My 12 Favorite Songs of 2023
Taste is admittedly subjective, and no annual roundup of “best songs” by a journalist is going to look (or sound) the same. My 2022 favorites list leaned heavily punk. This year’s leaned more pop than any other genre.
Why? Well, I listened to everything sent my way – dozens of emails, nudges to check out songs by friends in bands, and PR folks working the promotions circuit. I listened to satellite radio and am/fm radio, and saw at least 50 bands, big and small, play on stage (or in bars). In all, I enjoyed dozens of songs that crossed into my ear space. But there’s only so much time to chase bliss and feel deep feelings and listen to what I enjoy: a handful of tunes that truly stood out and made me excited to listen, again and again.
It was excruciatingly difficult to narrow this down to just a dozen tunes, but here they are — my favorite 12 songs of 2023*
#12: Olivia Rodrigo, “Can’t Catch Me Now” (Listen here)
Olivia Rodrigo is the Courtney Love of pop music right now, with her refreshingly angsty, frank lyrics and catchy choruses. There’s just something cool about the way she bites at unexpected moments. In 2023, she released slew of incredible singles off her album GUTS (my favorite: “bad idea right?”). But it’s the haunting lyrics, eerie acoustic fingerpicking, and layered harmonies of her single “Can’t Catch Me Now” — from the Hunger Games prequel movie The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes — that’s the most compelling and unforgettable.
#11: Frank Viele, “The Trouble with Desire” (Listen here)
Connecticut blues rock musician Frank Viele is practically my neighbor, so I’m well acquainted with his gravelly, emotive vocals and searing guitar solos. But of all his recent material out of Muscle Shoals, Alabama, it’s this track — about the addiction to more — that I relate to the most. Desire truly is like a wildfire, burning, raging out of control. Once the flames know your name … well, you’ll just have to listen to find out what happens next.
#10: Chaser Eight, “Say Whatever” (Listen here)
Dark pop/rock Connecticut band Chaser Eight, which is fronted by two powerful vocalists – lead singer Audra and backing vocalist Jess Wolfer — is one of the tightest live acts I saw in 2023. Their stunning, expansive vocal harmonies soar throughout the title track off their recent EP, building to a chorus that begs to be blasted in the car on a road trip.
#9: Guns N’ Roses, “Perhaps” (Listen here)
Guns N’ Roses’ album Appetite for Destruction is in the running for Greatest of All Time, and I’m so grateful that I’ve gotten to experience GNR play live twice (including last summer). But while measuring up to dozens of perfect, rockin’ legacy tunes seems to be a near-impossible feat, the band’s 2023 single, “Perhaps” does just that, from its percussive piano intro to Axl Rose’s reflective lyrics, to the band’s blistering guitar and bass riffs (courtesy of Slash, Duff McKagen, and Richard Fortus). It’s kind of like “November Rain, Part 2.” Familiar yet different.
#8: Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice, “Barbie World” (Listen here)
Of course, I loved the Barbie movie. How could I not? I’m a feminist and I played with Barbie dolls (and director Greta Gerwig is deserving of all the accolades). Among the gems on the soundtrack to the summer flick, this is one of the two that stood out. Featuring 1997 bubblegum pop act Aqua’s catchy “Barbie Girl” sample, combined with the distinct breathy vocals of American drill rapper Ice Spice, and Nicki Minaj’s punchy femme flow, this song makes me feel like a doll who still wants to party.
#7: Ponybird, “I’ll Say Goodbye” (Listen here)
Ponybird is an artistic jane of all trades – she belts it out like Lady Gaga (sometimes with vocal effects), plays with passion, and toys with sounds in unexpected ways. “I’ll Say Goodbye” exudes Siouxsie Sioux vibes, with deep house undercurrents, and is best when cranked up LOUD. The Pink Floyd-esque guitar solo is a cool addition.
#6: Nita Strauss & Dorothy “Victorious” (Listen here)
Guitar slayer Nita Strauss writes the hook-iest songs, bending solos on her signature Ibanez Jiva while prancing a stage. But this song, with metal siren Dorothy, is possibly her greatest collaboration to date. The storytelling in the video is simple – a young girl morphs from insecure caterpillar to rockstar butterfly – but triumphant. It feels like a theme song on my good days, and the one I want to hear on the bad days.
#5: Miley Cyrus “Flowers” (Listen here)
Miley Cyrus is a risk taker, and one of the most enigmatic pop singers of our time. Following in the footsteps of her incredible rock album Plastic Hearts was no easy feat, but this modern-day version of Gloria Gaynor’s “I Will Survive” is one of her best recordings yet. The idea of treating oneself well – buying oneself flowers – is simple, but universally empowering (and makes for a great meme). As she traipses the hills of Hollywood in her gold dress and sunglasses, Miley is our Phoenix on fire, rising from the ashes after the home she built has burned to the ground.
#4: Daisy Jones & The Six “The River” (Listen here)
Daisy Jones & The Six are a fictional 1970s band, but the songs written for the Amazon Prime series, based off the Taylor Jenkins Reed bestseller, are very real. Actors Riley Keough and Sam Claflin (who play Daisy Jones and Billy Dunne, respectively) are vocal powerhouses in this tune with a sizzling guitar riff, and lyrics about risking it all to chase someone you love (who is bad for you). Of all of the DJ tunes, this one is my favorite. I only wish the TV band could do a real tour.
#3: The Dollyrots “Night Owl” (Listen here)
Mom-and-pop band The Dollyrots put out the sunniest pop-punk anthems, but this one off their 2023 album Night Owls (plural) is devoted to the dark creatures. Every time singer/bassist Kelly Ogden coos, “Come on and catch me little night owl!” I can’t help but sing along to this super-fun tune.
#2: Måneskin “HONEY (R U COMING?)” (Listen here)
This song from Italian rock Gods Måneskin is such a fun romp in the hay (or whatever). I actually feel sexier every time I listen to it (which is kind of the point, right?). Lead singer Damiano David is a seductive devil extraordinaire, dangling the promise of excitement and adventure in the buildup to a searing, climactic chorus.
#1: Billie Eilish “What Was I Made For? (Listen here)
This is the song that blew me away in 2023. Billie Eilish’s delicate, whispery falsetto and poignant, pointed lyrics come during a pivotal, climactic moment in the Barbie movie – and stay with the listener long after the credits roll. It’s just gorgeous.
*Editor’s Note: I’m super-proud of writing and releasing the best song I’ve ever written so far, “Good Girl” with my band Trashing Violet, in April. It’s not included this list, but you can check it out on Bandcamp, Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon, or YouTube anytime!
