Best Songs of 2011

My fascination with year-end lists has a distinct starting point:  the last week in 1966 when WABC in New York broadcast their 100 top hits of the year.  Aided by my sister Betsy, we set down the song titles as they were played on our kitchen radio over several days.  While we got the top 20, inevitably there were gaps;  what were #37 and #82 anyway? Where did “Sloop John B” and “Secret Agent Man” fit in?  It was an extremely satisfying puzzle for a music loving 12-year old.  The next year though, we just sent away for a printed copy.  So much simpler. 

My roster of the best songs of 2011 is shorter and less radio-friendly than that 1966 list headed by the Association’s “Cherish.”   Hope you’ll find some thing to enjoy at least as much as that gem.

********

1. Bell XI, Velcro – None of this countdown stuff.  This one was #1 with a bullet and I wore it out.

2.  Garland Jeffries, Coney Island Winter – Where did he go after “Wild in Streets”?  To Brooklyn, evidently.  Nice to have him back.

3.  Mayer Hawththorn, The Walk – When he first came up, I thought he was goofing on blued-eyed soul.  He’s deadly serious and you should be, too.

4.  Anthony Hamilton, Woo – Sit still.  Go ahead, I dare you.

5.  Bombay Bicycle Club, Shuffle – A genre-defying indie tune that will make you put the top down, head for the beach and smile all the way. 

6.  Movits, Sammy Davis Jr. – Swedish rappers.  I will say no more. 

7.  Adele, Rumor Has It – I like my Adele slinky.  This one is way better than “Rollin’ in the Deep”

8.  Toro y Moi, Still Sound – Biggest, baddest bass line of the year. 

9.  Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie XX,  I’ll Take Care of You – Covered by Drake and Rihanna, this is the original.  Is it ever.

10.   Foster the People. Pumped Up Kicks – I loved it just as much when it was all over the radio this summer as when it was a breakout indie hit last winter.

11.   Jill Scott with Anthony Hamilton, So In Love – Somebody open a window, it’s hot in here.  Tammy and Marvin had nothing on these two.