Introducing Song of the Month:
Song of the Month is a personally curated collection of my favorite songs, carefully chosen each month based on their exceptional replay value, memorable qualities, and the undeniable “wow” factor they possess. This selection is entirely subjective, as it reflects my personal taste in music, rather than conforming to national trends or prominent chart rankings. While some of the songs may have been released several years ago, if they are newly discovered by me, they become eligible for inclusion in the corresponding month.
Over the past 17 years, starting from December 2006, I have faithfully maintained this list, cherishing the songs that have resonated with me on a profound level. However, due to the limited number of months in a year, there have been numerous noteworthy songs that, although deserving, did not make the final cut. To address this, I aspire to create a dedicated page featuring honorable mentions and a compilation of the top songs from each year and even the entire decade, commemorating the musical gems that have graced my ears throughout this journey.
Song of the Month is a testament to my enduring passion for music and serves as a personal chronicle of the songs that have enriched my life over the years. It is a celebration of the artistry, emotion, and impact that music can have, as well as an acknowledgment of the timeless nature of great songs that continue to captivate and inspire us, transcending the constraints of time and popularity.
2023
| January | Better Moments | Joywave |
| February | Centuries | Fall Out Boy |
| March | Knock Knock | Vinyl Theatre |
| April | It’s a Trip! | Joywave |
| May | ||
| June | ||
| July | ||
| August | ||
| September | ||
| October | ||
| November | ||
| December |
2022
In an exciting update to the Song of the Month tradition, a recent change in rules has been implemented to allow previously overlooked favorite songs to have a chance at redemption. Starting in 2022, songs that have been played extensively during the chosen month can now be entered, even if they didn’t make the list in previous years. This rule adjustment recognizes the undeniable impact and significance that these songs hold, warranting their inclusion despite initial omissions.
Thanks to this rule change, we have witnessed the emergence of remarkable tracks that had previously been overshadowed by other exceptional songs during their respective discovery months. Among the notable beneficiaries of this revision are “Crystallize” by Lindsey Stirling, “Two Sides” by Hembree, and “Love Runs Out” by OneRepublic. These highly memorable compositions, with their captivating melodies and exceptional artistry, have finally found their rightful place among the ranks of the Song of the Month list.
These songs stand as a testament to the dynamic and ever-evolving nature of musical appreciation. While they may have initially missed the opportunity to be recognized, they have now been given a chance to shine alongside the other great songs that have graced the list. This change allows us to celebrate the rich diversity of musical experiences and ensures that no extraordinary song goes unnoticed in the long run.
| January | She’s on Fire | 3 One Oh |
| February | Crystallize | Lindsey Stirling |
| March | Two Sides | Hembree |
| April | Love Runs Out | OneRepublic |
| May | Me, Myself, and Hollywood | Circa Waves |
| June | All Comes Crashing | Metric |
| July | the hard way | Switchfoot |
| August | Can’t Take Away | Jeremy Camp |
| September | No Limits | Zayde Wolf |
| October | Swamp Thing | Pegboard Nerds |
| November | Here For You (feat. Q’AILA) | Pixl |
| December | Hot Thoughts | Spoon |
2021
2021 is the year of recovery from 2020. In March, businesses were allowed to reopen, and a return to normal is on the horizon. OVERWERK continues to reappear on the list year after year, similar to how Faded Paper Figures dominated the list in the past.
| January | Endless Summer | Absofacto |
| February | My Type | Saint Motel |
| March | Essence | Direct |
| April | Dance Monkey (Saxophone Version) | Fernando Bussetti |
| May | Small Talk 2.0 | Faded Paper Figures |
| June | Anthology | OVERWERK |
| July | Mercury | Yates |
| August | The Overpass | Panic! At the Disco |
| September | Parallel | OVERWERK |
| October | A New Adventure | JJD & Molly Ann |
| November | Another’s Arms | Coldplay |
| December | Hush | The Marías |
2020
Only midway through the new year in the new decade, the most memorable song is Bangarang by Skrillex. When it was first released, I had heard this song before but never had it on repeat in my music library. So while it is a rediscovery, it feels like a discovery.
The xx also appears in my top picks as I discovered “I Dare You” while listening to Apple Radio. Joywave returns to my list for the second year in a row.
2020 was the worst year for most of the world as COVID-19 restrictions rocked the economy, political tensions escalated, and uncertainty kept us jarred every moment. My music selection suffered low play counts, and I almost forgot to track this year after May 2020.
| January | Church | Jacques Lu Cont |
| February | Fade Away | Vinyl Theatre |
| March | I Dare You | The xx |
| April | Bangarang (feat. Sirah) | Skrillex |
| May | Golden State | Joywave |
| June | I Just Wanna Shine | Fitz and The Tantrums |
| July | Coming Up Short | Bloxx |
| August | Wicked Game | EC Twins & Mina Tobias |
| September | Feel It Still | Revelries & Henri Purnell |
| October | Walk Away | The Jacks |
| November | Heart-Shaped Box | Tribe Society |
| December | Perfect People | Courtship |
2019
2019 is midway through, and it’s too early to declare a top song, but so far, it’s been a solid year. It’s the first time since 2013 that I am exploring several new bands that I’m impressed by. Stay tuned for updates.
Switchfoot, OVERWERK, and Echosmith reappear in 2019’s sections, along with new artists like Alice Merton and Joywave.
| January | Cry for You | September |
| February | Native Tongue | Switchfoot |
| March | Over My Head | Echosmith |
| April | Reflect (Alt) | OVERWERK |
| May | No Roots | Alice Merton |
| June | Los Ageless | St. Vincent |
| July | Tongues (feat. Kopps) | Joywave |
| August | Judy | Castlecomer |
| September | Stars (Acoustic) | Switchfoot |
| October | Only Way Is Down | John Lingard |
| November | Passion | AWOLNATION |
| December | Holy Water | Hembree |
2018
2018 is a year of old and new. Bands I had followed since the beginning appears in this year’s selections alongside new favorites. A solid year for music. The choice is hard yet again.
The top song for 2018 is “Bridges Burn” by NEEDTOBREATHE. Bring an old favorite band back to the top.
| January | Psychotic Girl | The Black Keys |
| February | War | MUTEMATH |
| March | Believer | Imagine Dragons |
| April | So Good | Warpaint |
| May | Cool Kids | Echosmith |
| June | Summertime | K-391 |
| July | A Groove | Kisses |
| August | Bridges Burn | NEEDTOBREATHE |
| September | Animal | Miike Snow |
| October | Time Machine | Coin |
| November | Crystalized (Dark Sky Remix) | The xx |
| December | Voice in the Silence | MUTEMATH |
2017
2017 pulls me back out of the the music deficit. With fresh sounds and another candidate for the song of the decade.
Top song for 2017 is “Gold on the Ceiling” by The Black Keys, giving a challenge to my now old favorite, Faded Paper Figures (which managed to appear in my list for 6 years).
| January | Dance to It | Tut Tut Child |
| February | Bad Machine (feat. Insomnia) | Nostalgia & Aami |
| March | Half Age | Weval |
| April | Everyday is Saturday | pronobozo |
| May | Angels (feat. Kat Nestel) [Radio Edit] | Vicetone |
| June | Love is Mystical | Cold War Kids |
| July | Adventure of a Lifetime | Coldplay |
| August | Do It Again | Röyksopp & Robyn |
| September | Crossing Out | Faded Paper Figures |
| October | Gold On the Ceiling | The Black Keys |
| November | Calling | OVERWERK |
| December | Carol of the Bells | Lindsey Stirling |
2016
Again in 2016 there was a musical drought where I repeated artists and picked multiple songs from the same album. Not that these weren’t great, I just prefer to have something unique for every month. Pulling from a previous month’s album selection isn’t what I had in mind when I started this list. Still this has a great selection and I believe this was a better method to filling in months than in the past.
Top pick for 2016 is “Conquer” by OVERWERK, proving that the newer digital music could challenge my old favorite NEEDTOBREATHE.
| January | Conquer | OVERWERK |
| February | Toccata | OVERWERK |
| March | Figure 8 | Ellie Goulding |
| April | Lick the Rainbow | Mord Fustang |
| May | If You Want | Mord Fustang |
| June | Money & Fame | NEEDTOBREATHE |
| July | Face Value (Extended Mix) | Armin Van Buuren |
| August | Far Away | Washed Out |
| September | Colours of Arps | Eagles and Butterflies |
| October | Healer of Souls | Switchfoot |
| November | Perdoname | Deorro |
| December | Dark Energy | Faded Paper Figures |
2015
2015 is another musical drought year. I found it hard to pick a song some months, because the new tracks I was listening to weren’t that exciting. Still I have several favorites. I fill many months with songs that should have received recognition in previous years, but never made it. Think of it as the year of honorable mentions.
Top song of 2015 is “Lights (Bassnectar Remix)” by Ellie Goulding, because when I first heard the song on Pandora I thought it was the coolest sound I had ever heard.
| January | Five Hours | Deorro |
| February | Feeling So Blue (Extended Mix) | Michael Mind Project |
| March | Lights (Bassnectar Remix) | Ellie Goulding |
| April | Outside (feat. Ellie Goulding) | Calvin Harris |
| May | Sooner or Later (Soren’s Song) | Switchfoot |
| June | The Fatal Wound | Switchfoot |
| July | Blast the Noise | S3RL |
| August | Fortune Days | The Glitch Mob |
| September | Left Hand Free | alt-J |
| October | Pray to God (HAIM) | Calvin Harris |
| November | Instigators | Grace Potter |
| December | Some Chords | deadmau5 |
2014
2014 opens a little slow, I made some rushed picks and reran selections from older albums. But towards the end there are some real hits.
“Crystalized” by the xx should have been recognized in a previous year, but for some reason wasn’t, so here it is in 2014. This gives the new comers some competition as I believe Crystalize should be a top song. Also one of my own works appears in this list as I made a song for Kara, which reached a top 10 spot in my most played songs list.
The top song for 2014 is “Night Shift” by OVERWERK because when I think of 2014 I think of this song. Although, “Crystalized” by the xx will also be a candidate for top song of the decade.
| January | Mammoth | Dimitri Vegas, MOGUAI & Like Mike |
| February | Strong (Original Mix) | Kid Massive & Alex Sayz |
| March | Goodbye | MUTEMATH |
| April | Louder | Kid Karate |
| May | Take Me Out | Franz Ferdinand |
| June | Night Shift | OVERWERK |
| July | Blackout Days | Phantogram |
| August | The Theif | Relient K |
| September | Nothing But Trouble | Phantogram |
| October | Neon (Instrumental) | Aaron & Kara |
| November | Crystalized | The xx |
| December | Dye | Tycho |
2013
2013 gets me out of my music drought, with big hits that I still listen to on repeat to this day. Faded Paper Figures makes an appearance in this list too for the 4th consecutive year in a row.
Top song for 2013 is harder this year, but its definitely “If She Was Away” by Rebecca & Fiona. Even though May and June’s selections are really great songs. December wins!
| January | Robot High School | My Robot Friend |
| February | Change the World | Finger Eleven |
| March | Man on the Moon | Phillip Phillips |
| April | Roll the Dice – Original Mix | Dimitri Vangelis & Wyman |
| May | Cinema (feat. Gary Go) | Benny Benassi |
| June | Counting Stars | One Republic |
| July | Little Numbers | Boy |
| August | Cross the Line (Instrumental Version) | Camo & Krooked |
| September | Holy Smoke | Faded Paper Figures |
| October | Beam Me Up | Cazzette |
| November | Flute | New World Sound & Thomas Newson |
| December | If She Was Away | Rebecca & Fiona |
2012
2012 experiences the first musical drought after several progressively great musical years. Faded Paper Figures also appears in this year’s selections. Faded Paper Figures creates a dynasty in Song of the Month years, where each year since I first discovered them I pick a new favorite.
Top song for 2012 is “It Starts” by Alex Metric, surprisingly. While I love Faded Paper Figures, I picked another song from the same album I had been selecting from, so “It Starts” was fresh and a first choice song from Alex Metric as opposed to a third choice pick.
| January | Love You Like a Love Song | Selena Gomez |
| February | On Automatic | Andy Hunter |
| March | Now That I Have You | Salvador |
| April | Millie | Blue Mitchell |
| May | It Starts | Alex Metric |
| June | Too Close | Alex Clare |
| July | Moves Like Jaggar | Maroon 5 |
| August | Exit Calypsan | Falling Up |
| September | You Know What I Mean | Faded Paper Figures |
| October | Spaceman | Hardwell |
| November | Snow (Hey Oh) | Vitamin String Quartet |
| December | Crossfire | Brandon Flowers |
2011
2011 was another solid Song of the Month year. No songs to regret. I would even say that my selections are getting even better.
My top pick for 2011 again goes to Faded Paper Figures, but I’m tied between “The Cold Wars” and “The Persuaded”.
| January | Miracles | Newsboys |
| February | Spotlight | MUTEMATH |
| March | The Cold Wars | Faded Paper Figures |
| April | Feel it in Your Heart | Abandon |
| May | Stitches | Switchfoot |
| June | If Only | KT Tunstall |
| July | Radiate | Andy Hunter |
| August | The Persuaded | Faded Paper Figures |
| September | Come On | Andy Hunter |
| October | Dark Horses | Switchfoot |
| November | One More | MUTEMATH |
| December | Rise Above It | Switchfoot |
2010
2010 was one of my best musical years. All of these are great. The competition is closer, especially with Faded Paper Figures, MUTEMATH and OneRepublic. Even TobyMac’s “Tonight” is incredibly memorable.
My top song for 2010 would have to be “New Medium” by Faded Paper Figures, even though “Small Talk” by Faded Paper Figures was the first song I ever heard from them. The entire New Medium album is great and I have several favorites that make it hard to pick one. This album made Faded Paper Figures my favorite band. Alongside NEEDTOBREATHE, Switchfoot, and MUTEMATH; Faded Paper Figures is in good company.
| January | Made for You | OneRepublic |
| February | 1901 | Phoenix |
| March | Tonight (feat. John Cooper) | TobyMac |
| April | Wayside | Fair |
| May | Clipping | MUTEMATH |
| June | Sitting, Waiting, Wishing | Jack Johnson |
| July | Prophets of Uncertainty | Salient |
| August | The Anchor | The Museum |
| September | Born Again | Newsboys |
| October | Radiate | Andy Hunter |
| November | Small Talk | Faded Paper Figures |
| December | New Medium | Faded Paper Figures |
2009
2009 was the first year without any lazy selections I regret. For what was available to me at the time, I made good choices.
My top song for 2009 is “Prisoner” by NEEDTOBREATHE and its by a mile! This song is also a candidate for my top song of the decade.
| January | Peace of Mind | DecembeRadio |
| February | Turn on the Lights | Sanctus Real |
| March | There Was Another Time in my Life | Relient K |
| April | Kaliforn-Eye-A | P.O.D. |
| May | System Error | Andy Hunter |
| June | O Praise Him (All This For A King) (Oceanic Mix) | David Crowder Band |
| July | I Wonder If It’s Me | Abandon Kansas |
| August | Electrify | MUTEMATH |
| September | Greed | DecembeRadio |
| October | Lifelight | Andy Hunter |
| November | Bullet Soul | Switchfoot |
| December | Prisoner | NEEDTOBREATHE |
2008
Like the year before, 2008 is equally solid. I still approve of my selections, but I did choose the same song twice in April and October; one was the original version and the other was a remix.
The top song of 2008 is “Quit” by NEEDTOBREATHE, which held the #1 most played song in my iTunes library for years. Although, I have many other favorites from this year, including: “The Coldest Heart” by The Classic Crime and “We Could Run Away” by NEEDTOBREATHE.
| January | Shadowplay | The Killers |
| February | Jenny was a Friend of Mine | The Killers |
| March | Broken Heart (Ghosts of Seaside) | Falling Up |
| April | Can You Feel It? | David Crowder Band |
| May | Quit | NEEDTOBREATHE |
| June | Beautiful Day | Sanctus Real |
| July | Genesis | Justice |
| August | You Have What I Need | Hawk Nelson |
| September | Clocks | Coldplay |
| October | Can You Feel It? (Live) | David Crowder Band |
| November | The Coldest Heart | The Classic Crime |
| December | We Could Run Away | NEEDTOBREATHE |
2007
2007 is the first canon year of Song of the Month. While “Made a Mistake” by Sugarcult was technically the first song, 2007 was the first full year. Since my music playlist is order from oldest to newest. These songs have received the most plays in my iTunes library.
Over 10 years later, these songs still stand up to the high standard I set for Song of the Month, except one. October’s pick was a rushed, because I was still playing the previous month’s songs on repeat and failed to find anything new worth honoring in October. I decided I couldn’t skip a month so I picked the only new song I had been listening to in that month. For years, I held a policy of only picking favorite songs that were actually favorites in that month. This policy was later nullified when I needed to fill musical recessions.
My top song for 2007 would have to be “New Season” by Building 429, because at the time and for many years afterwards I liked it more than any of the others. Although, “Which to Bury, Us Or the Hatchet” by Relient K has stood the test of time with me.
| January | Read My Mind | The Killers |
| February | Gasoline | Audioslave |
| March | Somewhere I Belong | Linkin Park |
| April | The (After) Life Of The Party | Fall Out Boy |
| May | Remember the Name | Fort Minor |
| June | Dead Man (Carry Me) | Jars Of Clay |
| July | Which to Bury, Us Or The Hatchet | Relient K |
| August | New Season | Building 429 |
| September | Forgiven | Relient K |
| October | John Woo | Newsboys |
| November | Top Of The World | The All-American Rejcts |
| December | In Pieces | Linkin Park |
2006
2006 is the year that I started my Song of the Month list. I played “Made a Mistake” by Sugarcult so much that I decided to keep a list of my favorite songs. This song became the standard to measure feature picks (very repeatable, memorable, and wow factor).
Originally, this song began the list with every song written afterwards chronologically. This tradition ended in August of 2019 when I decided to flip the list, putting the current year on top to prevent scrolling to bottom.
| December | Made a Mistake | Sugarcult |
Through the Decades
December 2006 – Made a Mistake – Sugarcult
July 2007 – Which to Bury, Us Or The Hatchet – Relient K
August 2007 – New Season – Building 429
September 2007 – Forgiven – Relient K
May 2008 – Quit – Needtobreathe
November 2008 – The Coldest Heart – The Classic Crime
December 2008 – We Could Run Away – Needtobreathe
August 2009 – Electrify – MuteMath
November 2009 – Bullet Soul – Switchfoot
December 2009 – Prisoner – Needtobreathe
January 2010 – Made for You – OneRepublic
May 2010 – Clipping – MuteMath
November 2010 – Small Talk – Faded Paper Figures
March 2011 – The Cold Wars – Faded Paper Figures
April 2011 – Feel It in Your Heart – Abandon
August 2011 – The Persuaded – Faded Paper Figures
May 2012 – It Starts – Alex Metric
June 2012 – Too Close – Alex Clare
October 2012 – Spaceman – Hardwell
May 2013 – Cinema (feat. Gary Go) – Benny Benassi
June 2013 – Counting Stars – OneRepublic
December 2013 – If She Was Away – Rebecca & Fiona
June 2014 – Night Shift – OVERWERK
July 2014 – Blackout Days – Phantogram
November 2014 – Crystalized – The XX
March 2015 – Lights (Bassnectar Remix) – Ellie Goulding
August 2015 – Fortune Days – The Glitch Mob
November 2015 – Instigators – Grace Potter
January 2016 – Conquer – OVERWERK
March 2016 – Figure 8 – Ellie Goulding
June 2016 – Money & Fame – Needtobreathe
June 2017 – Love is Mystical – Cold War Kids
September 2017 – Crossing Out – Faded Paper Figures
October 2017 – Gold On the Ceiling – Needtobreathe
February 2018 – War – MuteMath
May 2018 – Cool Kids – Echosmith
August 2018 – Bridges Burn – Needtobreathe
February 2019 – Native Tongue – Switchfoot
May 2019 – No Roots – Alice Merton
July 2019 – Tongues (feat. Kopps) Joywave
April 2020 – Bangarang (feat. Sirah) – Skrillex
September 2020 – Feel It Still – Revelries & Henri Purnell
October 2020 – Walk Away – The Jacks
June 2021 – Anthology – OVERWERK
August 2021 – The Overpass – Panic! At the Disco
September 2021 – Parallel – OVERWERK
September 2022 – No Limits – Zayde Wolf
November 2022 – Here For You (feat. Q’AILA) – Pixl
December 2022 – Hot Thoughts – Spoon