Merry Christmas Chad!!! Have a great day with your family and friends and dont forget that the most important gift in the wordl is a beautiful thing called "LOVE" If you give love you will recieve love
The opener of AAR's third album deserved to be a huge hit. I have no idea why it never happened. Sure, it did alright on radio, but it didn't even chart on the Hot 100. It was right behind "Damn Girl", "Breakin", "Sunshine", and "Another Heart Calls" as one of the albums best songs. The above-average album was also incredibly overlooked (minus the unexpectedly HUGE success of "Gives You Hell" as the first single.) The second version of the video was also incredibly creative and deserves a view.
19. Gossip - Heavy Cross
Beth Ditto is a lot of things. A glammed out obese lesbian may be the first thing that comes to mind. However, with this song, she proves she can sing her ass off as well. Gossip is a pretty musically talented group and this song is a great example of it. It's super catchy and easy to groove to. Nothing tops Beth's voice though, which bursts in with such a great power. Love it.
18. Erin McCarley - Love, Save The Empty
Speaking of underrated artists, why is Erin McCarley one of today's top singer-songwriters? She has absolutely everything it takes and then some. A voice and sound very reminiscent of Anna Nalick. However, when Erin wants you to feel it, you will. The emotion behind her voice is so honest. She doesn't need to belt it out for you to really appreciate it. The chorus to this song is just perfect. Most people will likely know this song for being the theme to "He's Just Not That Into You." So some who may think they have no idea who she is have likely heard this song without knowing it.
17. Katharine McPhee - Had It All
Even I'm surprised how high this song is. I never realized just how much I love it. Katharine has a one of a kind voice and it brought so much life to this song. The song was written by Kara Dioguardi and company quite a while ago, however without Katharine at the healm, it would be nothing. Though I'm still iffy on her blonde makeover, I actually approve of her genre shift. This song is brilliant. The chorus is classic power-pop. Katharine's voice is perfection. <3
16. Rihanna - Hard
I had a tough time deciding between "Russian Roulette" and "Hard". Both are great songs, both have great videos... However, the "Hard" video just hit me HARDer. The song is so rough and tumble, I love it. "Rated R" is easily Rihanna's best album. It could also prove to be her best era (assuming "Fire Bomb" and "Rockstar 101" both get HOT videos.) The hottest bitch in heels right here... Rihanna is coming hard, and I hope she's even harder in '10.
One of my all time favorite bands. They blew me away this past summer when I saw them live at Warped Tour. They sure didn't let me down with their sophomore effort. It was my 2nd favorite record of the year. In fact, the lead single "Black Wedding" isn't even in my Top 5 from the album. Yet it's this high on my Top 50. That alone shows how many gems are on the album "Here, Here and Here". "Black Wedding" has a great anti-marriage/hipocracy message. One of the more lyrically intelligent songs on my countdown. The video was great too. They need to put out the second single already.
14. Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
I'll admit it, I throw all kinds of shade on Britney. She's lost the life in her eyes, she has absolutely no spark or edge anymore. She also puts forth absolutely no effort with her career. However, even though her spark is gone, her music has vastly improved. "Circus" was a great album. (Not "Blackout" great, but great nonetheless.) And no song was greater than this little number, F.U.CK. Me (Okay, maybe "Unusual You", but that's all.) The clever lyrics, the catchy chorus, the contagious "la la la's" and "ha ha he he ha ha ho's". Everything was on point. This is the type of music she needs to keep making. (& stay away from awful tracks like "3".) I believe in you Britney, get the spark back.
13. The Virgins - Private Affair
I discovered this band through Rolling Stone, and the hype was well worth it. This is the type of indie band that I've been missing. A group of former models decide to start a band and come up with The Virgins. Their album was great, the standout track being "Hey Hey Girl"... however, second best is the lead single "Private Affair". Good lyrics, a good 70s throwback video, a catchy-as-all-hell chorus. This song just WORKS. I'm waiting for the follow-up.
12. Fefe Dobson - I Want You
My Fefe finally made her return to relevance. Though not extreme relevance, she at least put out a great music video with one of the year's best songs. The 2-minute sprint of a song is full of more life than most 4 minute songs. With it's rambunctious "The bells were ringing, the children sing, cuz you're gonna be all mine" chorus all the way to the brilliant "clap clap clap, clap clap your hands" breakdown. This was such a pleasant surprise of a song. Time to release that album Fefe. I know it's gonna be great.
11. Leighton Meester - Somebody To Love (Featuring Robin Thicke)
Blair Waldorf means business. Leighton Meester purrs her way through what is undoubtedly the sexiest track of the year. I began my year blasting her song "Birthday" (which had an excellent chorus). Though I never thought she'd follow up "Good Girls Go Bad" with such a sexy-dance sound. Leighton knows what she's doing. The song may be taking it's time catching on, but it surely deserves to. With each listen it became catchier and catchier. I can't go without mentioning the video, which is basically just scantily-clad Leighton seducing Robin Thicke. It's brilliant. She's created an image that totally fits the music. I can't wait to hear what else she has to offer on her album.