you're my favorite moment,
you're my saturday
I've been eyeing all the end-of-year lists that invariably roll out as December hobbles toward Christmas, especially the music roundups.
For example, the fine folks at Rolling Stone dubbed Gnarls Barkley's ubiquitous "Crazy" as the top song of the year — a viewpoint shared by the iTunes Store, which gave the song props on its staff picks list.
Does that make them crazy? Apparently not, because the song also landed in the number four slot on the list of bestsellers, beat out by what might be my least favorite song of recent memory, "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter.
Speaking of things it's cool to hate, Pitchfork pulled a fast one and gave Justin Timberlake the top slot on its Top 100 Tracks of 2006 list; no worries, the other 99 artists selected remain as pretentiously obscure as always.
These lists, to me, are always sort of a joke: Did anybody actually buy the new Bob Dylan CD that the Rolling Stone fogies rave about? And for those who actually did buy Danity Kane (featured on the iTunes bestseller list), there's just no excuse for you.
Anyway, I've crafted my own annual list of favorite songs from the year — a task that's proven particularly difficult for 2006 not just because of the scattershot quality of the material, but because of my own shifting tastes.
This was the year when trends of 2005 reversed and more pop (Fergie, Justin) found its way onto my iPod. I sort of made up with dance music (Offer Nissim, Bob Sinclar) after our amicable split last year. There was no "story of the year" on my personal playlists, but instead deep flirtations with synthpop (Goldfrapp) and a tumultuous fling with Broadway (Grey Gardens, Liza with a Z). Country and folk took a brief retreat, but I think they'll be back in 2007.
Anyway, my neurosis aside, here's my Imperfect List of Notable Songs from 2006. (Mostly.) In no particular order, of course.
1. "Balloon Ranger" Ane Brun
I shudder to call her voice "haunting" or "arctic" or something lame like that, but this was one of the albums I couldn't get enough of in the early summer.
2. "Number 1" Goldfrapp
I caught their show at Irving Plaza this year and loved every synthesized moment of it. This video is also riveting.
3. "Deja Vu" Beyoncé
Miss Knowles and I have come full circle. I loved her when she was one of Destiny's children. We broke it off when she dumped those other bitches. But this year, we tight again. Now everything I see is you, and really there ain't no substitue.
4. "Fidelity" Regina Spektor
Jesus Christ, did I listen to any males in 2006?
5. "City Hall" Vienna Tang
Nope, not many.
6. "Bossy" Kelis
What a fucking diva. I saw her at the Out 100 party and she was such a snotty little cunt. Loved her.
7. "First Day of My Life" Bright Eyes
I'm fully aware this is actually a song from 2005. However, it makes me think of all the Kiki & Herb shows I caught this year: an astounding four performances — five if you count Justin solo. And three of those times they covered Bright Eyes. It really is lovely, though.
8. "Star Witness" Neko Case
Her gig at Webster Hall will be one of my favorite concerts of 2006.
9. "Girl in the War" Josh Ritter
Great line: "Because the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom." Read the rest here.
10. "Smile" Lily Allen
Gayest Neil gave me this keeper, knowing how much I like both British songbirds and cruelty. It does make me smile.
11. "The Blues are Still Blue" Belle & Sebastian
I got their album The Life Pursuit back in March and barely gave it a single listen. Cut to November and it came back with a vengence. I love not only this track, but also "Funny Little Frog" and "White Collar Boy."
12. "O Mary Don't You Weep" Bruce Springsteen
Not a lot of folk or bluegrass on my list this year, though I did get a lot of pleasure from the Boss's Pete Seeger tribute album.
13. "Sodom (Trentemøller Remix)" Pet Shop Boys
Their latest got zero play in the States, which is a shame. This remix of "The Sodom & Gomorrah Show" was one of the more thrilling dance tracks I heard all year.
14. "Better People" India.Arie
I didn't love the latest disc from the dotted one, but this fell-good ditty is straight up Staple Singers. Guaranteed to lift my mood on even the ugliest day.
15. "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" Scissor Sisters
I'm sick of it now, but this was a hit of my fall.
16. "The Long Way Around." Dixie Chicks
"Silent House" also really spoke to me from their well-crafted protest album.
17. "Music (Eddie's Bring It Back Mix)" Leela James
Another dance song that actually had something interesting to say. The original, unmixed track came out in 2005, but this track came to my attention via Brett Henrichsen's kickin' SPF 2006.
* * *
For example, the fine folks at Rolling Stone dubbed Gnarls Barkley's ubiquitous "Crazy" as the top song of the year — a viewpoint shared by the iTunes Store, which gave the song props on its staff picks list.
Does that make them crazy? Apparently not, because the song also landed in the number four slot on the list of bestsellers, beat out by what might be my least favorite song of recent memory, "Bad Day" by Daniel Powter.
Speaking of things it's cool to hate, Pitchfork pulled a fast one and gave Justin Timberlake the top slot on its Top 100 Tracks of 2006 list; no worries, the other 99 artists selected remain as pretentiously obscure as always.
These lists, to me, are always sort of a joke: Did anybody actually buy the new Bob Dylan CD that the Rolling Stone fogies rave about? And for those who actually did buy Danity Kane (featured on the iTunes bestseller list), there's just no excuse for you.
Anyway, I've crafted my own annual list of favorite songs from the year — a task that's proven particularly difficult for 2006 not just because of the scattershot quality of the material, but because of my own shifting tastes.
This was the year when trends of 2005 reversed and more pop (Fergie, Justin) found its way onto my iPod. I sort of made up with dance music (Offer Nissim, Bob Sinclar) after our amicable split last year. There was no "story of the year" on my personal playlists, but instead deep flirtations with synthpop (Goldfrapp) and a tumultuous fling with Broadway (Grey Gardens, Liza with a Z). Country and folk took a brief retreat, but I think they'll be back in 2007.
Anyway, my neurosis aside, here's my Imperfect List of Notable Songs from 2006. (Mostly.) In no particular order, of course.
1. "Balloon Ranger" Ane BrunI shudder to call her voice "haunting" or "arctic" or something lame like that, but this was one of the albums I couldn't get enough of in the early summer.
2. "Number 1" Goldfrapp
I caught their show at Irving Plaza this year and loved every synthesized moment of it. This video is also riveting.
3. "Deja Vu" Beyoncé
Miss Knowles and I have come full circle. I loved her when she was one of Destiny's children. We broke it off when she dumped those other bitches. But this year, we tight again. Now everything I see is you, and really there ain't no substitue.
4. "Fidelity" Regina Spektor
Jesus Christ, did I listen to any males in 2006?
5. "City Hall" Vienna Tang
Nope, not many.
6. "Bossy" Kelis
What a fucking diva. I saw her at the Out 100 party and she was such a snotty little cunt. Loved her.
7. "First Day of My Life" Bright Eyes
I'm fully aware this is actually a song from 2005. However, it makes me think of all the Kiki & Herb shows I caught this year: an astounding four performances — five if you count Justin solo. And three of those times they covered Bright Eyes. It really is lovely, though.
8. "Star Witness" Neko Case
Her gig at Webster Hall will be one of my favorite concerts of 2006.
9. "Girl in the War" Josh Ritter
Great line: "Because the keys to the kingdom got locked inside the kingdom." Read the rest here.
10. "Smile" Lily Allen
Gayest Neil gave me this keeper, knowing how much I like both British songbirds and cruelty. It does make me smile.
11. "The Blues are Still Blue" Belle & Sebastian
I got their album The Life Pursuit back in March and barely gave it a single listen. Cut to November and it came back with a vengence. I love not only this track, but also "Funny Little Frog" and "White Collar Boy."
12. "O Mary Don't You Weep" Bruce Springsteen
Not a lot of folk or bluegrass on my list this year, though I did get a lot of pleasure from the Boss's Pete Seeger tribute album.
13. "Sodom (Trentemøller Remix)" Pet Shop Boys
Their latest got zero play in the States, which is a shame. This remix of "The Sodom & Gomorrah Show" was one of the more thrilling dance tracks I heard all year.
14. "Better People" India.Arie
I didn't love the latest disc from the dotted one, but this fell-good ditty is straight up Staple Singers. Guaranteed to lift my mood on even the ugliest day.
15. "I Don't Feel Like Dancin'" Scissor Sisters
I'm sick of it now, but this was a hit of my fall.
16. "The Long Way Around." Dixie Chicks
"Silent House" also really spoke to me from their well-crafted protest album.
17. "Music (Eddie's Bring It Back Mix)" Leela James
Another dance song that actually had something interesting to say. The original, unmixed track came out in 2005, but this track came to my attention via Brett Henrichsen's kickin' SPF 2006.
* * *
UPDATE: For you users of the iTunes Store, I've posted an iMix featuring most (but not all) of the tracks listed here. Enjoy!
TRAYB.com: Favorite Songs of 2006 (and a few others)
1 Comments:
I prefer Vienna Tang's "Whatever You Want," once you get past that lady singer opening piano tinkling. Mostly because it's about someone who eventually cracks and destroys those around them.
I do wish we could find "Somebody's House Always Burns At Christmas."
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