We went through some of the worst songs that came out in 2021, but I would be remiss if I didn’t acknowledge that we got some gems last year as well.
Let’s look at what the music industry blessed us with.
5. Outside – Zayn
When Zayn dropped ‘Nobody’s Listening’, I did not expect to like it so much. Sure, I have found a few of Zayn’s songs to be quite enjoyable over the years but never an entire album. Imagine my surprise when I loved every single song on this album. There’s not one bad song on there. But ‘Outside’ stands out among the rest. I don’t know if it’s the mellow production or the melody, but it just works. I couldn’t get enough of this song in 2021.
Zayn is an incredibly versatile singer with quite an infectious voice. The way he carried the melody in this song so effortlessly and how he conveys pain so convincingly just draws you in and, if you’re feeling particularly sad, it might even get a few tears out of you.
The lyrics paint a vivid picture of the relationship and the aftermath. They depict a deep, mature relationship which makes the subject matter all the more emotionally stimulating. It’s easy to be angry after a breakup and go all GAYLE at your ex but this level of emotional stability and maturity takes effort and it shows in this song.
The instrumental and Zayn’s background vocals hit you somewhere deep in your heart and soul and complement the entire vibe of the song, making it an all-round beautiful listen. I hope GAYLE is taking notes because this is how you do a breakup song right.
4. Choker – Twenty-one pilots
The best part about 2021 was that we got a TOP album, to the joy of the clique around the world. If it was up to me, I’d put the entire album on this list. But that wouldn’t be fair to all the other brilliant songs we got last year.
Picking the best song from ‘Scaled And Icy’ was not an easy task – not at all. But if I had to choose one, gun to my head, it would be ‘Choker’.
This song is very raw, open and introspective where Tyler Joseph lays down all his insecurities and acknowledges his shortcomings. The self-awareness is an eye opener for anyone going through anything even remotely similar. The first step to self-betterment is recognizing your flaws, and Choker does that flawlessly.
The bridge and the outro rap verse go on to give us a positive outlook, detailing how it is up to us to change our circumstances, which hits very close to home for me, personally. Choker is my personal anthem and will be for quite some time.
3. All Too Well (10-minute version) – Taylor Swift
2021 was a big year for Taylor Swift. She locked horns with a corporate giant of the music industry in a battle of spite – a battle that she just might win if her fans are as loyal as they say they are. I almost exclusively listen to her re-recorded albums now to make sure she does. Among her re-recorded blasts from the past is a 10-minute version of her 2012 song ‘All Too Well’ from the album ‘Red’.
The last 10-minute song I enjoyed was Lupe Fiasco’s Chopper (well, almost 10 minutes. It's runtime was 9:32). And although this comparison may seem like apples to oranges, these 2 songs have more in common than you think. Each verse on both songs adds some new substance to the premise of the song. Both songs, being as long as they are, don’t feel long enough. Both songs have a pretty repetitive instrumental but with enough variation that it doesn’t sound stale after 10 minutes.
The reason this song is on this list is because a 10-minute version of All Too Well is a power move on Taylor’s part. It is essentially a 10 minutes long diss track to a past romantic interest, with each verse adding a new perspective.
Taylor Swift admitted that these re-recorded songs are not as emotionally potent as they were back when she first recorded them, and it actually comes across when you listen to them. But instead of sounding off-putting, Taylor managed to make them sound more mature with wisdom and hindsight – a certain nonchalance that conveys she has grown past all the pain and the hurt. That right there is more than enough to land this song on this list.
2. Last One Standing – Skylar Grey, Polo G, Mozzy & Eminem
Here’s something you should know about me: I am a huge Eminem Stan. So, any time Eminem drops something, you can safely expect it to be on a ‘best of’ list. But this song is not on this list because of a personal bias. This is an incredibly inspiring song where the rappers take turns detailing how their lives changed for the better and their journey through it.
Each rapper vividly outlines their struggles and the hills they had to climb, but not with any kind of bravado but with humility and grace, which makes the song that much more refreshing.
Skylar Grey unleashes her angelic voice on the hook and the bridge accompanied by a banging beat in a goosebump-inducing combination. All in all, a perfect pick-me-up song that we definitely needed in a bleak 2021.
1. Rocks At Your Window – Yelawolf
This year was undisputedly Yelawolf’s year. The man put out 4 different albums totaling 42 songs. 41 of those were hard-hitting rap songs with bars on bars. But among them was this gem.
Rocks At Your Window is a heartfelt and vulnerable ode to Yelawolf’s childhood friend who tragically passed away in a car accident in 2016. I’d be lying if I said I didn’t actually shed a few tears the first time I heard this song. And it still gets me choked up every time it comes on in my Spotify playlist.
In the context of the album that Rocks At Your Window was featured on, Yelawolf takes a break from spitting straight fire to drop this beautiful, melodious ballad for his friend. Every Yelawolf fan knows that the dude is not just a super underrated lyricist and rapper, he’s also an unexpectedly talented singer. And this song is a perfect reminder of that.
The instrumental is mostly acoustic guitars with the drums kicking in with the third verse when Yela drops a rap, continuing into the final chorus which really builds up the emotion of the song as well. If you don’t cry throughout the song, that last chorus will have you bawling like a baby.
As soon as I heard this song, I immediately knew that there was nothing anyone would release the entire year that could possibly top this song.
And so there you have it. That’s 2021 in music in a nutshell. Comment below if you think I’m missing something or if you disagree with my top picks. Let’s have a discussion.
For the worst songs of 2021, check out https://www.daily-deck.com/post/worst-songs-of-2021
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