Sounding Off on Songs of the Year
Taylor Swift may have taken home all the music awards of 2009 but Jamie Fox, Maxwell, Lady Gaga, John Rich and others share the spotlight with some of the best songs of 2009.
Here's a list of some favorites:
1. "Blame It," Jamie Foxx (featuring T-Pain): If Jay-Z is right, and Auto-Tune is really D.O.A., Jamie Foxx's "Blame It" with T-Pain was a heck of a send-off. This politically incorrect, glorified alcohol ad was also the perfect party starter that aged like a fine wine.
2. "The Point of It All," Anthony Hamilton: It is an amazing love song anchored by perhaps the most soulful voice of this generation. Hamilton captures all the emotion of this song's moving lyrics without over-singing and, with simplicity, he delivers something that is magical and beautiful.
3. "Pretty Wings," Maxwell: A luscious, bittersweet ballad that was the perfect re-entry for Maxwell after an eight-year layoff.
4. "Boom Boom Pow," Black Eyed Peas: Hello? They deserve it just for introducing the phrase "you're so two-thousand-and-late" into the lexicon. Thank you, Fergie!
5. "Shuttin' Detroit Down," John Rich: Rich's tone may be low-key, but the anger, frustration and bitterness is on high tilt in this stirring anthem about what the collapse of the economy has done to the working class.
6. "Poker Face," Lady Gaga: Lady Gaga may be single-handedly responsible for making disco music cool again, and this song was her best calling card, with a pulsating beat and that irresistible, stuttering hook.
7. "Empire State of Mind," Jay-Z featuring Alicia Keys: Any song that gets the Yankees their 27th championship merits a mention, but Jay-Z created an anthem that united more than New Yorkers with a mix of his classic braggadocio, plus a soaring chorus, courtesy of Keys.8. "Gunpowder and Lead," Miranda Lambert: Lambert has always been one of the more feisty among country's young, blond entertainers and among the most talented. Here, she displays both qualities with her firecracker of a song, directed to those no-good, cheating, women-beating men.
9. "Chocolate High," India.Arie and Musiq Soulchild: This duet using chocolate and a love metaphor was sexy and sweet without being too sugary, and the blend of India and Musiq's voice is a recipe that never fails.
10. "There Goes My Baby," Charlie Wilson: That clear tenor that made so many hits for the Gap bands still works wonders, as it does for this classy song that sounds like a throwback from a more soulful era.