My Favorite Fifty Songs of 2007

It's that time again: time for me to hope that my musical taste holds any validity (and I realize it doesn't as I find myself almost ashamed to admit to liking some of them) and post my top songs of the year. The list is about the quality of the song, not the video, but where possible, I've posted a YouTube clip to give you a taste. As always, if you're into a song on this list, check out Hype Machine to find a way to download these tracks.

Kevin's Favorite Fifty Songs of 2007

50. Lip Gloss - Lil Mama


I tried to hate it, but damn if her lip gloss ain't be poppin'. Innocuous fun.

49. Contagious - Avril Lavigne


I've liked Avril Lavigne since she came onto the music scene, and I'm willing to go so far as to vouch for her talent. Sure, "Girlfriend" tested our patience, but I offer this as proof that she's still capable of recording a song that's both addictive and not quite so mind-numbing.

48. Read My Mind - The Killers


If for no other reason than because the vocals remind me of the way Alex H. sings.

47. Mortified - Lesbians On Ecstasy

As if the band name weren't enough, they vocals are humorous and entrancing.

46. Hell No - Sondre Lerche & Regina Spektor

I'm a sucker for duets, and an even bigger sucker for Spektor.

45. Back In Your Head - Tegan & Sara


On several occasions in the past, I've been introduced to Tegan & Sara and it never stuck. The band's new album, however, is all sorts of good.

44. When I Say Go - The 1900s

A harmony that lingers.

43. Love Song - Sara Bareilles


This year's female singer/songwriter/pianist favorite.

42. Kid Gloves - Voxtrot

Voxtrot is a band that could easily be mainstreamed if anyone would play their easily consumable music.

41. I'll Kill Her - Soko


A wee bit creepy, yet relatable.

40. The Championship - The Polyphonic Spree

If you've read this blog previously, you know I'm a bit obsessed.

39. Gotta Work - Amerie


For the third year in a row, Amerie hits my chart with a dance sensation. Amerie's swell.

38. Stop Me - Mark Ronson f. Daniel Merriweather


The first of many covers on my list, I'm kind of a cover nut.

37. Thnks fr the Mmrs - Fall Out Boy


Fall Out Boy is the best in this genre of music currently, in spite of the silly song titles.

36. Never Again - Kelly Clarkson


An angry Kelly Clarkson is the hot.

35. Love Is Here - Sophie Ellis-Bextor


When I'm in the mood for a cheesy discoesque tune, I play this one.

34. Valerie - Mark Ronson f. Amy Winehouse


Take Winehouse's amazing vocals, add big band instrumentation, receive a danceable hit.

33. Out The Back Door - Jesca Hoop

Jesca exudes fun as she alternates between poppy and prickly lyrics.

32. Don't You Evah - Spoon


Spoon's new album is one of my favorites; the band oozes slickness.

31. How Far We've Come - Matchbox Twenty


Unlike the rest of America, my love affair with Matchbox Twenty never really got off the ground. Imagine my surprise when a song this late in Rob Thomas's career finally caught my attention. It keeps me bouncing.

30. Like Castanets - Bishop Allen


I'm pretty smitten with Bishop Allen and this song, rereleased with the band's first major label release.

29. Meatblanket - The Triangles

The Triangle's website recently announced. Awww, I had just discovered them.

28. Can I Get Get Get - Junior Senior


A cheesy dance tune from a duo that specializes in such fare.

27. This Ain't A Scene, It's An Arms Race - Fall Out Boy


Don't expect me to apologize for my Fall Out Boy adoration.

26. Walcott - Vampire Weekend

Vampire Weekend is an up-and-coming band you have to check out.

25. 1 2 3 4 - Feist


My favorite music video of the year. Ah, Feist.

24. Running Away - The Polyphonic Spree


They make me smile until I hurt.

23. Rehab - Amy Winehouse


I dig Winehouse's voice so much, I try to avoid hearing any of her personal drama that might turn me off.

22. My Eyes - Travis


Travis is a band that keeps reemerging every so often. Though they've always been consistent, I find this song to rise above consistency.

21. Sweet Escape - Gwen Stefani


Gwen tends to be hit or miss with me. This is a mega hit.

20. Umbrella - Marie Digby


I've heard numerous covers of this song, but this is by far my favorite. Marie adds a special something to the popular tune.

19. Paper Planes - M.I.A.


M.I.A. is her own brand of genius and this is my favorite from a very eclectic album.

18. Unless It's Kicks - Okkervil River


This song puts me in a good mood.

17. Doin' It Right - The Go! Team


Dancedancedance to the Go! Team, or you're missing out.

16. Flare Gun - Final Fantasy

I've avoided the interminably whiny Final Fantasy in the past, but this song led me to give him a second chance.

15. I Feel It All - Feist


The best Feist song on a very impressive album.

14. Burn - Pink Nasty

The highest-charting cover on my list. When Usher's "Burn" initially came out, I loathed it, but Pink Nasty's spin makes me a believer.

13. Don't Make Me A Target - Spoon

My new favorite Spoon song.

12. We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives - Los Campesinos!


This song is quick and adorably clever. I love the list of Halloween costumes in the outro.

11. Oxford Comma - Vampire Weekend

My favorite lyric of the year: "Who gives a fuck about an Oxford comma?" Grammar jokes and witty lyrics make this tune a winner.

10. Before I Knew - Basia Bulat


The shortest song on the list is also perhaps the most beautiful.

9. Myriad Harbour - The New Pornographers


A song that might be about nothing carries a lot of poignancy. Plus, it's ridiculously fun.

8. Silver Lining - Rilo Kiley


I was really excited for Rilo Kiley's new album and found it to be thoroughly mediocre. This one track stands out as a winner for me, however.

7. Call It Off - Tegan & Sara


Mix heartache and harmonies. I wish I could sing like this.

6. D.A.N.C.E. - Justice


Innovative and danceable, Justice gets me on my feet.

5. Lose Myself - Lauryn Hill


Maybe my nostalgia for Lauryn Hill caused me to inflate this song's value, but I think it holds its own.

4. Challengers - The New Pornographers


A song that's so beautiful, I literally stopped everything I was doing when I first heard it.

3. No One - Alicia Keys


Forget "Fallin'." This is the song Alicia Keys was always meant to sing. I pant for it.

2. Magic Position - Patrick Wolf


A couple of months ago, Stacy introduced me to this fun video While the video is indeed fun, I'm even more taken by the song. I want to be Patrick Wolf.

1. Umbrella - Rihanna


I defy you to think of a bigger pop sensation this past year. The perfect combination of glumness, simplicity, and catchiness, it is difficult to resist chanting "ella ella ella ey ey ey" along with the song. Sometimes something is a breakthrough hit because it's just that good.