13 Songs Centered on the Year features year-centric songs courtesy of Alec Benjamin, Behemoth, BROCKHAMPTON, Camila Cabello, and ZAYN.

“Take me all the way / Hear me when I say / Let’s kiss the past away / Like New Year’s Day.” I concur Pentatonix, I concur! With the arrival of 2019, what better way to celebrate the new year with a collection of songs centered on the year! 13 Songs Centered on the Year contains songs containing the word ‘year’ in the title, or a specific year, such as “1994” or “1999”. Musicians providing the year-centric tunes for this playlist include Alec Benjamin (“1994”), Behemoth (“We Are the Next 1000 Years”), BROCKHAMPTON (“1998 TRUMAN”), Camila Cabello (“All These Years”), and ZAYN (“Good Years”) among others.

1. ZAYN, “Good Years”

Icarus Falls • RCA • 2018

“I’d rather be anywhere / Anywhere but here… / I close my eyes and see a crowd of a thousand tears / I pray to god I didn’t waste all my good years.” “Good Years” gave British urban-pop singer ZAYN the thrilling ballad he needed during a suspect promo campaign for his sophomore album, Icarus Falls (the album tanked nonetheless). “Good Years” commences with ZAYN singing the aforementioned, excerpted chorus with powerful, passionate vocals, accompanied merely by piano. He goes on to deliver strong vocals on both verses, discussing the effects and downside of fame. He really shines on the second and successive iterations of the chorus, when vocal harmonies come into the picture, intensifying and propelling the emotion and the passion even further. His anti-fame, ‘keep me out of the spotlight’ message resounds, restated once more on the bridge.

2. Florence + The Machine, “100 Years”

High as Hope • Virgin • 2018

Florence + The Machine delivers a gem with “100 Years,” which ranks among the brighter spots of their fourth studio album, High as Hope.  “100 Years” drops ‘spiritual bombs,’ something that consistently occurs throughout the LP.

On the chorus, Florence Welch sings:

“And, Lord, don’t let me break this

Let me hold it lightly

Give me arms to pray with

Instead of ones that hold too tightly.”

Another poetic moment occurs later as she asserts, “My heart bends and breaks so many, many times / And is born again with each sunrise.” “100 Years” is arguably the most epic number on High as Hope, and that’s against formidable competition. 

3. Behemoth, “We Are the Next 1000 Years”

I Loved You at Your Darkest • Metal Blade Records • 2018

“We hail to thee, O avenging force! / We are the dawn ov new Jerusalem / We are the ending ov all days / We are the next 1000 years!” Sigh, I Loved You at Your Darkest marks the 11^th studio album by Polish death metal band Behemoth, fronted and masterminded by Nergal. According to Nergal, “It doesn’t get more blasphemous than this”, referencing the hella anti-Christian/anti-God LP. That definitely proves true throughout the utterly atheistic, Satanic project.

On “We Are the Next 1000 Years,” Behemoth continues the prominent themes of the project, including celebrating Christ’s crucifixion.  A prime example:

“To Christ, falls savior on the cross

To the emperor ov Rome

To Christ, falls savior on the cross

To the devil in our souls!”

That emperor of Rome that Behemoth reference is none other than the infamous Pontius Pilate, known for ordering the crucifixion of Jesus Christ.  The blasphemous treatment of the Biblical continues in numerous instances, including “The tree ov God shall not withstand the ruthless storm / We are the death that rides the pale horse.”

4. Camila Cabello, “All These Years”

Camila • Epic • 2018

“Your hair’s grown a little longer / Your arms look a little stronger / Your eyes just as I remember / Your smile’s just a little softer.” Breakout pop star Camila Cabello wastes no time on the smooth, mid-tempo “All These Years,” which commences abruptly with the first verse. Cabello’s chill, cooing vocals shine despite the fact that she never breaks a sweat and the record isn’t ‘commanding’ per se. Cabello keeps it pleasant, simple, and sexy, even as “All These Years” plays it relatively safe.

The chorus is among the best moments:

“‘Cause after all these years

I still feel everything when you are near

And it was just a quick ‘Hello,’ and you had to go

And you probably will never know

You’re still the one I’m after all these years.”

5. Alec Benjamin, “1994”

Narrated for You • Alec Benjamin • 2018

“This is where I broke my wrist, where I thought I could fly / Thinking I was Superman, so you know you can’t cry.” Throughout the course of his “1994”, a highlight from Narrated for You, the debut mixtape by pop singer/songwriter Alec Benjamin, he reflects upon his childhood.  Naturally, 1994 is the year that Benjamin was born, confirmed by the brief chorus.  In addition to the aforementioned excerpt from the first verse, Benjamin references Campbell’s soup, MTV, and Cholla Street, his residence as a kid.  On the second verse, he offers a similar script, including Santa Claus, Batman, as well as heavier memories such as September 11, 2001.  Ultimately, it’s a strong way to conclude Narrated by You.

6. Twin Shadow, “18 Years”

Caer • Reprise • 2018

“18 years / Chained to my fears / In too deep, losing sleep / Tragedies reminding me of why I’m losing sleep / I’m in too deep / I give up, are you up? Talk to me.” On “18 Years,” it’s clear that things aren’t optimal for the female protagonist in the least.  On the first verse, there’s the loss of friends, an unattainable crush, and the worst summer ever – “You’re bothered by the weight of having to pretend / That it’s still summer, but it’s not summer.” On the second verse, she’s further let down by “Every boy [she] seem(s) to trust.” Regarding “18 Years,” which appears on the 2018 album Caer by Twin Shadow (aka Dominican-American actor, novelist, and musician George Lewis, Jr.), he tells NYLON Mag: “A girl I was dating told me about how her brother killed himself when she was 18.  This song is her story, some of it imagined by me…”

7. Charli XCX & Troye Sivan, “1999”  

1999 [Single] • Atlantic UK • 2018

Good things happen when a couple of intriguing pop musicians collaborate together. Charli XCX and Troye Sivan, who ‘bring the heat’ on the reminiscent, ‘year-centric’ single, “1999”. “1999” benefits from its sleek pop production, comprised of synths, keyboard, and hip-hop drum programming. Charli XCX is filled with swagger, as she delivers aggressive, highly-assertive vocals.

She sings the majority of the opening chorus:

“I just wanna go back, back to 1999

Take a ride to my old neighborhood

I just wanna go back, sing ‘Hit me baby, one more time’

Wanna go back, wanna go.”

On the first verse, Charli XCX reminisces about old TV shows (Nickelodeon), “Shady” (Eminem), and youth. Troye Sivan sings the first half of the second verse, combining forces with Charli on the second half.  He reminisces on being ‘young and dumb’ and the iconic King of Pop, Michael Jackson. He also handles the majority of the bridge, among the best moments of the single:

“Back to 1999

I know those days are over but a boy can fantasize

‘Bout JTT on MTV and when I close my e-e-eyes

And I’m right there, right there…”

8. BROCKHAMPTON, “1998 TRUMAN”

1998 TRUMAN [Single] • RCA • 2018

Jim Jones has the ability to stir a buzz both alive and dead – how scary is that? Anyways, the infamous false prophet is sampled at the beginning of “1998 TRUMAN”, a standout single from Texas-formed, LA-based collective BROCKHAMPTON.  Jones preaches his cultish, anti-government message in all his insanity, setting the tone of the “IDGAF what others think nature” that dominates “1998 TRUMAN.”

Merlyn Wood drops an aggressive, biting hook:

“Gimme no drugs, lend me some love

Tonight, while I’m in this club

Lonely as fuck, with my thugs

And we looking for that buzz.”

Joba drops the first verse, pop-rapping about becoming successful despite the skeptics. “Truth is, you can kiss my ass.” Okay.  Following Wood’s chorus, Kevin Abstract delivers a brief bridge that recurs throughout the record – “Don’t talk back, don’t talk back, boy, don’t.” Matt Champion arrives for the second verse, continuing to embody the spirit of not giving a what – “Why do I care how I look? / Why do I care what they say?” Dom McLennon makes a couple of political references on the third verse, with the best being:

“I’m dreaming of making moves like the government

You better think about who you fucking with, get back.”

Bearface gets in on the action on the fourth verse, where the entire vibe changes. Kevin Abstract closes out the 1998-reminiscent joint with a dramatic outro.

9. alt-J, “Last Year”

Relaxer • Atlantic • 2017

With “Last Year,” alternative collective alt-J delivers a record nearly the equal of “Adeline” in regard to sheer radiance.  Perhaps the difference is that the penultimate number from their 2017 album Relaxer initially lacks excitement and thrills.  The first verse depicts the last year, month by month, including the most notable line, “December, you sang at my funeral.”  The funeral song follows on verse two, performed by Marika Hackman.  It contrasts the first verse but remains sad.  “Last Year” has a superb concept, particularly on paper, even if it suffers slightly from being a wee bit of a bore.

Interestingly, a completely transformed version of the record, “Last Year (Terrace Martin version),” featuring Grammy-nominated rapper GoldLink, appears on the 2018 remix album, Reduxer.

10. Lukas Graham, “7 Years”

Lukas Graham • Warner Bros. • 2016

“Once I was 7 years old my momma told me / Go make yourself some friends or you’ll be lonely / Once I was 7 years old.” “7 Years” is the rare, meaningful, yet catchy pop song performed by Danish pop collective Lukas Graham (Lukas Graham Forchhammer, Mark Falgren, Magnus Larsson). Frontman Forchhammer possesses a truly distinct voice that’s perfectly suited for this reflective number, which is realistic, hypothetical, and captivating all-in-one.

“Soon I’ll be 60 years old, my daddy got 61

Remember life and then your life becomes a better one

I made a man so happy when I wrote a letter once

I hope my children come and visit, once or twice a month.”

Unsurprisingly, the Grammy-nominated record was ranked as the second-best song of 2016 on the 50 Best Songs of 2016 year-end list.

11. Mary J. Blige, “Whole Damn Year”

London Sessions • Capitol • 2015 

“See, winter took most of my heart / And spring punched me right in the stomach / Summer came lookin’ for blood / And by autumn I was left with nothin’.” Wow, that totally sounds like an unpleasant experience. Back in 2014, Grammy-winning R&B singer/songwriter Mary J. Blige released the under-appreciated The London Sessions album.  Sure, the biggest moments of her illustrious career have come and passed, but The London Sessions deserved much more love, if for nothing else than the brilliant Sam Smith co-write, “Therapy.” Anyways, among the bright spots of that album Not named “Therapy” was the pained ballad, “Whole Damn Year.” Here, Blige proclaims that it took her a long time essentially to get over a bad relationship – “It took a whole damn year to repair my body / It’s been a bad 5 years…”

12. The Black Keys, “Year in Review”

Turn Blue • Nonesuch • 2014

On “Year in Review,” the distortion and harshness of Dan Auerbach’s vocals is a nice touch, adding grit and packing a punch. The record’s chorus is simple, providing a life lesson more people should adhere to: “Just leave it alone.” The context of this standout from The Black Keys’ 2014 album Turn Blue is that rather than asking more hurtful questions or dwelling in a ‘bed of pain,’ you should walk always and leave things as they are.  Lines like “And when you hear about the lies other people are sayin’ / Just know they talk ‘cause they don’t have a way inside” or “You can never find a soul that’s got no pain within / Just like you’ll never find a singer without that sin…” confirm the perceived nonchalance that Auerbach has about, well, BS.

13. ScHoolboy Q, “Man of the Year”

Oxymoron • Interscope • 2014

ScHoolboy Q concludes his 2014 album, Oxymoron, superbly with “Man of the Year.” “Man of the Year” comes over much more accessible than some of the edgiest cuts gracing the LP.   Still, the gritty rapper hasn’t forgotten where he came from. “Fast forward getting real tell me now / Every dog need a cat to meow, every once in a while,” he raps on the second verse. “I see hands in the crowds / See whites, blacks blazing a pound, jumping around…”  Yup, he’s totally feeling himself.  Understandable because hey, he’s the ‘man of the year’, and by having a unified fan base coming out to see his shows, he’s really experienced a ‘come up.’

Photo Credits: Alec Benjamin, Atlantic, Capitol, Epic, Interscope, Metal Blade, Nonesuch, RCA, Reprise, Virgin, Warner Bros.