It may be slightly cliché to make a list on the 31st of December of my favorite songs that were released this year.  But everyone else is doing it, and I do write for a blog… so I think I should get a free pass for producing something completely unoriginal.  I will attempt to make it slightly more exciting with legitimate reasons why you should check out these tracks.  In addition I have created a playlist on Grooveshark that will give you the opportunity to listen to all these songs, as much as you want, for free.  If you haven’t joined Grooveshark already, it’s an absolute must for you to do this year.  It is an amazing way to listen and find new music.  I actually have been using it way more than Pandora lately.  Without further adieu – here’s my much anticipated list:

Florence and the Machine Performing Live

  • Dog Days Are Over – Florence and the Machine
    This is the second single released by Florence and the Machines debut album.  It completely made its rounds on a bunch of tv shows, an advertisement for Slumdog Millionaire, and was featured on the Eat, Pray, Love movie trailer.  The band showed everyone up at the VMA’s, easily the best performance of the night if based on just complete raw, undeniable greatness.
  • Tighten Up – The Black Keys
    Great alternative song.  I’m always whistling the melody.  It’s a strong song that I recommend listening to on your way to work or in the morning.  It will definitely get you ready to take on the day.

  • F— You – Cee Lo
    Clearly the radio version is titled – ‘Forget You’, since the original title is slightly inappropriate.  The ‘Forget You’ version doesn’t quite pack the same punch.  It’s a catchy song but quite frankly I think the highlight for me was to watch Gwyneth Paltrow cover it on Glee.
  • Who I Am – Nick Jonas
    I play this album for everyone.  It sounds nothing like the Jonas Brothers, and as far as my friends are concerned they find Nick Jonas and the Administration to be slightly more acceptable for me to be listening to.  I think you should listen to this if you want to be pleasantly surprised.

    Screen Caps from Love the Way You Lie

  • Love The Way You Lie – Eminem & Rihanna
    This is an unbelievable song and video.  Those close to me might be surprised that I have included this on my list.  But its beyond memorable.  I complained about the message it was sending, and I do have slight issues with it being mainstream.  But it pushed the envelope.  Some of my favorite artists write many more disturbing lyrics, however those are buried and it takes some reflecting to find the meaning of these.  Love the way you lie, is honest, blunt and the simplicity of it is beautiful.
  • Pray – Justin Bieber
    No surprise here that I put a Bieber song on this list.  I find this song to be so inspirational and amazing.  That’s all I I’m going to say.
  • Heart Skipped a Beat – Xx
    Another obsession from Lollapalooza.  Really great band, really solid song.
  • Ten Years Older – Jarrod Gorbel
    I’m not heartbroken that the Honorary Title is broken up if Jarrod Gorbel continues to produce solo projects such as this.  An incredibly beautiful song and a man with an exceptional voice.

Screen Caps From Whip My Hair Music Video

  • Whip My Hair – Willow Smith
    I have heard so many crazy stories about the status of this song.  Willow Smith may only be 9 years old but she has certainly managed to make a song for all ages.  And have you seen the video? Her dance moves are so major.  She is so fierce and I know she has a long career ahead of her!  So many people haven’t heard this song & I’ve heard its banned from radio, I can’t actually confirm it with a reliable source, but that’s what I’ve heard.   Apparently there have been instances where people are not whipping their hair responsibly and getting themselves injured.  Weirdest thing ever.
  • Little Lion Man – Mumford and Sons
    I have been completely obsessed with Mumford & Sons since Lollapalooza.  This would be a great song to start with and introduce you to their sound, if you haven’t heard of them.
  • Grenade – Bruno Mars
    The infatuation with this guy is insane.  He has had multiple top 40 hits this year and his songs are love to the extreme.  He would catch a grenade for this girl?  She must be something special… I don’t know about all that but chicks love this stuff & and I like his sound, and I can’t ignore his music because I am living with his biggest fan.  So I would be in trouble if I didn’t add him to this list.

    Walking the Dog by Fun.

  • Walking the Dog – Fun.
    As much as I complained about their live performance, this song is great.  You probably have already heard it, Expedia has had it on their commercial for the past few months.  Extremely catchy, and I am slightly obsessed with the weirdness of the music video.
  • Bullet and/or Turnpike Ghost – Steel Train
    I just couldn’t decide between these two songs.  Genius lyrics that just make you contemplate life.  I love songs that get me to reflect about things that rarely reach the surface of my brain.  But maybe I’m just weird like that.
  • Give a Little – Hanson
    I’d be lying if I said this pick wasn’t extremely biased.  This is my favorite song off their new album Shout It Out.  And quite frankly another song off the album, Thinking About Something has made many lists for best video of the list.  And that song absolutely deserves the critical acclaim.  So you might as well check out both songs.
  • Slow Jam Mixtape – Jump Smokers ft. Twista
    I have yet to tell ya’ll about the Jump Smokers.  And I most certainly plan on filling you in on this Chicago based group.  Off their debut album, Kinds of the Dancefloor is a remake of one of my all time favorite songs, originally done by Justin Roman (J.Roman).  Lyrically, this song is brilliant and incorporates titles and artists of classic love songs to create a beautiful love story.  This new track features Twista and makes it especially pleasurable to listen to.
  • Black and Yellow – Wiz Khalifa
    Reppin the hip hop community, I had to go with this song.  I’m actually surprised about the ‘spillover’ (as Taylor Swift would call it) recently of this kind of music onto Top 40 charts and selling so well on iTunes.  It’s truly great to see.

    Drake, Rick Ross & Chrisette Michele

  • Aston Martin Music – Rick Ross ft. Drake & Chrisette Michele
    I really like the feel of this song.  Reminds me of Lloyd Banks & Ashanti, Southside.  You feel like your right there in the song living in that moment, even though most people would have no clue what it’s like to be in that situation.  There is something to be said about a song that makes you feel that way.
  • Need You Now – Lady Antebellum
    Another great crossover country artist.  For all my friends that hate country I push them towards Lady Antebellum as a transitional group.  Their harmonies are phenomenal and they write some stellar stuff.

Taylor Swift

  • Mine – Taylor Swift
    A list of best songs wouldn’t be complete without a mention of Taylor Swift.  I can’t deny her catchy lyrics and ‘Mine’ is no exception.  Great song, I can’t help but sing along when I hear it.

For the sake of not having a novel of a blog, you can find the rest of the best songs of 2010 on my Stylebust playlist on Grooveshark.  You can keep up with what I’m listening to the entire year if you follow me on there, screen name is MusicITZLife – I can’t wait to share with you what I’m listening to.