Favorite Singles of 2008

I've been looking at all the "Best of" lists (and oh man...do I love "Best of" lists...though I'm not sure why). In fact, I've been working on my own "Best Albums of 2008" list for a few weeks now. I'm actually putting a lot more effort in that than is necessary, especially considering I don't think anyone reading is really going to care about my favorite records of '08. However, I do it every year, so you know...plus I like making lists. But since I'm still compiling that list, I instead bring you my top 10 singles/songs of '08! I'm not judging these tracks based on artistic merit or hipster cred, but based on how catchy and infectious I found them.

10. Beyonce - "Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It)"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8mVEGfH4s5g
I can no longer think of this song without either thinking of A) Drag queens dancing to it when I went to the annual High Heel Race in DC a few months ago or B) Justin Timberlake and Andy Samberg in black unitards and heels. Either way, this song is uber-catchy and danceable but it is forever associated in my mind with men in drag.

9. The Streets - "Heaven For the Weather"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XczLJ4-sd8M
I've loved the streets for awhile, and this has got to be their catchiest song and a really sing-able chorus.

8. Duffy - "Mercy"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KE2orthS3TQ
I've had an debate waging in my head about which British songstress will take Amy Winehouse's crown - Adele or Duffy? I still haven't decided. I like them both. This single of Duffy's I like because it has a groovy, Motown edge to it.

7. Kanye West - "Flashing Lights"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-a--Pc7R8PU
Oh, Kanye. There's something about this song that I really love, though I can't put my finger on. It has a bit of a Daft Punk element to it, kind of like "Stronger".

6. Adele - "Chasing Pavements"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qz7vGW2_5c0
Adele has a bit of an edge in my Duffy vs. Adele debate. There's a sort of unrestrained, heartbreaking element to her voice.

5. The Killers - "Spaceman"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkfY58pWyOs
"Human" grew on me a lot after a couple of listens, but this song is more of a return to "Hot Fuss" era Killers. This song has a thumping chorus that'll get stuck in your head for days.

4. Ting Tings - "Shut Up and Let Me Go"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StP-yIQeT2o
More infectious than mono. And even harder to get rid of.

3. Black Kids - "I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How to Dance With You"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaa4eGOtrTg
I love the line of "You are the girl that I've been dreaming of ever since I was a little girl". This song is a wonderfully 80s-esque track that'll make you want to stomp and shout and dance.

2. Britney Spears - "Womanizer"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gZSLIq6YiRY
Britney's back, bitch. For real this time. I had this stuck in my head for a week straight. Normally in circumstances like that, I end up wanting to kill myself, but for some reason I still relished any oppurtunity to sing along to this song loudly in the radio whenever I could. Also, the Chris Moyles parody of it ("Lorry Driver") is pretty good too.

1. Kings of Leon - "Sex on Fire"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHhhcKxflMY
I am pretty obsessed with this song. It's quite sexy in feverish, desperate sort of way. The lead singer wails and howls like he hasn't had any in months. He seriously wants this chick's sex. He wants it so bad it's on FIRE, baby. Either that or she has a venereal disease.

AND HONORABLE MENTION GOES TO...

New Kids on the Block feat. Ne-Yo - "Single"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kY4W1b8WurU

This gets a nod for pure ridiculous-ness. Seriously, Ne-Yo...how did you get attached to this? Seriously! You're like, the hottest thing on the radio right now. You should know better. With this song and video, I think NKOTB tried to prove that they were still culturally relevant. However, when you're famous for being an 80s boy band of budding young heart-throbs, it becomes a little pathetic if you're still trying to keep the shtick up in your late 30s/early 40s. I think it's actually the video that creeps me out more than anything. It shows an attractive 20-something girl in a nightclub and all the members of NKOTB trying to pick her up (which she seems to be digging). I dunno, if the members of NKOTB tried to pick me up in a club, I'd be a bit skeeved out, considering they're all like...40 and don't have any business in those clubs anyway. Especially Donnie. Joey and Jordan might be able to pull it off. But it's still dubious. Ne-Yo can definetely stay though.