Best Musicians of the 2010s

This blog is so old that I'm taking an idea from more than 10 years ago. Let's say that there is a 2020 version of "We Are The World" designed to raise funds to help people impacted by COVID-19.* The only catch is that this edition features artists that either started or had a major breakout between 2010-2019. That means no Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, Jay-Z, Green Day, Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Janelle Monae, Rihanna, Pink, Justin Bieber (just missed the cut-off), any "American Idol" judges or "The Voice" coaches, and many others. This is basically your all-decade team.

Here's my line-up in no particular order:

Billie Eilish
One Direction
Ed Sheeran
Childish Gambino / Donald Glover
Ariana Grande

Khalid
Kacey Musgraves
Fifth Harmony
Shawn Mendes
Bruno Mars

(Although "Nothin' on You" by B.o.B. featuring Bruno Mars was released in December 2019, the song didn't reach #1 until May 2010.)

Chance The Rapper
Dua Lipa
H.E.R.  
Drake
Nicki Minaj 

(Although Drake and Nicki Minaj both had mixtapes and were part of Young Money before 2010, each had their first major solo studio albums released in 2010, so they make the list.)

Chris Stapleton
Wiz Khalifa
Lorde
Sam Smith
Lizzo
Fun

(Although both Lizzo and Fun really only have one big album, they each have among the biggest songs of the decade.)

Post Malone (He makes it for his face tattoos alone.) 
Kendrick Lamar
Cardi B
The Weeknd
Maren Morris

I'm sure that I'm missing artists and groups since I'm not as "hip" and as knowledgeable about the music scene as I used to be. (Basically, I'm old.) Please share your thoughts and opinions in the comments section below and let me know how I did and who I'm missing. Are there any Hall of Famers from this group?


* This post is about musicians and not a commentary on the fact that so many people really do need financial assistance for essentials like food and healthcare. We should be much better about this as a country.

Ariana Grande photo by Steve Granitz/Getty Images. Nicki Minaj and Drake photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images. Maren Morris photo from Sesame Street. I may have watched the video of her and the Sesame Street characters singing "Oops! Whoops! Wait, Ah ha!" a few times. And by few, I mean a lot, but that's for a different blog post.

Sean Analyzes Current Song Lyrics (With 80s Movies!)

Welcome to a brand new edition of Sean analyzing current song lyrics. The songs below are all near the top of the charts and all used lyrics that are inspired by 80s movies.

Zayn and Taylor Swift - I Don't Want To Live Forever

I don’t wanna live forever
‘Cause I know I’ll be living in vain
And I don’t wanna fit wherever
I just wanna keep calling your name, until you come back home

I picture Zayn just sitting on a couch saying "Taylor" over and over again until she returns home. Just like this:



Ariana Grande featuring Nicki Minaj - Side to Side

I'm talkin' to ya
See you standing over there with your body

Standing over there with your body? Someone watched Weekend at Bernie's recently!

Hailee Steinfeld - Starving

I didn't know that I was starving till I tasted you

This is exactly how it started for one Dr. Hannibal Lecter.



Please click here to see past editions of Sean Analyzes Song Lyrics.

Sean Analyzes Song Lyrics (Again)

As a student of pop culture, I try to be familiar with the latest trends in music. However, I understand that I am out of the demographic for many of the new songs and artists. That doesn't stop me from analyzing lyrics from recent hits. Enjoy!

"Fancy" by Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX

First things first, I'm the realest.

How exactly do you quantify this? Is Izzy really realer than say Steelers WR Antonio Brown?

And I'm still in the Murda Bizness

How is business going? Is there a substantial murder business for Australian-born female rappers?

I'm so fancy
You already know

How exactly would we know this?

I'm in the fast lane
From L.A. to Tokyo

There's a fast lane from LA to Tokyo? Even the fast lane would take a really long time. Maybe she travels by map.



"All About That Bass" by Meghan Trainor

Yeah, my momma she told me don't worry about your size
She says, boys they like a little more booty to hold at night

Mom, really said that last line? That's quite the open relationship between a mother and daughter. Maybe it is a female thing. When my male sons are grown, I can't picture having this kind of discussion with them.

"Bang Bang" by Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj

Bang bang into the room (I know you want it)
Bang bang all over you (I’ll let you have it)

What the heck does bang bang all over you mean? Actually, I don't want to know.

She might’ve let you hold her hand in school, but I’mma show you how to graduate.

To graduate, make sure you study so you get passing grades on tests. In addition, do not violate the attendance policy. Done.


This concludes another edition of Sean analyzing song lyrics. Click here for previous editions.