007 Robyn 'Dancing On My Own' 31-19-06-01-01-01-01-02-04-05-05-07-10-13-15-17-21-25-26-28-30-35-39 (23 weeks) 8th hit*

 

 

History (Robyn):

'Handle Me' (#95, 2007)

'WITH EVERY HEARTBEAT' (#01, 2007)

'Dream On' (ft. Christan Falk) (#80, 2008)

'Be Mine' (#64, 2008)

'The Girl and the Robot' (ft. Royksopp) (#07, 2009)

'Indestructible' (#56, 2010)

'Hang With Me' (#36, 2010)

'Caesar' (ft. I Blame Coco) (#16, 2010)

 

In the first 8 years of doing an End of Year chart Robyn was one of 10 acts to have reached the top 10 twice, so firstly I'll congratulate her being the first to reach a third. Her collaboration with Royksopp last year was something which when I heard thought could easily be in contention for my song of the year. It did well but fell short and could only reach number 7. I feel exactly the same about 'Dancing On My Own' this year. It's simply stunning and I fell in love with it straight away, it's a like an updated 'With Every Heartbeat', insanely gorgeous, delivered with a brilliant vocal and excellent use of strings. It's utter brilliance from my by far my favourite and the most consistant pop act around, but for once she hasn't produced the best pure pop single of the year.

Robyn is very much a hit/miss artist for me. When she's on fire (Dream On, With Every Heartbeat, Dancing on My Own), she's one of the best pop artists around. Unfortunately, she does release a lot of substandard stuff as well which lets her down (Handle Me, Who's That Girl, most of the Body Talk series bar DOMO)

006 The Pians of Being Pure at Heart 'Say No to Love' 32-22-16-10-03-01-01-02-02-03-03-06-07-11-15-18-21-25-29-31-34-37-38-40 (24 weeks) *5th hit*

 

 

History:

'Come Saturday' (#69, 2009)

'Higher Than the Stars' (#24, 2009)

'Young Adult Friction' (#06, 2009)

'Heart in Your Heartbreak' (#39, 2010)

 

I think this is a sign of just how brilliant the best music has been this year, that songs as good as this and 'Dancing on My Own' aren't in the top 5. I love this more than I ever did 'Young Adult Friction' which was my #6 of last year, and I'd say that both songs would've been top 5 in any other year. 'The Pains of Being Pure at Heart' was one of my favourite albums of 2009, it was fun of shoegaze; a summery joy which sounded distinctive amongst everything else out at the time. I didn't expect them to return so soon but return they did, with 'Say No to Love', a song somehow even better than their 2009 output. It's very similar to what was on their debut album, but it shows they've also progressed too. It's different enough to know it'd be from a different era as they polish their own style, it seems more produced and maybe less edgy than some of their previous material but that works in its favour, it's so elegant and Kip's vocals are so dreamy. It's not often I massively anticipate future albums but I cannot wait for 'Belong' to come out, I may even want it more than I want the new Elbow album.

005 The Big Pink 'Velvet' 27-05-02-01-01-01-01-03-05-08-11-15-17-25-35-39-39-40 (18 weeks) *debut*

 

 

Released in 2009, The Big Pink managed to pass me by, I never even heard 'Dominos' despite it making the top 40 on the back of being on an advert which was apparently everywhere. So I was a bit late with these, however I saw the back half of the re-issued 'Velvet' on TV at the beginning of February. I was utterly mesmerised, it was brilliant and the first thing I did was switch on my laptop to download it. For 6 weeks or so I was obsessed, it bordered on being an unhealthy one if I'm honest, I played it as much as I'd ever played anything before in such a short period and as a result it ends the year as my most played track of 2010. But it's not quite the best song released this year. It almost seems like the song is in slow motion, the delivery of the vocals, the backing 'Aahhh's, the instumentation, even the video, a wonderful tale of how love can come no matter how reluctant you are to it.

I'm going to go out for dinner now, so I shall post my top four some point around 9:30ish. I'm going to be honest and say that I never thought a top 4 of mine would contain folk music, a smash hit featuring two of the biggest pop stars around, something incredibly dark and a cover by an 80s band who look like this:

 

http://www.cbc.ca/gfx/images/arts/photos/2009/12/17/PlatinumBlonde_cmw.jpg

 

But that is what's made the top 4.... and I'm not sure it could be more varied!

Crystal Castles ft Robert Smith made it then.

 

Velvet made my 2009 list. I heard it back in February 2009 when I got it sent with a magazine I subscribe to, and it still resonates today. I bought the Big Pink's album last year, but I can't help but feeling that the band are two hit wonders (Velvet and Dominoes), most of the rest of the album is sub-Kasabian rock.

 

If you do like the Big Pink you should check out early 90s bandChapterhouse, whom I've probably mentioned before. You can really hear theie influence on the Big Pink in the songs Pearl (my favourite by them, and their best loved song), Breather and Falling Down. They do remind me of the Pains of Being Pure of Heart as well.

Crystal Castles ft Robert Smith made it then.

 

Velvet made my 2009 list. I heard it back in February 2009 when I got it sent with a magazine I subscribe to, and it still resonates today. I bought the Big Pink's album last year, but I can't help but feeling that the band are two hit wonders (Velvet and Dominoes), most of the rest of the album is sub-Kasabian rock.

 

If you do like the Big Pink you should check out early 90s bandChapterhouse, whom I've probably mentioned before. You can really hear theie influence on the Big Pink in the songs Pearl (my favourite by them, and their best loved song), Breather and Falling Down. They do remind me of the Pains of Being Pure of Heart as well.

'Not in Love' certainly did...

 

I really like The Big Pink, if their album was from this year it'd have made my top 20. I do agree that some of it is a bit sub-Kasabian but it has some very good songs on it, I really like 'Golden Pendulum' and 'At War With the Sun'. I've never heard of Chapterhouse, will probably give them a listen...

004 Mumford and Sons 'The Cave' 24-13-07-04-02-02-02-02-04-06-06-06-09-10-14-18-21-25-33-34-34-37 (22 weeks) *3rd hit*

 

 

History:

'Winter Winds' (#26, 2009)

'Roll Away Your Stone' (#76, 2010)

 

Despite having my Christmas number one in 2009 it wasn't until early February that I really started to take proper notice to Mumford and Sons excellent debut album 'Sigh No More' which has pretty much soundtracked my 2010 and they've become my post played act of the year as a result. 'The Cave' is the standout track on it, a brilliant folk inspired 3 1/2 minute pop song. It's wonderful, I love the way it builds up, from the intro and first verse backed only by an acoustic guitar, before more and more instruments join in to make a folk inspired sing-a-long. Truly wonderful. The highest placed song not to reach number one for me falling a place short, but it was there for four weeks, kept off in half of them by 'Velvet' and then half by a song still to come.

003 Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith 'Not in Love' 29-15-04-02-01-01-01-01* (8 weeks) *4th hit* *peak* / *debut*

 

 

History (Crystal Castles):

'Courtship Dating' (#40, 2008)

'Baptism' (#98, 2010)

'Celestica' (#10, 2010)

 

'Not in Love' is a cover of Canadian rock band Platinum Blonde's 1984 song, and appeared solely as a Crystal Castles song on their album. However in late October a new version of the song was released to the internet and radio, featuring Robert Smith, of another 1980s band The Cure. It works so much better, his vocals are so suited to dance music. I love how they've turned a song into something completely different, it's everything a cover version should be, giving a typical Crystal Castles feel to it, screechy electronics which get louder over the chorus, it's incredibly catchy and really should've been much more than a #52 hit.

So, do The National reach where their album couldn't quite get, or has the Inner BuzzJack in me won?

002 The National 'Conversation 16' 10-04-01-01-01-01-01-03-03-05-07* (11 weeks) *2nd hit* *peak*

 

 

History:

'Bloodbuzz Ohio' (#28, 2010)

 

This was the hardest decision I've ever had to make to decide an End of Year number one, I wish I could've made it a joint position, I almost wish thaty 6 Music didn't promote this as a single then I wouldn't have had to make the decision. This song is perfect, stunning, elegant, beautiful, dark, emotive, haunting, pick any superlative you want and it probably fits. The National have always been a good band, and their album 'High Violet' is fantastic, but it's not until you get to track 9 that you reach its high point; 'Conversation 16'. Who knew a song about a dull and monotonous life could be so beautiful, a tale of being stuck with the same person for life and how it can turn you into a zombie; "I was afraid, I'd eat your brains, cos I'm evil". I don't think I've ever come across a song before that makes me stop and listen quite like this does, without a doubt this will be a song that remains close to me for the rest of my life. I've no doubt that this is a better song than the song above it, it's just not my favourite of the two....

006 The Pians of Being Pure at Heart 'Say No to Love' 32-22-16-10-03-01-01-02-02-03-03-06-07-11-15-18-21-25-29-31-34-37-38-40 (24 weeks) *5th hit*

 

One of the best new indie bands around, their music have really impressed me, after I came across Nothing But The Stars in Dr. Blind's personal chart, shame their tracks have not made a dent in the British charts. Nothing But The Stars remains my favourite single of theirs, Say No To Love is more similar to NBTS, their music really grows on me.

 

Just a little nit pick you have spelled Pains wrong as in Pians

003 Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith 'Not in Love' 29-15-04-02-01-01-01-01* (8 weeks) *4th hit* *peak* / *debut*

 

Best CC track ever, this version works better than the original track on the CC album, I must admit CC's album is one of the finest albums of 2010, not even a bad track on it, Doe Deer and Celestica are my firm favourite tracks from the album.

 

Not In Love has spend 4 weeks at #1 in my personal chart and still on chart at present, one of my favourite tracks of 2010

What a GREAT top 3. I shall comment fully when you post the final recap but I'm surprised yet slightly pleased by your #1. :D

What a GREAT top 3. I shall comment fully when you post the final recap but I'm surprised yet slightly pleased by your #1. :D

:D

:drama: :drama: :drama: :drama: :drama:

 

http://charleyworld.honadvblogs.com/files/2010/03/Lady-Gaga-Telephone-Video.jpg

 

001 Lady GaGa and Beyonce 'Telephone' 39-30-26-01-01-01-01-02-03-04-07-09-10-11-16-19-23-28-34-37-36 (21 weeks) *5th hit* *peak* / *3rd hit* *peak*

 

 

History (Lady GaGa):

'Paparazzi' (#77, 2009)

'Just Dance' (#74, 2009)

'Bad Romance' (#40, 2009)

'Poker Face' (#25, 2009)

 

History (Beyonce):

'Irreplaceble' (#68, 2006)

'Beautiful Liar' (ft. Shakira) (#46, 2007)

 

Oh the shame! For the second time, a UK number one single tops my End of Year chart. First it was Robyn, now it's Lady GaGa and Beyonce - what have I become?! Late last year I downloaded the 'Monster' addition to 'The Fame' and thought it was an improvement, but that 'Bad Romance' was the standout and 'Telephone' was simply one of the better songs on it. This opinion continued for quite a while, an early chart run of 39-30-26 hardly showed signs of love for a song that I'd known for three months. Then, the day we'd all been waiting for, the much anticipated video was released...

 

I can't say I've ever got why people say video's help them like a song but I watched a wonderful piece of art and it just clicked immediately. This wasn't a good pop song, this was a great pop song. A four week stay atop my personal chart immediately followed as it took over from 'Velvet' as my obsession of the time. I listened to it loads, it kept growing and growing, I never got bored. Pop songs don't do that to me. I listen to them a lot and in four to six weeks I'm fed up with them, but not with this. It's perfect, the intro, the harp, the bridge, the hook, the delivery, the way that they both complement each other so well, Lady GaGa even manages to look attractive in the video, and then Beyonce appears.... I find my love for this unusual. I've never felt this way about a pop song before. I wouldn't say this is the *best* song in my top 10, neither would I say it was the *best* pop song of all time, but is there one I'd rather listen to? Simply no, this is easily my favourite song of its type of all time, nothing can come remotely close. To these ears, it's a masterpiece. 'Telephone' truly is my Song of 2010.

So, there you have it. And yes, yes that really did just happen.

 

Top 100:

 

100 Biffy Clyro 'Many of Horror'

99 The Naked and Famous 'Young Blood'

98 Crystal Castles 'Baptism'

97 Ellie Goulding 'Guns and Horses'

96 Katy Perry 'Firework'

95 Wild Beasts 'We Still Got The Taste Dancin' On Our Tongues'

94 The Hold Steady 'Hurricane J'

93 Chemical Brothers 'Escape Velocity'

92 Marina and the Diamonds 'Shampain'

91 Foals 'This Orient'

 

90 Jonsi 'Animal Arithmetic'

89 HEALTH 'USA Boys'

88 Gorillaz 'Stylo'

87 Band of Skulls 'Death By Diamonds and Pearls'

86 Ash 'Sky Burial' [Y]

85 Yeasayer 'Madder Red'

84 Wild Beasts 'Hooting and Howling'

83 Arcade Fire 'The Suburbs'

82 These New Puritans 'We Want War'

81 Plan B 'Stay Too Long'

 

80 Delphic 'Doubt'

79 Two Door Cinema Club 'Undercover Martyn'

78 Janelle Monae 'Cold War'

77 Broken Bells 'The Ghost Inside'

76 Mumford and Sons 'Roll Away Your Stone'

75 Ash 'Dionysian Urge' [L]

74 Drake 'Find Your Love'

73 Best Coast 'Crazy For You'

72 Kings of Leon 'Radioactive'

71 Tinie Tempah 'Pass Out'

 

70 Vampire Weekend 'White Sky'

69 Beach House 'Norway'

68 Doves 'Andalucia'

67 The Futureheads 'Heartbeat Song'

66 Chemical Brothers 'Swoon'

65 Gorillaz 'Superfast Jellyfish'

64 Owen Pallett 'Lewis Takes Off His Shirt'

63 Magnetic Man ft. Angela Hunte 'I Need Air'

62 Bombay Bicycle Club 'Ivy and Gold'

61 Ash 'Spheres'

 

60 James Yuill 'On Your Own'

59 Katy B ft. Ms. Dynamite 'Lights On'

58 Arcade Fire 'We Used to Wait'

57 Villagers 'Becoming a Jackal'

56 Robyn 'Indestuctible'

55 Paul Smith 'Our Lady of Lourdes'

54 Delphic 'Halcyon'

53 Yeah Yeah Yeahs 'Skeletons'

52 Two Door Cinema Club 'I Can Talk'

51 Foals 'Blue Blood'

 

50 David Guetta ft. Kid Cudi 'Memories'

49 Liam Frost ft. Martha Wainwright 'Your Hand in Mine'

48 Black Rebel Motorcycle Club 'Beat the Devil's Tattoo'

47 Tunng 'Don't Look Down Or Back'

46 Beach House 'Zebra'

45 Sub Focus ft. I Blame Coco 'Splash'

44 Kid Cudi ft. Ratatat and MGMT 'Pursuit of Happiness'

43 The Courteeners 'You Overdid It Doll'

42 Detroit Social Club 'Northern Man'

41 Yeasayer 'Ambling Alp'

 

40 Plan B 'She Said'

39 The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 'Heart in Your Heartbreak'

38 Bombay Bicycle Club 'Rinse Me Down'

37 The Maccabees ft. Roots Manuva 'Empty Vessels'

36 Robyn 'Hang With Me'

35 Chew Lips 'Slick'

34 Danger Mouse and Sparklehorse ft. Julian Casablancas 'Little Girl'

33 Sleigh Bells 'Tell 'Em'

32 The Drums 'Forever and Ever Amen'

31 School of Seven Bells 'Heart is Strange'

 

30 Katy B 'Katy on a Mission'

29 The Naked and Famous 'Punching in a Dream'

28 The National 'Bloodbuzz Ohio'

27 Muse 'Resistance'

26 Beach House 'Lover of Mine'

25 Caribou 'Odessa'

24 Example 'Kickstarts'

23 Plan B 'Love Goes Down'

22 Janelle Monae ft. Big Boi 'Tightrope'

21 LCD Soundsystem 'I Can Change'

 

20 Delorean 'Stay Close'

19 Stereophonics 'Could You Be The One?'

18 Fang Island 'Daisy'

17 I Blame Coco ft. Robyn 'Caesar'

16 The Golden Filter 'Hide Me'

15 Vampire Weekend 'Giving Up the Gun'

14 Cee-Lo 'f*** You'

13 Wild Nothing 'Summer Holiday'

12 Codeine Velvet Club 'Hollywood'

11 Foals 'Spanish Sahara'

 

10 Crystal Castles 'Celestica'

09 Magnetic Man ft. Katy B 'Perfect Stranger'

08 Kanye West ft. Pusha T 'Runaway'

07 Robyn 'Dancing On My Own'

06 The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 'Say No To Love'

05 The Big Pink 'Velvet'

04 Mumford and Sons 'The Cave'

03 Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith 'Not In Love'

02 The National 'Conversation 16'

01 Lady GaGa ft. Beyonce 'Telephone'

 

Join me in the new year as I count down the top 40 acts in the 7 year history of my personal chart!

Wow :o I genuinely didn't expect to see Telephone at #1 here! It missed my top 100 although I quite loved it at the back end of last year and would have been in my top 100 of 2009. Although since the video came out and the song became overplayed, I've sort of always thought of it as one of those where the video is better than the song and I'd probably rank it as only her 5th or 6th best single personally. Beyonce definitely adds to it though, I'm far from a huge fan of hers but her verse really does add some oomph to proceedings.

 

Nice to see Not In Love, The Cave and Dancing On My Own doing well too - all are very good. Not heard the song by The National.

My faves from your top 40 part of the chart

 

40 Plan B 'She Said'

39 The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 'Heart in Your Heartbreak'

38 Bombay Bicycle Club 'Rinse Me Down'

36 Robyn 'Hang With Me'

35 Chew Lips 'Slick'

30 Katy B 'Katy on a Mission'

29 The Naked and Famous 'Punching in a Dream' I find Young Blood is far better

27 Muse 'Resistance'

25 Caribou 'Odessa' Brilliant album

24 Example 'Kickstarts'

23 Plan B 'Love Goes Down'

17 I Blame Coco ft. Robyn 'Caesar'

16 The Golden Filter 'Hide Me'

15 Vampire Weekend 'Giving Up the Gun'

14 Cee-Lo 'f*** You'

10 Crystal Castles 'Celestica'

09 Magnetic Man ft. Katy B 'Perfect Stranger'

07 Robyn 'Dancing On My Own'

06 The Pains of Being Pure at Heart 'Say No To Love'

05 The Big Pink 'Velvet'

04 Mumford and Sons 'The Cave'

03 Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith 'Not In Love'

01 Lady GaGa ft. Beyonce 'Telephone' Its OK but I got tired of the track eventually I never expected this at #1 though

 

The Pains never fail, their tracks are so catchy.

Brilliant top 10

 

 

 

 

10 Crystal Castles 'Celestica'

08 Kanye West ft. Pusha T 'Runaway'

07 Robyn 'Dancing On My Own'

03 Crystal Castles ft. Robert Smith 'Not In Love'

02 The National 'Conversation 16'

01 Lady GaGa ft. Beyonce 'Telephone'

 

GREAT Top 10 :wub: Didn't expect Telephone to be number one either! :lol: