100 songs I was obsessed with in 2008
(For those of you who aren't friends with me on facebook)
I am so much more in love with this top 100 than last year's. Every song in this list (at least in the top 60-ish) was my "favorite song" at one point this year. Which makes ordering them more than a little difficult. Every time I listen to the list, I want to move each song higher. So obviously the hierarchal nature of this list is pretty arbitrary. Just trust that I really, really love every single one of these songs.
So here it is. My favorite songs. I'm sure I missed out on some great stuff this year, that's just how it goes. But this is my soundtrack of the year, and I'd be lying if I said this year was uneventful. I spent many hours on the road, made new friends, became single after over more than 5 years, and most importantly -- took the plunge and started a photography business. 2008 was a wild ride both personally and musically. And 2009 is going to be epic.
Enjoy!!
1. Radiohead - Jigsaw falling into place
This is such a cheat, to put this song on here like this. The album was released in 2007 and this very song graced last year's list. But when I tried to place a song at the top of this list it became glaringly obvious that this was my top song of this year. The single was released this year, so that is how I've talked myself into it. This song is not only my favorite song of this year, or last year - it's my favorite song, period. My dear friend Kelly called me from Lollapalooza while they were playing this song and I was sitting at home editing photos and immediately burst into tears. I saw Radiohead perform this live in May and had a similar response - just pure, unbridled emotion. In a very symbolic way, this was my year as a jigsaw falling into place. This was the year I decided to follow my dreams and ignore my doubts and insecurities. "Wish away the nightmare, you've got a light, you can feel it on your back - jigsaw falling into place".
2. Mount Eerie - Voice in Headphones
Because I couldn't possibly ever express how amazing this song better than Sean did over at Said the Gramophone: "This is a song about how recorded music - particularly a song called "Undo", by Bjork, - makes Mount Eerie cry. He borrows "Undo"'s chorus, gathers friends to yearningly yell it. "Voice in Headphones" feels like two things: a why? and a thank-you. How does music have this power, every single time? "Who are you, voice in headphones?" And also, thank-you, voice in headphones. As with so many of Phil Elverum's songs, this song is an explanation, an explication, an articulation and working-through of a feeling. Elverum's gift is the way he makes these explorations beautiful. (As if Jacques Cartier or Ferdinand Magellan could move us to tears.) They are tender, wise, flickering. Mount Eerie's "Voice in Headphones" becomes its own object. We listen to this song, feel it move us, and we wonder - Who are you? We think - thank-you. "
3. Does it offend you yeah? - Dawn of the dead
Okay, so, Pitchfork gave this album a 2.-something. And I have more than a few friends who have given me crap for loving this album but screw you! This song is infectious and endearing. It makes me want to dance and it makes me truly ponder my life. So HA!
4. Earlimart - Before it gets better
"And it's going to get worse, before it gets better." Oh boy, this song crept up here all last minute-like. This is such an Aimee Mann song yet it isn't. Like so many songs I love, this one has some truly poignant lyrics.
5. The Raveonettes - Lust (Trentemoller Remix)
One of the rare times when a remix really, truly is better than the original. This is haunting.
6. Grouper - heavy water/I'd rather be sleeping
I don't know how else to describe this song other than by saying it is beautiful. Just really, achingly beautiful.
7. Now now every children - Friends with my sister
The buildup on this song is perfect. The first half is so pretty and serene, yet you can feel the tension as it progresses. And then BAM! An explosion of guitars you can't help but bob your head to. I love songs that build up to crescendos like this one does.
8. Bun B (ft Lupe Fiasco) - Swang on 'em
I really can't explain why I love this song so much. Okay, well, yes I can - Lupe kinda kills it. I have spent many hours in my car listening to his verse and rewinding back to hear it again. Because it is awesome.
9. The Virgins - Rich Girls
Instant classic. I loved this song very early on into 2008. The bassline is really great. Sure, it's a little annoying, and they destroyed it on the LP, but the EP version is really great and remained on constant repeat for most of the year.
10. Tallest Man on Earth - The Blizzard's never seen the desert sands
Picking a Tallest Man on Earth song for my list was really, really hard. The whole album is stunning. I love every single song. If you like Bob Dylan, you'll either reeeeeally love Tallest Man on Earth or reeeallly hate him. My bet is that you'll probably really love him, though. I think the reason I love this song so much is - of course - because of a lyric near the end of the song... "I have set my house on fire 'cause I don't need it anymore". I remember being in the car with my seven year old brother last summer listening to this and I thought he was busy playing on his gameboy but as soon as that line came on he perked up and said, "On FIRE? Who would set their house on FIRE? Why did he set his house on FIRE?"
11. Kanye West - Love Lockdown
Okay, this was another tricky one because I love the whole album (except for the last track... apparently Beyonce talked him into adding it at the last minute. WTF, Beyonce?) Yeah yeah yeah stupid autotune, yeah yeah yeah hardly any rapping, blah blah blah. This album serves its purpose perfectly and I think it really takes him to a new level. There are SO many phenomenal songs on the album - Say you will, Heartless, Coldest Winter, the list goes on and on..
12. Trash80 - Missing you
My favorite electronic track of the year, hands down. I dare you to listen and not dance.
13. She and Him - Why do you let me stay here?
Total feel good song. Zooey Deschanel really took home the prize of best actress-turned-singer this year (take note, Scarlett Johansson... who, by the way, is itching to put out another album of original work, so help us all).
14. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Yeah, I am among the minority of "music lovers" this year who isn't completely crazy about this band, but this song is really really really good. Makes me want to curl up in a ski lodge somewhere watching the snow fall with a cup hot apple cider in hand... and I don't even ski.
15. Chairlift - Bruises
I just found out this was on a bunch of Apple commercials... I am so behind on things like this. But anyway, this is such a sweet little dancey love song. I actually really want to use it for an engagement session slideshow but I need to find the right couple because I don't want anyone to think I am promoting violence.
16. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)
I love everything about this song except for the bridge. I kind of really hate the bridge. But otherwise, the song and the video are pop perfection.
17. The Helio Sequence - Keep your eyes ahead
This is definitely one of the best albums of the year. I love a lot of songs on the album, but this is my favorite. The last minute and a half is really, really great.
18. Rye Rye and MIA - Tic Toc
I'm starting to run out of descriptions for these songs. I woke up with this song in my head the other week - tic tic tic tic toc, tic tic toc...
19. Hologram - Blazey Storm
Another amazing build-up song. This one is less polished than the Now now every children song, and sometimes I love it more because of it.
20. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
A guy with his guiltar doing the folk thing. I really do love this song, very very much, but it's the only song from the album that really stuck with me. It's a good album, but nothing you haven't heard before. This song is worth hearing, though. Many times.
Here's where you can download the whole list
------------- The Whole List -------------
1. Radiohead - Jigsaw falling into place
2. Mount Eerie - voice in headphones
3. Does it offend you yeah? - Dawn of the dead
4. Earlimart - before it gets better
5. The Raveonettes - Lust (Trentemøller Remix)
6. Grouper - heavy water/i'd rather be sleeping
7. Now Now Every Children - friends with my sister
8. Bun B - Swang on em
9. The Virgins - rich girls
10. Tallest Man On Earth - The Blizzard's never seen the desert sands
11. Kanye West - Love Lockdown
12. Trash80 - Missing you
13. She and him - why do you let me stay here?
14. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
15. Chairlift - Bruises
16. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)
17. The Helio Sequence - Keep your eyes ahead
18. Rye Rye and MIA - Tic Toc
19. Hologram - Blazey Storm
20. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
21. Zeigeist - Fight with shattered mirrors
22. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
23. Lil Wayne - Mr Carter (Featuring Jay-Z)
24. Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone
25. School of Seven Bells - Connjur
26. Annie - Songs Remind Me of You
27. Laura Marling - Cross your fingers
28. The Dø - Stay (just a little bit more)
29. Micah P Hinson - When We Embraced
30. Kid Cudi - Dat New "New"
31. Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down (Duke Dumont Reconstruction)
32. Liam Finn - Second Chance
33. Ladytron - Ghosts
34. Aeroplane ft Kathy Diamond - Whispers
35. First Aid Kit - Our Own Pretty Ways
36. Shearwater - Snow Leopard
37. No Age - Teen Creeps
38. The Raveonettes - Aly walk with me
39. Katie Dill - Pearl Diver
40. Vivian Girls - Where do you run to
41. Ladyhawk - I don't always know what you're saying
42. Sebastien Tellier - Divine
43. The LK - Blakboy Vs. the Snow
44. Thee Oh Sees - Ghost in the trees
45. Why? - The Vowels Pt. 2
46. The Delano Orchestra - Lucky Star
47. The Walkmen - In the new year
48. These United States - A Day to float the Bahnar Boat
49. Clique Talk - Cemetary Man
50. Little Boots - Stuck on Repeat
51. Ólafur Arnalds - Fok
52. CALLmeKAT - Bug in a web
53. Lily Allen - Fuck you
54. Little Vic - Love hurts
55. Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
56. tUnE-YaRdS - FIYA
57. Raz Ohara and the Odd Orchestra - Kisses
58. Sleepmakeswaves - one day you will teach me to let go of my fears
59. Ting tings - Shut up and let me go
60. Black pus - Land of the lost
61. Justice of the Unicorns - Sleeping late in the summertime
62. Okkervil River - Calling and not calling my ex
63. Pete and the Pirates - Come on feet
64. Booka Shade - Redemption
65. Gentle Touch - Once you used to
66. Final Fantasy - The Butcher
67. T.I. - Whatever you like
68. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Life is long
69. Hercules and Love Affair - Blind (feat. Antony Hegarty)
70. Carl Spidla - Blackfly Rag
71. Doomtree - Dogs & Dashes
72. The Clientele - George says he has lost his way in this world
73. Baltic Fleet - Castellon Theme
74. Pomegranates - The Bellhop
75. Mylo - Otto's journey
76. Stereolab - Three women
77. Spiritualized - Death take your fiddle
78. Rihanna - Disturbia
79. Deerhunter - Nothing ever happened
80. Taken by cars - Uh Oh
81. Antony & the Johnsons - Another world
82. Women - Black rice
83. Katy Perry - I kissed a girl (MR GASPAR remix)
84. Girls Aloud - Untouchable
85. Emiliana Torrini - Big Jumps
86. Vampire Weekend - A-punk
87. Estelle - American Boy (ft. Kanye West)
88. Ida Maria - Oh my god
89. Aimee Mann - 31 Today
90. Olga Kouklaki - Getalife
91. MGMT - Time to pretend
92. Mighty Joseph - Legend
93. Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya - The Anthem
94. Have a Nice Life - Hunter
95. Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
96. Solange - Sandcastle Disco
97. Santogold - Lights out
98. Girl Talk - Lights out
99. Man Man - Doo right
100. The Lord Dog Bird - The gift of song in the lion's den
Here's where you can download the whole list
I am so much more in love with this top 100 than last year's. Every song in this list (at least in the top 60-ish) was my "favorite song" at one point this year. Which makes ordering them more than a little difficult. Every time I listen to the list, I want to move each song higher. So obviously the hierarchal nature of this list is pretty arbitrary. Just trust that I really, really love every single one of these songs.
So here it is. My favorite songs. I'm sure I missed out on some great stuff this year, that's just how it goes. But this is my soundtrack of the year, and I'd be lying if I said this year was uneventful. I spent many hours on the road, made new friends, became single after over more than 5 years, and most importantly -- took the plunge and started a photography business. 2008 was a wild ride both personally and musically. And 2009 is going to be epic.
Enjoy!!
1. Radiohead - Jigsaw falling into place
This is such a cheat, to put this song on here like this. The album was released in 2007 and this very song graced last year's list. But when I tried to place a song at the top of this list it became glaringly obvious that this was my top song of this year. The single was released this year, so that is how I've talked myself into it. This song is not only my favorite song of this year, or last year - it's my favorite song, period. My dear friend Kelly called me from Lollapalooza while they were playing this song and I was sitting at home editing photos and immediately burst into tears. I saw Radiohead perform this live in May and had a similar response - just pure, unbridled emotion. In a very symbolic way, this was my year as a jigsaw falling into place. This was the year I decided to follow my dreams and ignore my doubts and insecurities. "Wish away the nightmare, you've got a light, you can feel it on your back - jigsaw falling into place".
2. Mount Eerie - Voice in Headphones
Because I couldn't possibly ever express how amazing this song better than Sean did over at Said the Gramophone: "This is a song about how recorded music - particularly a song called "Undo", by Bjork, - makes Mount Eerie cry. He borrows "Undo"'s chorus, gathers friends to yearningly yell it. "Voice in Headphones" feels like two things: a why? and a thank-you. How does music have this power, every single time? "Who are you, voice in headphones?" And also, thank-you, voice in headphones. As with so many of Phil Elverum's songs, this song is an explanation, an explication, an articulation and working-through of a feeling. Elverum's gift is the way he makes these explorations beautiful. (As if Jacques Cartier or Ferdinand Magellan could move us to tears.) They are tender, wise, flickering. Mount Eerie's "Voice in Headphones" becomes its own object. We listen to this song, feel it move us, and we wonder - Who are you? We think - thank-you. "
3. Does it offend you yeah? - Dawn of the dead
Okay, so, Pitchfork gave this album a 2.-something. And I have more than a few friends who have given me crap for loving this album but screw you! This song is infectious and endearing. It makes me want to dance and it makes me truly ponder my life. So HA!
4. Earlimart - Before it gets better
"And it's going to get worse, before it gets better." Oh boy, this song crept up here all last minute-like. This is such an Aimee Mann song yet it isn't. Like so many songs I love, this one has some truly poignant lyrics.
5. The Raveonettes - Lust (Trentemoller Remix)
One of the rare times when a remix really, truly is better than the original. This is haunting.
6. Grouper - heavy water/I'd rather be sleeping
I don't know how else to describe this song other than by saying it is beautiful. Just really, achingly beautiful.
7. Now now every children - Friends with my sister
The buildup on this song is perfect. The first half is so pretty and serene, yet you can feel the tension as it progresses. And then BAM! An explosion of guitars you can't help but bob your head to. I love songs that build up to crescendos like this one does.
8. Bun B (ft Lupe Fiasco) - Swang on 'em
I really can't explain why I love this song so much. Okay, well, yes I can - Lupe kinda kills it. I have spent many hours in my car listening to his verse and rewinding back to hear it again. Because it is awesome.
9. The Virgins - Rich Girls
Instant classic. I loved this song very early on into 2008. The bassline is really great. Sure, it's a little annoying, and they destroyed it on the LP, but the EP version is really great and remained on constant repeat for most of the year.
10. Tallest Man on Earth - The Blizzard's never seen the desert sands
Picking a Tallest Man on Earth song for my list was really, really hard. The whole album is stunning. I love every single song. If you like Bob Dylan, you'll either reeeeeally love Tallest Man on Earth or reeeallly hate him. My bet is that you'll probably really love him, though. I think the reason I love this song so much is - of course - because of a lyric near the end of the song... "I have set my house on fire 'cause I don't need it anymore". I remember being in the car with my seven year old brother last summer listening to this and I thought he was busy playing on his gameboy but as soon as that line came on he perked up and said, "On FIRE? Who would set their house on FIRE? Why did he set his house on FIRE?"
11. Kanye West - Love Lockdown
Okay, this was another tricky one because I love the whole album (except for the last track... apparently Beyonce talked him into adding it at the last minute. WTF, Beyonce?) Yeah yeah yeah stupid autotune, yeah yeah yeah hardly any rapping, blah blah blah. This album serves its purpose perfectly and I think it really takes him to a new level. There are SO many phenomenal songs on the album - Say you will, Heartless, Coldest Winter, the list goes on and on..
12. Trash80 - Missing you
My favorite electronic track of the year, hands down. I dare you to listen and not dance.
13. She and Him - Why do you let me stay here?
Total feel good song. Zooey Deschanel really took home the prize of best actress-turned-singer this year (take note, Scarlett Johansson... who, by the way, is itching to put out another album of original work, so help us all).
14. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
Yeah, I am among the minority of "music lovers" this year who isn't completely crazy about this band, but this song is really really really good. Makes me want to curl up in a ski lodge somewhere watching the snow fall with a cup hot apple cider in hand... and I don't even ski.
15. Chairlift - Bruises
I just found out this was on a bunch of Apple commercials... I am so behind on things like this. But anyway, this is such a sweet little dancey love song. I actually really want to use it for an engagement session slideshow but I need to find the right couple because I don't want anyone to think I am promoting violence.
16. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)
I love everything about this song except for the bridge. I kind of really hate the bridge. But otherwise, the song and the video are pop perfection.
17. The Helio Sequence - Keep your eyes ahead
This is definitely one of the best albums of the year. I love a lot of songs on the album, but this is my favorite. The last minute and a half is really, really great.
18. Rye Rye and MIA - Tic Toc
I'm starting to run out of descriptions for these songs. I woke up with this song in my head the other week - tic tic tic tic toc, tic tic toc...
19. Hologram - Blazey Storm
Another amazing build-up song. This one is less polished than the Now now every children song, and sometimes I love it more because of it.
20. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
A guy with his guiltar doing the folk thing. I really do love this song, very very much, but it's the only song from the album that really stuck with me. It's a good album, but nothing you haven't heard before. This song is worth hearing, though. Many times.
Here's where you can download the whole list
------------- The Whole List -------------
1. Radiohead - Jigsaw falling into place
2. Mount Eerie - voice in headphones
3. Does it offend you yeah? - Dawn of the dead
4. Earlimart - before it gets better
5. The Raveonettes - Lust (Trentemøller Remix)
6. Grouper - heavy water/i'd rather be sleeping
7. Now Now Every Children - friends with my sister
8. Bun B - Swang on em
9. The Virgins - rich girls
10. Tallest Man On Earth - The Blizzard's never seen the desert sands
11. Kanye West - Love Lockdown
12. Trash80 - Missing you
13. She and him - why do you let me stay here?
14. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
15. Chairlift - Bruises
16. Beyonce - Single Ladies (Put a ring on it)
17. The Helio Sequence - Keep your eyes ahead
18. Rye Rye and MIA - Tic Toc
19. Hologram - Blazey Storm
20. Bon Iver - Skinny Love
21. Zeigeist - Fight with shattered mirrors
22. Blitzen Trapper - Furr
23. Lil Wayne - Mr Carter (Featuring Jay-Z)
24. Lykke Li - I'm Good, I'm Gone
25. School of Seven Bells - Connjur
26. Annie - Songs Remind Me of You
27. Laura Marling - Cross your fingers
28. The Dø - Stay (just a little bit more)
29. Micah P Hinson - When We Embraced
30. Kid Cudi - Dat New "New"
31. Mystery Jets - Two Doors Down (Duke Dumont Reconstruction)
32. Liam Finn - Second Chance
33. Ladytron - Ghosts
34. Aeroplane ft Kathy Diamond - Whispers
35. First Aid Kit - Our Own Pretty Ways
36. Shearwater - Snow Leopard
37. No Age - Teen Creeps
38. The Raveonettes - Aly walk with me
39. Katie Dill - Pearl Diver
40. Vivian Girls - Where do you run to
41. Ladyhawk - I don't always know what you're saying
42. Sebastien Tellier - Divine
43. The LK - Blakboy Vs. the Snow
44. Thee Oh Sees - Ghost in the trees
45. Why? - The Vowels Pt. 2
46. The Delano Orchestra - Lucky Star
47. The Walkmen - In the new year
48. These United States - A Day to float the Bahnar Boat
49. Clique Talk - Cemetary Man
50. Little Boots - Stuck on Repeat
51. Ólafur Arnalds - Fok
52. CALLmeKAT - Bug in a web
53. Lily Allen - Fuck you
54. Little Vic - Love hurts
55. Britney Spears - If U Seek Amy
56. tUnE-YaRdS - FIYA
57. Raz Ohara and the Odd Orchestra - Kisses
58. Sleepmakeswaves - one day you will teach me to let go of my fears
59. Ting tings - Shut up and let me go
60. Black pus - Land of the lost
61. Justice of the Unicorns - Sleeping late in the summertime
62. Okkervil River - Calling and not calling my ex
63. Pete and the Pirates - Come on feet
64. Booka Shade - Redemption
65. Gentle Touch - Once you used to
66. Final Fantasy - The Butcher
67. T.I. - Whatever you like
68. David Byrne and Brian Eno - Life is long
69. Hercules and Love Affair - Blind (feat. Antony Hegarty)
70. Carl Spidla - Blackfly Rag
71. Doomtree - Dogs & Dashes
72. The Clientele - George says he has lost his way in this world
73. Baltic Fleet - Castellon Theme
74. Pomegranates - The Bellhop
75. Mylo - Otto's journey
76. Stereolab - Three women
77. Spiritualized - Death take your fiddle
78. Rihanna - Disturbia
79. Deerhunter - Nothing ever happened
80. Taken by cars - Uh Oh
81. Antony & the Johnsons - Another world
82. Women - Black rice
83. Katy Perry - I kissed a girl (MR GASPAR remix)
84. Girls Aloud - Untouchable
85. Emiliana Torrini - Big Jumps
86. Vampire Weekend - A-punk
87. Estelle - American Boy (ft. Kanye West)
88. Ida Maria - Oh my god
89. Aimee Mann - 31 Today
90. Olga Kouklaki - Getalife
91. MGMT - Time to pretend
92. Mighty Joseph - Legend
93. Bitchee Bitchee Ya Ya Ya - The Anthem
94. Have a Nice Life - Hunter
95. Cut Copy - Hearts on Fire
96. Solange - Sandcastle Disco
97. Santogold - Lights out
98. Girl Talk - Lights out
99. Man Man - Doo right
100. The Lord Dog Bird - The gift of song in the lion's den
Here's where you can download the whole list