My Favorite Albums and Singles of 2018

It's been a while since my last post, but I've never stopped following or listening to music. If anything, I probably listen to more new artists than before, who are especially easier to find due to the advances of the 21st century.

So why no posts? The typical answer that any blogger who started last decade will tell you: life.

Life has blessed me in many ways since I last posted, but it has changed in such a way that it's forced me to adapt in a way that I have yet to accomplish.

I don't see myself posting regularly in the future, although the thought is nice. It's too hard to predict when I'll bring an idea to fruition. The good news is that I still have ideas and I hope to share them more often than I have in the past few years.

I still host my radio show, Noteworthy at UIC Radio on Mondays from 6PM-8PM CT, so if you would like a reliable, steady source for what I'm listening to or some of my ideas, that's your best bet. The radio show also has its own Facebook and Twitter.

I never stopped coming up with ideas about music and I still started on year-end lists for 2016 and 2017. I would like to finish them at some point because it's going to bug me until I do, but I can't guarantee anything. I have no idea when the next time I'll pop up on here will be. I'll definitely do my 2019 lists, and if I've learned any lessons, it should be released in a more timely manner.

All I know is that I was frustrated that I hadn't posted a list in two years and it nagged me. I was simply determined to rectify that for 2018.

The actual list itself was done around late December/early January, but I'm just now getting around to posting it. Yes, it's going on April and I'm not going to let that be an excuse.

Perhaps fewer excuses and more ideas would do me some good.

Top 50 Albums of 2018

1. Saba – Care For Me
2. Beach House - 7
3. Noname – Room 25
4. Tirzah – Devotion
5. The Beths – Future Me Hates Me
6. Tune-yards – I Can Feel You Creep Into My Private Life
7. Robyn – Honey
8. Young Fathers – Cocoa Sugar
9. Courtney Barnett - Tell Me How You Really Feel
10. Meshell Ndegeocello – Ventriloquism
11. Reason – There You Have It
12. Nao - Saturn
13. Tom Misch - Geography
14. Mac Miller – Swimming
15. Kali Uchis – Isolation
16. Janelle Monae – Dirty Computer
17. Cornelia Murr - Man On My Mind
18. Pusha T – Daytona
19. Nipsey Hussle – Victory Lap
20. DJ Koze – Knock Knock
21. Royce da 5’9” - The Book of Ryan
22. Anna Calvi - Hunter
23. Black Panther: The Album
24. Arin Ray – Platinum Fire
25. Snail Mail - Lush
26. J.I.D. -DiCaprio 2
27. Mitski – Be The Cowboy
28. The Internet – Hive Mind
29. Jon Hopkins - Singularity
30. Ariana Grande – Sweetener
31. Lucy Dacus - Historian
32. Tash Sultana – Flow State
33. Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – Everything's Fine
34. J. Cole – KOD
35. St. Beauty – Running To The Sun
36. Travis Scott – Astroworld
37. Jeff Rosenstock - Post-
38. Kadhja Bonet - Childqueen
39. Eleanor Friedberger – Rebound
40. Vince Staples – FM!
41. Fatima - And Yet It's All Love
42. NoMBe – They Might’ve Even Loved Me
43. Tracey Thorn – Record
44. Hop Along – Bark Your Head Off, Dog
45. Earl Sweatshirt - Some Rap Songs
46. Soccer Mommy - Clean
47. Esperanza Spalding – 12 Little Spells
48. Smerz – Have Fun
49. Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy
50. U.S. Girls – In A Poem Unlimited

Top 250 Singles of 2018

1. Kanye West feat. Kid Cudi, PARTYNEXTDOOR and 070 Shake – Ghost Town
2. Janelle Monae feat. Grimes – Pynk
3. Jessie Reyez - Sola
4. Radiant Children – Go Left
5. Pusha T - If You Know You Know
6. Ariana Grande – get well soon
7. Cassie – Don't Play It Safe
8. A$AP Rocky feat. Moby – A$AP Forever
9. Jonny Greenwood – House of Woodcock
10. J. Cole – ATM
11. Xander feat. Malik Elijah - askmeificare
12. Janelle Monae – Make Me Feel
13. Pusha T – The Story of Adidon
14. Madison McFerrin - Insane
15. Kacey Musgraves – High Horse
16. Drake – Nice For What
17. Janelle Monae – Django Jane
18. Jessie Reyez – Apple Juice
19. Ari Lennox – Whipped Cream
20. Coco O. Bled For You
21. Mac Miller – Small Worlds
22. Anderson .Paak - ‘Til It’s Over
23. Halsey feat. Big Sean & Stefflon Don – Alone
24. Low - Disarray
25. Anderson .Paak - Bubblin’
26. Hatchie – Sure
27. D.R.A.M. - Best Hugs
28. Khalid feat. Swae Lee – The Ways
29. Cornelia Murr – Man On My Mind
30. Anderson .Paak feat. Kendrick Lamar – Tints
31. The 1975 – Sincerity Is Scary
32. Snail Mail – Heat Wave
33. Gucci Mane feat. Kodak Black & Bruno Mars – Wake Up In The Sky
34. Vanessa Zamora – Al Fondo de Mi
35. Drake – God's Plan
36. DJ Esco & Future feat. Nas – Walk Thru
37. Brandi Carlile – The Joke
38. N*E*R*D feat. Kendrick Lamar – Don't Don't Do It
39. Doja Cat – Mooo!
40. Courtney Barnett – City Looks Pretty
41. Dean – instagram
42. Jessie Reyez feat. JRM – Imported
43. Rosehardt & Space People – Electric Slide (In Ya DMs)
44. Nipsey Hussle feat. YG – Last Time I Checc’d
45. Hatchie - Sleep
46. Moonchild - The List
47. serpentwithfeet – bless ur heart
48. Hoodboi feat. Tkay Maizda – Glide
49. Bruno Mars feat. Cardi B – Finesse (Remix)
50. St. Beauty – Caught
51. Charlie Puth feat. Boyz II Men – If You Leave Me Now
52. Sunflower Bean – Twentytwo
53. The Internet – Roll (Burbank Funk)
54. Rich The Kid – Plug Walk
55. Ella Mai – Boo'd Up
56. Childish Gambino – This Is America
57. Swizz Beatz feat. Lil Wayne – Pistol On My Side (P.O.M.S.)
58. Laura Jean – Girls on the TV
59. Japanese Breakfast – Boyish
60. Phony Ppl – Way Too Far
61. The Weeknd feat. Kendrick Lamar – Pray For Me
62. John Mayer – New Light
63. Ariana Grande – No Tears Left To Cry
64. Vic Mensa & Valee – Dim Sum
65. Years & Years - Sanctify
66. Kanye West feat. Lil Pump – I Love It
67. Car Seat Headrest – Beach Life-in-Death
68. Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – My Contribution To This Scam
69. audiobooks – Dance Your Life Away
70. Noname feat. Saba & Smino - Ace
71. MorMor – Whatever Comes To Mind
72. Gender Roles – Plastic
73. Drake – Duppy Freestyle
74. Radiant Children – Life's A Bitch
75. Leikeli47 – Roll Call
76. Westside Gunn feat. Anderson .Paak - Wrestlemania 20
77. Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar - Win
78. Riton feat. Kah-Lo & Mr. Eazi – Catching Feelings
79. Me’shell Ndegeocello – Sometimes It Snows In April
80. Blocboy JB feat. Drake – Look Alive
81. Rina Sawayama – Valentine (What's It Gonna Be?)
82. Channel Tres – Topdown
83. Mitski – Nobody
84. Courtney Barnett – Need A Little Time
85. Valee feat. Pusha T – Miami
86. Samana – Beneath The Ice
87. Post Malone feat. Ty Dolla $ign – Psycho
88. Black Eyed Peas – Street Livin'
89. D.R.A.M. - WWYD?
90. Arin Ray – Skeemin'
91. The Carters – APESHIT
92. Tracey Thorn - Queen
93. Hop Along – Prior Things
94. Leon Bridges – Bad Bad News
95. Saweetie feat. Kehlani – ICY GRL (Bae Mix)
96. Jade Bird – Lottery
97. The Beths - Future Me Hates Me
98. JGrrey – Don't Fade
99. Saba – Life
100. Young Fathers – Border Girl
101. Jessie Reyez – Body Count
102. Cam O’bi feat. Smino – Tenderheaded
103. Lady Gaga – I'll Never Love Again
104. Sun June – Discotheque
105. Ashley Monroe – Hands On You
106. Kadhja Bonet – Delphine
107. Denzel Curry feat. Twelve’len and Goldlink – Black Balloons
108. Cardi B feat. 21 Savage – Bartier Cardi
109. Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Hunnybee
110. Ash – Confessions In The Pool
111. Tom Misch feat. Loyle Carner – Water Baby
112. MorMor –Heaven's Only Wishful
113. 1010 Benja SL – Wind Up Space
114. Troye Sivan – My My My!
115. Riton feat. Kah-Lo – Fake ID
116. Let's Eat Grandma – Hot Pink
117. Lucy Dacus – Night Shift
118. Twist - Venus
119. Wafia – I’m Good
120. Gender Roles – About Her
121. Free Nationals feat. Daniel Caesar & Unknown Mortal Orchestra – Beauty & Essex
122. HONNE feat. Tom Misch – Me & You
123. Soccer Mommy - Cool
124. Nicki Minaj – Barbie Dreams
125. Saba – Busy
126. Zilo – Keep Up Wimmi
127. Boosie – Webbie I Remember
128. Young M.A. - Praktice
129. Valee feat. Jeremih – Womp Womp
130. Phoebe Ryan feat. Tove Lo – Heart Attack
131. SG Lewis feat. AlunaGeorge - Hurting
132. Cardi B feat. Bad Bunny & J. Balvin – I Like It
133. Jade Novah – Next To You
134. Beulahbelle – You Only Live Twice (Living Room Version)
135. Ebony Bones – No Black In The Union Jack
136. Gabrielle Aplin – My Mistake
137. Tomberlin – I'm Not Scared
138. J. Cole – Album of the Year - Freestyle
139. PREP feat. DEAN – Cold Fire
140. 88Rising feat. Blocboy JB – Peach Jam
141. Confidence Man – Out The Window
142. The 1975 – TOOTIMETOOTIMETOOTIME
143. Okay Kaya – IUD
144. The 1975 – Love It If We Made It
145. Radiant Children – Tryin'
146. The Regrettes – Back In Your Head
147. Richard Reed Parry – Song of Wood
148. Cardi B – Money
149. Moaning Lisa – Comfortable
150. Daphne & Celeste – Alarms
151. Gorillaz feat. George Benson – Humility
152. L8LOOMER - < 3
153. Bas feat. J. Cole – Tribe
154. H.E.R. - Focus
155. Janelle Monae – I Like That
156. CHVRCHES – Never Say Die
157. Speedy Ortiz – Lean In When I Suffer
158. Reason – The Soul
159. Gallant – Gentleman
160. Eleanor Friedberger – Make Me A Song
161. Royce da 5’9” feat. Eminem & King Green - Caterpillar
162. Beach House - Alien
163. Raveena – Honey
164. Amber Mark – High On Your Love
165. Carrie Underwood – Cry Pretty
166. Kyle Craft – The Rager
167. H.E.R. feat. Bryson Tiller – Could've Been
168. Jenny Hval - Spells
169. Mariah Carey – With You
170. Simmy - Umahalela
171. Ebhoni – Opps
172. Kylie Minogue - Dancing
173. Kadhja Bonet – Mother Maybe
174. Joyner Lucas & Chris Brown – Stranger Things
175. Chance The Rapper – I Might Need Security
176. Machine Gun Kelly – Rap Devil
177. Benin City – Double or Nothing
178. Deerhunter – Death in Midsummer
179. 6ix9ine feat. Nicki Minaj – FEFE (Remix)
180. Barrie – Tal Uno
181. Jean Grae & Quelle Chris – Gold Purple Orange
182. Tash Sultana – Free Mind
183. Lil Baby feat. Drake – Yes, Indeed
184. NAO – Another Lifetime
185. Bazzi feat. Camilla Cabello – Beautiful
186. Leon Thomas feat. Buddy – Favorite
187. Lil Wayne – Dedicate
188. Mahalia – Surprise Me
189. Carly Jepsen – Party For One
190. Lykke Li – Hard Rain
191. Lizzo – Boys
192. YG feat. 2 Chainz, Big Sean and Nicki Minaj – Big Bank
193. Wiley feat. Scratchy and D Double E – Bar
194. Trouble & Mike WiLL Made-It feat. Drake – Bring It Back
195. Charly Bliss – Heaven
196. Leon Bridges – Beyond
197. Kendrick Lamar feat. SZA – All The Stars
198. Rhye – Count To Five
199. Sylvan Esso – There Are Many Ways To Say I Love You
200. Jay Rock feat. Kendrick Lamar, Future, and James Blake – King’s Dead
201. Azealia Banks – Movin' On Up (Coco’s Song, Love Beats Rhymes)
202. Nilufer Yanya – Baby Luv
203. Travis Scott feat. Drake – Sicko Mode
204. Your Smith – The Spot
205. Tyler the Creator feat. A$AP Rocky – Potato Salad
206. Chloe x Halle feat. Joey Bada$$ - Happy Without Me
207. Shawn Mendes feat. Zedd – Lost In Japan (Remix)
208. Ilham feat. Arin Ray - Cycle of Games
209. Mothers – Pink and Blue
210. Julia Holter – I Shall Love 2
211. Eminem feat. Joyner Lucas – Lucky You
212. Kandace Springs – 6 8
213. Brian Fallon – If Your Prayers Don’t Get To Heaven
214. Janet Jackson feat. Daddy Yankee – Made For Now
215. Jay Som –Pirouette
216. Dilly Dally - Doom
217. CASISDEAD – Pat Earrings
218. Gavin Turek – WHITNEY
219. Dilly Dally - Marijuana
220. Sheck Wes – Mo Bamba
221. Lou Phelps feat. Jazz Cartier – Come Inside (Kaytranada Edit)
222. Joseph Chilliams feat. Saba – Unfriendly Black Hotties
223. Trippie Redd feat. Travis Scott – Dark Knight Dummo
224. Riton feat. Kah-Lo – Ginger
225. Cazzu - Chapiadora
226. Royce da 5’9” feat. J. Cole – Boblo Boat
227. DJ Koze – Pick Up
228. Aloe Blacc – Brooklyn In The Summer
229. Tres Oui - Séance
230. Cardi B – Be Careful
231. SOB X RBE – Anti Social
232. Robyn – Honey
233. Chloe x Halle – Grown
234. JID feat. BJ The Chicago Kid - Skrawberries
235. Tangents – Swells Under Tito
236. Diana Gordon – Wolverine
237. Hatchie – Bad Guy
238. Miya Folick – Stock Image
239. Kimbra – Version Of Me
240. Natalie Prass – Short Court Style
241. Towkio feat. Teddy Jackson – Symphony
242. NEIKED feat. Miriam Bryant – How Did I Find You
243. The Go! Team – The Only Thing New Is U Finding Out About It
244. Craig David feat. Goldlink – Live In The Moment
245. JD. Reid feat. Katy B – Call Your Bluff
246. Buddy – Trouble On Central
247. T.I. feat. Meek Mill – Jefe
248. Victoria Monet – The Glow
249. Field Music – Time In Joy
250. Soleima – Low Life

Top 250 Singles of 2015

This was the first year I seriously flirted with going past the usual 250 slots for my favorite singles of the year, simply because there is seemingly something worth sharing that comes out everyday. Going up to 300 or 400 could very well be a possibility in the future, but for now, I really like the sound and legitimacy of 250. As always, there's a Spotify playlist included at the bottom of the list and all entries marked with a (*) have direct links to the song since they're not on Spotify. Make sure to check out my best albums list as well.

1. The Internet feat. Kaytranada - Girl

The overwhelming desire to touch and be touched becomes a reflex over the course of this song. There are multiple tracks in the catalog of The Internet that cover this sort of ground, but none quite as potent as "Girl." Syd tha Kid's delivery barely goes above the hushed volume that's expected from speaking in the dark, which is complementary for a song that has more than a few textures of the interstellar in it. Her voice is a calming presence in the void, like it would be if one were to float in space. As airy as "Girl" is, the entire thing drips more than anything. The deep bass tone, which could've come from none other than Kaytranada, is as patient as it gets and moves with the speed of honey, making sure that every drop of sensuality lands perfectly. Light a candle, let your hands flow and send a thank you card to The Internet for breaking your cold streak.

Top 250 Singles of 2014

As the years go on, this list has become more agonizing to sift through because of the amount of great stuff that's out there. I won't complain though. The time and effort that goes into this makes me feel good about songs even in the lower reaches of the list, and that's a feeling that increases with each year. So yes, it's definitely worth it. As usual, I've included a Spotify playlist and for the tracks that weren't available there, I used Soundcloud to compile them (those songs will have a * next to them). Both playlists are also embedded at the bottom. For songs that couldn't be found on either, I just simply included a hyperlink to where you can listen (designated with a ^). If you haven't yet, check out my albums list as well. Hope you find something new that you'll enjoy!

1. FKA twigs - Two Weeks

The past couple of years in music have seen an increasing fascination with the spaced-out, drum heavy sounds of mid to late-90s R&B to much acclaim. One has to wonder where the critical adoration has been all this time and why it took a touch of the fringe to make it palatable and hip (i.e. Banks, The Weeknd, How To Dress Well, etc.). FKA twigs' career has definitely benefited from this growing trend, but with all the comparisons to experimental artists like Björk and James Blake, make no mistake about it; "Two Weeks" is a pure R&B record. Once upon a time, turntable scratches and Auto-Tune were alien to rhythm and blues, so don't let the screwed vocals that pop up throughout deter from classifying it as such. If anything, they add to the atmosphere, which is probably one of the most sensual to come down the pipeline in a year or two. That uneasy tension is likely what twigs wants. For the audience to be kept off guard, to be lulled away from their equilibrium leaving themselves susceptible, until finally, she coos in a voice dripping with confidence and candle wax, "Give me two weeks/you won't recognize her." You're left helpless, she's in full control and more than likely, you're regretfully enjoying every minute of it. What genre besides R&B is more notorious for moves like that?

Ten Years of Singles, Ten Years of Spotify Playlists: 2004 - 2013

While we're in the midst of year-end list season (and as I'm preparing my own, so check back soon), I got to thinking about the history of this blog, which started back in 2004 as a project for an English Comp. course. Ten years is a long time to be doing anything and if anything, my past best-of lists have been a reliable snapshot of the culture at the time which I often use as a reference, along with how I've grown as a person (some of my earliest Lollapalooza recaps were so cruel, they embarrass me now). I've only started employing Spotify into my year-end singles posts the past few years and thought it would be a great idea to go back and give the others the same treatment. If you ever need a good idea of what went on in music from 2004-2013 and you have a few weeks to spare, I think this post would be a good place to start. Click on a year for the full list.


2004



Song that should have been higher in hindsight: Alicia Keys - "If I Ain't Got You" (original rank: #84)
Most guilt-wracked omissions: McFly - "Room On The 3rd Floor"; Mousse T feat. Emma Lanford - "Is It 'Cos I'm Cool"; Teddybears STLHM - "Hey Boy"

2005



Song that should have been higher in hindsight: Out Hud - "It's For You" (#188)
Most guilt-wracked omission: Fefe Dobson - "Don't Let It Go To Your Head"

2006



Song that should have been higher in hindsight: Yeah Yeah Yeahs - "Cheated Hearts" (#113)
Most guilt-wracked omission: The Long Blondes - "Once And Never Again"

Top 250 Singles of 2013

Since we're in the Cloud Age, where things are headed more and more towards streaming seemingly everyday, I have to expand the definition of what exactly qualifies as a single. For the purpose of this list, any song that was uploaded to Soundcloud by the artist or their record label automatically qualified, even if it wasn't for sale or didn't have a video. By far this was the most most intimidating year to put together a singles list because there always felt like there was something new right around the corner that I might have missed, which is thrilling for a music fan. I've included a Spotify playlist of the songs and for those that weren't on there, I've included an asterisk (*) to help you out. If it's not on there, it's likely on Soundcloud and if it's in the top 100, I'd especially recommend putting forth the effort to search for it. Make sure to check out my albums list as well.

1. Pharrell Williams - Happy

"It might seem crazy what I'm about to say." Hard to believe that we're at the point where we have to almost apologize for being in a good mood. Often times, I find songs dedicated to joy to be the most fearless in today's cynical world and there are fewer that blare the horn of happiness louder than this one. For the purpose of full disclosure, The Neptunes are among some of my favorite artists of all-time, so there's always something welcoming for me when one of them hits their stride. Regardless, I think anyone would have won me over with such a jubilant gospel shuffle. It's a solid foundation to start with, but then there's that chorus. That sunny, carefree, defiant, Nobel Peace Prize-worthy chorus. So pure in its mission to save the world and help you leave negativity behind that it even brought along hand claps to ease the transition. It's true power isn't revealed until towards the end of the song where its repetition is so forceful that it won't be satisfied until vessels burst in your cheeks from smiling too hard. Music is at its best when the artist can project their feelings onto you and you're able to empathize. "Happy" was the best such example this year for me.

Top 250 Singles of 2012

Here is my annual singles list. I've included a Spotify playlist which I hope you'll enjoy. For tracks that you can't find on there, I put an asterisk (*) next to it just so you don't miss anything and can look elsewhere on the Internet. Keep an eye out for my best films list in February.




1. Xenia Rubinos - Hair Receding

Since I started getting intensely into music during the mid '90s, I've always been attracted to eclecticism in my songs. Getting a daily dose of Beck, Cibo Matto and various others will do that to your tastes. "Hair Receding" doesn't have any of the quirkiness or irony often associated with alternative acts from that decade, but its willingness to mesh genres is just as enthusiastic. One moment it's free jazz, then the next it employs an American dubstep break and Rubinos makes the whole mixture even more off-kilter with a folk-styled vocal approach. As dizzying as that all is, Rubinos essentially pours her entire soul over the track, giving the song a stronger than expected heart, especially when her voice ascends during the bridge. That emotional lift is a huge part of what keeps me coming back. The pieces here come from familiar places, but the combination forms a sound that's truly original.

Top 250 Singles of 2011

1. King - The Story

Some of the imagery here is of a galactic nature, with references to the mothership, stars and such. Not uncommon at all in pop music, but very fitting since every listen to "The Story" feels like a journey beyond space, possibly on an astral plane. There's a magic going on here that's hard to explain, but something about paving your own path and following your own heart spoke loudly to the dreamer in me, in the sort of way that my favorite songs of all-time do. We sometimes have a tendency to sneer at anything that's purposefully positive in this world. Perhaps it's out of jealousy or maybe because we simply don't like being told how to feel. Whatever it is, I implore any cynics to not let that get in the way of enjoying this song. There is too much warmth in those keyboards and too much love in the harmonies to feel anything but empowered when your heart is fully opened to this track. In the seven years I've been doing these lists, never have I been this sure of what my #1 single would be.

Top 250 Singles of 2010

1. Janelle Monáe F/ Big Boi - Tightrope

It was only just a few weeks ago that I listed The ArchAndroid as my #1 album of 2010. Now Janelle Monáe can also lay claim to my favorite single as well. The steady groove of "Tightrope" was deceptive to me at first and made everything appear simple. Having been a fan of Monáe for some years, I was used to expecting something more explosive and colorful.

Top 250 Singles of 2009

I've been tabulating my lists in a new way this year. I still go by the same criteria of how I feel in regards to ranking, but I wait till I'm done now before adding numbers, where as before I added the numbers as I went along. It would often cost me a lot of time once I remembered a single I had forgotten to add and I would have to reorder the entire thing. So basically, I ranked the songs without keeping track of how many there were. Once I got down to adding numbers to the rankings, I found out that I had more than my intended and traditional 200. The number 200 has always felt natural for me when concerning singles. It's a perfect cutoff point to prevent anything that I care little about or can't defend from sneaking in. But when I looked at some of the songs I ranked below 200, I couldn't stand to exclude them because I felt there was a lot of strong stuff. Which brings us to 250 singles this year. How did I know that 250 was the right number? My #251 would have been Flo Rida's "Right Round." I felt that then was the time to quit.


1. Noisettes - Wild Young Hearts

The joy of "Wild Young Hearts" lies in its simplicity. It tells a story that we've heard before many times. Lead singer/bassist Shinga Shoniwa plays the role of a regretful heartbreaker who can't be tamed, and to make matters even more familiar, it's all done with a 60's inflection, but it's the song's simplicity that makes it so perfect. It's an immaculately crafted pop tune that could sound just as fresh today as it probably will 10 years from now.

Hectic But Eclectic's Top 200 Singles of the Decade (2000-2009)

Here is my final decade list and it was definitely the toughest one to compile. The Internet really exploded this decade which opened myself and millions of others to more music quicker than ever. My list would look completely different if not for the Internet and it's probably the only way that international acts like Girls Aloud, Teddybears STLHM and Destra cracked my list. As with the album and film lists, this is one made of passion. There is little consideration given to what was culturally or commercially significant. It's simply what I connected with and what I felt was great music, which is the way it should be for anyone who loves the arts. Sure, a list based on "important" singles would make for great debate, but it's just not as fun as going with my heart. Also, keep a look out next week for my albums and singles list for 2009.

Top 200 Singles of 2008

1. Goldfrapp - A&E

Powerful. I could say no more than just that word and it would perfectly sum up why "A&E" is my favorite single of the year. It combines a double emotional wallop of romantic longing and self-destruction to a simple electronic folk background. There is no inspirational message here. There is nothing to be gained. Just a beautifully honest and human moment captured with no resolution. It's dramatic territory that's given the right amount of bombast to make the soul swell, but never feels overwhelming or melodramatic.

Top 200 Singles of 2007

There's usually never a lack of great singles in a year, but living in the Information Age, it is no longer possible for there to never be a great year in singles again. It is no secret that the pop universe revolves around the United States. The biggest hits from this country are usually international hits, and unless it comes from the U.K., it's very rare that a hit from another country has the same impact that an American one does. But thanks to filesharing, blogs and YouTube, our pop borders are expanded to music from other countries we would have never been exposed to. The fact that this list is 200 songs long is evidence of the abundance of great stuff around the world. A lot of the singles on this list have yet to see North American release, but don't let that stop you from enjoying them. It didn't stop me.


1. UGK F/ Outkast - International Player's Anthem
I know it's totally cliche for blogs to deal in hyberbole, but I honestly think that five or ten years from now, this song will be considered one of the all-time classics in hip hop. Looking past the fact that this was Pimp C's last hit before his untimely death, the circumstances surrounding the record already have the plate set for a legendary moment. UGK, one of the premier hip hop duos of all-time and arguably the most influential Dirty South artists, were finally reunited after Pimp C's incarceration. Since they never got the chance to cash in on the momentum of "Big Pimpin'", anticipation was high for the album. The accolades for Outkast are already pretty well known, but let me state that as disappointing as some songs on Idlewild were, they can still lay claim to being one of today's most important and respected artists. Add to that Andre 3000's recent hot streak of guest appearances and we can see that there is still plenty of life left in the group. Not only that, the production is done by none other than Three 6 Mafia, who despite all their sonic innovations in hip hop are just now finding mainstream attention thanks to an Academy Award win. So on paper, you have three of the greatest hip hop artists to ever rise from the South collaborating on one track. Sounds like it should be a classic, right? Well, it is.

"International Player's Anthem" is the rare collaboration without one weak spot and where everyone involved is still in their prime. And even though UGK, Outkast and Three 6 Mafia have a combined three decades-plus in the business, the track still manages to surprise. Take for instance the opening verse by Andre 3000. It's expected that Andre would give us content to make us think and to blow our minds at the same time, but he's rapping over nothing but the Willie Hutch sample with no drum or bass. Vocals, strings and horns. That's it. And it's like that for the entire verse. As extravagant as the productions in modern hip hop have become, there is always at least drum and bottom prevalent, but right from the beginning, we're warned that this song is going to be special and we should hang on to every word.

Top 145 Singles of 2006

Better late than never, I suppose. I've had the top 100 done since early December, but I was trying to see if I could expand it to 200, like I did last year. No such luck.



1. Nelly Furtado-Maneater
2. Gnarls Barkley-Smiley Faces
3. Janelle Monae-Lettin' Go!
4. The Pipettes-Your Kisses Are Wasted On Me
5. T.I.-What You Know
6. Marit Larsen-Don't Save Me
7. Nelly Furtado F/ Timbaland-Promiscuous
8. Christina Aguilera-Ain't No Other Man
9. The Streets-When You Wasn't Famous
10. Asobi Seksu-Thursday

Top 200 Singles of 2005

1. John Legend-Ordinary People
2. Ciara F/ Ludacris-Oh
3. Amerie-1 Thing
4. Kylie Minogue-Giving You Up
5. The Game F/ 50 Cent-Hate It Or Love It
6. The Faders-No Sleep Tonight
7. Three 6 Mafia F/ Eightball, MJG and Young Buck-Stay Fly
8. Kelly Clarkson-Since U Been Gone
9. R. Kelly-Trapped In The Closet
10. Snoop Dogg F/ Justin Timberlake-Signs

Top 100 Singles of 2004

#1 Girls Aloud-Love Machine
#2 T.I.-Rubberband Man
#3 Rachel Stevens-Some Girls
#4 Britney Spears-Toxic
#5 Jay-Z-99 Problems
#6 Ghostface F/ Missy Elliott-Tush
#7 Usher F/ Lil’ Jon & Ludacris-Yeah!
#8 I Am The World Trade Center-Future Sightings
#9 Van Hunt-Dust
#10 M.I.A.-Galang