So, I was talking to my friend Brendan on Skype the other day about one of my favorite internet reviewers, Todd in the Shadows. If you don’t know of him, go ahead and check him out. It’s okay, I’ll wait.
…
Isn’t he hilarious? He’s one of my favorite reviewers on TGWTG because he reviews things nearly everyone knows: pop music.
Whether we want to admit it or not, the Billboard Hot 100 still matters, and honestly, it should. I know, I’m a rock music guy, and I should be offended that my favorite genre barely makes a dent in current music culture, but believe it or not, I have a great appreciation for pop music (the credit for which goes mostly to my wonderful girlfriend, who basically stockholm syndromed me until my love for it came naturally), and I tend to like more songs on the end of the year list than I dislike.
Now, Brendan and I decided to make our own end of the year lists (note: all songs came from the Billboard Hot 100 end of the year list, meaning that regardless of what you were listening to, more people were listening to the songs on these lists) and compare. For our least favorite songs, we podcasted. Who are our most hated artists? Can two people with very distinct tastes in music find common ground when deciding our sworn enemies? Listen below and find out (For those of you who just want to see the list, I’ll post it below the article with youtube links):
But, you might ask, what about the good pop music? Yes, there was plenty to love in pop music in 2011; far more, in fact than in 2010. Below, Brendan and I have listed our top ten songs of 2011, along with some explanation as to why we love these particular songs. Brendan’s list comes first, followed by my own. Have a different opinion? Please feel free to sound off in the comments below:
Brendan:
Before my bud Chase shows you my list, there’s one thing that you should know about me: I’m an absolute whore for dance music. If you’re looking for an exploration of the pop songs that make you feel, that cause you to muse upon the meaning of life, this is probably not going to be your list. However, if you’re looking for songs with great hooks, sometimes questionable vocals, and heart-throbbing beats, then look no further than here.
10. Moves Like Jagger by Maroon 5 feat. Christina Aguilera: The whistled hook at the beginning, the playful guitar strums, the combination of two of pop music’s better singers: this song was destined to be a hit. Once it’s stuck in your head, it will probably never leave.
9. Rolling in the Deep by Adele: I would be an idiot to not put this song’s Record and Song of the Year on my list. Full of righteous fury and accompanied by Adele’s soulful wailings, this song speaks to the rage and heartbreak all of us have experienced at some point.
8. Where Them Girls At by David Guetta feat. Flo Rida and Nicki Minaj: This song’s filthy beats and the crazy verses spitten out by Nicki make this song an instant win in my book.
7. S&M by Rihanna: Like Kylie’s sultry “La la la”s in Can’t Get You Out of My Head, this song’s opening “Na na na come on” instantly snatches you into the song. However, unlike the former’s promise of melancholy love, this opening snatches the listener to a world of carnal pleasure (and pain).
6. In the Dark by Dev: This year has seen the return of the saxophone to pop, used in songs by pop powerhouses such as Katy Perry and Lady Gaga. However, nowhere has it been more seductive than in this sultry dance hit.
5. Till the World Ends by Britney Spears: When you mention the names Britney Spears and Ke$ha in the same sentence, it’s often done with a measure of disgust. However, their collaboration produced one of the strongest pop hits of the year, with an irresistible beat and a chorus that simply begs for a drunken crowd singing along to it.
4. On the Floor by Jennifer Lopez feat. Pitbull: This song easily has the most pathetic lyrics that I’ve ever seen. However, with a killer tune and RedOne’s infectious production, I just can’t stop listening to it.
3. Super Bass by Nicki Minaj: Playful and sure to bounce around in your head all day, this song is almost singlehandedly responsible for bringing Nicki to a larger audience. While it’s admittedly fluff, it’s insanely fun and is currently the only rap song of which I know the entire first verse.
2. Hold It Against Me by Britney Spears: This is the song that heralded the return of pop’s wayward princess. Exploring newer dance and electronic influences, such as dubstep, it’s one of the best produced singles of the year and proved that Britney is still a very important player in the pop world.
1. We Found Love by Rihanna ft. Calvin Harris: I love everything about this song. I love Rihanna’s soaring vocals, Calvin Harris’s beautifully melancholy production, and the music video showing the destruction of a once happy relationship. It makes me want to dance and cling to friends for comfort, to celebrate love gained and mourn for love lost. This song deserved its place as 2011’s longest running number one single, and while it may not be everyone’s favorite, it certainly is mine.
Chase:
Since Brendan did an introduction (so fancy), I guess I should too. I listen to pop music very differently than he (and most of my friends, for that matter) do. I actually care about the lyrics. I care about the quality of the singer and the voice as much as I care about the beat. I don’t think you can ever quite nail it down (I’m not putting lyrical skill over sounding fun or anything like that), but I guess if I had to explain it in brief, I’d say I’m always in support of the type of music that pushes the music in a new direction or does what the current direction is doing flawlessly. There’s a lot of pop music out there, so why not be picky about what it is you want to hear? With that (somewhat confusing) introduction out of the way, here’s my list.
10. You Make Me Feel… by Cobra Starship ft. Sabi: Now, when Cobra Starship first hit it big with “Good Girls Go Bad“, I didn’t get what the big deal was. Then I watched the video, and I instantly fell in love with these guys. Why? Because they’re nerds! This is nerd fulfillment fantasies in their greatest extent. They can’t make good girls go bad, or even make regular girls feel “la la la la la”, they’re dorks and they know it, and this aspect of their personality gives them a charm that transcends the well-produced music and vocals that are above the norm for pop music. A great song by a band I’m hoping to see more from in the future.
9. 6 Foot, 7 Foot by Lil’ Wayne ft. Cory Gunz: I’ve been accused of being a Lil’ Wayne hater in the past, and that’s just not true. I just find him inconsistent when it comes to the quality of his music. For every song of his I like, there’s another hit that seems asinine. But when he shines, he can use his unique voice and rapping skills to accomplish something pretty great, as seen in 6 Foot, 7 Foot. His clever wordplay really shines as he actually backs up all the bragging he does with skill. Lil’ Wayne at his finest deserves to make anyone’s top ten list, as far as I’m concerned.
8. The Show Goes On by Lupe Fiasco: Lupe Fiasco is one of the few great mainstream(ish) rappers nowadays. He’s been an underground rapper for a long time, and he deserves all the credit he gets for those who see him as one of the few beacons of rap music in a day and age where hip hop has been rather lacking in people that can keep making quality albums (We’ll call the Bad Meets Evil reunion a wash, Eminem, but I need to see more consistency before I give you your throne back). This isn’t his best work, but it’s easily his most popular, and Lupe Fiasco on a bad day is still better than most rappers at their best. It’s a triumphant, fun song, and you can’t help but get lost in it. A great song by a great artist.
7. Stereo Hearts by Gym Class Heroes ft. Adam Levine: I told Brendan I wouldn’t comment on his list, and I won’t as a general rule, but I’ll just say I hated Moves Like Jagger with the burning intensity of a thousand suns, but only because I love Maroon 5, especially Adam Levine’s voice, and I can’t listen to that song and not see the pile of money for which they agreed to sell out completely. But what if that quality singer ended up on a song by a band that was still sticking true to their musical passion that was catch and romantic without being cheesy? You’d get Stereo Hearts, of course. One of my favorite love songs of the last few years, Adam Levine’s incredible voice steals the show in the best of all possible ways. Now if only Maroon 5 can get back doing things like this, everyone will win…
6. Pumped Up Kicks by Foster the People: An indie rock song actually dominated the charts? Stop the presses! It’s 2004 all over again!
…Okay, maybe not. The age of indie rock hitting mainstream appeal was a one time deal, and I doubt that one song is going to change the pop world but…damn this is a good song. I am not really familiar with the rest of the band’s work, but the upbeat melody contrasted with the eeriness of the lyrics creates an atmosphere different from anything I’ve heard in a long time, especially for the pop charts. The whistling is catchy too, so you’re sure to be humming the song all day long once you listen to it. Even if it doesn’t start the indie revolution, it more than stands up on its own.
5. Moment for Life by Nicki Minaj and Drake: The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree, and sadly, those who make up Lil’ Wayne’s Young Money stable have picked up the best and worst of his habits. Both Drake and Nicki Minaj have had moments of greatness (though I prefer Drake to Nicki when they’re both on point), but they also stumble more often than they should. Nicki especially fell off the wagon this year with some slow ballads that just didn’t work and Super Bass, which after 8 months of being drilled into my head…I feel largely indifferent towards it.
But what if I told you that Nicki Minaj and Drake had a song in which they were both nearly flawless in their rap execution together. Enter Moment for Life. There’s a genuine quality to the song that makes you feel as if both rappers (especially Drake) truly wonder about what happens when their careers end one day, and this song is not only clever, but also deeply emotional in a way that none of their other hits this year did. Really great song by two talented artists that shows just what their potential could be.
4. All of the Lights by Kanye West ft. Rihanna, Kid Cudi: There are two Kanye West songs. There is the Kanye West song in which he talks about how awesome he is and (usually) comes off as an egotistical ass (exception: Diamonds from Sierra Leone), and there is the Kanye West song in which he offers deep introspection on his life and the world around him in which I remember why I like him as an artist so much (still feel as if he was shafted when Chris Brown won at the Grammys on Monday night, but that’s another battle for another day). All of the Lights is probably the finest song Kanye’s done in a long time. Great raps mixed with an incredible beat make for a great song. What more is there to say?
3. Someone Like You by Adele: Oh, you knew she was going to be near the top of the list, didn’t you? I mean, she only changed the game last year, taking pop culture from a place in which everyone just went to clubs to one where talent shined through and powerful voices got the respect they deserve (there’s a good reason she swept at the Grammys, people). She said in an interview she wanted a song to end her album 21 (which you should all totally buy right now because it’s awesome) that showed a gentler view of the guy she’d spent the whole album trashing, and indeed it does. A powerful voice with a powerful message to which everyone can relate (myself more than I want to admit); what more do you want? Nearly flawless.
2. More (RedOne remix) by Usher: Welcome back to the game, Usher. I was a little worried after you disappeared after Confessions and responded with Love in This Club, and Lil’ Freak and OMG did nothing to assuage my fears, but man, you came back with DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love, and I was ready to see what you would do next.
But even though I loved DJ Got Us Fallin’ in Love, even I didn’t expect this. More was everything you want an Usher song to be. It was fun. It had an incredible beat. You had Usher doing his thing with his insane dance skills while showing off his incredible vocal range once again. It was a triumphant song that made you want to get up and scream “More!” as you went out to dance like crazy, and I’m not even a big dancer. Bottom line: Usher’s back, ladies and gentlemen. Enjoy it while we can, because we never know when he might disappear into the shadows once again.
1. Rolling in the Deep by Adele: What else did you expect? Really, what more can I say that hasn’t already been said about the runaway winner for best song of the year? It’s a bitter, angry song filled with passion and emotion to which everyone can relate performed by the greatest female singer in pop right now. It’s perfect. It’s so damn good that it took the top spot during the summer. You know, summer? Those months where people want to party. This song was so good that the party songs just couldn’t compete. Yeah, it was overplayed, but so what? It’s a pop song. Most of them are overplayed, and compared to most, this one stands up far more strongly. It’s a truly amazing song worthy of every ounce of praise it is given, and I couldn’t recommend it more.
Brendan and MaristPlayBoy’s (Chase) Worst List:
(For commentary, please listen to the podcast in the videos above. These are simply rankings and song links)
Brendan’s Worst
10. Grenade by Bruno Mars
9. The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
8. Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri
7. Bottoms Up by Trey Songz ft. Nicki Minaj
6. Don’t Wanna Go Home by Jason Derulo
5. Just Can’t Get Enough by Black Eyed Peas
4. I Need a Doctor by Dr. Dre ft. Eminem
3. You and I by Lady Gaga
2. Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO
1. The Time (Dirty Bit) by Black Eyed Peas
Chase’s Worst
10. Best Thing I Never Had by Beyonce
9. Tonight (I’m Fucking You) by Enrique Inglesias
8. Jar of Hearts by Christina Perri
7. Down on Me by Jeremih ft. 50 Cent
6. Black and Yellow by Wiz Khalifa
5. Grenade by Bruno Mars
4. The Lazy Song by Bruno Mars
3. The Time (Dirty Bit) by Black Eyed Peas
2. Tonight, Tonight by Hot Chelle Rae
1. Sexy and I Know It by LMFAO
The Red Shirt Crew Blog and Podcast Network 