2009 Singles in Review

Recently Entertainment Weekly published a feature highlighting the “Top 10 Singles of the Year.” Upon reading the article I was quite underwhelmed, if not a little annoyed. Is Miley Cyrus’ “Party in the USA” really deserving of a place in the top ten? Is “Empire State of Mind” really the hottest track of the year? Or even the hottest Jay-Z release? Now I normally take anything Entertainment Weekly says with a grain of salt, seeing as their tastes in just about everything are vastly different from mine, but this time I feel so annoyed by their choices that I have taken it upon myself to outline what I feel are the hottest tracks of 2009.

1. “Whatcha Say” – Jason Derulo
Jason Derulo has been influential in the music world for some time, with writing credits on several number one tracks, but it was Whatcha Say that catapulted Derulo to the limelight. I can bet you anything that Derulo’s debut album in February 2010 is going to go straight to the top.

2. “The Fear” – Lily Allen
Entertainment Weekly put “Paparazzi” by Lady Gaga at number two, citing its lyrical truthfulness. In my opinion there is no song that has more truth in it that “The Fear,” a critique on the celebrity lifestyle.

3. “Down” – Jay Sean
It’s very difficult for British artists to make a splash in the US, but Jay Sean managed to do so. With two songs currently on the iTunes Top 10, Jay Sean is putting his stamp on R&B with a feel good vibe.

4. “Breakeven” – The Script
Irish band The Script are everything The Fray should be. Crossing over to the US charts in 2009, Breakeven is heartbreaking and the vocals are spot on.

5. “Knock You Down” – Keri Hilson, Ne-Yo, Kanye West
This is the only track that I agree with Entertainment Weekly on. Hilson and Ne-Yo have great vocal chemistry and Kanye West only makes the song that much better.

6. “Use Somebody” – Kings of Leon
The ultimate modern rock act, Kings of Leon have been around for ages. This track shot them to the top charting high in the Hot 100. It’s got everything you need in an epic rock sound. I also love “Sex on Fire” if only for the amazing name.

7. “Crawl” – Chris Brown
I know people aren’t supposed to like Chris Brown because of the whole Rihanna drama, but the chorus of this song is straight up: “We’ll crawl/Until we can walk again/Then we’ll run/Until we’re strong enough to jump/Then we’ll fly…” Basically everything Chris Brown needs to do to be back on top. Great track.

8. “You Belong With Me” – Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift needs props this year, she made it big. Of all of her singles this is by far the catchiest and created such epic moments as that Kanye West VMA disaster. And it’s actually a well crafted pop song with a cool crossover country twang. It made me sort of like country for like an hour.

9. “Halo” – Beyonce
Although “I am… Sasha Fierce” came out last year, Beyonce continues to churn out singles. Heartfelt and soaring, “Halo” was the cream of the crop. Its just so effortless.

10. “Take Me On The Floor” – The Veronicas
The Veronicas tend to be overlooked in the US, but this track sums up their sound. It’s electric, fun, and the twins’ vocals are out of this world fab.


A lot of my favorite music this year has actually come from the UK Singles Charts rather than the American charts. With a slightly happier disposition UK artists had a big year. The crossover of Jay Sean to the US Charts, and the phenomenon that is Susan Boyle are just two examples of a new British invasion. Watch out for these acts coming stateside in 2010.

1. “Beat Again” / “Everybody in Love” – JLS (I couldn’t pick which one, both are AMAZING. Perhaps JLS will make it socially acceptable to be a boyband in the US again? Regardless, I’m totally obsessed).

2. “Look for Me” – Chipmunk ft. Talay Riley (Watch out Justin Bieber, Chipmunk is a young prodigy too, and waaay more talented).

3."Ego” – The Saturdays (Uber-talented and sexy girl group.)

4. “I Need You” – N-Dubz (A new flavor of urban hip-hop as yet undiscovered stateside. Also check out "Playing With Fire" that's hot as well).

5. “Young Forever” – Jay-Z ft. Mr. Hudson (And they said Empire State of Mind was the best Jay-Z song of the year… check this track and allow your mind to be blown. Mr.Hudson is an amazingly talented UK artist).

6. “Mama Do” – Pixie Lott (This song had one of the biggest chart leaps in the UK this year and is a throwback to the Amy Winehouse soul sound).

7. “Take Me Back” – Tinchy Stryder ft. Taio Cruz (Tinchy had the biggest year of all the UK males, and this track with R&B crooner Taio Cruz is just one sampling of his grime sound).


And of course, a ranking list isn’t complete without a mentioning of the Worst Five tracks of the Year.

1. “Party in the USA” – Miley Cyrus (Computer-enhanced vocals, not in Cyrus’ genre, she didn’t know any Jay-Z music, overly sexual for a 16 year old, Entertainment Weekly you’ve GOT to be kidding me. This song is TERRIBLE).

2. “She Wolf” – Shakira (She howls. Come on.)

3. “Lovegame” – Lady Gaga (I’m sorry but I don’t care what a discostick is. It’s not funny, just weird. I’m also so over Gaga’s attempts to be weird and capitalize off of it. It was cool for like a week, now I just turn the page).

4. “Boom Boom Pow” – Black Eyed Peas (It may have charted at number one, but this song makes no sense and uses waaay too much autotune).

5. “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) – Pitbull (Gahhh, so annoying. I just can’t deal with it.)


Finally, here are the CD releases I’m anticipating the most in 2010:

1. Jason Derulo (His first two singles are epic, can’t wait for the album)
2. Ke$ha (“Tik Tok” was a compelling entry into the music world by Ke$ha, I’m interested to see what else she has to offer)
3. Usher (It’s been awhile, remember Confessions?)
4. Christina Aguliera (Miss her…)
5. JLS (rumored second album in 2010, I need more stat!!!)
6. Sugababes (love them, excited to hear what new member Jade Ewen brings to the group)