2020: Intro & Singles
- kevpalowe8
- Mar 24
- 8 min read
Originally posted August 2025
INTRO
I suppose the only thing we are really going to remember about 2020 is that we went into lockdown. We remained in various versions if this for the remainder of the year. Based on the disappointment of 2021-22, I'd say this had a real impact on music and it only picked up in 2023. However, plenty of the music released that year was recorded before lockdown kicked it. So, let’s see........
“Blinding Lights” by The Weeknd was the most successful single of the year
and Lewis Capaldi’s “Divinely Uninspired To A Hellish Extent”, released the previous year, beat all other albums, making it the most successful album 2 years running. The biggest new release of 2020 was Dua Lipa’s “Future Nostalgia”. The vinyl trend was in full swing as vinyl sales surpassed CDs for the 1st time since 1986!! Live music was crushed by the pandemic but it did lead to artists thinking outside the box in terms of connecting with their audiences. The most obvious result was streaming live performances online.
THE SINGLES
ANYTHING I DIDNT LIKE
Cardi B & Megan Thee Stallion “WAP”
OK so maybe its the grumpy old man in me coming out. Now, I think anyone would agree I not someone who minds bad language, smut, sex-talk, whatever. But there is something about being unnecessarily crude, inappropriate place and time etc., that I just cant get on board with – and spoils things. I’m aware there’s an argument that this is about female empowerment....... except I don’t think it visits at all, I suspect if we were to deconstruct things we’d find its the exact opposite.
AJ Tracey & MoStack “Dinner Guest”
Sampling/covering this Nightcrawlers classic seems to be cropping up regularly. I don’t see the point in this one.
THE “M’EH” LIST
DaBaby & Roddy Ricch “Rockstar”
Roddy Ricch “The Box”
Topic & A7S “Breaking Me”
Heady One, AJ Tracey & Stormzy “Ain’t It Different”
Pop Smoke & Lil Tjay “Mood Swings”
GOOD BUT NOT TOP TEN CONTENDERS
SAINt JHN & Imanbek “Roses”
Doja Cat “Say So”
Lady Gaga & Ariana Grande “Rain On Me”
S1mba & DTG “Rover”
24KGoldn & iaan dior “Mood”
Powfu & beabadoobee “death bed (coffee for your head)”
There were a couple of tracks this year that pulled at my heartstrings. This was one of them. Its about a young couple and, sadly, one of them is dying. Now, the track actually isn't that good. So I’m aware I’m being emotionally manipulated by the subject matter. I did find the lyrics of the chorus and little haphazard at first. “Don’t stay awake for too long, don’t go to bed”. But I later realised that’s probably a good reflection of the conflicting emotions someone would have looking after a loved one who is dying. You’d want them to have all the rest they need...... but not too much because that might be bad. You’ll want them to “get up and going”...... but not too much because that might be bad. Although I’m not sure the line “I’ll make a cup of coffee for your head” is a very good idea. Anyway – this chorus bit gets me.
It probably makes me rate the track better than it is because the rap of the verses is just awful. Its like a child has been asked to try and write a rap as a project. The worst bit?
“Taking goofy videos while walking in the park
You would jump into my arms everytime you heard a bark.”
................. oh dear me.
Future & Drake “Life Is Good” This I thought was ‘m’eh’ until it completely changes half way through.
Drake “Toosie Slide”
Justin Bieber & Quavo “Intentions”
Aitch, AJ Tracey, & Kay Keith “Rain”
Megan Thee Stallion “Savage”
Lil Mosey “Blueberry Faygo”
Nathan Dawe & KSI “Lighter”
220 Kid & Gracey “Don’t Need Love”
Becky Hill & Shift K3Y “Better Off Without You”
Internet Money, Gunna, Don Toliver, & NAV “Lemonade”
TOP TEN CONTENDERS
The Weeknd “Blinding Light”
I’ve concluded that for every brilliant The Weeknd track there are 9 mediocre to poor ones. This is one of the 1 in 10.
Joel Corry & MNEK “Head and Heart”
Sometimes a good catching melodic figure, simplistic as it might be, just hits the spot – especially when to make it a wordless singalong. Although I’ll point out if anyone’s heart it beating like that, however melodic it may sound, they should dial 999.
Harry Styles “Watermelon Sugar”
Harry Styles has impressed me somewhat. Its got a real classic-sounding opening. The melodic is quite good – it loses it a bit in the chorus but that’s ok because the chorus is as additive as the ‘high’ he's singing about. Turning to that, its one of the more inventive euphemism I’ve come across for sex...... assuming that’s what it’s meant to be. And its very clever because if your young kid ask what it mean, you’ve got the easiest way out anyone’s every given you.
Jawsh 685 & Jason Derulo “Savage Love”
Let’s be honest. Its just that synth-brass ostinato that does it, isn’t it? Without that, it would be a ‘m’eh’. But, that proves if you can find just the right thing in music, you CAN actually polish a turd.
Joel Corry “Lonely”
This is just one of those times. Melody = good. Lyric = fine. Rhythm = great. Music = well done. Any stand out = yes (in this case the ‘la la la lonely’ bit). Let’s go then.
Harry Styles “Adore You”
Another strong one from Styles. Its the haunting backing vocals in the chorus before he sings that put the icing on the cake on this one.
Eminem & Juice WRLD “Godzilla”
Just good solid Eminem. Its the outstanding speed-rapping that makes this track what it is.
Nathan Dawe, Jaykae, & MALIKA “Flowers”
I’s say this one works so well in the same way through Joel Corry track above does.
Regard & Raye “Secrets”
When there is melody, its pretty good. Raye’s vocals are as good as ever and the bass figure really draws me into this one.
Hasley “You Should Be Sad”
This one just misses out on my top 3. Although it suffers from the modern (or so I have claimed) melodic problem the rest is great. Its good song-writing. I like the fact there’s just that pulsating bass drum instead of a full percussion track.
JP Saxe & Julia Michaels “If The World Was Ending”
So this was the 2nd track that really got me in the heart. Its a duet. The story is set up – they’ve ended their relationship a year ago and it seems it was amicable. They worked out they “weren’t made for each other”. A small earthquake has got them thinking – they were not forever “and its fine”............ then the chorus kicks in....... “but if the world was ending you’d come over, right?”. Argh! Guy’s you’re killing me!!
Young T and Bugsy, & Headie One “Don’t Rush”
I don’t think I’ve ever thought of a rap as ‘catchy’ before. But check out the ‘chorus’ of this one.
Tate McRae “ you broke me first”
I say this every time we come across McRae but....... the artist I didn’t like at first.... but then really did – even though nothing changed. This one is a much slower and serious number than we are used to with her. Its really good.
Dua Lipa “Levitating”
One of her most popular tracks. Its slightly further down my list than many fans. But, it is an outstanding pop track. Interesting side note, she’s had several lawsuits for plagiarism on this one. So far none of them have succeeded.
TOP 3
3. Sam Fischer “This City”
Although the story being told is specific – the feelings being described such as feeling lost, left behind, inferior., is relatable to most at some stage in their life. The singing performance is spot on. The vocal talent is displayed yet is not ‘show-off-y’. Although there are other instruments and backing vocals, you do get an ambience of someone performing in an intimate setting with just their voice and a guitar. That’s the biggest plus point for me here. The track is stripped back from a band or orchestra, even a beat-track, and lavish production. Massive thumbs up.
2. Sunflower Thieves “Hide and Seek”
My 2nd favourite by this duo who I’m proud were my own discovery through my ‘out of touch’ years. In 2020 the 2 of them had been at university for a year ago and this song is about fondly remembering childhood years.
The humming at the beginning which becomes a foundation for the whole track, is largely based on open harmonies (based on 4ths and 5ths) but with a touch of tonal harmonies (3rds and 6ths). The former, in the West, is largely associated with more ancient forms of music where as the latter is what Western tonal music is based around. For me, this evokes the present reminiscing of past times they are referring to. The lyric is beyond heartfelt. There’s a number of childhood traits we can all relate to, either from parental experience or from our own childhood memories. Pretending to be poorly to get out of something. Wanting to be carried rather than walk even a short distance when tired. Enjoying games like hide and seek. Singing songs.
Towards the end there's a vocal line in the background sung to the melody of the opening humming. I’ve never been 100% convinced what the lyric is but I’m sure its ‘I’ll be home for the winter’. I guess it means like ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’ – but then it would be a Christmas song. It evokes that idea many will relate to that once you’ve left home, that place, those people you grew up with etc., is/are still home.
However we interpret it all – there’s no doubt its beautiful.
1. Dua Lipa “Break My Heart”
My 2nd favourite Dua Lipa track – so nothing else from the 2020 stock was ever likely to win. All a bit of a foregone conclusion, I’ll admit. Some claim there’s heavy plagiarism from INXS “..... Need You Tonight”. Yea, of course I hear it. But, the problem with that is I always thought that was built on the foundations of Queen’s “Another One Bites The Dust”. So where do we go from there?
It’s perfect pop – strong upbeat tempo, melodic (more so than most of its contemporaries), catchy melody, and a lyric most people are likely to either relate to or have a memory of. Its in a minor key which I have previously identified as apparently more suited to Dua Lip (I discussed this in my review of the album “Radical Optimism” last year). There is an emphasis on the flattened 6th chord which I always really like in minor keys. I really enjoy the beat dropping on the repeated chorus so we are held in silence until the 2nd beat with the declaration ‘oh no!’. And whether or not its ripped of from Queen, Inxs, or both, that rhythm and its melody in the chorus is infectious.
Comments