This song has given me a deep sense of hope in the midst of the political turmoil that has swept across the U.S. and the rest of the world this year. As someone who is part of a marginalized community—and who has family members who are immigrants—I often find myself needing to look ahead and trust that things will ultimately move toward something better.
Despite everything, I still believe that humanity can grow into a future like the one envisioned in Star Trek—a future defined by unity, curiosity, and compassion. This song has been a small but powerful reminder of that possibility, helping me hold on to that vision even when the world feels its darkest.
Few songs have the power to lift my spirits quite like this one. I absolutely love it, and it will forever remind me of 2024. One of my favorite memories is driving with Doan, Manny, and Alyx on our way to the cruise last September, the excitement in the air, the music blasting, and this song playing in the background. It was easily my favorite track on the playlist, and every time I hear it, I’m instantly transported back to that perfect moment.
Loving someone that when they are there they are a part of who you are and your soul so fully that when they are not, you feel like a different person. This can be good and bad, but this song breaks it down so beautifully. I have listened to it many times this year, just breathing it in.
here's a place I go when I'm alone Do anything I want, be anyone I wanna be But it is us I see and I cannot believe I'm falling That's where I'm going, where are you going?
Life has moments where it is not at all beautiful and the darkness creeps in and takes hold. Watching people you love go through hardship and loss when you cannot do anything to help. A loss you know all too familiar. All you can do is offer a hand and just do what you can to be there for them until they come through the other side.
Coming through Covid, this song seems poignant. In the year of darkness and political instability; we can only hope that things will get better. They simply have to.
Since I lost the official list... this is my recreation as faithful as it could be. Some are from memory.
2020 – Crowded House – Don’t Dream It’s Over
2019 – Sly & Robbie, Spicy Chocolate, Roman Virgo – Star Across the Sky
2018 - Lam Trường - Katy Katy
2017 – My Chemical Romance - The Black Parade
2016 – Stephen Bishop – It Might Be You
2015 – Aj Rafael – We Could Happen
2014 – Pink Floyd – Wish You Were Here
2013 – Kate Voegle - Hallelujah
2012 – Jason Mraz – I Won’t Give Up
2011 – Taio Cruz – I Can Be
2010 – One Republic – Good life
2009- Duffy – Distant Dreamer
2008 – Nickleback – If Today Was Your Last Day
2007 – The Last Goodnight – Pictures of You
2006- Daniel Powter – Bad Day
2005 – REM - End of the World
2004- Aud Lang Syne
————————
Honorary Songs
These songs I either remember hearing, illicit memories, or strong feelings for the year... they could also be songs that I discovered or listened to a lot that year...
2004 - Tiffany - I Think We’re Alone Now
2003 - Vitamin C - Graduation (Friends Forever)
2002 - The Calling - Wherever You Will Go
2001 - Eve 6 - Here’s to the Night
2000 - Eiffel 65 - Blue (Da Ba Dee)
1999 - Len - Steal My Sunshine
1998 - *NSync - Tearin’ Up My Heart
1997 - Third Eye Blind - Semi Charmed Life
1996 - Duncan Shiek - Barely Breathing
1995 - Des’ree- You Gotta Be
1994 - Joe Diffie- Third Rock from the Sun
1993 - The Proclaimers - 500 Miles (I’m gonna be)
1992 - Boys II Men - End of the Road
1991 - Diamond Rio - Meet in the Middle
1990 - DeeLite - Groove is in the Heart
1989 - Belinda Carlisle - Heaven is a Place on Earth
In 1994 Stephen Kings: The Stand was adapted into a mini series. It told the story of a pandemic that decimated the world. In one scene this song plays over a montage of destruction. As we now live in a world going through its own pandemic, this song has embodied the eeriness of it all. Driving down empty streets, announces of lockdowns, and just the instability of it all. It feels like a paradigm shift... the world as we knew it will never quite be the same.
While in the middle of the Atlantic on the Enchantment of the Seas... somewhere likely around the Bahamas in the darkness of the night. This song was playing in one of the ships bars. I simply fell in love with it and It has grown to embody what the year means for me and how I feel about my life and my love at this moment in time.
I first heard this song when i went to Vietnam. I loved the piano and though i do knot know the words I learned to attempt and sing it. Through the many trips to Houston with Doan's Family this song played more than once. It has shown that as he grows more in my life I am embracing a new family and culture as my own.
Losing one of my best friends this year has been the defining point of the year. How do you honor someone who changed your life so profoundly? Someone that made you a part of their family? You do so by moving forward, by continuing to grow... and honor them and the others you lost along the way with every moment.
Meeting someone so different that it changes your whole outlook on how you feel and what you think is coming. There is a degree of uncertainty... but overall a feeling of hope.
Being in love is one of the most incredible and frightening experiences that you can have. This year was one where I explored many aspects of what love can be and I've made many bold choices. For that reason this song embodies 2015 for me.
Going through the year of loss and mourning has been super difficult for me. Moving to Texas didn't pan out the way I had planned; going through a year without my hero. Dealing with other losses too. This song embodies what the year is for me. Just hanging on.
Watching my grandmother who was always so strong succumb to cancer while being so far away has been the hardest thing I have ever done. I know what she wants me to do and I know that I cannot give up on my family; so while this may be a love song... i see it differently.
Taio Cruz – I Can Be is the perfect song for me this year. I left my home and went to two different states, I spread my wings.... showing that no matter what has been in my past; I can be anything.
Now I feel that this heart of mine has taken many falls Still sometimes the rain can turn into a waterfall The prettiest things can come out of the coldest night, yeah And even with broken wings, sometimes you find your way to fly
Many things happened in 2010 that surprised me, I never thought it was possible. I have had many trials and tribulations that I encountered this year, I don’t really know how to classify this year. I do know that no matter what happened to me, I realize that I have an amazing life. This is why my song for 2010 is “Good Life” by One Republic. It really exemplifies what I feel, and how 2010 affected me.
Here is to continuing the good life into 2011!
“Hopelessly
I feel like there might be something that I'll miss.
Hopelessly,
I feel like the window closes oh so quick.
Hopelessly,
I'm taking a mental picture of you now,
'Cause hopelessly,
The hope is we have so much to feel good about.
Oh, this has gotta be the good life,
This has gotta be the good life,
This could really be a good life, good life.”
The song for me that best fits this year for me and even in a way the entire decade,this song is Distant Dreamer by Duffy. 2009 was a year of dreams for me, and it was this year that many of my greatest dreams were realized and some others were shattered. However no matter what occurred, deep down I kept thinking of what will be and what I will become. At the moment I am standing on the cusp of 2010, a new year and a new decade, and I can’t help but reminisce about things past, the loved ones lost and the loved ones gained; I do know, however, that this year and decade will bring new wonders, more dreams will be conquered, and we will each grow from our experiences that are yet to come. Deep Down we are all Distant Dreamers, Thinking about what all we will do… Let’s Make all our dreams come true!
“Although you think I cope, my head is filled with hope... of some place other than here.
Although you think I smile, inside all the while... I'm wondering about my destiny.
I'm thinking about, all the things, I'd like to do in my life.
I'm a dreamer, a distant dreamer, dreaming for hope, from today.”
