I understand the risks of producing such a list. Pigeon-holing myself, betraying what I actually listen to, etc. It’s fine. I can handle it. But let me be clear about the parameters I used to produce this list. 1. I’ve done my best to select songs released in 2010 (although there is one exception I will call attention to.) 2. They are not listed in order of awesomeness or meaningfulness to me. 3. I am not calling this list the BEST SONGS OF 2010, because there’s no way I could have access to all songs released in 2010 to make such grand claims. These are my favorites, from the fruits of 2010.
EDIT: I tried to make it easy for you by embedding the videos, but most of them will require you to click through to youtube anyways. Sorry about that. If you can handle another click, they are worth it.
So, here we go:
1. Superfast Jellyfish – Gorillaz: This is not even serious. But it is a quirky weird song, and really my favorite off of the Gorillaz’s Plastic Beach album. I like the rhythm and the sort of out there originality.
2. ’81 – Joanna Newsom: Off her gigantic 3 album length comeback record this year, this is my favorite. I like the play on words with ’81. And I like Joanna Newsom. And really, for me, it’s not too long. I’m sorry if this makes me sounds less serious of a music enthusiast, but sometimes, if songs are too long, you will lose me. I’m just owning up to my attention span. I think I had this song in my head for the better part of March, so it makes the list.
3. Shutterbug – Big Boi: I really have been into the idea of “cutting a rug.” I’ve been playing this song more than I expected. It makes me want to go to the club and cut a rug. And then continue dancing until the rug is completely gone. It’s infectious. Also, the music video is pretty great.
4. Little Lion Man – Mumford and Sons: This song just kind of grabs me and makes me pay attention. And let’s be honest, the chorus can pretty much apply to anyone. Who hasn’t fucked it up at some point? Who hasn’t ruined everything and hurt someone else? Introduce me to this person, so I can tell them they don’t exist. Excellent to sing along to as well. Made me respect this band before I heard their entire album.
5. Crystalized – The xx: The xx was a sleeper hit at festivals this year. They kind of hit it big by summer just through word of mouth, I feel. (I could be wrong, but I heard about them randomly that way.) This could be said for all their music, but I think this song especially capitalizes on subtlety. No one gets crazy at any point, but there is this undercurrent of intensity. I like it.
6. Telephone – Lady Gaga feat. Beyonce: Look, not released in 2010, however, the video is what matters in this case. The video for Telephone is epic. There is a pussywagon, there is poison, there are sunglasses made out of lit cigarettes. The song is great. The video makes the song better. And then Glee did a cover of it, which was also lovely. If you haven’t seen this video, watch it now. Immediately.
7. Tightrope – Janelle Monae: I really went back and forth between this song and “Cold War” from the same album. “Cold War” is pretty great, you should also listen to “Cold War”. But Tightrope exemplifies all that Janelle (we’re on a first name basis) can do. If you don’t want to tip on the tightrope after hearing this song, you are made of stone. Also, a great video. (The second video is of “Cold War”, which Janelle used the first take for; she is amazing.)
8. Crown on the Ground – Sleigh Bells: I’ve been overwhelmed by Sleigh Bells this year. This is NOT relaxing, “get rid of that headache” music. This jump around and move music. If it sounds like it’s blowing out your speakers a little, I think part of that is the way is was recorded. It’s meant to be kind of crazy in your face. So, tap that crown on the ground.
9. Ready to Start – Arcade Fire: Off their most recent album, The Suburbs, this is the song that was in my head a good part of the month of October. It gets me from the rhythm at the very beginning of the song. I get that part in my head and I’m done for. And then the ever defiant use of “but I’m not!” makes it a pretty great song for when you are feeling headstrong and independent.
10. Vesuvius – Sufjan Stevens: People have been saying mean things about Age of Adz. Like Sufjan has lost his way or gone in the wrong direction. This is a project. It had an inspiration and Stevens followed through on that. He went all the way, like any good artist should. I heard this song for the first time in concert. I think it’s my favorite because it’s so honest; an artist communicating with his muse. Why does it have to be so hard?
Well that’s it for me. Some of you may be thinking, WAIT what about [insert awesome song title here]?! How could you choose Big Boi over [other awesome artist]??!!? Relax, this is what I have to offer, if you have others you think should be on my personal best of 2010 list, then you had better send them my way sometime in the next week.
Life By Wandering 