My Mid Year Charts 2020! Not Today Blog 11
July 2 is the 183rd day of the year. It is the midpoint of the year. The second half of 2020 has just begun!
The first six months of 2020 have taught us to be grateful for the simple things in life. One minute we are out there in a world with no limits, the next minute somebody presses the pause button and everything comes to a hold.
It gives you perspective. From here it can only go up.
Minor setbacks, major comebacks.
My Favourite Songs of 2020
Everything slowed down during the last few months. Everything but art. Creators all over the world have found ways to share their art online and connect. Tik Tok.
Music has not stopped during the pandemic. Charli XCX has recorded and released an entire album during the lockdown. Jimmy Fallon is jamming with celebrities via Zoom Call for The Tonight Show. Ariana Grande and Justin Bieber have recorded a music video from home.
It has been a great year for music so far. These are my top 7 songs of the first half of 2020.
- Lukis Mac – Letting Go
Lukis is a hip hop artist from New Zealand. He is also a Breathwork practitioner and travelling tattoo artist. Lukis, Helle Weston and Victoria Bauman together run The O2 Awakening. A series of global events teaching ancient breathing techniques to the modern world to enhance physical, emotional and spiritual wellbeing
I have done their O2 Daily Practice not only by myself but also with my friends. Every session is so powerful.
Lukis’ has recorded his album “Deleted Programs” in the basement studio of Logan Paul’s mansion. The music is uplifting and spiritual but zero corny. It’s special.
- Pop Smoke – Shake The Room
Rest in peace Pop Smoke. I was really excited for his post mortem album “Shoot for the Stars, Aim for the Moon” which debuted July 3. I was not disappointed. You should listen!
- Amy Shark – Everybody Rise
I was skipping through radio stations all over Australia via radio.garden when I stopped at Nova 100 Melbourne. It’s now one of my favorite radio stations. Nova 100 recently introduced this new song. The first song of hers that I have listened to. So good.
- Tion Wayne, Dutchavelli, Stormzy – I dunno
Just stumbled upon this treasure two weeks ago. The beat oh my.
- Carly Rae Jepsen – Solo
Pop queen Carly Rae Jepsen is back with the anthem for being solo.
- DaBaby – Rockstar ft. Roddy Rich
Not only on Tik Tok a hit! Yes, Roddy Rich is on this track too!
Not to be forgotten DaBaby’s BET Award Performance where he paid tribute to George Floyd and channelled the nationwide protests against police brutality with an exclusive verse that is not to be found on the original.
- Mura Masa & Georgia – Live Like We’re Dancing
Mura Masa’s R.Y.C. is the first album I listened to this year and still one of my favourites. Live Like We’re Dancing is only one of many great songs on the album.
My Favourite Acoustic Songs / Live Performances
I love YouTube because you can find videos of the best live performances of all time. Now more than ever I wish I could visit a concert.
These are my Top 4 live performances / acoustic recordings this year so far.
- Sam Tompkins – tears beneath my eyelids (stripped)
[sic] “to give you a little update about me if you care, this week i’ve felt a bit down. i suppose i am just missing my family and friends like everyone else, but one thing I’ve learned during this process is that it’s okay to be sad about the little things you’re missing, as long as you’re appreciating you have them in the first place.” – Sam Tompkins
- Jessica Ricca – Hey it’s Delilah
You guys might remember Plain White T’s – Hey There Delilah released in 2006. It took her 14 years and a pandemic to answer. Ricca has very good concept covers on her YouTube channel. This is my favourite.
- Lil Wayne – Kobe Bryant (BET Awards 2020)
Kobe Bryant is one of my favourite basketball players of all time. Him, Allen Iverson and Tracy McGrady were my biggest heroes.
Kobe died on January 26 this year. I was in Bali to celebrate my birthday. We just came back to our rented villa from a night out at La Favela in Seminyak. We were having us a little pool-after-party when somebody broke the news. I wanted to cry.
The next morning I was devastated. Rest in peace Kobe.
- Rita Ora – Lonely Together/Anywhere (Radio 1’s Big Weekend 2020)
You have to love Rita Ora’s live performances.
My Favourite German Songs of 2020
As a little bonus, here are my favourite German songs this year. Enjoy.
- Haiyti – La La Land
- Die Orsons – Lovelocks
- young kira ft. navy – vroom vroom
- The Screenshots – Die Welt geht noch nicht unter
- LGoony – Allein gegen Alle
- Lil Lano, Edo Saiya – Sag Wieso
Why Not Today
As I am uploading this I am thinking about how I was involved in a motorbike crash this morning. A motorcycle crashed into the door of my car. I am fine. He broke his leg, but other than that is fine.
Wear a helmet. It doesn’t matter if you think no police will be around. It doesn’t matter how small the island might be you’re driving on. Today the motorbike rider wore a helmet and could prevent major injuries to his head.
And try to be present! If both of us would have been more present today and less running our heads on autopilot I am sure this accident could have been avoided.
Why not today appreciate the flowers around you when walking down the street. Listen to the birds. Concentrate on what is happening right here, right now. Everything else can wait.
D
