Songs of The Year

This is going to be hard, but I will try to list the best songs of the year (in my opinion). The order was hard to come up with so don't take it as final. It could be rearranged.


1) Just Dance-Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis

I have to thank Perez Hilton for putting this song on his website at the beginning of the summer. It took until October to get onto the radio and is finally a big hit, currently #1 on iTunes. I've never really watched a song grow as this one did. It was exciting to love it and know about it for months before it really blew up. RedOne's fresh and exciting production along with his hard-hitting, churning beats make this a classic. There is so much amazing shiz going on in this song and the video suits it perfectly. I found a new love for it after I heard it on the radio. It sounds crazy ridiculous good on the radio. All hail the GaGa.



2) Hot N Cold-Katy Perry

Katy Perry's second single from her debut album is better than I Kissed A Girl. It doesn't matter if you love her or hate her, you have to admit, Hot N Cold is one damn catchy piece of pop. This song is what pop should be, mindless fun. It is so danceable and fun to bop around to. Simply, it is pop perfection.



3) Disturbia-Rihanna

My current favorite singer went and released her best song to date this year, Disturbia. It's dark, slinky, kooky, snapping, futuristic, and yes, catchy. "Bum bum be dum bum bum be dum bum" is genius. Well done Rih Rih. You made me love you even more.



4) The Loving Kind-Girls Aloud

My favorite girl group went and released one of their subtlest, best songs. This beautiful piece of "sad disco" was co-written by pop royalty, the Pet Shop Boys. It's a super sad song but you can't help but dance to it. Best parts: "I'd do anything..." sung by redhead Nicola Roberts after the first chorus followed by the slow down moment: "Somewhere on a Monday morning" sung by party girl, pixie cut Sarah Harding. It's similar to their hit from last year Call the Shots, but better. So kiss me then make up your mind, I'm not the loving kind. Amen, girls.



5) Radio-Beyonce

This crazy cool jam off B's third album, I Am...Sasha Fierce, is full of synths and zany love for a radio. It's a kooky song with a wall of sound effect after the chorus. The lyrics are funny, full of love for music, and Beyonce sings it perfectly. She really knows how to sing a song and the layered vocals send it sonic heaven. The second verse is divine (the whole thing about the car). One of Beyonce's best.



6) Boyfriend-Alphabeat

These happy, neon-colored Danes made my day this year. They love pop and aren't afraid to show it. This song literally could have come out in the 80's with it's super funky beat. It is insanely amazing with a delicous chorus and pre-chorus and a terrific middle part (This boy really drives you mad...). So much fun.

7) American Boy-Estelle feat. Kanye West
I'm so glad this song got big here. It seems pretty rare for a popular British hit by a British artist to make it over here (Leona Lewis being another one who has bucked the trend). This song was perfect for summer. The beat was funky, funky, funky and the lyrics were clever and cheeky. Kanye West's hilarious rap makes it even more awesome.



8) Viva La Vida-Coldplay

Epic, string laced pop from the British rockers. I adore this song by Coldplay. It literally soars and echoes with church bells and an orchestra. Also, you can sing practically any lyrics to the tune. I love the "Whoa oh oh oh" part. This is one to blast.



9) Fascination-Alphabeat

Another irresistible burst of joy from the Danes. It's so happy and fun, you can't help but dance crazily around the room. The chorus is a rollicking good time (Whoa oh) full of genuine zany happiness. This is what pop should be.



10) Hometown Glory-ADELE
The first time I heard this song, I was struck by how beautiful, wrenching, and moving it is. The piano is gorgeous in how it builds and recedes. ADELE's amazing voice is the real kicker here though. Also, two contestants on SYTYCD did a beautiful dance to this song this past summer on the show. ADELE's best song so far.

11) Breaking It Up-Lykke Li
Crazy pop filled with yelling voices, megaphones, and the urge to make anyone who hears it dance like an animal. This song feels organic and extremely fresh. It gets inside you. The chorus is such a beautiful release. The Swedish songstress truly impressed me with this one.

12) Untouched-The Veronicas
I had forgotten about these twin sisters from Down Under until I saw a couple dance to this song on So You Think You Can Dance back in June. This song is such a mix of styles: classical (the strings are great), new wave, pop, and 80's. There are also handclaps which are okay by me anytime, anywhere. It's finally being played on the radio which is very exciting. The way they sing the lyrics super fast and repeated creates a cool vibe. A great, truly exciting song that really made me sit up and listen when I heard it.

13) The Saturdays-Up
The British girl band really made an impression with this herky jerky, super modern piece of pop. This song is perfect and dare I say, a classic. The beep and stomp beat is plain awesome. Well done, gals.

14) The Promise-Girls Aloud
The first single from Girls Aloud's latest album was a grower for me, but once it had finished growing, I adored it. It has so many different parts and the girls harken back to the sixties like everyone else in England did this year in music, but it sounds different and truly special when these gals do it. A deserved Number 1. Best part: Sarah Harding just belting: "Here I ammmmm, walking Primrose..."

15) Danny and Jenny-Ladyhawke
The New Zealand songstress brought the eighties back this year. I didn't love her at first, but now I'm all aboard the Ladyhawke train. She's gradually getting more popular, and I heard her song My Delirium in a store today. Anyway this jam has a reverberating, echoing chorus that rocks the house (and HANCLAPS). After the chorus, everything kicks into high gear with a head-banging, rock out-worthy guitar part. I really want them to use this song on Gossip Girl. It would be perfect. The guitar/synth part near the end is divine.

Best of the rest....(those in bold are very good)
-Poker Face, Money Honey, Summerboy-Lady GaGa
-Sick-Sam Sparro
-Pretty Please-Estelle feat. Cee-Lo
-No Air-Chris Brown and Jordin Sparks (reinvented and brought back the modern pop ballad)
-Damaged-Danity Kane (damn catchy)
-Spotlight-Jennifer Hudson (super classy R & B)
-Wow, In My Arms-Kylie Minogue (both ecstatic pieces of perfect pop)
-Mercy-Duffy (again, damn catchy, but also, so damn sassy)
-Bleeding Love-Leona Lewis (the prototype for the modern pop ballad)
-I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me-Annie
-Denial (very different song for the girls, but they pull it off), No Can Do, Hanging on a Star-Sugababes
-Rolling Back the Rivers in Time-Girls Aloud (Kooky, but it really works.)
-I Decided, Sandcastle Disco-Solange (who would have thought Beyonce's sister could make music this awesome?)
-More Man Than Man-Antigone (FIERCE)
-Bathroom Gurgle and the whole Late of the Pier EP (crazy blend of musical styles-all pretty much danceable and awesome)
-Pumpkin Soup, Foundations, Merry Happy-Kate Nash (All great, but Merry Happy is way too long)
-See You Again-Miley Cyrus (Catchy, catchy, catchy-My best friend Leslie said "She's just being Miley" =genius)
-Revenge Is Sweeter Than You Ever Were-The Veronicas (I rediscoverd this twin sister band from Australia and their new stuff is awesome especially this)
-Lost!-Coldplay (that organ, that clap/bongo beat, such a pretty song)
-I'm Good, I'm Gone-Lykke Li (terrific piano, more looney pop)
-Be Mine!, Crash and Burn Girl-Robyn
-Closer, Miss Independent-Ne-Yo (he is the MASTER of poppy, smooth R &B)
-I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You, Look At Me (When I Rock Wichoo)-Black Kids (awesome band from Florida. So much pop, awesome choruses, chants, and handclaps=I'm in love)
-Lights & Music-Cut Copy (this song just builds until its absolute corker, as they say, of a chorus
-Give it 2 Me-Madonna
-Shake It-Metro Station (so catcy, likeable, and danceable)
-Off and On-Sophie Ellis-Bextor
-What Is Happening?-Alphabeat (I love how their choruses end up being delightful singalongs)
-Synthesizer-Red Blooded Women (that rip-roaring guitar)
-Beat Control-Tilly and the Wall
-Dusk Til Dawn-Ladyhawke
-Use Somebody (epic, catchy, moving-the lead singer's vocals are so soulful), Frontier City-Kings of Leon
-Shove It-Santogold feat. Spank Rock (awesome beat, sounds somewhat similar to Timbaland-esque songs, but with Santogold's own spin on it)
-Live Your Life-T.I. feat. Rihanna (Unavoidable. Rihanna's part owns it everytime though)
-If I Were a Boy, Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It), Why Don't You Love Me?-Beyonce (New, thrilling territory for our beloved diva)
-The Boy Does Nothing-Alesha Dixon (Swingtime, big band, Mambo No. 5-esque pop awesomeness)
-Movie Star, You Know Me Better (simply amazing)-Roisin Murphy
-3 Little Words-Frankmusik (frenetic, frantic, urgent, hard-hitting pop genius from an up and coming talent)
-Trouble, Circus, Womanizer (so catchy)-Britney Spears
-The Fear-Lily Allen (she tries electro-pop, and she done good)
-Leeds United-Amanda Palmer (energetic, cabaret pop awesomeness-her voice is out of this world-you can feel her throwing herself with abandon into this song)
-You Belong to Me, Forever and Always-Taylor Swift
-Let It Rock-Kevin Rudolf feat. Lil' Wayne (crazy music hybrid with a killer rap by Lil' Wayne)
-Into the Nightlife-Cyndi Lauper (super modern pop, so much fun0
-Love Lockdown-Kanye West (bizarre and sensational new direction for the rapper)
-Elevator-Flo Rida feat. Timbaland (should have been a bigger hit)
-Spiralling, Better than This, Pretend That You’re Alone Now, Again and Again, You Haven't Told Me Anything-Keane (their new album is really good)
-Realize-Colbie Callait-Repetitive, but soothing and really pretty.
-Delayed Devotion-Duffy-A sassy midtempo kiss-off from the petite Welshwoman with a great chorus.
-Cape Cod Kwassa Kwassa, M79, Oxford Comma, A-Punk-Vampire Weekend-Clever and funny. This band has such a distinct, simple, and quirky sound:jungle beat-inflected, upbeat coolness. It's catchy too.
-Right As Rain-ADELE -Wonderful lyrics, old school sensibility, super jazzy piano, and a delightful chorus make this a gem from ADELE's great debut 19.
-Faces-Electric Youth-A young couple from Canda record delicious eighties inspired tunes. This wonderful ditty is one of them. It's called Faces, and I love the verses and beginning more than the chorus. I look forward to other things from them.
-Two Doors Down-Mystery Jets-British band record this delightful pop/rock confection. The chorus is splendid with its cheeky 80's homage. Also, a saxophone solo is always a plus.
-I'm Yours-Jason Mraz-A sweet, moving song that is very Jason Mraz. Perfect summer song that was overplayed so now I'm sick of it.

Amazingness

Beyonce premiered two new videos yesterday for her next singles, the ridiculously epic, synth explosion also known as Halo and the crazy sassy Diva. The video for Halo is boring and doesn't really have a plot, but it's a great, soaring song filled with bombast moments. How appropriate that the co-writer of Bleeding Love, Ryan Tedder of One Republic, wrote it. At first, I thought Diva was awful. It didn't really have a beat and was annoying. Now after seeing the edgy video, I love it. Beyonce sings/raps the hell out of it with a ton of attitude. It's a total jam. The video has some awesome choreography and weird angled shots. I love the angular, modern, and fierce outfits (the fringe sunglasses are out of this world). This video is a different side of Beyonce. That dance routine throughout is awesome. 0:47 to 1:40 is perfection! The sassy head movements during the "Ima Ima a diva" are kind of hilarious and amazing. It's all nuts. Well done, B!

New Video!

Girls Aloud are releasing their superb collaboration with the Pet Shop Boys, The Loving Kind, as their second single. This video is perfect for the song. It's glamorous and fragile, in a weird way, with all the glass. The red, black, and white color palette for the windows is quite cool. The video is a lot of posing and wind machine blown hair. That don't matter to me. The girls hit those drama queen moments. Also, I love Nicola's (the redhead) bit around 1:36. This song is pure sad disco. Love it.

Circus Review

I still remember the first time I heard Britney Spears: I was probably six years old and her video for Sometimes came on the Disney Channel. My mom said "I think she's coming this summer." I loved that video (the white, the dancing on the boardwalk). I loved that album. I performed almost the whole thing for my parents one time. Her second album Oops...I Did It Again was the soundtrack to the trip I took to Europe with my parents back in Summer 2000. I fondly remember the red jumpsuit from the Oops video and the chair dance and car going over the cliff in the Stronger video. I think there was a period where I lost interest for awhile, but when I discovered her third album Britney, I loved it. There are so many great songs on that album, and it's underrated. Overprotected and Anticipating are amazing. Then, when I heard about In the Zone coming out, I was obsessed. I bought it the day it came out I believe. I loved Me Against the Music with Madonna, and I liked Toxic before it became a single and modern classic. That album wasn't as great as the past three, but that was okay. Then, came the crazy years where the Britney I knew and loved went downhill. Then, came the genius Gimme More last year and she released Blackout: a really great dance album that I didn't appreciate when it first came out. It included such choice cuts as Piece of Me, Heaven on Earth, Toy Soldier, Radar, and Break the Ice. All things weren't right in Britney world though, but finally she started to get things together this year with help from her dad and various others.

Now we have her sixth album, Circus which came out Tuesday. When Womanizer, the first single came out, I thought it was kinda bad, but then it really grew on me and now I really like it. It's such a good song to dance to, and the video is funny and well done. The second single called Circus is really great. I think it's my favorite off the album. My favorite part is when the song slows down between the verse and the chorus and she sings "When I put out a show....". It's such a cool, slow-mo moment, and it works so well. Kill the Lights is another notable song. It's really different, and I love the ominous brass in the background. The lyrics are good, and I like how she sings it. I love after the chorus when she sings: "I killed the lights". The ways she says killed is perfect. Then comes Shattered Glass which I really, really like. It has another one of those slow-mo moments like the one in Circus when she sings: "You're gonna see me in your dreams tonight...". I love how that part is the chorus. I do wish the song was longer. Then, comes the somewhat infamous If U Seek Amy which I think is very clever. It's very in your face, stomping, taunting, and kind of obnoxious at points. The chorus has circus-kind of music in it. The song is done by producer/writer Max Martin who has done a lot of Britney songs along with So What by Pink and Hot N Cold by Katy Perry. It's very catchy. Unusual You is a very different song for Britney, nice electro. The rest of the songs are pretty good, but not amazing. Mmm Papi is amusing, and Lace and Leather has a funny guitar solo that I enjoy. It's a pretty funky song. I really think she should have one of the bonus tracks, Trouble, on the album. The beat is awesome, and the synths are perfect. The way they bounce around reminds me of the very first video game: Pong and the sound it would make in song form, if that makes sense. It's just a very good song, and I love it. Another good bonus track is Amnesia which has a chunky, bang-bang beat with a tinge of 80's going on in the chorus along with lots of synths. It's another song that's very different for Britney. Overall, this isn't the masterpiece I was expecting, but that's okay. There are some classic Britney songs here, and that's good for me.