Category Archives: 2010s songs

The best 500 songs from the 2010s. Lyrics, meanings and interpretations from your favorite musicians. Adele, Halsey, Sara Bareilles, Grouplove, Sia, The 1975, Harry Styles. Find out our highest ranked music acts of the 2010 decade. It was a great decade for music.

2010s songs, new love

#367 Yours- Ella Henderson

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And I will find my strength to untame my mouth/
When I used to be afraid of the words.

In “Yours”, Ella Henderson describes the feelings she currently feels in her relationship. She is in love, and ready to say it but there is still that last hesitation. She doesn’t express the “whys” she feels uncomfortable taking the next step in the relationship. The specifics are unimportant, but we know without her saying that it is because she is afraid of being hurt. This song is her way of “untaming her mouth” and expressing her love. This song is her way of telling her man “I’m yours”, whereas before she was unable.

Yours Meaning
Ella Henderson

There is so much to like about this song. The simple piano arrangement really works well with Henderson’s powerful vocal. We feel the emotion she is trying to convey behind her words. The vocal feels very raw and real, as if these words mean something to her. And in turn, this makes them mean something to us. That is the key to the power of the song. It is a woman first revealing that she wishes to be with her lover.

Yours Lyrics

I wear your winter coat,
The one you love to wear.
So I keep feeling close,
To us beyond compare.
The moment we can have,
You catch me in your eyes.
That beauty on my pillow,
That holds me in the night.

And I will find my strength to untame my mouth,
When I used to be afraid of the words.
But with you I’ve learned just to let it out,
Now my heart is ready to burst.

‘Cause I, I feel like I’m ready for love.
And I wanna be your everything and more.
And I know every day you say it,
But I just want you to be sure,
That I’m yours.

And if I’ve been feeling heavy,
You take me from the dark.
Your arms they keep me steady,
So nothing could fall apart.

And I will find my strength to untame my mouth,
When I used to be afraid of the words.
But with you I’ve learned just to let it out,
Now my heart is ready to burst.

‘Cause I, I feel like I’m ready for love.
And I wanna be your everything and more.
And I know every day you say it,
But I just want you to be sure.
That I’m yours.
That I’m yours.

Songwriters: Ella Henderson / Josh Record

2010s songs, heartbreak

#339 You Can’t Break My Heart- Kat Edmonson

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Now I have nothing left/
Only heartache and regret.

I like the concept of Kat Edmonson’s “You Can’t Break My Heart”. Edmonson sings a song to her lover telling them that she really isn’t heartbroken.  By the sound of her voice we know that’s not true. She’ll admit to heartache and regret, and that her world is falling apart, but “broken” is one step too far for her.

That seems to be an important distinction in her mind. Her heart might be left with a little scar, but it will not break.  We understand that there is a distinction between heartache and a full-on broken heart: the former is temporary and less severe.  But the tone of the song and the tone of her voice lead us to believe she is just putting on a brave face.

You Can't Break My Heart Meaning
Kat Edmonson

The sound of the song is really unique. The first thing we notice is Edmonson’s voice. The best way to describe it is “vintage”. The song sounds like a French woman pulled from the 1940s singing a contemporary song with a Latino vibe…in English. But I like it. I think the Latino vibe comes from the nylon string acoustic guitar in a minor key (I assume)…along with the muted trumpets. It is an interesting combination. I also like the subtle use of the timpani. I wouldn’t mind more timpani in my rock and pop music.

You Can’t Break My Heart Lyrics

What good does true love do?
Why’d I fall in love with you?
You can break a promise but
You can’t break my heart
If I can’t change your mind
You go your way and I’ll go mine
You can tear my world apart but
You can’t break my heart
Who do you think you are
Walkin’ out on me now
You might leave a little scar
Now I have nothing left
Only heartache and regret
Can break promise but
You can’t break my heart
Who do you think you are
Walkin’ out on me now
You might leave a little scar

But you can’t break my heart
You don’t know where to start
You can break a promise but
You can’t break my heart

Songwriters: Zuniga Alfredo Joaquin

2010s songs, life is hard

#319 Clown- Emilie Sande

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I’ll have time for please/
I’ll have time for thank you/
As soon as I win.

Emilie Sande’s “Clown” is about the struggles of putting yourself out there for the world to see–and the disillusionment that comes with getting less than ideal reviews. In Sande’s case, the song tells the story of an entertainer who has to perform the same show every night and does not have much financial success to show for it.

Part of the job of a clown is to smile and make other’s happy, Sande points out that it is hard to do that when she sees nothing from all her hustle. While not many can relate to the struggles of the music industry, I think a lot of people can relate to the struggle of performing for your boss at your job and not receiving the acclaim you feel you deserve.

Clown Meaning
Emelie Sande

Musically Sande’s “Clown” is pretty amazing. The verse and chorus are both memorable and that is a hard thing to achieve. The lyrics are really good. I wonder if this song was a risk…complaining about how hard it is to be a rock star might alienate some people. I don’t know the timeline of the release of this song.

Was Sande a struggling artist or a superstar when this was released? That would make a big difference in the reception. If there is one critique of this song I have, I wish she would turn down the vocal runs ten percent.  Many female singers in the past twenty years or so are guilty of this.

Clown Lyrics

I guess it’s funnier from where you’re standing.
‘Cause from over here I miss the joke;
Clear the way for my crash landing,
I’ve done it again
Another number for your notes.

I’d be smiling if I wasn’t so desperate.
I’d be patient if I had the time;
I could stop and answer all of your questions.
As soon as I find out
How I can move from the back of the line.

I’ll be your clown
Behind the glass,
Go ‘head and laugh-
‘Cause it’s funny,
I would too if I saw me.
I’ll be your clown
On your favorite channel,
My life’s a circus, circus.
Round in circle
I’m selling out tonight.

I’d be less angry if it was my decision.
And the money was just rolling in;
If I had more than my ambition,
I’ll have time for please
I’ll have time for thank you,
As soon as I win.

I’ll be your clown
Behind the glass,
Go ‘head and laugh-
‘Cause it’s funny,
I would too if I saw me.
I’ll be your clown
On your favorite channel,
My life’s a circus, circus,
Round in circus,
I’m selling out tonight.

From a distance my choice is simple.
From a distance I can entertain;
So you can see me
I put makeup on my face.
But there’s no way you can feel it
From so far away.

I’ll be your clown
Behind the glass,
Go ‘head and laugh-
‘Cause it’s funny,
I would too if I saw me.
I’ll be your clown
On your favorite channel,
My life’s a circus, circus,
Round in circles,
I’m selling out tonight.

Songwriters: Shahid Khan / Grant Mitchell / Emeli Sande / Emile Sande