The Top Ten Pop Songs of 2009

It's the end of the year, and time to take a look back at the best of what 2009 had to offer. Choosing the top ten songs of the year is certainly subjective, but this year has been particularly difficult in that there seem to be so many that are worthy of this distinction.

Here are my picks for the top ten pop songs of 2009:

10. "Day 'n Nite" (Kid Cudi): This song has a haunting quality that sells the lyrics while at the same time locking the song in one's brain. The lyrics speak to the kind of desolation that typified the mood of the country in 2009, yet the song isn't morose. It makes my list because of all the pop songs that hit the airwaves in 2009, this might have been the most artistically crafted.

Cudi, who helped write Kanye West's "Heartless," has been nominated for two Grammys for the song - Best Rap Solo Performance and Best Rap Song - looks to be an artist to watch in 2010.

9. "Blame It" (Jamie Foxx featuring T-Pain): For months you couldn't turn on the radio without hearing Jamie Foxx's ditty about the evils of alcohol and this song could well have been the most played song of the year! The song is certainly an earworm, and while live performances never quite lived up to the recorded version, "Blame It" will always flash me back to the summer of '09.

The song has been nominated for two Grammys - Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals and Best R&B Song.

8. "Right Round" (Flo Rida): In 2008, Flo Rida had a monster hit with "Low," but 2009's "Right Round" surpassed "Low" to become an international hit. Despite having rather raunchy lyrics, the song became a staple in pop radio rotations, many of which did not normally play rap songs. Flo Rida even performed this song on 'American Idol,' an odd choice for a family-oriented show, but certainly a way to spread the wealth this song had to offer.

This song makes my list because it's gritty and real, but a tune that always makes me want to dance.

7. "I Know You Want Me" (Pitbull): This song blends rap and Latin in a smooth mix that really has some teeth. Pitbull's' vocals are rough and tough, and the song is just downright sexy. The song was the No. 1 watched YouTube video of the year and for good reason. It's another one that I had stuck in my head for days and my top ten list would be incomplete if I didn't include it!

6. "My Life Would Suck Without You" (Kelly Clarkson): The first American Idol was back in a big way in 2009, returning to the pop charts with several songs, including this, the first release from her album 'All I Ever Wanted.' The song, which was written by Dr. Luke and Max Martin creators of "Since U Been Gone," was Kelly's second career number one single. It's Kelly at her pop/rock best with great vocals, an awesome hook, and lyrics that pretty much everyone can relate to. It's not my favorite Kelly Clarkson song ever, but certainly one that will rank among her greatest hits.

5. "Heartless" (Kanye West): Despite his antics at the VMAs, Kanye West's monster hit of 2009 makes my list because it is so revealing. The song speaks to the soul and peels away a bit of West's veneer. Interestingly, it was Kris Allen's interpretation on 'Idol' that allowed listeners to hear the lyrics in a different way, making West's version even more effective.

Kanye West didn't have the best year, but his music stands as testimony to his talent and versatility.

4. "I Gotta Feeling" (Blacked Eyed Peas): This song is just plain fun. The Black Eyed Peas kick it up a notch, infusing this tune with energy and optimism. It's a feel good song that came along at exactly the right time and never seems to get old. It was a great year for this group and their prominence on the charts and on pop radio ensures continued success in the future. I wasn't a big fan until 2009, but I am solidly in their camp now!

3. "Single Ladies" (Beyonce): This lady can sing anything and sound good, and while this anthem to women is not her best vocally, it may be one of her most impressive outings in terms of its energy and power. I don't think you can actually judge this song solely on the vocals, however. No, once you watch her sing and dance to this one, it's pretty clear that Beyonce's still got something special going on.

2. "Boom, Boom, Pow" (Blacked Eyed Peas): Billboard has this one at No. 1 for the year, and it was a close call for me as well. The song mixes up dance, techno, and hip-hop in a tight blend that doesn't know when to stop. "Boom, Boom, Pow" is the groups first song to hit number on the Billboard Hot 100 and has been nominated for two Grammys - Best Dance Recording and Best Short Music Video.

1. "Poker Face" (Lady Gaga): I have to admit that I had never heard Lady Gaga before this song hit the airwaves, and for a while, didn't even know who the artist was that sang this song. But I knew all the lyrics and found myself singing along whenever I heard it. Once I watched her perform this, however, I became totally enthralled with this unusual, but incredibly talented artist. Simply put, I love Gaga and this song is my favorite of the year.

I'm not alone in this. Lady Gaga has been nominated for five Grammys, including Record of the Year and Song of the Year. This was Lady Gaga's year, that's for sure!

I'm sure there will be those who will disagree with my choices, but they are my choices! And yes, I snubbed Taylor Swift because, quite honestly, her vocals annoy me and her themes are just too teeny-bopper for me to relate to. I like my music with a bit more edge to it. And, in 2009, pop music definitely took on a sharper edge, veering away from bubble-gum and reflecting the struggles we witnessed over the past 12 months.