Zebra's Year End Charts - 2015 (Finished)

[Zeebz]

Zebra's Top Albums Of 2015

Here's some of my favorite albums of the year. They're not necessarily ranked by just quality, but influence and chart performance has a role here also. 

001. Emotion - Carly Rae Jepsen

There was no other choice for this year. Carly was never a favorite of mine prior to this year but this album is magic. It perfectly captures the feeling of falling in love and all of the emotions that come with that. Every song is incredible and this should've smashed so much harder. 

002. 25 - Adele

003. Pageant Material - Kacey Musgraves

004. Communion - Years & Years

005. The Blade - Ashley Monroe

006. Me. - Empress Of

007. The Desired Effect - Brandon Flowers

008. Unbreakable - Janet Jackson

009. Blue Neighbourhood - Troye Sivan

010. To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar

011. 000 100 - Billie Black

012. Honeymoon - Lana Del Rey

013. Fetty Wap - Fetty Wap

014. Art Angels - Grimes

015. Delirium - Ellie Goulding

016. Kindred - Passion Pit

017. Jackie - Ciara

018. Traveller - Chris Stapleton

019. Breathe In. Breathe Out. - Hilary Duff

020. Storyteller - Carrie Underwood

[Zeebz]

Zebra's Top 100 Songs Of 2015 - Recap

001 - ?
002 - ?
003 - ?
004 - ?
005 - ?
006 - "Can't Deny My Love" - Brandon Flowers
007 - "Lean On" - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ
008 - "Let's Get Lost" - Carly Rae Jepsen
009 - "Adventure Of A Lifetime" - Coldplay
010 - "Loud Places" - Jamie xx ft. Romy
011 - "On To Something Good" - Ashley Monroe
012 - "Don't Wait Up" - Robert DeLong
013 - "Say Something" - Karen Harding
014 - "No Sleeep" - Janet Jackson ft. J. Cole
015 - "Gimmie Love" - Carly Rae Jepsen
016 - "Burning House" - Cam
017 - "Shine" - Years & Years
018 - "My Type" - Saint Motel
019 - "Style" - Taylor Swift
020 - "Water Under The Bridge" - Adele
021 - "I Don't Need Another Lover" - Billie Black
022 - "Dime Store Cowgirl" - Kacey Musgraves
023 - "Girl Crush" - Little Big Town
024 - "Dreams" - Beck
025 - "What We Ain't Got" - Jake Owen
026 - "S.O.B." - Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
027 - "Hold My Hand" - Jess Glynne
028 - "Say You Love Me" - Jessie Ware
029 - "Lifted Up (1985)" - Passion Pit
030 - "Standard" - Empress Of
031 - "When We Were Young" - Adele
032 - "Wild" - Troye Sivan
033 - "Electric Love" - BØRNS
034 - "Pray To God" - Calvin Harris ft. HAIM
035 - "Tear In My Heart" - Twenty One Pilots
036 - "Go All Night" - Gorgon City ft. Jennifer Hudson
037 - "The Blade" - Ashley Monroe
038 - "679" - Fetty Wap ft. Remy Boyz
039 - "Stitches" - Shawn Mendes
040 - "I Got The Boy" - Jana Kramer
041 - "What Kind Of Man" - Florence + the Machine
042 - "Better Than You Left Me" - Mickey Guyton
043 - "How Do You Do It" - Empress Of
044 - "Player" - Tinashe ft. Chris Brown
045 - "Here" - Alessia Cara
046 - "Stay A Little Longer" - Brothers Osborne
047 - "FourFiveSeconds" - Rihanna, Kanye West, & Paul McCartney
048 - "Catfish" - Tamar Braxton
049 - "Lonely Town" - Brandon Flowers
050 - "Peaches" - In The Valley Below
051 - "Gunshot" - Lykke Li
052 - "Desire" - Years & Years
053 - "Gone" - Jr. Jr.
054 - "All That" - Carly Rae Jepsen
055 - "Sparks" - Hilary Duff
056 - "R.I.P. 2 My Youth" - The Neighbourhood
057 - "Molecules" - Atlas Genius
058 - "Don't Wanna Fight" - Alabama Shakes
059 - "Nobody Love" - Tori Kelly
060 - "Overload" - Life Of Dillon
061 - "Afterlife" - Ingrid Michaelson
062 - "Lay Low" - Josh Turner
063 - "I Really Like You" - Carly Rae Jepsen
064 - "Hands Up" - Sam Sparro
065 - "Fly" - Maddie & Tae
066 - "Cool For The Summer" - Demi Lovato
067 - "King" - Years & Years
068 - "Little Toy Guns" - Carrie Underwood
069 - "Believe" - Mumford & Sons
070 - "I Can Change" - Brandon Flowers
071 - "Froot" - Marina & the Diamonds
072 - "Biscuits" - Kacey Musgraves
073 - "Love Me Like You Mean It" - Kelsea Ballerini
074 - "Tired Of Talking" - LEON
075 - "Shots" - Imagine Dragons
076 - "Shadow" - Chromatics
077 - "Love In The Dark" - Adele
078 - "Joy Rides" - Mutemath
079 - "Leave A Trace" - CHVRCHES
080 - "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" - Jamie xx ft. Young Thug & Popcaan
081 - "The Rhythm" - MNEK
082 - "Black Magic" - Little Mix
083 - "First" - Cold War Kids
084 - "Honeymoon" - Lana Del Rey
085 - "Sorry" - Justin Bieber
086 - "Wildest Dreams" - Taylor Swift
087 - "Bitch Better Have My Money" - Rihanna
088 - "What You Don't Do" - Lianne La Havas
089 - "Loving You Easy" - Zac Brown Band
090 - "All My Friends" - Snakehips ft. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper
091 - "Riva (Restart The Game)" - Klingande ft. Broken Back
092 - "Ocean Drive" - Duke Dumont
093 - "Something In The Way You Move" - Ellie Goulding
094 - "Ex's & Oh's" - Elle King
095 - "Mountain At My Gates" - Foals
096 - "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" - Jess Glynne
097 - "Good Thing" - Sage the Gemini ft. Nick Jonas
098 - "You Were Right" - RUFUS
099 - "All I See" - JackLNDN
100 - "Used To Love You" - Gwen Stefani

[ry4n]

Damn a clean sweep for Carly coming up.

[Zeebz]

005. "Me And Johnny Cash" - Rainey Qualley

"Goodbye lies, goodbye blue. Life's too short to keep missin' you"

Peak: 01

Weeks: 20

Chart Run: 17-07-01-01-03-05-06-07-08-11-14-22-32-39-54-65-71-82-85-94

Album: Turn Down The Lights

There's few things that I enjoy more than songs about revenge and getting over a broken heart, and this is one of my favorite examples of that. Rainey has been through a break up but she isn't sad, she's angry. She's acting crazy, burning love letters, and drinking a bottle of wine while listening to Johnny Cash (hence the title). Lyrics like "life's too short to keep missin' you" and "I'm gettin' over you one match at a time" really show how over it she is and it makes this such a fun listen. It's just a badass song with an equally badass guitar, and her vocal delivery is excellent. This is a fun one to sing along to. Truthfully this should've spent more time at the top, but oh well. It also should've been a massive hit.

[Zeebz]

004. "Black & White" - Billie Black

"Livin' day to day but only getting by"

Peak: 01

Weeks: 21

Chart Run: 100-08-02-01-01-01-02-05-09-11-11-15-18-24-35-39-45-58-70-77-91

Album: 000 100

Switching gears entirely, I loved "Black & White" for how mellow it was. The production pulsates in a refrained manner, creating an overall (relaxing) atmosphere of brooding. Her vocals are gorgeous, and add to the overall effect. I couldn't get enough of this when I first heard it. It was addicting and the clear standout from Billie's fantastic EP (credit to Elle for helping me to discover it), despite initially being overshadowed by "I Don't Need Another Lover". This took a week to grow on me, but once it hit it hit, scoring the largest jump ever (92 spots) and spending three weeks at the top. Fantastic song. It remains a highlight in my playlist. 

[Zeebz]

003. "Love Me Like You Do" - Ellie Goulding

"What are you waiting for?"

Peak: 01

Weeks: 19

Chart Run: 53-09-08-01-01-01-02-03-06-11-13-23-29-32-44-49-66-76-86

Album: Fifty Shades Of Grey (Soundtrack)

"Love Me Like You Do" may not have grabbed my attention at first, but eventually the chorus wormed its way into my head and has refused to let go ever since. Max Martin's production on this is one of his best, and that, coupled with the explosive chorus, makes this the perfect pop song. It captures the feeling of being in love/wanting someone to love you. It's brilliant. Initially this burned on me a bit and was way lower in this countdown (like mid-20s), but I realized just how inescapable this was/is and I couldn't deny it its rightful place near the top. This is one of my favorite pop hits of the year.

[Zeebz]

002. "Hello" - Adele

"Hello from the outside, at least I can say that I've tried"

Peak: 01

Weeks: 11

Chart Run: 01-01-01-01-02-03-06-10-16-19-21

Album: 25

Hello... it's Adele. Adele's next album was my most anticipated release of the year, and perhaps of all time. 21 was incredible and I was looking forward to seeing if she could replicate the same magic that she had with both of her previous albums. She certainly didn't disappoint. The first line is iconic in its own right, and the song only gets better from there. Lyrically, the song isn't the best I've ever heard (and far from the worst). Vocally, Adele more than makes up for it with her wonderful voice and her power to emote. The chorus just hits like a bomb and it leaves me reflecting on how previous relationships went wrong, lol. She makes me feel sad, but in a really good way. This seems a little high simply because it burned on me a bit (hence the steep drops - it'll rebound), but I can't deny the impact that it had on me and my year. Flawless. Also, I'm so glad that this had the success that it deserved.

[Deleted]

#3, #2.

I think I know your #1... ;)

[Fancy]

if ur #1 isn't "bills" ur fucking trash

[Deleted]

Jan 10, 2016 22:57:13 GMT -5 Fancy said:

if ur #1 isn't "bills" ur f**king trash

Be nice...

[Zeebz]

001. "Run Away With Me" - Carly Rae Jepsen

"Oh my baby, take me to the feeling. I'll be your sinner in secret... when the lights go out"

Peak: 01 (9 weeks)

Weeks: 25

Chart Run: 11-04-04-01-01-01-01-01-01-01-01-01-02-02-03-05-07-10-09-10-14-16-20-34-33

Album: Emotion

Possibly (probably) predictable, but there's no other song that hit me as hard as this did last year. "I Really Like You" was great, but "Run Away With Me" was the song that really made me start to love Carly. The opening synth production instantly bombards you with a sense of exuberant bliss. That feeling never lets up, and if anything only escalates into a sense of euphoria. This is the moment where you realize that you're in love. The songwriting effectively creates a sense of adoration, the 80s-reminiscent production (which is full of delightful synths and sax) makes you feel like running away, and Carly's vocals pull the whole thing together. I love how she shouts the chorus, which only adds to the excitement and urgency of Carly's feelings. There's no denying the joy that this song brings (unless you're popstop and have no heart). I was hooked from the first listen and have been obsessed ever since. Also, the video is so much fun. It represents the song perfectly.

"Run Away With Me" is THE perfect pop song and honestly should've been the biggest hit of the entire year. It's my most played song of the year, the best charting song of the year, and my longest running number one hit. It deserved even more weeks on top, but Adele came and snatched those up. It caused the most songs to get caught in the runner-up position, and it has been my year-end number one since the first time that I heard it. This is nowhere near done on the chart, and will have a VERY long shelf life. This is very likely my favorite song since "Radioactive", at least. I might even enjoy it more. You'll have to see when it comes time for my all-time countdown! ;)

[Deleted]

No surprise there, good #1.

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 22:57:13 GMT -5 Fancy said:

if ur #1 isn't "bills" ur f**king trash

reported

[Juan Carlos]

Looks like I stalk know you so much because I guessed your Top 5!

Either way, fantastic countdown as always, Justin, and great to see Carly Rae atop!

[Zeebz]

Zebra's Top 100 Songs Of 2015 (Final List)

001 - "Run Away With Me" - Carly Rae Jepsen
002 - "Hello" - Adele
003 - "Love Me Like You Do" - Ellie Goulding
004 - "Black & White" - Billie Black
005 - "Me And Johnny Cash" - Rainey Qualley
006 - "Can't Deny My Love" - Brandon Flowers
007 - "Lean On" - Major Lazer & DJ Snake ft. MØ
008 - "Let's Get Lost" - Carly Rae Jepsen
009 - "Adventure Of A Lifetime" - Coldplay
010 - "Loud Places" - Jamie xx ft. Romy
011 - "On To Something Good" - Ashley Monroe
012 - "Don't Wait Up" - Robert DeLong
013 - "Say Something" - Karen Harding
014 - "No Sleeep" - Janet Jackson ft. J. Cole
015 - "Gimmie Love" - Carly Rae Jepsen
016 - "Burning House" - Cam
017 - "Shine" - Years & Years
018 - "My Type" - Saint Motel
019 - "Style" - Taylor Swift
020 - "Water Under The Bridge" - Adele
021 - "I Don't Need Another Lover" - Billie Black
022 - "Dime Store Cowgirl" - Kacey Musgraves
023 - "Girl Crush" - Little Big Town
024 - "Dreams" - Beck
025 - "What We Ain't Got" - Jake Owen
026 - "S.O.B." - Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats
027 - "Hold My Hand" - Jess Glynne
028 - "Say You Love Me" - Jessie Ware
029 - "Lifted Up (1985)" - Passion Pit
030 - "Standard" - Empress Of
031 - "When We Were Young" - Adele
032 - "Wild" - Troye Sivan
033 - "Electric Love" - BØRNS
034 - "Pray To God" - Calvin Harris ft. HAIM
035 - "Tear In My Heart" - Twenty One Pilots
036 - "Go All Night" - Gorgon City ft. Jennifer Hudson
037 - "The Blade" - Ashley Monroe
038 - "679" - Fetty Wap ft. Remy Boyz
039 - "Stitches" - Shawn Mendes
040 - "I Got The Boy" - Jana Kramer
041 - "What Kind Of Man" - Florence + the Machine
042 - "Better Than You Left Me" - Mickey Guyton
043 - "How Do You Do It" - Empress Of
044 - "Player" - Tinashe ft. Chris Brown
045 - "Here" - Alessia Cara
046 - "Stay A Little Longer" - Brothers Osborne
047 - "FourFiveSeconds" - Rihanna, Kanye West, & Paul McCartney
048 - "Catfish" - Tamar Braxton
049 - "Lonely Town" - Brandon Flowers
050 - "Peaches" - In The Valley Below
051 - "Gunshot" - Lykke Li
052 - "Desire" - Years & Years
053 - "Gone" - Jr. Jr.
054 - "All That" - Carly Rae Jepsen
055 - "Sparks" - Hilary Duff
056 - "R.I.P. 2 My Youth" - The Neighbourhood
057 - "Molecules" - Atlas Genius
058 - "Don't Wanna Fight" - Alabama Shakes
059 - "Nobody Love" - Tori Kelly
060 - "Overload" - Life Of Dillon
061 - "Afterlife" - Ingrid Michaelson
062 - "Lay Low" - Josh Turner
063 - "I Really Like You" - Carly Rae Jepsen
064 - "Hands Up" - Sam Sparro
065 - "Fly" - Maddie & Tae
066 - "Cool For The Summer" - Demi Lovato
067 - "King" - Years & Years
068 - "Little Toy Guns" - Carrie Underwood
069 - "Believe" - Mumford & Sons
070 - "I Can Change" - Brandon Flowers
071 - "Froot" - Marina & the Diamonds
072 - "Biscuits" - Kacey Musgraves
073 - "Love Me Like You Mean It" - Kelsea Ballerini
074 - "Tired Of Talking" - LEON
075 - "Shots" - Imagine Dragons
076 - "Shadow" - Chromatics
077 - "Love In The Dark" - Adele
078 - "Joy Rides" - Mutemath
079 - "Leave A Trace" - CHVRCHES
080 - "I Know There's Gonna Be (Good Times)" - Jamie xx ft. Young Thug & Popcaan
081 - "The Rhythm" - MNEK
082 - "Black Magic" - Little Mix
083 - "First" - Cold War Kids
084 - "Honeymoon" - Lana Del Rey
085 - "Sorry" - Justin Bieber
086 - "Wildest Dreams" - Taylor Swift
087 - "Bitch Better Have My Money" - Rihanna
088 - "What You Don't Do" - Lianne La Havas
089 - "Loving You Easy" - Zac Brown Band
090 - "All My Friends" - Snakehips ft. Tinashe & Chance The Rapper
091 - "Riva (Restart The Game)" - Klingande ft. Broken Back
092 - "Ocean Drive" - Duke Dumont
093 - "Something In The Way You Move" - Ellie Goulding
094 - "Ex's & Oh's" - Elle King
095 - "Mountain At My Gates" - Foals
096 - "Don't Be So Hard On Yourself" - Jess Glynne
097 - "Good Thing" - Sage the Gemini ft. Nick Jonas
098 - "You Were Right" - RUFUS
099 - "All I See" - JackLNDN
100 - "Used To Love You" - Gwen Stefani

[josh]

YES

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 23:21:11 GMT -5 Juan Carlos said:

Looks like I stalk know you so much because I guessed your Top 5!

Either way, fantastic countdown as always, Justin, and great to see Carly Rae atop!

I guess so! I was surprised (and impressed) that you were able to guess the whole thing perfectly! I kind of wanted to validate your guess but didn't want to give it away, haha. Good job, and thanks Juan Carlos!

Jan 10, 2016 23:22:22 GMT -5 josh said:

YES

stan. about time she got justice for not smashing :'(

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 15:45:00 GMT -5 ry4n said:

Damn a clean sweep for Carly coming up.

You already know! Haha. Was it that predictable?

[popstop]

That is the most heartbreaking year-end top two I think I have ever seen.

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 23:44:40 GMT -5 popstop said:

That is the most heartbreaking year-end top two I think I have ever seen.

I know, it's just so tragic that Carly didn't occupy both spots. :'(

[popstop]

obv no.

Adele coming in second to Carly. I just can't.

[ry4n]

icantthinkofabetter#1 :) (except for my #1)

[Zeebz]

Jan 10, 2016 23:48:55 GMT -5 popstop said:

obv no.

Adele coming in second to Carly. I just can't.

Jan 10, 2016 21:01:21 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

Also Popstop can stay mad. Carly slays and he's just heartless. :)

<3

[Zeebz]

On a final, more serious note, I wanted to thank everyone who has followed my charts in this past year, or who has followed this countdown (or last year's). I really appreciate all of the likes/comments/views, even if I may not quote/like all of them. Two and a half years ago I started posting my personal chart as a fun hobby/experiment but I never expected it to make it this far, and that's partially due to you all! Your feedback helps to make an already enjoyable experience even more worthwhile. Here's to many more charts in the future! Thanks y'all! <3

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[Fancy]

Jan 10, 2016 23:15:33 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

Jan 10, 2016 22:57:13 GMT -5 Fancy said:

if ur #1 isn't "bills" ur f**king trash

reported

carly should've been higher 0/10

[Spidey]

"Run Away With Me"

[Albie]

Carly Slayyyyyyyyy! <3

[Juan Carlos]

You're awesome! And it's always a pleasure to follow your personal charts. <3

Jan 10, 2016 23:27:56 GMT -5 Zeebz said:

I guess so! I was surprised (and impressed) that you were able to guess the whole thing perfectly! I kind of wanted to validate your guess but didn't want to give it away, haha. Good job, and thanks Juan Carlos!

You're welcome Justin!

[trustypepper]

Great year-end list, Zebra! Always enjoying reading your chart, stay flawless!

[.indulgecountry]

Oh wow at Rainey Qualley in the Top 5! Yasssss! And I love that Adele and Ellie ranked high, too!

Great year-end countdown for a great chart. Love it & love you, Zeebs! Keep right on slaying in 2016!