Surprise! Surprise! I am back from obscurity to do my annual end-of-year post. As I have done the past few years, I will close 2008 with a countdown of my favorite songs of the year (Yeah yeah, I am a few weeks late :p) The following songs have helped to define the past year for me -- some of them, personal anthems, others as 'hit the club' type of hits, and everything in between. BTW if you find that I did not include an incredibly popular song from the past year, more likely than not I probably hated it (i.e. "I Kissed A Girl" :) What I will apologize for is leaving some of you hanging the last few months. I've been working full time, so my attention has kept me away from updating this site, but I guess my new year's resolution for this site is to update it more. I will make every effort to add a little something from time to time.
Close to making it, but no cigar: Colbie Caillat - "Realize", Metro Station - "Shake It", P!nk - So What, The Click Five - "Flipside", Kevin Rudolf - "Let It Rock". Note: The songs marked with "*" may have not reached their peak yet, so they have the potential of charting in 2009. Enjoy!
The Top 80 of 2008 by Ray V.
80: Rehab - Rihanna feat. Justin Timberlake
79: Say (All I Need) - OneRepublic
78: Lovers In Japan* - Coldplay
77: Light On - David Cook
76: Poker Face* - Lady GaGa
75: Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)* - Beyonce
74: Weightless - Nada Surf
73: You Make It Real - James Morrison
72: If I Never See Your Face - Maroon 5 feat. Rihanna
71: The Little Things - Colbie Caillat
70: Somebody's Gonna Miss Us - The Starting Line
69: In Love With A Girl - Gavin DeGraw
68: Mercy - Duffy
67: I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
66: Everything I Ask For - The Maine
65: Candle (Sick And Tired)* - The White Tie Affair
64: Stay Away - Josh Hoge
63: Your Call* - Secondhand Serenade
62: Leavin' - Jesse McCartney
61: That's What You Get - Paramore
60: Circus* - Britney Spears
59: Everything - A Cursive Memory
58: Forever - Chris Brown
57: This Is Home - Switchfoot
56: I'm Gone, I'm Going - Lesley Roy
55: Closer - Ne-Yo
54: Paper Planes - M.I.A.
53: Viva La Vida - Coldplay
52: Do You Feel - The Rocket Summer
51: Don't Trust Me* - 3OH!3
50: Northern Downpour* - Panic At The Disco
49: Whoa Oh! (Me Vs. Everyone) - Forever The Sickest Kids
48: Shattered (Turn The Car Around) - O.A.R.
47: Until You - Dave Barnes
46: The Man Who Can't Be Moved* - The Script
45: Thunder - Boys Like Girls
44: Disturbia - Rihanna
43: Jamie All Over - Mayday Parade
42: Into Your Arms - The Maine
41: Hot N' Cold* - Katy Perry
40: Fall For You - Secondhand Serenade
39: T-Shirt - Shontelle
38: Summer Hair = Forever Young - The Academy Is...
37: Bleeding Love - Leona Lewis (#48 in 2007)
36: Always Be - Jimmy Eat World
35: Womanizer - Britney Spears
34: No Air - Jordin Sparks feat. Chris Brown
33: Check Yes Juliet - We The Kings
32: The Way She Moves- Forever The Sickest Kids
31: So Close - Jon McLaughlin
30: Little Miss Obsessive - Ashlee Simpson feat. Tom Higgenson
29: If This Room Could Move - I Nine
28: Beating My Heart - Jon McLaughlin
27: Love Me - National Product
26: If I Were A Boy - Beyonce
25: Just Dance* - Lady GaGa feat. Colby O'Donis
24: Beautiful Beat - Nada Surf
23: With Me - Sum 41
22: This Love* - The Veronicas
21: With You - Chris Brown (#55 in 2007)
20: Hero/Heroine - Boys Like Girls
Spending two weeks at the top spot of the Friss Zene countdown in early January, the Massachusetts-based band led by Martin Johnson's video for Hero/Heroine was actually the second version. Originally released as the first single off their eponymous debut, the song was re-released after the success of their hit "The Great Escape".
19: February Air - Lights
When I first heard of this song -- yes on that major national clothing company store's television commercial -- I was immediately entranced by this girl's breathy vocals set against electro-pop beats. I hope to see big things (including her debut) from Lights next year.
18: Better In Time - Leona Lewis
Although her other hit became a bigger chart success this past year, "Better In Time" is the type of song that better showcases the vocal prowess of this young lady from England. Catchy drumbeat throughout the song? Check. The chops to pull off somewhat romantic cliches? Check. Hit in 09? We will see...
17: I'm Not Over - Carolina Liar
The only band to make have two songs in the top 20, Chad Wolf leads his band Carolina Liar in this pop-rock head thumper penned by Swedish hit maker Max Martin.
16: Deliverance - Quietdrive
The result of an infusion of techno and alternative punk would sound something like this. Simply one of the best rock songs of 2008 and it wasn't even officially released as a single.
15: Sweet And Low - Augustana
A charming and earnest vocal delivery from frontman Dan Layus, Augustana came back to the fore with "Sweet And Low", a decidedly low-key affair that has the band going for a roots/folk sound for their sophomore album Can't Hurt, Can't Love. I was lucky enough to meet the band after their show in Hawaii this past summer and can say they are nice guys.
14: Change For You - The Midway State
Simplistic and majestic. Keyboardist and lead singer of Nathan Ferraro's haunting wail instantly piqued my interest. They haven't made it big in the states, but dare I say that this band may well be Canada's answer to Coldplay, only less bombastic. This song spent three weeks at the top on the Friss Zene countdown.
13: It Had To Be You - Motion City Soundtrack
12 months ago, Motion City Soundtrack landed at #13 with "Broken Heart" and now the Minneapolis-based band comfortably stays at the same position yet again with the next single "It Had To Be You". And again, MCR doesn't take themselves too seriously in their video, in which the band entertains sock pockets and become musical marionettes.
12: Take A Bow - Rihanna
The reigning queen of the year-end countdown (with last year's #1 "Umbrella") marks her FIFTH song appearance on the countdown with arguably the summer jam of 2008. Penned by Ne-Yo, this piano ballad about a scorned lover seems like a certain other song Ne-Yo happened to pen for a certain famous R&B songstress. Nonetheless, "Take A Bow" is another shining example of Rihanna's entrancing voice set alongside the impressive songwriting from the 'Gentleman'.
11: Beautiful World - Carolina Liar
Without sacrificing sincerity while maintaining a radio-friendly sensibility, the other standout track from Carolina Liar's debut Coming To Terms was this pleasantly unexpected track, a tragic/heartbreaking ballad about a man who has deluded himself after experiencing a particular tragedy: I wanna ask for directions but I don't dare to disturb / I got a thing with affections, yeah, That's why I'm walking alone. The chorus: Sunlight creeps in between the curtains / Lose the sheets, there's no time for sleep / I lie, I pretend 'til I'm almost certain it's a beautiful world
10: Stop And Stare - OneRepublic
Sure, OneRepublic hit it big last year with "Apologize", but I preferred this song, the second single off their Dreaming Out Loud. Ryan Tedder has written and/or produced many hits for other artists, including #37 and Beyonce's future single "Halo", yet his band has not been able to attain the same level of success of "Apologize". Nonetheless, the dude's got a knack for crafting pop tunes.
09: Whatever It Takes - Lifehouse
Lifehouse began 2008 on top of the Friss Zene countdown, landing at #1 for 3 weeks with "Whatever It Takes", a Jason Wade-led power ballad about a man's swoon-worthy attempt to remedy a failing relationship. This marks the second consecutive year a Lifehouse song has made the Top 20 ("First Time" was #11 last year).
08: Crush - David Archuleta
As the debut single for his self-titled album, this year's Idol runner-up had to match --or surpass-- the success of David Cook's debut single (more of that a little later). Thankfully, David Archuleta has the goods to deliver. "Crush" is by all means a classic pop song made for radio airplay and the throngs of tweens with disposable income whom are able to purchase the music. Simplistic yet catchy, its melody and chorus will stick in your head for days. It's a bonafide guilty pleasure.
07: Live Your Life - T.I. feat. Rihanna
I am not a huge fan of hip-hop, so it takes an amazing song like this for me to take notice. Collaborations between rappers and R&B songstresses are usually hit or miss. However, Rihanna, who is arguably the most successful female artist in 2008, has that distinct pop voice that can pull-off a rather unlikely sing-along chorus. Not only does this song have great beats and vocals, it is further enhanced by an overall affirming message through refreshingly thoughtful lyrics by Mr. T.I himself. My favorite lyric: I'm the opposite of moderate, immaculately polished with the spirit of a hustler and the swagger of a college kid
06: The Time Of My Life - David Cook
The 2008 American Idol's debut single had all the trappings of a reality television competition coronation song: syrupy-sweet lyrics about "magic rainbows" and cliches about rising from the ashes or finding wings on the road of achieving success. And yet, David Cook's rock delivery of a would-be also-ran, won me over. It debuted at #3 and was the highest debut single for any Idol winner since 2003. By the end of the year, the song has achieved platinum status. Goes to show that with major talent, Cook has the ability to take inspiration and create magic.
5: PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT - Cute Is What We Aim For
My coming-of-age anthem of 2008. This promising debut single off their sophomore album Rotation is a departure from CIWWAF's previous releases due to the band's overall evolving sound. Lead singer Shaant Hacikyan presides over lyrics that speak of a self-awareness that comes with maturity and life experience, or, perhaps the realization of a lack thereof, and delivers mature sounding pipes through each rousing chorus.
4: ISLAND (FLOAT AWAY) - The Starting Line
The line "Well it seems like we can never catch a break" sounds so heartbreakingly true. The Starting Line began early 2008 announcing that their latest spring tour would be their last...for a long while. After their 2007 disc Direction failed to bring in the sales their label Virgin Records expected them to garner, they were subsequently told that promotion would cease after its brief release to rock stations. Led by the scruffy yet soulful frontman Kenny Vasoli, the Pennsylvanian quartet's "Island" had all the makings a huge hit: soaring choruses, the brilliant utilization of metaphor, ace guitar riffs, and a pop sensibility. One wonders what would have happened if it were released to mainstream radio, as it was originally intended. Island will remain as a personal favorite.
3: I'LL RUN - The Cab (with ZZZZZ and TAKE MY HAND as honorable mentions)
"I'll Run" was the inaugural debut single off Fueled By Ramen's newest signed band The Cab, had a record makeover of sorts from its original cut from the Vegas-based band's indie EP Glitz and Glamour. Now with major studio production touch-ups, a rythmic piano hook and guitar riff that plays throughout the song and soulful vocals from lead singer Alex Deleon, the song has helped develop a fellow fanbase since its debut on their Myspace in late 07. In February, I saw them on the "Really Really Ridiculous Good Looking Tour", in which they opened for Cobra Starship, what surprised me was (1) their youth (all in their teens) since they all seemed like seasoned pros because (2) they sounded great live, which indicated how they would translate as a full record. The result was an amazing collection of polished pop rock hits called Whisper War.
2: UNTOUCHED - The Veronicas
It is quite surprising to me how it is only now that the country is finally discovering how great this song is. Originally released as a spring single off their 2007 album Hook It Up, the Australian twin sis duo of Jess (newly blonde) and Lisa Origliasso may finally get their American chart breakthrough in 2009 with the song's re-release stateside. The song is co-written by Toby Gad, the dude who helped pen hits for Fergie ("Big Girls Don't Cry) and Beyonce (see #26). Undeniably the poppiest venture from the Veronicas, its rush of violin strings and a beat that sticks into your head like molasses contribute to its elegantly frenetic charm. What a fine electro-pop piece of art.
1: THINK OF YOU LATER (EMPTY ROOM) - Every Avenue
From Michigan pop-punkers Every Avenue, "Think Of You Later..." was an instant aural attraction way back in early 2008. In fact, I loved nearly every song off their eponymous debut. The majority of their album is unashamedly catchy -- a big positive in my book -- with anthemic sing-a-long choruses that makes you forget that this song is really a downer. Clocking in under 3 minutes, it is both radio-ready and refreshingly rosy in its faux optimism. Frontman Dave Ryan has, in my opinion, one of the best rock vocals in the scene. I listened to many, many pop, rock, and pop-punk singles this year. Some were more played out than others, but after eight months, I have yet to get tired of this. "Think Of You Later..." was recently released (Nov) as their second official single, so I sure hope it'll be a hit with others as it is with me. Ladies and gentlemen, "Think Of You Later (Empty Room)" is my song of 2008.
So, what do you think?! Do you agree with my choices? Comments are appreciated!
Bring on 2009.
