These are the singles that rocked this year:
1. Viva la Vida - Coldplay
"I used to rule the world, seas would rise when I gave the word." The larger-than-life lyrics and sound make this song stand on a pedestal (or rather, throne) above the rest, claiming the top spot for the year.
2. D.A.N.C.E - Justice
with a flashing video full of literally "graphic tees," this catchy tune had me doing the d-a-n-c-e all summer.
3. I Don't Care - Fall Out Boy
Recording a CD in private, getting married, naming a child after a New York borough. A lot has happened this year for Pete Wentz. And what does he have to say? "I don't care!"
4. I'm Yours - Jason Mraz
this song exploded this summer with it's simple melody and island vibe, and the most beautiful lyrics ever written. Never fails to put my mind at peace.
5. Four Minutes - Madonna Ft Justin Timberlake
quite possibly the biggest radio hit of the year, the queen and king of pop join forces for a truly epic collaboration. Why hadn't this happened any sooner?
6. Nine In The Afternoon - Panic at the Disco
2008 brought about a less enthusiastic panicking at the disco. They traded angst lyrics for feeling good at imaginary hours of the day. If you listen closely, it's still the same four boys, just with a more earthy (and possibly herbal) influence.
7. Don't Trust Me - 3OH!3
Award for most innovative band ever, this song told us all to "do the hellen keller" by talking with our hips. It's electro/dance/pop at it's finest.
8. Rather Be With You - Joshua Radin
A man that can do no wrong. This is a run-though-a-meadow-barefoot kind of song.
9. Flashing Lights - Kanye West
A monster hit this year, the electro beat and simple "flashing. lights." hook grabbed us all in. You can't hide it, you liked this song.
10. Disturbia - Rihanna
With a truly disturbing video to match (or do I just mean overdone?) The song stands alone as a surprisingly catchy hit.
11. Dear Maria, Count Me In - All Time Low
A band I grew to love tremendous amounts this year, helped in part by this song. Their first "MTV" hit, songs about strippers have never been this catchy.
12. One Of THOSE Nights - The Cab
Heavy guitar riffs (Ian Crawford, you are love) plus guest vocals from Patrick and Brendon, and you might just have a hit on your hands. Fist pumping, windows down, full blast fun.
13. All Over You - The Spill Canvas
This hit gave Spill Canvas the recognition they deserve. "This life is way too short to get caught up in all this stuff," the chorus boasts. Indeed. All he's asking for is some love, after all.
14. Thrash Unreal - Against Me!
A more melodic song from these Florida punkers, singing about working all week and doing what you need to get by. We can all relate.
15. A-Punk - Vampire Weekend
One of the more original bands to emerge this year, features on MTV and various commercials made this the new song buzzing around in your head. A unique combination of vocals and instruments gave this song a cutting edge.
16. Lexington. - Chiodos
With more violins and piano than ever before, Chiodos softens their sound a bit, without losing that famous Craig Owens high-pitched wail. A staccato piano melody made this one easy to bounce along to.
17. Please Don't Stop the Music - Rihanna
Despite the overuse of samplings in her songs (it's Michael Jackson in this one), this one became a dance floor anthem. "I want to take you away, let's escape into the music." Thumping can't even describe this bass line, that's complete with synthesizers and handclaps.
18. The City Is At War - Cobra Starship
A band that always knows how to have a good time. This time around, it's with lethal pies, giving Gabe and Co. their first hit on the airwaves.
19. Sensual Seduction - Snoop Dogg
A 70's vibe (with a video to boot) gave an unusual hit to Snoop Dogg this year. He's singing, too. Who would've thought?
20. I Kissed A Girl - Katy Perry
The anthem of every club this summer, Katy had the surprise hit of the year by boasting her bi-curious tendencies. The definition of a guilty pleasure song, you know you were singing along to this at some point.
21. Foundations - Kate Nash
British singer with quirky tendencies - not anything we haven't seen before. But the gentle, 40's style voice, mixed with the uptempo beat and lyrics about a slipping relationship, separate Kate from other wannabes.
22. Honey - The Hush Sound
The Hush Sound made a return this year bringing more of what they do best. A more 20's vibrato, mature sound, Greta's voice shines through with the same swinging piano tempo as always.
22. Shut Up And Let Me Go - The Ting Tings
Reminiscent of Blondie's "Rapture" The Tings Tings bring that same singing/speaking style into their funky hit. It's fun, catchy, and easy to dance to. What more do you need?
24. About A Girl - The Academy Is...
Dedicating an entire CD to the woes of high school, TAI's new single played into young puppy love by simply denying its existence. "I'm not in love, I'm not gonna waste these words about a girl." It still feels like TAI, and that's all that matters.
25. Devour - Shinedown
With a chugging, whiny guitar opening made famous by MTV's "The Island," the nearly forty second instrumental lead-up pays off once the verse hits. A surprisingly melodic chorus and big vocals give this song an old school rock anthem feel.
26. New Soul - Yael Naim
Gaining fame by promoting the new Macbook Air, the opening piano bars are more famous than the rest of the single. But with a chorus of simply "la la la" over and over again, it'll make you want to frolick in a meadow on a sunny afternoon.
27. So What - Pink
"na na na na." It's the perfect opening lyrics for Pink's new single; it's that little kid bully singsong that subliminally, is the meaning behind the whole thing. Plus. a live cover from Dashboard Confessional that's too perfect, it's scary. "So what, I'm a rock star." Hell Yeah.
28. Piece Of Me - Britney Spears
The song that finally brought Brit three VMA's this year, it's her own personal ode to the viewing public. "I'm Miss American Dream since I was 17," she boasts. Pictures of your derriere in a magazine - your dream or mine?
29. That's What You Get - Paramore
Nowhere near the success of "Misery Business" or "crushcrushcrush," a feature on Rock Band brought attention to this grooving anthem that's more toned down than the huge hits of last summer. Yet still every bit as good.
30. Falling Down - Atreyu
The return of Atreyu in 2008 brought a softer sound to the hardcore band, bringing reactions on both extremes. A more radio-friendly tune grabbed some mainstream attention. It's a refreshing balance of singing/screaming this time around.
30. Handlebars - The Flobots
Empowering, optimistic, and egotistical, sure. But smart. Famous only perhaps because it's "that one song that kind of sounds like Eminem" but with more guitars and trumpets. Regardless, a unique sound to emerge in '08.
32. Outta My Head - Ashlee Simpson
Admittedly, the guilty pleasure single of the list. (Timbaland does it again.) It's more New Wave than anything else, with a video that's more ridiculous than anything else. "ay yayayaya, you're talking way too much." Agreed, Mrs. Wentz.
33. Womanizer - Britney Spears
Yes, yes, they say she's back. In classic Britney form, it's a dance song with a catchy hook. Who would've thought? But still, I can't hear this song and not think of Chuck Bass, so thank you, Britney, for that.
34. Sex On Fire - Kings Of Leon
So damn catchy, it's contagious. Seems like everyone loves this song, and with good reason. It's got great vocals, and really, the chorus is just "your sex is on fire, consumed with what's to transpire." Genius.
35. Creator - Santogold
Not likely to catch your ear on the first listen, there's more to this Santogold song than a Gossip Girl feature. It's heavy on synthesizers and layered vocals and....nothing else. That's the entire song, which makes it surprisingly refreshing. Is it singing, is it rapping? You be the judge.
36. Elevator - Flo Rida
The hottest rapper of the year gets the hottest producer of the year, TImbaland, to create this monster jam. The only hip-hop song to sneak into my list, I couldn't let this one go. It's good times.
37. I Will Possess Your Heart - Death Cab For Cutie
Simple, mellow, melodic: a standard Death Cab song. Plus, the phrase "you've gotta spend some time, love" hooks into your brain and makes you hum this one all day long.
38. Homecoming - Hey Monday
Home-state newcomers have the full support of a Decaydance family to boot, and enough Wentz shoutouts to create at least some buzz. Seems there's room for more than one chick-fronted band in FBR world.
39. Keeps Gettin' Better - Christina Aguilera
Xtina embraces electo-dance for this song that has become Blair Waldorf's personal theme.
40. Do The Panic - Phantom Planet
A successful TV ad gave some life to this psuedo-British-rock single from the Planet.
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