~I try to go by the same rules as the Grammy's, I go by the date it was singled, not automatically by the CD (unless I owned the CD prior to its single date, then I'd count it for the year I got the CD).
~I try to pick my 15 favorite songs, but I also allow the possibility for variety, so unless there are two very deserving songs by the same artist, I may look towards someone else.
~If you want a CD of this list, I am more than happy to oblige. However, it may take a little bit of time, as two songs I currently don't have on my computer and need to spend the 2$ to purchase.
15. Just a Dream (Nelly)- If there is a song that took a fall this year, it's "Just a Dream". I used to love it a lot, and even downloaded it to my computer. However, after each additional listen, it would fall a bit. It's not that I don't still enjoy the song, because I do... But I don't love it as much as I once did, and 15 is right where it belongs.
14. Nothin' on You (B.o.B Feat. Bruno Mars): I struggled about including this song, but I think by skipping it, I am ignoring a huge part of my spring. "Nothin' on You" caused me to go out and buy B.o.B's album (which is probably my favorite album of 2010) and I used to listen to the song non-stop on the radio and on youtube. My love of it has diminished a little bit, but mainly because other songs have usurped it, but "Nothin' on You" will always have a big part of my heart and bring back memories of spring.
13. Back to December (Taylor Swift): Taylor Swift is one of the bands/singers to be making another appearance on a Don Song of the Year list. Taylor Swift has been a constant on this list of late, so it really isn't a surprise to see her back on. While "Mine" was a good initial single, it was more of the same for Taylor, but "Back to December" is a great use of her voice in a ballad type song, with better than normal lyrics.
12. Just the Way You Are (Bruno Mars): A true victim of overplay. I am not a huge Bruno Mars fan as I greatly dislike "Grenade", but "Just the Way You Are" is the exact type of music I enjoy. This is no classic, however, as it is the type of music you hear on the radio every day, but that doesn't mean it isn't a very good song...
11. Misery (Maroon 5): Similar to "Just a Dream", "Misery" fell a bit on this list. Partially, because it is very similar to the other Maroon 5 hits of the past, instead of taking a great risk. Despite that, "Misery" is still a very good song, and one of the best the band has ever produced. It has a good tune, and is actually very upbeat (despite being named Misery). This might be a song I forget a bit over the years, but for 2010 it was still a very good song.
10. Notbroken (Goo Goo Dolls): Goo Goo Dolls returns to the scene this year, and the word I would use to describe their newest album is "solid". Its not spectacular, and clearly not one of their best efforts, but mixed in are a bunch of good, but not great songs. The only song, at the moment, that truly defines the album is their second single "Notbroken". What keeps the song from reaching higher on the list, however, is that it isn't risky, and doesn't take the band to a new level. However, if you enjoy typical Goo Goo Dolls music, this is most definitely is right up your alley.
9. Teenage Dream (Katy Perry): There are many critics when it comes to Katy Perry. When I tell people I like her, I always get judged, like I am some adolescent male. The thing about Katy Perry, is that of her six major songs, I love three and dislike three... an even split. Teenage Dream isn't the best lyrical song on this list, and it doesn't have powerful music backing it up. What it does have going for it is a catchy tune that makes you smile. Sometimes music doesn't have to be great, to still be good.
8. Coming Home (Diddy feat. Skylar Grey): So, I hear this song on the radio non-stop, yet somehow I had no idea who sang this, at all... I love the girls voice throughout the song, and after a few listens, the rapping grew on me a ton too. So I finally decided it was time to use my free amazon download, and lo and behold, Diddy (formerly P.Diddy, formerly Puff Daddy, formerly Sean "Puffy" Combs) was on my windows media player. I feel out of all the singers to put out a song I loved this year, this was the most random.7. Love the Way You Lie (Eminem): One thing pains me about putting this on the list... That it means Rhianna gets on a Don List... Part of me believes that this is the start of the upcoming apocalypse, but who knows... The main reason I love it is because I love the Eminem rap within it. He really tells a story and lets the song be extremely powerful in itself. That's the thing with the new Eminem album; in many of his singles he allows himself to relay a message, instead of just rapping about women and violence.
6. Jar of Hearts (Christina Perri): Not sure if anyone has ever even heard of this song besides myself, but I'm ok with that. The word to describe Jar of Hearts is "crescendo". It's all about this simple girls voice, building up towards the end. By the end of the song, it just overtakes you with emotion, and you feel like she has reached you, even if you don't relate to the song at all. If there is a song from this list that I look back as being too low, I think it may be this. I won't be surprised that if by 2015, this is my third or even second favorite song from 2010.
5. Animal (Neon Trees): I was an early adapter to this song, as I found it early on this year before it absolutely attacked the radio. "Animal" is a simple song that reminds me of "1901" by Phoenix, another song I absolutely loved. It's got a good beat, and is just easy to listen to.
4. King of Anything (Sara Barreilles): "Love Song" came in third two years ago, so this is nothing new for Sara. Of all the girl singers I love, I feel like Sara always gets forgotten, partially because her second single "Love" was something I didn't enjoy at all. So I was definitely pleased when I heard "King of Anything", and I loved the song the very first time I heard it (I actually downloaded the same day I heard it on the radio). It is one of probably three songs this entire year I was obsessed with from the very first moment. So yeah, I think it's a pretty great song.
3. The Only Exception (Paramore): If there is a band that I discovered in 2010, it was Paramore... and I was admittedly way too late. Paramore is literally one of my favorite bands at the moment, and Hayley Williams is specifically why. Her voice is absolutely transcendent. Many of her songs are quick paced and more rock than pop, and I love those songs. However, where the band truly shines is when they take a step back, and let Hayley sing with a quieter background. "The Only Exception" is a perfect example of that. Hayley is allowed to sing with little distraction, and creates the most beautiful love song of the year, and one of the best ones ever.
2. Airplanes (B.o.B feat. Hayley Williams): This is a song that could easily win this award most years... This year, it wasn't even close. There are three major differences between "Airplanes" and B.o.B's other music, which causes its rise on this list. The first reason is the story within it: the rap is serious, and yet addicting. It's all about chasing your dreams and not giving up. Its uplifting and something that doesn't joke around like his other work. The second reason is how the rapping connects to the chorus. It transitions so smoothly, and makes it one coherent song in which one part can't exist without the other. The third reason is Hayley Williams. Just one song ago, I praised her in "The Only Exception" and its time to praise her again. Her simple chorus that consists of only like 5 words is literally mesmerizing and powerful. Out of all the joint ventures I have heard this year, none even comes close to fitting together so perfectly, in which one could not exist without the other. Thank You B.o.B and Hayley for making this possible.
1. Secrets (Onerepublic): Just a little history lesson... In 2008, this little known band was discovered by Timbaland, and put out a catchy little song called "Apologize". While extremely addictive and fun, it didn't overtake me. They followed that up with "Stop and Stare", in which my obsession with this band was born. That song ran away with the 2008 Don Song of the year. Jumping forward, it is now 2009 and a new CD is on the horizon. However, I imagined similar to many bands that this second CD would pale in comparison to the amazing first album, and I waited four months to get it (such a stupid decision)... Lets keep in mind, their first album "Dreaming Out Loud" is the most played album of all time on my computer, and I have only owned it for three years... So, late November last year, Onerepublic singled "All the Right Moves", a great song that came in as my 2009 number 2 song of the year. Flash forward again to February, and I am watching Gossip Girl, and I as the episode ends, there is a song playing. Instantly, I thought that this sounds awfully like Onerepublic, and I immediately search to solve my suspicions. Needless to say, this was the first time I heard "Secrets"... Two months later, the song becomes the second single off "Waking Up" and its all over the radio and ads. "Secrets" is the best song by Onerepublic, and its not even close. It has everything I love about music, including powerful music with amazing orchestra parts. It makes "Stop and Stare" sound boring and typical, and that is one of my ten favorite songs ever. That moment in February was when the 2o1o song contest ended, and no one had a chance... So in 2008, Onerepublic was #1, 2009 #2, and 2010 #1 again... and guess what... a new album is supposed to be out in 2011 (no waiting this time, however) so this run may not be over yet... The only question left is whether or not they can ever pass M20 as my favorite band ever, and I don't think its out of the question based on their first two albums.
~So there you go... My favorite fifteen songs of 2010 on one coherent list. I cannot wait to see what 2011 brings, as I always have high expectations for a new year of music.
