From Paul McCartney’s tune of the year to Therefore I Am by Billie Eilish and a sensuous cover by Joan As Police Woman, the best songs of 2020
In a year of living anxiously, music has been a balm and a boost. Here are 20 songs to give you a lift while you wait for normality to return. To hear them all, go to spoti.fi/3agFtTN
Billie Eilish: Therefore I Am The girl with the half-green hair puts Descartes in the charts. Just 19, she deserves her superstar status: she’s both a teen heroine and a secret everywoman.
The girl with the half-green hair puts Descartes in the charts. Just 19, Billie Eilish (above) deserves her superstar status: she’s both a teen heroine and a secret everywoman
Dua Lipa: Physical Pop star born in 1995 parties like it’s 1983.
Cardi B feat. Megan Thee Stallion: WAP One of pop’s duties is to give young people a way to shock their elders. Cardi B and Megan Thee Stallion take this duty very seriously.
Joan As Police Woman: I Keep Forgettin’ Sensuous cover of a neglected classic by Michael McDonald.
![I Keep Forgettin' by Joan As Police Woman (above) is a sensuous cover of a neglected classic by Michael McDonald](https://i2.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/23/16/37193002-9082257-I_Keep_Forgettin_by_Joan_As_Police_Woman_above_is_a_sensuous_cov-a-7_1608740256179.jpg?resize=634%2C545&ssl=1)
I Keep Forgettin’ by Joan As Police Woman (above) is a sensuous cover of a neglected classic by Michael McDonald
Fiona Apple: Ladies Typically original: a song addressed not to a lover, or an old flame, but to a lover’s old flames.
Emily Barker: Machine The feel of a spiritual, the punch of a protest song.
Tim Burgess: Undertow With Tim’s Twitter Listening Party, the singer from The Charlatans celebrated more than 500 beloved albums. Then he released one of his own, full of elegant ruminations.
Paul McCartney: Seize The Day He only released his lockdown album the week before Christmas, and still walked off with the prize for tune of the year.
![Paul McCartney (above) only released his lockdown album the week before Christmas, and still walked off with the prize for tune of the year](https://i0.wp.com/i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/12/23/16/37193004-9082257-Paul_McCartney_above_only_released_his_lockdown_album_the_week_b-a-9_1608740402530.jpg?resize=634%2C307&ssl=1)
Paul McCartney (above) only released his lockdown album the week before Christmas, and still walked off with the prize for tune of the year
Laura Marling: Blow By Blow A piano ballad inspired by McCartney, and it shows: the kink in the melody arrives in the middle of the chorus.
Courtney Marie Andrews: If I Told A country singer of riveting clarity.
Randy Newman: Stay Away A master songwriter addresses social distancing. Can someone please give him a government to run?
Karen O and Willie Nelson: Under Pressure Queen and David Bowie are a hard double act to follow, but this odd couple – an art-punk and a country pothead – manage it just by being themselves.
Lola Lennox: Pale Annie Lennox passes the torch to her daughter, who responds with a sublime torch song.
Phoebe Bridgers: Savior Complex A track spun from gossamer, barely there but beautiful. Don’t miss the video, directed by Phoebe Waller-Bridge, starring Paul Mescal (from Normal People).
James Blake: Atmosphere One influential act pays homage to another – Joy Division.
Elvis Costello: No Flag In his first full year as a pensioner, Costello found his old ferocity.
Kraftwerk: Autobahn Not new, of course, but championed in the excellent Electronic exhibition (Design Museum, London, until May 3, tiers permitting).
The Anchoress: Show Your Face Rousing electro-rock from Catherine Anne Davies.
Liam Gallagher: All You’re Dreaming Of Like East 17’s Stay Another Day, this is a Christmas song that doesn’t actually mention Christmas. Liam’s cheesiest solo single, and his best.
Sparks: All That A celebration of enduring love that could be a pub singalong – if only your local was open, and equipped with a harpsichord.