40. Duffy "Stepping Stone"
Album: Rockferry
Genre: Soul
Producer: Steve Booker
US Billboard Hot 100: ---
This song is my favorite from her debut album, Rockferry, and I was so excited when she decide to release it as her fourth single. Stepping Stone has the similar dark mood that made
Warwick Avenue so enjoyable, but the heart melting chorus makes the difference as she sings,
"I will never be your stepping stone, take it all or leave me alone" with that soulful voice we are used to hear by now. In the video for this single, we see a different, more vulnerable side from her. Duffy once again delivered with another heart-felt performance with this one.
39. Ferras "Hollywood's Not America"
Album: Aliens & Rainbows
Genre: Pop
Producer: The Matrix
US Billboard Hot 100: #62
Ferras was one of those artist flying under the radar, until this song was used as the goodbye theme for American Idol. Hollywood's Not America was written by Ferras, the lyrics reflect the hazards of the search for fame while the piano production makes the song more emotional, as you can it was perfect for the show's exit song. The song did significantly well in the pop charts, but sadly I never heard more of him after that. His debut album, Aliens & Rainbows, made my top 30 albums of the year, and it had so many songs that could've easily been hits and made people talk about him after Idol. Hollywood's Not America is a great song, and those searching for fame can relate to it.
38. Taylor Swift "Love Story"
Album: Fearless
Genre: Pop, Country
Producer: Nathan Chapman
US Billboard Hot 100: #5
Love Story is the second single from Taylor's already platinum Fearless. This song definitely sounds more pop than the other singles from her first album, since it only has a banjo to mask it as a country song. Love Story shows Taylor’s increasingly talent for storytelling by creating a Romeo and Juliet scenario of her own with lyrics about a young couple sneaking away for love. She also managed to release one of the best videos of the year, she plays a student who sees a guy and imagines them as a 'Romeo and Juliet' couple, as the story switches between present and medieval time. Taylor's career is only starting and I'm sure it will only get better from here with this song being one of my favorites of the year.
