It's hard to believe it's that time of year again. It feels like just yesterday Ke$ha was ruling the charts with "TiK ToK" and everyone was waiting for Lady Gaga's "Telephone" music video. 2010 was yet another amazing year in music, with new releases from Kanye West, Christina Aguilera, MGMT, The Black Keys, Janelle Monae, Big Boi, Usher, Arcade Fire and Kelis.
Starting today, I will being countdown down the Top 50 Songs of 2010. Then, starting next Monday, I will being posting the Top 25 Albums of 2010. Here's a breakdown in the schedule:
Monday, December 13, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #50 - #46
Tuesday, December 14, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #45 - #41
Wednesday, December 15, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #40 - #31
Thursday, December 16, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #30 - #26
Monday, December 20, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #25 - #21
Top 25 Albums of 2010: #25 - #18
Tuesday, December 21, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #20 - #16
Top 25 Albums of 2010: #17 - #12
Wednesday, December 22, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #15 - #11
Top 25 Albums of 2010: #11
Thursday, December 23, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #10 - #8
Top 25 Albums of 2010: #10 - #8
Friday, December 24, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #7 - #6
Top 25 Albums of 2010: #7 - #5
Monday, December 27, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #5 - #4
Tuesday, December 28, 2010 | Top 25 Albums of 2010: #4 - #2
Wednesday, December 29, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #3 - #2
Thursday, December 30, 2010 | Top 25 Albums of 2010: #1
Friday, December 31, 2010 | Top 50 Songs of 2010: #1
50. Eminem featuring Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie"
2010 was a huge year for both Eminem and Rihanna, and nothing was a bigger statement in popular music than this track off of Eminem's statement album Recovery.
49. 30 Seconds to Mars "Kings and Queens"
Jared Leto and company go for the epic on This Is War first single "Kings and Queens." Jared Leto, welcome to rock & roll royalty.
48. The Dead Weather "The Difference Between Us"
Jack White does it again. Who knew it would take Alison Mosshart to bring out the grittiest music of Jack White's career since De Stijl era White Stripes?
47. Scissor Sisters "Invisible Light"
Jack Shears, Ana Matronic, Babydaddy and the rest of Scissor Sisters went straight up camp and glam with their 2010 album Night Work. Closing track "Invisible Light" is the most impressive, a 6 minute epic that includes a spoken word segment with Sir Ian McKellan.
46. Big Boi featuring Gucci Mane "Shine Blockas"
While we all eagerly await the new OutKast album (hey, one can always dream) Big Boi is still delivering some of the best rhymes in hip hop. This underrated instant classic, featuring a killer soul sample and a great feature by Gucci Mane delivers everything you could want in hip hop: the hook, the rhymes, and most definitely the swagger.
50. Eminem featuring Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie"
49. 30 Seconds to Mars "Kings and Queens"
48. The Dead Weather "The Difference Between Us"
47. Scissor Sisters "Invisible Light"
46. Big Boi featuring Gucci Mane "Shine Blockas"
45. Katy Perry "Teenage Dream"
Pop music never sounded more fun than when Katy Perry is on the mic. Whether rapping with Snoop Dogg or making videos for the "It Gets Better" campaign, Mrs. Brand shined brightest on the title track off her second studio album.
44. Beach House "Silver Soul"
Beach House released the most dreamy, psychedelic music in years on their album Teen Dream (pre-Katy Perry). It doesn't get better than this track, featuring some of the most beautiful vocals in 2010.
43. Diamond Rings "Wait & See"
Imagine, if you will, Matt Berninger of The National and Lady Gaga had a baby. Most likely, that child would end up to be John O'Reagan, the man behind the curtain that is Diamond Rings. With some cruncy guitars, a baritone voice you won't soon forget and the vocal melodies he creates a la Lady Gaga make this one of the biggest statements in pop music in 2010. Diamond Rings, welcome to the big time.
42. Sade "Soldier of Love"
No one ever doubted Sade's talent. The main worry people had was could Sade come back, 10 years after her last album, and still manage to grab peoples' attention? The answer was a resounding "Yes!" when she released first single "Soldier of Love."
41. Broken Social Scene "Texico Bitches"
Most likely the most appropriately titled song of 2010. Released shortly before the Gulf Oil Spill, this song took on a whole new meaning after the spill. But other than that, this is a great song in it's own right. It's good to have Broken Social Scene back after a 5 year wait.