Gallivanter’s Favorite Tunes of 2008

Posted in Critiques | 16 comments

[ad]

I love this time of the year, when I sit back, rewind all the songs that I’ve heard this year, and ardously decide the songs that have been my favorite tunes for the year 2008. In 2006, my favorite song was Hinder’s Lips of an Angel, followed by 2007 Bon Jovi’s The Last Night. What awaits this year? Will it be another rock song that will once again dominate the pinnacle?

Let’s start counting down backwards, starting from number 30.

#30 Boys Like Girls – Thunder
#29 Pink – Boring
#28 Hinder – Last Kiss Goodbye
#27 The Afters – Ocean Wide
#26 Duffy – Mercy

That sums me up, I’m eclectically inclined. The boyband in me shows up in #30. Pink’s Boring, has a catchy hook, too bad it’s only a demo of her latest album. Hinder’s Last Kiss Goodbye has all the ingredients of an 80′s rock ballad. The Afters, with its soft yet haunting ballad Ocean Wide makes #27. Duffy’s Mercy made a late comeback simply because Bon Jovi did a cover version of that song in their 2008 concerts.

#25 Chris Brown – Forever
#24 Hinder – Use Me
#23 Ying Yang Twins ft Wyclef Jean – Dangerous
#22 Jesse McCartney – Leavin’
#21 Michael Jackson featuring Akon – Wanna Be Startin’ Something 2008

Chris Brown, either you like him or hate him, and I have a love-hate relationship with the fella. This song would’ve been a little higher up my charts if not for a colleague of mine who overkilled it as his ringtone. Hinder’s rocking effort, “Use Me”, always gives me adrenalin rush, and so is Ying Yang Twin’s duet with Wyclef Jean, that samples Hall & Oates Maneater. Jesse McCartney’s Leavin’ has a sweet beat, and my chart wouldn’t be complete without Akon & MJ’s collaborative effort on MJ’s classic at # 21.

#20 Simple Plan – I Can Wait Forever
#19 Shontelle – T-Shirt
#18 Yung Berg featuring Ray J – Sexy Can I
#17 Def Leppard – Tomorrow
#16 Taylor Swift – Love Story 

Simple Plan has one of the most annoying voice in music showbiz, yet I can’t stop liking that track. Shontelle’s rendition of T-Shirt reminds me of Chris Brown’s With You last year. Yung Berg’s Sexy Can I took me a while to warm up too, 2 months later its release. As for Def Leppard, I’ll always have a soft spot for them, and this track is a throwback to the 80′s landing at #17. I think Taylor Swift is really talented, and at the rate she’s going, she’s going to be my FIRST favorite female country singer. Innocence in its pure form.

#15 Nickelback – Never Gonna Be Alone
#14 David Cook – Dream Big
#13 Hinder – Thing for You
#12 Nickelback – Gotta Be Somebody
#11 Third Day – Born Again 

Nickelback, the lead singer will always remind me of a poodle, this is easily their best song on their latest album at #15. I was rooting for David Cook in American Idol, and his latest album is damn disappointing, but I really liked that finale he sang on American Idol, “Dream Big”. Hinder once again doesn’t disappoint with a rock ballad in Thing for You. Again, no matter how ugly that lead singer of Nickelback looks, his voice is great for rock, with Gotta be Somebody landing at #12. Third Day’s Born Again, is really heartwarming, and easily likeable by everyone. Great stuff.

Here’s my TOP 10 FAVORITE tracks of 2008. It doesn’t get any better than this! Ready?

#10 Flo Rida featuring Timbaland – Elevator
#9 Theory of a Deadman – Not Meant to Be
#8 New Kids on the Block – 2 in the Morning
#7 Shwayze – Corona and Lime
#6 Hinder – Heaven Sent

How can you not like Flo Rida, especially when Timbaland adds oomph to the track? Theory of a Deadman’s chorus of “Not Meant to Be” is stunning that it deserves the #9 slot. As shocking as it seems, NKOTB’s 2 in the Morning is so infectious that it’s not funny, now my second favorite NKOTB track after “Cover Girl” at #8. Shwayze’s Corona and Lime is very easy listening, perfect for a lazy day at the beach, sipping Corona. Hinder’s Heaven Sent is indeed a heaven sent kick ass rock tune.

#5 Hinder – Without You

I can go on and on about this band, and I strongly believe that their latest album, is THE rock album of 2008. This tune, reminds me how great the 80s was for rock, and Hinder gives it a refreshing take on it. I know have a band that complements Bon Jovi, my favorite band.

#4 Michael Franti & Spearhead – Say Hey (I Love You)

Michael Franti’s effort is just too catchy to ignore, it’s such a buzzy song that it’ll surely make your feet move involuntarily. No, it’s not a symptom of an epileptic seizure, but a musical electro shock to your soul.

#3 Akon featuring Michael Jackson – Hold My Hand

Akon and MJ this time collaborates for a really groovy tune, so much so that SONY contacted me to take it down from my blog. If marketed right, that song’s gonna be HUGE. IF, it is ever released.

#2 Madonna featuring Timberlake & Timbaland – 4 Minutes

4 Minutes of sheer brilliance. Throw Madonna in with Timberlake and Timbaland, and you have a hit that is ALMOST out of this world! Unfortunately, the music video was crappy, and didn’t do justice to a song that is crying for a dance move. Pity.

#1 Pussycat Dolls – When I Grow Up

What can I say about Pussycat Dolls? Though their sophomore album is not as exciting as the first effort. This track is easily their best effort to date and it is my FAVORITE track of 2008.  Finally, after 2 years of rock at the top of my charts, a hip hop tune sits on top of the throne, and sung by women. Awesome stuff.

There you have it folks, my favorite tunes of 2008. I can’t wait as always, to unearth musical gems and will continue to be the driving force of my purpose of blogging.

Have a Happy New Year 2009.