Starbucker’s 10 Best Songs of 2008

While 2008 wasn’t one of my most prolific music buying years, I did manage to find some real gems to get into my trusty iPod. Here are my favorite 10 songs released this year:

1. “Viva La Vida” - Coldplay Melodic, urgent, and majestic -all wrapped into one song. These guys are good.
2. “Supernatural Superserious” - REM A fabulous return to form (and my nominee for best song title).
3. “I Will Possess Your Heart” - Death Cab For Cutie An 8-minute opus showcasing this band’s enormous talent.
4. “I’m Amazed” - My Morning Jacket This one got lots of repeat plays in the iPod - it was a great road song last summer.
5. “Mercy” - Duffy This little slice of “blonde soul” made my feet tap and wish I was in a dance club every time I heard it.
6. “Little Bit of Feel Good” - Jamie Lidell Oh yes, this track delivers the goods promised in the title. Shuffle down any street to this one, and folks will wonder what you’re up to.
7. “Freeway” - Aimee Mann Aimee has come a long way from ‘Til Tuesday and “Voices Carry”, and this track is yet another great effort from this underrated songwriter.
8. “Wichita Lineman” - James Taylor This was a sentimental choice for me, because it’s one of my favorite songs of all time, sung by one of my favorite singers (on his recent “Covers” album).
9. “You Are The Best Thing” - Ray LaMontagne Ray has a gritty style all his own, and he showcases it perfectly on this track.
10. “100 Yard Dash” - Raphael Saadiq This was a late entry discovered on a NY Times “Best of 2008″ list. An R&B workout that reminded me of classic Motown.

I’ve created a playlist on iTunes so you can sample each of these tracks and download them (if you so choose):

Starbucker’s iTunes Playlist -10 Best Songs of 2008

Enjoy, and Happy New Year!