2007-50: the ones that got away

I've been enjoying all the end-of-year countdowns over the last few days: (special mentions to Pop Unlimited/Work Your Magic/Poster Girl) and having recently completed my own countdown I was just thinking about a few of the songs which narrowly missed out on my top 50 of the year so I reckon they deserve their own little moment of glory:

Bonafied Lovin' - Chromeo: This came into my life too late for inclusion in my countdown, otherwise a definite top 10 contender. Funky and fabulous.
Valerie - Mark Ronson featuring Amy Winehouse: Ronson turned the Zutons' tune into a party anthem. This is how a cover version should be done. (Watch and learn, eh, Westlife???)
Apologize - Timbaland featuring OneRepublic: Unfortunately, OneRepublic's album "Dreaming Out Loud" failed to live up to the greatness of this track, one of my favourites of the past 2 months.
Handle Me - Robyn: Once I got over the shock of hearing that this and not "Be Mine!" would be the follow-up to "With Every Heartbeat", I actually rather liked this track. Just the right amount of quirky weirdness.
Tell Me - Salem Al Fakir: narrowly missed the chart purely because I didn't want overkill. One of the more soul-influenced tracks on the album, and shows off his brilliant piano playing.
Bejbi - Snook: I love Snook's album and could have chosen three or four songs for this list but this really nice hip-hop-ballad had the edge. Nothing to do with Salem singing the chorus (in Swedish!) of course :-)
Lovestoned - Justin Timberlake: I still think he's the best at what he does and he would seem to be one of the few genuine pop superstars around. Nothing particularly original about this, I just like it.
Dimmi Perche - Nyco: A young Frenchman singing in Italian: now if that's not a candidate for a mention on EuropeCrazy then I don't know what is. Very good catchy pop song from earlier this year.
Wanna Love U Girl - Robin Thicke: I don't really like him that much, but this Timberlake-ish song was the exception to the rule.
Behind The Cow - Scooter: Typical Scooter fare, does what it says on the tin. You shouldn't like the usual play-loud/guess-the-sample/formula techno which you expect from them, but, deep down, you know you want to.

2007-50: No.1: If you ever let me, I'll do my best to bring you up again

"Good Song" - Salem Al Fakir.

2007. A year full of dreary-pop, uninspiring r'n'b, tenth-rate guitar bands and dull singer-songwriters.

And then on 14.07.07, Salem came into my life. When I heard "Good Song" for the first time, I thought it was amazing. Catchy, full of singalong hooks, and musically both simple and complex at the same time. As with "Dream Girl", I love it as much now as when I first heard it. A timeless classic loaded with 70s retro influences, and a video which is equally great fun.

This is my favourite song of the year because it's uplifting and happy and always cheers me up, and musically it's a delight.

I've previously posted the link to these before but here they are again: the video for the song is at http://www.emi.se/artists/salem/tiwia/index.htm (follow the link to the "Good Song" video), but there is also a brilliant live performance from this summer's Allsång pa Skansen show, by which time I realised that he wasn't only a great singer and musician, but that I was in love with him too! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9tuE-lxrWwE

2007-50: No.2: Now I just wish you could come back tomorrow

"Dream Girl" - Salem Al Fakir.

His debut single was released in 2006, but as I didn't hear it till this year then it qualified for my chart! An incredible, timeless song which still excites me as much today as it did the first time I heard it five months ago. If you haven't heard him yet (why not?!?) then the video is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LypJzCwRg2c : proof that he's a fantastic talent who deserves massive worldwide success.

2007-50: No.3: Är det så här det känns att va lycklig? Det är inga problem.

"Inga Problem" - Snook.

Awesome rap song, in Swedish, by two extremely talented (and photogenic) young men. They may have passed me by, were it not for their connection to Salem Al Fakir, who produced and co-wrote their brilliant "Är" CD, and who was previously a member of their live band. Narrowly missed out on the top spot this year, but I can't wait to hear what they do next.

The top two positions in my chart will be revealed tomorrow, and should be self-explanatory...!! :)

2007-50: No.4: It's as if I'm scared, it's as if I'm playing with fire

"Relax, Take It Easy" - Mika.

Put aside the fact that it is reminiscent of Cutting Crew's "I Just Died In Your Arms Tonight" and just enjoy, enjoy, enjoy. It's my favourite Mika track, and the biggest mystery of 2007 was that we in the UK watched "Love Today"/"Big Girl"/"Happy Ending" get released one after the other with "Relax" overlooked, whilst our more fortunate continental neighbours didn't miss out.

The 2007-50: not long to go till it's over

My countdown of my top 50 songs of this year ends this Sunday. I hope you've enjoyed reading this chart as much as I've enjoyed putting it together, it's been great fun for me and I hope to make it an annual event.

You will not be surprised by my final choices: for a while I couldn't decide between the top 2 but my decision is made and I'm sticking with it! Numbers 3 and 4 will appear tomorrow night and the top 2 will be revealed on Sunday afternoon.

2007-50: No.5: Bow in the presence of greatness

"Stronger" - Kanye West.

My 5th most favourite song of the year. What sets Kanye West apart from others in his field is his inventive sampling, and this Daft Punk "Harder Better Faster Stronger" sample was a fantastic and inspired choice. I doubt if he will ever make a better record than this - no doubt he would disagree!

2007-50: No. 6: Be like everybody else, just be like everybody else

"Heavyweight Champion of the World" - Reverend and the Makers.

A perceptive anthem about what might have been - everyone can identify with the sentiments in the lyrics of this song, set to an irresistibly funky-indie backing. Having the Arctic Monkeys as your mates helped: but Jon McLure and his band made it this year on their own considerable merits.

2007-50: No.7: Just let it go, just let me off your mind

"Count Me Out" - Salem Al Fakir.

What made "This Is Who I Am" my favourite album of the year was its incredible diversity. "Count Me Out" is a lovely, deeply soulful, break-up song, and its key factor is the complex musical arrangement, which like everything else on this album, Salem was responsible for. A truly brilliant talent.

2007-50: No.8: I ain't got no money, I ain't got no car to take you on a date

"The Way I Are" - Timbaland.

Nobody revitalised the tired world of r'n'b pop quite like Timbaland in 2007, with an amazingly diverse album - "Shock Value". "The Way I Are" was, and is, a great catchy song with wide appeal and still sounds as good even now as it did when it was released.

2007-50: No.9: The grass is greener on the other side, I told some people, now they know it

"It's True" - Salem Al Fakir.

Two versions of this, both of which I love: Salem's original version, and the dancefloor reinvention by Axwell & Ingrosso. A very simple song with an uplifting vibe and a strong sentiment that "life will smile for you". Even if that isn't always the case, this song will still make you smile.

2007-50: No.10: When someone loves like I do, dreams can come true

"Cara Mia" - Måns Zelmerlöw.

If "The Worrying Kind" won the Melodifestivalen battle, it could be argued that "Cara Mia" won the war. It was certainly the most played song during my trip to Stockholm earlier this year, and proved that coming 5th in "Idol" is no drawback to a successful pop career.

2007-50: No. 11: Everybody's dressing up, I'm dressing down

"Same Jeans" - The View.

IMHO it's been a disappointing year for British guitar-music, with a succession of Arctic Monkeys/Kaiser Chiefs wannabes which didn't inspire me at all. One of the few tracks which did, was this one which I still play every week. It's upbeat and it always cheers me up.

2007-50: No. 12: Why don't you like me? Why don't you like me?

"Grace Kelly" - Mika.

Of all this year's pop newcomers, nobody divides people's opinions like Mika. Even now, sometimes I like him and sometimes he annoys me. "Grace Kelly" immediately grabbed me from the first listen and is one of the year's more enduring pop singles.

2007-50: No.13: How many days will it take for you to understand?

"This Is Who I Am" - Salem Al Fakir.

Title track of my favourite album of this (or any other) year. A delightful slice of 70s style retro-soul which proves that he is an extremely talented multi-instrumentalist. This song also has a clever, funny music video, and a pullover sighting (!)

2007-50: No. 14: Nothing's changed, I still love you, oh I still love you

"Stop Me" - Mark Ronson.

Cover versions. That's never a good idea. So when Mark Ronson made an album full of them I was sceptical. But when they are as truly great as this amazing reworking of the Smiths song, with vocals by the equally amazing Daniel Merriweather, then all is forgiven.

2007-50: No. 15:Just a mortal with potential of a superman

"The Worrying Kind" - The Ark.

Put aside the plagiarism accusations and you're left with a bit of glam retro fun. Many schlager fans weren't too happy with them representing Sweden at ESC with this, however I've been a fan of The Ark for years and was glad to see them reach a wider audience.

2007-50: No.16: I need it when I want it, I want it when I don't

"Because of You" - Ne-Yo.

I'm not usually into this kind of r'n'b stuff but this song was very much the exception, I heard it a lot on holiday in May and it became one of my most-played songs from then on. Soul-pop with some Michael Jackson influences thrown into the mix.

2007-50: No.18: I wonder if it even makes a difference to try, so this is goodbye

"Makes Me Wonder" - Maroon 5.

It seems to have become very trendy to knock Maroon 5, and the worldwide success of "Songs About Jane" has not been too easy to follow, but you can't deny that this was a fine and funky Europe-wide hit with a very good video, back in the day when Adam Levine still had hair. (!)

2007-50: No.19: Et quand viendra l'inventaire, je serai le produit de l'année dernière

"Elu Produit de L'Annee" - Christophe Willem

Witty French-language comment on being here today and gone tomorrow, certainly the Nouvelle Star winner has a very strong sense of irony-laced humour. This was a very classy declaration that Christophe is more than just a one-hit talent show winner. A well-produced, excellent record.

I can't believe there's only 9 days of this countdown to go! The remaining 18 songs won't be too surprising to anyone who's ever passed this way...