1. This list will only include songs that were released in 2009.
2. I deliberately only chose one song per artist.
3. This list has gone through several drafts. The songs you see really have passed the test, however if you don't agree with something, drop a line in the comments box. I'd love to discuss it with you.
Also, I can't get enough of this song. The most awesome mix of soul and rap (by the same guy) ever, and none of you will believe me until you actually hear it. So go actually hear it.
And now, ladies and gentlemen, Numbers 40 through 31:
40. "Man of the Hour" - Norah Jones
An absolutely adorable riddle in song form. Norah Jones describes this sweet, meat-eating man that she's chosen because he's not a "vegan or a pot head." It's her dog of course, and the bark at the very end of this song (also the very end of her album The Fall as this is the closing song) is the perfect touch to this simple song that only Norah Jones and her beautiful voice could convey.
from The Fall
"Man of the Hour"
39. "Tell Me I'm a Wreck" - Every Avenue
This song is a wonderful example of this band. Not as quirky and clever as a lot of their stuff on their first album, Shh. Just Go With It, "Tell Me I'm a Wreck" is a song with a simple formula and great vocals.
from Picture Perfect
"Tell I'm a Wreck"
38. "Always Like This" - Bombay Bicycle Club
The bass line alone is a fantastic lick, and everything else is beautifully controlled. The lead singer, Jack Steadman, gets points for playing the xylophone. Great song from this band's first album.
from I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose
"Always Like This"
37. "Mountain & the Sea" - Ingrid Michaelson
The first lines of this song, "You called me a mountain/and I called you the sea," set the tone for the entire song. The metaphor is both sweet and dynamic with the obligatory ukulele strumming and happy clapping rhythms.
from Everybody
"Mountain & the Sea"
36. "Time For Me" - Holiday Parade
There is an upside to breaking up! Holiday Parade put out a really great album this year, one punk-pop fans can be proud of, and this song is particularly catchy. The chorus is a completely different tone than the rest of the song, but then again it's all about being resolute in finishing a relationship.
from Tickets & Passports
"Time For Me"
35. "Teenagers" - Hayley Williams
While I'm not a HUGE fan of Hayley Williams' voice on a lot of her stuff with Paramore, this sounds kind of awesome.
from Jennifer's Body Soundtrack
"Teenagers"
34. "It's My Time" - Fabolous ft. Jeremih
Fabo doesn't need an awesome beat to create one of the best pump up songs of 2009.
from Loso's Way
"It's My Time"
33. "Outta Here" - Esmée Denters
Justin Timberlake's protogé from the Netherlands has a really, really fantastic voice and this song is chock full of crunchy chords and powerful vocals.
from Outta Here
"Outta Here"
32. "Just Say Yes" - Snow Patrol
You don't need to be in a special place to listen to good music because good music like this creates that special place.
31. "No You Girls" - Franz Ferdinand
The first few lines of this classic Franz Ferdinand song are priceless. "Oh, kiss me/Lick your cigarette, then kiss me/Kiss me where your eye won't meet me/Meet me where your mind won't kiss me/Lick your eyes and mine and then hit me/Hit me with your eyes so sweetly/Oh, you know you know you know that yes I love - /I mean I'd love to get to know you." 'Nuff Said.
from Tonight: Franz Ferdinand
"No You Girls"
BONUS:
"No You Girls (Trentemøller Remix)"
You might wanna give this one a listen; it's nominated for a Grammy!
3 comments:
"Mountain and the Sea" is your ingrid pick? i muuuuuch prefer soldier, sort of, and maybe.
That pick was particularly hard, but I feel like "Mountain & the Sea" was a song that is completely unique to Ingrid. Some of her material is so similar to a lot of other stuff by other artists. For instance, when I heard "Maybe" I heard Gavin Degraw. Obviously I'm not saying she steals songs, but the sound she produces in "Mountain & the Sea" is beautifully fresh. At least that's how I justified it to myself. This is also not to say that I don't love her or any of her other music; I do (but I don't like Gavin Degraw for reasons besides his music), but I had to choose just one song from Everybody.
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