10 Best Songs Of 2006

The 10 best songs of 2006 included some of the best music of this decade. In order to be fair, songs representing a variety of musical genres are included. After reading the list, go straight to iTunes and download each one. You'll be glad you did.

1. "Crazy" by Gnarls Barkley This sounded like Al Green as though he never stopped recording those great 70s soul groves. It's too bad we haven't heard much from Gnarls Barkley lately. This showed great potential and was easily the feel good song of 2006.
2. "Steady As She Goes" by The Raconteurs Yes, Jack White has too many bands. But with power-pop this good, Jack should keep going to the well until the water runs out. A White Stripes studio album would have been preferable, but we'll take this peppy little tune. It's impossible to get this song's start-stop groove out of your head.
3. "Dimension" by Wolfmother Classic rock stations should play this track during their get the Led out days. Some fans will hardly notice the difference. Instead of badly created hip-hop lyrics, which filled too many songs on the radio in 2006, this one had a guitar riff that would make your grandma play air guitar.
4. "Welcome to the Black Parade" by My Chemical Romance This was 2006's epic song by a band that also had at least one epic album in 'em. Whereas so much emo gets too personal for its own good, this song takes on culture at large. Very ambitious. Only time will tell if they can repeat. Chems, where art thou?
5. "SexyBack" by Justin Timberlake This is the sound of a boy band boy growing into a man. Is this something for grown-up teenyboppers to dig or is it intended for their moms? Maybe it's meant for both camps. Timberlake's sexy voice is what sells this one.
6. "When You Were Young" by The Killers The Killers may not have decided if they're Bruce Springsteen or a synth-pop band, but they sure make great singles. "When You Were Young" is a song that easily belong in 2006's best songs list.
7. "Hang Me Up to Dry" by Cold War Kids Kids nowadays don't even know what the Cold War was. However, they should at least know this band and their infectious 2006 single. Who know Long Beach, California had this kind of rock to offer? This song about a relationship gone down the tubes gets to the point.
8. "O Valencia!" by The Decemberists It's hard not to love this band. This song almost sounds contemporary with its jangling guitar. Almost. The Decemberists aren't really a singles band and albums from them ought to be heard completely.
9. "Before He Cheats" by Carrie Underwood If this song makes you nervous, maybe you ought to clear out some of those non-girlfriend phone numbers out of your cell phone before it's too late. It's great to hear Underwood, Miss Prom Queen, get down, dirty and mean.
10. "Trapped in the Drive-Thru" by Weird Al This one has fun at R. Kelly's expense, but he deserves it. Just don't get trapped anywhere with Weird Al.