Our no. 1 songs: 2013

Summary

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All Songs Considered: Our No. 1 Songs – 2013

Host: Robin Hilton
Guest: Stephen Thompson
Date: October 13, 2025
Podcast: NPR – All Songs Considered

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Episode Overview

This special episode of All Songs Considered continues NPR Music’s retrospective journey through their favorite songs from the past 25 years, celebrating the show’s 25th anniversary. This year: 2013. Host Robin Hilton and Stephen Thompson reminisce about their top picks for 2013, reflecting on music’s evolution and the impact these standout tracks and albums had on the year, as well as the broader music landscape.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Kacey Musgraves – "Follow Your Arrow"

• [00:42] Robin struggles to remember the song’s name, but immediately recognizes Kacey Musgraves’ breakout single.
• Stephen (02:25):

  “This was one of the first singles from Same Trailer, Different Park, her big breakthrough record… having a country singer singing a song where it’s basically, you know, kiss lots of boys, kiss lots of girls, I don’t care. You know, felt, you know, in 2013 was a fairly revolutionary sentiment coming from a mainstream country singer.”

• The hosts talk about Musgraves’ Grammys success and cultural impact, especially around LGBTQ+ acceptance in country music.
• Memorable event: The day the Supreme Court legalized same-sex marriage, Musgraves performed "Follow Your Arrow" at the Tiny Desk concert—an iconic synchronicity for both music and social progress. (02:25)

2. James Blake – "Retrograde"

• [03:47] Robin brings in his pick: James Blake’s "Retrograde" from Overgrown.
• Robin (04:49):

  “Overgrown to me is peak James Blake, his voice could not be more perfect. More. It’s like crystalline. It’s warm, it’s resonant.”

• Stephen (05:06):

  “He’s just crooning, but with real emotion behind it. Yeah, it’s not just a perfect voice. It’s a perfect voice that is taking you somewhere.”

• The hosts analyze the theme and sonic structure—how the concept of "retrograde" is mirrored by the song’s contrasting movements (05:16).
• Robin recommends the “incredible video” for "Retrograde." (05:16)

3. Honorable Mentions and Other Favorites of 2013

• The Flaming Lips – "Look...The Sun Is Rising"

  • [08:32] Robin’s backup pick; Stephen recalls giving Robin playful grief for his obsession.
  • This song showcases the band’s experimental leanings on The Terror.
  • Robin:

    “You were obsessed, absolutely obsessed with that song at the time and I still love it.” (09:18)

• Typhoon – "Young Fathers"

  • [09:43] Stephen’s alternative pick. Known for their massed, emotional choruses on the album White Lighter.
  • Stephen:

    “That was one of those great like, like a booming chorus of … just like voices singing in unison. Deep emotion.” (11:18)

• The Front Bottoms – "Twin Size Mattress"

  • [11:37] Stephen highlights the song’s raw emotional power and raucous group vocals.
  • Stephen:

    “Another one with … definitely a sucker for like the chorus of, you know, 20 different voices all kind of screaming at the same time.” (13:04)

  • Recognized as “one of the better divorce songs of the 21st century.” (13:24)

• Son Lux – "Easy"

  • A hit from Lanterns (14:22). The hosts note its experimental, haunting production.

• Telekinesis – "Power Lines"

  • [14:33] Robin reminisces about the band’s song from Dormarion, calling it “a great song.” (15:28)
  • Stephen laments their long absence from releasing new music.

• Night Beds – "Even If We Try"

  • [15:37] Robin describes the track as “gorgeous,” and Stephen remembers liking it for its melodic melancholy.

• Dessa – "Fighting Fish"

  • [16:38] Stephen’s favorite. Dessa’s lyricism and flow highlight her unique position in indie hip-hop.
  • The hosts praise the “great record” she put out that year.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Stephen Thompson [02:25]:

  “Having a country singer singing a song where it’s basically, you know, kiss lots of boys, kiss lots of girls, I don’t care … in 2013 was a fairly revolutionary sentiment coming from a mainstream country singer.”

• Robin Hilton [04:49]:

  “Overgrown to me is the is peak James Blake, his voice could not be more perfect. More. It’s like crystalline. It’s warm, it’s resonant.”

• Stephen Thompson [05:06]:

  “He’s just crooning, but with real emotion behind it. Yeah, it’s not just a perfect voice. It’s a perfect voice that is taking you somewhere.”

• Robin Hilton [09:18]:

  “You gave me so much grief for how much I love that, that song. You were obsessed, absolutely obsessed with that song at the time and I still love it.”

• Stephen Thompson [13:24]:

  “And the Front Bottoms, but one of the better divorce songs of the 21st century.”

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Timestamps for Major Segments

• [00:27] — Introduction: Looking back at 2013’s top songs
• [00:42 – 03:26] — Kacey Musgraves, "Follow Your Arrow" (impact, context, cultural resonance)
• [03:46 – 06:45] — James Blake, "Retrograde" (album Overgrown, analysis, video rec)
• [08:32 – 09:43] — The Flaming Lips, "Look...The Sun Is Rising" (Robin’s close runner-up)
• [09:43 – 11:18] — Typhoon, "Young Fathers" (Stephen’s other top 2013 pick)
• [11:37 – 13:24] — The Front Bottoms, "Twin Size Mattress" (emotional group vocals)
• [13:31 – 15:28] — Other Highlights: Son Lux "Easy," Telekinesis "Power Lines," Night Beds "Even If We Try"
• [16:38 – 17:23] — Dessa, "Fighting Fish" (Stephen’s favorite hip-hop track)
• [17:23] — Wrap up; looking ahead to 2014

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Tone and Spirit

The episode is light-hearted, nostalgic, and packed with genuine admiration for the year’s music. Robin and Stephen’s conversation is peppered with friendly teasing, deep affection for their favorites, and insightful analysis—making the episode as much a warm stroll down memory lane as it is a critical celebration of 2013’s standout tracks.

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For Newcomers

If you missed 2013 (or want to revisit it through the lens of true music aficionados), this episode is a heartfelt guide with personal stories, critical context, and classic NPR Music camaraderie—complete with recommended listens that still resonate more than a decade later.

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Transcript

[Sponsor/Announcer]

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[Robin Hilton]

Please note that this episode contains explicit language. All right, All Songs Considered. NPR Music. I'm Robin Hilton. I'm here with Stephen Thompson. Welcome, Stephen.

[Stephen Thompson]

Hello, Robin.

[Robin Hilton]

We're looking back at our number one songs from each year of the past 25 years as we celebrate the show's 25th anniversary. This year, we are up to 2013. Let's get right to it.

[Stephen Thompson]

I'm gonna go right here.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, I know it's Casey Musgraves, and I remember the song very well, but I cannot for the life of me come up with the name.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

If you save yourself from marriage, you're a bore. If you don't save yourself from marriage, you're a horrible person. If you won't have a drink, then you're prude. But they'll call you a drunk as soon as you down the first one. If you can't lose the weight, then you're just fat. But if you lose too much, then you're on crack. You're damned if you do and you're damned if you don't. So you might as well just do whatever you want. So make lots of noise. Kiss lots of boys or kiss lots of girls. It's not something you're into. With straight and narrow gets a little too straight. Roll up the joint.

[Robin Hilton]

Follow your arrow.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Follow your arrow.

[James Blake (singing)]

One second before she said it, I got it.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

Wherever it points.

[Stephen Thompson]

Really. That's incredible, Robin. Your powers, your powers of recognition.

[Robin Hilton]

It's encyclopedic. One of the reasons why I hate playing this name that tune game is because it just. It exposes all the cobwebs. I've forgotten so much and I'm so terrible with names, but, yeah, Kacey Musgraves and this, you know, and obviously an artist who's gone on to be very near and dear to our hearts.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

This was one of the first singles from Same trailer, different park her, you know, break her big breakthrough record. She went on to win album of the Year at the Grammys. She went on to basically become an A lister. Put out a great record called Deeper. Well, just last year. But this was the record that put her on the map. And I mean, having a country singer singing a song where it's basically, you know, kiss lots of boys, kiss lots of girls, I don't care. You know, felt, you know, in 2013 was a fairly revolutionary sentiment coming from a, you know, from a mainstream country singer kind of trying to make a breakthrough as a country artist. And I remember a couple years later when Oberfeld, the Supreme court decision legalized same sex marriage. That decision came down the day Kacey Musgraves was playing the Tiny Desk and she played that song with her band and we kind of put it out as a freestanding. Here's what we were listening to, you know, as that decision was handed down. And so this was my favorite album of 2013. I completely loved it. What, you know, what a song.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, I want to pick something that is also from what I think ended up being a breakout album for an artist who had already had one self titled album out before this one. But this is the one that I think really sort of solidified their position as a sort of a mega talent.

[Stephen Thompson]

Is this James Blake?

[Robin Hilton]

Yes, this is retrograde.

[James Blake (singing)]

Sam.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

You'Re on your own.

[James Blake (singing)]

In the world you've grown few more years to go don't let the hurdle fall so be the girl you loved so he.

[Robin Hilton]

Had had that self titled album out, whatever, a couple years before this one. But yeah, overgrown to me is the is peak. James Blake, his voice could not be more perfect. More. It's like crystalline. It's warm, it's resonant.

[Stephen Thompson]

He's just crooning, but with real emotion behind it. Yeah, it's not just a perfect voice. It's a perfect voice that is taking you somewhere.

[Robin Hilton]

And this was a song I remember when it came out, I could go very deep in talking about all the things happening in this song, you know, like, you know, thematically and sonically. Retrograde is when an object appears to be moving in the opposite direction of the other objects around it. And you know, in this song, when he goes high on the chorus, the music has this falling thing. So they're moving in opposite directions. But this song, and it's an incredible video for this song too that people should check out.

[James Blake (singing)]

Ignore everybody else we're alone.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

Suddenly I'm.

[James Blake (singing)]

Hidden is this darkness of the dawn and your friends are gone and your friends won't come so for show me where you.

[Robin Hilton]

So again, James Blake, retrograde from the album Overgrown. Let's just take a quick break here and then we can talk about some of the other stuff that takes us back to 2013.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

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[James Blake (singing)]

I think interior design is about responsibility.

[Stephen Thompson]

It's not just the way a space.

[James Blake (singing)]

Looks or the way a space photographs.

[Stephen Thompson]

To me, better design means functional, safe.

[James Blake (singing)]

Accessible and inclusive design.

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[Robin Hilton]

First month so Stephen, I want to start the second half of the show off with my backup song that I was going to pick for 2013. It's a song that I loved so much when it came out and you gave me no end of grief for it. So this is look, the Sun Is Rising from the Flaming Lips from their album the Terror.

[Stephen Thompson]

Oh, the terror was 2013.

[Robin Hilton]

You gave me so much grief for how much I love that, that song. You were obsessed, absolutely obsessed with that song at the time and I still love it.

[James Blake (singing)]

Yeah.

[Stephen Thompson]

The other things that I really considered picking for 2013 was young fathers by Typhoon.

[James Blake (singing)]

I was born in September. I replaced it with scenes from the film that I will never make and I blinked. It was over. I was thinking my life would get slower, that I would sort this shit out when I'm sober. That you get better now that you're older. I read the scares on the front page. It says we're waiting around for an ice age. It says our comforts they come with a prostate. They killed the catch. They say just think of the children and imagine the world that we've willed them is populated with weirdos to kill.

[Robin Hilton]

Them and break the yeah, this is a great pick. I was hadn't thought of Typhoon, but I was really, really loving typhoon in 2013.

[Stephen Thompson]

That was one of those great like, like a, like a booming chorus of you know, like, just like voices singing in unison. Deep emotion.

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah, yeah. The whole album, it's from White Lighter. The whole album's great. Great tiny desk from 2013 as well. Yeah, but what else were you thinking for 2013?

[Stephen Thompson]

I also thought about the song. Twin size mattress by the front bottoms.

[Front Bottoms (singing)]

This is for the lions Living in the wiry broke down frames of my friends bodies. When the FL comes it ain't gonna be clear it's gonna look like mud But I will help you swim. I will help you swim I'm gonna help you swim. This is for the snakes and the people they bite. For the friends I've made For the sleepless nights. For the warning signs I've completely ignored. There's an amount to take reasons take more. It's no big surprise you turned out this way. When they closed their eyes and prayed you would change and they cut your hair and sent you away. They stopped by my house the night you escaped with tears in my eyes I begged you to stay. You said hey man, I love you but no fucking sure that we could find something for you to do on stage. Maybe shake a tambourine or. When I sing, you sing harmony.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Another.

[Stephen Thompson]

Another one with. That's definitely a sucker for like the chorus of, you know, 20 different voices all kind of screaming at the same time.

[Robin Hilton]

Yeah, I mean, we talked about entering the Stomp Clap era with Edward Sharp and the Magnetic Zeros.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

Yeah.

[Robin Hilton]

In like 2009. But we were still very much in that era in 2013.

[Stephen Thompson]

Oh, sure.

[Robin Hilton]

You know, especially with bands like Typhoon.

[Stephen Thompson]

And the Front Bottoms, but one of the better divorce songs of the 21st century.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, son Lux had the song Easy.

[James Blake (singing)]

Easy, easy. You break the bridles you make losing control easy Crush what you're holding soul you say letting go.

[Robin Hilton]

Do you remember that song? That was one of their bigger hits from the album Lanterns came out that year. Oh, sure. And you know, Telekinesis was a band that we used to absolutely love and they had the song Power Lines.

[Stephen Thompson]

We used to love them before.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, we still love. We still love Telekinesis, but they're a band that hasn't, you know, they also haven't put out a record in a long, long time.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

I'm a broken man, I'm damaged cuz lock me in the face near the furnace.

[James Blake (singing)]

You came along in your party dress. I climbed the mountain under house arrest.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

When we were kids I swear we were power lions. Bouncy journey searching for some better minds.

[Robin Hilton]

The song Power Lines, that was a great song from the album Dormarian. And there was this band called Nightbeds that had this really gorgeous song called.

[James Blake (singing)]

Even if We try, Even if we try. Even if we try to make ourselves alright to mend our seven lives while all the rivers rage, descend upon the stage alone in willow leaves I lift my voice to sing.

[Robin Hilton]

Do you remember that one? I do.

[Stephen Thompson]

I remember really liking that one.

[Sponsor/Announcer]

I don't remember.

[Stephen Thompson]

I couldn't, I couldn't pull up a tune in my head, though. Yeah, Dessa put out a great record that year. She had a song called Fighting Fish that was one of my favorite songs of 2013.

[Dessa (singing)]

Swimming in the snifter pretty as a picture. Don't get a twisted man. Her white is a bitch you can name. You can keep her but take care when you feed her. You never can take the bite out the fish chomping at the groove and never want to skills it. You can test my metal with a magnet and some chin tips. Ink test all I see is caymans and some wingtips, pilot pin and pocket. I'm riding instinct and inkjets around here. We don't like talk of big dreams. To stand out is a pride and conceit. To aim high is to make waves to split seams. That's not what it seems like to me.

[Stephen Thompson]

A lot of good music out here.

[Robin Hilton]

Well, I say this every time and that's obviously so much more we could talk about. But we'll go out on this. And until next time when we talk about 2014, thanks as always, Stephen.

[Stephen Thompson]

Thank you, Robin.

[Robin Hilton]

And for NPR Music, I'm Robin Hilton. It's All Songs Considered.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

Hanging there over its shadows.

[Dessa (singing)]

Of effort waste of part if you don't ain't.

[Kacey Musgraves (singing)]

The center It's a place to.

[Dessa (singing)]

I didn't come looking for love. I didn't come to pick a fight. I didn't come to wave or take pictures. Panda to cement a factor ring on every broken finger won't extend my wings to be clipped. I know the culture here is to stay humble for shit. If we all go round. Bowed heads, button lips if none of.

[James Blake (singing)]

Us hold the bell.

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