So it’s not technically Hump Day. What of it? You’re on break anyway–do you even know what day of the week it is? I thought not.

Lists, lists, lists–there are many, as you know, that attempt to sum up the crazy rollercoaster that was 2008. I don’t know if I’ve mentioned it, but 2008 left me a little cold. 2007 spoiled us with some big releases–M.I.A., Radiohead, a superior Britney album–and even though I was abroad for half of the year, I don’t feel like I missed a ton of stuff. Not even Pitchfork’s list could liven my spirits, highlighting acts like Deerhunter and Lykke Li.
When it comes to pop music, however, there was no downturn. Leave it to the studio magicians to turn out consistently excellent pop music. As a new study shows, troubling economic times don’t have a strong effect on pop’s messages. Thus we still have a cocky T.I., a sultry Rihanna, and an underaged pinup girl. Let’s count down the ten best of the year, shall we?

10. T.I.–”Whatever You Like”

Bailouts galore be damned–T.I.’s still gonna pop those bottles all night and a sexy lady can come along, too. T.I. claws his way past other lesser good-times-in-the-club-with-bitches and scores with a singalong gem. The beat is like every other T.I. song, but it just feels right in this context. I know you’ve heard this song, so here’s a link to Weird Al’s version, which is slightly more cognizant of the economic situation.

9. Leona Lewis–”Bleeding Love”

The X-Factor hottie scored in the spring belting out this anthem, which also scores high points in sing-ability. Is this about her longtime lovely but kinda broke mechanic boyfriend? That dimension makes it all the more wonderful. The message is uncomplicated, but the delivery is jaw-dropping. The U.K. video is way more interesting than the American one.

8. Coldplay–”Viva la Vida”
OK OK, I know–Chris Martin is an egotistical dick and his band is overhyped. Fine. But this song has a lot going for it–a bouncing string hook, a sweet video based on Eugene Delacroix’s painting, and lyrics that are a metaphor for the Decider and/or his British friend Blair (this is how I read it, anyway). I didn’t buy Coldplay’s album, but this single was a wise move.

7. Kylie Minogue–”In My Arms”

She doesn’t get enough play stateside, but Kylie is larger than life in Europe, and it was hard to escape this song last spring. In this geometric video, Kylie bounces around to a bubbly synth beat, melding her love of the dance floor with that for her lover. Awesome.

6. Beyonce–”Single Ladies (Put a Ring On It)”

Any list that doesn’t include this song should not be trusted. Beyonce stays true to form and delivers a catchy hit with a great video whose message doesn’t stray outside of the established norms. Yeah, I’m an independent woman, but you need to hold me DOWN, son!

5. Britney Spears–”Womanizer”

Britney’s latest doesn’t have a particularly inventive chorus or lyrics, but if nothing else it tells the world–she’s back, and she will rule. Did I mention she’s naked in the video? Oh yeah’ she’s back.

4. T.I. feat. Rihanna–”Live Your Life”

T.I. and Rihanna teach us about staying true to yourself and ballin’. I think they would know a thing or two about that, for sure. This is so much better than those self-affirmations my mom made me say when I was a kid (TMI?). Any song that uses “Numa Numa” so well has to be on our list.

3. Rihanna–”Disturbia”
Rihanna warns us about the perils of a post-apocalyptic, robotic world in one of the darkest pop songs of the year. Good thing it’s incredibly dance-able, singalong-able, and sexy.

2. Ne-Yo–”Closer”

The perfect hook, the smooth delivery, the staccato delivery at the chorus–this is practically the perfect pop song. What really makes it great–the verses dovetail right into the bridge. Listen for it.

1. Miley Cyrus–”See You Again”

I didn’t think that I’d put anyone currently employed by the Disney channel on any list, ever. But Miley surprised me. Vaguely reminiscent of Corey Hart’s “Sunglasses at Night,” this song is hypnotizing. Miley describes her timidness and, in a postmodern twist, incorporates her friend Leslie’s comments into the chorus. Her voice is disturbingly sexy for her age, almost mocking the controversy over the Vanity Fair cover. But it’s still a fun listen, and as anyone who walks into a bar near Georgetown knows, it never fails to please.

…And with that, I’ll see YOU in 2009.