Sorry guys, I'm falling behind on the list. I've just been frantically busy for the last two days. Here's the completed list, I'm trying to stay on schedule so the 50 Worst Singles will start up tomorrow.
20. “Love In This Club”-Usher
Here I Stand was too somber—Usher should have invested more effort in mid-tempo cuts like this one. At least here he proved that you can take the energy down a notch and still deliver a massive anthem.
19. “American Boy”-Estelle ft. Kanye West
The lyrics are a bit outlandish, but Estelle’s creamy vocals and will.i.am’s throbbing beat helped turn this into an irresistible dance hit. This is one of the few songs on the radio this year that sounded unique.
18. “Shake It”-Metro Station
I don’t know why this was marketed so heavily to children considering the adult subject matter, but that just made it that much sweeter. The call-and-response vocals and fast-paced beat turned this into one of 2008’s more memorable hits.
17. “My Life”-The Game ft. Lil Wayne
Lil Wayne is the only blemish on this otherwise perfect song. This isn’t exactly new subject territory for The Game, but it’s refreshing to hear a rapper own up to his shortcomings for once instead of turning every song into a boast about money, sex, and street cred.
16. “Sandcastle Disco”-Solange
“I Decided” is a hot mess, but this song is a gem. It sounds vintage and carefree. Beyoncé will always outshine Solange, but Solange will always be the better artist.
15. “Handlebars”-Flobots
This is a real sleeper hit. I never once heard it played on any radio format except Modern Rock but this became one of the most quotable songs of the year. I like the novel lyrics and the music’s great, ‘nuff said.
14. “Let It Die”-Foo Fighters
Every single they released from
Echoes… became an instant classic, and this one dominated airwaves for the better part of the year. It’s haunting and angry and epic. The Foo Fighters are nothing, if not consistent.
13. “The Girl You Lost to Cocaine”-Sia
Sia’s an acquired taste. In many ways she seems like a child that hasn’t yet lost her sense of imagination. This song sounds like something you’d hear in a lounge except much more exhilarating, thanks to the distinctive singing and instrumentation.
12. “Hero”-Nas ft. Keri Hilson
There’s something enchanting about this song; Nas helped bring the best out of Polow and vice versa (and not to mention, Keri). Hip-hop has been a complete farce this year, I’m glad Nas was around to sober things up a bit.
11. “Let It Rock”-Kevin Rudolf ft. Lil Wayne
There weren’t many songs worthy of being hits this year, but this one sure was. This is the type of song that people blasted in their car with their windows down, pumping their fists in the air, and he made it innovative by combining genres of music that don’t traditionally go together.
10. “Green Light”-John Legend ft. André 3000
It’s not hard to detect André 3000’s influence in this song, but I’m sure most people did a second take when they realized this is John Legend. Up until now I never knew he was capable of something this wild and fervent. Every facet of this song is excellent and a pleasure to listen to.
9. “No Air”-Jordin Sparks ft. Chris Brown
Okay so this might not
technically be one of this year’s best (I always change the station when this comes on), but I’d have to be a fool not to recognize what a great song this is. Here we’ve got perfect vocal chemistry and a solid melody; those are the makings of timeless pop music.
8. “Take a Bow”-Rihanna
Rihanna is fortunate that she’s got producers and songwriters who can work well with her vocal limitations. The unadorned piano arrangement connotes sadness, but Rihanna gives this song the matter-of-fact attitude that helped turn this from a heartbreak ballad into a kiss-off.
7. “Forever”-Chris Brown
This was so overplayed I began wondering if the title “forever” was meant to be ironic. What redeemed it though is the fact that it kept things light, appealed to people of all ages, and didn’t feel the least bit contrived (well, except for the cheesy Doublemint gum jingle reference).
6. “Miles Away”-Madonna
We’ll come to rue the day we let this masterpiece slip through our fingers—mark my words. Timbalake have sounded terribly stale this year, but this is undoubtedly their crowning glory. Madge delivers her most heartfelt vocals and lyrics in at least five years. This even rivals some of the best songs of her career.
5. “Sex on Fire”-Kings of Leon
This song made a massive impact everywhere except the U.S. (which is probably a good thing in the long run). There’s so much urgency and passion in this song. It’s soaring, unique, and best of all, unforgettable.
4. “Closer”-Ne-Yo
Ne-Yo is our generation’s equivalent of MJ, except with a heavier emphasis on ballads. This song was a relief though because it
wasn’t a ballad; it was just fast-paced fun and the kind of song you don’t feel guilty for singing along to because the lyrics aren’t groan-inducing and obscene.
3. “Mercy”-Duffy
It’s hard not to gush over Duffy. You know how people always say movies were better back in the 50’s and 60’s before special FX replaced original storylines? Well the same goes for music, and Duffy is one of the few that’s keeping the spirit of good music alive. This song is immaculate.
2. “Viva La Vida”-Coldplay
This b(l)and is far from being the voice of our generation, but their decade-long streak of hit singles is beyond impressive. Unlike Nickelback, they came back without sounding formulaic and delivered this lush, orchestral, atmospheric epic that sounded unlike anything they released before. This song deserved all of its success, and then some.
1. “Bleeding Love”-Leona Lewis
No one thought Ryan Tedder could follow up the phenomenal success of “Apologize,” but lo and behold, he managed to top it. This song is jaw-dropping in and of itself—the best ballad to come along since Christina’s “Beautiful” in 2002, and the only singer who could have done justice to a song of this magnitude is Leona—the best singer to come along since…well…Christina. A true tour de force in every sense, this will be remembered as one of the top ten most prodigious songs of this decade.
The 50 Worst Singles of '08 countdown will begin tomorrow!