twostepcub's recap of 2008 part 1: Adult top 40, 91-100...
Well, 2008 is over and done, and it’s time to recap the biggest hits of the past year. I’m going to go through the biggest songs of the year according to Billboard magazine, the industry standard. Let’s start with the closest thing to a top-40 chart for an old fogey like me, the Adult Top-40 chart. Since it samples stations that are for older listeners, it is a bit white-bread, but it alleviates the novelty rap that usually permeates the top of the Hot 100 charts. I’m going to go through ten songs a post, to try to keep this manageable, but least a little entertaining. Now of course, this is only my take; I usually frown on taking the word of any critic (especially the “schooled” kind) with any grain of salt. However, you may get to hear something you’ve missed or haven’t heard because your radio station plays the same 20 songs over and over (like the one at my job). And here we go…
91. Pat Monahan – Two Ways To Say Goodbye
Rating: C
Keywords: Love-Breakup
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Rock-Pop
Tempo: Slow/Mid-Tempo
My Take – On the second single from Train lead singer Pat Monahan, he’s basically saying to his ex that it’s better he dumps her instead of pretending to want to be with her. Nice guy, that Pat. A subtle anti-romantic song, but doesn’t rub off as too memorable.
92. 3 Doors Down – Let Me Be Myself
Rating: B
Keywords: Love-Trouble, Love-Break-Up, Self-Esteem
Arrangement: Electric
Style: Rock-Pop
Tempo: Slow/Mid-Tempo
My Take: 3 Doors Down take the “caged bird” tack from a male perspective, as the other half (assumedly female) is keeping him from being “all he can be”. Well, everybody needs a reason to dump someone, so I guess this is as good as any. But if he’s breaking up, why is he asking for one time? Is there a second chance for them to stay together? Or is this all moot? Who knows?
93. Boys Like Girls – The Great Escape
Rating: B
Keywords: Youth, Rebellion, Love
Arrangement: Electric
Style: Rock
Tempo: Fast
My Take: In a post-emo Wall Of Sound, he tries to convince his girl to break free from their apparently boring suburban lives to really do nothing but run around. I guess that stands for rebellion these days. Great sounding song, overcomes the subject retread that can be found in every Springsteen song from the 70’s.
94. Chris Brown – With You
Rating: B+
Keywords: Love-Declaration, Separation
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Pop/Soul
Tempo: Slow/Mid
My Take: Chris is definitely trying to woo this girl. There’s no bling needed as long as he has her. Great pop record from a normally R&B cornered artist. Simple theme, simply and sweetfully done.
95. Matt Nathanson – Car Crash
Rating: C+
Keywords: Numbness, Perserverance
Arrangement: Electric
Style: Rock/Pop
Tempo: Mid
My Take: Matt is having a pep-talk with himself. Lots of poster-clichés, he is calling on to bring the drama, otherwise he’s not “living life”.
96. John Mayer – Dreaming With A Broken Heart
Rating: A-
Keywords: Love-Breakup, Depression
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Songwriter Pop
Tempo: Slow
My Take: Aw, poor lil’ ole heartbreaker John Mayer’s in a funk. Well really, it is a very pretty, delicate song for being the male perspective on heartbreak. He does have a way with expressing emotions without sounding too wussy or spiteful. Great lounge-act accompaniment.
97. Tristan Prettyman – Madly
Rating: B-
Keywords: Love-Obsession
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Songwriter Pop
Tempo: Mid
My Take: Tristan’s all sorts of confused about what to do about the guy(?) who wants her, though she’s clear that she adores him. However the chorus comes in requesting him to let her walk away, in the same breath as her wanting him to declare his love for her. What gives? Stop those mind games, Tristan!
98. Lenka – The Show
Rating: B
Keywords: Self-Esteem, Drama
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Songwriter Pop
Tempo: Mid
My Take: In a playful circus-like atmosphere, Lenka is bemoaning her crazy confusing life, before resolving to find someone to share it with and “enjoy the show”. Innocent like Yael Naim’s “New Soul”, the song is simple yet adult.
99. Rihanna f/Ne-Yo – Hate That I Love You
Rating: C
Keywords: Love-Trouble
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Pop/Soul
Tempo: Mid
My Take: Rihanna and Ne-Yo play lovers who get on each others’ nerves yet are strongly bound to each other. Seems like familiarity and sexual passion trump pet peeves every day. They really never go into what ticks them off so much, but they both obviously feel that they can’t go without their partner. Alrighty then.
100. Plain White T’s – Hey There Delilah
Rating: B
Keywords: Love-Separation, Youth, the “Biz”, Dreams
Arrangement: Acoustic
Style: Songwriter Pop
Tempo: Slow/Mid
My Take: the PWT’s are channeling their inner-Mr. Big and snuck into this years 100 after being an inevitable staple last year. Taken from being the earworm that it grew to be, it’s a sweet, earnest plea to his girlfriend, which captures the innocence of a musician just starting out in the music business, where they are so sure of their future success that he just needs Delilah to hold on for a little while. Luckily he did make it, eh?
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