Zebra's Year End Charts - 2015 (Finished)

[Zeebz]

020. "Water Under The Bridge" - Adele

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 07

Album: 25

Quite easily my favorite song off of 25, "Water Under The Bridge" was the immediate standout. It reminded me of the great uptempos from her previous album (see: "Rolling In The Deep" and "Rumour Has It"). I love the production. It sounds light and has kind of a tropical vibe in parts, but also has a demanding feel. Adele wants her lover to say let her down gently and to not act like their love is gone. I love how commanding she is here. She demands him to give it to her straight. The end result sounds almost like a chant and makes this so much fun to single along to. The explosive chorus and chants of "say it ain't so, say it ain't so" towards the end of the song really help to highlight her desperation and to make this even more convincing. This MUST be a single. It was so good that it became one of the few album tracks to ever hit number one my chart. It only ranks so low because it is so new.

[Zeebz]

019. "Style" - Taylor Swift

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 18

Album: 1989

In general, Taylor has started to get on my nerves this era. From terrible singles ("Shake It Off", "Bad Blood") to an annoying omnipresence that makes her inescapable, I'm just tired of her at the moment. I just need her to take a break, lol. That being said, I've loved 4 out of the 6 singles this era, and when she gives us gems like this her missteps are almost forgivable. "Style" would claim the honor of being my favorite Taylor Swift song if "Begin Again" didn't exist, but regardless it is a close second. "Style" was the most instant song off of 1989 as the production caught my attention from the very first listen. It is reminiscent of the 80's and is just a delightfully fun single overall. I love to sing along to it in the car, and the "you've got that James Dean, daydream, look in your eye" line always gets stuck in my head. Brilliant single choice that should've hit number one. I want more of this from her!

[Deleted]

20, 19.

[Zeebz]

018. "My Type" - Saint Motel

Listen!

Peak: 04

Weeks: 17

Album: My Type - EP

If there was ever a song that deserved to smash, it's this one. It's just pure fun. The hand claps and the horns were what hooked me, and I've never grown tired of it. It remains a jam and sounds absolutely perfect for the warmer months. This is probably my biggest "why didn't I let this hit no. 1" regret because it's just that good. It has only grown on me since falling off the chart, partly due to popstop 's constant stanning for it that has helped it to remain fresh in my memory. Who says you're only good for nudes? ;)

[Zeebz]

017. "Shine" - Years & Years

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 22

Album: Communion

As I've touched on before, Years & Years have been one of my obsessions this year. Their album is incredible. I highly recommend it. Anyways, their first two singles didn't hit me as hard as this one. They were hits, sure, but they were never massive. One day this just clicked with me and sailed all of the way to the top. I think it hit number one partly because I felt bad for giving the one two singles lower peaks than they deserved, but "Shine" is perhaps the least interesting of the three, from a production standpoint. I'd probably still call this my favorite though.

[Zeebz]

016. "Burning House" - Cam

Listen!

Peak: 03

Weeks: 25

Album: Untamed

Lyrically, this easily takes the title for the most beautiful song that I've heard all year. It's about how Cam has did her lover wrong and how she regrets it. She wishes she could mend the relationship but she can't, and thus the burning house in her dreams in the only place where she can still hold her lover. Their relationship has burned and is the burning house, and she's trying to save him from the flames. The production is minimal enough to let Cam's vocals truly shine. I'm so glad that this has hit as hard as it has. Cam truly deserves it. "Burning House" is the last song left to not hit the top two. 

[Deleted]

#16.

[Zeebz]

015. "Gimmie Love" - Carly Rae Jepsen

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 19

Album: Emotion

Every song off of Emotion is pop gold, but this one stands out above most of the rest. Like every other song, "Gimmie Love" captures an emotion that one would feel while falling for someone. Here she just wants someone to give her love and to stay with her forever. It's that moment when you realize that you love that person and you want them to love you too. It's brilliant. I especially adore Carly's lyricism here. The part that stands out to me the most is the part where she sings "wanna feel like this forever, forever... and I never thought I'd ever say forever", which might be my single favorite moment off of the entire album. She realizes that she loves this person more than any other and has finally started to think about forever. I also love the line "I can't lie, I like the feelin' how you make me shy". It's carefree, euphoric, and brilliant. This also became a rare album track to hit number one. This is practically BEGGING for a single release, though. Carly has two more entries!!!

[Zeebz]

014. "No Sleeep" - Janet Jackson ft. J. Cole

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 18

Album: Unbreakable

2015 was the year I truly delved into Janet's discography and began to appreciate her for the icon and musical genius that she is. Her streak of albums from Control to The Velvet Rope is literally flawless, and everything after was good, but underwhelming. She had moments of brilliance, but none of them seemed to capture the magic of her peak era. That is, until "No Sleeep" came out. "No Sleeep" is a mellow song about staying up all night and making love. It reminds me of The Velvet Rope and is easily my favorite single from her since at least "All For You". I adore the rain sounds, the claps, the J. Cole feature - everything. Janet really brought it, and even if she never records again (god forbid), I'm thankful that we got Unbreakable. Legend. I'm sad that this missed out on the top ten, but I just loved too many songs this year.

[Zeebz]

013. "Say Something" - Karen Harding

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 29

Album: Say Something - Single

This took a while to grow on me, and technically should've been on last year's list, but it didn't actually peak until May. It just randomly clicked with me one day while I was at the gym and I've been enamored with it since. I love the deep house production, which MNEK did a fantastic job on. This reminds me of something straight from the 90s, and that's always a good thing. I love the desperation in Karen's vocals as she's pleading with her lover to just tell her what he's feeling. She doesn't have time to wait and this is urgent. She's not going to keep fooling around with a relationship that isn't working. It always make me dance. This was initially in my top ten on my original draft, but another song grew on me even more and bumped this out. Still, this is wonderful.

[Zeebz]

012. "Don't Wait Up" - Robert DeLong

Listen!

Peak: 02

Weeks: 18

Album: In The Cards

Robert has a really weird chart history. "Global Concepts" peaked at no. 14 (two years after it should've, lol), "Long Way Down" at no. 54, and this at no. 2. This clicked instantly, mainly due to the quirky production. I love the intro of the song (all the beeps and drums really help to hook me), and DeLong's vocals are great. The chorus is also so infectious. Oh, and the part towards the end ("oooh always chasing time.... oooh got a restless mind") is fantastic. Overall this is a rather strange listen, but it's a really good one. I couldn't get enough of this this summer. Also, I believe this holds the record for highest debut without hitting number one (no. 3).

[Zeebz]

011. "On To Something Good" - Ashley Monroe

Listen!

Peak: 02

Weeks: 32

Album: The Blade

As I've mentioned previously, Ashley Monroe is another one of my favorite new discoveries of the year. This was my first exposure to her, but I kind of brushed this off at first. I always enjoyed it but it was never a favorite of mine. That soon changed, though, as I'm a sucker for feel-good songs. "On To Something Good" is the ultimate feel-good song. It discusses how tough times come around but how Ashley feels that she's on to something good, something wonderful. The bubbly production helps to give the song a light feeling that makes it feel so cheerful. I love love love the line "I'm better dancin' when I don't look down". It's a wonderful way to say it's better to keep your head up and to stay positive. I love to dance so this immediately stood out. I always listen to this when I feel down. Lyrically, "The Blade" is much better but this one made more of a personal connection with me. The bad times may not hang around, but "On To Something Good" sure did - it racked up a staggering 32 weeks on the chart this year. It makes for the longest chart run of the entire year, but its longevity doesn't stop there. It also racked up the most weeks at number two without hitting number one with SIX. That's longer than most songs spend at the top, and even longer than many songs stay in the top ten in general. This song just refused to let go. The song that blocked it from number one also had incredible longevity, and it made the top ten for the year.

[Albie]

YAS "My Type"!!!! Yes "Shine" and Carly Slay Jepsen and "Say Something"!!!!!!!! And "Don't Wait Up" <3

[.indulgecountry]

Yassssssss @ the love for "On to Something Good." I'm so glad you love Ashley Monroe, too.

Also really happy to see "Burning House," "No Sleeep," "Style," and "Water Under the Bridge" all in this set!!

[Zeebz]

010. "Loud Places" - Jamie xx ft. Romy

Peak: 01

Weeks: 19

Chart Run: 26-02-02-01-01-02-05-09-11-14-18-25-35-49-76-77-72-82-91

Album: In Colour

I've been a fan of the xx since their debut, so naturally I was thrilled to hear about new material from Jamie xx. "Loud Places" certainly didn't disappointed. Featuring Romy, who normally sings for the xx, it sounded kind of like their older material but with spark. It has a magic quality to it that simply makes it irresistible. The production is almost hypnotic. "Loud Places" is about going out to clubs and loud places in general to find someone to take home and to be with. This had a rather quick trip to the top and then fell rather quickly but managed to have legs. It's not one I revisit often, but it is still fresh and sounds as perfect as it did when I first heard it. 

[Zeebz]

009. "Adventure Of A Lifetime" - Coldplay

Peak: 01

Weeks: 09

Chart Run: 02-02-01-02-02-04-10-11-14...

Album: A Head Full Of Dreams

One of the highlights of late 2015 was the return of Coldplay. I've enjoyed every single album of theirs, and Ghost Stories was no exception. It was one of my favorite albums of last year and I was surprised that we were getting a new album so soon. I was expecting their lead single to sound like some of the material off of Ghost Stories, but I was pleasantly surprised. "Adventure Of A Lifetime" is a totally new sound for them and it sounds so fresh. The disco influences really help to capture the essence of the title, which is a joyous adventure. It just sounds so blissful, and the hooks really help to contribute to the feeling as well. I really enjoy the "ALIVE AGAIN" and "woo-hoo" parts as they bring so much life to an already fantastic song. Their album is fantastic, and I really hope that it isn't their last because I would love to hear more of this from them. This had an exceptionally strong start, debuting at number two behind "Hello" and eventually dethroning it. Carly and Adele (lol) would prevent it from spending more than one week on top, and it started to descend. It looks like it'll rebound on my next chart, though, so it definitely has a shot of re-entering the top ten. Also, the fact that this made my year-end top ten with so few weeks on speaks volumes of how great it is. I initially had it at number eleven but it has since grown on me even more. 

[ry4n]

Wow at AOAL :O

[Deleted]

#9!

[Zeebz]

008. "Let's Get Lost" - Carly Rae Jepsen

Peak: 02

Weeks: 19

Chart Run: 10-05-04-02-02-04-06-05-04-02-08-15-22-21-40-49-68-74-98

Album: Emotion

"Let's Get Lost" was the immediate standout from my first listen of Emotion. The chorus is delightfully light and innocent sounding, and it perfectly captures the feeling that it's going for. It's about wanting a moment to last even longer/wanting to spend more time with someone, and wanting to get lost to be able to do so. We can all relate to wanting to spend time with someone. The production is glorious, and don't even get me started on the saxophone. This has no burn rate, and I can listen to it for hours. That's a big reason as to why it had such a long run near the top, and returned to its peak towards the end of its run. I killed it off early for "Gimmie Love", and I'm wishing that I hadn't done that. It deserved to have an even longer run. Why the label didn't choose to release this as a single is beyond me. Also, this is the highest ranked song that didn't hit number one. 

[Zeebz]

007. "Lean On" - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ

Peak: 01

Weeks: 20

Chart Run: 95-80-34-06-03-03-02-01-03-06-12-14-13-20-26-38-44-59-73-97

Album: Peace Is The Mission

I first heard this thanks to a Spotify recommendation a few weeks before I actually charted it, but for some reason I slept on it for a few weeks. It finally debuted due to it hitting the top on ry4n's chart (your impact), which reminded me of how great it was. It quickly took off and smashed my chart as hard as it did everywhere else. It raced to number one and held around for a few weeks. It started to burn on me once it was everywhere, but it remains one of my favorite hit songs of the entire year. Major Lazer's (and DJ Snake's - the drop is great) production is entrancing and MØ's vocals are different, both of which lured me in. It's just a really fun song to listen to and it'll always remind me of the early summer of 2015. 

[Zeebz]

006. "Can't Deny My Love" - Brandon Flowers

Peak: 01

Weeks: 21

Chart Run: 05-05-01-01-01-02-03-05-07-15-21-29-32-41-53-57-65-79-93-92-99

Album: The Desired Effect

"Can't Deny My Love" is Brandon's third (and last) entry, and is by far his biggest hit. It's one of five songs to spend three or more weeks at the top this year (they're all in the top ten), and it had solid longevity. It had a really strong start as I was obsessed with it when I first heard it. The 80s-esque production really does it for me. I'm a sucker for anything that reminds me of that decade (my favorite), and this fit the bill perfectly. The chorus is also really fun, and is almost like a chant. I've found myself shouting "You're not gonna, not gonna deny, no you're not gonna, not gonna deny my love" and "WHAT'S GOING ON IN YOUR HEADDDD" at the most random times. It's an effective hook that really helped this to stick. This just barely missed the top five, being kicked out by "Hello". Still, I can't deny this song.

[Zeebz]

That's it for today! Provided that everything goes well, I should wrap the top five up tomorrow. I may or may not post a few extra things beforehand, though, such as top artists, top albums, and my least favorite songs of the year, but no promises haha. Anyways, thanks to everyone who has followed so far. I'll thank you all more formally later, but I do really appreciate it. Feel free to predict my top five or do whatever you will.

[ry4n]

1. Best Friends
2. Daddy
3. I Might Go Lesbian
4. S.E.X.
5. See You Again

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 2:47:09 GMT -5 ry4n said:

1. Best Friends
2. Daddy
3. I Might Go Lesbian
4. S.E.X.
5. See You Again

4/5 you forgot Bad Blood!!!

[ry4n]

Jan 10, 2016 2:58:04 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

Jan 10, 2016 2:47:09 GMT -5 ry4n said:

1. Best Friends
2. Daddy
3. I Might Go Lesbian
4. S.E.X.
5. See You Again

4/5 you forgot Bad Blood!!!

And Scream!

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 3:04:29 GMT -5 ry4n said:

Jan 10, 2016 2:58:04 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

4/5 you forgot Bad Blood!!!

And Scream!

I like that one

Oh yeah, that too. :)

[Deleted]

#7!

[Juan Carlos]

"Lifted Up (1985)", "Say You Love Me", "Hold My Hand", "S.O.B.", "Dreams", "Dime Store Cowgirl", "I Don't Need Another Lover", "Water Under the Bridge", "Style", "My Type", "Shine", "Burning House", "Gimmie Love", "Say Something", "Don't Wait Up", "Loud Places", "Adventure of a Lifetime", "Let's Get Lost", "Lean On" and "Can't Deny My Love" are my favourites from the last three sets. Can't wait for the Top 5!

SPOILER: Click to show

{Top 5 predictions}I would say the following:

1. Carly Rae Jepsen - "Run Away With Me"
2. Adele - "Hello"
3. Ellie Goulding - "Love Me Like You Do"
4. Billie Black - "Black & White"
5. Rainey Qualley - "Me and Johnny Cash"

[Zeebz]

Zebra's Top Artists Of 2015

This is going to be really basic due to time constraints, but here's my favorite artists of the year! This is derived from a combination of hits that they've had, plays, and just my general opinion of them. Enjoy! (Also 12 is a completely random number)

---

12. Troye Sivan



Highlights: "Wild", "Talk Me Down", "Suburbia", "Youth", "Happy Little Pill"

11. Fetty Wap



Highlights: "679", "Trap Queen", "My Way", "Jugg", "Again", "$ave Dat Money", "RGF Island"

10. Empress Of

Highlights: "Standard", "How Do You Do It", "Water Water", "Icon", "Kitty Kat"


09. Janet Jackson



Highlights: "No Sleeep", "2 Be Loved", "Unbreakable", "#BURNITUP!"; "Love Will Never Do (Without You)", "All Nite (Don't Stop)", "Escapade", "If", "That's The Way Love Goes" (discovered her older material this year)


08. Ellie Goulding



Highlights: "Love Me Like You Do", "Something In The Way You Move", "Heal", "Keep On Dancin'", "Lost And Found", "Codes"


07. Billie Black



Highlights: "Black & White", "I Don't Need Another Lover", "Do You Really", "I Waited For You", "Going Under", "This Simple Pleasure", "Teach Me"


06. Brandon Flowers



Highlights: "Can't Deny My Love", "Still Want You", "I Can Change", "Lonely Town"


05. Ashley Monroe



Highlights: "The Blade", "On To Something Good", "I Buried Your Love Alive", "Lonely Tonight", "If Love Was Fair", "Dixie", "I'm Good At Leavin'"


04. Years & Years



Highlights: "Shine", "King", "Desire", "Real", "Foundation", "Take Shelter", "Gold"


03. Kacey Musgraves



Highlights: "Dime Store Cowgirl", "Pageant Material", "Family Is Family", "Biscuits", "High Time", "Late To The Party", "Good Ol' Boys Club"


02. Adele



Highlights: "Hello", "When We Were Young", "Water Under The Bridge", "Million Years Ago", "Love In The Dark", "All I Ask", "Remedy", "River Lea", "Send My Love (Yo Your New Lover)"


01. Carly Rae Jepsen



Highlights: "Run Away With Me", "Gimmie Love", "Let's Get Lost", "Never Get To Hold You", "All That", "Emotion", "Making The Most Of The Night", "Boy Problems"

[Juan Carlos]

Troye Sivan!

Also, good to see Adele, Years & Years and Ellie Goulding, among others too.