Editor’s Picks: 10 Best Songs of 2009
December 15th, 2009 • Commentary, Electronic, Folk, Hip Hop, Rock, Top Ten
With just 16 days remaining in 2009, and the music calendar winding down, its time to look back at the year in music as I provide you with my picks for the 10 best songs of the year.
1. “Laughing With” (Far) Regina Spektor
This dark piano ballad about our ironic relationship with God is simple, beautiful and delightfully addicting.
2. “All is Love” (Where the Wild Things Are) Karen O and the Kids
The movie might not have lived up to its expectations, but the soundtrack was absolutely fantastic. Karen O and her assembled indie rock supergroup really score with this track, a brilliant and childish indie-pop hit that will be around for sometime.
3. “Rome” (Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix) Phoenix
The French rockers made it into the mainstream with Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix and this track, delightfully electronic and new wave, is a gem.
4. “Daylight” (Grand) Matt & Kim
Would the summer of 2009 have happened without this song? I am fairly certain this was being hummed all over the United States.
5. “Blue Skies” (The First Days Of Spring) Noah And The Whale
The climatic track on what might be my favorite album of the year. It is the indie-folk equivalent of a rain dance.
6. “I’m on a Boat (feat. T-Pain)” (Incredibad) The Lonely Island
Possibly the funniest collaboration of the year. When Auto-Tune and nerdy comedians unite, a great party hit results.
7. “Sleepyhead” (Manners) Passion Pit
Passion Pit is the new “it” band. This song apparently makes them worth $30K. It is fun.
8. “Monte” (Zee Avi) Zee Avi
This Malaysian singer was a surprise breakout this year. This is a great little narrative song with her distinct blend of American and South East Asian/Polynesia instrumentation.
9. “If I Were A Fish” (Sing Along To Songs You Don’t Know) Múm
The best use of Banjo, Glockenspiel and numerous other disjunctive instruments that I know of this year. Icelandic music is so delightfully bizarre.
10. “Can’t Stop Partying (Feat. Lil Wayne)” (Raditude) Weezer
Weezer and Weezy? Sign me up.
“Jetpack Blues, Sunset Hues” (Dawn Metropolis) Anamanaguchi; ”My Girls” (Merriweather Post Pavilion) Animal Collective; ”Only You Can Make You Happy” (Still Night, Still Light) Au Revoir Simone; ”I And Love And You” (I And Love And You) The Avett Brothers; ”My Night with the Prostitute From Marseilles” (Realpeople Holland) Beirut; ”Stillness Is The Move” (Bitte Orca) Dirty Projectors; ”I Gotta Get Smart” (Love Is Not Pop) El Perro del Mar; ”All The Pretty Girls” (Aim And Ignite) fun.; ”Sexy Bitch (Featuring Akon)” (One Love) David Guetta; ”The Chorus In The Underground” (Lost Channels) Great Lake Swimmers; ”The Word Suicide” (White Lies For Dark Times) Ben Harper & Relentless7; “Wisconsin Beaches” (Wildlife) Headlights; ”Boy 1904″ (Riceboy Sleeps) Jónsi & Alex; ”I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris” (Years of Refusal) Morrissey; ”Joy” (Joy) Phish; ”The Girl And The Robot” (Junior) Röyksopp; ”The Rain” (Strict Joy) The Swell Season; ”Sex O’Clock” (Ciao !) Tiga; ”You And I” (Wilco (The Album)) Wilco; ”This Plane” (Deal Or No Deal) Wiz Khalifa
Doug Ray is the co-host of Saltimbocca & Escargot, Sundays at 8-10 PM Eastern Time on WRBC.
Tags: Karen O and the Kids, Matt and Kim, Mum, Noah and the Whale, Passion Pit, Phoenix, Regina Spektor, The Lonely Island, Top Ten, Weezer, Zee Avi
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Regina Spektor is amazing. Better in concert than on disc, if you can believe that. Such made a pretty large venue feel like a club. Noah and the Whale are also a fantastic group. Although I love “Sleepyhead” I don’t think it’s Passion Pit’s best song… I would go with “The Reeling” or “Eyes Like Candles.” To each his own, I suppose. Passion Pit are also amazing in concert. Go to one of their shows if you ever get the chance!!