Music in 2011 was fun. More fun that it’s been for me in years. Not really serious – just fun pop music. So I felt compelled to list my personal Top 10 tracks of the year. Well, maybe not exactly my Top 10 – I chose not to duplicate artists, so this is more of a representative sample. Enjoy! What tracks were you feeling this year?
In no particular order:
Shame, Jill Scott. This was my theme song, y’all. For real. I absolutely love this lady! And if this album, the Light of the Sun, is not on your iPod right now, shame on you! It is my absolute favorite of the year. And Mary J. put out a crazy album (see below), so that is saying something! (Honorable mentions: Quick and All Cried Out).
Over You, Raphael Saadiq. I was in love with soulful retro sounds this year. No one did it better than Raphael Saadiq. His whole album was the business, and this was my favorite track. (Honorable mentions: Stone Rollin’ and Heart Attack)
Stay Too Long, Plan B. I probably played this album, the Defamation of Strickland Banks, more than any other this year. It’s a crazy sick mix of retro soul and hip hop. All from a white dude from England. Madness. This is my favorite track (very honorable mentions to Love Goes Down and I Know a Song)
Miss Me With That, Mary J. Blige. Ok, if y’all don’t know how I feel about the album My Life II…, you betta ask somebody. This is my favorite track, because it’s full of that No-More-Drama sensibility I love Mary for. Who else can effectively croon: “I know just what your ass gon’ say, so save it!”? Love her! (Honorable mentions: 25/8 and Love a Woman)
Party, Beyoncé. I am not a big fan of Bey’s music. Sorry. I’m much more likely to be listening to her hubby (see below). But this…was…my…JAM this year! Love love love it!
Yoü and I, Lady Gaga. I love Gaga. I do. When her album came out I secretly wished that she would not release this song as a single, because it was my favorite and I didn’t want to get sick of it. Oh well. Still love it.
Ni**as in Paris, Jay-Z and Kanye West. Kanye may be the most annoying individual on the planet. But he kills it on every track. Add Jay, my favorite rapper ever, and you know I’d be hooked. This whole album is just redic.
Fool For You, Cee Lo. If the only Cee Lo song you know is F*ck You, then forget you. Buy the whole album. It’s crazy.
On The Floor, Jennifer Lopez. Ok, I love this song, ok? There, I said it. I’m a J.Lo fan. Sue me. I like her. Forget Marc, girl – go get your 24-year-old! Do it, Mami!
Take It All, Adele. Ok, I only started listening to this album a few weeks ago, even though I bought it when it first came out. It wasn’t her fault that I had just fallen in love, and almost as quickly had my heart smashed into a million pieces at the beginning of the year. So listening to 21 was like rubbing gasoline-soaked gravel into an open wound. But I’m feeling much better now, and this track is my favorite. But maybe a happy album next time, huh, girl? Thanks.
Want to read more about music from me and people who know much more about music than me? Then check out I’ve Been Meaning To Listen To… – a blog where a bunch of cool, knowledgeable, music-loving folks like me review an album a week. See you over there!
