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Top 20 Best Singles of The Year

12/17/2013

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Well, after that last list left me wanting me to vomit, I think it's time for a little positivity around here. May I present you, TICM's 20 best singles of the year.

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#20
Autumn Hill, "Can't Keep Waiting"


 This is my absolute favorite Canadian country artist. One of the best written songs in either nation this year. Autumn Hill is such a talented vocal duo. This song leans contemporary for sure, but it might have been the best song on their album. Which is saying a ton. -S14


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#19
Kellie Pickler, "Little Bit Gypsy"


A toe-tapping beat propels this fun, melodic number, which boasts an infectious
chorus: both lyrically and musically. Kellie Pickler's personality shines
through thanks to her perky vocals that fit the song like a glove. -IC


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#18
Joe Nichols, "Sunny and 75"


Perhaps his most modern, but also arguably his best. Nichols puts in a Grade-A vocal performance, backed up by a cool as heck arrangement. -MM


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#17
Blake Shelton, "Mine Would Be You"


That last line... wow. I mean, nothing against the killer vocals or production but seriously. -MM

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#16
George Strait, "I Got A Car"


When "I Got A Car" starts, you automatically think to yourself if your a true country fan, "Yeah, I'm gonna love this". The melody is classic George. If this was released in 1992 you would never know the difference. And of course the clever hook. "I guess I hadn't thought it through that far... But I got a car". -S14


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#15
Little Big Town, "Your Side Of The Bed"

The chemistry between real-life couple Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook
during the vocal duet is unmatched. But its the soaring four-part harmonies,
which are put front-and-center on this quietly-produced ballad, that seal the
deal for this powerful song.  -IC

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#14
Sara Evans, "Slow Me Down"

Starting with a hook that packs a punch, Sara Evans elevates the song even
further with her effective vocal performance on the big chorus. The use of
plucked strings puts a unique stamp on its sleek, modern feel. -IC

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#13
Easton Corbin, "All Over The Road"


Breezy, fun and 100% country. Reminiscent of King Georges best work. -MM

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#12
David Nail, "Whatever She's Got"

 One of the most infectious melodies of the year makes great use of
the bouncing banjo. Coupled with equally catchy lyrics and sung by one of
today's most gifted male country vocalists, it is a bright spot among other
lightweight tunes. -IC

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#11
Dan + Shay, "19 You+Me"


Two words, "The Chorus". Shay Mooney's vocals are picture perfect, and the imagery is amazing as well. -S14

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#10
Little Big Town, "Sober"


Kimberly finally gets a lead vocal, and damn did they pick a good one to give her. Beautiful song and Jay Joyce's less-is-more approach paired with Kimberly's killer vocal makes this by far LBT's best single to date. -MM

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#9
Ashley Monroe, "Like A Rose"

Ashley Monroe's autobiographical tune hits hard on all fronts. Sharp,
detailed lyrics combined with twangy vocals over a simple, neo-traditional
production treatment makes for an enjoyable listen. -IC

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#8
Tebey, "Til It's Gone"

I believe that Tebey wrote one of the best chorus' I've ever heard. The sad truth of life is until something is finally taken away from you.. Then you would appreciate it, and you would just want another chance at it. Unfortunately life doesn't work that way. 
-S14

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#7
Maggie Rose, "Better"

Maggie Rose turns in a beautiful and passionate vocal on a song that
thrives on her emotional delivery. The lyrical subject matter is refreshing and
the production is well done, making for a very tight piece of contemporary
country. I can't get enough of "Better" and it is easily my favorite country
single of 2013. -IC

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#6
Chris Cagle, "Dance Baby Dance"

Can you believe this is Chris Cagle singing this tear jerking father-daughter ballad? The same guy that sang hillbilly rock anthems like "Got My Country On"? I'm not sure I believe it, but Cagle has given us my favorite single of 2013. -MM

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#5
LoCash Cowboys, "Best Seat In The House"

 If you didn't know who the artist was, I can guarantee you would say "Wow.. That's a great song". Forget what LoCash has done before in the past. This touching father son ballad was my favorite single of 2013, and a song that every person that has lost their dad should hear. -S14

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#4
The Band Perry, "Don't Let Me Be Lonely"

Crafty songwriting and a charismatic performance make this a standout
among the group's strong catalog. The fluctuating energy level of the song plays out well with the lyrics, with the slow roll of the verses becoming an event at the chorus, only to draw back for an effective bridge. -IC

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#3
Miranda Lambert, "All Kinds Of Kinds"

Lambert's joyful performance backed up by a unique arrangement and a killer lyric about being yourself makes this Lambert's finest single since "The House That Built Me". -MM

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#2
Gary Allan, "It Ain't The Whiskey"


Country music was built on this kind of music. Gary's vocal delivery along with the haunting feel to it, makes this one of the best songs he has ever recorded. -S14

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#1
Kacey Musgraves, "Follow Your Arrow"

TICM's best single of 2013 is Musgraves' lighthearted anthem to being yourself, despite what others think. Wether that be same sex marriage, smoking pot or just not giving a damn. It's a remarkable song, executed perfectly by one of the top young talents in music. Bravo Kacey, bravo. -MM

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ACM Award Nominees+Predictions

2/20/2013

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Entertainer

Should win:

Jason Aldean- MM
Blake Shelton
Miranda Lambert- GP
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift


Will win:

Jason Aldean
Blake Shelton- GP
Miranda Lambert
Luke Bryan
Taylor Swift- MM

Markus:
Meh, went with Aldean because he released "Fly Over States". Swift will win due to fan-voting. 

Gator: Just because, despite her bad year, Miranda is still my favorite. Blake will because he just won't stop it seems.

Male Vocalist

Should win:

Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- MM, GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton


Will win:

Luke Bryan
Jason Aldean
Eric Church- GP
Toby Keith
Blake Shelton- MM

Markus:
Church has released the best music, but I wouldn't bet against Shelton. I like the Toby Keith nom.

Gator: I agree Church has the best music but I think he will win because the ACM's can be pretty adventurous


Female Vocalist

Should win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- MM, GP
Kacey Musgraves


Will win:

Taylor Swift
Miranda Lambert- MM
Martina McBride
Carrie Underwood- GP
Kacey Musgraves


Markus: Why is McBride even nominated? Anyways, I'm not an Underwood fan, but she has released some of the best music of her career, along with a great album. Too bad I can't see Lambert losing.

Gator: Carrie by far has the best vocals in the category and with her great commercial and critical year I think its hers to lose.


Duo

Should win:

Florida Georgia Line
Big & Rich
Thompson Square- MM
Sugarland
Love and Theft


Will win:

Florida Georgia Line- MM, GP
Big & Rich
Thompson Square
Sugarland
Love and Theft


Markus: TS has released "Glass" and "If I Didn't Have You". Two excellent singles. But FGL has dat "Cruise" momentum.

Gator: I don't think any should win and that they should combine this category with group but i suppose it will go to Florida-Georgia Line


Group

Should win:

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- GP
Zac Brown Band- MM


Will win:

Eli Young Band
Lady Antebellum
The Band Perry
Little Big Town- MM, GP
Zac Brown Band


Markus: It's the LBT era now. So they'll win. But I'm rooting for ZBB all the way!

Gator: This time next year I'll be voting for The Band Perry most likely, but since it's not, I'll go with Little BIg Town because they've been good quality and great commercially.

Single

Should win:

Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Will win:

Little Big Town- 'Pontoon'- MM, GP
Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Markus: 'Springsteen' is by far my favorite. But I can't seem them passing on 'Pontoon' after the CMA's and Grammy's didn't. It's not like the ACM's have ever been creative.  

Gator: I like Church's the best but I don't think "Pontoon" is as bad as people try to make it out. I can handle it winning,


Song

Should win:

Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'- MM, GP
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Will win:

Miranda Lambert- 'Over You'- MM, GP
Eli Young Band- 'Even If It Breaks Your Heart'
Eric Church- 'Springsteen'
Lee Brice- 'A Woman Like You'
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'


Markus: 'Springsteen' is legendary, but will lose to 'Over You'. *sigh*.

Gator: One final nomination for "Over You" and one final victory. I've got to say it has grown on me with all this belated attention.


Vocal event

Should win:

Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'- GP
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'- MM
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'


Will win:

Kelly Clarkson & Vince Gill- 'Don't Rush'
Kenny Chesney & Tim McGraw- 'Feel Like A Rockstar'
Rascal Flatts & Natasha Bedingfield- 'Easy'
Jason Aldean, Eric Church & Luke Bryan- 'The Only Way I Know'- MM, GP
David Nail & Sarah Buxton- 'Let It Rain'


Markus: None of them blow me away, but 'Easy' is my fave. Though, I guarantee 'The Only Way I Know' will win.

Gator: I think Vince and Kelly are the best (and if this was the Grammy's it would have a chance) but the star power is too much to bypass here.


Album
 
Should win:

Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'- GP
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'


Will win:

Taylor Swift- 'Red'
Eric Church- 'Chief'- MM, GP
Carrie Underwood- 'Blown Away'
Luke Bryan- 'Tailgates and Tanlines'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
 

Markus: 'Chief' is my fave and I also have a feeling it will win.

Gator: Underwood did some great stuff and was the biggest step forward, but I don't see her picking it up over Church.



New Artist

Should win:
 
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM
Jana Kramer - GP

Will win: 

Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert- MM, GP
Jana Kramer

Markus: Don't love any of them, but I love "More Than Miles", so I guess I'll go with Gilbert. Oh, he will win as well.

Gator: Jana is by far the most acceptable nominee and the most interesting one. While I'd love to see her deservingly win this, I see her fiancee stepping in for the victory.


Video

Should win:
 
Eric Church- 'Creepin'
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind' - MM

Will win:

Eric Church- 'Creepin'- MM
Kacey Musgraves- 'Merry Go 'Round'- GP
Hunter Hayes- 'Wanted'
Little Big Town- 'Tornado'
Taylor Swift- 'We Are Never Ever Ever Getting Back Together'
Zac Brown Band- 'The Wind'
 
Markus: Lol. How can you not love the video for 'The Wind'? I also like the video for 'Merry Go Round' though. I think this will go to 'Creepin' but I could see 'Wanted' taking it as well.

Gator: I personally think that Musgraves' video was an eloquent depiction of her excellent single and the fact that she is even nominated is awesome. Her somewhat surprising nomination makes me think she could win it, but I would not be surprised if Hayes sneaks in with his boyish charm.
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    Markus Meyer
    A country music fan from B.C., Canada. You can find his work at theshotgunseat.com. You can follow Markus on twitter at @Markus_Meyer27.

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    A country music and Buffalo Sabres fan from Buffalo.

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    A country music fan from Buffalo, New York. 
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