1. Where Can I Go – Laura Marling – This magnificent song puts Laura on the trajectory for a Joni Mitchell type career, a career that defines the apex of singer-songwriter artistry.
2. Get Lucky – Daft Punk – There isn’t enough words for the greatness of Niles Rodgers guitar on this song. It is a great slice of disco any way, but that guitar man, Daft Punk ride the lick all the way to the finish line
3. Blurred Lines – Robin Thicke – Sexy, funny, but is it anatomically accurate
4. We Can’t Stop – Miley Cyrus – A call to arms and legs and other parts of your body built for fun
5. History – Modern Hut – I have withheld really writing about this song for months while I wait for it to be released.
6 Chicks, Man – The Del Lords – Riff of the year
7. Finger Back – Vampire Weekend – My favorite song off the current album is also the most VW off the new album and the bit in UWS falafel shop with a poster of Jerusalem is worthy of Paul Simon.
8. Still Into you – Paramore – finger snapping romance, like the 15 month into a relationship or something
9. Stranger And Stranger – Marshall Crenshaw – From a dark place
10. Timeout New York – The Normal Living – Classic pop song, like the Ronettes were still around
11. Reflektor – Arcade Fire – It sounds like Holy Ghost plus LCD Soundsystem hit with gamma rays and turned into the incredible Hulk till it is a monster of pop awesomeness
12. Candlelit Dinner – Elton John – His best song in time meorial also doesn’t overstate its case. Subtle and beautiful piano ballad.
Boys ‘Round Here – Blake Shelton – Red red red red red neck.
Western, Mass – Claire’s Diary – The story of a bad boy
Gentleman – Psy – If anything better than “Gangham Style”
All Over Again – The Mavericks – The country rocker to beat from one of the best albums of the year
Gradual Return – Trixie Whitley – The best song of her career making debut album was worth the weight. Blues yes, but blues by a pop sensibility.
Love Without You – Darius Rucker – Country heart breaker
Beat This Summer – Brad Paisley – A masterpiece of instant nostalgia
Definition Of Down – Teena Marie – Any complaints about weak songs on her final album are irrelevant. This is a full blooded disco ballad and nobody else does it any more.
I Don’t See You Laughing Now – Marshall Crenshaw – Timeless new Crenshaw.
Catcall – Tinvulva – Ferocious contempt for harrassment on the street.
I Still Yearn – Jahn Xavier And the Bowertytones – Not actually released yet but wait till it is.
1Train – ASAP Rocky – The wittiest take down of poverty.
Bats – The Joy Formidable – I love this rocker so much, I may have overestimated the album!
Cool Zombie – Adam Ant – Killer lead off song on the really excellent new album.
Lose To Win – Fantasia – Her best single to date is pure disco diva.
Because We Can – Bon Jovi – Undeniable, and trust me I’ve tried, singalong.
Higgs Boson Blues – Nick Cave – If you’re gonna name your song after the “God Particle” it better a song this good. A bluesy weird trip to the bottom of the swimming pool.
In The End – Black Veil Brides
I Got A Boy – Girls generation
Judge Jury And Executioner – Atoms For Peace
Ohn – Yo La Tengo
God’s Great Dancefloor – Chris Tomlin
Dead Bite – Hollywood Undead
Bathroom Laughter – Pissed Jeans
One Way Trigger – the Strokes
Electric Fever – Free Energy
Stupid Things – Yo La Tengo
New York City – Christopher Owens
Where Are we Now – David Bowie
Suit And tie – Justin Timberlake
American Rail – Hilly Eyes
Backscratcher – Free Energy
Money Honey – Aaron Neville
5 To 9 – Fidlar
Hardaway – Gary Allen
This Ladder Is Ours – The Joy formidable
Valentines – Adam Ant
Who’s A Goofy Bunny – Adam Ant
Millions – Pusha T
She Found Now – My Bloody Valentine
You N Me N XTC – Chris Stamey
Sea Cruise – Gary Wilson
Somewhere – Jimi Hendrix
Top Of The World – Joe Budden
Try – Pink
I Will Do What It Takes – Gary Wilson
Sneak Out The Back Door – Ron Sexsmith
Toast To Love – Avant
Away We Go – Coheed And Cambria
Dead End Rock – The Normal Living
Exploding – Jim James
Youth Wasted – The Bronx
Started From The Bottom – Drake
Retrograde – James Blake
Born To Roll – Kelly Willis And Bruce Robison
You Can’t Be My Girl – Darwin Deez
Temper Temper – Bullets For My Valentine
Lost Weekend – The virginmarys
Good Times – Matt Costa
Sueno con Mexico – Pat Methany
Wide Lovely Eyes – Nick Cave And The Bad Seeds
Entertainment – Phoenix
Box Chevy – Rick Ross
Upstarts – Johnny Marr
The Right Right Thing – Johnny Marr
Demon To Lean On – Wavves
Gal Wan More – Elephant Man
Taking Off – Beach Fossils
Beach Monster – STRFKR
Romanticize Me – Pissed Jeans
The Stars (Are Out Tonight) – David Bowie
There’s A Fire – Dirty Projectors
Dog Radio – Poyenso
Egypt – Doldrums
Falling In Rain – Polyenso
It’s A Beautiful Day – Michael Buble
So Good To Be Here – Boz Scaggs
Violet – Pretty Little Demons
Just Movement – Robert Delong
This Is For The Ones Who Care – Araabmusik
I’d Rather Be High – David Bowie
Butterfly – Bilal
Atomic Robo-Kid – Paul Blackford
Last Of The Summer Wine – Palma Violets
Diane Young – Vampire Weekend
Pusher Love Girl – Justin Timberlake
Cabaret – Alice Smith
Heaven – Depeche Mode
My Baby And Me – Pep
The Chronicles Of Marnia – Marnie Stern
America – Modern Hut
Hello – Lil Wayne
Cop – Wavves
Miss America – J. Cole
Miss America – J. Cole
Fine China – Chris Brown
Prima Materia – the Virgins
Treehome 95 – Tyler The Creator
I Wanna Be A Warhol – Alkaline Trio
She Lied To The FBI – Alkaline Trio
Demon To Lean On – Wavves
Colossus – Tyler The Creator
Shadow Moses – Bring Me To The Horizon
Follow The Arrow – Kacey Mosgraves
Life Around Here – James Blake
Goldtone – Kurt Vile
Bitch Don’t Kill My Vibe (remix) – Kendrick Lamarr and Jay Z
Here’s to Never Growing Up – Avril Lavigne
Sacrilege – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Health Plan – Pissed Jeans
(One Of those) Crazy Girls – Paramore
She’s A Lady – Paul Anka
Cape of Our Hero – Volbeat
Numbers On The Boards – Pusha T
What A Buzz – Olly Murs
You – Ha Ha Ha – Charlie XVX
Save Rock and Roll – Fall Out Boy
Heart Attack – Demi Lovato
Solo Dolo Part II – Kid Cudi
Sweet Water – The Postelles
Mosquito – Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Driving Song – Shellshag
Face To Face – Shellshag
Master Hunter – Laura Marling
Tower Of song – Tom Jones
Supernatural Love – Fantasia
Love Has Come For You – Steve Martin and Edie Brickell
It’s A Beautiful Day – Michael Buble
Lose To Win – Fantasia
Calico County – Steve Earle
Sweet water – The Postelles
Switch Up – Big Sean, Common
Station To Station – The Melvins
Waddup – LL Cool J
Sex And Money – Iggy Pop
Art School – Melvins
Upstarts – Johnny Marr
Southern Pacific – The Del Lords
Daydreaming – Paramore
Let Her Go – Passenger
Without You – Fleetwood mac
Supernatural Love – Fantasia
SOS In Bel Air – Phoenix
Being Pretty Ain’t Pretty – Pistol Annies
Chin Up, Kid – Forever The Sickest Kid
#beautiful – Mariah Carey
Push Thru – Talib Kweli
Brighton beach – Rod Stewart
Get It to Me – Lady Antebellum
Spring Break Anthem – The Lonely Island
Without You – Natalie Maines
Lover, You Should’ve Come Over – Natalie Maines
Weight – Mikal Cronin
For A While – Alice Smith
Pensacola – Deerhunter
Monomania – Deerhunter
QUEEN – Janelle Monae
Unhappily Married – Pistol annies
Spoonful – Tomas Doncker
Mixed Up, Shook Up Girl – Boz Scaggs
Black Music – Nas
Tell Me When You’re Ready – Flo Rida
Unstoppable Momentum – Joe Satriani
Roadhouse Talking Blues Takes 1 – 3 – The Doors
Dumb Disco Ideas – Holy Ghost
Anklebiters – Paramore
Some Nights/ We Are Young – Straight No chaser
Dance Your Pain Away – Agnetha Faltskog
Life Is Long – David Bronson
Fragments – Thievery Corporation
This Is What It Feels Likes – Armand Van Buueren
Crazy Kids – Ke$ha
High Art – The-Dream
Gifted – French Montana
Psalm 121 – Sizzla
Add Some Music To Your day Live – The Beach Boys
I Should Live In Salt – The National
Ya Hey – Vampire Weekend
Good Love – Sizzla
Pop That – French Montana
Chicks, Man – The Del Lords
Love be Brave – Laura Marling
I Was An eagle – Laura Marling
Power Strangers – Shinobi Ninja
We Need Justice – Tomas Doncker
In This Light – Queenstyche
Nice To Meet You – Forever The Sickest Kids
Double Rainbow – Suzzy Roche And Lucy Wainwright Roche
Brick By Brick – Christopher Paul Stelling
Don’t Swallow The Cap – The Nationals
Every Last Extremist – Christopher Paul Stelling
Nothing’s Changed – Tricky
I Sat By The Ocean – Queens Of The Stoneage
Creep In A T Shirt – Portugal. The Man
Super Collider – Megadeth
Super 8 – Jason Isbell
Best Friends – The Janoskians
Girlfriend – Icona Pop
Love Song Drug Songs – X Ambassadors
The Best There Was – Sleeping With Sirens
Book Of Love – Jimmy Eat World
Rebel Beat – The Goo Goo Dolls
On Sight – Kanye West
Loadstones – The Fall
I’m Not Real (feat Earl Sweatshirt) – Mac Miller
New Slaves – Kanye West
Bound 2 – Kanye West
I Am A God – Kanye West
Black Skinhead – Kanye West
America – Modern Hut
Jesus De Milo – Jahn Xavier And The Bowerytones
Power Trip – J.Cole
Bad Girls Club – Falling In Reverse
Because The Night – Garbage, Screaming Females
After The Fall – Kodaline
Walk The Other Way – Jahn Xavier And The Bowerytones
Broken Stemmed Tenderness – Suzzy Roche And Lucy Wainwright Roche
Imaginary Friend – Suzzy Roche And Lucy Wainwright Roche
Face Off – Jessica Hernandez And The Deltas
2013 – Primal Scream
Treasure – Bruno Mars
Austin City Blues – Booker T
Kiss And Say Goodbye – Rufus Wainwright, Anna McGarrigle, Martha Wainwright
Your Love Is No Love – Booker T
Nice to Meet You – Forever The Sickest Kid
Double Rainbow – Lucy And Suzzy Roche
In This Light – Queensryrch
Power Strangers – Shinobi Ninja
We Need Justice – Tomas Doncker
Love & Sex – Joe, Fantasia
Brooklyn2Ethopia – Tomas Doncker
All Is Not Lost – ABout Group
Over Here – PARTYNEXT DOOR
Walk On by – ABout Group
Don’t Blink – Relient K
I’ve Got Your Number, Son – She & Him
When I Feel Like It – Fabulous, 2 Chainz
Superstar – Mr. 305
Shit, Man – Skylar Gray
Picasso Baby – Jay Z
Somewhereinamerica – Jay Z
Fuckwithmeyouknowigotit – Jay Z
Where You Go – Ciara
C’mon Let Me Ride It – Skylar Gray
Tower (Don’t Look Down) – Skylar Grey
The History Of Wrong Guys – Big song on in a big musical, is a showstopper and sense it is just a girl singing and not a song and dancer the question is why?
Love Is A Bourgeoise Construct – Pet Shop Boys
Supersoaker – Kings Of Leon
Brand New Wayo – Robert Randolph
This Song Is For You – Ronald Isley
Cups – Anna Kendricks
Mind Your Manners – Pearl Jam
Little Black Dress – Sara Bareilles
Bang Bang – Will I Am
All Night – Icona Pop
Bugatti – Ace Hood
Jelly Babies – Hot Chip
Canis Major – Andrew Cedermeyer
Vivir Mi Vida – Marc Anthony
Mama Said Knock You Out – Five Finger Death Punch
My Story – R. Kelly
The Bottle Let Me Down – Vince Gill, Paul Franklyn
Attracting Flies – Alunageorge
Hollow Hearts Unite – Hawthorne Heights
Volver A Comenzar – Marc Anthony
Silver – Kevin Mathews
Chloe (You’re The One I want) – Emblem3 – They are a modern LFO and if that doesn’t do it for you, I have no idea what does. This sounds like the same pen that brought us “Summer Girls”
Made to Love – John Legend – Did himself a lot of favors at Summerstage earlier this year. ENough for me to stop wondering when Alicia Keys had a sex change.
America – Modern Hut – “I was living with cats and April…”
Look Like A Bird – Amanda Shires
The One That Got Away – The Civil Wars
Flor Palida – Marc ANthony
Blink Of An Eye – Frances Farmer – A kids song for adults
Greyhound – Swedish House Mafia
Made Of Glass – KT Tunstall
Stayed On You – Tye Tibbett
You’ve Got Time – Regina Spektor
More Than Anything – Rudimental
Radiate – Tricia
Mercy – TV On The Radio
Roar – Katy Perry
Applause – Lady Gaga – Well, I love it any way
Bring The Noize – MIA
Gentle On My Mind – Glen Campbell
Dust to Dust – The Civil Wars
Oh, The Joy – Trixie Whitley
Better Not To Know – Amy Grant, Vince Gill – She didn’t perform it live, you know.
FOH – Superchunk
Sunday – Earl Sweatshirt
Sway – Blue October – The first time Justin has appeared on any best of list I’ve ever written.
American Autumn – Afro-Jersey
Fuck My Life 666 – Against Me!
Peace (Hold On) – Tomas Doncker Band
Get Lucky Extended mix – Daft Punk
VSOP – K. Michelle
Shabba – A$AP Fergie And A$AP Rocky – The best song from the A$AP crew since “2 Train”
Hold On, We’re Going Home – Drake – Grew on me after the VMAs
Easy Easy – King Krule
Right Action – Franz Ferdinand
Rockin’ In The Free world – The Rides
Grand Slam – Jim Jones
This Evening So Soon – Bob Dylan
My Home’s In ALabama – Jamey Johnson
Berzerk – Eminem
Scholarship – Juicy J
Special Education – Goodie Mob
Been Waiting – Matt Shipkey
Stay In Touch – David Bronson
Farewell – Rod Stewart
La Festa Italiana – Matt Whipkey
Thursday – Pet Shop Boys
Sign On – Earth Wind And Fire
The One – Tamar Braxton
Okay – Holy Ghost! – This entire album is so terrific, enormously thrilling disco
The Phoenix – Fall Out Boy – The sleeper on a good album
Dance A Little Closer – Holy Ghost!
Live For – The weeknd, Drake
So We Can Live – 2 Chainz, T-Pain
Feds Watching – 2 Chainz
I Love You Too, Death – MGMT
When I Paint My Masterpiece Demo – Bob Dylan
Thursday – Pet Shop Boys
Tuxedos – Cold War Kids
Gloom – The Devil Wears Prada
Up Down (Do This All Day) – T-Pain, B-O-B
Another Love – Tom Odell
Loud Like Love – Placebo
I will – Sebadoh
Remember – Saves The Day
Lost Paraguayos Alternate Version – Rod Stewart
In Two – Nine Inch Nails
Pushin’ Against A Stone – Valerie June
Lay Me Down – Avicii
War – The Devil Wears Prada
Incompetent Assassin – David Bronson
TKO – Justin Timberlake
Rock City – Kings Of Leon
Can’t Stay Alone Tonight – Elton John
Then We Kiss – Icona Pop
Talk Dirty – Jason DeRulo
Never Enough – Trixie Whitley
Devil Is On Your Trail – Dan Whitley
Tuscan Leather – Drake
More Than – Au Revoir, Simone
Gallons Of Rubbing Alcohol Flow Down The Strip – Nirvana
Flying – Kevin Jenkins
Amazing Love – JJ McCabe
Let’s Get Back To You And Me – Alan Jackson
It Had To be You – Elvis Costello