All Songs Considered – "Our No. 1 songs: 2010"

Date: September 22, 2025
Host: Robin Hilton
Guest: Stephen Thompson

Episode Overview

In celebration of All Songs Considered's 25th anniversary, hosts Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson revisit 2010, reflecting on the year’s most meaningful songs for the team and the show. Emphasizing tunes that resonated deeply rather than mainstream chart-toppers, they explore tracks that evoke personal memories and cultural moments that defined their lives and NPR Music in 2010. This episode features a wide-ranging, heartfelt discussion of standout albums and artists, with plenty of nostalgic anecdotes and music-lover banter.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

The Meaning of "No. 1 Songs"

• Clarification:
  The hosts clarify that their "No. 1 songs" aren’t Billboard hits, but tracks that mattered to them and captured the 2010 spirit at NPR Music.
  [00:25] Robin Hilton:
  "These are songs that, you know, matter to us, matter to the show, that take us back to that time when we were working on All Songs Considered."

Stephen Thompson’s Pick: Jónsi – "Go Do"

• A Year of Euphoria and Transformation:
  Stephen reflects on 2010 as a time of "massive title shifts" in his own life, and how Jónsi’s solo album Go brought him much-needed optimism and energy.
  [02:58] Stephen Thompson:
  "That whole record is so glorious ... this record that just bloomed like a sunflower and was full of optimism and possibility. I cannot tell you how much this was the record I exactly needed in the exact moment that I found it."
• Contrast with Sigur Rós:
  Noting that Jónsi’s previous work with Sigur Rós was "lugubrious," but Go was unexpectedly "blooming" and "full of optimism."
• Personal Disclosure:
  Stephen candidly reveals that he was coming out of hardship, specifically a divorce, making the album’s hopeful energy all the more resonant.

Robin Hilton’s Pick: Lower Dens – "I Get Nervous"

• A Different Vibe:
  Robin contrasts his choice with Stephen's, highlighting the somber, emotional pull of Lower Dens' debut album Twin Hand Movement.
  [06:16] Robin Hilton:
  "This is one of those bands ... they come up, they just devastate you in all the best ways. They have this huge impact ... and their imprint on you is forever."
• On Impermanence:
  Expresses nostalgia for bands like Lower Dens, who left a lasting mark but did not continue making music.
  [06:54] Robin Hilton:
  "Just for the two of us." (laughingly suggesting they'd reunite just to please himself and Stephen)

Memorable Moment: The "Now That's What I Call Divorce" Mixtape

• Levity Amid Emotion:
  Stephen jokes about his personal mixtape tradition and a friend’s reaction to his music selection.
  [04:19] Stephen Thompson:
  "Oh, thank you for sending me 'Now That's What I Call Divorce,' volumes one and two."

Other Notable 2010 Songs & Albums

Sleigh Bells – "Rill Rill"

• [11:17] Robin Hilton:
  "Probably the catchiest cut on the album ... another debut record from a band that we ended up following and loving these past 15 years."
• Sleigh Bells' Treats came out in May 2010; they headlined NPR's SXSW day party that year before their album was even released.

Cloud Cult – "You'll Be Bright (Invitation Pt. 1)"

• Emotional Resonance:
  Stephen highlights the mix of euphoria and melancholy in the 2010 landscape. [14:21] Stephen Thompson:
  "This song builds and part of it is it's like just this emotional bloodletting. All my feelings are happening on top of one another when I listen to this song."

The National – "Bloodbuzz Ohio"

• Described by both as one of The National’s greatest songs from the 2010 album High Violet.
• [16:22] Stephen Thompson:
  "Really one of their greatest songs."

Sharon Van Etten – "Love More"

• Robin notes it's from her 2010 album Epic.

Sufjan Stevens – "Impossible Soul"

• From The Age of Adz, a record Robin calls his favorite by Sufjan, noting its wild experimentation and the epic, 25-minute closing track.
• [17:16] Robin Hilton:
  "You can't play a short snippet of it and really get a complete picture of just how epic it is and really just in all the directions it goes in. And the whole album is like this."

The Tallest Man on Earth – "The Wild Hunt"

• Title track from the 2010 album; Robin initially thought it was the debut but realized there was an earlier record (Shallow Grave, 2008).

Anaïs Mitchell – "Hadestown"

• 2010 release, featuring the "Wedding Song" with Justin Vernon (Bon Iver).
• Stephen notes this record was the first version of the now Tony award-winning musical and a morning fixture in his house.
• [20:43] Stephen Thompson:
  "So that to me has kind of over time, just through repetition, and become probably one of the albums I've heard most in the world."

Broken Bells – "The High Road"

• A collaboration between James Mercer (The Shins) and Danger Mouse, self-titled album, played live at NPR’s SXSW showcase.
• [22:57] Robin Hilton:
  "Came out of nowhere for me and just absolutely knocked me out ... I'm so addicted. Instantly addicted to."
• Stephen contextualizes both artists’ backgrounds and how the project perfectly melded their talents.

Notable Quotes & Moments with Timestamps

• On remembering 2010 (00:49, Stephen Thompson):
  "2010 is such a fascinating year. Just for me, in my life, it was a year of massive, massive title shifts..."

• Jónsi’s "Go" as Emotional Lifeline (02:58, Stephen Thompson):
  "This was the record I exactly needed in the exact moment that I found it."

• Mixtape Humor (04:19, Stephen Thompson):
  "Now, that's what I call Divorce, volumes one and two."

• Lower Dens’ Lasting Impact (06:16, Robin Hilton):
  "They come up, they just devastate you in all the best ways. They have this huge impact in your life, and their imprint on you is forever."

• Cloud Cult's Cumulative Emotion (14:21, Stephen Thompson):
  "All my feelings are happening on top of one another when I listen to this song."

• On Sufjan Stevens’ Wild Experimentation (17:16, Robin Hilton):
  "You can't play a short snippet of it and really get a complete picture of just how epic it is..."

• Hadestown’s Burn-in Effect (20:43, Stephen Thompson):
  "Over time, just through repetition, and become probably one of the albums I've heard most in the world."

• Broken Bells’ Instant Addiction (22:57, Robin Hilton):
  "Hearing it again, just even now, I'm so addicted. Instantly addicted to."

Flow of the Episode (with Timestamps)

• Intro and 2010 Music Landscape [00:17–01:12]
• Jónsi’s "Go Do" as No.1 Song [01:12–03:55]
• Lower Dens’ "I Get Nervous" [05:12–07:47]
• Discussion & Quick Break (ads skipped) [07:47–09:58]
• Honorable Mention: Sleigh Bells – "Rill Rill" [09:58–11:26]
• Euphoric & Melancholic Mixtape: Cloud Cult, The National, Sufjan, etc. [12:10–18:50]
• The Tallest Man on Earth – "The Wild Hunt" [17:36–19:07]
• Anaïs Mitchell – "Hadestown" [19:07–21:04]
• Final Pick: Broken Bells – "The High Road" [21:05–23:46]
• Wrap-up and Goodbye [23:46–24:01]

Tone and Style

• Conversational: Robin and Stephen keep things light and wry, even when discussing heavier personal stories or musical heartbreak.
• Passionate & Knowledgeable: Deep dives on each artist and song illustrate both hosts’ longstanding immersion in and love for music.
• Playful Bickering: Running jokes about "Now That's What I Call Divorce," quick-fire band guessing, and fond nostalgia for NPR showcase events.

Summary

This episode is a heartfelt, eclectic journey through the music landscape of 2010 as told by All Songs Considered's own. Robin and Stephen recall not just songs that soundtracked that year, but how music holds memories—of big life shifts, music discoveries, and beloved bands that faded away too soon. It’s an episode that will resonate if you love music nostalgia, deep connections to song, and the camaraderie of fellow music obsessives.

Next up: 2011’s best, as the All Songs Considered time-travel continues!