All Songs Considered

Our no. 1 songs: 2016

November 3, 2025

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  • The hosts of *All Songs Considered* are celebrating the show's 25th anniversary by dedicating episodes to their number one songs from past years, starting with the discussion for the year 2016. 
  • Beyoncé's *Lemonade* and Mitski's "Your Best American Girl" were the two most highly praised musical works from 2016, with the hosts debating which was the superior song versus album. 
  • The year 2016 was marked by staggering losses of major musicians, including David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, and George Michael, several of whom released final, significant albums that year. 

Segments

Anniversary Series Kickoff
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(00:00:16)
  • Key Takeaway: The All Songs Considered 25th-anniversary series involves reviewing the number one songs from each of the past 25 years.
  • Summary: Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson are revisiting the show’s number one songs as part of a quarter-century anniversary celebration. They plan to cover a different year each week. Stephen Thompson takes the lead in choosing the first song for the 2016 review.
Beyoncé’s Lemonade Analysis
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(00:00:46)
  • Key Takeaway: The song “Don’t Hurt Yourself” from Beyoncé’s Lemonade is highlighted for showcasing her powerful command of rock music elements.
  • Summary: The hosts identify Beyoncé’s Lemonade as a once-in-a-generation album, with one host preferring the track “Freedom” and the other selecting “Don’t Hurt Yourself.” The latter track is praised specifically for Beyoncé stepping into and destroying the rock space with its sound. The album’s overall impact and accompanying film were monumental achievements in 2016.
Mitski’s Anthem Recognition
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(00:04:57)
  • Key Takeaway: “Your Best American Girl” by Mitski is considered by one host to be the best song of the entire 2010s decade due to its powerful guitar riff and themes of identity.
  • Summary: Stephen Thompson names Mitski’s “Your Best American Girl” as his top song for 2016, viewing it as a potential best song of the decade. The song’s massive guitar drop is described as having immense heft and power, prompting the host to question why other songs do not kick as hard. The guitar tone achieved on the track is noted as a perfect example of sought-after fuzz and distortion.
Reflecting on 2016 Musician Losses
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(00:12:29)
  • Key Takeaway: The year 2016 was characterized by an unrelenting series of staggering losses in the music world, beginning with David Bowie and ending with George Michael.
  • Summary: The hosts pause to acknowledge the numerous musicians who died in 2016, listing David Bowie, George Michael, Leonard Cohen, Prince, Merle Haggard, and Sharon Jones. David Bowie’s final album, Blackstar, released just before his death, was immediately recognized as a career high point. Leonard Cohen’s You Want It Darker was also released shortly before his passing, making both records conversationally linked to their creators’ mortality.
Solange and Radiohead Mentions
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(00:16:55)
  • Key Takeaway: Solange’s A Seat at the Table was a titanic artistic achievement in 2016, even being chosen over Lemonade as NPR Music’s number one album that year.
  • Summary: Solange’s A Seat at the Table is recognized as a highly ambitious and thoughtful record that rivaled Lemonade in critical acclaim, with “Cranes in the Sky” singled out as a killer song. Radiohead’s A Moon Shaped Pool and its track “Daydreaming” are also mentioned as highlights from the year. The hosts note that Radiohead took a necessary break following personal grief and the release of that album.
Bon Iver and Wilco Favorites
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(00:21:09)
  • Key Takeaway: Bon Iver’s 2016 album 22, A Million demonstrated Justin Vernon’s resistance to repeating himself, while Wilco’s “Normal American Kids” is cited as a favorite capturing disaffected youth.
  • Summary: Bon Iver’s 22, A Million is called the host’s favorite record of 2016, showcasing Justin Vernon’s talent for constantly pivoting his musical direction. Wilco’s Wilco Shmilko features “Normal American Kids,” which one host considers his all-time favorite Wilco song for perfectly capturing the feeling of being a disaffected young person. The segment concludes by playing “Normal American Kids.”