BUT FIRST: A recap for Johnny!
Hello There!
41. Mariah Carey -I Stay in Love
42. Kylie Minogue - In My Arms
43. Estelle featuring Kanye West - American Boy
44. Robyn - Cobrastyle
45. Asobi Seksu - Me & Maryr
46. Emiliana Torrini - Me & Armani
47. Anathallo - The River
48. Deerhunter - Nothing Ever Happened
49. T.I. featuring Rihanna - Live Your Life
50. Vampire Weekend - Oxford Comma
51. Radiohead - Nude
52. Friendly Fires - Paris
53. Fleet Foxes - He Doesn’t Know Why
54. Tilly & the Wall - Beat Control
55. Animal Collective - Water Curses
56. Jennifer Hudson - Spotlight
57. Jenny Lewis - Acid Tongue
58. Solange Knowles - Sandcastle Disco
59. Janet Jackson - Rock Wit U
60. Dodos - Fools
61. Lil' Wayne - A Milli
62. Jay -Z - Roc Boys (And the Winner Is)
63. Jamie Lidell - Another Day
64. Annie - I Know Your Girlfriend Hates Me
65. Frederik - Alina’s Place
66. Hot Chip - Ready for the Floor
67. Andrew Bird - Oh No
68. Goldfrapp - Happiness
69. Kanye West - Heartless
70. Beyonce - If I Were a Boy
71. Feist - Sea Lion Woman
72. Death Cab for Cutie - I Will Possess Your Heart
73. The Hold Steady - Stay Positive
74. T.I. - Whatever U Like
75. No Age - Teen Creeps
76. Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today
77. Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
78. Los Campesinos - My Year in Lists
79. Jazmine Sullivan - Bust Ya Windows
80. Kanye West - Homecoming
40. Spoon - You Got Yr Cherry Bomb
A little cheat, as this song was technically released last year - but I fell in love with it within the last few weeks! Where Motown meets indie rock, and we're all the better for it.
39. Portishead - Machine Gun
The effect of Machine Gun can seem a little too much at first listen. All that popped out to me was the seeming disconnect between Beth Gibbons's ethereal vocals and the jarring sounds beneath them. But when I really listened to - when I finally heard the song - I realized there was no contrast at all; the pain and terror evident in Gibbons's phrasing is perfectly married to the cataclysmic sonic atmosphere that encompasses it. Once she stops singing, the fun really starts; the remainder of the song is truly disturbing.
38. MGMT - Kids
Quote:
Control yourself, take only what you need from him!
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37. Britney Spears - Break the Ice
I just realized that she says I'mma hit DEFROST on ya/let's get it blazin!Genius.
36. Roisin Murphy - Movie Star
I didn't think that a single would come along to give Some Girls a run for its money in the "casting couch" sweepstakes. Roisin has the voice to go along with the song.
35. Atlas Sound - River Card
34. Hercules and Love Affair - You Belong
Blind has been the H&LA track to be singled out this year, and with great reason. I feel, though, that You Belong has been grievously ignored. A throwback to the halycon house days of the 90s, with a utterly bewitching duet between GREATEST MALE SINGER ALIVE Antony, and Andy Cruz, who puts Ne-Yo to shame.
33. m83 - Kim & Jessie
Maybe the most rewarding chorus of the year.
32. Lykke Li - Little Bit
I have to admit, I was a little wary of Lykke Li - my heart belongs to one brilliant Swede pop magician/dance diva/poignant songwriter - and it has since Do You Know (What it Takes?)! But, in the last month of 2008, Little Bit hooked its way into my heart, my head, and my hipbones. The track itself defines the word "slinky" (thanks to the men who brought you Young Folks!), but Lykke thrusts herself into the mix, deliriously guiding us through the torment of finally declaring your love for someone. Well, just a little bit.
(P.S.: This is the type of music Kylie should be making. Am I right Mikal?)
31. Rihanna - Disturbia
I think it would be fair to say that this, and not Bleeding Love or (ack!) I Kissed a Girl is the pop song of 2008. It really shouldn't work, but it all does.
So how is it not number one? And how do I have thirty left?!?!? STAY TUNED.
Next Up: M.I.A.'s older, blacker, (maybe) cooler?!?!? sister, and THREE - count them, THREE- of the acts you saw in this lineup. Who can they be? Believe it or not, keep reading! :greatestamericanhero: