This week I’m sharing some of my most played songs of the 2022. I admit I bristled at the Spotify wrapped campaign, and the homogenous images that flooded social media a few weeks ago. It felt not quite a true celebration of fans, artists, or music. Posting play counts is a way to brag, but it is also a genuine way to share gratitude. Why then does the whole thing feel hollow?
Perhaps because beyond the tippy top of successful artists, most musicians make almost nothing from streaming. And yet, these numbers are how we are evaluated by our peers, our industry, and the key holders to festivals, TV spots, and countless other opportunities that can yield bankable income for bands. I still laugh, and cringe at a memory of a meeting with a touring agency before, Love You to Death, was released. Seated at the board room table, we flipped through pages of graphs, and social media statistics about our band. TRENDING DOWN screamed one unhelpful headline. Were we trending down? Are we still? I guess one way to look at a career, is to consider our own lives as human beings. We’re born and eventually we die. So, in some ways, we’re all trending down. Trending up is a wonderful fluke, and only a distraction.
I listened to a ton of music this year and found myself more inspired than ever to make music. As the year closed out, I realized I hadn’t written a new song in over 12 months. So, my new year’s resolution for 2023 is to write a song at least once a month. I’m going to start today as soon as I finish writing this.
Here are some of the songs Spotify told me I listened to the most in 2022, and I highly and enthusiastically recommend checking out the full album if you like a song!
I had the most delusional dream last night, I was kickin it with Sara…. I kept telling you— youneed to listens to Plains! and then you told me Allison Crutchfield is a biotch in real life. And then I just wanted to know all the gossip, like have you met Grimes and what is she like in real life?
Anyways, I thinks plains would fit nicely on this playlist. We have
Listened to a lot of dry cleaning in our household this year too!
Yeah, Happy New Year Sara, and can’t wait to hopefully see you both live at some point this year. 🤞🏼
Yeah streaming could be such a good thing, but you get paid so little from it. It’s very depressing and makes me so angry. Yeah, which is why I always try to buy physical copies or whole albums of music. To try and support as much as I can. Looking forward to all you have planned this year, much love to you both. 😊
PS Exciting that you’re going to start writing new music again too!
This’ll be quicker than my average post on here, it’s late, I’m tired and I got tattoos two days ago! (Which is great but it tried me out too), one of them says ‘this bruise ain’t black it’s yellow’!
I’ll have to check out the musical playlist when I’m not half asleep.
Happy new year to you too! Also, As of the 19th of December I’m 16! (Me and my family are driving back from NSW because it’s legal there but not in Vic to get tattoos (with parental consent) when your 16. We also went up to see family.)
New songs!? Exciting! Will we hear any demos, maybe?
Not that you asked but while you and Tegan are my favourite artists, my second favourite (technically third, but you two are equal first) is Conan Gray, don’t know if you’ve heard of them but their latest album Superache is fantastic!
I said this to Tegan too but thank you to both of you for making 2022 a lot less of a shitty year than it otherwise would’ve been without crybaby!
Thanks for writing Yellow Sara, if you can’t tell by the tattoo, it’s one of (if not) my favourite T&S songs!
I try to stream when doing chores all over my apartment, when driving, etc, because I know those numbers are super important to a lot of people who (in my opinion) shouldn't matter. But buying the music is first and foremost to me. I'm not sure if it's because I'm an "elder millennial" or what, but I still prefer my physical copies of things and to know I'm sending the artist(s) money. I hate relying on an internet connection as my only access to music, and I hate the idea of not having the music anymore if I decide to stop giving {insert streaming company of choice} money every month.
I still have my 200+ CD binder from ~20 years ago. That thing is almost full and completely treasured.
Dehd and Porridge Radio were at the top of my listening list as well, unsurprisingly! I'm sure I mentioned it here in some other post, but I saw them both live this past year just a day apart from each other! Don't know how that worked out, but I was elated with the coincidence!
I've been meaning to give Alex G (he does have a pretty great name if I say so myself!) a listen for quite some time and have enjoyed his most recent album so far!
Also, currently have Dry Cleaning on and really digging it! Thank you always for giving great recommendations!
That's a good new year resolution! I will definitely check these songs out, I have been meaning to listen to Dehd since you first mentioned them and still haven't got round to it so maybe that should be my new year resolution
I admit I use streaming services a lot, particularly when commuting as it's easy to just have access to a huge catalogue of songs on my phone without having to use its internal memory to store them... however, I still buy a lot of CDs and vinyl, and if I'm at home, will always prefer to use my own ripped catalogue on (what was) iTunes. That has my personalised 'definitive' versions of albums from my favourite artists - B-sides included at the end of the albums, including many that are unavailable on streaming to this day - and if there's been a good radio edit/remix/alternative mix of an album track that I prefer or am more familiar with, I will have swapped these for the album version. The other bonus - if material changes hands or the rights to streaming change, or a streaming service closes, these will never disappear from my collection - they are literally with me, backed-up, for life.
Sara, to me your band has always trended UP, and will always. I'm very excited about your goal of a song a month!!! Wow, if Tegan does the same, I see studio record # 11 coming quickly! Always looking forward to anything you guys put out there, that goes for every medium!!! Hey, why not write some lollibys for Sid!!! By the way, I'm looking for the High School soundtrack from the TV show, I love the selected music for the show, but I can't find it available anywhere. Do you know where I can purchase this? I woul really like to put it in my playlist. Thanks Sara!!! Until next time, later!!!
Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing so much during 2022, I have loved being part of this Substack Community.
A great playlist Sara! I have actively listened to it a number of times and had it playing in the background even more. My Spotify Wrapped also came up overwhelmingly in favour of Tegan & Sara, more than all the other artists put together!
It has been a great year for T&S fans and you must both feel extremely proud of the amount and variety of creative content you have produced this year! High School has been a great success, Crybaby also, and of course the tour. From a fans' point of view, we are just so lucky to have new work and regular posts to interact with. It must be incredibly busy and you are obviously both super motivated and very well organised!
I am looking forward to hearing about any new projects: a song a month sounds brilliant - please share! I am still hoping that you might make some UK dates this year, but if not intend to fly over to the US or Canada to attend some concerts there (or maybe both! Now there's an idea!) Any British T&S fans fancy joining me??
I recently ordered an 'ain't black it's yellow' T-shirt from your online store - very efficient, if pricey, delivery to the UK but I love it and it's been a regular source of interest and questioning! It's a very clever lyric and a great choice for a tattoo Phoenix - not sure I'd ever be brave enough to get one done though!
Please continue doing all the great things you do this year. Spotify numbers are only one way of measuring success and not a particularly accurate or meaningful one anyway. How do you measure enjoyment, shared experience, inspiration and community anyway?
I don't use Spotify but I have my own system for tracking what I listen to and love during the year. I make a list throughout the year, and I play it on shuffle mode on December 31st, waiting for the New Year to come. It's my own ritual to say goodbye to the year that is ending and to go over everything that happened to me, all the lessons I learned. This year it was like 230+ songs, which was almost 15 hours.
Dehd had to be in there this year, and I chose Bad Love as my favorite from them. All their songs are so good. My 2022 list included a bunch of T+S stuff: I Can't Grow Up, as the song that sparked Crybaby, your cover of Today, Sara's cover of I Won't Be Left from Still Jealous, the demo for Paperback Head you guys shared here on Substack (I LOVE IT TOO MUCH) and one of the songs from the High School score (Finds The Guitar).
Thank you guys, for sharing so much music in 2022! And my best wishes for 2023!!
I create a new playlist at the start of each year and add every song that I discover during the year (whether it’s brand new or something older that I may have only just discovered/rediscovered or got around to listening to) to it. I listen to it throughout the year & find it often becomes my soundtrack for that year. When I go back to previous years it’s interesting to see how my music tastes can differ month to month, year to year.
I know that streaming services don’t support artists anywhere near as much as they should so I always make sure to buy cds or vinyls, merch & tickets to shows when I can, to support bands/artists that way. I still stream rather than playing the physical CDs/vinyl or mp3s though because at least something is contributing to all that data however small that may be.
Looking forward to checking out your list tomorrow when I’m working and hopefully a bunch of those will end up in my 2023 list 🥰
“On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.”
Van Gogh’s artwork didn’t really trend up until after he died so your commentary is super important in terms of keeping things in perspective. Such is the life of trend setters, chameleons, and go-getters. You’re like global warming. The right graphs didn’t exist yet to really demonstrate the true values of your impact.
"We’re born and eventually we die. So, in some ways, we’re all trending down." --> is a necessary (and sobering) perspective. Thank you for the suggestions, and the promise of new music hopefully to come.
Will be checking that playlist out, I'm always looking for new songs to love. Also I'm sure sid is going to grow up having great music taste. I was not surprised to see that tegan and Sara were my top Spotify wrapped artist. I have listened to "I can't grow up" over 1,000 times (maybe that is a little concerning?). I also do love CDs. I own all of the tegan and Sara cds, except "under feet like ours" (which I want to get). Anyways happy new year and I can't wait to see what you guys do next💛
Sara, thank you so much! You always turn me on to such great music. I got 2 new guitars for Christmas, so I’m feeling creative as well. Do you see your new song being influenced by any of these songs you listened to last year? If there is a ‘sound’ that is inspiring you right now, I would LOVE to know. Thanks again! 🤗
i do try to buy the album and go see the artist live when i like their stuff on spotify but it’s still my most used music related thing. i love that the readers of this substack have a name now.
I could not agree with you more in regards to trending up or down. That doesn't define a band, musician, artist, or even a person. Self promoting I feel the same way you do. The constant influx of those who post pre- worded quotes, or music. I feel they are simply playing into the hand of the creator. I think there are people who fall for fake propaganda, when they should just follow their own mind and feedings. When it comes to the band TEGAN AND SARA, I hands down talk about your music, play it for other's and through the year's have turned many into fans. Then there is you as an individual, which, no I do not personally know you. However, I have no doubt if we had met when younger or even now, would be friends. I feel that way about TEGAN as well, you both are amazing musicians, artist and people. The banter and the band as one is a true joy and amazing to watch. Then there are you each as individuals which some forget that. I pay attention to the little things, and you, the individual person are such a needed presence in this world. "HIGH SCHOOL" the book really gave me an ever deeper look into you as a person. The series was so good, as were Seazynn and Railey. So for you to let us see that part of your life I thank you.
Your Playlist is amazing. I love the song "Running Away, Cate Le Bon" and also on my Playlist is "Fear, Chastity Belt". Thank you for sharing and saying what I feel many forget, or don't know. Much love to you SARA, Stacy and the love nugget SID!
Holy Cannoli! I had no idea you didn't make money from streaming music. Not even a small royalty? That makes me sad since my most listened to artist was Tegan and Sara and my most listened to album was Crybaby (and that was only since JUL '22!).
I'll check out some of these songs and artists you posted up. The last Spotify list was pretty good and a few songs made it on to 'My Commute' playlist on Apple Music.
I am stoked about you writing new songs. You are gifted. Honestly. "Hard hearted, don't worry I'm ready for a fight." I love that line from Sentimental Tune - gosh I really hope you wrote that line or I'll look the fool. LOL.
One other thing, I read a really old post on this channel about your vocal ranges, I think Tegan wrote it. Additionally, I just saw the Rolling Stone's 200 best singers. Now, Nicky (my son) and I were listening to music and a song by Kate Bush came on (who was rated at #60 on their list). We didn't like her voice. I skipped forward to The Ocean (by you two) and it sounded so much better. Your voices are wonderful and melodic. Nicky agreed. Biased? Maybe but here we are. Write away! We'll be listening out. :)
Write a song once a month, then tease us with it?
I had the most delusional dream last night, I was kickin it with Sara…. I kept telling you— youneed to listens to Plains! and then you told me Allison Crutchfield is a biotch in real life. And then I just wanted to know all the gossip, like have you met Grimes and what is she like in real life?
Anyways, I thinks plains would fit nicely on this playlist. We have
Listened to a lot of dry cleaning in our household this year too!
Oh will definitely be checking this playlist out.
Yeah, Happy New Year Sara, and can’t wait to hopefully see you both live at some point this year. 🤞🏼
Yeah streaming could be such a good thing, but you get paid so little from it. It’s very depressing and makes me so angry. Yeah, which is why I always try to buy physical copies or whole albums of music. To try and support as much as I can. Looking forward to all you have planned this year, much love to you both. 😊
PS Exciting that you’re going to start writing new music again too!
The new record Alvvays released, Blue Rev, is phenomenal! Highly highly recommend!
Lol we're all trending down. You don't know you we're ever trending up until you're trending down.
Hey Sara,
This’ll be quicker than my average post on here, it’s late, I’m tired and I got tattoos two days ago! (Which is great but it tried me out too), one of them says ‘this bruise ain’t black it’s yellow’!
I’ll have to check out the musical playlist when I’m not half asleep.
Happy new year to you too! Also, As of the 19th of December I’m 16! (Me and my family are driving back from NSW because it’s legal there but not in Vic to get tattoos (with parental consent) when your 16. We also went up to see family.)
New songs!? Exciting! Will we hear any demos, maybe?
Not that you asked but while you and Tegan are my favourite artists, my second favourite (technically third, but you two are equal first) is Conan Gray, don’t know if you’ve heard of them but their latest album Superache is fantastic!
I said this to Tegan too but thank you to both of you for making 2022 a lot less of a shitty year than it otherwise would’ve been without crybaby!
Thanks for writing Yellow Sara, if you can’t tell by the tattoo, it’s one of (if not) my favourite T&S songs!
Thanks for the post too!
Phoenix, he/they/it, 16, Australia
I try to stream when doing chores all over my apartment, when driving, etc, because I know those numbers are super important to a lot of people who (in my opinion) shouldn't matter. But buying the music is first and foremost to me. I'm not sure if it's because I'm an "elder millennial" or what, but I still prefer my physical copies of things and to know I'm sending the artist(s) money. I hate relying on an internet connection as my only access to music, and I hate the idea of not having the music anymore if I decide to stop giving {insert streaming company of choice} money every month.
I still have my 200+ CD binder from ~20 years ago. That thing is almost full and completely treasured.
Dehd and Porridge Radio were at the top of my listening list as well, unsurprisingly! I'm sure I mentioned it here in some other post, but I saw them both live this past year just a day apart from each other! Don't know how that worked out, but I was elated with the coincidence!
I've been meaning to give Alex G (he does have a pretty great name if I say so myself!) a listen for quite some time and have enjoyed his most recent album so far!
Also, currently have Dry Cleaning on and really digging it! Thank you always for giving great recommendations!
That's a good new year resolution! I will definitely check these songs out, I have been meaning to listen to Dehd since you first mentioned them and still haven't got round to it so maybe that should be my new year resolution
I admit I use streaming services a lot, particularly when commuting as it's easy to just have access to a huge catalogue of songs on my phone without having to use its internal memory to store them... however, I still buy a lot of CDs and vinyl, and if I'm at home, will always prefer to use my own ripped catalogue on (what was) iTunes. That has my personalised 'definitive' versions of albums from my favourite artists - B-sides included at the end of the albums, including many that are unavailable on streaming to this day - and if there's been a good radio edit/remix/alternative mix of an album track that I prefer or am more familiar with, I will have swapped these for the album version. The other bonus - if material changes hands or the rights to streaming change, or a streaming service closes, these will never disappear from my collection - they are literally with me, backed-up, for life.
Sara, to me your band has always trended UP, and will always. I'm very excited about your goal of a song a month!!! Wow, if Tegan does the same, I see studio record # 11 coming quickly! Always looking forward to anything you guys put out there, that goes for every medium!!! Hey, why not write some lollibys for Sid!!! By the way, I'm looking for the High School soundtrack from the TV show, I love the selected music for the show, but I can't find it available anywhere. Do you know where I can purchase this? I woul really like to put it in my playlist. Thanks Sara!!! Until next time, later!!!
Happy New Year! Thank you for sharing so much during 2022, I have loved being part of this Substack Community.
A great playlist Sara! I have actively listened to it a number of times and had it playing in the background even more. My Spotify Wrapped also came up overwhelmingly in favour of Tegan & Sara, more than all the other artists put together!
It has been a great year for T&S fans and you must both feel extremely proud of the amount and variety of creative content you have produced this year! High School has been a great success, Crybaby also, and of course the tour. From a fans' point of view, we are just so lucky to have new work and regular posts to interact with. It must be incredibly busy and you are obviously both super motivated and very well organised!
I am looking forward to hearing about any new projects: a song a month sounds brilliant - please share! I am still hoping that you might make some UK dates this year, but if not intend to fly over to the US or Canada to attend some concerts there (or maybe both! Now there's an idea!) Any British T&S fans fancy joining me??
I recently ordered an 'ain't black it's yellow' T-shirt from your online store - very efficient, if pricey, delivery to the UK but I love it and it's been a regular source of interest and questioning! It's a very clever lyric and a great choice for a tattoo Phoenix - not sure I'd ever be brave enough to get one done though!
Please continue doing all the great things you do this year. Spotify numbers are only one way of measuring success and not a particularly accurate or meaningful one anyway. How do you measure enjoyment, shared experience, inspiration and community anyway?
Take care and keep healthy xx
I don't use Spotify but I have my own system for tracking what I listen to and love during the year. I make a list throughout the year, and I play it on shuffle mode on December 31st, waiting for the New Year to come. It's my own ritual to say goodbye to the year that is ending and to go over everything that happened to me, all the lessons I learned. This year it was like 230+ songs, which was almost 15 hours.
Dehd had to be in there this year, and I chose Bad Love as my favorite from them. All their songs are so good. My 2022 list included a bunch of T+S stuff: I Can't Grow Up, as the song that sparked Crybaby, your cover of Today, Sara's cover of I Won't Be Left from Still Jealous, the demo for Paperback Head you guys shared here on Substack (I LOVE IT TOO MUCH) and one of the songs from the High School score (Finds The Guitar).
Thank you guys, for sharing so much music in 2022! And my best wishes for 2023!!
I create a new playlist at the start of each year and add every song that I discover during the year (whether it’s brand new or something older that I may have only just discovered/rediscovered or got around to listening to) to it. I listen to it throughout the year & find it often becomes my soundtrack for that year. When I go back to previous years it’s interesting to see how my music tastes can differ month to month, year to year.
I know that streaming services don’t support artists anywhere near as much as they should so I always make sure to buy cds or vinyls, merch & tickets to shows when I can, to support bands/artists that way. I still stream rather than playing the physical CDs/vinyl or mp3s though because at least something is contributing to all that data however small that may be.
Looking forward to checking out your list tomorrow when I’m working and hopefully a bunch of those will end up in my 2023 list 🥰
“On a long enough timeline, the survival rate for everyone drops to zero.”
Van Gogh’s artwork didn’t really trend up until after he died so your commentary is super important in terms of keeping things in perspective. Such is the life of trend setters, chameleons, and go-getters. You’re like global warming. The right graphs didn’t exist yet to really demonstrate the true values of your impact.
Going thru a difficult breakup and feeling the trending down vibe.
"We’re born and eventually we die. So, in some ways, we’re all trending down." --> is a necessary (and sobering) perspective. Thank you for the suggestions, and the promise of new music hopefully to come.
This was a great year for queer artists! So many amazing songs were added to my LGBT+ playlist. Appreciate everyone who follows💜
https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6hYfOnWguNv7UERofjmAUq?si=EpwflrZFQzCwzrD7TgVuUA
Carlie Hanson is a favourite ,also love Ian Sweet's version of yellow.Glad your writing again Sara you have amazing talent .
Will be checking that playlist out, I'm always looking for new songs to love. Also I'm sure sid is going to grow up having great music taste. I was not surprised to see that tegan and Sara were my top Spotify wrapped artist. I have listened to "I can't grow up" over 1,000 times (maybe that is a little concerning?). I also do love CDs. I own all of the tegan and Sara cds, except "under feet like ours" (which I want to get). Anyways happy new year and I can't wait to see what you guys do next💛
Sara, thank you so much! You always turn me on to such great music. I got 2 new guitars for Christmas, so I’m feeling creative as well. Do you see your new song being influenced by any of these songs you listened to last year? If there is a ‘sound’ that is inspiring you right now, I would LOVE to know. Thanks again! 🤗
i do try to buy the album and go see the artist live when i like their stuff on spotify but it’s still my most used music related thing. i love that the readers of this substack have a name now.
At least when everything else is trending down we can always count on our age trending up.
Interesting seeing that song list. Gonna have to give it a listen. I don’t recognize any of those artists. Always exciting finding new music!
oh hell yeah Soul Glo is on here. Diaspora Problems is incredible.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4lixZGUZGKa9SUzRnCiszM?si=L_tlgxz3Tma96jyqQKoYZg&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1E8GnpojUbRVOt
i see it now. Ha I have one particular song aside from all my listening to Tegan and Sara that I listened to so many times over last year.
I wrote such a well thought out comment and can't see it.. hmmm
One of my favorites right now and it's an not new.
https://open.spotify.com/track/4lixZGUZGKa9SUzRnCiszM?si=L_tlgxz3Tma96jyqQKoYZg&context=spotify%3Aplaylist%3A37i9dQZF1E8GnpojUbRVOt
SARA
I could not agree with you more in regards to trending up or down. That doesn't define a band, musician, artist, or even a person. Self promoting I feel the same way you do. The constant influx of those who post pre- worded quotes, or music. I feel they are simply playing into the hand of the creator. I think there are people who fall for fake propaganda, when they should just follow their own mind and feedings. When it comes to the band TEGAN AND SARA, I hands down talk about your music, play it for other's and through the year's have turned many into fans. Then there is you as an individual, which, no I do not personally know you. However, I have no doubt if we had met when younger or even now, would be friends. I feel that way about TEGAN as well, you both are amazing musicians, artist and people. The banter and the band as one is a true joy and amazing to watch. Then there are you each as individuals which some forget that. I pay attention to the little things, and you, the individual person are such a needed presence in this world. "HIGH SCHOOL" the book really gave me an ever deeper look into you as a person. The series was so good, as were Seazynn and Railey. So for you to let us see that part of your life I thank you.
Your Playlist is amazing. I love the song "Running Away, Cate Le Bon" and also on my Playlist is "Fear, Chastity Belt". Thank you for sharing and saying what I feel many forget, or don't know. Much love to you SARA, Stacy and the love nugget SID!
ANNE MARIE
Holy Cannoli! I had no idea you didn't make money from streaming music. Not even a small royalty? That makes me sad since my most listened to artist was Tegan and Sara and my most listened to album was Crybaby (and that was only since JUL '22!).
I'll check out some of these songs and artists you posted up. The last Spotify list was pretty good and a few songs made it on to 'My Commute' playlist on Apple Music.
I am stoked about you writing new songs. You are gifted. Honestly. "Hard hearted, don't worry I'm ready for a fight." I love that line from Sentimental Tune - gosh I really hope you wrote that line or I'll look the fool. LOL.
One other thing, I read a really old post on this channel about your vocal ranges, I think Tegan wrote it. Additionally, I just saw the Rolling Stone's 200 best singers. Now, Nicky (my son) and I were listening to music and a song by Kate Bush came on (who was rated at #60 on their list). We didn't like her voice. I skipped forward to The Ocean (by you two) and it sounded so much better. Your voices are wonderful and melodic. Nicky agreed. Biased? Maybe but here we are. Write away! We'll be listening out. :)