Top 21 Singles of 2008
Jamie Walden, Senior Staff Writer
Published On: 01/ 5/2009
2008 was a year filled with songs that were both relatable and innovative. From Beyonce to Brad Paisley, Taylor Swift to T.I., and everything in between, catchy tunes flowing from various genres provided listeners with a soundtrack to the past year of their lives. Here are the 21 most deliciously addictive songs of 2008:
1. Pink: “So What” — The anthem to every relationship gone sour, as it blends the sting of heartbreak and the humor necessary to cope. Pink uncovers a mixture of disappointment and resilience after her divorce with motocross star Carey Hart.
She keeps it upbeat, though, and by the end of the song has listeners truly believing that one can bounce back after a breakup. Cue the na-na-na’s and tongue sticking-out.
2. T.I.: “Whatever You Like” — Everyone wins in this song. Seriously. The girl gets to have whatever she wants, regardless of price, while the guy gets to claim immense wealth and use the money to reel in the hot chick.
T.I., why, oh why, did you have to go around packing heat illegally? Women everywhere mourn the upcoming year-long sentence of this smooth talker.
3. Jason Mraz: “I’m Yours” — Possibly one of the most stick-in-your-head songs of all time, Mraz croons about seizing the moment for love and a good time.
The version where he scats makes me want to remove my shoes and find the nearest beach immediately. An all-around good time tune, though severely over-played.
4. Coldplay: “Viva La Vida” — I don’t know that Chris Martin and the Coldplay boys are capable of doing wrong musically, and this song is certainly no exception. With a unique beat and Martin’s perpetually clever lyrics sung over violins, “Viva La Vida” swells to a state of absolute exhilaration.
5. Ne-Yo: “Closer” — This generation’s answer to Michael Jackson, Ne-Yo describes an addiction to a controlling woman with sweetly obsessed words to the tune of something you can dance to. I just can’t stop hearing him sing about his rhythmic fixation.
6. Katy Perry: “Hot N Cold” — Katy Perry really nails the frustration felt over a significant other who simply can’t decide what he or she wants.
Cheeky and adorable, the girl can sing and is clearly not afraid to cross boundaries, step on toes or kiss girls.
7. Taylor Swift: “Love Story” — For every dreamy-eyed idealist out there, Taylor Swift paints the perfect picture of a relationship gone right.
Though she clearly didn’t get the memo about the tragic end that Romeo and Juliet faced, she does manage to consistently reach into the high school experience of every girl I know (myself included) and display it complete with hooks and choruses for all the world to hear.
8. Lil Wayne: “Lollipop” — Nobody on the planet sounds like Lil Wayne, and everything this guy touches is golden.
A club favorite, the man with the facial tats turns a childhood sweet snack into something filthy and fun to dance to. The world will never look at lollipops the same way.
9. T.I. featuring Rihanna: “Live Your Life” — T.I. delivers honest, raw lyrics about his love for money and his hate for the drama that comes along with fame.
Rihanna belts out a nod to old school Snoop Dogg in her reference of having her mind on her money; while T.I. lets his audience know that he’ll still throw down despite his opulent lifestyle. The song provides a glimpse at the dual nature of celebrity status while fueling self-esteem and advising listeners to ignore negative input.
10. Beyonce: “Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)” — Beyonce warns the men of the world to commit or risk losing “the one” forever. The women of the world, meanwhile, nod their heads in appreciation and agreement. Shameless plug for Beyonce’s brand, House of Dereon, noted.
11. Zac Brown Band: “Chicken Fried” — A song about loving simple Southern living. The guy loves his mama, fried chicken, cold beer, jeans that fit well and sunrises.
And, really, you’d be hard pressed to find a person who doesn’t adore a pair of jeans that “fit just right.” With this much warmth and contentment with life, what’s not to like?
12. Lady GaGa featuring Colby O’Donis: “Just Dance” — Thank you, Lady GaGa, for accurately portraying every drunken night I’ve ever had via dance song.
From the blurred vision to uncertainty over song names, the loss of personal belongings to the messy physical appearance achieved after one drink too many, the blonde with the blunt bangs nails the whole inebriated experience. Her solution? Just dance. Sounds like a plan to me.
13. Britney Spears: “Womanizer” — The long-awaited comeback of Britney came in the form of this song about a guy that any smart girl knows to stay away from. I have to applaud her for the inclusion of the lines, “You say I’m crazy/I got your crazy.”
No better way to backhand critics than by coming out on top. Despite her ups and downs, Britney Spears proves that she has staying power along with a love for synthesizers and various brightly colored wigs.
14. Saving Abel: “Addicted” — Dirty rock song about a guy’s “addiction” to a woman, or at least an addiction to those things she does in the bedroom.
Though there is an attempt at a hope for something more than a physical relationship, Saving Abel seems to be more interested in making love than actually being in love. And that’s OK, at least the guys are honest.
15. Flo Rida: “Low” — The song that everyone knows about Apple Bottom Jeans and boots with the fur was everywhere in 2008. Considering it was in my head and on the radio constantly all year long, it would be an injustice to leave it off this compilation of singles.
If it were physically possible that I could “get low” as a means of paying homage to this crazy little song, I would do so in a heartbeat. I’ll just have to settle for sporting the boots with the fur.
16. Rihanna: “Take a Bow” — Biting, brutal and a little bit sad, Rihanna captures the frustration of the moment when a cheating mate begs for forgiveness.
She remains firm in her decision to end the relationship while sarcastically calling for a “standing ovation” at the guy’s pleading. Though harsh, I find it entirely plausible that this “good girl gone bad” has the right idea.
17. Ben Folds featuring Regina Spektor: “You Don’t Know Me” — As per usual, Ben Folds delivers genius lyrics over melodic piano playing. This time he has help from Regina Spektor’s hauntingly high voice as the two provide pleasant banter about a relationship with serious communication problems.
The duo sing all there is to say about a romantic situation where nothing can be accurately stated. Welcome to the world of dysfunctional dating, or what many of us call “reality.”
18. Kid Rock: “All Summer Long” — Kid Rock samples both Lynyrd Skynrd’s “Sweet Home Alabama” and Warren Zevon’s “Werewolves of London” in this song dedicated to being 17 in the summertime.
This single serves as an ode to youth, experimentation and warm weather romance. I can even forgive the double use of the word “things” in the chorus, thanks to the relevance of the song for nostalgia junkies everywhere.
19. Sara Bareilles: “Love Song” — Don’t let the title of this single or sweet voice of Sara Bareilles fool you. This chick refuses to write a love song for her romantic interest just because he asks her to do so.
Sara Bareilles puts the notion of romance-obsessed women to rest as she snubs the idea of declaring love through lyrics just to get a guy to stick around. Kudos to her for being steadfast and demanding a good reason for any grand gesture or statement of her love.
20. Brad Paisley: “I’m Still a Guy” — The song reveals the perspective of a guy in a committed relationship. Brad Paisley offers a list of various humiliating, emasculating acts he actively participates in as a means of pleasing his woman, but is quick to remind her that he’s still very much “a guy.”
Female listeners are made aware of exactly why men are so quick to throw a punch or misunderstand what a back rub means. The answer? It’s a “guy thing,” plain and simple.
21. Usher featuring Beyonce and Lil Wayne: “Love In This Club (Part II)” — This single hits the trifecta with a soulful Usher, sassy Beyonce and the master of story telling, Lil Wayne. The song provides a sultry, spicy dialogue between Usher and Beyonce set to slick beats.
Both parties are clearly interested in one another, despite the presence of significant others. However, after some slight resistance the two resolve to “make love in this club.”
Nothing like dirty dancing to relieve sexual tension. Lil Wayne breaks it down mid-song, and declares that he doesn’t care who sees all the action on the dance floor or elsewhere.
A clear example of random attraction and acting on impulse, the song presents dance floor interactions for what they often are — a raunchy good time for all involved.
For a second opinion, check out our Web site at:
www.kscope.com for Features Editor Mark Trammell’s picks, or listen to him do them live on BlazeRadio: R&B and Rap on Wednesday and Rock on Monday at www.blazeradio.org.
Email: ponygirl_66@hotmail.com
