All Songs Considered Our no. 1 songs: 2016
Nov 3, 2025
2016 was a year of incredible music and profound losses, celebrating icons like David Bowie and Prince. The hosts debate the standout track from Beyoncé's 'Lemonade,' particularly the powerful 'Don't Hurt Yourself.' Mitski's emotional anthem 'Your Best American Girl' is lauded as a defining song of the decade. As they reflect on the significance of songs from artists like Leonard Cohen and Radiohead, they connect the poignant themes of mortality with remarkable musical moments.
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Lemonade's Cultural Moment
- Beyonce's Lemonade was a generational album that crossed genres and felt momentous in 2016.
- Stephen and Robin highlight its cultural impact and wide-ranging artistic ambition.
Mitski's Anthemic Breakthrough
- Stephen calls Mitski's 'Your Best American Girl' the best song of the 2010s for its emotional scope and explosive guitar moment.
- The guitar drop creates a cinematic, towering image that amplifies the song's identity themes.
The Power Of Guitar Tone
- Robin emphasizes that the perfect guitar fuzz/distortion is rare and transformative for a song's impact.
- He notes many musicians chase unique pedal chains to capture that exact powerful tone.
