In case you missed it, “Christmas at Graceland” was last night at the iconic home of Elvis Presley in Memphis, TN. Of course, the whole point was to honor The King of Rock and Roll this holiday season with some stellar performances on the NBC special.
The standout?
Kacey Freaking Musgraves.
I love her version of “Can’t Help Falling in Love” which she recorded for the “Elvis” movie soundtrack, but her live version last night?
Magical.
Seriously, how perfect is that???
Kacey is an incredible talent, and I’m still not sure why her success hasn’t translated to more radio airplay. I’ve always loved her music, and her voice is one of the purest out there. Plus, she’s ridiculously STUNNING.
Zach Bryan just released his long-awaited self-titled album yesterday, and this collab with the always-incredible Kacey Musgraves is on it called “I Remember Everything” and I’m just over here like, “Woah”.
Gotta love a good tortured Country love song, right?
Zach and Kacey knocked it out of the park as far as I’m concerned.
Can we have more of this in Country Music?
You know, like actual real Country?
I have to say, I’m liking where things are headed with artists like this…
2022…another totally bizarre year. But what’s great about music is that it’s always being made, and it can put a bright spot into even the stupidest day.
How’s that forbeing profound?
Anyway, here are my picks for the Top Songs of 2022… in my humble opinion, of course.
A reminder, I love ALL genres. Equal opportunity listener right here!
HARDY featuring Lainey Wilson “Wait in the Truck”
HARDY is quickly proving himself as one of the hottest songwriters on the Country Music scene, and songs like this is why. Plus, he got Lainey Wilson- one of my fav new artists on it, so 1,000,000 bonus points on that.
His new album drops January 27th, and I can’t wait to hear what he’s got for us!
Mammoth WVH “Epiphany”
Wolfgang Van Halen is continuing to make his daddy proud. I think this one may be my favorite of the band’s so far.
Beyonce “Cuff It”
I loved Beyonce in Destiny’s Child and her first few years as a solo artist, but then she kind of lost me for a few years. Now she’s back with some fantastic dance songs on her latest album “Renaissance”, and “Cuff It”, although not lyrically a masterpiece, I can’t help but sing and dance really badly to it, so I’d say it’s a win.
Boomtown Saints “All Trucks Go to Heaven”
I’m calling Boomtown Saints the artists to watch in 2023. I connected with these guys a few years ago, and it’s been so cool to see them evolve and start making some serious headway in the industry. Ben and Chris are some of the nicest, most deserving guys, and I’m so happy for them both!
Be on the listen for them, and check out my interview with them here:
Like it or not, Morgan Wallen is freaking SLAYING the music industry right now, and you know what? Good for him. He got completely cancelled and given a second chance and I’m here for it. I could totally go on a soapbox, but I’ll refrain just now. Anyway, he helped spotlight another great artist ERNEST with this song “Flower Shops”. I loved it the first time I heard it, and it makes me so happy to hear that this sound is trending in Country again.
Thank GOD>
Also, I got a chance to chat with ERNEST earlier this year, and he’s hilarious! Check the interview here:
Meghan Trainor is BACK and I have been singing this song nonstop the past couple of months. Girl knows how to make an earworm!
Kacey Musgraves “Can’t Help Falling In Love”
Kacey Musgraves is life, and she gave a whole new life to this Elvis classic for the soundtrack to the Elvis movie this year.
I know a ton of artists have covered this song, but this is by far one of my favorite versions.
Ava Max “Million Dollar Baby”
I love the energy that Ava Max brings to Pop Radio, and her latest single “Million Dollar Baby” is giving major “Flashdance” vives, and I am here for it 1,000%
It makes me want to wear legwarmers and a leotard and burst into dance in the middle of a crowded street.
Maybe after a few glasses of wine that will happen.
You never know.
Papa Roach “No Apologies”
I’ve been a Papa Roach fan since the start, and this has been one of my favorite new Rock songs of the year. The sound is great, but most importantly, it’s the message. I think it’s a song a lot of people needed to hear.
Miranda Lambert “If I Was a Cowboy”
Ya’ll know I LOVE me some Miranda, and she did not dissapoint this year. He latest album “Palomino” is fantatstic, of course, and this single is perfection.
“If I was a Cowboy, I’d be the Queen”
Ya damn right.
Three Days Grace “Lifetime”
Ughhhh… this song gets me right in the feels. Just a reminder that nothing and noone lasts forever, so appreciate the heck out of them every. single. day.
Cody Johnson “Til’ You Can’t”
Cody Johnson broke into the mainstream hardcore with this song, and as he should. I’ve been loving his sound for years, so it was great to see him get all the airplay for this song, and a #1 hit to boot. So well deserved.
It’s another song that hits me in the feels, and also makes me hopeful for the future of Country music.
Ok, so those are the songs that spoke to me the most this year.
I’ve been out of the music loop the past few weeks due to vacation, and then a sick dog.
Ok, I’m baaaccckkk and I’ve been waiting for this one…
Kacey. Freaking. Musgraves.
Ya’ll.
I know this song has been covered a million times, but somehow Kacey can make anything sound special and original. Her voice is flawless and has a haunting quality about it, and she definitely understood the assignment on this one.
Righhhtttt? Damn, Kacey.
Of course, this cover is off of the Elvis biopic soundtrack, which by the way, is in theaters as of today.
Find out more about the soundtrack- which is pretty fantastic- here.
Audio, Video
