Best songs of 2009

As promised... here are my rankings for the 10 best pop songs of 2009. I'm lazy, so these songs are picked merely from the Wikipedia lists of the Billboard Hot 100 #1 songs of 09 and the Top 10 singles in 2009, based on the Billboard Hot 100. This list includes the songs that made it to the Top 10 at some point in 2009 (some may have been released in 08, but didn't hit top 10 till 09. I also looked at iTunes top downloads and added random songs I remember that I LOVED that are on none these. I'm sure I forgot something, but here goes.

Honorable Mentions: "Single Ladies" - Beyonce, "Tik Tok" - Ke$ha. Single Ladies - I didn't like enough of the actual song for it to be included, but the video was so good (Kanye would say the greatest of all time) and became such a phenomenon that it warrants a mention. Tik Tok is awesome, but too new to include in the greatest of the year. Thought about adding "Live Like We're Dying" - but in reality I just love everything Kris Allen does... doesn't deserve to be top 10 of the year though.

10. TIE - "Empire State of Mind" - Jay-Z feat Alicia Keys, "Need You Now" - Lady Antebellum - Empire State of Mind was the ANTHEM for those of us on the East Coast. I wanted to hate it because it was so integral in the Yankee World Series celebrations (don't say "we've waited a long time for this" when you won it 9 years ago. Ask the Cubs, you a-holes). But I couldn't hate it. This song is awesome. Need You Now is a very recent discovery of mine, but has fast become one of my fave songs ever (penchant for drunk dialing, anyone?). The male-female duet combo is always a surefire way to get me to fall in love with a song.

9. "You Belong With Me" - Taylor Swift - T Swift, obviously, had a very big year. I love this song and her entire album. I was toying with putting "Love Story" on this list, cause I also ADORE that song, but I thought since You Belong With Me was the subject of the now infamous Kanye VMA incident, that it goes on the list. This song has a great ability to speak to anyone who's ever had a crush on someone dating someone else. T Swift sort of writes songs for high school girls and tweens, but we all remember what that was like. Plus it's upbeat and fun.

8. "Lucky" - Jason Mraz feat. Colbie Caillat - Beachy, romantic, about being in a relationship with your best friend. Just sort of warms my heart. Love both Mraz and Caillat. Would love to hear them duet more in the future.

7. "Cowboy Casanova" - Carrie Underwood - the first single off her third album. I've never been shy about my love for Carrie, and this song doesn't disappoint. It's got a sexy beat and has an interesting storyline. Every girl loves a bad boy, even if they know better.

6. "I Do Not Hook Up" - Kelly Clarkson - When I first got introduced to this song, I thought it was ridiculous and kind of annoying. The second time I heard it, I was hooked. Every time I hear it, I want to sing and dance a lot. Plus it's the anti-slut anthem. Big fan.

5. "Good Girls Go Bad" - Cobra Starship feat. Leighton Meester - It's such a simple format. Another of these that I thought was TERRIBLE the first time I heard it, but then slowly it sunk into my subconscious. I spent a big part of August driving around the Midwest, and I constantly surfed the radio hoping to hear this song. It's become a "getting ready to go out" staple. It's sort of the opposite of K Clarks, the slut anthem, but man is it fun. 2009 was also the year that I discovered Gossip Girl, and Meester's character Blair Waldorf has become my style hero. Viva Leighton.

4. "Dead and Gone" - T. I. feat Justin Timberlake - this is the song that got me to buy T.I.'s Paper Trail album. That album is probably the best rap album I've bought in the last five years. I love his rap style, and the running theme through this song and the album is making mistakes (T.I. is currently serving a year in prison for illegally having enough guns at his home to win the Iraq war). This song is perfect for anyone who's ever decided to make a change in their life. The combination of T.I.'s lyrics and Justin's mournful chorus is perfect. I find Timberlake's bridge to be particularly awesome/inspirational - "I turn my head to the East, I don't see nobody by my side. I turn my head to the West, still nobody in sight. So I turn my head to the North, swallow that pill that they call pride. The old me's dead and gone, but the new me will be alright."

3. "Party in the USA" - Miley Cyrus - Love it or hate it, but this song is HELLA catchy. Plus it warrants awesome choreography ("I put my hands up, they're playing my song..."). This is one of those songs that you think is RIDICULOUS the first time you hear it, and terrible. Hear it two or three more times, and you're hooked, I promise. It'll be played at my wedding, no lie.

2. "Don't Stop Believin'" - Glee Cast - T Swift had a big year, but 2009, for me, was the year of Glee. This song is the best known (and one of the best) of the first half of the first season of the show. It's the perfect storm of inspirational, catchy, upbeat, and fun to sing to. Journey has had a big year in my book, as the version of "Don't Stop Believin'" from the musical Rock of Ages is also one of my favorites of the year.

1. "The Climb" - Miley Cyrus - (off the Hannah Montana movie soundtrack) This will probably go down as Miley's biggest song. It was certainly her biggest song of the year. Say what you want about Miley, but she wrote this herself, and it represents (in the movie and in life) when she finally steps out fully as Miley, and not as "that girl who plays Hannah Montana." This song could inspire anyone. It's basically the modern "Don't Stop Believin'." Miley's voice may not be the best, but the girl can belt. LOVE IT.

Someone actually listens to my secret dreams?!?!?!?

BREAKING NEWS...

MATTHEW PERRY IS MOST LIKELY RETURNING TO TELEVISION!

I may not have to "count the days till he makes his return to TV" for very long, because, according to the Hollywood Reporter, ABC has picked up a new comedy pilot created by, written by, and starring our very own Chandler Bing/Matthew Albie! Super excited.

The show is a single camera comedy "starring Perry as a self-involved manager of a second-rate sports arena who begins to reevaluate his life on his 40th birthday. " Congrats, Matthew, can't wait to see it!

See the full article here.

Guest entry #1, Kanye response... UPDATED

Below is a response from a first-time contributor, CaliCoop. This has not been edited or toned down upon reciept. It is probably in everyone's best interest not to mess with her. You'll see...

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First, I’d like to thank Smurftastic for allowing me to guest blog on this particularly poignant topic. Now onto the goods …

Dear Kanye:

While I’d certainly be glad to admit that your first two albums weren’t the most horrible things ever to grace my inner ear, this will be a far cry from pointing out just your amazing fall from fame … although I must point out your free fall on Forbes Most Powerful Celebrities List from 27 in 2008 to 46 in 2009, while Taylor has gone from unranked to 69. Whether you are a country music fan or not the presence of Taylor Swift in music is undeniable. No album has had the staying power on the Billboard 200 for more weeks since 1999-2000 (years before Kanye released his first album) than Taylor’s Fearless album. Her second album, Fearless, recorded the largest opening in 2008 for ANY female artist, and only fourth behind Lil’ Wayne, AC/DC and Coldplay … again, no Kanye. Not to mention she is absolutely adorable and much too young to have to deal with some douche bag stealing her thunder.

Just because your music sucks and no one gives a flying sh*t if you live to make another song or not does not mean you need to ruin everyone else’s life in the meantime. Some musicians are STILL actually making good music … deal with it! And what kind of prick ruins a 19 year old girl’s first VMA Award EVER!?! You strut around acting like you are some kind of charitable person minus your outrageous tirades and obvious inability to accept others, when in fact the charity that you yourself started in the name of your mother you have donated less than a million dollars to … when you make over 25 MILLION DOLLARS A YEAR?! What kind of cheap bastard are you?!

With that, I’ll end with this for now … you are and forever will be #1 on my die in a fire list until you somehow make amends for your absolutely outrageous conduct and by no means does posting some half-hearted apology on your blog count towards anything. You are scum of the earth and the reason why there is still so much hatred towards people that are different, if you are so full of yourself that you are incapable of politely sitting in your seat while a 19 year girl accepts her first VMA I truly hope you are never in a position to need any kind of assistance or acceptance by someone who finds you different, because it is at that moment you MAY realize the ignorance and absolute ridiculousness of your ways and actually become a real man, until then find the nearest bridge and take a jump … no one will miss your tirades and your best music is already left for those of us who can still stand the sound of your voice to enjoy.

Thanks very much,
CaliCoop

PS - and how could I forget … why is it after failing to win a VMA for yourself in 2006 and 2007 and vowing to never return to the VMAs ever again are you still back every year?! Is it because you are such a bitter jerk that you have stooped to the level of raining on the parade of those actually talented enough to win?! Or possibly that even though you’ll never actually win yourself, especially because your albums are now a shameful excuse for music, you love the possibility of even a second of air time even on an overhead shot of the audience because you’re a total attention whore whose music has failed to satisfy his thirst for publicity for years now. Oh why on earth could we have not been so lucky for you to have actually kept your promise …

Dear Kanye, WTF?

So this rant will be short, but not so sweet, and possibly will be continued by some guest bloggers. For those of you who still pay attention to such things as the VMAs (or watch the news), you know that Kanye West stormed the stage during Taylor Swift's acceptance speech for Best Female Music video last night, took the mic from her, and said that Beyonce had one of the best videos of all time (she was also nominated but didn't win). He was booed and later kicked out of the show (his performance was cancelled as well), and Beyonce, after winning Video of the Year, called Taylor back onstage to "have her moment" (= mad class) Here are my brief thoughts.



Dear Kanye:


WTF, dude? Why do you even care? Are you and Beyonce friends? Cause it seems like she was pretty pissed at you. What happened to you, man? Did you realize that after your first two albums, which I own and love, your music started to get lame? Is this some desperate attempt to stay relevant? Your douchiness used to be kind of funny, but when it humiliates a 19 year old girl during one of the most exciting moments of her life, that crosses a line. Maybe you should work instead on making music that shows your producing talent that was so evident on "College Dropout" and "Late Registration" which is ever so lacking now. Maybe you should work on dating someone who is not (I'm pretty sure), a dude.


We know you have a vendetta against country music, as evidenced when you lost out on an award to Carrie Underwood and had a fit, but don't fault these girls for having crossover appeal which you, apparently, are jealous of. That was not classy, or funny, and it made someone who used to be one of your biggest fans (me), not even want to listen to your old stuff that I loved so much. I get that not everyone likes country, its fine. But don't blatantly hurt feelings just for attention. Get over yourself.


Yours Truly,
Smurftastic, disappointed former fan


PS - Shaving designs in your head is SOOOOO VANILLA ICE. And he did it better.
PPS - Big ups to Beyonce and MTV for handling the situation gracefully

Grammy Awards Recap!

Thoughts on the Grammys:

Not gonna lie, pretty offended by the opening duet with Alicia Keys and Frank Sinatra. I mean I get that everyone goes apeshit for her, and some of her songs are good. But she doesn’t do it for me. And I bet she wouldn’t do it for Frankie. And I swear, if she EVER says anything like “On behalf of the Chairman of the Board” again, I may need to hurt her. I may be a little defensive of him. Maybe. At least it wasn’t a Beatles song. Then it could get violent (or more violent).

Carrie Underwood – my god her legs got toned. She sounded good… hopefully she’ll sound even better when I see her in concert on Wednesday (get excited). Revamped version of Before He Cheats was pretty intense. Solid effort.

Commercial tells me a Beatles tribute is coming. Grammys are usually pretty good about tributes – the Eagles tribute last year was amazing, so I have high hopes. If it's Alicia Keys, I will stab someone.

Chairman of the Grammys + the original members of The Time + key-tar = I’M A HAPPY CAMPER. I have an inappropriate obsession w/ key tars. Key-tar, however, promptly leaves the stage to give way to Rhianna. (which I have no idea how to spell) Think she’s catchy and all, but performance would have been more awesome if they kept the key tar around. Key-tars (like piano key neckties or tuxedo T-shirts) make everything better.

I desperately want to see the Beatles Cirque du Soleil show. Looks like I may need to be on shrooms to understand it, but whatever. I’ll probably like it anyway.

Random presenting combo award goes to: Cindy Lauper and Miley Cyrus. Cindy Lauper is pretty cracked out, and Miley seems a little afraid. I would be too.

JASON BATEMAN APPEARANCE! YES I LOVE HIM! HOGAN FAMILY! ARRESTED DEVELOPMENT! Ok, that may have been too much all caps. I apologize for my exciteability.

I want light up sunglasses like Kanye. Pleased that Daft Punk made an appearance. In space suits. Awesome. Kanye West, as usual, wins at life.

Tina Turner/Beyonce. The outfits were ridiculous and unnecessary. Also the crotch on Tina is saggy… but better a saggy crotch than camel toe. Also the talking before Proud Mary = creepy. My roommate Rooster says it all, “Why is Tina wearing a spacesuit?”

OH! Jesus brought the sunshine. Thanks man. Keep up the good work. Jesus music medley. Uh oh, one of my college buddies, alias Rum&Efron is on to you! “It’s like they are only giving Jesus music 5 minutes so get as many people up there as possible, bc then we are switching to coke addicts.” I couldn’t have said it better if I wanted to. So far Amy Winehouse has won 2 awards. They keep saying she can’t be here, and I want to giggle, cause her visa got denied and she has now moved in with the Osbournes after leaving rehab. Looking forward to her performance a bit… if any of the internet videos I’ve seen of her in the last few months are any indication, it should be entertaining.

Brand new information… the song sung by Feist is an actual song and not just an iPod commercial. Go figure.

Kid Rock + folk singer = awkward. Rum& Efron, being very smart, has muted.

This just in: ROY SCHEIDER HAS DIED. I love Roy Scheider. Jaws, SeaQuest… it doesn’t get much better than that. He was an integral part of my youth, and I secretly wanted him as my father/grandpa. RIP. He will be missed.

Vince Gill just called out Kanye West for never having been given a Grammy by one of the Beatles. Holy Crap. I want Kanye to win whatever else he is nominated for tonight, just to see his response.

Amy Winehouse performs. I am disappointed I can understand most of what is coming out of her mouth. Yikes, the dancing is awkward though. There is NO WAY she is completely sober. Either that or she really has to pee. I find it ironic that she’s saying she won’t go to rehab. This conversation is what transpired after Rum&Efron said she was going to sleep:
Rum&Efron: dude I had to sign back on....what the fuck was that shit????
Smurftastic: ummmmmmmmm CRACKED OUT
Rum&Efron: 1. She was convulsing on stage while grabbing her crotch
Rum&Efron: 2. her back up singers kept looking at her
Rum&Efron: 3. she kept growling while singing
Rum&Efron: 4. she gave a shout out to her incarerated boyfriend
Rum&Efron: 5. she looked like she had no clue how to talk into a microphone
Rum&Efron: seriously....we gave her 3 grammys?
Rum&Efron: only in America can a foreign crack head win 3 grammys
Rum&Efron: that is all I have to say
Rum&Efron: good night!

Pretty fabulous performance by Josh Groban and Andrea Bocelli. Yes, I love those guys, and yes, my mother introduced me to them. I am the epitome of cool. It's OK to be jealous.

Closing performance – Little Richard, Fogerty, Jerry Lee Lewis. Little Richard’s hair is probably bigger than Amy Winehouse’s. Fogerty sounds good though. Lewis has a pretty decent voice for as old has he is. Little Richard looks exactly the same, but may have made up some lyrics. Throwbacks are fun though, so I shant rant too much.

Usher mocks Kanye West also. Herbie Hancock wins album of the year. Awesome, though it would have been nice to hear what Kanye had to say. Gotta love the jazz shoutouts. I love jazz.

All in all, a solid effort on the Grammys this year. Not the best I've ever seen, but certainly not the worst. Only 2 weeks till the Academy Awards AND the writer's strike is over, so they may actually be funny and/or happen. I'm a happy camper.