My Ten Favorite Songs of 2013 (#'s 5-1)

#5 Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert - Same Love

I like Thrift Shop.  I do not like Can't Hold Us.  But it was this song Same Love, by Macklemore, which really caught my attention.  The first time I heard it, I had to rewind it several times just to make sure I was hearing the lyrics right!  Macklemore is, after all, a white rap artist, and this genre has never been known to be cozy with the gay rights movement.  Great song with a great message!  

#4 Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound

This was the opening song of the band's concert here in Manila January this year.  It was a breathtaking and pulsating scene and the memory of it has lingered with me throughout these 365 days!  The song is just an instrumental, which is rare in my personal countdowns and it's a bit short but the effect on me is just ecstatic frenzy!  This is by the way, the highest charting song that we dance to in Body Jam class.

#3 Zedd featuring the Foxes - Clarity

This was one of those rare songs where it was love at first hearing!  The lyrics were just apt for what I was feeling at that time and the way the song was arranged makes it reach just a perfect climax!  I learned later on that it had become popular with everyone else.  Well, it would be hard to escape a great dance song like this!

#2 David Bowie - Where Are We Now

2013 opened with this melancholy song from David Bowie, his first number 1 song in my personal countdown since the 80s!  The song has stuck with me throughout the 365 days and is my #2 favorite song of the year, despite its forlorn mood.  

#1 Emeli Sande - Clown

This quiet and sad song from Emeli Sande came out early in 2013 and has maintained being my most favorite song for the year.  I just love it!  I love the spare arrangement and the way Emeli sings it!  Unfortunately, none of her follow ups or songs from her album quite caught my interest the way this did.

My Ten Favorite Songs of 2013 (#'s 10-6)

These are my ten favorite songs of 2013.  The list excludes OPM songs.

#10 fun. - Sight of the Sun

I first heard this song being played after a great episode of the HBO show Girls.  I am a big fan of that show and some songs from their soundtrack is even in my yearend Top 100 countdown.

#9  Lorde - Royals

I wasn't an instant fan of Lorde when she came out in August and at that time, I was still ambivalent towards her music.  It was only when I heard Team did I realize that her earlier single, Royals, was very good!  Expect Team to chart high in 2014 as it is still climbing my personal countdown.  

#8 Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend

I have been a fan of Robyn since the 90s with songs like Show Me Love.  Even though this song was already in my Ipod as early as 2011, I only noticed it this year when the song was included in a Body Jam release!  And since I liked the choreography for this, the song became a major hit in my personal countdown as well.  

#7  Christina Aguilera - Let There Be Love

Since I love the Body Jam program so much, it is not unusual for some songs to top my personal countdown every year.   I loved the choreography of the song so much and the arch that the song takes as it reaches its climax!  

#6 Ne-yo featuring Jessica Sanchez

Another class that I enjoy joining in the gym is the Hip Hop class, and this year, we danced to this song.  It ultimately became memorable for me for personal reasons.  Also, it's quite a catchy dance hit!

Zedd Tops the 2013 myFABE Music Awards with Four Wins

DJ Zedd tops the 2013 myFABE Music Awards with four wins, including Favorite New Artist of the Year,  Favorite Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Dance Act of the Year and Favorite Dance Song of the Year for his worldwide hit, Clarity.

Mika snags three awards including the coveted Favorite Performer of the Year and Favorite Album of the Year.  He also wins Favorite Pop Performer of the Year.

Other double winners include Emeli Sande, Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert, Ne-yo, Jessica Sanchez and Togeworl.

Mika and Macklemore Snag Five Nominations in the 2013 myFABE Music Awards

Mika and Macklemore have the most nominations in the 2013 myFABE Music Awards with five.  Mika's nominations include Favorite Performer of the Year, Favorite Album of the Year for the Origin of Love, Favorite Pop Performer of the Year, Favorite International Song of the Year for Elle Me Dit and Favorite International Performer of the Year.

Rap newcomer Macklemore's nominations include Favorite Record of the Year for Same Love, Favorite New Artist of the Year, Favorite Collaboration of the Year, Favorite Rap Performer of the Year and Favorite Rap Song of the Year.

The Killers, Ryan Lewis, Mary Lambert, Swedish House Mafia, Zedd, Ne-yo, Jessica Sanchez and Pitbull get four nominations each.

myFABE Music Awards: Favorite Performer of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Carly Rae Jepsen

Carrie Underwood

Jason Mraz

The Killers

Mika

and the winner is Mika.

myFABE Music Awards: Favorite Record of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category - 

David Bowie - Where Are You Now

Emeli Sande - Clown

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert - Same Love

Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound

Zedd - Clarity

and the winner is Emeli Sande - Clown.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Album of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Carly Rae Jepsen- Kiss

Carrie Underwood - Play On

HBO Show Girls Soundtrack

Mika - The Origin of Love

Swedish House Mafia - Until Now

and the winner is Mika - The Origin of Love.

myFABE Music Awards: Favorite New Artist of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

ASAP Rocky

Lorde
 
Macklemore 

Tamar Braxton

Zedd

and the winner is Zedd.

myFABE Music Awards: Favorite Pop Performer of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Carly Rae Jepsen

Christina Aguilera

Emeli Sande

Jason Mraz

Mika

and the winner is Mika.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Pop Song of the Year

Here are the nominees for this category -

Christina Aguilera - Let there Be Love

Emeli Sande - Clown

Lorde - Royals

Ne-Yo featuring Jessica Sanchez - Tonight

Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend

and the winner is Emeli Sande - Clown.

myFABE Music Awards: Favorite Collaboration of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Jennifer Lopez featuring Pitbull - Live it Up

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis and Mary Lambert - Same Love

Ne-yo featuring Jessica Sanchez - Tonight

Train featuring Ashley Monroe - Bruises


Zedd featuring Foxes - Clarity

and the winner is Zedd featuring Foxes - Clarity.

myFABE Music Awards: Favorite Movie/TV/Musical Song of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Cast of the Full Monty - Breeze off the River (from the musical The Full Monty)

fun. - Sight of the Sun (from the TV show Girls)

Garrett Hedlund / Leighton Meester - Give in to Me (from the movie Country Strong)

Leighton Meester - Words I Couldn't Say (from the movie Country Strong)

Valerie Bonneton - Ca M'ennerve (from the TV show Fais Pas Ci, Fais Pas Ca)

and the winner is fun. - Sight of the Sun.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Rock Performer of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Biffy Clyro

David Bowie

The Killers

Onerepublic

Xavier Naidoo

and the winner is The Killers.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Rock Song of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Biffy Clyro - Black Chandelier

David Bowie - Where Are You Now

The Killers - All These Things That I've Done

The Killers - Runaways

Train featuring Ashley Monroe - Bruises

and the winner is David Bowie - Where Are You Now.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite R&B Performer of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Alexis Jordan 

Ciara

Ne-yo feat. Jessica Sanchez

Rihanna

Tamar Braxton

and the winner is Ne-yo / Jessica Sanchez.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite R&B Song of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Alexis Jordan - Hush Hush

Ciara - Body Party 

Ne-Yo feat. Jessica Sanchez - Tonight

Rihanna - What Now

Tamar Braxton - Love and War

and the winner is Ne-Yo feat. Jessica Sanchez - Tonight.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite International Performer of the Year

Here are the nominees for this category -

Lee Ha Yi
Marteria, Yasha & Miss Platnum
Mika
Togeworl
Valerie Bonneton 

and the winner is Togeworl.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite International Song of the Year

Here are the five nominees in this category -

Lee Ha Yi - 1, 2, 3, 4

Marteria, Yasha & Miss Platnum - Lila Wolken 

Mika - Elle Me Dit

Togeworl - Number 1

Valerie Bonneton - Ca M'ennerve

and the winner is Togeworl - Number 1

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Rap Hip Hop Performer of the Year

Here are the five nominees in this category

ASAP Rocky

Macklemore / Ryan Lewis

Pitbull

Sexion D'Assaut

and the winner is Macklemore / Ryan Lewis.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Hip Hop Rap Song of the Year

Here are the five nominees in this category -

ASAP Rocky, Skrillex and Birdy Nam Nam - Wild for the Night

Macklemore, Ryan Lewis & Mary Lambert - Same Love

Pitbull feat. Jennifer Lopez - Live It Up

Pitbull feat. Papayo - Echa Pa'lla

Sexion D'Assaut - Problemes D'Adultes

and the winner is Macklemore, Ryan Lewis & Mary Lambert - Same Love.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Dance Act of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category

Daft Punk

Robyn

Swedish House Mafia

Tiesto

Zedd

and the winner is Zedd.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Dance Song of the Year

Here are the nominees in this category -

Daft Punk - Get Lucky

Robyn - Call Your Girlfriend

Swedish House Mafia - Greyhound

Tiesto - Maximal Crazy

Zedd feat. Foxes - Clarity

and the winner is Zedd feat. Foxes - Clarity

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Alternative Performer of the Year

This is the first time this award will be given.  Here are the nominees -

The 1975 Haim Jakwob Kodaline Lorde 

and the winner is Lorde.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Alternative Song of the Year

This is the first time this award will be given. Here are the five nominees -  

The 1975 - Chocolate
Haim - Falling
Jakwob - Fade
Kodaline - High Hopes
Lorde -Royals

and the winner is Lorde - Royals.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Country Performer of the Year

This is the first year this award will be given.  Here are the nominees - 

Carrie Underwood
Garrett Hedlund
Lee Brice
Leighton Meester
Randy Houser

and the winner is Carrie Underwood.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Country Song of the Year

This is the first year this award will be given.  Here are the five nominees -

Carrie Underwood - Quitter

Carrie Underwood - Unapologize

Lee Brice - I Drive Your Truck

Randy Houser - Runnin' Outta Moonlight

Train feat. Ashley Monroe - Bruises

and the winner is - Train feart. Ashley Monroe - Bruises

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Christian Gospel Performer of the Year

This is the first year this award will be given.  Here are the nominees -

Bishop Paul S. Morton
Hezekiah Walker

and the winner is Hezekiah Walker.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Christian Gospel Song of the Year

This is the first year that this award will be given.  Here are the nominees -

Bishop Paul S. Morton - Best Days Yet
Hezekiah Walker - Every Praise

and the winner is Hezekiah Walker - Every Praise.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Jazz Performer of the Year

This is the first time this award will be given.  Here are the nominees for this category -

Gerald Albright and Norman Brown
Jamie Cullum
Marion Meadows
Paul Brown and Bob James
Vincent Ingala 


and the winner is Jamie Cullum.

myFABE Music Awards 2013: Favorite Jazz Song of the Year

This is the first year that this award will be given. Here are the nominees in this category -

Gerald Albright and Norman Brown - In the Moment
Jamie Cullum - You're Not the Only One
Marion Meadows - Whisper
Paul Brown and Bob James - Backstage Pass
Vincent Ingala - Wish I Was There

and the winner is - Jamie Cullum - You're Not the Only One.

My Ten Favorite Concerts of 2013

I was lucky enough to see twenty different concerts this year from a slew of local and foreign acts.  Some were disappointing but some were good enough to reach my top 10.  Here they are -

#10 Onerepublic 

 

Thanks to this concert, I was able to discover how good some of the songs were from Onerepublic's Native album, especially Preacher.  Ryan Tedder sounded kinda off though that night.

#9 Aerosmith

 

Steven Tyler growled and sang like a pro the night he was here in Manila.  Too bad I forgot my camera at home!  The stage set up at MOA was just fantastic!

#8 Lea Salonga

An impeccably well directed show, Lea Salonga has the set of pipes which even nightingales would envy.  She was in top form during her show a few weeks ago.
 
#7 Enrique Gil

 Probably the only non-singer who was given a chance to have a concert this year.  Enrique only had to take his shirt off and the Araneta Coliseum would turn into a shrieking mess!  This boy is definitely hot!

#6 Lawson

 

When Lawson came to Manila last April, they were not that famous yet but they have since gained more popularity and I won't be surprised if they fill up the Araneta Coliseum when they come back here!

#5 Jason Mraz

Jason Mraz's show didn't have too much gimmickry and he has depended solely on his earnest delivery of many of his hit songs.  Thanks to this show, I was introduced to I'm Coming Over and A Beautiful Mess.  Lovely, lovely songs!
 
#4 Gary Valenciano

A veteran already of almost 30 years of live shows, Gary V.'s series of intimate shows during the stormy month of August was probably the most cozy show I saw this year!  Gary just set the mood right for the whole show!


#3 The Killers

I don't know why I  got emotional during some of the songs that Brandon song during The Killers' concert here but I did and Brandon really performed the band's songs pretty well!  Definitely a show I would watch again if I can!
  
#2 Swedish House Mafia

One of the best concerts I have ever seen!  Electrifying opening song! Tight set!  Lots of reasons to stay dancing!

#1 Alicia Keys

Alicia's show had some wonderful surprises - it added to the already tight and exciting set she had prepared for everyone that night!  Another memorable concert!