Top Fifty Songs of 2015: 50-41

50-41 | 40-31 | 30-21 | 20-11 | 10-1

Since 2002, I have obsessively tracked and categorized the music I listen to. It started as a way to share the songs and artists discovered while working in college radio with friends. I would regularly rip audio files, make quarterly Windows Media playlists and even burn CD’s.

For the last few years Spotify and YouTube have been my main source for listening to music and organizing monthly “Mixtapes.”

I hope you enjoy listening to the soundtrack of my 2015!

PART ONE: 50-41 [and the top songs of years past]

2014 started out rough and ended on a high note while 2015 was a whirlwind all the way through. The soundtrack that follows tracks me through a tumultuous year filled with heartache, traveling adventures and new beginnings.

50) Hippie Sabotage – Show me the World

Vacants | February MixTape
Imagine this tune blasting in your headphones as you jump off a ski lift and look at the sunrise over the top of a mountain range. This song should not be ranked all they way down at number fifty but it seemed like a perfect one to kick off the 2015 countdown with! Although it did not come this year (like a few other rule breakers on this list), I listened to it enough to warrant being on the list. I discovered Hippie Sabotage, on accident, while visiting Denver with my girlfriend (at the time)back in February. Kick back and listen to the amazingly crunchy trip-hop beats of the DJ duo!

49) Beirut – No No No

No No No | June MixTape
Not my favorite tune from one of my favorite bands but this song was fun and catchy enough to stick out in the middle of a dark playlist.

48) Mas Ysa – Look Up

Seraph | April MixTape
This inspirational tune found it’s way to my ear from my friend’s music blog, sideonetrackone.com. It also happens to be on a lot of other notable year-end-lists so it must be pretty good!

47) Tame Impala – ‘Cause I’m a Man

Currents | October MixTape
The first song to make the list from Tame Impala is a defiant number I heard while listening to the band play at ACL Fest.

46) Knifight – Young Lovers

V | March MixTape
I don’t recall if I first heard this song while watching Knifight during SXSW or if it was also on my friend’s blog. Either way, the gothic sound and clips from C.H.U.D. were perfect brooding music during a rainy March.

45) Twin Shadow – Turn Me Up

Eclipse | January MixTape
I had the pleasure of meeting Twin Shadow (aka George Lewis Jr.) during this year’s SXSW music festival. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see him perform this year nor was I as ecstatic about his recent singles as I have been about several past songs.

44) Holy Soul – Cathedral

OOM VELT | October MixTape
The October MixTapes always tend to have a ghoulish feel and this song fit right in!

43) Hippie Sabotage – Able to See Me

Able to See Me | July MixTape
Hippie Sabotage released two new tracks this year: Fast Car and Able to See Me both made the MixTapes.

42) Hundred Waters – Out Alee

The Moon Rang Like a Bell | October MixTape
My ex-girlfriend introduced me to this band as a possible show to see while we were in Denver. This particular song caught my attention in October.

41) Raury – God’s Whisper

Indigo Child | January MixTape
I discovered the eclectic Raury while enjoying some magic mushrooms last Christmas Eve and listening to music. The 19-year-old form Atlanta is known for is interesting combination of genres.