Top 100 songs of 2008

100. Jordin Sparks - One Step At A Time
PEAK: #15

American Idol winner Jordin Sparks, while met with instant success on her songs "Tattoo" and "No Air" on the airwaves, was met with mediocrity on my chart at first, as both of those songs could only get as high as #34 on my chart. This one, however, I liked a lot better, and kicks off my year-end top 100.


99. Artists Stand Up To Cancer - Just Stand Up
PEAK: #8

Charity singles just haven't been the same since the days of "We Are The World" and "Do They Know It's Christmas"... but this song, while it did not last very long, still managed to make my top 10. 15 female artists joined together to help fight against cancer, and delivered a memorable song along the way.


98. Rihanna - Rehab
PEAK: #13 (still rising)

I originally charted this Timbaland-produced, Justin Timberlake-esque ballad when it was rumoured to be the fifth single from her album "Good Girl Gone Bad"... and then she went and re-released it, cancelling this single! It was eventually put back on the schedule... but as an eighth single! So that's how, despite still rising on my chart, and possibly reaching a new peak in 2009, that it makes my top 100 of 2008. 2 more Rihanna songs are still to come on here.


97. Anastacia - I Can Feel You
PEAK: #12
It was a disappointing comeback for Anastacia... but unlike many others who returned in 2008, she actually managed to make my year-end top 100! So far, nothing from the "Heavy Rotation" era has managed to live up to the quality of her earlier stuff, but this is the closest she's got.


96. Celine Dion - Eyes On Me
PEAK: #18
Celine Dion kept taking chances in 2008, and this song saw her explore new sounds. It was a different sound for her, and one that was good enough to rank in my top 100 for the year... but more conventional songs for her ranked higher.


95. Pussycat Dolls - I Hate This Part
PEAK: #8
I wasn't sure if the Pussycat Dolls would have a sophomore slump after Nicole Scherzinger's solo material or not, but thankfully, they didn't disappoint me at all! 2 of their songs made my year-end top 100, including this one, very reminiscent of the Stargate sound (as one of its songwriters is also Scandinavian), which is still on my chart now. How high did "When I Grow Up" rank?


94. Lady GaGa - Poker Face
PEAK: #8 (still rising)
Her debut single "Just Dance" is one I liked, but got sick of too fast to make the top 100. This one, on the other hand, is still rising up my chart, and currently in my top 10. Hopefully her album "The Fame" will produce more hits into 2009!


93. Linkin Park - Shadow Of The Day
PEAK: #1 (4 weeks)
I liked this song so much in 2007, when it spent 4 weeks at #1 on my chart, that it kept going into 2008, enough to make my year-end top 100! Unfortunately, this was as big as their success has been, as the singles after this failed to replicate the success of "Shadow Of The Day", which remains my favourite from them.


92. Celine Dion - My Love
PEAK: #4
More Celine here, and this one was taken from her latest greatest hits collection. Still to come is her remake of Heart's "Alone"... how high will it be?


91. Beyoncé - If I Were A Boy
PEAK: #7
This was completely different than what I expected from Beyoncé when she returned, as it was a lot slower in tempo than I thought she'd do! But it did give some insight on what she'd do had she been a boy, and its lyrical content helped her score an 18th top 10 hit on my chart, including her hits with Destiny's Child. This is her only appearance on my top 100.

90. Leona Lewis - Forgive Me PEAK: #4 Undoubtedly one of 2008's biggest artists, Leona ranks 3 songs in my top 100, and this Akon-produced song is the lowest of the three by the virtue that it came too late in the year to rank any higher. Her 2 big worldwide smashes are still to come. 89. Gwen Stefani - Early Winter PEAK: #2 A 2007 holdover here, Gwen was one of my favourite artists of that year, and this song, which is the ballad style I enjoy the best out of her solo songs (yet usually get stuck at #2 on my chart like this one), continued its success into 2008. Hopefully No Doubt will be back with new stuff before long! 88. Alicia Keys - No One PEAK: #3 This one also hit its peak in 2007, where it was one of my top 30 songs of that year. The success spilled over into 2008, and Alicia Keys managed two songs in my top 100 this year, with the other one, which is primarily a 2008 song, being higher up. 87. Weezer - Pork and Beans PEAK: #14 You can always count on Weezer to do a fun song, with a fun video alongside it! The video for this song, their biggest hit to date on modern rock, featured many Youtube celebrities, and helped this score a top 20 hit on my chart, when none of the singles from the album before could do so. 86. Alicia Keys - Like You'll Never See Me Again PEAK: #16 And here's the other Alicia Keys song, a slower effort this time. It didn't quite live up to the success of its predecessor but was still a moderate hit. 85. Demi Lovato - This Is Me PEAK: #20 One of Disney's biggest sensations this year, to join the likes of High School Musical and Hannah Montana, was Camp Rock, and its star, Demi Lovato, sang this song on the soundtrack alongside Joe Jonas from the Jonas Brothers, who co-starred with her! This was definitely better than I was expecting, and shows promise for a successful career in the future. 84. Simple Plan - Save You PEAK: #18 This follows in the footsteps of more serious songs like "Perfect" and "Untitled", and showed that Simple Plan is capable of doing emotional ballads like this. While not quite as successful as the previous two singles, this was still a good effort for them. 83. Snoop Dogg - Sensual Seduction PEAK: #17 Who thought Snoop Dogg could sing? Actually, he sings through a vocoder here, but still turns out quite well, and became one of my favourite Snoop songs to date. 82. Hayden Panettiere - Wake Up Call PEAK: #16 Another actress turned singer here, Hayden delivered a catchy pure pop song that will hopefully set her up for recording more music in the future! 81. Great Big Sea - Walk On The Moon PEAK: #12 I haven't been a big fan of these guys from Newfoundland before, but this song I really enjoyed the lyrics to. That helped them get my favourite song from them to date, and a place inside the elite 100 this year. Hopefully this won't be a total fluke and they'll have more big hits in the future!

80. Def Leppard f/Tim McGraw - Nine Lives
PEAK: #6
Tim McGraw does the weirdest collaborations sometimes... but somehow makes them work quite well. Case in point: in 2008, he helped out veteran rockers Def Leppard on their comeback, and their sounds actually blended well together. This became my favourite from them likely since the 90's sometime, but doesn't come close to their 80's classics.


79. Sarah McLachlan - U Want Me 2
PEAK: #15
With a title like "U Want Me 2", you'd possibly guess Prince was the one singing there. However, this one is by Sarah McLachlan, who after nearly 2 decades, released a greatest hits. This new track proved to be a worthy addition, as it became another top 20 hit for her, and became her biggest hit in nearly four years on my chart, after several non-album singles and featured appearances.


78. Ryan Cabrera - Say
PEAK: #9
A welcome return in 2008 was that of Ryan Cabrera. I enjoyed his first 2 albums' material, so I was naturally anticipating this. It didn't disappoint me, making the top 10, but did not have the longevity I was hoping for... the follow-up, "Enemies", however, did, and it's much higher here.


77. R.E.M. - Supernatural Superserious
PEAK: #10
Another band who hadn't been up to par for a while, but finally delivered something worth praising in 2008 was R.E.M. Their latest album, "Accelerate", was hailed as a return to form, and this energetic lead single definitely showed it. Hopefully they'll continue with this quality on their next album after this!


76. Leona Lewis - Better In Time
PEAK: #15
The X Factor television series has been such a huge hit in the UK, it was inevitable that one of their winners would become an international star. That's exactly what happened to Leona Lewis, and this song was one of those international hits that made people realize what star power she has. Still, the massive #1 hit "Bleeding Love" is higher yet!


75. Flobots - Handlebars
PEAK: #18
One of the most creative songs of the year, alternative rappers Flobots made the world think in this song's lyrics, which got me into this song. While it didn't peak too high comparatively on my chart, it did stick around long enough to rank higher than many other songs that didn't get as high! Just don't try riding your bike with no handlebars at home, even if you ARE wearing your helmet!


74. Simon Collins - Unconditional
PEAK: #12
The son of legendary Genesis singer/drummer and solo singer Phil Collins, it was bound that other family members would start up their own singing careers. Simon's album "U-Catastrophe" was released this year, and this, the first single, became an adult contemporary hit. Hopefully this won't be the end for him!


73. Alanis Morissette - Underneath
PEAK: #12
While I was anticipating new Alanis music in 2008, this was the only song from her album "Flavours of Entanglement" that caught on for me. Despite follow-up singles performing poorly, this one still managed to be a moderate hit, though not as big as she's had before this.


72. Britney Spears - Piece Of Me
PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)
This song was a victim of "split year syndrome" for me... it had started its run late in 2007, but didn't climb fast enough to make the top 100 that year. It hit #1 early in 2008, and fell too fast to rank any higher than it did, but still, this attack at the paparazzi became yet another #1 in an impressive discography for Britney.


71. Michelle Branch - Lay Me Down
PEAK: #7
While anticipating her third solo album, "Everything Comes and Goes" (which unfortunately won't be released until 2009), this unreleased solo version of a track that eventually ended up being released on The Wreckers' album was leaked, and ended up making the top 10 on my chart. She does have 1 song still to come, and it's from a movie soundtrack... how high did "Together" rank?


70. Jesse McCartney - It's Over
PEAK: #8
"Leavin'", quite frankly, despite being one of the biggest hits of the year, I found to be nothing special, and a big disappointment... it just wasn't the kind of song I wanted to hear from him. However, thankfully, he improved big time with this one, which I ended up liking a lot more, but not quite as much as 2006's "Right Where You Want Me".


69. Jon McLaughlin - Beating My Heart
PEAK: #5
And here's a big breakthrough of the year! Jon McLaughlin is someone I'd heard of last year, and had a top 20 hit in 2007 with "Beautiful Disaster", but this became by far my favourite from him so far, reaching the top 5 on my chart. Hopefully he'll have more success from the "OK Now" album in 2009!


68. Sugababes - Change
PEAK: #7
While they disappointed me generally with the "Catfights and Spotlights" album (as lead single "Girls" failed to even enter my weekly chart), this song from the previous album "Change", which also gave us last year's hit "About You Now", became one of my favourites so far from the Sugababes.


67. Maroon 5 f/Rihanna - If I Never See Your Face Again
PEAK: #6
A little bit of an odd choice for a collaboration, but Maroon 5 and Rihanna really made it work. This song, originally on Maroon 5's album "It Won't Be Soon Before Long", was turned into a duet and included on both of their re-released albums... and despite initial momentum, it hit a brick wall for me and fell quite fast, but still managed a good position. Still 2 more for Maroon 5 and 1 more for Rihanna to come.


66. Matchbox Twenty - These Hard Times
PEAK: #9
After last year's "How Far We Come" made my top 5 on the weekly chart, this one, a midtempo, more pop-styled song, became another top 10 hit for Matchbox Twenty. It's a shame they only released a greatest hits album after being away so long, but that's better than nothing, at least they got 2 more new hits out of it!


65. OneRepublic - Say (All I Need)
PEAK: #9
After 2 huge hits, I'm surprised this one was a total flop on the charts! However, personal charts gave it more love, and this song became their third straight top 10 hit on my chart. How high will their #1 hit, "Stop & Stare", rank?


64. Chris Brown - With You
PEAK: #17
2008 for me was the year where Chris Brown went from "just another random R&B singer" to "wow, he can do good songs when he wants to!" And while there are still several Chris Brown songs I don't like at all, this one was the first I really liked. However, I do like one of his other songs more than this... but how high did "Forever" rank?


63. Coldplay - Viva La Vida
PEAK: #8
And one of this year's biggest hits worldwide had to have been Coldplay, and this, the title track from their last album, ended up being their biggest hit overall. On my chart, however, it was only their 4th biggest hit, but still managed to make the top 10, and rank #63 for the year, easily their highest appearance here, as other singles from the album failed to make an impact with me.


62. Ashlee Simpson - Outta My Head (Ay Ya Ya)
PEAK: #4
It was a disappointing comeback for Ashlee Simpson on the charts, but on my chart, she still managed to do very well as if SNL never happened for her! This catchy, Timbaland-produced track became one of my favourites from her so far, but she does have one more song higher up!


61. Amber & Zelma Davis - No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)
PEAK: #10
Take 2 90's dance divas... and give them a track from the 70's to cover. The result? A remake of the Donna Summer/Barbra Streisand classic that became Amber's first top 10 hit on my chart, and broke a string of flops for her. It was good to have her back on form this year... and having a special guest on her song certainly didn't hurt!

60. New Kids On The Block - Summertime PEAK: #17 Who would've guessed these guys would've got back together? But sure enough, they did get back together in 2008, and are still sounding good! This, their comeback single, was a modest hit on my chart, and became one of my favourites from them so far. 59. Pink - So What PEAK: #7 This was one of my most anticipated lead singles of the year... however, while I do like it enough to be this high on my year-end, the anticipation brick walled quickly and it didn't last as long as other songs of hers. The follow-up single, "Sober", has already outpeaked this diss on her ex-husband, and will likely make my top 100 of 2009. 58. Fergie - Finally PEAK: #13 Not many albums these days get to 6 singles, but Fergie's "The Dutchess", released in 2006, is one of those rare breed. This song was the sixth single from it, and became one of my favourites from her so far, with only "Big Girls Don't Cry", which hit #1 in 2007, being preferred. 57. Metro Station - Seventeen Forever PEAK: #17 The debut single from the band leaded by Miley Cyrus's stepbrother Trace Cyrus, "Shake It", was a minor hit on my chart, but failed to make my year-end top 200. This one, however, managed to make #57 on my year-end, appropriately peaking at #17 (but not staying there forever). I guess the lyrics really made the difference on this one! 56. Gavin DeGraw - In Love With A Girl PEAK: #9 Gavin DeGraw was another comeback I was anticipating in 2008, and he certainly didn't disappoint as this lead single was right in line with his earlier singles. Unfortunately, follow-up singles could not match up to this one, but it was still good to have him back on the scene. 55. State of Shock - Hearts That Bleed PEAK: #8 After the success of 2007's "Money Honey", it was inevitable that a follow-up single would do well, and that's what this did. It peaked right at the start of 2008, and stayed on long enough to rank at #55 for the entire year. However, they did outdo this with the follow-up, "Best I Ever Had", which was a #1 on my chart... how high will that rank? 54. Seether - Rise Above This PEAK: #8 This came to me as a surprise. "Broken" had hit #1 on my chart in 2004, however nothing they'd released since had impressed me that much. Until this song was released, that is! This became another one of my favourites from these South African rockers, and gave them their long-awaited second top 10 hit. 53. David Cook - Light On PEAK: #1 (1 week so far) The latest American Idol winner is one I knew had potential, and this song definitely showed it. With rock influences similar to previous contestant Chris Daughtry, this song, co-written by Chris Cornell, became his first #1 hit on my chart, and closed off the year at #1. As it's still going strong on my chart, it could make my top 100 of 2009 as well. 52. Kreesha Turner - Don't Call Me Baby PEAK: #11 Kreesha Turner was one of Canada's most successful newcomers of 2008, and this song was her biggest hit. This pop song really caught my ear, and despite not even making my weekly top 10, ranks all the way up here at #52 for the year! Hopefully the future will be bright for her! 51. Idina Menzel - Defying Gravity PEAK: #7 It was a year that songs from and relating to Broadway musicals made inroads on my chart. This song, from "Wicked" was a perfect example of it, as she defied gravity all the way up into the top 10. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough to make my year-end top 50, but still, enough to make a good impression.

50. Elise Estrada - Unlove You
PEAK: #4
Elise Estrada got her start in 2007, but it wasn't until 2008 when this new Canadian singer started to shine on my chart. This song, very reminiscent of JoJo's "Too Little Too Late", easily became my favourite from her, reaching the top 5 early in the year. Hopefully this won't be the last big hit we hear from her!


49. Theory Of A Deadman - All Or Nothing
PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)
Another #1 hit here, and this one's run was entirely within 2008! Despite spending 2 weeks at #1, it came and went so fast for me that it would only just barely make the top 50 for the year! But still, after several years of trying, it was nice that they finally released something I liked enough to put at #1!


48. Sarah Brightman & Paul Stanley - I Will Be With You
PEAK: #10
Imagine a singer known for her work in Broadway productions... and team her up with a god of 70's heavy metal. What do you get? This beautiful collaboration, which was another surprise hit for me this year. I have a feeling Sarah Brightman may end up getting more hits for me in the future sometime!


47. Kate Voegele - Hallelujah
PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)
If there was one song that could be known as an indie standard, this would most certainly be it. The song, written and originally performed by Leonard Cohen, has been covered dozens of times, most notably by the late Jeff Buckley. This version, performed by my "it" artist of 2008, Kate Voegele, is her first of 6 appearances on my year-end chart within my top 50, despite spending two weeks at #1.


46. Danity Kane - Damaged
PEAK: #9
When they were first formed by Puff Daddy or P. Diddy or Diddy or whatever he calls himself these days, I thought of them as "just another girl group". However, this infectuous song really caught my ears in 2008, and became my favourite from them rather easily, reaching the top 10 over the summer. With the departure of two key members, though, will they even survive?


45. Lifehouse - Broken
PEAK: #7
Lifehouse has to be one of my favourite bands that has never hit #1 on my chart! This song, despite not reaching #1 again, did manage to become their fifth top 10 this year after originally charting in 2007 when rumoured as a single release. I have a feeling the hits will continue on their next album!


44. Kate Voegele - You Can't Break A Broken Heart
PEAK: #1 (6 weeks)
And now here's one of my most recent #1's, and the second appearance from Kate Voegele. This song, written by Diane Warren, was included on the deluxe edition of her debut album "Don't Look Away" digitally, and as it is still going strong in my top 5, it may very well appear in my top 100 songs of 2009 as well!


43. Janet Jackson - Feedback
PEAK: #3
Despite yet another total flop album, this song, which was often seen as one of her best songs in years (and I certainly agreed), managed to make my top 5 early in 2008. However, despite this promise, this was the only major hit she managed to score on my chart from "Discipline".


42. Pussycat Dolls - When I Grow Up
PEAK: #6
Another girl group comeback that I anxiously awaited in 2008 was the Pussycat Dolls. Nicole Scherzinger's solo flops didn't hurt this at all, as it became another top 10 hit for the Dolls, possibly also powered by a famous misheard lyric "I wanna have boobies".


41. Daughtry - What About Now
PEAK: #4
Daughtry's debut album was released in 2007, and then scored three songs in my top 20 of the year. This year, the hits continued, as 2 more songs from that album ranked in my top 50. This is the first of the two, with "Feels Like Tonight" being still to come in the top 40.

40. O.A.R. - Shattered (Turn The Car Around) PEAK: #11 These guys have been around for a few years now, but it wasn't until this year that they had a really big breakthrough hit. And while it didn't even make the top 10 on my chart, stalling at #11 for four weeks, they did stick around long enough to kick off my top 40 for the year. Hopefully a follow-up single will have a chance in 2009! 39. Shinedown - Second Chance PEAK: #4 These guys haven't normally been one of my favourite bands (though "I Dare You" was a minor hit on my chart in 2006), but this song changed all that. It's a midtempo pop/rock song that really caught my ear with the lyrics, among the best of the year, and gave them a "second chance" after the lead-off from their latest album, "Devour", failed to chart. I have a feeling they may have to wait until the NEXT album after this to do really well on my chart again though. 38. The Veronicas - Untouched PEAK: #10 One of the year's big favourites on personal charts sites has been this song, from Australia's pop duo The Veronicas. The song was released late last year in their homeland, then rumours of a US release prompted it to become a personal chart hit in the spring and summer. Now that it's officially a worldwide hit, the general public is now knowing what we've already known... that this is just one catchy, infectuous pop song. 37. Britney Spears - Womanizer PEAK: #1 (1 week) After the mess her personal life had been in in 2007, she dedicated herself to cleaning her act up in 2008, and leaving the "Blackout" era behind. This song, one of the catchiest of the year, gave Britney her biggest worldwide hit in years, and signalled a true comeback for her. It became a #1 song for a single week on my chart, as no matter how much I liked it, it was bumped aside by Kate Voegele the week after. 36. Kylie Minogue - Wow PEAK: #4 Easily the standout track on her album "X", this song was an example of one of the right singles being released. I felt the album overall was quite strong, but I felt some of the wrong singles were picked. This one did end up becoming one of my favourites from her overall, and the only top 5 hit taken from her latest album on my chart. 35. Eva Avila - Give Me The Music PEAK: #3 Canadian Idol, which unfortunately will not be returning in 2009, has already given us six winners, and so far on my chart, Eva Avila is the most successful. This song showed that she could continue to make good, catchy pop songs, as it quickly caught my attention in the autumn of 2008, and became a #3 hit, the highest peaking by any Canadian Idol contestant so far. Unfortunately, I've heard that her album overall isn't that strong, but I'm hoping she'll manage more hits on my chart! 34. Jonas Brothers - Burnin' Up PEAK: #4 One of pop music's pleasant surprises of 2008 has been the Jonas Brothers, as they place 2 songs in my top 40 for the year. This one, a Maroon 5 soundalike, became one of my favourites from them... however, the ballad from their previous album, "When You Look Me In The Eyes", which hit #1 on my chart, is still to come! 33. Ashlee Simpson - Little Miss Obsessive PEAK: #3 This was the year that Ashlee Simpson, fresh off her unfortunate flop album "Bittersweet World", married Fall Out Boy member Pete Wentz and had a baby... but the album did get some attention from personal charts, mine included. This song, featuring Tom Higgenson of the Plain White T's, became another top 5 hit on my chart, and while it didn't match up to some of her past hits, became one of my favourites from her, and her highest ranked on my top 100 of 2008. 32. Daughtry - Feels Like Tonight PEAK: #5 And here's the highest appearance for Daughtry, which is below their THIRD highest from 2007! However, it's still a very respectable appearance for this song, which took its time to hit a peak on my chart, but still became another top 5 hit for them. 31. Emerson Hart - I Wish The Best For You PEAK: #2 And here's another surprise hit! The former Tonic frontman released his first solo album, "Cigarettes and Gasoline", in 2007, and this, the second single from it, reached the runner-up spot on my chart back in the spring. This ballad was quite a departure from the hard rock sounds of Tonic, but still a very welcome return to the scene.

30. Kate Voegele - I Get It
PEAK: #8
So strong was Kate Voegele's dominance on my chart in 2008, that two tracks from her album "Don't Look Away" charted without being released as singles! This was the first of the two, which to date is her only song to miss the top 5 on my chart.


29. Leona Lewis - Bleeding Love
PEAK: #1 (1 week)
And talking about strong dominance... this was on my charts for both 2007 AND 2008! In 2007, when originally released in the UK, this was my #32 of that year. And thanks to its US success in 2008, it stayed strong on my chart, ranking even higher this year despite all of its top 10 weeks being in 2007, including its week at #1! This has become a true memorable classic, and will likely be remembered for years to come.


28. Sum 41 - With Me
PEAK: #6
Another band who pleasantly surprised me this year was Sum 41, and after several misses, they finally got the right song to make my top 10 for the first time in 2008. This has become my favourite song from them so far, and despite being a ballad, is still true to their rock sound, even if it's not anything like their uptempo punk songs.


27. Apocalyptica f/Adam Gontier - I Don't Care
PEAK: #9
Here's another surprise! I've never been a big fan of Three Days Grace (in fact, they have never even made the top 50 on my chart), yet when their singer teamed up with Finnish cello band Apocalyptica, the result was a top 10 hit on my chart! This shows that, given the right song, surprises really can happen, and this ranked all the way up at #27 for the year!


26. Kate Voegele - Lift Me Up
PEAK: #2
Here's the third highest appearance from Kate Voegele. This was her contribution to the AT&T Team USA soundtrack for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, a song that captures the spirit perfectly. This song just has Kate and the piano, with such scenes interspersed with Olympic scenes in the song's video, and managed to reach the runner-up spot on my chart, continuing a very impressive year for Kate.


25. Kate Voegele - I Won't Disagree
PEAK: #3
And here's the higher of the 2 non-single album tracks for Kate this year. This is also her second highest appearance for the year, with only her huge hit "Only Fooling Myself" remaining. Will that be #1 for the entire year?


24. Ryan Cabrera - Enemies
PEAK: #5
After the first single "Say" only barely hit the top 10, it took another song that was even better to follow it up and show that Ryan Cabrera, despite total lack of radio support these days, can still do music as good as he always has. This song became his 5th top 5 hit on my chart to date, and ranks at #24 for the year, his highest since "Shine On" in 2005.


23. Maroon 5 - Won't Go Home Without You
PEAK: #1 (5 weeks)
Here's a song that, near the end of 2007, spent 5 weeks at #1. Its momentum continued into 2008, and this ended up spending enough time on my chart in 2008 to rank at #23 for the entire year. However, they do have one big ballad higher up on here, despite not reaching #1... just how high did "Goodnight Goodnight" end up?


22. Simple Plan - Your Love Is A Lie
PEAK: #4
These guys just can't seem to make my top 20 for ANY year that they chart in! In 2003, they ranked at #21 with "Addicted" and in 2005, they ranked #24 with "Untitled". This year, despite peaking 2 spots higher than those two #6 hits, reaching #4, they got #22 for the year with another catchy pop/rock song that has quickly become one of my favourites from them. Another impressive addition to their catalogue!


21. Michelle Branch - Together
PEAK: #3
While I was waiting for her new album, "Everything Comes and Goes" to drop (it still hasn't been released yet), Michelle Branch goes and puts this song on the soundtrack to "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2". This definitely reminded me of the "Hotel Paper" album era, and I was happy that she at least gave us a teaser of some kind! I hope that her next album will have songs as good as this, that'll definitely make it worth the wait!

20. Chris Brown - Forever PEAK: #2 I never would've known Chris Brown would do a song this good.. but sure enough, after many minor hits, he finally hit it big on my chart this year. He went electro-pop on this one, which I find is his best single to date... still, it stopped short at #2 on my chart when it was out! But regardless, it's his highest appearance on any of my year-end charts to date. 19. Colbie Caillat - Realize PEAK: #1 (1 week) I realize that this song got off to a slow start, and even fell off after peaking at #35... but then I realized it got a second wind for me, and I realize that it eventually did reach #1 for a single week, becoming the third song to fall off, re-enter and hit #1 (I realize that "Unwritten" by Natasha Bedingfield and "Ever The Same" by Rob Thomas are the others). I realize that none of her other singles - not even her debut "Bubbly" - could reach the top 20 on my chart, so I realize that this is by far my favourite from her. By now, you should also realize that this is her highest appearance on my year-end chart. I also realize I've said "realize" 9 times in this write-up. 18. OneRepublic - Stop & Stare PEAK: #1 (2 weeks) After teaming up with Timbaland last year on their huge hit "Apologize", OneRepublic released a follow-up single and album, "Dreaming Out Loud". It was a success, becoming their first #1 on my chart and my favourite from them so far, and ranking here in my top 20 for the year. Hopefully a follow-up album will be released in 2009! 17. Christina Aguilera - Keeps Gettin' Better PEAK: #1 (4 weeks) It was inevitable that whenever Christina Aguilera releases a lead-off single from a new album, it'll always hit #1 on my chart. Such was the case here, but I felt this was stronger than most Christina lead-off singles, as it spent 4 weeks at #1 on my chart. This electro-pop single showcases a new direction for Christina, and one I hope she'll continue to explore on her next studio album! 16. Hinder - Without You PEAK: #1 (2 weeks) It was clear that Hinder would try and repeat the success of "Lips Of An Angel"... and that's exactly what they did here. However, I liked this even more, as while the former reached #2 on my chart, this one managed to get #1 on my chart for 2 weeks (maybe the Christina song that it knocked out of #1 wasn't as strong as "Hurt"?) As it's still in the top 10 on my chart, it could be back for an encore in 2009. 15. Rihanna - Disturbia PEAK: #2 This became my second favourite Rihanna single to date (trailing only "Unfaithful"), and a very worthy reason for re-releasing her huge-selling album "Good Girl Gone Bad". To date, eight singles have been released from that album, and this is definitely my favourite out of them. I have a feeling there'll be a new album from Rihanna before long, knowing her track record! 14. Natasha Bedingfield - Angel PEAK: #1 (1 week) This year, Natasha Bedingfield became the first British artist to get a second #1 on my chart. The first was "Unwritten", which due to being split between 2005 and 2006, was beaten in 2005 by "These Words" and in 2006 by "Single". This song, while not part of a split year, was also beaten by a non-#1, despite being one of my favourite singles from her so far. 13. Maroon 5 - Goodnight Goodnight PEAK: #3 And here's the highest appearance for Maroon 5 on my year-end! This song originally peaked at #37 on my chart when rumoured to be the follow-up to "Won't Go Home Without You". Then, all of a sudden, the video was released sometime after "If I Never See Your Face Again", and this song got a second chart run! The second time around, it ended up peaking at #3, becoming one of my favourites from them to date. 12. Natasha Bedingfield - Pocketful of Sunshine PEAK: #3 After the flop of "Love Like This" on my chart (it failed to chart entirely for me), I was skeptical as to whether Natasha would ever release another good song again. But, sure enough, she did, and this was the song that did it for her. And while it didn't hit #1 (the follow-up, "Angel", did though), this song was her true comeback for me. 11. Jonas Brothers - When You Look Me In The Eyes PEAK: #1 (1 week) And here's another song from the irresistible Jonas Brothers! This ballad reminds me of why I liked the boyband/teen pop era so much... and I was glad when a newer band of that type managed to release a song like this. It ended up becoming their first #1 on my chart, and hopefully won't be the last either! But 10 songs still managed to do better than the JoBros!

10. 3 Doors Down - Let Me Be Myself
PEAK: #1 (3 weeks)

I guess I just got lost
being someone else.
I tried to kill the pain,
but nothing ever helped.
I left myself behind,
somewhere along the way
hoping to come back around
to find myself someday

Lately I'm so tired of waiting for you
to say that it's okay.
Tell me please
Would you one time let me be myself
so I can shine
with my own light.
Let me be myself.

Would you let me be myself?

'Cause I'll never find my heart
behind someone else.
I'll never see the light of day
living in this cell.
It's time to make my way
into the world I knew.
And then take back all of these times
that I gave in to you

Lately I'm so tired of waiting for you
to say that it's okay.
Tell me please...
Would you one time let me be myself
so I can shine
with my own light.
Let me be myself.

For a while,
if you don't mind,
let me be myself
so I can shine
with my own light.
Let me be myself.

That's all I ever wanted from this world,
is to let me be me.

Please, would you one time
let me be myself
so I can shine
with my own light.
Let me be myself.

Please, would you one time
let me be myself
so I can shine
with my own light.
Let me be myself.

For a while, if you don't mind
let me be myself
so I can shine,
with my own light.
Let me be myself.

Would you one time
let me be myself
and let me be me.


Quote:

Frontman Brad Arnold told Babble and Beat magazine that this was the easiest song on the album to write as the song seemed to flow out easily lyrically. He also felt it was a pretty easy idea to express.

3 Doors Down are a mainstay on my chart, and every time they've hit #1 on my chart, they always make my year-end top 10. This year, the streak continued, as both of their #1's this year made my year-end top 10, with this ballad kicking it off. This for me was THE standout track on their self-titled album, which made it a natural single choice.



9. Celine Dion - Alone
PEAK: #1 (1 week)

I hear the ticking of the clock
I'm lying here the room's pitch dark
I wonder where you are tonight
No answer on the telephone
And the night goes by so very slow
Oh I hope that it won't end though
Alone

Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone

You don't know how long I have wanted
To touch your lips and hold you tight, oh
You don't know how long I have waited
And I was going to tell you tonight
But the secret is still my own
And my love for you is still unknown
Alone

Till now I always got by on my own
I never really cared until I met you
And now it chills me to the bone
How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone

How do I get you alone
How do I get you alone

Alone
Alone


Quote:

This was written by Billy Steinberg and Tom Kelly. They are a very successful songwriting team who have written several other #1 hits, including "So Emotional," "Like A Virgin" and "Eternal Flame." Most of their songs start with a lyric Steinberg comes up with. Kelly writes most of the music and sings on the demos. Steinberg and Kelly met the Wilson sisters for the first time when they were invited to the studio where this was being recorded. Kelly, who was an experienced session singer, ended up singing high harmony parts on the record. Celine Dion recorded this for her 2007 album Taking Chances. Her version was produced by Ben Moody, a former member of Evanescence.

The song "Alone" was originally recorded by Heart in 1987, and was a natural choice for Celine Dion to remake. Turns out, her remake, while not quite as good as the original, became one of my favourite Celine songs in years, and in fact, was her first #1 on my chart in over 8 years. Remakes like this show exactly how timeless the original version has become.



8. Faber Drive - When I'm With You
PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)

Saw you walk into the room
Thought I'd try to talk to you
Babe am I ever glad you wanted me to
It's been two years to the day
Half the time I've been away
I know I'm not there enough but that's gonna change
'cause I'm coming back
To show you that I'm keeping the promise I made

When I'm with you I'll make every second count
'cause I miss you
Whenever you're not around
When I kiss you
I'll still get butterflies years from now
I'll make every second count when I'm with you

Yeah we've had our ups and down
But we've always worked them out
Babe am I ever glad we've got this far now
Still I'm lying here tonight
Wishing I was by your side
'cause when I'm not there enough
Nothing feels right
So I'm coming back to show you that
I'll love you the rest of my life

When I'm with you
I'll make every second count
'cause I miss you
When ever you're not around
When I kiss you I'll still get butterflies years from now
I'll make every second count
When I'm with you
Whatever it takes I'm not gonna break the promise I made
When I'm with you
I'll make every second count
'cause I miss you

When I'm with you
I'll make every second count
'cause I miss you
Whenever you're not around
When I kiss you
I'll still get butterflies years from now
I'll make every second count
(Make every second count)
When I'm with you
When I'm with you
When I'm with you
When I'm with you
Yeah

One of my favourite Canadian bands of the past few years has been Faber Drive, in part thanks to their 2007 hit "Tongue Tied" which peaked at #2 last year. However, this ballad did take the extra step, and reached #1 for 2 weeks. If songs like this are a sign of what's in store, these guys could have a long-lasting career ahead of them!


7. Katy Perry - Hot N Cold
PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes
Yeah you PMS like a bi***
I would know
And you over think
Always speak crypticly
I should know
That you're no good for me

[CHORUS]
Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up then you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
(You) You don't really want to stay, no
(You) But you don't really want to go
You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down

We used to be Just like twins
So in sync
The same energy
Now's a dead battery
Used to laugh bout nothing
Now your plain boring

I should know that
You're not gonna change

[CHORUS]
Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up then you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
(You) You don't really want to stay, no
(You) But you don't really want to go
You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down

Someone call the doctor
Got a case of the love bi-polar
Stuck on a roller coaster
Can't get off this ride

You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes

[CHORUS]
Cause you're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in then you're out
You're up then you're down
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
(You) You don't really want to stay, no
(You) But you don't really want to go
You're hot then you're cold
You're yes then you're no
You're in and you're out
You're up and you're down



Quote:

This tale of a neurotic ex-boyfriend was produced and co-written by Dr. Luke (Avril Lavigne, Kelly Clarkson). The musician, songwriter and producer also performed the same duties on "I Kissed a Girl." Perry recorded a version of this song in Simlish for the computer game The Sims: Apartment: Life.

After her first single "I Kissed A Girl" reached #1 on my chart, just 3 weeks after it fell out of the top (only interrupted by Theory Of A Deadman's "All Or Nothing"), this follow-up single had already given Katy Perry a second chart-topper, making her the sixth artist (following Britney Spears, Jennifer Lopez, Christina Aguilera, Ryan Cabrera and Kate Voegele) to reach #1 with her first 2 singles on my chart. The infectuous pop melodies and clever lyrics have always been my favourite parts of her music, and hopefully will keep her going for a while yet!


6. Britney Spears - Break The Ice
PEAK: #2

It's been a while
I know I shouldn't have kept you waiting
But I'm here now

I know it's been a while
But I'm glad you came
And I've been thinking 'bout
How you say my name
Got my body spinning
Like a hurricane
And it feels like
You got me going insane
And I can't get enough
So let me get it up

Ooh, looks like we're alone now
You ain't gotta be scared
Where you going now?
I'm a have to floss on you
Let's get it blazin'
We can turn the heat up if you wanna
Turn the lights down low if you wanna
Just wanna move you
But you're frozen
That's what I'm saying

Let me break the ice
Allow me to get you right
But you warm up to me
Baby I can make you feel
Let me break the ice
Allow me to get you right
But you warm up to me
Baby I can make you feel

So you warming up yet?

You got me hypnotised
I never felt this way
Got my heart beating
Like an 808
Can you rise to the occasion?
I'm patiently waiting
Cause it's getting late
And I can't get enough
So let me get it up

Ooh, looks like we're alone now
You ain't gotta be scared
Where you going now?
I'm a have to floss on you
Let's get it blazin'
We can turn the heat up if you wanna
Turn the lights down low if you wanna
Just wanna move you
But you're frozen
That's what I'm saying

Let me break the ice
Allow me to get you right
But you warm up to me
Baby I can make you feel
Let me break the ice
Allow me to get you right
But you warm up to me
Baby I can make you feel

I like this part
Feels kinda good
Yeah

Let me break the ice
Allow me to get you right
But you warm up to me
Baby I can make you feel
Let me break the ice
Allow me to get you right
But you warm up to me
Baby I can make you feel
Hot


Quote:

This track has a second meaning where Spears is apologizing for being away so long from her love interest. The song's co-writer Keri Hilson told MTV Canada News: "It's about two people, a girl and a guy, and the girl is saying, 'You're a little cold. Let me warm things up and break the ice.' " She added that she was amazed at Spears' work ethic: "When we were arranging the vocals in the studio at her house, she was about eight months pregnant, and she was standing up in the vocal booth, just banging it out. Three weeks later, she had the baby."

Despite Britney Spears having two #1's this year, her highest appearance, and my favourite single from the "Blackout" album, didn't even reach #1 on my weekly chart! It was blocked from #1 by a song that's still to come, but had the advantage of a slow climb within the top 10 (leading to a long run inside the top 10), and having its entire chart run within 2008; "Piece Of Me" started in 2007 and "Womanizer" will still be on my chart into 2009.


5. Graham Colton - Best Days
PEAK: #1 (3 weeks)

With everything I've ever done
I'd give it all to everyone
For one more day
Another night I'm waking through
Another door I walk into
I can't break

And it's a winding road
And it's a long way home

So don't wait
For someone to tell you it's too late
Cause these are the best days
There's always something tomorrow
So I say let's make the best of tonight
Here comes the rest of our lives

I count the steps
The distance to
The time when it was me and you
It's so far gone

Another face,
Another friend,
Another place,
Another end,
But I'll hang on

And it's a winding road
And it's a long way home

So don't wait
For someone to tell you it's too late
Cause these are the best days
There's always something tomorrow
So I say let's make the best of tonight
Yeah, let's make the best of tonight
Here comes the rest of our lives
Rest of our lives

And it's a winding road
It's a long way home

So don't wait
For someone to tell you it's too late
Cause these are the best days
There's always something tomorrow
So I say let's make the best of it

Don't wait
Cause no one can tell you it's too late
Cause these are the best days
There's always something tomorrow
So I say let's make the best of tonight
Yeah, let's make the best of tonight
We'll make the best of tonight
Here comes the rest of our lives

Now here's one of my surprise hits of 2008! I'd heard of Graham Colton before this year and even charted one of his songs, but never really paid much attention to him until early this year when he released this song. One of the lyrically best songs of the year, I always felt this deserved more attention than it got, despite having some exposure on American Idol... and would also make for an ideal graduation song. It spent 3 weeks at #1 on my chart back in February, and ranks as my #5 song of the year.


4. State of Shock - Best I Ever Had
PEAK: #1 (2 weeks)

Now I know I messed up bad
You were the best I ever had
I let you down in the worst way
It hurts me every single day
I'm dying to let you know

Now I'm here to say I'm sorry
And ask for a second chance
Cause when it all comes down to the end
I could sure use a friend

So many things I would take back
You were the best I ever had
I don't blame you for hating me
I didn't mean to make you leave

You and I were living like a love song
I feel so bad, I feel so bad that you're gone
Now I know you're the only one that I want
I want you back, I want you

Now I'm here to say I'm sorry
And ask for a second chance
Cause when it all comes down to the end
I could sure use a friend
Now I'm here to say I'm sorry
And ask for a second chance
All I want to do is make it up to you
Cause when it all comes down to the end
You were the best I ever had

We fell in love for a reason
Now you're leaving
And I just want you back
So many things we believed in
Now you're leaving and words
won't bring you back
I'll never let go of the heart I broke

You and I were living like a love song
Now I know you're the only one that I want
I want you back, I want you

Now I'm here to say I'm sorry
And ask for a second chance
All I want to do is make it up to you
Cause when it all comes down to the end
I could sure use a friend
Now I'm here to say I'm sorry
And ask for a second chance
All I want to do is make it up to you
Cause when it all comes down to the end
You were the best I ever had

I can't believe that I threw away all our dreams
I can't believe now that you're gone
how much you mean to me
I feel so bad, I feel so bad
You were the best I ever had
I can't believe that I threw away all our dreams
I can't believe now that you're gone
how much you mean to me
I feel so bad, I feel so bad
You were,
You were the best I ever had

I first took note of these guys from Vancouver with their single from last year, "Money Honey". However, it was this ballad that took them to #1 back in May, and became my favourite song from them so far. It's the type of song you'd probably guess I'd like, and back when I sampled their album "Life, Love and Lies", this was the instant standout for me, and I was pleased when it was released as a single; it spent 2 weeks at #1 on my chart, and ranks as my #4 song of the year.


3. Katy Perry - I Kissed A Girl
PEAK: #1 (3 weeks)

This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion
It's not what, I'm used to
Just wanna try you on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chapstick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it

No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter
Your my experimental game
Just human nature
It's not what, good girls do
Not how they should behave
My head gets so confused
Hard to obey

I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chap stick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it,

Us girls we are so magical
Soft skin, red lips, so kissable
Hard to resist so touchable
Too good to deny it
Ain't no big deal, it's innocent

I kissed a girl and I liked it
The taste of her cherry chap stick
I kissed a girl just to try it
I hope my boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a girl and I liked it
I liked it


Quote:

In this song Perry dips her toes into the experimental sea when she kisses a girl after a night of clubbing (drinks are involved). She admits to liking it, but it isn't anything meaningful, and besides, she has a boyfriend - just another crazy club night. The Californian has drawn criticism from some quarters for targeting a young audience with a song about bi-sexual experimentation. In an interview with the Ventura County Star, Perry claimed this song is all about exploration and female bonding. She said: "There's just a magical beauty that women hold that can definitely slay men of all kinds. If Angelina Jolie, Natalie Portman or Gisele Bündchen walked into the room, everybody would watch." Katy Perry's boyfriend Travis McCoy, the frontman of Gym Class Heroes, told MTV News about the time he first heard this song. He recalled: "When she was recording her record she'd send me songs, and when we were making our record I'd send her songs. So she sent me a demo of 'I Kissed a Girl,' and we were on tour, and I was playing it during our changeover, just watching the kids react. So she came out to one of our shows, and the song came out and she flipped out, like, 'What are you doing playing that?' and I took her to the side of the stage so she could watch the crowd react. And now, well, she's huge."

Now for one of the most controversial hits of the year... but one I felt was really catchy and became my third favourite song of the year. A lot of people thought Katy Perry was just a novelty, but all that was proven wrong when she released her second single "Hot N Cold", which ranked back at #7. Still, this song became one of my favourites, but 2 songs managed to beat it out!


2. 3 Doors Down - It's Not My Time
PEAK: #1 (1 week)

Looking back at the beginning of this
And how life was
Just you and me and love and all of our friends
Living life like an ocean
Now the currents slowly pulling me down
It's getting harder to breath
It won't be too long and I'll be going under
Can you save me from this
It's not my time,
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh, I won't go
I look ahead to all the plans that we made
And the dreams that we had
I'm in a world that tries to take them away
Oh, but I'm taking them back
All this time I've just been to blind to understand
What should matter to me
My friend, this life we live
Is not what we have, it's what we believe
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
Oh, It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
Now I know that
This could be the end of me
And everything I know

Oh, I won't go
I won't go
It might be more than you believe
It might be something you can't see
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a will in me
Now it's gonna show
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
I won't go
There might be more than you believe
There might be more than you can see
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a fear in me
It's not showing
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
It's not my time
I'm not going
There's a will in me
Now I know it
This could be the end of me
And everything I know
I won't go

I won't go!
No I wooooon't gooooo down!


Quote:

Guitarist Chris Henderson revealed to The Toledo Free Press that this was originally written for the 2006 Poseidon action adventure film. It was never used in the movie, but the band thought it was a really good song and decided to hang on to it. When writing the songs for this self-titled album, the band holed up in a Nashville cabin together until the songs were completed. They then flew down to Orlando, Florida, to record the new CD with producer Johnny K, who also helmed Seventeen Days.

3 Doors Down, along with Katy Perry, are the artists who managed to make the top 10 of 2008 with 2 separate songs. In any other year, "It's Not My Time", which managed to become one of my favourite 3 Doors Down songs to date, would've been #1... but due to another song completely dominating during its chart run, it only managed to get one week on top. Despite being one of my favourite artists of the decade so far, 3 Doors Down has never had a year-end #1 song... this, being that its entire chart run was within 2008, probably had the best shot, but there was one song this year that was totally unstoppable. Who could've possibly done it?


1. Kate Voegele - Only Fooling Myself
PEAK: #1 (10 weeks)

I stop to catch my breath - And I stop to catch your eye
No need to second-guess - That you've been on my mind
I dream days away, but that's okay -
It's like I want to hear a silent sound - And then hold it in my hand
But a rose won't blossom from a ground - Of desert sand, but I like to pretend that

One day I'll turn around - I'll see your hand reach out
I'm only fooling myself, yeah, yeah, yeah, - But maybe when you smile
It means you'd stay awhile - Just maybe you'd save me now

Well, now it's etched in stone - That I can't survive alone - You have the missing piece
That I need so desperately - Yes, I slip away to a day that'll never come
It's like a splash of water to my face - When I suddenly realize - That you could never find a lace
For me in your eyes, and I don't know why I keep thinking

One day I'll turn around - I'll see your hand reach out
I'm only fooling myself, yeah, yeah, yeah, - But maybe when you smile
It means you'd stay awhile - Just maybe you'd save me now

It's love in disguise - I'm lost in your mind - I'm lost in your eyes

One day I'll turn around - I'll see your hand reach out
I'm only fooling myself, yeah, yeah, yeah, - But maybe when you smile
It means you'd stay awhile - Just maybe you'd save me now - Save me now
Just maybe you'd save me now


Quote:

Voegele wrote this at the age of 16 when she was still in High School. This was featured on the CBS shows Clubhouse and Ghost Whisperer. In addition, Voegele played a musician called Mia in 6 episodes of MTV's One Tree Hill. She performed within the context of the teen drama a number of songs from her album including "Only Fooling Myself." Voegele won first place in the 2006 USA Songwriting Contest in the Pop category for this song. She became the youngest artist so far to have won the award.

If there ever was an obvious choice for my #1 song of the year, this was it. And really... it was not even close. On my chart, Kate Voegele managed to break almost every chart record in existence this year, including most weeks at #1, most weeks in the top 10, most weeks in the top 40, most weeks in the top 100, biggest leap within the top 100, first artist to have 3 simultaneous top 10 hits, longest streak with at least one song in the top 10... the list goes on and on.

I had been awaiting a new album from Michelle Branch in 2008 (to date, it still hasn't been released), but when I first heard "Only Fooling Myself", I noticed a stark similarity in Kate's sound to that of Michelle. Over the next few weeks, I quickly became obsessed with the song, and within 4 weeks, it had already reached #1 on my chart, where it stayed for ten non-consecutive weeks, the first song to do so. But for Kate, it didn't stop there. I bought her debut album "Don't Look Away" on the strength of "Only Fooling Myself", and I was blown away. It ended up becoming my favourite album of 2008, and shortly afterwards, 2 more non-single tracks from it, "I Won't Disagree" and "I Get It", also made my chart.

While "Only Fooling Myself" did not do anything on the radio, it ended up becoming a hit on several personal charts in addition to my own. But regardless of how well it did on other charts, it was pretty much impossible to surpass its success on my own chart... so much so that I became strongly identified with Kate Voegele in the personal charts communities that I am a part of.

I don't think anyone has achieved the status of "core artist" as fast as Kate has, and really, I knew all along from the first time I heard her that I was destined to be a fan of her music. In closing, I present you with a review I wrote of "Only Fooling Myself" for Top Hits Online, on which it nearly made the top 40 on their cumulative chart:


Quote:

Review #1 Submitted: May 3, 2008 By: FreakyFlyBry rating: 10 (out of 10) Honestly, what all can I say about this song? A talented, new 21-year-old singer/actress, fresh off her role on One Tree Hill, has delivered another true talent to the music industry. Kate Voegele packs well-written lyrics, a catchy melody, and a cute voice reminiscent of Michelle Branch all in one... and makes for a song that's a breath of fresh air among everything else on the radio. Here's to a successful career in the future, because based on this amazing song, Kate deserves all the success she can get!