At this point, let me share with you my very own chart of the best songs to come out of 2007. Since it is personalized, obviously, the chart is highly subjective. There was no intention from this writer to measure airplay spins per song or make a detailed inventory of albums sold and singles legally downloaded. Rather, I just compiled a list of songs that I really enjoyed listening to throughout the year.
When it comes to liking a song, the genre is always crucial. As in my previous lists, this chart will again be very heavy on rhythm and blues. However, unlike my previous yearend charts where hiphop and rap music are also largely favored, 2007 was more of a stalemate when it comes to the evolution of hiphop. Apart from strong CD’s by Kanye West (Graduation) and Common (Finding Forever), rap music is sadly on a decline in 2007. New material from Nelly, 50 Cent, and T.I. pale in comparison to their previous works, while other major rap artists will only be releasing new material by 2008.
R&B, on the other hand, is full of new talents. New female soul singers have emerged in the limelight and were given significant radio exposure such as Chrisette Michelle, Ledisi, and Keyshia Cole. Of course, Jill Scott, Fantasia, and Alicia Keys were still hot in r&b radio. Corinne Bailey Rae also continued her critical success that started in 2006. As for the males, Ne-Yo, Chris Brown, and John Legend were all successful in their sophomore efforts. Less stellar performers such as Tank, Marques Houston, and Sammie also contributed to the piano-laden ballads that saturated r&b radio. Moreover, blue-eyed soul (R&B music that is performed by non African-American performers fall into this category) was also well represented this year with the likes of Robin Thicke and AI 5 alumnus Elliott Yamin.
Along with the Norweigan duo Stargate, Timbaland is perhaps the hottest producer of 2007. While his own album entitled Timbaland Presents Shock Value received mixed critical reviews, the CD yielded several notable radio hits.
Pop music, on the other hand, remained reliably entertaining for this year. Rihanna had the biggest hit of her career in 2007, Daughtry enjoyed massive radio airplay despite lukewarm reception from music critics. Justin Timberlake, Maroon 5, and Pink had successful albums this year, while mega-sellers like Kelly Clarkson, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, and Janet Jackson all tanked with their 2007 outputs. On the other hand, pop ballads were still relatively hard-sells in radio, especially when it comes from maturing artists like Paul McCartney, Bruce Springsteen, and Bon Jovi. Thankfully, John Mayer and Michael Buble both bucked the trend.
The songs below made it to the list for a variety of reasons. A handful of the choices made it because this writer has a personal inclination for the discography of the singer. In some instances, the musical genre already does the trick. Still, other choices proved to be too ear-friendly for the writer to resist. Finally, some songs mirror very personal experiences in the life of this blogger through their all-too personal lyrics.
Enough of the long-winded introduction. Below are the most memorable songs of 2007 –at least from my own turf!
- Everything – Michael Buble (from the album Call Me Irresponsible)
- Hate That I Love You – Rihanna feat. Ne-Yo (from the album Good Girl Gone Bad)
- Go On Girl – Ne-Yo (from the album Because of You)
- Apologize – Timbaland feat. One Republic (from the album Timbaland Presents Shock Value)
- Wait For You – Elliott Yamin (from the album Elliott Yamin)
- Stronger – Kanye West (from the album Graduation)
- Can You Believe – Robin Thicke (from the album The Evolution of Robin Thicke)
- Dreaming With A Broken Heart – John Mayer (from the album Continuum)
- The Way I Are – Timbaland feat. Kerri Hilson (from the album Timbaland Presents Shock Value)
- Bubbly – Colbie Caillat (from the album Coco)
- What Goes Around Comes Around – Justin Timberlake (from the album Future Sex/Lovesounds)
- Makes Me Wonder – Maroon 5 (from the album It Won’t Be Soon Before Long)
- Teardrops On My Guitar – Taylor Swift (from the album Taylor Swift)
- Who Knew – Pink (from the album I’m Not Yet Dead)
- With You – Chris Brown (from the album Exclusive)
- Heartbreaker – Tank (from the album Sex, Love, and Pain)
- Over You – Daughtry (from the album Daughtry)
- Teach Me – Musiq Soulchild (from the album LuvanMusiq)
- Walk Away (Remix) – Paula deAnda feat. Dey (from the album Paula deAnda)
- P.D.A. (We Just Don’t Care) – John Legend (from the album Once Again)
The Examined Life 