Steve's Top 5 Top 5's-- #2 Top Five Songs of 2009

Happy Christmas Eve!!

Tonight Top 5 is for the best songs of 2009. There is some over lap from last nights Top 5 CDs, but also a couple tracks from other places. these are songs that have impressed me, or touched my heart in some way. Again, feel free to give me your responses.

5) Adam Lambert-- Whaddya Want From Me: The American Idol runner up has been every where the last few months. His debut album is pretty good, and I like this song in particular. To me it is kind of Lambert's cry out to the world. Everyone has been looking to see how wild or strange his next performance will be, and this song just asks everyone, "Whaddya Want from Me"..Okay, maybe I'm reading too much into it. Who knows.

4) Susan Boyle-- Wild Horses: Yesterday I mentioned that Susan Boyle performed a Rolling Stones Cover on her CD. this is it, Wild Horses. I first heard Susan sing this on the season finale of America's Got Talent, and it was just amazing. You have got to hear it.

3) Taylor Swift-- You Belong With Me: Country teen queen Taylor had quite a year this year, and this adorable love song was a big part of it. The story of a girl in love with a friend, trying to convince him that she is better for him than his cheerleader girlfriend. So infectiously contagious once you hear it, you'll be singing it for weeks.

2) Orianthi-- Highly Strung: I can't tell you how much I love this young guitarist from Australia. This is an instrumental cut from her Believe CD. It is a duet featuring guitar god Steve Vai. You have to hear it to believe it.


1) U2-- Magnificent: The second single off of No Line On The Horizon is an absolute masterpice that will have you singing along as the bass causes your car windows to tremble. This verse says it all,
"I was born, I was born to sing for you
I didn't have a choice but to lift you up
And sing whatever song you wanted me to
I give you back my voice from the womb
My first cry, it was a joyful noise, oh, oh" I love this band and this album and this song SO much. Go buy it!!

Steve's Top 5 Top 5's-- #1 Top 5 Albums of 2009

Today's Top 5 list is the top 5 CDs released in 2009. Their style varies, as I have a broad range of musical tastes. Let me say there has been a lot of good music released this year, but these albums stand out to me for a variety of reasons. Please feel free to comment back with your own choices.

5)Susan Boyle--I Dreamed a Dream: Yes this is the woman who broke into the spotlight on Britain's Got Talent. A frumpy woman from Wales with a voice that won't quit. Millions saw her perform on YouTube and she delivers with the same amazing voice on this CD. A blend of Hymns, show tunes, standards, and even a Rolling Stones cover. She may have come in second on the show, but she provs she has what it takes to be #1.

4) Carrie Underwood-- Play On: The third album from American Idol winner Underwood is a touch edgier in places, but is still filled with the signature ballads as well. Her voice is beautiful and strong in most places, although on a few of the up tempo numbers it does tend to just be loud. The debut single, Cowboy Casanova is not my favorite, but I'm sure there will be many more number one singles from this one.

3) Orianthi-- Believe: The United States debut album by this amazing guitar sensation from Australia will blow you away if you are a fan of guitar music. I've heard her voacls compared to Kelly Clarkson and Avril Lavigne, and I guess I can sort of see that. But the voice, rocky but still pleasant to listen to, is not the reason to listen. Orianthi has been playing the guitar since she was a child, and her skill is amazing. If you haven't heard of her or can't place her, she played with Carrie Underwood on the 2009 Grammy Awards and was set to tour with Michael Jackson before his sudden death this summer. Do yourself a favor and check out this CD.

2) Jars of Clay-- Long Fall Back to Earth: Jars of Clay has been one of my favorite bands since their debut single flood hit the airwaves back in my KLoRD days (1995 to be exact). One of the things I love about them is that they reinvent themselves with each album. On this, their 10th studio album (according to wikipedia), their sound is almost a throwback to late 70's or early 80's in several spots. It is much more up beat than 2006's Good Monsters. With most of Jars' CDs I latch on to one or two songs immediately, and the rest have to kind of grow on me. With this disc I loved the whole thing almost immediately. If you have not yet become a Jars of Clay fan, this disc is a great place to start.

1) U2-- No Line On the Horizon: For over 25 years now the Boys from Dublin have been delivering top notch Rock with a social conscience and a strong spiritual undertone. I have been waiting since 1987 for them to match the power and feel of Joshua Tree, and for me this is that album. I played it nearly non-stop for the first two weeks I had it. If you haven't heard it yet, go get it, I can't tell you how good it is, you have to hear it for yourself