My Ten Favorite Songs for 2015 #4 Jay Chou - Listen to Dad

I think it has been about a decade since a song in Chinese has landed in my year-end list. This year, a song from Taiwanese singer, Jay Chou, made a great impact in my personal countdown.

I think I was watching a movie in the Red Channel when I chanced upon the song and thanks to Youtube, its really pretty quick to check on songs nowadays.

I've tried to sing along with the song and it's been difficult but not impossible. I also don't speak a word of Mandarin so I've relied mainly on the translation and on the melody. It is quite an endearing song with unrequited love as the message, again!

My Ten Favorite Songs for 2015 #5 The Kronos Quartet - The Beatitudes

Once in a while, an classical instrumental song finds itself in my year-end list, and although the movie from where this song came was released a few years ago, I only discovered the song this year!

The movie is La Grande Belleza, Italy's Oscar-winning Best Foreign Language film and the end credits of the movie features this beautiful instrumental, as the camera meanders along the Tiber river at early morning, truly one of the most beautiful end credits of any movie made!

My Ten Favorite Songs for 2015 #6 Vladimir Martynov - The Beatitudes

Once in a while, I chance upon a beautiful contemporary classical composition, usually from a movie, and it makes a huge impact on my personal countdown.

This year, the two classical versions of The Beatitudes end in my year-end top 10 list, the first time this ever happened to a classical song. The choral version, arranged by composer Vladimir Martynov, comes in at #6.

My Ten Favorite Songs for 2015 #7 Tori Amos - Wild Way

It has been more than a decade since I last listened to a Tori Amos album.  I chanced upon her latest album, Unrepentant Geraldines, earlier this year, and I was rewarded by two very beautiful songs from that album. 

It's a wonderful album and shows the superb songwriting skills of Tori!  As usual, she's still unapologetic about her politics and how she views the world, and that's the reason why she's so wonderful to listen to!

She has two songs in my year-end top 10 list and the first one comes in at #7. I was actually singing this song in the gym one time, and my friend, who was beside me, was shocked, because the song had the lyrics "I hate you, I hate you, I do". 

It was a funny moment, because I had to explain to her the meaning of the song!

If you listen to the words in the whole context of the song, you'd realize "I hate you" actually means, "I love you", but taken only in that phrase, one can misunderstand what the song was really trying to say!

My Ten Favorite Songs of 2015 #8 Bjork - Stonemilker

Frankly, I don't know if some of my favorite artists could survive in today's pop climate. Take Bjork for example.  In today's disposable world of pop, I don't know if her kind of music would be able to find footing, if she came out today as a new artist.

It's an incredible realization though that this is now her third decade of making music.  As usual, most of the stuff she does would seem unpalatable but there's usually a gem or two of a song in each of her albums.

I chanced upon her last album, Vulnicura, and this is the song that welcomes you to this latest work from her.

Really nothing like Bjork singing to you about true love.  There's a bit of languid urgency and earnestness in her voice and how the words flow from her deliberate delivery.

My Ten Favorite Songs of 2015 #9 Pentatonix - Cheerleader

This year's top 10 is a curious mix because there are two songs which have two versions and all four versions are in the top 10, and there are two songs as well from a female singer that I admire, and it's not Madonna.

The first of the two similar songs comes in at #9. Frankly, it took me sometime to warm up to Cheerleader, but when I did, I quickly took a great liking to the song.

I heard this version during the wedding of the daughter of one of my friends in Body Jam. I knew instantly that it was the Pentatonix, because the arrangement was distinctly theirs.

I've heard a lot about this a cappella group and they even had a concert here in Manila already. I did not watch their show because I am not really into a cappella arrangements but next time they come to Manila, I will surely be there, if only to watch them do this song live!

My Ten Favorite Songs for 2015 #10 Deorro feat. Chris Brown - Five More Hours

Since I'm a big fan of the Les Mills exercise Body Jam, it is not unusual to find a song, or several songs for that matter, featured in the latest releases of Body Jam to end up in my year-end top 10.  

This year, DJ Deorro featuring Chris Brown's Five More Hours land at #10 in my 2015 year-end list.  This song just gives you the vibe to let go when you dance to it!

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #1 Kaye Cal - Isang Araw

Kudos to ABS-CBN to release the video of this song where the love story is between two women.  I don't think this video would even pass in the US where they can be prudes when it comes to lesbian love.

It's undeniable though that this is one of the most earnest performances of any song this year.  As with the comments in Youtube, you'd think it was a guy who's singing it, only to find out that it's actually a girl singing it to her lady love.  

As always, it's been a song about unrequited love that gets the top spot of the year, while the happy upbeat songs follow it.  The trend continues this year and while everybody else have their own hugot songs, this is the one that hits me straight to the heart.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #2 James Reid - Huwag Ka Nang Humirit

I wouldn't be surprised to know that if my mp3 player had a counter, this would come out as the most played OPM song of 2015, by virtue that it came in very early in 2015 and really had no competition till the Philpop songs came out.

For the longest time this year, this was one of my 'happy songs' so it was always up there among the most played songs in my playlist.

I am actually a secret JaDine fan and although I don't really like their movies, the songs they have been coming out have been some of the most solid pop songs of the past three years. Viva has really supported them with a strong team musically, at least.

Last year, they were in the year-end top 5 list with Bahala Na.

I'm not surprised as well that James Reid is dancing with some of my instructors from the G-Force. This is probably one of the best choreographed video songs for this year, with Sarah Geronimo's Kilometro as a close second.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #3 Thyro / Yumi / Jeric - Triangulo

It's not uncommon for a Philpop winner to end at the very top of the year end list and this year it happens again, as this year's Philpop winner, Thyro, Yumi and Jeric's Triangulo, ends up at #3 in my 2015 top 10 list.

This song was definitely one of the most played songs of 2015, whether it was local or foreign.

I'm always looking forward to what these three young songwriters are coming out with.  I think this is the third straight year that they've come up with a song that ends up in that year's top 5 list, not an easy feat to do!  

Dati in 2013, Dyosa in 2014, and now Triangulo in 2015.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #4 Donnalyn Bartolome / Ramiru Mataro - Walang Hanggan

The Philpop competition has been a rich source of OPM hits for me every year since 2013 and it's no surprise that another competition entry ended up in my year-end top 10 list.

The collaboration between Donnalyn Bartolome and songwriter and Ramiru Mataro, Walang Hanggan, ends up at #4 in my 2015 year end list.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #5 Tippy Dos Santos - Parang Wala Lang

This is another sleeper hit for me this year.  It took me a lot of spins of this song before the song became a hit with me.  Eventually, it became one of my most favorite songs for the year, landing at #5 at this year end list.

Tippy has one other #1 song in My OPM Top 10 and that was in 2013, when her collaboration with Sam Concepcion, Dati, was one of the biggest hits of that year.

I have seen her perform live in Sam Concepcion's show and I think it's time for her to release a full-length album.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #6 Juan Karlos Labajo - Para Sa Yo

This song was not an instant hit in my mp3 player.  However, the more I played it, the more I was enamored by the song, appreciating how JK interpreted the song.

I feel though that the message of the song may be too mature for him since he's still a teenager, but even then I think that he does a good job in making this song his very own.

It comes in at #6 in my year-end list.

My Ten Favorite Songs for 2015 #7 The Rouge Band - Hanep

One of the new bands to come out of 2015 is The Rouge Band.  It's an all-female group and they came out with this rousing self-affirmation song 'Hanep' this year.

It became their first #1 song in My OPM Top 10 countdown and it comes in at #7 this yearend.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #8 Isabelle de Leon - Alice Wonders

This year could've been 2013 as another top 10 song of this year actually comes from an EP album released in 2013.

Singer-composer Isabelle de Leon released her album Love Zone in 2013, and I was only able to discover this gem of a song, Alice Wonders, this year.

She eventually had four #1 songs from that album, all reaching the top spot of My OPM Top 10 countdown.

It's a pity she wasn't able to catch on to the masa listeners but I hope it doesn't deter her from releasing another album of original works.

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #9 Audie Gemora and the Cast of La Cage Aux Folles

It's actually a pity that our local theater groups cannot release their own version of the Broadway plays that they do, because every year, there is always one or two musical theater plays where our local actors stand out.

This year, it's this song from the Broadway play, La Cage Aux Folles.

In our local version, Audie Gemora played the gender-bending role of Albin aka Mother while Michael de Mesa played George.  This is one of the festive songs of the musical.

Since I cannot record the play, you have to content yourself with this sanctioned version from the 2010 Tony Awards.  The spirit of their performance can be gleaned from this one.

I would still watch this musical even if they restage it!

My Ten Favorite OPM Songs for 2015 #10 Franco - To Survive

Franco is currently my band du jour. It's a pity I missed their show at the Music Museum around May this year. In my opinion, they have composed some of the best rock songs these past few years, especially in English.

This song is actually from their 2013 album Soul Adventurer, pero yun nga, since I'm not a teenager anymore and I barely have time to listen to albums, maswerte na talaga yung mga acts na napagtutuunan ko ng pansin.

Their whole album is pretty solid, as they say, walang tapon na song, each one can stand on its own. This is one of the songs with a very strong arrangement plus relevant lyrics pa talaga.

It comes at #10 in my yearend list.

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #1 Isabelle de Leon - Alice Wonders

Isabelle de Leon gets her fourth consecutive #1 song this week in My OPM Top 10 countdown, as Alice Wonders moves up to top spot!

Isabelle de Leon

Isabelle de Leon has four #1 hits in My OPM Top 10 countdown. 

2013 - 1 Week to Move On (#1)

2014 - Friendzone (#1)

2015 - Pag-Ibig Ko'y Sayo (#1)

2015 - Alice Wonders (#1)

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #2 The Rouge Band - Hanep

The Rouge Band's first top 10 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown, Hanep, moves up to #2 this week.  It's the current peak position of this song.

Rouge Band

The Rouge Band has one top 10 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown.

2015 - Hanep (#2)

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015): #3 Julie Anne San Jose - Tidal Wave

Tidal Wave is Julie Anne San Jose's third foray into my OPM Top 10 countdown.  This week, it moves up to #4. This is the new peak position of this song.  

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #4 Julie Anne San Jose - Not Impressed

Julie Anne San Jose's 5th top 10 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown, Not Impressed, moves up to #4 this week.  It's the song's current peak position. She has two songs in this week's top 10 countdown.

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #5 Young JV / Emmanuelle - Flashback

The collaboration between Young JV and Emmanuelle, Flashback, moves up to #5 this week.   It's the current peak position of the song. It's Young JV's fifth visit and Emmanuelle's sixth into My OPM Top 10 countdown.

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #6 Timmy Pavino - Nothing Without You

Timmy Pavino's first top 10 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown, Nothing Without You, moves up to #6 this week.  It's the current peak position of the song.

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #1 Vladimir Martynov - The Beatitudes

Thanks to the Italian movie La Grande Bellezza, I was able to discover this choral version of The Beatitudes.  The instrumental version was played in the ending credits of that movie. This version is heavenly!  

The song becomes the second #1 classical song to go to #1 this year. Earlier this year, the Kronos Quartet went to #1 with the instrumental version of this song.  

Vladimir Martynov

Classical composer Vladimir Martynov has one #1 hit in my personal countdown.

2015 - Vladimir Martynov - The Beatitudes (#1)

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #2 Pentatonix - Cheerleader

The American a cappella group Pentatonix's very first top 10 hit in my weekly top 10 countdown, Cheerleader, their version of the Omi hit, zooms to #2 this week.  It's the new peak position of this song.

Pentatonix

The American a cappella group Pentatonix has one top 10 hit in my weekly top 10 countdown.

2015 - Cheerleader (#2)

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #3 - Vanessa Carlton - I Don't Want to Be A Bride

Vannesa Carlton's seventh top 10 hit in my personal countdown, I Don't Want to Be a Bride, stays at #3 for another week this week.  That is it's new peak position. 

Vanessa Carlton

Vanessa Carlton has seven top 10 hits in my personal countdown.  Three of them went all the way to #1.

2015 - I Don't Want to Be A Bride (#3)

2007 - The One (with Stevie Nicks) (#1)

2007 - Nolita Fairytale (#1)

2004 - White Houses (#9)

2002 - Pretty Baby (#5)

2002 - Ordinary Day (#5)

2002 - A Thousand Miles (#1) 

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #4 Fetty Wap - Trap Queen

Rap artist Fetty Wap's very first top 10 hit in My Weekly Top 10, Trap Queen, stays at #4 for another week this week.  It's the current peak position of the song.

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #5 Bonnie Raitt - So Close

A second hit from Bonnie Raitt's Souls Alike album, So Close, stays at #5 for another week this week in My Weekly Top 10.  It's the new peak position of that song.

Since there is no Youtube video for that song, I just chose to play Bonnie Raitt's Road Tested live video.

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #9 Chainsmokers - Roses

The Chainsmokers get their very first top 10 hit in my personal countdown this week as Roses, debuts at #9.

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 18, 2015) #10 Anita Baker - Men in My Life

Anita Baker gets her 20th top 10 hit in my personal countdown this week, as Men in My Life, debuts at #10.  It's her third top 10 hit from her My Everything album.

Anita Baker

Anita Baker has twenty top 10 hits in my personal countdown, including sixteen #1 songs.

1986 - Sweet Love (#1)

1986 - You Bring Me Joy (#1)

1986 - Caught Up in the Rapture (#1)

1986 - No One in the World (#1)

1986 - Same Ole Love (#1)

1988 - Priceless (#3)

1988 - Giving You the Best that I Got (#1)

1989 - Good Enough (#1)

1989 - Just Because (#1)

1989 - Good Love (#3)

1990 - Talk to Me (#1)

1990 - Perfect Love Affair (#2)

1990 - Whatever It Takes (#1)

1990 - Love You to the Letter (#1)

1990 - Fairy Tales (#1)

1994 - Body and Soul (#1)

1994 - I Apologize (#1)

2015 - In My Heart (#1)

2015 - Like I Used to (with Babyface) (#1)

2015 - Men in My Life (#10)

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 11, 2015) #1 Tippy Dos Santos - Parang Wala Lang

Tippy Dos Santos gets her second #1 song in my OPM countdown, as Parang Wala Lang moves up to the top spot this week.  It's also her very first solo #1 hit in my OPM countdown.  She reached #1 in 2013 with Dati, her collaboration with Sam Concepcion.

Tippy Dos Santos

Tippy Dos Santos has two #1 songs in my OPM countdown.

2013 - Dati (with Sam Concepcion) (#1)

2015 - Parang Wala Lang (#1)

Emmanuelle

Local chanteuse Emmanuelle has six top 10 hits in my OPM top 10. Two of them went to #1.

2012 Happy (#2)

2012 Sandali Lang (#1)

2013 Manong Guard (with Yeng Constantino) (#2)

2013 Tonight (#8)

2013 Dear Diary (#1)


2015 Flashback (with Young JV) (#6)

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 11, 2015): #1 Hunter Hayes - Invisible

Hunter Hayes gets his very first #1 song in my personal countdown, as Invisible, moves from #3 to the top spot this week, making it his very first #1 song in my personal countdown.

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 11, 2015) #7 Charlie Puth / Meghan Trainor - Marvin Gaye

Marvin Gaye, the collaboration of Charlie Puth and Meghan Trainor, moves up this week to #7.  It is also their very first top 10 hit in my weekly top 10.

Ryan Lewis

Ryan Lewis has collaborated on all three of Macklemore's hits.  He has three top 10 hits in my personal countdown.

2015 - Downtown (with Macklemore) (#8)

2013 - Same Love (with Macklemore) (#1)

2013 - Thrift Shop (with Macklemore) (#9)

My OPM Top 10 (Dec. 4, 2015) #1 Donnalyn Bartolome - Happy Breakup

Donnalyn Bartolome gets her second #1 song in My OPM Top 10 countdown this week, as Happy Breakup, moves to the top spot.

She reached the top spot earlier this year with Walang Hanggan, her collaboration with Ramiru  Mataro.

My OPM Top 10 (Nov. 27, 2015): #1 Juan Karlos Labajo - Para Sa Yo

One of the major winners of the very first The Voice Kids, Juan Karlos Labajo, gets his very first #1 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown, as Para Sa Yo, moves to the top spot this week. He's the second contestant from The Voice Kids to have a #1 song in my OPM countdown.  Earlier this year, Lyca Gairanod had her first #1 song with Pwede Nang Mangarap.

My OPM Top 10 (Nov. 20, 2015) #6 Siakol - Akala Ko'y Langit

Siakol's 3rd top 10 hit in my OPM countdown, Akala Ko'y Langit, slips to #7 this week. It has already peaked at #6.  Their first two hits, Ituloy Mo Lang and Gawing Langit ang Mundo, went all the way to #1.

Siakol

Siakol has three top 10 songs in my OPM countdown.  Two of them went all the way to #1.

2011 - Ituloy Mo Lang (#1)

2011 - Gawing Langit ang Mundo (#1)

2015 - Akala Ko'y Langit (#6)

My OPM Top 10 (Nov. 6, 2015): #3 Jay-R and Marie Digby - Falling For You

Jay-R gets his second #1 hit in My OPM Top 10, as Falling For You, his duet with Marie Digby, moves to #1 this week. It's also Marie Digby's first #1 hit in My OPM Top 10.

Marie Digby

Marie Digby has one #1 hit in My OPM Top 10 countdown.

2015 Falling For You (with Jay-R) (#1)

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 4, 2015) #1 Galantis - Peanut Butter Jelly

Galantis gets their very first #1 song in my personal countdown, as Peanut Butter Jelly, moves to the top this week.

Galantis

Galantis has one #1 hit in my personal countdown.

2015 - Peanut Butter Jelly (#1)

My Weekly Top 10 (Dec. 4, 2015) #5 Drake - Hotline Bling

Drake's fifth top 10 hit in my personal countdown, Hotline Bling, stays at #5 this week.  The song has already peaked at #3.

My Weekly Top 10 (Nov. 27, 2015) #1 Flosstradamus / Lil Jon / GTA - Prison Riot

Flosstradamus' Prison Riot is included in the Body Jam 74 release and they get their second #1 hit in my weekly top 10 countdown, this time, with help from Lil Jon and GTA.  

Flosstradamus

Flosstradamus has two #1 hits in my personal countdown.  

2015 - TTU (Too Turn Up) (with Waka Flocka Flame) (#1)

2015 - Prison Riot (with GTA and Lil Jon) (#1)

My Weekly Top 10 (Nov. 27, 2015) #7 Madonna - Ghost Town

Madonna's Ghost Town moves back up to #7 this week in my weekly top 10 countdown.  It's the song's new peak position.

Madonna

Madonna has a staggering 100 top 10 hits in my personal countdown.  Seventy-one of them went all the way to #1.

1983 - Lucky Star (#1)

1983 - Holiday (#1)

1984 - Borderline (#1)

1984 - Burning Up (#3)

1984 - Think of Me (#1)

1984 - Physical Attraction (#1)

1984 - Everybody (#7)

1984 - Like A Virgin (#1)

1985 - Material Girl (#1)

1985 - Crazy For You (#1)

1985 - Angel (#1)

1985 - Into the Groove (#1)

1986 - Live To Tell (#1)

1986 - Papa Don't Preach (#1)

1986 - True Blue (#1)

1987 - Open Your Heart (#1)

1987 - Where's The Party (#1)

1987 - La Isla Bonita (#7)

1987 - Who's That Girl (#1)

1987 - Causing A Commotion (#1)

1987 - Can't Stop (#1)

1989 - Like A Prayer (#1)

1989 - Express Yourself (#1)

1989 – Cherish (#1)

1990 – Love Song (with Prince) (#1)

1990 – Oh Father (#1)

1990 – Dear Jessie (#1)

1990 - Til Death Do Us Part (#7)

1990 - Promise to Try (#8)

1990 - Spanish Eyes (#8)

1990 - Keep it Together (#7)

1990 – Vogue (#1)

1990 - Hanky Panky (#5)

1990 - I'm Goin' Bananas (#7)

1990 - Now I'm Following You I and II (with Warren Beatty) (#1)

1990 - Rescue Me (#5)

1991 – Justify My Love (#1)

1992 - This Used to be My Playground (#1)

1993 – Bad Girl (#1)

1993 – Rain (#1)

1993 - Erotica (#1)

1993 - Secret (#5)

1993 - Fever (#2)

1993 - Bye Bye Baby (#1)

1993 - Deeper and Deeper (#1)

1993 - In This Life (#1)

1993 - Where Life Begins (#7)

1993 - Thief of Hearts (#7)

1993 - Words (#7)

1994 – I’ll Remember (#1)

1994 – Take A Bow (#1)

1994 - Survival (#1)

1994 - I'd Rather Be Your Lover (with Meshell N'Degeocello) (#1)

1994 - Don't Stop (#1)

1994 - Forbidden Love (#7)

1994 - Love Tried to Welcome Me (#1)

1994 - Sanctuary (#3)

1995 – Human Nature (#1)

1995 – Bedtime Story (#1)

1995 – You’ll See (#1)

1995 - Something to Remember (#7)

1995 - One More Chance (#2)

1996 – You Must Love Me (#1)

1996 - Another Suitcase in Another Hall (#1)

1998 – Ray of Light (#1)

1998 – Drowned World (Substitute For Love) (#1)

1998 – The Power of Goodbye (#1)

1998 - Swim (#1)

1998 - Candy Perfume Girl (#1)

1998 - Skin (#1)

1999 - Little Star (#1)

1999 - Mer Girl (#5)

1999 – Beautiful Stranger (#1)

2000 – Music (#1)

2000 – Don’t Tell Me (#1)

2001 – What It Feels Like (For A Girl) (#1)

2001 - Impressive Instant (#1)

2001 - Runaway Lover (#1)

2001 - I Deserve It (#4)

2001 - Nobody's Perfect (#5)

2004 – Love Profusion (#1)

2004 - I'm So Stupid (#5)

2004 - Nobody Knows Me (#1)

2006 – Get Together (#1)

2006 – Jump (#1)

2006 - Future Lovers (#1)

2008 – The Beat Goes On (with Kanye West) (#1)

2008 - Candy Shop (#1)

2008 - 4 Minutes (with Justin Timberlake and Timbaland)) (#3)

2008 - Give It 2 Me (#1)

2009 - Celebration (#5)

2012 – I’m A Sinner (#1)

2012 - I Fucked Up (#1)

2012 - Gang Bang (#4)

2012 - Turn Up the Radio (#2)

2012 - Girl Gone Wild (#2)

2015 - Rebel Heart (#1)

2015 - Bitch I'm Madonna (#1)

2015 - Beautiful Scars (#1)

2015 - Ghosttown (#7)