wongie top songs of 2007: #1 rihanna - umbrella

rihanna - umbrella [link 2]
[whether you loved this song or not, there's no denying that 'umbrella' broke through all musical boundaries and became one of those songs that EVERYBODY could sing along to. featuring a kick ass thick drum loop (from apple's garageband program no less!) and unfortunate repetitive wordplay, rihanna really lucked out with this one (heck, her whole album is a minor miracle since she's not the best singer around). still... it's my pick for the best song of the year. i'll see you in 2008!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #2 peter bjorn and john feat victoria bergsman - young folks

peter bjorn and john feat victoria bergsman - young folks [link 2]
[the whistle that was heard around the world, 'young folks' was yet another end of 2006 song that played like crazy in 2007 (it was definitely the soundtrack of spring playing in every bar/club/clothing store i walked into). definitely a close contender for my #1 song of the year.]

wongie top songs of 2007: #3 glen hansard and marketa irglova - falling slowly

glen hansard and marketa irglova - falling slowly [link 2]
[i could honestly watch this scene over and over again (i sort of do it already now that i bought the dvd of the film) and i still go into 'sigh' mode. the movie, the soundtrack and ultimately this very tune drew me in so deep that 2007 was easily the year of ONCE. i can't really add more to that except that if you haven't seen this film yet, then i implore you to watch it soon (especially if you love gentle guitar music, it would be a shame to miss this sweet experience).]

wongie top songs of 2007: #4 robyn feat kleerup - with every heartbeat

robyn feat kleerup - with every heartbeat [link 2]
[though this song was released as a radio only track in sweden late 2006, it wasn't until mid august (and the UK release of robyn's career/image changing self titled album) that brought this amazing heartbreaking tune into popular consciousness. to me, this was one of the saddest songs of the year made all the more addictive because of it's hypnotic beats that surround it. truly a brilliant piece of pop!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #5 kate nash - foundations

kate nash - foundations [link 2]
[the best description of a dysfunctional relationship was also one of the catchiest songs of the year. who knew that it could all come from a 20 year old pixie hipster? finding her audience via the power of myspace and blogs, kate stayed at the UK #2 singles spot for 5 weeks, making it one of the biggest hits of 2007. yeah the power of blogs!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #6 ingrid michaelson - the way i am

ingrid michaelson - the way i am
[i was part of the wave that discovered ingrid via greys anatomy at the end of 2006. but to see her ascent into mainstream culture via the old navy ad and now VH1 is pretty darn amazing (especially for a self released artist from staten island). DIY artists are really making their mark this year and i love nothing but to give them props when they deserve it!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #7 leona lewis - bleeding love

leona lewis - bleeding love [link 2]
[i had ALOT of hope that with the magic touch of clive davis at the helm, the debut release of xfactor winner leona lewis would be one of the better diva albums of the year. unfortunately that wasn't the case. but lucky for the talented bland girl, her 1st single continues to prove that a great song can really build a career. oh well... onto the next diva in waiting for 2008.]

wongie top songs of 2007: (honorable mention) sugarland - stay

sugarland - stay [link 2]
[NOTE: WATCH THE VIDEO FIRST! ok, i'm kind of cheating here since i just discovered this song about an hour ago (it was late and they were showing a repeat of the 2007 CMA awards), but their live performance just blew me away. then i go online and i find myself watching the emotional video for this song a few times and BAM! i'm a new fan! i'm not the only one, sugarland members jennifer nettles and her partner kristian bush have released a surprise smash that has not only brought back their 2006 album into the top 20 this week but also non-country music listeners, like me, into their world. call me a cheeseball, but this song really works!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #8 feist - 1234

feist - 1234 [link 2]
[there's nothing more interesting than to see one of your favorite acts of 2007 get overexposed by a simple apple nano ad campaign, but then again, to see feist make the top 10 of the billboard pop charts as a result is also kind of cool. there's also the fact that this video is my favorite of the year and gosh how i wish i was one of the dancers!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #9 junior boys feat andi tomi - in the morning

junior boys feat andi tomi - in the morning [link 2]
[the barrage of syncopated bleeps and heavy breathing easily makes this the best electronic funk pop song of the year (even though the awesome album so this is goodbye was released in late 2006). can't wait to hear what this canadian duo have in store for 2008!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #10 groove armada feat mutya buena - song for mutya

groove armada feat mutya buena - song for mutya [link 2]
[there's something really humorous about this seriously overlooked summer gem. the lyrics crack me up ("that's who has replaced me, what a dis") and the total embracing of 80's new wave pop further makes the lack of crossover success a real shame for everyone involved.]

wongie top songs of 2007: (honorable mention) alicia keys - no one

alicia keys - no one [link 2]
[it's pretty amazing that alicia keys came out with a 3rd studio album (yes, only three albums to her name!) where song after song has the potential to stand the test of time. leading the pack is this bob marley inspired worldwide smash that drew people in almost instantly. like other honorable mentions of 2007, though i loved this song, i just didn't love it enough!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #11 amy winehouse - back to black

amy winehouse - back to black [link 2]
[taken from the album that just kept on buzzing with timeless hits, it's hard to imagine a period when the downward spiral of amy's personal life didn't overshadow her brilliant music. who knows if she'll ever be able to record a note again, but if she doesn't, these four minutes perfectly encapsulates the natural heartbreaking talent that she inhabits.]

wongie top songs of 2007: #12 franz ferdinand - all my friends (lcd soundsystem cover)

franz ferdinand - all my friends (lcd soundsystem cover) [link 2]
[not to deny the fact that lcd soundsystem released one of the best songs of the year, but the truth of the matter is that the franz ferdinand cover is just... better. since this version was commissioned by the lcd folks themselves, i don't feel so guilty about my choice.]

wongie top songs of 2007: #13 timbaland feat keri hilson and d.o.e. - the way i are

timbaland feat keri hilson and d.o.e. - the way i are [link 2]
[at first this just sounded like a reject from the futuresex/lovesounds sessions, but then after repeated (most not voluntary) listens, i quickly realised just how simple, genius and timeless the whole song plays. easily one of the best club tunes of the year.]

wongie top songs of 2007: #14 the dears - you and i are a gang of losers

the dears - you and i are a gang of losers [link 2]
[due to sheer random forces, this song kept on showing up on my ipod while i was walking around town feeling extra wistful (there's nothing more powerful for a song than having NYC as your visual accompanist). add to the fact that i love lead singer murray lightburn's voice and you pretty much get how this love song for the lonely made it to my #14.]

wongie top songs of 2007: #15 rihanna - don't stop the music

rihanna - don't stop the music [link 2]
[this stargate (irreplaceable) production is pure unabashed merriment (mary-ment is more like it!). with a classic michael jackson hook that just takes the song to another level, it's amazing how many wonderful songs came out of rihanna's good girl gone bad album (and at least two more singles to come). the power of great a&r and ALOT of production money!]

wongie top songs of 2007: #16 j. holiday - bed

j. holiday - bed [link 2]
[there's something so off kilter and electronic about this r&b song that i was sure it was written by the timbaland hitmaking machine. so imagine my surprise when i found out that singer/songwriter 'the dream' was the culprit behind it all (plus he wrote rihanna's "umbrella"). definitely THE producer to work with in the coming months, my take on this song is that it's a piece of songwriting genius, if you ask me.]

wongie top songs of 2007: #17 bat for lashes - what's a girl to do

bat for lashes - what's a girl to do [link 2]
[2007 marked a wondrous year for natasha khan and her band of merry faeries. not only did bat for lashes garner a surprising nomination for the prestigious mercury prize (and was the bookie favorite to win), but also nabbed a spot on the influencial jools holland show. i'm usually not a big fan of the art school milieu, but with a killer song and bunny infested video like this, how can one resist?]

wongie top songs of 2007: #18 sophie ellis bextor - today the sun's on us

sophie ellis bextor - today the sun's on us [link 2]
[it's so weird how many wonderfully 'pop' songs got overlooked in 2007. this mid range ballad definitely falls under that category (even with an equally beautiful video by sophie muller). don't know what happened here but sophie deserves a bigger year than she got. fingers crossed that her upcoming greatest hits collection will generate some buzz stemmed from the two new songs she recorded specially for it.]