Top 50 of 2023 / #45 – 41: An Emotional Tribute, A Bunny and a Brit Pop Third Act

The hits just keep coming! 2023 was not the blockbuster release year of 2022, but it was a very eclectic year with some hip hop, metal and iconic bands putting out solid releases. If 2022 was the year for heavy hitters, 2023 was a year for bands to return to form with far more “oldies” getting a run on the top 50. So, let’s get into it.

45. The Libertines: Run, Run, Run

I did not expect to see a Libertines’ track on this list, but here we are. This track has all the fun Brit Pop joy and energy the band originally gave us on records like The Libertines in 2004. I thought we got a nice surprise with Carl and Pete being able to put out a record in 2015 and never thought they would be able to keep it together to give us another record. Especially something with the energy and insight as Run, Run, Run. Lyrics about not dwelling in your past and moving forward with zeal shows a band taking full advantage of its third act and having fun.

44. Foo Fighters: Rescued

This is the first track the band put out after Taylor Hawkins’ death and their grief ours out in the track. It has that raw energy we heard in their 1995 debut record, but also had an emotional foundation that was connecting, yet deeply personal. A lot of bands and artists talk about working through their grief in their music, but none of them have tracks like Rescued where the grief is so palpable. I’m not a huge Foo Fighter’s guy, but this track is something that needs to be witnessed and experienced.

43. P!NK: Trustfall

This is the first P!NK studio work since 2019 and she has not lost a step. Her music has been a rallying cry for millions of women and Trustfall continues that vibe with lyrics about power and living your own life. It’s a mix of club, dance, powerful vocals and a dash of disco. This concoction makes for a catchy pop song that P!NK fans will love and even the casual P!NK observer will bob their head to and sing along with.

42. Bad Bunny: Where She Goes

Bad Bunny has been busy…movies, a new record and another track coming up on the top 50. Bad Bunny is mostly known for his hip hop latin music crossover and being one of the biggest artists in the world. This track shows off his powerful vocal. When he really goes for it on this track it takes on this epic nature that is rarely seen in pop music. Bad Bunny is a talented artist who seems to excel at whatever he does and this shows how he has conquered the pop power ballad.

41. Lucinda Williams: Rock n Roll Heart

I first saw Lucinda Williams at First Ave in MLPS when it was like 100 degrees. She talked about how hot it was and then proceeded to light the entire venue on fire with her country rock. That was nearly 25 years ago and she is still putting out great music about rock. I think she is at her best when it is all stripped back and she rocks out. She still has her country rock twang and this track is a joy to listen to.

And just like that we have almost moved through the 40s. The next group will find us in our first Aussie rock track, a repeat artist from a previous top 50 and the comeback foundational artists continue!