Top songs of 2009

I used to think I listened to a broad range of music — but after working up a list of my favorite songs from 2009, either my preferred listening tastes are getting more defined — or perhaps 2009 just wasn’t a great year for new music. (Feel free to offer up your own theories.)

Ten spots filled by six different artists. It’s not as diverse as some, but it’s my list and what I’ve been enjoying this year.

Honorable mention:
Knights Of Cydonia – Muse :: this track came out in 2006, but I didn’t find it (or them really) until I saw them open for U2 in Houston. My Muse station has now become one of my favorite stations on Pandora and this track quickly became one of my favorite tracks. See the video on Hulu.

10. I Gotta Feeling – Black Eyed Peas :: Not a huge fan of pop music but it’s hard not to think of 2009 without thinking about this song and hard not to wanna dance when you hear this song as well. Watch Black Eyed Peas perform on Oprah with a mass flashmob/improv everywhere dance.
9. Weak In The Knees – Serena Ryder :: Ryder’s album became the soundtrack to our daily commute since we saw her live in October at House of Blues. While musically there are other tracks I enjoy more on this album, lyrically this is my favorite – especially as it reminds me of My Life.
8. Study War – Moby :: Just like Moby does best. A simple track. Simple samples and a strong message.
   Finally brothers after a while
   The battle will be over
   For that day when we shall lay down our burdens
   And study war no more
7. Moment Of Surrender – U2 :: You know U2’s gonna make the list with a new album out in 2009. I love everything about this song. Here’s what I wrote after my first listen of the album:
   

   Love the strings in the opening sequence of the track. This could be the “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For” Gospel track of the album. The backing vocals on the chorus are interesting… Love the organ and everything about this track. Not a rock anthem by any means but I think its a great Gospel song.

   I was speeding on the subway
   Through the stations of the cross
   Every eye was looking every other way
   Counting down till the pain would stop
   At the moment of surrender
   I folded to my knees
   I did not notice the passersby
   And they did not notice me

6. Breathe – U2 :: Breathe is a bit of an unexpected hit for me. It wasn’t initially one of my favorites but after seeing U2 perform the song on Letterman I was sold. It was also great hearing it kick off their live show. Plus you’ve gotta know that anyone singing about grace is gonna grab my attention.

   I have to find the courage to walk out
   Into the street
   With arms out
   Got a love you can’t defeat
   Neither down or out
   There’s nothing you have that I need
   I can breathe…

   Walk out
   Into the street
   Sing your heart out
   To the people you meet
   We won’t be drowned out
   There’s nothing you have that I need
   I can breathe
   Breathe now…

   I’ve found grace inside the sound
   I’ve found grace its all I’ve found
   I can breathe

   Watch the band perform the song from the Rose Bowl.

5. Heaven – Derek Webb :: The first track from Derek Webb to appear on this list. The entire Stockholm Syndrome album is great, but overall, this track remains one of my favorites.
4. Open My Heart With Knives – So Elated :: A great track. A tough track. Ben Thomas told us on the podcast that it’s one of those hard songs to sing live considering the irony of they lyrics.

   God of love give me some peace
   Please destroy my enemies
   Help the rest of the world to learn to live like me
   And tear down the temples that worship differently

3. The Spirit vs. The Kick Drum – Derek Webb :: I can’t tell you how many times I’ve woken up with this song playing in my head. It’s a super infections ear worm that includes a sample from Sesame Street and is supposedly based on a quote from the late great Rich Mullins :: Cliff Young relates this story: “Rich used to talk about how people would come up to him after concerts and say, ‘Wow! The Holy Spirit really moved at that certain point in the song,'” Young remembers. “And Rich would respond by saying, ‘No actually, that’s where the kick drum and the bass came in.’ It’s easy to mistake energy and emotion for worship.”
2. Stand Up Comedy – U2 :: Definitely my favorite track from No Line on the Horizon — not only musically but lyrically as well. It was my favorite when I first listened to the album and it still remains my #1 on the album (which Rolling Stone Mag calls the #1 album of 2009).

   I can stand up for hope, faith, love
   But while I’m getting over certainty
   Stop helping God across the road like a little old lady

   Out from under your beds
   C’mon ye people
   Stand up for your love

1. What Matters More – Derek Webb :: Yup. Three Derek Webb tracks made the list. The album was easily my favorite of the year. While this track was censored from the commercial release of Webb’s 2009 album, you can still download the track for free from his website and remains one of my most “go-to” tracks in 2009.

You say always treat people like you’d like to be
I guess you love being hated for your sexuality
You love when people put words in your mouth
About what you believe
Make you sound like a freak

‘Cause if you really believed
What you say you believe
You wouldn’t be so damned reckless
With the words you speak
You wouldn’t silently consent
When the liars speak
Denying all the dying of the remedy

What was your favorite track(s) of 2009?