A little while back, my dad posted a status on Facebook, asking for new album recommendations. Of course, I saw this and was inspired to post a status of my own (absolutely typical, as my dad and I are “the exact same person” - my mom). The guidelines of my post, pretty much the same as my dad’s, were an album that you think the entire world absolutely needs to hear, but no country music, no Post Malone, Travis Scott (that genre), and preferably no rap unless you think it to be a complete masterpiece that I’m really missing out on if I don’t hear. I was honestly pretty surprised with the results. I posted this status knowing that my audience was going to be mostly people my age, and I expected to see a lot of Billie Eilish, XXXTentacion, and other pop artists that I personally consider to be in the same exact category as Post Malone and Travis Scott, which I specifically did not want to see. Instead, I got a wide array of artists including Arcade Fire, Bob Marley, and The Beach Boys. This was certainly a pleasant surprise.

It seems as though whenever I turn on the radio today, I am almost always disappointed. Don’t get me wrong, there are a select few songs by a select few 2019 era artists that I can appreciate, but it’s a very, very select few. Personally, I find a disheartening majority of today’s most popular artists to be, to put it bluntly, talentless. The culture of influencers has invaded the music industry. Too many of the most popular artists today seem to be in it for the money, the fame, simply just to elevate their image. Unfortunately, traditional bands with an ensemble of instruments are just not as commonly popular today as they have been in the past.

Well, earlier this week my dad posted a list of the top 60 albums of the decade, and, I know this probably won’t come as a surprise to anyone, I was again inspired. While I don’t think I could compile a list of the top 60 albums from the 2010s, I want to share with you all a list of the top 50 songs of the decade, from as wide a variety of artists as I can provide. Disclaimer: there will be no Travis Scott, Post Malone, XXXTentacion, or any artist that could be considered similar to that genre.

Beautiful War by Kings of Leon (2013)
I remember genuinely being in awe the first time I heard this song. Every single aspect of this song is an absolute masterpiece. I have a master list of my favorite songs of all time, this song ranks second.
This = Love by The Script (2011)
This is honestly just such an uplifting, heartwarming track. A few of The Script’s songs have gotten the spotlight, but this one deserved it and was slighted. Great lyrics, this is the type of song that makes you want to reach out and tell the people in your life that you love them.
She Lays Down by The 1975 (2016)
Truly a heartbreaker, but beautiful all the same. Matt Healy’s melodic vocals really compliment the guitar, and the sound really highlights the somber lyrics. Most of The 1975’s popular stuff is more upbeat than this, but I think this song definitely captures the essence of the band better than anything of theirs that’s played on the radio.
Sex and Question Marks by The Wombats (2015)
This song was released as a bonus track on the deluxe version of Glitterbug and hasn’t gotten anywhere near the type of publicity from Wombats fans as it deserves. All around just an enjoyable song to listen to.
Down in the Valley by The Head and the Heart (2011)
One of the reasons I love this song so much is the guitar. The intro is so simple, but so beautiful. Not to mention the violin feature, this song is truly one of a kind.
Wake Me by Bleachers (2014)
These guys are truly an awesome band that need to be discovered by more people. This is such a soothing track, and really encapsulates a positive use of electronic sound that’s comparable to older instrumental sounds that have been missing throughout the 2010s.
Even My Dad Does Sometimes by Ed Sheeran (2014)
I honestly can’t believe how overlooked this song is; Ed Sheeran has become wildly popular in the last few years, and this is arguably his most beautiful track, and undoubtedly in his top 5.
Munich by The Fray (2012)
I remember in middle school and early high school my friends would take slight jabs at me for actually listening to The Fray, but Scars & Stories overall is an incredible album that should have gotten rid of The Fray’s perceived negative reputation. Munich is a song that I think really highlights why.
Never Grow Up by Taylor Swift (2010)
I understand why so many people hate Taylor Swift, I also understand why so many people love her. She’s not my favorite, but I do respect her, and at the end of the day, she has a decent amount of objectively good music; this song is a major tearjerker and is definitely one of Taylor’s most hard hitting tracks.
Summer Clothes by Marc Scibilia (2017)
I would recommend the acoustic version of this song, but regardless, this is a great song. Marc Scibilia has a gorgeous voice, and this song is a nostalgic beauty.
Honey Magnolia by Brian Fallon (2016)
Every time I hear this song, it sticks with me for hours, sometimes days afterwards. It’s catchy, and the lyrics are so pretty. This is the type of song I could listen to on repeat and not get sick of it for a pretty long while.
After Midnight by blink-182 (2011)
This song is off of the last album that Tom Delonge made with the band. It’s definitely a different sound than classic, grunge blink, but it’s a cool change for them, and for sure worth a listen.
Moments by One Direction (2012)
Obviously One Direction is a band that’s seen the spotlight, but honestly I think they were a little misperceived. A lot of their music goes beyond your typical boy band sound, and this song for sure explains why.
Exiles by Third Eye Blind (2015)
Third Eye Blind is a band that everyone should try to get into. This song has a more acoustic feel than a lot of their other stuff, but it’s a really cool, really enjoyable song that definitely deserves a listen.
Obvious Bicycle by Vampire Weekend (2013)
This is actually the first Vampire Weekend song I ever heard, and I’ll admit, I didn’t LOVE it initially. But after growing an appreciation for the band, I have no idea what I was thinking. Ezra Koenig sticks out to me as the exact opposite of what I described earlier in this post; he’s incredibly talented and you can tell he’s passionate about his music for the “right reasons”.
For Baltimore by All Time Low (2012)
This song is extremely representative of a vastly nostalgic era for a lot of people, specifically people who were in middle or high school around the time this album came out. Regardless of whether or not this song makes you nostalgic, it’s a pretty baseline feel good song. For Baltimore is a classic modern punk beauty.
Jealous by Labrinth (2014)
I honestly don’t believe I’ve heard a song with more emotion than this one. The vocals are haunting, the piano accompaniment is chilling, all in all this song has the ability to take your breath away.
Petulia by The Kooks (2011)
The guitar in this track has a relatively classical feel, and paired with the vocals, it really is a masterpiece. The song has a calming effect, every time it ends, I want to go back and hear it again.
White Ferrari by Frank Ocean (2016)
Another heart-wrenching track. Frank Ocean is the type of artist to rip your heart out, but you want him to be the one to cradle it afterwards. I’ll admit, I think channel ORANGE is overall a better album than Blonde, but Blonde has some pretty incredible tracks, including this one.
The Wolf by Mumford & Sons (2015)
I’m not a huge Mumford & Sons fan, but I can definitely appreciate their sound. This song tops my feel good playlist, primarily because it’s catchy, and the music is really upbeat and happy.
One Day At A Time by Quinn XCII (2017)
I think Quinn is my favorite artist to come out of this decade. When I first heard his voice, I was a little confused by his hip-hop, pseudo-reggae sound, but it definitely grew on me. There isn’t a single Quinn song that I don’t love, but this one sticks out as pretty representative of what he’s trying to accomplish.
Sirens by Pearl Jam (2013)
Eddie Vedder’s voice alone is enough to make any song a masterpiece. This song really encompasses exactly what it is that I love about Pearl Jam, it’s incredibly soulful.
December by Neck Deep (2015)
This song is a little softer, more acoustic than what is typical of a concrete punk band like Neck Deep, but it’s still great nonetheless, and probably one of my favorites by them.
Jackie and Wilson by Hozier (2014)
This song is relatively grunge, the guitar is a little distorted at times, but it compliments Hozier’s deep vocals really well. I’m pretty surprised that “Take Me To Church” reached such a wider audience than this track, this is a good one for sure.
Holocene by Bon Iver (2011)
Holocene is a song that’s been pretty important to me probably since it came out. Simply put, it’s just such a beautiful song all around. I’m not particularly into folk music, but this song has made me rethink that view multiple times.
Tattoo by Kevin Abstract (2016)
This whole album is great, while this song does stand out to an extent, it’s not by much. I’m not really a fan of BROCKHAMPTON at all, but Kevin Abstract’s solo stuff is all pretty great.
Hold On Till May by Pierce The Veil (2012)
This is a sad track for sure, but again, pretty nostalgic. From a band who likes to experiment with screaming and some much more hardcore technique, this is a track that I think can appeal to anyone, even those who may not be fans of the metal genre.
Right Before My Eyes by Cage The Elephant (2011)
I actually heard this song for the first time this year, and it’s a pretty good one. I’m a big “Cigarette Daydreams” fan, so I wouldn’t say I’m worthy of the title of Cage The Elephant fan, but this song is great, so I think it’s safe to say I’m on my way to that title.
Infinite Arms by Band of Horses (2010)
Band of Horses is a band I know solely from my dad playing them in the car on road trips. According to him, this whole album is beautiful for driving, and I couldn’t agree more. This song in particular sticks out to me, but I would recommend the whole album for sure.
santa monica & la brea by blackbear (2017)
I absolutely love blackbear, but cybersex was admittedly not one of my favorite albums. This closing track however did sweeten that blow and helped to redeem the album for me.
The Suburbs by Arcade Fire (2010)
This song is honestly just fun. This album actually was one of the recommendations on my Facebook post, and was probably my favorite so far (I haven’t finished listening to all of them just yet). I would recommend this song to just about anyone, it’s a pretty versatile track in terms of taste.
Summer by Real Friends (2014)
These guys remind me of a modern day Rage Against The Machine. Granted, I haven’t spent a ton of time listening to Rage Against The Machine, but this band, particularly this album, is absolutely fantastic to listen to when you’re not in a great mood. Their healthy anger is, in a way, almost soothing of your own anger.
Ghost by Sky Ferreira (2012)
This song is really melodic and, again, soothing. It’s a shame that Sky Ferreira didn’t blow up the way she should have, her voice is beautifully calming and truly an enjoyment to listen to.
Always by Panic! At The Disco (2011)
Panic! At The Disco’s old sound was so fantastic, their newer stuff just doesn’t sit the way it used to. This song is pretty representative of their old sound, and I genuinely think you’re doing yourself a disservice if you’re not listening to their older stuff (like this song).
Same Love by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis (2012)
I know it seems a little weak, maybe a little cliche of me to include this song in this list, but hear me out. Not only was this song incredibly important in its message, you have to admit that the piano is admirable, Mary Lambert’s vocals are gorgeous, and honestly you just gotta love Macklemore.
Daydreaming by Radiohead (2016)
Most of my favorite Radiohead comes from their first handful of albums, but their most recent album I would say is just as great. This track is a haunting one, and well worth your time.
Same Drugs by Chance The Rapper (2016)
I know a lot of Chance fans didn’t love this album as much as their beloved Acid Rap. I also know that this is a song that deserves praise regardless of the album it’s on. I don’t consider myself a fan of rap music really, but honestly I don’t even know if I’d consider this song rap, and Chance also acts as my exception to that rule.
Talking to the Moon by Bruno Mars (2010)
Most of Bruno Mars’ debut album was pretty big, but I think this is the best track on the album. It’s melodic, almost dreamlike. It’s also a song that I think gets better with age; maybe it’s because of my own age, but I find it to be even more enjoyable now than I did 10 years ago.
Blade by Third Eye Blind (2015)
I honestly just love this song, I don’t have anything else really to say, it’s just a great song. Stephan Jenkins really outdid himself with this one, and proved that true talent transcends age.
How’d You Like That by The Kooks (2011)
Another just fun track. The Kooks are a great group, their sound is just uplifting, listening to them almost always puts me in a good mood.
Beacon Hill by Damien Jurado (2010)
The only reason this song is in the 40s and not in the top 10 is because I haven’t listened to a ton of Damien Jurado. However, when I give this song my undivided attention, it brings me to tears. It truly encapsulates the beauty of music and reminds me why music is so important to so many people.
Schumacher the Champagne by The Wombats (2011)
The Wombats are another genuinely fun band, and this song always puts me in the mood to jump around and just let loose. It’s not super fast-paced like that statement may make you assume, but the words are fun and exciting; this is another versatile track that I’d recommend to just about everyone.
II. Shadows by Childish Gambino (2013)
Again, not a fan of rap, but I do love Childish Gambino’s earlier stuff. Donald Glover is a multifaceted talent, and I think you can see that pretty clearly in this song.
Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall by Coldplay (2011)
Another song that didn’t escape popularity in the slightest. I try not to be disillusioned by popular culture when it comes to Coldplay because I do genuinely enjoy their sound, but sometimes that’s pretty hard to do. Not with this song though.
Pickup Truck by Kings of Leon (2010)
This song tells a story, both musically and vocally. This one also ranks pretty high up on my favorite songs of all time. The raw emotion of this song is unique, and tugs hard at your emotions.
Topanga by Trippie Redd (2018)
Trippie Redd is honestly pretty similar to the genre that I generally try to stay away from, but the first time I heard this song, I honestly questioned my entire taste in music for a second. I love this song, plain and simple.
Pretend We’re in a Movie by New Politics (2015)
New Politics is just an innocent, fun-loving band, and this song really exemplifies that. I would recommend all of their stuff, but especially this track; another really happy, feel good song.
Grow Old With Me by Tom Odell (2013)
This song was the inspiration for my “Songs to play at my wedding” playlist. It’s absolutely adorable, incredibly heartfelt and emotional, and it truly does warm your heart when listening.
Nicotine by Panic! At The Disco (2013)
In all honesty, I don’t think Panic! At The Disco is as incredible a band to warrant them two songs on this list, however, if you listen to both their songs on this list, you’ll notice that, aside from Brendon Urie’s very distinctive voice, they sound like two totally different bands.
Michigan by The Milk Carton Kids (2011)
Subtle tribute the best state of the 50, but a fairly melodic beauty. I really appreciate the fingerpicking in this song, and overall it’s just a really pretty track.