Top 35 Songs of 2005: 35-21

So I’ve decided that there’s no better way to ring in the new year then giving you a list of my favorite songs of 2005. As with the top albums list the only real barometer for the songs on this list is that I like them. I’m going to try and stretch segment out for awhile since I don’t have much to post about. So today you’ll get 35-21, on Thursday you’ll get 20-11 and the Top 10 will come next week. So with out further ado, here’s the list.

35. New Pornographers – The Bleeding Heart Show: There’s a strong possibility that this song is only on my list because I saw the band live. Anyhow, the final 1:45 of this song rocks my socks off.

34. Clap Your Hands Say Yeah - Upon This Tidal Wave Of Young Blood: Might be higher if it wasn’t for the “there’s nothing left to fear now that big foot is capture” line.

33. Wolf Parade -You Are A Runner And I Am My Father's Son: Great opening song. Even after multiple listens you’re never really sure where the song is going, which is a good thing. The line about drawing 3 figures on a loved one’s heart is both beautiful and creepy. Shades of Neutral Milk Hotel.

32. New Pornographers – Jackie, Dressed in Cobras: This song contains my favorite line of the year: “There’s something in the way she moves that shouldn’t be allowed.” So it makes the list.

31. Spoon – I Turn My Camera On: One of the best driving and/or dancing songs out there.

30. Kanye West (Feat. Lupe Fiasco) - Touch the Sky: This song possesses what might be the best sample since Primitive Radio God’s sampled B.B King. Also Fiasco’s debut rap is really damn good.

29. Broken Social Scene – Swimmers: This song would be higher if I had gotten it sooner. Instead I’ve only had a few weeks with this phenomenal song. Maybe the best song about young love I’ve heard since “Me and Julia” by Boy Star Library.

28. Crooker Fingers – Sleep All Summer: The indie scene’s answer to Bruce Springsteen writing a great summer song.

27. Silver Jews - Punks in the Beerlight: The Silver Jews are the best at writing songs that are tongue and cheek depressing and catchy as all hell. This is a perfect example of one of those songs.

26. Ryan Adams & The Cardinals – Cherry Lane: I’ve always been a sucker for the Alt. Country and Brit Rock. In Cherry Lane Adam’s combines the two genre’s perfectly, hence it’s inclusion on this list.

25. Crooker Fingers – Twilight Creeps: The indie Bruce is back, doing what he does best: reminding all of us that just because something’s cheesy doesn’t mean it’s not good. When a song included lines like: “Why’s everybody always act so tough if all anybody wants is to find a friend.” And you’re not laughing hysterically at it, then you have to believe that it’s a great song. Or you just have bad taste in music.

24. Bright Eyes – Poison Oak: I could off on a list of reasons this song shouldn’t be on this list, such as: Overdone bravado, overly emo, pacifist lyrics that don’t fit at all, ect. But instead I’ll tell you why I like this song: Slide Guitar. While Conor Oberst is going into more of a folk style writing style, his band Bright Eyes is still overtly an emo band. But this song has the best slide guitar of any song I’ve heard this year. It’s beautiful musically and because of that I can block out the lyrics that I don’t like and/or don’t fit the song. So it makes my list.

23. Fruit Bats - The Wind that Blew My Heart Away: How could the official song of Hurricane Katrina not make this list?

22. Clem Snide – Jews for Jesus Blues: For a guy’s whose first name is Eef, Clem Snide’s lead singer is extremely brilliant. In this song he addresses a problem every realistic Christian has thought of. Eef claims that now that he’s found (and/or saved through Christ) he wishes he was lost. A feeling we can all relate to. While this concept alone is arguably brilliant enough to land you on my top songs list, the song itself is very good. I’m not sure what else to say about this song so let’s just move on.

21. Andrew Bird - Fake Palindromes: On this song Bird offers us a new twist on the generic love song. Bird shows us love through a psychopath and/or serial killer’s eyes. Make no mistake, this is a love song. And the songs final lyrics have the protagonist longing to “drill a tiny hole” into the object of their affections head. Also this song has the best violin riff I’ve heard since Bitter Sweet Symphony by the Verve, and it’s may be the best violin riff I’ve ever heard.

Well that’s it for now check back Thursday for 20-11.