this was a Billboard #1, written by Dr. Luke, interestingly enough

A lot of pop songs are written by Dr. Luke.

that's really otm. i've heard from a number of people that "Paparazzi" is their favorite GaGa single though, which is kinda baffling given it's tempo and weird stylings, but i always thought it was a The Fame stand out.



and six of them are #1s too

re:Paparazzi.
I like the melody of the chorus, and the tempo doesn't bother me because I'm a sad bastard.

Let's not forget his credit on elite underground pop-rock hit "I'm Your Daddy."

Who's Dr Luke and why's it interesting that he's writing songs for Kelly Clarkson.

this song is classic Wu.

what are you talking about.

I was expecting more from "Party in the USA", I guess. Just seemed like a fairly solid Miley Cyrus song that's not as good as "See You Again". Whereas "Paparazzi" just worked for me. Never actually listened to The Fame, only that followup EP. Will have to tack it onto the end of my iPod version.

Not a fan of the beat.

I guess that can be for Flying Daggers or Party in the USA.

I wish the tide would take me over

#85.




The xx - Crystalised / Hot Like Fire
(1461 Points, 12 Votes)

US Chart Position: n/a

UK Chart Position: n/a

This is Fake DIY Review: Soft soothing chords open and lull. Send one drifting... almost to sleep, and this is when the voices start. Incredibly soulful voices, considering The XX hail from south west London. The Elliot School, to be precise. Ring any bells? Well that's cos among it's alumni are equally talented artists Burial, Four Tet and Hot Chip. Secret performing arts school maybe?

'Crystalised' is a very apt debut single for the group. Coined as being an outfit as inspired by Rhianna as by the Pixies, The XX startle and please. Vocalists Romy Madley Croft and Oliver Sim to and fro in perfect dialogue. There voices complement one another in their sweetness. As well as singing, they respectively play lead guitar and base. Instruments which mark their sound so poignantly, to a backdrop of light keyboards and repetitive, slow beats.

This slowness contradicts; gives off an effect of weightlessness with a heavy tone. The depth the echoes reach, and the softness of the voices, breathless, make 'Crystalised' a true gem, which leaves us hanging, gasping for air and pining for more.

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: phlowtron (#8)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: xx

So what about my second question.

edit ^good song

hard pop

It's the middle of the night, the night
That's my favorite part

#84.




Holy Ghost! - I Will Come Back / I Will Come Back (Classixx Acacpulco Nights Version)
(1465 Points, 5 Votes)

US Chart Position: n/a

UK Chart Position: n/a

Pitchfork Review: New York-bred duo Holy Ghost! have a knack for picking and choosing among regional flavors to arrive at something fresh. On "I Will Come Back", their new single for the Mountain Dew-affiliated Green Label Sound, Chicago house rubs shoulders with trendy Italo-disco footnotes, both held hostage by Human League-cribbing vocal constructions and a chorus that glances at late-70s Philly soul. In direct contrast to those heavily processed synthetic harpsichords and spaced-out blips and bloops, "I Will Come Back" is about as far from a haunted house affair as you can get, owing a great deal more to the Pointer Sisters than Prinzhorn Dance School. Still, it makes sense that Holy Ghost! first came to notice under the umbrella of James Murphy and Tim Goldsworthy-- from the inspired employment of the Brooklyn Youth Chorus to the diehard appreciation for their crate-digging forbearers, "I Will Come Back" has a reverence for the past but also looks forward, and is above all unfailingly fun. As the DFA roster gets increasingly varied, it's awesome to hear stuff that still references all those geeky, old-school talking points. (7/10)

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: Waterloo (#2)

Also Ranked By: The Good Dr Bill (#3)

i dunno. i just thought people who made music was relevant to this thread.

GDB rating a single highly is always enough to pique my interest

Just making sure I wasn't missing anything.

No one would know that we've gone

#83.




Memory Tapes - Bicycle / Plain Material
(1468 Points, 9 Votes)

US Chart Position: n/a

UK Chart Position: n/a

Pitchfork Review: Memory Tapes is an offshoot/collaboration between Memory Cassette and Weird Tapes, two acts so similar in sound and name they simply had to align (it's also possible that they all may be the same person). After hearing the project's first official offering, "Bicycle", my only qualm is that they didn't label themselves Weird Memory, but I'm guessing that such a no-duh moniker would spoil the surprise. However clever or inventive those projects were, both usually opted to hide behind the quirky histrionics of tape haze and vague dance loops ad infinitum, whereas Memory Tapes embrace the bright, frightening light with a vigor and that's almost startling. Much like Tiedye's celebrated rework of DJ Kaos' "Love the Night Away", "Bicycle" has a confident hold on the blissfully bored and gorgeously relaxed, but where you'd expect it to wash down like Sunny Delight, it flips inside out and transfixes into something unsettling and astringent. Hell, things get downright eerie as a seemingly benign declaration of love melts into a deliriously disquieting medley of pitch-shifted synths, ghostly come-hithers, perilous low-end melodies, and a grab bag of island-infused percussion.

If that trendy juxtaposition of salty and sweet leaves you a little neutral, you're not alone, but it's in the final two minutes that we can fully see Memory Tapes' shiver-spurring potential. "Bicycle" glides out on a wonderfully languid guitar break that's more authentically New Order than anything New Order have offered in almost 10 years, operating like a long-lost, sweat-drenched hymn from the Haçienda's 11th hour. It's a breathtaking moment, one capable of emotional transport beyond the sort of nostalgia that's so often tastelessly cooked up and thrown into the mix. If Memory Tapes can continue to put out stuff as vibrant and bold as "Bicycle", we're richer for it. (6/10)

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: plaid is rad (#9)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Seek Magic

it should be Classixx...

...anybody see the unofficial video of this classixx version of van damme's drunk dancin' scene? great visual..

Surprised to see Kelly Clarkson so low (of course, considering I was the one who placed it highest, this should not be a surprise). That song was piles of fun and super-catchy. Not the home-run "Since U Been Gone" is, but at the very least a solid double off the wall.


Also, not feeling that "Beep My Beep" song at all.

"Crystalised" is the only xx song that I seriously enjoy a lot. The rest of that album left me pretty cold/bored.

It was OK. Really don't care for how the word "suck" sounds in the chorus.

I'll give you that... But I loved how that chorus had that great repeat echo in the back... shit like that gets me every time.

I used to be commander and chief of my pimp ship flyin' high


#82.




Keri Hilson - Knock You Down (feat. Kanye West & Ne-Yo)
(1473 Points, 9 Votes)

US Chart Position: #3

UK Chart Position: #5

The Critical Condition Review: I’d like to nominate Keri Hilson’s new single as a candidate for 2009’s Summer Anthem.

If I didn’t love “Knock You Down” the first time I heard it, it’s because it cops a lot of moves from other hits. I mean, the sunshine-bright synths in the chorus are awesome, but they were awesome in “Umbrella,” too. And it’s always nice to have Kanye and Ne-Yo along, but damn… they’re everywhere I go. Kanye sold me an organic plum at Whole Foods last night, and Ne-Yo was on Rosie O’Donnell’s variety show.

The more I listen, though, the more I appreciate how the song’s familiar pieces add up to mindless, scrumptious joy. Keri Hilson isn’t distinctive enough to revolutionize the sound of R&B, but she’s got good taste in producers and collaborators, and the team creates an exceptional version of the current status quo, blending the highest quality guest rap,thumping bass hook, and electronic sound wash into a pleasurable jam.

In other words, “Knock You Down” is a song that lets you roll down your car’s window on a warm night, stick out your arm,and let your hand bounce on the wind. It’s an uncomplicated good time.

And lyrically, it’s a lot of fun. Take this section from Ne-Yo’s verse, where he admits that he loves Keri Hilson enough to stop his (apparently legendary) affairs with other ladies:

I used to be commander-in-chief
of my pimp ship
flyin’ high
’til i met this pretty little missile
that shot me out the sky

Does this mean that Ne-Yo doesn’t need his flying pimp ship anymore? Is he selling it on Craig’s List? Will you guys bid on it with me? If we take it to the mall, we’ll get a good parking space, because pimp ship parking is always by the door.

Anyway, the absurdity pleases me, and judging by the song’s music video, it pleases Ne-Yo, too. Like Keri and Kanye, he’s just goofing around, having a good time. He’s not worried, and we shouldn’t be either. We should just t let “Knock You Down” do its thing while we cruise toward the summer.

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: Heretix (#9)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: In A Perfect World...

where we at Powlo?

Addleboy and Cliff is absolutely too low, I can't believe you guys forgot about it. I did watch the video for it as my first listen and it heightens the greatness of it, but the song itself is still deliciously killer.

Leaving you behind with my lonesome song

#81.




Mastodon - Oblivion
(1482 Points, 11 Votes, One #1 Vote)

US Chart Position: #30 Mainstream Rock

UK Chart Position: n/a

Altsounds.com Review: Mastodon's 2004 album "Leviathan" was easily one of my favourites of that year so I was very happy indeed when this most recent single fell through my letter box this morning! It's indicative of the general state of things that a genre once thought to be the sole refuge of bottom feeding troglodytes is currently where much of the world's most interesting and inventive music is to found. Artists such as Sunn 0))), Isis, Opeth, Meshuggah and of course Mastodon have recently helped dispel the popular notion that metal is dumb, derivative and ultimately without merit, this is thinking man's metal.

"Oblivion" is easily one of the most conventional and immediate songs I've heard from Mastodon and so is an obvious single choice. The menacing, Isis indebted, red herring of an intro breaks into a crushing chorus that brings to mind vintage Sabbath or Alice In Chains circa their defining 'Dirt' album. The punishing verses layer rhythmic, tight riffs over a pounding, tom heavy rhythm. It's everything you'd expect from a Mastodon single. As you'd also expect the musicianship can't be faulted and Brent Hinds vocals (though over-effected) have a tangible grit and melodic sensibility to them that recall Chris Cornell in his early Soundgarden days (before he became a bell-end and decided to pimp it up as Justin Timberlands fairy godfather).

The sound is top notch too, with Bruce Springsteen's producer Brendan O Brian bringing a heavy, full sound to the mix that really brings out the best in the band. It's a great track which is only let down by a ponderous guitar solo which takes up a great deal of the middle-eight. I think a decent riff could have really saved this section, or maybe a reprise of some of the themes and ideas explored in the intro. Either way the fret-wankery (impressive as it is) here seems like a bit of a cop-out creatively.

Let this not put you off however, Oblivion would serve as a perfect introduction to it's accompanying album 'Crack The Skye' a record which is a real cracker (pardon the pun) and definitely deserves your attention if you have even a passing interest in heavy metal (in my eyes only eclipsed by Sunn 0)))'s monumental "Monoliths and Dimensions" album as metal album of 2009 so far). The new wave of thinking man's metal looks to be the way forward and I for one cant get enough of it!

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: velocity (#1)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Crack the Skye

thinking man's metal!

just DL & listened...forgot about this song...that video is where i first heard it, too

I didn't forget about it, exactly. I remember it that day and was gonna put it pretty high. But that and few other bonehead omissions happened, probably because I forgot to update my notepad.

This is just lovely. But a sincere question, why do American rappers always have to intrude on an otherwise nice pop song?

Kanye West is by far the best part of that song

but, Sask, there's also a lot of commercial viability to hybridizing R&B and rap, so it's pretty much the bread and butter for urban radio

because they are commissioned to do so, and it drives up sales. Another reason being other listeners enjoy it.

I find it annoying. I don't care how witty Kanye is, he comes off as a dummy braying away on a song that should belong solely to this girl. Despite that, the song's a keeper, that's for sure.

I don't think the song would be half of what it is without the 'dialogue' format involving the two guest stars. Ne-Yo especially.

Kanye's part is fairly weak but to use it as a general example where a "rapper ruins an otherwise good pop song" is pretty suspect dot.

despite his prominent roll, Kanye was actually a last minute addition to the song because he popped into the studio where Keri was working and asked if he could get on a track. she offered up "Knock Me Down" and the rest is history

The Kanye verse is my favorite part. Imho the whole song is pretty disposable, there's definitely been stronger songs to hit mainstream this year. It has some nice melodies I suppose, but what top 40 song doesn't.

you'd be surprised

Transformed your love into "like"

#80.




Maxwell - Pretty Wings
(1487 Points, 10 Votes)

US Chart Position: #33

UK Chart Position: n/a

DJbooth.net Review: Maxwell’s been out of the spotlight for quite a while—it’s been eight years since he dropped his third studio album,—but there’s no such thing as “too late” when it comes to timeless music. Now, though, the soul heavyweight’s back, and has announced plans to drop a three-album series in as many years. On the lead single off his trilogy’s opener, BLACKsummer’snight, Maxwell gives listeners a taste of the life experience he’s racked up in his time away from the game. Paying tribute to a woman who was a “serious muse” to him, the singer explores the bittersweet experience of loving someone, but knowing all the while you’ll have to let them spread their Pretty Wings and fly away—in the artist’s own words, “...[meeting] the person of your dreams but at the wrong time.” Performed by a ten-piece band who back Maxwell throughout the album, the instrumental’s synthless, vintage sound benefits from the new-school studio wizardry of producers Hod David and Musze. If you’re hungry for more of Maxwell’s classic, heartstring-tugging soul, pick up part one of his trilogy when it hits stores July 7th.

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: Waterloo (#3)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: BLACKsummers'night

GOOD SONG!!!

Russian Roulette is not the same without a gun

#79.




Lady GaGa - Poker Face
(1495 Points, 5 Votes, One #1 Vote)

US Chart Position: #1

UK Chart Position: #1

Billboard Review: It was a long, slow climb to No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for Grammy Award-nominated Lady GaGa's debut, "Just Dance," which took nine months to reach the summit in January. It looks as if the second release, "Poker Face," from the album "The Fame," won't have as long a wait. Once again, hooks are aplenty, with '80s-inspired synthesizers, robotic verses and a warm, sunny hook in the chorus, which is even more addictive than the previous single. Already, the track has reached No. 1 in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Finland, Norway and Sweden. While comparisons abound—Christina Aguilera, Gwen Stefani, Madonna—Lady GaGa has a singular sound and style. With a focused artistic vision, a swagger in her interview style and above all, a fantastic collection of diverse pop nuggets, GaGa is playing her cards right—and "Poker" is another obvious ace.

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: +marios+ (#1)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: The Fame

well okay... I meant primarily in the pop category.

All up in the blogs

#78.




Mariah Carey - Obsessed
(1520 Points, 8 Votes)

US Chart Position: #7

UK Chart Position: #52

Billboard Review: Jay-Z may have declared AutoTune dead, but Mariah Carey just revived it. On the debut single from her 12th studio album ("Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel," due Aug. 25 on Island Def Jam), the singer who needs no vocal manipulation uses the effect with startling success. The key is making it look easy. Along with the-Dream and C. "Tricky" Stewart, Carey has crafted a gem of a diss record that coasts, even over its sputtering moans and synth jabs. One questionable Windex analogy aside, her lyrical boasts are biting and funny, and the syrupy lightness of her vocals is tailor-made for the ribbing she gives her mystery pursuant (reportedly Eminem). Though some lament Carey trading in her sky-high notes and ballads for a more constrained, R&B-friendly range, the singer has clearly found a new comfort zone that could very well produce her 19th No. 1 hit.

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: "We Belong Together' (#75 of 2005)

Ranked Highest By: nic (#6)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Memoirs of an Imperfect Angel

"Poker Face" is so awesome. I guess "Bad Romance" might be better. But it's a tough call.

Good single art.

Song is excellent, too. I sure voted for it!

Two hearts beating OH YEAH! OH YEAH!

#77.




Japandroids - Young Hearts Spark Fire
(1525 Points, 6 Votes, One #1 Vote)

US Chart Position: n/a

UK Chart Position: n/a

Pitchfork Review: Japandroids are two guys from Vancouver who make distortion-cranked garage-rock anthems about fleeting youth: the boys leaving town, drinking, hurting, French kissing some French girls, and then quitting girls altogether. Their debut album, Post-Nothing, was originally going to be self-released last fall, but now it's set to come out this spring, in Canada only, on Unfamiliar. "Young Hearts Spark Fire" is just one of the raggedly emotive standouts on the record, young hearts igniting the duo's stripped-down drums-and-guitar setup into an explosive thing, equal parts insolence and grandeur.

"We used to dream/ Now we worry about dying," members Brian King and David Prowse cry out, in the kind of doomed-romantic instant quotable we used to get from fellow Canadians the Constantines. The whole song hinges on this contrast between innocence and destruction. It's tuneful and universal enough to have been produced as a radio-ready pop-punk single, but it has the kind of volatile churn you'd expect from a band known to cover Mclusky's "To Hell With Good Intentions", which helps to make all its conflicted emotions sound-- for lack of a less controversial word-- real. "I don't wanna worry about dying/ I just wanna worry about those sunshine girls," Japandroids conclude. "Only the Good Die Young" was bullshit-- these guys are too young, and too good, to burn out just yet.

Artist's Previous Rankings on Our Singles Lists: n/a

Ranked Highest By: maps (#1)

Also Ranked By: w. josh (#5)

Can Be Most Easily Found On: Post-Nothing

I prefer the ludicrousness and absurdity of "Bad Romance". The whole single/video combination reminds me of Duran Duran's "Wild Boys", in that Gaga's so huge she's been given license to go as over the top as possible.

Yeah, this is exactly how I feel I think. Still love "Just Dance," "Poker Face," and "Love Game" a lot though.

That Mariah single artwork just increased my crush on Mariah a little bit more. Being on that Dream album also helped. If the 18 year-old me heard me talking about Mariah this way, he'd be screaming and mocking me. But fuck that guy, he watched the video for "Honey" with a 'here comes the summer' boner at least a hundred times.