50. Kelly Rowland featuring Eve - Like This
Because I really wasn't expecting this!
49. Kate Nash - Foundations
48. !!! - Must Be the Moon
47. The Long Blondes - Once and Never Again
46. LCD Soundsystem - North American Scum
45. Paramore - Misery Business
44. Black Kids - I'm Not Going to Teach Your Boyfriend...
43. The Arcade Fire - Black Mirror/Neon Bible
Hint: This won't be the only tie they have on my list this year!
42. Los Campesinos - You! Me! Dancing!
Probably the best intro I've heard all year. If only the actual song maintained the same quality? But when it's on, (and it often is), it's pretty perfect. The best "dancing" single released by an indie band this year, but not as good as ...
41. Justice - D.A.N.C.E.
Videos for the songs will be posted shortly. Next up - 40-31 - and my honorable mentions list!
Wait, so what was the previous list? Songs that almost made you list?
Anyway, told yall I was gonna bump like this. Get it, Kelly!
Paramore is always great too.
40.UGK featuring Outkast - Int'l Players Anthem/Jay-Z - Blue Magic
Two of the best rap records of the year. If you listen closely, you'll find a whole galaxy of emotions under all the braggadocio.
39. Katharine McPhee - Over It/Love Story
Katharine's Flop:
Pop Injustice of the Year!
38. Get Him Eat Him featuring Beirut - 2 x 2
37. Sally Shapiro - He Keeps Me Alive
Because it is my life right now. Eerily so. And because underneath the disco beat, Sally tries to break your heart. She succeeds.
36. Fantasia - When I See U
I was initially surprised when I witnessed this song's meteoric rise on the RnB charts this summer - then, I heard it. Over a slight tableau of skinny beats, Fantasia gives the vocal performance of her life - one that grows in intensity, filled with regret, sensuality and power. When she adlibs at the end "I can't, I just can't be around you...", we know she means it.
35. Kelly Clarkson - Never Again
34. Bjork - Earth Intruders/Innocence/Declare Independence!
Not as brilliant as her best, but still pretty damn great. And the best things Timbaland's done all year.
33. The Shout Out Louds - Tonight I Have to Leave It
32. The Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Down Boy
Just another example of why Karen O & the boys are maybe the best band around. And this is from an EP!
31. The New ****ographers - All The Things That Go to Make Heaven and Earth
Their weakest single of the year just misses my top 30. Imagine where the great stuff is!