2020: The Soundtrack

The year 2020 is coming to a close, and naturally it's only right for us to reflect on what we've done this year. For a lot of us, we've not done much! 2020 hasn't been the year we expected it to be (throwback to New Years: WELCOME TO A NEW DECADE IT'S GOING TO BE GREAT AND - oh, what was that? 2020 is cancelled?!)

We all know it's been a tough one but this year, more than any other year, has been filled with music. Music has motivated me, lifted my spirits and it's the one thing I can still do without wearing a mask!

I have loved exploring my music taste this year - I've had plenty of time to sit down and make about a thousand playlists - so here is my 2020 in a nutshell.

20 songs for 2020: my soundtrack...

1. Funkin Fun - Scotty Sire

If you know me and you've read my article, you'll know this song is one of my favourites. Although it is not a new song in 2020, Sire's song has powered me through 2020 with its fantastically brilliant upbeat vibes. The music video for this song is colourful and wonderful. I simply do not know enough adjectives to describe how much I love this song.

Whenever I was having a bad day, or even a bad week, this song was here for me.

2. bury a friend - Billie Eilish

Okay so somebody may have developed a Billie Eilish obsession this year... I'm looking at YOU, me.

I'm a sucker for singing this song and really getting into the lyrics and the beat of it. My Strange Addiction comes second to this song, I've played both countless times this year. I just cannot deny that this is a fantastic song. Although it's not upbeat and jolly - which is something a lot of us have needed this year - it's still a great song to escape the reality of 2020.

3. Satisfied - The Hamilton Soundtrack

After the release of Hamilton on Disney+ this year, the theater kid in me came out and I became obsessed with the entire cast, soundtrack and the entire musical itself.

For me, most of my 2020 soundtrack has been dominated by Hamilton songs. I became obsessed, in every word of the sense. At this point, since watching the musical in July, my brain is 90% Hamilton lyrics. I just can't get over how absolutely amazing they are. Lin Manuel Miranda is one clever man.

All I'm saying is, if you know this song you know how fun it is to try and sing all the lyrics and echoes to this tune. I have tried countless times and it's still one of my 2020 highlights.

4. Into The Unknown - Panic! At The Disco

For all of you who are judging me, knowing that this is the Frozen 2 song, please hear me out.

I had this song on repeat at the start of 2020 trying to reach all the high notes Brendan Urie reaches, and it's just not possible. As there hasn't been much to do in 2020, I decided to spend my time doing one of my most loved hobbies: singing. This song was a challenge for me, but I enjoyed doing it all the same. If there's one thing I've learnt in 2020, it's the lyrics to this song!

5. You Need To Calm Down - Taylor Swift

I started working out at the start of 2020, and if you've read my Sweaty Betty article, you'll know that this song is the perfect workout tune for me. The beat, the happy endorphin-inducing melody, and the lyrics all fuel me and make my workout great.

Although all the Swifties have raved about Taylor releasing two surprise albums, this song has been perfect for my 2020.

6. Where I Belong - Simple Plan, State Champs & We The Kings

This is one of the first songs I discovered in 2020 that I had on repeat this year.

Simple Plan was one of my childhood fave bands. Their song "I'm Just A Kid" that featured in Cheaper By The Dozen is an absolute classic to me, and with the band singing the What's New Scooby-Doo theme tune, I feel like they were a big part of my life as a kid. This song connected me to my childhood - which is something I've been doing a lot in 2020.

A bit of nostalgia has been very needed this year, and it's made me very happy.

7. Like A Girl - Lizzo

OOOH GIRL! This song was so needed this year. Super motivational and made me feel like a bad b*tch every time I listened to it! This song has been such a mood lifter in 2020 and I'm glad I have Lizzo to turn to every time I'm feeling down.

SPEEDROUND OF SONGS 8 - 12 !! (they're all dope, so listen!)

8. Goals - Rafael Casal, Daveed Diggs, Clyde Carson

9. Preach - Keiynan Lonsdale

10. GO - Myles Parrish

11. Califonication - Sexton

12. Stop - Anthony Ramos

13. Raise Hell - Dorothy

We've all heard the depressing news of 2020, but in other news I finished the first draft of my dystopian YA novel this year in four months (September to December) and this song powered my mind when envisioning badass scenes. Thank you, Dorothy, for fueling my writing mind.

14. Rap Scene in "Blindspotting" - Daveed Diggs

Although this technically isn't a song, and didn't appear in my Spotify Wrapped this year, this scene is important and the lyrics are so powerful.

Relating to violence towards black people, this film is very topical and important. This rap scene features an innocent black man who watched a white cop kill another black man. Even if you don't watch the entire film, just listen to the words. They're powerful.

"how come every time you come around you monsters make me feel like a monster in my own town?"

15. Look What I Found - Lady Gaga (From "A Star Is Born")

I'm usually a fan of Gaga, but boy oh boy this one I love the MOST! It's such a catchy song and it's definitely got me out of bed and dancing.

What I've learnt about music this year is that a song that can change your mood is super important, and you should make a playlist of all the songs that make you feel happy. My 2020 has been a year full of happy music, and I hope yours has too!

SPEEDROUND ROUND 2 OF SONGS 16 - 20 (again please listen to these tunes!!)

16. How Does It Feel? - Samm Henshaw

17. DON'T BE SAD - Scotty Sire

18. BANG! - AJR

19. Washington On Your Side - The Hamilton Soundtrack

(The only thing I'll say is...SOUTHERN MOTHERF***ING DEMOCRATIC REPUBLICANS!)

20. It's Time - Imagine Dragons

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There you have it, my 20 songs for 2020. This year has been crazy but my music has gotten me through it. I've realised 90% of the songs are throwbacks from other years and that sums up my 2020: I wish it was any year but this one!

Despite that, it's December, nearly 2021, and we've all made it through this year. Let's all say this together now: THANK YOU MUSIC!

Here's the playlist itself: