Lorin Reid: Top 10 Songs of 2009

I would just like to begin my list by explaining that I did not listen to any music this year from this year…and yes, I agree that at least 8 of the below will offend your ears. Perhaps I was looking in the wrong places, or more accurately, not looking at all, but I do not feel that I have missed out on much this time round. I am still struggling to come to terms with all the amazing songs that I have missed out on in the last 500+ years. You could each do so much better than 2009. Or perhaps I’m just grumpy that I wasn’t allowed to choose The Beatles…

Much love.

1. Single Ladies (Put A Ring On It) by Beyonce.

This is my absolute favourite song of 2009. Wikipedia says “female empowerment” about 50 billion times in reference to this song, and I agree. Go women. I only wish I could figure out how to move my hips like Bey – trust me, I’ve tried but I’m convinced she has a sort of permanent dislocation going on down there. P.S. Lovin’ on Kanye. Sorry, Taylor, but MTV + AMA = hatred for you sistaaa.

2. This Is It by Michael Jackson.

“Ready? One, two, three, four”.

Hearing Michael’s timid voice break the silence of anticipation as I listened to this song for the first time had me grinning and shivering and gulping for air.

As the credits (and tears) rolled after the first screening of the film and the familiar chords struck their melancholy progression, I realised how much this song will mean to me for the rest of my life. It has become one of those tunes whose melody carries a season of memories, especially for you. I wasn’t ready, but thank you, Michael. I love you more.

3. Eet by Regina Spektor.

So I admit that I haven’t listened to Regina’s whole album, Far, but she is a definite favourite in my household as of late and this song in particular has been lodged in memory.

“You’re using your headphones to drown out your mind.”

If this line doesn’t make every single one of you immediately discard all auditory contraptions and listen to, or coax out your own inner voice then you don’t deserve to listen to my number 3 and her annoyingly repetitive syllables.

4. The Last Day On Earth by Kate Miller-Heidke.

In my mind, Kate Miller-Heidke was always a bit short on ‘pop’. My advice to her: gather an ‘UP’ ish collection of 3 day old balloons and let rip one of her high rubber-shattering operatic screeches. “It might just work”, I chuckled to myself. BUT THEN! She sprung this one on me.

It was 7am on a ridiculously insomnaic morning and I stood there, cheek to cheek with the TV screen, bawling, “In my dreams, IN MY DREAMS!” I was having some sleeping difficulties, yes, but this song definitely made a connection.

5. Cry Out Of Joy by Akon.

“Oh I wish the world could see you the way I did,

And I wish they witnessed how wonderful a dad you were to all your kids.”

Please listen to this song. The end.

6. The Fear by Lily Allen.

I can’t get enough of this voice and every time Lily Allen swears, I can’t help but want more. The actual song was fun for about a day, no strings, and after that… well, it was all for the “fuck”s.

7. Like It Like That by Guy Sebastian.

I seriously do apologise for this inclusion…but surely we can all agree that this is a boppy, happy-go-lucky kinda tune? Please? It’s so darn catchy. It’s something I can contentedly walk to the beach to.

I DO like it like that, and no one can stop me!

Oh, and does Guy look cute-ish when he smiles, or is that just me again? (Mental note to self: stop digging.)

8. Boom Boom Pow by The Black Eyed Peas.

This song was my 12-year-old brother’s attempt at helping…annnnd he ended up making the cut… I turned this up really loud and then realised that it has some of the most amusing lyrics that I have yet come across this year. “I’m a beast when you turn me on” and “I’m so 3008, you’re so 2000 and late” being favourites…And watching the film clip, the brother is probably upstairs having nightmares about 2mins 33.

9. Neopolitan Dreams by Lisa Mitchell.

Didn’t know that Lisa Mitchell was from Idol until this very moment – which I guess is good for her. This is a ‘meh’ filler song. I mean, it’s catchy but Lisa is just one of those girly singers that are perched throughout Aus at the moment and I’m a little sick of the individual and hence not so individual voice. Leave that to Missy Higgins and be gone.

10. Back To The 80’s by AQUA.

So I ran out of songs and reverted to Wikipedia. Now truly this song is terrible. It sounds like something I do when I’m bored – remember all the songs and t.v shows from the 90’s – it’s just, I know I’m not musical when I’m doing it and AQUA seem to have overlooked that minor technicality…But you see, I feel a sort of obligation to put AQUA on my list. They ARE my childhood, from Doctor Jones to Turn Back Time (I always cried – anyone else?) and when I think “back to the 90’s” – it’s AQUA who were there for the whole ride. (Yes I am attempting to overlook the cheap MJ quip…don’t ruin it for me). So number 10 – AQUA – done.

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~ by thesehereforeignears on December 22, 2009.