that line/Tragically struck down in my prime by the speed at which the bags are dropping/Shoulda watched the sky, you don't wanna live this life, it's really not sublime/I'm only doing what I want while hockin' loogies at the swine/Out of sight, R-T-J, what you say/I-I'on give a fuck, Out-out-out-out of sight/R-T-J, what you say, what you say/What you goin' to do? What you goin' to do?

Track 4: holy calamafuck (written by J. Cruz)

The law defier, the non-complier, the death defier, the Mike Myers, m- rapper for hire/Do-er of drive byers, the back back clack clack, let it loose m-, all witnesses and survivors/That's a job completer, dependable contractor, the "backhand wack rap" slapper/Mr. Leather Bomber Taker, catch ya getting off the escalator, Run the Jewels smooth and don't trigger the undertaker/Ayy, as a teen lackin', I woulda ran me a supreme racket, I woulda took these lames' Supreme jackets/Until you rob a hype beast, you ain't seen sadness, "Clockwork Orange" madness, left the scene laughin'/Ayy, we forever-ever, Jaimito y Michael the Render, the pyrotechnicrats, the ol' razzle dazzlers/The magic bean imbibers, the green giant of the rhyme contrivers/Supreme violence of the time describers, I'm the decider, you evil eyers/A pile driver provider for liars, the sleep depriver, the nick of time mercy kill denier in prime/I'll kill the mood of a Buddhist MacGyver, I'll slap a yapper from the acne to the tooth bone fiber, I'm liver/Thought crime designer criminal minder and I'm a born and bred in USA who chop and screw truth up/Think I got a case of the Mondays, on fire

First Rose of Spring - Willie Nelson (released 7/3/2020)

Favorite Song: Don't Let the Old Man In

It must first be noted that this is Willie's 70th studio album - SEVENTIETH. That sounds completely insane, but he still brings it here as good as he ever has, and there were a LOT of awesome surprises listed in writing credits on these songs. First Rose of Spring includes 11 songs, runs about 41 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

Track 1: First Rose of Spring (written by A. Shamblin, M. Beeson, R. Houser)

The first time that he saw her, he knew that everything had changed/Overnight, love started blooming like the first rose of spring/Auburn hair like a sunrise, sweetest smile he'd ever seen/Butterflies, they danced around among her like the first rose of spring/Summertime would've never started/And wintertime would never end/She colored his life, opened his eyes to things he'd never dream/Without the first rose of spring

Track 2: Blue Star (written by B. Cannon, W. Nelson)

You know I'll follow you to the end/Whenever that is, we both will know/And I will follow you again/Anywhere that love can go/And if I beat you to the end, I've had a big head start it's true/And we're just riding on the wind, still the same ol' me and you/And when we reach the heavens bright/I'll be the blue star on your right

Track 4: Don't Let the Old Man In (written by T. Keith)

Don't let the old man in, I wanna live some more/Can't leave it up to him, he's knocking on my door/I knew all of my life that someday, it would end/Get up and go outside, don't let the old man in/Many moons I have lived, my body's withered and worn/Ask yourself how old you'd be if you didn't know the day you were born/Try to love on your wife and stay close to your friends/Toast each sundown with wine and don't let the old man in

Track 6: Our Song (written by C. Stapleton)

In this time that I've been given to fill my life with living/I hope I have done the best that I can do/Yes regrets, I've got a few, but honey none of them is you/And I need you like a singer needs a song/And I don't know if Heaven's real, but that's how you've made me feel/You make it all alright when everything's wrong/And this is our song

Track 11: Yesterday When I Was Young (Hier Encore) (written by C. Aznavour, H. Kretzmer)

Yesterday, when I was young/The taste of life was sweet as rain upon my tongue/I teased at life as if it were a foolish game/The way the evening breeze may tease a candle flame/The thousand dreams I dreamed, the splendid things I planned/I always built to last on weak and shifting sand/I lived by night and shunned the naked light of day/And only now I see how the years ran away

folklore - Taylor Swift (released 7/24/2020)

Favorite Song: exile

I knew even at 7am (through tears, not gonna lie) on July 23rd when Taylor announced this album would be dropping in less than 24 hours that this would be my favorite album of 2020, and I was absolutely right. Every single song on this album touched me personally, and I think it's some of Taylor's finest work lyrically and musically in general. folklore includes 16 songs, runs about 64 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Track 1: the 1 (written by A. Dessner, T. Swift)

I'm doing good, I'm on some new shit, been saying yes instead of no/I thought I saw you at the bus stop, I didn't though/I hit the ground running each night, I hit the Sunday matinee/You know the greatest films of all time were never made/I guess you never know, never know/And if you wanted me, you really should've showed/And if you never bleed, you're never gonna grow/And it's alright now/But we were something, don't you think so, roaring twenties, tossing pennies in the pool/And if my wishes came true, it would've been you/In my defense, I have none for never leaving well enough alone/But it would've been fun if you would've been the one

Track 2: cardigan (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Vintage tee, brand new phone, high heels on cobblestones/When you are young, they assume you know nothing/Sequin smile, black lipstick, sensual politics/When you are young, they assume you know nothing/But I knew you, dancing in your Levi's drunk under a streetlight, I/I knew you, hand under my sweatshirt, baby kiss it better, right/And when I felt like I was an old cardigan under someone's bed/You put me on and said I was your favorite

Track 3: the last great american dynasty (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Rebekah rode up on the afternoon train, it was sunny/Her saltbox house on the coast took her mind off St. Louis/Bill was the heir to the Standard Oil name and money/And the town said, "How did a middle class divorcée do it"/The wedding was charming if a little gauche, there's only so far new money goes/They picked out a home and called it Holiday House/Their parties were tasteful if a little loud, the doctor had told him to settle down/It must have been her fault his heart gave out/And they said, "There goes the last great Ameriican dynasty/Who knows if she never showed up what could've been/There goes the maddest woman this town has ever seen/She had a marvelous time ruining everything"

Track 4: exile ft. Bon Iver (written by T. Swift, W. Bowery, J. Vernon)

I can see you standing, honey, with his arms around your body/Laughing but the joke's not funny at all/And it took you five whole minutes to pack us up and leave me with it/Holding all this love out here in the hall/I think I've seen this film before, and I didn't like the ending/You're not my homeland anymore, so what am I defending now/You were my town, now I'm in exile seeing you out/I think I've seen this film before

Track 5: my tears ricochet (written by T. Swift)

We gather here, we line up weeping in a sunlit room/And if I'm on fire, you'll be made of ashes too/Even on my worst day, did I deserve, babe, all the hell you gave me/'Cause I loved you, I swear I loved you 'til my dying day/I didn't have it in myself to go with grace/And you're the hero flying around saving face/And if I'n dead to you, why are you at the wake/Cursing my name, wishing I stayed, look at how my tears ricochet

Track 6: mirrorball (written by T. Swift, J. Antonoff)

I want you to know I'm a mirrorball/I'll show you every version of yourself tonight/I'll get you out on the floor, shimmering, beautiful/And when I break, it's in a million pieces/Hush, when no one is around my dear/You'll find me on my tallest tiptoes, spinning in my highest heels love, shining just for you/Hush, I know they said the end is near/But I'm still on my tallest tiptoes, spinning in my highest heels, love, just for you

Track 9: this is me trying (written by T. Swift, J. Antonoff)

I've been having a hard time adjusting, I had the shiniest wheels, now they're rusting/I didn't know if you'd care that I came back, I have a lot of regrets about that/Pulled the car off the road to the lookout, could've followed my fears all the way down/And maybe I don't quite know what to say, but I'm here in your doorway/I just wanted you to know/That this is me trying/I just wanted you to know/That this is me trying

Track 11: invisible string (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Green was the color of the grass where I used to read at Centennial Park/I used to think I would meet somebody there/Teal was the color of your shirt when you were 16 at the yogurt shop/You used to work at to make a little money/Time, curious time, gave me no compasses, gave me no signs/Were there clues I didn't see/And isn't it just so pretty to think all along/There was some invisible string tying you to me

Track 12: mad woman (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

What did you think I’d say to that, does a scorpion sting when fighting back/They strike to kill and you know I will, you know I will/What do you sing on your drive home, do you see my face in the neighbor’s lawn/Does she smile, or does she mouth, "Fuck you forever"/Every time you call me crazy, I get more crazy, what about that/And when you say I seem angry, I get more angry/And there’s nothing like a mad woman, what a shame she went mad/No one likes a mad woman, you made her like that/And you’ll poke that bear ’til her claws come out and you find something to wrap your noose around/And there’s nothing like a mad woman

Track 13: epiphany (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Keep your helmet, keep your life, son/Just a flesh wound, here’s your rifle/Crawling up the beaches now, sir, I think he’s bleeding out/And some things you just can’t speak about/With you, I serve/With you, I fall down, down/Watch you breathing/Watch you breathing out, out

Track 14: betty (written by T. Swift, W. Bowery)

Betty, I won’t make assumptions about why you switched your homeroom, but I think it’s ‘cause of me/Betty, one time I was riding on my skateboard when I passed your house, it’s like I couldn’t breathe/You heard the rumors from Inez, you can’t believe a word she says most times, but this time, it was true/The worst thing that I ever did was what I did to you/But if I just showed up at your party, would you have me, would you want me/Would you tell me to go fuck myself or lead me to the garden/In the garden, would you trust me if I told you it was just a summer thing/I’m only 17, I don’t know anything, but I know I miss you

All Of My Best Friends - Hillsong Young & Free (released 8/28/2020)

Favorite Song: All My Life

The good thing about Hillsong Y&F is that even though they typically cater to a younger demographic, their albums usually include something everyone will love. This album is no exception to that rule - a few of the songs would definitely fit in better at a youth service than an adult service, but there are plenty of songs that would fit in either place. All Of My Best Friends includes 37 songs, runs about 152 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian/gospel album by Apple Music.

Track 1: World Outside Your Window (written by A. King, B. Tan, J. Grimmett)

There's a song that stirs the spirit and it calls the heart to life/It's an anthem in the making, can you feel it start to rise/Can you hear the generations getting louder over time/Every son and every daughter singing out into the night/It's not time to be silent, don't you dare hide your light/There's a world outside your window, so don't let it pass you by/Lift your hands to the heavens, lift your voice to the sky/Praise the Lord of all creation, let His name be lifted high

Track 5: As I Am (written by A. King, M. Wagner-Mäkinen, M. Fatkin)

I'm living in a grace where everything is more than I imagined/Where what is undeserved is freely given/All my regrets and my failures, all of my wrongs have been left at the cross/Now all that remains is the Father's love/Oh Lord, You take me as I am/Over and over, You call me Yours again/You see it all, still You want me/How You love me, how You love me/Your kindness and mercy remind me/How You love me, how You love me as I am

Track 9: Glimpse (written by B. Tan, K. Wykes)

You say You love me, but how could You when I ran so far/And still You want me when I lose sight of where You are/But it only took a moment with You, a glimpse of life with purpose and I knew/That living where the light is, oh Lord, it’s exactly where You want me and I never wanna leave/So I’m gonna stay in Your presence, sing of Your love forever/Dance like I did the day when I caught a glimpse of You/And I’ll get a little bit desperate to run into the arms of Heaven/All of my life surrendered, ‘cause I caught a glimpse of You/I caught a glimpse of You, I caught a glimpse of You/I caught a glimpse of You

Track 10: Keep On (written by B. Tan, M. Wagner-Mäkinen)

When life is a long road, there’s one I will follow/His mercy will never grow tired, never grow old/There’s grace for the distance, His strength for my weakness/To throw off the weight of the world and hear You reminding me/When you’re weary and you’re worn out/Don’t fret now, find rest in open arms/Keep on running ’til the last line/Keep your head high, ‘cause I’ve already won

Track 11: All My Life (written boy B. Benjamin-Korporaal, B. Tan, H. Hobbs, R. Sieff)

In my love and loss/I will not forget/Where my help comes from/Time and time again/All my life, I will lift up Your praises/’Til the end of the ages, I will sing of Your love/Your love won’t stop, oh it runs like a river/You have so freely given every piece of Your heart

Smile - Katy Perry (released 8/28/2020)

Favorite Song: What Makes A Woman

I really struggled with whether or not I was going to listen to this album because of how much I disliked Witness, but I'm glad I gave it a shot. Katy Perry's signature sugar-sweet sound is still prevalent throughout this album, but the honest subject matter dealing with mental health in almost every song was really nice to hear. Smile includes 12 songs, runs about 37 minutes in length, and is labeled as a pop album by Apple Music.

Track 4: Daisies (written by J. Hindlin, J. Bellion, J. Johnson, K. Hudson, M. Pollack, S. Johnson)

Told them your dreams and they all started laughing/I guess you’re out of your mind ’til it actually happens/I’m the small town, one in seven billion/Why can’t it be me/They told me I was out there, tried to knock me down, took those stick and stones, showed ‘em I could build a house/But I’ll never let ‘em change me ’til they cover me in daisies, daisies, daisies/They said I’m going nowhere, tried to count me out, took those sticks and stones, showed ‘em I could build a house/They tell me that I’m crazy, but I’ll never let ‘em change me 'til they cover me in daisies, daisies, daisies

Track 12: What Makes A Woman (written by J. Hindlin, J. Carlsson, J. Ryan, K. Hudson, S. Hudson)

Is it the way I talk sweet, the way my skin is soft/Or how I can be a bitch and make you keep your fingers crossed/Is it the way that I praise you, the way that I please you/Or how fast I change my mind and get scared that I might leave you/Could spend your whole life but you couldn’t describe what makes a woman/She’s always been a perfect mystery/Could spend your whole life but you couldn’t describe what makes a woman/And that’s what makes a woman to me

The Speed of Now Part 1 - Keith Urban (released 9/18/2020)

Favorite Song: Tumbleweed

I've always liked Keith Urban and still firmly believe he's one of the best guitarists in the music industry right now. His music has for sure become a little more "poppy" throughout the years, but he still manages to make it sound like his own. The Speed of Now Part 1 includes 16 songs, runs about 53 minutes in length, and is labeled as a country album by Apple Music.

Track 4: Superman (written by B. Berger, C. Wiseman, K. Urban, R. McMahon, R. Rabin)

Now lately I've been living in a world that's black and white/Ever since you left, all the colors just drained out of my life/And I've been going through the motions/I can feel myself slipping away, slipping away/I keep thinking about that summer, South Daytona Beach/We never left the bed, no we never got no sleep/And I've been looking back and thinking about the way it was/The way we were, we were reckless, so reckless/When I was with you, baby I was Superman, yeah, we were sky high, there was nothing better/When I was with you, grabbing that live wire, we were Johnny and June in a ring of fire/Now you're caught up in my head like a melody of the sweetest summer song that we used to sing/When I was with you, when I was with you

Track 11: Tumbleweed (written by J. McNair, J. Johnston, N. Mason)

Hotter than a two dollar sot of whiskey, looking pretty sitting at the bar/Looking 'round the room with the devil on your shoulder like you're 'bout to steal a cowboy's heart/I'm your Billy the Kid, so baby let's giddy up gone/I ain't even sure just a-where you're headed, but I'd sure like to tag along/Hey Ms. Tumbleweed, I believe two tumbleweeds is better than one/Everybody needs a buddy when they're on the run/Hey Ms. Tumbleweed, let's ride the breeze/Town to town just kicking up dust, might make a little trouble, might make a little love

Track 13: Polaroid (written by G. Warburton, G. Palmer, M. Trussell, S. Fischer, S. Jones)

Sometimes I forget who we were back then/That Saturday night, stealing cold beer and cigarettes/At a house we didn't know, wearing our now vintage clothes/But looking at this photo, oh I remember someone saying, "Smile"/Who would have thought we'd still be smiling now/We've come a long way since we were strangers in a basement/At a party that we hated, trying to make conversation/The night it was taken, I didn't have a clue/That someday, I'd be something more than just a boy in a Polaroid with you

Live For Now - Jeremy Renner (released 9/25/2020)

Favorite Song: Just My Type

I was definitely not expecting an album from Jeremy Renner this year, let alone two, but you won't hear me complain about it. I will say I liked The Medicine a bit more than this one, but this second release is still pretty good. Live For Now includes 7 songs, runs about 24 minutes in length, and is labeled as a rock album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Love Is a War (composer unknown)

Look what's left of each other, everyone runs for cover/Every time crossing the lines, fire in the hole/Whisper a lie, nowhere to hide, everybody knows/Land mine, front line, we're soldiers/When did love become war, every time we walk through that door/Look what we've done to each other, everybody here run for cover/When did love become war, bullets shot through then door/Let's pull the chute and call it over, 'cause love is a war

Track 4: Just My Type (composer unknown)

My bad intentions for your body is eating me alive/Your eyes are tempting me to take you to the darker side/Under your spell, you're a cold hearted killer/And you know all the things you do, you do it well/But you waking up the beast/Better pray I don't come for you/You think you know me baby, 'cause you met your kind/But you'll be my pretty tonight and I'm gonna make you mine, yeah/We're going crazy and it's getting out of line/It's primal when I'm inside, 'cause baby, you're just my type, yeah/You woke the beast inside/'Cause baby, you're just my type

THE ALBUM - BLACKPINK (Released 10/2/2020)

Favorite Song: Ice Cream

I discovered BLACKPINK by playing Just Dance 2020 earlier this year and I'm so glad I found them. Just like their previous EPs and albums, this newest release is high energy and a lot of fun, and doesn't have the saccharine feel that I've felt from a lot of other k-pop music I've tried. THE ALBUM includes 8 songs, runs about 24 minutes in length, and is labeled as a k-pop album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Ice Cream ft. Selena Gomez (written by R. Johnson, V. Monét, T. Park)

Come a little closer ‘cause you looking thirsty/I’ma make it better, sip it like a Slurpee/Snow cone, chilly, get it free like Willy/In the jeans like Billie, you be popping like a wheelie/Even in the sun, you know I keep it icy/You could take a lick, but it’s too cold to bite me/Brr, brr, frozen, you’re the one been chosen/Play the part like Moses, keep it fresh like roses/Look too good, yeah, look so sweet, looking good enough to eat/Coldest with this kiss, so he call me ice cream, catch me in the fridge right where the ice be/Look so good, yeah, look so sweet, baby, you deserve a treat/Diamonds on my wrist so he call me ice cream, you can double dip ‘cause I know you like me

Track 3: Pretty Savage (written by T. Park, Løren, Vince, D. Chung)

It seems similar, we are different from the core/Even if we're embarrassed, we are the best on the stage/Born skinny, bitch, thin, no matter of how much weight I gain/Slow at calculation, but fast at sense/I don't want to talk about popularity, my mouth would only hurt/F boys, not my boys, I cut them off in slices/If you get our name wrong, ddu-du-ddu-du hit/Drip, drip, ice it out, bust it down, top to the bottom/Black, pink/All up in it, make it lit, like/Yeah, we some bitches you can't manage/I make this difficult thing again/We are pretty savage/We somе pretty savage/Bah-dah-bah-bah/You bettеr run, run, run/Bah-dah-bah-bah/You better run, run, run/All my diamonds, they yellow or bright white/Got 'em blind can't find me, I'm outta sight/If you mad stay mad, we not alike/S-A-V-A-G-E, keep it pretty, pretty savage

Track 4: Bet You Wanna ft. Cardi B (written by T. Brown, S. Franks, R. Tedder, M. Fontana, B. Almanzar, T. Carr, J. Descartes)

Tell me where you wanna go/I’ll meet you with my bags at the door/Ah, I’m gon’ make you go blind/Every time I walk, my hips, there don’t lie/Take me to your paradise/‘Cause I don’t wanna wait anymore/Ah, I’ll say it one more time/Every time I walk, my hips, they don’t lie/You wanna touch, wanna touch, of course you wanna/You wanna run with my love, I know you wanna/From the club to the tub, you said you wanna/Give me an all night hub, I bet you wanna/I bet you wanna, I bet you wanna/I bet you, I bet you, I bet you wanna/I bet you wanna, I bet you wanna/Something ‘bout me’s taking you higher/And you ain’t ever gonna come down/I’m lighting your fire/And it ain’t ever gonna go out

Track 6: Crazy Over You (written by T. Park, R. Johnson, D. Chung)

I been known to kiss and tell, send girls to wishing wells/If you’re my man, I want you to myself/I know I’ll have enemies long as you’re into me/But I don’t care, ‘cause I got what I need/Oh yeah, need to get with the program, boy, I keep you close like slow dance/Hit you with that red, don’t go there, no-no, man/Met him, then get him, I make sure we stay/Got the venom to dead him if he want a snake/I mean sneak, I mean kids play hide and seek/Know that I’m gonna find you, make sure you get left or you leave/I saw you and knew what I was trying to do/I had to play it real, real smooth, and once I finally made my move/I went crazy over you/Over you, only you/I went crazy over you

Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 2 - Maverick City Music (Released 10/9/2020)

Favorite Song: Yahweh

The second installment of 2020 from Maverick City Music is just as good as the first in my opinion. These worship songs are just so good I can't really say anything else that I didn't say earlier. Maverick City Vol. 3, Part 2 includes 15 songs, runs about 125 minutes in length, and is labeled as a Christian album by Apple Music.

Track 3: To You ft. Chandler Moore & Maryanne J. George (written by D. Flowers, M. George)

Coming back to me, not just coming/But I’m running beneath the surface/And what my eyes have seen, past temporary/I hear You beckon, yeah, to fall a little deeper/Further than I’ve ever known, I’m breaking through the boxes/I’m running to Your throne, I’m coming back to You/I’m coming back to You, I’m coming back to You/I’m coming back to You

Track 4: The Story I'll Tell ft. Naomi Raine (written by A. Eugene, B. Cowart, N. Raine)

The hour is dark and it’s hard to see/What You are doing here in the ruins and where this will lead/Oh, but I know that down through the years/I’ll look on this moment and see Your hand on it and know You were here/And I’ll testify of the battles You’ve won/How You were my portion when there wasn’t enough/And I’ll testify of the seas that we’ve crossed/The waters You parted, the waves that I’ve walked/Singing oh, my God did not fail/Oh, it’s the story I’ll tell/Singing oh, I know it is well/Oh, it’s the story I’ll tell

Track 5: Yahweh ft. Chandler Moore & Osby Berry (written by A. Moses, D. Bowe, K. Lindsay)

He is holy and reigns with splendor/Our God, Yahweh/Sovereign King, He’s full of wonder/Our God, Yahweh/Yahweh, Yahweh/Be praised, Yahweh/Yahweh, Yahweh/Be praised, Yahweh

Track 7: Never Leave ft. Naomi Raine (written by A. Eugene, C. Moore, C. House, N. Moore)

I see the face of the Father, I feel the love in His eyes/And everything in my heart knows that I’m His joy and His pride/I feel the peace in His whisper, that His intentions are pure/And never have I felt more safe and secure/You said that You would never leave/And I know that You are here with me/You said that You would never leave/And I know that You are here with me

Track 8: Hymn of the Ages ft. Maryanne J. George (written by B. Cowart, J. Leilani, M. George, S. Carswell)

Precious Lord Jesus, treasure of mine/Oh, what a privilege to be Your delight/Morning by morning, new glories I see/Oh, what a wonder You are to me/And all of the promises, all of the praise/All of Your people have sung through the ages/No matter the season, the song is the same/Great is Your faithfulness, great is Your name/Great is Your faithfulness, great is Your name

Track 12: Isaiah Song ft. Chandler Moore (written by B. Jones, C. Moore, L. Sloan)

This is the Word of the Lord, your Creator/I am the God who stood before the world was framed/I am the First, the Last, and everything between/I hold your future, who could know these things but Me/So don’t fear, I will be Your song/Sing, sing, oh barren land/Water is coming to the thirsty/Though you are empty, I am the well/Draw from Me, I will provide

Believe - Andrea Bocelli (Released 11/13/2020)

Favorite Song: Cantique de Jean Racine

My whole family loves Andrea Bocelli, so when my brother sent an excited text in our family group chat about him releasing a new album I immediately knew it had to go on this list. As always, Bocelli sounds like an actual angel, making so many of these sweeping melodiies and high notes sound absolutely effortless. Believe includes 17 songs, runs about 70 minutes in length, and is labeled as a classical crossover album by Apple Music.

Track 3: Hallelujah (written by L. Cohen)

Now I’ve heard there was a secret chord that David played and it pleased the Lord/But you don’t really care for music, do you/Well it goes like this, the fourth, the fifth, the minor fall, the major lift/The baffled king composing Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah/Hallelujah, Hallelujah

Track 5: Amazing Grace (Arr. Mercurio) with Alison Krauss (written by J. Newton, W. Walker)

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound/That saved a wretch like me/I once was lost, but now am found/Was blind, but now I see/’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear/And grace my fears relieved/How precious did that grace appear/The hour I first believed

Track 8: Cantique de Jean Racine (written by J. Racine, G. Fauré)

Lyrics are translated from the original French

Word equal to the Most High, our only hope/Eternal day of the peaceful night/We break the silence, Divine Savior, cast Your eyes on us/Divine Savior, cast Your eyes on us/Spread on us the fire of Your mighty grace/That all hell, that all hell flee at the sound of Your voice/Dispel the sleep of a languid soul/Which leads her to forget Your laws/Which leads her to forget Your laws

Track 15: Mui Grandes Noit' E Día (No. 57 from "Cantigas de Santa Maria) (written by A. Ex El Sabio)

Lyrics are translated from the original Catalan

Very big night and day, we must give way/We to St. Mary thank you, because you defend/It’s of damage and without deception/Safe guides

evermore - Taylor Swift (Released 12/11/2020)

Favorite Song: champagne problems

I don't know what we as a human race did to deserve two Taylor Swift albums in the same year, but I am eternally grateful to her for it. I will admit to liking folklore a smidge more, but evermore is definitely the yang to folklore's yin. evermore includes 15 songs, runs about 61 minutes in length, and is labeled as an alternative album by Apple Music.

Track 1: willow (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

I’m like the water when your ship rolled in that night/Rough on the surface, but you cut through like a knife/And if it was an open shut case, I never would’ve known from that look on your face/Lost in your current like a priceless wine/The more that you say, the less I know, wherever you stray, I follow/I’m begging for you to take my hand, wreck my plans, that’s my man

Track 2: champagne problems (written by T. Swift, W. Bowery)

You booked the night train for a reason/So you could sit there in this hurt/Bustling crowds or silent sleepers/You’re not sure which is worse/Because I dropped your hand while dancing, left you out there standing/Crestfallen on the landing, champagne problems/Your mom’s ring in your pocket, my picture in your wallet/Your heart was glass, I dropped it, champagne problems

Track 4: 'tis the damn season (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

If I wanted to know who you were hanging out with while I was gone, I would’ve asked you/It’s the kind of cold fogs up windshield glass, but I felt it when I passed you/There’s an ache in you put there by the ache in me/But if it’s all the same to you, it’s the same to me/So we could call it even, you could call me Babe for the weekend/’Tis the damn season, write this down/I’m staying at my parents’ house, and the road not taken looks real good now/And it always leads to you and my hometown

Track 5: tolerate it (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

I sit and watch you reading with your head low/I wake and watch you breathing with your eyes closed/I sit and watch you, I notice everything you do or don’t do/You’re so much older and wiser and I/I wait by the door like I’m just a kid, use my best colors for your portrait/Lay the table with the fancy shit and watch you tolerate it/If it’s all in my head, tell me now, tell me I’ve got it wrong somehow/I know my love should be celebrated, but you tolerate it

Track 6: no body, no crime ft. HAIM (written by T. Swift)

Este’s a friend of mine, we meet up every Tuesday night for dinner and a glass of wine/Este’s been losing sleep, her husband’s acting different and it smells like infidelity/She says, "That ain’t my merlot on his mouth, that ain’t my jewelry on our joint account/No, there ain’t no doubt, I think I’m gonna call him out," she says/"I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it/I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it/I think he did it, but I just can’t prove it/No, no body, no crime, but I ain’t letting up until the day I die"/No, no/I think he did it/No, no/He did it

Track 7: happiness (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Honey, when I’m above the trees, I see this for what it is/But now I’m right down in it, all the years I’ve given is just shit we’re dividing up/Showed you all of my hiding spots, I was dancing when the music stopped/And in the disbelief, I can’t face reinvention, I haven’t met the new me yet/There’ll be happiness after you, but there was happiness because of you/Both of these things can be true, there is happiness/Past the blood and the bruise, past the curses and cries/Beyond the terror in the nightfall, haunted by the look in my eyes/That would’ve loved you for a lifetime, leave it all behind/And there is happiness

Track 8: dorothea (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Hey Dorothea, do you ever stop and think about me/When we were younger, down in the park, honey making a lark of the misery/You got shiny friends since you left town, a tiny screen’s the only place I see you now/And I got nothing but well wishes for ya/Ooh, this place is the same as it ever was/Ooh, but you don’t like it that way/It’s never too late to come back to my side/The stars in your eyes shined brighter in Tupelo/And if you’re ever tired of being known for who you know/You know you’ll always know me, Dorothea/Dorothea

Track 10: ivy (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner, J. Antonoff)

How’s one to know I’d meet you where the spirit meets the bones in a faith forgotten land/In from the snow, your touch brought forth an incandescent glow, tarnished but so grand/And the old window goes to the stone every day/But I don’t, I just sit here and wait, grieving for the living/Oh, g******, my pain fits in the palm of your freezing hand/Taking mine, but it’s been promised to another/Oh, I can’t stop you putting roots in my dreamland/My house of stone, your ivy grows and now I’m covered in you

Track 11: cowboy like me (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

And the tennis court was covered up with some tent-like thing/And you asked me to dance, but I said dancing is a dangerous game/Oh, I thought this is gonna be one of those things/Now I know I’m never gonna love again/I’ve got some tricks up my sleeve/Takes one to know one/You’re a cowboy like me

Track 13: marjorie (written by T. Swift, A. Dessner)

Never be so kind you forget to be clever/Never be so clever you forget to be kind/And if I didn’t know better, I’d think you were talking to me now/If I didn’t know better, I’d think you were still around/What died didn’t stay dead, what died didn’t stay dead/You’re alive, you’re alive in my head/What died didn’t stay dead, what died didn’t stay dead/You’re alive, so alive

Track 15: evermore ft. Bon Iver (written by T. Swift, W. Bowery, J. Vernon)

Gray November, I’ve been down since July/Motion capture put me in a bad light/I replay my footsteps on each stepping stone/Trying to find the one where I went wrong/Writing letters addressed to the fire/And I was catching my breath, staring out an open window/Catching my death/And I couldn’t be sure, I had a feeling so peculiar/That this pain would be for evermore

Alicia - Alicia Keys (Released 12/18/2020)

Favorite Song: Underdog

I found out about this album from one of my piano students coming in and begging me to find sheet music for Underdog. I have a lot of respect for Alicia Keys as a musician, and I really liked this album a lot. Alicia includes 18 songs, runs about 67 minutes in length, and is labeled as an R&B/soul album by Apple Music.

Track 3: Authors of Forever (written by A. Keys, J. McDaid, J. Coffer)

We are lost and lonely people and we're looking for a reason and it’s alright/So let’s celebrate the dreamers, we embrace the space between us ‘cause it’s alright/We’re all in this boat together and we’re sailing towards the future and it’s alright/We can’t make the whole thing better, we’re the authors of forever and it’s alright/We are born on our own and we die on our own/And we're here to make meaning of what happens in between/We could hate, we could love, we could doubt, we could trust/But we’re here to make meaning for as long as we’re breathing and it’s alright/Wherever you are, it’s alright/Whoever you are, it’s alright

Track 5: Underdog (written by A. Keys, A. Wadge, E. Sheeran, F. Vance, J. McDaid, J. Coffer)

She was walking in the street, looked up and noticed he was nameless, he was homeless/She asked him his name and told him what hers was, he gave her a story about life/With a glint in his eye and a corner of a smile, one conversation, a simple moment/The things that change us if we notice when we look up sometimes/They said I would never make it, but I was built to break the mold/The only dream that I’ve been chasing is my own/So I sing this song for the hustlers trading at the bus stop/Single mothers waiting on a check to come/Young teachers, student doctors, sons on the frontline knowing they don’t get to run/This goes out to the underdog, keep on keeping at what you love/And you’ll find out that someday soon enough you will rise up, rise up, yeah

Track 17: A Beautiful Noise with Brandi Carlile (written by A. Keys, B. Carlile, B. Clark, H. Withers, H. Lindsey, L. Perry, L. McKenna, R. Amanfu)

I have a voice, started out as a whisper, turned into a scream/Made a beautiful noise, shoulder to shoulder, marching in the street/When you’re all alone, it’s a quiet breeze, but when you band together, it’s a choir of thunder and rain/Now we have a choice, ‘cause I have a voice/I’m not living to die, don’t stand in a wasteland/Look at me in the eye, stop living a lie/And stand up next to me, you gotta put one foot in front of the other/With a hand in a hand holding on to each other/Go on and rejoice, ‘cause you have a voice/It is loud, it is clear, it’s stronger than your fear/It’s believing you belong, it’s for calling out the wrong/From the silence of my sisters to the violence of my brother, we can, we can rage against the river/Feel the pain of another, I have a voice

Music To Be Murdered By - Side B - Eminem (Released 12/18/2020)

Favorite Song: Black Magic

Our fourth and final double album release of 2020 goes to Eminem. While this is technically a rerelease of his album from January, it added a lot more good music to the existing catalogue. Music To Be Murdered By - Side B includes 36 songs, runs about 117 minutes in length, and is labeled as a hip-hop/rap album by Apple Music.

Track 2: Black Magic with Skylar Grey (written by E. Taylor, H. Hafermann, J. Dezuzio, L. Resto, M. Mathers)

We're volatile, I can't call it, though/It's like too large a peg, and too small a hole/But she cheats and I catch her like the common cold/Last time I broke her collar bone, she's intolerable/All I know is that the sex is phenomenal, though/We're an unlikely pair, like two different Nike Airs/But I'm the same size she wears, so I think we're soulmates though/People don't like us together but like we care/Yeah, but God strike me dead/She knows that I would walk over hot coals for her with both of my feet bare/But soon as I asked to hit, it's like she grabs a switch/Turns me over her knee, 'cause my ass is whipped/Yeah, and I got her back, but I'm spineless/So when she stabs me in mine, it's like I just can't feel the knife/As she pokes, jabs it and slices, one minute she'll build me up/The next, she'll push me 'round, probably why she calls me "Dumbbell"/She lifts me up, then puts me down, but I am under her thumbnail/I must be under her spell, it's like lookin' right into a gun barrel/But none of these hoes can fuck with my girl, she got that/Black magic, night walker, she haunts me like no other/Nobody told me love is pain, oh/Black magic, dark water surrounds me like no other/She's got my heart in chains

Track 9: Higher (written by A. Brissett, L. Resto, M. Mathers, M. Strange, S. Jordan)

I look at me now, I'm thinkin', "Damn"/How proud of me I am/What I did is nothin' to sneeze at/Even if your allergies are bad/I'm up in a balcony in France/I look around, I see the fans/How they surround me in the stands/Probably could drown in a sea of hands/They're hollerin', "Shady"/Yelling it out to me and that's what I mean when I say/That one day someway, somehow, if I get the chance to get a crowd/I'd flip it around and have a crowd give me the chants/But in actuality, I haven't, yet/Where am I supposed to go from here/Really I have no idea/All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling/I go higher than I've ever fuckin' been/Where am I supposed to go from here/Really I have no idea/All I know is every time I think I hit my ceiling/I go higher than I've ever fuckin' been

Track 13: Killer (written by D. Doman, E. Chikwendu, M. Mathers)

That's what I do with money, got money up the ass/Call it toilet paper, yeah, flush with cash/Girl, nice butt, is it up for grabs/Just wanna touch your ass, is that too much to ask, yeah/I made a grip, I know it's tough to grasp, get the bag/Call it potato chips, I stuff in duffel bags/On some public transportation shit, 'cause I will bus' your ass/Fuck the chain, I'm off the trailer hitch, I got a bunch of swag/Now count it, five, ten, yeah, fifteen, twenty/Twenty-five, thirty, yeah, get the money/Throw it in the furnace, yeah, this shit be funny/Earn it just to burn it, swag drippin' from me/Yeah, I'm a killer

Congratulations for making it to the end of both this very long post and this very long year! Here's hoping 2021 is so much better. Happy listening, and see ya'll next week!