Rueben's Ramblings

As I’ve shared for many years now, music has always been an important part of my life. It all started when I was a little girl, listening to music while sitting in the middle of my big brothers’ shared bedroom on the their old 1970’s turntable then listening to my big boom box and later the Walkman I had in the 1980’s all the way through to my iPod in the 2000’s to now my Pandora and Spotify accounts.

I wake up to music every morning rather than a buzzing alarm; and then I go to bed with music. Music may not mean to everyone what it means to me, but it does play a crucial part in television, Broadway, theatre and the box office.

The following are just some of the top performers for 2022:

Most Moving Song of the Year: “Unstoppable” by Sia

Sia (born Sia Kate Isobelle Furler) is a singer-songwriter from Australia who has been performing since the mid-1990’s. With nine albums (and a 10th album for which she is currently working on) under her belt, she is nothing short of very accomplished in the industry. Much like Lady Gaga, who was known for her outrageous outfits, Sia is very often seen in public – and especially when performing – behind the long bangs of a Cruella de Vil inspired wig. The wigs notwithstanding, Sia is a powerhouse singer and a force to be reckoned with.

Here is the lyric video for “Unstoppable”:

Duet of the Year: “Cold Heart” by Elton John and Dua Lipa

Joining forces this year was the one and only Elton John and one of the current, top pop princesses, former model and now singer Dua Lipa. This inventive single quickly reached number one on many charts all across the globe, using lyrics from John’s hit single “Rocketman,” this single earned the duo honors as Variety’s 2022 Hitmakers of the Year

Here is the lyric video for “Cold Heart”:

Up and Comers of the Year: Chapel Hart

The country music vocal group from Mississippi, comprised of sisters Danica and Devynn Hart and their cousin Trea Swindle, received a unanimous group golden buzzer on America’s Got Talent this summer with their original song, based on the Dolly Parton hit single Jolene, called “You Can Have Him Jolene.” They may have finished fifth in the competition, but they captured the hearts of everyone.

Here is the moment Chapel Hart took the stage and wowed everyone:

Global Artist of the Year: Bad Bunny

Bad Bunny (born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio) is a Puerto Rican rapper and singer, who has been credited with helping Spanish-language music achieve worldwide mainstream popularity, and he has the awards to prove it. He has amassed 2 Grammys, four Latin Grammys, 8 Billboard Music Awards and 13 Premios lo Nuestro awards as well as being crowned Artist of the Year at this year’s Apple Music Awards.

Here is the music video for “Titi Me Pregunto” by Bad Bunny:

Hot New Group: Wet Leg

Wet Leg is a British duo from the Isle of Wight, founded by Rhian Teasdale and Hester Chambers, has a new wave sound and deadpan vocals. They created an infectious and deceptively sly debut album that hit number one on the UK, Australian and Irish album charts and earned them five Grammy nominations, including Best New Artist.

Here is the official music video of the single “Chaise Lounge” by Wet Leg:

Best “New” Country Artist: Lainey Wilson

Lainey Wilson was the most nominated singer at the 2022 Country Music Awards, and has landed herself a recurring guest starring role in the immensely popular Paramount Network drama Yellowstone. And while she is 30 years old and has been performing since she was a child, it was this year, and her single “Things A Man Oughta Know,” where she finally made it big

Here is the official music video for “Things A Man Oughta Know”:

Top Band of the Year: Glass Animals

Glass Animals is an English indie rock band that was formed back in 2010 and since that time has released three studio albums, hit it big this year with their single “Heat Waves,” which went viral on TikTok, surpassed 2 billion streams on Spotify and reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100. They received their first Grammy nomination this year in the Best New Artist category.

Here is the official music video for the hit single “Heat Waves”:

Top Single of the Year (TIE): “ABCDEFU” by Gayle and “Victoria’s Secret” by Jax

Gayle (born Taylor Gayle Rutherfurd) is an 18-year old singer from Texas, who made it big this year with her breakout single “ABCDEFU.” The single, which has a pop-punk edge with a catchy lyrical twist and a sing-along chorus, has inspired a number of imitators, as well as parodies, and crossed over to Billboard’s Hot 100 list and even hit internationally on Billboard’s Global 200.

Here is the official music video for “ABCDEFU” by Gayle (explicit language warning):

Jax (born Jaclyn Cole Miskanic) hails from New Jersey and finished 3rd on the 14th season of American Idol. Her first entry on the Billboard Hot 100 chart is the single “Victoria’s Secret” that is her ode to body positivity, which blew up on TikTok.

Here is the lyric video for “Victoria’s Secret” by Jax:

Best Dance Number: “Never Gonna Not Dance Again” by Pink

The lead single from the pop rocker’s 9th studio album is “an upbeat anthem about dancing through perpetually hard times” that has been called “vibrant, joyful and euphoric.” Pink has been quoted that the song reflects her “desire to just find happiness” and that “insecurities should not limit people from doing what they want.”

Here is the music video for “Never Gonna Not Dance Again“:

Has He Become Over-Exposed: Harry Styles

Yes, Harry Styles is handsome and talented. He has hit singles playing on the radio; in fact, it seems you can’t turn on the radio without hearing one of his singles. He even starred in the much-buzzed-about drama thriller flick Don’t Worry Darling alongside Chris Pine and Florence Pugh and the independent film My Policeman, making him even more of the “It Boy” than he already was. But, for me, it just seems like he has become overexposed.

She’s Having a Big Year: Taylor Swift

For over half her life, Taylor Swift has built up quite an impressive catalog of songs, albums and awards. This year, though, she has become the first artist in history to command all 10 of the top spots on the Billboard Hot 100 in a single week with songs from her latest album Midnights.

What singer or band has been your “go-to” music during the past year? 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 2022 below.

TOMORROW: Box Office Results