Ok, so I'm extremely late making this list, but I'm doing it to contribute to Bart's '06 Countdown. It's very simple, I'm just taking wut I believe is my favorite 17 (being my favorite number) singles of this past year and charting them with graphics and such, just as all the other countdowns on here. However, the artist itself plays a huge factor in this chart, as well as the single itself. I guess the only difference is that I'm gonna add some figures, cuz I'm a stats freak. Anyways, I had to think quick, so I prolly left out some good stuff, but oh well.
17.Cascada "Everytime We Touch" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #10
I'm not gonna lie, every year the United States gets a awesome, catchy techno song that takes over the charts, acquiring attention for the artist, Cascada in this case, then quickly fading into oblivion. Basically, this song was last year's "Listen To Your Heart." Her second single, "Miracle" was awesome too, so you guys should check it out!!!
16.Carrie Underwood "Jesus, Take The Wheel" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #20
Although I completely hate country, this crossover artist is really the only I will tolerate. Not only is she hott and talented, but she makes pretty good music too. "Jesus, Take The Wheel" is a great country pop ballad that showcases her beautiful voice. "Don't Forget To Remember Me" was boring, but "Before He Cheats" is great too, showing her edgier side. Her album, "Some Hearts" is well deserving of the 4 million it's sold thus far, with many single worthy tracks.
15.Christina Aguilera "Ain't No Other Man" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #06
This is the first of 3 of wut I consider the three biggest artists of '06. So, XXX-Tina makes her comeback this year with a new classy look and first single. Initially, I loved the track, but by year's end it had been completely overplayed. However, that doesn't matter, cuz it was better than the snoozefest known as "Hurt." Although, "Candyman," if it is hasn't been burned out already, might be hott. The album, "Back 2 Basics," although not selling as much as anticipated (still platinum) is doing fine IMO. Great year for Christina Aguilera overall, but I'd wish she would return to her "Genie In A Bottle" days...
14.Justin Timberlake f/T.I. "My Love" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #01
Although his new image and "Sexyback" alone were already smothering me and causing me to be highly annoyed, Justin was able to regroup (with help from T.I.) and create a track that was very catchy and radio friendly with wut I believed was an interesting concept of a video. His newest single "What Goes Around," sounds like "Cry Me A River" Part 2, but it doesn't matter, cuz I believe "Future Sex/Love Sounds" was the biggest selling album from a solo artist in '06.
13.Beyonce "Irreplaceable" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #01
Beyonce was whoring herself all over the place by going solo and releasing singles in large quantities, making albums in like two weeks and such, when she finally created something that I actually liked. After "Deja Vu," which I liked much more than most people and the annoyance that was "Ring The Alarm," the mid-tempo "Irreplaceable" came along and had me hooked on her music again (uhh, I loved it sooo much till it was picked up on the radio!). "B'Day" finally started selling well, reaching the 2 million mark I believe, but it doesn't matter, cuz I'm gonna remember poor Beyonce as the one who lost Jennifer Hudson in the critically aclaimed "Dream Girls." = (
12.The Pussycat Dolls f/Snoop Dogg "Buttons" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #03
PCD teamed up with Snoop Dogg this year to create the HOTT track known as "Buttons." Aside from the lackluster singles "Beep" & "Wait A Minute," "Buttons," which I had wanted to be a single since the album first came out, garned much attention for these girls. In fact, I think they won some sort of award for choreography in one of the HOTTEST VIDEOS OF THE YEAR. Although they don't know when to stop (releasing a 6th American single off this album), I believe "PCD" has reached double platinum.
11.Danity Kane "Ride For You" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #78
Although I really loved "Show Stoppers" (which sucked the first time I heard it for some reason), "Ride For You" was great to me ever since Arith sent it to me, upon the albums first leakage. The song and video are both beautiful to me in some sort of modern/hoochy way if that makes sense.= X Anyways, like the album (struggling to reach platinum...around 865K sold right now) which started off selling a whole lot, the single also has lost steam, peaking @ #78 with the help of digital downloads back when the album was first released. However, the video has returned to the TRL chart (which means absolutely nothing really), so I hope it can somehow get back on the Billboard Hot 100 and chart higher as well. I have to admit thought, I really though Diddy was gonna fail with this project, even if the show was entertaining (ironically, their album has sold twice the amout that his has sold LMAO.). = X
10.Nick Lachey "What's Left Of Me" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #06
Ok, so this song was made about Jessica Simpson, who he apparently cheated on. Anyways, despite his whole album being full of about the same kind of songs and material (went gold I believe), I still really like this ballad and the video, which has a very interesting "disappearing" concept and ever-stunning Vanessa Minnilo. LMAO, I must point out though that in a recent interview, Justin Timberlake took a hit at this guy and I must say...Nick Lachey>>>Justin Timberlake (at least he can sing and he could totally kick your ass JT). = X
09.Kelly Clarkson "Walk Away" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #12
One of the first two singles in a row by artists that hade HUGE '05's, but just one single in '06. "Walk Away," upon first listen, was not good to me. In fact, I was fairly annoyed that they had not chosen "Gone" as the last single. However, as time passed, I grew to love this track and apparently so did the rest of America, as it did manage a decent, almost Top 20 peak. I don't think there is much more to say about "Breakway" that hasn't already been said throughout this forum in the last like 2 years. = X
08.Mariah Carey "Don't Forget About Us" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #01
Although this single starting climbing in the latter stages of '05, it did peak in '06, so it earns a spot here. Completely ignoring the rightfully flop single "Say Somethin'" and the Christian radio single "Fly Like A Bird," "Don't Forget About Us" (I do have to mention though that "We Belong Together" completely owns this song) was really the only progress Mariah made in '06. It was even included on the re-release of the HUGE "The Emancipation Of Mimi," which, like "Breakaway," doesn't need me to explain how great it is. ;p
07.Marie Serneholt "Oxygen" Swedish Top 60 Singles: N/A (although the song leaked and had a video in late October, no physical release had been made of this single, therefore, no chart peak just yet)
As a kid, I completely adored the A*Teens with their infectious pop, dance hits. However, my love for them lives on in the solo career of Marie Serneholt. This light ballad is very innocent in tone and I was just mesmerized the first time I heard it. Although I did enjoy "That's The Way My Heart Goes" & "I Need A House," singles-wise, I wasn't seriously won over until I heard this song (unless she decides to release "Enjoy The Ride" or "Wasted Love"). The album, "Enjoy The Ride," rode off the success of the A*Teens and peaked @ #09 upon debut. I'm hoping when this single is finally released or wutever is happening over there in Sweden, this hott blonde (oh god she's gorgeous) can finally achieve the success she deserves. One more thing...did someone say she is coming to the United States for a little PR this year? ^ _ ^
06.Stacie Orrico "So Simple" Oricon Top 200: #68
Stacie Orrico is one of those artists who I truly believe hasn't gotten the success she deserves. Not only is she talented and beautiful in her own way, but she is capable of creating "simple" pop singles that keep me entertained. Although I don't believe her newest album is capable just yet (haven't heard the new tracks on the American release) of being better than her last album, "Beautiful Awakening" has a chance when it is released sometime soon this year assuming she can get a little PR (so far, it's just been distributed in Japan, where it's met some decent success, selling about 100K there, which is quite good). I want the best for Stacie Orrico and whenever "I'm Not Missing You" ever decides to take off here (another mystery like "Oxygen"), I'll be very pleased.
05.Jessica Simpson "A Public Affair" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #14
Who cares if it seems to be a better, but ripped version of Madonna's "Holiday?" IMO, "A Public Affair" is one of those guilty pleasure/"feel good" songs of the year (you know, those songs that just make you smile when you listen to it!). = ) Much like Nick Lachey's "What's Left Of Me," this song was created in the wake of their divorce, however, I believe Jessica was trying send out a message that only half of the couple was still lamenting (good for her). Anyways, the most important thing about this single, to me, is the HOTTEST MUSIC VIDEO EVER. It combines the likes of Jessica Simpson herself, Christina Milian (have you seen "Dip It Low?"), Eva Longoria, and Christina Applegate (she's iight, they should have gotten Jessica Alba insead ;p) together in a roller skating rink with tons of hilarious parodies and hot mini-skirts. Wut more can you ask for? ;p Despite the hott video and infection single, sadly, "A Public Affair," (the album) still flopped, having not even reached gold yet. I don't know why it wasn't recepted better, as although the 2nd single, "I Belong To Me" wasn't the best choice, there are much worse albums selling more at this point (can you say Fergie? -barfs-).
04.The All-American Rejects "It Ends Tonight" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #08
AAR this year was much like Kelly Clarkson last year in that they released 3-4 singles with about the same success and I liked them all equally. However, when I thought about it, I'm a sucker for the ballad-like songs, so I decided to opt for "It Ends Tonight">"Move Along" & "Dirty Little Secret" (which was really almost 2005) (ironically though, I went "Since U Been Gone">"Behind These Hazel Eyes>"Because Of You" last year). Anyways, even with Tyson threatening to strip if this video didn't reach #01 on TRL (which I don't think he did), I still really enjoyed the video with fireworks and piano (I've always had a soft spot for the piano, since it really was the only instrument I ever played well). Oddly enough, "It Ends Tonight," although gaining very slowly on the Billboard Hot 100, has become their most successful single in terms of peaks. Even their album, "Move Along" has become a staple on the Billboard 200 albums, steadily gaining to almost double platinum I believe (well worth it with the success of the singles).
03.JoJo "Too Little, Too Late" Billboard Hot 100 Peak: #03
If I only counted songs that were sung in English, this would be #01. Upon first listen, I fell in love with this track. IMO, almost everything about it was perfect with the tempo, bridge, melody, vocal...just EVERYTHING (even if her voice is definately mechanized). The video made sense as well with the signature raining scene. As I mentioned before, I am a sap for ballad-like songs, so naturally a "Leave" (Get Out) (which I liked too) that was slowed down was gonna definately appeal to my musical taste. The single peaked on the charts thanx to digital downloads @ #03 upon its debut, but quickly fell out of the Top 10 in about two weeks. However, the song soon gained much radio airplay, returning to a peak of about #07, which makes me think that had everything been synchronized, JoJo would have had her first #01 hit!!! I'm just amazed at wut kind of talent she is and she only just turned 16 too last month (her interviewing ability is just phenomenal with how mature she is)! O.o Although her second single, "How To Touch A Girl" (risky choice) is lagging, her album, "The High Road" (TONS of singles potential if she chooses to release more, which I hope she does) has about the same kind of trajectory as her first, slowly climbing to gold, then above and beyond to platinum. ^ _ ^
TO BE CONTINUED...