Top Ten Songs of 2024: Number 7

My Number 7 song of 2024 is…

Set My Heart on Fire – Lauren Watkins & Sheryl Crow

I wasn’t familiar with Lauren Watkins before this song but it captured my eyes on Spotify when I saw that it was partially a duet with Sheryl Crow (always a plus.) Watkins is a 24 year old, Nashville-born country singer. Some of her other songs sound a bit like Kacey Musgraves (who I also really like.) Yet, this one is more upbeat with a catchy chorus and some provocative lyrics:

“Wish I could set my heart on fire
If I had kerosene and matches
There'd be nothin' left but ashes
Ain't no smoke blowing liar
Could get his hands on it to hurt me
I'd rather be the one to burn me
It'd be easy to fall in love
But it'd be wiser to set my heart on fire”

Watkins doesn’t seem to mind pointing out her own faults and dark desires on many of her songs. This one I found instantly enjoyable like some of the best country songs can be.

Number 7 of 2024 from other contributors:

Kevin Alexander - On Repeat Records:

“Wishy- Sick Sweet: Beautiful shoegaze-y pop about, what else? Having a crush. Long live Wishy.”

Steve Goldberg - Earworms and Song Loops:

Torres/Fruit Bats - Married For Love: “When I learned that two of my favorite artists, who'd already released two of my favorite albums of 2024 (Torres' What An Enormous Room, Bonny Light Horseman's latest) had collaborated on a new EP 'Decoration', I was beyond excited. The 6 songs more than surpassed my expectations. "Married For Love" is a gorgeous, sweet, mood-lifter.”

Matt Madurski - Chart Chat:

“Chappelle Roan - Good Luck, Babe!: Speaking of "songs of the summer," this one was just as inescapable as "Espresso." I gave this one the slight edge over Carpenter's ear worm because Roan is just that little bit quirky, and it works in her songs. The ending of this track, slowing down the vocals to a lower octave, is a brilliant artistic flourish.”

Angela Yokoe: Forever Now - Avett Brothers (positive energy)

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

Ahead of the Game by Mark Knopfler: “Phenomenal songwriting by an old maestro of the craft. Not much else to say”.

Matt Fish - Best Music of All Time:

"The Greatest" by Billie Eilish—sometimes, the best songs of the year emerge from albums I didn't like. I thought her latest LP was largely a mess and a miss as a result, but this song bowled me over. Incredible.”

Mark Edward Randall - Musings of a Broken Record:

#7 "The Watchers"- Jagwar Twin "This is actually something I discovered when Dan posted it as a note around Halloween. Been playing it non-stop since then".

What is your Number 7 song of 2024?!