Top Ten Songs of 2024: Number 3

My Number 3 song of 2024 is…

Sugar on My Tongue – Tommy Newport

Newport is another artist I was unfamiliar with when I first heard Sugar on My Tongue. I also didn’t realize that this was a cover of a Talking Heads’ song from the bonus version of their 1977 debut album. I’ve never dived too deeply into the Talking Heads as their music was played so constantly at the straight parties I attended in college that I got sick of them until the Stop Making Sense era ended.

Newport was born under the name Oliver Milmine in Manchester, England before moving with his family to the U.S. when he was six years old. The opening chords of Sugar on My Tongue initially remind me of Stealer’s Wheel’s classic Stuck in the Middle with You before venturing into clear Talking Heads territory in sound and vocal. When I hear the lyrics I think about the beautiful neighbors I have that show me plenty of love and sugar!

“She's my neighbor, fill my cup
I'll bet you, baby, she can fill it up
She'll put the sugar on my tongue
Will she gimme, gimme, gimme some?
Is she gonna put sugar on my tongue?”

This is catchy, fun pop/rock at its best!

Number 3 songs from other contributors:

Kevin Alexander - On Repeat Records:

“Fontaines D.C.- Favourite: Easily the most addictive hook of 2024. I will not be taking any questions at this time.”

Steve Goldberg - Earworms and Song Loops:

“Paul Cauthen - Hot Damn”

Matt Madurski - Chart Chat:

“Wallows - Calling After Me: A relatively late entry into my catalog of favorites, this song stuck out in my mind from my first listen and continues to grow on me. It begins with with that great guitar intro, but builds into a really fun alt-rock/pop number. I'm struggling to come up with good comparisons, but this feels very much like a mid 2010s track, along the lines of bands like Wombats or Neon Trees. It's pretty great.”

Angela Yokoe: Starburster -Fontaines DC (aggro earworm)

Christopher Bradley - Daydreamin' 'Bout the Way Things Sometimes Are

That’s How I’m Feeling by Jack White: “A quintessential garage rock jam. Jack White fills this track with all the hallmarks, slow buildup,hared jamming chorus, lo-fi solo. Perfect for when that’s how you’re feeling.”

Matt Fish - Best Music of All Time:

"Baddy on the Floor" by Jamie xx and Honey Dijon—this retrofuturist gem is my favorite bit of dance music from the past year. I adore both artists and seeing them together on the same song was especially satisfying.”

Mark Edward Randall - Musings of a Broken Record

Dream Job- Yard Act "Technically a late 2023 release. Including it because I keep playing it".

What is your Number 3 song of 2024?!