13 OLD Songs Filled with Freshness | Playlist 🎧

1. Lil Nas X, “Old Town Road”

Ft. Billy Ray Cyrus

7 (EP) • Columbia • 2019

“Yeah, I’m gonna take my horse to the old town road / I’m gonna ride ‘til it can’t go no more.” History-making, black LGBTQ+ artist Lil Nas X is responsible for the countrified/melodic hip-hop smash, “Old Town Road” (7 – EP) that topped the Billboard Hot 100 for a record 19 weeks! “Old Town Road – Remix,” the most popular version, features Billy Ray Cyrus, singing the aforementioned refrain (once), as well as the third verse.

“Old Town Road” is quite charming for a variety of reasons including lyrics that play off of clichés associated with country music. Furthermore, the hip-hop beat, coupled with ‘country-folk’ guitars, fueled by a prominent Nine Inch Nails sample (“34 Ghosts IV”), add to the sheer excellence. Although a novel cut, it’s one for the ages!

2. 5 Seconds of Summer, “Old Me”

CALM • Interscope • 2020

“Old Me” (CALM) exemplifies the modern pop sound. There are guitars but synths and urban beat ‘rule the roost’ on this 5 Seconds of Summer standout.  No worries – the boys still have an edge, dropping a couple of swear words along the way, whether it’s the regretful “And I did some shit I never should’ve done,” or  “Had to fuck it up before I really got to know me.”

Potty mouth or not, Luke Hemmings is at least regretful about past mistakes, actions, and playing a poor role as a lover. “Old Me” is a relatable, winning pop record.

3. 2KBABY, “Old Streets (Remix)”

Ft. Lil Durk

Pregame Rituals • Warner • 2020

“Man, I miss the old streets / These n***as lame, they gotta show me / They know my name, but they don’t know me / Got all this pain, somebody hold me, yeah.” Louisville, Kentucky rapper 2KBABY scored a viral hit with “Old Streets,” which would later receive an official release and music video.  Later, “Old Streets (Remix)” would materialize, bringing rapper Lil Durk into the fold.  Both songs appear on 2KBABY’s 2020 album, Pregame Rituals.

“Old Streets” is produced by Busta Keys and Danny Hajj, who give 2KBABY a fine backdrop to rap melodically, and honestly upon. 2K remembers his street times prior to his ‘come up.’ These include “Every night we ate bologna meat” and “My granny trippin’, her grandson a dope dealer.” Naturally, the record has an edge to it, even given its more melodic approach.  Similarly, Lil Durk brings melody too, but keeps it profane, nonetheless.  Like 2KBABY, he misses the old streets too, which is, as the title suggests, the big takeaway from this standout.

4. Thomas Rhett, “That Old Truck”

Center Point Road • Big Machine • 2019

“She heard me laugh, heard me cry / Heard me pray sometimes.” If you are wondering who heard Grammy-nominated country singer Thomas Rhett cry, it was “That Old Truck”, a highlight from his 2019 album, Center Point Road. Country musicians are no strangers to singing and reminiscing about their vehicles (“She Thinks My Tractor’s Sexy” comes to mind).  The old truck Rhett references represents a rite of passage for him.

Many of the lyrics of “That Old Truck” are familiar, given the fact that singing about cars, trucks, and apparently, tractors have been done a countless number of times.  On the first verse, Rhett describes the experience with ‘her’ – “Up and down the streets of a no-name town / Me and her with the windows down / 35s rolling on the ground / Loving every minute.” By the end of the second verse, he sings about “Cussing out all that grass I mowed / Just saving up to fix her.” The centerpiece of the record is the sentimental chorus. “That Old Truck” previously appeared on 10 Absolutely Alluring Songs About Cars.

5. Kesha, “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)”

Ft. Dolly Parton

Rainbow • Kemosabe • 2017

One of the very best songs from Rainbow, the 2017 album by Grammy-nominated pop staar Kesha, doesn’t arrive until near the end. “Old Flames (Can’t Hold a Candle to You)” is certainly worth the wait. It also happens to be a cover, co-written by Kesha’s mom, Pebe Sebert.

“Old Flames” actually marks the second country song from the album, with this one being most successful. Helping the cause is the fact she enlists country royalty, Dolly Parton, who also once covered this gem.  Ultimately, the duet is magical, memorable, ranking among the crème de la crème of the pop star’s career.

6. Father John Misty, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain”

Pure Comedy • Sub Pop • 2017

“So the longer I stay here / The longer there’s no future / So I’m growing old on magic mountain…” Grammy-winning alternative musician Father John Misty delivers an exceptional album with Pure Comedy (2017).  Pure Comedy is a more demanding listen compared to I Love You, Honeybear (2015) or its follow up, God’s Favorite Customer (2018). Tillman ranks among the most gifted songwriters in modern times, able to blend the serious, the humorous, and the satirical seamlessly.  He definitely works his magic on Pure Comedy, including the lengthy, 10-minute-long penultimate number, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain.”

“As if it’s any time but the present / So for now, every young thing in my path / I’ll hold their face so long inside my hands.” Essentially, “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” finds Father John Misty desiring to hold onto youth as long as possible, evidenced by the aforementioned lyrical excerpt from the second verse. He knows it’s impractical, but he’s clinging onto it as long as he can.  Later, on the third verse, he sings: “These days the years thin till I can’t remember / Just what it feels like to be young forever.”  “So I’m Growing Old on Magic Mountain” previously appeared on 13 Songs Where the Magic is Legit.

7. blackbear, “I Miss the old u”

Digital druglord • Alamo / beartrap / Interscope • 2017

“I miss the old you / Before you fucked G-Eazy / Both the Migos too…” “I Miss the old u” (digital druglord) finds blackbear pissed at his girl – understatement.  Essentially, she’s become shallow in his eyes, hence losing her authenticity.  His descriptions are definitely profane, including characterizing her as “ungrateful” and later “cold.” On the chorus, he blames her for his issues in which HE misses the old HIM!

“I miss the old me
I miss the way I used to be
I miss the old me
And now these drugs controllin’ me
It’s all your fault, baby
Still reaching for the Henny.”

8-9. Lord Huron, “Ancient Names, Pt. I” & “Ancient Names, Pt. II”

Vide Noir • Republic • 2018 

Indie-rock collective Lord Huron made a compelling return on their conceptual, third studio album, Vide Noir, which arrived in 2018.  Fulfilling the OLD criteria for this particular list, we look to the two-for-one from Vide Noir, “Ancient Names, Pt. I” and “Ancient Names, Pt. II”. “Ancient Names, Pt. I” commences relatively slowly and enigmatically, musically portraying mysticism.  After the relaxed pace of the intro, the groove, tempo, and vocals kick in. The sound palette is a selling point, with guitar, bass, and drums, as well as keyboards and a variety of sound effects.  Narratively speaking, Ben Schneider’s character goes to see a fortune teller and seems totally freaked out by the results.  On the chorus the front man asserts, “I gotta get away from here.” Following the majority of the record being rollicking and up-tempo, things mellow out and the pace slackens. 

Lord Huron keeps the momentum going on the brief, energetic “Ancient Names, Pt. II,” which commences abruptly. Vocally, it’s a bit difficult to decipher due to heavy vocal distortion. Schneider kicks things off with the chorus.  Fearing inevitable death, the verses focus on the protagonist’s existential crises. The two verses are short and sweet.

“I live my life like this
Just to prove to the world that I still exist
I don’t believe in life
And I won’t believe in death ‘til I die.”

10. CeeLo Green, “Old Fashioned”

The Lady Killer • Elektra • 2010

“My love’s old fashioned / But it still works, just the way it is / This love is classic / And not just, simple because, I say it is.” The biggest CeeLo Green from his 2010 album The Lady Killer is undoubtedly “Fuck You” – it’s inescapable! That said, his retro soul record, “Old Fashioned” is much classier, featuring one of the most soulful vocal performances of his illustrious career.

Sure, a record this vintage-sounding wasn’t idiomatic of 2010, but that’s part of what made it quite charming and refreshing.  I mean, oldies definitely have ample character, and “Old Fashioned” certainly falls in that same category.

11. Tame Impala, “New Person, Same Old Mistakes”

Currents • Modular • 2015

“Feel like a brand-new person / (But you’ll make the same old mistakes) / I don’t care, I’m in love / (Stop before it’s too late).” Kevin Parker – what a talented person.  The Tame Impala brainchild certainly makes no mistakes in regard to the quality of “New Person, Same Old Mistakes.”  The closing record from his 2015 album, Currents says it all – “Two sides of me can’t agree.”

While Parker has “changed” for the better, he still admits his flaws, which are the same old pitfalls.  Notably, Rihanna covers this record (“Same Ol’ Mistakes”) on her 2016, Grammy-nominated album, Anti.

12. Al Jarreau, “My Old Friend”

My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke • Concord • 2014

On My Old Friend: Celebrating George Duke, late legendary jazz musician Al Jarreau delivers a tribute album to the late, great George Duke, who died in 2013.  Most of the songs on the album were written or co-written by Duke with some exceptions. All in all, My Old Friend is a well-rounded album that’s certainly worth listening to.

The crowning achievement of the album occurs at the onset with the title track, “My Old Friend.” Both soulful and jazzy, Al Jarreau sounds exceptionally refined, despite being 74 at the time of the recording.  Nothing else on the album supersedes the glory of the opener.  Gerald Albright’s smooth saxophone playing further accentuates this marvelous track.

13. Bob Seger, “Old Time Rock and Roll”

Stranger in Town • Capitol • 1978

“Just take those old records off the shelf / I’ll sit and listen to ‘em by myself / Today’s music ain’t got the same soul / I like that old time rock ‘n’ roll.” Those lyrics are among the most recognizable lyrics of all time, PERIOD. Iconic rocker Bob Seger makes it crystal clear what his musical preferences are on his classic, “Old Time Rock and Roll.” “Today’s music” – which would’ve been the music of 1978 – just doesn’t give him the same lift. This gem appeared on Seger’s 1978 album, Stranger in Town.

On the second verse, Seger continues to lay out his case for “that old time rock ‘n’ roll.” He’s not into disco – “You’ll never even get me out to the floor.” Similarly, on the third and fourth verses, he continues to defend his love, writing off tango (verse three) and happily embracing being “old-fashioned” (verse four).  Ultimately, the chorus of this rollicking classic is the inescapable centerpiece.

“I still like that old-time rock ‘n’ roll
That kind of music just soothes my soul
I reminisce about the days of old
With that old-time rock ‘n’ roll.”