Top 100 Songs | #15 - #11
The sun is on my side
And takes me for a ride
I smile up to the sky
I know I'll be all right
Peak: #1 (1 week)
It took me a long time to warm up to this song. I'm not Natasha's biggest fan, and I'm always skeptical of her ability to release something worthwhile. It wasn't until she performed "Pocketful Of Sunshine" on American Idol that I realized what an amazing song it is. Her soaring vocals are breathtaking.
Do you ever think when you're all alone
All that we could be, where this thing could go?
Am I crazy or falling in love?
Is it real or just another crush?
Peak: #1 (2 weeks)
When David first appeared on season 7 of American Idol, I hated him. He had some sob story about a paralyzed vocal cord, and he was painfully awkward. I didn't think much of his voice either. Of course, eventually I did start to appreciate him, especially after his great rendition of "Smoky Mountain Memories". His first single exceeded my expectations, and I was addicted to it for quite a while. Unfortunately, the rest of his album was a bit of a disappointment.
My boring daily life has suddenly begun to shine
Since the day you appeared
Now I can think that I'm all right even when I'm lonely or in pain
I'm just a prisoner of love
Just a prisoner of love
Peak: #4
The Queen of Pop, Utada Hikaru, released another great album this year,
Heart Station. One of the best songs on it is "Prisoner Of Love", a beautiful midtempo song. I especially love the ending when she sings "stay with me, say you love me" with heartwrenching honesty.
The house, the whole day
The journey you have made
In order to feel more confident
Closer to yourself
But it's not enough
It's never enough
Peak: #2
The best male singer in the world, Tiziano Ferro, did not let me down this year, producing an incredible album for X-Factor star Giusy Ferreri and also releasing a masterpiece of his own:
Alla Mia Età (At My Age). "Scivoli Di Nuovo" (Slipping Again) is a soaring ballad that perfectly showcases his impeccable voice. Big male voices are really missing in the American and British pop music industry. I'm glad they still exist in other countries.
There will most likely continue to be
Sad things ahead of us
My darling, stay gold
Because even getting hurt is important
Peak: #3
"Stay Gold" is a great song with a mesmerizing, repetitive piano melody. When I first heard it, I thought it would get old pretty fast. Fortunately, because of Utada's soothing voice, her masterful production skills and her unrivaled songwriting ability, the song is a masterpiece that will always be a joy to listen to, even decades from now.