The 40 Best Songs of 2000

The most heart-breaking thing about 2000 was the fact that the 90s were over. After a decade of big ballads, what was the new millennium going to bring us? Luckily the transition was not too drastic, as 2000 retained some of the characteristics that were so present in the preceding decade. The teen-pop blowout of the 90s continued as Britney, Christina, and NSYNC continued to rule the charts. Faith Hill and Madonna started the decade with a new change in sound, Destiny's Child really rose to fame this year, as well as newcomer Pink, who would go on to become more and more popular with each passing single. There was still plenty to love this year, and with their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard year-end charts, here are the best 40 songs of the start of a new era in music:

40. Sisqo-Thong Song
Peak: 3                     Billboard Year-End: 14

39. Joe-I Wanna Know
Peak: 4                     Billboard Year-End: 4

38. Baha Men-Who Let the Dogs Out?
Peak: 40                   Billboard Year-End: NA

37. No Doubt-Simple Kind of Life
Peak: 38                   Billboard Year-End: NA

36. Vitamin C-Graduation (Friends Forever)
Peak: 38                   Billboard Year-End: NA

35. Sixpiece None the Richer-There She Goes
Peak: 32                   Billboard Year-End: NA

34. Red Hot Chilli Peppers-Californication
Peak: 69                   Billboard Year-End: NA

33. Faith Hill-The Way You Love Me
Peak: 7                     Billboard Year-End: 41

32. Eminem-The Real Slim Shady
Peak: 4                     Billboard Year-End: 51

31. Savage Garden-I Knew I Loved You
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 7

30. Creed-Higher
Peak: 7                     Billboard Year-End: 11

29. LeAnn Rimes-Can't Fight the Moonlight
Peak: 11                   Billboard Year-End: NA

28. Eiffel 65-Blue (Da Ba Dee)
Peak: 6                     Billboard Year-End: 49

27. Christina Aguilera-I Turn to You
Peak: 3                     Billboard Year-End: 42

26. Britney Spears-Lucky
Peak: 23                   Billboard Year-End: NA

25. Pink-Most Girls
Peak: 4                     Billboard Year-End: 52

24. Santana and The Product G&B-Maria Maria
Peak: 1 (10 weeks)   Billboard Year-End: 3

23. Bon Jovi-It's My Life
Peak: 33                   Billboard Year-End: NA

22. Matchbox Twenty-Bent
Peak: 1 (1 week)      Billboard Year-End: 9

21. Destiny's Child-Say My Name
Peak: 1 (3 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 6

20. Enrique Iglesias-Be With You
Peak: 1 (3 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 37

19. Nine Days-Absolutely (Story of a Girl)
Peak: 6                     Billboard Year-End: 35

18. Christina Aguilera-Come on Over (All I Want is You)
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 38

17. Britney Spears-Stronger
Peak: 11                   Billboard Year-End: NA

16. Destiny's Child-Jumpin Jumpin
Peak: 3                     Billboard Year-End: 13

15. Pink-There You Go
Peak: 7                     Billboard Year-End: 16

14. *NSYNC-It's Gonna Be Me
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 27

13. Christina Aguilera-What A Girl Wants
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 19

12. Jennifer Lopez-Waiting for Tonight
Peak: 8                      Billboard Year-End: 99

11. Faith Hill-Breathe
Peak: 2                      Billboard Year-End: 1

10. Macy Gray-I Try
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 26

9. Blink 182-All The Small Things
Peak: 6                      Billboard Year-End: 40

8. Aaliyah-Try Again
Peak: 1 (1 week)       Billboard Year-End: 12

7. Shaggy-It Wasn't Me
Peak: 2*                    Billboard Year-End: NA

6. Vertical Herizon-Everything You Want
Peak: 1 (1 week)       Billboard Year-End: 5

5. Creed-With Arms Wide Open
Peak: 1 (1 week)       Billboard Year-End: 36

4. *NSYNC-Bye Bye Bye
Peak: 4                      Billboard Year-End: 21

3. 3 Doors Down-Kryptonite
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 15

2. Madonna-Music
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)      Billboard Year-End: 17

1. Britney Spears-Oops! I Did It Again
Peak: 9                      Billboard Year-End: 55

*This song would later reach a peak of 1 in 2001

2012-The Year in Review

So, as December 31 has finally come upon us, I thought I'd recap this eventful year for the last time in 2012. Lots of things happened, many people were discovered, many lost. But all in all, this has been another successful year for music. Here's what I liked the most (and the least) about it:

Best Song
Carly Rae Jepsen-"Call Me Maybe"

Best New Artist
fun.

Newest Music Obsession
Ellie Goulding

Song that blew up my i-Pod
David Guetta and Sia-"Titanium"

Best Album and Most played album on my i-Pod
Ellie Goulding-"Halcyon"

Most Overrated Album
Taylor Swift-"Red"

Most Overrated Artist
Psy

Best Music Special/Award Show
The Grammys

Best Music Video
Ellie Goulding-"Lights"

Album that deserved more sales
Ke$ha-"Warrior"

Song that deserved more sales
Christina Aguilera-"Your Body"

Most Over-played song
fun. and Janelle Monae-"We Are Young"

Worst Artist
One Direction

Artist that everyone needs to stop hating on
Nicki Minaj

Artist of the Year
Ellie Goulding

What's coming in 2013
Lady Gaga-"ArtPop" (!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)
Shakira-"Truth Or Dare"
50 Cent-"Street King Immortal"
Ludacris-"Ludaversal"
Backstreet Boys-TBA
Avril Lavigne-TBA
JoJo-TBA

The 40 Best Songs of 2001

2001 was a hard year. First we saw the death of Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes of the R&B group TLC, then R&B princess Aaliyah died in a tragic plane crash. Mariah Carey's debut film "Glitter" and its accompanying soundtrack were both universally panned and led to her mental breakdown. And to top it all of, there was the tragedy of September 11. But with all these hardships came some really great music. Enya was vaulted to  super-stardom after her song "Only Time" was used to help victims of the 9/11 tragedy, Destiny's Child continued to reign over the radio with "Survivor", Jennifer Lopez came back with a new album and more irresistible hits, and so did No Doubt, Pink, Janet Jackson, Enrique, and so much more. New artists were Nelly Furtado, Lifehouse, and 3LW. Even though this year was filled with heart-ache, there was still a grandiose load of great music. Complete with their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard year-end charts, here are the best 40 songs that defined 2001:

40. Mandy Moore-Cry
Peak: NA*                         Billboard Year-End; NA

39. Usher-U Remind Me
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)              Billboard Year-End: 15

38. Jessica Simpson-Irresistible
Peak: 15                             Billboard Year-End: 63

37. LeAnn Womack-I Hope You Dance
Peak: 14                             Billboard Year-End: 32

36. Mariah Carey-Loverboy
Peak: 2                               Billboard Year-End: 80

35. Pink-You Make Me Sick
Peak: 33                             Billboard Year-End: NA

34. Faith Hill-There You'll Be
Peak: 10                             Billboard Year-End: 66

33. Enrique Iglesias-Hero
Peak: 3                               Billboard Year-End: 99

32. Incubus-Drive
Peak: 9                               Billboard Year-End: NA

31. Britney Spears-I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman
Peak: NA*                         Billboard Year-End: NA

30. 3LW-No More (Baby I'ma Do Right)
Peak: 23                             Billboard Year-End: 69

29. Matchbox Twenty-If You're Gone
Peak: 5                               Billboard Year-End: 6

28. ATC-Around the World (La la la la la)
Peak: 28                             Billboard Year-End: NA

27. Nelly and City Spud-Ride Wit Me
Peak: 3                               Billboard Year-End: 18

26. Lenny Kravitz-Again
Peak: 4                               Billboard Year-End: 9

25. Janet Jackson-All For You
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)               Billboard Year-End: 3

24. Madonna-Don't Tell Me
Peak: 4                               Billboard Year-End: 34

23. Britney Spears-I'm a Slave 4 U
Peak: 27                             Billboard Year-End: NA

22. Jennifer Lopez-Play
Peak: 18                             Billboard Year-End: 72

21. Nelly Furtado-Turn Off the Light
Peak: 5                               Billboard Year-End: 70

20. Jennifer Lopez-Love Don't Cost a Thing
Peak: 3                               Billboard Year-End: 26

19. Staind-It's Been Awhile
Peak: 5                               Billboard Year-End: 14

18. Five for Fighting-Superman (It's Not Easy)
Peak: 14                             Billboard Year-End: NA

17. Missy Elliot-Get Ur Freak On
Peak: 7                               Billboard Year-End: 35

16. Shaggy-Angel
Peak: 1 (1 week)                Billboard Year-End: 17

15. Destiny's Child-Survivor
Peak: 2                               Billboard Year-End: 23

14. Christina Aguilera, Pink, Lil Kim, Mya-Lady Marmalade
Peak: 1 (5 weeks)               Billboard Year-End: 24

13. Kylie Minogue-Can't Get You Outta My Head
Peak: 7                               Billboard Year-End: NA

12. Destiny's Child-Bootylicious
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)               Billboard Year-End: 42

11. Enya-Only Time
Peak: 10                             Billboard Year-End: 59

10. Dido-Thank You
Peak: 3                               Billboard Year-End: 8

9. Eve and Gwen Stefani-Let Me Blow Ya Mind
Peak: 2                               Billboard Year-End: 7

8. Nelly Furtado-I'm Like a Bird
Peak: 9                               Billboard Year-End: 43

7. Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule-I'm Real
Peak: 1 (5 weeks)               Billboard Year-End: 5

6. Lifehouse-Hanging by a Moment
Peak: 2                               Billboard Year-End: 1

5. Mary J Blige-Family Affair
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)               Billboard Year-End: 31

4. Alicia Keys-Fallin'
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)               Billboard Year-End: 2

3. Destiny's Child-Independent Women Part I
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)+             Billboard Year-End: 10

2. Pink-Get the Party Started
Peak: 4                                Billboard Year-End: NA

1. Train-Drops of Jupiter (Tell Me)
Peak: 5                                Billboard Year-End: 4

*This song did not chart in the US, but was a hit internationally
+This song topped the charts for seven weeks at the end of 2000
Some of these songs did not reach their peak on the year-end chart until 2002

Liz Phair-"Exile in Guyville" Review

Modeled after The Rolling Stones' 1972 album "Exile on Main St.", "Exile in Guyville" rolls out the red carpet for the arrival of the new indie/grunge queen Liz Phair. This exemplary debut comes fresh out of the alternative rock sensation in the early 90s, but is also more engaging, and alot fresher, than the rest of that pack.

Virtually a nobody in the music underground of Chicago, this album was a long-time coming for Phair, as she was penning some of the sharpest songs in rock (which were later included in her Girlysound cassette tape). And the songwriting is just as exceptional here, bringing to light themes so bold and unapologetic they not only break the mold, but they also are brutally honest that there is no other option but to agree with Liz. The most surprising fact about this album is the fact that this is a debut, but yet it's written from a woman whose wisdom is far ahead of her age. And then there's the keen production skills of producer Brad Wood, who brings different layers to an otherwise low-key product. The songs, whether they be long instrumental pieces like "Canary" and "Shatter", or short and sweet like "Glory" and "Help Me Mary", they all maintain an easy flow and retain high quality. Despite a raw and ungarbled texture, the overall mood of this album still feels light in spite of its thick messages. Then again, this album's variety is also what makes it so exceptional: songs that carry a deep meaning like "Divorce Song" and "Fuck and Run", fit just fine with more light-hearted tunes like the wonderfully explicit "Flower" and the closing track "Strange Loop". There's such a strong sense of unity here, something rather hard to find in alternative music. And even Liz Phair's undeveloped singing voice doesn't hinder the album, it actually ends up enhancing it. It strengthens the trashy thrill of this set as a whole, and it helps the music match its honest lyrics.

From start to finish, "Exile in Guyville" is a gargantuan indie record whose hooks are instantly edible, there's no effort needed to fully enjoy this fine slice of music. A monster-sized debut like this proves Liz Phair to be a musician, not a typical artist. She penned the songs here, she plays the guitars; this album is a product of her musical and lyrical imagination. She may never be able to match this record again in her career, but in all honesty, not that many could.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. 6'1"                                      2. Help Me Mary          3. Glory
4. Dance of the Seven Veils5. Never Said                6. Soar Star Joe
7. Explain It to Me                  8. Canary                       9. Mesmerizing
10. Fuck and Run                11. Girls! Girls! Girls!   12. Divorce Song
13. Shatter                            14. Flower                     15. Johnny Sunshine
16. Gunshy                            17. Stratford-on-Guy     18. Strange Loop       

The 40 Best Songs of 2002

2002 was a year of new starts. After the trauma that occured in 2001, the music industry needed new faces to bring a fresh perspective. Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton made big debuts, as their singles were some of the most widely played of the entire decade. But the biggest splash came from Canadian rock brat Avril Lavigne, whose debut album "Let Go" was the best selling debut album in 2002. As much as these new artists, No Doubt, Nickelback, Missy Elliot, Eminem, and Nelly continued their reign on the mainstream releasing many chart topping singles throughout this year. Complete with their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the 2002 Billboard year-end chart, here are the best 40 songs of 2002:

40. Usher and Kelis-You Don't Have to Call
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 16

39. Enrique Iglesias-Escape
Peak: 12                    Billboard Year-End: 57

38. Creed-One Last Breath
Peak: 6                      Billboard Year-End: 27

37. Dixie Chicks-Landslide
Peak: 7                      Billboard Year-End: NA

36. Goo Goo Dolls-Here is Gone
Peak: 19                    Billboard Year-End: 78

35. No Doubt-Hella Good
Peak: 13                    Billboard Year-End: 59

34. Shakira-Underneath Your Clothes
Peak: 9                      Billboard Year-End: 66

33. Nora Jones-Don't Know Why
Peak: 30                    Billboard Year-End: NA

32. Alanis Morisette-Hands Clean
Peak: 23                    Billboard Year-End: 95

31. Ashanti-Foolish
Peak: 1 (10 weeks)   Billboard Year-End: 2

30. Creed-My Sacrifice
Peak: 4                      Billboard Year-End: 20

29. Eminem-Without Me
Peak: 2                      Billboard Year-End: 21

28. Jewel-Standing Still
Peak: 25                    Billboard Year-End: 87

27. Kelly Clarkson-A Moment like This
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 39

26. Jennifer Lopez and Ja Rule-Ain't It Funny?
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 13

25. No Doubt-Hey Baby
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 32

24. DJ Sammy and Do-Heaven
Peak: 8                      Billboard Year-End: 31

23. Shania Twain-I'm Gonna Getcha Good!
Peak: 34                    Billboard Year-End: NA

22. Pink-Just Like a Pill
Peak: 8                      Billboard Year-End: 43

21. Nelly and Kelly Rowland-Dilemma
Peak: 1 (10 weeks)   Billboard Year-End: 4

20. Avril Lavigne-Sk8er Boi
Peak: 10                    Billboard Year-End: 96

19. Christina Aguilera-Dirrty
Peak: 48                    Billboard Year-End: NA

18. Chad Kroeger-Hero
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 25

17. Usher-U Got It Bad
Peak: 1 (5 weeks)*   Billboard Year-End: 9

16. Shakira-Objection (Tango)
Peak: 55                    Billboard Year-End: NA

15. Linkin Park-In The End
Peak: 2                      Billboard Year-End: 7

14. Puddle of Mudd-Blurry
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 10

13. Michelle Branch-Everywhere
Peak: 12                    Billboard Year-End: NA

12. Pink-Don't Let Me Get Me
Peak: 8                      Billboard Year-End: 36

11. Jimmy Eat World-The Middle
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 14

10. Sheryl Crow-Soak Up the Sun
Peak: 17                    Billboard Year-End: 35

9. The Calling-Wherever You Will Go
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 5

8. Michelle Branch-All You Wanted
Peak: 6                      Billboard Year-End: 23

7. No Doubt-Underneath It All
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 71

6. Vanessa Carlton-A Thousand Miles
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 6

5. Nickelback-How You Remind Me
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)*   Billboard Year-End: 1

4. Missy Elliot-Work It
Peak: 2                      Billboard Year-End: 54

3. Nelly-Hot in Herre
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 3

2. Eminem-Lose Yourself
Peak: 1 (8 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 63

1. Avril Lavigne-Complicated
Peak: 2                      Billboard Year-End: 11

*These songs topped the Hot 100 for additional weeks at the end of 2001
**Some of these songs did not hit their peak on the year-end chart until 2003

Ellie Goulding-"Lights" Review

Fans of this British songstress knew here way before this stunning debut. In fact, "Lights" seems like an extravagant coming out party to Ellie Goulding's fans from across the pond. But just how far can she take her success to the states? With records like this, we've only just begun to see this young, but already mature artist.

In 2010, it's not hard to come by a sugary pop hit or a solid R&B record, but what's not that common is the electro-folk introduced by Ellie Goulding. While most artists have their style set in stone, and then just re-work their studio craft to accomodate a wider audience, what Goulding achieves is an LP whose songs are not particularly set in any specific genre. So, the likes of "Salt Skin", a dance number very worthy of recognition, can fit right alongside "Starry Eyed", a pop-py number that sinks in its hook immediately. The indie-pop of "Guns and Horses" can easily coexist with the brilliant title track "Lights", a hit that's sure to consume the radiowaves within the next few months. But what ultimately makes the album such a masterpiece of music is its cleanliness. Each track has been wiped clean to leave no imperfections, not one ounce of grit exists on "Lights", but yet it still maintains some lean muscle to keep the momentum charged with glossy sheen and sparkling choruses. Goulding's voice is also distinctive, no one can quite match the idiosyncracies it presents, and it makes this album all the more compelling. Her songwriting is strong, showcasing equal amounts of naivite and brassiness, and then the glassy electronics brings them to life instead of drowning them out.

What this album showcases the most is the power of the British re-invasion of the new millennium. First Amy Winehouse broke out in 2007, then came Adele in 2008, followed by Florence + The Machine in 2009, so why discontinue this yearly pattern? In 2010, it's Ellie's turn to literally take the spotlight, as this album's title implies, "Lights" is a shining debut that easily trumps the debuts of the above artists with all of its sweeping emotions, unique style, and bright, glistening sound all wrapped up into a cool, sleek package.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. Lights                  2. Guns and Horses              3. Starry Eyed
4. This Love (Will Be Your Downfall)                    5. Under the Sheets
6. The Writer          7. Animal                              8. Every Time You Go
9. Your Biggest Mistake       10. Salt Skin          11. Your Song

The 40 Sexiest Videos of All Time

So, I recently watched a TV special from FuseTV called "The 100 Sexiest Videos of All Time", and I was like "Hey, I should make a list like that", so I did. I narrowed the list down to 40 videos which I think were sizzling with sex and were dripping with innuendo, whether it be a full on frontal assault of half-naked bodies, or a little teasing with imagination, these are the videos that I think are the sexiest of all time:

40. Ke$ha-Take It Off
39. Lady Gaga-Poker Face
38. Mariah Carey-We Belong Together
37. tATu-All The Things She Said
36. Rihanna and Jay Z-Umbrella
35. Snoop Dogg and Pharrell-Drop It Like It's Hot
34. Missy Elliot-Work It
33. Ciara and Justin Timberlake-Love Sex Magic
32. Jennifer Lopez-Waiting for Tonight
31. Maroon 5-This Love
30. Aerosmith-Crazy
29. Madonna-Erotica
28. Katy Perry and Snoop Dogg-California Gurls
27. Shakira-She Wolf
26. Fergie-Fergalicious
25. Beyonce and Jay Z-Crazy in Love
24. Fountains of Wayne-Stacy's Mom
23. Nicki Minaj-Super Bass
22. Britney Spears-Womanizer
21. Christina Aguilera-Ain't No Other Man
20. Cassie-Me & U
19. Lady Gaga-LoveGame
18. Katy Perry-I Kissed a Girl
17. Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes-Don't Cha
16. Nelly Furtado and Timbaland-Promiscuous
15. Britney Spears-Toxic
14. Pussycat Dolls and Snoop Dogg-Buttons
13. Shakira and Wyclef Jean-Hips Don't Lie
12. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland-SexyBack
11. Chris Isaak-Wicked Game
10. Rihanna-S&M
9. Nelly-Hot in Herre
8. Kelis-Milkshake
7. Beyonce and Sean Paul-Baby Boy
6. Enrique Iglesias and Ludacris-Tonight (I'm Fucking You)
5. The Black Eyed Peas-My Humps
4. Christina Aguilera, Mya, Pink, Lil Kim-Lady Marmalade
3. Christina Aguilera-Dirrty
2. Britney Spears-I'm a Slave 4 U
1. Madonna-Justify My Love

Okay, you can stop drooling now :)

The 40 Best Songs of 2003

2003 was the year where everyone was changing direction. Jewel went to dance-pop after a folk-pop debut, Gloria Estefan also went to dance-pop after a latin fire arrival, Madonna went away from dance and strayed into an acoustic sound with "American Life", and the Indie/Grunge queen of the 90s Liz Phair turned mainstream for the first time. However, all of these changes in sound were met with the cold shoulder, so instead the radios were still dominated by the solo arrival of Beyonce, the new songs of Matchbox Twenty and 3 Doors Down, 50 Cent and Ludacris continued to offer plenty to the clubs, and Evanescence brought emo-rock to the mainstream for the first time in a long while. Complete with their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard year-end charts, here are the best songs that 2003 had to offer:

40. Stacie Orrico-Stuck
Peak: 52                       Billboard Year-End: NA

39. Michelle Branch-Breathe
Peak: 36                       Billboard Year-End: NA

38. Mya-My Love is Like...Wo
Peak: 13                       Billboard Year-End: 64

37. Beyonce-Me, Myself, and I
Peak: 4                         Billboard Year-End: 26

36. Trapt-Headstrong
Peak: 16                       Billboard Year-End: 49

35. Pink-Trouble
Peak: 68                       Billboard Year-End: NA

34. Counting Crows and Vanessa Carlton-Big Yellow Taxi
Peak: 42                       Billboard Year-End: NA

33. Sarah McLachlan-Fallen
Peak: 41                       Billboard Year-End: NA

32. Liz Phair-Why Can't I?
Peak: 32                       Billboard Year-End: NA

31. John Mayer-Your Body is a Wonderland
Peak: 18                       Billboard Year-End: 48

30. Shania Twain-Forever and For Always
Peak: 20                       Billboard Year-End: 57

29. Stacie Orrico-More to Life
Peak: 30                       Billboard Year-End: NA

28. Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow-Picture
Peak: 4                         Billboard Year-End: 9

27. Britney Spears and Madonna-Me Against the Music
Peak: 35                       Billboard Year-End: NA

26. Michelle Branch-Are You Happy Now?
Peak: 16                       Billboard Year-End: 56

25. Justin Timberlake-Rock Your Body
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 32

24. Sean Paul-Get Busy
Peak: 1 (3 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 3

23. 3 Doors Down-Here Without You
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 62

22. The Black Eyed Peas-Where is the Love?
Peak: 8                         Billboard Year-End: 26

21. Jewel-Intuition
Peak: 20                       Billboard Year-End: 73

20. Fountains of Wayne-Stacy's Mom
Peak: 21                       Billboard Year-End: NA

19. Jason Mraz-The Remedy (I Won't Worry)
Peak: 15                       Billboard Year-End: 52

18. Maroon 5-Harder to Breathe
Peak: 18                       Billboard Year-End: NA

17. Dido-White Flag
Peak: 18                       Billboard Year-End: NA

16. Linkin Park-Numb
Peak: 11                       Billboard Year-End: NA

15. Train-Calling All Angels
Peak: 19                       Billboard Year-End: 45

14. Nickelback-Someday
Peak: 7                         Billboard Year-End: NA

13. Avril Lavigne-I'm With You
Peak: 4                         Billboard Year-End: 18

12. 3 Doors Down-When I'm Gone
Peak: 4                         Billboard Year-End: 5

11. Coldplay-Clocks
Peak: 29                       Billboard Year-End: 81

10. Kelly Clarkson-Miss Independent
Peak: 9                         Billboard Year-End: 44

9. Evanescence-Bring Me to Life
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 10

8. Santana and Michelle Branch-The Game of Love
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 27

7. Ludacris and Shawna-Stand Up
Peak: 1 (1 week)          Billboard Year-End: 51

6. Kelis-Milkshake
Peak: 3                         Billboard Year-End: NA

5. Beyonce and Sean Paul-Baby Boy
Peak: 1 (9 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 12

4. Matchbox Twenty-Unwell
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 6

3. 50 Cent-In Da Club
Peak: 1 (9 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 1

2. Beyonce and Jay Z-Crazy in Love
Peak: 1 (8 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 4

1. Christina Aguilera-Beautiful
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 16

Disclaimer: Song of these songs did not reach their peak on the year-end chart until 2004

The 40 Best Songs of 2004

With the 2003 explosion of new sounds from old artists, 2004 was wide open for current artists to dominate our radios. Usher was the luckiest in this aspect, since he scored four number one singles this year alone. Kelly Clarkson and Gwen Stefani started to make their breakthrough as artists on their own terms, we saw the arrival of R&B princess Ciara, and then rock band Green Day made the biggest comeback, both with songs and albums. There was a lot of songs this year, but these 40 were the best that the year had to offer. Complete with their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard year-end chart, here is a list of the best of 2004:

40. Green Day-American Idiot
Peak: 61                          Billboard Year-End: NA

39. Joss Stone-You Had Me
Peak: NA*                      Billboard Year-End: NA

38. Gwen Stefani-What You Waiting For?
Peak: 47                          Billboard Year-End: NA

37. Ryan Cabrera-On the Way Down
Peak: 15                          Billboard Year-End: 73

36. Sheryl Crow-The First Cut is the Deepest
Peak: 14                          Billboard Year-End: 28

35. Jessica Simpson-With You
Peak: 14                          Billboard Year-End: 50

34. Destiny's Child and TI-Soldier
Peak: 3                            Billboard Year-End: NA

33. Ashlee Simpson-Pieces of Me
Peak: 5                            Billboard Year-End: 39

32. Keane-Somewhere Only We Know
Peak: 50                          Billboard Year-End: NA

31. Five for Fighting-100 Years
Peak: 28                          Billboard Year-End: 77

30. The Black Eyed Peas-Hey Mama
Peak: 23                          Billboard Year-End: 95

29. No Doubt-It's My Life
Peak: 10                          Billboard Year-End: 38

28. Usher-Confessions Part II
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)           Billboard Year-End: 12

27. OutKast and Sleepy Brown-The Way You Move
Peak: 1 (1 week)            Billboard Year-End: 5

26. Britney Spears-Toxic
Peak: 9                           Billboard Year-End: 48

25. Linkin Park-Breaking the Habit
Peak: 20                         Billboard Year-End: 79

24. Beyonce-Naughty Girl
Peak: 3                           Billboard Year-End: 18

23. Bowling for Soup-1985
Peak: 23                         Billboard Year-End: NA

22. Evanescence-My Immortal
Peak: 7                           Billboard Year-End: 19

21. Los Lonely Boys-Heaven
Peak: 16                         Billboard Year-End: 37

20. Switchfoot-Meant to Live
Peak: 18                         Billboard Year-End: 51

19. Switchfoot-Dare You to Move
Peak: 17                         Billboard Year-End: NA

18. Maroon 5-She Will Be Loved
Peak: 5                           Billboard Year-End: 35

17. Destiny's Child-Lose My Breath
Peak: 3                           Billboard Year-End: 58

16. Usher and Alicia Keys-My Boo
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)          Billboard Year-End: 24

15. The Killers-Somebody Told Me
Peak: 51                         Billboard Year-End: NA

14. Alicia Keys-If I Ain't Got You
Peak: 4                           Billboard Year-End: 3

13. Nelly and Tim McGraw-Over and Over
Peak: 3                           Billboard Year-End: 96

12. The Black Eyed Peas-Let's Get It Started
Peak: 21                         Billboard Year-End: 88

11. Avril Lavigne-My Happy Ending
Peak: 9                           Billboard Year-End: 54

10. Gavin DeGraw-I Don't Wanna Be
Peak: 10                         Billboard Year-End: NA

9. Jet-Are You Gonna Be My Girl?
Peak: 29                         Billboard Year-End: 76

8. Maroon 5-This Love
Peak: 5                           Billboard Year-End: 4

7. JoJo-Leave (Get Out)
Peak: 12                         Billboard Year-End: 40

6. Usher-Burn
Peak: 1 (8 weeks)          Billboard Year-End: 2

5. Kelly Clarkson-Breakaway
Peak: 6                           Billboard Year-End: 74

4. Hoobastank-The Reason
Peak: 2                           Billboard Year-End: 6

3. Ciara and Petey Pablo-Goodies
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)          Billboard Year-End: 9

2. OutKast-Hey Ya!
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)+        Billboard Year-End: 8

1. Usher, Ludacris, and Lil Jon-Yeah!
Peak: 1 (12 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 1

*This song was not released as a single in the US, but still received airplay
+This song topped the Hot 100 for 3 weeks at the end of 2003

The 40 Best Songs of 2005

2005 was a great year for music. First and foremost, Mariah Carey made the best comeback ever after a string of commercial failures in the early 2000s. Kelly Clarkson asserted her place in the mainstream as all of the singles from her 2004 effort "Breakaway" reached the top 20 of the Hot Billboard 100. Green Day also continued to rule the airwaves with the singles off their 2004 album "American Idiot". 2004 newcomer Ciara was the R&B princess this year, and we also saw re-appearances from the Backstreet Boys, The Black Eyed Peas, Rob Thomas, and Madonna after her early 2000s failure "American Life". Then came the numerous debuts from Rihanna, Chris Brown, the Pussycat Dolls, the Killers, and the solo arrival of Gwen Stefani. So much happened this year, and it started a massive music blow-out that would still influence the industry for many years. So, with their peak positions on the Hot 100 and the Billboard year-end chart, here are the 40 songs that were the best of this eventful year:

40. The Black Eyed Peas-Don't Lie
Peak: 14                       Billboard Year-End: 81

39. Mariah Carey-It's Like That
Peak: 16                       Billboard Year-End: 69

38. R Kelly-Trapped in the Closet
Peak: 22                       Billboard Year-End: NA

37. Backstreet Boys-Incomplete
Peak: 13                       Billboard Year-End: 64

36. Alicia Keys-Karma
Peak: 20                       Billboard Year-End: 56

35. Eminem-Mockingbird
Peak: 11                       Billboard Year-End: 59

34. 50 Cent and Olivia-Candy Shop
Peak: 1 (9 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 8

33. Kelly Clarkson-Because of You
Peak: 7                         Billboard Year-End: 72

32. Destiny's Child-Cater 2 U
Peak: 14                       Billboard Year-End: 66

31. Shakira and Alejandro Sanz-La Tortura
Peak: 23                       Billboard Year-End: 60

30. Madonna-Hung Up
Peak: 7                         Billboard Year-End: 91

29. The Black Eyed Peas-Don't Phunk With My Heart
Peak: 3                         Billboard Year-End: 13

28. Will Smith-Switch
Peak: 7                         Billboard Year-End: 28

27. Gorillaz-Feel Good Inc.
Peak: 14                       Billboard Year-End: 37

26. Missy Elliot, Ciara, and Fat Man Scoop-Lose Control
Peak: 3                         Billboard Year-End: 14

25. Coldplay-Speed of Sound
Peak: 8                         Billboard Year-End: 57

24. Natasha Bedingfield-These Words
Peak: 17                       Billboard Year-End: 80

23. Anna Nalick-Breathe (2 AM)
Peak: 45                       Billboard Year-End: NA

22. DHT and Edmee-Listen to Your Heart
Peak: 8                         Billboard Year-End: 35

21. Weezer-Beverly Hills
Peak: 10                       Billboard Year-End: 20

20. 3 Doors Down-Let Me Go
Peak: 14                       Billboard Year-End: 38

19. Mariah Carey-Shake It Off
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 15

18. Gwen Stefani and Eve-Rich Girl
Peak: 7                         Billboard Year-End: 31

17. Lifehouse-You and Me
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: NA

16. The Killers-Mr. Brightside
Peak: 10                       Billboard Year-End: 16

15. The Black Eyed Peas-My Humps
Peak: 3                         Billboard Year-End: 32

14. Cascada-Everytime We Touch
Peak: 10                       Billboard Year-End: NA

13. Kelly Clarkson-Behind These Hazel Eyes
Peak: 6                         Billboard Year-End: 10

12. Rihanna-Pon De Replay
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 18

11. Rob Thomas-Lonely No More
Peak: 6                         Billboard Year-End: 22

10. Green Day-Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 7

9. Ciara and Missy Elliot-1, 2 Step
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 5

8. Chris Brown-Run It!
Peak: 1 (5 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 42

7. Mario-Let Me Love You
Peak: 1 (9 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 3

6. Pussycat Dolls and Busta Rhymes-Don't Cha
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 9

5. Gwen Stefani-Hollaback Girl
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 2

4. Snoop Dogg and Pharrell-Drop It Like It's Hot
Peak: 2*                       Billboard Year-End: 23

3. Kanye West and Jaime Foxx-Gold Digger
Peak: 1 (10 weeks)      Billboard Year-End: 6

2. Mariah Carey-We Belong Together
Peak: 1 (14 weeks)      Billboard Year-End: 1

1. Kelly Clarkson-Since U Been Gone
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 4

*This song achieved a peak of 1 for 3 weeks in 2004

Madonna-"Hard Candy" Review

"Having sex with you is incredible", Madonna says in "Incredible", the seventh track on her eleventh album, "Hard Candy". While it's no secret that sex has fueled much of Madonna's music, there's a distinct irony in her explicit mumblings on "Hard Candy". True, she openly explored the subject back in 1992, with "Erotica" and her coffee table book Sex. Both offered many suggestive songs and images, but that's the point, they were suggestive, not explicit. "Hard Candy" isn't suggestive, nor does it even try to toy with sensuality; it's ruthlessly pornographic (the audio to a bottom-barrell, lite porn, but still cheap pornography all the same). Then there's a distinct awkwardness considering "Hard Candy" was released in 2008, a full sixteen years after Madonna already dissected the topic of sex (Magellan circled the globe in a quarter that time, but then again is anyone really counting?). Perhaps if she were still in her 20s and she had yet to find her sexual identity, she could possibly get away with it, but on the edge of 50 (and a full 25 years into her career), Madonna has no viable excuse to still be obsessed with the matter. Therefore, you have to wonder if she's running back to safe territory, as her previous releases of the 2000s have been her least successful.

Indeed, Madonna may finally be admitting that she's no longer on the cutting edge, and instead of working tirelessly to expand her music, she holds on to her comfort zone. She's certainly stepped well outside of it before in "Ray of Light" and "Like a Prayer", but they were also released at a time when it was still possible to score a crossover hit. An artist as sharp as Madonna knows that the late 2000s have pretty much obscured the Top 40, so she cedes her strong melodic foundation to rhythm and beats, all supplied by the Neptunes and the production team of Timbaland and Justin Timberlake. In theory, this would be a smart play as they've produced some of the biggest hits of the decade, and in certain moments the collaborations click. "Candy Shop", while certainly overcooked, showcases Pharrell's knack for slick and stylish beats, while "Devil Wouldn't Recognize You" and "Dance 2Night" capture Timbaland's finest examples of deep, hip-hop grooves. Then there's "Miles Away", one of the few moments where Madonna actually has something heavy to say (maybe things aren't alright in the house of Guy Ritchie?). It stands out easily because it's one of the few cuts on "Hard Candy" that reminds us that Madonna, a shameless provocateur, is still present in the joylessly mechanical creations that surround it. In actuality, the loud synths and stale hip-hop productions are what work against "Hard Candy". Pharrell and Timba-Lake are good producers, but only when given a task. Much of this album relies on them alone, as if Madonna has just handed the reigns over to her collaborators to sweeten up this piece of stale candy. That's not the best way to make an album, but maybe it's the best that Madonna could do in 2008, as her mind is tellingly focused on the greener grass of Interscope. But it would have been better to end her career with Warner on a more positive note, as all we're left with is an overwrought, overproduced, and under cooked product that's joylessly mundane and simply much too long. This is easily Madonna at her worst, and the overt sexuality that underscores "Hard Candy" isn't just awkward, it's embarrassing.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:

1. Candy Shop        2. 4 Minutes                                    3. Give It 2 Me

4. Heartbeat              5. Miles Away                                 6. She’s Not Me

7. Incredible              8. Beat Goes On                               9. Dance 2Night

10. Spanish Lesson  11. Devil Wouldn’t Recognize You    12. Voices 

Katy Perry-"One of the Boys" Review

"I Kissed a Girl" fell out of the sky somewhere in the Spring of 2008 (nine days after Madonna released her garish "Hard Candy", make of that what you will), but the mastermind behind this surprise hit was, in actuality, lucky to have had a song serviced to radio at all. Based off that song alone, it's easy to assume that Katy Perry (once named Katy Hudson) will do anything to get attention; looking into her long history of botched attempts at stardom prove this suspicion true. When her eponymous 2001 debut failed both commercially and artistically, Perry spent the next half-decade tearing through two record labels and many high-thread producers to give her the mainstream presence she craved. She was able to get people talking sometime in 2004, but this buzz wasn't enough to actually warrant another record, so a major re-think in her career was necessary.

Unfortunately for us, her breakthrough happened in the age of "The Hills", where Heidi Montag is the model of popularity. Since she worked so hard to find the right collaborators, it's not surprise to hear Katy Perry giving into Montag's gay-baiting, Vegas debauchery, and gender-bending just to get this record in stores. Indeed, she somehow manages to pack every reprehensible aspect of this decade into twelve tracks, all ranging from kissing girls and not liking girls, telling her lover that he can't afford her, comparing her inadequate lover to a mannequin, cursing for no reason, and dropping designer names as if they were going out of style. Even more so, it's no blessing that Perry hired Butch Walker, Dr. Luke, and Max Martin to gloss these songs with every modern trend available. Under their influence, Glen Ballard (the man behind "Jagged Little Pill") and Greg Wells assist in constructing a masturbatory daydream, all with many provocative premises but none of it actually arousing. And make no mistake, "One of the Boys" may have the biggest hit-makers of the last century on board, but they're high-thread confections actually work against the purpose of this record, which was to put Katy Perry at the top of the mainstream pack. Since the lyrics are repugnant and the production flat, they turn this into a washed-up, faceless wall of sound that try to tip the balance into making these songs seem less offensive than they are. Needless to say, it doesn't work, at least not in the way it was supposed to. There's nothing wrong with wanting to push boundaries and make it all sound innocent (Lily Allen's "Alright, Still" being one example), but the sad thing is, "One of the Boys" isn't breaking boundaries by providing old-school drum machines and synths to accompany such lines as "Ur so gay and you don't even like boys" or "I want to break the mold...leave my fingerprints". The latter is the most problematic, because Perry really could have produced something ground-breaking here. She writes with sharp detail and knows the strongest names in big-budget pop, but not one aspect of this record breaks the mold, it fits the mold. This will ensure that this music plays in the background of movies and malls, but beyond the superficial, "One of the Boys" is not only disappointing, it's just plain embarrassing. Coming from a woman with a Christian background, it's tragic to hear her sink to rude and craven depths just to acquire fifteen minutes in the spotlight. Maybe if the music was as appalling as the lyrics, then Perry could get away with it; the record would have a junky thrill. But this is a pop record, so these songs grate upon the first listen and don't give any reason to sit through a second one. But in the end, congratulations to Katy Perry, because she's finally the mainstream trollop she wanted to be, even if it meant tarnishing her name, and pop music, in the process.

Recommended Tracks in Bold:
1. One of the Boys      2. I Kissed a Girl                 3. Waking Up in Vegas
4. Thinking of You     5. Mannequin                         6. Ur So Gay
7. Hot n Cold            8. If You Can Afford Me        9. Lost
10. Self-Inflicted         11. I’m Still Breathing            12. Fingerprints

The Best 40 Songs of 2006

2006 continued the music blow-out of 2005. However, we saw the comebacks of Nelly Furtado and the Dixie Chicks, the ultimate music breakthroughs of Justin Timberlake and Fergie, the greatest one-hit wonder of the 2000s, Daniel Powter, and then the arrivals of Cassie, Ne-Yo, and The Fray would keep the music business thriving for many years to come. There was a lot of songs to choose from this year, since so many great hits blew up the radio, but I was able to narrow it down to the 40 best. Complete with their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard year-end charts, here are the songs that best defined 2006:

40. Jessica Simpson-A Public Affair
Peak: 14                           Billboard Year-End: NA

39. Kelly Clarkson-Walk Away
Peak: 12                           Billboard Year-End: 45

38. Corinne Bailey Rae-Put Your Records On
Peak: 64                           Billboard Year-End: NA

37. Chamillionaire-Ridin'
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 8

36. Brooke Hogan and Paul Wall-About Us
Peak: 33                           Billboard Year-End: NA

35. Fergie-London Bridge
Peak: 1 (3 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 22

34. Evanescence-Call me When You're Sober
Peak: 10                           Billboard Year-End: 77

33. The Fray-Over My Head (Cable Car)
Peak: 8                             Billboard Year-End: NA

32. Snow Patrol-Chasing Cars
Peak: 5                             Billboard Year-End: 29

31. Nickelback-If Everyone Cared
Peak: 17                           Billboard Year-End: NA

30. Ok Go-Here It Goes Again
Peak: 38                           Billboard Year-End: NA

29. John Mayer-Waitin' on the World to Change
Peak: 14                           Billboard Year-End: 87

28. Pink-Who Knew?
Peak: 9                             Billboard Year-End: NA

27. Nick Lachey-What's Left of Me
Peak: 6                             Billboard Year-End: 54

26. Pink-U + Ur Hand
Peak: 9                             Billboard Year-End: NA

25. KT Tunstall-Suddenly I See
Peak: 21                           Billboard Year-End: NA

24. KT Tunstall-Black Horse and the Cherry Tree
Peak: 20                           Billboard Year-End: 57

23. Mary J Blige-Be Without You
Peak: 3                             Billboard Year-End: 11

22. Weird Al Yankovic-White and Nerdy
Peak: 9                             Billboard Year-End: NA

21. Pussycat Dolls-Buttons
Peak: 3                             Billboard Year-End: 15

20. Gnarls Barkley-Crazy
Peak: 2                             Billboard Year-End: 7

19. Nickelback-Far Away
Peak: 8                             Billboard Year-End: 53

18. Dixie Chicks-Not Ready to Make Nice
Peak: 4                             Billboard Year-End: NA

17. All American Rejects-Move Along
Peak: 15                           Billboard Year-End: 21

16. James Blunt-You're Beautiful
Peak: 1 (1 week)              Billboard Year-End: 4

15. Red Hot Chilli Peppers-Dani California
Peak: 6                             Billboard Year-End: 23

14. Panic! At the Disco-I Write Sins, Not Tragedies
Peak: 7                             Billboard Year-End: 20

13. Christina Aguilera-Ain't No Other Man
Peak: 6                             Billboard Year-End: 32

12. The Fray-How to Save a Life
Peak: 3                             Billboard Year-End: 27

11. Ne Yo-So Sick
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 17

10. Rihanna-SOS
Peak: 1 (3 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 19

9. Hinder-Lips of an Angel
Peak: 3                             Billboard Year-End: 30

8. JoJo-Too Little Too Late
Peak: 3                             Billboard Year-End: 72

7. Sean Paul-Temperature
Peak: 1 (1 week)              Billboard Year-End: 2

6. Cassie-Me & U
Peak: 3                             Billboard Year-End: 14

5. Daniel Powter-Bad Day
Peak: 1 (5 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 1

4. Natasha Bedingfield-Unwritten
Peak: 5                             Billboard Year-End: 6

3. Nelly Furtado and Timbaland-Promiscuous
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 3

2. Shakira and Wyclef Jean-Hips Don't Lie
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 5

1. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland-SexyBack
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)            Billboard Year-End: 9

Disclaimer: Some of these songs did not reach their peak on the year-end charts until 2007.

The 40 Best Songs of 2007

After the music boom of 2005-2006, the die-down period could only happen in 2007. With this, new artists could take the forefront and take the music scene by storm. First there was Daughtry, led by Chris Daughtry who somehow lost American Idol. Then Taylor Swift made her small impact, followed by newcomer Sean Kingston, and then music veterans such as Beyonce, Akon, Alicia Keys, and Justin Timberlake could still keep their grip on the mainstream. 2007 wasn't going to be an epic year for music, but it still brought plenty of songs that defined the decade. With their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 and the 2007 Billboard Year-End charts, here are the best songs of 2007:

40. Elliot Yamin-Wait for You
Peak: 13                        Billboard Year-End: NA

39. Fall Out Boy-This Ain't a Scene, It's an Arms Race
Peak: 2                          Billboard Year-End: 32

38. Rihanna-Shut Up and Drive
Peak: 15                        Billboard Year-End: 90

37. Avril Lavigne-Keep Holding On
Peak: 17                        Billboard Year-End: NA

36. Britney Spears-Gimme More
Peak: 3                          Billboard Year-End: NA

35. Hurricane Chris-A Bay Bay
Peak: 7                          Billboard Year-End: NA

34. Fergie-Fergalicious
Peak: 2                          Billboard Year-End: 19

33. Gwen Stefani-Wind It Up
Peak: 6                          Billboard Year-End: 52

32. Taylor Swift-Teardrops on My Guitar
Peak: 13                        Billboard Year-End: 89

31. Akon-Don't Matter
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)         Billboard Year-End: 11

30. Kelly Clarkson-Never Again
Peak: 8                         Billboard Year-End: NA

29. Avril Lavigne-When You're Gone
Peak: 24                       Billboard Year-End: 78

28. Daughtry-Home
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 25

27. Fergie-Clumsy
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: NA

26. Kanye West-Stronger
Peak: 1 (1 week)          Billboard Year-End: 27

25. Jordin Sparks-Tattoo
Peak: 8                         Billboard Year-End: NA

24. HelloGoodbye-Here (In Your Arms)
Peak: 14                       Billboard Year-End: NA

23. Beyonce and Shakira-Beautiful Liar
Peak: 3                         Billboard Year-End: 62

22. Fergie-Glamorous
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 10

21. Fall Out Boy-Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
Peak: 11                       Billboard Year-End: 37

20. Nickelback-Rock Star
Peak: 6                         Billboard Year-End: NA

19. Nelly Furtado-Say It Right
Peak: 1 (1 week)          Billboard Year-End: 9

18. Gwen Stefani and Akon-The Sweet Escape
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 3

17. Amy Winehouse-Rehab
Peak: 9                         Billboard Year-End: NA

16. Justin Timberlake-What Goes Around...Comes Around
Peak: 1 (1 week)          Billboard Year-End: 22

15. Maroon 5-Makes Me Wonder
Peak: 1 (3 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 13

14. Sean Kingston-Beautiful Girls
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 31

13. Plain White Ts-Hey There, Delilah
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 7

12. Avril Lavigne-Girlfriend
Peak: 1 (1 week)          Billboard Year-End: 6

11. Finger Eleven-Paralyzer
Peak: 6                         Billboard Year-End: NA

10. Timbaland and Keri Hilson-The Way I Are
Peak: 3                         Billboard Year-End: 18

9. Sara Bareilles-Love Song
Peak: 4                         Billboard Year-End: NA

8. Daughtry-It's Not Over
Peak: 4                         Billboard Year-End: 17

7. Timbaland and OneRepublic-Apologize
Peak: 2                         Billboard Year-End: 66

6. Colbie Caillat-Bubbly
Peak: 5                         Billboard Year-End: 67

5. Beyonce-Irreplacable
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)*      Billboard Year-End: 1

4. Alicia Keys-No One
Peak: 1 (5 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 76

3. Rihanna and Jay Z-Umbrella
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)        Billboard Year-End: 2

2. Fergie-Big Girls Don't Cry
Peak: 1 (1 week)         Billboard Year-End: 4

1. Carrie Underwood-Before He Cheats
Peak: 8                        Billboard Year-End: 6

Disclaimer: A lot of these songs did not reach their peak on the year-end chart until 2008
*This song spent 3 weeks at number 1 in 2006, bringing its grand total to 10 weeks

The Best 40 Songs of 2008

2008 was defined by one genre: rap. From the arrival of Flo Rida, to the complete domination of the radio by T-Pain, TI, Kanye West, Akon, and Lil Wayne, this genre was inescapable this year. It even eclipsed the breakouts of Miley Cyrus and Taylor Swift, and then came the new-comer Katy Perry, and then the world would never be the same when Lady Gaga appeared on the scene this year. In actuality, 2008 was an exciting year for music, as all of those artists will definitely remain with us for years to come. From their peak positions on the Billboard Hot 100 to their year-end rank, here are the songs that best defined 2008:

40. Miley Cyrus-7 Things
Peak: 9                      Billboard Year-End: 92

39. The Killers-Human
Peak: 32                    Billboard Year-End: NA

38. Chris Brown-Forever
Peak: 2                      Billboard Year-End: 10

37. Rihanna-Don't Stop the Music
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 17

36. Kardinal Offishall and Akon-Dangerous
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: NA

35. Ne Yo-Closer
Peak: 7                      Billboard Year-End: 20

34. Estelle and Kanye West-American Boy
Peak: 9                      Billboard Year-End: 39

33. Madonna, Justim Timberlake, and Timbaland-4 Minutes
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 23

32. Pussycat Dolls-When I Grow Up
Peak: 9                      Billboard Year-End: 49

31. Matt Nathanson-Come On, Get Higher
Peak: 59                    Billboard Year-End: NA

30. Miley Cyrus-See You Again
Peak: 10                    Billboard Year-End: 31

29. Mariah Carey-Touch My Body
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 22

28. Daughtry-What About Now?
Peak: 18                    Billboard Year-End: NA

27. Lifehouse-Broken
Peak: 83                    Billboard Year-End: NA

26. Rihanna-Take A Bow
Peak: 1 (1 week)       Billboard Year-End: 12

25. Leona Lewis-Better in Time
Peak: 11                    Billboard Year-End: NA

24. Jordin Sparks and Chris Brown-No Air
Peak: 3                      Billboard Year-End: 6

23. Adele-Chasing Pavements
Peak: 21                    Billboard Year-End: NA

22. Gavin Rossdale-Love Remains the Same
Peak: 27                    Billboard Year-End: NA

21. Jordin Sparks-One Step At A Time
Peak: 17                    Billboard Year-End: NA

20. Nickelback-Gotta Be Somebody
Peak: 10                    Billboard Year-End: NA

19. Kevin Rudolf and Lil Wayne-Let it Rock
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 32

18. OneRepublic-Stop and Stare
Peak: 12                    Billboard Year-End: 33

17. TI-Whatever You Like
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 15

16. Christina Aguilera-Keeps Gettin Better
Peak: 7                      Billboard Year-End: NA

15. Britney Spears-Piece of Me
Peak: 18                    Billboard Year-End: 83

14. Rihanna-Disturbia
Peak: 1 (2 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 16

13. Natasha Bedingfield-Pocketful of Sunshine
Peak: 5                      Billboard Year-End: 18

12. Britney Spears-Womanizer
Peak: 1 (1 week)       Billboard Year-End: 80

11. TI and Rihanna-Live Your Life
Peak: 1 (6 weeks)     Billboard Year-End: 37

10. Pink-So What?
Peak: 1 (1 week)      Billboard Year-End: 24

9. Flo Rida and T Pain-Low
Peak: 1 (10 weeks)  Billboard Year End: 1

8. Katy Perry-Hot n Cold
Peak: 3                    Billboard Year-End: 36

7. Taylor Swift-Love Story
Peak: 4                    Billboard Year-End: 55

6. Kid Rock-All Summer Long
Peak: 23                  Billboard Year-End: NA

5. Coldplay-Viva la Vida
Peak: 1 (1 week)     Billboard Year-End: 13

4. Jason Mraz-I'm Yours
Peak: 6                    Billboard Year-End: 27

3. Lady Gaga and Colby O'Donis-Just Dance
Peak: 3                    Billboard Year-End: NA

2. Leona Lewis-Bleeding Love
Peak: 1 (4 weeks)   Billboard Year-End: 2

1. Katy Perry-I Kissed a Girl
Peak: 1 (7 weeks)   Billboard Year-End: 14

*Disclaimer: A lot of these songs did not reach their peak position of either Billboard charts until 2009, since the magazine bases their ranks based on sales more than airplay*