Ten Best Songs of 2023 (Caroline's Version)
- cgmurray95
- Jan 7, 2024
- 5 min read
Updated: Jan 10, 2024
2023 was a good year for music, though I think I'm biased. Every musician I love released the best music of their career this year. After being written off for years, the monoculture returned as people went to theaters to see Barbenheimer, gawked at Travis Kelce and Taylor Swift, and listened to a new rendition of "Fast Car." It was a stormy year for me, from ending a lease to switching jobs, but I also started reading music criticism, seriously tracking the Billboard Hot 100, and attending many concerts. After discovering my favorite band, Muna, through a best of 2022 list, I decided to share my favorite songs of 2023. Because I am me, this list is in no particular order but is numbered.
1. Blame Brett- The Beaches
Discovering the Beaches was a highlight of 2023. It was good to jam a spunky girl band from the Toronto rock group after rock music almost went extinct. Jordan Miller, the lead singer, wrote this song after a guy told her "I love you" on the third date and she wasn't ready. I respect how polite she is because I would never say sorry. I have been an emotional disaster and just wanted to say, "Don't blame me; blame Wayne."
Stand Out Lyric: "I'll become an asshole disguised as a bad girl"
2. I Remember Everything (feat. Kacey Musgraves) - Zach Bryan
This year was a good year for breakup songs and Zach Bryan. Appearing as the anti-bro in country music and a former military man singing sad songs on a guitar (which is my type), Zach Bryan has been a breath of fresh air in country music. And he gave the best country singer working (according to Brian Wilson) a number-one hit. I like this song because it reflects how painful memory is. I matched with a guy on Hinge this year, and he asked me about my most serious relationship so far. Initially, I found it invasive, but I recently realized that since he had never had a relationship, he couldn't comprehend why one would end because he hadn't learned that "it burns like hell when two souls meet." Listen to this and cry.
Stand Out Lyric: "You only smile like that when you are drinkin'"
3. Shakira: Bzrp Music Sessions, Vol. 53- Shakira & Bzrp
I feel like no one knows how much I love Shakira. I will never meet Gerald Pique, but his cheating on my She Wolf was unforgivable. This song was released in January with a video referencing Take on Me and called Pique and his girlfriend out. ¡Lo quiero! Also, the Spanish is easy enough for me to understand and memorize.
Stand Out Lyric: “Una loba como yo no está"
4. Paint the Town Red- Doja Cat
A brag track by a woman for women? Yes, please! A lot of being a woman and being human is wanting to scream "I said what I said" at people but not being able because of societal norms. I'm glad Doja Cat wrote a song I can scream in my car because I'm the devil occasionally.
Stand Out Lyric: "It'll take a whole lot for me to settle"
5. Get him back!- Olivia Rodrigo
There were times this year when I lost a guy and really missed him. Like Taylor Swift before her, Oliva Rodrigo writes songs about relatable relationships. No relationship always sucks or always rocks, and after a breakup, sometimes you wanna get him back. Also, Sam Sanders' bit on Lovett or Lovett It regarding the bridge is hilarious. If any of my exes' moms want to contact me, I have notes about how their son sucks.
Stand Out Lyric: "But I am my father's daughter, so maybe I could fix him"
6. Now We Don't Talk (Taylor's Version)- Taylor Swift
An appearance on this list is easily Taylor Swift's most significant accomplishment in 2023 (plus, I'm cuter than Travis Kelce). My two favorite albums, Speak Now and 1989, were re-released with vault tracks. All were good, but Now We Don't Talk stayed on my mind. Taylor's power as a songwriter is how she can express an actual, relatable breakup in song. The worst part of a breakup is having millions of things to tell your ex but knowing you cannot. The best part of breakup is that you no longer must hear about their stoner ex or acid rock. This song is so relatable as someone who calls their parents when anything mildly goes wrong in my life.
Stand Out Lyric: "I don't have to pretend I like acid rock"
7. Speed Drive- Charli XCX
Barbie is my favorite movie, and I'm a gigantic Charli XCX fan, so I included it. The Barbie soundtrack is incredible and is the pop equivalent of O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack. This song comes on as Barbie escapes Matel. Besides its use in the movie, it is a huge mood booster and was my most listened-to song on Spotify this year.
Stand Out Lyric: "Ah-ah, Barbie, you're so fine, you're so fine you blow my mind"
8. Paris, Texas (feat. SYML)- Lana Del Rey
Jack Antoff makes Lana Del Rey sound good. A&W is Lana's magnum opus, but Paris, Texas, showcases her voice and is melodic. The piano sounds excellent, and the lyrics are pure Lana, referencing her catalog, Venice Bitch and Margaret. SYML is Lana’s ex, and regardless of how the relationship went, I love when Lana collaborates with the musicians she dates.
Stand Out Lyric: "When you know, you know"
9. Need a Favor- Jelly Roll
This song is on the list because Jelly Roll's performance on CMT gave me chills. Jelly Roll has had a fantastic year, and like Zach Bryan, he has saved country music from the bros. I'm a lapsed Christian who still prays and, I feel like I’m asking God who I occasionally believe for a favor. I appreciate the shoutout as someone who grew up on the King James Bible.
Stand Out Lyric: "And I only pray when I ain't got a prayer"
10. Dial Drunk- Noah Kahan and Post Malone
I'm new to Spotify, but it suggested this song for me this year. Once I listened to this song, I was hooked because I know the asshole of an ex that Noah and Post Malone are singing about. This song also made me want to learn the banjo.
Stand Out Lyric: "In the name of someone I no longer know"
Honorable Mentions:
America Has a Problem (feat. Kendrick Lamar)- Beyonce
If it's good enough for former President Obama's list, it's good enough for mine. Singles with an added rap verse are rarely this good. I love how Queen B raps and compares herself to Tony Montana. Also, Renaissance is an incredible album and should have won Album of the Year.
One That Got Away- Muna
In a year where I heard from three of my five exes around my birthday and let an Australian sailor sail away, this song acted as a theme song for me. Muna's collaboration with Leland, "Bad at Letting Go," was also excellent and would have been here if it had been a bigger deal. Also, this is the only song on this list I saw live this year.
Losers Like Me- Morgan Wade
Would Morgan Wade be on my radar if I wasn't a Bravo fan? No, but she is, and she should get more airplay on country radio than she does. As an unmarried Midwesterner who moved to the East Coast for my career, this song rings in my ear every time I visit my parents. Also, the worst part of growing up is learning that "the world is so damn mean."
Exes- Tate McRae
Saying "sorry that you love me" with a demonic laugh in the background is how I interact with most men; I have no notes.
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