The Top 40 Songs of 2024 pt. 1
Today I Heard's favorite songs of the year. Numbers 40-21.
Welcome to the first half of Today I Heard’s Favorite Songs of 2024!
Note that I say favorite, not best. For something like this list, the subjectivity factor is difficult to remove. I still think that these songs stand up based on the objective metrics that people use to evaluate songs. But at the end of the day, if a song doesn't click for me, it's going to take a lot to make it onto this kind of list.
With that caveat out of the way, let's break down the choice to focus on songs for year end content. For a year at Today I Heard that was tightly focused on albums, it might seem unusual to kick off the end of year season with song reviews. Truthfully, it operates as a corrective of sorts. Because of the brevity of the backlog album review blurbs, not much detail was devoted to fleshing out individual songs, even those listed as favorites.
Additionally, given that next year will have just as much, if not more content released, the overwhelming majority of the one hundred and thirty reviewed albums won't be returned to next year. Contrastingly, a great number of this year's songs will travel onto next year's playlists and get some airtime.
Speaking of the songs, those that made the list occupy rarified air. Much as an elite high school athlete learns when he/she attends a D1 college, when every athlete is a hard worker, the inherent talent disparities become the difference makers. In a similar manner for the material here, essentially none of what hampers and differentiates most music (shoddy production work, lack of distinct image, incoherent mixing, bland lyrics, generic instrumentals etc), is apparent here. Yes, there are varied styles and different levels of polish, but all of that is intentional and carefully curated for maximal thematic synergy. And so, on an execution level, there's very little difference to be had between these songs. Therefore, it is the ineffable qualities that raise it above. The curated images, themes, and messaging rise to the forefront and the corresponding connections established is what these songs can claim as unique. That something extra is what makes these songs worthy. At least to my ears.
This is a Top 40 list divided into two parts. General takeaways will be posted on the second of the two posts with this one serving as an introduction to the year end season. Albums will still be discussed, but that will be in the final post sometime around New Years.
If you are new here, thanks for joining. If you've been with us all year, thank you for spending this wonderful year of music with Today I Heard. We look forward to an enjoyable end of year season and onwards to 2025!
-Joe
A 2024 Top 40 Playlist link will be posted here after part 2 gets posted.
The final cut:
Introduce You To God- Ian Munsick
It pained me to cut this, but at the end of the day, Munsick and his trademark autotuned vocals make this a polarizing listen. The result is less fulfilling than the other tracks listed. The appeal of the song comes from its concept. The tender portrayal of rearing one’s child and the action of opening them up to this vividly described world of spirituality that he holds so dear makes for a personal, distinctive, and yet entirely relatable song concept.
Additionally it is part of a well scripted deluxe album, where a handful of new tracks are added to the beginning of the album as a prologue of sorts, which is a really innovative way of expanding on a previous work. Just to clarify, album context is not generally viewed as part of the criteria for this list.
40. '73 Beetle- Tyler Hubbard
Even the most mediocre of albums can contain absolute gems. This song ably dissects the relationships men build with each other surrounding things. Even a hunk of metal can be imbued with deep significance when it was the catalyst for furthering a parental relationship.
39. Dance Like No One's Watching- Gabby Barrett ft. Luke Combs
An efficiently told tale of familial ties between father and daughter. If men connect via proxy, as in the Hubbard track above, the aspirational father and daughter relationship sketched herein surrounds a more kinetic and undiluted emotion that gets traced through both time and contexts to prove eternally inspiring to the narrator.
38. I Just Want To Kiss You- Josh Turner
Country music ideally aims for a more thoughtful mature audience. The seasoning and ages perspectives adds the depth that categorizes country's most iconic hits. Here, Turner turns his acclaimed baritone towards romance, but not one that is fired up by the passion of youth. The focus is instead the satisfying romance that only develops with age.
37. Long Hard Road (The Sharecropper's Dream)- Junior Sisk
When country and bluegrass operate at their finest, they have knack for acutely portraying the distinctness of a (many times Appalachian and pretty much always rural) hardscrabble and poverty-stricken past via a nostalgic lens that paints in a beautiful light. Yet importantly, the narrator doesn’t get stuck in a sepia toned past, instead synthesising the good from that era and using it to push a path forward. Sisk operates at his highest level in this heartwarming bluegrass take on the country classic.
Now, in case you think a cover song of a former country number one hit shouldn't be included, we'll give you a bonus song.
37b. Somewhere in the Sunshine- Charles Esten
An exercise in wishful conversation, Esten and his rumbly vocals take upon the narrative role of a dearly departed. Fatherly figure or husband is intentionally left unclear, maximizing the reach and relatability of the messaging. This tasteful piece of country rock conveys the words and messaging that any grieving person wishes they could hear from those no longer with us. All is at peace finally, they truly are in a better place, and some part of them will always be with you. Alas, all we can do is wish for it to be true.
36. Lay Of The Land- Emily Nenni
Every aspect of this song oozes distinctiveness. Each croon of the steel guitar, tinkle of the piano, cry of the harmonica, pluck of the guitar strings, and waver of the crystal clear vocals is all aimed towards projecting a clear eyed image of what Nenni is searching for. Pristine perfection ensures that by the end of the song Nenni’s vision is as clear as what is in front of our eyes.
35. CHUCK TAYLORS- Keith Urban
Contra the matured approach of Turner, but no less picturesque, Urban presents a wild pop country blaze of youthful adoration that blossoms into a forever love story. The choice of metaphor used as bedrock for the song is deeply evocative and potentially iconic.
34. M-E-X-I-C-O- Post Malone ft. Billy Strings
Sometimes, a fun story song is called for. And this escapist jaunt is presented with wonderful detail and flair. High quality instrumentals ground the track, providing a base for the hijinks to ensue. Great fun!
33. Water in the Fuel- Zachary Lucky
It’s the rare song that can tell two stories at once. The song's straightforward "trucker trying to get back home" storyline is abundantly clear, but the metaphor of the erstwhile truckers road weary relationship struggles operate as the primary narrative focus. A remarkable tour de force of soft spoken characterization and elegantly evocative songwriting.
32. Lately- Sophie Gault ft. Gabe Lee
It's a rare duet that functions as a conversation between the two voices. The intimate nature of the conversational style makes you feel like an intruder into the private thoughts of this couple, all set to bluesy guitar picking.
31. Summer- A Thousand Horses
One of my most played tracks all year long. A country rock performance of the timeless tale of a summer romance. The added traveling musician twist gives more weight to the reminiscence. The production choices here are impeccable. The interplay between the guitars and the piano is a dream.
30. 21 Guns- Jamey Johnson
Johnson's matter-of-fact talk-singing brutally cuts to the core in this tribute to the fallen heroes of the American military. Certainly an oversaturated trope, but coming from the former Marine, it is imbued with such gravity that it immediately pulls you in.
29. Wish You Well- Sierra Ferrell
A delicately folksy and remarkably engaging demonstration of the last of the five steps of grief; acceptance.
28. Brutus, Judas and You - The Josh Abbott Band
Not just a breakup song. This twangy piece squarely placees the narrator's lost love into the pantheon of great human tragedy. Exageration? Yes. A deep reflection about the universality of the human experience? Without a doubt.
27. Build A Life- Amanda Kate Ferris
Soft, traditional country inclined, folk balladry takes messages learned from her mother and actualizes it. A shining example of the power of cross generational transmission. Beautiful vocal work carefully and lovingly showcases the value of those familial and especially maternal relationships.
26. Trail of Love- Matt Castillo
Rarely does a voice and an instrumental arrangement mesh so well. The classic country mixed with Tejano and Ranchero influence is so smooth, you barely recognize the masterful genre crossover. Strings elegantly mix with deep western guitar tones, accordion and steel guitar take turns harmonizing on top of Castilloo's wonderfully warm tones. Not just a pleasing sounding song, the George Strait style track takes a literary approach using luxurious metaphor to describing the journey of a life spent in love.
25. Yes Ma'am (He Found Me in a Honky Tonk)- Shawna Thompson
The twangiest honky tonk of twangy honky tonker tunes to be released this year. The unexpected source just adds to the delicousness of the experience. Thompson sounds built for this. The impeccable phrasing, perfect delivery, and elevated classic arrangements make for a rich and full throated celebration of country's most iconic sound and style. Country never sounded so cool.
24. Last Laugh Samantha- Rich O'Toole
Weathered tone paired with a storytelling style absolutely peppered with detail combines to create a technicolor sketch embodying regret and loss. Directing the song to a specific name brings a brutal reality that a mere "you" or "her" couldn't have conveyed.
23. Paperweight- The Secret Sisters
A beautiful love song that squarely hones in on how two different people complement each other to create a whole. Family "blood" harmony has a long history in the country folk tradition and the interplay of the voices here is a wonderful new step in that long storied history.
22. Blue Bird- Carter Faith ft. Alison Krauss
Distinctive voice flutters her way through a dreadfully sad reflection on heartbreak. From nearly cracking on the verse to effortlessly gliding her way through the chorus, Faith's supple, flexible, and emotive vocal tone makes this an enriching and revealing listen that opens up the hearts and minds of youthful heartbreak.
21. Tomorrow's Good Old Days- Jesse Daniel ft. Ben Haggard
Country can get existential as if it wants to. This engaging tribute to Merle Haggard's ruminations on "good old days" operates as a reflection on the vaguaries of modern life and a call to seize the moment and create those good old days we all desire to look back on. A timeless message that rings stronger when linked to country music's past. It rings doubly when placed into the context of country music's deep relationship with nostalgia. Sometimes a simple country song is just a plain simple tune. Sometimes it isn't.
To be continued…..
