Top 75 Songs of 2009

I'm pretty sure many you guys have been bombarded with end-of-year lists which highlight the best albums of the year so I'd thought I'd change things up a bit this year. Rather than make a list of the top 75 albums of the year list, I decided to make a Top 75 songs list which include the best songs of 2009. A lot of people today do not listen to the entire album as a whole anymore and would rather just pick out the singles from the album itself. With that being said, artists should not abandoned the whole concept of the entire album. People just want to listen to the good stuff and with that here are are the top 75 songs of 2009.


75. Delorean - Seasun
Builds up steadily until it finally explodes with a sense of blissfulness
74. Memory Cassette - Surfin
It’s like you’re staring at the clouds in the sky while chasing butterflies in a sunflower garden - Tania
73. Spoon - Written in Reverse
Britt Daniel’s signature growl and I-don’t-give-a-f attitude are back with a new lead single off their upcoming album Transference due out January 18, 2010. Big things from this band in 2010.
72. Discovery - Orange Shirt
Ra Ra Riot singer Wes Miles and Vampire Weekend’s keyboardist make up this side project called Discovery. Auto-tune isn’t dead after all.
71. Vetiver - More of This
It’s been done before but it always works.
70. Modest Mouse - Whale Song
Whale Song gives what old Modest Mouse fans wanted to hear on their ep No One‘s First and You‘re Next. That distorted signature guitar is back on this ep and it shows that they’re still capable of composing songs that resemble some of their old stuff.
69. HEALTH - Die Slow
Monotone vocals mixed with a dance-able beat. Just picture robots dancing.
68. Diamond Rings - All Yr Songs
Oh-oh-uh-oh oh-oh-uh-oh
67. Yacht - Psychic City
Hey look it’s a beach party! Infectious summer jam.
66. Scotland Yard Gospel Choir - Aspidestra
Local band that wakes you up just when you’re about to fall asleep behind the wheel.
65. Generationals - When They Fight, They Fight
So much sugar packed into one song.
64. Glasvegas - Geraldine
It’s an epic-rocker that kind of reminds you that U2 should have written it in the first place.
63. And You Will Know Us By the Trail of Dead - Isis Unveiled
Intense might be an understatement. This one is all over the place and takes you into a journey explaining the whole Biblical story in less than 7 minutes.
62. Royksopp - Happy Up Here
Just a fun song. I wouldn’t be surprised if Apple used it for one of their commercials.
61. Das Racist - Combination Pizza Hut and Taco Bell
“I’m at the Pizza Hut, I’m at the Taco Bell, I’m at the combination Pizza Hut Taco Bell!” People either hate it or love it and that’s what makes this song so interesting. You gotta love it.
60. Bombadil - Sad Birthday
A sad birthday that’s upbeat? I’ll take it.
59. Brendan Benson - A Whole Lot Better
Singer from the Raconteurs brings you a catchy power pop tune with very clever lyrics.
58. Charlotte Gainsbourg - IRM
You know her from the Science of Sleep, the track was produced by Beck, and it’s hypnotizing. Can you see a memory?
57. Port O'Brien - I Woke Up Today
This one has an Arcade Fire feel to it with its sing along verses and loose arrangement. It’s almost like they’re begging you to bring more cowbell to their shows to join in.
56. Elvis Perkins in Dearland - Shampoo
I have no idea what this song is about because it’s impossible to decipher his lyrics but I do know that they sampled a Nina Simone lyric, “Black is the Color of My True Love’s Hair.” I love the harmonica and organ though.
55. Sea Wolf - The Violet Hour
Oh hey it’s a track from the New Moon soundtrack. Seriously, at least the audience is being exposed to good music throughout the movie.
54. OFFICE - Sticky Dew
I seriously hope this Chicago band gets big soon because they come up with some of the catchiest hooks you’ll hear all year.
53. Julian Plenti - Only If You Run
Lead singer from Interpol writes a tune that resembles what the band might have written together. Big things from Interpol in 2010.
52. Shelby Sifers - Are You Devo
Can you love a person as much as a song? This is what the song is about and I can totally picture this song in some movie.
51. Surfer Blood - Take it Easy
Surfer Blood is going to be big. They have this sound that resembles Vampire Weekend, Band of Horses, My Morning Jacket, you can’t pigeonhole them.
50. Miike Snow - Animal
Swedish trio who have produced Britney Spears, Kylie Minogue, and Madonna (I know) create this really catchy dance pop track.
49. Lupe Fiasco - Fire
This guy is going out with a bang in 2010. The Jimi Hendrix sample is just crazy. Maybe its trendsetter for all those MC’s out there.
48. Woods - The Dark
Short, sweet, and simple. What more can you ask for?
47. The Dead Weather - Treat Me Like Your Mother
M-A-N-I-P-U-L-A-T-E!
46. Sia - You've Changed
A funky one with one of the Strokes on guitar.
45. The Dream - Rockin That Shit
Take the lyric, “She Rockin that Shit,“ douse it with synth, crooning, and make him sound like Jay Sean, Drake, etc and you got yourself a song that sticks to your head for a week not because you like it, but because you know it works.
44. Pete Yorn & Scarlette Johansson - Clean
Just talk to the damn woman and keep it clean.
43.Volcano Choir - Island, IS
Volcano Choir is the side project of Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon who released one of the best albums in 2008, For Emma, Forever Ago. You can still hear Bon Iver’s falsetto but this time its backed by a sample-and-loop. Just a great autumn song.
42. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Hysteric
What more can be said about New York's Yeah Yeah Yeahs? They can headline any festival now, "It's Blitz!" is pretty solid, and 'Hysteric' is the new 'Maps.'
41. Major Lazer - Keep It Goin' Louder
I swear I could hear T-Pain on this track or maybe that’s just my head thinking everyone who does auto-tune is T-Pain. One of those summer songs.
40. El Perro del Mar - Change of Heart
Swedish songwriter writes a melancholic song that deserves to be in one those movie scenes where nostalgia sets in.
39. Pixie Carnation - When did the lights go out
Yet another band to come from Sweden. Why do all the better acts come from across the seas? Is it the water? I want to know. This is one that gradually builds up and just grabs your attention as the song progresses.
38. Girls - Lust for Life
You’re free to lust for life.
37. Fever Ray - When I Grow Up
Strange and beautiful. The synthesizers are just captivating. Mother nature’s the subject in this one.
36. Cymbals Eat Guitars - Cold Spring
I remember listening to this song on repeat while I was on a plane this summer. It reminded me so much of early Modest Mouse with the angry growls and the building and breaking of tension guitars.
35. The New Pornographers - Hey, Snow White
“hey, Snow White, it’s gonna be alright, it‘s gonna be alright” Always bring the optimism.
34. Vampire Weekend - Horchata
This one doesn’t need a description. It’s Vampire Weekend. They’re going to have a big year in 2010.
33. Micachu and the Shapes - Golden Phone
The thing with Micachu is that she creates this unique sound of pop that utilizes a bunch of synthesizers and instruments that she creates on her own. She’s def. going to create some more buzz next year.
32. Peter Bjorn and John - Nothing to Worry About
Many critics either loved the new Peter Bjorn and John or hated it. I’m on the love boat. ‘Nothing to Worry About’ is no Young Folks but it does create that sense of carefree, feel-good atmosphere that they bring to the table.
31. The Raveonettes - Suicide
The Raveonettes don’t really get the credit that they really deserve. Suicide sounds like a song that the Yeah Yeah Yeahs would have written but The Raveonettes add that special taste of shoegaze to the mix.
30. Beach House - Used to Be
You know those times when you hear a song for the first time and you just automatically know it’s going to be on repeat for the entire week because it’s just that damn good? This is one of those songs and it could easily be my favorite winter song. 2010 is going to treat this band well.
29. The Flaming Lips - Watching the Planets
The massive gong, Wayne Coyne bodysurfing the crowd in a giant ball, flying confetti. What more can you ask for?
28. Speech Debelle - Spinnin'
Speech Debelle won the prestigious Mercury Prize beating out La Roux, Kasabian, AND Florence and the Machine for album of the year. This song provides proof that she’s an emerging rap artist.
27. Mew - Sometimes Life Isn't Easy
Mew is one of those bands that just seem to grow on you every single time you listen to them. Their live shows are just simply epic. I wouldn’t be surprised if they’d be playing arenas in the future. ‘No More Stories / Are Told Today / I'm Sorry / They Washed Away // No More Stories / The World Is Grey / I'm Tired / Let's Wash Away is actually the entire name of the album.’ Highly recommend it.
26. Noah and the Whale - Blue Skies
Blue Skies are for the broken-hearted, as clichéd as that might sound.
25. St. Vincent - Marrow
I don’t think words can explain how talented St. Vincent is. She creates these distorted and beautiful songs with these lyrics that have different meanings layered on top of it. Her style of grimy precise guitar work goes perfect with her captivating voice. ‘Marrow’ incorporates horn sections and distorted guitar sounds.
24. Rodrigo y Gabriela - Buster Voodoo
This Mexican duo that comes from Ireland released their 2nd album this year called ’11:11.” It did not have any covers like their previous one had which gives you an idea of what they’re capable of creating. One of my favorite live acts.
23. Jay-Z - Empire State of Mind
The first Blueprint album will always top the next two right? Blueprint 3 leaked a month before the initial release so fans got to listen to ‘Empire State of Mind’ and ‘D.O.A.’ the spring before the hits exploded all over the radio. Here’s to New York.
22. Asa - Jailer
Composed, pensive, and intelligent are the attributes that come to mind when you think of Asa. She’s fairly unknown here in the States but she’s gaining wider recognition in the UK. There’s just something about her music that sucks you in and makes you hit that repeat button because she doesn’t copy elements from other artists. She blends them and makes new ones to create a fresh sound.
21. Passion Pit - The Reeling
I think everyone that’s a big music fan has already acknowledged what Passion Pit has done these past two years. I think we can put them up there with the big electronic bands of today like LCD Soundsystem, Hot Chip, and Justice IF they just release 1 more album.
20. Drake - Best I Ever Had
This was the guy from Degrassi?!
19. White Rabbits - Percussion Gun
This track was produced by Britt Daniel from Spoon which gives it its soulful feel. The drumming is what really makes this song fun and enjoyable.
18. The Limousines - Very Busy People
This was another one of those summer songs. ‘Very Busy People’ contains some of the catchiest lyrics you’ll hear of pure honesty.
17. Julian Casablancas - 11th Dimension
Here’s a song from the lead singer of the Strokes going solo. It starts off with synthesizers that remind you of the 80’s and breaks in the classic moody singing of Julian Casablancas. Many singers have gone solo only to be disappointed with mixed reviews but Julian Casablancas has actually received good reviews overall. Expect new stuff from the Strokes in 2010.
16. Andrew Bird - Anonanimal
Everything about this song just makes you wonder how Chicago’s Andrew Bird is able to compose a song so precise and melodic. It starts off with strings before finally breaking through the melody while painting scenery for the listener. It’s a song you’d like to gather your thoughts to.
15. HIGHLIFE - F KENYA RIP
Speaking of scenery, this song does the best job this year for painting scenery. It basically takes you into a journey through wherever you’d like to be. A little over 5 minutes, it’s the perfect song for the dreamer.
14. Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros - Home
While so many bands and singers are busy singing about breakups and acting miserable, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros are actually doing quite the opposite. They’re just full of happiness and energy. It’s your breath of fresh air. Call them hippie music or whatever but these guys know how to put a smile on anyone’s face.
13. Destroyer - Bay of Pigs
JUST EPIC. It’s a 13 minute song that leaves you feeling enlightened.
12. Bat For Lashes - Daniel
A dark and mysterious pop song that includes catchy synthesizers and stomping steel drums. One of those songs that just sticks on your first listen.
11. Matt & Kim - Daylight
This Brooklyn duo just crap sunshine. They’re always smiling onstage and their songs are always fun to listen to. Daylight is your feel-good song of the year.
10. Empire of the Sun - Walking on a Dream
2009's version of MGMT.
9. jj - Things Will Never Be The Same
jj are a band from Sweden that make very good electronic music. That’s basically what everyone knows so far. No pictures or bio can be found. They haven’t gone on tour yet but they’re going to be touring with the xx very soon. ‘Things Will Never Be the Same’ recall Sigur Rós and Björk with its majestic arrangement.
8. Animal Collective - My Girls
When listening to Animal Collective, people either fall into the “Holy shit they’re fucking amazing!” group or the “I just don’t get them” group. ‘My Girls’ is probably the catchiest song Animal Collective has written and Merriweather Post Pavilion will probably go down as one of the best albums of the decade.
7. Dizzee Rascal - Money Money
We like money, money, money, girls, girls, cash, cash. Dizzee Rascal can rap over any beat making him one of those artists you wish they played on the radio instead of 50 Cent.
6. The xx - Heart Skipped a Beat
The xx should probably be the best new artist of 2009. They created such a phenomenal new album that made you wonder how they created such a new sound. The pauses and bass in every song is something that just grabs your attention right away. They were able to combine themes of confidence and loneliness with every song. I’m really looking forward for more stuff from these guys in the future.
5. A Sunny Day in Glasgow - Ashes Grammar/Ashes Math
An underrated band that create stunning shoegaze songs. With Ashes Grammar, they join M83 and Asobi Seksu as the bands who lead the way for the new shoegaze scene.
4. The National - So Far Around the Bend
Probably the best track off the Dark was the Night compilation, this Brooklyn based band created a slow acoustic song with an orchestra providing backgrounds that leave you in awe midway through the song. The National always seem to create unusual imagery in their set of songs and this one’s no exception.
3. The Pains of Being Pure at Heart - Young Adult Friction
Another band from Brooklyn who are newcomers this year. Their songs remind you of early My Bloody Valentine, the Jesus and Mary Chain, and late stuff from the Smiths. ‘Young Adult Friction’ comes out at you right away with the chugging drum work and the loose and noisy guitars. Exciting stuff from one of indie rock’s best newcomers.
2. Grizzly Bear - Two Weeks
I will go as far as saying Grizzly Bear’s album, Veckatimest, could probably challenge Radiohead’s In Rainbows for one the most important albums of the decade. The entire album has no weaknesses and what’s even more fascinating is that this is only the 2nd album Grizzly Bear has released. ‘Two Weeks’ is Veckatimest’s most accessible track with the simple piano carrying the song forward. All the hype about New York’s Grizzly Bear is very true and they’re here to create lush harmonies that make you listen to them as if you’re studying them.
1. Phoenix - 1901
So much can be said about the type of year Phoenix had this year. People first caught of glimpse of who they were when they made a debut in ‘Lost in Translation,’ lending the movie ‘Too Young.’ What a transformation. Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix was probably played over 100 times this year and it never faded away from the start of spring. Phoenix created an album that’s accessible to anyone. You can give it to the jock that listens to Nickelback or your grandmother who prefers John Mayer and they’ll probably like them. ‘1901’ starts off with buzzing synthesizers and then accelerates with the new and improved drumming techniques. Hands down, 2009 was Phoenix’s year.