The Year in Music

Let me go ahead and just give a disclaimer right here and now. During the course of this year I lost my radio station in about April. They didn't just disappear, but their format changed to something that was not tolerable. Which left me at a bit of a loss, not knowing what station to set my radio dial and even more it left me without a music format to enjoy. So, I spent a lot more time this year listening to Country and even more Hip Hop/R&B/Popular music than I generally listen to. So, my music tastes this year are kind of across the board/different genres of music.

I have poured over my iTunes, number of plays, date added to the iTunes, and just a general asking myself "Do I really/still like this song?" If that is the case then it has made my list. I have narrowed it down to my top 25 songs. So here they are: (in no order whatsoever)

As She's Walking Away -- Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
Okay, I lied. This was in fact my favorite song of the year. The very first time I heard this song, I said out loud to no one in particular, "That song is gold". As a matter of fact, I still say that after I hear it. My favorite lyric from the song is from the chorus:
Now I'm fall'n in love as she's walking away
and my heart won't tell my mind to tell my mouth what it should say
We have all had those moments haven't we?

Haven't Met You Yet -- Michael Buble
I have been a fan of Mr. Buble for several years now and it was kind of exciting for him to come out with a song that was a little more mainstream and helped him gain some additional notoriety. He even managed to get an appearance on Saturday Night Live.

Bad Company -- Five Finger Death Punch
The first few times I heard this song, I didn't love it; because it wasn't the original. But the more I listened the more I liked it.

For Your Entertainment -- Adam Lambert
I did not like him when he was on American Idol and I told myself that I was not going to like any of his songs. I was wrong. This was one of those songs that I would turn up LOUD on my drive and by the time I got home the day had washed away.

Up On The Ridge -- Dierks Bentley
Somewhere over the course of the last 10 years or so, I picked up a respect for some Blue Grass. Although, I don't consider this song "Deep Blue" it still qualifies. I love this song and has found a spot in my top songs of the year.

Turn on the Radio -- Reba McEntire
This has to be one of my favorite recent songs from Reba. I mean it is not Fancy, or the Night the Lights Went Out in Georgia, but this song definitely shows that Reba is still a force to be reckoned with.

Sound of Madness -- Shinedown
Probably one of the hardest songs on my list. The song tells me to stop wallowing in self-pity, pick myself up and get on doing what needs to be done. Maybe you get something else out of it.

Little White Church -- Little Big Town
Little Big Town does such a great job of harmonizing. Of all the songs on my list no other song can get my toe tapping or my hands clapping quite like this one.

Bad Romance -- Lady GaGa
Stop judging me! I fist heard this song while walking by the pools on the cruise ship this year. Ever since then whenever I needed to get my mind back to sun and fun this was the song to do it.

Hey, Soul Sister -- Train
Over the past decade, Train has been one of my favorite groups and this song helps to showcase why I like them so much.

Young Forever -- Jay-Z featuring Mr. Hudson
This song is a blatant rip-off of Forever Young by Alphaville, but it has a nice twist with the added rapping of the lyrics.

Come Back Song -- Darius Rucker
It was so good to hear new music from Hootie. Cracked Rear View is one of my favorite albums from the 90's and Darius Rucker is an absolute talent. I was glad to have him back making music and the Come Back Song was a worthy re-entry back into my music library.

Empire State of Mind (Part II) Broken Down -- Alicia Keys
Although this song was released at the tail end of 2009, I didn't discover it until mid way through 2010. Of all things I heard it in a store and again on a television commercial. Initially I had no idea who sang it, but I began a quest and it only took me a couple days to figure it out. The song is an inspiration to me. Even though it is talking about New York, I still love the lyric: Concrete jungle where dreams are made of...There's nothing you can't do

I Like It -- Enrique Iglesias
This is SO NOT in my usual genre of music. But this is just one of those fun songs that makes you want to get up and shake your groove thing.

Animal -- Neon Trees
When I first heard this song it just had a different feel to it and it hit a spot with me and I have liked it ever since!

I Wanna be Where You Are -- Michael Raphael
I heard this song one night while waiting for a movie to start. Thought it was a great song. If you have not heard this song, go find it and give it a listen.

Undo It -- Carrie Underwood
What a fun song and I will admit it, the video for this song is also pretty darn good.

If I Die Young -- The Band Perry
When I first heard this song, I didn't love it because the lyrics are really depressing. But the music is pretty amazing. Sometime in September/October I saw an interview with the Band and they were pretty humble and seemed genuinely grounded. That pushed the song over the top for me. Video might have killed the Radio Star but a good humble interview can definitely keep them alive.

Please Don't Leave Me -- P!nk
Prior to hearing this song I didn't realize that P!nk actually has a great voice. She is definitely talented and if you get past the Skater Punk she was when she first came out, you will probably actually like her music.

I Will Not Bow -- Breaking Benjamin
Without a doubt this is the loudest, hardest, and the most raw song on my list. But I love it! If you are into loud music you will love it. Okay, the song is not THAT hard, there is about 4-times the word "Fall" is screamed and it is a pure hard rock scream. If you can ignore the screaming you will love the song.

The Man I Want To Be -- Chris Young
Just a classic country song:
I wanna be a givin' man
I wanna really start livin' man
I'm askin’ you to come change me
Into the man I wanna be

Champagne -- Cavo
Another loud, bang you head song that when turned up loud makes a day better.

All About Tonight -- Blake Shelton
A feel good country song. I love this song and am pretty sure I show off my white-trash self as I sing along.

Living In a Dream -- Finger Eleven
A definite great song in the vein of Paralyzer. This is what Finger Eleven should stick with, they do it well.

TIE:
I Love the Way You Lie -- Eminem Featuring Rihanna
Cooler Than Me -- Mike Posner
Half of My Heart -- John Mayer
I liked all of these songs equally and didn't want to leave any of them off my top 25 list.

Honorable Mentions: (These were all songs I enjoyed this year as well, but they just didn't quite crack the list.)
Stuck Like Glue -- Sugarland
King of Anything -- Sarah Bereilles
Lucky -- Jason Mraz featuring Colbie Caillat (I think this was more of a 2009 song)
Farmer's Daughter -- Rodney Atkins
Swingin' -- LeAnn Rimes
Face Down -- Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Nightmare -- Avenged Sevenfold
I'm A Little More Country Than That -- Easton Corbin
Impossible -- Shontelle
If We Ever Meet Again -- Timbaland
Lover, Lover -- Jerrod Niemann
1901 -- Phoenix
Love Like Crazy -- Lee Brice
Small Town USA -- Justin Moore
Do I -- Luke Bryan
Famous in a Small Town -- Miranda Lambert
California Gurls -- Katie Perry
Again -- Flyleaf
Wheels -- Foo Fighters
Blood On My Hands -- The Used

If there was another 2 weeks in the year these two could have been found on the list:
Fireworks -- Katie Perry
Felt Good On My Lips -- Tim McGraw

These older songs found their way into my regular rotation this year. There is nothing quite like a classic.
Strip -- Adam Ant
You're So Vain -- Carly Simon
Blitzkreig Bop -- The Ramones
Heaven's on Fire -- Kiss
Somebody to Love -- Jefferson Starship
Crocodile Rock -- Elton John
La Grange -- ZZ Top
Joey -- Concrete Blond
Cradle of Love -- Billy Idol
The River of Dreams -- Billy Joel

There you have it. Some of the songs I enjoyed in 2010. Did you find something new? Is there something there you love? Did I miss one of your favorites? Let me know what you think?