After much thought and multiple replays, here are my favorite songs from all my 2010 acquisitions. If you don't want to read my notes, there's a youtube playlist for each category--just sample 'til you taste something you like. The lists are usually ordered least-to-most-fave. I hope you enjoy.
(If you notice dead links or type-o's please let me know. I didn't write this all in one go, so I keep catching mistakes.)
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MUSICAL DEATHS THAT MADE ME :-(
I'm going to miss Kate McGarrigle's beautiful and heartfelt songs, and Teena Marie's fantastic voice._______________________________________
BEST ALBUMS
I really enjoyed albums from the Gorillaz, Basia Bulat, Nicki Minaj, Ben L'Oncle Soul, Janelle Monáe, and Marina and the Diamonds. I also bought a couple albums that I'm still getting to know, like Big Boi's and Kate Nash's. But for once I have a clear #1 fave: My Dark Twisted Fantasy from Kanye West. I lurv almost every track. Here are three, not represented in my other lists...Dark Fantasy
I like... (1) The changes: I like being surprised--you never know where the song's going next. (2) The sudden bursts of "Can we get much higher?" (a pop song sample, but sounds like something from the pulpit.) (3) The lyrics: "too many Urkels on your team, that's why your wins low" (4) When he sings flat: "Don't make me pull the toys out / don't make me pull the tooooys..." (5) The staccato oh oh-oh oh oh-oh oh's.
Gorgeous
Total opposite of "Dark Fantasy" -- just the same music over and over, based on/and sampling The Turtles' cover of "You Showed Me." Yet it doesn't feel repetitive, because the music provides a smooth background for excellent rapping. (1) Fave lyric: "As long as I'm in Polo smiling, they think they got me / But they would try to crack me if they ever see a black me" (2) Fave voice intonation: "It's not funny anymore!"
All of the Lights
I love... (1) Lyric: "Her mother, brother, grandmother hate me in that order" (2) Props for sheer # of guests: 14 in all including Rihanna, KiD CuDi, Alicia Keys, Elton John, Fergie and Drake. (3) The song is a weird mix of orchestra, drum machine, 14 singers and Kanye. Nothing's sampled. (4) When the song grinds to a halt except for a bell sound and Rihanna singing, and then the horns kick back in. The horns! The spastic drumming! Elton John!
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BEST BEATS Best use of drums.
Tangerine - Big Boi The dark side of his "I Like the Way You Move."
Lost in the World - Kanye West It feels like Kate Bush produced this.
In Your Hands - Charlie Winston Kitchen-sink songwriting at its best.
Go On, Gold Rush - Basia Bulat I love the way the drums tease on "Go On" and "Gold Rush" is just heart-pounding. The above video for "Gold Rush" doesn't do justice to how BIG the recorded version sounds. I don't need my Bulat stripped down!
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BEST MC
Nicki MinajShe's got... (1) clever metaphors and similes; (2) aggressive/interesting/fun rap style; (3) great rhymes. Kanye West said: "The scariest artist in the game right now.... And I think she has the most potential out of everyone to be the #2 rapper of all time" (behind Eminem.)
My Chick Bad - Ludacris featuring Nicki Minaj Highlights: 1. That when she goes in for a sports reference, it's a female athlete (Lisa Lesley.) 2. The Jason and Freddie rhymes--they're funny and just right. 3. One of the best things about Minaj is all the acting, the weird voices, the silliness, like on the "guess who's playing Freddie!!" line.
Monster - Kanye West featuring Rick Ross, Jay-Z, Nicki Minaj, Bon Iver It is a truth universally acknowledged that Nicki Minaj owned this song. Fave line: "And if I'm fake, I ain't notice 'cause my money ain't!"
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BEST LYRICS Not about clever lines, but over-all well crafted lyric writing.
Kiss That Grrrl - Kate Nash Nash's best lyrics are a mixture of clever-tude, and Polaroids from daily life. This one is about having a fight with your boyfriend, and then feeling insecure when he then talks to another woman.
Space Bound - Eminem The very beginning of a relationship (can I trust you??) and the very end (I' gonna blow my brains out if you leave!!) --and if this is a classic Eminem relationship, then I don't recommend dating him.
How I Got Over - The Roots To cleanse your pallet from the ego-driven-commercial rap. "Out on the streets where I grew up / First thing they teach you is not to give a fuck / That type of thinking can't get you nowhere / Someone has to care."
King of Anything - Sara Bareilles We've all been in this conversation, right? But extra-special for those who've been people pleasers for too long. Fave line: "You're so busy making maps / with my name on it in ALL CAPS." lol
Fuck You - Cee Lo Green This is bit too gimmicky to make it my overall #1 single as SPIN did; but it deserves a top spot. Not just for some great lines like "I guess he's an X-Box, and I'm an Atari" but because it's cathartic to sing: fuCK YOOOOOUUU!" (If you've only heard the "Eff you" radio version, you're missing half the satisfaction. There's no replacement for CK._____________________________
BEST VOCALS
Mad World - Renée Fleming I love this opera singer's pop voice, but she needs a new producer--this song was the Least Awful from her album.
If I Have to Wait - Toni Braxton Braxton has a one in a kind voice. Love those low notes.
Fuego - Bomba Estereo I just like the way this woman is yelling at me.
Are You Satisfied?, Hermit the Frog - Marina and the Diamonds I enjoyed the whole album, but mostly for Marina's unique singing style and theatricality.
Bloodbuzz Ohio - The National It's the contract between his deadpan voice and the driving beat that makes this song (which is why I didn't buy the rest of the slow-mo album.) Who knows WTF the lyrics mean.
If I Were a Boy - Reba McEntire Reba always sings a song like she lived it.
Swan in the Water - Justin Nozuka Not only does he have a unique voice, but the emoting! It's heartbreaking--leave him alone already! Turns out Canada doesn't only produce teeny-bopper Justins.
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BEST SOUND These are songs that could be sung in a language I don't understand, I'd still love them.
Lewis Takes Action - Owen Pallett
Soldier of Love - Sade
Tell Me Why - M.I.A.
The Flood - Katie Melua
Mushrooms and Roses - Janelle Monàe
Heart of My Own - Basia Bulat
Stylo, On Melancholy Hill, Pirate Jet - Gorillaz
Election Time - Wyclef Jean After a terrible last album, I was just relieved to hear Clef return to what he does best: lush sound + touching themes + funny lyrics.
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BEST BIOGRAPHICAL SONGS: One thing I love about rap is its penchant for autobiography.
I'm the Best - Nicki Minaj Rap is often unapologetically commerical, and with good reason as it's a field where black people can make big money and found corporations. So when Minaj brings girl-power talk into her songs, it's not the sex-and-party-version--it's the kind boys have, the kind that, for better or worse, rules the planet: "I hear they coming for me, because the top is lonely." She's bringing something new to the feminist table, and I likes it.I'm fighting for the girls that never thought they could win
'Cause before they could begin you told 'em it was the end
But I'm here to reverse the curse that they live in...
So all my bad bitches, I can see your halo.
Not Afraid - Eminem It's the rap version of George Michael's "Freedom '90" -- consciously closing the door on a part of your past, and moving forward. Em admits it's time he hitches his socks up: "Let's be honest, that last Relapse CD was ehh." This song reminded us all why we thought Eminem was so talented to begin with. "It's time to exorcise these demons / these motherfuckers are doing jumping jacks now."
25 to Life - Eminem You think the song is about his ex-wife Kim, until the end you realize it's about hiphop--and then you go back and listen to it all over again. And see the humour: "Look how I dress / fucking baggy sweats / go to work a mess" and the confusion/hurt:Go marry someone else and make 'em famousTreat 'em like you don't need 'em and they ain't worthy of you
You're screaming as I walk out that I'll be missedBut when you spoke of people who meant the most to youYou left me off your list.
Runaway - Kanye West Kanye's as confused, egotistical, sorry, and hurt as Eminem. And just as willing to put all those emotions out on the table for us to see, which is just part of what makes them wicked rappers. West came into the music industry very naive about how things (like award shows) work, and he's been bumping up against social conventions since. This album is an epic attempt to integrate reality and his ideals--that is to say, it's about adulthood. I can totally identify, as I'm sure others can.Kanye could have continued in unadulterated jackassitude, or he could have thrown in the towel and bowed to everyone's criticisms. Either path would have resulted in a mediocre album and I thank the gods of music he chose to face his dragons instead.
The first release from the new album was "Runaway," which is similar to "25 to Life" -- could be about a girlfriend, could be about the industry: "And I always find, ya I always find something wrong / You been putting up with my shit just way too long / I'm so gifted at finding what I don't like the most..."
Power - Kanye West The flip side to "Runaway," where Kanye unleashes the part of him that still knows he's talented as all get out, no matter how many missteps he's made. I'm glad he didn't lose that perspective.Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero needs his theme music
My childlike creativity, purity and honesty
is honestly being crowded by these grown thoughts
Reality it catching up with me
taking my inner child, I'm fighting for it--custody
At the end of the day, Goddammit, I'm killin' this shit
I know damn well y'all feeling this shit
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BEST COVER SONGS I love covers and, despite what youtube commenters think, the goal isn't to better the original--it's to bring something new. Below are the old and new versions so you can compare (except the original of "Crazy" which couldn't be embedded.)
Cum On Feel the Noise - Lucky Uke Combine the instrument-of-the-moment (the ukulele) + popular trend in French music (the goofy cover) = this band.
Crazy, Seven Nation Army, I Kissed a Girl - Ben L'Oncle Soul This French singer takes the Goofy Cover to new heights, creating versions that rival the originals. Plus it's funny to gender-reverse "I Kissed a Girl."
Teenage Dream - Cast of Glee I like the gender-reversiality of this one.
Never Tear Us Apart - Ben Harper The version I have is a duet with Mylène Farmer, but I think I like this Ben-only version even better.
Don't Stop the Music - Jamie Cullum I don't listen to his original music, but love his covers. He strips a song down and then rebuilds it in a style all his own.
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BEST LOVE SONGS I love romance movies, books, and songs. It was hard to whittle down this list, but each song had to sound romantic both at a lyrical and melodic level.
Sideways - Sheryl Crow I like this image of your feelings knocking you sideways... like being shoved over by a strong wave.
Hang With Me (acoustic version) - Robyn It's really an anti-love song, since she's ordering the Other to not fall in love with her. But you knooow they'll fall in love anyway.
Your Love - Nicki Minaj Some great lines in this one, like: "For your lovin' Imma Die Hard like Bruce Willis" and "An S on my chest 'cause I am ready to save him." She says in a past life she was a geisha and he a samurai, but I think it's pretty clear who the warrior was.
The Sellout - Macy Gray I've never heard giving-in-to-love compared to selling out. Or maybe it's just about her career. In any case the music is gorgeous, as is Gray's voice.
Headphones - Michael Franti and Spearhead Voltaire said that "anything too stupid to be said is sung." So might as well by-pass words and plug your headphones into the source.
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BEST CHARITY SONGS I judge these in most part upon appropriateness re. the situation they're raising money for, as well as on execution.
Redemption Song - Rihanna I'm getting Rihanna overload, but here's a tasteful choice, tastefully done.
The rap portion ONLY of We Are the World - LL Cool J, Wyclef Jean, will.i.am, Snoop Dog, Busta Rhymes, Swizz Beatz This remake is terrible, but the rap part is awesome! Wish they'd made a whole song like this.
Wavin' Flag - Young Artists for Haiti I thought this a good song choice (hope passed on from one failed state to another?) And who wouldn't want the chance to sing this beautiful song? Highlights: Hawksley Workman's falsetto ("a hand will reach us"); Justin Beiber's bit (hey, it's the best thing he's ever done); and Drake's rap--the rap on "We Are the World" is addressed to Haitians, but Drake's is aimed at the people they're trying to get money out of._________________________________________
BEST DUETS This one for me is about chemistry--I want to feel like there's a story between these two people (whether there is or not.) The gold standard: "It's Only Love" by Tina Turner and Bryan Adams.
If You Let Me, Australia - JP, Chrissie Hynde and the Fairground Boys An aging rocker and a young nobody dedicate a whole album to their brief love affair. It's no Double Fantasy, but it's a lot of fun, and Hynde's voice is as beautiful as ever.
Check It Out - Nicki Minaj and will.i.am Minaj and will were obviously separated at birth. How nice of them to be reunited at last on their home planet. (Total side note: Gosh I love his eyes!)
Knockout - Nicki Minaj and Lil Wayne One of my most played songs this year, and my intro to Nicki Minaj. My love affair went like this:1. Fun sounding song!
2. Funny lyrics!!
3. Who's this Nicki Minaj? I looove her rap style!!!
4. [watched the video] Oh my days I have a crush on them both!!!!
These two have fantastic chemistry. They make me imagine it's all Fun! and Hijinks! at the Young Money headquarters.
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BEST INSPIRATION SONGS
100% - Mariah Carey She's struggled with esteem issues, emotional abuse and public breakdowns, but she writes her own songs, and took eighteen of them to #1 (right behind the Beatles for most #1 singles.) She's got the street cred the write inspirational songs.
God Bless Us All - N.E.R.D. Their new album didn't blow me away, but I love this song--I love the contrast between the almost dissonant verses, and the soothing chorus.
Last Chance - Nicki Minaj (featuring Natasha Bedingfield) This is what I mean about Nicki Minaj's focus on business goals, and not sex...
I get it in though, no sexual innuendo
Nobody that I can just depend on
Until I touchdown in the end zone
But little did you know
Distribute the payroll, pick up the outfit, pick up the single
Sadly, I'm so business savvy
Tell 'em that I'm gunning for the top--Forbes
Headed to the top dot org
...Anybody trying to stop me
Better not fuck with me this time
Shoot, I'm ready to shoot into the sky.
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BEST LIVE VERSIONS with original version for comparison.
Human Nature, She's Not Me - Madonna
I don't go to concerts, so I'm no expert in this category. When I test-drive live albums I'm only interested in whether the artist is delivering something different enough for me to buy it. These two Madonna songs are way better than their originals. I guess because, like Gaga, I rarely like Madonna's songs, I like her performances. Put her on the stage and her real genius comes out. "Fuck the raaain!" lolSo that's it! I hope you found something you liked. I'll soon be posting a list of songs I enjoyed in 2010, but that came out in earlier years.
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