In (almost) every issue of The Citizen this year, members of the Citizen staff have recommended their Song of the Day: a song, new or old, which fit the mood of the moment.
Each regular contributors have compiled a list of their top five picks of the year - the best, most influential or quirkiest tracks to make Page 2 of The Citizen this year.
Check out their top picks below:
NEIL GODBOUT
5. Gorilla - Bruno Mars - If Michael Jackson had tried to outdo Prince's Little Red Corvette and put the result on Thriller, this is the song he would have made. Spicy lyrics and soaring vocals delivered at the junction where rock and soul meet. Guilty pleasure of the year.
4. Sirens - Pearl Jam
The Seattle grungers have become their heroes with this song, putting out a genuine, heartfelt and well-written record that is anthemic without being corny.
3. By And Down - A Perfect Circle
Nobody does melancholy quite like Maynard James Keenan. This will have to do until Tool can finally put out some new music, hopefully next year.
2. Get Lucky - Daft Punk
One of the best disco records ever made, 35 years after disco reached its apex. A wonderful reminder from two French guys that disco had lasting value.
1. Reflektor - Arcade Fire
A bold return from Montreal's finest, helped along by David Bowie's growl. It's a mish-mash of multiple influences into something unique.
TYLER SABOURIN
For someone that isn't much of a music guy, I think in this past year I've showcased a pretty decent selection of music. I've really enjoyed how it's made me seek out and think about music in a much more active way and, hopefully, some of you have been inspired to do the same.
Here's my Top-5 picks from the past year:
5. Bread and Butter - Hugo
This slice of Southern Rock and R&B is both playful and menacing and still has a spot on my music rotation.
4. Give It All We Got Tonight - George Strait
A song with that classic country sound - perfect for two-stepping and a great reminder of my family's first big trip.
3. A Storm Is Going To Come - Piers Faccini
Another artist capturing a classic sound of a genre - this time evoking folk greats. I grew up listening to a lot of folk music - I'm even named after James Taylor - and Piers Faccini's A Storm is Going To Come not only is great folk music, but it stuck to me personally with it's whole essence evoking my brother.
2. Nasty Letter -Otis Taylor
A driving, relentless song by bluesman Otis Taylor. Nasty Letter is a song that gets under your skin, makes it crawl with restless energy and drives you to do something - anything. For me, it says "Hit the open road, and just keep going."
1. Doot Doot - Freur
A synthpop, new wave hit from the '80s that has seemingly been forgotten to time - the only hit from the band Freur. Musically, it's got a really mellow vibe and is completely pleasing to the ear. But Doot Doot is my top song of this super-scientific list for personal reasons as my dad (radio host, The Lost Hippie) pointed it out to me during a trip to visit my parents this past summer, which was just amazing.
ARTHUR WILLIAMS
It's been an interesting year for music. In between the meltdowns and drama, artists have put out some music worthy of a permanent home on the ol' iPod playlist:
5. Inner Ninja - Classified
It's hard not to smile listening to a white guy from Nova Scotia rapping about being a ninja. Although it officially launched in December, 2012 that's close enough to 2013 to sneak it in.
4. Play Hard - David Guetta, feat. Ne_Yo and Akon
Released in March, Play Hard is a probably the best dance track of the year. Even if you never set foot inside a dance club, Play Hard's infectious beat is a great for the gym.
3. Here's To Never Growing Up - Avril Lavigne
Canada's former teen rock princess Avril Lavigne is 28 years old this year. I guess we all have to grow up, but we don't have to go quietly. Here's to Never Growing Up, released in April, hits the perfect balance between nostalgia and defiance.
2. Trenches -Pop Evil
This single from the band's album Onyx, released in February, show's there is hope for heavy metal. I look forward to seeing what else they can do.
1. Blurred Lines -Robin Thicke feat. T.I. and Pharrell
The sleazy charm of this Marvin Gaye-esq R&B hit catapulted Thicke into the spotlight. He may slide back into relative obscurity, but people will still be listening to Blurred Lines decades from now.
CHARELLE EVELYN
I have some really weird musical tendencies and I'm okay with that. This year, I shared my eccentricity in my weekly Song of the Day slot. Here are some of my more WTF-esque selections:
5. X-Men theme song - Ron Wasserman
This one isn't even something most people would have on their playlist, seeing how it's a television show theme song. But this summer, I was so hyped by the latest Wolverine movie that I had to pay homage to where my affinity for the X-Men began, with the animated cartoon from the '90s.
4. Werqin' Girl - Shangela
I don't think any playlist is complete without a drag-queen jam, and at the beginning of July I dove in to Shangela Laquifa's Werqin' Girl. She is a professional.
3. The Fox - Ylvis
By now, we all know what the fox says: utter gibberish. But when I first stumbled upon this video by Norwegian comedy duo Ylvis in September, I couldn't stop laughing at its sheer outrageousness.
2. Head, Shoulders, Kneez N Toez -K.I.G.
Sometimes you need to go back to basics - I'm talking preschool - to get a little perspective. British group K.I.G.'s offering of Head, Shoulders, Kneez N Toez is so ridiculous (and ridiculously catchy) that I had to share it back in January.
1. My Heart Will Go On -Celine Dion
As with any music played in this country, there has to be some Canadian content thrown in. This year, I met my quota with the help of national treasure Celine Dion. I resurrected her 1996 hit My Heart Will Go On after it ended up being a strange reoccurrence during my first trip to Las Vegas in February. Every night in my dreams I see you, too, Celine.
MICK KEARNS
I started suggesting tunes this year to help people who were looking for music to workout to. And at this time of year, when in a few weeks people will be making their New Year's resolution lists again, I am providing you with my top five must-have songs for your exercise playlist.
Some old, some new, but all should get your butt off the couch and moving. If you like them and would like a longer list that will last you through a proper workout, drop me an email and I can help you get moving for the New Year and beyond.
5. I Cry - Flo Rida
4. Can't Hold Us - Macklemore and Lewis
3. Eat, Sleep, Rave, Repeat (Calvin Harris mix) - Fatboy Slim
2. Let's Get Loco (Jump Smokers Extended Mix) - Shuri Shuri
1. Sandstorm - Darude
