I turn 40 in December of 2025. As a celebration and to cope with my fading irrelevance, I've made a list of my favourite songs from every year I've been alive. I think they make for a pretty interesting playlist, particularly on shuffle. Give them a listen, maybe you'll find a new favourite song. Prefer movies? I did that list too.

Note: this isn't the music I was listening to at the time, they're the songs I most like now that were released in that year.

• 1985 – Head Over Heels (Tears for Fears)

• 1986 – The Queen is Dead (The Smiths)

• 1987 – U Got The Look (Prince)

• 1988 – Thousands Are Sailing (The Pogues)

• 1989 – Eye Know (De La Soul)

• 1990 – Nothing Compares 2 U (Sinead O'Connor)

• 1991 – Diamonds and Pearls (Prince)

• 1992 – Professor Booty (Beastie Boys)

• 1993 – Cherub Rock (The Smashing Pumpkins)

• 1994 – She (Green Day)

• 1995 – Fantasy (Mariah Carey)

• 1996 – In This Bed Eye Scream (Prince)

• 1997 – Brick (Ben Folds Five)

• 1998 – Refused are F*cking Dead (Refused)

• 1999 – Nicotine & Gravy (Beck)

• 2000 – Ms. Jackson (Outkast)

• 2001 – Someday (The Strokes)

• 2002 – Bowl of Oranges (Bright Eyes)

• 2003 – Love is Only a Feeling (The Darkness)

• 2004 – Please Please Please (Head Automatica)

• 2005 – 10 Dollar (M.I.A.)

• 2006 – Smile (Lily Allen)

• 2007 – Fly Trapped in a a Jar (Modest Mouse)

• 2008 – Lights & Music (Cut Copy)

• 2009 – 11th Dimension (Julian Casablancas)

• 2010 – Dance Yrself Clean (LCD Soundsystem)

• 2011 – Beth / Rest (Bon Iver)

• 2012 – Pat Pong Ladies (The Darkness)

• 2013 – Elevate (St Lucia)

• 2014 – Inspector Norse (Todd Terje)

• 2015 – These Walls (Kendrick Lamar)

• 2016 – Diddy Bop (Noname)

• 2017 – LMK (Kelela)

• 2018 – Lullaby of London (Lisa O'Neill)

• 2019 – The Wild Rover (Lankum)

• 2020 – All That Ever Mattered (HAIM)

• 2021 – Holiday (Turnstile)

• 2022 – Frost is All Over (The Mary Wallopers)

• 2023 – The New York Trader (Lankum)

• 2024 – Death Kink (Fontaines D.C.)

• 2025 – ????

Liner Notes:

I had a really hard time making this list, I think it was harder than picking the movies. Certain songs could easily be swapped out with some others depending on my mood. Maybe I'll make an alt list sometime.

Favourites of all time: Lankum, The Smiths, The Pogues, & Prince.

Favourite guitarist: Johnny Marr (The Smiths).

Favourite drummer: David Sandström (Refused).

Favourite lead singer: Julian Casablancas (the Strokes).

Favourite melodies: The ends to both Head Over Heels and Pat Pong Ladies are infectious.