Here is the full list of my top 50 fave songs of 2008.
1. It’s Only You Part II - Salem Al Fakir
2. Black and Gold - Sam Sparro
3. Twelve Fingers - Salem Al Fakir
4. Let It Shine - Tingsek
5. Beggin’ - Madcon
6. Lay Your Love On Me - BWO
7. Just A Minute - Rongedal
8. Viva La Vida - Coldplay
9. Save The Lies - Gabriella Cilmi
10. Propane Nightmares - Pendulum
11. Homecoming - Kanye West & Chris Martin
12. American Boy - Estelle & Kanye West
13. Do You Love Me - Amanda Jenssen
14. Divine - Sebastien Tellier
15. I’m Yours - Jason Mraz
16. Love In Stereo - Ola
17. Bang On The Piano - Jack McManus
18. 42 - Coldplay
19. Happy Hour - Palladium
20. This Is My Life - Euroband
21. Until I Die - September
22. Jennie Let Me Love You - E.M.D
23. Come On Girl - Taio Cruz
24. Dance Wiv Me - Dizzee Rascal, Chrome & Calvin Harris
25. Built To Last - Melee
26. Dangerous - M Pokora
27. Beli Jablan - Aleksa & Ana
28. Smilin’ - Bryn Christopher
29. Cry For You - September
30. Sex On Fire - Kings of Leon
31. My Cool - Adam Tensta
32. The Age of the Understatement - Last Shadow Puppets
33. Comme Avant - Mathieu Edward & Sheryfa Luna
34. What You Look For - Sam Beeton
35. Who Do You Think You’re Foolin’ - Rongedal
36. They Said I Said - Sugarush Beat Company
37. Would You Believe - Daniel Karlsson
38. And I Lie - Prata Vetra
39. Hur Svart Kan Det Va - Linda Bengtzing
40. Just Dance - Lady GaGa
41. Femme D’Aujourd’hui - Sofia Essaidi
42. Last Goodbye - Avenue
43. Shady Lady - Ani Lorak
44. 4 Minutes - Madonna & Justin Timberlake
45. Always Always - Zuma
46. La Histeria - Marquess
47. Work - Kelly Rowland
48. If Only You - Danny
49. When You Touch Me - Freemasons
50. We Keep On Rockin’ - Alcazar
The 2009-50 will start on 19th November 2009!
Showing posts with label 2008-50. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2008-50. Show all posts
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
2008-50: The ones that got away
Here are a few songs which missed out on inclusion in my top 50 of 2008.
These are in no particular order, just totally random.
It may not have made the MGP final, but "Colliding" by Nicholas Carlie was a nice swaying ballad.
Question of the year? "Are we human or are we dancer?" The Killers were back, and "Human" was (and is) fab.
The return of Darin was cause for much celebration in blog-land: "Breathing Your Love" was a very good electro-pop style comeback.
Another Swedish talent returned this year: Christian Walz. I loved the retro-70s vibe of "What's Your Name".
I finally got into Jason Mraz's music this year. We all know how great "I'm Yours" is, but "The Dynamo of Volition" was a fast-talking little gem from his great "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things" album.
Alphabeat deserved much credit for bringing pop back to the charts - "Fascination" was just such a foot-tapping feelgood song.
One song which did very well at MF was "I Lågornas Sken" by those witch-burning cheeky boys Nordman. Very dramatic and very...Swedish!
Talking of Swedish, one of our old faves Brolle returned with an album in his native language. He's a great singer in any language, and I liked "Solo i Stockholm".
"Flyer (Under Fire)" by Sergey needs no introduction for fans of Russian pop...and if you like this then visit Rachel's wonderful Work Your Magic.
The comeback single "Måndagsbarn" by Veronica Maggio was in that retro-60s style which seemed to be popular this year, and she did it particularly well. Produced by her other half Oskar (Kihlen) from Snook, which is another good reason to love it.
Everytime I hear "The Bells of Freedom" by BWO I just feel like dancing around the room. There's nothing new or original about it, it's just BWO being BWO but that's a good thing!
"Outta My Head" was a ridiculously catchy single by Ashlee Simpson and it should have done better in this country.
"Love Song" by Sara Bareilles was a massive radio airplay hit so I got tired of it eventually, that's why it probably never made my top 50. Still quite like it though.
I once referred to Sara Bareilles as the female Daniel Powter, well the man himself was back this year with "Next Plane Home" which might not have been as classic as "Bad Day" but it was still rather nice.
If you needed a Prince-tribute this year then you couldn't get better than "Hot Mess" by Sam Sparro. It should have been a single IMHO, but I wonder what will happen with his career now after the failure of "21st Century Life"?
"The World Should Revolve Around Me" by Little Jackie really grabbed my attention this year...the backing track reminds me of "Kommer Ifrån" by Snook, which is a good enough reason to love it.
One of the year's best new acts with major international hit potential is Irish trio The Script. They released a very impressive debut album, and "The Man Who Can’t Be Moved" really deserved its hit status.
Great to have Will Young back again. "Changes" had the same kind of musical feel as James Morrison's "You Give Me Something" and I really identified with the lyrics. Will is just a great charismatic artist.
Watch out for VV Brown next year - if there is any justice she will take the world by storm. "Crying Blood" is catchy and irresistible. And she has such an amazing look!
Incredible but true: my hatred of Snow Patrol was abolished thanks to "Take Back The City" which proved that they had a bit of life about them after all. A really good track - what a pleasant surprise!
When I heard "Viva La Vida....." initially, I didn't really like "Cemeteries of London" however a couple of days later I heard this played loud in a record shop and suddenly it all made sense. Coldplay made an amazing album.
My introduction to Hot Chip came with "Ready For The Floor" which was an incredibly catchy tune. I never did get round to hearing their other stuff, but I liked this.
These are in no particular order, just totally random.
It may not have made the MGP final, but "Colliding" by Nicholas Carlie was a nice swaying ballad.
Question of the year? "Are we human or are we dancer?" The Killers were back, and "Human" was (and is) fab.
The return of Darin was cause for much celebration in blog-land: "Breathing Your Love" was a very good electro-pop style comeback.
Another Swedish talent returned this year: Christian Walz. I loved the retro-70s vibe of "What's Your Name".
I finally got into Jason Mraz's music this year. We all know how great "I'm Yours" is, but "The Dynamo of Volition" was a fast-talking little gem from his great "We Sing. We Dance. We Steal Things" album.
Alphabeat deserved much credit for bringing pop back to the charts - "Fascination" was just such a foot-tapping feelgood song.
One song which did very well at MF was "I Lågornas Sken" by those witch-burning cheeky boys Nordman. Very dramatic and very...Swedish!
Talking of Swedish, one of our old faves Brolle returned with an album in his native language. He's a great singer in any language, and I liked "Solo i Stockholm".
"Flyer (Under Fire)" by Sergey needs no introduction for fans of Russian pop...and if you like this then visit Rachel's wonderful Work Your Magic.
The comeback single "Måndagsbarn" by Veronica Maggio was in that retro-60s style which seemed to be popular this year, and she did it particularly well. Produced by her other half Oskar (Kihlen) from Snook, which is another good reason to love it.
Everytime I hear "The Bells of Freedom" by BWO I just feel like dancing around the room. There's nothing new or original about it, it's just BWO being BWO but that's a good thing!
"Outta My Head" was a ridiculously catchy single by Ashlee Simpson and it should have done better in this country.
"Love Song" by Sara Bareilles was a massive radio airplay hit so I got tired of it eventually, that's why it probably never made my top 50. Still quite like it though.
I once referred to Sara Bareilles as the female Daniel Powter, well the man himself was back this year with "Next Plane Home" which might not have been as classic as "Bad Day" but it was still rather nice.
If you needed a Prince-tribute this year then you couldn't get better than "Hot Mess" by Sam Sparro. It should have been a single IMHO, but I wonder what will happen with his career now after the failure of "21st Century Life"?
"The World Should Revolve Around Me" by Little Jackie really grabbed my attention this year...the backing track reminds me of "Kommer Ifrån" by Snook, which is a good enough reason to love it.
One of the year's best new acts with major international hit potential is Irish trio The Script. They released a very impressive debut album, and "The Man Who Can’t Be Moved" really deserved its hit status.
Great to have Will Young back again. "Changes" had the same kind of musical feel as James Morrison's "You Give Me Something" and I really identified with the lyrics. Will is just a great charismatic artist.
Watch out for VV Brown next year - if there is any justice she will take the world by storm. "Crying Blood" is catchy and irresistible. And she has such an amazing look!
Incredible but true: my hatred of Snow Patrol was abolished thanks to "Take Back The City" which proved that they had a bit of life about them after all. A really good track - what a pleasant surprise!
When I heard "Viva La Vida....." initially, I didn't really like "Cemeteries of London" however a couple of days later I heard this played loud in a record shop and suddenly it all made sense. Coldplay made an amazing album.
My introduction to Hot Chip came with "Ready For The Floor" which was an incredibly catchy tune. I never did get round to hearing their other stuff, but I liked this.
Sunday, December 14, 2008
A broadcast on behalf of the frustrated chart compilers party
Whilst I enjoyed compiling the 2008-50, it also became rather frustrating as it just brought it all back to me how there were so many amazing songs with massive hit potential, but most of them failed to achieve any commercial success in this country because they aren't being played on radio and thus getting out to a wider audience.
They say that the music business is in a horrible mess at the moment, but I'm not really surprised.
The record companies and the media, notably radio stations, are failing promising new artists.
1) There are now no prime-time TV outlets for new music - only Later with Jools Holland (not on at the moment) and Sound (tucked away in a stupid Saturday afternoon slot).
2) There may be a lot of music video channels now, but they are all completely lazy, mostly playing the same boring r'n'b songs all day and night. Only The Box has tried to break new (often European) acts but there are now less than before, in favour of top 40 hits.
3) Local radio stations are the worst offenders: why play new music from unknown acts when you can play boring oldies or Pink, Rihanna and Amy Winehouse all day long?
Sorry for the rant but I'm just fed up with the lack of priority given to music now. Even the record shops seem ashamed to sell CDs in favour of games and DVDs.
Thank goodness for blog-land, where fanbases can be built with word of mouth (or should that be word of mouse???) and we can get to hear about great music. Long live bloggers!!
They say that the music business is in a horrible mess at the moment, but I'm not really surprised.
The record companies and the media, notably radio stations, are failing promising new artists.
1) There are now no prime-time TV outlets for new music - only Later with Jools Holland (not on at the moment) and Sound (tucked away in a stupid Saturday afternoon slot).
2) There may be a lot of music video channels now, but they are all completely lazy, mostly playing the same boring r'n'b songs all day and night. Only The Box has tried to break new (often European) acts but there are now less than before, in favour of top 40 hits.
3) Local radio stations are the worst offenders: why play new music from unknown acts when you can play boring oldies or Pink, Rihanna and Amy Winehouse all day long?
Sorry for the rant but I'm just fed up with the lack of priority given to music now. Even the record shops seem ashamed to sell CDs in favour of games and DVDs.
Thank goodness for blog-land, where fanbases can be built with word of mouth (or should that be word of mouse???) and we can get to hear about great music. Long live bloggers!!
2008-50: No.1 - Shouldn't tell you what I got inside but I just need to let it out
"It's Only You Part II" - Salem Al Fakir.
Deja vu? You may remember the original version of this song appearing in my 2007-50, no. 17 to be precise. So you could argue that this song shouldn't even be here on a technicality. But it is, it's my chart, I make the rules here...and besides, it's such a radically different version that it's like a new song anyway :)))
I immediately loved this new version of the song: it is bright, sparkling, happy and uplifting, and as you would expect from Salem it is just pure musical perfection with a timeless quality. My love of this song is reflected in the fact that it is now in the top 10 of my iTunes play count. I won't let a day pass without hearing this song. I just love it.
But this presented me with a dilemma. To have a Salem song at no.1 for two years running would be a bit reminiscent of the Spice Girls or the X Factor getting the Christmas no.1 every year. I didn't want it to be a foregone conclusion.
But then I thought about it again: the no.1 should be my favourite song of the year. And this is.
I know it's a bit early to talk about the 2009-50, but if Salem's new album lives up to the greatness of his 2007 debut, then don't be surprised to see him here again 365 days from now!!
So that's the end of my 2008-50 countdown. Over the next week I'll be revealing my "ones that got away" - the 25 songs which just missed out on my top 50. Some goodies in there too!!
2008-50: No.2 - Cause if you're not really here, then I don't want to be either
"Black and Gold" - Sam Sparro.
Do you ever hear a song and just know that it’s going to be your favourite of the year? And so it was with "Black and Gold". Mr Sparro signalled his arrival on planet Pop with this fantastic song which sounds as good after the ten thousandth listen as it did the first time. A sophisticated pop song oozing genuine quality, no more no less. Without question, the best song to grace the British charts in 2008.
Unfortunately there was nothing on his debut album, good though it was, to even come near equalling this.
This reigned supreme as my favourite song of the year until about 8 weeks ago, when it was overtaken by my no.1.
Saturday, December 13, 2008
2008-50: No. 3 - You can't blame me for shining cause I'm a star
"Twelve Fingers" - Salem Al Fakir.
From the "It’s Only You Part II" EP, and like everything he does, instantly likeable. More punchy than anything on "This Is Who I Am" and indicative of his move towards a harder sound, but still distinctively Salem nevertheless with the distinctive vocals and keyboard lines. Great lyrics on this one too. I also like the clarity of the production - is there anything this man cannot do well?
No video available for this song, but you can hear it at www.myspace.com/salem.
2008-50: No.4 - I think I never trusted you enough
"Let It Shine" - Tingsek.
Yet another one of those Swedish musical geniuses who blend pop and soul effortlessly (I don't even need to mention them here, do I?) And like his contemporaries this has an almost 70s retro/laid-back feel to it: from its sparse beginnings it builds into something rather beautiful and uplifting. The minute I heard this song I knew it would be in my top five singles of the year: I was right.
Friday, December 12, 2008
2008-50: No. 5 - Put your lovin' hands out baby
"Beggin' " - Madcon.
One of the year's biggest European hits - even here in the UK! This was an old Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons which was turned into an absolutely fabulous dance-pop-rap stomper by this Norwegian duo.
Like many of the other songs in my chart I never get tired of hearing this - and it got yet another lease of life during my summer holiday in Nice, where it was probably the most-played song of the holiday.
Video: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=UiUkyPHyrSI
2008-50: No. 6 - We can dance all night with the bourgeoisie
"Lay Your Love On Me" - BWO.
My undisputed favourite of the 2008 Melodifestivalen, and I still can't get enough of it. It may have owed a little to "Hung Up" but mixed with some of the old BWO magic, the result was just a great pop song. Their performance on Melodifestivalen was one of the most memorable of this year's contest, and their visual style was as understated as ever - NOT!!
It was a good year for BWO: they released their fabulous greatest hits compilation "Pandemonium" which is a great introduction to their effortless, catchy Swedish pop. Oh, and did I mention that I was in love with Martin Rolinski? (yeah, shallow again, I know ....!)
Happy days ahead: they'll be back at MF in 2009.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
2008-50: No. 7 - I got haste, I got taste, I can't wait no more
"Just A Minute" - Rongedal.
Imagine if Mika and the Scissor Sisters were to have a musical baby (!). Their offspring would sound like this Melodifestivalen 2008 finalist. I wasn't expecting much from the Rongedal brothers this year, more famous as backing singers and game show panellists than real pop stars. What a surprise I got. An immediately catchy song with a catchy falsetto hookline, performed with such professionalism as if their lives depended on it.
I never get tired of hearing this song.
2008-50: No. 8 - Revolutionaries wait for my head on a silver plate
"Viva La Vida" - Coldplay.
OK, ridicule me if you wish, but here goes..."Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends" was my favourite album of 2008. The title track may have been overplayed to death, but it’s so anthemic and timeless that I’m still glad whenever it comes on the radio. And when that whoa-ho-ho-ho-ho bit comes in, three minutes into the song, it's just one of those moments that make you happy to be alive. And that, after all, is what great music is about.
Or, for the conspiracy theorists who might have heard that song before....
Tuesday, December 09, 2008
2008-50: No. 9 - You better treat me nice, or I'll come back to bite
"Save The Lies" - Gabriella Cilmi.
She will always be remembered for her breakthrough hit "Sweet About Me", one of 2008's 'sleeper hits' but it was the follow-up which really impressed me. A funky, gutsy upbeat number which, again, wasn’t the massive hit that it so deserved to be.
In this year of post-Winehouse girl-pop, Duffy may have got all the attention but I thought Gabriella was much better and deserved to be more successful. Young, pretty, talented....I hate her! (only kidding). Looking forward to hearing much more from her in the future.
2008-50: No. 10 - I just wonder what we've gotten ourselves into
"Propane Nightmares" - Pendulum.
Top ten time!! I'm doing four songs tonight as I won't be on here tomorrow night as I need to catch up with some other stuff.
At one point in the year I actually had this song in about 3rd/4th place but even now, 10th is pretty respectable.
I remember the first time I heard this truly epic track, arguably the most 'exciting' record of the year for me. I am still gripped by the same excitement every time I hear this song, even though I'm not really a fan of their other music. An incredible fusion of drum'n'bass and rock, with an appeal to a much wider audience.
Australian acts are doing very well in my top ten this year!!
2008-50: No. 11 - They wanna rap and make soul beats just like you, but they're just not you
"Homecoming" - Kanye West featuring Chris Martin.Kanye again, this time someone featuring on his record instead of him featuring on someone else's. One technically from 2007, I know, but I only got to hear it at the beginning of 2008 and I make the rules, so it qualifies!!
This really came into its own thanks to the addition of Chris Martin, outwith his Coldplay-comfort-zone. A memorable piano hook, and Martin sounding as if he was really enjoying himself here. This is now my 17th most played song on iTunes!
I haven't listened to Mr West's new album yet, I wasn't too thrilled by "Love Lockdown" so I hope there's better songs to come from him.
2008-50: No. 12 - I just met this five foot seven guy who's just my type
"American Boy" - Estelle featuring Kanye West.
For me, one of the most enduring chart hits of the year. Featuring Kanye West - I know that was quite a common thing a couple of years ago - every record that was released seemed to be 'Featuring Kanye West' but his rapping on this one just makes the song extra special, and it's quite funny too.
Estelle hasn't really had much commercial success since, possibly because this song will always cast a big shadow over anything else that she does. This song was a breath of fresh air for many of us who were becoming bored by the dull formula r'n'b that ruled the charts this year: just a great crossover record.
Monday, December 08, 2008
2008-50: No. 13 - Truth be told simple and bold, I think you're special
"Do You Love Me" - Amanda Jenssen.
Premiered -memorably - at January's Grammisgalan, this Vincent Pontare-written song was a stunning debut. In a year full of 60s-influenced post-Winehouse girl-pop songs, this just destroyed all of them. She may have only been runner-up in last year's Swedish Idol contest but it looks as if her musical career will outlive that of winner Marie Picasso.
Video: (from Grammisgalan): http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=LgoPXj5Wzhk
2008-50: No. 14 - Look away, they try to find the milky way
"Divine" - Sebastien Tellier.
Into the final week of my chart - yes I've finally caught up! - with a song which has just grown in stature over this year.
In the predictable landscape of the Eurovision Song Contest, France did something daring and different this year and selected Sebastien Tellier's "Divine": the least Eurovision-y song you are ever likely to hear. It became one of my most played songs of the year on the iPod, it's such a likeable feelgood song with its Beach Boys-type harmonising.
But that wasn't the end of it. This song then turned up as background music in various TV shows, and is now featuring in the latest Renault Megane advert, which has given the song yet another new lease of life. And as I type this, that ad has just come on TV!!
2008-50: No. 15 - I can't hesitate no more, this cannot wait
"I'm Yours" - Jason Mraz.
A hit all over Europe this year but....oh you know the rest. Still there is hope: I heard it on my local radio station today at work, and I leapt out of my seat and yelled "Jason Mraz!!!!" (Needless to say I got some funny looks and no-one seemed to share my enthusiasm for the song, but hey I still love it anyway).
This song got me into his music and I am now a fan of his laid-back gentle lyrical acoustic sound, which musically comforted me through a turbulent summer.
Sunday, December 07, 2008
2008-50: No. 16: Give me more of the attraction
"Love In Stereo" - Ola.
Yet another song from this year's MF - there are another couple to go!
I totally fell in love with this song and I thought Ola looked great singing it too (shallow, yeah I know). It's just the kind of thing I watch Melodifestivalen for.
2008-50: No. 17 - I wonder if you could be my therapy?
"Bang On The Piano" - Jack McManus.
OK at the risk of repeating myself - why wasn't this a hit? It got radio airplay, it got video airplay, he's good-looking and he's got a famous girlfriend (Martine McCutcheon) so it was all quite high-profile....yet it all didn't quite work out.
A catchy, uplifting, radio-friendly song and one which was bigged-up rather a lot on this blog in the early part of this year. I'm not sure what will happen with his career now, but this is still a good record anyway.
Video: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=YMla35_YWoM (almost 400,000 views of this on YouTube - imagine if this had translated into record sales!)
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