The only music videos that mattered in 2009

No other videos mattered this year...impressive because one of said videos came out in October of 2008.

"Shoulda put a ring on it,” entered our pop culture lexicon and proclamations of being “a free bitch, baby” littered everyone’s News Feed.

Spawning a slew of spoofs since the '08 release, Single Ladies (Put a Ring on it) became the video that wouldn't die (Even the Chippettes did their own take). Beyonce took the ‘less-is-more’ philosophy and ran with it…err, danced with it. A sound stage, three leotards, one mechanical glove and three “single” ladies later—voila! A hit is born. Perhaps the most effective mainstream viral music video ever? I think so.



On the other end of the pop prism, Lady Gaga’s ‘more-is-more’ Bad Romance took advantage of a season’s worth of Alexander McQueen, razorblade sunglasses, a hairless pussycat, latex costumes, a busy Russian bathhouse filled with mobsters, product placement, crystal headpieces, a fur wedding dress, fire, Illumunati symbols (lol) and a personal orbit. Between the visuals and the lyrics, the references were just as random and varied: Nosferatu (and vampireism), Hitchcock, the twist, Bollywood, evolution and the sex trade. Well, she certainly isn’t boring.

Music makes the people come together

I've compiled a list of my favourite albums of 2008. Unabashedly pop, some of the albums are guilty pleasures (Danity Kane), while others haven't left my CD player (yes, I BUY the physical copies!) and look like they're not going anywhere anytime soon. Some are new favourites (Kanye West & Lady Gaga) and others have been kicking around since spring (Adele). Absent from this list is Britney Spears, because although her album is a lot of fun, I doubt she knows it's even out. Shattered Glass from Circus is pure pop music genius however.

Come 2009, I'll be anticipating new Lily Allen, No Doubt, Ciara, Metric and Mark Ronson...

Lady Gaga- The Fame
Duffy- Rockferry
Santogold- Santogold
Adele- 19
Leona Lewis- Spirit
Madonna- Hard Candy
Pink- Funhouse
Solange- Sol-Angel & The Headly Street Dreams
Kanye West- 808s & Heartaches
The Ting Tings- We Started Nothing
Danity Kane- Welsome to the Dollhouse

Rightfully so

So as the year comes to a close, I realize that my favourite video this year isn't by the newest or sceneiest. It's by Beyonce a.k.a. Sasha Fierce.

Single Ladies (put a ring on it) has not only inspired many great spoof videos, but it's actually a really great dance and video. Hell, I even do the karate chop dance in my car.

Beyonce is crazy and so am I. It's a good combo.