Top 10 songs of 2008
So I thought of summarizing the past year... and spent weeks on selecting ten tracks I've probably listened to the most - making them the bests of 2008 for me. Eventually I had to set up a rule: sticking to single/video releases only. Not as if that had made it any easier, but at least eliminated a few nominees I would've included otherwise, making a much longer list. So here goes.
10. Mariah has been having a knack for making albums that fail to impress me enough to love them right after the first listening. However, the more I listen to them, the more I get to like them as well: most of the songs of E=MC^2 are soft, not exactly for a hardcore dance-party, and quite sugar-free for being R&B too, but hey. She still has that great voice, and it blends well with both the rhythm and the melodies. As for I Stay In Love in particular, I'm not sure I have the reason to sing it, but I do know a few people who are still in love with their ex's. Besides, the tunes are just catchy too - not the "omgitsjustfreakingood" favorite, but it got stuck in my mind.
09. She kissed a girl - so what, I ask. As un-shocking that event should be in today's world, and as stupid as that song is, it managed to gain enough attention for Katy Perry. And I can't help repeating what I've read at a number of places: neither lyrically, nor musically is her album, One Of The Boys, any special. But it seems a good blend of everything is enough for success. Hot N Cold is one of the strongest tracks of the dozen the album has to offer, and again, with a story too many of us know too well, I guess. On a sidenote, the video features a Nokia N96 - seems like promotion became somewhat of a trend last year (see below).
08. I don't know who has (not) expected something like this from Michelle Williams, but I sure as hell said it was high time for Unexpected.Granted, she was caught up in gospel more like R&B, if I'm right, but still... and right in the middle, tho tough luck with the timing, seeing how strong last year was. Hello Heartbreak however would certainly deserve more (more, more) airplay, it just has that vibe that make you want to listen to it again and again. And if you don't remember much else than the chorus, worry not - the rest of the lyrics is not really major singing, but that doesn't really affect the track as a whole, surprisingly. More of this, and there'll be no trouble at all.
07. What else for the majorest ever chick-flick movie than a similarly major chick-flick song? I'd say it easily beats all of The Dutchess tho, the rhythm is great and well, face it: there is some truth in the lyrics. Not to mention the fact that it's quite the tour in most of today's most popular fashion brands - if you're out of place, and have no idea about Prada purses, or how a big bag can be filled with Dior, make sure to look those names up, you'll even learn a lot. It's a pity that it's only partially featured in the movie actually, as it fits just perfectly. But oh well, that's like the only fault about this song.
05. OMG! Another new year, another Gackt-release! And it's cool too!!! ... Well, cool AND spooky, actually. I mean, who would make a song with the title Jesus, and then shoot a video for it which is about a guy shooting himself in the head? I think it's the artist in Gackt that creates these odd visions - the one that simply must. be. loved. I seriously hope the guy is okay tho, he hasn't released a proper album for years...and that's quite sad, cuz he apparently still has The Talent. Rock on, Gackt-sama...and return to that simple single piano too sometimes, kayyy?
04. I might not be too far from truth if I say that Duffy's last year's newcomer. Slightly neurotic, in music and lyrics for sure, no idea about personality and real life, but wouldn't be surprised... and that's the thing that makes her great. A voice that easily sounds fragile, with lyrics that only enhance that impression... and the album/single covers seem to add more to it, depicting her totally alone with little or no environment at all. The melodies crawl in your ear, and stay there too, and despite it appears to be perfect "background music" for any scenario, you'll find yourself listening more and more to Duffy. Warwick Avenue is like a stop on a road - that certain one when you're about to meet your ex one last time, to break up once again, and for all. Anyone who can't connect? Doubt it.
03. I know I totally dissed Hard Candy, missing Madonna herself from the whole concept, from the sound, from the lyrics... and Give It 2 Me is a bit silly too, in the sense that upon first listening, seems unlikely to become anyone's favorite. But I had to realize: there's more to it. In a subtle way, maybe even subconsciously, one can hear the noises of troubles that led to her divorce. Still, as the title of Give It 2 Me suggests, she won't stop to cry: rather takes on even more challenges. Sticky & Sweet was one of them, and it was a huge success, so what more proof do you need? That rave-ish remix of the song, live, with the lasershow too...the woman couldn't freakin' stop even if she wanted to, I swear. So yeah. ... What justifies the third place then? Well, it's nothing special from her, I mean, it's what she's always been like, isn't it?
02. I'm gonna be the public enemy amongst most Madonna fans by placing Britney above Madonna, but um ... well, she's been quite messed up lately. Then came Blackout from nothing, and no one knew what to think. Then she did it again (pardon the pun), and released Circus, which is definitely has the "WOW!"-effect. If the two ballads didn't break it up, it'd be a perfect party-album. Again, like in P!nk's case, the album's first single suggested quite a lot - the difference is that Circus DID turn out to be almost non-stop, unlike Funhouse. Pure energy, and damn, she proved that she can be the phoenix many of her fans thought her to be, reborn from her own flames. Congrats! Oh yeah, and yet another video to feature a top-notch device, this time it's the Nokia 5800. Hmm...
01. And who stole the first place? It seems we have a Rihanna here. Bit out of place maybe, similarly to Labels Or Love - technically, both The Dutchess and Good Girl Gone Bad are 2007 releases, and I'd hardly consider a few bonus-tracks worth a re-release, but hey, the tracks themselves are new at least. And Disturbia being the best, simply, because it's sort of like an all-purpose song. Great rhythm for dancing at a party, sinister lyrics you can attach to when you're in a foul mood, and that effect the two put together that just makes you feel better after listening to it. Split personality much? I know I get kinda schizophrenic sometimes, so it's an absolute win. While I still can't forgive her for the slaps she made me want to present her with after Unfaithful, Disturbia managed to make me at least forget about the whole issue.
So that's it for music 2008 here. Those who just missed the top 10, in no particular order, were people like Enya (...And Winter Came would certainly be in an album top 10 tho) with Trains And Winter Rains; Dido with Grafton Street (no single release); t.A.T.u.'s Белый плащик (certainly qualifies for a video top 10 tho, provocative as ever again); Christina Aguilera's Keeps Gettin' Better; and some more too... On a totally different basis, Alanis Morissette would have been in here for sure, because as strong an album as Flavors Of Entanglement is, as weak the singles released were - I mean, well, maybe In Praise... is a bit better, but honestly, there's Citizen Of The Planet, there's Straitjacket, Versions Of Violence, Moratorium, Tapes, Incomplete, 20/20, The Guy Who Leaves ... did she keep those album-only on a purpose?... I think it's the music mystery of 2008, and that's just it.
