As always (although maybe a bit earlier this year), here are what I thought were the best songs this year:
- The Killers – Human
This song was released so early in the year that it feels old by now, but I’m not tired of it. It has a good singable (i.e., karaoke) melody to boot, except I still don’t understand whether I’m Human or I’m Denser?? - Kelly Clarkson – My Life Would Suck Without You
This is up there with Since U Been Gone as the best Kelly Clarkson song in my books. It’s a great pop song written by the amazing Max Martin. Unlike many of her other songs, there is a driving danceable beat to this. - La Roux – Bulletproof
I first heard this song late in the year, and I’m kind afraid that the newness of it is biasing my decision. The beats and synths are catchy and the singing has just the perfect amount of whimsicality and longing. Actually I’m afraid overcompensating and this song should be even higher on my list! - Dido – Don’t Believe In Love
The entire CD is great, and surprisingly this song is by no means a standout. It’s just a reflection of how much I enjoyed this CD. - Pink – Please Don’t Leave Me
Pink does a great job singing songs in a depressing, self-pity mood. This one is no exception. Just like Who Knew in 2006, I think this one is going to be a classic for me. - Empire of the Sun – Walking on a Dream
Best Electronic track of the year, which I got courtesy of iTunes (free, natch). The video is very crazy, they will be so embarrassed in 10 years. - Shakira – She Wolf
This song is a trip down bizarre street. How can you NOT like a song with the line Darling it is no joke, this is lycanthropy? I’m surprised Shakira can get her accent around those words but you know what they say, lips don’t lie! - Lady Gaga – Bad Romance
I feared that this song was another case of bias towards the new hawtness but after thinking about it for awhile, I can say that this is a pretty good song. Lady Gaga’s singles have a catchy hook and this is no exception, even if it is nonsensical. What makes this song great is because she’s singing in her lower register. - Metric – Gimme Sympathy
This is a great song with a catchy melody. The first Metric song I actually liked. But what bothers me is that it makes no sense; the lyrics are vague to a point of nonsensical. Who’d you rather be? / the Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Um sure, but in what context? - Colbie Caillat – Falling For You
I liked this song but I’m sorry can’t get that stupid video out of my head when I hear it. Why did I ever watch the video?? Now this song isn’t that good. - Lily Allen – The Fear
Great production on Lily Allen’s sophomore album. I wouldn’t have paid that much attention to this song except I was watching the video in NYC. The only problem with The Fear is that I think it is a bit too mellow and after listening to it to awhile, it fades into background music. - Ciara ft Justin Timberlake – Love Sex Magic
Best duet of the year, catchy beat to groove to. Since I didn’t associate a lot of songs with summer this year, I guess this would also be my summer song too. - Bat For Lashes – Daniel
There isn’t a lot of indie music on this list except for this track and maybe Phoenix’s 1901. I learned about Bat For Lashes by downloading this single from iTunes but unfortunately what I like about this track is unlike anything else that they put out. - Black Eyed Peas – I Got A Feeling
I Got A Feeling had potential for greatness, but now it is just normal. - Phoenix – 1901
I was a bit disappointed that Phoenix’s new CD Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was not as catchy as their last one, but 1901 is up their with the best Phoenix tracks. It’s reminiscent of the clean post-punk revival sound a la The Strokes which my listening habits have deviated from in recent years. - John Legend ft Andre 3000 – Green Light
I think this is an under rated song when it came out early in the year. It’s up beat and fits into that nebulous genre that’s not really pop, adult contemporary, hip-hop or R&B. - Taylor Swift – You Belong To Me
There is a surprising trend this year where Pop songs actually have good lyrics! Well at least the Taylor Swift ones. This isn’t a great song but its catchy; now if I can only find the radio edit… - Cascada – Evacuate the Dancefloor
I think Cascada has had a few singles, but this is the only one that stuck on Canadian radio. Perhaps it stuck too well. Along with Hedley’s Cha-Ching, they played these two songs once ever hour or something. It’s catchy, but not that good. I like the 2nd rap though. - Miley Cyrus – Party in the USA (video)
I guess this song is self-referential in that Miley doesn’t think that she’s successful enough. Party in the USA is a throwback, it sounds like it came from the 90s. I like the namedrops (i.e., Jay-Z) though. - Whitney Houston – Million Dollar Bill
I don’t know what happened to this song. It was supposed to be Whitney Houston’s comeback single, and she certainly threw in all the Whitney-esque you could ask for. It was a good song, and catchy too; but then the radio suddenly stopped playing it. Well you can’t make a comeback if the radio doesn’t play your song?? - Taylor Swift – Love Story
The Romeo and Juliet song. For the longest time, I thought this song was by someone else, but then I found out and downloaded it. Did you know the country version starts with a banjo?? - MGMT – Kids
Kids has a great hook, but I’ve listened to it Just. Too. Much. And the hook is not as great as Time To Pretend so it doesn’t survive repeated listens.
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