The 50 Best Songs of 2017

Good music can change my whole world. It's always been an integral part of my life and continues to provide me a ton of happiness.

So every year I try to make a Best of playlist, highlighting all the songs that defined that year for me. There are no rules. Some of the songs weren't even actually released in 2017. I think there was one on last year's playlist released in 2013 lol.

I try and write a message for each song, why it was important to me. There's links to check it out on Apple Music or catch the whole playlist at the bottom on Spotify. I'm personally a Spotify gal.

Hoping 2018 brings you happiness, good fortune and tons of great new music.

-Linds

#1 "Stay (with Alessia Cara)" Zedd

2017 was Alessia Cara's year. This is my favorite of her collabs and will always stick out to me as what '17 sounded like.

Feel It Still (Lido Remix) - Portugal, The Man.jpg

#2 "Feel It Still (Lido Remix)" Portugal, The Man

Portugal, The Man is not new. I never understood the hype before, but I love this song. I feel like true fans (aka Portugal, The Fans - this better be what they call themselves) are probably a little upset about the newfound commercial success. Like why didn't we all see it before? Well, I'm sorry but "Modern Jesus" is not a good song. Don't @ me.

#3 "Praying" Kesha

I am LIVING for Kesha's comeback. As a woman who has been through some bad relationships, the lyrics speak so strongly. 2017 was the year of #metoo and Kesha was there for it.

#4 "Too Good At Goodbyes" Sam Smith

Welcome back Sam. I missed you.

#5 "I Like Me Better" Lauv

This is the catchiest song. Plus, who doesn't love being drunk in love in New York City?

#6 "Shape of You" Ed Sheeran

If I had to guess, "Shape of You" has been the most listened to song of 2017. Apparently it started out as a song for Rihanna, but sounded to much like Ed himself so he decided to release it at the last minute. Good choice Ed.

#7 "Your Song" Rita Ora

#8 "HUMBLE." Kendrick Lamar

#9 "Issues" Julia Michaels

Julia speaks the truth about our generation. This how we all feel.

#10 "River" Bishop Briggs

The songs good, but what made me really fall in love with it was this dance.

#11 "It Don't Hurt Like It Used To" Billy Currington

#12 "Say You Won't Go" James Arthur

#13 "Cages" NEEDTOBREATHE

I went through a dark time a few years ago. I felt like I was making YouTube videos just to make money. I was in a relationship to keep the income coming and I decided to change it. The lyrics in this song, "I went looking for attention in all the wrong places. I was seeking recognition and all I got was just cages."

This defines, in a really painful way, that time in my life and everything that was wrong with it.

#14 "Dive" Ed Sheeran

This could just have easily been "Perfect" or really any other song on the Divide album because they are all so good. But I played "Dive" at my wedding and will always remember it fondly.

#15 "The Cure" Lady Gaga

#16 "Thunder" Imagine Dragons

#17 "Mi Gente" J Balvin, Willy William

#18 "Drinkin' Too Much (8PM)" Sam Hunt

#19 "Clearly" Dylan Hyde

My favorite kind of love song , the kind that don't play games. Like yes, I love you a lot, clearly.

Sua Cara (feat. Anitta, Pabllo Vittar) - Major Lazer.jpg

#20 "Sua Cara (feat. Anitta, Pabllo Vittar" Major Lazer

Of all the not in English songs this year, I have to give some love to the Major Lazer Portugese offering because it's good and because Diplo.

#21 "Either Way" Chris Stapleton

Nobody writes a heart-wrenching song about a relationship like my dear friend, Chris Stapleton writes it. Ok, so I met him backstage once this year and we're not really friends at all, but he was really cool.

Pretty Girl (Cheat Codes X CADE Remix) - Maggie Lindemann.jpg

#22 "Pretty Girl (Cheat Codes X CADE Remix)" Maggie Lindemann

Badass babe anthem of 2017.

#23 "All My Friends" Dermot Kennedy

Dermot Kennedy just writes really great music.

1 Night (feat. Charli XCX) - Mura Masa.jpg

#24 "1 Night (feat. Charli XCX)" Mura Masa

#25 "Rainbow" Kesha

#26 "Let You Down" NF

Wait, is this about parents? I feel old.

#27 "Fake Love" Drake

#28 "In Cold Blood (Baauer Remix) alt-J

#29 "Burden" Foy Vance

#30 "Believer" Imagine Dragons

#31 "Bastards" Kesha

In 2009 when I would write something like, “YASSSS KE$HA is my spirit animal because she brushes her teeth with a bottle of jack”, did I ever think for a second, “Wow, can’t wait for Kesha and I to grow up and mature into wonderful upstanding citizens together.” But we managed to do it anyway so that’s awesome #spiritanimal