So here are some fun stats for you in regards to me and the world of music in 2008:
1. I only purchased THREE albums this year. THREE. I thought it was two, then I realized there was another and yippee, I upped my count to THREE. If I thought about it, I would be depressed by this because for me it means that there were only 3 albums in a 365 day year that I thought were worth purchasing. They were:
– Harry Connick Jr: What A Night! A Christmas album
–Unplugged presents Julieta Venegas
–Erykah Badu : New Ameryka, Pt. 1: 4th World War
1a. I forgot about Shelby Lynne’s Just A Little Lovin’ and am contemplating that, so that could raise me to four.
2. I went to one show. Julieta Venegas in Los Angeles, unplugged. So I didn’t understand half the songs, but it was one of the best shows ever.
3. Coldplay failed to win me over as a fan.
4. MtV Tres, on the other hand, did. Spanish music videos are just so fun to watch.
Why I loved what I did in 2008, in no particular order:
4 Minutes (Madonna ft. Justin Timberlake and Timbaland): I am not a Madonna fan. I do love this song, though. It’s the horns, they somehow make it a hotter song. And the idea that if she’d gone with Timbaland on every track her latest album might have been a lot better.
Algun Dia (Julieta Venegas): Its my ringtone. No Kidding. It’s such a fun, upbeat tune for a song that’s really not so sweet sounding. It just makes me happy.
American Boy (Estelle): It’s got that laid back, Disco-esque, R&B sound I just love.
Breathe Me (Sia): I’m not normally an Sia fan, but this song just sucks me in every time. It’s also one of two songs that have the power to make me cry.
Chasing Pavements (Adelle): She reminds me of Dinah Washington. And Jill Scott. And Amy Winehouse. Bonus: it’s one of the best videos ever made.
Closer (Ne-Yo): Have you ever noticed how well the man dresses? I love this song because it’s catchy and it’s a throwback to classic Michael Jackson, which really isn’t a bad way to be. I think Ne-Yo is my R&B/Hip Hop guilty pleasure.
CrushCrushCrush (Paramore): I pay no attention to Paramore otherwise. This song just rocks. Bonus: it’s the song that sums up Twilight for me.
El Presente (Julieta Venegas): How did my love affair with Julieta Venegas begin, you wonder? It was 5:45 in the morning and I was flipping between MtV, MtV2, MtV Tres (3), VH1, VH1 Classics, VH1 Hits, VH1 Morning Mix, 3 BET channels, 1 Gospel channel, and 3 Country stations. I stop on MtV Tres because there’s this chick just getting down with an accordian and the crowd is going nuts. I stop to watch. My foot starts tapping, then my head starts bobbing…and I’m parked on MtV Tres waiting for the next time they play the video like I need a drug fix. I Google it. I listen to previews. I watch other videos from the same Unplugged session on YouTube. I buy the album. I see her live…and here we are in December and it’s been named my favorite album this year.
Elevator (Flo Rida): I love that it samples the Halloween movie theme song. And for the line: …Third floor, stuck on the hood rat…
Get Low (Flo Rida): I’m going to guess that Flo Rida, even though his album was decent enough, is the one hit wonder type. Which is kind of sad because the man has some serious flow, especially going in with this line: …That’s what I told her, her legs on my shoulder I knew it was ova, that Henny and Cola Got me like a Soldier…
Honey (Erykah Badu): I am and always have been a big Erykah Badu fan. She’s witty, she’s got a distinctive voice. She pulls off that laid-back, soulful R&B vibe I love so much. This was my 2nd favorite song this year after El Presente.
How I Could Just Kill A Man (Charlotte Sometimes): It’s simple. I identify.
Just Dance (Lady Gaga): It makes me want to do just that. Sometimes. Otherwise it reminds me of Ladytron.
Love Hangover (Kidz in the Hall ft. Estelle): It’s the Estelle chorus. Seriously.
Paper Planes (M.I.A.): Hey! I liked this song when it came out in August of 2007! But I didn’t put it on my best of 2007 list for whatever reason
See You Again (Miley Cyrus): I love this song and I don’t know why. I am not ashamed to a) play it, b) play it loudly, c) sing along, d) admit I love it.
Whatever You Like (T.I.): Another one of those songs I like so much because of the video. It’s the only T.I. song I like, really, and it’s because of the beat.
Wille and Laura Mae Jones (Shelby Lynee): I know this song. The Waylon Jennings version. The Dusty Springfield version. The version by the person who wrote it, Tony Joe White. The Bettye Swann and Nancy Wilson versions. I always forget how good Shelby Lynne is. This song just hammers it home for me.
My top three of 2008:
1. El Presente
2. Honey
3. Wille and Laura Mae Jones
You can listen to it all by downloading it here.
And you? Share with me your faves of 2008.
