When defining musical progressiveness, modern purists often side with William Shakespeare’s proclamation that, “If music be the language of love, play on.”

2017’s musical memorability however, was defined by just the opposite. Antagonistic emotions like divisiveness, regret, disappointment, desperation, and anger ravaged countless musical motifs as artists and bands struggled to come to reality with political unrest and sociological dissent. It wasn’t until artists and listeners alike arduously fought past the stages of grief that 2017’s songs became inspired by overwhelming love and unification.

That formidable mental struggle led to a staggering amount of singles that starkly differed from each musician’s typical modus operandi. Time and time again, artists emphasized their most powerful creative statements by releasing acoustic renditions that accentuated their songwriting motives through a clearer lens. With the idea of simple, transparent sincerity at their back, more and more artists kept percussion light while highlighting softer instruments like pianos and acoustic guitars. Those few who continued to utilize heavy electronic production did so with digestible melodies and tasteful samples, unlike past years where drummed-up beat drops were the drug-like star of the show. In short, music in 2017 was generally slower and more single-driven (as opposed to album-driven), leaving listeners appreciatively absorbing short stories rather than collective narratives.

Forget Billy Shakespeare’s outdated quotes; let’s experience 2017’s myriad of musical emotions firsthand. The playlist below, along with the subsequent physical list, sequentially details my favorite songs from the past year. Keep in mind that the Spotify playlist is not meant to be shuffled if you want to listen to the list in order of opinionated preference. If you enjoy what you hear, like, comment, and follow the page for frequent updates on the latest and greatest tunes that you may have missed in your inescapable busyness.

 

  1. Slide by Calvin Harris, Frank Ocean, & Migos
  2. Thinking Of A Place by The War On Drugs
  3. Into The Ether by Leif Vollebekk
  4. LOVE. by Kendrick Lamar (feat. Zacari)
  5. Blessed by Daniel Caesar
  6. Cold War by Cautious Clay
  7. We Find Love by Daniel Caesar
  8. JESUS by BROCKHAMPTON
  9. The Joke by Brandi Carlile
  10. Mercury by Sufjan Stevens, Bryce Dessner, James McAlister, & Nico Muhly
  11. City Music by Kevin Morby
  12. Unraveling by Violents (feat. Monica Martin)
  13. Everything Now by Arcade Fire
  14. Highway Tune by Greta Van Fleet
  15. Little Heartbeat by Cataldo
  16. (No One Knows Me) Like The Piano by Sampha
  17. Apocalypse by Cigarettes After Sex
  18. There You Go by Saba
  19. Want You Back by HAIM
  20. Boys by Charli XCX
  21. Joshua Tree by Cautious Clay
  22. Ballad of the Dying Man by Father John Misty
  23. Pain by The War On Drugs
  24. Young Dumb & Broke by Khalid
  25. Saw You In A Dream by The Japanese House
  26. Like A Woman by Kacy Hill
  27. Ojai by Young & Sick
  28. Ashes by Iris Temple
  29. Love You Like That – Acoustic by Dagny
  30. All I Can Think About Is You by Coldplay
  31. Between You and Me by Cataldo
  32. Funeral Pyre by Julien Baker
  33. Lose My Cool by Amber Mark
  34. Third of May / Ōdaigahara – Edit by Fleet Foxes
  35. The Way Life Goes by Lil Uzi Vert (feat. Oh Wonder)
  36. Ultimately by khai dreams
  37. Bambi by Jidenna
  38. Black Smoke Rising by Greta Van Fleet
  39. Driftwood by Jesse Jo Stark
  40. Jaws of Love. by Jaws of Love.
  41. It’s A Trip by Joywave
  42. Sing Me Your Blues by YAY BLYNN
  43. To Be With You by Ryan Adams
  44. Boredom by Tyler, The Creator (feat. Rex Orange County)
  45. Time by Snoh Aalegra
  46. Cabrona by Gin Wigmore
  47. Yanada by The Preatures
  48. Through and Through by khai dreams
  49. Sweet Disaster – Acoustic by DREAMERS
  50. So It Goes by Hi-Lo Jack, DAP The Contract, Lawrence, & Stolen Jars
  51. Boy by Willow
  52. Fall To Sleep by The Wild Reeds
  53. Sour Candy by Melt
  54. Believe (Triple J Like A Version) by DMA’s
  55. I Know You by Faye Webster
  56. Just Call by Linus Hablot
  57. No Fear by Dej Loaf
  58. SUMMER by BROCKHAMPTON
  59. May I Have This Dance (Remix) by Francis & Light Lights (feat. Chance The Rapper)
  60. Unwind by Healy
  61. Goose Snow Cone by Aimee Mann
  62. Esau by Billy Davis
  63. Oh Devil (Radio Version) by Electric Guest
  64. Common Fear by Moonrise Nation
  65. Holy by Jamila Woods
  66. Lay It On Me by Vance Joy
  67. Someone New by Yøuth
  68. Glitter & Gloss – Acoustic Version by Skott
  69. Wearing Nothing by Dagny
  70. Hey Carolina by Yøuth
  71. Cardinal by Mt. Joy
  72. See You Again by Tyler, The Creator (feat. Kali Uchis)
  73. Monsoon by Amber Mark
  74. ELEMENT. by Kendrick Lamar
  75. Yemaya by Kele Okereke
  76. Loving Life by Rationale
  77. Safari Song by Greta Van Fleet
  78. The Deepest Sighs, The Frankest Shadows by Gang of Youths
  79. World On Fire by Louis The Child
  80. Midnight by Jessie Ware
  81. Peepin’ Tom by Courtney Barnett & Kurt Vile
  82. Faithless by Flyte
  83. My Love by Spazzy D (feat. Mia Gladstone)
  84. Physical by The Aces
  85. Maroon by Zoology
  86. Nayhoo by Chon (feat. Masego & Lophile)
  87. Falling by Animal Feelings
  88. Glorious by Macklemore (feat. Skylar Grey)
  89. Tween Love by Bay Ledges
  90. Grown by Los Angeles Police Department
  91. Lifetimes by Oh Wonder
  92. Little Of Your Love by HAIM
  93. She Won’t Go Away by Faye Webster
  94. Can I Sit Next To You by Spoon
  95. Movie by Tom Misch
  96. Stranded by Flight Facilities, Broods, Reggie Watts, & Saro
  97. Easier by Mansionair
  98. Reoccurring Dream by Ethan Gruska
  99. 100° by Zoology
  100. Straight Up Western (White Noise) by Cataldo

 

If you’re anything like me, 100 songs just isn’t enough to satisfy your yearly thirst. Dive deeper into the ocean of 2017’s music with the supplementary post “FeenyFaves – Top Songs of 2017 Part 2: 101-200.”

If you’re behind on your musical acumen and still trying to catch-up, last year’s top songs would be a great place to start. Check them out here: “FeenyFaves: Top 100 Songs of 2016“