The Playlist: 2007

I'll be back at work tomorrow after 12 days off. I thought I might ease back into it by posting this week's Playlist a few hours early. Enjoy!


It was the year K-Fed became the better parent, Martin Scorsese finally won an Oscar and ‘The Sopranos’ went swimming with the fishes.

Brit went bald, Paris did time and Amy Winehouse wasn’t the only one having troubles with ‘Rehab’ (Lindsay Lohan immediately comes to mind…).

To celebrate the year that was 2007, I will be spending this and next week recapping what I believe are the top 20 songs of the year. Feel free to chime in as to whether or not you agree with the picks.

In no particular order …

Nickelback - Rock Star

Surprisingly, theirs was the best concert I saw all year, even among the Red Hot Chili Peppers, Billy Joel and Dave Matthews Band. The Canadian rockers used this song to close their stop at Charlotte’s Verizon Wireless Amphitheatre in August, leading the crowd into a sing-along as still photos of rock legends like Ozzy Osbourne, Aerosmith and Metallica appeared on the giant video screen behind the band.



Carrie Underwood – Before He Cheats

The American Idol winner began 2007 by winning a pair of Grammys and her success continued with one of the biggest songs of the year. They say crime doesn’t pay but Underwood proved that singing about committing crimes – specifically destruction of personal property – can get you the Country Music Association’s Song of the Year. Underwood’s crossover appeal led to the song being nominated for both CMT and MTV awards.



Maroon 5 – Makes Me Wonder

A band I’m still hoping to see in concert… It took five years before Maroon 5 released a follow up to 2002’s hugely successful ‘Songs About Jane.’ The debut single from ‘It Won’t Be Soon Before Long’ helped the album debut at No. 1 on the Billboard charts and earned the band its first No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100. Interesting note: the song broke a record previously held by Kelly Clarkson’s ‘A Moment Like This’ for having the biggest jump to Billboard’s top spot (from 64 to 1).



Rihanna – Umbrella

At this point, it’s hard for me to hear someone say ‘umbrella’ without adding my own “ella, ella – eh, eh, eh” to the mix. I might need counseling. The popularity of the song not only sent it to the top of the US charts but also simultaneously made it the No. 1 song in the UK, Canada, Ireland, Germany, and half a dozen other countries. And to top it off, led to Rihanna selling her own brand of umbrellas through her Web site. Let’s see if we can start a trend on songs about inanimate objects. Maybe next year’s top song will be ‘Toaster,’ or ‘Lamp,’ or maybe ‘Trash Can.’



Kanye West – Stronger

What a year it’s been. A feud with 50 Cent, a hugely successful album, a blow up at the VMAs and then his mother dies of complications of cosmetic surgery in November. Say what you will about West’s worldview – and even I’ll admit it’s very much on the bleak side – but he’s a long way from reaching his potential as a musician and producer. ‘Stronger’ was named the record of the year by Spin Magazine and peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard Pop and Hot 100 charts. And the nod to ‘Akira’ in the music video was kinda cool too.



Pink – Who Knew

Who knew Pink had a soft side? The former Alicia Moore from Bucks County, Penn. plays up her vulnerable side in this second single from the ‘I’m Not Dead’ album. According to Pink, the song is about "the death of friendship. You're best friends forever, and then three years later you haven't seen each other in two years — what happened? You grow apart and people come in and out of your life for different reasons, seasons."



Nelly Furtado – Say It Right

What a difference a year makes. Up until 2006, Furtado was a singer-songwriter lost in the mix somewhere between Michelle Branch and Vanessa Carlton. And then she let hit-maker Timbaland produce her third album, ‘Loose.’ Fast forward to today and ‘Loose’ – influenced by R&B, hip hop, rock and a 1980s style – has produced five hit singles, including this track released in January. Some may criticize the change in Furtado’s image since 2001’s ‘Whoa, Nelly!’ but there’s no arguing the success she’s enjoyed as a result. And as a side note, I'm trying to get Timbaland to produce my album too...whenever I get around to having musical talent.



Colbie Caillat – Bubbly

MySpace isn’t just for child predators anymore. The networking site is credited with getting the 22-year-old’s name out there enough for fans to latch onto her surprise breakthrough hit. Though ‘Bubbly’ has only been on the charts a few months, with added momentum from continuous airplay on VH1, Caillat is on a path to achieve even greater success in 2008. Interesting note: Colbie’s father, Ken Caillat, co-produced Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Tusk’ and the groundbreaking ‘Rumours’ album in the late 70s.



Feist – 1234

Have you recently bought one of those new colored iPod Nanos? You can thank this song, used in the commercial, for brainwashing you. And Feist can thank the commercials for turning her song into a surprise breakout hit. ‘1234’ has also been used in recent TV advertising for HBO, Urban Outfitters, eBay and the Lifetime Network. Other singles by the Canadian indie singer-songwriter are being used by Lacoste perfume and Verizon Wireless.



Beyonce – Irreplaceable

You know what I think when I read Beyonce was born one month to the day after me? ‘Wow, I’m super lazy. I could be up there singing ‘Bootylicious’ too if I just applied myself.’ The second single from 2006’s ‘B’Day’ album was Beyonce’s fourth solo single to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and her eighth if you include her work with Destiny’s Child. And much like ‘Umbrella,’ a few of the lyrics crept their way into pop culture this year. Am I the only one who added “To the left, to the left” into everyday conversation? I don’t think so.



That’s what I got for this week. Check in next week for the last 10. Agree or disagree with my choices? Shoot me an e-mail at grahamcawthon@shelbystar.com.