Top 50 Songs of 2008: Pt. 3

30. Empire of the Sun "Walking on a Dream" I have never been a huge dance fan, but Empire of the Sun really caught my eye this year. "Walking on a Dream" is the perfect example why. Luke Steele's distorted verse vocals give way to climatic falcetto chorus over a perfect four-on-the-floor beat. MP3: Empire of the Sun "Walking on a Dream" 29. Scarface featuring Lil Wayne and Bun B "Forgot About Me" Emeritus is said to be Scarface's final solo album. The album's lead single "Forgot About Me" could be his finest. With the ESPN-type tones during the chorus, "Forgot About Me" is the type of epic track that career's like Scarface's should close with. MP3: Scarface feat. Lil Wayne and Bun B "Forgot About Me" 28. Ray J featuring Yung Berg "Sexy Can I" The first time I heard "Sexy Can I" was at Fenway Park in Boston. It was the song that was played everytime Coco Crisp came up to bat. The song's sexually charged lyrics make it an odd song for a professional baseball player to be introduced with. The contrast between Ray J's smooth voice and Yung Berg's verses make the song an unforgettable pop moment from the year. MP3: Ray J feat. Yung Berg "Sexy Can I" 27. R.E.M. "Supernatural Superserious" If nothing else, 2008 will be remember by R.E.M. as the year they resurrected their career. "Supernatural Superserious" was their re-introduction to the world as a rock 'n' roll band. The song's opening riff reminiscent of T-Rex combined with Michael Stipe's lyrics about campfire ghost stories make a hokey song no doubt, but it is still one of the better tracks of the year just for reintroducing us to these purveyors of alternative rock. MP3: R.E.M. "Supernatural Superserious" 26. Bun B featuring Sean Kingston "That's Gangsta" One of the most surprising and saddest deaths of 2008 had to have been that of UGK's Pimp C. When Bun B decided to carry on no one was surprised, but to release an album a mere months after his death was unexpected. The lead single from II Trill paid homage to Pimp C while also outlining in Bun B's special way exactly what a gangsta is. MP3: Bun B feat Sean Kingston "That's Gangsta" 25. Wiz Khalifa "Say Yeah" Wiz Khalifa's "Say Yeah" has typical lyrical content about making it rain on strippers, but the lyrical content isn't what made the track special. The use of the sample of 1999 trance hit "Better Off Alone" by Alice DeeJay, makes the track memorable. Although I never thought trance would be "retro" perhaps that is what this track is marking. MP3: Wiz Khalifa "Say Yeah" 24. DJ Khaled featuring Akon, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Boosie, Trick Daddy, Ace Hood, and Plies "Out Here Grinding" The Runners produce this hip hop tour-de-force. With the long "featuring" list, you would think the song would feel too crowded, but its anything but. Every verse is well defined and held together by Akon's undeniably catchy chorus. MP3: DJ Khaled feat Akon, Rick Ross, Young Jeezy, Lil Boosie, Trick Daddy, Ace Hood, and Plies "Out Here Grinding" 23. Santogold "Lights Out" Although "L.E.S. Artistes" was Santogold's debut single, "Lights Out" was the single that made me take notice. With all the slickness of 80s new wave, "Lights Out" could easily fit into The Pretenders' catalog. The song was also used in a Budlight with Lime commercial which was played endlessly during sporting events making Santogold instantly recognizable to many football fans. MP3: Santogold "Lights Out" 22. Young Jeezy featuring Kanye West and Jay-Z "Put On (Remix)" The original version of this track was #67 on Pitchfork's 100 tracks of 2008. Perhaps if they considered the remix, the track would've been ranked even higher. Kanye's auto-tuned verse and Jeezy's unmistakable flow made the original version a hit, but when Jay-Z comes in and says "I don't need no T-Pain, I got this one" it's as if America's most powerful rapper finally disowns all the rappers who latched on to auto-tuning this year. MP3: Young Jeezy feat. Jay-Z and Kanye West "Put On" 21. The Ting Tings "Shut Up and Let Me Go" The third single by English duo The Ting Tings from their debut studio album We Started Nothing instantly found a place in my heart. Singer, Katie White's deadpan delivery mixed with the jangly guitar riff made for a song that was as full of venom as it was catchy. MP3: The Ting Tings "Shut Up and Let Me Go"