2016 Rewind: My Top 30 Songs of the Year
Since 2016, I’ve made it a tradition to share my top songs of the year on my Instagram stories. But as anyone who uses the app knows, those stories vanish after 24 hours. I’ve decided to take those annual lists out of the archives and give them a permanent home here on Brilliant Insights.
2016 was the first full year of being a father, and while life was focused on new milestones at home, music remained my constant companion. Looking back at this list of 30 songs, I can hear the exact moments they soundtracked. It was a year of legendary South African releases and some heavy-hitting international rock returns.
The "Brilliant 5" Highlights
These five tracks were the essential pillars of my 2016 playlist:
"As die Hippies begin Dans" – Wouter van de Venter There is something about this track that captures a specific South African mood. It’s nostalgic and catchy—the perfect start to the 2016 list.
"Friends and Enemies" – Biffy Clyro 2016 saw Biffy Clyro return with Ellipsis. This track has that jagged, anthemic energy they are known for. It’s a song about loyalty—something that feels more important with every year that passes.
"Bored to Death" – Blink 182 This was a huge comeback moment for Blink. It felt like a bridge between the pop-punk of my younger days and a more mature sound.
"The Sounds of Silence" – Disturbed One of the most haunting covers ever made. David Draiman’s vocals took a classic and made it feel urgent, heavy, and modern again.
"Heathens" – Twenty One Pilots You couldn't escape this song in 2016. It has that dark, atmospheric vibe that perfectly captured the slightly chaotic energy of that year.
The Full 2016 Playlist
Here is the complete list of 30 songs that defined my year. From the rock of Sum 41 and Korn to the local brilliance of Arno Carstens and Leah, these were the tracks on repeat:
6. E.V.I.L - Medicine Boy
7. Volmaan - Leah
8. Mensdom - Francois van Coke
9. Val Ek Om - Valiant Swart
10. Here I am - Grassy Spark
11. Klein Prys - Francois van Coke
12. Cancer - Twenty One Pilots
13. WALLS - Kings of Leon
14. Bad Weather - All Buttons In
15. Fake my Own Death - Sum 41
16. Rotting In Vain - Korn
17. Die Berge Brand - Bittereinder
18. Bang Bang - Green Day
19. Bottel Sonder Prop - Arno Carstens
20. Don't need you - Bullet for my Valentine
21. Out of here - The Vanilla
22. I like it that way - Vernon Barnard
23. Re-arrange - Biffy Clyro
24. Somerslee - Johrne Van Huyssteen
25. Dis Befok - Jack Parow
26. Take it from me - Kongos
27. From the get go - Mango Groove
28. Ek Sweer op my lewe - Blood Brothers
29. Da vat hy - Jay en Liani May
30. Hardekole - Bok van Blerk, Ricus Nel, Refentse, Adam Tas
What were you listening to in 2016? I'd love to hear if any of these were on your radar back then!
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