For many people I know, 2024 was an AWFUL year, I mean epically bad. Between global conflicts, the stress of the insanely divisive election, the economy, feeling lost – a big issue in the entertainment industry, with many people feeling stagnant – or other personal reasons, like loss, 2024 walked up to you and spit square in the face.
Personally, this was by miles and miles the hardest year of my life. I had health problems that led to my spending two months bed-ridden in hospitals and another month plus largely incapacitated. Then being trapped in a hospital bed for two months feels very isolated and you find yourself feeling abandoned by people you love and you thought you loved you. But one old friend you can turn to, at least for me, in those times of loneliness and self-pity is music.
Nights when I couldn’t sleep in the hospital, which was nightly – hospitals suck to sleep, but shout out to the hard-working people at Santa Paula hospital – I’d listen to songs new and old that comforted and healed. If, as my good friend Cameron Crowe wrote in his Oscar-winning script for Almost Famous, “You’ve ever loved some silly little piece of music so much it hurts,” you know music has a healing power. This was the music, new and old, that kept me sane during 2024.
Nick Cave, “Joy”
The song of the year from the album of the year, Wild God, “Joy” is further proof Cave has a wisdom the rest of humanity has yet to touch. In one simple refrain he captures the whole zeitgeist of 2024. “We’ve all had too much sorrow, now is the time for joy.” In a Tweet that has since gone viral, the song was anointed by Bob Dylan himself, who said after seeing Cave’s Paris show, “I was really struck by that song ‘Joy’ where he sings ‘We’ve all had too much sorrow, now is the time for joy.’ I was thinking to myself, yeah that’s about right.” The first time I met Cave I told him there was a lyric he had written I was jealous of. What I loved was there was no false modesty, with a Cheshire Cat grin, he said, “I love to hear that.” Well with the poignancy Cave delivers this song, with the choir lifting it into an aching spirituality that can unfortunately come from real pain, I can imagine God one day saying to Cave, “That was a good one, man.” This is a song like “Hallelujah” or “Tupelo Honey” so special you shake your head in wonder and think we are all lucky to be partaking of Cave’s brilliance.
Tom Odell, “Heal”
Simply gorgeous. In a year where so many need healing from the brutalities of the world mentioned above, this simple but profound 2013 masterpiece should be the theme song of 2024. Music has the power to heal and British singer/songwriter Odell tapped into it beautifully on this unheralded gem.
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John Mayer, “Slow Dancing in a Burning Room”
If I had to bet, I’d lay even odds this 2006 song will be number one on my Spotify Wrapped. Everything about this oh too real breakup song has a slow smoldering quality, punctuated by the incredible guitar work. This is one of those songs so real you hope you never need it, but you are damn glad it’s there to burn with you if you do feel it.
Sage Bava, “Slow”
Most of these songs come from the past. This is the one exception. I got an advance of Bava’s masterful debut, produced by multiple Grammy winner Larry Klein and featuring such elite musicians as Christian McBride and Braxton Cook. While the album, which has drawn comparisons to Norah Jones and Fiona Apple by industry folks who’ve heard it, is incredibly adventurous and expertly melds jazz, alternative and soul into Bava’s own unique sound, I am always personally partial to simplicity in music. So, for me, when Bava’s gorgeous voice is front and center as it is on this stunning ballad and “Love or Control,” which must be over the end credits of a major motion picture next year, those are my favorite moments.
Johnny Mathis, Denise Williams, “Too Much, Too Little, Too Late”
This is a funny one. Another breakup song, this 1978 top ten hit is more I think nostalgia than anything else for me. My mom, who passed away in 2018, adored Johnny Mathis. Mathis, along with Barry Manilow and Neil Diamond, are the three artists I most closely associate with her. And she loved this infectious soul/pop tune. Somehow the way Mathis and Williams sing it, it doesn’t seem as bad when they say, “It’s over.”
Leon Bridges, Leon
As I said in my headline of the feature with Bridges, in my opinion, the Texas singer/songwriter made the coolest record of 2024. From the opening “When A Man Cries,” this self-titled opus is soulful, vibe-y, sexy, emotive, open and reminiscent of the ‘70s. I remember getting an advance and listening in the hospital. A much-needed breath of fresh air.
The The, Ensoulment
My argument is music is like an old friend you can count on in turbulent times. Matt Johnson of The The and I go back years musically. My first tattoo comes from the band’s album cover Dusk 30 years ago. So, when I got this advance in the hospital I was thrilled, and the album did not disappoint. One of the absolute best albums of the year, the brilliant Ensoulment is a literate, smart, engaging collection that manages to be incredibly cerebral while oozing soul and emotion. A brilliant comeback album.
Gary Clark Jr., JPEG RAW
Because it was released in January, Clark’s masterpiece, which featured Stevie Wonder, among others, was largely forgotten on year-end best of lists. I am here to remind you Texas was on fire musically this year between Bridges and Clark. By the way that would be the coolest tour of any year, just saying.
Kate Hudson, Glorious
As Hudson told me when we spoke in my interview of the year, her foray into recorded music has been a long time coming. That shows on her joyous debut, where her passion for music is evident in every second. This isn’t a side venture for the successful actress. This is a calling.
Ashley Henry, Who We Are
My discovery of the year, the British composer/multi-instrumentalist delivered the best debut of the year by a wide margin. Jazzy, soulful, rich in atmosphere, this dazzling collection blew me away on first listen. Months later it still does.
Bruce Springsteen, “Be True”
Let’s be honest, if you read my stuff regularly you know I could have gone with any one of a hundred Springsteen songs. And I did spend a lot of time with two other rarities, “Johnny Bye-Bye” and “Iceman.” But there is something about the enthusiasm of this 1980’s B-side that just brightens even the worst day.
Billy Joel, “Honesty”
One of my favorite songs going back to childhood, it is a track, like James Taylor’s “Fire And Rain,” my favorite song ever, that strengthens in meaning and importance the older I get. A powerful ballad featuring some of Joel’s best vocals it is a timeless tune whose message never goes out of style.
Gordon Lightfoot, “If You Could Read My Mind”
Speaking of timeless, this beautiful classic from the Canadian singer/songwriter kept coming up in my random play to remind me of this one. A gorgeous track, this is one of the great songwriters ever at his best.
Damien Rice, “Rootless Tree”
Damien Rice might be the most underrated musician in the world. In 2023, a year I saw Springsteen, Joni Mitchell and Cave, among others, no one put on a better show than Rice. This one, about a dying relationship, was stunning live. When Rice sings “If you hate me, then just hate me so good that you can let me go,” you feel that in your soul.
Bonnie Raitt, “I Can’t Make You Love Me”
This was another holdover from seeing it live in 23. Years ago, when I asked a number of musicians about the saddest song ever, this and Eric Clapton’s “Tears in Heaven” were the only songs with two votes. Yes this is a very forlorn song, but the heart and elegance with which Raitt delivers it also makes it beautiful.
Eagles, “Wasted Time”
The Eagles are one of those bands that it somehow became very cool to hate. But Don Henley is, without question one of the great American songwriters. He is exceptional at melding honest lyrics with the sweeping ballad to create what feels like movie moments. This track from Hotel California is a perfect example. Simply gorgeous.
Warren Zevon, “Hasten Down The Wind”
The late great Zevon falls in that weird place where musicians and music geeks recognize his brilliance, but the mainstream has not given him his due. It is ridiculous he is not in the Rock Hall yet. One of my all-time favorites, he is one I o back to often. And this song is exactly why. It is stunning.
Kris Kristofferson, “Sunday Morning’ Comin’ Down”
When we lost Kristofferson earlier this year, with the outpouring of deserved love and tributes, came a resurgent interest in his music. We were all reminded of the beauty and sorrow of this gem.
