Let me start off by saying is that you are going to disagree with this list. I know you are going to disagree with this list. If you agree with everything on this list in the exact order, then the world will probably collapse on itself. Music is inherently subjective and no matter how hard we try to make it objective, it will never be.
So don't be an a-hole when commenting. If you're truly upset (which you probably will be) take a deep breath, calm down, do other activities, and THEN tell me what an idiot my selections are.
Also, some lists say that in order to be on their list, that the song has to be released that year. Not so with me. My qualification for the year is this- when Vh1 inherently does a special on I Love "insert year here", which year will they choose for the song. A lot of times a song will get released late in one year, but it really won't start having an affect on people and society until the following year (which is true for some of my selections). Music is not like movies where it can be released in a year (even late in the year) and still have an effect on that year.
11) "Shake Me Down" by Cage The Elephant
I'm very cynical of rock music nowadays (or what little rock music there is in the past decade or so) so it's refreshing for me to hear good 'ol fashioned 90's style rock music rear its head through the pop-dribble played at bars are clubs. Cage The Elephant is one of my favorite bands right now and "Shake Me Down" just feeds my love of them.
Admittedly, part of the reason I like Cage The Elephant so much is that they remind me of my favorite band- Nirvana. In fact, "Shake Me Down" sounds like a track off of In Utero. The song is reminiscent of youthful revolt and the song specifically has the soft/loud balance that Nirvana helped pioneer.
Cage The Elephant doesn't need keyboards or electronica which dominates rock music today. All they need is a strong rift and lyrics that make high schoolers wanna rock out after a long day at school
10) "Walk" by The Foo Fighters
DME texted me one day and said, "Doesn't the opening riff of Foo Fighter's "Walk" sound exactly like the opening to "She's So High" [by Tal Bachman]?" I couldn't agree more. In fact, that was my first reaction too when I first heard the song.
While the opening might not be original, everything else about "Walk" is pure and classic Foo Fighters. To me, Foo Fighters is pure rock through and through. Most rock is influenced by something or another. The White Stripes is influences by the blues. Red Hot Chili Peppers is influenced by funk. Most indie bands this decade is influenced by the 80's or synth in some way or another. Not the Foo Fighter. FF is just power chords and Dave Grohl letting loose.
The music video is also classic Foo Fighters. Inspired by the 1993 Michael Douglas movie "Falling Down", Foo Fighter's "Walk" brings back the great music videos they had like "Learn To Fly" when the band gets to dress up and play different characters.
9) "If I Die Young" by The Band Perry
I know this is a country song (although I actually did NOT know that the band was country until I looked them up on Wikipedia) but sometimes country/pop crossovers (like "Need You Now" by Lady Antebellum last year) are just so beautiful and so touching that they earn on a spot on this list.
The song is sung so beautifully and with so much emotion with the classic slow drum beat and a non-powerful string section that gives the lyrics the emotional balance it needs.
What can I say, sometimes I'm a sucker.
8) "E.T." by Katy Perry f/ Kanye West
Katy Perry had a huge year with E.T. and her album Teenage Dream. E.T. was the most downloaded song of the year, second highest single sold, and it was one of five singles off of Teenage Dream that hit #1. The last artist to have five #1 singles off of one album?: Michael Jackson and "Bad".
Kanye is actually a fantastic lyricists (see: Graduation) but his lyrical talent has waned over the years (see: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy). I think he comes back strong in his two verses in "E.T." He has fun with the song and thinks up as many sexual references involving space as he can. Obviously the lyrics aren't as heartfelt and emotional as his earlier work but that doesn't mean his verses in "E.T." aren't just as creative.
But what I love most about the song is the thumping beat. The double bass drum thumps twice in the beginning to set the tone and tempo and never lets up throughout the entire song. Katy Perry does a great job not overpowering the song. She keeps a low, constant tone and range to match the catchy beat.
And here's a bonus version of the song for you by Sing Off Champion's Pentatonix
7) "Howlin' For You" by The Black Keys
If there was ever any doubt in your mind how influential The White Stripes were, The Black Keys are it. They're just a blues influenced drummer and guitarist making sweet, sweet music. Except in the Black Keys case, the drummer is the one who is the more talented one.
"Howlin' For You" is just what the Black Keys are. They're one drum beat and one guitar riff that plays throughout the entire song. And you wouldn't want anything more.
6) "Pumped Up Kicks" By Foster The People
It took me a long time to realize the awesomeness of this song, but I've finally come to my senses. Music has always been led by the youth. From "Let's Spend The Night Together" by The Rolling Stones to "Smells Like Teen Spirit" by Nirvana and "Pumped Up Kick" falls in the same vein. While I am certainly not saying "Pumped Up Kicks" is as good of a song as either of those songs, it's a song about a troubled teen. Kind of like how you were bobbing your head to "Semi-Charmed Life" by Third Eye Blind without knowing what the actual lyrics are (it's about doing meth and having unprotected sex) I bet you did the same with "Pumped Up Kicks".
The song is about a troubled kid who finds his dad's gun and starts shooting people. Don't believe me? Well, here's the chorus: All the other kids/ with the pumped up kicks/ you better run better run/ out run my gun/ All the other kids/ with the pumped up kicks/ you better run better run/ faster than my bullet.
See?
But these are the types of rock songs that I can respect. Not ones that advocate shooting others but ones can that try to speak for the youth.
Some other fun facts for you that I saw while watching this video on "Pop Up Video" on Vh1. The lead singer's name is Mark Foster and the original band name was Foster And The People but apparently that name got too long to say so since everyone else was calling them "Foster The People", they decided to call themselves that. Also, Mark Foster actually was offered to sign with Dr. Dre and his record label a few years back but he declined because he didn't want to be the token soul white on the record label.
5) "Blood Pressue" by MuteMath
Sometimes, I just like The Raconteurs more than The White Stripes. As much as I love the simplicity of the one drum and one guitar, I like the full sound of the band. Well, MuteMath's "Blood Pressure" is like The Raconteurs to The Black Keys' White Stripes.
This is a song that I heard once while randomly watching Vh1 at the gym and I love it. I can't really find it anywhere and I'm sure it's a song you've never heard of, but give it a chance. It's got the heavy blues style mixed in with hard rock, moving drums, and a guitar riff which seems to be lost from music and rock and roll nowadays.
Plus, come on, how cool is that music video huh? Kind of gives you a headache but I love it.
4) "F**k You" by Cee Lo Green
I know this song was released last year (in October in fact), it was used in Glee in November of last year, and even made my top 15 last year. However, even though my post came out in January the song was still really young and we didn't quite know it's influence. This song was still played on the radio late in the summer of 2011 and I swear I heard it on "new" stations at the beginning of my fall semester. This song was played forever and played well more into 2011 than 2010 which is why I believe this song earns a spot on my list.
Fun Fact: Gnarls Barkley (a band that consists of Cee Le Green and DJ Danger Mouse) actually pulled their amazing song "Crazy" from radios because they did not want it to be overplayed. I guess that was all Danger Mouse's idea.
NOTE: This video is NSFW because of language
Here's a bonus for you. It's a hilarious Saturday Night Live sketch when Gwyneth Paltrow hosted and Cee Lo was the musical guest:
3) "The Show Goes On" by Lupe Fiasco
The best rapper and lyricist around title right now belongs to Lupe. Lupe doesn't just have skills, but he uses what he has in a powerful way. Lupe mocks the commercialization of the rap world in his 2010 song, "Dumb It Down" and "The Show Goes On" is a perfect representation of everything Lupe stands for and some of the very best of what rap music is.
Sampled from the great Modest Mouse song "Float On", the lyrics from "The Show Goes On" tells an anthem of how to pick yourself up and look at the positive sides of life. Lupe will help you along the way. I would give up everything/ even start a world war/ For these ghetto boys and girls/ I'm rappin' 'round the world for
LAY-ZER!
2) "Rolling In The Deep" by Adele
Another example of a song technically released in 2010, but be honest. You had no idea this song was released in 2010 because the first time you heard it was in 2011.
Was there ever any doubt that you would see an Adele sighting on this list? For anyone that knows me knows how much I love Adele. Adele had an amazing year and "Rolling In The Deep" helped propel her to that. Her album "21" was the best selling album of the year and "Rolling In The Deep" was the best selling single of 2011.
Fun Fact 1: Did you know why her album is called 21 and her first album, 19, that had "Chasing Pavements" on it was called those? Because that's how old Adele was when she recorded those albums. If I only I could be that amazing and that talented when I was that young.
Fun Fact 2: Adele technically sings incorrectly. She sings from her vocal chords as opposed from her diaphragm which is why she had throat problems this year and had to cancel some tour dates. I wish her all the best because she's such an amazing talent.
When I first heard this song on the radio I thought it was Amy Winehouse. All I heard was this beautiful soulful voice. I just assumed it was Winehouse because who else could it have been? I found out days later it was actually Adele. Who know that girl who sang that one song "Chasing Pavements" a few years back and won all those Best New Artist awards would actually make more music and make it better than ever?
1) "Someone Like You" by Adele
I'm not like Vh1 that create lists that only have one song by one artist. If you create the two best songs of the year like Adele did, you're going to get recognized for each individual act.
"Someone Like You" is just a beautiful song. That's all there is to say. The song literally leaves me speechless. It's songs like this that help reaffirm my love of music in today's day and age.
I will say this though about Adele and right now it's the only negative thing I can say about her. As Jay Caspian King said about Adele in his Grantland article, she needs to stop singing about boys and heartbreak if she wants to reach the next level of diva stardom. Now "Rolling In The Deep" and "Someone Like You" have put Adele in a stratosphere all her own and what she's doing should damn well be respected, but she has the potential and upside to be even better.
We'll see what the future has in store for Adele and I wish her nothing but the best because I am a huge fan of her. I hope she and her music do evolve and I am anxiously awaiting to see what she does next.
12) "The Cave" by Mumford and Sons
13) "The Lazy Song" by Bruno Mars
14) "Moves Like Jagger" by Maroon 5 f/ Christina Aguilera
15) "You Are A Tourist" by Death Cab For Cutie
SOME NOMINATIONS FOR THE WORST SONGS OF THE YEAR
- "Just Can't Get Enough" by The Black Eyed Peas
As Robert California said on The Office "The Black Eyed Peas are rock for people who don't like rock, rap for people who don't like rap, and pop for people who don't like pop". Holy shit are the Black Eyed Peas the biggest reason why music today blows.
- Anything by Lady Gaga
I think people are finally getting off the Lady Gaga bandwagon once "Judas" hit and "You and I" is just a terrible, terrible song. Even by today's pop standards
- Busta Rhymes verse on Chris Brown's song "Look At Me Now"
I've never heard so little words being said in so little amount of time and have them not say anything at all
- "Gucci Gucci" by Kreayshawn
Clearly you have not heard this song to realize why it's terrible
BONUS: "Michael Jackson" by Das Racist
This song is not a good song. Their performance of this song on Conan was one the worst performances I have ever seen. I would rather watch and listen to Miley Cyrus perform a cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit than watch Das Racist perform on Conan. But after listening to the song normal and straight through, it's stuck in my head.
Das Racist performs "Michael Jackson" on Conan
Official Music Video of "Michael Jackson"
Showing posts with label Song. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Song. Show all posts
The Best Singles Of 2010
DME, please take a deep breath and wait like a few hours before you write your angry, hatred filled response to why this list is bad.
Unlike movies, this year was a particularly strong year for music. While I am still generally discouraged at the direction that hip hop and rock music is going (hip hop for going towards pop and away from artistry and rock for the direction its been going for the past ten years towards this indie/techno/80's influenced crap) I have been pleasantly surprised at the many singles that have been released this year- especially from hip hop artists. Jay-Z still rules the charts, Eminem revived his former glory after two albums and many years of garbage, and new comers like B.o.B. actually bringing emotion and story telling back to hip hop. I of course am biased (I mean I just admitted to not liking modern rock music) and no list about music will ever be objective. I know DME, a big indie music guy, is already fuming mad by this point and I haven't even listed a single song. But here's my top ten list of 2010.
10) Florence + The Machine "Dog Days Are Over"
I really don't know why I like this song. I think part of it has to do with the original and creative music behind it. Part of it has to do with the catchy clapping behind it. Part of it has to do with the fact that I love Florence's amazing vocals. I have never really taken the time to actually listen to words behind it (in fact I could do that right now while typing this post, but I'm not going to) but I assume by the title of the song and the music that it's about getting over troubles in your life and that wonderful feeling you get when that happens. I imagine if a literal boulder was being taken off of my shoulders this is the song that would be playing when it gets lifted. But I think I mainly just like the song because I can't get it out of my head.
9) Kanye West "Power"
Kanye is an egotistical blow hard and his video for "Power" is nothing short of egotistical. For some reason it only uses the first verse and chorus of the great song but it's something out of a Renaissance painting that's both beautiful and awe-inspiring. But would you expect anything less out of a Kanye West song entitled "Power"?
Not just by DME, but many critics pan West's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as West's best album and while I disagree, it still is great and I've seen it on most critics top 5 albums of the year. Hell, even a crappy site like Pitchfork named it its #1 album of 2010. So I'd be remissed if I didn't put a Kanye song on here.
"Power" is just another example of why Kanye West is a top 5, maybe even top 3, rapper of all time. It's got an inventive and creative beat and just classic Kanye, ground breaking lyrics. And it's for that reason that I put this song on my list.
8) La Roux "Bulletproof"
You can watch the original music video here
I've actually been working backwards so this is the 8th song I've talked about and not the third. So I'm making this short. What makes this song great is that it's straight out of the 80's. If you hopped in the DeLorean and played this song for Marty McFly, he would think this was the newest single being released on the radio. 80's music a huge guilty pleasure of mine and for many others and this song brings us back to that place where the keytar was king.
7) Eminem f/ Rihanna "Love The Way You Lie"
Eminem's Recovery album was the best selling album of the year and that was fueled by his single "Love The Way You Lie". Eminem is at his best when he's rapping about his personal problems. That's what made his first few albums so great. But then he became the biggest star in the world and soon he had no problems. That in turn created crappy albums like Relapse. But after Eminem took a few years off, he came back with what made him great.
It's no secret that Eminem has a problem with domestic abuse as shown in songs like "Kim" and with his multiple arrests. So when Em expressed his emotions and feelings about the tumultuous relationship that he's been struggling with, it makes for great music.
And then your hear the chorus by Rihanna, who herself is a victim of domestic abuse. When I first heard this song, I would have sworn it was an anti-abuse song. I mean, come on, it's Rihanna singing the hook! But when you listen to the actual lyrics, it's not at all anti-abuse. In fact, it's almost pro-abuse.
But yet the lyrics fit the lives of these two singers perfectly and this song would not be any good if it was anyone else singing or rapping. And for that, "Love The Way You Lie" earns a spot on this list.
6) Cage The Elephant "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked"
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan of Nirvana/90's rock and classic Rock like The Beatles and The Who. And I think that's part of the reason I love Cage The Elephant so much and its album of the same name. And while this single was released in early 2009, it and the band didn't start getting big until 2010.
My brother convinced me that music is becoming cyclical. We are now in a time where 80's influenced music is king. I mean, just look at a song like "Bulletproof". Most current musicians are young and many of them and the up and comers were born in the 80's and that's the type of music they grew up on. But now that kids in the 90's are soon becoming legal to drink, he believes that grunge and 90's style college rock/alternative will start being more prevalent because that's what new musicians and soon-to-be-musicians grew up on. And I think Cage The Elephant is the beginning of that movement.
"Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" has blues inspired riffs from Stevie Ray Vaughn with a mix of early Red Hot Chili Peppers rock with some The Who cynical-towards-the-world attitude yet with a style that's all the band's own. And it's for that I put this song on this list.
5) B.o.B. f/ Hayley Williams of Paramore and Eminem "Airplanes (Remix)"
You can watch the original music video here
While I never understood why someone would wish for an event to occur just so that event could then in turn create a wish (I mean, why not just wish for the thing you want instead?), you couldn't help but be moved by this song. Plus, you loved to put that chorus as your facebook status/ got sick that everyone and their mother used it as theirs.
What's great about this song is that it's not a rapper trying to make a club hit, it's a rapper trying to explain what's happening in his life. Like what T.I. did in Paper Trails, B.o.B. is doing in "Airplanes". And the reason I chose the remixed version with Eminem over the original, is because I feel the true meaning of the song gets lost with B.o.B.'s original lyrics and the original song. The purpose of the song is to reflect upon how bad his life was and to realize how great he's had it now and to try and capture that feeling of despair he used to have. B.o.B. is telling the listener to keep your chin up because things will get better.
But when I listened to the original lyrics, all that came across was B.o.B. being whiny. He had a hit song and hit record so I was confused why he was bringing up all this stuff in his past. The original lyrics made it sound like he was sick of the fame and fortune and he wanted to go back to his shitty life. And if that's what he was trying to bring across (which I doubt) well then that turns an uplifting, inspiring song into just a whiny, pretentious radio hit.
But with Eminem adding the third and final verse and B.o.B. changing up his lyrics, his message becomes clearer and it's that great message with a great and powerful hook that made this song so great in 2010.
4) Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man"
The first time I heard this song I was hooked. I loved the simplicity of it and a simple video to go along with it. Love is universal and you can never go wrong singing about it. We as guys have fucked up relationships and it's a crappy feeling. And while this concept is nowhere close to being an original concept in music, it's still done beautifully by Mumford and Sons.
The folksy guitar riff that starts off the song just sets the tone for the four plus minutes that follow it. It's great to hear musicianship being brought back. And the "Don't Fear The Reaper"-esque break down right after the second chorus is a great manifestation of that feeling of despair you have after you realized you fucked up the relationship.
It's a catchy song with great heart, great music, and a universal message and that makes this song so great and earns a spot on this list.
3) Lady Antebellum "Need You Now"
While I generally disrespect and hate country music as a whole, I give it its props when its props are due. Plus, if this song was performed the exact same way but by like Miley Cyrus, no one would call this a country song. This is a pop song.
Everyone has had a late night booty call. We've all gotten drunk and called/ hoped that your lover would come by your side at the end of the night. It's a crappy feeling when you're horny yet come home at night and there's no one there by your side. And never has that feeling come across so beautifully as when Lady Antebellum sings it.
This song is not in the least bit sleezy as you would think. It's about loneliness more than anything. That feeling that you want somebody there with you which just happens to get amplified by the few alcoholic beverages you've had.
Plus, how many times have you texted/ put as your facebook status "It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk, and I need you now"
For capturing that feeling that everyone has had, "Need You Now" earns a spot on this list.
2) Janelle Monae f/ B.o.B. and Lupe Fiasco "Tightrope (Wondamix Remix)"
You can watch the remixed music video here
I know a lot of people like the original version featuring Monae's founder Big Boi from Outkast better but I'm in love with the remix. The great part about Monae is that she's helping to bring soul and 60's R&B back to music. If the original had just come up on your iPod you would swear you were hearing a great classic coming out of Motown.
But the remix made the song better. It added a great guitar riff on top of the beat that helps to modernize it yet still get its soul (pun intended) in tact. And not only that, it made me a B.o.B. fan. I know it's Janelle Monae's song and her third rap verse at the end is really good (and I'll take it over a shitty Nicki Minaj verse any day of the week) but it's B.o.B.'s opening verse that I feel truly makes the song.
Monae's and B.o.B.'s clever rhymes (and Lupe's unnecessarily short but good verse) along with a great beat that still makes me dance and I haven't gotten tired of listening to it after four straight months makes this my #2 song of 2010.
1) Jay-Z f/ Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind"
While technically this song was released in 2009, this song was by far and away THE song of 2010. Plus, Vh1 put this song in their top 15 videos of 2010 so I feel confident putting "Empire State of Mind" on my list.
I personally feel the best hip hop songs are the ones that are either extremely personal to the artist (i.e. "Dead and Gone" by T.I.), something that conveys universal messages (i.e. "The Crossroads" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony), or something reflecting upon the state of hip hop or Black culture (i.e. "Changes" by Tupac). Empire State of Mind falls into neither of these categories. Yet it's still awesome.
In fact, part of the reason the song is so awesome is because it's so different. Its still got great Jay-Z lyrics and flow like MDMA got you feeling like a champion/The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien. I also kind of lied. This song is personal to Jay-Z and is sort if universal to millions of people who live in New York/love the city. It's number two (behind Chicago) as the greatest city in the world (that I've been to). Jay-Z is still so original and is still able to produce fresh lyrics and concepts.
Plus, this song has a great beat. As a buddy of mine once texted to me "Fuck Jay-Z for making a catchy ass song." It's true that "Empire" has a great hook by the talented Alicia Keys and a catchy beat. Now, if it just had a catchy beat but no depth to its lyrics, this song would be on my "hate" list. But alas, it's THE song of 2010.
But for being the song of the year, having a great beat, and awesome-as-always jay-Z lyrics, "Empire State of Mind" earns the top spot as the best song of 2010.
11) Chris Brown "Dueces"
I always love it when personal despair breeds great music
12) Muse "Resistance"
They're the great rock band of the past 10 years and the best "true" form of Rock we have nowadays
13) Cee Lo Green "Fuck You"
"She's an X-Box, and I'm an Atari" We've all had that one love who thinks she's better than us.
14) The Black Keys "Tighten Up"
A great music video to go along with a great, classic sounding rock song
15) Sara Bareilles "King Of Anything"
A great light, poppy break up song from an extremely talented and sort-of-cute songwriter
Unlike movies, this year was a particularly strong year for music. While I am still generally discouraged at the direction that hip hop and rock music is going (hip hop for going towards pop and away from artistry and rock for the direction its been going for the past ten years towards this indie/techno/80's influenced crap) I have been pleasantly surprised at the many singles that have been released this year- especially from hip hop artists. Jay-Z still rules the charts, Eminem revived his former glory after two albums and many years of garbage, and new comers like B.o.B. actually bringing emotion and story telling back to hip hop. I of course am biased (I mean I just admitted to not liking modern rock music) and no list about music will ever be objective. I know DME, a big indie music guy, is already fuming mad by this point and I haven't even listed a single song. But here's my top ten list of 2010.
10) Florence + The Machine "Dog Days Are Over"
I really don't know why I like this song. I think part of it has to do with the original and creative music behind it. Part of it has to do with the catchy clapping behind it. Part of it has to do with the fact that I love Florence's amazing vocals. I have never really taken the time to actually listen to words behind it (in fact I could do that right now while typing this post, but I'm not going to) but I assume by the title of the song and the music that it's about getting over troubles in your life and that wonderful feeling you get when that happens. I imagine if a literal boulder was being taken off of my shoulders this is the song that would be playing when it gets lifted. But I think I mainly just like the song because I can't get it out of my head.
9) Kanye West "Power"
Kanye is an egotistical blow hard and his video for "Power" is nothing short of egotistical. For some reason it only uses the first verse and chorus of the great song but it's something out of a Renaissance painting that's both beautiful and awe-inspiring. But would you expect anything less out of a Kanye West song entitled "Power"?
Not just by DME, but many critics pan West's 2010 album My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy as West's best album and while I disagree, it still is great and I've seen it on most critics top 5 albums of the year. Hell, even a crappy site like Pitchfork named it its #1 album of 2010. So I'd be remissed if I didn't put a Kanye song on here.
"Power" is just another example of why Kanye West is a top 5, maybe even top 3, rapper of all time. It's got an inventive and creative beat and just classic Kanye, ground breaking lyrics. And it's for that reason that I put this song on my list.
8) La Roux "Bulletproof"
You can watch the original music video here
I've actually been working backwards so this is the 8th song I've talked about and not the third. So I'm making this short. What makes this song great is that it's straight out of the 80's. If you hopped in the DeLorean and played this song for Marty McFly, he would think this was the newest single being released on the radio. 80's music a huge guilty pleasure of mine and for many others and this song brings us back to that place where the keytar was king.
7) Eminem f/ Rihanna "Love The Way You Lie"
Eminem's Recovery album was the best selling album of the year and that was fueled by his single "Love The Way You Lie". Eminem is at his best when he's rapping about his personal problems. That's what made his first few albums so great. But then he became the biggest star in the world and soon he had no problems. That in turn created crappy albums like Relapse. But after Eminem took a few years off, he came back with what made him great.
It's no secret that Eminem has a problem with domestic abuse as shown in songs like "Kim" and with his multiple arrests. So when Em expressed his emotions and feelings about the tumultuous relationship that he's been struggling with, it makes for great music.
And then your hear the chorus by Rihanna, who herself is a victim of domestic abuse. When I first heard this song, I would have sworn it was an anti-abuse song. I mean, come on, it's Rihanna singing the hook! But when you listen to the actual lyrics, it's not at all anti-abuse. In fact, it's almost pro-abuse.
But yet the lyrics fit the lives of these two singers perfectly and this song would not be any good if it was anyone else singing or rapping. And for that, "Love The Way You Lie" earns a spot on this list.
6) Cage The Elephant "Ain't No Rest For The Wicked"
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a huge fan of Nirvana/90's rock and classic Rock like The Beatles and The Who. And I think that's part of the reason I love Cage The Elephant so much and its album of the same name. And while this single was released in early 2009, it and the band didn't start getting big until 2010.
My brother convinced me that music is becoming cyclical. We are now in a time where 80's influenced music is king. I mean, just look at a song like "Bulletproof". Most current musicians are young and many of them and the up and comers were born in the 80's and that's the type of music they grew up on. But now that kids in the 90's are soon becoming legal to drink, he believes that grunge and 90's style college rock/alternative will start being more prevalent because that's what new musicians and soon-to-be-musicians grew up on. And I think Cage The Elephant is the beginning of that movement.
"Ain't No Rest For The Wicked" has blues inspired riffs from Stevie Ray Vaughn with a mix of early Red Hot Chili Peppers rock with some The Who cynical-towards-the-world attitude yet with a style that's all the band's own. And it's for that I put this song on this list.
5) B.o.B. f/ Hayley Williams of Paramore and Eminem "Airplanes (Remix)"
You can watch the original music video here
While I never understood why someone would wish for an event to occur just so that event could then in turn create a wish (I mean, why not just wish for the thing you want instead?), you couldn't help but be moved by this song. Plus, you loved to put that chorus as your facebook status/ got sick that everyone and their mother used it as theirs.
What's great about this song is that it's not a rapper trying to make a club hit, it's a rapper trying to explain what's happening in his life. Like what T.I. did in Paper Trails, B.o.B. is doing in "Airplanes". And the reason I chose the remixed version with Eminem over the original, is because I feel the true meaning of the song gets lost with B.o.B.'s original lyrics and the original song. The purpose of the song is to reflect upon how bad his life was and to realize how great he's had it now and to try and capture that feeling of despair he used to have. B.o.B. is telling the listener to keep your chin up because things will get better.
But when I listened to the original lyrics, all that came across was B.o.B. being whiny. He had a hit song and hit record so I was confused why he was bringing up all this stuff in his past. The original lyrics made it sound like he was sick of the fame and fortune and he wanted to go back to his shitty life. And if that's what he was trying to bring across (which I doubt) well then that turns an uplifting, inspiring song into just a whiny, pretentious radio hit.
But with Eminem adding the third and final verse and B.o.B. changing up his lyrics, his message becomes clearer and it's that great message with a great and powerful hook that made this song so great in 2010.
4) Mumford and Sons "Little Lion Man"
The first time I heard this song I was hooked. I loved the simplicity of it and a simple video to go along with it. Love is universal and you can never go wrong singing about it. We as guys have fucked up relationships and it's a crappy feeling. And while this concept is nowhere close to being an original concept in music, it's still done beautifully by Mumford and Sons.
The folksy guitar riff that starts off the song just sets the tone for the four plus minutes that follow it. It's great to hear musicianship being brought back. And the "Don't Fear The Reaper"-esque break down right after the second chorus is a great manifestation of that feeling of despair you have after you realized you fucked up the relationship.
It's a catchy song with great heart, great music, and a universal message and that makes this song so great and earns a spot on this list.
3) Lady Antebellum "Need You Now"
While I generally disrespect and hate country music as a whole, I give it its props when its props are due. Plus, if this song was performed the exact same way but by like Miley Cyrus, no one would call this a country song. This is a pop song.
Everyone has had a late night booty call. We've all gotten drunk and called/ hoped that your lover would come by your side at the end of the night. It's a crappy feeling when you're horny yet come home at night and there's no one there by your side. And never has that feeling come across so beautifully as when Lady Antebellum sings it.
This song is not in the least bit sleezy as you would think. It's about loneliness more than anything. That feeling that you want somebody there with you which just happens to get amplified by the few alcoholic beverages you've had.
Plus, how many times have you texted/ put as your facebook status "It's a quarter after one, I'm a little drunk, and I need you now"
For capturing that feeling that everyone has had, "Need You Now" earns a spot on this list.
2) Janelle Monae f/ B.o.B. and Lupe Fiasco "Tightrope (Wondamix Remix)"
You can watch the remixed music video here
I know a lot of people like the original version featuring Monae's founder Big Boi from Outkast better but I'm in love with the remix. The great part about Monae is that she's helping to bring soul and 60's R&B back to music. If the original had just come up on your iPod you would swear you were hearing a great classic coming out of Motown.
But the remix made the song better. It added a great guitar riff on top of the beat that helps to modernize it yet still get its soul (pun intended) in tact. And not only that, it made me a B.o.B. fan. I know it's Janelle Monae's song and her third rap verse at the end is really good (and I'll take it over a shitty Nicki Minaj verse any day of the week) but it's B.o.B.'s opening verse that I feel truly makes the song.
Monae's and B.o.B.'s clever rhymes (and Lupe's unnecessarily short but good verse) along with a great beat that still makes me dance and I haven't gotten tired of listening to it after four straight months makes this my #2 song of 2010.
1) Jay-Z f/ Alicia Keys "Empire State of Mind"
While technically this song was released in 2009, this song was by far and away THE song of 2010. Plus, Vh1 put this song in their top 15 videos of 2010 so I feel confident putting "Empire State of Mind" on my list.
I personally feel the best hip hop songs are the ones that are either extremely personal to the artist (i.e. "Dead and Gone" by T.I.), something that conveys universal messages (i.e. "The Crossroads" by Bone Thugs-N-Harmony), or something reflecting upon the state of hip hop or Black culture (i.e. "Changes" by Tupac). Empire State of Mind falls into neither of these categories. Yet it's still awesome.
In fact, part of the reason the song is so awesome is because it's so different. Its still got great Jay-Z lyrics and flow like MDMA got you feeling like a champion/The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien. I also kind of lied. This song is personal to Jay-Z and is sort if universal to millions of people who live in New York/love the city. It's number two (behind Chicago) as the greatest city in the world (that I've been to). Jay-Z is still so original and is still able to produce fresh lyrics and concepts.
Plus, this song has a great beat. As a buddy of mine once texted to me "Fuck Jay-Z for making a catchy ass song." It's true that "Empire" has a great hook by the talented Alicia Keys and a catchy beat. Now, if it just had a catchy beat but no depth to its lyrics, this song would be on my "hate" list. But alas, it's THE song of 2010.
But for being the song of the year, having a great beat, and awesome-as-always jay-Z lyrics, "Empire State of Mind" earns the top spot as the best song of 2010.
11) Chris Brown "Dueces"
I always love it when personal despair breeds great music
12) Muse "Resistance"
They're the great rock band of the past 10 years and the best "true" form of Rock we have nowadays
13) Cee Lo Green "Fuck You"
"She's an X-Box, and I'm an Atari" We've all had that one love who thinks she's better than us.
14) The Black Keys "Tighten Up"
A great music video to go along with a great, classic sounding rock song
15) Sara Bareilles "King Of Anything"
A great light, poppy break up song from an extremely talented and sort-of-cute songwriter
