change is hard: favorite songs of 2008
When I started my list of favorite songs from 2008, two things struck me. First, I noticed that this was a year when I liked a lot of songs, but not a lot of the albums they came from. Obviously we're seeing a real shift in the music world with digital downloads—which is a beautiful, wonderful thing, I think—but perhaps it's leading to a lack of well-crafted albums. There are exceptions: My top three songs on the list all came from amazing albums. But my most-played tracks in iTunes seemed to give a lot more love to singles than CDs this year.
Second, I noticed this was a great year (for me, at least) for new artists. There's not a lot of established names here, even though I did very much enjoy new material from a few chart-toppers (Mariah, The Killers, a couple of the new Kanye tracks, even some of the Coldplay).
Finally, this was a year when I didn't fall head-over-heels in love with any one artists (see: Feist, 2007). But enough ruminating; here's the list. I'm curious to hear about other favorites in the comments.
Oh, and here are the previous lists: 2007, 2006, 2005.
1. "Change Is Hard"
– She & Him
This duet with M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel is probably my favorite album of the year. It's like AM radio country gold with a dash of Dusty Springfield. Great for singing in the shower, too.
2. "Campus" – Vampire Weekend
The band got a lot of hype in certain circles, and I think they very much deserved it. Almost every track on their debut is stellar, a very cool blend of Paul Simon, The Police, world beats, and New England privilege.
3. "American Boy" – Estelle Feat. Kanye Wast
My BFF Seany gave me this CD back in the springtime and I fell in love. One of the rare albums from '08 on which almost every track is a keeper. I hope this London chick goes on to greatness.
4. "White Winter Hymnal" – Fleet Foxes
Full disclosure: I'd never paid attention to this band until they started showing up on lots of year-end lists. "White Winter Hymnal" has been my song of December, played on repeat.
5. "Ready For The Floor" – Hot Chip
This ditty gets the distinction of the being the song that got played the most often in my iTunes library this year. Which says a lot. The video is also awesome.
6. "Gold" – Emmylou Harris
In a year when I wasn't listening to much country, Emmylou still stole my heart. I debated about which track to pick and almost went for "Broken Man's Lament," but opted for this duet with Dolly Parton.
7. "Soldier" – Erykah Badu
"What am I talkin' about? Everybody know what the song's about ..."
Um, actually Erykah, I have no frackin clue what your song's about, but I still loved it—especially the shout out to "all my girls in therapy, see I'mma tell you this for free." The rest of the disc, not so much.
8. "A&E" – Goldfrapp
Say it with me: I liked a few of the newly pastoral Goldfrapp songs, but not the album. "Caravan Girl" almost made the favorites list, but this track reminds me (in a happy way) of the hazy days I had just after my sinus surgery. Mmm, Vicodin.
9. "Bruises" – Chairlift
Thank you, iPod Nano commercial.
10. "That's Not My Name" – The Ting Tings
I was surprised this British band didn't get more love in '08. "Shut Up and Let Me Go" got some traction Stateside, but not nearly as much as in the UK. This song is a delicious throwback to early '80s girl-band cattiness, "Hey Mickey" by way of Joan Jett.
11. "Can You Tell" – Ra Ra Riot
I'd downloaded this song back over the summer, but it didn't grow on me until a few months later. Just fun.
12. "Hometown Glory (Axwell Original Mix)" – Adele
Yet another English lass on our list—a real trend. My buddy Lucas turned me on to Adele's debut album, 19, which is a slice of heaven. This remix doesn't reflect the somber, soulful mood of the CD, but I love it.
13. "My Joy (M&S Sure Epic Klub Mix)" – Quentin Harris feat. Margaret Grace
I was sure I'd heard this dance track before, and finally figured out it's a cover of a Leela James song from 2005. Which is awesome.
14. "Like You'll Never See Me Again (Jony Rockstar Remix)" – Alicia Keys
Alicia's amazing CD As I Am dropped in late '07, and Sean kept raving about it. It took me a few months to see how right he was. This is an unexpected remix of one of my favorite tracks. I kept thinking she was singing "I don't want to forget the presidential gifts." Yeah.
Honorable mentions:
• "Lights Out" – Santogold
I also really liked "You'll Find a Way."
• "Blind" – Hercules and Love Affair
Antony's vocals get on my nerves after a while, but this CD got a lot of play over the summer for me.
• "No Air" (Tiesto Mix) – Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
Definitely one of my favorite remixes of the year.
• "Pocket" – Sam Sparro
Another act that I think was a victim of too much buzz. Still, the CD has a couple of keepers.
Download the playlist: Favorite Songs of 08 (77MB)
Update: You can also purchase many of the songs in this iTunes iMix.
Second, I noticed this was a great year (for me, at least) for new artists. There's not a lot of established names here, even though I did very much enjoy new material from a few chart-toppers (Mariah, The Killers, a couple of the new Kanye tracks, even some of the Coldplay).
Finally, this was a year when I didn't fall head-over-heels in love with any one artists (see: Feist, 2007). But enough ruminating; here's the list. I'm curious to hear about other favorites in the comments.
Oh, and here are the previous lists: 2007, 2006, 2005.
1. "Change Is Hard"– She & Him
This duet with M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel is probably my favorite album of the year. It's like AM radio country gold with a dash of Dusty Springfield. Great for singing in the shower, too.
2. "Campus" – Vampire Weekend
The band got a lot of hype in certain circles, and I think they very much deserved it. Almost every track on their debut is stellar, a very cool blend of Paul Simon, The Police, world beats, and New England privilege.
3. "American Boy" – Estelle Feat. Kanye Wast
My BFF Seany gave me this CD back in the springtime and I fell in love. One of the rare albums from '08 on which almost every track is a keeper. I hope this London chick goes on to greatness.
4. "White Winter Hymnal" – Fleet Foxes
Full disclosure: I'd never paid attention to this band until they started showing up on lots of year-end lists. "White Winter Hymnal" has been my song of December, played on repeat.
5. "Ready For The Floor" – Hot Chip
This ditty gets the distinction of the being the song that got played the most often in my iTunes library this year. Which says a lot. The video is also awesome.
6. "Gold" – Emmylou Harris
In a year when I wasn't listening to much country, Emmylou still stole my heart. I debated about which track to pick and almost went for "Broken Man's Lament," but opted for this duet with Dolly Parton.
7. "Soldier" – Erykah Badu
"What am I talkin' about? Everybody know what the song's about ..."
Um, actually Erykah, I have no frackin clue what your song's about, but I still loved it—especially the shout out to "all my girls in therapy, see I'mma tell you this for free." The rest of the disc, not so much.
8. "A&E" – Goldfrapp
Say it with me: I liked a few of the newly pastoral Goldfrapp songs, but not the album. "Caravan Girl" almost made the favorites list, but this track reminds me (in a happy way) of the hazy days I had just after my sinus surgery. Mmm, Vicodin.
9. "Bruises" – Chairlift
Thank you, iPod Nano commercial.
10. "That's Not My Name" – The Ting Tings
I was surprised this British band didn't get more love in '08. "Shut Up and Let Me Go" got some traction Stateside, but not nearly as much as in the UK. This song is a delicious throwback to early '80s girl-band cattiness, "Hey Mickey" by way of Joan Jett.
11. "Can You Tell" – Ra Ra Riot
I'd downloaded this song back over the summer, but it didn't grow on me until a few months later. Just fun.
12. "Hometown Glory (Axwell Original Mix)" – Adele
Yet another English lass on our list—a real trend. My buddy Lucas turned me on to Adele's debut album, 19, which is a slice of heaven. This remix doesn't reflect the somber, soulful mood of the CD, but I love it.
13. "My Joy (M&S Sure Epic Klub Mix)" – Quentin Harris feat. Margaret Grace
I was sure I'd heard this dance track before, and finally figured out it's a cover of a Leela James song from 2005. Which is awesome.
14. "Like You'll Never See Me Again (Jony Rockstar Remix)" – Alicia Keys
Alicia's amazing CD As I Am dropped in late '07, and Sean kept raving about it. It took me a few months to see how right he was. This is an unexpected remix of one of my favorite tracks. I kept thinking she was singing "I don't want to forget the presidential gifts." Yeah.
Honorable mentions:
• "Lights Out" – Santogold
I also really liked "You'll Find a Way."
• "Blind" – Hercules and Love Affair
Antony's vocals get on my nerves after a while, but this CD got a lot of play over the summer for me.
• "No Air" (Tiesto Mix) – Jordin Sparks & Chris Brown
Definitely one of my favorite remixes of the year.
• "Pocket" – Sam Sparro
Another act that I think was a victim of too much buzz. Still, the CD has a couple of keepers.
Download the playlist: Favorite Songs of 08 (77MB)
Update: You can also purchase many of the songs in this iTunes iMix.
posted by TRAYB at
7:55 AM
1 Comments:
You totally changed my year with Bruises and Ready for the Floor and the Ra Ra Riot. In fact, after seeing it here on your list, I got the whole album.
My only regret about 09 is that we won't be able to see Adele together at Variety in the spring. :(
Miss you already!
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