10 Best Songs For 2008

The 10 best songs for 2008 offer up a mixture of hits and underground favorites. All of these should find a place on you iPod. All of them should be listened to, whether you're re-living 2008 or not.

1. Katy Perry - "Hot N Cold" - This is a great Katy Perry song, if you don't want to hear her in a duet with Snoop Dogg or singing about kissing other girls. It could also be about menopause too, however Perry's much too young  for that.
2. The Airborne Toxic Event - "Sometime Around Midnight" - For those that remember The Replacements' heyday, this is a fine melancholy song that hearkens back to the best of Paul Westerberg's songwriting days.
3. Beck - "Modern Guilt" - Beck has always been more modern than even the most modern. So who better than he to comment on modern guilt? Is it as bad as Catholic guilt? Beck doesn't say.
4. She & Him - "Why Do You Let Me Stay Here?" - This is the best duo since The White Stripes. Perhaps better, as both partners are extremely talented. This was one of 2008's very best songs.
5. MGMT - "Kids" - This is the best psychedelic synth group around. Are there any others? It doesn't matter. The song is as catchy as all get-out.
6. The Hold Steady - "Stay Positive" - If you love Bruce Springsteen, but you're tired of all your Bruce Springsteen MP3s, The Hold Steady will do in a pinch. This is a good first choice. However, all of these songs are just so emotional, it's hard to choose just one.
7. Kid Rock - "All Summer Long" - Every summer needs a summer song, right? And this appropriately titled Kid Rock song was the summer song for 2008. It also perfectly described the Kid Rock party lifestyle.
8. Kanye West - "Love Lockdown" - Okay, this song goes to the bottom of the list because of its auto-tune. Nevertheless, Kanye West always creates compelling music. And this one, with its prison-sounding title, works.
9. Estelle (featuring Kanye West) - "American Boy" - Estelle even makes Kanye West seem like the sort of American any Brit girl would want. From that far away, even he looks like a catch. This is just the sort of fun song you can't stop humming.
10. Beyoncé - "Single Ladies (Put a Ring on It)" - All guys in longtime relationships got nervous every time this song came on the radio. After all, rings cost money. Also, commitment is scary. Clearly, the song has a strong ring of truth.