Well without my usual fanfare of introduction-ness, here it is! My top ten singles of 2011!! Merry Christmas to all, and to all a goodnight (or something!!)
TOP TEN SONGS OF 2011:
10 ~ The Feeling, Set My World On Fire: There was something engagingly familiar about this tune that saw the return of The Feeling after a far too long break. Their precision harmonies, their knack for creating a huge stadium bound chorus that will sound just as delightful in the most intimate of concert halls, & their ability to produce a layered instrumentation that keeps on giving. I was smitten from the first note til the last chord...
09 ~ The Overtones, Second Last Chance: What a year it has been for The Overtones. This self penned track was a highlight of the platinum edition of their Good Ol' Fashioned Love album - zinging with as much pep & energy as Michael Buble's massive hit Haven't Met You Yet, it should have been equally as big a chart smash. Massive things are occurring for this vocal harmony group. Can't wait to see what's next...
08 ~ Auryn, Breathe Into The Light: A sterling debut single from new Spanish boy band Auryn, which was penned by Dannii Minogue approved X factor alumni, Ruth Lorenzo. And what a brilliant tune it is. Charming Spanish accents give a lovely mediterranean vibe to this soaring, anthemic treat that wormed it's way into my brain and hasn't quite been purged yet. Plus they aren't exactly ugly to look at either, are they??
07 ~ Rochella Danishei/Simon Curtis ~ Wicked Baby: And lo, so it came to pass that in the last few months of 2011, Simon managed to guarantee a 5th year in my top ten singles of the year countdown with this amazing, Ace of Base inspired duet with Rochella. Bouncing along like a rubber ball, it's a deliriously giddy treat that is juxtaposed with it's dark yet "forbidden fruit"-esque subject matter. More like this please...
06 ~ Sara Ramirez, The Story: Well blooming nora. It was a track from the on-paper-a-horrible-idea musical episode of Grey's Anatomy that took me by surprise. It had stirring yet relatable lyrics, a stunning melody but most of all such a powerhouse, emotive vocal performance from Sara that she took this cover version and completely made it her own song. I still get goosebumps listening to it now...
05 ~ Eric Saade, Popular: His confident yet not cocky call to arms certainly came true in 2011. He will be popular and he most certainly is. Currently my fave male popstar on the planet, this eurovision entry very nearly took the crown - no matter that it didn't, because even without the hoopla of that festival, the song is an instant pop classic that deserves much wider success across the globe. I doubt Eric will rest at just being massive in Europe though...
04 ~ Maroon 5, Moves Like Jagger: Take that Cher Lloyd! Who knew that the most insinuating and unforgettable hook of 2011 wouldn't come via swagger jagger but a massive return to form (& chart success) for one of my fave bands, Maroon 5. Everything about this song worked - the almost sweaty nature of the song, the ridiculous yet amazing chorus and Christina belting it out for a few moments in the middle 8. Totally revived, I can only expect amazingness now from Adam and the boys...
03 ~ Gravitonas ft Roma Kenga, Everybody Dance: Gravitonas have never steered me wrong yet. Each of their singles, bar the debut Kites, has topped my most listened to songs of the week at some point or other. Their team up with Russian popstar Roma gave us their most out and out pop moment to date. But even out and out pop from Gravitonas is a bonkers riot & this for me was one of the most endearing (and enduring) dance smashes of the year...
02 ~ Eric Saade ft Dev, Hotter Than Fire: And the fine run of singles from Eric just refuses to quit. His lead off single for Saade Vol 2. took all the amazing bits of songs like Popular, Made of Pop, It's Gonna Rain, et al, amped up the dance factor, pumped up the chorus and everything seemed just that bit better, faster, harder, sleeker. This boy is gonna go far and I can't wait to see him live at some point next year...
01 ~ Bright Light x2, Disco Moment: Sigh. Was there a more perfect, reflective, heartbreaking yet totally danceable moment of pop music this year? The answer to that rhetorical question is no, there was not. Disco Moment was a complete breath of fresh air, one of those songs that seems perfect to me from start to finish and one I have played a ludicrous amount of times & still not tired of. Rod sounds absolutely glorious on it, injecting just the right amount of sentiment and emotion into the song. Spellbinding music. Can I have an album now please?
Top 21 songs of the week (Christmas chart):
21 ~ One Direction, Gotta Be You
20 ~ Auryn, Last Night On Earth
19 ~ Indigo Girls, We Get To Feel It All
18 ~ Nerina Pallot, Butterfly
17 ~ Erasure, Be With You
16 ~ William Young, Come One
15 ~ Leona Lewis, Hurt
14 ~ Same Difference, Music
13 ~ Marit Larsen, Coming Home
12 ~ JLS, Take A Chance On Me
11 ~ The Feeling, Leave Me Out Of It
10 ~ Olly Murs, Dance With Me Tonight
09 ~ Little Mix, Cannonball
08 ~ Simon Curtis, How To Start A War
07 ~ Shona White ft Daniel Boys, As Long As You're Mine
06 ~ Nicola Roberts, Yo Yo
05 ~ The Overtones, Say What I Feel
04 ~ Eric Saade ft Dev, Hotter Than Fire
03 ~ Boy Banned, Stars Are Saying Yes
02 ~ Madonna, Masterpiece
01 ~ Elouise, Dear Santa (4 weeks)
No comments:
Post a Comment