The King (above) snags number one, but Adam Lambert gets a nod for “For Your Entertainment,” called throbbing and sexy. Toby Keith (below) gets kudos for “American Ride.” (Kevin Mazur/AMA2009/WireImage.co)
(AFP/Getty Images)
SONG OF THE YEAR 1. “Billie Jean,” Michael Jackson. Sure, it’s 26 years old, but when he died this June, the entire universe moonwalked again.
2. “Be A Bee,” Air
The French electronic-pop duo slips into prog rock with guitar-synth sounds.
3. “Laughing With,” Regina Spektor
Her take on a powerful and funny God. God, she’s good.
4. “I Gotta Feeling,” Black Eyed Peas
More shamelessness from the Justice League of pop.
5. “D.O.A. (Death of the Auto-Tune),” Jay-Z
If only they would listen.
6. “The Pharoahs,” Neko Case
Drown in Neko’s aching vocals in this disappointed-love song.
7. “California,” Joey Ryan
Folky undertones and soothing vocals make this jingle calming and catchy.
8. “Fallin’ For You,” Colbie Caillat
Bouncy pop about the game of love.
9. “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out,” Mayer Hawthorne
Modern retro soul with vocals that recall Smokey Robinson.
10. “First Train Home,” Imogen Heap
Deliciously spooky electronica from former lead of Frou Frou.
11. “Stone Cold Sober,” Paloma Faith
This will do fine while Amy Winehouse’s still out.
12. “I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho),” Pitbull
It’s all about a good sample.
13. “Bourgeois Shangri-La,” Miss Li
Predictably catchy latest iPod Nano ad.
14. “Kingdom of Rust,” the Doves
Hookiest track off the Brit trio’s disappointing effort.
15. “500 Miles,” Rosanne Cash
She shows her sultry side in Hank Snow classic.
16. “Let This Trucker Go,” Dale Watson
This country tearjerker sends a message from heaven.
17. “Sister Sinead,” Kris Kristofferson
Craggy-voiced Kris’s tribute to O’Connor.
18. “Ignorance,” Paramore
Clean-cut emo with a femme twist.
19. “I Never Said I Was Deep,” Jarvis Cocker
Clever self-awareness wrapped in overblown pop.
20. “DC Comics and Chocolate Milkshake,” Art Brut
The perfect online dating combo wrapped up in a punchy punk song.
21. “Brick,” Ben Folds Presents: The Ohio University Tones
A brilliant a cappella version by college singers of the “abortion song.”
22. “All the Plans,” Starsailor
Why aren’t these guys as big as Coldplay again?
23. “Birthday Sex,” Jeremih
Even Stephen Colbert got a kick out this terrible song.
24. “Dimestore Diamond,” the Gossip
Bare, but it sure shines like the real thing.
25. “Brother Sport,” Animal Collective
If you can’t dance to this, find a therapist.
26. “For Emily, New Year’s Day,” Anthony D’Amato
Acoustic tranquility.
27. “Help, I’m Alive,” Metric
Beat it with rock pulsations!
28. “Rats,” Devendra Banhart
Floating his Led Zeppelin on this drive down the Utopia Parkway.
29. “Southern Point,” Grizzly Bear
Gorgeous, transporting pop.
30. “Rainbow,” Emilie Simon
This French eccentric sounds more like Kate Bush than Kate Bush herself.
31. “Fugitive,” David Gray
David, meet a drumbeat. Drumbeat, meet David.
32. “Remedy,” Little Boots
The electro whiz’s album is full of synth-pop gems like this one.
33. “Bulletproof,” La Roux
Looks like Tilda Swinton, sounds like Yaz.
34. “The Strangers,” St. Vincent
Pain has rarely sounded more enchanting.
35. “More of Fire Than Blood,” Anaal Nathrakh
Like putting your head in a meat grinder. Awesome!
36. “Omnos,” Eluveitie
Possibly the only hit ever sung in Gaulish.
37. “Tyrant,” Black Math Horseman
This slow-burner blooms into majestic Sabbathy riffage.
38. “Never Forget You,” the Noisettes
The Brits deliver retro-cool girl group sounds.
39. “Gives You Hell,” All-American Rejects
Getting dumped has never been this catchy.
40. “Party in the U.S.A.,” Miley Cyrus
Spring-break anthem.
41. “The Reeling,” Passion Pit
Synth-pop disco wrapped in a soaring falsetto.
42. “Use Somebody,” Kings of Leon
Driving arena rock referencing the U2 sound.
43. “F— You,” Lily Allen
And that’s the clean version.
44. “Live Like We’re Dying,” Kris Allen
Say it before it’s too late.
45. “Wicked Blood,” Sea Wolf
Like a refreshing glass of earnest pop lemonade.
46. “Sweet Dreams,” Beyonce
Dreamland booty call.
47. “Who Says,” John Mayer
Melancholy let’s-get-stoned song.
48. “Russian Roulette,” Rihanna
Forgiving Chris? Not with one bullet still in the gun.
49. “Uprising,” Muse
Part Blondie’s “Call Me,” part creepy circus music.
50. “Funhouse,” Pink
Funk syncopation that elevated Pink out of the tween market.
51. “Evacuate the Dance floor,” Cascada
The German club-pop combo finally conquers KTU.
52. “We Weren’t Born to Follow,” Bon Jovi
Jersey’s other rock band sticks it to the man. Kinda.
53. “21 Guns,” Green Day
Bombastic and introspective anti-war song.
54. “Substitution,” Silversun Pickups
Best Smashing Pumpkins song of 2009.
55. “A Complete Unknown,” AM
It’ll get in your head. And you’ll be glad.
56. “Smile,” Uncle Kracker
Kid Rock’s pal twangs his way through this uplifting love song.
57. “Fire Burning,” Sean Kingston
Reggae, disco, dancehall and electronica all in one.
LADY GAGA COVERED
58. “Poker Face,” Chris Daughtry
This acoustic cover sheds a raw melodic light on Gaga’s clubby hit.
59. “Poker Face,” Mika
If you’re expecting to hear a song you’ll recognize, this version isn’t it.
60. “Poker Face,” Pixie Lott
This British beauty strums her guitar and belts out lyrics in slightly raspy, country-ish voice.
61. “Poker Face,” Absent Elk
A pop-rock version with British accents.
62. “Just Dance,”
Disco Curtis
Get your dance on with this fun cover by some pop-punk boys.
63. “Paparazzi,” Chris Wallace from White Tie Affair
His sexy voice could make even Brad Pitt like the paparazzi!
64. “Just Dance,” Gary Go
A duet that sounds like James Morrison and James Blunt combined.
65. “Love Letter to Japan,” The Bird and the Bee
Indie-band hook of the year.
66. “Dreaming of You,” War Tapes
Reminiscent of the Cure, but more upbeat and dramatic.
67. “Toes,” Zac Brown Band
The life-is-good-song Jimmy Buffett wishes he wrote.
68. “Love Drunk,” Boys Like Girls
Epic summer love song by punk-pop’s latest youngbloods.
69. “Already Gone,” Kelly Clarkson
Ladies have a good cry over this falling-out-of-love song.
70. “Obsessed,” Mariah Carey
The rebuff to Eminem’s claim he conquered Mt. Mariah.
71. “Warning,” Eminem
Gotta love a nasty, threatening, old-fashioned, call-and-response war.
72. “I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight,” U2
If you didn’t hear the Blackberry ad.
73. “American Ride,” Toby Keith
A view from the Harley.
74. “The Crow,” Steve Martin
This wild and crazy guy plays banjo like Earl Scruggs.
75. “Yacht Club,” Rick Ross
The economy may be in the toilet, but here everything is better on a boat.
76. “Check My Brain,” Alice in Chains
One of the heaviest headbangers of the year.
77. “The Fixer,” Pearl Jam
PJ sound with newfound brevity and optimism.
78. “Pretty Wings,” Maxwell
Pretty R&B swing suite.
79. “I and Love and You,” Avett Brothers
Simple voice and piano folk as powerful as an orchestra.
80. “Meet Me on the Equinox,” Death Cab for Cutie
Crashing guitars and emotional vocals.
81. “I Know What I Am,” Band of Skulls
Rock throwback perfect for pool halls.
82. “Mean Old Man,” Jerry Lee Lewis
The Killer is still lean ‘n’ mean — at least according to the lyrics.
83. “Celebration,” Madonna
The Material Girl’s blond ambition shows its dance roots.
84. “She Wolf,” Shakira
Yes, she is a sexy beast.
85. “I Want You,” Peter Bjorn and John
The whistling band’s Vampire Weekend love song.
86. “One Day,” Matisyahu
The Hasidic reggae star’s most accessible song to date.
87. “Periodically Double or Triple,” Yo La Tengo
Bright with Booker T-style organ and Turtles harmonies.
88. “My All Time Doll,” Elvis Costello
Desperation with a pinch of sarcasm and accordion.
89. “King of the Dogs,” Iggy Pop
Pop is brilliant on this jazzy Louis Armstrong-inspired piece.
90. “Caroline,” Rhett Miller
He’s desperate and consumed — like anybody who’s met their perfect match.
91. “One Time,” Justin Bieber
A young Chris Brown without the rap sheet.
92. “Let’s Be Mates,” Lady Sovereign
The UK rapper gets the block party beating by hooking up with guys as “weird” as her.
93. “My Wife’s Home Town,” Bob Dylan
Not a love song. She comes from Hell.
94. “Strange,” Reba McEntire
Country chanteuse gets sassy on this I-don’t-need-a-man-to-have-fun song.
95. “The Field,” Mason Jennings
You will cry. Deal with it.
96. “Wrong,” Depeche Mode
A solid comeback song that would easily fit on “Music for the Masses.”
97. “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” Bernie Williams
Perfect song for jazz guitarist and former Yankee star.
98. “A Dear Old Southland,” Allen Toussaint
Crescent City pianist gets playful on this rootsy piano/trumpet stomp.
99. “Whatcha Say,” Jason Derulo
Can you handle Imogen Heap on steroids?
100. “Boom,” Anjulie
Retro shalaka rump-shaker.
101. “Daniel,” Bat for Lashes
Airy love ballad to — of all people — the Karate Kid.
102. “Woman Made the Devil,” Bongos Ikwue
The casual misogyny and honky-tonk piano may sound like vintage country, but on the “Nigeria ‘70” compilation.
103. “No You Girls,” Franz Ferdinand
A return to form for the Scottish iPod commercial.
104. “O Shot,” the Gay Blades
Last.fm: “If Freddie Mercury sang for Death From Above, these guys would open.”
105. “Heavy Cross,” Gossip
A sound as big as their lead singer.
106. “I Will Come Back,” Holy Ghost!
After-midnight electro-rock.
107. “Emergency (911),” Jordin Sparks
Many songs dialed for help this year, but this was the best.
108. “I Wish I Knew Natalie Portman,” k-os
Title has nothing to do with song — so why? “Natalie Portman is the best America has to offer,” k-os says.
109. “Better Than Sunday,” Ladyhawke
Standout ‘70s-style pop hit from an album full of them.
110. “New in Town,” Little Boots
No, she doesn’t have a penny, but she’ll show you a good time.
111. “Volcanoes,” Matthew Good
Soaring entry from his concept-album ode to hometown Vancouver.
112. “Repeaterbeater,” Mew
Strange, haunting, catchy Danish rock.
113. “Love Etc.,” Pet Shop Boys
As good as any of their 42 top 30 singles.
114. “1901,” Phoenix
So irresistible, but what the heck does the title mean?
115. “Shoes,” Tiga
“What’s that sound? I like that sound. I love that sound.” “It’s the sound of my shoes.”
116. “Heads Will Roll,” Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Heads will bang.
117. “Night by Night,” Chromeo
Another talk-box dance masterpiece.
118. “Sweet Disposition,” Temper Trap
A lovely, swirling and moody indie rock ode to love.
COVER CHAMPS
119. “Don’t Stop Believin’,”
“Glee” cast
Thrilling start to a full-blown love affair.
120. “Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want,”
She & Him
(500) days of the Smiths.
121. “Do Do Do,” Nellie McKay
She does does does it snazzy and jazzy.
122. “Colorado Girl,”
Steve Earle
A folk-country love song of sorts from the troubadour’s tribute to Townes Van Zandt.
123. “Bye Bye Blackbird,” Diana Krall
Steamy.
124. “I Want You to Want Me,” KSM
Peppier and brattier.
125. “Que Sera Sera,” Dave Alvin and the Guilty Women
Wacky boogie-woogie-country duet.
126. “Hey Ya,” Booker T. Jones
Outkast gets soul organ magic touch.
127. “Whatever You Like,” Anya Marina
Sooooo sexy T.I. cover. Yum.
128. “Soul Cake,” Sting
Done up in brass and strings by folk-Stinger.
129. “When Will I Be Loved,” John Fogerty with Bruce Springsteen
Rollicking country cover of the Everly Brothers tune.
130. “Last Train to Clarksville,” Cassandra Wilson
Scat-filled lament on losing love.
131. “Tom Cat,” The Filthy Souls
A dirty rocker that’s equal parts soulful, sexy and spunky.
132. “Let Me Go,” Christian Kane
A lusciously emotive country love song.
133. “For Your Entertainment,” Adam Lambert
Idol’s throbbing dance debut is theatrical and sexy.
134. “Searching,” Speech Debelle
Hip-hop vocals atop jazzy guitar and drums from UK’s Mercury Prize-winning album.
135. “Falling Down,” Selena Gomez and the Scene
Disney’s other pop princess’ diatribe about how fame leads to being lame.
136. “Break,” Three Days Grace
Gritty, melodic hard rock that’s all about breaking out from the pack.
137. “Somebody to Love,” Leighton Meester
Glam, quasi-Balkan-style pop that’s so unabashedly cheesy, it’s fantastic.
138. “Sugar,” Flo Rida
We love us some sugar, and this song will get anyone dancing. Shorty, that’s what’s up.
139. “Dance Little Liar,” Arctic Monkeys
Dark vocals and spooky guitars instead of dance floors.
140. “Tennessee,” Cory Chisel and the Wandering Sons
Acoustic beauty with wounding steel-pedal.
141. “Contagious,” Boys Like Girls
‘80s-style, beat-driven teen pop infects the ‘00s.
142. “A Whole Lot Better,” Brendan Benson
Just ridiculous pop perfection.
143. “This Life,” Bruce Springsteen
Surprising ‘60s-pop stylings from the Boss.
144. “Dreams Come True Girl,” Cass McCombs
‘60s pop song cloaked in V.U. bareness.
145. “American Man,” Chuck Prophet
Ooohs notwithstanding, not a pretty picture.
146. “Breathe,” Colin MacIntyre
Folky guitar pop from Glasgow with a gorgeous change-up.
147. “I Guess It’s Going to Rain Today,” Sondre Lerche
Melancholy orchestral-pop soaked in strings and drizzled with banjo.
148. “So Awesome,” the Shazam
The power-pop band is and we’re thrilled.
149. “Shampoo,” Elvis Perkins
Heavy with organs and harmonicas.
150. “After the Storm,” the Flatlanders
Pretty harmonies to go with sumptuous steel pedal.
151. “Million Dollar Bill,” Whitney Houston
Hippest track on the diva’s comeback disc.
152. “Highly Strung,” Orianthi
Sizzling shredder instrumental from the King of Pop’s guitar goddess.
153. “It’s Gonna Be,” Norah Jones
Finger-snapping swing tune, heavy on the bass and B-3.
154. “Kiss With A Fist,” Florence + the Machines
Rock with a fist and guitars galore.
155. “Everybody Learns From Disaster,” Dashboard Confessional
Jangly, optimistic pop from the last emo band left standing.
156. “Shooting Star,” Harper Simon
Paul’s kid writes and sings like a Byrd.
157. “Catalina,” Raekwon
Wu Tang man rhymes about the ‘hood. Who’d a thunk it?
158. “I Can Be a Frog,” the Flaming Lips
Only an OK song, but without it there’d be no chick-in-a-bathing-suit video.
159. “Horchata,” Vampire Weekend
Signature world-beat mash from upcoming album.
160. “California Queen,” Wolfmother
Solid old-fashioned Rolling Stones rock.
SUPERGROUPED
161. “Cut Like a Buffalo,” Dead Weather
Swampy, soul-organ-kissed, School of Howling Wolf bluesy rock.
162. “Gunman,” Them Crooked Vultures
Supergroup dance-metal.
163. “Say Please,” Monsters of Folk
The tempo’s slower, yet it’s almost the Fab Four’s “Please, Please Me.”
164. “Doncha Wanna,” Tinted Windows
Supergroup power pop with huge hooks and hottie Hanson — Taylor.
165. “Little Moon,” Grant-Lee Phillips
Heart-stopping vocals with piano.
166. “The Great Escape,” Ian Hunter
Banjos, mandolins, raspy vocals root this folk-rock surprise.
167. “Yours Truly, the Commuter,” Jason Lytle
Yay! Granddaddy guy has come home.
168. “Where Is Bobbie Gentry,” Jill Sobule
Ode to Billie Joe singer.
169. “11th Dimension,” Julian Casablancas
Strokes frontman channels the Human League.
170. “Black Horses,” Mike Bruno
Opium-den float rock.
171. “Blame It,” Jamie Foxx
Stuttered-beat slut anthem.
172. “Last Dance,” the Raveonettes
Who knew ODing could be so catchy?
173. “Shadows,” Au Revoir Simone
Imagine Stereolab, except leggier.
174. “Little Lion Man,” Mumford and Sons
O brother, this art awesome.
175. “Dreams,” Brandi Carlile
Even more lesbi-riffic than Indigo Girls.
176. “Games for Days,” Julian Plenti
Noir-ish solo debut for Interpol lead singer Paul Banks.
177. “Sugarfoot,” Black Joe Lewis & the Honeybears
A little bit J.B. and a little bit Archie Bell & the Drells.
FEATURING
178. “All is Love,” Karen O ft. the Kids
A smoosh-your-face adorable pop celebration.
179. “I Invented Sex,” Trey Sonz ft. Drake
I bet they say that to all the girls.
180. “Sulla Mia Pelle,” Lost ft. Joel Madden
No Italian necessary to appreciate this pop-punk-dance tune.
181. “The One,” Mary J. Blige ft. Drake
Lots of swagger and auto-tune.
182. “Beautiful Amnesia,”
Visqueen
Unforgettable.
183. “Knock You Down,” Keri Hilson, ft. Kanye West, Ne-Yo
Hot new voice in an even hotter body — look out, Beyonce.
184. “I’m On A Boat,” the Lonely Island ft. T-Pain
Best. Song. Ever.
185. “Empire State of Mind,” Jay-Z ft. Alicia Keys
Loud, bold and to the point — just like New York.
186. “When Love Takes Over,” David Guetta ft. Kelly Rowland
Anthem-tastic.
187. “Love Sex Magic,” Ciara ft. Justin Timberlake
Why wasn’t this a huge hit?
188. “Hold the Line,” Major Lazer ft. Mr. Lex and Santigold
Dancehall for hipsters.
189. “Dead and Gone,” T.I. ft. Justin Timberlake
Hip-pop power ballad for anybody who thinks he’s bulletproof.
190. “Dreaming of You,” War Tapes
Reminiscent of the Cure, but much more upbeat and dramatic.
191. “You and I,” Wilco
Magic with Jeff Tweedy and Leslie Feist duet.
192. “Black Hearted Love,” PJ Harvey and John Parish
Rapture with heavy guitars.
193. “Relator” Pete Yorn and Scarlett Johansson
The sweet ‘70s SoCal vibe suits these two perfectly.
194. “Sweet Tooth,” David Rawlings Machine
Old-timey tune sung with Gillian Welch is sweet.
195. “Do you Remember,” Jay Sean, Sean Paul and Lil Jon
An unstoppable trifecta we’re calling Lil Jay Sean Paul.
196. “Too Fake,” Hockey
Get yer MGMT fix right here!
197. “Lovely, Love My Family,” the Roots
Yo Gabba Gabba rock out party time!
198. “Death,” White Lies
Goth-wave dance to the death beat.
199. “Crystalised,” The XX
Massive Attack and Radiohead had a baby.
200. “Country Roads,” Ryan Bingham & the Dead Horses
Rootsy Ryan gives country rock a good name.
201. “Waiting for My Ship,” Paul Burch
Captures the wit of Nick Lowe and the country boogie of Carl Perkins.
202. “Happy Up Here,” Royksopp
Space Invaders video, bouncy beat. What could be better?
203. “Pour It Out,” the Films
Sexy, droll, draggy, druggy.
204. “Coast of Carolina,” Telekinesis
Sweet strumming to pop explosion.
205. “Fitz and the Dizzyspells,” Andrew Bird
Dreamy and poppy with esoteric lyrics.
206. “Haven’t Met You Yet,” Michael Buble
Optimism abounds in this bouncy pop tune.
207. “When I Died,” the Thermals
You, too, will be gleefully shouting along.
208. “Summer Song,” Yacht
Techno groove thang.
209. “Bad Romance,” Lady Gaga
Can’t stop the Gaga.
Contributors: Dan Aquilante, Mackenzie Dawson, Isaac Guzman, Billy Heller, Mary Huhn, Stephen Lynch, Raakhee Mirchandani, Maxine Shen, Mandy Stadtmiller, Reed Tucker, Elisabeth Vincentelli, Alisa Wolfson