Zebra's Year End Charts - 2015 (Finished)

[Zeebz]

086. "Wildest Dreams" - Taylor Swift

Listen!

Peak: 02

Weeks: 18

Album: 1989

Recently Taylor Swift has started getting on my nerves. I've loved most of her past singles (barring "Mean" - that was just awful), but the release of "Shake It Off" and "Bad Blood" really started to turn me off from the entire era. I'm also kind of tired of hearing about her. However, she redeemed herself with singles like this and "Style" (still to come). I love the lyrics to this one, especially in the chorus. If Taylor sticks with Pop, I want more of this. Hopefully she takes a break though! Also, the video is stunning visually and is my favorite from her to date (love the animals!). Oh and this is really fun to belt in the car! Adele blocked her from getting a 4th number one from the album. 

PS - This scene in particular brought me joy:

[Zeebz]

085. "Sorry" - Justin Bieber

Listen!

Peak: 07

Weeks: 09

Album: Purpose

Easily my favorite Justin Bieber song. I've charted some of his previous singles, and several of those have done well. I really enjoyed "As Long As You Love Me" and "Beauty And A Beat" but they can't hold a candle to this or "What Do You Mean?". However, I'm not as obsessed with them as most of the world seem to be. They're great, but a tad overrated. With that being said, I love love love the production of this one. It definitely makes me want to dance! This made the top ten but had a short stay due to Adele's domination.

[Zeebz]

084. "Honeymoon" - Lana Del Rey

Listen!

Peak: 08

Weeks: 14

Album: Honeymoon

I really love Lana Del Rey. She's great, and her discography is such high quality. I was eagerly anticipating her return, and this was the first taste that I got. It doesn't come close to capturing the magic that the BTD singles or "West Coast" did, but is still a gorgeous song. I love how cinematic it is. "High By The Beach" is also good but it disappointed me. I still haven't listened to the album yet, but I should. 

[Zeebz]

083. "First" - Cold War Kids

Listen!

Peak: 21

Weeks: 11

Album: Hold My Home

This is sort of a late entry. I charted it earlier in the year but never played it much so it never took off. I started hearing it again lately and that has given it a recent push to re-enter and smash. It'll have a better peak next year. I really love the chorus because it's so much fun. This gets stuck in my head far too often. I don't have much to say about it, but it's fantastic. Just listen!

[Zeebz]

082. "Black Magic" - Little Mix

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 16

Album: Get Weird

The lowest ranked of my 2015 number ones, and the lowest ranked number one that actually made my year end chart ever. This song is pure pop fun, but it doesn't really feel like a number one. I was obsessed with it for a few weeks over the summer so I gave it a push to hit the top but now it fills more like a filler number one. That doesn't mean that I don't enjoy it, though. It remains fun and a nice addition to Little Mix's discography. Wish this was a bigger hit! 

[Zeebz]

081. "The Rhythm" - MNEK

Listen!

Peak: 09

Weeks: 18

Album: Small Talk

I discovered MNEK last year due to a featuring credit on Gorgon City's "Ready For Your Love", and I've been entranced ever since. I love his voice, and I love his productions - they've all been great. I haven't charted most of his singles for some reason though? Whatever, this did well! It's another fun song that makes me happy. Fun video, also. It had a decent run for a single that peaked at number 9. This reminds me - I need to give "Never Forget You" a better peak!

[Deleted]

#86, #85.

[Rose "Payola" Nylund]

The love for First though! <3

[Juan Carlos]

Dec 28, 2015 22:59:13 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

There's more than enough of me to go around! Be nice and share!

OK. I want to be added to that list.

---

MNEK! Glad to see him here, despite I think he's low. I mean, "The Rhythm" is still amazing and I prefer it over "Never Forget You", although both tracks are really good. Also, good to see "Bitch Better Have My Money" (not my favourite Rihanna track, but it's still enjoyable), "Wildest Dreams" and "First", among others.

[ry4n]

Dec 28, 2015 22:59:13 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

There's more than enough of me to go around! Be nice and share!

Thirsty ho

No, but really, some excellent selections in this latest batch. Sad "Sorry" isn't higher, but glad to see it all the same. :)

[Zeebz]

080. "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" - Jamie xx ft. Young Thug & Popcaan

Listen!

Peak: 07

Weeks: 17

Album: In Colour

I've always really enjoyed the xx, so I was excited to hear new material from Jamie xx. "Loud Places" was an instant favorite and quickly raced to number one, becoming one the biggest hits of the entire year. I also fell in love with this one, but it took a while longer to grow on me (hence the long run - it's still rising). "Good Times" is so infectiously fun and is perfect for the summer. Young Thug's vocals really help to sell the song. 

[Zeebz]

079. "Leave A Trace" - CHVRCHES

Listen!

Peak: 03

Weeks: 22

Album: Every Open Eye

For some reason I never charted the singles from CHVRCHES's last album well, but I didn't grow to appreciate them until lately. I wouldn't make the same mistake with the singles this era. "Leave A Trace" is nothing new from CHVRCHES, but that's not a bad thing. It did take a long time to grow on me, though, as it didn't peak until later in its chart run. It's number three peak is mostly due to songs that were falling at the time. Fantastic single. I need to listen to their album though!

[Zeebz]

078. "Joy Rides" - Mutemath

Listen!

Peak: 12

Weeks: 05

Album: Vitals

This is another recent discovery (thanks, Apple Radio!) that has quickly started to race up my charts. It's infectiously fun indie pop, and I can't help but sing along each and every time I hear it. It'll do even better in 2016!

[Zeebz]

077. "Love In The Dark" - Adele

Listen (?)

Peak: 08

Weeks: 06

Album: 25

One of the immediate highlights from Adele's most recent effort, "Love In The Dark" hooked me thanks to its vulnerable lyrics and Adele's magnificent vocals. I belt this every chance I get, and I really think it's underrated in context of the album. The cinematic production really accents the heartbreak that she feels and it makes me feel it, too (even though I'm not sad about anything). Gorgeous song. It has peaked at number eight for two weeks, and it'll likely peak even higher. 

[Zeebz]

076. "Shadow" - Chromatics

Listen!

Peak: 05

Weeks: 08

Album: Dear Tommy

I don't have much to say about it, but every time I listen to it the production makes me feel euphoric. It's so blissful sounding, and it helped propel his song to a recent top five peak. Just listen, it's wonderful.

[Zeebz]

075. "Shots" - Imagine Dragons

Listen!

Peak: 03

Weeks: 15

Album: Smoke + Mirrors

Night Visions was my favorite album of 2013 and at one point my favorite album of all time. Each and every song stood out to me and the singles were killer. "It's Time" and "Radioactive" in particular performed extremely well on my personal chart, and both remain among my favorite singles ever. I've been disappointed ever since, though, as they can't seem to recapture the magic of their debut. "Shots" was a nice step in the right, direction, though. I adore the chorus. It quickly peaked at number three but was rather short lived due to burnout. Hope they deliver more songs like this!

[Zeebz]

074. "Tired Of Talking" - LEON

Listen!

Peak: 04

Weeks: 10

Album: Treasure

Speaking of euphoric, the chorus on this one is so much fun. I love the whole Treasure EP, but this was certainly the standout. It peaked at number four rather quickly, but it also suffered from burnout and is currently on the way down. Love her, and I'm expecting big things to come from her.

[Zeebz]

073. "Love Me Like You Mean It" - Kelsea Ballerini

Listen!

Peak: 10

Weeks: 19

Album: The First Time

Like "Ex's & Oh's", I charted this late last year but it never took off. It took off once I started hearing it on country radio, eventually winding up in the top ten. I love the demanding nature of the lyrics, and the production is oh so much fun. I'm so glad that this became a country airplay number one. It truly deserved it. I liked this song enough to go see Kelsea in concert when she came to town and I wasn't disappointed. She's great, and she deserves all of the success that she is getting. "Dibs" and "Xo" are other favorites from her. 

[Zeebz]

072. "Biscuits" - Kacey Musgraves

Listen!

Peak: 09

Weeks: 17

Album: Pageant Material

It kills me to rank this this low, but there's just too many songs that I enjoyed this year. Also, I want to highlight another Musgraves song later. Anyways, I really love Kacey and have since I first heard "Merry Go 'Round". Her attitude, her voice, her lyrics - all brilliant. I wish she would have more success on country radio. Speaking of excellent lyrics, I love the use of the word "biscuits" as a replacement for "business". This is yet another do what you want and don't muddle in other people's lives kind of anthem, but that's okay but those are my favorites from her. It's a message that's all too needed and I love how fun she made it. This should've peaked much higher. 

[Zeebz]

071. "Froot" - Marina & the Diamonds

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 24

Album: Froot

I was initially disappointed by this and its parent album as Electra Heart was such a favorite of mine. However, once this grew on me I was in loved. I love the disco vibes. They make this such a fun song to sing along to. It inevitably hit number one at the beginning of this year, and it remains a favorite today. It only ranks so low because its run is split between two years. 

[Deleted]

#75, #73, #72.

[Juan Carlos]

So, I was intrigued with "Joy Rides" because of the indie pop description you wrote and I have to say that this is indeed good, along other tracks. Another good batch, Justin.

[Zeebz]

070. "I Can Change" - Brandon Flowers

Listen!

Peak: 03

Weeks: 08

Album: The Desired Effects

I've been a longtime fan of The Killers, but for some reason I slept on Brandon's solo material prior to this era (minus "Crossfire"). However, both "Can't Deny My Love" and "Lonely Town" became instant favorites and I fell in love with his album. I didn't chart a proper follow-up until just recently, and it was this one. It didn't stand out when I was first listening to the album, but once it clicked it also sailed straight to the top ten. The chorus is so infectious and I can never get it out of my head. I also really enjoy the production. 

[Zeebz]

069. "Believe" - Mumford & Sons

Listen!

Peak: 04

Weeks: 16

Album: Wilder Mind

I was ecstatic to hear about Mumford & Sons coming back with new material because I really enjoyed Sigh No More and Babel. I was expecting another folkier sounding song/album, but was pleasantly surprised. This was a nice change of pace for them and it raced to my top ten (becoming their first song to do so since "I Will Wait"). It's held up really well with me, despite the lack of longevity. 

[Zeebz]

068. "Little Toy Guns" - Carrie Underwood

Listen!

Peak: 04

Weeks: 20

Album: Greatest Hits: Decade #1

I made the mistake of not giving "Something In The Water" a proper peak, but I was determined to not make the same mistake with this one. Carrie's been a favorite of mine for a long time, and I especially love how she tells stories in her songs. I love the theme of this one, and love the comparisons of words to little toy guns. It makes for an effective analogy and really captures the innocence of the protagonist. I also really enjoy the video. This was quite a nice way to wrap up the end of a fantastic decade 

[Zeebz]

067. "King" - Years & Years

Listen!

Peak: 16

Weeks: 21

Album: Communion

Years & Years have been one of the most successful acts of the year on my chart, but this was perhaps my least favorite of their three singles. I loved it, but I just wasn't as enthralled with it as the rest of Pulse/the world seemed to be. As a result, it only peaked at number 16. It was going to rank much lower on the countdown, but it's grown on me a lot recently and is quickly becoming one of my favorites. I love the production and the "oh"s. They'll have two more appearances on the list!

[Zeebz]

066. "Cool For The Summer" - Demi Lovato

Listen!

Peak: 03

Weeks: 17

Album: Confident

Demi has never really been a favorite of mine, but she really brought it with this one. It had to grow on me, but once it did I was obsessed for a few months. I couldn't get enough of the production, and I found myself singing the lyrics quite often. The opening piano riff is my absolute favorite aspect of this song. It really sets it up to be epic. I also really love the confidence that Demi exudes here. If she keeps releasing material like this and "Confident" I could see myself becoming a fan.

[Zeebz]

065. "Fly" - Maddie & Tae

Listen!

Peak: 04

Weeks: 25

Album: Start Here

"Girl In A Country Song" was one of my absolute favorite songs of last year, but for some reason this one took a long time to grow on me. At first it stalled out in the 30's, but it recently re-entered due to hearing it on the radio and sailed all the way to number four. It has such uplifting lyrics, and Maddie & Tae's vocals are beautiful. It had great longevity, and is still one of my favorite country songs of the past year. 

[Zeebz]

064. "Hands Up" - Sam Sparro

Listen!

Peak: 04

Weeks: 18

Album: Quantum Physical 2

I've heard of Sam before, but for some reason I never actually took the chance to check him out. I saw this on a Spotify playlist and decided to give it a listen, and I'm glad that I did. I fell in love with the song and everything about it. The production is really fun and Sam's vocals are great. This also prompted me to check out more from him, and he's quickly become one of my favorites. 

[Zeebz]

063. "I Really Like You" - Carly Rae Jepsen

Listen!

Peak: 01

Weeks: 15

Album: Emotion

I enjoyed the singles from Kiss, but never enough to actually check out her album. However, over the years I began to love her singles more and more and was really excited to hear that she was releasing again. I wasn't disappointed. "I Really Like You" is blissful fun. It's a tad juvenile, but it's reminiscent of young love and the butterflies that you get when you first start to fall for someone. It was super catchy, super cute, and and a perfect continuation of what she started with Kiss (only better). It became her first number one, and little did I know that it would pave the way for the best pop album of the year. I'll offer more thoughts on that later, but Carly IS 2015. No other artist had the kind of dominance that she has had, and I'm delighted that I gave this a chance. that being said, it burned on me due to overplay and had a really short run as a result. It's also one of my least favorites on the entire album, but the album is just that good. I still adore this. This should've been MUCH bigger. Carly still has FOUR more entries to come. :)