Friday 5: Superlatives, Part 3

Hey! While the Friday 5 questions were still posted while it was still Friday in their timezone, on East Coast USA it was past my bedtime. I wrote the first half of this yesterday (Friday) and am answering the questions today (Saturday).

Happy Friday! Today is the second day of Christmas, National Candy Cane Day (YESSS), National Thank You Note Day (good luck with that) and most importantly, Day 1 of SLOTH WEEK. WM and I don’t head back to work until January 5 and we are taking it easy. The only pact we made is to exercise for at least 20 minutes every day. He for his recovering knee and me because unfortunately here in my 50s, I feel crappy if I do NOT move daily. That stinks. I’m also going to try and learn to juggle. No, I’m not going to try, I’m going to LEARN to juggle.

This is weird, but I feel like the magic of the Christmas season ends on December 23. After that it’s cooking and obligations. I had Christmas Eve here, Mom had Christmas Day at her house. I’ve finally stopped grieving the fracturing of my extended family – we have a lovely time at home. Nephews A and B were delightful, and almost all of the gifts I gave were winners.

Last night after we came home I watched It’s a Wonderful Life, which I have of course seen clips from and knew the plot, but never watched the whole way through. The emotional scenes were written and delivered with the gentle touch of a steel-toed workboot to the face and I loved every minute of it. The citizens of Bedford Falls certainly knew how to take every emotion up to eleven.

Let’s hit up the Friday 5! This week’s theme is Superlatives, Part 3. In case you’re coming in late to the party, I have already answered Part 1 and Part 2. This is about music and you know my musical tastes so be prepared for a pop music filter. I’ve said this before, but we are living in a golden age of pop music.

What were your favorite songs of 2025? If you don’t know any 2025 songs, just pick songs you especially liked this year, whenever their release.
I’ve Seen It – Olivia Dean
Golden – KPop Demon Hunters/EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei AMI
Nobody’s Son – Sabrina Carpenter
Who were the most interesting musical artists of 2025?
Let’s go with Sabrina Carpenter (love a woman who controls her own narrative) and Bad Bunny. I watched his concert on Amazon Prime earlier this year and even though I only understood every fifth or so word I can’t wait to see his Superbowl performance.
Who’s your favorite musician among those you heard for the first time in 2025?
Olivia Dean. She sings the above mentioned I’ve Seen It and Man I Need but I listened to almost all of her music on Spotify. She has a soulful, jazzy, pop sound that I’m really loving. She opened for Sabrina Carpenter this year.
What song best serves as the theme song for 2025?
Ice Cube’s Arrest The President. (“Did you know the new white was orange?”)
What song best expresses your hopes for 2026?
Do You Hear the People Sing?