Rueben's Ramblings

With all that has been happening this year because of the pandemic, music has certainly played an even more important role in people’s lives (or at least I want to believe it has) because EVERYONE has been spending a great deal more time at home.

I hope that you have found time to enjoy music throughout the year especially if it helped to alleviate tension, fear and stress.

You may not agree with my selections for this year, but these are just some of the standouts for 2020:

Top Female Singer of the Year – Maren Morris

Here is the video for her hit single “The Bones”:

Top Male Singer of the Year – The Weeknd

Here is the audio for his hit single “Blinding Light”:

Best Summer Song: “Watermelon Sugar” from Harry Styles

Here is the audio to that song:

Breaking that Glass Ceiling: Mickey Guyton performing at the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards [she became the first black woman ever to perform solo at the ceremony]

Here is her live performance of “What Are You Gonna Tell Her” [with Keith Urban on piano]

Favorite Song of the Pandemic: “Break My Heart” by Dua Lipa

Here is a video for that single:

Best Duet and Best ‘Get Up and Dance’ Single: “Rain on Me” by Lady Gaga and Ariana Grande

Here is the video for this single:

Welcome Back: The Chicks (nee The Dixie Chicks)

Here is the video for their latest single “Gaslighter”:

NOTE: According to Thrillist, this song is a “much-needed anthem of righteous catharsis,” and kudos go to Natalie Maines, Martie Erwin Maguire, and Emily Strayer for sticking to their guns. They were (unfairly) shamed by conservatives back in 2003 when they spoke out against George Bush and the Iraq War, but they were merely speaking their minds, not putting up with bulls*it, and given what’s happening in 2020, I have to commend and admire them for what they did.

The Only Justin Bieber Song That Can Be Tolerated: “10,000 Hours” by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber

Here is the audio for that single:

How Did He Get Bypassed for a Grammy Nomination for Best New Artist?: Lewis Capaldi

Here is the video for his single “Before You Go”:

Super Group of the Year: The Highwomen (comprising Natalie Hemby, Maren Morris, Brandi Carlile and Amanda Shires)

Here is the video for their single “Crowded Table”:

The “Let It Go” of 2020: “Into the Unknown” from Frozen II sung by Idina Menzel and AURORA

Here is the video for that song:

What Is That Earworm? (Song That Sticks In Your Brain): “Moral of the Story” by Ashe

Here is the lyric video for that song:

The Jimi Hendrix-Alicia Keyes Combo (Best R&B Performer) – H.E.R.

H.E.R. (born Gabriella Wilson) is a talented singer-songwriter with mad piano and guitar skills, who was nominated for five Grammy Awards in 2019 – winning Best R&B Album of the Year – as well as being nominated for five Grammy Awards this year. She made an impression performing a cover version of “Nothing Compares 2 U” for the In Memoriam segment on the 72nd Primetime Emmy Awards and was also featured in December’s televised “Time Person of the Year” presentation.

Here is the video of her performance on the Emmy Awards:

Terrific Cover Version of a Song Used in a Series Finale: “Carry On Wayward Son” by Neoni [the sister duo of Caitlin and Sidney]

Here is Neoni’s video:

What singer or band has been your “go-to” music during the pandemic? Which singles were the stand-outs for you this year? What song did you get sick of hearing on the radio? What was the top album in your opinion? Please share your thoughts on the music of 2020 below.

TOMORROW: The Big Screen