1. M.I.A. – Paper Planes: The highlight of last year’s superlative Kala, “Paper Planes” was issued as a single in February, and spent the spring and summer becoming the decade’s most unlikely crossover hit, eventually peaking at #4 in the States and charting in the pop, rock, hip-hop, dance and adult contemporary charts. Its musical elements (a sample of the Clash’s “Straight to Hell,” a hip-hop snap beat, gunshots, a cash register and some British school kids) are now thrillingly ubiquitous, but the meaning of the lyrics got lost in the hubbub. The ultimate outsider anthem, this song is a parody of the misconceptions people have about immigrants, which is perhaps why I feel so strongly about it.
2. Fight Bite – Swissex Lover: Technically, since “Paper Planes” was originally released last year, this is my single of the year. Taken from Fight Bite’s internet-released debut album, Emerald Eyes, “Swissex Lover” is one of those songs that you feel rather than comprehend, if that makes any sense. The song is like a layered drifting cloud of keyboards, with almost subliminal percussion that you’ll only notice if you listen through headphones. There are string voices that bring to mind old Disney films, a bit of church organ and “Oh Father” flutes, all of which combine with the chorale-style vocals to produce a nostalgic yet futuristic feel. Like Christmas carols in the year 2400 or something. That will sound extraordinarily pretentious, so just YouTube the video to hear what I’m going on about.
3. Santogold – L.E.S. Artistes: The best song that Missing Persons never wrote. Actually, I prefer this to anything Missing Persons actually did write. This single combines new-wave guitars, an electro beat and a classic pop chorus, complete with girl-group backing harmony and served as the perfect indicator of what to expect from her full-length debut, as last year’s “Creator” was something of a red herring. But the video, for me at least, is what makes this song truly special. Not that it really matters, but it was such a refreshing change to see a black woman portrayed in such a graceful, elegant manner in a video.
4. Coldplay – Viva la Vida: After the hideous, saccharine mess that was 2005’s X&Y, Chris Martin smartly realised it was time to switch his style up and hooked up with art-rock legend Brian Eno to produce Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends. The first thing we heard from this collaboration was “Violet Hill,” which proved that Coldplay were actually capable of rocking. But “Viva la Vida,” premiered in an iPod advert, is the record’s classic, a charming bit of pure orchestral pop with a melody taken from a bit of 80s guitar-wank by Joe Satriani. Martin dances like a wanker whenever he performs it, but the song is so good, that can be forgiven.
5. Lil Wayne – A Milli: Let’s be clear. I hate the lyrics to this song. They’re the typical vulgar sex-and-drugs-and-violence tripe that has plagued mainstream hip-hop for the last decade. But the beat, a sparse 808 rhythm with a chant of ‘milli’ in the background is so mad, it’s damn near irresistible. If someone has an instrumental, PLEASE send it to me.

6. The Cool Kids – Delivery Man
7. Deerhunter – Nothing Ever Happened
8. Kanye West – Flashing Lights
9. Britney Spears – Piece of Me
10. White Denim – Mess Your Hair Up
11. Hercules and Love Affair – Blind
12. Boris – My Neighbor Satan
13. Kate Nash – Merry Happy
14. Vampire Weekend – A-Punk
15. The Black Kids – I’m Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend To Dance With You
16. Estelle feat. Kanye West – American Boy
17. Santogold – Lights Out
18. Lily Allen – The Fear
19. Radiohead – Nude
20. Hot Chip – Ready For The Floor
21. Solange Knowles – Sandcastle Disco
22. MGMT – Kids
23. Björk – Declare Independence
24. Coldplay – Lost!
25. Kanye West – Love Lockdown

I feel rather lazy today due to the nasty weather, so I’m not linking to all those videos. I might change my mind later though.