So far, I've counted down songs 50-41 on my list of the Greatest Songs of 2010. Today, I bring you a supersized edition of the countdown, as I unveil songs 40-31. That's right, 10 more songs to get you through hump day! In case you missed what's already happened, here's a recap of what's happened so far...
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"
44 Beach House "Silver Soul"
43 Diamond Rings "Wait and See"
42 Sade "Soldier of Love"
41 Broken Social Scene "Texico Bitches"
40 Gorillaz "On Melancholy Hill"
Damon Albarn is no stranger to success. His 90s rock band Blur was one of the biggest musical acts to come out of the British Invasion of the 90s. Since the 2000s, however, he's been making music in the form of Gorillaz. And this track off the album Plastic Beach proved that Gorillaz are just as big as Blur ever was, and way more interesting.
39. Spoon "Written In Reverse"
Spoon has been legends in the world of indie music ever since Girls Can Tell was released at the turn of the 21st Century. With "Written In Reverse" the band returns to the minimalist sound that made them so endearing to so many in the beginning. Britt Daniel proves once again that Spoon are the Kings of Indie Rock.
38. She & Him "In the Sun"
If the winter weather has you feeling blue, just play this song on full blast to get you out of that funk. Recalling such 60s California pop acts like The Mamas and the Papas, M. Ward and the wonderful Zooey Deschanel gave us the best summer song of 2010.
37. The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger "The World Was Made For Men"
No one ever said it's easy to follow in the footsteps of a legend. There's a reason it took Lisa Marie Presley to get to her thirties before she released a solo album. But this collaboration, between model Charlotte Kemp Muhl and Sean Lennon (yes, that Sean Lennon), is the perfect way to step out of father John's shadow. The vocal harmonies between the two singers (and lovers) is more than enough to land this song at #37.
36. Taylor Swift "Back to December"
Taylor Swift spent a lot of time on her album Speak Now dissing John Mayer, Joe Jonas (and his new flame) and dreaming about the man behind Owl City. But the best moment on her third studio album is the her apology to Taylor Lautner on "Back to December." Finally she shows that she, too, is capable of making mistakes, endearing her to her audience even more. When she sings "This is me swallowing my pride/Standing in front of you/Saying I'm sorry for that night" you can feel how hard it is for to finally be the only apologizing.
35. MGMT "Flash Delirium"
You want another "Electric Feel" or "Time to Pretend"? Well tough luck, kiddos, that MGMT is long gone. Andrew VanWyngarden and Ben Goldwasser made a huge statement with the first single off of Congratulations. And while "Time to Pretend," which was named the Best Song of 2000-2009 by yours truly last year, it was nice to see this band take a different approach on their second album, challenging the audience just as much as they challenged themselves. The icing on top of the cake is the final 15 seconds, when we're presented with a cacophony of noise and Mr. VanWyngarden screaming something about Facebook.
34. Lady Gaga & Beyoncé
If this were a list of the best music videos of 2010, this would win HANDS DOWN. On record, the pair of Lady Gaga and Beyoncé ain't too shabby either. While most star-studded collaborations end up underwhelming, this mega-hit by the two biggest acts in pop music delivered in every which way.
33. Alicia Keys "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)"
There was a certain point in 2010 when Alicia Keys went from being the Queen of R&B/Soul to an afterthought on Top 40. Perhaps it had something to do with her single choices and the fact that she was beaten to the punch by Lady Gaga in landing Beyoncé in a music video. But none of that detracts from the fact that "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)" is arguably her best single since "Fallin'". The slow burning R&B track was a huge on the format and should have been another chart topper on the pop charts for Ms. Keys.
32. Sufjan Stevens "Too Much"
When Sufjan Stevens openly contemplated the point of making music anymore, we were all left with the horrible feeling that we may have heard the last of Sufjan. Fortunately for us, Sufjan Stevens came through in a big way in 2010, releasing his All Delighted People EP and The Age of Adz (pronounced "oddz"). On this track, which features beats that would make Thom Yorke jealous, Sufjan Stevens expands his sound to new heights, and we are so okay with going on the ride with him.
31. Broken Bells "October"
James Mercer can do no wrong. Neither can Brian Burton. So when James Mercer and Brian Burton (or Danger Mouse, whichever you prefer) announced they had recorded an album together, under the moniker Broken Bells, every blogger and indie music lover when N.U.T.S. And for good reason. "October" is one of the best moments from the disc, featuring Mercer's trademark vocals and lyrics, which by the way, could be argued to be the best of 2010 ("There's no shortcut to a dream/It's all blood and sweat and life is what you manage in between").
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Check out this spot tomorrow for songs 30-26 before I take a three day weekend before returning next Monday to unveil more of the Top 50 Songs of 2010 AND the Top 25 Albums of 2010.
Leave your comments! They are all very much appreciated!
50 Eminem featuring Rihanna "Love the Way You Lie"
49 30 Seconds to Mars "Kings and Queens"
45 Katy Perry "Teenage Dream"
42 Sade "Soldier of Love"
40. Gorillaz "On Melancholy Hill"
38. She & Him "In the Sun"
36. Taylor Swift "Back to December"
34. Lady Gaga & Beyoncé "Telephone"
33. Alicia Keys "Un-thinkable (I'm Ready)"
In case you missed the countdown on previous days, here's a recap of songs 50-31...
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”
44 Beach House “Silver Soul”
43 Diamond Rings “Wait & See”
42 Sade “Soldier of Love”
41 Broken Social Scene “Texico Bitches”
40 Gorillaz “On Melancholy Hill”
39 Spoon “Written in Reverse”
38 She & Him “In the Sun”
37 The Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger “The World Was Made For Men”
36 Taylor Swift “Back to December”
35 MGMT “Flash Delirium”
34 Lady Gaga & Beyonce “Telephone”
33 Alicia Keys “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)”
32 Sufjan Stevens “Too Much”
31 Broken Bells “October”
30. Panda Bear "Slow Motion"
Noah Lennox (aka Panda Bear) has been the critics darling in recent years, releasing his amazing solo album Person Pitch and then teaming up with the rest of the members of Animal Collective to record the best album of 2009, Merriweather Post Pavillion. Now, Panda Bear is back with another solo album due in 2011, and if "Slow Motion" is any indication, we might already know what the best album of 2011 will be.
29. Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings "The Game Gets Old"
Soul music got a shot of adrenaline in 2010 thanks to the always fabulous Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings. This song, where Jones laments about how striking out in game of love is worse than any other kind of loss, glides through the ear with an amazing horn section and, of course, Sharon Jones' powerful vocals. It's great to have this type of soul music back.
28. Cee Lo Green "No One's Gonna Love You"
Before Cee Lo Green took over the world with "**** You," he gave us a teaser for The Lady Killer in the form of "No One's Gonna Love You," a cover of the song made famous by Band of Horses. Cee Lo's vocals work amazingly well on the track, which is arguably better than the original. In 2010, Cee Lo Green proved once in for all that he can do no wrong.
27. Flying Lotus featuring Thom Yorke "...And the World Laughs With You"
In early 2010, Thom Yorke toured with his band Atoms For Peace, which includes RHCP bassist Flea. On tour, Steven Ellison, who goes by the stage name Flying Lotus, opened up several dates. Who knew that would lead to one of the greatest collaborations of 2010? This track, off of Flying Lotus' third studio album Cosmogramma, is an electronic music lover's greatest fantasy, combining one of the best producers in the game with the greatest vocalist of this generation.
26. Kanye West featuring Pusha T "Runaway"
At the end of 2009, no one knew if Kanye West was going to be able to recover his shattered public image. Sure, he had done some asinine things in the past, but taking the mic from Taylor Swift at the VMA's seemed to push everyone over the edge. So Mr. West took some time off, traveled the world. landed in Hawaii and created some of the best music of his career. "Runaway" was his first big musical statement post Taylor-gate, as he performed the song at this years VMA's. After he released the epic 30 minute music video for the track, we all knew Kanye West was back. And whether we like it or not, this is where he belongs.
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I'll be back next Monday to countdown more of the Top 50 Songs of 2010 as well as the Top 25 Albums of 2010.
50 Eminem featuring Rihanna “Love the Way You Lie”
49 30 Seconds to Mars “Kings and Queens”
45 Katy Perry “Teenage Dream”
36 Taylor Swift “Back to December”
34 Lady Gaga & Beyonce “Telephone”
48 The Dead Weather “The Difference Between Us”
47 Scissor Sisters “Invisible Light”
45 Katy Perry “Teenage Dream”
44 Beach House “Silver Soul”
43 Diamond Rings “Wait & See”
42 Sade “Soldier of Love”
41 Broken Social Scene “Texico Bitches”
40 Gorillaz “On Melancholy Hill”
39 Spoon “Written in Reverse”
38 She & Him “In the Sun”
36 Taylor Swift “Back to December”
35 MGMT “Flash Delirium”
34 Lady Gaga & Beyonce “Telephone”
33 Alicia Keys “Un-thinkable (I’m Ready)”
32 Sufjan Stevens “Too Much”
31 Broken Bells “October”
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