Scott’s Top 10 Songs of 2024
As 2024 winds down, I’m reflecting on the songs that moved me most this year.
Scott Zuniga’s Top 10 Songs of 2024
As 2024 winds down, I’m reflecting on the songs that moved me most this year, even though most weren’t released in 2024. I was deeply influenced by my ongoig dive into the Basque music scene, with three Basque songs making the list. Here’s my top ten for the year:
1. Txoria Txori - Mikel Laboa
When I asked which Basque song I should learn first, almost everyone suggested Txoria Txori. With a melody by the beloved Basque singer-songwriter Mikel Laboa, and lyrics from a poem by Joxean Artze, it’s a poignant meditation on freedom and respect, symbolized by a small bird. Do we cage it and lose its essence, or let it fly free, cherishing its fleeting beauty?
The song serves as an allegory for the Basque plight, with the bird representing the precarious balance between preserving culture, identity, and freedom, and control by outside forces. It encapsulates the struggle to protect one’s heritage against external pressures while celebrating its fleeting beauty. I did a cover version of it here:
Hear the original version:
2. Take Me Home, Pt. 2 - Cabane (featuring Bonnie "Prince" Billy)
I don’t remember how I stumbled upon Cabane’s music, but I’m so glad I did. Cabane is the project of Thomas Jean Henri, who collaborates with artists like Bonnie "Prince" Billy and Kate Stables. This song is heartbreakingly beautiful—probably my favorite of the year.
3. In the Modern World - Fontaines D.C.
A perfect song, and likely on many end-of-year lists. Thanks to my brother Paul for his tireless mission to spread the gospel of Fontaines D.C. This one’s a triumph. Get used to hearing it, it’s not going away.
4. Snow - Loreena McKennitt
I saw Loreena McKennitt’s photo on the side of a bus advertising her upcoming concert. I’d never heard of her, but within seconds of playing Snow, I was completely captivated. She has a way of pulling you into her world. This wasn’t the only legendary Canadian act to find me this year—why does it feel like there’s an invisible wall separating U.S. listeners from Canada’s music treasures? (It’s probably just me.)
5. Ahead by a Century - The Tragically Hip
To my Canadian friends: I’m sorry it took me so long to find them. In my defense, you didn’t exactly help. Discovering The Tragically Hip felt like opening a Russian doll—each layer revealing something more profound. Gord Downie was a true poet, and this song is a testament to his genius. Apparently I’m not the only dissapointed American who didn’t know about the sooner according to this forum. This is an interesting article on Canadian bands breaking into the USA market, from their own point of view.
6. Dabkeh - Bedouin Burger
Bedouin Burger is the musical brainchild of my friends Lyn Adib and Zeid Hamdan. In it, they fuse Lyn’s floating arabic jazz vocals with the electro-folk-funk beats that have made Zeid the emperor penguin of Lebanon’s underground music scene for the last two decades. Their are sevaral bangers on their highly anticipated debut album Ma Li Beit, but list one will get your zook moving faster than any other.
7. Now It’s On - Grandaddy
The last time I listened to this album was on CD in my old Nissan Xterra in 2007, completely forgotten to me until my mom said in a converstain that she was stuck on stand by. The lyrics “ Bye, bye, I’m on standbye” flowed back into my noggin and I had to scratch the itch. I went deep down the Grandaddy rabbit hole and never looked back. Memories of my old college days flooded my eyes with tears. I can’t believe how well this music and message hold up. It is some true visionary stuff. Now It’s On stood out to me in particular because if feels like an anthem to the changes I’ve been making in my life over the last couple of years. It’s Rock n’ roll on a bright, sunny, snow-covered freezing winter morning.
8. Floating On A Moment - Beth Gibbons
Big sister Beth returns to the music scene with a looong-anticipated solo album that is an absolute chamber-rock masterpiece. Floating On A Moment is one of many memorable tracks that she blessed us with this year.
9. Noain - Rotten XIII
Basque Post-Punk rockers wrote a song about the Navarran roots than gives me goosebumps every time I hear it. I’m still learning the meaning to the words, but the heart that they sing it with and the knowledge that I share the same long-lost roots make this an important one for me. Altxatu Nafarroa!
10. Txintxo - Chill Mafia
It’s Friday night. You’ve got nowhere to be. Turn the lights down, strip it down, and dance your money maker off to this one. You know you want to!
Each of these songs left a mark on me this year—tiny windows into stories, emotions, and worlds that will linger long after 2024 ends.
What was your song of the year? Let me know in the comments!
Thank you for the list Scott!
Just last night I was jamming to Ducky, Boris and Dart off of Grandaddy's latest album. I'm on Standby is on my regular rotation of listens. Excited to explore the rest!