BEST OF 2008: Music Edition

Well, it’s the new year, which means that it’s time to look back at 2008 and make the obligatory Best Of lists. For no particular reason, I’m starting with music, and let me just state that I am not a music connoisseur. My knowledge pretty much encompasses what I hear on the radio plus various offshoots and recommendations from friends, iTunes, and Starbucks. As a result, you won’t hear me throwing around names like Ariel Pink or Lykke Li; although, I suppose I just did. Point is, my frame of reference is limited.
That being said, I had a very unscientific method to creating this list. I went onto my iTunes, checked out the songs I downloaded in 2008, and then sorted them by star ranking (five being best). The result: a nicely comprehensive selection of my favorites tunes of the year. Enjoy!

16. “Let It Rock” — Kevin Rudolph & Lil Wayne, In The City
Most people are anointing 2008 the year of Lil Wayne, and considering that he’s been everywhere, I guess it’s sort of true. I wouldn’t say I’ve been totally won over by the diminutive rapper, but his collaborations have been pretty good. “My Life” with The Game, “Mrs. Officer” with Bobby Valentino and Kidd Kidd, and “Swagga Like Us” with Jay-Z, Kanye West, and T.I. are all some of my favorites of the year (narrowly missing this list). “Let It Rock,” however, is my favorite favorite Lil Wayne tune, even after MTV used it to score Brody Jenner’s Mexican pool party on The Hills.
15. “Ce Jeu” — Yelle, Pop Up
Some people might find this brand of synth-pop French music a bit much. I really liked it, especially this song.
14. “Hurt You” — The Sounds, Dying To Say This To You
Score one for product placement! This tune was prominently featured in a Geico commercial, piquing the interest of fellow blogger J-Unit. He liked it so much he downloaded it and then told me and several others about it. One thing led to another, and here it is — on my year end Best Of list. ‘Tis the power of advertising.
13. “Shape of My Heart” — Noah and the Whale, Peaceful, The World Lays Me Down
I got this song courtesy of a Starbucks free download, and at first, I thought it was gonna be one of those annoying Juno hipster folk tunes, but it’s not. In fact, it’s a jubilant mess of fun. Oh, and it’ll get stuck in your head; although, not as much as the next item on the list, which is…
12. “Womanizer” — Britney Spears, Circus
Britney Spears is back! Again! I thought 2007’s comeback single “Gimme More” was infectious, but then came this song with its nonstop barrage of the word “Womanizer.” Not only did it get stuck in my head for hours on end, but it reminded me of Memphis from Big Brother 10. To quote Jerry, “Well, that’s what you are!”
11. “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” — The Black Kids, American Teen (Music From The Motion Picture)
The criminally overlooked documentary American Teen came and went this summer with barely a peep. Those who did see it not only enjoyed a fascinating romp through high school, but also some pretty darn good music too. The soundtrack is fairly awesome, and this song (which later became an iTunes free download) is one of the best on the album. Catchy, exuberant, and full of rah rah energy, “I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You” is the perfect blend of indie rock and teen pop. Also check out the very cool remix by The Twelves.
10. “Bust It Baby, Pt. 2 (feat. Ne-Yo)” — Plies, Definition of Real
Who doesn’t like a good thug jam? Especially one with the lyric “I jus’ gave her a nickname, it’s wet-wet / Cause when we finish, she mess up all my bed set.” Now that’s what you call romantic. Dubious amorous platitudes be damned, this tune by Plies is pretty top-notch. It samples one of my favorite Janet Jackson songs (“Come Back To Me”) and gives it new ghetto-fabulous life. And isn’t that all we really want?
9. “Time To Pretend” — MGMT, Oracular Spectacular
I first heard of this white-hot indie band back in January of 2008 when this song was featured as a free download on iTunes, and I fell in love with it immediately. What can I say? I’m a sucker for synthesizers and pop hooks. Follow-up single “Kids” was also deliriously catchy (and featured on the American Teen soundtrack too).
8. “Sex on Fire” — Kings of Leon, Only By The Night
Ooooooh, I lurve this song. The driving guitars, the thumping drums, the yearning vocals — kind of undeniable.
7. “Low (feat. T-Pain)” — Flo Rida, Mail On Sunday
Technically, this song is from 2007, but who the hell cares? It reached its prominence in 2008, and like the Grammies, I’m not a stickler for release dates. There probably was no better going-out-to-the-clubs song than this all year. The only tune that may have come close was “In The Ayer,” also by Flo Rida, who appears to have cornered the market on douchey-yet-awesome hip-hop anthems. On more than one occasion, my friend IndianJones and I have been known to belt out this song, much to the annoyance of the rest of our clique. In fact, I’m sure IndianJones is at his computer right now, bopping his head and singing “Shorty had them Apple Bottom jeans, boots with the fur…” (with the fur!!!)
6. “Bartender (Live at Staples Center)” — Dave Matthews, Live Trax 2008
“Bartender” has always been one of the most moving, enthralling, and supremely excellent songs by Dave Matthews, and this version, recorded on the day that LeRoi Moore died, is by far the most emotional rendition I’ve heard. I was lucky enough to be at that concert, and trust me when I say it was unreal.
5. “Appalachian Springs” — The Verve, Forth
Most people know The Verve solely for “Bittersweet Symphony,” the glorious dirge from ten years ago. The band pretty much disappeared after that, but this year, they put out a new album, Forth, which successfully picks up where Urban Hymns left off. In other words, it’s awesome (buy both albums). “Appalachian Springs” is the beautiful, meditative closing track on Forth, and at over seven minutes long, it still feels too short.
4. “No Air” — Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown, Jordin Sparks
My guilty pleasure of the year! What can I really say? It’s a cheesefest, but I don’t care. And seriously, how ARE you supposed to breathe with no air?
3. “Just Dance” — Lady Gaga, The Fame
Oh wait, THIS is my guilty pleasure of the year. Back when Lady Gaga (née Stefani Germanotta) made her cameo appearance on The Hills, I was ready to ridicule and dismiss her. Little did I realize that she would put out the best dance song of the year. Who else doesn’t get a little excited when they hear those first few synthesized notes bleating like a strange telephone? Definitely a party starter.
2. “Dawn of the Dead” — Does It Offend You, Yeah?, American Teen (Music From The Motion Picture)
Yet another selection from the American Teen soundtrack. This song is sublime. I could listen to it over and over again. In fact, I often do. It’s probably responsible for 89% of my embarrassing caught-at-the-stoplight-singing moments this year.
1. “Live Your Life” — T.I., Paper Trail
This is pretty much as close to perfection as music can get for me. Whenever this song comes on, I generally stop whatever I’m doing and engage in awkward, high-pitched singing — at least for the first part of the song (“My-la-hee, my-la-ho, my-la-hoo, my-la-ha-ha!”). Of course, once the actual chorus kicks in, I’m back down to the lower registers, singing backup for T.I. with several “Heyay heyyyayyy ayyyayyyys.” God, it’s so good. And yes, this is another specialty of IndianJones and mine. I’ve been a T.I. fan for quite some time, but this has to be my all time favorite of his songs. Plus, as an added bonus, now I don’t have to download the Numma Numma song, something I’d been seriously considering for a few years. Phew!
If you liked any of these songs or are interested in downloading them, check out the iTunes iMix here (and don’t forget to vote for it, too!)

What were your favorite tunes of the year?