 10. Phantom Planet "Do the Panic"
When Raise the Dead was released in April, no one knew it would be Phantom Planet's last. They went on an indefinite hiatus in December. The first single from their fourth studio album was "Do the Panic". The song's classic chord progression and the chorus' "bah-bah-bah"s just adds to the nostalgic feel of what may be the band's best track to date.
MP3: Phantom Planet "Do the Panic"
 9. Maino "Hi Hater"
Maino has all the potential of a one-hit wonder. His debut single "Hi Hater" has all the kitsch of Soulja Boy with more lyrical clout. The song's simplistic beat, let's the entire song rest upon the incredibly catchy chorus that induced hand-waving in clubs across America.
MP3: Maino "Hi Hater"
 8. Vampire Weekend "A-Punk"
From a critical stand point, many people thought "A-Punk" was one of the weaker tracks on Vampire Weekend's self-titled debut album. Despite its weakness in comparison to the rest of the album, it made for a great single. While the rest of the album seemed to be completely inspired by Paul Simon's Graceland and the soundtrack to the Royal Tenenbaums, "A-Punk"'s shifting drum beats and pan-flute chorus make for an up-tempo piece of sunshine.
MP3: Vampire Weekend "A-Punk"
 7. CSS "Left Behind"
While CSS has always been a dance band, the second single from their second album Donkey was the first time we heard a full-out rock song from them. The keyboard's take a distant back seat to dueling guitars. The only thing that reminds you that it is still CSS is Lovefoxxx's ridiculous lyrical spouts like "I'm gonna jump onto the table/ and dance my ass off till I die".
MP3: CSS "Left Behind"
 6. The Game "Big Dreams"
"Big Dreams" was the first single from The Game's LAX. The song ended up being cut from the album to be banished to the bonus disc of the deluxe edition. However that doesn't stop the tracks power. Cool and Dre produce the track and of the track Dre said "'Big Dreams' is a phenomenal record. It's very inspirational, It's gonna be big in the streets, but it's gonna be big all across the board. I feel like 'Hate It or Love It' was such an inspirational record that a lot of people didn't see coming. And this has the same feel as far as how it makes you feel, but it's gonna inspire the shit outta everybody. It's one of those records — his performance, his delivery, he's lyrically on a level that I can't even compare anyone to. He stepped it up to a notch that's amazing. He definitely has a new passion." I couldn't agree more.
MP3: The Game "Big Dreams"
 5. The Hold Steady "Constructive Summer"
The Hold Steady have a knack for amazing opening tracks. In 2006 it was "Stuck Between Stations", this year it is "Constructive Summer". Craig Finn's life-affirming lyrics are sure to inspire any who hear "Constructive Summer". The epic pianos and chorus' gang vocals make the song a classic.
MP3: The Hold Steady "Constructive Summer"
 4. T.I. featuring Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne "Swagga Like Us"
Tell me what about this formula doesn't spell success: Kanye West production + M.I.A. "Paper Planes" sample + four of today's best rappers. It was fool proof. The song has received two Grammy nominations for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group. I would be shocked if it didn't bring home at least one award.
MP3: T.I. feat. Jay-Z, Kanye West, and Lil Wayne "Swagga Like Us"
 3. R.E.M. "Living Well is the Best Revenge"
Although it was never released as a single, the opening track from R.E.M.'s 14th studio album showed them off as a rock powerhouse. The song's opening riff has all the rock vibrato of their earlier albums Monster or Lifes Rich Pageant. Michael Stipe's vocals sund hurried and desperate and Mike Mills adds just enough backing vocals to glue the whole thing together.
MP3: R.E.M. "Living Well is the Best Revenge"
 2. Young Jeezy featuring Nas "My President"
This wasn't a great year for songs, but the top three songs were apparent to me. Young Jeezy's "My President" was one of the most memorable songs of the year if not simply for the event it commemorated. If Barack Obama lost the election, there is a good chance this song wouldn't make the count down. The epic strings in the song seem to capture the emotion of an epic event. Jeezy captures all the emotion of what the election means to the average hustler while Nas' verse brings an air of credibility to the song with lines like "Had to hit the streets/ try to flip some keys/ so a nigga won't go broke/ then they put us in jail now a nigga can't go vote" and "gotta stay true to who you are and where you came from/ cuz at the top will be the same place you hang from."
MP3: Young Jeezy feat Nas "My President"
 1. Bun B featuring Lupe Fiasco "Swang on 'Em"
Finally, the number one track of the year. It's odd because not many people will probably understand why I chose a track that was nothing more than a street single. I haven't seen this track on any other blog's countdowns, but I think most people can listen to the song and understand why I chose it.
Listen to the instrumental created by Enigma. It sounds like he hijacked a symphony. The trombone line is worthy of a marching band and only enhanced by the horn hit at the end of every stanza.
Then there are the actual vocals. Bun B raps his classic Southern verse but the real highlight of the song is Lupe Fiasco's verse. When Lupe released The Cool I officially declared that I didn't get nor wanted to get Lupe Fiasco. With his verse on "Swang On 'Em" I can say that I see his true potential. His swagger is in full effect and he does a more than acceptable job filling in for Pimp C.
MP3: Bun B feat Lupe Fiasco "Swang on 'Em"
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