It's that time again! I present to you my annual end-of-year post. As I have done the past several years, I am concluding 2009 with a countdown of my favorite songs of the year. These songs have helped to define 2009: personal anthems, clubbangers, you name it. It was a great year in music, and so many better songs. Oh, and those marked with "*" may have not reached their peak yet, so they have the potential of charting in 2010. Enjoy the list! The Top 99 of 2009 by @Rrrraaay 99: Black Wedding - Meg & Dia 90: Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon 80: Kabul Shit - Lily Allen 70: TiK ToK* - Kesha 60: It's All Your Fault - P!nk 50: Until I Met You - The Sunstreak 40:I Gotta Feeling - Black Eyed Peas 30: Mad - Ne-Yo 20: Backwards - The Hoodies 19: When Love Takes Over - David Guetta feat. Kelly Rowland 18: Never Leave You - Tinchy Stryder feat. Amelle Berrabah 17: Live Like We're Dying - Kris Allen 16: The Fear - Lily Allen 15: Weightless - All Time Low 14: Keri Hilson feat. Ne-Yo & Kanye - Knock You Down 13: Bonfire - Third Eye Blind 12: Quietdrive - Birthday 11: Bad Romance - Lady GaGa 10: Under Control - Parachute 09: Release Me - Agnes Carlsson 08: So Close, So Far - Hoobastank 07: Come On - Green River Ordinance 06: Stay - SafetySuit So, what do you think?! Do you agree with my choices? Alright. Bring on 2010.
98: Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys
97: Boy Meets Girl - Evan Taubenfeld
96: Welcome To Wherever You Are - Ten Second Epic
95: Come Back To Me - David Cook
94: We Are Golden - Mika
93: Her Words Destroyed By Planet* - Motion City Soundtrack
92: Outta Here - Esmee Denters
91: Save You - Simple Plan
89: Friday I'll Be Over You - Allison Iraheta
88: For Always, Forever - Every Avenue
87: New Perspective - Panic! At The Disco
86: Welcome To The World - Kevin Rudolf feat. Kid Kudi
85: Waking Up In Vegas - Katy Perry
84: Anywhere But Here - Mayday Parade
83: Haven't Met You Yet - Michael Buble
82: Free - Valencia
81: Here Standing* - The Saturdays
79: Blame It On The Changes - Dashboard Confessional
78: Good To You* - Marianas Trench feat. Kate Voegele
77: Lucky - Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat
76: Bulletproof - La Roux
75: Battlefield - Jordin Sparks
74: Story - Maroon 5
73: Learning* - Green River Ordinance
72: Fire Bomb* - Rihanna
71: I Don't Believe You - P!nk
69: Get To You - James Morrison
68: Run, Don't Walk - Hey Monday
67: Heartbreak On Vinyl - Blake Lewis
66: America's Suitehearts - Fall Out Boy
65: A Little Faster - There For Tomorrow
64: Try Sleeping With A Broken Heart* - Alicia Keys
63: It's Only Natural - The Higher
62: Telephone* - Lady GaGa feat. Beyonce
61: Acadia - Marianas Trench
59: Part Of The List - Ne-Yo
58: Happy - Leona Lewis
57: I Wanna - The All-American Rejects
56: Saviour - Lights
55: Show Me What You're Looking For - Carolina Liar
54: Getaway - Holiday Parade
53: Broken - Lifehouse
52: In-N-Out (Animal Style)* - We The Kings
51: Come Back When You Can - Barcelona
49: I Do Not Hook Up - Kelly Clarkson
48: Confusion Girl - Frankmusik feat. Tinchy Stryder
47: Love Drunk - Boys Like Girls
46: Heaven Can Wait - We The Kings
45: Whatcha Say - Jason Derulo feat. Imogen Heap
44: Halo - Beyonce
43: Thinking Of You - Katy Perry
42: Art Of Love - Guy Sebastian feat. Jordin Sparks
41: Outta My Head* - Leona Lewis
39: You Belong With Me - Taylor Swift
38: Everything - The Veronicas
37: Carry On - Valencia
36: Doesn't Mean Anything - Alicia Keys
35: Broken Strings - James Morrison feat. Nelly Furtado
34: All The Right Moves - OneRepublic
33: Fireflies - Owl City
32: I Got You* - Leona Lewis
31: Looking Up* - Paramore
29: Insomnia - Craig David
28: Out Of My Hands - Green River Ordinance
27: Waves - A Bird A Sparrow
26: Unwound - The Real You
25: You Found Me - The Fray
24: Closer To Love - Mat Kearney
23: Down - Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayne
22: Hey, Soul Sister - Train
21: Losin' It - Fallbrooke
Great song by a little-known, indie pop-punk band from Rochester, New York. This one's a perfect anthem to accompany ringing in the new year.
A Destiny's Child alum gets her breakthrough with this Europop romp spearheaded by French DJ and producer David Guetta.
A hit collabo by a Sugababe and an English rapper - Stryder brings a distinct rap performance while Amelle contributes her beautiful voice to the instantly memorable chorus. You may not have discovered this hip-pop gem stateside yet, and do it now.
This past year's AI winner debuts with a song by The Script but improves upon the original with an inspired and strongest vocal delivery yet by Allen. Song has huge crossover potential, enough to satisfy the wide audience (i.e. Christian, folk, acoustic rock fans, teenyboppers) who voted for him.
Allen's sophomore album It's Not Me, It's You is chock full of amazing ditties, including its lead single, in which she marries ironic, brutally honest lyrics about the pitfalls of fame and fortune, with a dreamy, electronic beat.
Preceding the release of their sophomore disc Nothing Personal, Weightless heralded an excitement by the pop-punk community as a positive sign of things to come. Coming of age angst? Check. Bombastic vocals? Check. A sing-a-long anthemic chorus? Check. All that, with a hopeful outlook for the future.
Talk about a super collaboration between two of R&B's popular artists and --and until this past year's MTV Video Music Awards-- hip hop's go-to rapper. After being featured as a guest artist or songwriter for past hits, Hilson finally gets to keep one for herself. The beat is hypnotizing.
There's always that one song off of every album that I obsess over: "Blinded" off Out of the Vein and now "Bonfire", the second single off of Ursa Major, the much-awaited return album from San Francisco-based Third Eye Blind. Much like their previous work, the songs touches upon a bit of '90s nostalgia, packaged as a cool, more laid-back track but it still channels the distinct 3EB sound.
Although not officially released as a single, the song is one of the standouts in their indie 2008 release Deliverance. Birthday packs a power-pop punch courtesy the amazing vocal drive of lead singer Kevin Truckenmiller. Regardless of what the haters say, this is an example of what the band does best: write catchy as heck songs, this time with searing, kiss-off lyrics about forgetting your girlfriend's birthday because you were piss-ass drunk. Brilliant!
Love her or hate her, she undeniably leaves a memorable impression on you. That said, Bad Romance is all kinds of bizarre. Judging from the dark, subversive beat and a head-scratching melodic opening line, this had the potential to be disastrous. But never underestimate the hit-maker, as it ultimately works in her favor. What is even more impressive is how it seems to even top itself with several memorable footstomping hooks.
Who knew you could fall in aural lust w/ a tune from a commercial? It happened with this band with this tune (original album version!) off of a Nivea ad -- an interesting, but fitting marketing strategy for the up-and-coming band from Virginia who aims for mainstream success. Aside from the bouncing piano throughout the song, the vocals of blue-eyed soul frontman Will Anderson help hit home the song's earnest, wistful lyrics of love from a far.
Sweden's most recent pop export came in the form of one of their past Idol winners. Agnes has received wider acclaim for her album Dance Love Pop and breakthrough hit. Apart from the frenetic energy of the techno beat, it is the elegance of a string section that adds another dimension to the song. It broke out this past summer all over Europe and had light success in the USA. The kids are missing out on this Leona doppelganger. The club-banger of 2009.
According to my last.fm playlist, this is my most-played song of 2009. That sounds about right. It is Doug Robb's impassioned voice that sells this power ballad about being away from the ones you love. Hoobastank is one of many underrated bands out there.
As you can probably tell, I am a huge fan of melodic, anthemic, big arena rock. So it wasn't that big of a shocker that I instantly became attached to GRO's major label debut Out of My Hands, a collection of the most catchy pop-rock with melodies that swell and lyrics that break your heart. Come On is one of the highlights, and features the amazing lead vox of Josh Jenkins -- whose voice reminds me of a more refined Dan Layus of Augustana. I wouldn't be surprised if they amass a huge following in 2010.
This is one of those rock songs that simply works because of its great melody and a powerful, moving chorus. A single off their latest A Life Left To Live, the constant guitar riff also helps to create an almost a subterranean feel, which I guess is appropriate, given their cover art portrays the quartet under water. Also, the accompanying video was a mainstay on VH1 for good reason. Lead singer Doug Brown plays an undercover cop who becomes the love interest of a runaway robber, of whom he is in pursuit.
5: SOMEDAY - Rob Thomas
The great thing about Rob Thomas is his craftsmanship in penning a song with a purpose, whether pop or rock, solo or his band Matchbox 20, political statement or life observation. For Someday, off his second solo disc Cradlesong, it is an optimistic message that is sent to the listener. At certain points, you feel like it is time for the waterworks. At others, you want to smile because his words are comforting, hopeful, especially at the chorus, although simple, hits right at the core of it: that someday soon things will get better. Thank you, Mr. Thomas, for giving me a cathartic 4:08.
4: MY LIFE WOULD SUCK WITHOUT YOU - Kelly Clarkson
If there would be one female to break up the all-male band party, it would deservedly be this chick. Clarkson's mainstream comeback single has an the ingredients for a bonafide hit: a catchy tempo courtesy Dr. Luke and Max Martin, a stick-to-your brain, sing-a-long chorus, the instant recognition that American Idol fame brings, and a brow-raising song title.
3: ALL TO MYSELF - Marianas Trench
I am bestowing the honor of Best pop-punk album of 2009 to a band little-known to people living below the 49th parallel. Vancouver-based Marianas Trench, led by Josh Ramsay, is the next-new thing in Canadian pop-punk, an heir apparent to Simple Plan and Sum 41 (not that they were ever gone, all's I'm saying), when listening to their disc Masterpiece Theatre. Every single song on the album is a great piece of pop-punk art, and the grand finale, a true fit to its namesake. Every song is so well-crated, from the deep slower ballads, to catchy-as-fuck songs like All To Myself, where Ramsay's falsetto shines in the chorus.
2: USE SOMEBODY - Kings of Leon
Epic. Kings of Leon finally got the recognition they righly deserved in 2009, after making the leap stateside from their popularity in Britain. Which is rather odd, because KOL is an American band from Tennessee, who first found success abroad rather than at home. Their breakout hit from Only By Night opens with the haunting but memorable "Whoa, ooh" wail that instantly sets the song's mood. Next frontman Caleb Followill gritty/soulful/southern rock voice adds a intimate dimension to the song. Add the guitar riffs by the rest of the Followill clan and you can really feel Caleb's pain. This song was heard everywhere, covered by Paramore and Kelly Clarkson and even used during the Victoria's Secret fashion show. Who knew an apology to his band members would result in such a massive hit?
1: WHERE DID YOU GO - Valencia
Valencia's voice via frontman Shane Henderson is all at once, heartbreaking and exuberant. As a result of the tragic death of Henderson's girlfriend in a car accident, many of the songs off of Valencia's major label debut on Columbia Records, We All Need A Reason To Believe, deal with the major stages of grief, loss, and in this standout track, acceptance. Although taken face-value, Valencia may be one of the many pop-punk bands in the scene, one needs to really give a listen to their music to realize they are truly a cut above their counterparts largely due to a depth and maturity shown in their lyrical content. They also manage to manneuver through would-be depressing subject matter with refreshing bits of optimism, especially with Henderson's voice during the bridge and the instantly memorable chorus. Let's not forget the amazing drumming by Max Soria, crunching guitars courtesy JD Perry and Brendan Walter, and bass via George Ciukurescu. The quintet has created an amazing song. Beyond moved every time I listen to it. Where Did You Go - my favorite of 2009.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
99 songs of '09 - Year-end countdown
Monday, December 31, 2007
Thanks For The Memories: Top 77 of 2007!
Before I conclude 2007, it has become a tradition of mine to post my top songs of the year. You may disagree with a few choices, and even downright question my taste in music. But the following choices reflect my favorites in top 40, r&b, rock, and popular music. I love discovering newly released music and sharing what's fresh with whoever comes on here to read and for the past five months, you had a taste of what i've been listening to via my weekly charts (which i probably will transfer over to an outside blog from myspace in the upcoming year). Now here are my favorite 77 songs of 07! The songs marked with "*" may have not reached their peak yet, so they have the potential of charting in 2008. Enjoy! But first, close but no cigar: Colbie Caillat - "Bubbly", Faber Drive - "Tongue Tied", Justin Timberlake "What Goes Around Comes Around", Lil Mama - "Lip Gloss" The Top 77 of 2007 by Ray V. 77: Because Of You - Ne-Yo 70: Salamat - Yeng Constantino 60: Wonderful World - James Morrison 50: Say This Sooner - The Almost 40: Real Girl - Mutya Buena 30: Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5 20: Girlfriend - Avril Lavigne 19: Cupid's Chokehold - Gym Class Heroes feat. Patrick Stump 18: Patience - Take That 17: Apologize - OneRepublic feat. Timbaland 16: The Shake (Awful Feeling) -My American Heart 15: Say It Right - Nelly Furtado 14: Dig - Incubus 13: Broken Heart - Motion City Soundtrack 12: Grace Kelly - Mika 11: First Time - Lifehouse 10: So Small - Carrie Underwood 09: Thnks Fr Th Mmrs - Fall Out Boy 08: Car Crash - Matt Nathanson 07: Misery Business - Paramore 06: You Give Me Something - James Morrison So, what do you think?! Do you agree with my choices? Comments are appreciated! Let's see what 2008 brings to the world of music...including exciting changes in store. Starting next week, the Earworm Top 40 blog will become the Friss Zene!
76: Almost Lover - A Fine Frenzy
75: Stop Me - Mark Ronson feat. Daniel Merriweather
74: Breathe In Breathe Out* - Mat Kearney
73: Tell Me What We're Gonna Do Now - Joss Stone feat. Common
72: The Way I Are - Timbaland feat. Keri Hilson and D.O.E.
71: Never Again - Kelly Clarkson
69: Better - Regina Spektor
68: Dreaming With A Broken Heart - John Mayer
67: Rehab - Amy Winehouse
66: What I've Done - Linkin Park
65: Can U Believe - Robin Thicke
64: 1234 - Feist
63: About You Now - Sugababes
62: Give It To Me - Timbaland feat. Nelly Furtado & Justin Timberlake
61: Pressure Suit - Aqualung
59: Lose It - Cartel
58: Say OK - Vanessa Hudgens
57: When Did Your Heart Go Missing - Rooney
56: The Good Life - Kanye West feat. T-Pain
55: With You* - Chris Brown
54: No U Hang Up - Shayne Ward
53: Colorful - Rocco DeLuca and the Burden
52: Love Today - Mika
51: Hey There Delilah - Plain White T's
49: Who Knew*- P!nk
48: Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis
47: Time Won't Let Me Go - The Bravery
46: The Sweet Escape (Konvict Remix) - Gwen Stefani feat. Akon
45: Nolita Fairytale - Vanessa Carlton
44: Everything - Michael Buble
43: All Good Things (Come To An End) - Nelly Furtado
42: Light Up The Sky - Yellowcard
41: Human* - Jon McLaughlin
39: I'm Like A Lawyer... (Me & You) - Fall Out Boy
38: When You're Gone - Avril Lavigne
37: Whatever It Takes* - Lifehouse
36: Big Casino - Jimmy Eat World
35: Glamorous - Fergie
34: LoveStoned - Justin Timberlake
33: Gone* - Matt Nathanson
32: No One - Alicia Keys
31: Home - Daughtry
29: Pictures Of You - The Last Goodnight
28: Don't Stop The Music* - Rihanna
27: Love Song*- Sara Bareilles
26: Lost Without U - Robin Thicke
25: When It Was Me - Paula DeAnda
24: Clothes Off! - Gym Class Hereoes feat. Patrick Stump
23: Heaven On Earth* - Britney Spears
22: Hate That I Love You - Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo
21: Seven Days Of Lonely* - I Nine
"Hey hey, you you. I want to be your girlfriend" should become the new high school cheerleading chant for the 21st century.
GCH frontman Travis McKoy is confident and not cocky in his ode to being hit by the love arrow in this hybrid hip-hop/rock song.
Rebanded as a Brit man band, Patience was all over the UK and Europe during the winter months. Citibank Hungary loves the tune, because the song was played during two separate visits to the bank!
Although Timbaland enhanced the song with some of his signature beats and ehs, it is Ryan Tedder's voice that carries the weight of its success.
Take one part Fil-Am and one part emo and it's outcome would sound something like this. The Shake was the first single off their album Hiding Inside The Horrible Weather.
Rounding out last year's countdown at number 50, its steady success as a worldwide club and radio hit lasted well through the first quarter of the year. Thanks again to the aid of super-producer Timbaland, Furtado gained her second number one in the US.
The mesmerizing guitar riff throughout the song and refreshing lyrics that boast of friendship dig the song out of what could have been a trite ode to a lover. Fortunately this is Incubus and they can never do wrong.
The first single off of the band's third album, Even If It Kills Me, has a great, catchy and cheerful chorus with a depressing subject matter of love lost. The video is seals its appeal, with an average joe dressed in a human heart costume.
This song was the biggest download in the UK this year and it was no surprise that it got massive airplay all across Europe during my study abroad. Singing with a flamboyant style reminiscent of a certain Queen frontman mentioned in the lyrics, masking the fun is his musical identity crisis.
Even if you've never heard of Lifehouse, you may have heard this song on those Dodge commercials. The Jason Wade-led band who created uber-hits like "Hanging By The Moment" breaks through with a more refined singnature sound. The song hits a high with its steady beat, sonic riffs, and catchy chorus. As for its simple meaning, Wade sings of feeling like being in love for the first time.
This American Idol winner just keeps churning hit after hit. After a successful debut over a year ago, So Small doesn't tinker with the effective and successful formula of the inspirational and heart-wrenching country ballad. Here, Underwood comes to the realization that certain things in life are petty.
Thnks t Fll t By, y cn d tw thngs: wrte txt msgs wtht th vwls nd brk p wth yr sshle byfrnd r btch grlfrnd wtht tlkng t thm! Wldn't tht b th grtst thng n th wrld?!
One of my personal favorite musicians released his much-awaited album since 2003's Beneath These Fireworks with 2007's Some Mad Hope. Car Crash goes back to classic Nathanson rock territory. The single is an amazing sonic rush of Nathanson's comforting vocals, chill riffs, and steady drumming. The message is awesome too: wanting to live life and to be 'hit' by the next best thing.
It's hard to imagine that Hayley Williams, the sole female of this punk band is barely 17-years-old. With her soaring and confident vocals, she commands your attention just like a seasoned pro. And it doesn't hurt that this type of song inspires the belief that you could sing from the top of your lungs...and pull the pads out of the mean girl's bra too.
What attracts me most to this song is Brit-born Morrison's soulfull and raspy voice. Add a guitar, a violin, and pleas for a relationship to work out and what you get is a dream-like, modern-day serenade. The most refreshing thing about him is his incredible live performance. Stripped down with only a guitar and sincere vocals, he can evoke the rawest of emotions.
5: The Great Escape - Boys Like Girls
Arguably one of the songs that have defined my summer of 2007, the emo-rock Boston-based frontman Martin Johnson's booming vocals and rush of guitars form a rallying call for youths to have fun and live with a carefree spirit. The second single off of their self-titled debut is certainly a song that you can't help but sing along to. I can't wait to see more of BLG in the upcoming year.
4: Big Girls Don't Cry - Fergie
Who knew Fergie could sing a song without spelling? Following the huge success of the midtempo jam by Beyonce, Fergie's own "Irreplaceable" has lyrics that sound downright juvenile ("I'll be your best friend and you'll be my Valentine") but she somehow makes it work. What also sold the song was its video which featured a faux-tatted Milo Ventimiglia, Fergie dropping panties (into a laundry basket), and talk about jacks and Uno cards, which although incomprehensible is at the same time a bit playful and flirty. And of course, that and an unavoidable and catchy tempo will stick in your head, even if you don't exactly know the words. By August, BGDC became her third number one single, cementing her solo debut The Dutchess, which has spawned five top five hits in the US.
3: Won't Go Home Without You * - Maroon 5
It is a wonder that frontman Adam Levine's voice can sound both uninspiring and evocative in this song. Not an easy thing to pull off, but in the second-coming of "She Will Be Loved", Levine pleads for a love that has gone astray with sheer aplomb. The constant riff, reminiscent of The Police's "Every Breathe You Take", and the haunting vocal help to make this song one of my favorites this past year.
2: Beautiful Disaster - Jon McLaughlin
This Indiana-born singer-songwriter is an emotional tour-de-force with this piano rock ballad about an insecure teenager who fails to see her beauty and self-worth beyond the flaws. Initially featured in the film Georgia Rule, McLaughlin's lilting voice sings: "She prays one day she'll find someone to need her". With an earnest, heartbreaking, and honest delivery, the end product is intense, lush, and beautiful.
1: UMBRELLA - Rihanna
With its inescapable global domination and provocative video, Umbrella truly was the defining song of 2007. Arguably the reigning song of the summer, its message and delivery is anything but sunshine and cheer. Rihanna vocals are intriguingly cold and her hypnotic echoes of "ella ella eh eh eh" are haunting, if not the ire of many now. When she reaches the bridge, her words turn to comfort. The subject matter becomes clearer as she confidently affirms to her lover or friend that she will offer her unconditional support even through the stormiest of times. And alas! - The brilliance of the metaphorical umbrella, protecting against the emotional rain. Brilliant hit! After releasing several top ten hits since 2005, Umbrella has become the most successful and definitely the best song to date for the Barbadian songstress. Plus you certainly couldn't avoid it anywhere, with covers by Mandy Moore, Marie Digby, Scott Simons, and remixes with Lil Mama and Chris Brown – all marks of a truly great pop song.
