There are many bands that release an amazing mainstream breakthrough single, then spend the rest of their careers trying, and failing, to replicate its quality and success. Hellogoodbye, Fountains of Wayne, and Hoobastank are just some examples, and I feared that after Thank You smashed in Australia, MKTO would fall into the same category. Thankfully, they proved me wrong with this flawless summer jam. As evidenced by the placement here, it even surpasses its predecessor. It absolutely oozes happiness and likability, from the harmonies to the slick production to the name-dropping rap bridge. And who knew that the guys were such lady charmers? Maybe it's a new side of them that we didn't get to see in Thank You. Or maybe chicks just dig rebellion against authority (they are Misfit Kids and Total Outcasts, after all). Whatever the case, it's never a bad idea to appeal to the fangirls! I can just imagine them sitting at their computers and drooling over the video. This is the last of two songs by MKTO in the list.
The Lumineers "Stubborn Love"
Don't you just love it when great songs come out of nowhere and catch you off guard with their brilliance? It's an amazing feeling that I experienced last spring with this poignant and beautiful folk tune. I mean, I never expected such a simple band to deliver one of my top hits of 2013, especially after Ho Hey had worn on me so quickly. But one thing that I always forget about is the power of simplicity. Sometimes, songs have to be plain and basic in order to ensure maximum effectivity, and Stubborn Love is the shining example. It presents a frustrating conflict for the protagonist: a loved one has hurt and betrayed him, but because of nostalgia, he cannot bear the idea of ending their relationship. This is a very relatable, touchy subject for many of us, and rather than trying to communicate a complicated personal story, the guys created an anthem for those who need help letting go of that "stubborn love". The stripped-down guitar melody allows us to hear the pure emotion in Wesley's voice, and in the right place, at the right time, I think it could be a huge tear-jerker. This is the last of two songs by The Lumineers in the list.
The Cab "Endlessly"
I don't know about the list as a whole but this Top 5 is much, much stronger than last year's. As a result, I faced the tough task of denying four masterpieces the coveted #1 spot. This placement was honestly just a gut call; my love for the song has not diminished at all since I first heard it last summer. In fact, I've decided that it's the best track on Symphony Soldier (believe me, that's saying a LOT). Apparently Bruno Mars has co-writing credits, and I can hear his influence, but thankfully he didn't keep it for himself because he wouldn't have done it justice. Plain and simple. Passion is one of the most important ingredients in a sappy love ballad, and Bruno's voice pales in comparison to the heavenly, ethereal tone of Alex DeLeon. I can't help but smile every time he sings "I'm no angel, I'm just me" because we all know that's not true. He's a messenger from heaven sent to bless us with his flawless music and incredible talent, and we must pay tribute by buying Symphony Soldier on iTunes today! This is the last of two songs by The Cab in the list.
Hunter Hayes "I Want Crazy"
I Want Crazy is, without a doubt, the new gold standard of country-pop. It sets Hunter miles apart from his young aspiring male peers in a way that Storm Warning, Somebody's Heartbreak, and even Wanted failed to do, and the reason is simple: it absolutely nails everything about young love. Most first relationships occur in the teenage years, and very few of them end up working out long-term. So it follows that very few teenagers actually want to "play by the rules" with their object of affection. If the relationship will almost inevitably end with a breakup, then why not get a little crazy with it? Hunter, not too far removed from the teenage years himself, expertly conveys this idea through lyrics about two rebels in love and a fast-paced, guitar-driven beat. The video is a little extreme, as I'm pretty sure every activity depicted is illegal, and the part where the two lovebirds throw soda bottles off the top of a building always bothers me (what if they hit someone?). But HEY, I think I'd be willing to accept the consequences of riding around town in a shopping cart. It looks so damn fun. This is the last of two songs by Hunter Hayes in the list.
Twenty One Pilots "Holding On to You"
These guys are everything I could have wished for in a mainstream rock band. Creative, multitalented, diverse, unafraid to take risks...the list goes on and on. And Holding On to You is the pinnacle of their magnificent craftsmanship. It takes the listener on a remarkably cohesive genre-bending journey, from Eminem-like rap verses to a poppy chorus to subdued rock glory in the bridge. Tyler's emotive rapping even grows to screaming in an intense verse directly preceding the final chorus, which leads one to wonder: What is this song really about? Well, it's so chock-full of brilliant metaphors and hidden meanings that there isn't one single straightforward answer, and I absolutely love that. It could be seen as a song about overcoming depression ("holding on" to the people and things that matter most), but the repeated chant of "Entertain my faith" seems to provide some religious undertones. And then the clever little diss to modern hip-hop opens up another possible meaning, with its criticism of the overemphasis on beats and the "lyrics that mean nothing". There's probably even more to discover, but the point is that no song in 2013 matched the utterly intriguing and extraordinary qualities of this one. That's why, after a tough deliberation, I've chosen it as my top single of the year. This is the last of two songs by Twenty One Pilots in the list.
About that hint I gave earlier...well, I shouldn't have trusted my memory so much, because it turns out that all of these artists have appeared before. The one guess that was made is correct though so no harm done. I'll make a big Thank You post tomorrow to everyone who has commented .