Musical Favorites from 2005

First off, let me say that I wrapped up this semester with my committee meeting on Thursday and I feel as though a burden has been lifted. Nice to have some things squared away.

Anyway, I've always thought you could learn a lot about a person simply by knowing what kind of music they listen to and proclaim to like. So in the spirit of sharing more about myself, I thought I'd share with you my playlist of favorite songs from 2005. Now certainly I've forgotten some of them, but I looked through my iTunes at songs dated 2005 and maybe a couple cheats that actually were released late in 2004. And I'm not sure the list is complete, so feel free to make recommendations for songs that you've enjoyed from this year and if they happen to have been songs I liked I'll add them to the list. If not, there's nothing wrong with you, it just wouldn't be my list if it had songs I didn't like on it. Your opinion will be noted and shown in the comments section.

The other limitation to this list is that it excludes songs that I've discovered this year that weren't released this year, but sometimes in life you just have to draw a line. Maybe we can address that in another blog post.

Without further ado, I give to you
Jake's Favorite Songs of 2005
(ordered alphabetically by artist)

1) Disco Inferno - 50 Cent
This song actually made me go buy the album, edited of course.

2) Outta Control (Remix) - 50 Cent ft. Mobb Deep
This song almost made me buy the special edition version of the album. Love the piano.

3) Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy - Big & Rich
Good fun. Doesn't really sound like country to me, but I'd have to listen to country radio to hear it.

4) Don't Lie - Black Eyed Peas
Hard to believe this is the same group that gave us "Milky milky cocoa puff" on the same album. Somethings not right about that.

5) Listen to Your Heart (Techno Version) - DHT
I can't think of anything to say about this one.

6) Sugar, We're Going Down - Fall Out Boy
This song was able to withstand me listening to it about 1,000 times the first week that I downloaded it. Still holds up. Not as sold on the rest of their stuff, sadly. They do have great song titles (Champagne for My Real Friends, Real Pain for My Sham Friends, for example)

7) Hate It or Love It - The Game ft. 50 Cent
Chillin'. The remix is also good, but if I have to choose one, I choose the original.

8) How We Do - The Game ft. 50 Cent
I take issues with a few lines, but the part when The Game gives us the eagle scream is just too much fun. Great beat, too.

9) Feel Good Inc. - Gorillaz
Lots of fun to laugh along like a deranged maniac.

10) Holiday - Green Day
Great guitar. Don't take this as an endorsement of their anti-Bush bent.

11) Diamonds from Sierra Leone - Kanye West
Other than 50, Kanye was the only one really putting out hip-hop that I could really enjoy this year.

12) Gold Digger - Kanye West ft. Jamie Foxx
One of my most favorite songs of the year. Great idea having Jamie Foxx reprise his role as Ray Charles in a song. Haven't seen that before. Great lyrics, great everything.

13) Diamonds from Sierra Leone (Remix) - Kanye West ft. Jay-Z
The rare remix that is basically a brand new song just with the same beat. I doubt this one gets played on the air much, but it actually has more to say about conflict diamonds than the original version of the song, plus I have to love me some Jigga.

14) Since U Been Gone - Kelly Clarkson
15) Behind These Hazel Eyes - Kelly Clarkson
Two songs that grew on me this year. Still don't regret passing up seeing Kelly at the U for the 4th. But good songs nonetheless. Plus Kelly's a little hottie. Am I right fellas?

16) Smile Like You Mean It - Killers
People are still shocked when I tell them that some of the members of this band are Mormon (including the lead singer, I believe)

17) You and Me - Lifehouse
A song I could probably listen to on repeat for a long, long time. Makes me hurt inside if I'm feeling down about being single.

18) Shake It Off (Remix) - Mariah Carey ft. Jay-Z and Young Jeezy
I really can't understand Mariah's career transformation. But at least she has the sense to get Jay-Z to do a remix. Or someone does. That would be giving Mariah Ca-razy way too much credit.

19) Home - Michael Buble
Sat through the credits of "The Wedding Date" listening to this song. Strange evening where I ended up at a movie with about 15 girls. Debra Messing is hot. Except sometimes she looks too bony. I don't see how another 10 pounds wouldn't make her the next Jennifer Aniston.

20) Lose Control - Missy Elliot ft. Ciara and Fat Man Scoop
I like that Missy Elliot always seems to be doing something new. Not that it always works, but at least you can count on it being interesting.

21) Scars - Papa Roach
I'm happy to see Papa Roach have at least a 2nd great song. "Last Resort" may have my favorite all time guitar line.

22) Don't Cha - Pussycat Dolls ft. Busta Rhymes
Every girl who's offered her opinion on this song seems to love it. Something about the idea of a guy checking you out even though he's with his girlfriend must be the pinnacle of cattiness for women.

23) Swing Life Away - Rise Against
Another of my most favoritest. Heard it on the radio one day and had to hunt it down by googling the lyrics. I have to be honest, I'm super suprised I haven't heard this song get played more (although I don't always hear the radio a lot). Its my #1 recommendation for people to check out if they get the chance. Short but great.

24) Beverly Hills - Weezer
"Take my picture by the pool cuz I'm the next big thing". 'Nuff said.

25) Switch - Will Smith
Not my favorite Will Smith song, but I've made promoting ol' Will a lifetime pursuit. How many people do you know who own all of his albums? I kind of wish that he'd accept the fact that he's not a gangster and quit trying to convince the hip-hop community that he deserves their attention. He's so much better when he's just having a good time.

Hope you've enjoyed this music year in review post. If you made it this far and didn't enjoy it, you probably should have just stopped reading a while ago.

I'll be leaving for my parents on Monday night, and after Christmas heading to California for New Years, so I'll probably be taking a break from my full-time web presence. Happy Holidays!