20
BoB ft. Hayley Williams - Airplanes
Released: 9th August
Video here
It's a pretty-enough tune and decent rapping from B.O.B, but the Paramore frontwoman makes it her own, and in the process, creates one of the surprise chart hits of 2010.
19
Bullet For My Valentine - The Last Fight
Released: 19th April
Video here
Aggressive Welsh rockers are fast becoming world-class. Dunno what it is about a killer riff and some insane drumming that just does it for me, but I've certainly been listening to this all year long. The guitar solo is at 2m 45s and the outro is worth sticking around for too (for those that appreciate these things).
18
Hot Chip - I Feel Better
Released: 19th April
Video here
Steel drums, synthy strings, and a vocal to die for. This song demonstrates why Autotune is not always a bad thing, and why Hot Chip are ALWAYS a very good thing indeed. The video is probably my favourite music video of 2010.
17
Two Door Cinema Club - I Can Talk
Released: Unknown (several times, I think)
Video here
Amongst a myriad of average indie singles from average British indie bands, 'I Can Talk' is a beacon of hope... sounds like a British version of We Are Scientists. Love the "uh-oh, uh-uh-oh" sampled backing vocal.
16
Alphabeat - DJ
Released: 31st May
Video here
Underrated track from the Danes, with a marvellous melody which brings to mind the 90s Europop of Snap and Ace of Base.
15
Marina & The Diamonds - Hollywood
Released: 1st February
Video here
Sassy pop from one of the brightest new artists of the year. However the radio edit skips the best verse, and it has suffered from overkill to some extent. I can also understand why her way of enunciating every. single. word. might be annoying. But I like it. So there.
14
Kele - Tenderoni
Released: 14th June
Video here
Parts of the Kele Okereke solo album followed the tried-and-tested Bloc Party model, but the lead single was right at the dance end of his band's output, and just seemed to make sense, from the very first listen.
13
Example - Kickstarts
Released: 14th June
Video here
Another euphoria-inducing clubbing anthem, accompanied by rapping that does just enough to keep this interesting.
12
Foals - Spanish Sahara
Released: 17th April
Video here
A slow-burner of a song, from a slow-burner of an album which has matured with time and now sounds like a modern classic. Haunting vocals at the beginning from Yannis, which become ever more hopeful as the song progresses.
11
The XX - Islands
Released: 8th February
Video here
My favourite track off the Mercury-winning album - I love the interplay between the male and female vocals. Definitely wins "Intro of the Year" too.
10
Katy Perry - California Gurls
Released: 11th May
Video here
Mrs. Russell Brand had a great year, and this slice of bubblegum pop was stuck in my head for months. Incidentally, if you'd played this to me when I was 16 years old, and told me that I would end up loving songs like this, I'd have had you packed off to a lunatic asylum.
9
Biffy Clyro - Many Of Horror
Released: 18 January
Video here
Blah blah X-Factor blah blah. Fact of the matter is that this is properly great, and their duet of this with Marina (minus her Diamonds) at the NME Awards in February was sensational. The fourth of seven (yes, seven) singles released from 'Only Revolutions'. Biffy keep getting better and better. 'Mon The Biff!
8
Rihanna - Only Girl (In The World)
Released: 10th September
Video here
Ri-Ri is at the top of her game, but I wasn't expecting her to unleash ANOTHER anthem quite so soon. Will be heard in nightclubs for years to come. Could have easily had 'Rude Boy' and 'What's My Name?' in this Top 20 as well.
7
Get Cape. Wear Cape. Fly (ft. Shy FX) - Collapsing Cities
Released: 9th August
Video here
A surprising collaboration between the indie troubadour and the drum'n'bass legend, but the beats only serve to accentuate Mr. Cape's lovely voice. Another excellent video too.
6
Tinie Tempah - Pass Out
Released: 28th February
Video here
Needs no introduction (but I'll give one anyway)... ubiquitous chart-topper, massive bassline, and lyrics about both Uncle Fester AND Tinie's aunt's cupboard space. The junglist breakdown at the end scores bonus marks.
Arcade Fire - We Used To Wait
Released: 1st August
Video here
Praise indeed, given how I generally react to Arcade Fire (i.e. not positively), but this just has a really warm and satisfying feel to it.
My Chemical Romance - Na Na Na (Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na Na)
Released: 28th September
Video here
Typically bombastic stadium mega-anthem from the emo brigade. As catchy a singalong as any in 2010. "Standing in... V formation" is another lyric of the year, as is "Shut up and let me see your jazz hands".
3
Nicole Scherzinger - Poison
Released: 25th October
Video here
In this post-Gaga world, it takes something special to get a pop song noticed. Former lead Pussycat finally achieves her potential with this huge floor-filler. It's got RedOne's grubby mitts all over it, and, frankly, it's a banging choon.
2
Kate Nash - Do Wah Doo
Released: 12th April
Video here
60s-inspired surf pop, but with the Nash-ster's trademark "edgy" lyrics. It made me happy all summer long, and for that, I am grateful. "I think she's a ...."
Crystal Castles - Doe Deer
Released: 17th April
No official video, but you can hear Zane Lowe ruining it here
One minute and thirty-seven seconds of pure mental. Distorted beats, violent shrieking - what's not to like? This was my single of the year from the moment I first heard it. I've seen Crystal Castles play live four times now, twice this year, and whilst Alice Glass is, admittedly, a tiny bit of psychopath, she's also a bewitching live performer. Ethan Kath stands in the shadows, but it's clear that he is the brains behind the operation, and for all Alice's screaming and wailing, this is his song.
Honourable mentions go to:
- The Futureheads - Heartbeat Song
- Klaxons - Echoes
- Mystery Jets - Flash A Hungry Smile
- Manic Street Preachers - (It's Not War) Just The End of Love
- Temper Trap - Fader
- Delphic - Counterpoint
- Plan B - She Said
- Diana Vickers - Once
- Brandon Flowers - Crossfire
- Muse - Resistance
- Robyn - Dancing On My Own
- Yeasayer - O.N.E
- The Drums - Let's Go Surfing
- Lady Gaga ft Beyonce - Telephone
- LCD Soundsystem - Drunk Girls
- The Wombats - Tokyo (Vampires & Wolves)
PAST WINNERS
2009 winner: Jordin Sparks - Battlefield
2008 winner: Noah & The Whale - Five Years Time
2007 winner: Los Campesinos! - We Throw Parties, You Throw Knives
2006 winner: Justice vs Simian - We Are Your Friends
2005 winner: Ladytron - Destroy Everything You Touch
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