We're in October now. So, as we near the end of the year, I am beginning to think about cutting down my longlist for my top 10 songs of 2026.

New stuff always gets released in September and October after the late-summer lull. So, I have a problem with fantastic new songs coming in.

In fact, right now I have a sheep-shaped problem. A 1000-sheep-shaped problem, to be exact, courtesy of Anna Erhard.

I mean, let's be honest, how could I not feature a song called "1000 Sheep" on a site called 1000 Songs?

1000 Sheep by Anna Ehard

Anna Erhard is a Berlin-based, Swiss singer-songwriter who has a deadpan spoken-word-style vocal delivery. I had actually considered her track "170" for the list a few years ago, so it is definitely not out of the question anyway.

1000 Sheep was apparently inspired by a brief encounter with a shepherd and their ability to count sheep. After the encounter she expanded out the concept into a great indie track.

Will it make the final cut for the end of the year? It's definitely food for thought... well, sheep for thought.